Captured in Seven Chronicles: My Travel Memoirs Across Borders
Traveling has always been a cherished part of my life, especially during my junior high school years when my family and I explored different countries each year. My classmates often told me how lucky I was to experience such adventures, knowing how expensive international trips could be. I’ve always been grateful to my dad for making these trips possible—not just for the places we visited but for the memories we created together.
Every trip came with little souvenirs—refrigerator magnets, keychains, nail cutters, and even dolls (though most of them have been given away or lost over time). But beyond these keepsakes, the most treasured moments were the simple ones: savoring delicious meals with my family, capturing moments through photographs, and watching my parents strike fun, romantic poses that made us laugh. My brother and I had an unspoken tradition too—taking turns as each other's photographer, ensuring that every adventure was documented from both of our perspectives.
These travels weren’t just about seeing new places; they were about experiencing them together, one snapshot at a time. Looking back, here is the first entry of this blog series which features the most unforgettable highlights from our trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and China.
1. Hong Kong – Disneyland Dreams & Avenue of Stars (2015)
Hong Kong Disneyland felt like stepping into a real-life fairy tale the moment we walked through its grand entrance. We were greeted by beloved Disney characters who had been a huge part of our childhood—Woody from Toy Story, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, Cinderella, and of course, the iconic Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Our family couldn’t resist lining up for a photo opportunity with Mickey and Minnie, even though the queue was long.
It was worth every minute, as we finally got our turn to pose with the famous duo, making the experience even more magical. Adding to the excitement, classic Disney songs filled the air, making every step feel like a scene from an animated movie.
We explored different areas of the park, eager to experience as much as possible. While some rides were off-limits for us—since my mom and brother weren’t too keen on heights—we still enjoyed several attractions.
We explored different areas of the park, eager to experience as much as possible. While some rides were off-limits for us—since my mom and brother weren’t too keen on heights—we still enjoyed several attractions.
One of the highlights was a ride that ended with a refreshing water splash, bringing laughter and relief from the warm weather.
Throughout the day, we couldn’t resist taking endless photos with different Disney characters, each encounter feeling like a special moment we wanted to capture forever.
One memorable souvenir I took home was an Olaf plush doll, a reminder of the magical day we spent in the happiest place on Earth. Unfortunately, I might have given it away at some point, so it’s no longer with me, but the memories remain just as vivid.
My brother and I also had a fun photo session with Mickey and Minnie plush dolls, a nod to the famous AlDub love team that was a big deal in the Philippines at the time.
Every little detail of that day—from the characters we met to the music that played and the laughter we shared—made our Disneyland adventure an unforgettable chapter in our travel story. Then, as we wandered through the park, we finally saw the iconic Disneyland Castle standing tall in all its fairytale glory—a breathtaking sight that made us feel like we had stepped into a different world.
Since it was our first trip abroad, everything felt new and overwhelming, from the language differences to the way people moved around. It was a true culture shock, but also an eye-opening experience that made our adventure even more unforgettable.
After exploring the promenade, we headed to the nearby Jumbo Floating Restaurant, an iconic dining spot known for its grand, traditional Chinese architecture. 
