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Birthdays – getting older is tough!

by Buy me a beerCebu CityFreedom 50Personal HistorySiquijor/Dumaguete islandsSnuffaluffagusTravel bucket listTravels DealsTravels StoriesYour name here!

The number goes up, but at least the stories keep getting better.

This absolute GEM still makes me laugh, mostly because
 not much has changed.

February is peak season in Arizona, so my Airbnb is rented every year. 

Translation: I’m forced to travel. đŸ„ł

As a result, I’ve spent the last few birthdays in some pretty incredible places—and this year is no exception.

(Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia)

This year’s birthday destination? 

Hong Kong.
3 days, 2 nights; $225 USD RT flight, $50 a night pad!!

Aging is inevitable.
Dropping new pins is optional—but highly recommended around here!

đŸ™ŒđŸ»đŸ“đŸŒ

Booking flights is like playing chess while most people are still playing checkers.

To bounce between Cebu and Hong Kong, I booked three one-way tickets instead of a single round-trip—and the math worked in my favor:

Cebu → Manila: $20

Manila → Hong Kong: $70

Hong Kong → Cebu: $135

Not glamorous. Not obvious to most.
But flexible, intentional, and cheaper than forcing a “normal” itinerary.

That’s the game:
Stop thinking in straight lines and start thinking strategically.

I tried to pick a destination that was actually high on my bucket list, and Hong Kong landed exactly where it should, near the top!

Bonus: it doubles as a visa run, since I have to leave the Philippines every 30 days. Inexpensive, efficient, and exciting—my favorite combo.

Winner winner—Peking chicken dinner. đŸ—Â đŸ„ą

Honestly, it’s been a pretty solid run so far, and I still have two more months to explore on this adventure.

Not bad for someone who claims to be grumpy and bored all the time.

01/15 – Tokyo, Japan

01/23 – Cebu, Philippines

02/10 – Hong Kong

02/19 – Siquijor, Philippines

02/29 – Siargao, Philippines

03/07 – Cebu lease expires → TBD

04/15- home to Mesa, AZ
 

Possible next moves before 04/15 (because why not):
Stay in Cebu, Seoul, Phuket, Bali, Da Nang
 

We’ll see where boredom strikes next!

I really shouldn’t complain—this trip has been incredible so far.

Now, excuse me while I yell at the clouds due to my missed meds! 😂

Welcome to #Freedom54! đŸ„ł

And … Get off my lawn, damn kids! 

PXL_20240926_093508954

Cebu, Philippines – It’s HOT!â™šïžđŸ˜Ž

by AirBnbAsiaBuy me a beerCebu CityCountriesFreedom 50Personal HistoryPhilippinesSiquijor/Dumaguete islandsTravel bucket listTravels Deals

Schawetty đŸ„ŽâšŸ

I talk about “slow travel” all the time, but it’s not just a vibe—it’s a filter. 

The right place has to check a lot of boxes. Otherwise, it’s just a stop, not a home base, and here is what Cebu offers:

Affordability is non-negotiable:

$450 a month for rent

Meals under $5 USD

Movies cost around $5

Cheap road trips:

Uber/Grab/local bus are super inexpensive

Flights around Asia for under $100 (often less)

Ferries to nearby islands for under $20

Convenience matters too:

My Cebu IT Park neighborhood is open 24/7/365.
Meals. Movies. Groceries. Coffee. Everything.

Cebu hits the numbers, life stops feeling like a meter is running.

It’s built for call-center workers who operate around the clock, which means I can live normally at any hour.  

No planning my life around business hours.

That’s the slow-travel sweet spot:

Productive Day One.

One-hour chair massage — $5

Movie ticket — $5

Favorite Korean BBQ – $3

Favorite noodle spot – $2

Old food photos (food was gone, quickly!)

And the big win?

I locked in a long-term, optional lease, giving me the option to settle in the long term.

Slow travel isn’t just about wandering—it’s about setting up a life that checks as many boxes as possible.

Day one delivered.

$5 Hour long seated massage!
$5 Lazy boy movie seating! 🍿
Photo frommy last visit to Cebut!
Photo frommy last visit to Cebut!

It’s been less than two days, so I’m trying to keep my expectations in check—but I’ve already started laying the groundwork for what’s next.

Two road trips are on the board.
Siquijor ferry to rope swing adventure? Locked in.
And Hong Kong for my birthday? Flight booked

That’s the beauty of this place: you settle in, get comfortable, and still leave room for spontaneous trips. 

Home base on one end. Adventure, on the other hand. 

Everything is inexpensive, keeping the options wide open!

$50 one way! Unsure how long iu will stay!!

Living life to the fullest in the Philippines!

noods

Asia – getting fat eating with two sticks!🍜

by BangkokBoholCebu CityKoh Phi PhiPhilippinesPhucketSingaporeSiquijor/Dumaguete islandsThailand

I have loved Thai food since visiting Thailand back in 2022 but forgot how much until returning in 2025!

I have since visited many Asian countries and fallen in love with their food. Vietnam Pho/Bahn mi/noodles, Cambodian Amok/Hhmer curry/noodles, all held the title until I was reintroduced to Thai again.

The Thai pad and variations of soup won my heart and my belly over once again. Here are some choices from a food court in Bangkok. You could eat three times a day for 365 days and not try them all in this food court. It was almost impossible to choose:

 

Here were some of my absolute favorites from around Samui—and yes, choosing was a daily struggle:

Mango salad (top left) — fresh, spicy, sweet, and dangerous if you underestimate the chili đŸŒ¶ïž

Tom Yum coconut spicy soup (middle left) — rich, tangy, and soul-cleansing in the best way

Chicken Pad Thai (top right) — the classic that never misses

Tom Yum chicken (extra spicy) (bottom left) — I survived, barely

Ice-cold Chang beer (bottom right) — it was so hot they literally put ice in it
 and I fully support that decision đŸș🧊

Thai food doesn’t just win—it laps the competition. My heart, my stomach, and my sweat glands all agree.

Panglao Island – The Philipines

by Panlao IslandPhilippines

I took a five-week trip to the Philippines at the end of 2024. I rented a a condo in Cebu City for the entire time and made several road trips to neighboring islands including the beautiful island of Panglao.

The trip included a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu City to the port of Tagbilaran, a bus ride and then a short tuk tuk ride to the beach. This was an amazing stop and one of my favorites on my trip. You could say I was relaxed!