Meet the Nomads: Josh Summers
Josh is the author of the blogs that I've been following for more than a year now. Josh features the part of China which we (in the Philippines) don't know that much, Xinjiang.
Xinjiang was supposedly part of my itinerary last year which unfortunately did not materialize due to some "stuff" that went on in that area.
China is more than Beijing, HongKong and Shanghai and Josh will you give you a lot of information about tourism in Far West China.
Get to know him more and visit him at www.farwestchina.com.
Here's Flip's short interview with Josh.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
"I first fell in love with traveling when I crossed the border from America to Mexico. Even though there was only a small space of land separating the two countries, the change in scenery and culture was so dramatically different that I was hooked. From then on I was addicted to being wide-eyed and mystified by other cultures."
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
"On a flight back from England I was caught in the worst storm I have ever experienced. We tried to land 3 times before finally bouncing onto the runway. To make matters worse, all other flights were canceled so my wife and I had to sleep on the New York airport floor with hundreds of other stranded travelers. It was awful."
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
"Oooh...see now that's a much harder question. I think my favorite experience as a single guy was staying in a chateau on the mountainside in Switzerland. Since being married - which is such a different travel experience - I'd say our trip to the Philippines (100 Islands, Sagada, Baguio City) has been the most memorable."
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
"Despite the dramatic visual differences between cultures and countries, we're all very similar. We all love to share experiences, tell stories, enjoy old friends and make new ones."
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
"If you don't practice a language, you lose it. If you don't exercise you get fat. If you stop traveling, you lose your sensitivity for global issues. I don't want to do that."
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 think I'd want to travel with a comedian like Jerry Seinfeld or Rodney Dangerfield. Nothing makes traveling more fun than being able to laugh at every uncommon or stressful situation you run into!"
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
"My favorite place is wherever my wife is :) After that, it'd have to be the Alps for its beauty or Central Asia (especially Xinjiang!) for its fascinating history. Of course, she'd rather be on a beach in Hawaii, the Philippines or Thailand...so I guess that'd have to be on my list too!"
What do you think about yourself?
"I'm really not that interesting. Trust me! I'm fun when I'm with fun people and boring when I'm with boring people. I get fascinated by the most simple things and I would much prefer to walk around a good museum than to go souvenir shopping. I'm flattered that anybody cares to read what I write and it serves to motivate me to both travel more and learn to tell better stories."
"FarWestChina is a small window into a very unknown and misunderstood province. Xinjiang is China's largest province yet few people have been there or heard about it. I want to change that. I want to use my pictures and stories to entice people's curiosity to explore this part of Central Asia. It is my 2nd home and I love it." - Josh
> > > > >
Help Build a Village in India, Please Support PwP
Passports with Purpose is an annual fund raising program pioneered by Travel Bloggers around the world. Last year, #PwP were able to raise $30,000 to build a school in Cambodia. This year, the goal is a little higher, $50,000 to build a village in India.
Flip’s supports Passports with Purpose and you can too.
Visit Passports with Purpose and know how you can help build a village in India.
> > > > >
Top Four Websites Every Backpacker Should Know
So, you’ve decided to travel and see the world and now researching about places routes and everything about backpacking. Where do you go first? There are countless of blogs and websites that will help you find your way and it gets too confusing sometimes.
Here are the Top Four websites that I recommend you should start with:
Couchsurfing website is more than having a free place to stay. Apart from the opportunity to meet local people, the website is also FULL of useful information for travellers. You can get information about possible travel buddies, information about places straight from a local’s perspective and even temporary jobs on the road. You can even post a question about a specific travel related stuff and most of the time, you’ll get a response from a lot of helpful people.
I’ve used this website primarily on overland travelling. It’s packed with information on how to train-travel to almost anywhere in the world, from possible routes to prices and sometimes the schedule and frequency of train rides. This website needs to be bookmarked by every traveller.
Are you looking for a budget airline that serves Philippines? How about cheap airlines serving India? This website is all about the low cost carriers in the world. It’s so easy to navigate and you’ll surely find the cheapest airline to fly with.
I always book my first night on the destination that I go to. And after that, I scourge the place for a cheaper option. And to find those hostels, I always check Hostel Booker
. I check the address, the location and the price. This is a must for those cheapskates like me who sometimes prefer to stay in hostels than with people I don’t know.
How About You? What are your favorite travel websites?
> > > > >
Affordable Luxury: Thunderbird Resort
A month ago, I was surprised to receive an invite from Nica of Thunderbird Resort regarding their media launch of The Point Residences. Unfortunately I wasn't available due to conflict of schedule with my another plan.
I called up a friend and asked her if she could cover for me and despite of her gruelling schedule at work, she agreed and just brought her laptop with her so she could still do some of her work.
