Perspective: Flying in Chiang Mai

Our group, composed of (left to right) a Canadian girl, our guide,  myself,
a Swedish girl and a South African couple on their honeymoon.

Today, on my last day in Chiang Mai, I did a 25KM off-road downhill bike. This is actually the second time I did this, the first one was 2 years ago on my first backpacking trip across South-East Asia. I took the time off from Bangkok to be able to do this for one more time.

Poems by the river

I was sitting by the Hippo River, just across Clark Quay (Singapore) watching boats pass by, and people also sitting by the river. Young couples, tired travellers having a short rest, and this young lady who seems to be waiting for someone... for the last 2 hours. 

I opened my book of poems by Nina Estrada (first published in 1959). Here is poem No. XVI

Wear high and proudly your defeat, my heart, 

Come, bare your wounds that those around may see

The triumphant banner of his victory.

With conquest swift, barbaric did he part

Your hesitating mouth, your virgin hair

Then pieced them all together with a kiss

That set them whole again. The magic this:

The new and old and one and yet compare;

The turbid past and luscent present see.

Where thirsty arms once mourned with weeping rain,

Now choirs of sunbeams sing but one refrain:

"Hosanna, Love! Behold! He loves but me."

How exquisite can willed surrender be

When it preludes a lover's victory.

Singapore, 2011 December 5

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

10 Things You Should Not Miss to Eat in Khao San (Thailand)

It's raining now, and I am stuck in Khao San. I'm thinking of something light to write, and I realized I'm craving for some coconut ice cream and some other yummy delights that Bangkok has to offer.

A local preparing Thai Roti

So here it goes. My own list of what you should not miss in Khao San, or Bangkok in general.

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

Ilocos View

I took this amateur video on our trip from Vigan to Pagudpod.



Truly a beautiful Philippines!

Dislaimer

This blog is for information purposes only.

The numbers, locations, directions, people, fares and all other data presented in this blog is a collection of my personal experience or collected from various sources as indicated in each post, just to give you a general picture of each place or each travel.

Entrance to the Underground River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

As much I have tried to present the most accurate data possible, certain errors may occur due to typographical or other mistakes, or as brought upon by changes beyond my control (increase in fares, cessation of flights or routes, changing of contact numbers, etc).

In using this site, you agree to these conditions:

1. I, the blog owner, will not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) which is provided on this web site or incorporated into it by reference.
2. The information on this website is provided on the basis that all persons accessing the site undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content.
3. The content of this blog may be copied, provided, proper acknowledgment is attributed to this site and the author.

Furthermore, I have no editor and I have no time to review each article on this blog, as such, grammatical or spelling errors may occur. Please pardon my mistakes. Just focus on the contents and the message, ignore the minor mistakes. Don't attack my person because of it.

Questions or request for travel advice are most welcome.

Tara, byahe tayo!™

Froilan Grate | Lonely Pinoy Traveler
Also: No Bystanders | Inside a Green Mind

Important Numbers

Important Telephone Numbers when traveling to the Philippines:

Baler, Aurora

Ninoy Aquino International Airport 877 1109
Bureau of Customs 527 4517
Bureau of Immigration 527 3259
Police/ Fire/ Medical Emergency 117
International Operator 108
Local Operator 109
Directory Assistance 187


HOSPITALS

Asian Hospital 771 9000
Makati Medical Center 815 9911
Manila Doctor's 524 3011
Medical Center Manila 523 8131
Medical City 631 8626
Philippine Gen Hospital 521 8450
St. Luke's MC 723 0101


Department of Tourism

T.M Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila
Hotline: 525 2000

Tourist Security Division 524 1660
(24 hrs) 524 1728

Tourism Information Center 524 2384
(7am-8pm)

Tourist Legal Service 524 1742
(Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)

Source: Department of Tourism

Make sure you have read and you agreed to this site's disclaimer.

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!

Pros of Traveling Alone 1

Taking a photo of yourself taking a photo is a challenge when traveling along

Surely, we enjoy the company of friends when we travel. But when in a situation where we find ourselves alone, there's no reason to feel bad and miss out on the best that a place has to offer.

Here are some reasons why traveling alone is good, sometimes better: