Sharing snaps from a fairly recent trip to a country that surprised me.
Learned about Malta from a BTS Bon Voyage season but visiting made me discover so many other spots there – including this area with amazing vast coastal rock formations and inland sea with arch access to the Mediterranean.
Located in the northern island of Malta named Gozo, this gem is a quick bus ride away from its capital Victoria which makes it accessible. There are crowds that visit in tour buses but you can always opt to DIY to do your own pace.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Revisiting Naha’s streets of shops, food and beer take two – 08.19-21.16
Months after my birthday trip, I find myself again aimlessly walking around the streets of KOKUSAI – a lot of which spent getting lost in search of my guesthouse located in a place I’ve been in before. Different for this trip was visiting AHAREN BEACH IN TOKASHIKI and re-visiting and wading in FURUZAMAMI IN ZAMAMI. Last night then spent with more aimless walking, taking photos of izakayas I oddly now miss.
In this entry I first share my experience getting back to Naha from my home and a kick-off to a day back to its nearby islands.
Sometimes all you have to do is jump and enjoy as much as what you can at sea – 05.21-23.16
Skydive was the highlight for this trip but memorable extras would be spending a stormy night as lone guest in the resort and swimming in most number of fish so far in that shallow water.
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Quiet white beach and pool in Zamboanguita](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/img_20220325_103120.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[SIQUIJOR] ~ Lazy and Crazy Days](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/img_20220318_174512.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Monkeys, Rides and Leisure Walk in Santa Catalina](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/img_20220317_105917-1.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Negros Oriental] ~ Small Town Happy Doses in Dumaguete](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/img_20220316_210334_283.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Japan] ~ Making most of rest of days in Okinawa](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/35963255300_b639ff6314_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Okinawa] ~ More laidback Japan in Tokashiki](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/36360312275_a4f134683d_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Japan] ~ Okinawa in (more humid) the second time around](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/36191366512_c2a98b0741_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
![[Cebu] ~ Bantayan in Sky and Sea](https://iamnotravelplanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/36153467686_c60e167705_o.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
I am no travel planner. 