Foreigners Edition: How To Be A Volunteer in the Philippines for FREE or for a Very Affordable Price

Volunteer in the Philippines

I've been researching on how I could volunteer in Nepal and Vietnam and it pains me to see that some if not most of the NGO's charge a certain amount of money.  Some are quite expensive, and some are reasonably cheap.  I'm wondering if some foreigners are also interested in doing the same here in my country.  Judging from what I have seen in NGO websites, I'm sure there are interested as well.  From what I know, anyone can freely volunteer here.  You just have to inform the NGO ahead of time.  Some of them would ask you to undergo an orientation so if you're staying a bit longer, do take the time to join the orientation.  If there are any dues involve it would just be really small, say P50 to P250.  The rest of donations would really be up to you.  Bring stuff in kind or bring money, what matters most is your presence and how you could share your time in making a difference in other people's lives.

Here are some NGO's that you could volunteer for free or for a very minimal charge.

1.  iVolunteer - This is a volunteer hub where you could choose from various NGOs.  They have lists of scheduled events, so you could check which one speaks to you the most.

2. Nursing Homes - If caring for the elderly is what you seek, then you could access a list of nursing homes and contact them so you could set an appointment or orientation of some sort.

3.  Orphanage -  This one is a hit for some volunteers.  Activities included are feeding, teaching, and playing games with orphaned or abandoned children.  Most of these orphanages are connected to Department of Social Welfare and Development.  Orientations are given by a trained staff.  Try contacting them for any inquiries.

4. NGO's for environment - Volunteer activities aren't held often as the previous items on the list.  They usually ask volunteers as needed and you have to undergo training which don't happen as often too.  So if you think of staying in the Philippines longer, then go ahead and sign up.  Make sure that you'll know the dates for registration and for training.

5. For Animals - I only knows PAWS which task in helping abandoned dogs and cats, and giving them a shelter and food and practically a safe place for them to stay.  The animals here are all on standby for adoption.  Again they have a scheduled orientation so make sure you check it.  Just a heads up, they'll be having an orientation on the 16th of August 2016 so make sure you get in touch with them and block your calendar on that date.

So see, you don't have to pay a lot if you wish to volunteer here in the Philippines.  Pick an organization and do some goodwill.

Publisher: Shy - Friday, August 05, 2016

How to get Get a Cheaper Airplane Ticket

Booking discounted airline tickets online.

I've been booking tickets for my family, friends and for myself for years now and I have learned a thing of two on how to get a discount seat.  Now, they let me book for them because I have plenty of time to look over airline websites and check if there are promo seats available.  Aside from that, I have learned a thing or two on how to get a cheaper deal and that's what I'll be sharing with you.

1. Standby for promo seats.  Sales usually land on holidays, such as valentines, independence day, and the such.  I've heard they start opening these sales at midnight.  So better go over the websites before going to sleep.

2.  Book fast.  Seats ran out pretty fast, so you are better ready with your credit card or you better decide when to have the trip and for how many days.

3. Book one way tickets separately.  I just learned about this just this morning.  There are times that 1 way cost more than the other when you pick the round trip option.  So what I do is buy the discounted one first and pray to the heavens that the other ticket going back will go on sale soon.

4. Booking months doesn't necessarily means getting cheaper deals.  Sometimes airlines would drop a better deal few months before your desired travel time.  So it's just a matter of getting lucky and being strategic with things really.

5. Take advantage of miles and discounts.  PAL has miles, Cebu Pac has Get Go.  The more you use the card/code the more you get yourself some miles.  The more travels you can book for a discounted price or for free in the future.

6. Remove unnecessary add ons.  Sometimes people just click submit not knowing that every page that they turn, there's additional add ons that is added by default.  Have the patience to remove those.  I'm talking about Cebu Pac here since I often book there.  Remove extra baggage if you don't plan to hoard stuff, remove seat selection if you don't mind seating anywhere, remove donation or insurance if you don't want to be bother by those.  In the end, you get what you just want to pay which is the ticket itself.

7. Travel in groups.  I know I know.  I may be an advocate of solo travels, but to tell you the truth, I'd rather travel by group than traveling alone.  I have really not found a comfortable ground yet.  Maybe soon, in my trip in Vietnam.  But for now, I'd choose traveling with a companion any day.   If you travel in groups and you go to a travel agent, they could give you a decent discount.

Here are the 5 ways I know that could save you some pesos.  If you know other ways, please do share in the comments section below.

Happy trip everyone! :)

Publisher: Shy - Saturday, July 30, 2016

8 Life Lessons I Learned from Traveling Solo

Traveling solo doesn't really grow old on me.  Every journey is different.  But despite this, I noticed that every time I go out the door, I always have that flight or fight response wrestling within me , and more so when I am already out and about, enticing myself that I could still change my mind and  I could easily turn the other way.  But God knows how many times I have thanked myself every time I decided to just go ahead and  push through.

