Welcome to our blog! Find out who we are, hear our story and start trippin’.
Who Are We?
We are Gerard and Kieu. G for short, and Q because that’s exactly how you pronounce it. Together, we are the GQ in GQ trippin — hopefully you’ve already figured that part out. 😛
We recently got married and just returned from our month-long honeymoon in East Africa!
We like to travel. We like to eat. And some times we do both.
In 2011, Gerard’s job quit him and I took a break from my career to travel long-term. We did it the old fashion way – two years of hard work and a lot of sacrifices to save for this trip of a lifetime. So the following year in 2012, we visited 20+ countries.
Those 12-months flew by in a blink of an eye. We are now back home fresh from a year of travel. It’s been nearly two years and we still have so much to share and reflect from our time abroad. Gerard and I are now back on the corporate ladder full time. We house to hunt and in-between mini-vacations to plan to quench our never-ending wanderlust thirst.
Meet G
I’m just a guy who loves his gadgets and grub. The only two foods I can’t stand are olives & capers. Even though I’m a fat kid on the inside, I’m really a health nut most of the time. Aside from that, I enjoy snowboarding and the occasional podcast.
Meet Q
I’m a culture seeker, an obsessor of all things European and a history buff junky.
In 2011, I quit the job I love to travel.
I am a lover of romantic comedies, buratta cheese and lemons. My favorite vegetable is potato. Not a fan of exercise, olives, waiting and late night outings. I’m an early bird and a homebody at heart. I enjoy watching I Love Lucy reruns and some times I really do dream in black and white.
I am the voice behind the blog.
Where have we been?
Between us we have visited +40 countries in the last 9 years, specifically throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, North and South America.
We enjoy crossing travel experiences off our bucket list. Some memorable trips we have shared together include:
- Bungy jumping in New Zealand
- Walking on water in Bolivia at Salar de Uyuni
- Indulging in delicious sushi at the Tsukiji Market in Japan
- Climbing the Great Wall of China
Other good posts to read include:
- A proposal in Prague
- Our tea ceremony wedding
- Our RTW guide – the ultimate planning and budget breakdown
- Answering our FAQ
Purpose of our blog
It’s difficult to find the balance between career and life but it certainly is not impossible. Hopefully, we have been able to show you just that and inspired you to go travel, and travel often.
Many say we’re lucky. I don’t think it’s so much as luck as it is about prioritizing what matters most to us. And prioritize does not have to mean huge sacrifices so we hope, if nothing else, we want to show that this is a viable and self- fulfilling lifestyle.
We’re foodies with an appetite for travel and are willing to share the highs, the lows and every tasty morsel in between. We hope you’ll join us for travel adventures and great indulgences across the globe.
Thanks for trippin’ by,
GQ





LOVE IT, u mother shuckers!
LOVE IT, u mother shuckers!
YAY! Crammed in as much “to-do’s” as I could into my only day off and reading this new blog was a MUST. I hate using this word but how can I not… CUTE!!! Tooooo cute, inspiring and envy provoking. New goal: skip the done-its and move onto the want-its 😀
YAY! Crammed in as much “to-do’s” as I could into my only day off and reading this new blog was a MUST. I hate using this word but how can I not… CUTE!!! Tooooo cute, inspiring and envy provoking. New goal: skip the done-its and move onto the want-its 😀
Happy Birthday!!!
I llovvee Vietnamese food too.
Thanks Mike! I need to try some more exotic Vietnamese food like you have… Maybe some snake? =P
Happy Birthday!!!
I llovvee Vietnamese food too.
Thanks Mike! I need to try some more exotic Vietnamese food like you have… Maybe some snake? =P
Love love love your site! You guys sound JUST like us! We too have regular day jobs and fully maximize and stretch out our 12 – 15 day per year holidays that we get to embark on adventures around the world! Looking forward to future posts from you!
Love love love your site! You guys sound JUST like us! We too have regular day jobs and fully maximize and stretch out our 12 – 15 day per year holidays that we get to embark on adventures around the world! Looking forward to future posts from you!
I just don’t know how Americans cope with so little vacation time. In Australia, everyone gets four weeks vacation time a year, plus all the public holidays.
I worked for one company who needed staff to work public holidays, so I got six weeks and three days annual leave each year. And I could bank it. So guess who spent 11 weeks in Italy and Greece in 2000?
holy cow. 11 weeks sounds much better than the 2 weeks we spent in Italy & Greece. I’m sure we’ll make up for it next year. =)
I just don’t know how Americans cope with so little vacation time. In Australia, everyone gets four weeks vacation time a year, plus all the public holidays.
