Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog’s featured traveler for this month is Keith Yuen of Travelinspiration360.com. Keith loves traveling and taking photos of his travel experiences. With his photographs, he usually caption them with famous or self-created quotes to share with his friends on his Facebook and travel blog. His blog also functions as his online travel journal and serves as his inspiration to write more. Travel Inspiration 360 debuted on the 31 August 2014, which is less than 2 months ago. 🙂
Blue Mountain, Australia
Learn more about Keith by reading his interesting responses to our travel questionnaire below.
Tell me something about yourself 🙂
Hi everyone, I am Keith from the beautiful city of Singapore. I am a person driven by 5 major values in my life. Family, Spiritual well-being, Quality Friends, Financial Stability and Travelling. They sort of balance my life equation at the moment.
Traveling with Friends in Boracay Island
I consider myself as very adventurous, tried many adventurous activities i.e. Sky diving, shark cage diving, cliff diving, and etc… I also love to keep fit and meet people around the world.
People collect stamps, artefacts, gold or money. I adopted two interesting hobbies when I travelling around the world, firstly, the collection of international flags and secondly, collecting quality friends. I’m proud and glad of my collections, they are all on my facebook and Travel Inspiration 360 website. haha
Classy Jump Shot in Boracay Philippines
To read more you can refer to the page about me: https://www.travelinspiration360.com/about
When did you start travelling, inspirations?
I started travelling when I was very young because my family would go on long road trips from Singapore to Malacca (Malaysia) a few times a year to visit my maternal relatives. As a little boy, I used to fantasize that taking an aeroplane is like on boarding a flying buffet restaurant, whatever FOOD you order on board, they can deliver. As I love fries and ice cream a lot, I thought all flights will serve unlimited fries and ice cream. haha
Dubai, UAE
My first solo trip was to Hong Kong and China back in 2002 for a study attachment and it was really a struggle at first, but thankfully I made some good friends over there, they took care of me and I eventually learnt to blend into a new culture with an open mind. That trip changed my entire perspective in life, and shaped my foundation as a traveller! 🙂
My inspiration for travelling comes from my dad. He was an avid traveller and had been to many countries due to his work. He represented the Singapore Orchestra and had the privilege to perform in many foreign countries.
Iceland
You can read about my greatest inspiration from my beloved dad and how I got the uncanny travel bug from him here in this article: Read on: https://www.travelinspiration360.com/my-dedication
Lessons you learned on the road?
I have learned to be humble and appreciative of what we have in life. Not everyone can travel and I am very grateful for being able to see the world and meet many great people out there!
Jborg, South Africa
They said that when there is a will, there is a way. After visiting the Masai Tribe in Kenya, I found the phrase untrue for many children and young teenagers, especially from the developing nations whose daily struggle is to survive with the hope of breaking out from their poverty cycle.
You can read more about my experience with the Masai Tribe on: https://www.travelinspiration360.com/a-visitation-to-the-masai-tribe
Destinations on your Bucket List?
South America: Argentina & Patagonia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos, Venezuela, Mexico
Central Asia: 5 Stan Countries
Balkans: Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia etc…
Oceania: New Zealand to visit my kiwi friends, the Pacific islands
Oh man, there are still so many places I have to visit…
Khasab Oman
Beach or Mountain?
Can’t I have both? I know Philippines are full of beautiful beaches with majestic stunning mountains! Isn’t it true? haha
Alright, more beach than mountain if I really gotta choose between the two. J
How often do you travel by air / land?
I will travel at least 3/4 times a year to rejuvenate my soul. Singapore is stressful enough, and a getaway or adventure trip will benefit my spiritually, my mentally, and my emotional wellness. (But not physically for my case) haha
KJS @ Dubai, UAE
What’s your favourite airport?
Dubai International Airport!!! I love the grand majestic Arab feel and, definitely a multi-cultural airport. It feels like a shopping mall than a transport hub.
What is your favourite Hotel?
Pepper Club Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa – I had a GREAT view of Table Mountain and luxurious room by myself. All the service managers and crew seems to know me and I was greeted by my name every morning. Felt like celebrity when I was there! haha
KJS @ Kulusuk, Greenland
What is your preferred Airline?
There are 3 airlines which impressed me the most: Emirates Airlines, Singapore airlines and Qatar Airways.
How do you beat jet lag / Motion sickness?
For long distance flights, I will usually choose a night flight (“red-eye” flight) which will land in the country of my destination the very next morning i.e. Europe. Upon arrival I will “force” myself to walk and explore the place, regardless of the difference in time zone, and have an early dinner and rest in the evening. Theoretically, I would be deprived of quality sleep for almost 2 days since I depart from Singapore, so usually, once I lie down in bed, I will “take off” and immediately connect with the pillow. haha
As for motion sickness, I can’t comment on that much, caused thankfully, I don’t have that trouble. 🙂
KJS @ San Francisco, USA
What are your favourite travel gadgets?
My trusty smart phone which contains my travel apps! I’m from the generation where I don’t feel secure without my phone! haha As I love shooting beautiful photos and jotting down my track paths, I gotta carry my travel laptop, DSLR camera and waterproof camera.
- Travel Laptop: For facebook updates
- DSLR Camera: For everything
- Waterproof Camera: For bad weather or beach
- Smart Phone: For travel apps and evening party photos
So, with these travel gadgets, it’s inevitable for the adapters, charger, cables, memory sticks & cards and portable hard disk. 🙂
Any Tips on how to travel light?
Honestly, I dont consider myself as a light traveler, because the fact that I love to stay connected and post photo updates when I travel.
Skydiving in Gold Coast Australia
In general, try to bring things that are disposable. When you dispose items as you travel and you also buy gifts and souvenirs along the way, the weight of your luggage at the end of the trip should be about the same before you travel. J Well, I know… it depends! haha
Many things comes with travel pack, and certain things don’t really need to bring i.e hair dryer, shower gel, foam, shampoo, or even towels (most hotels provide) haha
Best Backpack Brand?
Hands down, I will bet everything on Deuter – my favourite backpack! I kinda like Lowepro and Crumpler for camera and laptop backpack as well.
Top 3 Philippine Destinations?
Three is not enough! The entire Philippines is AMAZING! There are so many volcanoes, mountains, gorgeous beaches and beautiful people in the Philippines. If you insist, three more well-known and commercialise places i most probably will recommend:
BORACAY! Woohoo…. I tried not to visit a destination twice because there is so much to see in the world. Only Boracay made me went back twice because it is so AWESOME! 🙂
El Nido & Coron – AMAZING island destinations. The place which is almost surreal with endless white beaches, crystal clear waters and an underwater world, which is breath taking and truly an unspoiled paradise.
Batanes for a bit of the European Scottish highland feel, calm and serene. J
Things you love about the Philippines?
Beach, People and Price J
Things you hate about the Philippines?
Natural disaster, poverty, and terrorism in some areas
What made you decide to visit the Philippines?
Can I complete the world without visiting Philippines? No way! It’s fascinating to me especially the rich cultures and amazing people! I definitely got hooked by the Philippines now.
Vietnam
Top 3 International Destinations?
Wow, this is tough! Can I break in down into sub category, because I love the diversity and uniqueness of each individual places.
Beach destination: Philippines, Greece and Thailand J
Wildlife: Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa
Waterfall: Victoria Falls, Iguazu Falls (haven’t been, next on my bucket list) and Skogafoss.
Citylife: New York City, Singapore and Copenhagen
Landscape: Iceland, Norway and China
People Friendliness: Denmark, Philippines & Germany
Favourite Travel Quote :
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” St. Augustine
To add on to my favourite quote, I have my own 2nd liner:
‘I am grateful to have colourful pages in my book, and many great people out there welcome me into their another book call – LIFE!’ 🙂 – Keith Yuen