1. Show up.  When I know that I'll be travelling alone, I sometimes would dread that my trip might be dangerous, and boring.  But I go anyway because the desire of exploration and adventure is greater than my fears.  I remember the owner of Spanx, Sara Blakely once said that she did not let her fears get in the way of her dreams, and I always go back to that especially in my moments of indecision.  Travelling solo hasn't always been fun.  Sometimes I'd even regret why I even attempted, but regardless of the outcome, I was always glad that I showed up because then, I have juicy stories to tell and I have broken the monotony of my life, which are everything to me.

2.  Trust the journey.  Anxiety is ever present especially when travelling to unknown and uncharted places.  Even when I've researched hard and wide, and I know exactly which jeep or bus to take, uncertainty wouldn't leave me because I don't want to go pass the place that I should've gone down to.  I keep my eyes wide open reading billboard ads, carenderia signs for the address just to make sure I know which town I am in.  My eyes bulging like a deer in the headlights, afraid on missing out on that sign, moving my head in all possible directions. Imagine me doing these all throughout the trip. So now I try to learn how to relax.  Read the signs, enjoy the scenery and if there's the houses or stores, I go peep again.

3. Learn how to Ask.  There were countless of times that I felt stressed because I was too prideful and shy to ask for direction and had to rely on my scouring eyes instead.  I would have saved myself the time and the stress had I asked someone about the place or where to go down.  Conductors could be a treasure, and when I'm lucky fellow passenger, could guide me as well.

4. Trust People who Seem Trustworthy.  My experiences on solo traveling  gave me a discernment as to whom to ask for directions.  People I approached are usually policemen, guards, traffic enforcers, tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, bus drivers, conductors, women with children, women, vendors.  It's the same in life.  I trust people whom I feel are deserving of my trust.

5. But be Cautious.  As someone who travels alone, it's imperative that I take extra measures to be safe.  I don't go out when it's evening, and if I do it's usually in a very safe city.  I double check in locking my room; I choose the people I go out with.  I learned how to make calculated risks, and make sure I could handle what I am getting into.

6. Connect with People.  In all my travels, I'd have to say that my connections and interactions with people surpassed the experience of exploring the place.  When I look back, it's the friends I met along the way, and the stories I got out of them are the ones that I have treasured more.  There's something sacred about getting stories from strangers.  I would always feel humbled and honored to be in their personal space. It's a higher level of acceptance, making me feel validated of my presence and confident of my being, and that meant the world to me.

7. Trusting Myself.  There were countless of times that I thought that I wouldn't be able to do what I have done.  Sure I was afraid, but with tickets booked and with an already set mind, there was really no option but to prepare enough prior the trip, and to make the most of it during the trip.  I got lost but I figured it out soon.  Instincts got me there; my senses showed me the way.  And sometimes I wouldn't get to know whether to turn left or right when I was a kilometer away from my destination, but somehow knew what to do when I am a few meters away.  So I learned to be patient and to be attentive of the signs along the way.

8. Enjoy the Moment.  What exactly does that mean?  It means to be in touch with me and the surroundings. I noticed that fear takes me out of myself.  Anxiety makes me want to jump off my own body.  My thoughts take me out of my awareness of self, thus I was never present.  Now I have come to realize that I am in the moment, when I start appreciating the details.  and when I walk a bit slower, not too eager to go to the next place, but to treat each step as a destination in itself.

9. Creating my Own Reality.  Travelling alone made me feel self assured.  After having welcomed by a different culture, accepted and trusted by strangers, treated well and made to feel acknowledged, traveling by myself made me like me more.  And it's sad that I sometimes need others to see me as special before finding what's special in me.  Slowly I have learned how to look into me first, see what's unique and appreciate myself for what I have and I have discovered that I, right here right now, am enough.

Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, June 28, 2016

3 Things that I Would Have Done Differently in my Pahiyas Festival Trip

No Selfie for me, just footsie.                      

Humans as we are, it's natural for us to look back and reflect on recent experiences in the search of lessons,or entertainment.  And my recent trip is not an exception.  What had happened was I started my travel a bit late than I've wanted to, stuck in the road a bit more than expected, stayed at the destination a bit shorter than planned, and arrived home earlier than I have thought I would be. 

The 2 things (eat pancit habhab and to go around the streets while taking pictures) that I planned to do were already checked that was why it didn't take me too long to accomplished those.  So shortly after, I felt that my job was over and I didn't feel the need to do more.  I was already eager to say goodbye, which is something that I felt like not doing again.  I mean, traveling 8 hours all in all doesn't really justify the 1 and a half stay in the place.  So for those people who plan to visit a far destination, please try to make the most of the stay.  Pack it with activities and make your to-do list more than 2.

Green, orange, red, yellow and violet are the predominant colors you'll be seeing there.

