Last Updated on January 4, 2026 by Tina
Since 2019, I’ve made it a habit to write a year-in-review, a way for me to pause, look back, and make sense of everything that happened. Somewhere along the way, I missed a year. 2024 came and went quietly on this blog, even though life certainly didn’t slow down.
So here I am again, restarting a tradition that means a lot to me.
I didn’t end up writing a year-in-review for 2024. It was a year of firsts for me, including spending the New Year away from my family, and I was more focused on growing my YouTube channel. If you’re curious, I shared a recap of that year in a video instead. You can watch the video here.
2025 was a full year. Not perfect, not dramatic in the way social media often makes things look, but full. I traveled a lot, moved through different places, and experienced moments that stayed with me long after the trips ended. This post isn’t a highlight reel. It’s simply a look back at a year as it was: messy, meaningful, and very real.
This is my 2025 year in review:
January
It was my first time celebrating the New Year away from my family. I spent New Year’s Eve in Port Barton, Palawan, with a Moroccan friend I met in Sicily, Italy in September 2024. We welcomed 2025 together in Port Barton, and early the next morning, we traveled to El Nido.
My friend and I didn’t really plan anything for New Year’s Eve, so we decided to just go with the flow. After freshening up from an island-hopping tour, we headed out for dinner. The plan was to pass the time at Nitevo Reggae Bar and wait for the fireworks. However, on our way there, we passed by Lemons and Tomatoes, and my friend noticed crepes on the menu. She said she was craving one, so we stopped—and that small detour turned into something special.
While enjoying our crepes, we struck up a conversation with the owners, Joana and her family. They shared that they were preparing for their media noche and mentioned that kare-kare was on the menu. When my friend asked what it was, I explained it to her, which led to even more conversation. Joana then asked about our New Year’s plans and, to our surprise, invited us to join them.
While we were chatting, a French solo traveler stopped by. She had also been invited earlier and came by to say that she was accepting the invitation. And just like that, our New Year’s Eve plans fell into place.
A few minutes before midnight, we all walked to the beach together to watch the fireworks. The air was filled with excitement, and as the sky lit up, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the moment. Afterward, we returned to the restaurant for media noche, where we shared stories, laughed, and bonded over delicious food.
It was my first time spending New Year’s Eve away from my family, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it turned out to be one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life. It reminded me that sometimes, the best moments come from unplanned connections.
In the last week of January, I went to Japan with my youngest brother. Japan has always been a country I knew was beautiful, but it was never high on my list of places to visit. If not for the Kumano Kodo, I probably wouldn’t have gone.
I had just finished the Camino Portuguese in August 2024 and wanted to become a dual pilgrim by completing the Kumano Kodo. However, after seeing videos of hikers encountering snakes along the trail, and because I’m afraid of snakes, I had already crossed it off my list. That changed when my brother told me he would do it with me, so I decided to go.
I was not physically prepared for the hike, and I underestimated how challenging it would be. There came a point during the hike when I already wanted to give up. But my brother pushed me to keep going. He helped carry my things, and even though I know I was already being a pain in the ass, he was incredibly patient with me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.
I had only two main goals for this trip: to become a dual pilgrim and to experience snow. I achieved both and so much more. My feet ached every night from all the walking, but every step was worth it.
February
I flew to Thailand to watch my godson compete in a swimming competition in Phuket. Since I’d already been to Phuket a few times and had always wanted to visit Krabi, I decided to fly there first and spend a few days exploring before taking a van to Phuket.
March
From Phuket, I flew to Bali and spent ten days there. I had to head home in the second week of March for my nephew’s birthday. When booking my flight back to the Philippines, I chose one with a long layover in Singapore. It was much cheaper, and it also allowed me to meet my cousin who lives there, even if only for a few hours. We rarely get to see each other when she comes home to the Philippines, but somehow we always manage to meet whenever I’m in Singapore.
In the last week of March, I found myself back in Bali once again. I rented the same apartment I had stayed in the year before, this time for a month. Being there felt familiar, almost like coming home.
During this stay, I was able to experience Nyepi again. Known as the Balinese Day of Silence, Nyepi is a sacred Hindu celebration marking the Balinese New Year. For 24 hours, the island comes to a complete standstill. No flights, no traffic, no work, no outdoor activities. Lights are kept off, streets are empty, and no one is allowed outside. Even the airport shuts down. It’s a day dedicated to self-reflection, meditation, and resetting the spirit. Experiencing Nyepi for the second time reminded me how powerful silence can be, especially in a world that is constantly moving.
April
In the third week of April, I flew back home to the Philippines for my cousin’s wedding. In 2024, I spent the entire summer in the Philippines in Bali because the summer back home is extremely hot. For 2025, however, I already had a trip planned for the first week of May, along with my cousin’s wedding.
Instead of flying straight back to Manila, I made a stop in Malaysia to take advantage of the days off during Holy Week, and also because direct flights from Bali to Manila were incredibly expensive. I spent three days in Penang, a city famous for its vibrant street food and diverse culinary scene, and enjoyed trying a wide variety of Malaysian dishes.
