Coldplay Concert in Korea vs Philippines: Cost Breakdown for Fans

So, is it actually cheaper to travel to Korea to watch the Coldplay concert? Read on.

November 17, 2016, 4:30 pm June 21, 2017, 11:20 am

Jayson Concepcion Jayson Concepcion is a programmer by profession but has a soul of a traveller. Aside from his ultimate dream of travelling around the world, he loves to eat, drink, listen to music, talk about aliens and indulge in his occasional secret guilty pleasure of singing love songs in videoke. His favourite superpower is to teleport from one place to another. I guess you know why. Follow his latest pursuits on his blog, Facebook and Instagram.

Alright you Coldplay fans... I know it’s sad to see that ticket prices for one amazing Coldplay night in the Philippines are so expensive compared to our neighbouring countries, and because of this, many of you are thinking of flying out of the country and see the concert there instead.

Based on what I have found online, a front stage ticket in Korea only costs ₩123,200 (₱5,180)! So I made a sample breakdown of expenses for 3 days stay in Korea plus the most expensive ticket for that concert. I’m sure it’ll beat the VIP price of ₱22,500 here! Read on.

Also read: I Travelled to South Korea for 4 Days with an All-In Budget of Only ₱15k

Airfare

Okay, let’s start with one of the most expensive parts, the plane ticket. Usually, AirAsia offers the most affordable seats to Seoul from Manila, especially during seat sale promos. During promos, you can get a seat that ranges from ₱3,500 to ₱8,000 round-trip all-in. So let’s say you’re able to grab one that cost ₱6,500, plus of course the travel tax of ₱1,620.

• Air fare – ₱6,500
• Travel Tax – ₱1,620

Accommodation

There are lots of budget hostels and Airbnb stays in Korea that offer cheap and quality rooms. Remember, you only need a place to sleep at so if your budget’s tight, then definitely consider this and forget staying in luxury hotels.

You can browse for rooms in Airbnb, Hostelworld.com, Agoda.com, TripAdvisor, Booking.com or directly in the hostel’s/guesthouses’ websites. Much better if you have relatives or friends there willing to adopt you for 3 days. Just bring them some chicharon or dried mango and they’d be happy.

For example, check out Kimchee guesthouse in Hongdae here.

A dorm bed in a 10-bed mixed dormitory cost ₩10,000 per night. Convert it to peso, it’s just ₱419 (₩1 = ₱0.041 as of 17 Nov 2016). So for two nights, you’ll just spend less than ₱1,000. Let’s put ₱1,000 here.

• Bed for 2 nights – ₱1,000

If you’re travelling with your partner or best friend, a double bedroom usually costs around ₩30,000 to ₩70,000. Let’s say you got a room for ₩45,000, convert it to peso, that’s around ₱1,887.

• Double bed for 2 nights – ₱3,774

Food

A meal in Korea usually cost around ₩3,000 to ₩12,000 depending on the location and restaurant. A skewered sausage in Myeongdong (a tourist spot) cost around ₩3k to ₩4k while in Hongdae (a University place), it’s just around ₩2,000 to ₩2,500. One of our favourites, the Bibimbap is usually priced at ₩5k. Let’s base it there.

You’re gonna eat 3 times a day (assuming there’s no free breakfast in your hostel), so ₩5k X 3 = ₩15k. Converted to peso is around ₱628. Multiply it by 3 for 3 days of stay is ₱1,884. Let’s add another ₱500 for other necessities like bottled water and beer :D. Total is ₱2,384 for 3 days.

• Food – ₱2,384

Transportation

Forget taxis. You can go around Seoul just by taking their efficient trains. Purchase a T-Money from a convenience store and load up around ₩20k. I think that’ll be sufficient for a 3-day stay. You can refund the remaining balance upon return anyway. Plus, let’s add the limousine bus ticket from Incheon Airport to downtown Seoul. A ticket from the airport to Myeongdong cost ₩10k. So total for transportation is ₩30k, convert it to peso is ₱1,257.

Transpo – ₱1,257

Also read: Budget Travel in Seoul: 12 Tips from First Time Visitors

Tours

Well, you’re in Korea, make the most out of it! You got lots of time to go somewhere else before and after the concert! Go somewhere you really like! Here are some suggestions:

• Palace Hopping - Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung (including Huwon Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Jongmyo. An integrated pass to all the palaces is ₩10k but you can also pick one like Gyeongbokgung (watch the changing of guards) for ₩3k won.
• Nami Island – Entrance Fee ₩8k. You can also visit Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm after (separate entrance fees). Allot one day for this.
• Museum Hopping – I suggest War Memorial Museum and Korea National Museum. Entrance is free.
• Shopping – Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Sinchon/Hongdae area.
• N Seoul Tower – Cable car fee ₩8,500

So let’s say you’ll go to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Nami Island, Museum Hopping and N Seoul Tower. Total Entrance fee for that is:

• Gyeongbokgung – ₩3,000
• Nami Island – ₩8,000
• N Seoul Tower – ₩8,500
• Total: ₩19,500, converted to peso is: ₱817

Also read: How You Can Survive in Seoul for FREE

Cost breakdown

Alright, so let’s compute for the grand total including the most expensive Coldplay concert ticket and check if it would indeed be less than ₱22,500 (VIP ticket price here in PH).

Really, are you kidding me? For ₱18k, I can tour Korea for 3 days and watch a Coldplay concert (front stage!) at the same time?! Even if we get a Double room or increase the ticket price to ₱6,000 it would still be less than ₱22,500! Hey, why don’t we add another ₱5k for shopping for a total of ₱24k? Isn’t that sweet?

Also read: Seoul, Jeju Island & Busan for 5 Days Under ₱7k Pocket Money: Here’s How I Did It

Actually, the only challenge here is the airfare. So if there’ll be a seat sale in the coming days be sure to grab it! For me, I’d set the limit to ₱8,000 for a roundtrip ticket. If I can’t get a ticket lesser or equal to ₱8,000, I’d forget about it. Hey, Coldplay will also be playing in Singapore and a VIP ticket only costs ₱10,361! There are still options!

My 3-Day Trip to Northern Vietnam: Itinerary, Budget & Tips for Filipinos

Want to experience the best of Northern Vietnam in 3 days? Check out this comprehensive guide.

January 10, 2017, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:26 am

Willester Yap A chinito who wanders places that are intruiging and fascinating to both the eyes and mind. He aims to inspire others to captivate what the world has to offer and how to enjoy life through budget friendly travel escapades. Tag along with his blog, it might surprise you where he will go next.

Contributed by Chinito Wanders

For this Northern Vietnam tour, we covered 4 places: Hanoi, Ha Long, Hua Lu and Tam Coc in just 3 days!

I have been to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) a month prior to my trip in Hanoi, Vietnam’s Capital. My parents wanted to visit here so they asked me to make a schedule and an itinerary for our trip. I gladly made one heck of an itinerary for them.

Sorry to break it to you, but this budget itinerary does not include airfare cost since we are not really into seat sale. Our airfare alone costs almost ₱11,000 each. You will greatly cut the cost if you’re keen on waiting for a seat sale. However, I made sure we won't spend too much in Hanoi while making sure not to compromise the fun and experience. Knowing that Vietnam is supposed to be cheap, I find that Hanoi is quite the opposite. Well, I can’t blame it since there are more tourists visiting Hanoi because of the famous Ha Long Bay and even other parts of Northern Vietnam.

We only had a full 3-day tour here, but it did not stop me from making a comprehensive itinerary that will make us visit some of Northern Vietnam’s highlights.

Since Hanoi is the start off point in visiting other Northern tourist attractions, there are tons of tour agencies that are scattered throughout the city especially in the Old Quarter district (which you need to stay at in order for you to really see the Traditional Vietnamese culture). You don’t actually need to book a tour in advance.

Also read: What Filipino Travellers Have Been Missing Out in Vietnam

Okay, so let's get into the details. I will provide tips and the budget on how I came up with a $165 expense.

Detailed expenses

• ₱1,350/person or $27 – Hotel for 3 nights
• ₱250/person or $5 – Lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long
• ₱150/person or $3 – Dinner for day 1
• ₱200 or $4.5 -Water Puppet Show
• $45 each – Ha Long Bay Day tour
• $40 each – Hua Lu and Tam Coc Day tour
• ₱150 or $3 – Dinner for day 2
• ₱150 or $3 – dinner for day 3
• $12 each – Roundtrip airport transfer
• ₱100 each or $2.5 – Taxi allowance for city tour
• $10 – Souvenir allowance
• $10 – Food trip allowance

Total: $165

Flight details

Depart:

• Ceb-MLA: 7 Dec 2016 – 5.55pm-7.20pm
• MLA-Hanoi: 8 Dec 2016 – 10.15pm

Return:

• Hanoi-MLA: 11 Dec 2016 – 1.15am-5.40am
• MLA-Cebu: 11 Dec 2016 – 8.35am-10.00am

Summary of itinerary

• 8 Dec 2016: Hanoi City tour
• 9 Dec 2016: Ha Long Bay Day Tour
• 10 Dec 2016: Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Day Tour
• 10 Dec 2016: Depart to airport

Tips

• Use Google Map. This app is very useful in locating the places you want to visit. You may download an Offline version of Hanoi in Google Map so that you don’t need to buy a tourist sim card for data. In case I did not mention how to get to a specific place, just use your Google Map. Google Map will be your buddy when you’re doing a city tour in Hanoi. The app is also pretty accurate.
• We stayed in New Vision Hotel. The price already includes breakfast buffet for 3! There are more cheaper hotels and even backpacker hostels in the Old Quarter. We stayed here because of the good reviews I read. If it was only me that was travelling, I would have picked a cheaper inn or a backpacker’s hostel as it only costs around ₱500/day with free beer!
• Walking is mandatory in order for you to explore the Old Quarter. We only rode the Taxi twice (to Mausoleum and back to Hotel).
• Tourist sim card is not really needed unless you want to constantly update your social media. Hotels and even guesthouses offer free WiFi.
• You may opt to book day tours at local travel agencies around the Old Quarter. The prices are very competitive and most of them have English tour guides. We just booked ours at our hotel since they provide better inclusion, and of course, the price is a bit more than what others are offering. But in case you’re on a tight budget, I would suggest you go for the cheaper one. You can actually get a day tour trip in Ha Long Bay for as low as $23, just to give you a range in price.
• Always ask for the full detailed itinerary and the inclusions of the day tours before you book.
• If you have a different place in mind, you may always choose other options to visit. There tons of local travel agencies around the Old Quarter that offer day tours in different parts of Northern Vietnam.
• The budget does not include shopping as there isn’t really much to shop in Hanoi, aside from the North Face Factory Outlets. But the receptionist from our hotel told me that those were fakes that’s why I crossed it off the list.

Transportation

• Our flight arrival was midnight and knowing that there is no public transportation at that time, we opted to get the hotel pick up services so that it will not be inconvenient for my parents.
• Be very careful about riding a taxi in Hanoi; there are still mafia groups lurking in the city that will swindle tourists. There are two reputable taxi companies that are trustworthy. You may ask your hotel about the names. Sorry, I forgot the names of the taxi companies.
• When riding a taxi, flag down rate should always be 10,000 dong. If it’s 5,000 dong, get off the taxi immediately as that is one of the signs for a fake taxi! We experienced it and I personally don’t want this to happen to you. It was very traumatic.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi City Tour & Water Puppet Show

• Breakfast at Hotel
• Mausoleum tour
• Lunch
• Explore old quarter
• Dinner
• Water puppet show

We woke up around 8am to have breakfast. I wanted this day to be at a chill pace before tackling 2 days of travelling to other parts of Northern Vietnam. After we had our breakfast, we strolled the Old quarter heading to Thang Long Water Puppet to buy our tickets for the puppet show. We ate some street food along the way. You may locate Thang Long Water Puppet via Google Map. I advise that you to head there first to book your ticket in advance so that you can pick your desired seat and time.

After getting the ticket and booking our trips, we headed our way to the Mausoleum. This will be your first destination for the city tour. You have 2 options going to the Mausoleum: One, by Hanoi city bus number 9 that departs every 15 minutes from the stop near the Water Puppet Theatre (15 cents) and alight at Ho Chi Minh Museum bus stop. Two, you may opt to get a taxi going to Mausoleum (which we took to save time). There are 2 reputable taxi companies that are trustworthy, you may ask your hotel for the names. Maximum rate from the Old Quarter to Mausoleum will be around 50,000 dong.

1st stop: The Mausoleum

2nd: Presidential Palace (Văn phòng Chủ tịch nước Phủ chủ tịch)

3rd: Ba Dinh Square

4th: Ho Chi Minh Stilt House (Nhà sàn Bác Hồ)

5th: One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột) also called Dien Huu Pagoda

6th: Ho Chi Minh Museum (Bảo tàng Hồ Chí Minh)

These 6 places are all neighbouring attractions, so you can walk around before going back to the hotel.

After we had a morning tour, we headed back to the hotel for lunch.

Allow time to enjoy Vietnamese cuisines at one of the most famous restaurants in the city and country. Hanoi Old Quarter is the food hub, with Bun Cha (1 Hang Manh Str.), Cha Ca Thang Long (21 Cha Ca Str.), or Bun Bo Nam Bo (67 Hang Dieu) topping the list. We tried the Cha Ca Thang Long since my dad was craving for a fish and it was the nearest from our hotel.

Châ Cá (also known as Châ Cá Lã Vong) is an infamous Hanoi traditional dish. It is a turmeric marinated fish that is first grilled and then fried table-side. It is served tons of fresh dill, scallions, herbs, crushed peanuts and rice noodles.

After lunch

We walked back to our hotel to rest for a bit and then proceeded to explore the Old Quarter. It would be a mistake if one forgets to travel on cyclo around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake (though walking is still the best option for me). This unique type of transportation would give you the best view to take some photos while watching Hanoian life.

Also, it would be flexible if you want to stop by and try out Hanoi’s street-foods or buy souvenirs in the Old Quarter. Visitors should also go to Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake to explore the legend about the preternatural Turtle who helped Le Loi King won against Chinese invaders.

Aside from Hoan Kiem lake, one needs to visit Hanoi’s oldest church, The St. Joseph Cathedral. It is a church on Nha Tho (Church) Street in the Hoàn Kiếm District of Hanoi, Vietnam. It's a late 19th-century Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic style) church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi to nearly 4 million Catholics in the country.

Construction began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris. The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886.

After much exploring in the Old Quarter, we cinched to rest at Cafe Giang and have a sip of Hanoi's infamous egg coffee.

After relaxing, we had dinner at a local food stall beside the Water Puppet Theatre that serves Fried Bird! Yep, birds! I don’t know what type of bird they are using as the owner cannot speak well in English. But I think they are using either a pigeon, a quail or a few week old chick.

After dinner

A Hanoi night would never be complete if this Vietnamese performance art is missed: water puppet. This art form appeared in the tenth century and became unique to the North of Vietnam. In a puppet show, puppeteers stand in the water, behind a screen and control wooden puppets by long bamboo sticks hidden beneath the water surface.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the most well-known puppet theatre in Hanoi, located at 57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, looking out to Hoan Kiem Lake. The theatre opens everyday from 2pm-8pm with the ticket prices vary from $3–$5 depending on types of seat. We got ours at 100,000 dong, that's around $4.5.

