DORA the Explorer: Trips Outside My Comfort Zone

Hello everyone! As a newbie, I’m truly happy to be part of @steemitfamilyph. You guys are so awesome and I’m just so grateful for your warm welcome. It seems to me that you are indeed a family ❤️. When @tpkidkai asked about my genre, I didn’t know what to answer, not because I don’t know what genre means, but I didn’t know that he specifically meant for the topics that I’m interested to write about. Good thing I have @chinitacharmer, a friend and colleague of mine, to ask about stuff pertaining to this group. As you might have an idea, I love to post about various fields of science, arts, travels, and people that influenced and inspired me.

As I’ve mentioned in my self-introduction post, I only shared an overview about myself. Let me now broadly open a specific (and my most favorite) topic that I love and excited to post about, that is, my travels (I told yah, Dora the Explorer is the most dominant in me). I only started my international travels when I was 27 years old, and in just three-year time, I’m blessed with 11 international trips (and stamps in my passport). I’ll just give you a sneak preview of those trips as soon I’ll be posting separately the details of my travel in each country (I’m an extremely thrifty traveler and my travel tips are something that you may look forward to).

I grew up in a financially-deprived family. I used to complain about this when I was a child, but when I was growing up, little by little I realized that you can’t choose the life you’re born with, only the life you want to live. I have no regrets that I wasn’t born wealthy nor blamed my parents why we’re not wealthy. I’m thankful enough to have parents that despite the hardships, dreamt and worked for a great future for me and my siblings. Time flew very fast, I got my degree in teaching profession, passed the licensure exam, and acquired a tenure position in senior high school. I’m very happy and honored that I can finally assist my family in terms of finances. As I am earning my own money, I thought that I am already able to fulfill my relentless desire since I was a child, that is, to travel the world.

1.Japan 🇯🇵 (July 2015)

My first international trip was in Japan. It was (I think) a well-deserved present for my 27th birthday. Guess what? I spent a month a Japan! I was able to explore the southern part of the country, particularly in Nagoya and Kyoto. Visiting and spending a week or two in a place will make you feel like a tourist, but spending a month will perhaps make you feel that you are part of the community. As a Filipino, as adaptable as we are, observing and living with the Japanese, I think I turned myself into one of them. I have to be honest that I’m in love with how organized, disciplined, and developed Japan is. But you have to believe me that there’s no place like home, none like the Philippines!

2.Malaysia 🇲🇾 (2015)

After I braved my first overseas travel, I longed for more. Just on the same year, I went to a neighbor country, an ASEAN member, in Malaysia. I actually didn’t plan for this travel for two reasons: first, I’m still replenishing my finances (a month in Japan is way too expensive for an average-wage earner like me) and second, the school year was just about to begin. I was only randomly surfing the internet until I found myself exploring a website (the URL is http://IndochinaTravel.com). Tada! I found myself impulsively booking for a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Last time I checked I was a man of control and constraint but as Captain Sullenberger explicitly stated, “Everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time.” And I don’t regret a single moment.

3.Japan 🇯🇵 (Summer of 2016)

Needless to say, I love visiting Japan. In this second visit, I was able to visit most of its prefectures. I experienced the busyness of Tokyo, savored the delicacies of Osaka, and witnessed the beautiful and colorful flower parks of Tochigi.

4.Singapore 🇸🇬 (September 2016)

This was the shortest trip I’ve been in 2016. But since Singapore is a relatively small country geographically (not to mention its efficient transport system), I was able to explore most of the tourist spots of the great Lion City. And oh, I was in the World’s Most Beautiful Airport – Changi Airport!

5.South Korea 🇰🇷 (Autumn of 2016)

I can’t believe I’m breathing the air in the Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea. I have a cousin who’s happily married to a Korean. She acquired a Korean citizenship and lived there for 20 years already. So basically, I paid her a visit.

6.Thailand 🇹🇭 (2017)

I’m in awe that I visited six countries in 2017. As the Dora the Explorer, it was my best year so far! First of the six was in Bangkok, Thailand. I roamed the place through a tuk-tuk, took selfies with the Buddhist monks, and the best part? Dined on their famous street foods.

7.Cambodia 🇰🇭 (2017)

On the same week, after my Thailand trip, I went straight to Cambodia (maybe this time you’re convinced how I love gallivanting). Their ancient architectures are awestruck wonders! Most famous is the Angkor Wat, a kingdom, a castle, and a haven, and I could never fathom how it was built.

8.Japan 🇯🇵 (Spring 2017)

It was my third time to visit Japan! However, it was my best travel so far. There were two things that I missed during my first two visits in the country. First is the winter, as someone who lives a tropical country and doesn’t have an air-conditioned room, to experience the winter season can be as epic as it can be. Second is the Cherry Blossom! In almost all people that I asked, the main reason that they want to visit Japan is to witness the Cherry Blossoms blossom. I’m not a sentimental person but the sight of Cherry Blossoms was close to magical.

9.South Korea 🇰🇷 (Summer of 2017)

I paid my cousin the second visit. Guess what? I again spent a month in a foreign country. I did not only visit the country but I also worked there, in a farm, where my cousin is working. As developed country as South Korea is, I did farming in a very high-tech way. I can’t describe the fulfillment of harvesting what your own hands have planted. Onion, garlic, wheat, barley and other vegetables are planted in the farm that I’m working. The best part? I ate what my own hands have harvested with same hands that I used to plant them. It when I became heath conscious so I think I converted myself into a vegetarian and a dietician.

10.Hong Kong 🇭🇰 (July 2017)

I decided to wander one of the independent territories of China. It was a very short trip, I guess I just spent less than 48 hours in Hong Kong. But it was very worthwhile for I was with the two best people that I know (aside from my family). Quarry Bay St. and Harbor Night Cruise were among the tourist attractions that I visited (actually the city itself is the whole tourist destination).
(

11.Macau 🇲🇴 (July 2017)

I was actually in China for three days, I was in Hong Kong in the first and third day, while I was on Macau on the second day. Yeah, I was a very short trip so I promised myself to be back there. Anyways, I explored Parisian and Venetian Macau and gambled in the casinos (I’m kidding, of course!) I also went to see the Ruins of St. Paul while enjoying the unlimited free taste of Macanese delicacies along its way.

I hoped you enjoyed the quick preview of my international gallivants. It surely cost me a lot of money and time but who would mind? After all my international trips, there’s one thing I can say, I was not the Mark that I used to be.

In case you’ll ask, I’ve already planned my travels for 2018 (please hope with me that I can actualize them, of course, in perfect time). One trip is booked already. ✈️☺️