Places - Blog Posts
Gutenberg Castle and church in Balzers, Liechtenstein.
Genkai Undersea Observatory, Karatsu
Traveling Responsibly: Supporting Local Communities and Cultures
Travel is more than just visiting new destinations—it’s about connecting with people, learning from their way of life, and leaving a positive impact. Responsible travel, or ethical tourism, is a growing movement encouraging travelers to support local communities and preserve cultural heritage. Here’s how you can embrace responsible travel on your next adventure.
1. Stay in Locally Owned Accommodations
Choosing locally owned hotels, guesthouses, or homestays is a simple way to support the local economy. These businesses often reinvest their earnings into the community, creating jobs and promoting sustainable development. Plus, staying with locals provides authentic cultural experiences you won’t find in chain hotels.
2. Dine at Local Restaurants and Markets
Skip international fast-food chains and savor the flavors of your destination by eating at locally owned restaurants or food markets. Not only will you enjoy fresh, authentic meals, but your money will also directly benefit local farmers, chefs, and vendors.
3. Shop for Ethical Souvenirs
When buying souvenirs, look for handmade, locally crafted products instead of mass-produced items. Fair-trade shops or artisan markets are excellent places to find unique, high-quality goods while ensuring that the artisans are fairly compensated. Avoid purchasing items made from endangered species or cultural artifacts.
4. Support Local Tour Operators
Book tours and activities with locally owned operators who hire guides from the area. These companies often provide better insights into the culture and traditions of the community. They’re also more likely to respect the environment and contribute to local conservation efforts.
5. Learn About Local Customs and Traditions
Before visiting, take time to learn about the cultural norms, history, and traditions of your destination. Respect local customs, dress modestly when required, and ask for permission before taking photos of people or sacred sites. A little cultural sensitivity goes a long way in fostering mutual respect.
6. Volunteer Responsibly
Volunteering while traveling can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to do it ethically. Choose organizations that genuinely benefit the community and avoid programs that exploit vulnerable groups, such as orphanage tourism. Focus on activities that align with your skills and contribute sustainably.
7. Reduce Your Environmental Impact
Responsible travel isn’t just about supporting communities—it’s also about protecting the environment. Travel lightly by reducing waste, carrying a reusable water bottle, and avoiding single-use plastics. Choose eco-friendly transportation options like biking, walking, or public transit whenever possible.
8. Attend Cultural Events
Participating in cultural events, festivals, or workshops is a fun and meaningful way to support local traditions. These experiences often provide direct economic benefits to communities while allowing you to immerse yourself in their way of life.
9. Spread Awareness Through Storytelling
When you return home, share your experiences to inspire others to travel responsibly. Highlight the beauty of the culture, the kindness of the people, and the importance of supporting local communities. Social media and blogs are powerful tools for promoting ethical tourism.
10. Give Back Where You Can
Consider donating to local organizations or initiatives that support education, healthcare, or conservation in the communities you visit. Even small contributions can have a significant impact when directed to the right causes.
Why Responsible Travel Matters
Travel has the power to transform both travelers and the places they visit. By choosing to travel responsibly, you can help preserve cultural heritage, protect the environment, and uplift communities. Responsible tourism isn’t just a trend—it’s a conscious effort to make the world a better place through thoughtful actions.
Quarter II Rants (sorry)
I deserve a good long summer vacation!!
(4/8/19: Samal Island, Davao del Norte, PH)
☕ Quarter I was all about finishing tasks, senior thesis, and graduation. Those three months finally passed and I’m grateful to say I did a pretty good job keeping my shit together. This is my self-report of my second quarter of 2019 with the intention of moving on after six years of my environment molding me into an anxious stem student but who also has the intention of doing art in the future. It was hard juggling two different things, and I bet it will also get harder soon. I flunked my exam to get to my dream uni/arts course. The only doors open for me were science courses but soredemo I’m still grateful for these chances. Maybe the universe is still saying “not yet” to myself for now.
