Solo Journeys: John’s Adventures in Travel and Self-Discovery
Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing John, a Filipino-Chinese adventurer in this interview: “Solo Journeys: John’s Adventures in Travel and Self-Discovery”.
John fits the stereotype of working for his family business, but at 26, he took a bold step to start traveling alone, inspired by his admiration for Anthony Bourdain.
Although Bourdain didn’t travel alone, his shows conveyed a sense of solitary exploration and unapologetic pursuit of personal desires that deeply resonated with John.
In this interview, John shares his most exciting and adventurous trips, including his explorations of Japan, where he discovered hidden gems and navigated language barriers.
He also talks about balancing work with travel, coping during the pandemic, and how solo travel has changed him.
From close calls with bullet trains to his dream destinations, John’s stories are filled with inspiration and practical advice for aspiring solo travelers.
Let’s dive into his journey and learn more about the adventures and lessons that come with traveling alone.
Hi John, tell us something about yourself, where were you born, what do you do and how come you decided to start traveling alone?
I’m a Filipino-Chinese in my 30s born and raised in Manila.
Falling into the stereotype, I work for the family business.
I was 26 years old when I started to travel alone.
The idea came to me because I’ve always been an Anthony Bourdain fan.
Yes, he didn’t travel alone when he did his shows. But his being alone on the screen made us forget that he was with a crew.
In his shows, he was rarely unapologetic with doing what he wanted to do and/or going where he wanted to do.
Basically, what made me decide to start traveling alone is being able to do what I want when I want.
What has been your most exciting and most adventurous trip?
It would be me just exploring Japan.
There’s a rewarding feeling when one gets to find really good and less touristy restaurants and bars.
Getting to talk to the establishments owners, staff and patrons to learn new things.
Dealing with the language barrier is always fun and challenging.
Exploring the seedier parts that aren’t recommended to tourists. Finding random stuff that you wouldn’t think to look for when traveling.
Do you work remotely? Do you always manage without problems to work during your travels?
I’m regularly at the office.
I tend to book my travels months ahead so there’s no conflict at work.
So I’m able to finish some things before leaving.
There’s an understanding at work to leave someone be when they’re on vacation unless it’s an emergency.
How did you experience the pandemic period? Were you able to move around or were you stationary for a while?
I was stuck at home during the whole pandemic.
The government temporarily implemented rules wherein offices couldn’t let their whole workforce come in.
Largely because due to the safety distance thing and commuting to work was also risky.
So not everyone could really report to the office.
As a result, I was doing more work.
Which resulted in no time for traveling.
Do you feel changed since you started traveling alone? What did you expect from this lifestyle before you started?
Yes. Traveling alone is a constant reminder for me that everything has a price.
I can’t be as relaxed since there’s no one I can rely on.
But at the same time, it’s more rewarding because everything that happens is largely because of me.
So it gives me more confidence that I’m more capable than I normally think I am.
Versus traveling with others means you can rely on someone else.
But you don’t call all the shots.
Tell us some fun and funny anecdotes that happened to you during one of your travels!
I was supposed to catch a bullet train to travel to another city in Japan.
But the subway line I was on stopped for an unknown reason.
I only had like 15 minutes left before the bullet train departed.
So I left the subway in a rush, and found a taxi to get to the train station.
Ran to the platform with all my luggage.
I just jumped on the cart that was closest to the escalator.
As soon as I got in the doors closed and the train left.
Closest call for me missing a train or plane. Ever.
Do you have any regrets?
No regrets. Making mistakes is always a chance to learn and improve on myself.
I’m lucky that I make enough money so I can bill things to experience.
What is your next destination and your dream destination?
My next destination is Sapporo.
It’ll be my 1st time there.
I haven’t really done any research as I’d like to be surprised.
My dream destination would be Lyon, France.
Because I heard it’s the food mecha of France; and I love French food.
Do you have any advice for those who want to embark on this kind of experience?
If you’ve never traveled alone, I suggest booking a short trip to a familiar place or choosing a country or city that’s notorious for being safe.
Just so you can learn more about yourself and see how you do when under certain situations.
Making mistakes is part of the experience.
Don’t be too serious about it.
Laugh at it and at yourself.
Life is all about learning.
Just because one has left school, it doesnt mean that one has to stop learning.
Thank you, John, for sharing your inspiring journey into the world of solo travel!
Your experiences—from exploring the hidden gems of Japan to navigating the challenges of working while traveling—offer valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path.
It’s clear that your adventures have not only broadened your horizons but also deepened your self-awareness and confidence.
As you prepare for your next trip to Sapporo and dream of the culinary delights of Lyon, we can all take a cue from your story.
Embrace the unknown, learn from each experience, and remember that there is so much to travel.
Travel is about self-discovery as well as destinations. We wish you many more exciting adventures ahead!
Did you like our interview: “Solo Journeys: John’s Adventures in Travel and Self-Discovery”? Leave a comment below!
