So Not Lost! is a travel blog created by Ren Robles, a 27-year-old theater actor and travel nut.

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Ren in Vigan, Philippines; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Vientiane, Laos

I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, and recently moved to Singapore to pursue a job offer in one of the country’s integrated resorts.

I may not be quite as well-traveled as other travel bloggers, but I’m doing my best to catch up. I was first bitten by the travel bug when my family and I went to Hong Kong in May 2008. It was my first time to travel out of the country, and I was thrilled and excited by the whole trip. I also got the opportunity to explore Hong Kong on my own, which only made me love travel even more. From then on, my curiosity of other countries (and the subsequent wanderlust) grew.

After coming back from Hong Kong, I started actively planning and making other travel plans. I started with a few trips within the Philipines after that, such as Vigan and San Fernando.

In April 2009, I embarked on my biggest trip yet, which I personally dubbed The Big Trip. It was a three-week solo backpacking trip that took me to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; Macau; and, Hong Kong. It was an amazing experience that cemented my love for travel and made me want to see even more of the world.

Since moving to Singapore in November 2009, I’ve made trips to Jogjakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Vientiane and Vang Vieng in Laos; and Melaka, Malaysia.

I am hoping to see more of the world soon! I’d love to be able to visit every continent in my lifetime.

Current as of July 2010

at the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Philippines

• Metro Manila
• Angono, Rizal
• Bacolod, Negros Occidental
• Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
• San Fernando, Pampanga
• Silay City, Negros Occidental
• Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Cambodia

• Phnom Penh
• Siem Reap

Hong Kong

Indonesia

• Jogjakarta

Laos

• Vientiane
• Vang Vieng

Macau

Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur
• Melaka

Singapore

Thailand

• Bangkok

Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City

Current Count as of July 2010: 5.5

at Prambanan in Indonesia

Cambodia

• Angkor

Indonesia

• Borobudur Temple Compounds
• Prambanan Temple Compounds

Macau

• Historic Centre of Macau

Malaysia

• Melaka (one of two Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca)

Philippines

• Historic Town of Vigan

at Angkor Wat in Cambodia

So Not Lost! was started in November 2008 as a way to document my little trips and wanderlust, starting with my Vigan trip earlier in the month.

So why is this blog called So Not Lost!? Well, all you have to look at is the subtitle: …just wandering around. It’s really because of my style of travel. I like to explore everything on foot as much as possible, and like a typical guy, I don’t usually ask for directions. If I have a map, I’ll use it, but if not, I’ll just wander about, passing through the side streets and taking note of what I see so I can get back. It also makes for more interesting travels; for example, on a recent trip to Angono, Rizal, I walked around aimlessly and found a large house with golden replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Hence, my declaration that I’m So Not Lost! I may look quite lost wandering about, but really, I know where I am… usually.