The biggest setback most travellers face is usually finance related. But did you know that there are many ways you can cut back on the seemingly hefty amount? All you need is to channel a little more energy and you will be surprised by how the amount of money you can save!

From buying unwanted tickets at heavily discounted prices to getting free accommodation, travelling is now made so much more affordable than before. We want to share with you useful travel tips on how you can still board the plane to your dream city.

So without further ado, here are 7 Useful Travel Costs Reduction Tips That You Probably Did Not Know About!

BUY UNWANTED TICKETS FROM REAL PEOPLE

Many frequent travellers have made the impulsive terrible mistake of purchasing a plane ticket, only to realise he/she could not make it on the date. Depending on the airline’s terms and conditions, some may or may not be allowed to change the dates.

This is when Jump Flight comes in handy, where you can actually purchase plane tickets off these unlucky people. It’s a win-win situation to be honest, where you get a discounted ticket and the other party gets the bulk of his/her money back!

REGISTER FOR FREQUENT FLYER MEMBERSHIPS

Signing up for a Frequent Flyer Membership with your preferred airline is worth it, especially when you do fly pretty regularly. Accumulate your miles and you can eventually redeem plane flights and/or other awards!

Most Frequent Flyer Programs are also in partnership with other airlines, hence ensuring you clock up your miles almost effortlessly. For Singapore Airline’s Kris Flyer, members get to collect miles when flying with other collaborating airlines such as Silk Air, Virgin Atlantic and 28 other Star Alliance Airlines.

YOU CAN EARN MILES WITHOUT FLYING

Most people tend to think that the only way to earn miles is via flying but they are absolutely wrong! This common misconception is a huge savings barrier for regular travellers. Using of relevant credit cards actually allow you to convert your expenditure into qualifying miles.

For example, ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card offers S$1 = 1.4 air mile for local spending and S$1 = 2.8 air miles for expenditure in Australia and New Zealand, while American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card offers 1 Kris Flyer mile for every S$1.60 spent. There are many credit cards with contrasting annual fees, different conversions, varying privileges, so do your research and choose what is best for you.

GET ALERTED FIRSTHAND ABOUT LOW AIR FARE

Don’t you hate it when you were planning to purchase plane tickets at a particular value, only to find that it has risen tremendously overnight? Worse still, finding out that the tickets you bought is on a 30% discount the day after!

Here’s a piece of news to travel lovers – you do not have to leave your full-time job to pursue your innate wanderlust. Here are 7 Tips on How You Can Still Travel With A Full-Time Job.

As savvy travellers, we should be well informed but stalking the airline’s booking engine every hour is just not feasible. This is where Air Fare Watch Dog, Sidestep and Yapta comes in handy. These websites will notify you firsthand when your desired airfare has fallen in value. How brilliant!

HOW TO SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION

Besides the hefty costs of plane tickets, travel expenditure usually racks up easily with accommodation. For those who prefer staying at hotels, be sure to register as a member with hotel booking websites and enjoy their exclusive limited period members-only special discounts!

But why splurge on luxurious 5-star hotels when you can save the money and enjoy free lodging at Couch Surfing or House Sitting? The latter will require you to take care of a home and in exchange you get accommodation! You can look up House Carers, Luxury House Sitting, and Trusted House Sitters if that idea appeals to you.

If you are not a fan of Couch Surfing, staying at an Airbnb apartment/room is probably your best option. While we love our huge beds and fluffy sheets of commercialised hotels, we enjoy blending in to local cultures and truly experience living like a local. Which is why we have been such believers of Airbnb.

Airbnb is offering all ladyironchef readers S$36 travel coupon to book your next holiday accommodation. Simply click on this link, sign up and get S$36 on your first booking on Airbnb.

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS

If time is your only luxury and you have nowhere in mind to go, why not consider volunteering in exchange for complimentary food and accommodation? World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) are two great goodwill organisations to start with.

CUT EXPENDITURE WITH WIFI

Upon arriving at a foreign destination, most of us are usually given a myriad of options for prepaid SIM cards. Drop those packages with international/local calls! With the advancement of technology, one can easily make a Skype call and WhatsApp call by simply tapping on the data usage.