Days after I checked my exam results and the morning after graduation day, I immediately flew south to attend a youth conference with my relatives. To me, it felt like an escape from my problems back home by sheltering myself through the event. There were lots of self-reflection and I can definitely say it helped me made some decisions. Don’t get me wrong, I actually did had a fun time!! No regrets.
(4/9/19: Pithecophaga jifferyi sketches - The Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos, Davao City, PH)
☕ Witnessed Kamikazee and December Avenue music huhu 💕 Feels surreal to hear your songs from spotigy/youtube on replay to live concerts with tons of people.
(4/2919: Kamikazee - HNU Oval)
(5/1/19: December Avenue - CPG Sports Complex)
☕ Did a beach/underwater-themed wedding guestbook commission!! I had fun experimenting different textures for the cover, illustrating a photo of them together, and painting different sea creatures on the pages!!
☕ Had a 20-days summer job at the provincial capitol. They newly built the place and was assigned to a very pretty office. Also met new found friends!! 💕
☕ We did our part for World Oceans Day with a beach cleanup held by Plastic Free Bohol (a local NGO I hope to volunteer more often!!) After picking up trashes, we went ahead to find a good spot to chill/sun bask with my friends.
(6/8/19: World Oceans Day - Doljo Beach, Panglao Island & Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)
Other friends also did a mini mangrove planting project in Bool’s coastal areas!! So proud of my batch mates 💕
As someone who’s taking a college course that mainly covers ocean conservation and marine life (maybe in another post hehe), figured at least participate local cleanups (as if it’s our last haha) even if commuting to the venue’s a challenge, all efforts definitely doesn’t go to waste :)
Quarter II was an experience of taking my longest break and I definitely believe that I deserved that haha! Quarter III starts this month and all college prep should start now. School starts in August so I think I still have time lounging on this cave lol
I think I made good decisions so far and had good realizations during my break. Whatever happens, happens. I did my work and arrived setbacks, but I’ll try and try again no matter how long it takes. I’m also interested in my upcoming field in uni so I’ll take it as a stepping stone to my intentions, old and new. :)
Lalaban po ako ulit.
Hopes and dreams,
- 花 🌸
Some photos from our previous trip to northern mindanao🌲and went pass through plantations of pineapples for those tidbits I keep getting 😋🏡🍍
I FINALLY MADE IT TO A ONE OK ROCK CONCERT 😭✨
Who knew I’d go and finally witness their music years after I found them on youtube playing most of their live concerts rather than their studio recordings.
2017 was made up of panic attacks, breakdowns, severe acne, real decisions, tears, a broken heart, self-care attempts (that really helped huhu) and failures. It sucks to start the year with crushed hopes and dreams that ended me but I also wanted to feel hope again, because I know that I have the will to also do the things I love. So I started again 🌞
Because I knew I was going to be stuck for a while, I promised to myself to do the things I love just as much as I'll work hard in the current decision I've taken. And along that path, I found out that I could possibly go to an Ambitions Asia Tour. I was also shookt myself lol
I extremely saved money since they announced their event, raged my dreamz of listening them live to my journal, dog, family, and friends (and believed that she can't just like others who wanted to see concerts hmp), constantly and desperately checking promo flights from every airline, asked help to extended relatives in the city if they wanted to have me infiltrate their home for a while, etc. Everything was never under my hands and this show was a game stopper for the past months of 2017. Four remaining months of saving, singing their songs (new and old alike), praying, and more praying that everything would fall into place, 2017 ended just like that. To me, the year felt quick and I was happy for its pace.
