Where I've actually been.
Each entry is anchored to a YouTube video. Read for what didn't fit the cut, watch for the rest. Grouped by country and then by city so a place lives in one place.
Colombia
Guatape, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia
Rosario Islands Day Trip from Cartagena: Which Boat Tour, What It Costs, and Playa Blanca vs Rosario
Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena: which boat tour to book, real 2026 prices in COP and USD, the port tax, and whether Playa Blanca is better.
#cartagena#colombia#rosario islands#day trips#boat tours#playa blanca
Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia: What's Actually Worth Booking
The best things to do in Cartagena, ranked by what recent travellers actually rate: Rosario Islands, the Old Town, food tours, salsa, and what to skip.
#cartagena#colombia#things to do#rosario islands#day trips
Where to Stay in Cartagena, Colombia: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
The best area to stay in Cartagena, by traveller type. Honest comparison of the Old Town, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, and Manga neighborhoods, with hotels in each.
#cartagena#colombia#where to stay#best area to stay#neighborhoods#old town#getsemani
Is Cartagena Worth Visiting? An Honest Review from a Kiwi
Cartagena earned a 9 out of 10 for me. Honest review of the Old Town, the food, the Bocagrande beach, the touts, and who Cartagena actually suits.
#cartagena#colombia#honest review#is it worth it
First Day in Cartagena, Colombia (As an Asian Traveller)
My first 12 hours in Cartagena, Colombia: the plaza selfie request, the Thailand-level heat, the Caribbean Spanish barrier, and what to actually do on day one.
#colombia#cartagena#asian traveler#honest review#first time
Colombia, Colombia
Cartagena vs Medellín: Which One Should You Visit?
Cartagena vs Medellín compared honestly by someone who did both: weather, safety, cost, nightlife, things to do, and which city fits which kind of trip.
#colombia#cartagena#medellin#comparison#trip planning
Asians in Colombia: My Honest Experience in 3 Cities
Kids asked for a selfie within 4 hours of landing. What being Asian in Colombia is really like: the 'chino' thing, which city is easiest, and what never happened.
#colombia#asian traveler#bogota#medellin#cartagena
Medellin, Colombia
Things to Do in Medellín: What's Worth Booking and What to Skip
The best things to do in Medellín: Comuna 13, the Metrocable, a Guatapé day trip, paragliding, football at the Atanasio, and what to DIY instead of booking.
#medellin#colombia#things to do#comuna 13#guatape
Where to Stay in Medellín: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
Where to stay in Medellín by traveller type: honest comparison of Laureles, Envigado, El Poblado, Estadio and El Centro, from someone who learned the safety trade-offs the hard way.
#medellin#colombia#where to stay#neighborhoods#laureles#el poblado
Is Medellín Safe? An Honest Answer After I Got Drugged There
Is Medellín safe in 2026? The honest version from someone who got drugged there: the real risks, the myths, the safest neighborhoods, and what I'd do differently.
#medellin#colombia#safety#scopolamine#solo travel
Bogota, Colombia
Things to Do in Bogotá: What's Worth Booking and What to Skip
The best things to do in Bogotá, ranked by what recent travellers actually rate: Monserrate, the Gold Museum, graffiti tours, markets, day trips, and what to DIY.
#bogota#colombia#things to do#attractions#south america
Where to Stay in Bogotá: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Timers (2026)
Where to stay in Bogotá by traveller type. Honest comparison of Chapinero, La Candelaria, Zona G, Zona Rosa, Usaquén and Parque 93, with the trade-offs that matter.
#bogota#colombia#where to stay#neighborhoods#south america
China
Guiyang, China
Qingyan Ancient Town from Guiyang: The Half-Day Guide (Tickets, Getting There, What to Eat)
Qingyan Ancient Town from Guiyang in a half day: metro Line 3 plus bus, Didi costs, the 10 vs 60 RMB ticket, a 4-5 hour route through the four gates, and the trotters and rose sugar to order.
#qingyan#guiyang#guizhou#china#ancient towns#day trips
Guiyang Food Guide: What to Eat in Guizhou (and Where)
A Guiyang food guide from a Kiwi with family in the city: sour soup fish, changwang noodles, si wa wa, grilled tofu, the chili that is not Sichuan, and where to eat it all.
#guiyang#china#food#guizhou#sour soupDay Trips from Guiyang (2026): 6 Ranked by Train Time and Cost
Huangguoshu in 30 minutes by rail, Qingyan for a half day, and the two trips to skip. Six Guiyang day trips ranked with 2026 train times, costs and honest calls.
#guiyang#china#day trips#guizhou#huangguoshu#kaili#high-speed railThings to Do in Guiyang, China: A Researched In-City Guide
Things to do in Guiyang, China: Jiaxiu Tower, Qianling Park macaques, the coffee scene, night markets, and what's actually in-city vs a day trip out.
#guiyang#china#things to do#guizhou#attractionsFirst Impressions of Guiyang, China (Visiting My Mum's Hometown)
First impressions of Guiyang, China, as a Kiwi visiting my mum's hometown: what surprised me, what I got wrong, and what I'd do differently next time.
#guiyang#china#first time#guizhou#asian diaspora
Captain George Coffee Guiyang: An Honest Review (2025 WBC Winner)
Captain George Coffee in Guiyang: I waited 40 minutes for the 2025 World Brewers Cup winner's coffee. Honest review of the wait, the brew, and the verdict.
