Category Archives: Backpacking

Accommodation, Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, CouchSurfing, Food, Leisure Trip, Provinces

CS Weekend Escape: Beach Bumming at Laiya and Food Tripping at Tagaytay

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In one rather sunny August day, me and some friends from couchsurfing decided to push through with a quick weekend escape to Laiya, Batangas — a coastline of white sand about three or four hours from the paved highways of Manila.

Beach at Laiya Balacbacan
Beach at Laiya Balacbacan

We actually talked about the trip a week before but weren’t really sure if we’d push through. Laiya isn’t exactly known to the Manila populace as a cheap place for a quick getaway. When you say Laiya, it’s possible that the first thought are the big and fancy resort hotels that charge you about 4000 per person for the weekend — which, I think, for the services, amenities and package food menu that is included is just fair for a touristy weekend vacay.

AC Rooms at Moonlight Beach Resort
AC Rooms at Moonlight Beach Resort

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Accommodation, Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, Budget, Cities, CouchSurfing, Transportation, Travel Groups and Forums

CS Weekend Escape: Surfing at Zambales

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In my desperate attempt for a weekend escape from all the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, I turned to newly-found and not-yet-met CouchSurfing friends and folks to go surfing at Zambales!

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Unleashing the surfer babe in me!

But of course, backtrack a little bit: most of us got bottomless on tequilas and hit the dance floor first (Payback Friday mode at Agave and 7th High) before hitting the beach! Special thanks to Jen for organizing, Craig for keeping our bags at his pad, and Abby for the magic password for Guest List at 7th high!

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Bottomless margaritas and mojitos at Agave Cantina, Bonifacio High Street

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Accommodation, Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, CouchSurfing, Food, Leisure Trip, Provinces, Religion, Transportation

Instagram Travel: island hopping in Visayas

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I haven’t posted a new travel entry for two months now and as I am running out of excuses for it, I’ve decided to have a quick Instagram post of my 4-day trip to Visayas with Leah, my good friend whom I’ve met through CouchSurfing in India.

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At the back of the speeding taxi from Kharghar to the Mumbai International Airport

As she’s only here for 8 days and I have just started on a new job, we made sure that she’d be able to see the Philippines under the urban/metro and rural/nature sense.

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View of the west side of Bonifacio Global City from one of the office windows

Our first stop after she roamed the streets of Taguig, Makati and Manila is the naturally-gifted province of Bohol. While planning her trip, I asked Leah which of the 7107 islands of he Philippines would she be more interested in. I provided her with the top tourist destinations’ main selling points and at the mention of Tarsier, the world’s smallest primate (or so we thought), our itinerary finally had its anchor.

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Up-Down from Left: Nap time while waiting for our 4AM flight via ZestAir, Terminal 4; ferry trip from Cebu to Bohol via 2Go; Bus toploaders galore; Bus topload view of Bohol (Sikatuna area); Loboc River Cruisers; Bell/Time Tower at Loboc Plaza; Loboc Church

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Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, Cities, Leisure Trip, Religion, Transportation

Backpacking South East Asia: Walking Around Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok

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Bangkok is known here in the Philippines, and perhaps in many other countries, as a place to do your bargain shopping. Little do people know that it is in Bangkok where they will be introduced to Buddhism, whether it was their intention or not. As for me, I think Bangkok was my first official Buddhist induction—with Khao San Road, the backpackers mecca where I stayed (well, the next street), and Rattanakosin Island (as in the tourist area) being very Wat (temple) sections of Bangkok.

Backpacking SEA - Bangkok - Grand Palace Grounds

Don’t worry though, as being overloaded with Buddhism and Thai architecture is something that you should look forward to. I think the Buddhism and IndoChina-rooted/based architecture, religious and cultural heritage is something that is very different from other countries, especially the Philippines. So, without further ado, I give you an overview (so as not to spoil your personal discovery) of what Bangkok is beyond shopping. These photos were selected among the hundreds I took while walking from Thanon Khao San towards the tourist sites of Rattanakosin Island.

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Accommodation, Backpacking, Cities, Countries, Leisure Trip

Backpacking South East AsiA – A Beary Nice Hostel in Chinatown, Singapore

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During my solo backpacking South East Asia month in 2011, I mostly stayed at hostels and dorm-type accommodations. So, even when I was momentarily joined by two friends in the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia leg, they were made to follow the backpackers way of hostel-type accommodations. And, I would like to think that we all had a very good experience staying at the Beary Nice Hostel in Chinatown, Singapore.

Singapore - Beary Nice lobby
it’s a beary welcoming reception

Back in 2010, I have wanted to stay at the Beary Good Hostel, also in Chinatown, during a very short couple vacation in Singapore. We decided otherwise and it was only during the 2011 backpacking trip that me and my friends stayed at Beary Nice Hostel, which happens to be a sister hostel of Beary Good. Continue reading Backpacking South East AsiA – A Beary Nice Hostel in Chinatown, Singapore →