May
In the first week of May, I went back to Balabac and joined a tour organized by my brother. Unlike last year, we only had one full sunny day during the trip, but we were still able to see a lot of sea turtles in Onok Island, where we spent our second night. What made it even more special was that we could see them without the need to dive or snorkel.
June
I spent the entire month of June in Sri Lanka. It was my birthday trip. Before flying there, I spent two nights in Melaka, Malaysia. The first time I visited Melaka was with a friend, and we only had time for a day trip. I remember thinking how beautiful the place was and promising myself that the next time I came back, I would stay longer.
Aside from its beautiful nature and wildlife, I had so many heartwarming encounters in Sri Lanka. I truly believe Sri Lankans are some of the nicest people I’ve met in all my travels. I experienced countless moments of kindness, probably too many to mention, but there are a few that really stayed with me.
One was the little girl at my homestay in Ella. She was the daughter of the owner and was incredibly sweet. One day, while I was talking to her sister, she quietly picked a flower from their garden and handed it to me. That family was so kind to me. Every day, they offered tea and biscuits or buns, and on the day I was leaving, they even prepared a full Sri Lankan breakfast for me.
Another experience I want to share was with my host in Mirissa. He drove me to the bus station in Matara on his tuk-tuk for free. It was a 20-minute ride from Mirissa. Not only that, he spoke to the bus driver on my behalf and didn’t leave until he was sure I had boarded the correct bus.
Moments like these made my time in Sri Lanka truly unforgettable and reminded me why I love traveling, not just for the places, but for the people.
July
From Sri Lanka, I decided to fly to the Maldives and stayed there for ten days. The Maldives is just an hour-and-a-half flight from Sri Lanka, so I thought, why not visit as well? I used to think the Maldives was extremely expensive and only really meant for honeymooners. But thanks to Facebook groups, I learned that you can stay on local islands and spend a few days there on a budget.
I also want to share one experience I had while I was there. I went to a souvenir shop in Hulhumalé and ended up buying a lot of things. While checking out, I jokingly told the shop attendants that I no longer had money for dinner because I had spent it all in their shop. One of them laughed and said he would treat me to dinner since he was about to take his break. I told him no, that I was just teasing, but he was very persistent. I looked at the other attendant, and he simply said, “Just go.”
So I agreed. We walked to a nearby place, and I was immediately surprised because it was quite dark inside. My first thought was, What did I just get myself into? I became very cautious, something that comes with traveling solo, where you constantly have to stay alert. The place looked like a shisha bar or something similar.
We sat down, and he let me order my meal. When I asked what he was going to have, he said he’d just have coffee since he was only on a short break and would be going back to work afterward. Even then, I stayed cautious. The whole time, I kept wondering what the catch was. I don’t think you can blame me for thinking that way, given everything that happens in the world.
But nothing felt off. He sat across from me, never tried to move closer, never touched me, and never asked for my number. We had a simple conversation. He mentioned that he owned the bar with his cousin and even introduced me to him. He also shared that he was from Bangladesh.
After dinner, he invited me to come back to the bar later, after his shift, if I wanted to. I thanked him but told him I still needed to pack for my flight the next day. We said goodbye, and that was it.
At first, I was still a bit paranoid, wondering if he might follow me, but nothing like that happened. He was simply a genuinely kind person who treated me to dinner, no strings attached.
August
In August, I booked a trip to Bacolod on a whim because I still had unused Cebpass vouchers expiring soon. With no plans except to catch up on work and eat my way through the city, I thought it would just be about food (and yes, Bacolod did not disappoint. Cansi from Eron’s, chili garlic crab from Crab King, chicken inasal from Masskara and Chicken House, guava pie from El Ideal, batwan bar from Café 1925, and the famous empanada from Emma Lacson’s).
But what surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the history and conversations along the way. When Balay Negrense was closed for renovations, I ended up in the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, where I spent two hours chatting with the guide about Negros’ history.
My trip to Bacolod made me realize something: I’ve evolved as a traveler. Before, I would chase the “most Instagrammable” spot. Now, I find myself drawn to conversations, history, and little details that give meaning to a place.
Bacolod may be famous for its chicken inasal and the Ruins, but for me, this trip will be remembered for the warmth of the locals, the stories shared inside heritage houses, and how travel continues to shape the way I see the world.
September
Last September, I found myself back in Coron after 13 years. I still had seven CebPass vouchers left, and when a friend told me she would be there with her boyfriend during the first week of September, I decided to book a week-long trip.
The trip felt very different from my first visit. I didn’t do much sightseeing this time since I had already done most of the tours before, and I didn’t think island hopping was a great idea with the constant rain. Maybe the rainy low season had something to do with me feeling a bit lazy, but it also gave me the space to slow down.
I did go island hopping on my second day, and honestly, that was enough. Malcapuya Island was still beautiful, even under gloomy skies. The real highlight, though, wasn’t the tours but staying at Nomad Yurts—a cozy little escape inspired by traditional Mongolian yurts that felt surprisingly like home.
I also enjoyed having company for a change. My friend and her boyfriend were around for three nights, so we shared dinners and even visited a hot spring together. And although I took it easy most days, I still climbed Mt. Tapyas twice. It was tiring, yes, but the views made every step worth it.
