phuket, thailand

in phuket, i stayed at kata beach which is a little south of the main area (patong) many flock to when they are in phuket.  i heard kata beach is quiet and not as touristy as patong. i stayed in fin hostel which i loved. it was nice and clean. the beds were comfortable although the top bunk was so high that i fell off once (thank goodness sebastian was there to catch me, thanks sebastian!). 

i spent the first day walking around and exploring the neighborhood. i loved that the hostel was walking distance to the beach. i realized that i wouldn't mind spending my whole time in phuket on the beach. but i did want to see big buddha so i made my way there the next day.

me and big buddha

the view from big buddha

met a baby elephant

there were so many food carts right on the beach with authentic thai made to order from a local grandma

a meal is never complete without coconut juice

party tuk tuk!

i still wanted to check out patong so some friends i've met at the hostel decided to venture out together and check out the ping pong show!

can you believe the variety?! they kept on saying "you'll get to see all the pussy power"!

last walk to the beach!

i'll leave the ping pong show to your imagination but it is definitely an experience i would not explore twice. if you want details, i'll be more than happy to talk about it in person. it was quite a show! the whole bangla road was covered with hustlers trying to make money. it was nothing like anything i've seen before. i loved how all the guys loved the show and all the girls were grossed out and very uncomfortable. i was in the middle where i couldn't believe the things that they were doing but i was also amazed by their talent (i have to call it talent...i don't know what else you would call it)

beaches in thailand are amazing. kata beach and karon beach were the two i went to in phuket. the warm crystal clear water...it felt great! a lot of people surf here but i don't know how since the waves are so small but there were quite a bit of surfers that i've met. after swimming in thailand, i don't want to go in the water in cali anymore! i could only imagine why our water is not as clean as thailand. i'm going to miss the beach life...i feel blesssed to have experienced the beauty of all the beaches on my first leg of the trip. i'm looking forward to chiang mai since everyone's told me it's their favorite city in thailand! 

hostel- fin hostel in kata beach, phuket, thailand

krabi and koh phi phi, thailand

krabi

i had my first hostel experience in krabi, thailand. i stayed at the pak-up hostel. what a great first experience! the room was nice and clean, the bed was comfortable, but best of all this hostel was organized so that travelers can meet other travelers.  i met so many great people and ended up hanging out with them and traveling together.  

it is so HOT in thailand!!! like take a shower and walk out and start sweating immediately kind of hot!  

the reason i wanted to visit krabi was bc i thought krabi was a beach city but there are no beaches anywhere :( it was such a disappointment for me and as well as others that i've met. krabi is a great location to get to other islands and beaches so that's what i did.  i took a long tail boat out to railay beach.  it is absolutely gorgeous there!

i'm on a long tail boat!

long tail boats

such a beautiful beach ;)

hungry?! order from the long tail boat restaurant

there was no nightlife in krabi except at my hostel!  i walked around krabi with some friends to find that the only happening place in the whole town was at our hostel bar...

pak-up's weekly activities...drinking games galore! i think i made up for all the college partying i missed by hanging out at the hostel bar!

i had a lot of fun staying at this hostel but i wouldn't recommend staying in krabi for anyone visiting thailand.  visit other islands and stay there...

koh phi phi

this island was recommended by so many people but it was not what i expected.  i thought i'll be arriving at a small secluded laid back island but i was wrong!  i ended but up in a tourist trap island!

the beach is amazing and the island is beautiful!  there are so many things to do and see!  but it is a party island.  surrounded by so many tourists, this island has tourist shops everywhere, restaurants have high prices (i mean still cheap but the prices are doubled here), tourists are seen as dollar signs and are approached by the locals abbrasively. 

at night, the whole island is turnt up!!!  i was in total shock as to what the island turned into at night but i loved every minute of it...surrounded by drunks and more drunks, i got to see all the crazies get loose!  unknowingly i booked a hostel right on the beach that turns into a nightclub with fire shows, fire limbo (such an adrenaline rush shimi-ing  under the fire), 420 being sold at the bar (i should have known since the hostel is called Stones), drink buckets everywhere with music blasting from every hostel on the beach with so much bass, people getting bamboo tattoos like they were giving it out dor free, it was such a shit show!  it was such an unique experience!  but the calm after the storm i what enjoyed the most!

my thai restaurant! chai thai restaurant ;) walking around eating and exploring

friends i've met along the way...waiting for the sunset...you can see how amazing the sunset was...all those colors changing and evolving all throughout the sunset...breathtaking!

i wish you could have experienced it with me! it was one of my favorite part of the trip so far.

this trip wouldn't be the same without all the yummy food...

pad thai

spicy fried fish

street food...fried everything!

meat skewers galore!