When you get there you'll already feel a bit tired, so try to freshen yourself up by wiping your face with wet wipes or wet face towel, or dab some powder at your back, anything to make you feel a bit more refreshed and a bit more human again.  When I got there, I already felt like a hog, a disgustingly sticky one.  So you could imagine how I felt walking along the streets.  Yes like a hog on a parade. No wonder I didn't feel like taking any selfies.  When you go there, you would want to feel like a model tourist just wondering around the streets like it was your runway.  I know this is a bit narcissistic but believe me, you'll enjoy the experience even more or at least you would want to make yourself selfie-ready because you'll be taking selfies anyway or at the very least, you would want to make yourself feel like a presentable human being.

A good amount of pancit habhab for a good amount of P10.

It will get hot eventually so better try to bring a hat, and buy a cold drink.  This would combat the heat that could be a factor for you not enjoying the place.  And if you're tired, sit down.  This isn't a race, the place wouldn't pack up and close down any sooner.  Pushing yourself to walk would just dampen your excitement.  You can't really appreciate fully the place if you're too tired.  So sit down, talk with a local, eat pancit habhab, stay at a local store for a drink and do people watching.  When you're feeling restored, then go ahead and enjoy the scenery.  When I got there, I was already feeling tired, and disgusting, and the pollution from the tricycles and the heat of the sun just worsen the experience.  But I pushed myself to go around as my way of claiming my price for undergoing through all the hassles that I had gone through for the past few hours.  If I had sit down just for a bit, refreshed myself, I would have had the energy to explore the place even more.

So there I said it so you wouldn't be making the same mistakes I did.

Enjoy your trip people. :)

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, June 01, 2016

My Solo Trip to Pahiyas Festival, Lucban

For years now I've been wanting to go to Lucban to see the Pahiyas festival ever since it was featured in a travel show way back when I was still a kid.  I was supposed to go there last year however I got sick, and so I had to push through with it this year.

After doing a bit of research I knew, that I should take the backdoor route which is Manila-Pagsanjan, Sta. Cruz-Lucban than the usual Manila-Lucena-Lucban.  Well an blogpost of some blogger he said that it only took him around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there, but for me it took me 4 hours.  Now here's the deal, his bus took off at 5am, mine took off at 6am.  And maybe due to traffic and all I got to the place at almost 10am.  You can see here the importance of getting to the bus terminal earlier.

Before even this trip, I've already resolved to do 2 things.  Doing more than that would be a bonus.  First, is just stroll around and seeing houses studded with decors.  Second, eat pancit habhab.  After doing those 2, my trip would be an overall success, which it was.

Going there was just as painful as my last trip to Nagsasa Cove.  Travel time is too long.  So when I reach the place, I had to make the most of it. Seeing too many cons than pros would just make me a fool, so see the pros I did.  It was a challenge because of the festering heat of the sun, the traffic, the pollution.  But when you get there, it's as if a chip has been taken off my shoulder.  

Just look at these pictures.

This trip isn't hard on the wallet.  Overall I spent around P500, however it is time consuming.  Will I recommend this to someone?  Well honestly, yes if they just want to fulfill their curiosity and see something unique about our country.

Publisher: Shy - Sunday, May 15, 2016

15 Things You Need to Know Before Doing Your Nagsasa Cove Adventure

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So you have probably browsed DIY's and have a rough estimation on how much you'll be spending and what you'll be doing in Nagsasa Cove, but on this post, I'll tell you things that people haven't touch up on.

Things to Know before Going to Nagsasa Cove

1. Battery operated fan

Staying inside the tent is as good as being in an oven sometimes.  So if you could, try to bring a battery-operated fan, and if you may, point it to an ice block, and viola, you have an AC blowing off cool breeze into your direction.

2. Going in groups is better than going there as couples

The beauty with being in a group is that some people could look after your stuff while you're away, and you could return the favor when they leave and you're around.  Although stealing isn't really rampant there, it's still a possibility so better be safe than sorry.

3.  The sand is dangerous

When temperature hits a certain point and it stays that way for hours, expect the sand to be burning hot.  Minutes barefoot could potentially damage your skin.  I had my toes touched when I was on my way to the boat, and it was just seconds but mahn I felt like I got burnt.

4.  Tents are used for many other things than sleeping

Most of the time you couldn't sleep in there anyways.  It's hot and humid during the day.  It gets a bit better at night but still not convenient. And can I mention the attention-hungry people who keep on howling and laughing even after midnight?

5.  Bring a free standing flashlight 

Some people who we went camping with us had trouble using their hand held flashlights especially when they wanted to find something inside their tent at night. Had they used a free standing flashlight and just position it at one corner, it would have been way easier for them to do what they needed to do.

6.  No need for off lotion

I've read on several sites suggesting to bring mosquito repellant but I haven't felt a need to rub on one when I was there.

7. When it's summer season, expect tents to be pitched close together

As close as 1 inch apart.  If you want to have fewer company, you may want to schedule your trip off season, like from July onwards.  But be wary of the monsoon season too.

8. The boat ride could get rough

Big waves could constantly hit your boat.  Expect getting splashed on randomly.  If you don't like this kind of ride then you better think about heading to Nagsasa Cove because it would take more than hour to get there.

9.  Waterproof your gadgets

The boat ride like I said could get pretty rough so protect your camera in a waterproof bag or container.  Make sure you seal it tight or else you know what will happen.

