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Chapters of a Traveler in Quarantine
“I am a traveler in quarantine —” a gallivanter stuck at home due to the pandemic but I still managed to embark on a journey and that’s what these chapters will tell you about. Three Weeks of a Traveler in Quarantine: The Slack City The first few weeks of quarantine was full of resentment, internal struggles and pointing fingers coupled with series of anxiety attacks and breakdowns at night. Those days of being stuck at home were among the most unhealthy days of my life – physically and mentally. My body clock was totally messed up as I ended up being a couch potato binge watching Netflix series – one…
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Simple Ways to Achieve Sustainable Traveling
As the time goes, the tourism statistics significantly and continuously grow. On one hand, it is good in a way that it contributes to the economic growth of a community and at large. However, the surge of tourists alarmingly leads to the abuse of the natural and cultural environment. Fortunately, there is such a thing as Sustainable Traveling. Here are some things that you need to know about it and the simple ways to achieve it! The Danger in Overtourism When you see a crowd of people in a slice of paradise later turned into a cesspool due to their irresponsible acts, that is an example of Overtourism. Overtourism is…
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Packing Hacks and Tips with Traveler’s Bag Raid
After years of traveling, I learned a lot of things about backpacking including packing hacks. With that, I am sharing with you my packing hacks for traveling light and the stuff inside my travel bag. Packing for a trip is truly exciting. It reminds us that we’ll be out on an adventure in few days. Consequently, it is vexing (especially for us, women) because as much as we want to take a lot of things with us to our trips, we need to be practical. We need to carefully weigh and choose the right stuff to save ourselves from a lot of hassle. Pre-packing Hacks and Tips Planning…
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The One with the Accident in Siargao
There was a loud screech, thud and a crash. The next thing that we know, people were shouting and wailing. There’s blood on the pavement. There’s an unconscious man bathing in his own blood in the arms of his son who was shaking him and trying to wake him up. At that moment, I felt numb and my knees failed to keep me standing upright. Little did we know that a dreadful accident in Siagao will happen before our eyes. A Fine yet Gloomy Morning It was a cloudy yet fine day in August 2019. It was the third day of our almost-a-week stay in Siargao. I, together with my…
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My Top 5 Backpacking Trips in the Philippines
Organized joiner tours used to be my thing because it’s convenient and cheaper as we get to split expenses with the others. Consequently, I started imagining how great would it be to be traveling around on my own. Also, I wanted to bring out the street-smart traveler in me who goes from one point to another by myself. That’s when I started backpacking. After a few trips, I realized how greater the experience is! I even met and became friends with a lot of locals who introduced me to their respective provinces and cultures. Most importantly, I realized how learning was more valuable in DIY backpacking trips. With that, I…
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Reroute to Mercedes Camarines Norte
In 2017, my High School friends and I decided to organize a trip to Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte. As the travel organizer of the group, I did all the planning. Everything was well-planned; contacts have been established, everyone confirmed along with other friends outside my high school circle of friends. Everyone was indeed giddy about it. Little did we know that we’ll all end up in Mercedes Camarines Norte. Day 0: Dooms Day Come Holy week of the year 2017. At around 8:00 PM, we met at McDonald’s Pala-Pala, Dasmarinas since most of us were coming from Cavite. We had our dinner and shared stories. Our excitement could not be…
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My Longest Night in Puerto Princesa City Palawan
My trips are not always as perfect as my travel photos that you see. Behind every detailed travel guide to a province is an untold story. I could actually write my own version of series of unfortunate events for all my misadventures since I have started traveling. About a year ago, I published one of my unfortunate events in Cebu and I truly learn from the experience. Now, I’m sharing another one with you – my longest night in Puerto Princesa City Palawan. The Series of Unfortunate Events It was the last leg of my 17-day Palawan Backpacking last April 2019 and I went back to Puerto Princesa from almost a week-long trip in Balabac.…
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Simple Ways to Show Love in the Time of Corona
The first quarter of the year has been really tough for everyone in the world and it is indeed changing our way of lives: most businesses are temporarily halted, the streets and roads are mostly cleared, trips have been canceled, classes are suspended and some jobs are done at home for everyone’s safety. Currently, we are facing a health crisis due to Corona virus that has been spreading exponentially causing illness and worst, deaths of a thousands. One of the solutions is the declaration of community and home quarantine to prevent the further spike on the COVID-19 statistics. Show love for yourself and others Despite the preventive measures and temporary…
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Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 Experience
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 with the theme “Flying Carnival: A Weekend of Almost Everything that Flies” has kicked off last Friday, March 6, 2020. The three-day full of fun and flying event is held at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite making it the first Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta happening at the south! This longest-running sports aviation event is usually held at Clark, Pamanga. My Flying Carnival 2020 Experience Few meters off the ground and it feels amazing to be seeing the sunrise from here! Photo by Mike Santiago of the Upperground Concepts The Parking Lot We left Tagaytay City as early as…
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Intramuros at Night (Walking Tour) 2023
Intramuros boasts great aesthetics with its historical architectures confined within its walls, amidst the bustling metro. The daylight promises a retrospect of the long gone decades but with significant stories of the past etched in the buildings, walls and stone paths which have withstood various catastrophe and the test of time. Every door, every gate is open to the curious souls to give them a chance to time travel through the curated well-preserved artifacts, replica and monochromatic photographs on display. Come dusk. Postigo De La Nuestra Senora De Soledad Darkness starts to fall and envelop the city. A different color of life unfolds a feast for the senses. Vibrancy reflects…
