Light in the mist

Welcome. Light in the Mist is where I share the story of my travels. The special moments that moved me, astonished me and frightened me. I hope this blog inspires you to find your travel moments.

Hello, I am Surin

I travel to experience special moments. I travel to see old history, hear modern stories, and imagine tomorrow. The wonders of the world make me humble and give me the strength to live today.

Continents

Countries

Cities

Coffee, Food, Wild Animals

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the U.S. in 2013 after living in Australia, Germany, and Nigeria for a short while. With a major in literature, I found my way into the tech industry to feed myself. Since then, I’ve worked in tech, innovation, and education whereas I love the combination of all.

Growing up in a city with 10M residents, I enjoy being an anonymous life observer. I started traveling since I was twenty with little money and knowledge (and no internet). I’m a self-claimed coffee snob and street food connoisseur. I love dark comedy and untold real-life stories. Encountering wild animals and diving with sea creatures make me very happy.

How I travel

Independent traveler. I enjoy independent travels where I can immerse myself in the local culture. I love trying local foods, finding hidden gems – especially cafes, art studios, and allies-, hearing stories on the street, and feeling solitude in nature. I have been traveling for 15+ years and quickly realized that a bus tour with set times for each destination and pre-reserved group meals is not my thing. While I prefer to visit places on my own when possible, I take local tours in such circumstances as going into protective areas only led by local tour guides and visiting places where local knowledge is valuable.

Planner. My travel dates vary from 4 days to 3 months, mostly 2 – 3 weeks, depending on my life situation. I make a plan with specific days for each place, so I do not have to spend much time searching for information while I am on the road. I do plan the timing of travel especially when I intend to meet wild animals that visit certain places only in specific times. Once I have a full picture for each place, I get to be spontaneous and flexible within each place. I like the unexpected joys that I encounter when I have a room in my plan. I travel often on a budget while I spend money on good experiences. My itineraries reflect my way of travel.

Solo traveler. I enjoy traveling alone although there are a few self-guidelines to travel alone. I also enjoy adventuring with close friends and family once in a while who get to share similar travel philosophy.

Experience seeker. I believe in special moments each person experiences. Each travel story is unique and deeply personal. The same location could give a very different impression depending on how one experiences it. I know I’ll always have unforgettable moments when I am on the road with an open heart.