Mt. Pulag will always be one of my favorite hikes here in the Philippines. The midnight call time and trek through dark trails eventually give way to open grasslands that look golden under the morning sun, 2,900+ meters above sea level. If you're lucky, you might even be greeted with a vast sea of clouds. But even without the clouds, the scenery is still glorious with the rest of the Gran Cordillera spread all around you. The last time we were here (February 2020, just before the outbreak), we were rained on so my friends and I are all looking forward to our "revenge climb" next year. ❤

(Picture taken back in March 2016, our first Pulag hike.)

📍 Florence, Italy [August 2023]

Spent five beautiful days exploring Florence and nearby Tuscan hill towns. On our last day, my husband and I headed up to Piazzale Michaelangelo, where people can enjoy panoramic views of Florence and the Arno River (one of Italy's most important waterways). As you can see, it was crowded, but it was a great way to end this chapter of our month-long Europe trip. ❤

The bridge near the foreground is the famed Ponte Vecchio, which is lined with designer jewelry shops. It's another iconic sunset spot in Florence. The domed church in the distance is Florence's Duomo, which was once known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Brunelleschi's dome is a stunner whether you're looking at it from afar or up close.