Our Melting Pot Hostel in Makati, Philippines

I was in Manila last week and I was searching for backpacker lodges in the area since my friend’s place (where I normally crash) was unavailable. I was planning to stay in backpacker hostels in Malate but I found it a bit far from the metro. Good thing I was referred by Dong Ho to Our Melting Pot (OMP) hostel in Makati, Philippines.

I didn’t expect much from this place. All I wanted was a decent bed to crash plus good WiFi connection to work on my online assignments. I got more than what I asked for when I spent the remaining days in this awesome backpacker inn.

Our Melting Pot Makati
entrance at Our Melting Pot

Our Melting Pot Hostel Review

Our Melting Pot is located in what seems like an abandoned building in Makati Avenue. The elevator was a little creepy at first, but I got used to it.

On the 4th floor, I removed my shoes and went inside. I was welcomed by a spacious common area where the staff was already expecting me.

philippines hostel
common area

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Quick Stop at the Fishing Village in Mui Ne, Vietnam

After our walking tour at the Fairy Stream, we rode our rented 4×4 jeep for a quick stop to see the fishing village in Mui Ne, Vietnam. You can’t miss this place as you can easily see this tourist spot from the coastal road.

Fishing Village in Mui Ne, Vietnam
February 8, 2012

Hundreds of colorful boats are lined up and anchored in the bay when you drop by this area. Since the activity is just a quick stop, this is going to be just a quick blog post. lol

fishing village mui ne
Fishing boats in Mui Ne, Vietnam

fishing boats in mui ne
quick photo op at the fishing village

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Walking Barefoot at the Fairy Stream in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Not a far distance from our guesthouse, the driver of 4×4 jeep we rented dropped us off at the Fairy Stream where we were going to start our half-day tour of Mui Ne, Vietnam. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and we chose the afternoon package to tour the common places to visit. This is … Read more

Backpacking Southeast Asia for 9 Months

I resigned from my corporate job last January 2012 because I wanted to go on a long-term travel adventure. I was able to accomplish it by backpacking for nine months in seven countries in Southeast Asia. Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand-Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia-Philippines I haven’t exhausted all the places in Southeast Asia which I could’ve done simply by hopping on a … Read more

First Impressions of Chiang Mai, Thailand

I travelled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on a Thursday night and the ride took 11 hours by bus. It wasn’t a grueling transport. I just had to deal with a couple of pesky female backpackers sitting on the back who seemed high or drunk. They kept talking to my seatmate (their friend) about how crazy the party was the other night. Their voices were so loud that everybody could hear them boisterously laughing as if they owned the bus.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 500 Baht (you can find cheaper tickets if you search enough)

bus chiang mai
backpackers, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

In the middle of the night, they asked one of the bus staff to turn the air conditioning off. The temperature was already unbearable and they didn’t have any jackets/blankets on, but the staff didn’t do anything. Curses flew everywhere which practically disturbed a lot of people. Funny how they previously laughed at their friend for bringing a hoodie in Southeast Asia, but they had to suffer during that cold bus ride that night.

Anyway, the trip ended early in the morning and I arrived in Chiang Mai with arms open.

mong chiang mai
A monk, eating from his bowl, early in the morning.

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Jungle Trek to Chemerung Waterfalls in Terengganu, Malaysia

I’m so glad to have finally participated in the jungle trek to the Chemerung Waterfalls in Terengganu, Malaysia. It was my last week at the Tanjong Jara Resort and this nature adventure was one of the activities I wanted to do right away. I stayed in a five-star resort for two months, but I was … Read more

Unexpected Opportunities while Backpacking

After my trip to Bali, Indonesia. I didn’t know where I was headed. I wanted to do something other than work on my laptop as I felt very unhealthy being stuck in front of a computer screen. I was still in Bangkok at the time and I was contemplating on a few things until unexpected opportunities knocked on this backpacker’s life.

Substitute Teacher

There was an opening for a temporary post as an elementary English teacher for a private school in Bangkok where my friend was working. It was a short-term gig which would’ve lasted three weeks. In my mind, I was to handle a class of grade six pupils, but the picture didn’t come out clear enough because I was hesitant.

office soloflighted
back in the old office days

I’ve had some experience training adults and I’ve hosted calibration sessions with different clients in my previous job in a call center; but this was a little different since I’d be handling youngsters.

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Eyeing India

I’m currently in Bangkok and I’ll be heading to Chiang Mai in a few days. I’m on my eighth month of backpacking in Asia. So far, I’ve travelled to a number of countries without having a definite duration on how many days I’d stay in one place. Even if at times I’m spending more because I haven’t carefully planned what I’m going to do, I’m just glad that the freedom of decision-making is within my grasp most of the time.

