Where do we go from here?
For those who are not fond of hiking (especially the kind of hiking that I do), I get you, this page is for you. On this page, you will discover the destinations I've visited so far (including the ones I have not written) as well as the path moving forward.
Travel Footprints
Quite limited because you know, work-life balance and uh, travel funds... here's an overview of all the places I've been to.
Current Count (I try not to count but I get asked a lot and I can't remember what to answer so here you go):
- UN Member States - 16/193
- UN Observer States - 1/2 (Palestine)
- SARs (special administrative regions) of the People's Republic of China - 2/2 Hong Kong & Macau
Travel Timeline
Before I took blogging (and hiking) seriously, there was a time when I couldn't afford the kind of trips I now do. My early travels were short-lived and poorly planned. No matter how much I wracked my brain trying to write about them, I couldn't come up with something useful. Later, I will write about the lessons and the mistakes I learned during that time, but that's another topic.
As I looked back on my journey, I decided to share this history with you to honor all the short-lived adventures I've had in the past. Through this, I am reminded of my personal growth and the privilege I've gained both as a person and a traveler.
You might notice some shifts in my perspective (and priorities) as you explore the patterns in the places I've been to.
- 2015 - Singapore (short layover and lunch with a friend)
- 2017 - Oman
- 2018 - Thailand (business trip), Singapore (city tour courtesy of Changi Airport) & South Korea (my first proper trip!)
- 2019 - Backpacking the Caucasus Region: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia; Hong Kong (during the protests) & Macau
- 2022 - Soul-searching in Kyrgyzstan (Spring & Autumn) and DIY Group Pilgrimage in Israel and Palestine
- 2023 - Brunei, The Philippines (Davao & Boracay!), and Uzbekistan
- 2024 - Uganda, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (again...because why not?), Russia
Love Affair with Central Asia
After the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered a region that took my breath and heart away by accident. What was supposed to be a trip to Kazakhstan led to a redirection to Kyrgyzstan. As cliché as it sounds, I went on a soul-searching trip in Kyrgyzstan when I was questioning my individuality. My love affair with Kyrgyzstan continued six months after receiving a surprise e-visa from Kyrgyzstan due to a mishap during my first visit.
That autumn trip cemented my love and footing in Kyrgyzstan; it became a home to me rather than just a tourist destination. From then on, my interest in visiting other Central Asian countries grew, starting with Uzbekistan and finally Kazakhstan, four years after my intended visit. To this day, the region continuously leaves me breathless, speechless, and in a state of bliss.
At the moment, I'm only missing Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (if we're not counting Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mongolia altogether). These two countries are next in line, but you know, I always get redirected somewhere else, so let's see.
Blog
Now, let's go through some of my favorite posts to make it easier for you:
Memorable (and Informative) Border Crossings:
- Baku to Tbilisi (by sleeper train)
- Tbilisi to Yerevan (by sleeper train)
- Jerusalem to Bethlehem by Bus (Public Transportation)
- Almaty to Bishkek (by bus)
Central Asian Adventures:
- Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan
- Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan
- The historical city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan
Remarkable Walking Tours:
Favorite Travel Stories:
- Holy Land's Jerusalem - A Personal Pilgrimage in Jerusalem
- Holiday of Romance, Recreation & Reflection in the Philippines
- A Journey of Redemption: Finding my way to the summit of Mount Elgon in Uganda
- Alone but Not Lonely: My Solo Travel through the Great Steppe of Kazakhstan
- Oh Russia, you're my sweetest mistake
If you want to explore more on your own, you can browse my posts in their respective destinations below:
Resources
If you're looking for resources under these specific categories, click below:
