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I don't know where this journey will end Cause the world keeps calling me

Janet Jackson

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Four months and 13 countries later…

We were finally home. Thank you for following us on this incredible journey. 

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Travel around the world: if we did it, you can do it too!

When Jomar and I tell people about our four-month journey, they often say they wish they could do it too. At this point, I want to shake them by the shoulders and say, “You can do it too!” You just need to muster up the courage.

FAQ’s:

How did you plan your trip?

We thought of our dream destinations and researched flights on Kayak.com to get a sense of the cost. Then we created a draft plan and budget. By Nov. 1, our first day of our trip, we booked our international flights through mid-January. When we were in the Philippines (Country #1), we were planning New Zealand (Country #3). When we were in Thailand (Country #2), we were planning Australia (Country #4), and so forth. We consulted TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet as resources, and a laptop was essential for all of the planning. 

How did you save the money to travel?

We tracked our finances in Mint (a free app) and saved up a reserve with a budget of $150-$200 a day for the both of us. We also put our belongings in storage to save on housing costs.

What credit cards did you use?

Jomar signed up for an American Express Platinum credit card for 100,000 reward bonus points (they had a special promotion at the time). This came to be very handy when we booked a flight from Singapore to Barcelona only using AmEx points. The annual fee is a hefty $450, but we saved hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on our flight.

A benefit of the credit card is access to the American Express concierge. We used them throughout our trip to book rental cars, restaurant reservations and suggested itineraries. They were like a nice security blanket. Thanks AmEx!

We also like the Chase Sapphire credit card for travel points, and they don’t charge international transaction fees.

How did you pack your clothes for both summer and winter weather?

Jomar and I packed three suitcases. Jomar had a Patagonia duffle bag, and I had suite case with our summer clothes. A third suite case was used for our winter clothes. We knew we were seeing Jomar’s brother, Peejay, who lives in Singapore. He was our home base in between traveling from the summer countries to the winter countries. We met Peejay in the Philippines (country #1), and mid-way in Singapore (country #5). We were lucky to have him as a resource. We also bought a ton of stuff along the way. 

Where did you do laundry?

We booked AirBnB’s with washers and dryers. We packed about two weeks worth of clothes. 

Did you get lost?

All the time. You just have to figure it out together as a team. Our saving grace was getting a data plan in each country for our iPhones and using Google Maps and Uber.

Feel free to ask me more questions! 

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Bucket list check! Northern Lights, baby

Jomar and I ended our trip by relaxing at the Ion Luxury Hotel in Selfoss, Iceland (basically, the middle of nowhere). For five nights we checked for the Northern Lights, and we didn’t see it until our very last night. We were very lucky. You need the right conditions so they can be visible, namely clear skies and no moonlight.

There are no words to describe the Northern Lights. Like everything else we saw in Iceland, it was magical in its own right. It was the perfect way to end our epic journey around the world.

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Day 2 of our Ice Cave Expedition tour (continued)

Day 2 itinerary

Crystal Beach – This time we got to visit the Crystal beach during the day to snap some fun pictures.

Glacier lagoon – Jökulsarlon – Jomar and I loved the Glacier Lagoon. We could’ve been here for days taking photographs. It was so peaceful and quiet.

Ice cave - Breiðamerkurjökull – We drove 20 minutes on a very bumpy road to get to this ice cave. The weather worked out where we could find a safe entry into the cave, underneath the glacier. Being surrounded by ice, it felt like time was standing still. We didn’t wander too far into the cave, but during our hike we crawled 20 feet on our knees to get to a second opening. It was surreal. 

Eldhraun – Then we stopped by one of the biggest lava fields in the world. I love looking at moss. I don’t know what it is. It makes me want to roll around in the spongy green earth.

Following our adventure, we returned to Reykjavík in front of the striking Hallgrims Church.

We had so much fun on our GoEcco tour, and we highly recommend them for touring Iceland. 

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Two days of adventure in southern Iceland

Jomar and I booked the two-day “Ice Cave Expedition” tour with GoEcco. Here was our itinerary:

Day 1

Raufarhólshellir – We slid down a steep hole to enter this lava cave. The cave  has been used to shoot scenes in Batman Begins and Game of Thrones (Winter is always coming in Iceland. It makes total sense).

Gljúfrabúi – Hidden behind a small entryway, we discovered a waterfall to fill up our water bottles with fresh water. The glacier water tasted so refreshing!

Seljalandsfoss – Afterwards, we climbed up some very icy stairs to walk behind this wonderful waterfall. It was so magical.

Eyjafjallajökull – While on the road, we saw one of the smaller ice caps of Iceland.

Skógarfoss – Then we visited the third highest waterfall in Iceland. There is often a rainbow surrounding the waterfall because of the mist. Found me some gold!

DC3 plane wreck – We ventured onto some very icy roads to see this plane wreck where Justin Bieber filmed a music video.  

Reynisfjara – Jomar and I accidentally got our shoes wets at this black sand beach. The waves are very sporadic so beware!  

