A lot has happened since this trip last quarter of last year but here’s to remember this beautiful country.
Remembering Turkiye
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Quiet white beach and pool in Zamboanguita](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/img_20220325_103120.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Negros Oriental] ~ Quiet white beach and pool in Zamboanguita
A day of water in calm sea and pool – 03.25.22
Came across this island when I was Googling for places to see in Negros Oriental. It is just my kind of beach and the fact that it is not as known as the other sites excited me.
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Turtle and hammock days in Dauin](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/gopr1609.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Negros Oriental] ~ Turtle and hammock days in Dauin
Close encounters with many turtles and fish made the GoPro disaster I can deal with. A bonus of Wednesdays-only Malatapay market where locals shop – 03.23.22
![[SIQUIJOR] ~ Lazy and Crazy Days](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/img_20220318_174512.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[SIQUIJOR] ~ Lazy and Crazy Days
I’ve been here before but the memories have faded so hey, here’s to second chances – 03.18-22.22
It’s not my first time in the province but for some reason, except for one rainy day ride around the island, skydiving and this nice bar called Monkey Business I liked hanging out in, I have vague memories of the vibe of the island especially of its beaches. Curious to as to how what I may forgotten, I decided to again go.
I had an open itinerary and I ended up extending my stay – even celebrating my 36th birthday there and doing again what I thought I was not prepared for again just yet.
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Monkeys, Rides and Leisure Walk in Santa Catalina](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/img_20220317_105917-1.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Negros Oriental] ~ Monkeys, Rides and Leisure Walk in Santa Catalina
It was one of the farther and lesser known towns but a good call to go here for an encounter with free, sneaky monkeys, unique slides and calming walks – 03.17.22
Of the many places I wanted to go to around Negros, Santa Catalina was the farthest for travel time could be at 2 hours. However, it had the spot I was most excited about. (Monkeys!) It was just one destination I first knew in the area yet I was still willing to go there even after travelling for long. Thankfully though, fate gave me other spots to check out in this humble town.
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Small Town Happy Doses in Dumaguete](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/img_20220316_210334_283.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Negros Oriental] ~ Small Town Happy Doses in Dumaguete
Dumaguete prides itself as a city with the charm of a town and it is with this trip that I understood further what it means. – 03.14-17.22
I’ve been celebrating my past 2 birthdays at home I said to self I cannot not be out of it for this year. I was looking at destinations and Dumaguete came to mind as I love its small town feel. That, plus a bit more research led me to other places in Negros Oriental I could explore nearby.
![[Siquijor] ~ Skydive again as if the first time](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/g0062856.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Siquijor] ~ Skydive again as if the first time
This started off as an itch to tick off something in some sort of bucket list but I ended up doing this for the fourth time because while everything else seems the same (jump, scream, land, repeat) – I keep on wanting to re-conquer the fear, re-hear the whoosh as the plane door opens and re-live the feeling of disorientation during the first few seconds of freefall.
Reviving my Love for Trips and Stories
Have been in a quite long hiatus because of ‘busyness’ with then-work, distraction with the quick shares enabled by social media platforms, and of course, the pandemic that has hit us all hard.
My recent doses of somewhere, however, has inspired me to not just go places but to honor and remember them through words and snaps.
And staying true to my intent in creating this space from the very beginning, hopefully my stories inspire you to find your own.
![[Japan] ~ Making most of rest of days in Okinawa](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/35963255300_b639ff6314_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Japan] ~ Making most of rest of days in Okinawa
Finding the right combination of fast and slow during last days in Okinawa — 08.21.16
My second (and last) day in the Okinawan Islands was spent quietly under the sun’s soft heat before AHAREN BEACH then off I was to revisit the ‘peak season’ version of FURUZAMAMI IN ZAMAMI ISLAND. While I would have loved to beach all day, I had to catch the ferry back to NAHA for my last night filled with more aimless wandering which led me to discover this vibrant nightlife compressed in a compound of yatais.
This wandering resumed the following day, with quick pauses to grab some quick breakfast over news of storm in Tokyo and buy last-minute take-homes from the shopping stalls near the inn.
Continue reading [Japan] ~ Making most of rest of days in Okinawa
![[Okinawa] ~ More laidback Japan in Tokashiki](https://iamnotravelplanner.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/36360312275_a4f134683d_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Okinawa] ~ More laidback Japan in Tokashiki
  Charming beach town in one day and night – 08.20.16
Slept for only night in NAHA then the following day I went aboard a ferry to explore nearby island TOKASHIKI to beach and (for the first outside my home country) camp. In this entry, I share a day an ironically full day in the quiet town near AHAREN BEACH – from encounters with friendly strangers from the old lady at the campground entrance to fellow campers to this welcome of a stretch of fine sand, clear water to a town pinned with just the right amount of quirky restaurants for beer and fast food.
Continue reading [Okinawa] ~ More laidback Japan in Tokashiki
I am no travel planner. 