If you want to skip the hassle of queuing, purchasing and changing your SIM card altogether, why not opt for Changi Recommends’ Wifi Router? The router is extremely reliable and the best part is that it connects 8 devices at a go, starting from S$5/day!

Illustrations for ladyironchef by Kaeting.

If you clicked on this article, chances are, you are a 20-something or 30-something full-time employee who feels like you’ve been tolerating the humdrum 9-to-6 life for far too long.

So here’s an idea: quit. Then pack your bags, and go travelling. Yes, make that drastic decision, be a little daredevil – you won’t regret it. Let me tell you why you should quit your unhappy job and travel.

YOU WILL GET TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD

Yes, yes, I know – this is such a no-brainer, right? But take a second to think deeper into this. How things are done, as you know them to be, are very different around the world. For example, breakfast is a meal taken between 6am and 9am, right? Well, the Nepalese don’t actually have “breakfast”, at 10am, they eat lunch. When they rise at around 6am, they have tea and biscuits and call it a “snack”.

Do you think the elderly here could hike up a mountain? Let’s not talk about Bukit Timah. In South Korea, I had hunched-over ajummas overtake me on a hiking trail – and I exercise on a regular basis! It showed me quite clearly that I don’t have to resign myself to inactiveness in my golden years – which, in all honesty, is how I would have viewed it if I were to base it on how the aged get by here.

And yes, you could hear stories about all of this – but wouldn’t it be better if you got to try everything yourself? The world out there is so, much, more than our little speck of an island and the things that we are used to.

YOU WILL LEARN NEW THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF

I didn’t know that I could catch a fly with my bare hands. I didn’t know that I did, after all, fear heights a little. I always thought I had zero problems with it – until I stood at a cliff’s edge on a small mountain in New Zealand expecting excitement, only to feel my legs go soft and an urge to start crawling on all fours.

I didn’t know that there is a limit to how much I can take overseas and yearn to go home – I always thought the wanderlust in me could never be quenched.

I didn’t know that I would turn into a snapping psycho if we got lost and were wasting precious travelling time. Though I did learn that at the end of the day, there’s no harm done – what’s the point of getting mad at time that’s already passed?

YOU WILL FIND OUT IF YOU WANT TO STAY PUT OR RELOCATE

When I was 16, I visited an aunt who lived in Gold Coast. My family and I stayed with her for close to a month, and I returned home yearning to live in Australia. I am 26 this year, and as I matured throughout the years, a part of me considered that the desire to relocate was possibly something I wanted rashly as a naïve 16-year-old. Well, today, I still want to move.

In the last 10 years, I have visited several other countries and while I am now not so certain which country I’d end up in, my dream to relocate sticks. Singapore is great, and I am aware I am blessed to be born here, but it is not the place that makes me the happiest. Inversely, there are people who go abroad to find out that despite Singapore’s setbacks, they will never move. You can only find out which side of the fence you prefer when you’ve actually climbed over.

YOU GET TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, EVEN CLOSE ONES

I did not expect to form a bond with a couple that I’d met on a holiday in South Korea in 2012. My boyfriend and I stayed at their place, which we found on Airbnb.com. For some reason, we really connected and still keep in touch via Whatsapp. This year, my boyfriend and I even planned a surprise visit for them. We had to create a fake account to book a room because we knew they would’ve wanted to let us stay for free – like real friends would – but we felt bad and preferred to pay. Similarly, I’ve heard many stories of friends who’ve met some of their best friends while travelling, in the most serendipitous situations.

YOU GET TO TELL COOL STORIES

I was once almost stuck atop a mountain fortress close to sunset, with no food and warm clothing in autumn. Thank goodness I found a detour – I was honestly beginning to panic.

I once met a fellow traveller who shared the same birthday and who was turning the same age as my boyfriend (whom I was travelling with) – we ended up having a mini celebration at his hostel where he cooked dinner.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY, OR TIME

Notice how I didn’t mention anything about some 6-month round-the-world trip? Did you automatically assume that? Travelling for an extended period of time doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money, or time! Take a break for a month and a half.