10.  Campsite culture

People camping are more or less between the ages 15 to 35 years old, and so there's some kind of culture that's going on.  There's something that unifies everyone in there.  There's a friendly environment that is present.  It's like one big barkada who just don't talk to each other.

11. The toilet

There's 6 shared toilets for the entire campsite and it could get really queuing especially when packing time is near which is around 10 to 11am.  So to avoid it make sure to swim in the beach early morning and shower afterwards before everybody starts to pile up on the line, especially the ones with the toilet.

12. The store there opens at 5am

So if you're like my partner who doesn't want to bring a lot and who prefers paying extra cash, then go ahead splurge.

13. Grilling and bonfires

Camping could not be totally complete without these two.  I mean, those are essential camping activities that you would not want to miss out on.  If I were to choose, I'd rather put more effort to do those things than not.  It's not everyday that you get to enjoy those.  Some beaches don't allow bonfires so it's better to just take the opportunity.  Go ahead and make one.

14.  DIYS are always cheaper

There's a misconception about tours and deals.  It doesn't always save you money.  If you want to have control over your spendings better go for DIYS, but if you don't want to be bothered by logistics and all, then go for the packaged tours.  It really sucks because I thought I have saved my self some money by availing of Metrodeals tour package.  When I did a bit of research, internet showed me some trips that cost cheaper than what I had paid for.

15.  Always say YES to adventure

I wouldn't have better stories to tell had I not say Yes to activities that at first sounded hard work and silly.  Just go and you'll be glad you did.  However, always take precaution.

Publisher: Shy - Saturday, April 23, 2016

My Nagsasa Cove Adventure

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Once you have a taste of El Nido it's difficult to appreciate just any beaches.  And my view still stands today.   After 2 years of being in a beach hiatus, I have came to push through with one beach camping adventure that would cap my Summer.

Yes I finally did it.

Over the weekends, I went camping in Nagsasa Cove after having purchased vouchers from Metrodeal which involved island hopping tour, and 2 meals.  We added P800 more for van transfer since we didn't want to be bothered looking for a public transport to commute to and fro.  

The Journey

The journey going there was treacherous.  Even with a 3am call time at SM North, we reached Pundaquit Municipality at around 8am.  This is after a couple of stops along the way.  This is the place where we could buy the things we needed to buy and withdraw money because we would be heading to the island, which doesn't have electricity and the food sold there are 2x or 3x over the normal price.  There we paid 100 for the Entrance fee.  Before the boat transfer, the staff from the agency started collecting the vouchers which I missed out on printing because I was too focused on printing the waiver which was also indicated as a requirement.  They asked for the paper which I didn't have and didn't bother for the one which I do have.  Long story short, with my partner's strong persuasion skills aka pagtataray, we were able to go ahead of the group.

Capones Islands and Its Frills

That was not a way to start this trip and I was already crossing my fingers that it will all be fun in the end.  But that hope was fading as we had to ride through big waves for an hour or so.  First stop was the Capones Island which you'll recognize by the light house seated at the top of its hill. Going up to the lighthouse was some sort of Survival challenge, since the boat was anchored 15-20 meters away from the shore and the only way to get to the island was for me to hold on to the rope tied at the edge of the boat.  The rope is all taut and stretched out and ends as it is tied tightly around a steady rock at the shore. I had to float and swim and grab the rope and pull my way forward up to the shore even when the water was just knee deep because I didn't want to step on a grassland of brown algae.  The texture was so icky.  We only knew about it when we were in the water.  The boatman said it was in season.  Well it was really obvious because that thing was everywhere.   But nevertheless it made the experience a lot more interesting; not to mention the slippery big rocks at the bottom which makes standing up impossible, and the stubborn waves that were incessantly pushing us, knocking us down even more.  It was a challenge, yet we were all laughing that we were tortured that way, which was weird.

The Hike

Once reaching the shore we have to start the hike.  It was really hot at this time as it was already 11am.  There were birds hovering above the island, like vultures waiting to devour carcasses of people who couldn't survive.  Humidity was nada, the sun was blazing heat waves by now, the sand was roasting and there I was at the middle of it all thinking whether the lighthouse was worth to see.  The trek was a chore.  It would take you 10 minutes at least to get to the light house filled with all sorts of rubbish inside: plastics, wood, leaves, dirt, practically everything that you could see in a place that is left behind to rot.  What greeted  me as I entered the gates of the lighthouse was a familiar sound of a bell ringing.   Ice cream?  In the middle of the island, in this abandoned lighthouse there's a diligent ice pop vendor.  Well what do you know... For people who are hungry for something cold down their throat, it would be a God-sent.  But the sight of the light house and the effort that I put in coming to see it, didn't set the appetite for an ice pop.  In attempt to at least squeeze out some history out of the place to make my trek seem worth it,  I asked the ice pop vendor if he knew anything about the place and who built it, and when it was constructed.  From that inquiry, I got  that it was an old place during the Spanish era.  And feeling satisfied that I got a touch of history,  I excused myself from the group of friends who got their ahead of me and were eating ice pop.  Surprisingly, my partner followed me halfway down the trek and went with me on my way back. 

