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I am Joan Rio.

girl with a camera… and a blog…

  • The Blog
    • Laos
      • Visa-Run to the Kingdom of a Million Elephants
    • Thailand
      • The Death Railway
      • I Looked For The Moon (Chiang Mai Trip #5)
      • Panda in Pink (Chiang Mai Trip #4)
      • Sierra In The Jungle (Chiang Mai Trip #3)
      • Bloom and Blossom (Chiang Mai Trip #2)
      • On Sacred Grounds (Chiang Mai Trip #1)
      • Koh Mak & Koh Kham – A Tropical Paradise
      • Elephant Island
      • Escape to Kood Island
    • Bali
      • Came Here for Love (Bali Travel Series Day 5)
      • SURFING 101 (Bali Travel Series Day 4)
      • Temple on the Cliff and the Deep Blue Sea (Bali Travel Series Day 3)
      • The Green Green Lush of Ubud (Bali Travel Series Day 2)
      • Bali – The Island of the Gods (Travel Series Day 1)
    • Philippines
      • The SMP Road Trip
      • Love Gift From Poseidon
      • Kisses in Bohol
      • Beautiful Alegria
      • Chasing Waterfalls in Samboan
      • Discovering Argao
      • The North Remembers
      • Solo Hopping From City to City
  • The Letters
    • Thank You, Next
    • From My Heart To The Heavens
    • Send My Love To Heaven
  • The Girl
  • The Photos
  • Contact The Girl

Author: iamjoanrio

It's me, Joan Rio. Nice to meet you. *Virtual hug!* 🙌 I am just a girl with wanderlust, a free-spirit by heart, a traveler, a backpacker, a pretty laid back person who enjoys chilling at the beach with vodka in hand, but also loves adventure and live life on the edge. And just like my wild hair, I crave for freedom and thrill. After all, life is an adventure.

The Green Green Lush of Ubud (Bali Travel Series Day 2)

On January 16, 2019February 14, 2019 By iamjoanrioIn #baliLeave a comment

“Sometimes our hearts are broken so new light can get in.” True! And you might have read or heard it somewhere, but no. It wasn’t me or your mom, or your BFF who told you that. It was… Okay! Okay! It was the famous line of Elizabeth Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love starred by Julia …

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Bali – The Island of the Gods (Travel Series Day 1)

On January 16, 2019January 16, 2019 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

My mom told me to travel, A LOT, and to see every corner of the world as much as I can. She said that it'll help me discover some things about myself, and expand my perspective about the world. And so I crossed out one place off my bucket list. And since I am an …

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Elephant Island

On November 7, 2018January 17, 2019 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

The east side of Thailand is not that crowded unlike the rest of the country. Most of the islands there are actually still undeveloped and have untouched shores without any trace of huge businesses and resorts. However in 2001, when the Thai Prime Minister visited the island named Koh Chang, he fell in love with …

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The SMP Road Trip

On June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Cebu, also known as Sugbu, is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, with Cebu City (oldest city and first capital of the Philippines) as the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas. This province is in the center of Philippine archipelago and is bounded by the Visayan Sea …

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Kisses in Bohol

On May 23, 2018May 23, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

"Can I have a kiss?" In the US, when you say, "Can I have a kiss?" it doesn't mean physical affection but also means having sweets ever since Milton S. Hershey introduced Hershey's Kisses in 1907 - a famous brand of candy in the west. And if Hershey had kisses, we also have one in …

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Love Gift From Poseidon

On May 17, 2018January 21, 2019 By iamjoanrioIn Uncategorized3 Comments

We all love stories - be it real or myths. For me, I would prefer Greek mythology. And because of the unwavering love I have for blue spaces, Poseidon could be considered as one of them. In mythology, Poseidon is known as the God of the sea and of other waters; of earthquakes and horses; …

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Beautiful Alegria

On May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Define beautiful. My friend Merriam said that it means very attractive, pleasing to the eyes, or it's delighting the senses or the mind. Some say, it is what you see from the outside that catches the eyes. While other say that what lies inside is much more important, making the whole thing beautiful. I lived …

