Fond Farewell To Pre-School Nomadism

by Gay Mitra - February 17, 2016October 25, 201613

33 countries under her teeny crocheted belt. Some people think that, for her age, it ain’t nothing but a number. Sure, she can’t remember all the country names (and never correctly pronounced most of them). She can’t remember the tens of airports she passed through (though the memory lingers briefly for she’s got a photographic…

The Brag Corner: UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve Visited

by Gay Mitra - September 23, 2014December 2, 20157

Like, someone cares. And that’s why such wee space in this blog is aptly named “The Brag Corner”. You see, on a sizzling hot day in Leon, Nicaragua when I don’t feel like sightseeing nor working, I think of trivial things to do. Today, I thought of tallying the world heritage sites I have stepped…

Istanbul, Turkey Accommodations: Sultan’s Inn Hotel Review

by Gay Mitra - July 10, 2014August 12, 20145

It was a smart move to organize a hotel pick up. Hefty at 25,00 €, but worth every dang cent. After a Philippines-Singapore-Malaysia-United Arab Emirates-Turkey transit, we were sleep-deprived and weary to the bones and bordering deranged. Our cabbie was at Atatürk International Airport’s arrival hall on the dot, and in my head I wanted…

2013 Year-Ender: When Travel Turned Into A Black Hole

by Gay Mitra - December 28, 2013August 12, 201440

And I got sucked in. In 2012, we were armed with all sorts of excuses: Extended honeymoon stage. A break from the mundane. Discounted airfares for tots. “Still saving up for a house (and/or still haven’t decided where to buy)“. Backpacking while young. Living in the now… The list went on and echoed through the…

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

by Gay Mitra - August 5, 2013August 12, 201412

Luna’s head plowed forward like a bull about to gore someone. Or something. I frantically chased her around. Ducked here and there to avoid knocking tourists out. Every second I hoped to see hubby’s face in the tourist buzz. I was waiting for his return. Minutes ago he quickly walked back to our hotel, about…

2013 Thus Far: The Second Quarter

by Gay Mitra - June 30, 2013August 12, 201431

Half of the year’s consumed, and we’re trying to catch our breath. Dawn of 2013 I foresaw myself filling a more domestic role in an American redneck town while the hubby turns into some NASA rockstar around this time of the year. The scheme fell apart and here we are, the same ol’ wildling mum…

In Sickness And In Stress

by Gay Mitra - June 13, 2013August 12, 201418

An eye infection, X-ray test for pneumonia, and high fever in the middle of the desert. Each a horror in its own right. When one of these happens to your toddler while on the road, it will surely make you swear off long term travel (though deep down you know you’ll soon eat your words…

Istanbul, Turkey: When The Dust Temporarily Cleared

by Gay Mitra - June 3, 2013August 12, 201423

[Warning: Graphic content] The dust temporarily cleared when we flew out of Atatürk Airport early this morn. We’re now more than a thousand kilometers away, shivering under a doona in a rented Tbilisi unit, yet my heart yearns for Turkey. And though my body’s overly sore — beyond Efficascent Oil repair (yes I have a bottle…

How To Apply For A Turkey Tourist Visa In The Philippines

by Gay Mitra - May 20, 2013August 12, 2014119

Türkiye, why only fifteen days? Whyyy (Looks at the sky with fists up in the air)?! … Snaps back to reality. Merhaba! Just flew in Istanbul today from Singapore, with a three-hour layover in Abu Dhabi International Airport. Though sleep-deprived, my heart’s racing. A couple of hours into our Turkey trip, I’ve already fallen in…