A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
I’m actually in the Philippines you guys!
And wow!
It’s looking far better than what I ever imagined it would be like!
But first.
The Philippines?
Well boys and girls, a long time ago, in the summer……..I told you that I had astonishing news! That astonishing news was the introduction of my journey to the Philippines for the very first time.
I’m in the Philippines right now, and it’s ridiculously exciting.
I’m going to:
Whew!
Sigh!
As you know, I’m a lifestyle expat travel blogger. And part of this lifestyle is spending an awful amount of time writing and spreading the love on social media.
If you don’t get yourself out there, it can be quite lonely.
Thankfully, I’m a bit of a social butterfly and a little bit of a show-off, so meeting other bloggers is always going to be a good thing. One of those ways to get-together is to attend a TBEX conference.
I had originally planned to go to the European conference in Sweden, but a window opened up. That window was the fact that I’m taking up a new job!
Yep!
Now you all know that I presently work for a British / American company doing corporate teaching in industrial, business and governmental establishments. Well, from November 2016, I’ll be working for a German company as the Vice-School Principal. And get this. I’ll be responsible for their English-speaking business AND their Social Media Management!
It’s a small business and will be focused on international languages. The company is called LOGO Sprachenschule, and is based in my gentrified hipster neighbourhood of Prenzlauerberg. In the best place in the world – Berlin!
As usual, I’m an advocate for smart travelling, so I’m not quitting either my travels or my job anytime soon, thanks very much!
Anyhoo!
Oh yes. I didn’t go to the conference in Sweden, so I decided to go to the TBEX Asia-Pacific 2016 conference in the Philippines instead!
Gosh, you’re a busy girl Victoria!
Well, TBEX is the holy grail of the travel blogging world and stands for Travel Blog Exchange.
It’s the world’s largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, writers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands and social-media-savvy travel industry professionals. There are three (3) conferences held annually in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, attracting 600-1000 delegates from all over the world!
The organisation used to be located in North America and Europe but for the first time in 2015, was based not only in “the West” but in Asia too, and on a cruise-ship in the middle of the sea!
It’s also a medium for the creative minds of the travel industry to come together, to network, to learn, to negotiate with the travel industry, and for those who are so inclined, to take the business of blogging to the next level.
How exciting!
I had heard a lot of good and sometimes controversial things about TBEX, but I decided to attend the conference for myself and make up my own mind.
Last year, I went to the TBEX conference for the very first time.
Eeek!
Every year, TBEX partners with fantastic destinations so that bloggers and media people get the opportunity to meet potential business partners or sponsors, meet influential bloggers, get new strategies and tips, network with each other, discover new destinations, share a new experience and well, be entertained and paaaaaaaarty like it’s 1999!
Oh alright then. Paaaaaarty like it’s 2016!
There.
Happy now!
I love the Asian continent, and I’ve been to Asia many, many times, but I’ve never been to the Philippines!
The Philippines officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia, situated in the western Pacific Ocean!
It consists of:
Golly!
While I’m in this part of Asia, I decided to visit another new country in the vicinity.
I picked Taaaaaaaaaaaiwan!
Taiwan, otherwise known as, the Republic of China (ROC), is a state in East Asia.
Neighbors include the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the west, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Taiwan is the most populous non-UN state and the largest economy outside the UN.
The history of Taiwan dates back tens of thousands of years although it’s believed that the appearance of a culture based on agriculture around 3000 BC, reflects the arrival of the ancestors of today’s Taiwanese aborigines.
Taiwan was initially colonised by the Dutch in the 17th century, followed by an influx of Han Chinese including Hakka immigrants from the Fujian and Guangdong areas of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait.
The Spanish built a settlement in the north for a brief period, but were driven out by the Dutch in 1642.
In 1662, Koxinga, a loyalist of the Ming dynasty who had lost control of mainland China in 1644, defeated the Dutch and established a base of operations on the island. His forces were also defeated by the Qing dynasty in 1683, and parts of Taiwan became increasingly integrated into the Qing empire. Following the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the Qing ceded the island, along with Penghu, to the Empire of Japan.
In 1945, following the end of World War II, the Republic of China (ROC), led by the Kuomintang (KMT), took control of Taiwan.
The KMT ruled Taiwan (along with Kinmen, Wuqiu and the Matsu Islands on the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait) as a single-party state for forty years, until democratic reforms in the 1980s.
During the post-war period, Taiwan experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, and was known as one of the “Four Asian Tigers.”
Wow!
How intriguing!
That’s all for now!
Even though I was a member of TBEX, all opinions and the exciting time that I’m currently in the middle of, is my very own!
Right now I’m travelling around the Philippines and Taiwan and you can follow what I’m doing and where I’m going, on Twitter & Facebook.
Come and find me on social media ‘cos you know what, I believe it really is more fun in the Philippines!
In November, I’ll be travelling to Austria and starting a new job!
Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.
I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond, WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
Please note that there are now affiliate links (for the very first time) connected to this post. Please consider using the links, because every time some sort of accommodation or travel insurance is booked via my links I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
A win-win for all!
Thanks a million!
Congratulations on your new job! The philippines sounds amazing and so does Taiwan. Lucky girl..enjoy it😄
Thanks so much Gilda!
I’m absolutely delighted and enormously excited about my new job and being in Asia right now. It couldn’t have come at a better time!
I’m so jealous! And I’m so bummed that I wasn’t able to make it to this year’s TBEX. I was originally planning to go, but I flew back to the States instead to attend a wedding. I totally feel like I missed out on missing a lot of fellow bloggers I’ve been wanting to meet in person, including you. Ah well, I’m sure our paths will cross one of these days. Enjoy the Philippines and have a blast in Taiwan. I have yet to go there but it’s on my list!
Thanks so much Justine!
I saw the info on your blog. Bummer, but totally understand about the wedding. Family n’ all that! TBEX at the Philippines has been totally awesome, there are loads of locals and Asian bloggers involved which is lovely to see. Great vibes and fantastic FAM trips. ‘Living the life at the moment lol!
p.s. ‘Can’t wait to visit Taiwan too. 🙂
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