Meet our member of the month, Benison Estareja, a dynamic meteorologist with a zest for life! When he is not in his weatherman specialist role, you can find him patrolling around on foot observing what’s around him, running as his daily exercise, exploring new destinations, or vlogging about his adventures. With travels across 25 countries, Benison is not only passionate about understanding the intricacies of our atmosphere, he also brings a worldly perspective to his profession. Whether he is forecasting the next big storm or sharing his travel tales, Benison is all about making waves in both the weather and adventure worlds!
PGE: Welcome, Benison! It is great to have you with us in PGE, a meteorologist in the house! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Benison: Absolutely! Thanks for having me as your first feature for ‘Member of the Month’. I am Benison Estareja, a 35-year-old Filipino with a passion for travel and the great outdoors. I love walking, running, and vlogging. When I was young, I loved playing video games, and doing puzzles, and like any other wondering little kid, Science fascinated me—watching Science channels sparked my curiosity. I hold a Master’s Degree in Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management from the University of Reading in the UK, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering from Southern Luzon State University. With ten years of experience as a Weather Specialist, I combine my love for science with my passion for exploring the world!
PGE: Your travels have sparked quite a conversation among fellow explorers. Let’s dive into what ignited your wanderlust!
Benison: My wanderlust took off during my first trip abroad to Bangkok in 2015. I was there on an official trip, and everything felt brand new—each sight, sound, and smell was exhilarating. The thrill of realizing I could explore the world without breaking the bank was liberating. Plus, who wouldn’t fall in love with Thailand?
PGE: That sounds amazing for a first trip abroad! What was your first big adventure like?
Benison: My first big adventure was in Jeju, South Korea, in 2016. It was my second official trip abroad, and I had more time to immerse myself. I explored stunning temples, tranquil tea farms, breathtaking nature parks, and even hiked mountains. It was a completely different vibe compared to my nostalgic quick visit to Bangkok!
PGE: Tell us about a travel moment that made a huge impact on you!
Benison: Studying in the UK from 2017 to 2018 was a game-changer for me. I made sure I maximized my time there, traveling all over the UK while focusing on my studies. I even snagged a Schengen Visa and hopped around Europe! It was a pivotal moment that opened my eyes to the beauty of diverse cultures.
PGE: Have you ever had a travel experience that pushed you out of your comfort zone?
Benison: Oh, definitely! One sunny day in the UK, I snapped photos with my new DSLR. I took a picture of a stunning view with a small child in the corner. As I walked away, a woman shouted at me. She angrily gestured to approach her and straight away demanded to delete the photo I had taken of her baby. I wasn’t intentionally taking a picture of the child but I was mortified! I was embarrassed and scared that I might get in trouble so I quickly apologized and deleted it. It was a rookie mistake and a valuable lesson- to not take pictures of strangers, most especially, children.
PGE: That’s quite the story and you must have been truly concerned! Any travel mishaps that turned into great tales?
Benison: Yes! In 2018 at the tail end of my studies, I made a last-minute decision to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. I planned for a short 3 km route, as I wasn’t wearing proper hiking shoes. I ended up taking the 10 km extended path because of the crowds of visitors. Sure, it wasn’t crowded at all but it started raining, and I found myself hiking barefoot through the mud! My regular sneakers couldn’t handle the terrain. Despite the mishap, it turned out to be a beautiful experience as the path was clear of rowdy tourists and the views were stunning.
PGE: What did you learn from that experience?
Benison: I’ve learned to embrace the unexpected. Not every trip will go as planned, but keeping an open mind often leads to the most memorable experiences. Sometimes, those less-traveled paths are the ones that enrich our journeys the most.
PGE: Wow, that can make a great travel quote! Do you have an all-time favorite travel spot?
Benison: I’m sure this will change over time, as I still have a long list of must-visits, but my experience in Barcelona in April 2018 is stuck in my head like it was yesterday. The stunning architecture of Gaudí, coupled with delicious food and perfect weather, created an unforgettable experience.
PGE: Ah, yes Gaudi, the master and his masterpieces. So, what’s next on your travel bucket list?
Benison: I’m eager to explore East Africa, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. I’m also interested in the lesser-known “stan” countries in Central Asia, like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. I’m excited to dive into unique cultures away from the tourist crowds!
PGE: Do you have any hobbies you love incorporating into your travels?
Benison: I always check out national or city museums! I consider this as a hobby in my travels. I enjoy DIY budget-friendly travel, but I also treat myself to luxurious stays and fine dining as a reward at the end of my trips.
PGE: What’s your top piece of advice for anyone dreaming of traveling more?
Benison: Number one, I understand we’re in an era with so much travel information that we can access online, but please don’t overdo it. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too much information! I learned that the hard way when prepping for my Japan trip in 2023. Watching too many vlogs made me lose excitement.
Number two, Focus on quality over quantity—cherish the connections, kindness, and joy from your travels. It’s nice to see as many countries as possible, but what’s more important are the learnings we gained, the personal happiness, etc., to name a few, which even makes us want to revisit these places.
PGE: What’s one major lesson you’ve learned from your travels?
Benison: One major lesson I learned from my previous travels was that no two trips are ever the same nor will it ever be similar, even if you visit the same country. It is important to adjust your expectations and find joy in every moment. In that sense, not all travels will be equally great nor will reach your expectations, but you can still make it memorable in your own way.
PGE: How did you come about finding and joining PGE? How has being part of PGE enriched your travel experiences?
Benison: A fellow PGE member noticed my travel posts on Instagram and invited me! I’m relatively new to PGE, but I love discovering tips and promotions that I can’t find anywhere else. They’re helpful and inspiring, especially since most members hold only Philippine passports!
PGE: How do you use your personal travel experiences to spread the travel love and connect with fellow explorers?
Benison: I still see myself as a junior explorer, learning from more seasoned travelers. For now, I try to impart some tidbits of weather and geography to our fellow explorers through my vlogs. I think one of the major considerations when traveling is the weather of the destination we are planning to visit.
PGE: Thanks for sharing your adventures, Benison! Your passion for travel is contagious, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!
Benison: The pleasure is all mine! You may follow me on my Instagram account, @benisonestareja; subscribe on my YouTube, @meteorologistbenison or maybe we can be friends on Facebook – @meteorologistbenison.