You can go WWOOF-ing (an international programme where you work on an organic farm in exchange for food and accommodation) or do other forms of volunteer work to keep costs low. After I left my job as a writer, I went to Nepal for three weeks to help out in a village farm and teach English in a local school.

The entire trip cost me slightly above $1000, airfare included. Hostels around the world offer free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work, five to six days a week – you can find openings on sites like www.helpx.net.

YOU CAN FIND A JOB WHEN YOU COME BACK

A month-long break is not too long a wait for your next employer, if you already have a job lined up. And if you don’t, listen – the world is not going to end for you. It really isn’t! If you want more security in place, quit between January and March.

A lot of people are moving on in the job market then, and there are sure to be openings you can fill when you return. When I came back, I had interview offers which I was sure I would be able to ace because of my prior job experience, but I turned them down because I was looking to do something new.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

To wrap it all up, I leave you with this quote – by Randy Komisar, The Monk and the Riddle: The Education of a Silicon Valley Entrepreneur - which I try to live by: “The most dangerous risk of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.“

You can try to foresee and prep, as much as you can, for what will happen in the future, but the truth is, you’ll never really know.

Travel now – before you have children, before illness strikes, before you need to pay for your home loan, and car loan… And if you already have some monthly payments to make, it’s still not impossible to go – you just need to find a way to save more for the trip (and you really don’t need much!).

Travelling will do wonders for your soul, your being and your mind. So go ahead, take that plunge.

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at rubytan.work@gmail.com

2013 was another great year. As compared to our wanderlust adventures in 2012, we visited less cities last year. Instead, we chose to stay longer at each place to learn more about the culture, food, and lifestyle of the locals. Here is a recap of our travel adventures in 2013.

Taipei, Taiwan

Our first trip in 2013 was Taipei. one of the most popular getaway destinations from Singapore. From visiting nice cafes in Yong Kang Street to eating your way through the well-known Taipei’s night markets, there is something for everyone in this city which is known for its delicious food and friendly locals.

Read: Guide on where to eat in Taipei.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung is located in the south of Taiwan. I spent a few days in the city. Highlights include visiting Liuhe tourist night market and Ruifeng Night Market, and going to Cijin for cheap and delicious seafood.

Tainan, Taiwan

After Kaohsiung, I dropped by Tainan, the food capital and the oldest city in Taiwan. Most of the famous Taiwanese street food originated from Tainan, and it was an eye-opening experience to explore the city and learn more about the story behind the local food.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In March, we had the chance to go on a press trip by KLM to visit Amsterdam. Amsterdam is more than just the Red Light District or for dope-selling “coffee shops”, there are plenty of things that you can see, do and eat.

The city is somewhat mysteriously ambiguous, with a mixture of extremely warm and fierce-looking local. The slight medieval setting also feels ancient, and quite oddly, every street at every turn looks identical — low-rise brick buildings with conspicuous signs, withered trees line canals after canals, and sporadically random shops. But after spending a few days exploring the city, it grew on us.

Read: Where to eat in Amsterdam / 10 Things to do in Amsterdam

London, England

After Amsterdam, we flew to London for a week. Everything in London is almost all too familiar – the food, the renown shopping streets, the areas that we see on Monopoly, the hallmark musicals, the language, the London Bus, the Big Ben… everything in London is so close to heart. London will always be one of our favourite cities in the world, and we are already planning a trip back this year.

Read: Where to eat in London / 10 Cheap Eats in London

Paris, France

Some people feel that Paris is too touristy and over-hyped. But for me, it is, and always will be, one of my favourite places. It has that magical feel in the air which you cannot find elsewhere. Je t’aime Paris.

Seoul, Korea

In April, we went to Seoul for the very first time. Seoul is a very fascinating city with many things to do. In the day, you can go sight-seeing at palaces, visit one of the many museums, drop by N Seoul Tower for a glimpse of the city, or cafe-hop at hip areas like Garosu-gil, and Samcheong-dong. And at night, Hongdae – an area near the Hongik University known for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainment – comes alive.

