The question we don’t normally encounter is this? What is the best journey you’ve ever had? Sometimes we dont care about focusing on the journey part of our travels.

photo by mikebaird

And so let me enumerate the trips I remember and call it must have travel experiences. Here we go:

1. The First Airplane Ride – When you’re a frequent flier, takeoffs, landings, and turbulence doesnt excite or bother you much as the first time. If you haven’t ridden a plane, more so those with propellers and not those fancy jet engines, then its time for you to do so. I remember my first plane ride was back in 2003, yes, I was already in my 20′s before I ever rode a plane. The thrill of takeoff has always captivated my excitement, as the rush fills up the air inside me. Landings are so so, but it gets better when its a windy day, and the airport happens to be right beside the sea so it looks like you’re landing on water.

What you can do: Call your local airline and ask which destinations fly using the ATR. For best experience, get the cheapest flight where it is rumored that you fly as an Asian and land as spirit. If you’re in the Philippines, take a Boracay flight as the runway is short. Don’t worry folks, its safe, and Filipino pilots are the best. Its just that the runway is really short the last time I was in Boracay, i nearly fainted during takeoff because of the steep climb, not to mention the plane I rode was empty and the pilots wanted to do a 360. (it was a special flight folks so it wont happen to you)

2. The First Solo Trip – Traveling alone is one of the best experiences one can ever have. At first it has been a challenge for me. I cant even remember the first time I traveled alone but when the bug hit me, it went on. That is about to change though, but I’m happy I experienced traveling alone.

The what if’s always come to play here – on your own knowing no one, or not feeling “too safe”. Feeling safe and being safe are two totally different things, but the trade off of not traveling alone and traveling alone will always be there.

When you travel alone, you’re bound to be creative in what you do. You are forced to mingle. That in itself is a treat.

Ive met friends around the world because of traveling alone.

What you can do: What else?! Book a trip somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere you haven’t been to before. The more rustic the better. Make sure to do your research though, you dont want to end up in a cannibal tribe.. or would you? For better results, choose a place that do not use a language that you use. You can also try couchsurfing  too.

3. Trekking with a lot of rain- if going up hill is fun, most especially with an expectation of wooing views that take your breath away when you reach the top, or crystal clear waters a-la blue lagoon with gigantic waterfalls that makes one stare with wonder, what more doing it with a little extra challenge, rainfall and wind. Ive probably done this a couple of times, one was a spelunking trip and the other a hike up a rocky peak using only my flipflops. Yes i am crazy,but its fun.

What you can do: Search for a hike and do it during the rainy season, just ask if its safe before you go first. Some, volcano creater trek like our very own Mt. Pinatubo trail are off limits at times.

4. Boat ride amidst raging waters - im not talking about taking one of those ferry boats. I’m talking about those little ones that cant sit more than 50. Ive probably had the chance.

What you can do: If youre in the Philippines.. boat trip to Puerto Galera, Sabtang Island in Batanes, or Palaui Island in Cagayan.. as for the timing, i’m not suggesting to really do it during a storm since the Coast guard will probably wont let you, unless you have a stubbon boatman.

5. Long Hour Non-Airconditioned Bus Rides – Im ok with bus rides, but non-airconditioned ones? Uh, that’s a bit of a challenge specially with the humidity, dust, and heat. Im not suggesting riding those along the highway. Its those rustic ones with a lot of character in the province, those mini buses going to place hidden in the mountains, or down the beach. Two things it does – changes your perspective of things as it takes away the comfort but the beauty of details inspires you, and it increases your opportunity for beautiful photos.

What you can do: If you’re in the Philippines, try arranging for a Sagada trip. It takes around 7 hours or so and the heat of the sun is also a challenge. Other developing Asian countries will have this option too.

6. Hitch Hiking – Maybe an option id like to explore more often, Having to ride with a stranger will be a breakthrough for a lot of people. More often than not, its quite safe. The risk of getting picked up by a serial killer is slim where I live. The first time I tried this is with friends on board a water truck. We ended up on the truck because we were told to just walk up the road for 15 minutes to get to where we wanted to go, 2 hours of walking later, we were still far off so we ended up on a truck as it rained all of a sudden.

What you can do: Travel with a bud or travel alone to a road less traveled. Ride on those slow rides like those pulled by cows or a vegetable truck carrying veggies or old folks. To get more used to it, get off after 15 minutes and get on another. haha!

