Are you wandering as well? Great, let’s embark on an adventure together!
But first, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Philipp Dukatz also known as Pipoy, my recently adopted Filipino nickname. I’m an adventurer, writer, photographer, and a dreamer. With a passion for Asia, I am exploring this beautiful world bit by bit, thoroughly and slowly and I want you to be part of it.
Welcome to ESCapology!
ESCapology is about adventure, independent travel and finding new inspiration in faraway places. It’s about meeting interesting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and the exploration of extraordinary places. It’s about the moments in these places that make you feel free, happy and in balance with the world. My goal is to take all of you along and be a part of this adventure.
ESCapology is for travelers, adventurers, dreamers and for all those who are dreaming of exploring new places, searching for fresh inspiration and an ESCape from the everyday constraints of modern life.
ESCapology is to inspire and empower people to take the leap, embark on their own ESCapes and adventures. It is too take you on a journey and provide a little bit of distraction and a worthwhile ESCape from the daily constraints of our busy modern lives. Come and join the tribe, come and say hello to adventure – Welcome to ESCapology.
A warm welcome from me and my friends! | Sulawesi, Indonesia
About me
// Since I was young I have been struggling with a serious case of wanderlust. It all started with family trips to other European countries when coming back to my small hometown filled my heart with a sense of melancholy. Since then I’ve lived in the United States, studied in Malta, did 6 months of backpacking in Australia and several shorter trips to Asia. It’s always been something I really loved – exploring new countries, meeting interesting people and the adrenaline of adventure. Given the usual time and money constraints, I tried to go travelling as often as possible but soon I felt that the regular three week holidays were not doing it anymore. Especially in Asia, where there is so much to explore, those rather short trips only allowed for a mere scratch of the surface. In the meantime my wanderlust’s demanded for a cure with a force.
// And then the big leap. After six years in the marketing and advertising industry, I’ve decided to fulfill a long-lived dream of mine and travel Southeast Asia for an entire year. Giving up the security of a comfortable position at Germany’s largest telecommunications company was quite a tough decision. After a lot of thinking and weighing up the pros and cons, I finally decided to be brave, take the risk and go for the adventure. At this stage of my life it was a now or never decision. With a one way ticket to Bangkok in my pocket, I left the country and set out for adventure. I traveled all of Southeast Asia, always in search of new adventures and unique experiences and what I found was even more than that.
// I started the blog shortly before the big trip, mainly to keep friends and family up to date and to have a platform for showcasing my travel photography. It soon became a much larger project where until now I share my experiences, thoughts about traveling and life in general and provide helpful tips and reviews. Since these beginnings, this blog has become my very own sanctuary. It had been growing and flowing for two years now and an incredible community had sprouted around me. I am utterly grateful for that and now you are here as well. Have a look around and let me know what you think.
Photography – One of my favorite pastimes while traveling. | Melaca, Malaysia
Why ESCapology?
Being at a slightly “advanced age”, I found myself faced with certain social expectations and norms. At the same time I felt the urge to break out of these norms, out of my own routines and the daily treadmill I was in. ESCapology is to symbolize just that: breaking out of the norms, routines and expectations of society, a quest for personal growth and the search for fresh inspiration.
By sharing my stories, thoughts and photographs, I also want to open a window for your very own small ESCape from the office, the cubicle or the study desk. Let’s ESCape, let’s embark on an adventure.
My traveling style
As I like to say, “low and slow” is the way to go. You will usually find me taking ground transport whenever possible and trying to travel as the locals do. I think, even though it often isn’t the most comfortable means of transportation, it’s the best to thoroughly explore and experience a country. And that’s what I am after. I hate being in a rush and just marking places off a list. Instead I love getting a real feel for a place and immerse myself in its culture. Off the beaten track travel, preferably sitting on a motorbike, is a great way to achieve that. Along the way you will find me indulging in my passions scuba diving, surfing, trekking and photography.
Motorbike Travel, the best way to explore. | Somewhere around Mae Hong Song, Thailand
A few more random nuggets
- My zodiac sign is cancer and surprisingly many of the cancer’s traits actually apply to me
- I used to be a decent basketball player. Sometimes you can still find me shooting hoops on back alley streetball courts
- I was featured on the websites of the two biggest TV stations of the Philippines
- I like working out and regard finding gyms while traveling as a personal quest
- I received the Filipino nickname “Pipoy” by popular vote on my Facebook Page
My favorite blog posts
- Roundup Philippines. Three months in the country that has it all
- Getting lost. Why it isn’t all that bad
- Thoughts on traveling solo
- My top 5 beaches in Southeast Asia
- Motorbike Travel. Why you should give it a try
- One year backpacking Southeast Asia. A Retrospective
I’m so happy you are here. Thanks for stopping by!
Come and join the ESCapology tribe
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