After the Puppet Show, we headed back to our hotel while stopping by some shops once in a while and had an Authentic Pho Ga Bo, which is a stir fried beef noodles. It was actually like our own Chinese-Filipino Satimi but Vietnamese style.

Also read: 20 Reasons Why Travelling to Vietnam is an Absolute Waste of Time

Day 2: Ha Long Bay Day Tour

I initially thought that Ha Long Bay is just a stone's throw away from Hanoi. Damn, I was wrong. Ha Long Bay is actually located three hours away from Hanoi. We got this day tour at a local travel agency in our hotel. We had this tour for $45 each with the following inclusion:

• Free pick up and drop off in Hanoi [Old Quarter]
• 2 bottles of water per person on bus and welcome drink on boat
• Professional English speaking tour guide
• Cruise through stunning Ha Long Bay on traditional Asian junk
• Seafood lunch (we have Vegetarian Menu for vegetarians)
• Visit fishing village
• 45-minute kayaking around Halong Bay
• Visit Thien Cung Cave

I noticed that there are other cheaper travel agencies that offer as low as $23/person. But found out that you will be going to a bunch of other tourists, it does not include kayaking or small boat riding around Ha Long Bay Lagoons, and also the land transportation as well as the cruise are not new. If you don’t mind all of this, then you can have the cheaper one. Since my parents are with me, I want them to feel convenient, so I opted to get the pricier one with good inclusions.

Halong Bay Itinerary

7.30am–8.00am: Picking up from hotel/stay and depart for Halong Bay

10.30am: Stopping over to stretch the legs on the way

12.30pm–4.30: Arrival Tuan Chau Harbor, boarding Alova Day Cruise and Cruising on the bay.

Inclusions:

• Welcome Drink
• Safety briefing
• Lunch with Vietnamese dishes
• “Kayaking, bamboo boat rowing” OR Relaxing
• Visiting Thien Cung cave (Heaven Cave)
• Enjoying afternoon tea
• Disembarking to get on shuttle bus

6.00pm: Short stop to stretch your legs

8.30pm: Arrived back in Hanoi

Two Ha Long Lagoons

Basic info

• Passport with valid visa
• Some cash in Vietnamese Dong / USD for personal expenses
• Sun block or insect repellent, sports shoes, or even swimming attire
• Bring something warm to wear [From Dec till March] – Winter Season
• Please be ready on time for your pick up service
• The cruise does not accept credit card payments on board
• Outside beverage has applicable corkage fee
• Travel light

We had our dinner at Old Quarter at Quan Highway4 Hanoi (hoan Kiem District). When heading back to Hanoi, you may ask your guide to drop you off at the restaurant so that you won't have to walk going to the restaurant.

This restaurant offers authentic Vietnamese and other exotic dishes. They are mostly known for its fried cricket and locusts, but my parents wouldn’t dare to try it so we settled on something less exotic. Here are some photos of what we ate:

Day 3: Hua Lu and Tam Coc Day Tour

Ninh Binh City is the city where Hua Lu and Tam Coc are located. It is situated around two and a half hours south of Hanoi. We got this tour from the same travel agency in our Ha Long Bay Tour. We paid $40 each with the following inclusions:

• Pick up from hotel/stay in Hanoi Old Quarter to Hoa Lu – Tam Coc and Return
• All entrance tickets to sites indicated in itinerary
• Complementary bottles of water on bus
• Buffet lunch with Vietnamese Cuisine
• English Speaking Tour guide during the trip
• Bike and Sampan Boat Riding in Tam Coc

This is our detailed itinerary

08.00: Picking up from hotel/stay.

08.30: Starting drive to Ninh Binh Province

10.00: Arriving at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

10.15: Visiting King Dinh and King Le’s temples.

11.30: Arriving in Tam Coc Wharf.

11.45: Having buffet lunch with Vietnamese Cuisine.

13.00: Getting on Sampan boats through caves and visiting countryside landscape

15.00: Back to Tam Coc Wharf to chill out.

15.15: Biking on countryside road around the village

16.00: Getting on shuttle bus to go back to Hanoi

18.30: Trip ends

Details and information about the tour

Hoa Lu is the site of a 10th-century capital of an ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet. This small Kingdom covered an area of only 300 hectares, and reigned from the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties, to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty. The Kingdom was enclosed by a citadel. The citadel and the Yen Ngua limestone hills provided good defence for this kingdom against the invaders.

Not much of this ancient kingdom is left standing. There are two 17th century temples, modelled after their 11th-century originals that are on most itineraries to Hoa Lu. They are the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple (King Dinh temple) and Le Hoan Temple (King Le Temple).

The Tam Cốc (“three caves”) portion is a three-hour excursion by small boat along the Ngô Đồng River, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers.

It is a very well-known with “nickname” Dry Halong Long or Inland Halong bay. Travellers come here to take small rowing paddling along Ngo Dong River along the rice fields and karst Limestone Mountains.

To reach up the three caves, local boat women take 2 hours for rowing a boat through three caves and long Ngo Dong River. The most interesting time to visit Tam Coc, the natural special relic, is between late May and mid-June when endless paddy fields are turning yellow.

We visited here during December; it wasn’t planting season, so we were not able to witness the grandeur of the paddy fields. Maybe when I get back here soon, I’ll make sure to come around late May.

After the tour, we travelled back to Hanoi. It's been our 3rd day and still my parents haven’t experienced a taste of an authentic Pho. So I asked our guide for a recommendation. He gladly dropped us at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su.

Our guide told us that this restaurant is quite known in Hanoi for its Pho. He also added that we should order the Special Pho. I tried Pho way back in Ho Chi Minh, but this Pho really has added flavour and more meat! We went back to our hotel satiated. We rested at the lobby for a while before we departed.

Also read: 12 Experiences Every Traveller Should Have in Vietnam

It was a very short trip, but we visited all the places we wanted considering our time! Vietnam will still be on the list of must-go places for all the foodies and adventurers alike. Next time, I’ll visit the northern most part of Vietnam, Sapa! =)

8 Reasons Why Filipinos Should NOT Visit Mexico

Let's see if you'd still like to visit Mexico after knowing these reasons...

December 14, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:27 am

Anna Jane Posequit Anna is a southern girl from Asia’s Latin City who travels during weekends and holidays, and writes at Anna La Viajera. She works full time during weekdays as a Spanish-bilingual specialist in an international finance company. She loves history, dancing, cooking and chocolates.

Mexico is really far from the Philippines, and unlike other Latin American countries, it has stricter visa regulations for Filipinos. On top of that, I’ll give you more reasons to discourage you from visiting this country.

Also read: 10 Countries with Easy Visa Access for Filipinos

1. Do not visit Mexico if you just want to relax at the beach

Mexico is more than its top-rated tropical beaches or vacation resort spots off Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Its landscape is notoriously diverse -- from snow-capped mountains to lush forests -- and, its ancient culture and arts are massively rich. With all these, your adventure in this country is definitely endless.

Aside from its gorgeous beaches, Mexico is also known for its ancient, grand pyramids like the Pyramids of the Teotihuacán, which you can tour for a day. Mexico City alone offers several day excursions such as the boat canal tour in Xochimilco, a pilgrimage to various colonial churches, a walking tour around the largest plaza in America: the Zocalo, among other activities.

A visit to their local wet markets or bakeries is already a fun-filled way to experience their culture. Who wouldn't be enticed to smell and see big pieces of bread in various shapes and styles? How about large chillies in different colours and sizes? It’s a feast for the eyes and taste buds as well.

See? There’s so much to discover! So, if you’re just up for the beach, you’ll be missing out a lot about the country.

2. Do not visit Mexico if you are on a diet

It's undeniable that Mexico is not left behind by other countries in the tilt of best food. Its cuisine is a mixture of the indigenous Mesoamerican and Spanish cultures. This mix and outside influence have further developed the richness and variety of the Mexican cuisine.

Who hasn’t heard of tacos, or at least tried them once in their life? Mexican foods are just so widespread and popular worldwide. Once you’re in Mexico, in every corner, you'll always get to find a taqueria which is a food stall that sells your favourite street food, the tacos. The delicious-looking tacos will surely leave anyone craving for more.

Tacos are just one of the wide-ranging Mexican dishes that Mexico is famed for. Quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas are everywhere in the country as well. You cannot just take for granted these authentic, appetising Mexican dishes. Leave your strict diet rules at home when you're in Mexico.

Also read: 10 Things to Do (and Not to Do) in Mexico

3. Do not visit Mexico if you can’t speak Spanish (at least the basic phrases)

Every visitor who wants to enter Mexico shall have to learn basic Spanish unless it's fine with you to get blank stares or cold shoulders from the locals. Even their neighbours in the north have to be taught on or brushed up with their Spanish in order to communicate well with the natives, not the other way around. And it’s not easy to get lost in a vast country where the foreign sounds and street signs are undecipherable.

It's a common courtesy to practise Spanish phrases before embarking on a trip to Mexico. Mexicans expect you to speak, at least a bit, of their language. But really, no matter how exotic or Asian- looking you may be, you'd be surprised that they will still talk to you in Spanish upon first encounter. If you are interested in their place or culture, why not in their language as well, right?

Fear not if you think this language barrier might prevent you from travelling in a non-English speaking country like Mexico. Jump this obstacle by learning the most basic and everyday Spanish conversations. That's the trick there. Besides, isn't Spanish a beautiful language? To add, when a curious Mexican approaches you to test your Spanish, isn't it rewarding when you know some Spanish expressions to back you up? You’ll see how amazed they will be at you when they hear you trying to speak their language.

4. Do not visit Mexico if you don’t like to party (a lot)

With over 5,000 fiestas annually, -- that’s an average of 14 fiestas day -- Mexico is truly one of the fiesta capitals of the world. No matter which season or time of the year you'll drop by in Mexico or at any Mexican town, you will surely chance upon a Mexican fiesta. Be it a religious festival or a town fiesta, everyone in the community participates.

Also read: 5 Happiest Festivals in the World

Their fiesta is reflective of their colourful culture with florid flowers, piñatas and bright painted decorations. They normally wrap it up with a series of firecrackers and burning of the castles (Quema del Castillo). These castle-like structures are adorned with letters and images that are being lit up by coloured gunpowder for a spectacular sight. Be ready to be in the groove anytime when in Mexico.

5. Do not visit Mexico if you don’t like to drink (a lot)

When there's a party, there's food, yes. There's lively music, certainly. Then, there's the overflow of booze. Mexicans' love affair with drinks is not under wraps. They do not drink only during fiesta time. Even in normal days, meeting up with friends or inviting someone over requires a session of beer drinking, along with storytelling. To add, Mexico is widely related to world-famous drinks like Tequila and Corona. When someone mentions Mexico, these products come to mind. Don't you agree?

Mexico is an adequate place where different types of drinks can flourish and develop. Its soil is suitable for agave plants, from which tequila and its predecessors are made. The hundreds of productions and brands of beer and other alcoholic drinks in the country explain the high demand for alcoholic drinks.

Lots of fiesta and a variety of drinks spell fun!

6. Do not visit Mexico if you don’t eat spicy foods

Chillies are their sacred ingredients, the secret to their flavourful dishes. Oops, I just spilled the beans. If you are not used to hot food, forget about visiting Mexico. Or you can, but set aside their chillies or spicy sauces. For them, food without chillies is like food without a taste. This is because chillies do not only serve to give that extra bite but to enhance the flavour as well.

The types of chillies are as varied and diverse as the country itself. Each chile has their distinct taste and level of spiciness. It matters what kind of chile you put in a food or how it is being prepared, whether grilled or boiled, because it will affect the overall quality of the meal.

Don't worry, there are foods dished up that are not spicy. However, the sauce that accompanies it usually is. But you can spare it if you feel you are being punished. I’m not scaring you guys. I mean if Japanese or Korean food is piquant enough for a typical Filipino; Mexican food is like that for an American.

7. Do not visit Mexico if you don’t know the meaning of “agua”

In Mexico, agua doesn’t only mean water; I mean the natural water that we need in our body. Remember, agua in Mexico also refers to a drink that is a part of water and a part of fruit juices such as coconut, jamaica and guava, among several fruits. Of course, there’s pure bottled water sold at convenience stores or supermarkets, but if you order them in a restaurant or eatery, always bear in mind that agua is a mix of juices and water.

During my time in Mexico, I knew for a fact that water is agua in Spanish. However, I was taken aback by the other meaning of agua here. I forced myself to have soft drinks even though I didn't like it because the waitress informed me that there were no other drinks, only agua and soft drinks. I went for the latter, thinking that agua is just the regular water. But when I watched my other companions ordering agua and got juices after, that's the time I deciphered the mystery of this term in Mexico. Even little things matter.

8. Do not visit Mexico if you don’t like to watch their wild sports

Lucha libre (wrestling) and rodeo (bull riding) are just some of the wildest sports that Mexicans are fond of. Include football if you think it is too. Just kidding. Some contested that lucha libre and rodeo are not sports but a form of art. Although the more popular opinion believed that they are indeed sports.

When you see muscled masked wrestlers smashing each other's faces until blood is already poking out of them, or when one of them is striking the other with a hard-hitting object, isn't it disheartening? But this is live entertainment after all. I cannot guess if it's just a real exaggeration or it's exaggeratingly real even after watching a full show of it live at one of the biggest fighting arenas in Mexico, the Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara.

The kids liked watching it but I felt uncomfortable seeing bull riders being dismounted off from the stern, restless bull. Mexico has the finest and biggest bulls in the world. Yet, it also has the most skilful bull riders. Only one of them will end up as a winner; it’s either the bull or the rider. So, the bull riding competition is tough and will keep you up on your toes until you find out that everyone is safe. This sport is something that Mexico learned from their previous Spanish coloniser but continues to be practised especially during religious festivals.

Also read: The Ultimate South America Bucket List: 27 Experiences Every Traveller Must Complete

Being the centre of Latin culture in America, Mexico embodies the Latin spirit in all forms, from its music, fiesta, and food, down to its architectural styles, arts, and traditions. Mexico seems to have a parcel of each country. It has both the fours seasons and tropical climate, high-reaching, alpine mountains and barren deserts, tropical beaches and ancient ruins, Hispanic churches and European-styled castles. Mexico almost has everything.

So, you want to visit Mexico?

Filipinos Can Experience Snow at These 10 Countries Without a Visa

Want to celebrate a white Christmas? You're in luck because Filipinos can experience snow in these places without even applying for a tourist visa.

December 13, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:27 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

It’s winter wonderland in many countries in the northern region of the world but Filipinos still continue to experience sunny weather with occasional rain. If you’d like to experience a merry white Christmas over the holidays, here are the best places you can go to. And guess what, even with a third-world passport you can easily fly over to these places...visa-free! Cool, isn’t it?