Read: 10 Things to do in Seoul / 10 Cafes in Seoul

Taichung, Taiwan

Most visitors usually only go to Taipei, and it is a shame because there are many other cities that are worth visiting. Taichung, for instance, is a wonderful holiday destination. So when the Taiwan Tourism Bureau kindly invited me to visit Taichung, I said yes immediately. The main draw for tourists is definitely Feng Chia Night Market – one of the biggest, if not the biggest, night markets in Taiwan. There are many things to see, do and eat in Taichung. The next time you plan a trip to Taiwan, you have to include Taichung in your itinerary.

Read: Things to do in Taichung

Bali, Indonesia

In 2013, we visited Bali four times, and the first adventure was at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort for a short but much needed respite.

Phuket, Thailand

At the end of May, Melody planned a surprise holiday for us to Phuket, and we went back to our favourite Kata Beach for a weekend getaway.

Bali, Indonesia

In June, we escaped to Bali again for two weeks. Eat, sleep, suntan, massage, eat, swim – life was good as a beach bum. We stayed at four of the best hotels in Bali, dined at the top restaurants and warungs, and took some time off to reflect about life.

Read: Bali Travel Guide

Darwin, Australia

To be frank, I never knew much about Darwin before, but my trip there in July gave me an unexpectedly memorable impression of the otherwise underrated city.

Darwin is the last frontier of Australia, and it is the closest you can get to wildlife. If you are the type who enjoy outdoor adventures, and want something different from the usual city holidays, Darwin is certainly the place for you.

Read: 10 Things to do in Darwin

Phuket, Thailand

In August, we went back to Phuket again. This time, we stayed at Sri Panwa Villa located at Cape Panwa – the southern tip of Phuket. We have been to many hotels and resorts around the world, but after staying at Sri Panwa, it has immediately rocketed to our all-time favourite list – we are head over heels in love with this gem of Phuket.

Kyoto, Japan

During the last week of September, I planned a surprise trip to Japan – the land of all things kawaii and oishii - to celebrate our anniversary.

Kyoto, Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are so many things to do and see, that it is impossible to cover everything in a trip. It is a place you will go back again and again. If you have been to Kyoto, I’m sure you will understand what I’m saying. If you haven’t been, make sure you include Kyoto in your itinerary when you are going to Japan.

Read: Guide to Kyoto’s Best Desserts

Tokyo, Japan

After bidding farewell to Kyoto, we had another week in Tokyo. Everything in Japan seems possible – the most creative architecture, the freshest food, the cutest toys and the most remarkable fashion. We ate, and ate, and ate. Everything that we ate in Tokyo was utterly delicious.

Read: Tokyo Travel Guide

Bangkok, Thailand

Before October came to an end, we took some time off to go to Bangkok, one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. Cheap massage, good shopping, and delicious Thai food - Bangkok is a city that everyone must visit at least once every year.

Read: Bangkok Travel Guide

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is another place that I visit annually to visit friends, check out some of the newest restaurants, and do some shopping. November is the best month to go as it is a transitional season from autumn to winter and that is when the weather is perfect – cool and breezy and you won’t perspire a bit when you are out on the street.

Read: Hong Kong Travel Guide

Bali, Indonesia

Our third trip to Bali in 2013. This time, we went there as guests of Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa. After landing at the airport, we checked in to the Jimbaran property and had two lovely nights there. Following which, we travelled North and went to their Ubud’s property. It was the perfect base to explore the arts and cultural centre of Bali.

Read: Ubud’s 10 best places to eat

Boracay

At the start of December, we took up an impromptu adventure to Boracay with Tiger Air. Boracay is truly a paradise. The sand is so white and the water has an amazing gradient of blues. Snorkelling, island-hopping, cliff-jumping, para-sailing, jet-skiing…

Bali, Indonesia

For the last trip of the year, we went back to Bali again. We revisited some of our favourite places like Ultimo, Naughty Nuri’s, The Bistrot, Metis; and also spent a day doing water sports at Tanjong Benoa. Life is always good in Bali.