She continuously updated me all throughout the three days that she was in Thunderbird.
She was ecstatic about the resort since the architecture is inspired by Santorini (a Greek Island) and the rooms are uber comfortable.
And the best of all, they were treated with sumptuous meals for the entire three days.
Here are some tips on how to avail luxury on a budget.
1. Keep an eye on new hotels or resorts that are being built in your area. usually they have this soft launch wherein they do some major price cuts to entice customers.
2. Sign up on their mailing list and be the first to know about their promotions.
3. Book on off peak season and the price will surely be lower.
4. Participate on their online contest, who knows you might just !
5. Be flexible with your dates, most people who own Gift Certificates sell them on the last minute for a really really cheap price.
If you want to keep up to date with Thunderbird Resort's promotion? Don't forget to check their blog every now and then and it would also help if you follow them in Facebook.
> > > > >
Meet the Nomads: Akila and Patrick
Akila and Patrick are the authors of another travel/food blog that I follow. The Road Forks. Their blog would definitely make you salivate over the nice looking tasty dishes that they feature on their websites. You also get a chance to learn on how to make those dishes.
Get to know more about Akila and Patrick and learn how to cook, visit www.theroadforks.com.
Here's flip's short interview with Akila and Patrick.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
"Akila began traveling at age 3, from Pennsylvania to India, and elsewhere across the world. Patrick, on the other hand, took his first flight when he was 21 on a trip with Akila to New York. We don't know exactly where our passion for traveling came from because there was no "ah ha" moment where both of us thought, "Oh well, this is it, we should be traveling." I think that we have always been curious people, interested in pretty much everything, and traveling fills our curiosity."
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
"We have had all sorts of tough experiences ---- being stuck on buses for 6 hours straight between smokers and no chance to use the bathroom, lost in random cities, hungry because all the restaurants have closed down ---- but none of them have been horrible. We are very lucky that we have never been injured or robbed while traveling. So, keeping our fingers crossed, no horrible experiences yet."
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
"For Akila, jumping off a bridge into a canyon in New Zealand. She loves the feeling of flying.
For Patrick, blowing up balloons for children in the tiny towns of Cambodia. The children came out of their houses, surrounding Patrick like he was the Pied Piper, and smiled and played with the round balls of color."
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
"The world is big. Really, really big. Much bigger than our brains can comprehend."
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
"The fun, the adventure, and the diversity of the world keeps us going. There is so much to see and experience, that we are willing to put up with all the other hassles."
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?
"Alton Brown."
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
"So far, our favorite country has been New Zealand. We love the raw astonishing scenery, the great hiking, and the laid back towns."
Best advice for new travellers?
"Plan, but not too much. A smile and politeness will get you farther than any other foreign currency. Be as open minded as you can be because, often, you may be the only non-local in a town."
What do you think about yourself?
"We think we're pretty neat. Except for very early in the mornings, when neither of us have the capacity to function, we like each other quite a bit."
We are cooking, eating, and traveling around the world. We document our journey at The Road Forks with pictures and stories of amazing places, decadent food, and recipes to bring the world into your kitchen.
> > > > >
Cycle with a Purpose
Travelling opens a lot of opportunities to meet amazing people from different places. And I had a chance to meet a great cyclist from USA who’s now presently residing in Chengdu. Dhane used to be a soldier who was once assigned in the Philippines and now, he’s a teacher in China.
He’s part of a group of cyclist that is planning to cycle across India and finally to Sri Lanka.
He would like to invite you guys to support and participate on the coming event on November 2011.
Here are some information from Dhane’s website:
The Journey
"The ride begins during November 2011 in Kathmandu, Nepal where cyclists will meet up and prepare to set out on the ride. Because of age handicaps — our youngest rider is 14 and the oldest is 62 — we are avoiding tackling the Himalayan ‘ups and downs’. We’ll take a bus or mini-van from Kathmandu to Pokhara for a visit to Fewa Tal and then on to Butwal, a town in the Nepalese Tarai. Our ride starts there as we wind our way across the plains just below the foothills of the Himalaya towards Rishikesh, crossing the border at Mahendranagar and continuing west towards
Amritsar in the Punjab. After reaching this point near Pakistan, we turn south and ride to Ahmedabad in Gujarat and then across the waist of India to its eastern coast. We touch the coast and head south towards Madurai in Tamil Nadu. If riders are able to continue and the Indian and Sri Lankan governments decide to reopen the ferry between these two countries, our final destination is Columbo.
Each rider is free to choose a project or individual(s) (or more than one) — or not — for donation of funds. Donations will be disbursed ‘hand to hand’ to beneficiaries during the event — if you have chosen to participate in this way. Cyclists are also free to just join the ride as an ‘appropriate tourist’ and there is no requirement to participate as a donor or sponsor. It is entirely voluntary — we feel that just having your participation as another cyclist will add energy to the event. We are truly looking for ‘fellow gypsies’ to help us in the ‘free spirit’ of this event.
