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28 of My Favorite Travel Experiences: Part 2

28 Experiences Part 2

As I turn 28, here’s a look back at 28 of my favorite travel experiences so far!

And because a list of 28 things might be too long for one post, I broke it down into 2 parts. This is the second half of my list of Favorite Travel Experiences. Check out my previous post for the first part!

Canada SheenaLovesSunsets

15. Living the simple life in Vancouver

My husband grew up in Vancouver so he always feels right at home. On our last two visits, we stayed for a month each time and I was able to sort of experience (sort of, because after all, we were still on vacation!) how living there was like. There are so many things that I love about life there, but that’s another topic for another post.

For now, let me just say that I love how everything there seemed to be so simple and laid-back compared to life here in Manila. 

Beatles 6 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

16. Bonding over Beatlemania with my Dad

Our Vegas trip last 2011, a year before I got married, was my first and last bonding trip with just me and both my parents (as my mom passed away last 2012.) Aside from getting to know my parents more and of course spending more time with them, I was also able to bond with my dad who is a huge Beatles fan!

Read more about our Beatlemania experience, where we got to see Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and more, in the flesh! 

Travel 7 SheenaLovesSunsets.com

17. Seeing the Pyramids for the first time

I’ve seen so many world famous landmarks but I can’t forget the first time I saw the Pyramids from the bus window. Call me cheesy and dramatic but I really felt like I watching everything in slow motion. I could not believe I was seeing this ancient world wonder with my own eyes!

Europe SheenaLovesSunsets

18. Euro Trip when I turned 18

As it was the custom to throw a grand party for a girl when she turns 18, I asked my parents that instead of an expensive party, I would prefer to travel with them instead. Paris was my dream place when I was in my teens so when my parents let me choose our destination for our annual family trip, I chose Europe, of course!

It was a time of no make-up, no Instagram and no hipster OOTD’s so please excuse my giant selfie with the Tower of Pisa and my technicolored sweater which I thought was the greatest thing (which was why I wore it in Paris!)

Osaka Museum 2 SheenaLovesSunsets

19. Traveling with my high school friends

I don’t see these girls on a regular basis but once a year, we take a trip together. Last year, we went to Hong Kong and this year, we spent 5 days (but really just three full days) in Osaka and it was so much fun. It’s great to know that after all these years and though life has changed so much since high school, some things never change.

Disneyland SheenaLovesSunsets

20. My first Disneyland Experience, 20 years ago!

This photo always makes us laugh because I can still remember my mom putting these masks on our heads and making us stand for the photo. Haha! I guess me as lady Yoda was funny to her!

But anyway, I was turning 8 when I went to Disneyland for the first time and though I don’t remember much about that US trip we took as a family, I remember getting so excited as I explored Disneyland with my brothers. Disneyland never gets old.

Portugal SheenaLovesSunsets

21. Participating at a performance in Portugal

Ok, truthfully, there was nothing spectacular about dancing on stage with other tourists but I remember having such a fun time because all of our new-found friends (tour mates!) were laughing and joining in the fun.

I’m usually a plan-my-own-trips kind of girl but one of the things I love about joining tour groups is meeting all sorts of people from all over the world who eventually end up being your friends.

Vietnam SheenaLovesSunsets

22. Going around Ho Chi Minh with my friends from church

Vietnam was a wonderful place to explore and I’d love to go back to visit the other cities I haven’t seen yet, like Hanoi. But what made this trip extra special was going around with my friends from church. We woke up early one morning to watch the sunrise and have Bible study, which isn’t usually what I get to do on trips.

I was also extremely blessed by one of the guys from our group who shared with our tour guide about Jesus. Vietnam isn’t very open to Christianity and this was a great reminder for me to pray for people and places in the world who have yet to know Christ.

SheenaLovesSunsets.com Nami 1-min

23. Experiencing Autumn & Winter in Nami Island

Maybe it’s because I live in a tropical country but autumn and winter to me are so magical! When we visited Nami Island in South Korea, it was like experiencing both at the same time! Leaves on the ground on one side but snow and ice on another! My brothers and I had fun taking endless photos of each other. Haha!

Museum 6 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

24. Seeing works of my favorite artists in person

My husband isn’t a fan of museums but I am so we try to strike a deal whenever we plan our itinerary to visit at least one or two. On our trip to London, we visited two and I was able to see one of my favorite paintings, Fragonard’s The Swing and works of my favorite artist, Van Gogh! It always feels so surreal to stand in front of a painting you’ve only seen in photos.

Next goal is to see Van Gogh’s Starry Night in New York, which is my favorite painting of all time.

