Back in the Bangkok Loop
Every trip has its cycle. This is the end of mine. The routines set in. The streets feel automatic. The energy dips. Bangkok never changes — but staying too long will change you.
Travel Cycles
the various stages on the travel cycle
5 Days in Makati — The Reset I Didn’t Plan
Makati was only meant to be a stopover. But travel has a way of deciding things for you. Five days later — tired, burnt out, and down with a cold — I realised I wasn’t just stuck in a city. I was stuck in a loop. This is the story of slowing down, stepping back, and learning the hard way when it’s time to stop.
5 Days in Subic Bay – A Travelogue of Fading Curiosity
Subic Bay wasn’t what I hoped—but it taught me what I need. This five-day stretch captured the Mid-Trip Plateau: from fading novelty to raw clarity. Broken sleep, the wrong base, a sense of “not again”—and the slow return of instinct. A Caveman Passport story of discomfort, detachment, and the wisdom of walking away.
4 Nights in Angeles – Raw & Real
A reflective travel story of 4 nights in Angeles City. Rooftop views, empty encounters, and the raw edge of solo travel in Southeast Asia.
2 Nights on Burgos Street, Makati Manila – Neon & Noise
A sensory-packed 48 hours in the heart of Manila’s red-light district. From neon-lit rooftops to riverside calm, follow the emotional and visual journey through P. Burgos Street, Makati — where overstimulation, temptation, and reflection all meet.
Hedonic Adaptation: Why Travel Thrills Fade and How to Fight It
Even the most exciting trips eventually feel flat. This post explores the hidden force behind that fading thrill—hedonic adaptation—and reveals practical, purpose-driven ways to reset your excitement and fall in love with travel all over again.
Travel Wanderlust: The Dream of Elsewhere
Wanderlust is the irresistible pull of the unknown—the dream of distant places, adventure, and escape. But does travel ever truly satisfy it, or does it just reset? Explore the psychology of wanderlust, its place in the travel cycle, and how to balance longing with meaningful exploration.
Travel Contrast: The Key to Keeping Travel Exciting
Why does travel lose its thrill? The answer isn’t bigger or better experiences—it’s contrast. Switching between luxury and budget, city and nature, fast and slow prevents burnout and keeps travel exciting. Learn how Travel Contrast is the key to long-term, fulfilling adventures.
Post-Travel Reset: Breaking the Cycle of Restlessness
The journey doesn’t end when you step off the plane—your mind still lingers in the places you’ve been. The post-travel reset is a crucial transition, where nostalgia pulls you back, but routine hasn’t yet fully settled in. Learn how to process the shift, avoid falling into the cycle of escapism, and redefine what home means after travel.
Travel Nostalgia: The Glow of Past Journeys
Why do past trips seem better than they really were? Travel nostalgia is a selective memory trap that exaggerates highlights and erases struggles. This post explores how nostalgia fuels repetitive travel cycles and why chasing old feelings rarely leads to the same magic.