A serendipitous search on minimalism and Nordic life led me to a new podcast on life in Norway had just dropped. I was busy declogging our bathroom sink when the episode lingered on something simple but strangely magnetic: the midnight sun. The idea that in summer, the sun refuses to fully leave, stretching light across…
Travel
The First Visit to Europe
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. In the case of travel to Europe, and in many places elsewhere, Austria has hosted a series of milestones. The first time to witness snow, the first Schengen visa, and the first destination with a connecting flight. The year was 2006, and right after…
The Winter Tale of New York City
While prepping for an upcoming LCSC session, my Windows 11 desktop reminded me that six years ago, my wife and I were enjoying a frigid whirlwind tour of New York City. A flood of memories returned to me, including a pristine February winter that stretched from the Big Apple to the nation’s capitol, as well…
The Dubai and Abu Dhabi Adventure
As is normal when we travel, my wife and I had to make a rapid decision on where to go, check fares, and review immigration requirements in a few days. Although competing with Hongkongers who are tired of traveling can be difficult, we are lucky to live in a city that serves as a regional…
Karloo Track via Engadine Trail at Royal National Park
A solo Karloo Pools hike via the Engadine trail in Sydney’s Royal National Park — route notes, conditions, and what to expect on this 10km loop.
7 Reasons Norway Was Our Top Summer Stopover
Choosing a favourite holiday destination can be a very subjective topic to discuss. Several factors come into play. First, it’s obviously about the place’s reputation. But also, it’s about the visitor’s expectation. Over the past decade, my wife and I had the privilege of visiting several countries and had varying degrees of experience. With her…
7 Things I Learned While Traveling With European Railways
I observed that when traveling by train in many other European cities, it is crucial to be aware of certain things that may easily be overlooked or ignored by many. Departure and Arrival signs are sometimes displayed separately. When looking for your next trip displayed on large screens in train stations, be quick to ensure…
Why Research Beats Instincts When Traveling
Milan’s Centrale railway station is a bit different from the ones we previously experienced in Zurich, Innsbruck, and Salzburg a few days ago. The station is huge yet still crowded, expanding vertically to accommodate passengers and shops. While directly going to the information desk was the apparent first step on our previous stop, the combination…
Honor System at Europe’s Public Transport
One of the most remarkable things I observed in Europe is the fact that the public transport sector does not need plenty of enforcers to ensure the riding public gets to ride the buses, trams or subway systems. When spending a few days in cities in Europe (or other parts of the world), one of…
Consulates to Go, Avoid for Schengen Visa in Hong Kong
Innsbruck, Austria – I am fond of traveling and one of my most favorite places to go in Europe. But since I carry a Philippine passport, I don’t have visa-free access to most of Europe. Azerbaijan and Georgia in Eastern Europe and Kosovo in the former republic of Yugoslavia are the exception but getting to…