From New York, to Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Milan, Prague, and Venice; I went on 27 trips all over the world in the past 365 days. It has been a great year and I am extremely lucky on the travel end.

How about a recap of the places that I’ve been to in 2012?

Travelling is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

My first adventure this year was Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – commonly known as Saigon – the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

Vietnam has that old-world charm where everything is untouched by civilisation. It was great to be there, and hopefully I will get to visit Hanoi soon. Read my travel guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

Hong Kong

In February, I was in Hong Kong to attend Social Media Week as a speaker. My good friends from HarbourCity Shopping Centre invited me as a guest and I spent the three days catching up with friends, and going on an interview marathon with the Hong Kong media.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In the same month, I had the chance to drop by Kuala Lumpur to film a reality challenge for Toshiba and Intel. While it was just a short weekend trip, we had lots of fun filming.

New York, United States

One of the highlights this year was visiting New York City in March. The good people from Dean & Deluca and Kitchen Language sent me there to learn more about the brand, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Besides finding out more about Dean & Deluca, I also spent time exploring and eating around the city. Read my guide on where to eat in New York.

Genting, Malaysia

After coming back from New York, I visited Resorts World Genting – the most popular tourist destination in Malaysia – and it was an eye opening experience as I learned many new things about Genting that I never knew before.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

My good friend was in Kota Kinabalu for work in April, so I tagged along for an impromptu trip and spent the weekend at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

It is only two and a half hours away from Singapore, and once you reach the beautiful resort, you feel like you just opened the door to paradise. It is without a doubt – the perfect destination for a lazy beach getaway.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is one of my favourite cities in Asia. In May, I packed my bags and went on an eating adventure. I’ve written a guide on where to eat in Taipei, and I will be adding in new places after my trip next month.

Sydney, Australia

My first solo adventure was in Sydney three years ago, so I was thrilled to get the chance to revisit the city as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Destination NSW. We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, went skydiving in the beautiful coast of Wollongong, and had a fabulous time. Read more about what we did in Sydney.

Tokyo, Japan

The rest of June was spent travelling in Tokyo. I’ve always wanted to visit Tokyo, and my wish finally came true. Tokyo is an amazing city, and I’d strongly urge you to go there for a holiday. I am already dreaming of another trip there next year. And maybe Osaka too?

Genting, Malaysia

In July, I went back to Genting again. This time, I had the pleasure of leading a food tour there and we had so much fun eating and making new friends.

Gold Coast, Australia

Towards the end of July, I scooted off to Gold Coast as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Tourism Queensland.

Besides the gorgeous beaches, Gold Coast has a lot to offer. From taking a day trip to the beautiful Hinterland, chasing after whales and dolphins on a cruise, to going on the hot air balloon – there are plenty to do in Gold Coast.

If you are heading there for a holiday, check out my guides on Things to do in Gold Coast, and Where to eat in Gold Coast.

Bangkok, Thailand

In August, I went Bangkok twice. I know it sounds crazy, but hey, I could not say no to cheap massages, good shopping, and yummy Thai food. I stayed at both Sofitel properties in Bangkok, and I particularly enjoyed the experience at Sofitel So Bangkok.

For those of you who are new to Bangkok, read: Bangkok Shopping Guide, and 10 Cafes to visit in Bangkok.

Phuket, Thailand

A week after my trip to The Land of Smiles, it was off to Phuket. We stayed in the Kata beach area, and it was a rejuvenating getaway. I can’t wait to visit Phuket again, definitely going back again next year.

Bintan, Indonesia

Before flying to Europe, the kind folks from Bintan Lagoon invited us for a short stay. All I can say is it is a beautiful place and everyone should go there for a weekend getaway.

Vevey, Switzerland

Another highlight this year was my journey to visiting Nestle’s headquarters in Switzerland. Not only did we visit the headquarters, we also explored Vevey (a quaint little town by the Lake Geneva), visited the cheese factory, took a tour in Nestle Cailler chocolate factory, tasted Swiss cuisine, and enjoyed the magnificent scenery.