panang curry with rice...thai spicy is not jane spicy...so i had to add more chili!

my first coconut! i didn't even like coconut juice...until now!

it was great to have the beach to myself in the morning when the whole island was still sleeping...just chillin with my coconut :)

my trip has been AWEsome so far!  solo traveling is different from what i expected bc i'm really never alone.  it's actually hard to find time on your own.  other travelers are amazing and so friendly...like minded people discovering or rediscovering themselves.  i've enjoyed many conversations...it's crazy to talk to a complete stranger for hours at a time and at the end you realize you've met someone special who you wouldn't have met otherwise...life is truly full of surprises!  i believe in the goodness in all people and recently i felt like i was wronged by ones who i deeply cared about but traveling has me believing again...

hostels i stayed at:

krabi- pak-up hostel

koh phi phi- stones dorm bar and restaurant 

singapore

singapore is very nice and clean. i arrived at changi airport and was amazed by grandness of what was available at the airport...they have everything you would need to endure a very long layover. but i decided to go visit my high school friend, jojo! 

one great thing about fb and traveling is that i was able to connect with friends that either traveled to the places i'm going to or those who moved there, the expats. i'm excited to meet up with friends throughout my trip...friends who i haven't seen in such a looong time!

jojo was nice enough to wait up for me and even take me out for a quick bite to eat when i arrived at his doorsteps passed midnight. i felt completely safe taking a cab by myself. this is one thing i feared most, getting from one place to the next without being harrassed or taken advantage of. but this was easily done in singapore. one thing to remember to do is to take a screenshot of the directions you would need to take to get to your location. also, talk to locals to make sure you're not paying more than you need to during transit. there are always hidden fees and extra charges that might make you feel like you're getting ripped off. so it's nice to know ahead of time what you're are expected to pay. like for example, if you catch a cab after midnight: extra charge, use a credit card: extra charge. 

after another long night of barely any sleep (jetlaged and super excited), i started the day out with jojo. as he headed to work, i headed to the city.

first stop was the statue of the merlion

it was so hot, i had to drink lots of water ;)

the gardens by the bay was so pretty...i felt like i was in bug's life! 

i walked the ocbc skyway at the supertree grove to see spectacular view of the gardens! it was funny asking a stranger to take my jumping pic, especially since she didn't speak any english! i just gave her my phone and started jumping! 

this was my fav part of the trip! i found out the airport had many hidden gems and this was one of them. those who know me well, can atest to the fact how much i love sunflowers and how long i've been wanting to visit a field of sunflowers! this came pretty close! it was absolutely gorgeous!

love it can't get over it!

i wasn't able to do too much since i was not in singapore for too long but i did find respect for this young country for keeping up with amazing architecture and keeping the positive future alive with forward thinking laws and regulations. (singapore is turning 50 next month!) singapore is a great country to travel solo. it was easy to get around. i felt safe at all times. 

now onward to thailand!!!

take off!

i can't believe i'm sitting at the airport waiting for my flight! it's seems like it was yesterday when i decided to embark on this new adventure to travel by myself. i feel anxious but very excited for this new experience. i didn't sleep well last night...there are so many unknowns on this trip and it kept me up! i'm looking forward to allowing myself to go with with the flow bc i really don't have any plans except that i'm going to keep an open mind and really explore, experience everything organically. i want to share my experiences with you so check back soon! 

enjoying my juice waiting to board! ah! i can't believe i'm about to board!!!

camping is in tents

during the fourth of july weekend, i had the opportunity to go camping at sequoia national park in california.  it was my first time packing for a camping trip on my own...it was so exciting to pack everything!

i learned so much on this trip, i never really considered myself an adventurous person but i do thrive on taking new adventures.  i've realized that i LOVE roughing it...no showers for 3 days, (ew, i know!) swimming in the lake, cliff jumping (more like a big rock), hiking up the stairway to heaven to the top of moro rock, seeing the largest living tree on earth, sleeping in tents (waking up to the sounds of nature was really amazing!), making daily meals with new friends, hanging out by the campfire, laying down on a hammock, you can enjoy so many things when you're camping...i absolutely loved it!  i also enjoyed being disconnected from the world...with no cell reception, i had the opportunity to really enjoy people around me and the surrounding nature.

things i've learned:

* camping is in tents: i never really knew how to set up a tent, usually the guys do it but this time i learned how to set it up!  i can proudly say, i can set up my own tent!

* unexpected surprises can happen at any time...THE best part of my weekend was watching the sunset on top of moro rock.  the amazing view was worth the hike up the 400+ stairs but also because we climbed off the trail and jumped on rocks to get to the very edge of the mountain (my hands are sweaty just thinking about it) but it was indescribably gorgeous.  i was definitely scared that i will somehow loose my balance and fall off the mountain but the picturesque view subdued my fear and i was able to keep my confidence.