Also read: 8 Places in the Philippines to Experience a Cold White Christmas

1. Jeju Island, South Korea

Here’s your chance to visit South Korea without applying for a visa! Sure it’s pretty easy to apply for a visa to visit the country (plus it’s free!) but nothing beats travelling with just a passport, right? Jeju Island is best known for its beaches but you can also head on to the northern regions such as Eorimok and try sledding downhill. It’s popular among children but the kids-at-heart can always join in.

2. Mongolia

Winter in Mongolia is surreal with its vast landscapes and open countryside. You will have to be extremely prepared for the conditions; although it doesn’t snow much in the area, the temperature stays below zero for months so the snow stays even until the summer months. Mongolians often celebrate the winter with ice sculptures but you can also enjoy the scenery inside the train.

3. Israel

Snow is common in Israel, happening in January and February, although it mostly happens in the northern region. Most Filipinos are Catholics so you will most likely go for a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Jesus Christ at least once in your life. While you’re at it, why not head up north and experience enjoy their winter wonderland? That will surely make your Christmas more exciting!

4. Morocco

Morocco isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to experiencing snow but its mountainous regions have a few resorts. You can check one near Fes and another near Marrakesh but most of their resorts have unreliable snow and not-so-great skiing gears. Regardless, you will still have a great time here especially since you can travel with your Filipino passport visa-free.

Also read: 15 Exotic Visa Free Countries Filipinos Might Not Know About

5. Colombia

Image credit: Djlego123

Another South American country where Filipino travellers can experience snow visa-free is in Colombia. Los Nevados, or Snow-Capped Mountains, is the only place in the country to have a white Christmas and you can even go skiing if you are lucky enough (and there is enough snow). You can also head over to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, located near the Andes regions, and hike up and ski from down there although this is mostly recommended for experienced ski mountaineers.

6. Peru

Image credit: Eduardo_VIP

Another place for experienced Filipino ski mountaineers to consider would be in Peru. Now, there are no resorts or basic ski areas in the country but you can visit Huaraz near Lima, which has a long history of skiing. If you are brave and experienced enough, you can also ski down the slopes of Huascaran, which is Peru’s highest peak standing at 6,768 metres.

7. Ecuador

Image credit: Esteban Saúl Ortega

It sounds weird to see snow in Ecuador, seeing that it is located right on the equator but it actually does happen -- but it is only limited to the peaks that go as high as 6,000 metres or more. The Ecuador Andes’ highest point is the Cayambe Volcano. It is permanently covered in snow and frequented by people who love mountain climbing.

Also read: 8 Visa Free Destinations Every First Time Filipino Traveller Must Visit

8. Bolivia

Image credit: Bernard Gagnon

Craving for snow rush? Head over to the mountains surrounding La Paz, the third most populous city in Bolivia and the highest seat of government in the world. You will need to have a certain level of fitness in order to climb to the top of the glacier. You don’t have to worry about having zero skiing experience because there are slopes available from beginners to experts!

9. Brazil

Image credit: Arthur Puls

Brazil is not just all about beaches and bikinis because there are actually a number of cities located in higher altitudes of the southern region that experience snow every year. Among the places in Brazil that you can visit to experience snow would include Rio Grande do Sul, Parana and Santa Catarina.

10. Vietnam

Image credit: Hoang Giang Hai

Surprise, surprise! Yes, it does snow in Vietnam. With temperatures going as low as -5 degrees, Sapa has been experiencing lots of snow cover. Other areas in the country such as Tam Dao, Dong Van and Mau Son Mountain also experience snow during the later part of the year.

If you love to experience the chilly weather but hate dealing with the snow, Asian countries such as Thailand and Hong Kong are also your best bet.

Also read: Winter Checklist: 10 Items to Pack on Your First Snowy Vacation

Before you head on to any of these places, be sure to pack the right clothes and bundle yourself up. Surely, you would rather want to experience a white Christmas outside instead of shivering under the sheets. Happy holidays!

A Filipino Traveller’s Dream EuroTrip: 9 Cities, 8 Countries in 17 Days

9 cities, 8 countries in Europe in 17 days, this Filipino traveller turned his dream EuroTrip into a reality.

December 12, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:27 am

Tristan Jay Correa TJ is working as a program producer in a radio station but his alter ego “Travel Jock” keeps his feet uncontrollable as if wanting to explore the world with freedom and independence. His heart and mind are currently battling if he should stay on a stable career with limited vacation leaves or embark on a risky journey of travelling the wo​rld with no limits. He just started his simple blog The Travel Jock.

Contributed by The Travel Jock

Europe was just a dream trip especially for a third world citizen like me. You have to produce a huge amount of money and convince the embassy to approve you for a tourist visa.

Europe was not just a dream but a travel goal for me so I worked really hard to achieve and make it a reality. I mounted a Eurotrip fund from my “sideline teaching gigs”. I really planned for it for almost a year.

Also read: How I Did My Dream Europe Trip for Less than ₱100,000 (All-In)

Europe is a big continent with a number of countries. Since I was only allowed 17 days vacation leave, I needed to pick the cities that I would really love to visit. The exchange rate was around 1 Euro to 55 Philippine peso so I really have to arrange the itinerary to match my budget.

Let me share with you how I prepared for this ultimate travel goal, The Travel Jock’s Eurotrip.

What are the cities and countries you would like to visit?

As I like to unleash my Amazing Race aura in this trip, I ended up with 9 cities and 8 countries. It was supposed to be 8 cities and 7 countries but an additional one (Budapest, Hungary) was a random decision because I wanted to ditch my itinerary for just one day and make a detour. I never regretted it though because Budapest was just too awesome.

Here are the 9 cities and 8 countries I visited:

1. Berlin, Germany
2. Prague, Czech Republic
3. Vienna, Austria
4. Budapest, Hungary
5. Venice, Italy
6. Rome, Italy
7. Barcelona, Spain
8. Paris, France
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands

What is your entry and exit point?

After laying out all the countries I wanted to visit, I chose my first entry point and exit point. Fortunately, I found an Etihad Airways promo last February so I depended my entry (Berlin, Germany) and exit point (Amsterdam, Netherlands) on their rates which happened to be the lowest, amounting to ₱37,500 (€707 ).

Note: It is much cheaper if your entry and exit point is the same airport.

Itinerary

17 days are not enough to squeeze in all the cities I wanted to visit. This was the hardest part for me -- deciding on which place to stay longer so I started checking all the major tourist attractions in each city I plan to visit and asked some friends who already travelled to those areas. I also checked the transportation hours from city to city; country to country as a consideration for my stay.

• Berlin, Germany = 2 days
• Prague, Czech Republic = 2 days
• Vienna, Austria = half day
• Budapest, Hungary = half day
• Venice, Italy = 2 days
• Rome, Italy = 3 days
• Barcelona, Spain = 2 days
• Paris, France = 2 days
• Amsterdam, Netherlands = 3 days

Note: I will create the itineraries for these cities one by one so watch out for that.

Transportation

I wanted to experience all the types of transportation available that connect the countries in Europe. The first plan was to use the Interrail Global pass (unlimited train travel in Europe for €550) but when I calculated the price, it was not so affordable for my budget, not to mention the travel time.

I mixed bus, train and airplane to enjoy all modes of transportation. I used apps and websites like Rome2Rio, Skyscanner, Kayak to find affordable deals.

Here’s the table:

Accommodation

Since tight budgeting is my concern, I chose hostels where guests can rent just a bed in a dormitory with shared bathrooms, lounges, and kitchens. If you’re not that flexible, I suggest you get a hotel or rent a house/apartment thru Airbnb. But if you’re really out of budget, Couchsurfing may be the answer where you can stay with locals for free and be a friend. I’m just not comfortable sleeping in another’s house without giving anything in return so I opted to book hostels instead.

I check hostels from Agoda or Booking.com, depending on their location and affordability. I usually get one bunk bed in a 16-bed dormitory; I don’t mind sleeping in one room with other people. I just secure my important stuff with me.

Visa

I will reserve another post for details of getting a Schengen Visa. Initial things to know: it cost me ₱3,300 (€60) at the Italian Embassy. Most of the time, you should get the visa from the country of entry point or where you will stay longer. In my case, I chose Italy because I will stay there longer. Italy was strict in my experience, and according to some friends, one should apply at the Spanish Embassy or German Embassy. There’s really no formula I guess. Just prepare all the requirements.

Also read: How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

Budget

After getting the lowest possible airfare, I told myself that I just have ₱100,000 – 150,000 as a budget all in all so I started finishing my itinerary and getting low fares in transportation and accommodation.

• Airfare: Etihad Airways ₱37,500
• Major Transportation in Europe: ₱13,420
• Hostels / Accommodation: ₱18,601
• Pocket Money: ₱60,000
• Visa Fee: ₱3,300
• Total: ₱132,250

At the end of the day, it will not really matter how much it would cost you because the experience and memories you would get are really priceless. I have learned so many things, and my curiosity was fulfilled. Europe will always be a dream destination.

Also read: Backpacking 15 European Cities Solo in 43 Days: Tips, Highlights and Lessons

You can follow my Instagram account @thetraveljock for the photos I’ve taken using my iPhone.

A Filipino Traveller’s Diary: How I Spent Autumn in Korea and Japan

From Korea to Japan, follow this Filipina as she experiences autumn in these two beautiful countries.

December 1, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:28 am

Mary Angeline Naguit Anj or Nuggets to her friends is the foodie kind of traveller, who believes that one hasn't been there if he hasn't tried the food. When not with her backpack, she can be found at the office, being the hardworking young urban professional, who is always excited for life's next adventures.

Contributed by Nuggetcation

November is a popular vacation month for people who wish to feel the cold weather and see bright red and yellow leaves. For people who live in a country with two seasons, autumn is a great time to experience something different. As the cliche pun goes, I started the trip by Seoul searching in South Korea, then continuing to Tokyo.

In South Korea, I tried as much as possible to veer away from the more famous spots like Nami Island, N Seoul Tower, and Gyeongbokgung Palace to view the country in a different light. The highlight of my South Korea visit was going to Suwon, a UNESCO world heritage site. Suwon is the capital of Gyeonggi-do (where Everland is) and is the only standing completely walled city of South Korea.

Also read: 25 Photos to Convince You to Travel to South Korea in Autumn

Hwaseong Fortress, which is the wall around Suwon, stretches for over 5.5 km and is marked by four main gates in the north, south, west and east portions. The one below is the Paldalmun Gate or the south gate:

To get to the wall, a steep climb of over 200+ steps must be taken. The terrain is not rough but the steepness of the stairs plus the cold weather made it challenging to reach the top. But once there, a fantastic view of Seoul is revealed, making the effort all worth it.

Suwon has all this historical and nostalgic feel around it. If you want to immerse yourself to some cultural and historical tour, this place is perfect. Visiting here is refreshing as it provides the balance to the sparkly and fast-paced environment of Seoul.

To get a picture-perfect view of the autumn foliage, one would typically think of Namiseom, but within Seoul, Ehwa Womans University is actually one of the best spots as well to see all the vibrant colours of autumn.

I signed up for a free English campus tour, and surprisingly, I was the only one scheduled for that day – call that an exclusive tour! My guide’s name is Clare, a staff at Ehwa, and also an alumna of BS Education. Since I was the only one she was touring, it was a great opportunity to exchange ideas on Filipino and Korean culture in terms of education, politics, and even food. I guess talking about Ehwa and how marvellous the campus was can be discussed in a separate post. I learned so much on my tour with Clare, from the campus history, to certain so-called university legends.

The faculty and student centre below was completed last 2013 by a French architect. It houses the campus cinema, faculty offices, student centre and even boutiques. If only I had the opportunity, I would love to study again here. 🙂

And now to move on to the Tokyo leg of my trip, I started it with another university visit – The University of Tokyo or UTokyo. Since state universities are usually open to public, they are in fact one of the best places to see for tourists. To me, there is this wow feeling whenever I step on university grounds. There is an air of honour, of intelligence, and a lot of history surrounding the place, and I want to be part of it even just by strolling around the campus. The best part of visiting UTokyo is seeing Hachiko’s new statue, now reunited with Professor Ueno. I got kind of emotional when I saw it. 😥

Also read: 10 Destinations in Japan to Spend Your Autumn and Winter Vacations

Tokyo food trip is another story, but as a teaser, here are some snapshots from our Tsukiji and Sushi Dai experience. Imagine 6 hours in line, from around 5.30am to almost 12.00 pm just to savour the famous Michelin Star-rated Sushi Dai Omakase Set. If you ask me, once you taste the first piece, you’ll instantly forget that was six hours of waiting! The chefs, thankfully we were seated nearest to the head chef, were very entertaining and would patiently explain what each sushi is, and gladly welcome all requests. As I am writing this, I’m also wondering when I could visit this place again. Sushi heaven indeed.

To save the best for last, here are some shots from our Fuji Kawaguchiko Tour. It was a tiring travel from Shinjuku since we were in panic that the bus might leave us. It was a bit tricky to find the new station, to add, it was the first trip at 6.05am, and we only had a few minutes to make sure we get there on time! We slept the entire trip and after around 2 hours, lo and behold:

Getting there early is perfect since the sun isn’t shining brightly yet, hence you can still take a good picture of you and Mt. Fuji. Any time later than that, and you’re gonna get that against-the-light shot, making it challenging to take good photos unless you’re a pro. Plus, being there early means more time to actually enjoy the view and the cool weather.

I tried as much as possible to make the narrative short, but I hope this can inspire you to also visit the places that may not be popular tourist spots as the others, and also to try to travel solo at least once in your life.

Also read: My 6-Day Solo Travel in Japan: Tips, Costs & Itinerary for Filipinos

To those of you who may be curious, this was actually a budget-friendly tour, with MNL – ICN airfare at ₱1,900, ICN – NRT at ₱3,300 and NRT – MNL at ₱3,600. Lesser expenses for airfare means more money to spend for the actual experience. And at the end of it all, memories from this trip are just priceless.

Cost breakdown

• Airfare

  MNL - ICN = ₱1,900

  ICN - NRT = ₱3,300

  NRT - MNL = ₱3,600

• Travel Tax = ₱1,620
• Baggage NRT - MNL = ₱830
• Seoul Hostel = ₱1,800
• Tokyo AirBnb = ₱6,000
• Food, transpo, shopping = ₱20,000

Total = ₱39,050 for 7 days

9 Reasons Why Filipino Travellers Should Visit South Korea Soont

Here's why you should visit the land of K-Pop and K-Dramas as soon as you can.

December 6, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:28 am

Oscar Maalihan As a young city boy who gets bored easily, Oscar constantly yearns for new experiences and challenges. He finds pleasure in taking unfamiliar paths, learning different cultures and tasting new palates.

Contributed by Oscar Maalihan

South Korea, aside from being the land of K-Pop music and K-Dramas, is definitely a country that has so much to offer. And this year, I am lucky to travel alone to its capital – Seoul. Here, I've listed several reasons why you should visit South Korea as soon as you can:

Also read: A Filipino Traveller’s Guide to Visiting Korea for the First Time

1. It’s affordable

Yep, it is affordable. In fact, travelling to Korea is 40% cheaper than travelling to Japan. You can have a full meal for as low as ₱200, and street foods are available at ₱75-₱150. Also, there are ways to cut-down costs if you wish to visit Korea.

