Explore every episode of the podcast Travel Stories That Stay Podcast

In this season finale of Travel Stories That Stay, I share one of the most serendipitous travel experiences I've ever had—a story that began with feeling like complete outsiders and ended with one of the warmest acts of hospitality I've ever experienced.

One summer after graduating from university, I travelled through northern Spain with my boyfriend (now husband) and three friends. As five Chinese Canadians driving through the Pyrenees, we passed through a tiny village where a group of young locals stopped and stared at us as though they had never seen Chinese people before. Their expressions were unforgettable. We continued on our journey, never imagining we'd see them again.

Later that evening, our carefully planned trip took an unexpected turn. A nearby festival had filled every hotel and restaurant for miles, leaving us with nowhere to sleep and nowhere to eat. Following the advice of a local bartender, we drove winding mountain roads in the dark in search of a restaurant marked only by a Coca-Cola sign.

When we finally arrived, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Standing outside to welcome us were the very same people who had watched us drive through their village earlier that day. The "aliens" they had spotted that afternoon had become the guests they would serve dinner to that evening. What began as an awkward encounter ended around a dinner table, reminding me that curiosity has a remarkable way of becoming connection.

In this episode, we explore:

- Early lessons learned as young, inexperienced travellers

- The surprising role that serendipity plays in our greatest adventures

- Why some of the best travel stories happen when we make no plans

- How kindness can bridge cultural differences in an instant

- The unexpected joy of feeling welcomed in unfamiliar places

- A few destination insights and tips for exploring the Spanish Pyrenees

Destinations Featured:

- The Spanish Pyrenees

- Pamplona

- Castle of Loarre

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

Sometimes serendipity reminds us how deeply connected we are in this world.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:

https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

In this episode of Travel Stories That Stay, I share the story of a sunrise I almost didn't see—and the lesson it taught me about trusting the journey, even when the destination isn't guaranteed.

My best friend and I set out in the middle of the night to drive to the summit of Haleakalā, Maui's dormant volcano, hoping to witness one of the world's most spectacular sunrises. But as we climbed higher into the darkness, thick clouds surrounded us. Visibility disappeared, uncertainty crept in, and we began to wonder if the early wake-up call and heavy price tag would all be for nothing.

Then, just before sunrise, everything changed.

We emerged above the clouds into a sea of soft white stretching to the horizon. As the first light of day painted the sky with shades of gold and pink, I found myself standing in complete awe. In that moment, I realized that no matter what the tour guide said or how bad the conditions seemed, you just never know how a story is going to end.

Long after we left Hawaii, I found myself returning to that morning whenever life felt uncertain. It reminded me that while some bad stories do take a positive turn, not every disappointment gets a happy reversal—like the cancelled helicopter tour we had later in the trip. What matters is how you choose to proceed, because alternative endings can still be good and memorable.

In this episode, we explore:

- Why the most meaningful moments often require faith before certainty

- How travel teaches us to keep moving even when we can't see what's ahead

- The unexpected beauty of emerging above the clouds

- What one sunrise on Haleakalā taught me about perspective

- Why some of life's greatest rewards come after periods of uncertainty

- A few destination insights and tips for visiting Maui

Destinations Featured:

- Haleakalā National Park

- Maui, Hawaii

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

Sometimes we have to keep climbing, even when we can't yet see what's waiting for us above the clouds.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:

https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

In this episode of Travel Stories That Stay, I share a conversation from the Croatian island of Hvar that changed the way I think about work, success, and the courage it takes to build a life that truly fits.

My husband and I had stumbled upon a charming terrace restaurant and returned the next morning for breakfast before heading to the beach. What began as a simple meal soon became something much more meaningful as we spoke with the owner, whose family had run the restaurant for three generations.

For years, she and her mother served dinner late into the night, working tirelessly to keep the family business going. But eventually, she realized that the life she was living no longer reflected the life she wanted. Inspired by the quiet wisdom she found while tending to the goats on her family’s farm, she made a bold decision: the restaurant would serve breakfast only.

Her story stayed with me long after we left Hvar. In choosing a slower, more intentional way of living, she showed me that it is possible to honor tradition while still creating a life that feels true to yourself.

In this episode, we explore:

• The courage it takes to redefine success

• Why meaningful change often begins with a quiet realization

• How travel can introduce us to people whose stories reshape our own

• The beauty of choosing a life that aligns with our values

• What one breakfast in Croatia taught me about living more intentionally

• A few destination insights and tips for visiting Hvar and Split

Destinations Featured:

- Zagreb

- Plitvice Lakes

- Split

- Hvar

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

We do not have to keep living a life that no longer fits us.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

In this episode of Travel Stories That Stay, I share the story of a solo day trip into the mountains of Puerto Rico that didn't go quite as planned—and the unexpected kindness that turned one of my most stressful travel moments into one of my most memorable.

Near the end of a six-month work assignment in Puerto Rico, I was determined to squeeze in one last adventure before returning home. My destination was El Lago de Guineo, the island's highest lake, hidden deep within the Toro Negro State Forest. Armed with determination, a rental SUV, and far more confidence than preparation, I set off convinced that I would find it no matter what.

