I know this might sound silly to some people, but in my 27 years of living in this world, I had never been on an airplane until this year (2026). And now, I've flown twice in the same year! I'm truly grateful to my older sister and friends who encouraged me to book those flights. If it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't have taken that step.
Growing up, I rarely went anywhere or even explored the place where I live, lol. Honestly, my daily routine has always been School – Home – Work – Home. I'm an introvert, and maybe one reason I rarely go out is that I don't really have the money to do so. But after finally stepping out and exploring new places, I realized something: I love traveling.
I love the feeling of being somewhere new, somewhere nobody knows me. I even imagine myself living in a place like that someday.
If it’s your first time flying on a plane like me, and you suffer from severe motion sickness, it’s best to take some medicine beforehand because I ended up vomiting! 😭
First trip with my sisters and mother
My first trip was with my sisters and my mother. We actually had a purpose for going there because my mother was having some issues with her birth records, so we needed to visit the place where she was born. We also visited my grandmother’s and grandfather’s graves. It was quite an experience, especially coming from the province. I got to see so many high-rises, skyscrapers, and malls. Everything felt different from what I was used to.
We stayed in this city for 5D4N. Based on my experience, the main tourist attractions were their famous largest malls, street food spots, churches, and amusement parks. Personally, I don’t think I would want to live here because there are so many buildings and hardly any trees along the streets. The pollution (noise, air) is too much for me, and the streets are crowded with people during rush hour. Also, it was also my first time riding a train, which made the experience memorable.
Second trip with my friends
My second trip was with my friends. Unfortunately, we had limited time, and because we had to follow our itinerary, everything felt a little rushed. I didn't get to enjoy everything as much as I wanted to, but I still loved the experience. We stayed in this city for 3D2N and decided to focus on the city tour.
Even in the city there were still so many places to visit, including Ocean Park, cozy cafés, temple, and beautiful landscapes like the ones in the photo. I also wanted to visit their famous waterfalls and safari, but both would require a long journey to get there. Since we only had 3 days to explore, we decided not to go because the long travel (by car) time could leave us exhausted.
What I loved most about this place was the atmosphere. Even though there were also high-rises, the environment felt calmer and less chaotic compared to the place I visited during my first trip. The first place felt like a typical busy city where everyone seemed to be in a hurry, while the second one had a more peaceful and relaxed vibe. Tbh, I could see myself living here someday.
My Travel Tips So Far!
Here are some tips I’ve learned from my travel experiences so far:
- Book your accommodation in advance. Try to book at least a month before your flight to get better options and avoid last-minute stress.
- Choose accommodation near the places on your itinerary. Staying close to your planned destinations makes it easier to follow your schedule and gives you extra time to explore without worrying about missing the places you want to visit.
- Always check the reviews. Even if a place has many 4- or 5-star ratings, take the time to read the lowest-rated reviews to learn about potential problems or things to watch out for.
- Bring motion sickness medication. If you're prone to motion sickness, make sure to bring your medication, especially if you have long trips or plan to travel by boat, bus, or car.
- Keep your valuables with you at all times. Never put your wallet, cellphone, passport, or IDs in your checked luggage/backpack. Always keep them in your carry-on bag for safety and easy access.
- Don’t believe everything you see on TikTok or social media. Just because a place is hyped up doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Do more research because there are plenty of budget-friendly places that are just as good. Trust me, we didn’t realize there were better and more affordable options until it was too late!
- Make sure you pack all your essentials, especially your skincare products. This saves you time and stress so you can focus more on exploring and enjoying your trip instead of worrying about where to buy the things you forgot.
- Consider renting an affordable car. If you don’t know how to drive, you can also book a car with a driver. Just make sure to treat your driver to a meal as a kind gesture for their hospitality and service. Having a car is so much more convenient than commuting, especially when exploring different places. It’s honestly a lifesaver!
- Always bring some extra pocket money. Trust me, this will help you avoid worrying if your budget isn’t enough and keep your trip with friends from being ruined by financial stress. It’s okay to spoil yourself a little and enjoy the experience!
- Enjoy your trip and don’t stress yourself out. Sometimes, we overthink. Remember, you’re there to enjoy the experience, relax, and take a break from your problems, even if it’s just for a little while.
What I Realized
I don't want to spend my entire life feeling stuck in my province. I want to live somewhere I can start fresh, somewhere I can take a job as a waitress or do something completely different from my profession without worrying about being judged by people who know me.
I fcking hate how judgmental some people can be, as if working outside your chosen profession is something to be ashamed of. Just because someone takes a different path in life, or because you think your life is better than theirs, doesn't give you the right to look down on them. There's absolutely nothing wrong with earning an honest living, no matter what kind of job it is.
Honestly, stepping out of my comfort zone for the first time made me feel so alive. It made me realize that there's so much more to life than the little world I've always known. There are so many places to see, experiences to have, and possibilities waiting for me beyond the life I'm used to. It made me want to explore more, experience more, and maybe even start a new life somewhere else.
But then reality hits. Living in a country where the cost of living keeps increasing, while plane tickets and traveling expenses remain expensive, makes me wonder if I'll ever get the chance to do all the things I dream of doing. Sometimes, I feel like I want so much more out of life, but my financial situation keeps holding me back. I want to see more of the world, experience different ways of living, and discover who I can become outside the environment I've always known. I just wish I had the financial freedom to do so.
Still, I'm grateful that I got to experience these things, even if it was only twice so far. Now I wonder when I’ll finally get the chance to travel international. I’m really manifesting a future where I can afford to explore the world without having to worry about the expenses.
I'm curious if anyone else here has experienced something similar. How has your first travel experience been so far? Have you ever done something for the first time that you never thought you'd get the chance to do? And how did it make you feel?