#guiyang#china#coffee#captain george#honest review
Where to Stay in Guiyang, China: A Real Comparison of Every Zone
Where to stay in Guiyang, China: honest comparison of Nanming, Yunyan, Guanshanhu, and Huaxi, with hotels in each. From a Kiwi visiting family.
#guiyang#china#where to stay#guizhou#coffee
Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen Theme Parks: Window of the World vs Happy Valley vs Splendid China, Which Is Worth a Day
Window of the World vs Happy Valley vs Splendid China vs OCT East: 2026 ticket prices, metro access, night shows and honest verdicts on which Shenzhen park is worth a day.
#shenzhen#china#theme parks#window of the world#happy valley#shenzhen with kids
Is Shenzhen Worth Visiting? An Honest Verdict
Is Shenzhen worth visiting? Honest verdict from someone who went: who it suits, who should skip it, how it stacks up against Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
#shenzhen#china#is shenzhen worth visiting#honest review#hong kong day trip
Shenzhen Itinerary: 3 Days in China's Strangest, Best-Value City
A 3-day Shenzhen itinerary that actually works: Huaqiangbei and Futian day one, Nanshan and Shenzhen Bay day two, Shuibei, Dafen and the spa day three.
#shenzhen#china#itinerary#3 days in shenzhen#huaqiangbei
Where to Stay in Shenzhen: Every Zone Compared (And Why It's So Cheap)
Where to stay in Shenzhen: honest comparison of Futian, Luohu, Nanshan/Shekou and Bao'an, with hotels in each. Plus why a 5-star room here costs $40.
#shenzhen#china#where to stay#futian#hotels
Things to Do in Shenzhen (2026): What's Actually Worth Your Time
The best things to do in Shenzhen, from the world's biggest tech market to the jewellery district, the safari park and the 24-hour spa. What's worth it, what isn't.
#shenzhen#china#things to do#huaqiangbei#tech market
Chongqing, China
Chongqing Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days in China's Vertical Megacity
A researched 2-3 day Chongqing itinerary for first-timers: Jiefangbei, Hongya Cave, the Yangtze cableway, Liziba, Ciqikou and Wulong, with transit tips.
#chongqing#china#itinerary#hongya cave#wulong
Where to Stay in Chongqing: Jiefangbei, Nanbin Road, Guanyinqiao Compared
Where to stay in Chongqing: honest comparison of Jiefangbei, Chaotianmen, Nanbin Road, Guanyinqiao, and Liziba, with real hotels and prices in each.
#chongqing#china#where to stay#jiefangbei#hotels
Libo, China
Zhaoxing, China
Fanjingshan, China
Zhenyuan, China
Guizhou, China
Mexico
Mahahual, Mexico
Costa Maya Cruise Port Guide: The Port, Mahahual Town, and What's Worth Your 6-8 Hours
An honest Costa Maya cruise port guide: the port complex vs Mahahual town, taxi costs to the malecón, which beach clubs are worth it, and the Chacchoben and Bacalar day options.
#costa maya#mahahual#mexico#cruise port#excursions
Banco Chinchorro Tours from Mahahual: Prices, Operators, and How to Actually Get Out There
Banco Chinchorro tours from Mahahual: real 2026 prices, the operators worth booking, snorkel vs dive, the 8-person minimum, and whether to base in Xcalak.
#banco chinchorro#mahahual#xcalak#snorkeling#diving
Things to Do in Mahahual, Mexico: The Reef, Banco Chinchorro, and Cruise-Day Reality
The best things to do in Mahahual: snorkelling the reef off the beach, the serious Banco Chinchorro day trip, beach clubs, kitesurfing, fishing, and a Bacalar run.
#mahahual#mexico#things to do#banco chinchorro#snorkelingHotels in Mahahual, Mexico: Where to Stay by Zone (2026)
The best hotels in Mahahual by zone: Malecón south vs the quiet beach-road strip vs off-grid far south, with named picks like Noah Beach and Luna de Plata.
#mahahual#mexico#where to stay#costa maya#caribbean
Bacalar, Mexico
Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico: The Lagoon, the Tours, and What to Skip
The best things to do in Bacalar: lagoon boat tours, sailing, sunrise SUP, Los Rápidos, Cocalitos, and the stromatolite rules that actually matter.
#bacalar#mexico#things to do#lagoon#toursWhere to Stay in Bacalar, Mexico: Best Areas & Hotels Compared
Where to stay in Bacalar, Mexico: honest comparison of the zones plus the best hotels and hostels in each, by traveller type and budget.
#bacalar#mexico#where to stay#best hotels#hostels#yucatan#lagoon
Mérida to Bacalar: ADO Bus Times, Tickets, and What to Bring
ADO bus from Mérida to Bacalar in honest detail: how to book, what to bring, where to grab cash on arrival, and the first stop before the lagoon.
#bacalar#mexico#merida#ado bus#yucatan#first time
Is the Bacalar Lagoon Worth It? An Honest Review
Bacalar lagoon got a 6 out of 10 from me, the town overall a 9. Honest review of why both numbers are right and when to visit for clear water.
#bacalar#mexico#honest review#lagoon#yucatan
