Hey there! I’m Chelsea, the wanderlust-driven soul behind Travel Wishlist.

Think of me as a curious cultural explorer and an island/nature enthusiast who can’t resist the call of adventure! 🌎 Therefore, Travel Wishlist came up!

You know that scene in “The Truman Show” where Truman sails into the unknown and pushes open that door under the massive set? That’s exactly what sparked my love for travel! There’s something magical about stepping into unfamiliar territories – a bit scary, a tad nerve-wracking, but always injecting that much-needed excitement into our everyday routines. Life, after all, is meant to be experienced!

My travel bug first bit when I was 10, aboard a cruise to Ishigaki Island. Since then, I’ve been unstoppable – exploring over 50 cities across four continents! Africa’s next on my radar for 2025, and I’ve already ticked off my European bucket list dreams. 🌍

My life changed forever during my working holiday in the US and a 35-day European adventure. These experiences taught me everything from smart trip planning to budget hacks, and now I’m here to help you discover our beautiful global village and its fascinating cultures. Think of me as your travel buddy who’s here to help you save time, money, and hassle – all while traveling in a deep and fulfilling way.

So welcome to Travel Wishlist, or as I like to call it, our travel diary! This is where I share my worldwide adventures, along with tried-and-tested travel tips, detailed itineraries, honest guides, reviews, photos, and so much more.

Thanks for stopping by! Want to know more about my story? Let’s dive deeper…

Born to Be a World Explorer

My Travel DNA (Ages 12-18)

Talk about a cultural melting pot – I’m Taiwanese with a Japanese grandfather! Before turning 18, Japan was practically my second home. I even spent an unforgettable month in Shizuoka during winter break, living like a local! 🇯🇵

My parents, total travel enthusiasts, once ran a travel agency. Though the business didn’t last, they never wavered in their belief that exploring the world was crucial to their children’s education. Despite being far from wealthy, they’d cut corners elsewhere but never on travel experiences. By 18, I’d already explored China, Japan, Palau, Singapore, France, and countless corners of Taiwan – both famous and hidden gems. One of my happiest memories? Dancing down the Champs-Élysées after receiving my acceptance letter from my dream high school! 🎓

The American Working Holiday That Changed Everything (Age 22)

Maybe it was my love for literature, or perhaps my high school obsession with Britpop, but I ended up majoring in English Literature with a minor in Accounting. These days, that accounting knowledge mainly comes in handy for creating travel budgets in Excel! 📊

Around 2010-2015, working holidays were all the rage in Taiwan. Stories of people paying off student loans after a year in Australia were everywhere. As a language student yearning for an English-speaking environment, I jumped at the chance to work at Cedar Point in Sandusky for my final college summer in 2013.

This decision? Easily one of my life’s best! I met lifelong friends from around the globe, each with their own incredible story. There was even this adorable couple who’d promised to meet at Cedar Point after three years apart – 2013 was their wedding year, with the groom heading to South America afterward to meet his bride’s family! 💑

Beyond friendships, I learned so much about American culture and different work mindsets. Speaking up for yourself, voicing opinions instead of silent complaints – these concepts were so different from my cultural upbringing. I shared these experiences on Facebook, touching many lives, especially about standing up for oneself.

The Cedar Point Chapter and Beyond

As a food host at Cedar Point (earning $8/hour without tips), I worked 5 days a week, 10-12 hours daily (doubling up in September due to staff shortages). After three months, I’d saved over $5,000 – my ticket to exploring America! 🎢

Though Sandusky was a modest town (with an amazing homemade pancake spot I still dream about!), it became my launchpad for a 25-day American adventure. Chicago, Niagara Falls, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and the West Coast cities – LA, San Francisco, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Planning each day solo taught me to master the art of travel planning, from route mapping to safety tips.

Travel: My Lifestyle and Love Story

This American adventure gave me the courage to move to China with just a suitcase and a one-way ticket! Starting from a $600 monthly salary, I climbed the career ladder, thanks to that “ask for what you deserve” mindset. And guess what? That journey led me to Qiang! ❤️

Before meeting me, Qiang hadn’t traveled much. Together, we’ve explored Huangshan, Qingdao, Harbin, Krabi, and experienced the winds of Taitung in Taiwan. 2025 will mark our new chapter, starting with Malaysia!

Career Adventures and Life-Changing Journeys

From 2014 to 2018, I worked as a project assistant in luxury retail, which took me to Korea Seuol and San Francisco for Acne Studios, and even Australia for team building. But when that path started feeling less fulfilling, I gave myself 35 days in Europe to soul-search.

Europe showed me a different perspective on life. At 26, you can still buy youth tickets there, while in Asia, you’re considered middle-aged! This cultural contrast inspired me to return to China and pivot into the internet industry, eventually specializing in CRM and Loyalty for serving Marriott.

Why “Travel Wishlist”?

Here’s why I started this blog, why I poured my heart into this project  (imagine a pie chart! 🥧):

• Sharing how travel broadens horizons and provides new perspectives. This accounts for 30%.
• Further to documenting precious memories with Qiang and offering romantic couple travel insights which stands for 30% also.
• 30%: Building my dream of becoming a solo creator
• 10%: Continuous learning (improving my English and blogging skills)

Vision for 2025: Make Travel Wishlist Together!✨

Picture this: You’re planning your next adventure, coffee in hand, and instead of feeling overwhelmed, you’re actually excited! That’s what I’m building here. I’m committed to creating valuable travel content focusing on:

• Theme-based travel guides for different groups
• Loyalty program hacks and money-saving tips
• Practical tools and templates
• Authentic local experiences, activities, and food recommendations

For other information, such as how to do social marketing in China to promote your tour service or apartment, find us through Contact page.

Our mission? Making travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone while helping you fall in love with exploring our beautiful world! 🌏✈️