2. Internet is super fast

Gate Guards of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Living in the Philippines wherein internet infrastructure is slow and access is expensive peeves every Filipino. On the other hand, Korea has the fastest internet in the world, and that’s why I was excited once my plane landed in Incheon. Their average Internet speed is 24.6 Mbps so a photo can be uploaded in 3-4 seconds. Plus, free Wi-Fi is almost everywhere.

3. It's capital, Seoul, is a fusion of ancient and modern Korea

Changing of Gate Guards Ceremony

In spite of rapid development, the city managed to preserve its 5,000-year old history, combining the ancient oriental tradition and modern technology. Places like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong and many more, are the traces of its rich history and vibrant culture. Moreover, if you are looking for spots that exhibit modern Korea, you may go to Namsan Park, N Seoul Tower and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Also read: 24 Fun Things to Do in Seoul on Your Very First Visit

4. The city has an overwhelming nightlife scene

I personally think that travelling must include experiencing the nightlife in your destination for this may give you a deeper understanding of their local culture. And if nightlife is to be discussed, you shouldn’t miss the nightlife scene in Seoul.

Also read: Asian Cities with the Most Fabulous Nightlife

Situated near several universities, Hongdae and Sinchon are spots for the youngsters. These two showcase the city’s wilder side. Gangnam, on the other hand, offers a more upscale nightlife. Being the prime district of Seoul, this owns Seoul’s hottest clubbing experience.

In addition, you must see numerous college students perform in the streets at night and observe as locals gather in subway station exits.

6. Korean food is to die for

Korean street food

Bulgogi, kimbap, bibimbap, samgyeopsal, jjigae, jjampong, japchae and Korean chicken – these are just few of the countless Korean dishes that you need to try. Even street food just like tteokbokki and gyeran-bbang are highly pleasing. And the good is, there’s no tipping in Korea so you better save your money for other things.

Also read: 15 Must-Try Korean Dishes for Non-Spicy Food Lovers

7. Korea is a shopping hot spot

It is home to gigantic shopping malls and centres. The world’s biggest department store is in Busan, and famous shopping districts such as Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun is in Seoul. You must also visit underground shopping centres in subway stations like Gangnam and Jamsil. For a more youthful style, shopping streets in Gangnam, Sinchon, Hongik University, Ehwa Women’s University and Common Ground are the best places to drop by. And the price? It’s hella cheap!

8. It is the beauty capital of Asia

Koreans are lovers of beauty. They make sure they eat healthy, they clean and protect their skin, and have regular skin checkups. They even spend an hour or two everyday for applying skin care products. And, girls aren’t the only ones who do these things -- guys do them, too.

I’ve never been to a place wherein skin care shops are like convenience stores except for Korea. Brands like Etude, Skin Food, Nature Republic and the likes are located even in subway stations and major streets. All products are cheap – totally cheap and they even give free mask sheets and moisturisers once you enter their stores. Besides, professional care is also cheap and accessible. No wonder Koreans have amazingly beautiful skin.

9. It is safe

When we go on a trip, our safety is always our concern. The tension between the two Korean countries may let you think that Korea isn’t safe to visit. But, trust me, it is. Seoul is actually one of the safest cities in the world, and street crimes are very rare to exist. I have walked the streets of the city day and night, even at 3am, but I have never seen any trouble. Aside from Koreans are well-mannered, the city is tourist-friendly. It is easy to go around, signages or guides are everywhere, and tourist information offices are present in most places.

Also read: Budget Travel in Seoul: 12 Tips from First Time Visitors

I do not know everything about Korea yet but these are just my insights from what I have observed during my 6 days stay in Seoul. I hope that I get to convince you to visit South Korea. Have fun!

My 6-Day Solo Travel in Japan: Tips, Costs & Itinerary for Filipinos

Japan is an expensive country but this Filipino managed to travel solo for 6 days on a budget. Read on to follow his journey.

November 29, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:29 am

JM Sabariaga Born to wander and has a true passion for travelling and photography, JM is the guy who likes to takes pictures and loves to explore unknown places and climb mountains. Check his travel blog, The Lost Kid Travels, and follow his photography at his Instagram account.

Contributed by The Lost Kid Travels

Let's face it, Japan is an expensive country to visit, kung pwede nga lang every year ako pumunta. (If only I can visit every year.)

I got lost several times, from finding the station to figuring out the exit point. This was not the first time that I travelled on my own, I researched all the necessary info I can possibly use. Here are some of my tips and recommendations that might help you in planning your trip to Japan!

Also read: My 7-Day Trip to Japan: Travel Tips & Cost Breakdown for Filipino Travellers

Visa

If you are a Philippine passport holder, you need a Japan visa. The easiest way to secure one is via a travel agency.  You may read this Easy Japan Tourist Visa Guide for Filipinos.

That seat sale

I scored my ₱6k round-trip from Cebu Pacific Air.

• Manila-Tokyo
• Osaka-Manila

The trick is to book months ahead before your trip.

Also read: 8 Tricks to Successfully Grab Cheap Promo Flights in the Philippines

What route

If you want to make the most out of your trip in Japan, follow the GOLDEN TRIO route. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka or vice-versa like what I did. I booked a ticket from Manila to Tokyo, then the return point would be from Osaka to Manila. Nine days would be enough to cover it all, but it still depends on your itinerary.

Tokyo - Kyoto

If you're coming from Tokyo, the fastest way to get to Kyoto is by plan or by Shinkansen (bullet train). I took the slowest way to get to Kyoto which was an OVERNIGHT BUS (willerexpress.com). I chose this option because I want to save on accommodation and it was not pretty bad at all.

Kyoto - Nara - Osaka

Japan has an interconnected railway system, which means that Kyoto, Nara and Osaka are accessible by train. Travel time from Kyoto to Nara is one hour, which is the same as Nara to Osaka. I travelled to these three cities using my Pasmo card -- it's reloadable and easy to use.

Also, consider kung saan mo gusto matagal mag stay (where you'd like to stay longer). If you want cool stuff, shopping, urban explo and Mt. Fuji, then stay longer in Tokyo. If you want to experience old Japan, then Kyoto. If you are a foodie and a big fan of Harry Potter and theme parks, Osaka is the place to be. If you are a true explorer like me, visit all the three cities.

When to go

Japan has four seasons:

• Late November to February - Winter
• March to May - Spring
• June to August - Summer
• Late September to Mid November - Autumn

Pick what season you prefer. Spring is by far the most popular one because of the Cherry Blossoms while Summer is the best time to climb Mt. Fuji.

Where to stay

There are lots of options to choose especially for solo travellers, you can also look it up on Airbnb, Booking.com or Agoda.

Kyoto

K's Backpacker Hostel

Maybe if I'm not on tipid (budget) mode, I would choose to stay on a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese house just for curiosity.

Osaka

Dotombori Inn

This one is very accessible to the Glico man and the shopping district.

Transportation

If HK has Octopus card, Japan has Pasmo card. Actually, there are numerous tap cards ,but I chose this one because of the design. You can also purchase specialty cards like the 2 or 3-day tourist pass. All the tourist spots are accessible by train, so prepare to walk a lot. Isipin mo nang papayat ka sa Japan. Kaya siguro walang matabang tao sa Japan. (Just think that you'll lose weight in Japan. It's probably the reason why there's no fat person in Japan.)

The easiest way to get around all the tourist spots in Kyoto is by Bus. Get a 1 or 2-day bus pass (500 yen good for 1 day). Don't forget to bring the bus map because it can be quite confusing.

Pocket WiFi

It saved my life. There are free Wi-Fis in Kyoto and Osaka, but of course, it would not cover all the areas, and once you're out of range, it can be hard to navigate on your own (Google maps, of course). They will deliver the pocket Wi-Fi at your chosen accommodation.

What to see in Kyoto

Click here to see more photos of Kyoto.

What to see in Osaka

Click here to see more photos of Osaka.

* I did not include my Tokyo trip because the reason I went there was because of Mt. Fuji so I only had one full day to explore Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Suggested Itinerary

6 days Kyoto-Osaka trip

Day 0

• Overnight bus Tokyo to Kyoto

Day 1

• Visit 3 temples
• Gion District

Day 2

• Arashimaya bamboo grove
• Monkey park
• Nijo Castle
• Kyoto Tower

Day 3

• Golden Pavilion
• Fushimi Inari
• Tavel to Nara
• Nara Park - feed the deer
• Travel to Osaka
• Food trip in Osaka

Day 4

• Universal Studios

Day 5

• Osaka Castle
• Dotombori District
• Umeda sky building

Day 6

• Free time
• Back to Manila

Cost estimate

• Overnight bus - ₱2,700
• Food - ₱6,000
• K's Backpacker Hostel (2 nights) - ₱2,900
• Dotombori Inn (2 nights) - ₱3,200
• Entrance fees - ₱1,000
• USJ - ₱3,400
• Other expenses (transpo, etc) - ₱3,000
• Pocket wi-fi good for 5 days - ₱2,000

That's roughly ₱24,000 pesos but it can also get lower if you have a friend with you to split the bill with! I don't recommend na magtipid sa food (that you limit your food budget). Why? Masarap kasi food sa Japan (food in Japan is delicious).

How to Get a Canadian Tourist Visa for Filipinos

Shout out to Filipinos who want to get a Canadian tourist visa. Read on to learn the whole process.

November 7, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:29 am

Olivia Bautista Livi is an ambassador of the world, at least to her friends and colleagues. She fuses her passion, tech skills, and experiences to come up with creative ideas fit for her job as a web & graphic designer. On weekends, she tags her boyfriend along and together, they discover the world. Traveling adds fuel to her passion in photography. Check out the adventures of her Little Feet.

Contributed by Little Feet

Canada is a beautiful place according to Robby, that’s why I opted to go there for a short vacation, especially that I love taking photos and nature trips.

But getting a Canadian visa for Filipino tourists is not easy. But it’s manageable.

Due to not being a first world country and some issues of others who work abroad illegally, Philippine passport holders are required to apply for a visa to enter most countries (we are only allowed to visa-free entry to 61 countries). Apart from this, I am 24, single and female, which is considered as a high-risk profile (prone to marrying) and lastly, I will be applying alone as an adult and not being under my mother’s financial care. So I was very anxious about it! Plus, I needed immediate results because ticket prices are soaring. So let me share with you how to apply for a Canadian visa for Filipino tourists.

Also read: 10 Countries Filipinos Probably Didn’t Know They Can Travel To Without Visa

Anyway, there are 2 ways to apply: 1. Paper 2. Online. Cut on costs from travel agencies and save about ₱2,500.

This is the way to apply online:

Steps

1. Visit their official website and determine your eligibility. You will be given a reference code which you will be needing to pursue the application.
2. Create a MyCIC account here and choose “Continue to GCKey”
3. Once you log-in after successfully registering, the list of requirements will appear. You must submit ALL required documents and you will not be allowed to submit the application if there are incomplete documents.
4. Once completed, pay the application fee of CAD 100 (approximately ₱3,500) and wait for the e-mail updates from the consul.

Documentary requirements

Note: Everything must be scanned

1. Valid Passport (at least 1 year before expiration). Scan the front page.

2. Completely filled out application IMM5257 form. You may access the file via INTERNET EXPLORER. Strangely, it won’t work on Chrome and Safari. You can access the file here or in your CIC account. This is the main application form which contains all details about your trip.

3. Family form IMM5645 which contains information about your family members.

4. Passport photograph

5. Proof of Funds

1. Bank Statement for the past 4 months
2. Certificate of Employment
3. Income Tax Return or form 2316
4. Bank Certificate
5. If another person is paying for your trip, provide an affidavit of support plus bank statements of the sponsor.

6. Purpose of Travel

1. Itinerary of the places you want to visit from Day 1
2. Invitation letter (if any) from a citizen plus a copy of their citizen card, payslip
3. Hotel bookings/Flight reservations

7. Travel History

1. Entry and Exit Stamps/Boarding passes
2. Previous visas (valid and expired)
3. A summary of your travels for the past 10 years. This was what I did:

8. Cover letter (optional) A brief explanation why you want to visit Canada, length of stay and places to visit.

What about my passport?

You do not need to submit your passport until the consul has made a decision. If you get approved, you will be shipping your passport to the embassy. If denied, they will just send you an e-mail.

Waiting game and approval

The application approval timeline depends on the number of applicants. Here is my timeline:

Upon approval, the consul will e-mail you a reference code which you will attach to your passport plus instructions. You can send it via LBC to:

VFS Global Services. Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati, Metro Manila

Attach a manager’s check worth ₱890. You can get one from your local bank. I got mine at BDO for ₱50. Wait for 2-3 days (Metro Manila) and your passport will be delivered right to your doorstep.

I got mine with a multiply entry valid until my passport expires!

Also read: 12 Things About Canada Every Traveller Will Love

Questions

1. What is your profile? 24, F, Single. Employed for 2 years. With a valid multiple entry visa to Japan and expired 2 Korea, Japan and a multiple entry US visa. Read the Pinoy Exchange forum to read other applicants’ profiles and to get some tips.
2. What supporting documents did you submit? My travel history, previous visas, itinerary and hotel bookings plus my cert of employment, cover letter and bank statements for the past 6 months. I did not submit a plane ticket.
3. I have no plane ticket, how do I justify the purpose of travel? You can book a hotel at booking.com at no cost with free cancellations if you decide not to pursue with the hotel booking. Plus, make sure you make a day to day itinerary of your travels. You can search for itineraries online. There are tons of it.
4. How much money should I have in the bank? There is no given amount but I guess CAD 150 per day is fine. Don’t spend all your “bank money” for the trip as this might be a red flag of insufficient funds. Another thing is that make sure your bank statement matches your salary. EG: you have been working for 2 years at an annual salary of 400k. Your bank cannot go beyond 800k unless you have other income, which you can declare in your cover letter.
5. How do I compile all documents into a single .PDF? You can use Microsoft word and save as PDF files
6. What are some reasons for denial? As far as I have read: Travel history, family ties and insufficient funds are common reasons for denial.
7. How do I strengthen possible denial reasons? Well, try to go to nearby countries that require visas like Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan. Attach family pictures if you have to and of course make sure that you really have enough travel fund.
8. I received a “my application has been updated” email but I did not see any update. Why? It’s normal to see such. If the consul opens your file, there will automatically be a message stating that your application has been updated.
9. How does the embassy assess applicants? That I do not know. Just be truthful with your application. I am quite sure the embassy is already used to fallacious documents. So do not attempt to submit fabricated documents such as fake plane tickets, passport stamps, etc.

Good luck! 🙂

10 Hugot Lines Filipino Backpackers Can Relate To

Backpacking is just as challenging as your love life...or the lack thereof.

October 18, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:29 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

The life of a backpacker is not an easy one. They are subject to delayed flights, missed trains, failed bookings, scams and so many challenges. But, despite all these hardships, it does not stop them from exploring and travelling the world.

And, if you are a Filipino, you have probably related all these backpacking challenges to your life, in general, or your love life (or lack of it). Can you relate to any of these backpacker hugot lines?

