As a child growing up in Trinidad, I'd always get excited whenever we went to a beach that had a small cove or that required a small hike and adventure to get there. 
 
My sisters, friends, and I were always in desperate search of adventure by the water, and my time in the Algarve region of Portugal reminded me of that never-ending and somewhat unfulfilled quest during my childhood. Filled with coves, caves, hikes, and surprises around every corner, I felt a great sense of accomplishment for my younger self as I explored the South of Portugal.

​How do you know where to go?
 
 Maybe it starts with a recommendation from a friend, or a post you see on Instagram. A cheap flight that you randomly found online, a long layover or a crazy close your eyes, spin the globe and go where your finger lands? Whichever way it may be, I’m sure that somewhere soon after you’d Google.

HELLO, from the settled side!
 
You know, the life I said I’d try out this year?

Thus far, settled life has included the usual, discovering more about myself, acing adulting, and enjoying life even more. I have also been thinking less about life after “Hai” and focusing more on spending quality time in this vibrant city - even taking fewer and shorter trips out of Shanghai.

​Last Christmas I was on a beach, this Christmas, I’m on a couch...

“Oh my God, I love your hair! It’s so cool, can I touch it?”
 
How many of you natural haired sistahs have gotten these comments while traveling? Or maybe I should ask if you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve heard this? And I’m guessing that by now, like me, you’re probably used to it, and know that it comes with the territory of world travel!

That's the question I've been asking myself recently!

First of all, I have a confession; I don’t currently own a selfie-stick as I keep breaking them, but for the most part, I’m a “solo travel girl”, and being solo goes far beyond travel.
 
I generally do a lot by myself as I just enjoy my own company. However, over the past few years (with all this growth and all), I have been putting in effort into being more social and engaging in more group activities. Surprisingly being “Social Shanya” is also fun.

I enjoyed my short stint in Palawan. It started off a bit dismal, but the sun came out and turned things around. It was time to head to Boracay! Getting there was an adventure in itself.   I had to take another 5-hour bus ride to back Puerto Princesa, where I’d catch my flight to Manila, then to Boracay.
 
I booked a van ride from El Nido to PPS airport, and was instructed to be ready at 6:00am. Long story short, the van came at 5:30am, unbeknownst to me and I stood there waiting for an hour. I managed to get another van and headed to what I thought would be the airport in torrential rain. I had some hours till my flight, so I sat unbothered for most of my ride. Then we got into Puerto Princesa town...

Name: Tatiana Gomez
Current City: Shanghai
Occupation: Senior Designer for Corporate Interior Offices
 
How would you describe your style? Classy / Boho

If you had to wear one outfit everyday, what would it be?
A black short dress, turtleneck, sleeveless, a lined.