This one’s for you, dear travel blog patrons, mine or otherwise.
Being a travel blogger is nothing short of awesome. We get to tread places that people only dream of. We get to pound pavement in far off the beaten paths. We get to immerse ourselves in the sweatiest cultural immersions ever and at the same time we get to live the high life of luxury and opulence.
Readers, strangers sitting in an office or family members threatened at point blank range, sometimes get the feeling that traveling is such a luxury that only those privileged by money and time can do it – or by those who can Google their way through a great DIY trip. This pushed this month’s blog carnival of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers. It will be circulating around the concept of the 3 Days and 2 Nights trips- to appease those who only have those precious weekends to play. Then, there are also those who cannot decide on what to do once they touchdown at the airport or get off of that pier. This basically gives you absolutely ZERO excuse to not pack your own bags and head off to explore, enjoy and be educated.
Some of the best and brightest travel bloggers have customized the best itineraries and 3D/2N travel stories for you to help you build perfect travel escapes with your friends, family or by yourself. Explore the different parts of the Philippines through their stories and read what they have to say.
The best way to break the ice is to give you a hefty serving of Travel 101 from these great bloggers:
CEBU 101 with Juanderful Pinoy. Take a slice of Cebu with a more-than-considerable smattering of beach life. Have your fill of Cebu’s must-visit spots like Magellan’s Cross and reputable Cebu delicacies one day and then jump to an island getaway to rid yourself of city dust.
“Just trek uphill for approximately 20 to 30 minutes depending on your energy to get to the very first waterfall. Get enchanted and be amazed with a peaceful river , abundant vegetation and a gentle flowing water.”
ILOCOS 101 with the Maxtermind. This trip up north with John Marx rallies up the Ilocos region from Viga, Laoag and Pagudpud. With the main points of his trip being an hour plus plus away from each other, it’s not at all suicidal to see the romantic Calle Crisologo, historic Laoag City and breathtaking Pagudpud in a span for three days and two nights.
“It was good that the weather is fine. I like the beach here, I love the waves (not too wavy compared to Saud Beach). Not the beach with the finest sand I’ve been to but the place was very relaxing, maybe because we’re the only tourist around.”
DAVAO with Samal Island 101 with The Traveling Nomad. Breathe in it. Davao is usually the Manilenyo’s initiation to the deep south of the country and this Davao-native takes you on a personal DIY tour of his beloved city. He takes you into the obligatory Davao visits that never disappoint such as the Croc Farm and Jack’s Ridge and then into the heart of Samal Island for some nature tripping and ‘beach bitching’.
“Visit People’s Park and be amazed with the statues made by Davao-based artist, Kublai Milan. By the way, he’s the same person who made and designed the durian-with-kids statue in front of the airport terminal.”
DUMAGUETE 101 (Nice and Easy) with The Shades of Grey Elal. If anything, my first meeting with Elal was nice and easy – and between you and me, extremely raspy (her not me) so it wasn’t at all out of character when I see her give you a relaxed walk through the City of Gentle People.
“Near the boulevard is the Siliman University, you can have your own ‘photowalk’ in and out the campus including Siliman Church and Siliman Hall (before entering the campus, you may need a visitor’s pass)… After that, you can go back to have a stroll at Rizal Boulevard as the sun sets.”
After you’ve gotten your cherry popped on certain destinations and have a bad case of itchy feet, figuratively, not literally – then going back to a province, a city or a town is just as inevitable as the sunset. These next set of bloggers make it a point to show off what’s behind the regular tourist attractions.
Alternative Cebu with Looney Planet. I was swearing the entire time I was reading this blog entry. I felt so detached from being a travel writer when I went through his alternative itinerary for his homebase, Cebu. There is new old stuff to discover and fresh new discoveries to be affirmed with respect to nature, city, food, history and pasalubong. All bases covered and all topped off with Cebu’s finest dancing inmates.
“It’s a skill to beautifully marry history and fun. To make it entertaining is sheer talent. Ka Bino must be doing an awfully awesome job to be called Carlos Celdran of Cebu.”
Speaking of a cherry being popped, guess whose Blog Carnival cherry was popped this month? Kids, say “Hi” to Guiltless Getaways. She takes us to a relaxing but full-scheduled trip to El Nido – tours, cultural performances and all. Take a look of what the posh and luxurious El Nido Resorts had in store for this ridiculously cute girl. I swear, it’s so ridiculous you can’t help but do a virtual cheek-pinch on computer screens.