Anawangin Insight

So the whole Capones thing was fun.  Yey, next stop was Anawangin which was an hour ride.  It's more crowded and smaller than Nagsasa, but many people go there because it's closer.  We went there and got us halo halo sold for P35.  While eating my halo halo under the shade of the store, I had a chance to do some people watching and noticed  that women, young and old, have a dress code which I didn't know of.  It's a long sleeve spandex top and a pair of swimming shorts.  That was what the majority of the women who went with me were wearing, and the same goes for the women in Anawangin.  I thought people are a bit liberated this days.  I was expecting bikinis since it was a beach event, but I haven't seen any woman wearing two-piece other than a 12 year old girl, who wore a 2 piece black bikini with a black see through overall.   At this point I was feeling a bit left out.  Which part of the internet did they say anything about this.  Anyways, finally we were heading to Nagsasa after that.  Everyone in the boat was feeling cranky because it was already 1pm, it was hot, we had only few hours of sleep and we have not eaten yet, and did I say it was hot?  

Finally! Nagsasa Cove!

So by the time we got to the Cove, we were all eager to eat and settle down.  It took us awhile to do so because we have to wait for the staff to accommodate us, we have to wait for the food that was included in the voucher, we have to wait for our tents.  

Our lunch was finally served and our tents were finally pitched, we have settled in, but the sun was still ablaze that lying inside the tent would be lying in a sauna minus the moisture.  With not so much sleep, some of us just ignored it and tried to pitch their tent under a shade, but some like me, couldn't.  It was just unbearable, so me and my partner waited for the sun to go down and went for a dip to release the heat.  The beach was great.  It was all sand no big corals at the bottom so it's ok to swim barefooted.  The location of the cove was beautiful.  It was smacked at the middle of a C-shape island bordered by grassy towering hills.  And shading the campsites were tall pines trees that gave it character and novelty.  All these seemed to make the journey worth it, and at that point I was satisfied.  Thinking that it would be my first and last time in this place, I anchored myself to be fully in the moment as I was trying to float my whole body parallel to the sea, steadying myself whenever the waves were rocking me forward and backward.  Ahhh this is the life.

At Night

Nagsasa Cove at night offers a different scene.  People are noisier, bonfires were out.  And as the night grew deeper, people moved closer to the beach, sleeping on mats, because the tents were not, once again made for nice sleeping.  It was still humid.  If there were any wind that pass by it would just circle around us at the top and only some would pass through us on the ground.  All we could hear are  whooshing of the the wind passing, which was annoying.  It feels like there's a cake but you couldn't eat it.  Unable to sleep inside, I went out to spread my mat near the beach which some people already have done.   The stars were awesome like they always are but suddenly firecrackers blew up in the sky right above us.  I rattled to cover my face afraid that some smidgens of fire would fall on me.  Thankfully they did it right the second time, firing it to blow directly above the sea.  So much for surprises.  The night was long thanks to a group of cold-hearted youngsters who didn't mind shouting even when they knew people were sleeping. 

The Weird Sound 

Anyways, somehow when everyone was asleep, only the whooshing of the wind could be heard.  It sounded like there was a space ship hovering above us, or that it was raining but you wouldn't see or feel raindrops falling.  And when I got up to check what exactly it was,  there was nothing but sound and an eerie feel that enveloped the camp.  I went in and tried to sleep again. 

Morning Madness

Morning came, and we went for some quick dip, and trekked one hill after.   The path was narrow and cliff was threatening.  One wrong move and you're a goner.   The view from up there though was spectacular.  It reminded me that it was really worth going here and that it was indeed a special place.  We ate breakfast as soon as we got back.  The store opens at 5am so don't worry about getting your coffee fix.  They sell hot water for P5, coffee with hot water and cup for P20, and coffee with hot water for P7, if am not mistaken. Sodas were sold for P25 plus which normally are sold for P7 to P12 in the city.  Halo halo are also sold but they cost only P40. 

I showered, after that to avoid queue that was going to be expected come 10am or 11am.  For some reason, our boat arrived 2pm.  The only time I had a good sleep was inside the van.  And I finally reached home at around 10:30pm.   

Long journey it was, I was burnt but still glad to have done it anyway.

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, April 21, 2016

10 Ways to Enjoy Boracay for Free

When you're doing Boracay alone, sometimes you find ways to enjoy it for free.  Most rides you need to be in a group which I obviously wasn't but Boracay offers plenty for solo travelers like you if you just take time to discover it for yourself.

1.  Sun bathing

Best time to do it in the morning, or late in the afternoon because the sun would be very much unforgiving from 10 am to 2pm.  Do it under a classy reclined beach chair with umbrella.  Those ones you can use for free if you are checked in in classy hotels.  I tried using one for a few minutes and was loving it, however a hotel staff started to ask me what my room number was.  Oops! Off I went away doing my walk of shame.

