the various stages on the travel cycle
Many men think they’re chasing freedom when they retire abroad — but without a return path, they’ve exiled themselves. This post explores the ancient roots of exile, the emotional trap of escape fantasies, and how to test your freedom before you claim it.
Introduction Why is it so hard to leave home—even when you want to go?Why do you feel frozen at the very moment you’re supposed to begin your dream trip? This isn’t weakness. It’s instinct. Leaving home, stepping beyond the airport gate, crossing into the unknown—that’s not just travel. That’s ancestral. Tribal. Ritual. Your modern brain … Read more
The Mirage That Keeps Us Moving The Travel Mirage is the illusion that somewhere else will be perfect — but the moment we arrive, the illusion begins to fade. It’s a mind trap built from two opposing forces: These forces distort reality, turning both past and future into idealized versions of the truth. We crave … Read more
When you can do anything, you often do nothing. Here’s how to tell if your time is growing you — or slowly killing you. You land in a new country. You’ve got time, freedom, no schedule. A hotel room, a full day. And yet… you find yourself doing nothing. Not resting. Not exploring. Just drifting. … Read more
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.
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.
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.
A reflective travel story of 4 nights in Angeles City. Rooftop views, empty encounters, and the raw edge of solo travel in Southeast Asia.
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.
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.