Meet the Nomads: Lilliane Cobiao

In the world of long term backpacking, seldom will you hear about Filipinos doing it. It’s mostly being done by Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Japanese and other people from wealthy countries. But as years pass by, one by one, Filipinos are getting inspired to see the world independently. It is tough and challenging at times due to a variety of reasons such as the limited visa free entitlement of Philippine Passports and the small value of Philippine Peso. But Filipinos, globally known for being innovative, creative and resourceful will always find a way.

Lilliane is one of those inspiring Filipinos who packed her bags and left the comfort of her home to pursue her dream… “a dream to circumnavigate the world and possibly hit all continents”.

I’m sure that Lilliane will pave the way for those who are also planning in doing the same thing. Check out her blog for some tips and tricks on Visa Applications, Packing and Planning and other travel related information. And also, get to know her more and follow her adventures at WanderLass.com.

Here’s my short interview with Lilliane.

How did you discover your passion for traveling?

“When I was 10, my father took me on my first airplane ride to Hong Kong. I remember that even then, I was fascinated of being transported to a foreign land where you don’t understand a thing and everything looks different. I believed my passion for travel was born then, but going abroad has always been considered a luxury in my family. It wasn’t until my first solo trip to US (2004) that I discovered traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. And then I was unstoppable. :)”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“Probably the scariest moment I had was when I was trekking with a friend in Deqin, China. We wanted to trek down to a village but we lost the trail. He was an experienced trekker but I wasn’t. I was getting tired so he asked me to sit and “wait here” while he go check. I’m not sure now how long it had been, maybe only about half an hour, but it felt like forever! While food, water and everything were left with me, I swear I would never be able to find my way back. This was not a national park where you’re registered with search team if you don’t come out at some point. There’ve been stories of people falling into the Mekong River or bags left unclaimed in hostels.

I was screaming on top of my voice, calling out his name but I couldn’t even hear myself because of the vast openness. I began to think that in the horror movies, this is when people die, when they separate! I cried when I saw him came back! Lol.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“My time in Petra, Jordan staying with the real Beduins in the cave would be very difficult to top. I ate their food cooked in open fire, hung out with the villagers, drank too much tea, smoked too much cigarettes, and slept under the shooting stars. They were my guide inside Petra and you couldn’t get a better one if you got one of those expensive professional guides, because these people were born and lived inside Petra until 1985 when UNESCO came and set-up a village outside to preserve the site. Amazing!”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of traveling?

“That as much as we are different, we’re all the same. I’ve randomly met a lot of people and while we all grew up in different environment and situation, when stripped down, we all have similar concerns regarding finding love, happiness, dreams, money…”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“I try to travel slowly so as not to get burned out. I know it can happen by seeing too many chateaux, museums, temples, etc. I take day offs and splurge periodically.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“I want the opportunity to travel with the Sea Shepherd. It’s an organization whose mission is protecting the ocean and its wildlife. They’re such pirates and renegades. It would be an adventure of a lifetime to be part of something great!”

Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?

“I love the underwater. We love traveling because we love to see different things, ya? Nothing and nowhere can be more different than the underwater scene.”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?

“Travel slowly and see more than just the monuments. Unless you’re in some kind of reality show challenge, never do the 30 countries/cities in 30 days kind of thing.”

What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while traveling?

“One afternoon during my Tubbataha liveaboard dive trip, while doing our surface interval time, someone came up with the idea that we should take turn jumping off our boat. And here is the result.”

“I love randomness! I believe that anything and everything can change in a moment. It makes life so interesting to live and I constantly look forward to good things happening in the future.”

“Wanderlass is basically a personal trip diary. It originally started as a means to update family and friends while I was traveling Europe for the first time in 2007. When I continue to travel so much after coming back, I decided to document more regularly. Although there are still many, many trips that never got documented. I’m on my epic round the world trip right now. Hopefully I’ll get into a better blogging groove soon. I would be happy to write twice a week.” – Lilliane Cobiao

Editor’s Note: All pics are provided by Lilliane.

Next: Samuel Jeffery of Nomadic Samuel. Previously: Janet Brent of Purple Panda. For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.