Crystal Beach – Our tour guide stopped the bus to pick up a chunk of ice from a 2,000-year-old iceberg for our drinks. Because this ice is so dense, it actually melts slower. Amazing!

Hrolllaugsstaðir – Goecco reserved a charming old boarding school as our home for the night. They even built a small tent for us to sit in. 

See next blog post for day 2.

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Country #13: Iceland (aka Jomar’s favorite country)

Once we landed in the airport, we booked a bus headed straight to the Blue Lagoon. It was the best way to start our Iceland trip after a tiring morning on the plane. In the 30-degree weather, we quickly plopped our cold tushies into the warm lagoon. It wasn’t quite as warm as we expected, but it was still very relaxing. While in the lagoon, you can swim up to the mud bar for a facemask as well as get a beverage from the bar. We stayed in the lagoon as long as we could for about two hours. Oh, and the water is really that blue from the minerals.

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The Harry Potter tour in the Warner Brothers London Studio

Muggles no more, we were off to Hogwarts the next day! The Warner Brothers studio in London is where they filmed all of the Harry Potter movies. The tour is self-guided so you can proceed at your own leisurely pace in the studios. It was incredible discovering how much work went into creating just one magical scene. And you’ll be surprised to learn how many of the props were made instead of computer generated. Get tickets in advance because they can sell out quickly. Enjoy the pictures! We loved our time there! 

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London: where Annie finally gets to speak with a British accent

Jomar and I met up with Jomar’s relatives while in London as well as his  brother Peejay. It’s always nice seeing friendly faces after being on the road for so long.

Our first stop was the Kings Cross train station to drop off Peejay on Platform 9 ¾ for Hogwarts. Just kidding! He was actually flying to Barcelona, which was another stop over. Take the broom, Peej!

Next, we went to the Tower of London to see the crown jewels! You can’t take pictures of the jewels, but they were blinding! I recommend planning to spend at least 2-3 hours in this massive castle. There is a lot to see!

The next day we visited the British Museum. Jomar and I only saw the highlights of this museum’s impressive collection. For this museum nerd, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and had to go back a second time. In the evening, we checked out the iconic Trafalgar Square, a public square in central London. 

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When in Amsterdam, do like the Dutch do: live in a boathouse

Jomar and I wanted the true Amsterdam experience and booked a boathouse on AirBnb. However we found ourselves disappointed for several reasons: there was a constant cold draft seeping in the room, the bathroom was freezing, and it was extremely small. We wanted to love it, but it was just disappointing. At least now we can say we bunked in a canal in Amsterdam. Done and done!

Other quintessential Dutch experiences were: visiting the Red Light District, eating Dutch apple pie, visiting the Van Gogh museum and taking photos of the “I AMsterdam” sculpture.

I blissfully walked through the quaint streets of Amsterdam while admiring their cozy coffee shops. I loved it all, but I recommend visiting in the summer when it’s not as cold, and then you’ll enjoy the boathouse.

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Brussels: where my Belgian waffle dream came true

Ah, Brussels. We traveled to Brussels for two reasons: waffles and chocolate. Waffles hold a special place in my heart. On our first date, Jomar and I made waffles with ice cream. When Jomar proposed six years later, he gave me a ring and a waffle iron. Then we made more waffles! Jomar and I love the Belgian waffle truck in San Francisco so we ventured to Brussels for the beloved dessert.

According to my research, Maison Dandoy had the best Belgian waffles. Established in 1829, this places makes legit waffles. There are two types of waffles: the Liege or Brussels. The lieges ones are thicker with a sugary coating that I love! The Brussels waffle is a thicker, fluffier waffle. I thoroughly enjoyed my Maison Dandoy waffles with my cappuccino. However, I thought my waffle from a random street corner was just as delicious. So if you want a cute environment and a place to sit, Maison is fabulous, just expect to pay several Euros more. Alternatively, you can devour your 1 Euro waffle on the street corner. Or do both like I did!

We only had two nights in Brussels, and unfortunately Jomar caught a nasty cold so we didn’t do much sightseeing. We ended our trip by shopping for chocolates in Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a long arcade filled with high-end boutiques and restaurants. We also snapped some photos in the Grand Place, a top sight in Brussels. 

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Did you do anything in Copenhagen besides eat?  Yes!

Here are some interesting places we visited:

Nyhavn: This 17th century waterfront area is iconic for its colorful houses. We  took many selfies here!

The cemetery of Hans Christian Andersen: I found the cemetery very peaceful, and enjoyed the walk there. Plus, Coffee Collective serves an amazing cup o’ joe close by.

Little Mermaid: Many people think this Little Mermaid is overhyped. True, it’s  a little statue, but I found her quiet presence quite compelling. 

Walking tour: We love these walking tours! Find one convenient for your schedule.

One of the main attractions in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens. Unfortunately, it is closed during the winter. Supposedly, Walt Disney was inspired by this theme park when creating his own. Until next time Copenhagen!

