The Budget Travel Guide to Bohol, Philippines

Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol

Whenever a foreigner asks me for recommendations, Bohol is always in my top three. The reason is simple: a wide array of extraordinary attractions. Sure, other islands in the Philippines are worth recommending, too, but most boast one or two of the following --- white beaches, incredible sites, diverse wildlife, interesting history. Bohol has them all. From wild encounters with dolphins and other marine lifeforms to the incomparable views of the Chocolate Hills, Bohol is a province that is easy to promote for it doesn't need much sales talk. And given that I've only explored the southern edge of the province and a few of its islands, I wonder just how much harder I would love Bohol when I … [Read more...]

The Budget Travel Guide to Biri Island – Northern Samar, Philippines

View of Macadlaw (left) and Puhunan (right) from Bel-at

Biri Island is where the gods go to wage war. This is where the San Bernardino Strait combats the mighty Pacific as the latter pushes its tides into the Visayan domain. The elements, who bear witness to the ferocious duel, are caught trapped in the battlefield. The winds sometimes cheer, sometimes howl as they watch from above. The waves, in their desperate attempt to flee, lap up the edges of the shore. And the land, Biri Island, referees the constant clash but not without finding a silver lining, getting a hold of it, and never letting go. As it takes the beating from the seas, who just pound its hard face with one blow after another, it allows the gods' skilled hands to shape its cliffs. … [Read more...]

Peninsular Malaysia West Coast: Islands to Highlands in a Week

BOH Tea Plantation in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

We never intended to tour around Malaysia that month. Our original destination was Siem Reap, Cambodia but an unfortunate event forced us to drop the idea. Our connecting flights were in Kuala Lumpur so we figured, Why not explore Malaysia instead? So just a couple of days before the trip, we found ourselves rummaging through the Internet for travel ideas. After a night-long research, we listed down the destinations we wished to visit and most of them are located near the West Coast. Our initial list had five cities but, wait, that was too many stops for a 6-day trip! Since I had been to Malacca and Kuala Lumpur in separate occasions, they got the cut. We settled for three destinations … [Read more...]

How to Help Fund Your Travels

Travel money

If the winter blues have got you feeling a little bit down, you might be dreaming of the trips you could take in the upcoming year. There’s only one thing standing in your way: your finances. With a bit of effort, you can make your travel plans a reality by following these simple money-making tips. 1. Sell it back. One of the quickest ways to earn some extra cash to fund your travels is to sell back your unwanted household clutter. MusicMagpie.com will take your unwanted DVD and CD collections, while Amazon and Cash4Books are great sites for selling back your old books. If you plan far enough in advance, you can take your out of season clothes to a consignment shop and watch the … [Read more...]

The Budget Travel Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia

angkor wat black and white

Three times I tried to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and three times it failed to materialize. The amount of time spent on building my itinerary and money wasted on unused plane tickets were nothing compared to the disappointment that devoured me each time it didn't happen. The first attempt was in 2010 but something I could not abandon came up at work. The second was in 2011 but the money I allotted for the trip was used for a more pressing matter. The third was in mid-2012 but news of enterovirus in Cambodia pushed us to drop the idea and take a detour to Malaysia instead. When I decided to finally make my dream of backpacking across Southeast Asia a reality, Cambodia was actually not … [Read more...]

Singapore – Malacca Trip Summary: Blast to the Past and Back to the Future

singapore night walk

While this trip comprises both Singapore and the Malaysian city of Malacca, it was actually the latter that I was more excited about. I had been to Singapore a number of times but never Malacca. It had always been on my bucket list and  I was thankful that I finally had the chance to set foot on this remarkable place. The Singapore leg of this trip, however, also proved to be extremely enjoyable even though it was a repeat of my previous SG trip. … [Read more...]

Sagada Travel Guide: Getting There, Itinerary, Budget, Summary

Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sagada

"Let's go to Sagada." More than five years ago, just before our college graduation, my friend Tonet invited me to go to Sagada. Tonet and I had always wanted to visit Sagada for a number of reasons. "I don't think that's possible given that we're too busy working on our theses. Perhaps after graduation?" I suggested. After graduating, while we were walking in Makati, looking for a job, she brought it up again. "I think we should find a job first. And then let's plan a Sagada getaway," I dodged. She agreed. When we finally landed a job, the desire to travel to Sagada was still there. But neither tried to bring it up because we knew there was no way we could squeeze a 3-day trip into … [Read more...]

The Budget Travel Guide to Batangas, Philippines

Taal Heritage Town

Batangas is a blessed land. Not only is it very close to the capital Manila, it also cradles a wide array of diverse landscapes --- pristine beaches, a scenic lake, spectacular diving sites, breathtaking rivers, fertile farm lands, enchanting mountains, and a volcano. These places have also nurtured communities from the pre-Spanish settlements to the rise of the province's many urban centers in its long history. Thus, it is no surprise that Batangas has a rich culture and heritage, and has become home to some of the country's most significant national heroes whose roles and legacy cannot be stressed enough. How to Get There Batangas is only two to three hours away from Manila depending … [Read more...]

Camiguin Island Trip: Summary and Budget

Camiguin Island as viewed from White Island

I didn't spend a dime on this trip. Or maybe I did. I remember buying a piece of kiping, a local delicacy made from ground cassava, for P10, bottled water, and fresh buko juice. But other than that, I just enjoyed the 3-day 2-night tour without spending on anything. This tour was a birthday gift to me from a not-so-poor friend who was with me on this trip. Thank God for generous friends! Worry not, though, because I will still discuss in detail how much "damage" this will cause a weekend traveler if he or she does this tour exactly as we did. After all, most rates were displayed openly in every stop we had so read on! … [Read more...]

The Budget Travel Guide to Camiguin, Philippines

Mount Hibok-hibok as seen from White Island

The cold wind that blew as I stood at the balcony of our hotel was quite a refreshing surprise. Although the sky was bright and the sun was inching its way from the horizon, the temperature remained friendly in the shadows of Mt. Hibok-hibok, the most prominent landmark in Camiguin. Camiguin: The Island Born of Fire Camiguin is the smallest province in Mindanao and the second smallest in the Philippines. But don't judge it by its size. Often dubbed the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin harbors seven volcanoes, including Mount Vulcan and Mount Hibok-hibok. Its landscape has been continuously shaped and reshaped by volcanic activities, giving this island paradise countless natural … [Read more...]

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