As the winding roads became steeper, the rain heavier, and the muddy tracks more treacherous, I refused to turn back. Eventually, my determination got the better of me, and I found myself stranded on a remote mountain road with fading daylight and a rapidly dying phone battery. Just when hope was slipping away, a group of complete strangers arrived in their jeeps, armed with tow chains, good humour, and even a few cold beers.

Sometimes the greatest discoveries aren't the places we set out to find—they're the people we meet along the way.

In this episode, we explore:

- How determination can sometimes become stubbornness

- Why asking for help can be one of the bravest things we do

- The generosity and kindness of strangers

- How unexpected setbacks often become our favourite travel stories

- Why slowing down can sometimes reveal what really matters

- A few destination insights and tips for visiting Puerto Rico

Destinations Featured:

- Toro Negro State Forest

- San Juan

- El Yunque Rainforest

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

Sometimes the destination isn't what changes us. It's the people who help us get there.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

In this episode of Travel Stories That Stay, I share a story from deep within the Peruvian Amazon, where patience, persistence, and a little bit of luck led to one of the most exhilarating wildlife encounters of my life.

My friend and I had travelled all the way to the Amazon rainforest with dreams of spotting exotic animals in their natural habitat. But after several days of jungle walks, river excursions, and endless scanning of the trees, we had seen surprisingly little wildlife. As our time in the rainforest began to run out, disappointment quietly started to set in.

Then everything changed.

On what seemed like an ordinary guided walk through the jungle, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by monkeys. They appeared from every direction, leaping through the trees overhead and filling the forest with movement and energy. It was thrilling, unforgettable, and just a little bit intimidating. After days of searching and waiting, the Amazon had finally decided to reveal itself.

But the story isn't really about monkeys.

It's about expectation, patience, and the way some of life's most magical moments arrive only after we've stopped trying so hard to force them.

In this episode, we explore:

- Why anticipation can sometimes get in the way of experience

- The emotional highs and lows of searching for wildlife in the Amazon

- What it feels like when nature suddenly comes alive around you

- The lessons that patience and uncertainty can teach us

- Why some of the best travel moments can't be planned

- A few destination insights and tips for visiting the Peruvian Amazon

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

Sometimes the most extraordinary moments arrive only after we let go of our expectations.

Destinations Featured:

- Amazon Rainforest

- Cusco

- Machu Picchu

- Sacred Valley

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

In this season premiere of Travel Stories That Stay, I share the story of a trip I never thought would change me.

When my mom said that her one wish was for the family to travel to China together, we reluctantly agreed. Partly because we wanted to fulfill her wish, and partly because I had business there with the manufacturing partner I work with through my journal company. What I didn't expect was that the journey would reconnect me with a part of myself I had quietly pushed aside for years.

We begin in Guangzhou, where many of my assumptions about China seemed to be confirmed—crowded streets, endless traffic, noise everywhere. But beneath the chaos, familiar Cantonese pop songs from my childhood stirred something nostalgic. From there, we visited my parents' ancestral halls, where I felt an unexpected connection to generations of family who came before me. Later, the breathtaking landscapes of Guilin and Zhangjiajie challenged everything I thought I knew about China and left me in awe.

After returning home to Canada, I began to realize how disconnected I had become from my Chinese roots. Growing up as one of the only Chinese families in my neighbourhood, childhood experiences with racism had shaped me in ways I hadn't fully recognized. This trip helped me begin reconnecting with my culture, my identity, and parts of myself that had been waiting quietly to be acknowledged.

In this episode, we explore:

- The assumptions we carry about places—and ourselves

- How travel can help us reconnect with our identity

- The emotional impact of visiting ancestral places

- Why Guangzhou, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie surprised me

- The healing that can happen when we step outside our everyday lives

- A few destination insights and tips for visiting China

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this journey is simple:

Sometimes we don't know what we need until we go.

Destinations featured:

- Guangzhou

- Guilin

- Zhangjiajie

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel stories.

And if you'd like more travel stories, reflections, itineraries, lodging and attraction recommendations from each episode, behind-the-scenes adventures, and updates on future episodes, I'd love to stay connected.

Subscribe to my newsletter:https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com/

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay

And if you have a travel story to share, submit it here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0JAGGjzWXWbfnq-JsdFVDJSGg3Nfh7CX6a2EiulJnJx0EqA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111360847823946796266

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about journeys, moments, and encounters that change us—and the lessons they leave behind long after we return home. Thanks for being here.

Travel Stories That Stay is a podcast about meaningful travel and the experiences that stay with us long after we return home.

This isn't a podcast about travel tips, bucket lists, or must-see destinations. It's about the stories that emerge when we step outside our everyday lives—the moments that surprise us, challenge us, connect us, and reveal something about ourselves and the world around us.

Because travel tips expire. Human truths don't.

🎙️ The first episode launches June 17, 2026.

Follow along on this podcast journey ⬇️

Substack: https://travelstoriesthatstay.substack.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelstoriesthatstay/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelstoriesthatstay