A life + travel visual diary

We spent three months in Thailand and then flew to Vietnam. We stayed in Saigon for three weeks, a week in Dalat and we’re now flying to another city to discover – Da Nang.

The perks and glory days of “remote working” had been romanticized ever since after the pandemic. But what does it look like when you’re catching flights and trying to catch a meeting all at the same time?

Let’s just say it’s one hell of a ride.

I have been traveling for 2 and half years now and I have been working remotely ever since. People think I’m on never-ending vacation. But the truth is….I’m on my laptop at 6 AM or 9PM working a bit more before bed, chasing deadlines and sunsets – all at the same time.

This is the ugly truth of working remotely and traveling full time and here’s why its worth it in the end.

The dream: freedom, flexibility, new places

It all started in 2023, I quit my shitty night shift job and decided to pursue a career that is fully remote. Six-tough months after, I’ve decided to start traveling. My first destination? Siargao.

I love the idea of exploring small islands and its community. My love for my country the Philippines grew bigger and bigger with every island that I get to explore. And in every bus ride, boarding gates, and boat ride – I was working.

Siargao, Camiguin, Dinagat Island, Davao, El Nido, Manila and Cebu.

Over the years my small budget island travel became outside the country travels. I have been to three countries and so far, lived on each for 1-3 months.

Travel smarter not faster – has been my motto on each country I’ve been to. Plus, staying for 1-3 months in places helps me get into a flow.

Working remotely has given me the privilege of choosing where I live and work, and making sure I stay fit and healthy while traveling.

I found solace in travelling, seeing different cities, getting to know people, and perhaps the best thing yet…. finding love.

What makes it work for me

Big part of working remotely while traveling full time is balance. I have worked in the same company for two-years, and I have good grasp with the time zone, meeting hours differences, and task. With this, I am able to structure my day to day work tasks fit to our travel plans. Making morning rituals such as: putting the washing machine on, making my coffee, and or go for a quick 30 minutes walk- all that before I start working does wonders to my day to day.

I had my worst days with working while traveling. One time I had an emergency meeting while waiting for our check-in counter to open, my air pods was not connecting to my iPad, there’s a Chinese kid crying two seats away from me, and my mobile-data is acting funny.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

That’s all I can think about.

The Challenges of This Lifestyle

Mornings in Bali, sunsets in Bangkok – it all sounds like a dream getaway. But no one really talks about the hassle of waking up early or staying up late just to match your client’s working hours. How you dont have a routine with every new city = new shedule to figure out. The guilt of not doing more, you’re in a new country but you’re inside for meetings or deadlines. And sometimes, the work-life balance becomes a blur.

“Cejay, if it sounds so bad…then why do you still do it?”

My Truth

It’s horrible. Yes.

After a long day at the airport, processing visas, extending visas, settling in into the 3rd house in a new country and then….. wrapping up work, thinking you still have half of the day free, trying a new coffee spot, catching sunsets in a new unfamilair city. Makes me think this is’nt so bad.

The slow mornings, unfamilar streets, learning something new everyday. And the freedom to say, “let’s go somewhere else next month”, I think I’m doing fine.

Some days its horrible, yes.

But oh my, still damn worth it.

The work is still there, but so is your freedom, your curiosity, your power to choose, and you’re a living proof that it’s possible.

Advice to Anyone Considering This Life

First get a remote job. Once you get a good grasp of the work then it’s time to think about traveling and working full-time.

And if you already clinced the job, here’s my advice.

Travel slower, stay longer in each place. This will give you enough time to recover from fatigue, create a new routine that fits your travel plans, and perhaps just to breath.

Dont stop creating new routines anywhere you go. Our brains works better when it feels like there’s a program to follow.

Check the visas you need for the next country, and have a rough draft of how its going to be.

Buy a physical simcard. It’s cheaper and faster. (Available at the airports)

Additional tip: We plan our trip for the whole year, and we stick to it if it suits us. This helps us stay on track and a vision for all the new countries to visit next year!

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Summary:

Traveling full time has already its challenges but plus working while doing it? Makes the challenge 10x harder. Yes, at times its hard but nothing beats a good planning and a dash of patience.

At the end you’re in control of your life, you’re not only working but also experiencing the world.

I left home when I was 20, and with each new place I visit, I come home better than I was.

So would I recommend this life?

Absolutely.

Read Also: Lessons I’ve learned from solo travelling (so far)