bonus: sight seeing at Taal Lake, Tagaytay in 21°c weather, yellow suitcase for Ambitions MNL 💛
(As if I'm in Osaka in their early days huhu), the atmosphere first felt like I was one of the audience of the Yokohama concert way back 2014 (oh youtube)
Mighty Long Fall
My friend who came with me said I should've scream like others in a concert and not just sing with the whole arena. Nah man, I prefer to sit down and listen to them doing what they love, sing with the people, jump or raise our freakin hands up rather than adding noise whenever. (I did scream and gave them a big applause when they talked and all did solos huhu esp taka during clock strikes and toru and his guitar solos 💓)
MY FIRST BAND SHIRT 😭
Not only I was looking forward to see the four playing, I was also very very happy of witnessing the whole crew of ONE OK ROCK, the lighting technicians (kudos 🙌), videocam crew for an amazing job (I felt like I was watching their youtube videos but live & irl 😂), security, organizers, and esp their official photographer @julenphoto , the same guy who shoots for their instagram photos huhu 💓
ONE OK ROCK welcomed my new year with hope and that I still could do something with these little hands of mine, slowly but surely. So as long as you keep your own pace and that you don't mind everyone else's journey, you have your own and in your own speed, you can have what it takes to be who you are and finish what you've started with courage, good attitude, and ofc love. 💖
Anything they say will never break our hearts of gold.
Hopes and dreams forevermore,
-花。
Peaceful place we stayed over that was a hundred kilometers away from the city. 📚✨
Oslob, Cebu, And Whale Sharks ♡
Hello from PH!! I just came back from a trip that was so beautiful, I wanna do it all over again (soon, hopefully haha).
We took the road from Cebu City around six in the morning and arrived after 3 hours of road trip. One of the first things I noticed was all the bleeding fire trees while we were traveling. Since it’s summer, fire trees are currently in flowering season as if it were giving autumn vibes minus the summer heat haha.
(EDIT: I told my mother about the pretty fire trees and she said that years ago, my grandfather and his workmates were the ones who were planting these trees all over Santander and Oslob and now they are all grown so big and tall and created happiness huhu lolo ;_;)
Imagine them red flaming trees with the blues of the sea and the crisp cloudless sky. (because i wasn’t able to take a photo of them huhu)
It was my first time in Oslob. The sea was so nice and blue. <3
We stayed in a cozy resort and the people around here were so friendly.
I had to quickly buy a new pair of slippers because they were torn apart along the way. I must say that these classic Spartans are much more trusted than my previous Bench flip flops. Recommending Spartans slippers for any kind of adventure lololol.
Omiyageee. All eyes on the nice prints. *_*
Their souvenirs were so cute! I bought tank tops for papa and lil bro. Since it was also papa’s birthday, I had to bring back a souvenir or something haha.
Highlight: Swimmin with whale sharks!
When I was in first grade, my teacher asked for examples of fish. I answered “whale shark!”. “Whale shark? What whale shark? Just shark!”, said the teacher. I can’t believe my teacher doesn’t even know this fish. But that was years ago.
.
I’ve heard and read opinions and articles about Oslob’s whale shark interactions. Some say that it’s too crowded that the whole activity is too much for the whale sharks. It’s true that there were lots of people (I feel like I’m adding more dirt to dirt ;_;) but the staff was very friendly to the tourists.
Whale sharks can also be found in Southern Leyte, Donsol, Batangas, and even Bohol. Some say that these locations have lesser people. Since they’re migratory, whale sharks are mostly found in their path of good plankton for food.
Other than that, I tried my very best to be cautious and not be nervous at the same time. These gentle giants were so majestic and they deserve more awareness and protection. I’ve learned a lot about these creatures.
Everyone was so friendly (I keep saying this aahh), it makes your day 10x better. :)
Clear your tired eyes with salt water every now and then! (hi Reese)
Hopes and dreams,
- 花 ♡
Last week’s weekend escape to Pamilacan Island! It was so nice and peaceful huhu my best afternoon naps were here (~￣▽￣)~
There was no “water” so we just washed our hair with salt water haha
The Heat So Far
It’s summer here again! \m/ I’ve been of course hiding from all the heat (again) around the house and staying inside mama’s room where cold walls and cold tiles can certainly repel the heat. Oooh but don’t get me wrong, I still go outside sometimes hehe. Last last last week, it was the holy week so my family and I went for a Visita Iglesia slash roadtrip together with papa’s closest friends.
Photo of me and Ate Vina playing around hehe
We woke up around quarter to 4 in the morning and reached the farthest church at Ubay which is a town located literally across the island.