Work was especially stressful during that time, so the combination of rest, light adventure, and good company turned out to be the perfect balance. It wasn’t the same Coron I experienced 13 years ago—but it was exactly the kind of Coron I needed this time.
October
When I was in Coron, I made a poll on my Instagram stories asking my followers where I should use my remaining CebPass vouchers. Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga were the top choices, so that’s where I went next. I had originally planned to fly to Cagayan de Oro, but due to a schedule conflict with my visa application for Turkiye, I decided to book a new flight for another day and flew to Davao instead. From Davao, I took a bus to Malaybalay, Bukidnon, and spent three days there before continuing by bus to Cagayan de Oro.
I had been told there wasn’t much to do in CDO aside from white-water rafting, and since I’m not into that type of adventure, CDO mostly became a hub to get to my next destination. Instead of flying back to Manila and then to Zamboanga, I flew to Cebu and from there took a flight to Zamboanga.
Zamboanga completely surprised me. Growing up, I thought the city was scary, mostly because of what the media portrayed but I stayed there for a week and never felt unsafe. People were incredibly kind and welcoming. During a day trip to Sta. Cruz, I even met a group of travelers who were relatives. When they found out I was traveling solo, they invited me to join their group. I had a wonderful time talking to them.
While in Zamboanga, I also did a day trip to Basilan. My time was limited, so I only visited Pahali Resort in Malamawi Island, Sta. Isabel Cathedral, and made a quick stop at the market. Just like Zamboanga, Basilan is often misunderstood. Despite what people might assume, it was very safe. The locals were kind and helpful.
For example, when I asked a tricycle driver for directions to the cathedral, he pointed the way and even told me to walk on the right side so I’d stay in the shade. In many other places, someone might have offered to take me there just to earn money, even if it was clearly nearby. Another man said, “Welcome to Isabela City, ma’am,” when he saw me walking. Later, when I returned, the same people asked if I had visited the cathedral and even suggested other places to see next time.
November
In the third week of November, I flew to Dubai, where I only had one full day for sightseeing. I visited during peak season, so hotel prices were incredibly high. The trip to the UAE wasn’t originally intentional. The plan was to visit Georgia with a friend, but since there are no direct flights from the Philippines to Georgia and flights from the UAE to Georgia are very affordable, I decided to fly to Dubai first. The Manila–Dubai flight with Cebu Pacific wasn’t too expensive either.
From Dubai, I took a bus to Abu Dhabi and stayed there for three nights. I met up with the same friend I was supposed to meet in Georgia. The last time we saw each other was before she moved to the UAE, which was even before the pandemic.
I really loved the vibe in Abu Dhabi. I didn’t do much sightseeing. I only visited the Grand Mosque and went on a desert safari, and that already felt like enough. These days, my mindset is that it’s okay not to see everything. Leaving things undone gives me a reason to return.
From Abu Dhabi, I flew to Armenia. The original plan was to fly to Georgia with my friend, but because hotel prices in Abu Dhabi were so high due to the season, we agreed to meet directly in Georgia instead. I made a quick stop in Armenia, where, just like in Dubai, I only had one full day. While I wished I had more time, I was grateful to experience the country, and I know I’ll definitely return in the future to see more of it.
December
My trip to Georgia with my friend was during the first week of December. I traveled from Armenia to Georgia by minivan, and I truly had a great time exploring the country with her. We booked several tours, and what I loved about traveling together was that even though we were on the same tour, we explored each stop on our own. We would simply meet again at the tour van afterward. This setup worked perfectly for me since I’m used to traveling solo. Taking photos was never an issue either, as we both had our own tripods.
I’m not really an alcoholic person. I rarely drink, but I genuinely enjoyed the wine tasting and chacha tasting during the tours. Chacha is a traditional Georgian spirit made from grape pomace, often compared to grappa, and it’s surprisingly strong.
From Georgia, I flew to Turkiye and stayed there for 12 days. Just like the UAE, Turkiye wasn’t part of the original plan. When I was checking flights back to the Philippines, prices were extremely high, likely because of the Christmas season. Eventually, I found a much cheaper flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. Since I have an ASEAN Pass with AirAsia, my flight from KL to Manila was also reasonably priced.
I had a great time in Turkiye, and what stood out to me the most was how kind the people were. I was especially cautious in Istanbul because I had read posts from solo female travelers who experienced harassment there. Thankfully, I didn’t encounter anything like that. Instead, I met genuinely friendly and helpful people.
I was also incredibly happy to finally fulfill my dream of seeing the fairy chimneys and hot air balloons in Cappadocia. Although I wasn’t able to ride a hot air balloon due to the weather, just being there and witnessing the landscape was already enough to make the experience unforgettable.
Looking back, 2025 wasn’t about checking off destinations or chasing experiences; it was about noticing the small, meaningful moments along the way. The people I met, the kindness I encountered, and the quiet connections I made are what I’ll remember most. Writing this recap is a way to hold onto those moments, and to remind myself that even in a busy year, it’s the little things that matter. Here’s to carrying that perspective into the year ahead.