One day I’m in Cambodia, the next day I’d travel to Thailand. I’d drop by a few days in Singapore, and then take a bus to Malaysia. The spontaneity of it all and how easy it is to go from country to country drives me high.

singapore
Singapore airport sky train

Of course, money plays a big role because transportation plays a big chunk in this scene. But somehow, it’s not as expensive compared to flying out from my country.

Back in the Philippines, I had a challenge getting out of the country at the immigration counter. It’s something a lot of Filipinos are worried about because immigration officers have to make sure that those who are leaving the country for the holidays have plans of returning to their home country.

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Holidays Out of the Country

While working in a luxury resort in Malaysia, I realized that there were so many guests who came from different parts of Europe who dropped by for the holidays. They were there for a vacation and I wondered why they had to travel very far. That’s when I realized how lucky I am because spending for rest and relaxation isn’t that far within my reach.

palaui island cagayan valley
Palaui Island, Cagayan Valley

These guests spend a lot of money to get out of the country and experience nature. They go out of their way just to have a grand time under the sun. They also spend at least a week, too, in these places. A far cry from the normal 3 days/2 nights that I used to do when I was still working in a call center.

osmena peak cebu
Cebu Osmena Peak

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A Relaxing Break after Backpacking

I’ve been carrying two bags with me that amounts to almost 20 kilos, and I’m lucky enough that I’m able to hand-carry them inside the aircraft. I don’t have to pay for luggage fees every time. The trick is not to look like you’re having a hard time with your bags and I’ve somehow perfected the act of being innocent so that the check-in counters wouldn’t mind me carrying another bag on the plane.

carry backpack
Changi Airport, Singapore

Anyway…

When I arrived in my room inside a cheap hostel in Bangkok, I suddenly felt my shoulders hurt. I took a break and tried to shrug it off. However, when I went out for a walk and brought my backpack, I could still feel pain.

Maybe it was the bad posture when I slept at the airport (to save on costs) or maybe my shoulders have grown weary because of how many hours of carrying bags in transit.

airport sleeping
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
Slept on this bench for more than 8 hours

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Six Months on the Road

I was doing my daily routine of going online to work when it hit me. I’ve been on the road for six months. Six months! I quit my job in January and I’ve travelled to different places ever since.

Transit

Here’s a list of places I’ve been to in the past six months. Some I stayed for a few days, most I stayed longer. Duration of my stay indicated are just rough estimates.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 2 days
Mui Ne, Vietnam – 2 days
Siem Reap, Cambodia – 1 month
Bangkok, Thailand – 2 weeks
Singapore City, Singapore – 6 days
Cebu, Philippines – 2 weeks
Boracay, Philippines – 5 days
Cebu, Philippines – 5 days
Manila, Philippines – 1 week
Cebu, Philippines – 2 weeks
Manila, Philippines – 3 days
Siem Reap, Cambodia – 1 week
Singapore City, Singapore – 4 days
Bangkok, Thailand – 1.5 months
Bali, Indonesia – 1 week
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 2 days
Dungun, Malaysia – running on my 1st month

Looking back, it seems that I’ve been to so many places in the last half of the year. It’s not that I can’t go to these places if I kept my previous job working in a contact center. Heck, I travelled to 4 countries and 8 local destinations within 8 months and still kept my full-time job. I’ve also had six consecutive trips in six weekends while juggling my part-time projects online. It just came to a point that I wanted more than the weekend trips.

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Backpacking Update: Singapore and Bangkok

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. 🙂

soloflighted
Singapore sidewalk

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Back on the Road

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.

backpacking southeast asia
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.

filipino travel bloggers
with Gay, Oman, Dong Ho, Marky and Wendell

philippine travel bloggers
with Lauren, Rafael, Lois, Eileen, Jen and Josiah

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Travel Movie: A Map for Saturday

Sometime last year, I watched “A Map for Saturday” with a few other travellers. A true story that involves a guy who left his job to travel the world for almost a year. He recorded his backpacking journey and interviewed other backpackers along the way. After his trip, he worked on his tapes and made it into a documentary. Most travellers I know have seen the movie and were left inspired.

Synposis: A MAP FOR SATURDAY is the product of a year’s travel through 26 countries on four continents. Emmy winning producer Brook Silva-Braga left his cushy gig with American TV network HBO to travel the world with five pounds of clothes and 30 pounds of video equipment. – source

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