I worked for one company who needed staff to work public holidays, so I got six weeks and three days annual leave each year. And I could bank it. So guess who spent 11 weeks in Italy and Greece in 2000?
holy cow. 11 weeks sounds much better than the 2 weeks we spent in Italy & Greece. I’m sure we’ll make up for it next year. =)
Cute site guys! Awesome…and glad to hear you loved Meet Plan Go! 🙂
Hey Lisa! Yes, it was great to be surrounded by others who share our same passion for seeing the world. Definitely made us feel better about our upcoming trip. Thanks for trippin’ by!
Cute site guys! Awesome…and glad to hear you loved Meet Plan Go! 🙂
Hey Lisa! Yes, it was great to be surrounded by others who share our same passion for seeing the world. Definitely made us feel better about our upcoming trip. Thanks for trippin’ by!
We are currently glued to your blog!! haha. Loving it. We met at a club 2 🙂
Ahh shucks.. Thanks guys! Always great to see the Bay reppin’. Which club?! Lol. It’s still a work in progress but we’re slowly getting into the groove of things. Can’t wait for your launch. Hopefully our paths will cross this coming year on the road. That would be epic. Thanks for trippin’ by!
We are currently glued to your blog!! haha. Loving it. We met at a club 2 🙂
Ahh shucks.. Thanks guys! Always great to see the Bay reppin’. Which club?! Lol. It’s still a work in progress but we’re slowly getting into the groove of things. Can’t wait for your launch. Hopefully our paths will cross this coming year on the road. That would be epic. Thanks for trippin’ by!
If we don’t happen to run into y’all in the yay, Asia might be the place. HongKong in June? haha. Be a trip if we actually met u guys in Asia as we only live probably <40miles from each other. You guys checking out the SF Travel Massive event?
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s easier to meet in Asia than here. hah. We’re planning to make it to TM now. How about you guys?
If we don’t happen to run into y’all in the yay, Asia might be the place. HongKong in June? haha. Be a trip if we actually met u guys in Asia as we only live probably <40miles from each other. You guys checking out the SF Travel Massive event?
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s easier to meet in Asia than here. hah. We’re planning to make it to TM now. How about you guys?
Thank you for creating this! I’m a traveler myself but the way you both utilize your time and money to make it work shows a great deal of inspiration for those out there a little hesitate to just get up and do it! safe travels 🙂
Hey Vida! Yes. Travel is easily possible. It’s all about priorities. Yay areaaaa! haha Thanks for trippin’ by!
Thank you for creating this! I’m a traveler myself but the way you both utilize your time and money to make it work shows a great deal of inspiration for those out there a little hesitate to just get up and do it! safe travels 🙂
Hey Vida! Yes. Travel is easily possible. It’s all about priorities. Yay areaaaa! haha Thanks for trippin’ by!
oh yea, I’m from the yay areaaa too 🙂
oh yea, I’m from the yay areaaa too 🙂
you guys are so cute!! xo
Thanks girls! We love reading about the Romantic and the Wino. =)
you guys are so cute!! xo
Thanks girls! We love reading about the Romantic and the Wino. =)
Agreed. Luck has nothing to do with it!
All apart of the master plan…
Agreed. Luck has nothing to do with it!
All apart of the master plan…
Hello G and Q i heard about your website threw a acquaintance and i told him how i wanted to go backpacking around the world i just want to travel =) im only 24 no kids and well saving up now so in the next few years i’ll be able to go on my journey but i was wondering if you guys had any tips or pointers on anything from packing to places i should stay away from any info would help please and thank you
Hey Ricky,
Summer anywhere is usually a good time to travel because you can pack less for a long journey. Unfortunately, it’s also peak season so you’ll need to do some early planning but not too much. We booked our flights and some accomo early for New Zealand but left room for change. We’ll be spending our time in Australia and Asia because it’s the same climate so no need to pack for cold weather. 😉 Feel free to email us should you have specific questions. Where are you planning to go? Congrats on the decision for long-term travel. You’re not going to regret it! 🙂
Hello G and Q i heard about your website threw a acquaintance and i told him how i wanted to go backpacking around the world i just want to travel =) im only 24 no kids and well saving up now so in the next few years i’ll be able to go on my journey but i was wondering if you guys had any tips or pointers on anything from packing to places i should stay away from any info would help please and thank you
Hey Ricky,
Summer anywhere is usually a good time to travel because you can pack less for a long journey. Unfortunately, it’s also peak season so you’ll need to do some early planning but not too much. We booked our flights and some accomo early for New Zealand but left room for change. We’ll be spending our time in Australia and Asia because it’s the same climate so no need to pack for cold weather. 😉 Feel free to email us should you have specific questions. Where are you planning to go? Congrats on the decision for long-term travel. You’re not going to regret it! 🙂
Hi!