Also read: 10 Hugot Lines for Your Commuting Feels

1. Which is which?

2. On love...and itineraries

3. How difficult is it?

4. On waiting and letting go

5. There’s room for all

6. On waiting in vain

7. And more waiting…

8. On second chances

9. Cold, insensitive hearts

10. On work and life...

So, which one is your favourite hugot line?

Simple Hanoi Travel Hacks Every Filipino Traveller Should Know

Pinoy travellers should read this before going to Hanoi. Travel hacks for the win!

October 13, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:29 am

JM Nacino The girl who quit her corporate job and took an online freelancing job so she can be in her room with her cat and watch TV series for months. She eventually got sick of her daily routine so she bought plane tickets, took her backpack, passport and her TEFL certificate, kissed her mom and cat goodbye, and set out to see and engage with the world. Just like that, she became The Bum Traveler.

I bet you have read many articles about Hanoi already before flying out, maybe even before booking the flight. Well, here are some travel hacks that will help you save more money while travelling this capital city of Vietnam. You may also use these hacks in other parts of the country and even to its neighbouring countries.

Also read: How I Travelled 2 Days in Hanoi for PHP 12,000 (All-In)

Booking flights

Let’s start with the booking part. Well, this is the first and hardest part of the travel. The decision-making time -- should you go and explore or just do a staycation and reward yourself a dinner buffet later on? Well, that’s up to you. Either way, you can get a couple of hearts in Instagram anyway.

When booking, we have this notion that we book beforehand, like at least 6 months or a year? Nah, you don’t have to unless it’s piso fare. Most of the airlines, which are afraid they will be losing for flying out few customers, drop prices a week or two before the scheduled flight. So go catch that Pokemon, I mean sale. Make sure you use Skyscanner or visit all airlines’ websites to get the best deal. You may want to keep on booking flights that are payable within 24 hours. Tell you what, I do this a lot. As far as I know, airlines do not hinder you from doing this anyway.

Transfers

If you are travelling to Hanoi, you will most probably arrive between 1:00 to 2:00 am. People must have told you that it is better to make a pick-up arrangement with your hotel/hostel to prevent from getting ripped off, well that is right. VND 250,000 (₱540) to reach the centre of Hanoi is not that bad, but VND 70,000 (₱150) sounds a lot better, isn’t it?

Get on an airport shuttle bus -- yes, it exists in Vietnam. I wonder why I haven’t seen one in the Philippines. So going back to the much cheaper option of taking the shuttle bus, just show the driver your hotel/hostel’s address and he will try to charge with pay VND 100,000 (₱216) because it is out of route but tumawad ka naman te kahit dito lang. Wag kang bigay ng bigay. I mean, drivers usually give in anyway if you try to bargain.

Accommodations

Looking for a decent and cheap place to stay is not that hard when you’re in Hanoi. Booking hotel/hostels online have advantages, but when you get to Hanoi, you’ll learn that there are a lot of hotel/hostels that offer $5 dorm with breakfast buffet or $8 private room with simple breakfast. You can book online for a night since you most likely arrive past midnight, and then you can just check out the next day. Most, if not all of the hotels and hostel will be closed after midnight, but they will wait for you if you booked beforehand. And do not forget to eat your free breakfast.

Getting around

When getting around the city, go with the Westerners’ way, alay lakad. If you are too lazy to walk around and you would rather pay and get stuck in a moderate traffic, be my guest, take a taxi. The traffic is not forever like EDSA anyway.

You can also ride on Xe Om, motorbike taxi, which sometimes makes no difference with the prices with the taxi ride. But most people want to feel the rush and the adventure in riding a motorbike in this city of motorbikes. If you want that too, use GrabBike instead. Pay only a dollar or two compared to paying a minimum of $5. And it is fool-proof; the system will tell you exactly how much you need to pay instead of getting ripped off by paying the amount showing on the not properly working taxi metre or the kawawa face that your motorbike driver is making.

Food

When buying your food either in restaurants or on the streets, you should know that they prepare and clean up things almost the same. You’ll know what this means when you see it. Prices are definitely different, though. When going to a shop or a restaurant, a meal is usually around VND 30,000 to 60,000 (₱65-130), and if it’s higher than that, try going to the next one. Go to a place where you can see the prices on the menu for they usually change the prices if they know you’re a foreigner. Better go to places where there are more locals than foreigners for it usually means it’s the cheapest and the best place to eat in town.

Get your free beer in your hostel and if it is not enough to get you through the night, chill with a VND 5000 to 7000 (₱10-15) worth of beer in Bia Corner or Ma May Street. Pulutan is not expensive either, try nem chua ran. Makakalimutan mo na siya and you get full with just VND 100,000 (₱200).

Souvenirs

Pasalubong, the most important part of the trip, because someone will get mad if you are not going to buy them Starbucks tumbler, and most probably your mom and/or tita are not going to talk to you for hours if you forget her fridge magnet.

Also read: 26 Reasons to Fall in Love with Hanoi

Buy Vietnamese traditional coffee maker instead of Starbucks tumbler. Tell them not all countries are keen of Starbucks and for sure hindi yun mawawala sa locker niya. Do your shopping spree in the Night Market, with both locals and foreigners. And of course, to get more discounts, act like you are a local. If you cannot pronounce “bao nhieu tien” (bao nee-yooh tee-yen?) then type it on your notes app, let the vendor read it, then let him or her use your phone’s calculator so he/she can show you the price. Try not to utter a word. We look like locals so take advantage of it. #perksofbeingpinoy

You are now equipped with these powerful travel hacks so use them well when you’re in Hanoi! Happy trip!

You’ll Never Think These 13 Countries Offer Visa On Arrival for Filipinos

Can't shake off the spontaneous traveller in you? Add these countries that offer Visa On Arrival for Filipinos in your bucket list!

October 11, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:30 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

Are you a spontaneous traveller? If you are -- and also hold a Philippine passport -- then you probably know that there are limits to such spontaneity. You cannot just go and book flights to anywhere in the world without checking visa requirements (lest you get deplaned). But, if you have considered going somewhere exotic in Asia, Africa or Oceania, here are some countries where you can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA).

Also read: 15 Exotic Visa Free Countries Filipinos Might Not Know About

Who says third-world passports aren’t powerful? Go on and book that flight now!

Asia

1. Armenia

Duration of Stay: 120 days

Image credit: photo-armenia.com

A former Soviet republic, Armenia is becoming a popular tourist destination for the adrenaline junkies. Its mountainous Caucasus regions make it the perfect setting to go hiking, paragliding and skiing so if you want to try something adventurous during your travels, Armenia should be in your list!

How to get there: Manila → Dubai/Istanbul/Doha → Beirut/Kiev/Moscow → Yerevan

What to do: Visit the world’s largest mountain lake, Lake Sevan, in the summer; go skiing at the Tsakhkadzor Ski Resort in the winter; check out UNESCO world heritage sites (Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries, archaeological sites of Zvartnots); paragliding in the Caucasus Mountains

2. Iran

Duration of Stay: 30 days

Image credit: Hamed Saber

Although the Islamic Republic of Iran has gained a poor public image in many parts of the world for the past few years, it is slowly gaining back popularity as a tourist destination. Many visitors come to the country to visit pilgrimage sites in Qom and Mashhad but history lovers will also love visiting ruins such as the Persepolis. If you want to see your history books come alive, definitely visit Iran.

How to get there: Manila → Kuala Lumpur → Tehran

What to do: Visit the Persepolis, Imam Square, Isfahan Music Museum, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, National Jewelry Treasury, Imam Reza Holy Square and more; enjoy the beaches in Kish; go shopping at Mashhad, Tabriz, Yazd and Qeshm

Also read: 10 Days in Iran: Sample Travel Costs and Budget

3. Kyrgyzstan

Duration of Stay: 30 days, get at Manas International Airport

Image credit: Thomas Depenbusch

This rugged Central Asian country lies along the historic Silk Road, which was once the ancient trade route used between China and the Mediterranean. You can visit several natural attractions in the country or go on a gastronomic adventure -- their cuisine is influenced by different cultures including Russian, Georgian, Turkish, Central Asian and many more.

How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Bishkek

What to do: Visit Ala-Archa Gorge, Issyk-Kul Lake, Song Kol Lake, Mountain Sulaiman-Too, Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum; sleep in a yurt; go on a gastronomic adventure; learn Russian at cheap rates

4. Maldives

Duration of Stay: 30 days

This small tropical country found in the Indian Ocean is a famous tourist attraction for beach lovers. It is actually composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls so don’t be surprised to see endless beaches, lagoons and reefs. Most of the things you will do in Maldives will, naturally, involve the ocean.

How to get there: Manila → Singapore → Male

What to do: Try underwater dining at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort (world’s first); swim with the sharks at the South Ari Atoll; enjoy a spa massage at the Centara Ras Fushi Resort; go snorkelling; catch the reef breaks at Male’s atolls

Also read: Maldives Budget Itinerary: 6 Days 5 Nights in This Dream Paradise

5. Nepal

Duration of Stay: 90 days

Image credit: Mike Behnken

Located in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is best known for its numerous wildnerness and adventure activities. Nepal is home to 8 out of 10 of the highest mountains of the world. You can go mountain climbing, hiking and trekking, bungee jumping and paragliding or kayaking, canoeing and rafting.

How to get there: Manila → Shanghai → Kunming, Yunnan (China) → Kathmandu

What to do: Go rafting at the Karnali River; join a Vespa tour in Kathmandu; ride on a helicoper to see the top of Mt. Everest; try bungee jumping and canyon swinging at The Last Resort; go paragliding at Pokhara

6. Tajikistan

Duration of Stay: 45 days (get at Dushanbe International Airport; e-visa holders can enter through all border points)

Image credit: Oleg Brovko

Yet another Central Asian country in our list, Tajikistan is known for its rugged mountains which is why it is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and many more. Must-visit mountains include the Pamir and Fann Mountains.

How to get there: Manila → Beijing → Almaty → Dushanbe

What to do: Visit the Silk Road; go horse riding, rock climbing and more at the Pamir Mountains; go to Lake Karakol; hike and do other outdoor recreational activities at Iskanderkul; climb the Fann Mountains

7. Timor-Leste

Duration of Stay: 30 days

Image credit: David Stanley

The best time to visit East Timor is during their annual Carnivale de Timor, which is held in Dili every middle of April or May. It is during this time that they showcase the country’s multiculturalism which is mostly influenced by their Portuguese and Indonesian colonisers.

How to get there: Manila → Denpasar → Dili

What to do: Enjoy the beaches in Dili, Atauro Island and Baucau; climb Mounta Ramelau; visit the Museum of Resistance; go on a motorcycle tour; have your fill of endless seafood dishes

Africa

8. Madagascar

Duration of Stay: 30 days, free of charge

Image credit: Frank Vassen

An island nation located in the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar is best known as the home to different species of animals, including lemurs, that can be found nowhere else in the world. Another must-do in the country is visit the Avenue of the Baobabs, which is a dirt road lined with these massive ancient trees.

How to get there: Manila → Bangkok → Nairobi → Antananarivo

What to do: Visit the animals or go on a hike at Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, Ankarafantsika National Park, Marojejy National Park, Zahamena National Park;go swimming at Nosy Be’s beaches; check out the baobab trees lining Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina

9. Mauritania

Duration of Stay: 30 or 90 days (get at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport)

Image credit: Michal Huniewicz

This country is mostly about deserts and oceans so the popular attractions that you can see here are located in the desert areas of Adrar and Tagant. You can take a 4x4 ride and be in awe at the stunning desert scenery or you can also choose to visit the central coastline along the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, where you can see millions of migratory birds each year.

How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Algiers → Nouakchott

What to do: Visit the beaches, deserts and markets at Nouakchott; go fishing at Nouadhibou and Banc d’Arguin National Park; enjoy the sunset at Plage de Nouakchott; shop at Al Khaima Mall

10. Seychelles

Duration of Stay: 90 days, Visitor's Permit on arrival

Image credit: Jean-Marie Hullot

Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 115 islands and located in the Indian Ocean. Among the most popular things to do here include enjoying the beach, snorkelling to take a good look at its numerous coral reefs and saying hello to the giant Aldabra tortoises.

How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Seychelles

What to do: Enjoy the beaches in Mahe, Praslin, La Digue; say hello to the turtles and tortoises in Aldabra and Silhouette Island; go shopping at Victoria; snorkel at Sainte Anne Marine National Park

Oceania

11. Marshall Islands

Duration of Stay: 90 days

Image credit: Stefan Lins

The beautiful Marshall Islands is a chain of volcanic islands and coral islands located in the Pacific Ocean. The Bikini Atoll, which became a ship graveyard after WWII, is a popular diving site for those who love exploring shipwrecks. Since Majuro is slightly polluted, you can visit other nearby islands including Arno to experience a tropical paradise that is less polluted.

How to get there: Manila → Guam → Marshall Islands

What to do: Visit the Majuro Bridge and Alele Museum; enjoy swimming at the Arno Atoll and Bikini Atoll; check out the Likiep Village Historic Site; go island hopping in Maloelap

12. Palau

Duration of Stay: 30 days

Image credit: LuxTonnerre

This small archipelago, made up of 500 islands, is located in the Pacific Ocean. Palau is best known as a scuba diving site, the most famous of which is Blue Corner, which is characterized by numerous sharks and a high current. Long Island Park and Nikko Bay are also famous for snorkelling and kayaking.

How to get there: Manila → Koror Airai

What to do: Check out the World War II relics at Peleliu; visit the waterfalls in Babeldaob; go snorkelling or visit the lagoons at Koror and Rock Islands; swim with the jellyfish in Eil Malk

13. Papua New Guinea

Duration of Stay: 60 days

Image credit: Stefan Krasowski

Located in the southwestern Pacific, Papua New Guinea is home to a mixture of cultures with hundreds of ethnic groups and 852 languages found in the country. It is one of the least explored placed in the entire world with a large number of plant and animal species being thought to be found here.

How to get there: Manila → Port Moresby

What to do: Go shopping at Port Moresby; hike at Kokoda Track; go scuba diving at Madang and Alotau; catch the waves and surf at Manus Island

Also read: 10 Countries with Easy Visa Access for Filipinos

I know...those places are simply breathtaking even in pictures. Get your documents ready, book a flight and explore these destinations already!

Do note that prior to making any travel, it’s always advisable to check the visa policy of your destination country since it might change from time to time. As of this writing, these 13 countries still offer VISA ON ARRIVAL for Filipino passport holders.

Is Travel Really a Luxury for Filipinos?

Many people still consider TRAVEL a luxury. Is this the case for the regular Filipino? Read on.

October 5, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:30 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

About two weeks ago, we made a decision to explore a few provinces in Eastern Mindanao for the next 21 days. Many of my travel-loving friends were happy to find out about it but there are still some, especially our family and relatives, who questioned our decision.

They know that we love to explore places with our toddler but to that for almost a month? Did we really have all the money in the world to finance that?