* cliff jumping: i've always wanted to partake in this adrenaline rushing activity...issac even told me i couldn't do it because it's too scary! but i did it! more than once too! OMgoodness!  it was so much fun!  i can't wait to jump off any cliff, anytime, anywhere!

welcome to...

of course i had to do my jump on top of moro rock! it was quite a rush to jump when you're surrounded by nothing but air...

issac and i chilling in a hammock...

kissing the sun good night 😘

wandering in the woods surrounded by big, tall trees!

the beautiful colors of the sunset captured in between the trees...

life is really amazing!  it's too short to sulk over broken hearts...i really need to go out and #doepicshit!  i'd like to go camping again real soon so if you'd like to join me, let's go camping in tents!!!

#iheartcamping

reflections: LA and LV

i truly believe that traveling begins in your city. many people look abroad or look at cities just outside where they live to visit and explore but you can travel within the city where you live. i have lived in 2 amazing cities in california, los angeles and san francisco. prob 2 of the most visited cities in california. millions come from all over the world to visit these 2 destinations and i get to call these cities my home! 

i moved from LA to SF when i was 22 for a job. i was young and i have never been any where by myself let alone lived on my own. it was a bold move but i was determined to conquer my fears and face the unknown. i took every opportunity to make san francisco my home for the past last 9 years. from exploring the city and visiting all the landmarks, historic sites, and museums to living like a local and making my daily runs down embarccadero, grocery shopping at farmer's markets, etc...san francisco has so many hidden gems and i have discovered all of them...well, most them ;) 

one regret i had when i moved to SF was i didn't get to explore the city of angels where i was born and raised. it always left me wondering what it would have been like if i had lived there as an young adult. this past week while visiting, i was able to enjoy 2 exciting adventures: stand up paddleboard yoga in the beautiful marina del rey and hiking to the hollywood sign in gorgeous LA weather! i just LOVE shorts, tank and flip flops kind of day...

my first time doing stand up paddleboard yoga at mother's beach in marina del rey, ca

my first attempt at a headstand (ever)!

jumping for joy bc of the gorgeous weather and amazing hike with one of my oldest friend, wes...we hiked all the way to the top where the infamous HOLLYWOOD sign is displayed

i also had some amazing foodie adventures while visiting and catching up with friends! i am so grateful for all my friendships :)

fusion tea bar's ferrero rocher ice cream sandwich, cerritos, ca

ubatuba's acai bowl, koreatown, los angeles, ca

zero's milk and honey, westminister, ca

nevertheless, LA is AWEsome (except the traffic). it never cease to amaze me. i hope that one day i can explore LA as i have done SF. to know your own city like the back of your hand is where traveling begins! i call LA my home because it is the city my roots were planted...no matter where i go from here i will always come back! 

i want to venture out by just taking a step outside my front door, i want to make every day count, i want to live my life to the fullest bc i am blessed with everything i have in my life...life is beautifully delicious! let's savor every moment...thanks LA! until next time!

one week later...

hello LAS VEGAS!!!

when you think of las vegas, people automatically think the las vegas strip, clubbing, pool parties, raging all day and night with little to no sleep! well, my vegas trip was a little different this time but i got a good dose of the local life AND the party life! 

this was my pool party! swimming at the pool and playing games with my son, issac and then laying out and getting a nice tan...LOVED it!

served the community on FATHER's day by making LOVE bags and distributing them to the "hommies" of las vegas in over 100 degrees temperature! an AWEsome moment was when one of the guys took the tie off the LOVE bag and put it on his shirt...it was a real tear jerking moment!

these are all the food i ate, there were more but i ate the food before i realized i forgot to take pics :\

caesar salad at lark creek grill, san francisco, ca

penne pasta at lark creek grill, san francisco, ca

bbq chicken salad at california pizza kitchen, las vegas, nv

arepa benny at makers & finders coffee, las vegas, nv

ice cream sandwich at sprinkles, las vegas, nv

warm coffee cake at the cracked egg, las vegas, nv

cordon bleu skillet at the cracked egg, las vegas, nv

acai bowl at acai to the t, las vegas, nv

pitaya bowl at acai to the t, las vegas, nv

then i partied at EDC all night and had so much fun! next year, i definitely have to go all 3 days bc i didn't get enough!

arm candies before going into EDC!

dancing with my electric daisy stick! enjoying the music! and happy to dance by myself :)

soaking in all the good vibes and feels with christopher!

i had to spend a day to recover from EDC but before i left, i was able to squeeze in a great workout with the AWEsome running collective, mission I'Mpossible! 

las vegas was fun but it was way too HOT, HOT, HOT! but i will return...until next time ✌