2.  Walking along the shore

I recommend doing this sunset from station 3 to 1.  You'll see the transition of the sand from white sand to white sand with algae, the transition of the horizon with the sun just a beaming orange to just sky swirling in orange, and violet hues, you'll feel the cooling of your toes as the temperature goes down, and everything around you darkens as the sun gives way to the moon.

3. Exploring less touristy beach

If you just want to have a spiritual moment with you, the wind, the sky, the waves and the sand, go to those beaches not littered by people.  One of which is Tambisaan Beach where I had a random conversation with a buko seller. Of what I thought to be a random buyer-seller conversation, turned into somewhat inspiring.  Check out the story here.

4. Practice your photography skills

There's a lot of possible pics you can take from Boracay other than selfies with your friends,  you with your skimpy bikini or trunk shorts featuring your hard-earned beach body, you and drinks, you getting wasted, you partying, you and this new guy, or new chick.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  However, there are a lot out there that's also picture-worthy other than yourself.  Like the sunset, the people, the other side of Boracay other than the parties and drinks.  You'll appreciate it even more that way.  I believe.

5.  Get into a rave party

If that's your thing, I'm sure you will have fun.  If it's not, I'm sure you'll find it interesting, like I did (check here for more of my story).  You may leave anytime you want at least you've experienced something interesting.  Interesting and free goes a long way sometimes.

6.  Talk to locals

I have never really stressed this enough.  Other than enjoying the sunset, talking with locals or with a new acquaintance would have to be top of my favorites.  There's something special when 2 strangers commune and became less of a stranger because both have now something in common which is having the opportunity to experience nature at the same moment and time.  It makes the whole experience amplified, and validated.

7.  Enjoying the sun rise and the sunset

Boracay is best known for the sunset for obvious reasons, however let's not forget also the sunrise.  Both events bring in different crowd.  The former brings in the booze, the reggae music, the groupies or lovers who are planning to enjoy the night away early,  while the latter brings in the health freaks jogging to and from the beach, the families who are bringing their kids for an early bath time, and the wanderers and curious bunch like me who are just eager to see what it's like to see the sunrise and what it has to offer.

8.  Exploring Boracay stations and understand varying demographics

For the knowledge of many, there's a distinction between stations: 3 being the less posh and 1 as the most expensive among the others.  There's also this area, before station 3, which I call station 4, where you could find foreign backpackers who are budget freaks, enjoying boracay minus all the poshiness of it.  They seem very well satisfied with their backs on the sand, hammock, or Indian scarves bought in their previous destinations or having friendly discussion with new acquaintance over beer or coffee.   Reaching station 3 you'll see a flock of korean tourists prepping for their turn on scuba diving or boat riding, station 2 you'll see more and more bars, at station 1 you'll see more and more 5 star beach resorts.

9. People watching

When you're in a paradise like Boracay, a place known for its luscious sunset, luscious what-happensin-bora-stays-in-bora stories, and luscious drinks, you'll come to see different people thirsting for some fun, redemption, or recreation.  I heard that it's a place for the broken-hearted seeking vegeance in many wrong forms such as one-night stands, drinking binge, party binge and the what nots; for the opportunistic maniacs who are in search for the latter crowd and that chance to get lucky for a night or two; for the lovers seeking for a honeymoon paradise; for the beach lovers and attention seekers, seeking most wanted attention after having toned up their body for months in the gym; for the corporate slaves who are just looking for a recluse and much needed R and R with a cold beer at hand, great sunset, and just being with nature after having a few tough weeks in the job. It's a place for everyone, and with varying people diverge, it's a feast for the eyes.

10.  Enjoying Boracay's sunset

This never gets old and I think this would have to be the most overrated feature of Boracay.  It is overrated for the right reasons.  Reasons that you should experience and understand yourself.  This one really never fails to impress.  I turn into a trigger happy photographer wannabe every sunset, much like anybody there.  I think.  Click here for my pics.

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, March 09, 2016

5 Things that You May Not Expect in the Hot Air Balloon Event, Clark Pampanga

Finally after having postpone this event for the nth time, I have successfully pushed through with it this year.  Like I said, this year is my year.

So Hot air balloon it is.  Another item checked on my bucket list.  I've got tons of things that were expected but there are some that weren't.  Here now is the list of those things that I didn't anticipate to happen on my first, and probably, last Hot air balloon experience in Clark.

1.  Expect to walk long distances if you'll get there by public transpo.  And if you decide to bring your own car, expect traffic within the clark air base area.  Yes, even at 5am in the morning.

2.  Expect to fall in line.  A long line, that is.  for us, even having arrived at 5am in the area, we had to get to the tail end of what seems like a 2 kilometers length of people lining.  No joke.  It took us 2 hours to get through the main gate.  People with or without tickets all mixed together on this one.

3.  Expect the line to be chaotic.  Back line you'll see 2 lines but as you get nearer the entrance it will all branch out to 6 lines.  Don't ask me how it happens.  It just did.