7. The Media Tour – whats more fun than  a bus load of media people on a media tour? Not just for the freebies, but do you know that you learn a lot from your fellow journalists along the way. You’ll see traveling habits of people working about travel. The best part is the friendship that happens in between.

What you can do: Start working on a blog or get into writing or photography and try getting into publications, then volunteer to join.

A note of caution though – do all these at your own risk. When the rush is higher, the risk is greater. But theres a way to make keep things safe still so dont do things mindlessly. It takes a little preparation and gut feel

This is my official entry to the PTB’s Blog Carnival for December 2011 entitled: The Journey is the Destination, hosted by Kara Santos of Travel Up.

If there was something I’d like to share about Mindanao, its the stuff that I miss, as it has been months since I last visited. As I reminisce the experiences and all the great things the south has to offer.

1. The First Time . it was in Davao that I experienced a lot of firsts. I was starting out as a photographer back then. On assignment for a travel magazine, my heart raced as I found out that I was going to Samal Island. Research told me that I was going to get a lot of good photos, as the place showed crystal clear waters, vividly blue skies, and real nice beaches. Ive done and seen quite a few firsts in this trip: It was my first assignment as a photographer. It was also my first time to travel with someone I didn’t know (a travel writer whose name I forgot). Come to think of it, it was also my first time to fly local. It was my first time to see four people ride a motorcycle (habal-habal). It was my first time to go diving, and my first to sleep in a small island, in my own little beach hut, with someone serving coconut, waking you up in the morning, and asking you what you’ld like to have for breakfast.

I couldnt find my photos except for this one. That island you see from afar is Island Buenavista. That’s the little Island I was telling you about.2. The Waters. I love the beach. I love water. And most especially, I love it all clear and pristine. I had my first intro dive in Samal Island (I had three), and the best thing about it is that I fell in love with the ocean even more. Mindanao has a lot of hidden treasures under its deep blue,even the shallow green is a sight to behold. I wish I could take a plunge right now.

3. The Food. What can I say, I love eating. The fruits, the delicacies, the delights, Mindanao Offers a wide variety of treats.. well, ok, any other place can offer you that, but truly, I always get a pleasant treat when I go to Davao or where-ever.

The best Buko Halohalo in the World!

4. The SeaFood. Im a sea food addict, from prawns, clams, crabs, squid, and fish (ok, its not technically categorized as seafood, but oh well). Whether im in Koronadal, Pagadian, Lake Sebu, or Davao. My tummy is prepared for the fresh sea delights.

5. The Culture. What I love about Mindanao is that somehow, there are still places that preserve their heritage, and the culture of Mindanao is very colorful. It is a photographer’s haven, and you don’t have to search for your shot.

6. The Festivals. The music, the color, the culture, and the dances. Festivities down south makes not just for good photographs but great memories too. Having judged at several festivals in Mindanao, I always look forward to being invited again.

7. The Buys. The local market offers a wide variety of finds, and you get it at really good prices too. The culture that you see in photos, are mostly found in the market, and marketplaces in Mindanao are the best.

7. The Photographs - If youre a photographer like me, you will never run out of photo opportunities. Photos are waiting for you in Mindanao, whether youre in the street, in the market, in a festival, in the outskirts, at the beach, at a mountaintop, maybe even inside your hotel room, yould find a shot as there are a lot of subjects to choose from that you normally wont find in the Metro.

Raw Muscovado. Choose your pick!

8. The 100 peso massage. When Im in Tagum City, I never fail to get my massage at the trade center. It doesnt matter what social class you belong, or gender, or fashion preference, what matters is that these guys are really good, and people dont really care what’s happening. With the cost (which i think and assume already went up) of approx 100 pesos, you can get one everyday. Your regular massage fare for 1 hour in manila is double or triple the time here.

Yes! That’s my foot!

9. The Durian. Do I have to explain this? Yes I am a fan Whether it be the fruit itself, Durian candy, Durian shake, Durian pie (oh yes), pan de Durian (like pan-de-coco or pan-de-monggo), Durian yema, Durian whatever.. my favorite of course is Durian delights (its a cross between yema and pastillas. My favorite brand is Lola Abon’s and I make sure i pass by their store whenever im in Davao.

Theres also Marang which taste can be slightly compared to an atis, and Mangosteen, which I can eat all day.

10. The Looking Forward. There are still a lot of places I havent been to in Mindanao, which means, there is still a lot for me to see and look forward to. I too long for the time that I visit all provinces in the Philippines. But at least for now, I have memories to keep me going.

