Philippines / 2010
Batanes and the God of Wonders
Where striking landscapes and a memorable journey became an early travel story.
READ ORIGINAL STORY ↗From Kuala Lumpur in 2011 to 40 countries at 40
40 countries
at 40.
And beyond.
My first international journey began in Kuala Lumpur in November 2011, at 29. Twelve years later, Iceland marked my 40th country while I was still 40. From the Philippines to the world, I travel in wonder of God’s creation—and the journey continues.
BYAHE NI DEWO / THE JOURNEY CONTINUESSCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓
01 / The milestone
The journey began at 29.
I got my first passport in 2011, and in November of that year, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia became my first international destination. I was already 29. What began as one trip grew into a lifetime of learning, gratitude, and unforgettable landscapes. In 2023, while still 40, I reached my 40th country: Iceland. The milestone mattered, but the wonder of discovering the world God created matters even more.
In 2023, reaching my 40th country—Iceland—while still 40 felt like a fitting moment to reflect. But the best part of every milestone is the new horizon it reveals.
How I count destinations: For my personal “40 at 40” milestone, I counted Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau separately from mainland China because they are distinct travel experiences with their own local systems. This is a personal travel-counting convention, not a statement about sovereignty or international recognition.
READ THE NEXT CHAPTER ↗40/40
Countries visited by age 40 · achieved 2023
“The milestone was never the finish line.”
02 / Home deserves the spotlight
The Philippines, always home.
Before I saw the world, there were the islands, mountains, people, and stories of my own country. This is my invitation to discover more of the Philippines—from celebrated destinations to places still waiting to be known.
Proudly Philippine
7,000+ islands. Countless reasons to explore.
From Batanes to Palawan, I want to champion responsible local tourism through firsthand stories, practical guides, and places beyond the familiar itineraries. I believe the Philippines deserves more of the world's attention—and that good tourism should benefit local communities and protect the natural beauty we are blessed with.
In wild coastlines and breathtaking mountains, I am reminded of the majesty of God, the Creator of all things.
03 / Interactive travel atlas
A world of stories.
Explore selected places from my travels. Choose a marker or filter a region. This is a curated preview—not yet the full record of all 40 countries.
Illustrative map · select a gold marker
04 / Infographics & curious discoveries
Travel by Numbers.
Milestones, World Heritage encounters, memorable records, and fascinating stories behind the destinations.
40
Countries at 40
The 2023 milestone, with Iceland as country number 40.
16
US States Explored
Reconstructed travel tally; the ongoing 50 States Challenge.
4
US National Parks
Confirmed: Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Mount Rainier.
—
UNESCO Sites Total
Full count pending verification against travel history and UNESCO records.
2011
First Passport & First Trip
November · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · age 29.
47
Japan Prefectures
A favorite country, and a new long-term exploration challenge. This is the total number of prefectures, not visits.
7
Continents Goal
A possible alternative to visiting 50 US states by age 50. Progress to be verified.
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PH Provinces & Cities
Personal counts pending a complete travel-history review.
The collections
Use the tabs to explore the working infographic collections.
Heritage examples are grounded in documented visits. The complete UNESCO tally and full country list will be added after validating the travel archive. Illustrated imagery in this prototype is not original site photography.
Your evolving destination checklists
Track the places, not just the numbers.
Explore my personal destination checklists. This public view is read-only and reflects the latest published snapshot; some lists are still being verified.
THE PHILIPPINES
Provinces & cities visited
0of sample locations
Personal destination tracking conventions; some travel records remain incomplete and subject to verification.
05 / From the archives
Stories worth keeping.
Real articles from the original Byahe ni Dewo, resurfaced rather than buried under a chronological feed.
Philippines / 2019
11 Reasons to Visit San Vicente
A firsthand perspective on a quieter side of Palawan, its beaches and island escapes.
READ ORIGINAL STORY ↗Asia / 2018
11 Awesome Asian Cities
The memorable cities and personal favorites that earned a place on the bucket list.
READ ORIGINAL STORY ↗06 / The next chapter
Beyond 40.
The milestone was never the finish line. The next chapters mean exploring the Philippines more deeply, returning to Japan, chasing landscapes that reflect the Creator’s glory, and considering a new challenge for age 50.
2011
The first stamp
At 29, with my first passport, I made my first international trip in November—to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2023
40 countries at 40
Iceland became my 40th country while I was still 40. The beginning of a new chapter, not the end of an ambition.
Next
50 at 50—or 7 continents?
Explore all 50 US states by age 50, or set foot on all seven continents. Along the way: discover more of the Philippines, explore Japan prefecture by prefecture, and travel in awe of God’s creation.
07 / Travel in motion
See the stories. Then read beyond the frame.
Reels and short videos capture moments. This journal keeps the context: how the trip unfolded, what worked, what I'd change, and why the place mattered.
Instagram, TikTok and YouTube video embeds can be added here after you provide your public profile links.
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Travel in Motion
Video collection placeholder