Let me clear that up. We are not rich nor do we have a lot of savings in our accounts. But our decision to travel lies on the fact that we needed a new environment to help set clearer priorities and avoid burnout (we work from home but even that is just as stressful as being in an office). And, as a travel writer, I needed some new material for my work and blog so let’s just say that it is an investment of sorts.

Also read: 12 Types of Trips to Take in the Philippines at Least Once in Your Life

But, what about the “regular” Filipino who works from 9AM to 6PM? The thing is that our situation is really no different from them. In fact, we are still paying for a lot of bills and even a mortgage.

So, is travel really a luxury for Juan? Yes -- and no.

Some types of travels are luxurious in that you opt to stay in an all-inclusive resort with great amenities and that you try to visit everything in such a short period, that it easily bloats up your expenses.

What we did in the past two weeks is pretty much like what we all normally do at home, except that we also took some time to see “tourist attractions”, which is probably something that you would not do as much in your own city.

We plan to move out of my parents’ house in a few months and this adventure is helping us get used to life on our own, so we tried to keep our expenses at a minimum just as we probably would in our new house. In fact, we may have even saved more since someone hosted us for nearly a week and we did not have utility bills to think about.

Also read: Why Every Filipino Should Be a Tourist in Their Own City

In the end, I guess we could say that it is really all about priorities.

If the regular Juan can afford a cup of overpriced coffee or a fast food meal everyday or if they can get the latest iPhone model, then he can clearly afford to travel without a problem.

Then again, if his idea of travel is about chasing bucket lists and crossing off every attraction, that might be an expensive route to take. But, if his idea of travel is to arrive somewhere new, to get to know the place and himself a little better, then it is something that everyone ought to do every now and then.

Also read: It’s Okay to Be Addicted to Travel but Clueless With Life

Perfect Southeast Asia Backpacking Routes for Filipino Couples

Want to take travel to a whole new level? Try out these perfect Southeast Asia backpacking routes with your significant other!

September 27, 2016, 1:00 pm June 21, 2017, 11:30 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

Truly, there is nothing better than being able to explore the world with your best travel buddy, your significant other, beside you. If you are up for something a little more adventurous and would not mind being away for more than a few days to get a glimpse of the rest of Southeast Asia, here are our most recommended routes for you.

Also read: 10 Practical Tips to Survive Backpacking with Your Partner

Note: Most of these routes are extensive and take time to explore. You can do it in a much shorter time but it would mean skipping on some places or being constantly on the run, which is not exactly the best idea of a “vacation”. Enjoy!

The Philippines

Estimated Duration: 2 weeks to 1 month

You obviously can’t go and backpack the rest of Southeast Asia until you have gotten to know your country a little better. So here’s a quick guide to the best places in the Philippines:

Manila

The capital of Manila may be notorious for its traffic but it certainly boasts of several tourist attractions including the Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, Quiapo Church, Manila Cathedral, Manila City Hall and several others.

 El Nido and Coron, Palawan

These are the two best towns in Palawan where you can find grandiose rock formations, hidden and secret lagoons, hidden and secret beaches (yes all these four are entirely different places) and many more. If you can spare a few hours more, you can also make your way to the capital city of Puerto Princesa, which is the home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Boracay

The most famous island in the Philippines is Boracay, known for its powdery white sand beaches and beautiful sunsets. Apart from being a romantic destination, the island is also well known to foreign and local tourists day in and day out.

Cebu

Image credit: Hector Jasmin | Sumilon Island, Cebu

The Queen City of the South is not to be left behind by the country’s capital because it boasts of an equally vibrant nightlife and even more thrilling adventures both in the city and the mountains and beaches (no bias here). The only difference here is that Cebu has a more laid-back vibe compared to Manila.

Bohol

But if you would like to have an even more quiet time, you can also hop on board a ferry from Cebu that will take you to Bohol. This province is known for its numerous Chocolate Hills and tarsiers. The ultimate relationship goal would be to try out the extreme adventures at EAT Danao.

Siargao

Image credit: Mclovin'tosh

It seems that this itinerary has been slightly conservative and less adventurous so it’s time to head somewhere more breathtaking: at the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. General Luna is the best place to catch waves in this beautiful island -- and you can also choose to extend your stay here and experience a carefree island life.

Davao City

This city is considered as one of the safest (and also the cleanest, IMHO) cities in the country. There are a lot of museums and parks to check around but you can also push yourself and your SO by climbing the top of the highest mountain in the Philippines. Or you can also use the city as a gateway to other awesome destinations in Mindanao.

Indonesia

Estimated Duration: 4 days to 1 week

Indonesia, an archipelago with more than 13 thousand islands, is best known for its volcanoes, beaches, jungles and Komodo dragons. A visit to Indonesia would not be complete without visiting its temples or taking a dip in one of its beaches.

Also read: The Essential Southeast Asia Backpacking List

Jakarta

Among the places that you should not miss in the country’s capital include the National Museum of Indonesia, the National Monument and the National Gallery. The city is the best place for shopping, food tripping and experiencing the nightlife.

Yogyakarta

This city in Indonesia is well known for its numerous temples and traditional arts and cultural heritage. Top attractions include the Prambanan Temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sewu Temple, Sambisari Temple and many more.

Bali

Once you have your fill of urban tourism, why not head on to the forested volcanic mountains, beaches and rice paddies of Bali? The beachside cities in the south is a lot of lively bars and there are several places there that have turned into popular resort towns.

Gili Islands

This destination actually refers to a group of three islands namely Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The largest island, Gili Trawangan, features a sunken ship at Wreck Point. Meanwhile, the smallest island, Gili Meno, boasts of sea turtles at Turtle Point.

Komodo

If you are adventurous enough to visit the only existing dragons in the world, do not forget to visit the Komodo National Park which is home to more than 4,000 dragons. Or you can also go scuba diving in the surrounding waters and take a glimpse of its diverse marine life.

Singapore + Malaysia

Estimated Duration: 4 days to 1 week

If you want no-fuss travel at among the most tourist-friendly cities in Southeast Asia or if you are just starting out in travelling as a couple, this is the must-try itinerary for you:

Also read: 20 Tips for Travelling Around Southeast Asia

Singapore

The garden city of Singapore is one of the easiest cities in Southeast Asia to get into from the Philippines. Aside from checking out the Merlion, you should also not miss visiting the Universal Studios, the Singapore Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Flyer, Singapore Botanic Gardens and more.

Kuala Lumpur

Getting to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore takes around six hours during the day or seven hours on an overnight sleeper via train.

Among the sights you should not miss out in Kuala Lumpur include the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Batu Caves, KLCC Park, Jamek Mosque, National Museum and several others.

Kota Kinabalu

If you are up for more adventures with your significant other, you should definitely go on and visit Kota Kinabalu, which can be reached from Kuala Lumpur via air travel.

Mount Kinabalu is the most famous attraction in the city but you can just go and visit the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Kinabalu Park or snorkel or dive at Tanjung Aru.

Cambodia + Vietnam + Laos + Thailand + Myanmar

Estimated Duration: 3 weeks to 1 month

The ultimate Indochina getaway that will leave you wanting for more. Check out how this couple backpacked Indochina, visiting six cities within four countries in just 11 days.

Cambodia

Siem Reap

This resort town in the northwestern part of Cambodia is your gateway to popular attractions including the Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and several other temples.  Other places to check out in the city include the Cambodia Landmine Museum, War Museum Cambodia, Angkor National Museum.

Phnom Penh

The capital of Cambodia, it is also known as the Pearl of Asia and considered as one of the prettiest French-built cities in the entire Indochina region. Shopping is quite popular here but you can also go around to see beautiful architectures and attractions, including French colonial buildings.

Vietnam

Image credit: Arianos | Halong Bay

Ho Chi Minh City

Just like the previous destination, HCMC in Vietnam is also full of French colonial buildings as it had been the capital of Cochinchina, when it was still known as Saigon. Prominent structures in the city include the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, City People’s Court and Municipal Theatre.

Hoi An

The Old Town of Hoi An is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is still a well preserved trading port until today. Aside from it surrounding infrastructures, Hoi An is also well known for its cooking classes where tourists get to experience cooking the city’s signature dish, cao lau.

Ha Long Bay

Have you had enough of the urban jungle? Perhaps you should go north to the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Ha Long Bay. This area is surrounded by islets made of limestones and is popular for rock climbing, hiking and scuba diving.

Hanoi

The best way to get to the next country is to first travel to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Hanoi is very picturesque and is even called the Paris of the East. It is a very popular attraction among tourists due to its numerous lakes and French colonial buildings.

Laos

Image credit: llee_wu

Vientiane

It takes 24 hours to get from Hanoi to Vientiane but is among the cheapest ways to travel the route.

Albeit small, the city is packed with quite a number of attractions including temples and Buddhist monuments. While you are there, don’t forget to visit Wat Si Muang, Pha That Luang, Patuxai and the Buddha Park.

Luang Prabang

Literally the ‘Royal Buddha Image’, this town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a number of natural and historical attractions. Don’t forget to check out Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong Temple.

Thailand

Image credit: Jan

Chiang Mai

Getting from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is an adventure of sorts. You can take a boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Beng then to Huay Xai then do a boat-tuktuk-van/bus combination to get to Chiang Mai in Thailand.

When it comes to places in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is considered as the largest and most culturally significant. The city is home to the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the most famous temple; Wat Chiang Man, the oldest in the city;  Wat Phra Singh and many more.

Mae Sai

You can take a bus from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai and visit the Tham Pla Caves or Wat Phra That Wai Dao, a Burmese temple. Mae Sai will also be your gateway to the next country, Myanmar.

Myanmar

Tachileik

The small border town of Tachileik is home to the Schwedagon Pagoda, located on a hill not far from the border crossing. You can also drop by the Hilltribe Tourist Village, a kilometre from the border, where you can take photos of the villagers.

Yangon

The former capital of Yangon is also the country’s largest. Although it looks relatively underdeveloped compared to the other major cities in the Southeast Asian region, it still has quite a number of notable sites including pagodas and temples, gardens and national parks, and museums and art galleries.

Also read: Backpacking Southeast Asia: 7 Great Destinations to Kickstart Your Adventure

Have you decided where to go on your next backpacking adventure with your significant other yet? Wherever you decide to go, have fun and enjoy!

9 Fried Filipino Delicacies that are Worth the Calories

Warning: Once tasted, always wanted. Don't say we didn't warn you!

September 19, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:30 am

James Aquino After visiting more than fifty international cities in three continents (and still counting), James is on a quest to visit at least two new countries each year. A registered nurse, a stage father, and a grumpy husband, he has always believed that travelling offers something that you will never learn from school. His best advice is to always take pictures along the way, but never forget the stories behind them. Read more of his travel stories and his passion project at The Panoramic Soul.

Trying out local cuisine is fun and, at the same time, a little bit daunting because some may be out of your comfort zone or may not exactly be enticing to the palate. Then again, Andrew Zimmern, chef and host of Bizarre Foods, always says, “If it looks good, eat it.”

Filipino food is a fusion of different influences, and different dishes are starting to emerge in competitive food spaces. But nothing beats fried delicacies that only a Filipino can creatively cook up.

Be warned: Once tasted, you’ll keep craving for more!

Also read: 18 Philippine Provinces for the Absolute Foodie

1. Pritchon

Roasted adult pig is great, but deep fried piglet is a whole other level of greatness. Pritchon is deep fried in a stainless steel tub. After frying, it is left to stand to drain excess oil. If this succulent porklet is not enough to kick up one’s blood pressure, we don’t know what else can.

It is served much like a pecking duck. Eating this is similar to eating a shawarma. A pita wedge is prepared with the pritchon, and one can stuff small pieces of the crispy skin, the meat, green onions, and a choice of seven types of sauces. These seven sauces can be anything from the signature and standard lechon liver sauce, hoisin, white garlic, honey mustard, sate, Tagalog, and honey lemon.

2. Bagnet

This is a specialty from Ilocos and is loved not only by the locals but by people from all over the Philippines. It’s pork and YES, it is fried. This dish is a popular must-try for first-time visitors to the province.

Many restaurants in the metro have already started the trend of serving different variations of this deep fried pork belly dish. Hence, there’s no longer any need to travel 8 hours from Manila just to get a taste of this deep fried goodness!

3. Crispy Pata

Crispy Pata (crispy leg) is also one of the most famous Filipino pork dishes. It uses a whole pork leg, which is first simmered in water with other spices to make it tender. Rubbed with seasonings, the leg is thrown in a cooking oil-filled heavy-bottomed pot until the texture becomes very crunchy. In any party or fiesta, this fried goodness cannot be ignored.

4. Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai may not exactly sound Filipino, but it has become one of the mainstays of any Pinoy party. This spring roll was introduced by the Chinese as a savoury snack, and it evolved into something Filipinos eat as appetisers or as a viand.

The crepe-like pastry skin is called lumpia wrapper. Minced meat is the usual filling, but depending on the region, variations include bean sprouts, vegetables, or both.

5. Kwek-Kwek

Do not be surprised if, while walking the streets of the metro, you see orange-battered quail eggs. These are not Pokemon eggs. Some genius mini-capitalist cum cook had a great idea to cover quail eggs in an orange coloured batter and fry them. Get some barbeque sticks, and you have a great afternoon snack. The history behind the colour will never be revealed, but Kwek Kwek is definitely a delicious snack that is high in calories (1 quail egg = 3 chicken eggs, as some adults say) with staying power in the hearts of many Filipinos. It is cheap, filling, and the orange colour adds to its quirky charm.

6. Bicho Bicho

Filipinos have a penchant for repeating names; Jen-Jen, Ton-Ton, Tin-Tin. This fried yummy goodness is dubbed as the Filipino Doughnut, and it is so good that its name has to be repeated twice. Different versions of this doughnut are spread across the country with one common denominator: great with coffee.

Bicho bicho looks like an elongated pretzel, deep fried and rolled in powdered sugar or, for upscale versions, cinnamon powder, cheese, or chocolate.

7. Ilocos Empanada

This empanada has two versions from two cities in Ilocos where it originated. Both versions are to die for. Many would prefer the lighter coloured pastry over the orange one (yes, just like the orange battered quail egg), but then again, who are we to judge the flavour based on just colour, right?

The differences between the two versions are the thickness of the pastry and the colour. Fillings consist of egg, bean sprout, and, for special orders, and the very popular Ilocos longganisa,which is wrapped in a half-moon shaped pastry and then deep fried.

Once cooked, oil is drained. Black vinegar serves as the dip for that authentic Ilocano taste.

8. Maruya

The Philippines is a known tropical country with beautiful beaches and tropical fruits, particularly bananas. It is, for some, a staple food on the breakfast table because it is healthy and filling. But since Filipinos are a creative bunch and are not afraid to experiment, a fried snack was born with banana as the main ingredient.

Maruya is a type of fritter made of saba banana. Sliced lengthwise and fanned out, it is coated thinly with batter and then deep fried. Once the oil is drained and sugar is sprinkled, it is ready to eat! Easy to prepare and delicious to eat, Maruyas are enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

9. Banana Cue / Kamote (Sweet Potato) Cue

It is one if not the most popular snack in the Philippines. Any city or town, big or small, has this snack sold by side street vendors.The smell of the cooked sugar wafts in the air.

