The Wandering Log

A rattling pull-cart, a free cup of tea, a surprise ride to the border, and sparkling water from a total stranger — how a day that could've gone badly turned into one of the best of the trip. Ending the night in Bangar with incredible street food and a well-earned hotel room.

Leaving Limbang with a local tour of longhouses, a crocodile warning sign, and a massive water village — plus one of the best fish dishes of my life. But underneath it all: the quiet, lonely reality of always having to say goodbye, and why that feeling is part of the beauty of traveling.

20km through brutal Borneo heat, wild monkeys, and a total food desert — until a mini-mart, a stranger, and an unexpected connection turned a rough day into one of the warmest nights of the trip.

Crossing into Malaysia with zero cash in my pocket — and somehow ending the day full, safe, and completely blown away by local kindness. In this episode: Jawi script, a police officer who paid for my lunch, a stranger's open door, and a night of Iban rice wine and karaoke.

Have you ever visited a place you knew absolutely nothing about? In this episode, I’m sharing raw, on-the-ground impressions from my third day in Brunei — a wealthy, oil-rich nation that’s completely shattering my preconceptions. We talk about the extreme car culture (seriously, nobody walks here — which makes a walking traveler like me stick out!), the surprising Middle Eastern vibe in the heart of Southeast Asia, and the unexpectedly warm, open locals. Some travelers say Brunei is “a country with nothing to do” — but I see it differently. Tune in to find out why the hidden base of the iceberg is the most fascinating part, and why seeing things with your own eyes is the only way to truly broaden your worldview.

Moving day! Today I decided to leave the busy city center behind and head closer to the border to find a more local, authentic vibe. Along the way, I met an amazing local driver named Yazdi, and I witnessed something truly incredible—the entire country completely shutting down for Friday prayers. It was a beautiful, surreal moment that made me realize I’m truly on an unforgettable adventure.

Happy July 15th! Today is a huge day here because it’s the Sultan of Brunei’s birthday. I woke up so excited for the massive festival in the capital, walked all the way there, and well... I completely missed it! But even without the party, this city is absolutely incredible. Join me as I check out the crazy beautiful golden mosques, try some delicious local food, and scout the roads for my upcoming bike trip!

I'm packing up, saying a bittersweet goodbye to the Philippines, and catching a flight to a country I've never been to before—Brunei. Honestly, I didn't think it was a super popular tourist spot, but the airport crowd completely surprised me. Join me as I share my first impressions of landing in this incredibly beautiful, wealthy nation and get ready for a brand-new adventure.

It's July 14th, and it's finally time to say goodbye to Cebu. I packed up my bags at the guest house and took a taxi to a hotel near Mactan Airport to rest up before my flight. Getting sick on the road really taught me how much friends matter when you're traveling alone. Grab a coffee and join me as I look back on this incredible chapter in the Philippines!

It's July 12th, and my last day at the guest house turned into a totally wild adventure. My local friends took me to a real Philippine cockfight, and it was intense and eye-opening. Later that night, we hit up a local karaoke bar, where I realized just how much I overthink everything. Grab a drink and join me for one of the rawest, most unforgettable days of my trip!