Thanks so much for visiting and I really appreciate your updates on Grill Miyata. Kinda sad that the place closed for good. But anyways, it’s nice talking to you. Do visit from time to time, okay? And I must say you have one heluva nice blog here!
Thanks!
Awww. Thanks! Always love anything food related. So we’ll try to stay in touch! It’ll be easier when we’re not on the road. 🙂
Hi!
Thanks so much for visiting and I really appreciate your updates on Grill Miyata. Kinda sad that the place closed for good. But anyways, it’s nice talking to you. Do visit from time to time, okay? And I must say you have one heluva nice blog here!
Thanks!
Awww. Thanks! Always love anything food related. So we’ll try to stay in touch! It’ll be easier when we’re not on the road. 🙂
Thanks for submitting your site to our travel directory – I found you were already listed under our Travel Blogs section – so I updated your anchor text with what you submitted. Thanks again!
Dave
Whoops. Thanks for catching that Dave! Cheers.
Thanks for submitting your site to our travel directory – I found you were already listed under our Travel Blogs section – so I updated your anchor text with what you submitted. Thanks again!
Dave
Whoops. Thanks for catching that Dave! Cheers.
Hey G&Q! I relate to you guys SO MUCH and I can’t want to follow your posts. I quit my job to move abroad, and everyone is like YOU’RE LUCKY! Umm, no. That was actually a really huge decision and I worked really hard to get here.
Good for you, Susan! I can’t help but we a wee bit jealous. Moving abroad is something I want to do too and it’s definitely hard work. Nothing to do with luck. Congrats on your decision and we wish you the best! Keep us posted. Btw, where are you moving? 😉
Hey G&Q! I relate to you guys SO MUCH and I can’t want to follow your posts. I quit my job to move abroad, and everyone is like YOU’RE LUCKY! Umm, no. That was actually a really huge decision and I worked really hard to get here.
Good for you, Susan! I can’t help but we a wee bit jealous. Moving abroad is something I want to do too and it’s definitely hard work. Nothing to do with luck. Congrats on your decision and we wish you the best! Keep us posted. Btw, where are you moving? 😉
Awwwww! Glad you guys traveled the world together fulfilled your dreams.
Awwwww! Glad you guys traveled the world together fulfilled your dreams.
Interesting!!! Hope to meet you soon in Africa. Love you guys
Interesting!!! Hope to meet you soon in Africa. Love you guys
We loved having sushi at Tsukiji’s! My now husband and I traveled for a year all over Asia and loved every minute of it. Loving your South America posts, it’s next on our list!
If you’re interested in quality photos, videos and storytelling on top of traditional travel tips: http://www.ooaworld.com
Just read your pintxos post and share your enthusiasm completely for San Sebastian. I was tickled to see your reference to Bourdain’s episode set there. Luis Irizar,who, along with his daughter Virginia, led Tony around, gave me a short course of Basque cookery over ten years ago. This was the episode with the least snark of any of Bourdain’s many, as he was positively starry-eyed in the presence of the “maestro de los maestro”–the teacher of the masters, a co-creater to the New Basque Cuisine. Glad you got to experience Donostia!
I totally agree that episode felt way more genuine and real than any other ones. Donostia is amazing! Can’t wait to go back.
Hi GQ! You guys have inspired my boyfriend and I by your travels and blog. You guys have a lot of useful information and are great storytellers. We have followed in the same footsteps of leaving our corporate jobs to go travel the world too. It’s a small world because Long, my boyfriend is related to your friend Kim and Henry and they mentioned about your travel site before we left. Currently, we are back from our travels and just launched our own travel blog that we are so excited about. We would love to connect with you guys to pick your brains on your personal journey of travel blogging. Hope to hear from you soon! – Anna
Hey Anna! Your last name is your bf’s first name? If that’s true, that cute and freaky at the same time. LOL! Kim and Henry are like family — that is a small world. You’re back from your travels already? We’ll just have to read all about it on your new blog! Looks like you’re off to a good start. Definitely leverage the world of social media and tweet and hashtag the hell out of it… it’ll get shared. 😉
WOW, u guys sound like fun, took your advice sent off my reservation for Akelarrie in SB. where to next???
San Sebastian… So much good food to look forward to. I’m heading to Colombia for the holidays & NYE with a group of guys.. Should be interesting to say the least.
I’m going to Japan in April, and hoping to land reservations at Sushisho Masa using Pocket Concierge. What other restaurants(not just sushi) are a must try?
So many to name! We would recommend starting with our Japan blog posts, you’ll find some more in there. http://gqtrippin.com/category/asia/japan/
Then let us know if you’re craving anything specific.