Pardon the lack of updates, I know I haven’t been blogging a lot lately. I’ve been pretty much busy with mostly my online job. My funds have been depleting and I need to stay in one place in order to gain more work hours to earn more money and keep this backpacking journey going.
I also got exhausted trying to keep updating this site since I have other blogs that also need attention. But all is still well and I’m still alive. 🙂
Singapore sidewalk
After a month and a half, I’m back on the road. I got past the immigration counter without them asking for much information. Compared to my experience last February when I was interviewed twice, this time was a breeze. They only asked for my return ticket and I was through. Maybe smiling at them did the trick, I don’t really know. I’m just glad I’m at the pre-boarding area now.
at NAIA Terminal 3
I started my backpacking adventure after I quit my job of six years to see if a digital nomad’s lifestyle is truly for me. I spent two months outside the country but it was cut short due to personal reasons. While in the Philippines, I maximized my time by spending it with family and friends. Being away for a while made me look at life from a different angle which made it a great opportunity to reconnect with people; especially my loved ones.
I also visited Manila, twice; and met a number of travel bloggers, old and new. It was swell to mingle and get inspired to continue this passion of mine by being with them for coffee or pizza.
with Gay, Oman, Dong Ho, Marky and Wendell
with Lauren, Rafael, Lois, Eileen, Jen and Josiah
During the third month of my backpacking adventure, I made a side trip to Singapore and Boracay. I was supposed to be in Chiang Mai or Laos but there were sudden changes of plans that I had to reroute the destinations and go home earlier than expected.
I told myself that I’d be gone for at least six months; however, it wasn’t really something I wanted to carve in stone. The point of this whole digital nomad lifestyle gig is to show to others that it is possible to bring your work with you and travel at the same time. I think I’ve done fairly enough to say that it can be done.
leaving Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok
Singapore was not set until the first week of August. I was going to visit the country when I had more money in my bank. I knew that this was going to be an expensive place given that this is a First World country so I wanted more time to save before I check out its attractions. Due to circumstances, I arrived here too soon.
Merlion Singapore
I received a couple of emails from fellow digital nomads about the cost of living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. These were timely messages as I stayed in this city with a friend for one month. I figured I’d share important factors to consider to help other lifestyle designers who bring their work with them. Here’s … Read more
After our breakfast at The Manor Hotel in Baguio, we headed to Dagupan City in Pangasinan. The main activity that was lined up for us was the Dawel River Cruise. We arrived after four hours and we were greeted by the representatives from the Dagupan tourism department.
an alternative career
photo taken by Angel
I knew about this cruise through my blogger friend Mica of Senyorita.net when she wrote about it on her blog. If you ask me, Mica seems to be a blogger ambassador of the Dagupan City because of how she promotes her hometown to the rest of the blogging community. Check out her article here: Dagupan City’s Newest Tourist Attraction
murals that greet you at the entrance
Inspired by Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise, the Dawel River Cruise was conceptualized to clean the rivers of Dagupan City. A relaxing day with local music being played as we passed through the river, it was a welcome treat from the extreme activities that we had the previous days. We also feasted on delicious rice cakes that they prepared for us.
Dawel River Cruise in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
As I walked along the road, the sun beat down. The jungle canopy stretched overhead; protecting me from the hottest sun rays, but many still landed on my back. I drank a mouthful of cold water. Sweat dripped down my back. A motorcycle sped past, spitting exhaust fumes into the atmosphere as it disappeared around a corner. Where was I? I was in Puerto Galera, a small town on the island of Oriental Mindoro.
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Roughly 4 hours from Manila, Puerto Galera is a popular town for weekend getaways. It attracts tourists of all types. The Filipinos congregate around White Beach, a popular nightlife district, while the foreigners tend to set up camp around Sabang. I was staying at a Puerto Galera resort in the middle, approximately 10 minutes motorcycle ride from White Beach and Sabang.
Today, I’d forsaken the motorcycle for my own two legs. I was on my way to Sabang, one of the tourist areas.
BadLadz Resort
I had the pleasure of meeting readers on the road while in Cambodia. These were unexpected encounters and it was nice that they spared their time even if they were tired from a long day of temple-hopping. I wrote 20 articles about Siem Reap during my trip last year which has become a guide for … Read more
I was hanging out with newfound friends at one of the fish massage areas near the Angkor Night Market in Siem Reap. My friends tried the Doctor Fish Spa and were giggling so hard when the fishes ate the dead skin cells of their feet. I was laughing at their reactions when an old tourist … Read more
As I was scanning through old photos in my laptop’s hard drive, I came across an album of my Macau trip 2 years ago. This was the first time I stepped foot on international soil and because of this, I realized that I could go to different places if I really wanted to.
