Finding Peace In The Philippines
A retreat in the Philippines became a quiet turning point where the sea, silence, and slow mornings helped me return to myself.
Have you ever had something happen repeatedly in your life, as if the universe was trying to tell you something?
It’s a clear sign that it’s something you truly desire.
I had a wonderful retreat in Italy, but my first retreat was in the Philippines, exploring places like Cebu City, Bohol, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Coron, and Manila.
What the Philippines is known for are its “Desert Islands” — countless small, uninhabited islands and atolls, some with little vegetation. We spent 16 days traveling among these islands, making it the longest trip I have ever lived on a boat. I spent so much time snorkeling and diving that I felt like I was still underwater even when I was sleeping!
A retreat is a powerful opportunity for deep soul-searching.
I never knew I was such a crazy, courageous, and adventurous person until this trip. There’s nothing more exciting than playing, laughing, and sharing moments with amazing and inspiring people.
A retreat is truly a random adventure that brings unexpected joy.
10 Unforgettable Moments from My Retreat in the Philippines
Endless Adventures — Every moment was filled with fun, excitement, and incredible experiences.
Total Disconnection — Without my phone or laptop, I was free from distractions. Life became simple, peaceful, and truly present.
Strangers Turned Family — I met random strangers who became lifelong friends.
Gentrification’s Impact on Georgia’s Communities
Gentrification is reshaping communities across Georgia, changing streets, stories, and the everyday lives of people who have called these places home.
For sustainable travel, we must ask :
Who is at the heart of a place?
What’s important or needed for Georgians?
I’ve walked through neighborhoods that once told stories of resilience only to see them transformed into rows of cafes, condos, and rising rents almost overnight.
Gentrification isn’t just about new coffee shops, boutiques, co-working places or luxury apartments. It’s about the slow erasure of communities, identities, and cultural roots. When property values rise and longtime residents are pushed out,
What remains of a city’s soul?
In 2021, I was lucky to live in Batumi, Georgia for a real estate project. I spent a year exploring Georgia’s old towns and countryside, rich in natural beauty, history, and human warmth. Batumi, like many growing cities, faces a delicate challenge.
To ensure stable development and national security, the country needs more resources, infrastructure, and international capital. I understand the rationale behind expanding the city, inviting developers, businesses, foreign investors, and more affluent residents. But this also comes with consequences:
Rising costs, housing pressures, and cultural shifts that threaten to displace the very communities that make Georgia so irreplaceable.
For many Georgians, these changes are a mix of hope and uncertainty. After all, they’ve lived under the shadow of Russian influence for decades.
Increased tourism, digital nomads, and global attention bring new opportunities and a chance for international recognition, biodiversity, and cultural exchange.
As a digital nomad who deeply values the spirit of community, I believe in
Protecting Cultural Spaces that tell the true story of a neighborhood.
During my time in Georgia, I had the privilege of connecting with people who are devoted to preserving their heritage
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A journal dedicated to community, humanity, and connection.
Through years of co-living and traveling, I collected stories of everyday people whose presence changed me not through romance, but through resonance.
This series is my way of honoring the human threads that quietly bind us together.
