Summer Ho

How did you get involved in travel?

"My love for travel started with my dad’s business trips abroad. He’d come back with fascinating stories, thoughtful gifts and vibrant photos he took with his Olympus film camera. Then in 2006, when our family got our first computer and internet connection, I discovered travel articles online which only made me more curious. Even though my family is atheist, I’ve always believed in the existence of higher forms of life. Religious stories and beliefs are what excite me the most when I travel, they’re like little windows into a culture. That was what sparked my first trip abroad to Thailand.

After graduating with a degree in hospitality management, I started working at a 5-star international hotel, where I welcomed travelers from all over the world. Even though they were the guests at my hotel, I was a guest in their cultures through our conversations. I loved the moments when guests spent time sharing their inspiring stories or gave me books that sparked ideas for my own adventures later on."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of my most memorable adventures was a motorcycle road trip through the northern mountains of Vietnam with close friends. We rode through stunning mountain passes with steep slopes, sharp turns, rocky roads and thick fog that made it hard to see more than a few meters ahead. Some parts of the road were so narrow that only the tires of our motorcycles could fit, with a sheer drop on the other side.

Our hands were sweaty from gripping the handlebars and the cold winter air didn’t make it any easier. But none of that mattered because we were captivated by the untouched beauty along these offbeat routes. We ended each day with aching backsides after hours of riding but always made time to have dinner with locals and wake up early to catch the sunrise. Every morning brought the excitement of a new ride and that feeling has stayed with me ever since."