The Wandering Log

People assume my goal is to conquer miles — but honestly, I don’t even love walking! In this episode: why walking is just a tool for knowing the world, how moving at human speed unlocks real connection (in a way cycling never could), and the invisible cultures waiting for anyone willing to slow down.

18 hours on a Pelni ferry: tiny food portions, gritty local coffee, and new friends who share their instant noodles when there's nothing else to do. It all ended with the most unexpectedly beautiful sight — crystal clear water at a port, at 1:30 in the morning.

Leaving Tarakan with a keychain made from ocean plastic, a heartfelt goodbye from new friends, and an overnight ferry ride that turned chaotic when half the ship gathered around a TV for a soccer match.

A fast, nerve-wracking ferry ride into Tarakan turned into an unplanned deep dive into local culture: traditional artifacts, a hat maker to the president, wild proboscis monkeys, and a reminder that the best travel days are the ones you don't plan.

Visa approved, but the ferry plan fell apart — a quick reroute through Nunukan, some incredible butter prawns, and one last nostalgic walk past the now-empty festival grounds before crossing into Indonesia tomorrow.

My rule on the road: I don’t buy the food — I buy the person behind it. A good vibe makes the meal taste incredible; a bad one ruins even a great dish. But when extreme hunger hits? The whole system bugs out. In this episode: street food psychology, the “desert oasis effect,” and how survival smashes our principles to pieces.

Have you ever felt a profound sense of sadness after an amazing experience comes to an end? In this episode, we explore the quiet aftermath of a vibrant festival in Tawau, Malaysia, and discover why that bittersweet, empty feeling is actually a beautiful thing. Join me as we talk about serendipitous detours, the bustling energy of local Sunday markets, and how embracing the continuous cycle of hellos and goodbyes can completely change the way we travel and live.

Why do I really travel? Is it just to check unfamiliar places off a list, or is there a deeper purpose? In this episode, I share a recent, eye-opening experience from a three-day International Cultural Festival in Tawau, Malaysia. I realized that just showing up to a new destination only scratches the surface. To truly understand a culture—whether through wearing 10-centimeter-long traditional fingernails or joining a vibrant local dance—you have to completely throw yourself in. Tune in to discover why stepping out of your comfort zone and fully surrendering to the moment is the ultimate key to experiencing the world.

The festival's last day brought a surprise dance on stage with the Timorese, a real gun at a police booth, a reunion with a friend from days before, and a crowd so thick a five-minute walk took thirty. Three days that taught me what real, everyday kindness looks like.

A rescued balcony cat, chicken feet soup for lunch, and an evening spent dancing with strangers at a festival that felt like pure, unfiltered joy. Day 2 of Tawau's cultural festival, and I'm already counting down to day 3.