Travel Diaries: My Favorite Things

It’s my birthday week, and in true Rich Auntie fashion, I’ve decided the only sensible thing to do is celebrate by talking about… me. Well, me and the things that make travel feel luxurious, joyful, and just a little bit dramatic — the way all good adventures should be.

If you know me, you know my love of travel started long before I ever stepped foot in an airport. Little Angel in Chicago grew up on MGM movies, watching glamorous women sweep into train stations and European hotels with the confidence of someone who always orders room service. I didn't know it then, but I was taking notes. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve become that woman — passport full, suitcase ready, and always searching for the next “main character moment.”

So in honor of my Final Farewell to My Thirties, I’m sharing the destinations, experiences, and small luxuries that have shaped my travels and the ones I plan to chase next. Consider this your backstage pass to my personal highlight reel.

Let’s get into my favorite things.

Favorite Destination: Rome

I talk a lot about travelling. And not just since taking up the mantle of Your Friendly Neighborhood Travel Advisor. I have always wanted to be anywhere but here; "There were so many fabulous faraway places to see."

But in the back of my mind, I kind of figured I wasn't going to get there.

Then one day, I found myself sitting in a very wobbly chair at a pizzeria just steps away from the Trevi Fountain and I realized that at some point I had become That Girl. The girl that knew the best Korean BBQ could be found on a little side street 20 minutes south of Seoul. The one that bravely walked down alleys in Bangkok, had been shopping in Tokyo, and had just ordered in Italian -which I ain't ever studied.

So yes, I followed Audrey Hepburn’s footsteps while eating gelato, slipped in and out of cathedrals, wandered through ruins older than memory, and imagined what little historical secrets lived in every cobblestone (which were absolutely attacking my ankles). But mostly?

I was proud of myself.

I had made my dreams come true, in Rome.

Favorite Regional Food: Street Cart Fishcakes

After watching 5 Korean Drams, I decided that I wanted to go South Korea. I didn't know I would end up living there for 5 years.

The food in South Korea is amazing and now that I have moved back home, there are something that I can still get. I can still order chicken from Bonchon or BBQ (not my preferred BHC...but that's okay). I learned how to make Kimchi Stew and Dakgalbi. I even made sure that I was adopted by an ajumma that will send me Japchae whenever I ask.

But the one thing that I miss, especially in the winter, is the little pocha or street cart that was always parked outside of the Jeong-ja Station. I made sure that I always carried cash, just so that I could stop for Fishcake skewers. They were the first food that I knew I wanted to try , after watching Boys Over Flowers, and was actually terrified that I wouldn't like it once I tried it. Luckily I love it!

Favorite Hotel: Secret Bay

Most people don't travel just to stay sequestered in a hotel. For some people, it's just a bed to sleep in and the least important part of the trip. I respectfully disagree. I have stayed in 1 star motels, 2 star hostels, 3 star round the way Airbnbs, and 4/5 star Hotel, Resort, and Spas. I feel that I have some authority when it comes to good hotels.

I would definitely visit Taj Devi Ratn Resort & Spa in Jaipur, India in a heartbeat. The afternoon tea and the cultural performances were awesome and the bathroom still lives on in my dreams. If anyone in visiting Bangkok I always recommend Quarter Hotel Chaophryaya for the most affordable and luxurious hotel I have ever stayed in. Oh! And the Pendry on the Mag Mile...chef's kiss!

I've got just as many hotels on my Bucket List as cinematic reference destinations but the number one spot is Secret Bay in Dominica, specifically a Ti Fey Villa.

Picture it...you and someone who looks very much like Winston Duke... Actually don't imagine him, he's mine! Imagine someone else...splashing around an infinity pool over on a cliff, over looking the ocean, in a secluded tree house! No seriously, stop imagining Winston Duke, I said he's mine; imagine Idris! Soaking up the sun, lounging on the deck, after indulging in a Traditional Dominican Breakfast. Sipping chilled wine in your hammock. If I wasn't dead set on honeymooning in Rio, this would be my second choice!

Favorite Wanderlust Movie: Jab Harry Met Sejal

Most of the destinations on my Bucket List are places that I saw or were mentioned in a movie. If you don't sing Meet Me In St. Louis while visiting, have you really been? I've wanted to visit Mallorca since Ingrid Bergman was supposed to be there in Indiscreet. My month long Parisian Itinerary was practically written by Metro Goldwyn Mayor. And as I have mentioned, I moved to South Korea after binge watching Boys Over Flowers. But one of my favorite Wanderlust movies is Jab Harry Met Sejal.

Shah Rukh Khan plays a tour guide and Anushka Sharma is a very Karen-esque client who lost her engagement ring while traveling through Europe. She bulldozes him into retracing their steps...through Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam, and Lisbon in search of said ring. Of course she ends up falling for Shah Rukh Khan...and that's not a spoiler, its Shah Rukh Khan. I never really thought about Europe outside of Paris and maybe Vienna but this movie ALMOST convinced me to take a train through Europe last summer... it's still on my bucket list. Check out Jab Harry Met Segal on Netflix if you get a chance. It's a cute movie and the music as always is amazing, thank you Pritam sir.

Favorite Travel Lesson: "You Can Go Back"

When I was a kid, my Aunt took my grandmother to Hawaii and for the first time, they experienced jet lag. After leaving our house at 5AM, they got there sometime in the late afternoon. There was still a lot of activity going on and they didn't want to waste a minute of their trip. So they hit the ground running and by day two they were exhausted! My aunt was dead set on going to the Aquarium as they had planned, but couldn't drag herself out of the bed. My grandmother told her that if they had to take a day to just sleep and reset that was okay.

"Hawaii ain't goin no where. Whatever we don't do this time, we can do the next time. We can come back." - Hama

Fast forward to my last weeks in South Korea. After running around Korea like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to get everything packed and shipped back home, saying goodbye to everyone, by the time I got to Japan on my Long Way Home, I was exhausted! I got up and had breakfast...then went back to sleep. I got dressed and grabbed food and snacks from 7-Eleven...then went back to sleep. I sacrificed my Kyoto Day trip so that I could take a moment and just enjoy my trip instead of running around trying to see everything...as if I could never go back.

I have to go back. So that I can experience Tokyo Disney on a day that doesn't rain. I have to take the luxury train to Kyoto so that I can have tea with a geisha. Most importantly, I HAVE to visit Studio Ghibli Park! Ergo...I can go back.

My Birthday Toast

So here’s my little birthday toast to you.

May your trips be smooth, your hotel beds be soft, your gelato be cold, and your passport never gather dust. Thanks for celebrating another year around the sun with me — I can’t wait to see where we go next!