Like Tre, I came to Singapore full of hopes and dreams. I also wanted to use Singapore as a stepping stone to see the rest of the world. We have one of the busiest airport transits in the world, which is good enough to show how easy and convenient it is to make that dream a reality. I also met the man I was going to do it for the rest of my life. Let's go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Love of my Life
It all changed when I met my husband who was then my boyfriend. As a wandering individual himself, he also showed symptoms of “cabin fever” if he stayed in Singapore for more than a month. In a matter of 4 years, we have traveled far and wide together. He convinced me that he was a good travel buddy for my ever-restrictive travel options. He made me realize that quote, “I want to travel with a camera in one hand and the other holding your hand” something like that. He hates the common road or where influencers go. So, we’re always on the lookout for new places or the least-taken ones. Sometimes we take a week off or just a weekend trip. Singapore has all the flights direct or to transit daily. I’ve been to places I never dreamed of and I feel like my life is rich with memories and experiences from these travels.
Here is a list of just a few of the places we’ve been to that we often reminisce about on a good, boring day in Singapore. They are not in order of whatever sort. Of course, there is a far richer story behind these travels but will just summarize a few things.
1. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Just a month into dating, we hopped on a plane immediately to celebrate the New Year in Kota Kinabalu. He claimed everywhere else was expensive but when we reached the place, it was a beach hotel on a private island with just another couple as guests. It was our first month, I think he was just trying to impress me. The island was small, it only fitted that small beach hotel with bamboo cottages on a hill. We went kayaking around it and it was our first sunset together. It was foreshadowing the uniqueness of our relationship; we have been chasing sunsets ever since and the apartment that we live in right now has the sunset view every day.
2. Bukit Lawang, Indonesia
I had low expectations for this trip. It was just done over the weekend. He told me we were hiking and if we were lucky, we’d see orangutans in the wild. True enough, these magnificent creatures were following us the entire trek. One even held on to my husband as a hostage! I’ve had my fair share of forest adventures. My hometown is in the mountains, but this Bukit Lawang is probably the most diverse and lush in tropical forest life. I have never seen such a variety of flora and fauna in one place. My lungs thanked me after that trip.
3. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
My husband has been researching this place for a while. As usual, I didn’t really bother to research except for the necessities I needed to bring. He said we would sleep on a boat for a night. I like to play with my limits. I couldn’t swim to save my life but I’m not too timid to be in the water either. Up to this day, I consider this trip the best underwater experience I've ever had. The current is one of the strongest in the world thus marine life is very rich down under. It is one of the top diving sites in the world too. I couldn’t dive but the snorkeling was enough for me to know that it was true. The healthiest corals and the colours of the rainbow are down there with different marine life. I saw manta rays and sea turtles casually swimming below us! I would go back there in a heartbeat.
4. Ijen Volcano, Indonesia
A friend of ours convinced us to check this place after he showed us the fiery blue flames inside the volcano. Leaving at 12 midnight to start the hike was self-inflicting pain. Even more when we descended. It was disappointing to see something that resembles your gas stove. Half of Surabaya was also there. The traffic of people coming up and down was literally suffocating. I was fighting for my next breath. I thought I was going to pass out because all I breathed was sulfur even with a mask. I don’t have asthma but it was the closest thing to an attack. I have contempt for that trip. I'm slightly happy with the experience but I wouldn’t recommend it.
5. Hanoi, Vietnam
Meeting your boyfriend’s parents and potential in-laws is always daunting. So, to make it fair and square, why don’t we meet at a neutral place where we’re both first-timers and get to know each other in a somewhat inconvenient situation and see how we handle it! I felt like I’ve known them all my life and I wasn’t nervous or made a fool out of myself. I cracked some good jokes and apparently broke down the iron curtains of strict Madame Vaudaux. Hanoi on the other hand is a breath of fresh air. These random giant limestones in the middle of a field are mighty but peaceful. It is best for mindless cycling on an afternoon break.
6. Andaman Islands
All I knew was that we were going to India to meet his friend and then we went down south to an island. It was for my birthday. I didn’t know it was the Andamans! For those who don’t know, they have inhabitants there who have no access to the outside world, one of the very few tribes left. They are hostile and would kill anyone approaching their island. Of course, we steered clear of them. It was paradise. The beaches were clean and had good views of the sunset. To this day, it is probably the most random, remote trip we’ve done. It was this place where I first saw the most vivid view of the Milky Way, swirls, and all. It was the closest thing I had felt to space, to the universe.
7. Western Australia - Sydney
I have never seen the entire spectrum of blue until I’ve been to Western Australia. Sometimes the sky and the sea looked exactly the same. Even from the plane, you can see that Australia is one big beach resort with white coastal shores. We rented a camper van and did the long drive from Perth to Augusta in the south. There's a certain feel to it, I felt really relaxed but there are irrational fears too, how about those venomous snakes and deadly spiders? I flew to Sydney for a solo trip. I walked the famous coastal walk and understood why most are Hemsworths. They are obsessed with fitness and kids are not playing with their phones but hanging out in the jetty and swimming or surfing.
8. United Kingdom and Scotland
9. Washington D.C and New York
10. France
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do I hear wedding bells? Preparing for a Destination Wedding - Finding the Perfect Dress.
Do you want more adventure?
Check out Europe for 2 weeks: Art Class in Paris, France then getting on a Hot air balloon ride at Siena, Italy, and relaxing by the beach at Amalfi, Coast with a side trip to Rome, Italy before flying back home.
Next Guest Blogger:
Meet Verma and Discover the Wonders of New Zealand's South Island.
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