Just like its fritter cousin, the Maruya, this fried snack made of banana and brown sugar is easy to prepare but will take energy to cook. One has to be patient, for as bananas are thrown into a huge oil-brimmed pan, brown sugar is added slowly while stirring the two ingredients. This is to ensure that the bananas are coated well with the melted brown sugar.

Also read: 25 Popular Street Food & Snacks to Try in The Philippines

Once satisfied with how the melted sugar covered the banana, get some barbeque sticks, skew the fresh-off-the-pan bananas, drain the oil, and they’re ready to eat! For another version, use sweet potatoes or kamote in place of the bananas.

Aren’t you itching to explore the Philippines to try all these irresistible treats?

15 Exotic Visa Free Countries Filipinos Might Not Know About

Surprise! Here are more offbeat and lesser-known countries around the world that you can visit visa-free with a Philippine passport.

September 14, 2016, 9:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:30 am

Pam Baroro When not moonlighting as a freelance wordsmith and code wrangler, Pam is a millennial mom who loves to explore the outdoors to camp/hike/trek/backpack with her partner and their 4-year-old daughter. Check their family travel blog at Hey, Miss Adventures!

Are you a Filipino who is itching to go somewhere exotic but discouraged by holding a third-world passport? Well, don’t worry because there are still quite a number of awesome spots around the globe that your Philippine passport can take you sans the hassle of processing a visa.

If you’ve been to these visa-free countries already, here are even more offbeat and lesser-known places around the world that you can go to without a tourist visa. You’ll be surprised at how breathtaking these destinations are!

Asia

1. Brunei

Duration of stay: 14 days

Many Asian travellers might not prefer coming over to Brunei due to its strong currency, but it is a preferred destination for those outside the ASEAN. Brunei is known for its adventure tourism, ecotourism and Islamic tourism.

How to get there: Manila → Bandar Seri Begawan; Cebu → Singapore → Bandar Seri Begawan

What to do: Get to know the country’s history at the Brunei Museum, do water sports in Muara, Kuala Belait, Serasa and Lumut Beach, visit the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

2. Jeju Island (South Korea)

Duration of stay: 30 days

This small island in South Korea is mainly visited for its numerous beach resorts and beautiful volcanic landscapes. Aside from its quirky museums and theme parks, Filipinos also love visiting here because of its numerous K-drama locations.

How to get there: Manila → Shanghai → Jeju City; Cebu → Busan/Hong Kong/Seoul → Jeju City

What to do: Visit quirky museums and offbeat theme parks, marvel at the natural landscapes and attractions, hop to Udo Island, check out several K-drama locations

Also read: 13 Awesome Attractions in Jeju Island You Shouldn’t Miss

3. Laos

Duration of stay: 30 days

Laos is best known for its Buddhist culture, colonial architecture, gastronomic adventures and ancient temples. However, it is an often overlooked destination because of its more popular neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

How to get there: Manila → Kuala Lumpur → Vientiane

What to do: Visit temples such as Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket and Wat Si Muang, take a dip at Kuang Si Falls, hop to Khong Island

South America

4. Bolivia

Duration of stay: 90 days

This landlocked country in South America is home to six UNESCO heritage sites, including the ruins of the city of Tiwanaku and the Amazon. Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, and Chacaltaya, the highest ski slope in the world, can also be found here.

How to get there: Manila/Cebu → Incheon → Washington → La Paz

What to do: Cruise the Lake Titicaca, follow through Che Guevarra’s final footsteps, ride a mountain bike down the Death Road, take a cruise down the Bolivian Amazon, walk across the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni

5. Suriname

Duration of stay: 90 days

The smallest country in South America, Suriname is widely popular for its diverse flora and fauna, and beautiful natural and man-made landmarks. It is home to several waterfalls and the largest man-made lake in the world. Suriname is also one of the few countries with a synagogue located next to a mosque.

How to get there: Cebu → Hongkong/Singapore → Amsterdam → Paramaribo; Manila → Doha/Dubai/Istanbul/Bangkok → Amsterdam → Paramaribo

What to do: Swim in Colakreek, go on a five-day river boat trip in Kumalu, stroll around Independence Square, visit the Galibi Nature Reserve

North America

6. Haiti

Duration of stay: 90 days

The second most populous country in the Caribbean has long been an attractive destination for tourists all over the world. Aside from its beautiful beaches, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country are also top attractions.

How to get there: Manila/Cebu → Taipei/Dubai/Incheon → New York → Port-au-Prince

What to do: Visit UNESCO heritage sites, go hiking in the national parks, admire the architecture around the island, enjoy the nightlife in Petionville

7. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Duration of stay: 30 days

This island country became even more famous after the recent filming of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. The island is best remembered for its white sand beaches, yacht-lined harbours, private isles and beautiful volcanic landscapes.

How to get there: Manila → New York → Piarco → Saint Vincent

What to do: Visit the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere, head to the fishing villages, visit the port and market town of Kingstown, hike to Mount Parnassus on Union Island

8. Costa Rica

Duration of stay: 30 days upon arrival, can be extended for a total of 90 days

Costa Rica is the pioneer of ecotourism and many of its tourists are drawn because of its massive protected areas and national parks. The country has also become popular in the medical tourism industry due to its low costs and high-quality services.

How to get there: Manila → Amsterdam → Panama City → San Jose

What to do: Do a wide range of forest-based activities in Santa Elena, visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, watch the whales in Drake Bay, enjoy the empty beaches of the Osa Peninsula

9. Dominica

Duration of stay: 21 days

This mountainous island country is home to several natural hot springs and tropical rainforests. Among its most famous attractions is the second largest hot lake in the world, Boiling Lake which is known for its bubbling greyish-blue waters.

How to get there: Manila → London → Osbourn/Barbados →Melville Hall

What to do: Go on a jeep safari at Roseau, go scuba diving and snorkelling at Soufriere, visit the Boiling Lake at Morne Trois Pitons National Park, bathe at the Soufriere Sulphur Springs

Oceania

10. Micronesia

Duration of stay: 30 days

Micronesia is composed of approximately 2100 islands including the Caroline Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, Nauru and Wake Island. The islands are famous for scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing and fishing. Micronesia is also a top destination for family holidays and honeymoon getaways.

How to get there: Manila → Guam/Tokyo/Narita → Honolulu → Weno Island

What to do: Go wall diving, visit sunken ships from WWII, see the coral reefs, visiting archaeological sites such as Safonfok, Fauba, Leluh, Nan Madol and Likinlulem

Africa

11. Gambia

Duration of stay: 90 days (must obtain an entry clearance from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel)

This small West African country is visited by travellers from all over the world wanting to see its abundant wildlife. The Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve is home to leopards, hyenas, monkeys, hippos and several species of rare birds.

How to get there: Manila → Addis Ababa/Abu Dhabi → Lagos State → Yundum

What to do: Visit the National Museum in Banjul, laze around the beaches of Gunjur and Kartong, explore the Abuko Nature Reserve and Kiang West National Park

12. Rwanda

Duration of stay: 90 days

A landlocked country, Rwanda boasts of green and mountainous landscapes. It has several national parks including the Volcanoes National Park and the Nyungwe National Park. Aside from observing the wildlife, a visit to Rwanda is not complete without seeing their traditional dances, festivals and ceremonies.

How to get there: Manila → Addis Ababa → Kigali

What to do: Try gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, say hello to monkeys and chimpanzees in the Nyungwe Forest

Also read: How to Travel Luxuriously in Africa for 11 Days Under SGD 2000

Territories, Disputed Areas and Partially-Recognised Countries

13. Cook Islands

Duration of stay: 31 days

The Cook Islands, which is politically linked to New Zealand, is a group of 15 islands scattered around a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is surrounded by a lagoon which later slopes into deep waters. The northern area of the island is unsuitable for swimming and watersports but the southern area is frequented by visitors.

How to get there: Manila → Kuala Lumpur → Melbourne → Auckland → Rarotonga; Manila → Sydney → Auckland → Rarotonga

What to do: Go whale watching, take a dip at Papua Waterfalls, go on a land or sea tour around the island

14. Pitcairn Islands

Duration of stay: 14 days (plus US$35 landing fee or US$5 tax if not going ashore)

Located in the southern Pacific Ocean, Pitcairn Islands is among the most difficult places in the world to get to. The only way to get to the island is through an expedition-type cruise ship which sails ten times a year for three- to ten-day visits, staying with locals.

How to get there: Manila → Sydney → Auckland → Tahiti  →Mangareva; catch a charter vessel (Claymore II) every 3 months from Mangareva to Pitcairn

What to do: Visit the museum in Adamstown, trek to Highest Point, check out Down Rope at the southern edge of the island

15. Kish Island

Duration of stay: 14 days

This resort island that is part of the Hormozgan Province of Iran boasts of several attractions despite its small size. Attractions include a Greek shipwreck, an ancient underground aqueduct and its long shorelines.

How to get there: Manila → Beijing → Imam Khomeini (Tehran) <change airport> Mehrabad (Tehran) → Kish Island

What to do: Go scuba diving and check out the vibrant and colourful marine life, visit the Underground City and the Koula F shipwreck

Also read: Stunning Islands in the Philippines You Can Rent All for Yourself

Did that list just excite you? What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, grab your passport and head on to these places now!

Do note that prior to making any travel, it’s always advisable to check the visa policy of your destination country since it might change from time to time. As of this writing, these 15 countries are still VISA FREE for Filipinos.

10 Fun Things to Do in Tokyo for First Time Filipino Travellers

Travelling to Tokyo for the first time? Be sure to complete all these fun and exciting things to do!

August 17, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:31 am

Hannae Cuyugan Hannae is an adventurous traveller and a lover of life. She wants to witness sunrise and chase sunsets around the world. She is a foodie, fitness, fashion enthusiast and a beautyholic. She is the author behind the lifestyle blog site www.hANnaeYTHING.com.

Contributed by hANnaeYTHING

For the past three years, Japan has been one of my favourite countries for vacations. There are endless things to do and a wide array of food to enjoy in this beautiful country, especially in its capital city Tokyo. On your first trip to Tokyo, make sure you enjoy all these FUN and EXCITING things like I did.

Also read: 24 Super Fun Things to Do in Tokyo on Your Very First Visit

1. Have a picture at Hachikō Bronze Statue

Hachiko is the famous Akita Inu dog breed known for his persevering wait for the return of his deceased owner at Shibuya station for nine years. A statue is made for his remarkable loyalty to its owner.

2. Cross Shibuya Crossing on rush hours

Shibuya is a special ward in Tokyo. The name “shibuya” is used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya station, one of the busiest railway stations in Tokyo. Shibuya is known for its scramble crossing and you will be amazed that when the traffic light simultaneously turns to green, people from all intersections will cross together, but then when the traffic light turns red, all the people were at the street side.

During rush hour, this pedestrian crossing could fill a football stadium with all of the people that cross it. It has 2,500 pedestrians crossing every time the signal changes. This crossing will show the world how disciplined Japanese people are. Shibuya is oftentimes compared to New York’s Times Square due to influx of people. The best view of the Shibuya crossing and the best view to people-watch is at a window side seats of Starbucks Shibuya.

3. Watch the sundown panoramic Tokyo view at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, also known as Tochō, is located at Shinjuku. It is the headquarters of Tokyo Metropolitan Government which governs the whole Tokyo Metropolis. Big is such an understatement to describe this structure which is meant to resemble a computer chip. It is made up of three structures, each structure taking up a whole city block. The tallest of them is the Tokyo Metropolitan Building No.1 which comprises 48 stories and splits into two sections at the 33rd floor.

The other two buildings are the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building and Tokyo Metropolitan Building No.2. The two panoramic observation decks are located on each tower on the 45th floor. They are free of charge and the personnel in the building will show you the way on which elevator to use. There are cafe’s, restaurants, souvenir shops and boutiques at the observatory decks.

4. Witness a traditional Shinto Wedding at Meiji Shrine

Located at Shibuya, this shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken. This shrine is open everyday throughout the year. However, the opening and closing hours vary every month since they base their opening time with sunrise and closing time with sunset. It is a sacred place, therefore a visitor should act with utmost respect and follow the shrine rules (no eating, no drinking, no pets, no jogging, stay on paths, do not enter the forest, don’t collect animals/plants, etc). It is a such a serene and peaceful place in the middle of the city. If you are lucky, you may even witness a solemn procession of a Shinto wedding.

5. Enjoy a morning walk around The East Gardens of the Imperial

This place can be reached through a 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo Station. It has scenic gardens and it is recommended to visit this place on Spring with plums in full bloom. Do note that this garden is closed on Mondays, Fridays and December 28-January 2. If Monday and Friday are a National Holiday, the garden is closed the next day instead.

6. Pray, Shop and Dine at Sensōji Temple

Sensō-ji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is located few steps away from Asakusa train station. This is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.

7. Take a peek at the manga, anime and cosplayers at Takeshita Street

Takeshita Street in Harajuku is a pedestrian shopping street. You will find cafes, restaurants and boutiques at the whole stretch of the street. Mostly, the people you will find here are 90% tourists. If you are fond of manga, anime and cosplayers, this place is for you! I enjoyed tasting Japanese sweets here and this place has one of the biggest Daiso 100 Yen Store I have ever seen.

8. Be captivated by Tokyo Tower at night

Tokyo Tower is the second tallest structure in Japan rising at 332.9 metres. It is a communications and observation tower located in Shiba-koen district of Minato. It is an Eiffel Tower-inspired structure but 13 metres taller than Eiffel Tower. It has two observatory decks, the main observatory at 150 metres and a special observatory at 250 metres high. Directly below the tower stands the Foot Town building which has cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants. One Piece Tower is an indoor amusement park that was opened for the 15th anniversary of the popular manga in 2015.

Around the Tokyo Tower vicinity, we came across a pop-up Jack Daniel’s Bar. A couple of drinks kept us warm on a chilly December with a -2 degrees weather.

Also read: 4 Days Tokyo Itinerary: Where to Go and What to Do

9. Spend a day at the only DisneySea in the world, Tokyo DisneySea

A must see for Disney enthusiasts, DisneySea is a 176 acre theme park with a stunning view. It is very festive and a lot of people are wearing different costumes. We had a day of rides, fun and picture taking of the vast theme park. This is the only DisneySea in the world so it is worth spending a day here!

10. View the majestic Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji is an active volcano and the highest mountain peak of Japan at 12,289 feet. It is one of Japan’s historic sites and UNESCO named it as one of the 25 sites of cultural interest. Mt. Fuji is a well-known symbol of Japan and has an exceptionally symmetrical cone, which is snow capped several months a year. On clear days, this can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama. To see the majestic view of Mt. Fuji, you can do:

1. From the train on a trip between Tokyo and Osaka, take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. The best view of the mountain can be enjoyed around Shin-Fuji Station on the right hand side of the train, about 40-45 minutes into the journey.
2. If you want to see the mountain leisurely, go to Fuji Five Lake or to Hakone.

Looking forward to share with you all the highlights of our next Tokyo trip come November 2016.

