Hi there! Welcome to my blog! I am Karen, and I love to travel. I love seeing new places and exploring new cultures. I am in love with the idea of getting away from the daily grind to see wonders I just once fancied going to. I like planning getaways, yet love laughing at the mishaps that come along my way.
I like understanding the traditions or knowing in the history of a certain place. I am intrigued by the stories of the local people who I have crossed paths with.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Unknown
Travel History
Living in a developing country doesn’t make it easy for someone like me to spend a lot of time travelling — I can’t just afford to. I didn’t come from a very wealthy family; I have to work hard for my money (though I know how to spend it well too :P) I have to tell you, though, that I’m willing to pay a little more to indulge myself in certain comforts when I am away from home, especially that I’m almost always travelling with my parents and my brother.
When I was a tad younger, my family used to go out of town. Usually, it would be a picnic in Tagaytay or a road trip around the provinces of Laguna, Cavite and Batangas, where my mom would likely fill the car’s trunk with fresh fruits. Occasionally, we’d go farther — allowing me to see the rice terraces in Ifugao, the hanging coffins in Sagada, Mayon Volcano in Legazpi, and the white sand beaches in Pagudpud. During summers, my parents would send me to Ilocos, their hometown, where I learned to speak the Ilocano dialect. I never knew that all these trips were a prelude to something bigger.
It never crossed my mind that there’s a bigger world out there: that the Philippines is just one tiny dot in this beautiful landscape called the world. Fortunately, in 2008, I started seeing new places outside my country, and started a family tradition that would forever linger in my memory.
I wish that I’ll get to see the rest of the world one day. I’m taking it slow for now while I’m still saving up. 🙂
About the Blog
Early in 2012, I started this blog to document my travels, and to share them with anyone who stumbles upon this blog. I’ve regretted not starting to blog earlier in my life, yet I am thankful to have started it anyway. It’s better late than never, after all.
This blog contains all my travels from March 2012 forward, with occasional photos from my former trips mostly from Beijing, some cities in the United States, and other capitals in Southeast Asia.
Contact me at eagerlyexploring@gmail.com.
Hope you have a good read! Happy travels!
Hi. 🙂 You might be interested in joining the Capture the Colour contest by TravelSupermarket. Check this out http://theblacktwig.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/capture-the-colour/
I share the same thoughts of “loving to travel” and “being in a developing country, it is really hard to do so” 🙂 hope you have chance to travel more.
I hope so too! Cheers to more trips to come, and to seeing beautiful places and meeting wonderful people along the way! 🙂
Keep travelling and sharing your wonderful experiences.
Your posts are a joy to read!
Cheers,
Jean
“I’ve regretted not starting to blog earlier in my life, yet I am thankful to have started it anyway. It’s better late than never, after all” — Me too. But we can always post throwback as long as we still remember and have the pictures, right?
Throwbacks are good too, sometimes. 🙂
Travellers are close to heart !
Hi Karen: Thanks for following my blog. I’m interested in following yours as I love to hear more stories about the Philippines. Some of your posts are on things that I did but never posted about. PHL has so much to offer!
Thanks for following! I’ve always considered my country as one of the most overlooked destinations here in Asia.
Continue sharing your stories around Asia. Your latest post on Holi made me miss the Indian sub-continent. Cheers!
Thank you for following my blog. Happy to meet a fellow Pinay traveler in you. Looking forward to reading new entries in your travel diary.
Happy Easter! 🙂
I feel a surge of excitement whenever I meet another Filipino here. Cheers to better blogs and more travels!
Happy Easter too! 🙂
The Philippines look so beautiful, it’s a wonder anyone ever leaves, but I know there are many problems alongside the beauty.
The Philippines may not have the greatest architectural feats yet we pride in the beautiful and varied landscapes that we have. Beyond the natural beauty is the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people, making us strong to stand against poverty and other life difficulties.
I wish you can visit the country in the future! =)
Before I read this page, I thought you were an American – apologies for the assumption! You’re an excellent writer, and your pictures of the Philippines make me want to visit 🙂
Thank you Mandy. Come and visit the Philippines! 🙂 There are lots of things to see and do in my country.
Oh, there are so many things I want to do and see there – I especially want to go to the Chocolate Hills! I just returned from my trip to Taiwan in April, but I’m already starting to plan my next trip somewhere. If money wasn’t a problem, where would you love to go?
I want to go to Europe for the culture and architecture, to Peru for the Machu Picchu and to Tanzania/Kenya for the great migration. I could go on and on with the list of places I want to visit, if only I had the money.
Where’s your next trip going to be?
“Living in a developing country doesn’t make it easy for someone like me to spend a lot of time travelling — I can’t just afford to. I didn’t come from a very wealthy family; I have to work hard for my money” — I can relate! 🙂
Just stumbled on this – we are Palawan and loving it. Thanks for your insights!
You’re welcome! Hope you’re enjoying your Palawan trip! 🙂
I love your blog, I actually use it quite often to plan our family trips within the Philippines. Keep it up!
Thank you Lou-Ann! =)
I really like your blog 🙂 its help a lot.. keep it up 🙂
Thanks Dandan! 🙂