From Introvert to Intercontinental: #JAYScapades is a Lifestyle

Solo travel for introverts is a great form of self-empowerment. Let me share with you one of my favourite travel quotes. It says, “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Traveling has always been my way of seeking answers and satisfying my curiosity about the world and myself. For me, it’s not just an escape from the daily hustles and busy schedules of life, rather, it’s a continuous journey of self-discovery, growth, and realisations. It’s an opportunity to expose myself to new cultures, embrace unfamiliarity and differences, and broaden my perspective.

The World is your Oyster. The World is my Runway: How #JAYScapades started.

I still vividly remember the thrill of my first trip abroad back in 2009 which was in Singapore. I’ve traveled with my mom and coming from the Philippines who are visiting a first-world country for the first time felt like opening a door to endless possibilities. It was also the time when hashtags became so popular in instagram and twitter and I thought #JAYScapades sounded fun and witty so since then, I have been using it in all of my travels! I couldn’t remember the times I have travelled solo and I have always dreamt of (which most of the time, I pretend to) being a travel blogger. It’s better late than never they say, so here I am trying to fulfill that dream!

I’ve wandered through the bustling streets of Seoul while hoarding skincare freebies, enjoyed a fancy afternoon tea after strolling along London’s historic avenues searching for my London boy! (fail!) and got my heart racing in my skin-tight jeans at the stunning coastlines and golden sunsets of California. Closer to home and as a mermaid wannabe, I’ve explored the beautiful islands and enjoyed the finest white sand beaches in the Philippines, each offering its own unique story. Scenes filled with vibrant cultures, narratives with different perspectives and dreamy experiences that tickle my imagination.

As cliché as it might sound, traveling truly makes me feel most alive. There’s something about arriving in an unfamiliar city that excites me in ways I can’t fully describe. #JAYScapades is mainly about embracing my inner main character when we I visit a new destination which I encourage you to do too because in our jobs or in other people’s lives, we might already be seen as the villain so when we travel, I believe it’s our chance to step into the role of the main character in our own story! 🙂

As an introvert, I’ve fallen in love with solo travel. The freedom to wander without pressure, without small talk, and without the chance of unexpectedly bumping into someone I know is priceless. At the same time, I really cherish traveling with friends who understand me (and can put up with the hormonal, moody version of me ;P). People sometimes mistake this for being self-centered but honestly, only a few truly get how freeing it feels to have space to reflect and recharge especially if you’re out and about the whole day. On another hand, traveling humbles me. It’s a reminder of how big the world is, how tiny our problems are, and how many places I still want to see… if only time and money weren’t so limited!

My Solo Travel Hacks: From Jasmine’s school of frugality.

Of course, traveling wouldn’t be complete without following some practices that would make the journey smoother and more comfortable. Here are my favourite travel hacks that have saved me money more times that I could imagine:

1. Always bring a power bank and a travel adapter. 

2. As a thrifty person in general, always compare flight and hotel prices. Just because it’s discounted on your favourite site doesn’t mean it’s the best deal available. I personally use this site mostly among others since I always get the best deal and it has a great reward system plus, you can earn points by booking hotels, flights, writing reviews and sharing your experiences in the platform.

3. Invest on a high-quality carry-on bag/luggage. A high price tag doesn’t always guarantee high quality. I love using my 8-year-old Longchamp Le Pliage and American Tourister cabin luggage and they have always been my go-to.

4. Get a debit/credit card with no foreign fees and apply for tax refunds, especially if your self-love language is shopping!

5. Takes lots of photos and videos! Pics or it didn’t happen!

And of course, explore at your own pace, embrace the moment, unleash that main character, take it all in and have fun!

SEE YOU IN MY #JAYScapades ! 😀

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