“Buffet lunch at Dibuluan Island, only El Nido Resort guests can stay here. Activities are available like the riding a hobie cat, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking (to the vanishing sandbar like we did), swimming and relaxing (or reading at the many covered beds there). “
Take a refresher course on Manila-goers’ favorite vacay spots: Puerto Galera for the party scene and Baguio for the family bonding trip. Read on these two wonderful bloggers as they open their eyes on what other places to explore and new things to try in these tried and tested vacay spots.
Pala-Lagaw takes us on a whirlwind weekend trip to Baguio. For him, Baguio is a retreat worth doing a few times a year – to recharge the body battery or to rid oneself of the pressures of work. With beautiful pictures and one particularly stunning sunset photo, his post will convince you that – yes, packing your bag for a lengthy 6-7 hour bus ride coming and going is worth it.
“But whether it’s the dry season or not, I’d always brave a quick trip than spend my holidays or work leaves sleeping at home. A quick trip isn’t always a luxury to me. I have to work to support my needs but from time to time when I get a chance for a Friday work leave or Holiday, Baguio is one of my solace.”
The Solitary Wanderer takes us to her headquarters in Puerto Galera. Beyond the noon-til-dawn parties in White Beach that Manila-goers so regularly experience are the natural discoveries and culinary finds that are hidden in plain sight. From waterfalls, yes, falls – plural – to food finds to landmarks and museums to scoring the best part real estate in White Beach, this post has got Puerto Galera, her home, all summed up in one comfy little nest.
“Puerto Galera is best known for its rich marine life. For Day 2, take the tour that includes snorkeling at the Coral Garden, a peek at the so-called underwater cave, and a look at the giant clams. While rates are standard (P1500-2500 per trip), you can haggle if it’s not peak season.”
Speaking of homes, here’s another serving of home fries from another pretty blogger. Senyorita takes you on a three days and two nights whirlwind tour of her beloved Pangasinan, with special concentration to Alaminos and Bolinao. Read about her roots and read about her friends, this very post takes you deep into her social circle and makes you want to be part of the group. Just goes to show that sometimes, it’s the place and that sometimes, it’s the people. Then again, there are times when it’s both.
“So after the sudden Kayaking lessons, we were then divided into four and we kayak-ed (is there such term? but you get my point, right? hehe) our way to the Imelda Cave, where we did some snorkeling and some even jumped to take a splunge. Too bad we didn’t bring our cameras with us.”
Speaking of people, Seeking Felicity takes us to Bohol with family and then another time with friends, she tells you to go here or go there, do it or don’t do it, do this or do that – you’ll get the feeling of an indifference to the world yet at the same time a yearning for adventure. You’ll get that from reading about bumming in beaches, trekking to falls and chasing dolphins. There’s so much to do and try that by the end of it, you’ll have a Masters Degree in Bohol.
“My companion was crazy enough to actually trek to the top of the falls so I can take his picture while he jumps. BUT since I wasn’t able to get a decent shot, he did it 4 more times! He didn’t really needed any prompting as he was just so excited to do it. Hehe”
Speaking of getting an education through reading, descriptive and an enchanting read, here we come; it’s over at The Travel Teller. Feel the midst of the waterfalls and feel the pain your calves as you read through his post on the lovely island province of Camiguin. He comfortably straddles giving you important information and narrating emotions as he goes takes in the island born of fire in three days and two nights.
“Catch a dramatic scene as the sun rises at the Island. White Island is an uninhabited white sandbar located at the northern shore of Mambajao. There are no trees or shelter of any kind here. It is completely composed of white sands. Tides, however, constantly resize and reshape the form of this white sand bar.”
From a Davao native to a Davao-post, we dive head first to the thump-thump-thump of Davao in the heat of their Kadayawan Festival with My Comings and Goings. Take your Davao itinerary and include an amazing side trip to Davao’s most electrifying event of the year. And if you’re the return visitor to Davao, then refer to this for new things to experience in Davao.
“Day 2 is for “old pros in Davao” who has the done-that, seen that and looking for new spot to explore. For first timer, I would suggest either a Samal Island Tour, Eden Nature Park, Gap Farm, City Tour, or Mount Apo adventures). “
Budget constraints? These next couple of posts will show you ingenious ways to stretch your peso as far as you can. These people will really display the passion to go around traveling as they will do anything and everything – most probably will try and have tried everything once to get a break.
So Edmarationetc’s post is a bit of a cop-out. But just goes to show you that as long as you’ve got a passion to go somewhere, you can find a way to cut yourself a deal. He cut himself a pretty good exchange of services for a whirlwind bus trip throughout the Bicol Region. True-blooded travelers will get it anyway they can.