4. Flying of balloons would only take few minutes.   You'll wait in line longer than you'll enjoy the flying of the balloons.  Just accept that fact and you'll be all right.

5. Apart from the hot air balloon, there'll be a lot of activities that you could do even after the hot air balloon stint.  That ought to compensate for all the effort of having to walk a few kilometers to the event area and having to wait for a couple of hours in line.

Publisher: Shy - Sunday, February 28, 2016

The Best HotSpring Resort Near Manila

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Yesterday was one awesome day.

I've been craving for a break, a relaxing time and I definitely got served after experiencing an invigorating dip in the hotspring at Sol Y Viente. It's not a natural hotspring but it's not all that bad especially when the location is at the hilltop with one view  facing the mountains studded with trees, while the opposite a view of laguna and the laguna bay.  I mean, nothing could any better than that.  And can I just point out the fact that we had 2 big pools and 2 hot springs for ourselves?

The best part here was I, along with John were enjoying the jacuzzi hotspring, sitting under a corner in a shade of a tree.  He was enjoying his nap at one side and I was reading a book.  I mean, can you just visualize that kind of luxury that only costs us P300 each?

At first the idea of a hot spring on a hot day wasn't really a good one.  But thank God for the shade and thank God for the cool winds, which made the experience 100 times better.  Things got even better when it turned 1pm because the sun wasn't really blazing anymore.  All we had were the cool winds from the forest, a fantastic laguna bay view, an unfaltering shade, bubbles massaging our bodies, the heat of the hotspring.  Everything was embracing us and we were embracing back by being in the moment of perfection.  The only thing that irked us was the old disco music the cafeteria guy was playing.  It was ruining the experience that we had to ask him to change it which he did but was still useless as he was playing new hip hop beats.  We were looking for jazz, some blues or anything instrumental.  But I think that would just bring us to sleep, which wasn't really good considering that we were both sleepy and half our bodies were submerged under water.

I wasn't able to take photos as I've learned that I had to enjoy the moment more as opposed to me just clicking the experience away.  I think I have gone overboard and now realize that I should have taken at least one pic just to summarize what the place is about and also to serve as a souvenir of that unforgettable moment.

Anyways, like I say, I'll do it next time then.  

Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, December 08, 2015

5 Awesome Places To Go in Baguio Which You May Not Have Been To Yet.

For those who have been to Baguio and are already over the usual touristy places that the internet is telling you to go, if you have done a bit of research, there are actually some spots that you might want to check.

1. Likha Artist Village

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When we got here the place is still under renovation, but there are some parts that people can actually dine in.  Let me just describe the place as a cafe tree house.  The entire place is anchored to the bark of the tree, whilst some of the sides supported by some huge trees, stilts and what not.  Every nick and croony has some art going on.  Tiles, carvings, moldings - it's a feast for the eyes.  They serve typical filipino food like the silog's.  For me it's the perfect place to have breakfast.  Last time we were there, they were trying to build of what looks like a Noah's arch shaped cafe.  I'm pretty curious how it's going to turn out to be. 

Assumption Road, near Session Road

2. Cafe in the Sky

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Going to this place would take an hour or so and I believed we paid the taxi driver around P350.  But I must say it was worth going to.  I mean, it gives you a scenery of what mountaineers would see by the time they reach the peak of the mountain.  Plus point here is that you don't have to sweat.  You just sit down, wait, enjoy the view inside the taxi, and pay the money.  The scenery surpasses the food, and the cafe.  People would just go there for it.  Take a picture, buy a cup or cups of coffee, and go home.  There's also some place to sleep nearby, however it costs around 2000 a night.  

Mt. Cabuyao

4. Arca's Yard

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We haven't gone hear but base on the picture, it sure is a lovely place to unwind.  The glass windows offers a nice scenery and the living area looks like a place where barkadas or lovers could just chill and have a nice chat over a cup of coffee.

777 Ambuklao Rd., Baguio

+63-929-3325-1868

5. Glenn 50's Diner

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I may not be a fan of the 50's but I'm a fan of places that are different.  Visit them once and I'm good, just checking out for the sake of experience.  This place has curated many interesting articles from the 50's, putting it together tastefully to get the real vibe of the era.

92 Upper Gen. Luna Rd.

+63-916-659-5555


Here are more stories about my experience in Baguio:
Where I Stayed in Baguio: Less than P500 for a Solo Female Traveler
Hidden Massage in Baguio
Going Around Baguio for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio in Half a Day
Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet: Strawberry is my New Kind of Drug

Publisher: Shy - Monday, October 05, 2015

Going Around Baguio in Half a Day

Since I can only check in at 2pm, I have all morning to go around Baguio.  So from Baguio Village Inn, I took a Trancoville jeepney and dropped at the corner of Session Road.  There isn't any jeepneys going in there.  My guess is to ease traffic congestion since there were already a lot of cars going to and fro the touristy road.  My plan was to wait until 9am whe the Department of Tourism opens so I can get a free copy of a Baguio tourist map.  When I got there it was just only 7am so I managed to go down session road to hang around Burnham Park.   I was really cold, which makes me remind of the coldness in HK when I was exactly the same time last last year.

Burnham Park

There were a number of people doing exercise.  I was just going around taking pictures and really not planning to stay longer.  Here I saw strawberry taho which was being sold in many parts of the park.  I thought I'd try to get it some other time since I already had my breakfast in the inn.

Then just at the corner, I saw bicycles and tricycles in every color and sizes.  Not sure of my biking skills, I tried out a pink one and went off gradually picking up my pace.  For just 40 pesos an hour, it was a perfect exercise.

Baguio Museum

When 9am was drawing in, I paid for the rent and walked my way to the Department of Tourism.  All in all I think it was a 15min walk from Burnham Park.  There I got my map, and got another one for the Inn since the ran out of it.  Just beside the building is the Baguio Museum, since it was just nearby, I thought of visiting it.  I think I paid P40 for the entrance.  It is a 4 storey building.  Nothing really much can be seen in here.  Most of the artifacts are on the 2nd floor which is the receiving area, the level that you reach once you climbed up the stairs.  Outside there will be a notice that you're not allowed to take pics in 2nd and 4th floor.  Not knowing that I was on the 2nd, I took a few pics.  I wasn't really reprimanded, maybe they had a lot of tourists doing the same thing I did.

From there, I planned to go to Mines Park and the spots near it such as The Mansion, The Botanical Garden, Horse Farm, and Good Shepherd Convent.   I was told by the staff in the museum that I should head back to Session road because there's a street close to it where you can ride jeepney going to Mines Park.

Mines Park

Here people can enjoy having their pics taken with 2 big Saint Bernards, colorful horses, colorful flowers, them with traditional tribal costumes, and a scenery overlooking Baguio.

Good Sheperd Convent

Just 5 mins. away you can walk your way to The Good Shepherd Convent where tourists can buy souvenirs.  The convent sells different kinds of goods like cookies, jam and stuff all made by students whose education are financially supported by the convent.

Horse Farm

The next destination is a bit far so I had to take Baguio jeepney going to the Horse Farm.  You'll know that you are near the place when you can smell the funky smell of the horse' urine and waste.  The place isn't big.  You can just see horses lining and a bunch of men hollering at you to try horseback riding.  Since I've already experienced that, I didn't bother staying long and just went ahead climbing the stairs to reach The Mansion.

The Mansion

The climb up was really exhausting but I had to push myself to reach the Mansion.  There waiting were a number of souvenir sellers who are selling toys, big oranges, leather belts to name a few. It was said that the mansion is where the President reside when having a vacation in Baguio.

For lunch I went to Volante which was just across the street from the Horse Farm.  They serve Italian food, and I happened to get myself a 6 inch pizza.  So small for my liking but for P80 I think it was quite fair.

The Botanical Garden

It's just 2 minutes down the road. I didn't know this so I rode a jeepney.  Few seconds after, I went down to get into the Botanical Garden.  It is a work-in-progress park so it wan't as refined yet, but the concept that they have is quite impressive.  I didn't bother taking pictures since by this time I was already feeling tired, and I hadn't had much sleep while in the midnight bus from Cubao.  From here I went back to the Inn just in time for my room to be available for check in and got myself a well deserved rest.

All these places can be traveled for half a day.  If you wouldn't be staying so much time (meaning 1 hour per place) in a place, it is doable.  I just went around just enough for me to check the place and to take some pictures.  If you want to include Strawberry farm here, you can.  You just have to go there (preferably via taxi) right before going to places I've mentioned because it's always better going there first thing in the morning, that is if you plan to pick strawberries for yourself, but if not, then anytime is fine.

I understand that anyone with a sane mind would't like to travel for only half a day in Baguio.  I just indicated here that you can, to give people an idea that it's possible so you can spend some time chilling.  In my case, I did that because I never thought I could mark out all the go-to destinations in such a short time.  Like I had planned to go to certain places for a day, and I was just shocked that I had already marked all of it for just half a day of going around.

I stayed there for 3 days but went around for just 15% of the duration, mostly on the first day when I traveled half a day.  The following day, I went to Strawberry Farm.  I didn't bother going to the Buddhist temple.  It's just my preference since my main goal for going to Baguio really is to eat as many strawberries as I can.  Eat it with chocolate, and work on the long overdue ebook.  Eating was easy, but writing was hard.  I never anticipated that I couldn't work with a really cool weather.

The Main Star of the Show: Strawberries

This is what I've learned though.  You don't really have to see everything in Baguio.  You don't have to kick yourself for missing a landmark because at the end of the day what's more important is for you to enjoy the place, not race around in it just so you can "experience" it.  Chill, there's more to Baguio than these places.  There are a lot of great people that you can talk to and meet along the road.  Don't forget to start a conversation with them because mind you, these moments are far greater than just visiting some old landmark, the people for me is the landmark.

I think I've kinda grown as a traveler and I think I kinda want to keep it that way.

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, January 08, 2015