Nice, France

After the Nestle media trip ended, I flew to Nice, a gorgeous city located in the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Needless to say, it was a great fun, and I enjoyed it as much as my stay in Lyon last year.

Monaco

From Nice, I went for a day trip to Monaco. It is really fascinating to see how a small sovereign city state like Monaco – it is the second smallest country in the world, with an area of 1.98 km square and a population of 36,371 – can survive on its own.

It was relatively easy to explore Monaco and the famous Monte Carlo, and I also went to the Jardin Exotique – one of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions – and took a stroll through Monaco-Ville to see the Prince’s Palace.

Rome, Italy

Like what they always say, all roads lead to Rome. I am so glad that I chose to visit the eternal city. We spent our time wondering around the city, and it was amazing to be able to see the Colosseum. We also visited the other famous attractions such as the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum.

To quote my partner: “Rome was too beautiful, and nothing can articulate its beauty. Even pictures are just mere pictures that do not bring enough justice. I could start dreaming all over again, but it would never end…”

Vatican City, Italy

And of course, no one can leave Rome without going to the Vatican City – the smallest state in the world. We went there in the late afternoon and the queue was not as long as we thought it would be. I finally ticked off Vatican City from my bucket list.

Pisa, Italy

Moving North, we took a train and arrived in Pisa. Of course, we were there for the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa that is known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. Another place off the bucket list!

Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region, and it is famous for its history, culture Renaissance art, architecture and monuments, and shopping. No one goes to Florence without checking out the factory outlet stores.

The Mall is an exclusive outlet destination for luxury goods at a fraction of its original prices. Situated at the outskirt of Florence and at an unassuming enclave in the green Tuscan hills, a day at The Mall is a promising experience. The air in the open is fresh and crisp, the boundless skies are blue and calming, the surrounding is a humble and quiet neighbourhood. We spent an entire afternoon there – shopping (well, needless to say), indulging in a mid-day snack, and to simply bask in the serenity of the countryside.

Venice, Italy

After our shopping trip in Florence, we went to Venice – the most beautiful and romantic place on Earth. Like Paris, Venice has this magical feel in the air that no words can describe. Strolling along the Grand Canal, feeding pigeons at Piazza San Marco, and wandering into the alleys without a map. Everyone should visit Venice at least once in their lives.

Milan, Italy

Milan, the fashion capital of the world, was also on our itinerary. Being a glutton, I wanted to try authentic Milanese cuisine, and I managed to track down La Trattoria Milanese (Via Santa Marta 11 Milan) where we sampled Risotto alla Milanese with Ossobucco, and Veal Cotoletta Milanese – two of the signature Milanese food. It was one of the best meals that I’ve had in 2012.

Prague, Czech Republic

Exploring Prague — the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic — in -5 degree Celsius was another experience that I will never forget. Prague is another city that I’ve always wanted to visit, and I am so happy that I finally went there. It was a fitting finale to my Europe adventure.

Hong Kong

At the start of November, just a few days after my Europe tour, I flew to Hong Kong for a week. Besides shopping and catching up with friends, I was on a quest to eat at all the places on my to-go list. I checked out the locals’ favourite Cha Chaan Teng, hip and trendy cafes and coffee places, and Michelin Star Restaurants.

Macau

The last trip of the year was in Macau, where we spent a weekend eating Portuguese egg tarts, hopping from casino to casino, and visiting the famous Ruins of St Paul’s.

2013

The past year has been nothing short of amazing, and I am really looking forward to 2013. I will be visiting Taiwan (Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung) next week, and Taichung in April. Also, I will most likely be making my annual trips to Bangkok, Bali, Phuket, and Hong Kong. Some of the places on my to-go list include Seoul, Shanghai, Melbourne, Maldives, London, Osaka, as well as beach getaways in Southeast Asia – but nothing has been firmed up as yet, so we will see how it goes.

I will continue to travel and introduce more places to you. Thank you for the support, and I just want to end off with this quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Travelling opens my eyes to the world out there and it allows me to understand more things so that I can better understand myself. I hope that you will make plans to travel more in the upcoming year. Life is short, there’s really no excuse not to travel and see the world.