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From My Heart To The Heavens

On May 7, 2018May 10, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Dear Mom June, Sawadee Ka, Suway! That means "hello, beautiful" here in Thailand. I know you're smiling! Do you think I've already forgotten how to melt your heart? Nope! I have been meaning to write to you but I couldn't. It's not that I do not have the time but I don't have the courage. …

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Chasing Waterfalls in Samboan

On April 27, 2018May 10, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I am always captivated by waterfalls. I chase them whenever I can. Maybe because I love being in the water, maybe it's the sound of the strong water falling from above that excites me, maybe it's the fact that I can't really chase whatever I am after or maybe because it's somewhere deep into the …

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Send My Love To Heaven

On April 27, 2018May 10, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

And some say love is holding on And some say letting go And some say love is everything And some say they don't know... I slowly wiped my tears away when I heard the lyrics of an old familiar song. I looked up and remember my brother, Jayson Roi. Childhood memories came rushing over me …

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Solo Hopping From City to City

On April 26, 2018October 5, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Day 1 It was 6 of us who first planned this trip to witness the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City in Negros Occidental. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the last one cancelled at the last minute and left me thinking if I have to pursue or not. But the sense of thrill and challenge got …

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Discovering Argao

On April 26, 2018May 10, 2018 By iamjoanrioIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Spelunking is always a "Yay!" for me. So on a particular weekend, instead of being a lazy bum, me and my friend, Ram, decided to explore Argao that is in the Southern part of Cebu. We met up in IT Park at 3 am and went on a bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for …

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Joan Rio on Instagram

Happy December, etc. #wanderlust #lakwatsera #freespirit #lifeofawaternymph #pisces #curlygirl #islandgirl #travel #adventure #explore #whenyoureabouttopackyourbag #holiday #mood
We are the books we read and the things we love. #redhair #red #bookworm #booklover #bookweek #book #WordInDeepBlue
I will ride I will fly Chase the wind And touch the sky -Merida, Brave #wanderlust #bookweek #Merida #Brave #booklover #bookworm
Santa's elf and Jesus' servant #wanderlust #jesuswarrior #godswarrior #christmasbags #christian #christmas #gifts #givingback
Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe. It's never too early for Christmas bag donations. Share your blessings. Email at office@ecb.asia. 😘😇 #wanderlust #warriorofGod #outreach #donate #shareyourblessings
We should keep the dead before our eyes, and honor them as though still living. - confucious Honoring the dead in this war cemetery, who might have been prisoners of war but death had made them free. I forever salute you and the things you've endured. 🙏 #wanderlust #lakwatsera #freespirit #lifeofawaternymph #pisces #curlygirl #travel #explore #warcemetery #prisonerofwar #ww2 #pow
Booo! Trying to scare you with my commitment! 👻🦹‍♀️🧛‍♀️🧟‍♀️ . . But what I am really trying to say is for us to live like flowers - wild and beautiful and drenched in sun. #wanderlust #lakwatsera #freespirit #lifeofawaternymph #mermaidlife #wanderess #beachbum #messyhair #staysalty #pisces #curlygirl #islandgirl #travel #adventure #explore #asia #thailand #chaam #nature #bythesea #yellowbell #flower #yellow
Got a rebel soul with a whole lot of gypsy #wanderlust #lakwatsera #freespirit #lifeofawaternymph #pisces #curlygirl #islandgirl #travel #adventure #explore #boho #bohochic #bohemianstyle #gypsy #wanderess
I was made for sunny days. #wanderlust #lakwatsera #freespirit #lifeofawaternymph #mermaidlife #pisces #curlygirl #islandgirl #travel #adventure #explore #asia #travelphotography #nature #sun #sea #sand #shore #sunkissed #saltysoul #messyhair #sandyfeet #beachbum #beach

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Bangkok, Thailand
"If you seek me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

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