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Blogger’s Blog Carnival for November 2011 entitled Mindanao Bliss hosted by Olan Emboscado of the The Travel Teller.

Of course, since we’re inside a bakeshop, I didn’t stop myself from grabbing a few bites of fresh bread. I even got to try semi-cooked raw dough since someone told us it was already baked. Hmmm.. good thing my tummy was as hard as metal.

The smell of oven baked dough is always a treat. Its basically a sure temptation that more probably no one can resist.

So when you’re in Ilocos craving for bread. You know where to go.

Pasuquin Bakery Pasuquin Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (63-77) 775-0198

Lakbay Norte is brought to you by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau and the Manila North Tollways Corp. Our Ilocos Norte leg would is organized and supported by the Ilocos Norte Convention and Visitors Bureau. Join us next time as we Rediscover the North.

There is this love hate-relationship that’s been going on between me and solo travel. I hate the fact that I can be at a moment and enjoy what’s in front of me and a few minutes later I feel bored because I don’t have anyone to talk or share it with.

I was in bohol on my own and got bored.
Good thing I decided to ditch the beach and move elsewhere in the island

Traveling solo is different from watching movies alone, or eating at a restaurant alone. There are similarities but the psychology is different. There are moments and places that can be best experienced when you are with someone. And there are moments and places that are best experienced with love, friends, and family.

There are four things to consider when traveling solo

1. Your Schedule. I like this, being alone and just enjoying the moment. No one to bug me to leave when Im still enjoying, No one to prod me to take photos when im not in the mood. I can have my pace, my time, my IT. I can skip places and activities I am not interested with. I have a certain standard when it comes to stories. I rarely like to watch and look at artifacts and crafts, or a crib where some president was born. unless it was a manger where pigs ate. Now that’s interesting. On the other hand, having a companion can also mean having more options. They may know something about a place that you don’t. The worse thing that could happen to you is get bored because of an empty slot in your IT.

2. The Moment – the worst thing that could ever happen to me is stay at a place where you can enjoy it with someone but cant. I was at Mt Pinatubo with some friends and it was great that we were there because we could all enjoy the blue green pastel colored water. Whether its to just watch and view the mountains and the clouds that are perfectly in place. You could talk about anything at all, the last trip youve been to. the worst experiences, and the scenery becomes a great background.

I went to Puerto Princesa on my own and stayed there for 2 nights.
This photo doesnt say Palawan at all because I didnt intend to shoot and simply found myself spending most of my time inside a farm eating fruits. Epic!

Similarly I was in Batanes and had the time of my life staring at nothing.. or at least right in front of me was a mountainous graze of green and the ocean trying to reach in. My mornings here are perfect. I always spend time on that blue swing by the porch, and sometimes my neighbor in the other room would do the same. But these are moments you would want to enjoy on your own. God’s creation is awesome. Of course having loved ones with you and enjoying that moment of silence is an exception.

3 . Your Budget – there are things that you are limited to do when youre alone and on a budget. It tends to get more budget friendly when youre in groups.. for example, you can rent a paraw and split the costs with your barkada, otherwise, you cover it all on your own. On the other hand, when you’re on youre own, you tend to get creative. Sometimes you can even get freebies because you’re alone. Say a stranger wants to treat you in exchange for a worthwhile story. You may not be able to experience that if there were four of you traveling. Locals and fellow travelers have budgets too.

My favorite spot in Batanes where I love to spend time alone just staring at nothing

4. The People that you meet – traveling solo forces me to meet people. It forces me to talk with people and get to know them because, one, I do not have anyone else to entertain, and two, to get rid of the boredom that comes with it. On the other hand, if you dont want to meet people, then tag someone along, specially if it makes you feel safe. Im comfortable either way.

In reality, this isn’t just a Philippine thing. I just wanted to put Philippines in the title really. So there ya have it folks. Whether you enjoy traveling on your own or not, no one is stopping you.

This is my entry to the 6th Pinoy Travel Bloggers Blog Carnival held this month of April 2011 with the theme “Why Travel Solo?” hosted by my good friend Nina of Just Wandering

Do check the March 2011 blog carnival too where I hosted for that month with the theme Best 1 day Itineraries

click on the image to enlarge

On May 7-8, I will be joining a photography tour of Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon and giving photography insights and tips on travel photography to participants.

If you’re joining then I will see you there
Capturing Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon is brought to you by Travel Tales Inc.