We ate lunch there and rested our tired selves for a while and took the road once again to another town Loboc, which was our destination for mountain climbing the next day. Mountain climbing = Krus Dako.
Krus Dako / “Big Cross” serves as the last station when climbing the mountain of Loboc.
After the climb, since the house we stayed was very near to the river, I decided to take a nice swim haha
Last Last Week: Swimmin’ pooolsss
sis swimmin’
bro chillin’ haha
Last Week: Beachin’ | Back to the River!!
Went to the beach with cousins :)
River cruises were passing by as we were swimming and playing. Tourists were taking pictures of us haha. (I’ve lost my photos when we were at the river huhu better find it as soon as possible)
But I think I'm getting a bit productive inside too (??). Since last week I’ve been practicing a new piece for piano because I’m trying to put music as my “thing” in the summer. Summer Break = play the piano, justinne o(╥﹏╥)o (also started jogging again haha)
So as of late, I am now packing my stuff for a new trip wohooo (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ more fun awaits, i think. hehe
Source:@dahliahsp
Ao Valor do Infante - A monument sitting outside of the old Practical School of Infantry, now Weapons School, in Mafra, next to the Palace of Mafra, Portugal. This military monument depicts several stages of the Portuguese Infantry. Picture taken on the twilight of Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
Resources For Describing Physical Things
Setting
Abandoned Mine
Airplane
Airport Check-in
Alley
Amusement Park
Attic
Bakery
Bank
Basement
Bathroom (home)
Barn
*GE* Barn 2 (Dairy Focus)
Beach
Bedrooms
Birthday Party
Bonfire
Bowling Alley
Bridge
Bookstore
Cafeteria
Casino
*GE* Catacombs
Cave
Church
City Park
Classroom
Closet
Coffee House
Courtroom
Cruise Ship
*GE* Cryogenic Sleep Chamber
Daycare
Desert
Diner
Dragon’s Lair
Dungeon (Caution Graphic Description)
*GE* Egyptian Pyramids
Elevator
Farms
Forest
Frozen Tundra
Gallows
Garage
Garage Sale
Garden
Graveyard
*GE* GLOBAL WARMING (dystopian)
Grocery Store
Halloween Party
Haunted House
Herbalist Shop (fantasy)
High School Hallway
Hospital
Hotel Room
House Fire
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Kitchen
*GE* Laboratory
*GE* Laboratory (secret genetic)
Lake
Library
Locker Room
Meadow
Medieval Castle Armory
Medieval Marketplace
Middle School Dance (informal)
*GE* Mindscape (Mind Magic)
Mountains
Movie Theatre
Night Club
Nursery
Ocean/Sea Bed
Old Pick-Up Truck
Pirate Ship
Playground
Pond
Pool Hall
Prison Cell
Pub
Public Pool (Outdoor)
Rainforest/Jungle
Ranch
Restaurant
River
School Bus
School Office
Shopping Mall
Sleep-Away Camp
*GE* Spaceport
*GE* Spaceship
Stands at a Sporting Event
Storm Sewer
Subway Station
Swamp
Taxi cab
Teacher’s Lounge
Toolshed
*GE* Trailer
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*GE* Tropical Island City
Urban Street
Video Arcade
Waiting Room
Waterfall
Water Slide Park
Wedding Ceremony (Church)
Woods at Night
Zoo
Weather
Air Pollution
Avalanche
Blizzard
Breeze
Clouds
Dew
Drought
Dusk
Dust or Sand Storm
Earthquake
Eclipse
Fall
Falling Star
Flood
Forest Fire
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Hailstorm
Heat Wave
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I love how the closer you look, the more graffiti appears— it gives the effect of being ancient and etched into the stone. Also very cool example of a lodestone, which would presumably(?) bring down the whole ceiling if it was removed. Idk architects correct me/inform me if I’m dead wrong about this
Peace is a feral feeling and that is all I know
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lulumoonowlbooks 🦋
Art, simply art 🎨 (@taramilktea on insta 🌼)
Sources: (IG) @Tigerfawn, Pinterest ☕🥐🌷