Discover Sibuyan, Philippines [Video]

Sibuyan Island is part of Romblon Province, in central Philippines.

This crescent-shaped island is commonly referred to as the "Galapagos of Asia" for its biodiversity. Learn more about Sibuyan in this video, and add this piece of heaven to you must-go-to destination. Enjoy!

Solo travel and the people I've met on the road

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill 

More travel quotes here: 50 Inspiring Travel Quotes

One question that people often ask me, aside from "Where are you?" or "Are you in the Philippines?", is "Why do you travel?"  This is one question that is easy to answer, and I have many. One of which is to meet new people, to meet new friends.

In the last 10 years, I've met quite a few, and thanks to Facebook, I'm still in contact with some of them. For those whom I am not in contact anymore, I still have our shared moments to cherish. My traveling experience has been made memorable by these new found friends, and on this post, I would like to give tribute to these amazing fellow adventurist.

Crazy Christmas eve celebration in Saigon, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2009

On my first solo backpacking trip in Southeast Asia, I ended up celebrating my Christmas in HCMC, Vietnam. It was my first Christmas outside the country, and the first time I am spending it alone. After a tour of the Mekong River, I went back to the hostel and discovered all my roommates getting ready for dinner. It was an 10-bed mixed dorm in the middle of Pham Ngu Lao - Saigon's backpackers' area.

It was a crazy mix of solo travelers, a girl from Netherlands, a lady doctor from Brazil, a couple of Aussie guys, and the rest from different countries in Europe. We went out to dinner, then had a few bottles of Saigon beer. Too early to call it a night, we transferred to another area that served cheap draft beer (I think it was about 1 USD for a pitcher). Stories were shared, advice were asked and even stories back home were overflowing. After midnight, we went back to the hostel too drunk to care as the others were competing for the loudest snore.

Itineraries

Sometimes the best way to enjoy a place is to get lost. (KL, Malaysia 2011)

Below are the itineraries I've traveled the past few years. 

Feel free to ask questions or travel advice on these destinations.

My favorite sunset spots

Sunset at U Bein Bridge, the world's oldest and longest teak wood bridge, in Mandalay, Burma

I love sunsets. 

Sunsets remind us that no matter how rough your day may be, it will soon be over and tomorrow will be another day, another opportunity to try, to make things right.

Below are some of my favorite sunsets taken from some of my favorite destinations in Asia, North and South America.

Around The World Itinerary (150 countries in 6 years)

At the Calauit Game Reserve in Palawan. Next, African Safari!

Finally, I was able to start drafting my itinerary for an around-the-world travel. I don't know when this will happen, but I am confident it will. The universe will provide.

This is the first draft, and most probably the last. This is the way I travel, I just identify the places I want to go to, sequence them with the only consideration being the availability of border crossings, have target dates for every place and just take it from  there. The key word is flexibility.


Total Number of countries: 150
Total Travel Days: Six (6) Years

Tara na, Biyahe Tayo!

My Lakbayan Map

My Lakbayan grade is A-!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Gulugod Baboy Climb

Sunset at the Peak

Lone tree at the peak. And it's dead!

I'm on top of the world!

Itinerary: Gulugod Baboy

DESTINATION: GULUGOD BABOY – SOMBRERO ISLAND

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1: April 12, Saturday

09:00AM Assembly JAM Bus Station, Kamuning near GMA
09:30AM ETD Batangas City
12:00PM ETA Diversion Road, Batangas City
12:30PM ETA Anilao, Mabini

Mt. Gulugod Baboy Peak

An amazing 360 degrees view of Batangas, the bay and its environs.


I climbed this mountain twice already, the first one being the birthday climb of a friend of a friend. It was the first time I met most of the other climbers (about 10 of us) in the group, but they we're a bunch of cool and funny people that is was a great experience.

The second climb,though there were only 4 of us, was more memorable because I was with my beloved sis (it was her first climb) and my special someone (first time climber. The fourth person was my house help, it was my treat for her (though despite the difficulty, I'm sure she enjoyed herself especially with the swim after).

Fast Facts - Philippines

Island hopping in El Nido, Palawan

Philippines

capital : Manila

land area : 299,000 sq km

population : The vast majority of Filipinos are descendants of Malays, Chinese, and Muslim minorities. More than 100 cultural minorities are scattered all over the country.

language : Filipino and English, with 10 other languages and 87 dialects

religion : Predominantly Roman Catholic. Others: Protestant,, Muslim, and Buddhist

government : republic

currency : Philippine peso

geography : The Philippines is an archipelago located between the Philippine the Philippine sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam, and north of Sabah and Borneo. It spans 1,900 kilometers from north to south, 1110 from east to west.

climate : March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78F/ 32C; humidity: 77%

environment : The Philippines is rich in biodiversity, with around 12,000 plant species, 1100 land vertebrate species, and at least 500 species of coral. Total forest area is around 18%; coastal ecosystem reaches around 20,000 km.

time : GMT + 8 hours

Source: Dept of Tourism

Video: Calayan, Babuyan Islands

A video prepared by a friend of our trip to Calayan Island, part of the Babuyan Group of Islands.

Please watch for my next post on the details of this trip and on information on Calayan and how to get there.

Video courtesy of Jo B. Many thanks!

Why Lonely Pinoy Traveler?

I am not sad. I am very happy, especially when I travel. So why Lonely Pinoy Traveler? For two reasons:

Solo travel in Ayuthaya, Thailand

First, I will be posting about my own travels, here in the Philippines and even abroad. And most of these trips, I am alone.

Second, learning from my experience of traveling alone, I will be sharing trips and tips that will make traveling alone still a hell lot of fun. And this will work even with couples or groups.

Now, you might ask, why do I frequently travel alone. Sometimes, it is by choice but sometimes it is just the way it is given the circumstances. Lets me cite some examples.

1. I am fortunate that my work brings me to a lot of places. Working for an NGO, I am sent to the different parts of the country, often alone. After the work is done, I make sure that I spend a few days to explore the place - also often alone (or sometimes with my hosts.)

2. I also work as a consultant for one senator, a work that also entails lots of travels. In these travels all over the Philippines, the regular staff has to be constantly with the senator leaving me alone with the opportunity to explore the place.

3. Given my age, a lot of my friends are also young. Often, we plan to travel together but at the last minute, they would cancel. Most probably, I would decide to continue with the plan - alone.

4. Sometimes, I travel alone by choice. That is for a lot of reasons, but usually, I do it if I want some time to think about something. In my next post, I will be detailing some benefits of traveling alone.

But just to make it clear, I do enjoy some company when I travel. But when faced with a situation where I am alone, I know how to make the most out of it, and have one hell of trip to remember.

So, read on and please come back for more and discover heaven that is the Philippines.