What Filipino Travellers Have Been Missing Out in Vietnam

If you only visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, you'll miss out a lot of great things in Vietnam!

August 8, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:31 am

JM Nacino The girl who quit her corporate job and took an online freelancing job so she can be in her room with her cat and watch TV series for months. She eventually got sick of her daily routine so she bought plane tickets, took her backpack, passport and her TEFL certificate, kissed her mom and cat goodbye, and set out to see and engage with the world. Just like that, she became The Bum Traveler.

Remember the conversation you had with a foreigner while you were travelling in other countries? They know Manila and Boracay, and they would love to go there too. You know these places are good but there are other destinations that are better than them. You might tell them to go to Palawan for scuba diving, to Sagada to move on, oh I mean, for hiking. Or maybe Cebu to fully experience the cultural differences in the Philippines.

Well, that’s the same with Vietnam. I mean you may think Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are not much different from Manila aside from the huge tunnels. Mui Ne is exactly like the sand dunes in Ilocos Norte; Ha long bay a mistier version of Hundred Islands, Pangasinan; Sapa is not much different from Baguio City either.

A backpacker from Australia once commented that Filipinos are allowed to have higher standards when it comes to sceneries because the Philippines is a whole new level of wonderful.

But then going to other countries like Vietnam, we usually go where everyone has gone to -- the  big cities! We do not see much of nature, culture, and man, have you tried their local food or you just settled with pho and banh mi?

Also read: What You Need to Know Before Travelling to Vietnam

When it comes to these three things, nothing is more authentic than Central Vietnam.

Da Nang is an interesting city to start your trip; it’s a mix of modern and traditional infrastructure. And you’ll be amazed that Ba Na hills go through four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) in just one day. Yes, you read it right! There are four seasons in this area in one day. Spring in the early morning, summer in the mid-day, fall by late afternoon, and winter by sunset. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Up for a little hiking? Challenge yourself to reach the summit of Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the biggest mountain of Marble Mountains. On your way to the top, you will see a lot of temples, shrines and pagodas. You’ll learn how different the Philippines  is, religion wise, from Vietnam. Once you reach the peak, you’ll be rewarded with a splendid view of the whole city of Da Nang and the famous My Khe White Beach.

The next day, you can visit the Citadel – Imperial City in Hue, where the kings of the last Vietnam royal dynasty were housed. And you should know, Hue is famous for its food. Do not leave without food tripping in Dong Ba Market. And yes, the food there are delicious and affordable.

Try Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Vermicelli Soup), Nem Lui (Grilled Ground Pork on Stick), Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Discs Topped with Shrimp), Bun Cha (Grilled Pork served with Hot Sweet Vinegar Sauce and Rice Noodles and Vegetables on the side), Bun Dau Mam Tom (Pork, Tofu and Rice Noodles which you can dip on Hot Fermented Shrimp Paste).

Technically, everything is relatively cheaper in Central Vietnam compared to other parts of the country.

On your way from Da Nang to Hue, you’ll either pass through Hải Vân Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia, or the Hai Van Pass, which gives you amazing views of Da Nang city, Lang Co and My Khe Beach.

Explore the old town of Hoi An by bicycle, one of the best ways to experience and engage with both locals and other travellers. Look how magical the old town transforms after the sunset. In the town, you can also find all the unique pasalubong (souvenirs) for your mom, dad, siblings, friends, partner, kamag-anak, katrabaho, kabaranggay, at kahit sinong maisip mo, wag lang si ex.  

Additional information:

• Flights from Manila: Every day except Wednesday
• Flights from Da Nang: Sunday, Tuesday, Friday
• Normal Fare Rate: ₱12,000 – 15,000 including return ticket
• Promo Fare Rates: ₱9,000 – 10,000 including return ticket
• Hotel Rates: From ₱500 with breakfast
• Hostel Rates: From ₱230 with breakfast
• Visa: 21-days Visa-Free (No need to apply)

Also read: 12 Experiences Every Traveller Should Have in Vietnam

So next time you’re in Vietnam, skip the hustle and bustle of its cities and see the not-so-hidden-beauty of Central Vietnam instead!

A Filipino Traveller’s Diary: 5 Days in Sydney

Five days too short for Sydney? This Filipino traveller still enjoyed it!

August 4, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:31 am

Mary Angeline Naguit Anj or Nuggets to her friends is the foodie kind of traveller, who believes that one hasn't been there if he hasn't tried the food. When not with her backpack, she can be found at the office, being the hardworking young urban professional, who is always excited for life's next adventures.

Contributed by Nuggetcation

My typical day starts by opening the following tabs: work e-mail, personal e-mail, FB Messenger, Inquirer, WhatsApp Web, Pepper.ph. Not much e-mail, news or messages. To kill extra time, just out of curiosity, I chanced upon a sale alert: Sydney round trip at ₱8,499. Boom! In forty words that’s how my Sydney trip came to life.

My trip started last June 1, just in time for the annual Vivid Sydney Festival, where notable buildings, including the Opera House are lit up with colourful images. I didn’t know much about Australia except for the kangaroos and koalas, so with that major event, I had another reason to be excited, second to the fact that I really wanted to meet my closest friend who happens to study there.

Also read: 18 Things in Sydney That Will Steal A Traveller’s Heart

Day 1

Early morning arrival at Sydney Kingsford Smith. I got a free tourist SIM, and for only AU$2 a day, I get up to 500MB data, unli call and text to all AU numbers, ooh not bad.

Getting out of the airport to the Central Business District is roughly 30 minutes via train, for around AU$18. I know that Sydney is one of the most expensive cities, so I no longer bothered converting costs (good thing my fare was cheap).

My top consideration when choosing an accommodation is location, average stay here is around AU$115 a night including tax, and I just read that all profits from Y Hotels go to projects supporting women.

My first day was mainly dedicated to shopping and sight-seeing. I enjoyed the cold weather, usually around 10 – 15 degrees. While waiting for my friend, I spent the time walking around the area, where Hyde Park is, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the structures. Several buildings were still designed the way they used to be 50 years back or older, giving the district art deco and gothic vibes. Parks were also well-maintained, wishing it were the same here in Manila.

Day 2

Three hours away from the city is Blue Mountains National Park. Why Blue Mountains? The oil droplets from thriving eucalyptus trees mix with dust and other particles producing light rays that make the mountains look blue from afar. Prior to hiking, we took time to gaze at the beautiful view, especially where the popular Three Sisters can be seen. Legend says that three sisters were turned into stone by the elderly to protect them from three men who they fell in love with. Since marriage was not allowed, these men were supposed to capture them. Though their love story had a sad ending, isn’t this marvellous view just a proof of what beautiful things love can do?😛

Day 3

To tick off the “touristy” bucket list, we spent the day walking from our hotel to Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Royal Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbor – meaning 5 hours on foot, before finally taking the bus to Wildlife Zoo, then finally to Bondi for the winter beach experience. The streets of Sydney are mostly sloped terrains, letting us burn more calories. With everything that fancied my eyes, I never felt tired actually, until we got back to our hotel.

Also read: 10 Things To Do in Sydney For Absolutely Nothing

As a plot twist, at around 11 pm, an alarm went off, causing us to panic, which actually led to the evacuation of everyone in the hotel. Good thing it was a false alert, if there was anything positive in that, it was actually noticing how good looking the fire fighters were, both male and female.

Also read: 12 Adventure Activities You Must Conquer in Sydney

Day 4

At the onset of the trip, weather forecasts actually said that it was supposed to be rainy all throughout. We were lucky that on the first three days, the weather was fantastic. On this day though, the winds were strong, and it was raining hard too. So that was my experience of what they said to be “Wild weathaa”. Very comparable to Manila’s typhoons. It wasn’t able to stop us though from commencing with our food trip.

Day 5

For the grand finale, weather has gone real bad, thankfully we were able to accomplish what we needed to do, see, and eat. Though the station was just a few minutes away, we took Uber for a whopping cost of AU$16. Since the train operations were called off, bus to the airport was free. Thank God I got there on time and safe.

Also read: 12 Things You Must Do in Sydney

Budget

Visa process

1. Apply online: Visitor e600 Visa Online Applications

2. Personally, I chose to prepare the following docs:

a. Scanned copy of current and old passports (all pages)

Ideally, the printed out pages of scanned copy of current passport must be notarised.

Please upload the scanned version of the notarised copy.

b. Bank statements for 6 months

c. Bank certificate

d. ITR

e. Certificate of Employment with salary

f. Payslips (6 months)

g. Other financial docs (stocks, insurance, etc.)

h. Proof of approved leave – mine was an e-mail showing approval of manager

i. Plane ticket – since it was so cheap I bought it asap, but based on other blogs this is not necessary

j. Hotel booking

k. NSO Birth Certificate

l. Itinerary for the trip

m. Passport-sized photo

In terms of financial docs, there isn’t any rule that statements or payslips must be for the past 6 months, I just wanted to make sure that I have established that I will be able to support all my needs for the entire trip.

3. Fill out the online form after creating an IMMI account, then attach all the docs.

4. Usual turnaround time is 4-6 weeks, I got my visa via e-mail after 25 calendar days.

Also read: 10 Countries with Easy Visa Access for Filipinos

Many say that 5 days was kinda short, but for me it was just enough, shopping, hiking, going “touristy”, food tripping – just dedicate a day for each. I’d like to come back though and visit a new Aussie city next time. It was my first trip outside Asia and I definitely enjoyed it! It’s hard for me to put in words how delighted I was, and of course, being with my closest friend made it more awesome. Until next time mate!

Siem Reap 2-Day Itinerary for Filipino Weekend Warriors

Exploring Siem Reap over the weekend is entirely possible! Here's a 2-day itinerary for you.

July 21, 2016, 8:00 am June 21, 2017, 11:31 am

Jayson Concepcion Jayson Concepcion is a programmer by profession but has a soul of a traveller. Aside from his ultimate dream of travelling around the world, he loves to eat, drink, listen to music, talk about aliens and indulge in his occasional secret guilty pleasure of singing love songs in videoke. His favourite superpower is to teleport from one place to another. I guess you know why. Follow his latest pursuits on his blog, Facebook and Instagram.

One of the top places I wanted to see and explore in my life is the Angkor Wat Temple Complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Angkor Archaeological Park where the temple complex lies is considered as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, if not the entire world. Its most famous temple, the Angkor Wat, has become an iconic symbol of Cambodia that it appears in their national flag. A trip to Cambodia is definitely not complete without visiting this ancient wonder.

Also read: Why Siem Reap Should Be Your First Out of the Country Barkada Trip

We recently explored Cambodia on our backpacking trip around South East Asia. From Phnom Penh, we took a night bus to Siem Reap then stayed there for 2 days before travelling to Bangkok. But if you’re a weekend warrior wanting to explore Angkor and don’t have the luxury of time to travel for many days, then let me help you out with an Itinerary specifically planned for 2 days and 2 nights in Siem Reap. This itinerary includes places to see, things to do and an ideal budget to bring for your out of the country weekend escapade. Read on!

Itinerary

I will base the itinerary on Cebu Pacific’s roundtrip flight schedule from Manila to Siem Reap.

Day 0 (Thursday)

7:35 PM – Departure

9:30 PM – Arrive in Siem Reap

Relax and sleep or go to Pub Street to drink beer if you want but I suggest to not go yet.

Pub Street

Day 1 (Friday)

Angkor Wat entrance

This is the Angkor Wat Tour day. Get a 1 day pass to the complex for $20 at the main entrance. For your security, please only buy your tickets there.

7:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Short circuit Tour in Angkor Wat complex

To go there, arrange your tour with a recommended Tuk Tuk driver by your guesthouse/hostel/hotel prior or upon arrival in Siem Reap.

Bayon Temple

Our accommodation (Rosy Guesthouse) recommended us a kind and accommodating Tuk Tuk driver who charged us $12 to/from the guesthouse to the complex for a short circuit tour that spans from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. It already includes lots of temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon temple and Angkor Thom. There are so many temples to explore that we actually got templed-out by the end of the tour that we declined to go to the last temple in our itinerary.

Angkor Thom

Now, you can also opt to go to Angkor Wat during Sunrise or Sunset but that’s an additional payment of $3 as far as I know. Just let your driver know that you wish to avail this prior to your tour.

3:00 PM onwards – Free time (or go to Angkor Wat at 5:00 PM for sunset viewing)

Old Market

You can go to the Old Market to do some shopping or for some food adventures. Then at night, go bar hopping and drink beer in one of the bars/restaurant in Pub Street. Beer is ridiculously cheap there for half a dollar a glass!

Day 2 (Saturday)

More free time before packing up and heading to the airport!

Some suggestions to do:

Wat Preah Prom Rath

1. Visit Wat Preah Prom Rath
2. Attend a cooking class
3. Biking around the city
4. Tonle Sap Lake Tour: $72 per person (not a budget tour), 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
5. Educate yourself at the Landmine museum and in the Angkor National museum
6. Watch an Apsara dance, a traditional Khmer dance
7. Or just relax! Some hostels even have a swimming pool! Perfect for a summer trip in Siem Reap. Or go for a traditional Khmer massage to soothe those aching muscles.

8:30 PM – Go to Airport

10:30 PM – Departure

2:25 AM (Sunday) – Arrive in Manila

There you have it folks! It’s not as tiring as you thought it would be because there are lots of free time in this itinerary. You even have the whole Sunday to rest or start uploading your pics on social media!

Also read: Top 10 Things to Do in Siem Reap

As mentioned earlier, this is a weekend warrior friendly itinerary and you only need to file one day of leave (Friday)!

For the budget, here are some of the fixed expenses that you must allot your money with:

• Accommodation – USD 5 to 20 per night
• Tuktuk to/from hostel to Angkor complex – USD 12
• Angkor Wat 1 Day pass – USD 20
• Food – USD 1 to 3 per meal

Sample budget plan per person:

Say, you’re travelling with your partner and are staying in a double room bed for USD 15 per night, and the cost divided between the two of you, here is a sample budget plan per person:

• Accommodation – USD 15
• Tuktuk to/from hostel to Angkor complex – USD 6
• Angkor Wat 1 Day pass – USD 20
• Food – Average of USD 2.5 per meal for 7 meals – USD 17.5
• Other transpo expenses – say you’ll spend USD 6 for other tuktuk rides for the whole trip (like going to Old Market/Pub Street from your hostel. But if it is walking distance, you can just walk to save more money)

Total of USD 64.5 (PHP 3,029)

Now, you can allot more money for your souvenirs, alcohol or other expenses for the Day 2 activities. Say add PHP 2,000 more, that’d be a total of PHP 5,029! Your only challenge now is to avail a promo fare in one of Cebu Pacific’s seat sale! So watch out for those promos and be quick!

Also read: 3 Days 2 Nights Trip to Beautiful Siem Reap, Cambodia

Actually, compared to Vietnam and Thailand, we even find Siem Reap, Cambodia more expensive. It’s up to you how to lower the expenses like staying in a cheaper hostel, eating 1 USD per meal (Yes there is, like grilled chicken/pork with rice and veggies) and just walking to other destinations. So goodluck and happy travel to the Land of Smiles and Wonder!