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
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
Being Asian in Colombia: Bogotá vs Medellín vs Cartagena
What being Asian in Colombia is actually like, city by city. The 'chino' thing, the staring, the selfie requests, and where it ramps up or disappears.
#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
Cartagena, Colombia
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
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
Shenzhen, China
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: 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
Guiyang, China
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: 6 Excursions Ranked, With Real Logistics
Day trips from Guiyang ranked: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Qingyan, Zhijin Cave, Tianhetan, Xijiang Miao Village and Libo, with real train times, costs and honest verdicts.
#guiyang#china#day trips#guizhou#huangguoshuThings 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
Guizhou, China
Mexico
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
Mahahual, Mexico
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#snorkelingWhere to Stay in Mahahual, Mexico: Best Hotels by Zone
The best hotels in Mahahual, Mexico by zone: an honest comparison of the Malecón, the south hotel strip, the remote far south, and the cruise port, by traveller type.
#mahahual#mexico#where to stay#costa maya#caribbean