“When I learned from my cousin that the Ilocos Sur chapter of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) will be joining the national convention in Albay, I entered into a deal with them (with the help of my cousin) that I will just pay 3,500 pesos and that will include the hitch ride with their bus, the accommodation and the food! In return, I’ll be the travel nurse.”
And for the master of budget travel, Journeying James takes you around his beloved Puerto Princesa. King of budget backpacking and really cutting back on unnecessary luxuries, he strips trips down to where it matters – raw and unadulterated adventure and discover. Having lived there for a year, he’s got you covered from where to go and where to sleep – all within a price range, anybody can afford.
“Do-It-Yourself Puerto Princesa City Tour! Yes, you read that right. I want to share with you the cheapest way to tour “The City in the Forest”- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. I already consider myself a local here since I stayed in this beautiful city for almost a year.”
Now that you’re ready to play with the big boys, that is to say to have that Amazing Race-paced trip to get that weekend itch off, then dive into these couple of travelers-first, bloggers-second posts. Even if most of their time is taken by transit, they get to cover a lot of ground and get to experience more adventure.
Close to my heart and my Blackberry is Epic Potato. I subscribe to her sense of humor practically every minute of my life and love it. It’s an understandably perplexing trip throughout Panay and into Negros with every minute practically accounted for. Tips and tricks slither out of her writing and will most definitely help you out when you decide to attack these destinations. One particular piece of advice is explicit. Find out what it is.
“Just because you are moving on an Amazing Race pace doesn’t mean you don’t get to enjoy. How long does it take you to eat? Savoring your mouthful isn’t 5 minutes a bite, nor does appreciating the Church’s architecture equate to 2 hours. But there are times to take things slow- Unfortunately this IT doesn’t cover that.”
Nomadic Experiences doesn’t give you a chance to catch your breath. From the time you leave work on Friday to the time you get back on Monday morning, he will maximize every second in between to take you from Manila to Sorsogon and up to a spitball throw away from Samar even. It may seem that it’s only for the big boys, but he’s got a good amount of details to help you map out your “race leg” should you choose to accept this “mission.” Crossover pop culture referencing, reserved only for Mr. NE.
“We woke up early with back pains from the double bed of our hostel which was made with one half bare wood – the other half with padding. Hustle up to go early to Daraga Church which is just a few minutes away from Legaspi.”
If you’re pumped and wired from those two fast-paced travel fanatics ten I guess it’s time to introduce you to some of the best itinerary specialists I know. They are my own personal references; I’ve mapped out my own backpacking trips with theirs. Let the red carpet roll out for these two master planners.
PinoyAdvenTurista is someone I have previously doubted. I don’t think he has a job or anything like that. I believe his main occupation is his blog. It carries so much work and so much detail and with posts rallying up the wall, it’s surprising that he still has more to share and more to explore. This time around, it’s Baler, Aurora. My inability to express how much useful travel information is laid out is not even funny.
“From Baler, hire a tricycle to Brgy. Ditumabo and alight at the national road. Another option is to drive a motorcycle which could navigate from the national road all the way to the hydroelectric power plant. It will cut the trekking time to almost half. This magnificent waterfalls has a height of140 feet.”
Keep your jaw dropped since we’re heading over to Lakas’ 3D/2N offerings on El Nido. See your budget sliced, diced and evenly distributed. See your weekend accounted for every minute and spent wisely on touristy and local activities. See a full resource that needs no more complementing. Print out the damn post and go to the airport – that’s all you need.
“Tours prices are regulated by the Department of Tourism in El Nido.
When you arrive at El Nido have your 8AM return trip van reserved at the Lexus station.
Bring mask and snorkel so you would not have to borrow them inside town. Borrowing costs P100 per set.”
And of course, in true Possibly Pinay fashion, we save the best for last. Though not a specialist in itineraries nor strict budgeting nor Amazing-Race pace trip nor a slow and steady sort of blogger, she’s pretty darn pretty to look at. She needs no introduction and no words can do justice to her, which is probably why she rarely posts. Read her amazing quickie trip to the South of Manila here.
And that concludes this month’s Blog Carnival for the Pinoy Travel Bloggers – a great buffet of different trips and itineraries from the best and brightest kids on the planet. I love you all – top to bottom, left to right, inside out — Pardon me I’m drunk on writing since this has already ballparked to 3000 words.
So the next time you’ve got a spare three days and two nights, think again on what you can do and where you can go. We’ve got some ideas.
Dude, seriously, if you want to see other the other blog carnivals because you cannot, in your life, believe that this is it — then head on to here to see the entire archive of the blog carnival.
Photo Credits to: mmmou812ic, D H Wright, GlenBledsoe, macinate, JMR_Photography, Anosmia on Flickr
