September '25

Java, Taiwan, Singapore F1

Philip Manning
October 13, 2025

What's been going on...

Java 🇮🇩 - the size of Florida with 40 active volcanos and 150 million people.
Taiwan 🇹🇼 - the most majestic, mountainous island with amazing culture.
Singapore 🇸🇬 - one of the coolest sporting events in the world

Bouncin’ around Asia 🇮🇩🇹🇼🇸🇬

What a month 😱 I never spent more than 2 nights in the same spot 😆 It’s insane how much you can do and see when you just force yourself out of your comfort zone and jump at every thought of “hmm that seems cool”

Here’s a quick run down…

Java 🌋

Mount Bromo - 12am hike to the top of bromo EPIC! and f*cking freezing.

Surabaya - pretty meh to be honest, but saw some historical sites, local cuisine and toured a Soviet submarine

Train to Yogyakarta - hands down nicest train I’ve ever been on

Yogya - coolest region in Indonesia. Amazing food, most active volcano in Indo, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and just a vibe.

Train to Bandung - not as bougie but unreal panoramic views of Java.

Bandung - I’d say it’s the Brooklyn of Java. Hip, mountainous city an hour away from Jakarta. Amazing cafes and some deep history.

Bullet train to Jakarta - America step yo tren game up

Jakarta - overall not a great city. But dammmn the SCBD feels like Singapore. Pretty weird vibe having such drastic differences.

Biggest Mosque in SEA

Taiwan ⛰️

Taipei - beeeeeautiful mountainous city, with amazing food, night markets, temples, museums, people … too much to show and tell honestly. Just go visit.

Sun Moon Lake - after getting THE original boba tea in Taichung I spent the weekend cruising around a beautiful lake on a must see bike trail.

Alishan - one of the highest mountains in Taiwan. Absolutely magestic!

Tainan - my favorite city in Taiwan. Taipei is more international, Tainan in the south feels much more authentic.

Kaohsiung - super artsy city, with beautiful temples.

Taitung - east coast is breathtaking. Mountains right next to the ocean.

Chishang - unreal rice fields in a valley where 2 tectonic plates meet.

Hualien - quiet coastal city with beautiful cliffs and an amazing/terrifying gorge.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix 🏎️

Jeez after all that it makes one of the coolest sporting events in the world seem pretty meh 🤣 It was great to slow down and meet up with a college fraternity bro and his family in the suburbs of Singapore. Such a beautiful place and people.

Day 1 we went to a fancy chinese brunch with bottomless champagne. And then biked over to watch the qualifiers. Can’t explain how cool it is seeing the tracks set up through the downtown, bridges, etc. of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Day ended barely remembering the Foo Fighters concert 😆

Day 2 - all the hungover parents got together for a kids playdate, then back to the city for more boozing and race day. Suuuuper cool experience and casually ended the weekend with Elton John closing out after the fireworks.