Embracing the Unexpected: Adventures, Silver Linings, and the Freedom of Self-Employment

As I settle into yet another new city, I find myself not just taking in the sights, but reflecting on the journey itself—the twists, turns, and unexpected moments that make traveling so meaningful. For me, this adventure has been about more than just seeing new places—it's about embracing the silver linings and celebrating the beautiful freedom that comes with self-employment. 🌍✈️

It’s given me the flexibility to work from charming little cafés, explore during breaks, and adapt my plans when things don’t go quite as expected—like they did here in Chiang Mai. But more on that later. 😉

I’ll share plenty about the places I’ve been (because yes, this is still a travel blog!), but first, I want to take a moment to celebrate those unexpected moments and the beautiful balance between work and play that self-employment has made possible.

I’ve been traveling for almost six weeks now, alternating between touristy activities and working or volunteering. At this stage in my career, working means writing and researching coaching content, and I’m happy to report that I’ve been making great progress! In fact, starting in November, you’ll be able to enjoy a series on Change that I’ve been working on—stay tuned! 😄

But let’s get back to my travels. ✈️

Japan 🇯🇵 was all about the sights, Davao 🇵🇭 was for working and volunteering, Cebu 🇵🇭 and Hong Kong 🇭🇰 and Macau 🇲🇴 were back to sightseeing, and now here I am in Chiang Mai 🇹🇭 for another working stint.

You may have heard that Chiang Mai was recently hit by severe flooding. The morning of my flight from Hong Kong, I learned that the OMF Mekong Center, where I had planned to stay, was flooded. 😬 While I’m deeply sorry for so many people here who have been hit hard by the flooding, what could have been a major disruption became a blessing in disguise, giving me the opportunity to stay in a vibrant, central location that I may have never found otherwise. Hillda House turned out to be an absolute gem, and I couldn’t be more grateful for how things turned out. 🙏

Since the location is so central and everything is within walking distance I’ve been working from the coziest little coffee shops nearby, enjoying delicious breakfasts while staying productive. 🍳☕️ Just look at this spread:

And because I set my own hours, I can take breaks whenever I want to explore the beautiful old town. I’ve spent time wandering through stunning Buddhist temples (the architecture is amazing! 🛕) and working from places like Kalm Village, which has such a cool, creative vibe. ✨

Of course, I’ve also been indulging in some local street food. 🍢 Though I’m still not sure what one of the skewers was (😂), the rest were absolutely delicious.

After five days of productive work and exploration, I decided to take a day off to hang out with some lovely new friends: elephants! 🐘

Friends and family have commented on the picture of me with the elephant and how happy I look. Honestly, I’m just filled with joy and gratitude. Life couldn’t be better! 😍

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Hong Kong and Macau

Speaking of joy and gratitude, my adventures in Hong Kong and Macau were unforgettable, and I can't wait to share them with you!

Although Chiang Mai offered a quieter and more reflective experience, Hong Kong brought a rush of excitement and energy. 🌆 I fell in love with the natural beauty on my various hikes, but I have to admit Hong Kong itself it was a bit too crowded for my liking. 😅

One of the highlights was hiking the famous Dragon's Back trail, which ends at Big Wave Beach. The views were nothing short of breathtaking. 🤩

Afterward, I treated myself to some relaxation at Shek O Beach, where I enjoyed people-watching. 🏖️ It was a busy holiday (China’s 75th anniversary), so the beach was packed. The night ended with an incredible fireworks show over Victoria Harbour. 🎆 The chaos of the crowds was intense, but those 30 minutes of fireworks were well worth it!

The next day, I hopped over to Macau. It was just as crowded as Hong Kong’s celebrations!

As a result I eventually had to give up on some of the old town sights and decided to visit the mega casino hotels on Taipa Island instead. Walking through the Venetian, and especially the Rialto bridge area, I had a serious moment of déjà vu—was I in Las Vegas or Macau? I half expected an Elvis to walk by 😂

After two days of non-stop walking, I needed a break. I spent the following day exploring Mong Kok, diving into the vibrant Ladies’ Market and Flower Market, and savoring some delicious street food. 😋 My final stop was the Avenue of the Stars, where I had one important mission: snapping a picture of Jackie Chan’s handprints for my son, Lukas. His dream of becoming a stuntman was inspired by Jackie, so this was a must-do! 🥋

On my last day, I embarked on one final adventure—a hike to the Big Buddha 🗿. Without a proper trail map, I got lost (of course! 😂), but thanks to some new friends from a British Airways flight crew, we made it to the top together.

The hike was tough but absolutely worth it. The panoramic views and the Wisdom Path were stunning. 💪🌄