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Life begins after coffee

Jomar and I started the next day at the very popular Union Kitchen. I was delighted to see that my cappuccino had a morning greeting for me: life begins after coffee. I wholeheartedly concur! After our cute brunch spot, we did a bit of sightseeing before our dinner at Oliver and the Black Circus. Their motto is “an unpretentious approach to fine dining.” Right on, Oliver. I hate it when a restaurant makes you feel uncomfortable. We had the following:

Langoustine – Trout roe – Wasabi cream – Cherry powder

Beef ceviche – Lemon – Croutons – Salmon skin – Egg yolk foam

Sauté Cod – Pea puree – Black seaweed – Mustard sauce

Beef steak (200g) – Sweet red wine sauce – Asparagus – Shitake – Cauliflower puree

The starters and entrees delighted our taste buds with the complex and surprising flavors. It was a lovely last supper in Copenhagen. 

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The Danish Girl (and the Boy that likes to eat Danishes with her)

On Day 3 of Copenhagen, we started the morning at Meyers Bageri. Reviewers on TripAdvisor were raving about this bakery, especially the cinnamon rolls. We mistakenly didn’t get the cinnamon rolls in our excitement (I know, silly us). Nevertheless, the danishes were so good. Crispy and buttery on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside, these pastries were crumbling with flakes of goodness at every bite. You felt so bad for devouring the butt load of calories, but you only live once.

For lunch, we headed to Papiroeen, a former paper factory that now houses some 30 food stalls. It was a casual place for lunch with loads of cuisine options. Jomar opted for a Korean hot dog; I chose a tomato soup. Then we lunched in front of the cozy fire.

Next up, dinner! Jomar made reservations at Restaurant Radio for dinner. They offer a three-course meal of Nordic cuisine, and Jomar and I coordinated our dishes to try them all.

Scallops, artichoke, olives

Salmon, endive, watercress

Celeriac, seaweed, walnuts

Veal, onion, more onion

Beetroot, milk, meringue

I appreciated how the dishes were not fussy so the ingredients really shined. Oddly enough, my favorite dish was the beetroot dessert even though I don’t like beets. The concentrated flavor of the beets paired well with the milk meringue. Overall, Radio was solid restaurant, but if given the choice, I would choose Host instead.

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A hipster in the making

In Copenhagen, everyone is a cooler than you. They wear only all black with hip sneakers, and beanies with perfectly messy hair. We were in full awe of them at Paludan’s Book and Café, a cozy place to work and eat in the Latin Quarter. In the picture above, Jomar attempts to fit in…

We continued our foodie adventure with a dinner reservation at Host, a Nordic restaurant that looks like the love child of Restoration Hardware and Heath Ceramics. I wanted to live here. More pics here!

What is Nordic food, you ask?  Here is their three-course Signature Menu to give you an idea:

Norwegian Lobster and Chicken foot with lobstercream, carrots, liquorice, juniper and hazelnuts

Beef tenderloin from Grambogård with salted black currant, beetroot, cress and sauce with marrow and terragon

Birchbark ice cream with quinze, herbs chocolate, and crispy maltHost offers a three course men

Yea…I have no idea what Nordic food is, but you get the drift.

In addition to the three courses, they serve you a few complimentary courses, which were delicious. Particularly the steak tartar with bone marrow and cream and the popovers that tasted like shrimp chips were delicious! 

Overall, Jomar and I were pleasantly surprised with the cuisine. One TripAdvisor reviewer said to come to Host if you can’t snag a reservation at Noma. They’re right on the money.

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Eating our way through Copenhagen

The world-renowned Noma restaurant put Copenhagen on the culinary map so Jomar and I wanted to check out what the fuss was about.  

Being in Denmark, the first thing we had to eat was a Danish! We went to the oldest bakery in town called Conditori La Glace from 1870. We asked them to give us the most popular dessert: the Sports Cake. It consists of crushed nougat, whipped cream, macaroon bottom and caramelized choux pastry. It was divine. We also had a Danish pastry, a very rich hot chocolate, and coffee. We were happy as a clam.

In the evening, we visited Torvehallerne. This reminded me of the mercados in Spain. A bunch of restaurants were housed in two buildings. Fish is big in Copenhagen so we grabbed a fish and salad platter for around $40. The fish was so slippery and fatty. You could tell it was very fresh. I really enjoyed Torvehallerne, and it was more affordable than dining in a restaurant. And I’m always a sucker for adorable bistro lights.

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The fairytale continues

The next day, we joined another free walking tour. We toured the city’s oldest quarter appropriately named Old Town Square. Nearby is the legendary Astronomical Clock. A huge crowd gathers to see the clock put on a mini-show at the top of the hour. You see a few marionettes swivel and move, which represent the seven deadly sins. The guide warned that the show would be disappointing, but I thought it was a fairly amusing 20 seconds for a clock made in 1409. Anywho, it’s free, check it out regardless. 

Jomar and I ended the afternoon by dining at the Hotel U Prince enjoying the views from the rooftop.