Beyond the Comfort Zone
Travel is my way of engaging with the world. It is a deliberate choice to leave the familiar behind in exchange for growth, perspective, and breathtaking visuals. I don't travel simply to 'see' things; I travel to feel them. Whether I am gripping the steering wheel on a coastal highway or watching the landscape blur past a train window, I embrace every aspect of the journey. For me, the movement itself is just as important as the destination.
Trip Planning
A great trip doesn't happen by accident; it is engineered. I have spent years honing the skill of travel planning, turning vague ideas into seamless itineraries. My approach focuses on 'pacing'—finding that sweet spot where adventure meets relaxation. Whether I’m mapping out a complex driving route through national parks or coordinating train schedules across foreign cities, I dig deep to find the spots others miss, ensuring that every mile traveled offers something spectacular.
So far, my favorite trip planning tool is Blue Planit's Travel Mapper. It has clean user interface and based on Google sheet.
My Preferences
My compass points away from the crowds. I prefer the road less traveled—exploring dramatic landscapes and small towns with big stories. I am drawn to niche destinations where nature dominates and culture thrives. For instance, the true essence of Hawaii, for me, isn't found in a crowded Waikiki Beach, but on the remote trails of Kauai. I travel to escape the noise of the city, not to find it elsewhere.
I believe in choosing the mode of transport that best unlocks the spirit of a place. In vast landscapes like the American West, nothing beats the freedom of a car. I love the autonomy of a road trip—the ability to pull over for a spontaneous photo or chase a sunset. However, I am equally passionate about the immersive experience of public transport. There is a unique romance in traversing China via High-Speed Rail, taking a slow ferry across a harbor, or hopping on a local bus to mingle with residents. These methods allow me to slow down and observe the world from a local's perspective, turning transit into a cultural experience.
High-quality travel doesn't have to break the bank. By strategically utilizing credit card points and miles, I’ve learned to elevate the journey without elevating the budget. This approach allows me to enjoy premium accommodations and flights, proving that with the right knowledge, luxury is accessible to everyone.
Completed Journeys
🇺🇸 Alaska's Dalton Highway to Arctic Ocean
🇺🇸 Coyote Buttes (The Wave)
🇯🇵 Japan
🇺🇸 Coyote Buttes (The Wave)
🇯🇵 Japan
(WIP)
Bucket List
🇺🇸 All US National Parks (Progress: 31/63)
🇦🇺 Australia
🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Baltic States
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇧🇹 Bhutan
🇰🇭 Cambodia
🇰🇿 🇰🇬 🇹🇯 🇹🇲 🇺🇿 Central Asia
🇨🇺 Cuba
🇪🇺 Europe
🇨🇦 Dempster Highway to Arctic Ocean
🇲🇽 El Día de Muertos
🇪🇨 Galápagos Islands
🇯🇵 Hokkaido
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇰🇵 North Korea
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇵🇪 Machu Picchu
🇲🇬 Madagascar
🇲🇳 Mongolia
🏜️ Sahara Desert
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
🇾🇪 Socotra
🇨🇳 Yunnan
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Virgin Islands
🇦🇺 Australia
🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Baltic States
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇧🇹 Bhutan
🇰🇭 Cambodia
🇰🇿 🇰🇬 🇹🇯 🇹🇲 🇺🇿 Central Asia
🇨🇺 Cuba
🇪🇺 Europe
🇨🇦 Dempster Highway to Arctic Ocean
🇲🇽 El Día de Muertos
🇪🇨 Galápagos Islands
🇯🇵 Hokkaido
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇰🇵 North Korea
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇵🇪 Machu Picchu
🇲🇬 Madagascar
🇲🇳 Mongolia
🏜️ Sahara Desert
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
🇾🇪 Socotra
🇨🇳 Yunnan
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Virgin Islands