I know it’s already five months overdue but still, I would like to write a personal post about my 26th year, highlighting the travels I’ve had and the people I met along the way.

Contrary to my 25th year’s travels which were mainly as a solo backpacker or with a travel buddy, 2013-2014 was more of a group travel kind for me. It’s also during this span of time that I’ve met several important people in my life — from CouchSurfing acquaintances to really great friends, and from total strangers to favorite companions and partners in crime. And yes, ’twas also late last year that I met someone whom I’m looking forward to have more travels and adventures with.

I was telling a good friend that it seems my 26th year is not only filled with travels, most of which are domestic, but more so of people. Another good friend, just recently, called me a glue — the first in my life I was ever called such. But you know what, in my heart, I do hope he’s right. That beyond the micro-managing tour agent-like trip planner and Thursday dinner nights general (also another first time to be called this) that I was/am/have become, I am the glue that has bound people together to form such a diverse group that for some weird reason clicked.

Yeah yeah, I’m venturing into the land of self-gratification and banking too much in my people skills. But hey, I sincerely believe that if my career in the development field doesn’t pan out the way I hoped it to, I may have just the perfect back-up plan. 😉

Anyway, to not keep you on your toes in anticipation, I present to you my 26th year in travel! Please click the links for related blog posts, if I ever managed to write about it. 🙂 Thanks in advance to the people whom I’ve stolen pictures from since I have stopped bringing my cameras on trips already, what with your Go Pro, DSLR, waterproof camera and all! Cheers!

May

June

July

Surprisingly, I can’t find photos of travels in July. It’s likely that my wanderlust was, for a short time, suppressed by the need to focus in work (as a relatively new employee) and by the absence of funds (I was almost broke, with all my travels in India and the local traveling I did while applying and waiting for a new job). I think ’twas also the period when I was out partying a lot (as in 5 consecutive Fridays/Saturdays). If we have photos of a trip/s during this time, just let me know!

August

September

October

November

December

January

 

February

March

April

Whew! Quite a lot, yes?! Even I think I’ve been everywhere for my 26th year in travel. I love that I’ve visited several domestic destinations (and somehow managed to blog about some of it) and managed to squeeze in three countries, even though I didn’t plan for even one in the past year! Well, I can only be thankful for the opportunity. And yes, with the rate of the frequency of weekend escapes we’ve been having recently, I am already extra grateful! I guess I’d have more memories, photos and posts set-up for my 27th year in travel, eh? 🙂

So, my dear reader/blog visitor/wanderer, I encourage you to travel, get lost, find yourself, and discover new things. If you’re thinking of a birthday present for yourself, get a plane ticket or a bus reservation. Grab the opportunity as it presents itself. Don’t let it pass. Don’t let the spirit and spark of traveling die within you. Instead, rekindle the fire and keep on wandering.. Surround yourself with people who share the same passion for travel and discovery. Be awed with what the world holds for you. Believe in your peso’s purchasing power, but more so, have faith on the gift of friendship, the promise of adventure, and the celebration of companionship. For what will you do with all those riches when you can’t share the best moments with people who matter? 🙂

Happy wandering!