Hotel Jen 8 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

25. Lounging at our hotel in Singapore

Usually, when I go abroad, I don’t like just staying at the hotel; I have to go out and explore! But our stay at Hotel Jen in Singapore was an exception. Mor and I spent the entire morning swimming in the infinity pool, enjoying the sun and the view and stuffing ourselves at the Club Lounge. Aaah… this is the good life.

Baptism 4 SheenaLovesSunsets

26. Getting baptized at the Jordan River in Israel

I was already baptized prior to this but I wanted to rededicate my life to Jesus during our Holy Land trip and I was able to do it at the very place where Jesus also did so; at the Jordan River in Israel. It was very meaningful for me to do this in front of my friends and people who have helped me in my walk with the Lord.

Story 1 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

27. Exploring the set of one of my favorite shows

I fangirl a lot about my favorite movies, books and shows. So much so that I dedicated the hashtag #fangirltrips on my blog to chronicle my different fan girl adventures. Haha. One of which is this.

I used to watch Once Upon a Time a lot (when I still had time to binge on TV shows, and when the storyline wasn’t still so complicated!) so I was geeking out the entire time when we visited the setting of their fictional town “Storybrooke” in Steveston, Canada. It was very near the place where we stay whenever we’re in Vancouver so I got to visit the set again on my second time there!

Next goals: Visit the set of Downton Abbey (Highcleare Castle) and take a trip to Cardiff to geek out about Doctor Who.

Travel 4 SheenaLovesSunsets.com

27. My then-boyfriend, now-husband proposing to me in Batanes

Batanes is such a great place to visit in the Philippines but what made this trip extra memorable was because this is where Mor asked me to marry him! He said he was supposed to ask me during sunset in front of a lighthouse with local singers in the background and lanterns flying in the sky (production material!) but then it rained hard and he had to change his plans! Haha!

He was still able to ask me while we were in Batanes. He prepared an elaborate surprise with the ring hidden in a Ferrero and proposed to me in front of our friends (old and new!) Literally a sweet engagement!

London Sheena Loves Sunsets

28. One week-long “date” to London with Mor

We were supposed to go to London with friends, but I experienced a miscarriage a few days before we were supposed to leave for the trip so we had to cancel at the last minute. By God’s grace, we were able to rebook everything so we ended up going to London just the two of us.

This trip turned out to be my favorite trip to date because not only was London gorgeous (perfect weather too!) but it was a great bonding time for me and Mor. I love traveling with my husband (watch a silly video I made chronicling our trips together!) because we get to really spend quality time with each other. This also turned out to be our last carefree trip together because a few months later, I would already be pregnant with Luke!

So that wraps up my list! Here’s to new experiences and memories in the years to come!

Click here to read Favorite Travel Experiences Part 1

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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Jeini Relova
    July 29, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    Wow. This is so nice Sheena. It really looked like you had a blast and I spotted the Stormtroopers and sunflowers too. Hihi. More adventures ahead. <3

    Spices + Everything Nice | http://www.ajeinomoto.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 29, 2016 at 9:49 pm

      Hi Jeini, I DID have a blast!! Yes, here’s to more adventures ahead! <3

  • Reply
    Kaiyo Aino
    July 30, 2016 at 3:35 am

    Beautiful photos!
    Great post!
    I would really love for you to check out my latest reviewpost featuring Romwe
    Lace Top

    Keep in touch~
    Kaiyo Aino Blog > New Post is Up!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 30, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Thank you!

  • Reply
    Pia
    July 30, 2016 at 9:55 am

    This is such a nice post! I do hope I get to travel as much as you by time I turn 28 😀 Here’s to more travels for you and I wish you and your family a happy life <3

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 30, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks so much Pia!! I hope you get to travel far and wide! :)

  • Reply
    John Carlo Valmonte
    August 1, 2016 at 12:56 am

    Hi Sheena! I just stumbled upon your blog and this is very nice. I hope we can also go their someday. Thanks to this and really great post! Yey!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      August 1, 2016 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you John! Really appreciate it!

  • Reply
    Ken Patricio
    August 1, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY Ms. Sheena! :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      August 1, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      Thank you Ken!! :)

  • Reply
    Itchen
    August 7, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    More pics of Batanes please! Hehehe..

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      August 7, 2016 at 10:55 pm

      Haha! I’ll try to make a different post about that! :)

  • Reply
    Maimai
    January 17, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    Wow, im more stunned on the pic 26. Im turning 26 soon, and I love to rededicate myself to Jesus especially in Jordan River *goosebumps* (if only given a chance), but it wont matter where though.

    Yay, I love the pic in Batanes. Looks lovely! :)
    I always enjoyed your posts.
    IG: @heyangeey

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      January 17, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks MaiMai, hope you can do that next time!

  • Reply
    Melody Tan
    March 18, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    Love your travels and love the proposal which happened in Batanes! :)

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