The Monsoon Diaries: How to travel the world with no time or money -

Getting Away With Robbinsville: The Akshardham Redemption

by Calvin Sun | October 6, 2025 | Camping, Layovers, New Jersey | 0 Comments

One of my more unique camping trips to have monsooned; this is what happens when you plan a camping trip months in advance just to visit a temple arguably worth seeing as a world-class destination. I was stuck at work all day Friday as Eddie took the initiative...

A Quick Halifax Check

by Calvin Sun | September 12, 2025 | Layovers, Lessons Learned, September 2025: Newfoundland to Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Walking Tours | 0 Comments

After two days in Saint-Pierre (and a turbulent ferry ride to Miquelon and back), we boarded an hour-and-a-half direct Air Saint-Pierre 9am flight to Halifax, landing around 9:30am local time (Halifax runs an hour behind Saint-Pierre), Our onward...

Miquelon Impossible

by Calvin Sun | September 11, 2025 | Doctor in the House, September 2025: Newfoundland to Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Way Way Off the Beaten Path | 0 Comments

Sometimes the most spontaneous detours leave the strongest impressions. That morning in Saint Pierre, we hadn't planned on leaving the island. But after completing two walking tours around St. Pierre and checking the ferry schedule, we realized we could still...

48 Hours in a Little Saint-Pierre-ce of France

by Calvin Sun | September 11, 2025 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon, September 2025: Newfoundland to Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Way Way Off the Beaten Path | 0 Comments

After three days soaking in St. John's charm, we dropped off our rental car at YYT Saint John's airport to catch the rare 5pm direct flight (PH1127) via Air Saint-Pierre to Saint-Pierre & Miquelon: one of the few weekly connections between Newfoundland and...

Don’t Be Dildo-Dallying

by Calvin Sun | September 9, 2025 | Canada, September 2025: Newfoundland to Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Way Way Off the Beaten Path | 0 Comments

While based in St. John's, we took a spontaneous day trip by rental car to the now-famous town of Dildo. You'll know when you arrive; they're incredibly proud of their distinctive name. Though a vocal minority has repeatedly raised referendums to...

St. John’s: The Eastern Edge of Everything Everywhere All At Once

by Calvin Sun | September 9, 2025 | Canada, September 2025: Newfoundland to Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Way Way Off the Beaten Path | 0 Comments

Months ago I decided to gift myself a week off after Labor Day...simply because I could. After a year as wild as this past one, I craved actual and intentional self-prioritization to restore some balance. Finding fares under $200, I booked a morning departure:...

Singapore Airlines Business Class FRA-JFK

by Calvin Sun | August 5, 2025 | Flying Fancy, Germany, Summer 2025: The Long Road to Berlin | 0 Comments

After a slow morning walk and talking about our villain (antihero?) origin stories in Berlin, I hugged Daniela and Gabe goodbye, hopped on the tram for a few stops, went underground for the metro, and made it back to the hostel in time for a 1:30pm check out. Nisha,...

When You’ve Never Been to Berlin

by Calvin Sun | August 4, 2025 | Let me tell you a Story..., Serendipitous!, Summer 2025: The Long Road to Berlin, The Nightlife, Walking Tours | 0 Comments

If it's not already playing, press play. And then start reading. After 3 days in Amsterdam, Nisha, Sujay, Priscilla, Kenny, and myself boarded a 2pm direct train bound for Berlin. It was a 7.5-hour journey that gave us just enough time to reflect...

I Amsterdand We’re Back in Amsterdam!

by Calvin Sun | July 31, 2025 | How Did You Do That?, Let me tell you a Story..., Summer 2025: The Long Road to Berlin, The Netherlands | 0 Comments

From Tomorrowland, because apparently we still weren’t done, 7 of us rerouted north for one last hurrah in Amsterdam, linking up with Anthony Lui and his Dutch crew. While most of the group boarded planes home to brave the dreaded post-festival blues, we...

Tomorrowland After The Fire

by Calvin Sun | July 29, 2025 | Belgium, Festivals, Fit for Foodies, Serendipitous!, Summer 2025: The Long Road to Berlin | 0 Comments

How’s my ankle holding up before Tomorrowland.... This is Day 0 — right after a 1500-lb bull stepped on it: Day 8: Day 4: Day 17: Not bad, right? Turns out I can be pretty decent at wound care when the stakes are high. Last year was cancer, this year...

Galápagos Day 3: Genovesa & Darwin Bay

by Calvin Sun | Nov 11, 2022 | Galápagos Islands, November 2022: Galápagos Islands

After a 5-6 hour sail last night to reach the northern island of Genovesa by 2am, we woke up to a 7th grade science throwback: Darwin Bay is a must-visit site for evolution supporters and birdwatchers. Starting with a 9am landing on a white...

Galápagos Day 2: Santa Cruz

by Calvin Sun | Nov 10, 2022 | Galápagos Islands, November 2022: Galápagos Islands

The next morning we woke up for breakfast and coffee ... along with a sea lion who hitched a ride on our boat with friends last night and had kept some of us up! Our first stop this morning was Black Turtle cove, which we could only reach by our...

Galápagos Day 1: Baltra Island & South Plaza

by Calvin Sun | Nov 9, 2022 | Galápagos Islands, November 2022: Galápagos Islands

Our Galápagos adventure begins! After a full day in Guayaquil, we woke up at 6:30am and headed first thing in the morning to GYE airport on the domestic side. Once arriving at departures, we registered and paid the $100 USD in cash (they only accept cash)(...

Gua-Wh-yaquil Always Travel

by Calvin Sun | Nov 8, 2022 | Ecuador, Fit for Foodies, Galápagos Islands, Layovers, Walking Tours

So what's life like after publishing your first book? Staying grounded for an abnormally long 3 months (it's not often you get a book out in the world!), I took the edge off with 2 weekends of camping. However, very little else...

Mykines: A Puffin Disney World

by Calvin Sun | Aug 27, 2022 | August 2023: The Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

As Bruce was leaving a day earlier, we took that as an opportunity to not only drop him off with a free ride to the airport on Vagar island and then continue onwards for 10:45am Ferry #36 at Sørvágur. Bruce's flight departure, however, was then delayed an hour,...

“Suðuroy” For a Day Trip To Beinisvørð

by Calvin Sun | Aug 27, 2022 | August 2023: The Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands

This morning we headed out for our 10:00am Ferry from Tórshavn to Tvøroyri. For a group size of 10 or more, we recommend booking ahead of time (at least 2 weeks) by emailing bilegging@ssl.fo for an inquiry. Because we had 7 folks in 2 cars, we booked online on...

No Time To Kalsoy

by Calvin Sun | Aug 25, 2022 | August 2023: The Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands, Way Way Off the Beaten Path, What Dreams May Come

Our road trip around the Faroe Islands continues! This morning we set off for the 40 minutes' drive to the village of Klaksvík on the island of Borðoy. On the way you'll drive through the world's first underwater roundabout of Eysturoyartunnilin -- ...

From West to “East”-uroy

by Calvin Sun | Aug 24, 2022 | August 2023: The Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands, What Dreams May Come

After a morning driving around Streymoy and from the city of Tjørnuvík, we turned back into the island of Eysturoy for 45 minute drive towards Gjógv, a village located on the northeast tip of the island and one of the best natural harbors in the Faroes. ...

« Older Entries

Next Entries »