Anyway, looking at the pictures of Macau, I can’t help but think about what I’ll do if I go back for the second time.
I can’t get enough of my bungy jumping experience at the Macau tower that I want to do it again. I know it’s something that I need to prepare myself for since the price of the bungee is expensive. However, I already have a card that gives me a discounted rate so I wouldn’t mind using it for this death-defying stunt.
Maybe this time I’ll try falling backwards, or maybe I’ll do a tandem bungy. Whatever happens, I shouldn’t miss out on another exhilirating experience.
I’m a sucker for free food that’s why I will have a quick stop at the Senado Square because of the free samples that are being offered left and right.
On the way to the Ruins of St. Paul, store attendants offer free taste of beef jerkies, cookies, and snacks that they are selling. With so many people around, I don’t think they’d notice if I keep going back for more. I remember that those cookies actually served as my lunch for that day!
About 15 minutes away from Paoay Lake, we went to the sand dunes of Suba, Ilocos Norte for a quick stop. This was not supposed to be part of our itinerary but since we had a few minutes to spare, we were lucky to be given the time to check the place out.
Quick Stop at Suba Sand Dunes
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
view from the bus
“Guys, 10 minutes only!” Ivan of Ivan About Town said that we shouldn’t take long as we still had some activities lined up for the rest of the day.
I was happy to have the chance to step down the bus and not just stare at the place from afar that I hurriedly took my camera out and stepped foot on the sand.
Lakbay Norte 3 Victory Liner Bus in Paoay
I didn’t realize it’s been a month since I took a flight from Manila to Vietnam to start my backpacking journey in Southeast Asia and become location-independent. I travelled to Ho Chi Minh City and Mui Ne in Vietnam, Siem Reap in Cambodia, and Bangkok in Thailand.
I didn’t maximize the number of days before my passport expired for each country as this month was more of a vacation than anything else. Despite the sudden change of locations, I came across a few realizations and learned some lessons along the way.
I overdosed on spicy food in Thailand but I still kept eating them. I also didn’t watch what I ate that I ended up having diarrhea for a couple of days.
I can’t afford to get sick. Aside from the cost of medicines, I also wasted time trying to recover my health. I could’ve used the opportunity to work on other jobs that would allow me to generate more income. Or I could’ve used the time to explore other areas in Bangkok.
Thai Food – spicy!
So I’ve been late on the news and I found out that Filipinos have easier access to direct flights from Manila to Cambodia courtesy of Cebu Pacific Airlines. I’m currently based in Siem Reap and I was told that the airline seats are fully booked for April 2012 onwards!
Cebu Pacific Air is set to roll out these Manila to Siem Reap flights 3 times a week starting April 19. I know I’ve had my fair share of adventures during my trip last year and now because of this Cebu Pacific flight, the Philippines can fly directly to Cambodia.
Normally, travellers will have to go by land from Bangkok to Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap and it would take at least 9 hours via bus from Bangkok and 14 hours from Ho Chi Minh. But with this recent news, this is a welcome treat for those who want to see the great Angkor Wat temple.
Formerly known as Hotel Vida, the Widus Resort and Casino hotel in Clark, Pampanga was the last place we checked in during our Lakbay Norte 3 trip. This was a nice and relaxing place to cap off our eight-day adventure to different parts of North Luzon.
Widus Resort and Casino Hotel in Clark, Pampanga
January 28, 2012
Hotel Widus, Clark, Pampanga
To be honest, I didn’t expect a lot from this hotel. I was just happy to rest after a long day of pampering. But when I saw our King Bed and Single bed room, I was amazed.
our room in Hotel Widus
One of my most favorite hotels during our Lakbay Norte 3 trip was Hotel Manor in Baguio City. We arrived after our Airsoft game at the Baguio Country Club and it was nice to see the place all lit up.
The Manor Hotel
January 26, 2012
night scene in Hotel Manor
When we arrived at the lobby, chandeliers and a fireplace greeted us. There was also a band at the Piano Bar and I could see an old couple dancing to the song being played. It was a nice welcome after a tiring day of activities and it made me want to go directly to my room so I could change and then explore the other parts of the hotel.
lobby of Hotel Manor