A Saunterer’s Lens

Today is June 22nd, and it is officially Day 18 of my Philippine adventure. It’s a huge moving day because I finally said goodbye to Negros Island and took a ferry across the ocean to Bohol! The arrival was pretty crazy with a massive crowd of taxi drivers swarming me, but things quickly turned around when I found quiet roads and made some awesome new friends who gave me a random cookie. Grab a dr...

today's diary is all about my final, epic push to my goal line in Dumaguete. From an emotional send-off in Polo to crashing multiple Father's Day parties along the road, this day was full of Red Horse beer, good food, and amazing locals. Listen in as I reflect on walking over 230 kilometers and why challenging the unknown is the absolute best part of traveling. Grab a drink and let's celebrate rea...

Today is June 20th, and I finally hit the road from Bais City. I planned to camp outside, but when the rain started, an amazing local family invited me into their home for a delicious dinner and some Netflix! Along the way, I also hung out with over 60 awesome locals in a small village and even fixed a bike. Grab a drink and join me on this heartwarming day as I get ready for the final stretch to...

Today is June 19th, and it is a complete rest day here in Bais. I took a break from walking, but I still had an amazing time exploring the city thanks to the hotel owner's husband who gave me a ride in his electric car. From checking out a colorful fish market to eating street BBQ at night, this town has been so welcoming. Grab a drink and join me as I recharge for the final two days of walking to...

Today is June 18th, and it was a crazy 25-kilometer walk from Bindoy to Bais. I started the day with zero motivation and an empty stomach, and even saw a traffic accident happen right in front of me! But thanks to some friendly locals, a much-needed late lunch, and a super sweet hotel owner at the finish line, I survived the day. Grab a snack and hear all about this exhausting but unforgettable ad...

Today is June 17th, and it was definitely a day full of ups and downs. I woke up to an incredibly loud thunderstorm, and my stomach was in so much pain all morning! But despite the rough start, I managed to walk 30 kilometers toward Ayungon. Along the way, I received some unexpected kindness from locals and had a lot of time to think about why I love traveling so much. Plus, I'm getting super clos...

Today is June 16th, and I finally left the town of McKinley. It was super hot today, and I was really struggling to keep a smile on my face. But then, I met some awesome construction workers who let me hang out and even sleep at their place! It really taught me that rushing isn't everything, and sometimes you just need to stop and connect with people. Grab a drink and join me for today's crazy sto...

So, today is June 15th, and it's another free day for me. I got a few chores done today, but I'll be packing up and hitting the road again tomorrow. But honestly, I just had to turn on the mic and tell you about the amazing things that happened today.

Today is June 14th, and it’s finally a much-needed rest day after walking over 50 kilometers. I thought I was just going to relax at the hotel and do absolutely nothing, but finding cheap food turned into a real adventure. I ended up making some amazing new friends at a local sari-sari store who treated me to lunch and invited me back for some fresh squid caught right from the ocean! Grab a snack...

Hey guys! In today's diary, I share the crazy story of my sleepless night camping on the mountain. It was pretty scary dealing with all the wild dogs and a big thunderstorm! But the next day, I tried a brand-new way to pull my cart by tying it to my waist, and it was amazing. I walked 37 kilometers, met about 100 people on the way to Guihulngan, and finally made it to McKinley. Grab a coffee and j...

Welcome back to another audio diary entry, recorded on June 12th from a little hilltop campsite somewhere south of San Carlos! Today was a day of massive realizations and sudden detours as I decided to abandon my northbound plans to avoid the trap of just "chasing numbers." Join me as I recount a grueling, completely shade-less trek down south towards Dumaguete, a heartwarming encounter with a for...

Welcome back to another audio diary entry, recorded on June 11th from Iloilo City! Today wasn't about exploring new physical locations; it was an "off day" entirely dedicated to social media and content creation. Join me as I dive into my constant battle with perfectionism and explore why making videos isn't just an internet chore—it's actually a vital way to deeply reconnect with the sights, smel...

Welcome back to another audio diary entry, recorded straight from the vibrant streets of San Carlos! What was supposed to be a slow rest day quickly turned into an unexpected adventure filled with surprisingly delicious cafe breakfasts, serendipitous thrift finds, and a refreshing dip in the local People's Park pool. Join me as I wander through this beautifully maintained city, taste local fruit m...

In this diary entry, our walking journey takes an unexpected turn under the sweltering Cebu sun. After setting out from Balamban for an 18-kilometer trek to the port of Toledo, a chance encounter with a kind-hearted local reminds us that the best travel experiences aren't about strictly following the rules we set for ourselves, but about embracing human connection. Join me as I explore the authent...

Welcome to Day 4 of the journey! Today begins with a heartfelt, albeit slightly regretful, goodbye to the wonderful local family who took me in. The road down from the mountains brings unexpected surprises, including a run-in with some dancing TikTokers, before finally leading to the peaceful coastal town of Balamban. Join me as I explore the ocean-side streets, enjoy a local lunch at a Sari-Sari...

Welcome to Day 3 of the journey! After surviving a sleepless night serenaded by a hundred chickens, today pushed me to my absolute limits with brutal uphill climbs and a massive rainstorm that destroyed my electronics. But the storm also brought unexpected blessings, leading me to a beautiful chapel in Balamban District 3 and an incredibly warm local family who took me in. Tune in to hear why deal...

Welcome to Day 2 of this grueling walking journey! If yesterday was a reality check, today was a profound wake-up call. In this episode, I dive into why traveling on foot is a thousand times harder than cycling, the sudden panic of finding shelter in a downpour, and the absolute agony of severe thigh chafing. Yet, amidst the endless uphill climbs and the immense challenge of finding a place to sle...

Welcome to Day 1 of a completely new kind of adventure!. I quickly discovered that traveling on foot is a totally different sport compared to cycling, draining my entire body's stamina. From forgetting sunscreen and dealing with brutal mountain trails to carrying way too much weight, today was a massive learning curve that even ended in heatstroke. But it wasn't all bad—tune in to hear how I survi...

In this episode of gem's travel diary, we are soaking in the humid, vibrant atmosphere of Cebu City just one day before a big departure. Join gem as he shares the simple but profound moments of the day—from purposefully eating bitter melon to stay healthy on the road, to experiencing a deeply heartwarming encounter with a local family. We also take a sensory, rainy jeepney ride down to Carbon Mark...

Join me on the morning of May 31st as I wake up deep in the jungle with a slight hangover, only to discover the beauty of a simple, disconnected life! In this episode, we take a quick hike up the mountain to find a sliver of Wi-Fi, taste a sour local coconut wine called "Tuba," and try to stomach some incredibly tart green mangoes. From a wild, speeding bus ride back to civilization to an inspirin...

Join me on a spontaneous journey about 40 kilometers south of Cebu City to the vibrant town of Carcar, and then deep into the untouched jungle! In this episode, we leave the Wi-Fi behind to visit a local family, share some incredible food, and watch a local casually climb a 10-meter coconut tree. It's a beautiful reminder of our fundamental human connection to nature, setting the perfect grounding...

Have you ever noticed how much time we spend staring down at our screens? In this episode, I take you with me to the vibrant, chaotic streets of Cebu City, specifically the historic Colon Street and the massive Carbon Market. Amidst the intense energy and local flavor, I realized something striking—nobody was looking at their phones. Join me as we explore the hidden richness of inconvenience, the...

Dive into a chaotic day in Cebu, Philippines! From mouthwatering street food and finding flags on Colon Street to shocking coffee and heartwarming reunions.

In this episode, we dive into a raw, exhausting, yet deeply fulfilling 24-hour travel day from Japan to Cebu, Philippines. From an overwhelmingly sweet morning coffee to unexpected, profound conversations with a stranger on a plane, this journey was full of surprises. Join in as we navigate the struggles of oversized luggage, chaotic traffic, and the pure beauty of the Philippine islands. It’s a r...

Have you ever felt like you had all the time in the world, only for it to vanish at the speed of light? In this episode, we explore the bittersweet feeling of leaving home and the realization that while time moves incredibly fast, we can still control how deeply we experience it. From an unexpected dentist visit that kept me in Japan for an extra month and a half, to preparing for my next big leap...