Kalinga Storyteller

Kalinga Storyteller Fil-Am 🇵🇭🇺🇸
Author & Global Storyteller 🌍
Real travel, culture & human stories
Across Africa, Asia & North America

Kalinga Storyteller is where stories come alive—across cultures, generations, and journeys. Janice, based in California, proudly embraces her Kalinga heritage and transforms the oral tales of the Kalinga Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines into children’s storybooks. Beyond her publications, she continues the art of storytelling through reflections on culture, her love for cooking, and sharing stories from her travels around the world. Follow her work at https://www.amazon.com/author/jshiu

06/14/2026

đź“Ť Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda - How I Prepared Physically for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda isn’t technical — but it is physical.

Depending on your assigned gorilla family, the hike can take several hours over uneven, muddy terrain.

As soon as our permit was confirmed, I started preparing.

Not because I’m athletic.

Because I didn’t want to slow anyone down.

I kept it simple:

Incline treadmill walks.
30–40 minutes per session.
Starting around 5–6% and gradually building toward 8–10%.

Nothing extreme.

Just getting comfortable walking uphill without needing to stop.
I did this 4-5x a week for at least 3 months.

Did it work?

Yes.

I wasn’t out of breath.
I felt steady on the climb.
I could focus on the gorillas instead of catching my breath.
Despite the high altitude.

What I didn’t plan for?

Standing in full sun for most of our hour.
I came home with a sunburned scalp.
And despite the training, I still walked away with multiple stinging nettle abrasions.

Preparation helps.

But the forest is still the forest.

If Rwanda gorilla trekking is on your list, start earlier than you think.

Save this for planning season.









06/12/2026

đź“ŤNgorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania - Ngorongoro Rim

Before continuing toward the Serengeti, we stopped at the Ngorongoro crater rim.

Cooler air.
Clouds moving low across the edge.
The landscrape opening wider the longer you looked at it.

From above, it was hard to believe the crate below was teeming with wildlife.

The roads looks small from the rim.
Vehilces barely visible against the landscape.

We didn't descend into the crater that morning.
Just stood above it for a few minutes before continuing the drive toward Serengeti.

I knew we would return a few days later.

But at that moment, all we could do was look down from the edge and keep moving forward.

Next stop: Serengeti

06/10/2026

đź“Ť Karatu, Tanzania - End of Day 1 Safari

By the time we arrived at Farm of Dreams Lodge, the first safari day already felt long in the best way.

Tarangire behind us.
Dust still on the vehicle.
Everyone quieter by dinner time.

The pace slowed once we reached the lodge.

Warm lights around the property.
Cooler evening air.
Travel companions placed at the table before dinner.
Mosquito net set-up, body ready for rest.

The next morning, we would continue north toward Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

But that night was for resting.

Safari days start early and end later than I expected.







06/08/2026

đź“Ť Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda-

So where does the $1,500 gorilla trekking permit fee actually go?

Before we booked, I asked that question.

And honestly — I asked it again after we went.

It’s not just an entrance ticket.

That permit supports:

• The rangers who hike with you
• The trackers who leave before sunrise to locate the gorilla family
• Anti-poaching patrols
• Veterinary teams (gorillas can catch human respiratory illness)
• A revenue share that goes back to surrounding communities

Only eight visitors see each family per day.
Only one hour.
No extensions.

That limited access means the math has to work differently.

Fewer visitors.
Higher individual cost.

When I stood there, seven meters away, it didn’t feel like I bought a moment.

It felt like I stepped into a system that had been built carefully — and funded deliberately.

That doesn’t make it affordable.

But it made the pricing make sense.

If Rwanda is on your list, I explain how I trained to prepare for the our trip next Sunday!







06/06/2026

đź“ŤTarangire National Park, Tanzania - Elephant breeding herd

Most people describe elephants by their size first.

What I noticed was how quietly they moved.

We saw elephant herds as we drove inside Tarangire Natonal Park.

Some feeding near trees.
Some slowly crossing the road in front of the vehicles.

At one point, we stoppled completely and waited for a breeding herd to pass before moving again.

No rushing.

No thundering movement.

Just steady, controlled steps across the road.

Gentle.
Calm.
Massive and silent at the same time.

Tarangire is known for its elephants.

After seeing the herds move through the park, it was easy to understand why.

06/04/2026

đź“ŤTarangire National Park, Tanzania

Most people come to Tarangire National Park for the elephants.
We intentionally came for the baobab trees too.

The landscape started changing the deeper we drove into the park.

Wider trunks.
Heavy branches.
Baobabs scattered across the horizon.

Then we stopped at the Poacher's Tree - a baobab estimated to be around 300 years old.

Large enough for people to stand inside.

I had seen photos of baobabs before.

But seeing them spread across the landscape changed the scale completely.

In Tarangire, the wildlife keeps moving.

The baobabs stay where they are.

06/02/2026

đź“Ť Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

We stopped for lunch inside Tarangire National Park and
almost immediately Vervet monkeys started watching the tables.

Waiting.
Moving closer.
Looking for unattended food.

One distraction was enough.
The table nearby lost one packed lunch box!

Visitors turning around for a few seconds.
Monkeys moving in quickly after.

The safari vehicle stayed parked nearby while everyone kept a closer eye on their lunch.

Not every wildlife encounter happens during the game drive.

Some happen at the picnic tables.







05/31/2026

📍 Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda - What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking 🦍

Save the list below as you plan your trip 👇

After hiking through wet ground, dense brush, and stinging nettle to visit the mountain gorillas, here’s what actually mattered.

Gloves — not thin garden gloves.
Choose gloves that can handle thorns.
You’ll be grabbing vines and pushing through brush.

UPF Long sleeves.
Color doesn’t affect the gorillas.
Coverage protects your arms from nettles and abrasions and sunburn.

Waterproof hiking boots.
My husband’s boots saved him from coming home with soaked, muddy feet. You will step in mud.

Waterproof hiking pants + gaiters.
Especially in wet terrain.
If you won’t use gaiters again, rent them locally.

Layering.
Cool in the early morning.
Warmer as the climb progresses.

A hat and sunglasses.
We stood in the sun for most of our hour.
I didn’t wear a hat — and came home with a sunburn on my scalp.
Sunglasses are fine. The gorillas don’t mind.

A small hiking daypack.
Light enough to carry comfortably for hours.

I also wore insect-repellent bracelets and sunscreen.

And for cameras?
Keep it basic and you’ll be fine.
Most cellphone cameras are more than enough.

If Rwanda is on your list, save this. 🦍🦍🦍










05/29/2026

đź“ŤTarangire National Park, Tanzania - First Animal Sightings

Safari in Tanzania moves quickly.

As soon as we entered, we had already seen a collared lioness resting near the shade of the trees.

Then an elephant grazing alone in the open.

Later, zebras gathered near a watering hole with wildebeest nearby.

The sightings kept changing.

Vehicles stopping.
Engines quieting.
Everyone scanning in different directions.

No long buildup.
Just constant movement between moments.

All before lunch in Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s national parks known for elephants, baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife movement.









05/27/2026

đź“ŤArusha, Tanzania - Heading to Tarangire National Park

Most people think safari is all about the animals. It doesn't.

Ours started with the drive there.

We left our hotel in Arusha and headed toward Tarangire National Park,
known for elephants and baobab trees.

About 2 hours on the road before reaching the gate.

Lunch packed in the car fridge.
Windows open.
Roof retracted.
We passed bustling marketplaces
and colorful public vehicles.

No animals yet. Just the feeling that safari had already started.

Next: First sightings inside Tarangire National Park.

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