Many of the cyclists joining the event have their own individual motivations for doing so. Each is a pilgrim in the truest sense of the word. Each one is searching for an experience of their own. India is the environment for this trip and its children are the teachers we will meet along the way. Some may join us, some may guide us, some may meet us and ask for our help temporarily, others may reject us – I hope most of them can teach us how to survive in a changing and unstable world. These are the ‘children of novelty’ who may just inherit the world the rest of us so-called ‘civilized’ people leave behind. You’re welcome to join us in changing this plan into a real event."
How to Participate
"Can you help us by participating in this event to benefit homeless children? We just want your involvement and networking ability in your own local community to help make the event happen. In other words, please help us spread the word of our invitation to riders and encourage them to become involved. Cyclists who join the ride should be self-motivated and directed so that each can be an independent member of the group — this is not a tour-guided vacation. If you do want to help monetarily, the best way you could do this is help us locate short or long-term sponsors for some of the homeless kids we anticipate meeting on the road — the money need not come from your pocket (you’re already paying for your own ride).
A donation of $250 from a friend or supporter who is inspired by your example would take care of most of the expenses for a homeless child for a whole year. We plan to visit some children’s homes or orphanages along the route to help inform riders and sponsors how they could help. We want to visit slum kids in Dehra Dun, near the town made famous by the Beatles — Rishikesh, and a destitute children’s home in southern India — Tamil Nadu. Others we plan to locate along the way through word of mouth and visit as time permits. Having said this, please don’t misunderstand it as a ‘bait and switch’ sales pitch. You are truly welcome to join us and enjoy the event as another cyclist on an adventure tour, a spiritual pilgrimage, or just as another wandering hermit. We’ll be camping out a lot but if you’re a student interested in third world development and how local non-governmental organizations work, you would learn a lot by ‘hanging out’ with us. Consider it a FREE education of sorts. I have a Masters Degree in third world development and will be glad to give the benefit of my advice to anyone who actually is a student interested in this field and wants to experience some of its social activities first-hand."
For More Information... visit the Gypsy Spirit Ride and Dhane's Website. If you come across this post, please stumble it, tweet it and share it in facebook, so our fellow Nomads could get the support that they need. A big thanks in advance.
> > > > >
How to Travel Cheap in Singapore
Singapore seems to be one of the most expensive places in Asia to travel to. Most people hesitate to travel in Singapore fearing that they wouldn’t be able to afford it. Here are some tips on how to travel to Singapore without breaking the bank.
Transportation
There are four major low cost carriers that fly to Singapore from other South East Asian countries. These carriers often have promotions that you can always take advantage of.
1. Cebu Pacific
2. Air Asia
4. Jetstar
Once you get here in Singapore, local transportation is pretty neat and easy. The trains and buses can practically get you to most of the tourist attractions. As soon as you arrive in the airport, buy your EZ Link card and top it up. You can use it to pay the train and bus fare.
Tip: Take the bus. It’s cheaper though slower because of many stops. But it’ll give you a nice view of Singapore’s local life.
Food
Flick Creative Commons Attribution Pic by Nate Robert
Food does not need to be expensive. And the cheapest way to satisfy your hunger is by eating in the hawker center. It’s like a cluster of smaller eateries that you’ll usually find near the MRT station and some malls. The food varies from Chinese, Indian to Malay cuisine. Some even serves western delicacies.
Tip: My favourite is the Iced Coffee. Instead of creamer they add condensed milk which makes it sweet. A plate of rice with 2 viands (vegetable and meat) would cost you around S$2.00-S$2.90. And don’t miss the S$1 Ice Cream bar with wafer or bread that you’ll find along Orchard.
Shopping
Flick Creative Commons Attribution Pic by Stephen Barnett
This is the main reason why most tourists flock to Singapore, to shop and shop and shop. I haven’t gone around that much yet but here are the best shopping areas that you can go to.
1. Mustafa (in Little India): They say this market offers the cheapest souvenirs and some chocolates. You can also find some gadgets and clothes in this market.
2. Bugis Market: From Little India, you can just walk straight and past Sim Lim Mall and it’ll lead you to Bugis Junction. This market offers a lot of trendy clothes, bags and accessories for the young ones.
3. Orchard Road: If you have the money to burn then this is your place. You can find all the designer labels along this road. Now this place might really break your bank.
4. Sim Lim Mall: For cheap gadgets. I’ve bought some a few years back and they were uber cheap. I never had any problems with them too. The only drawback would be, sometimes some sellers are really pushy. Some people that I met also recommend Funan as the best place to buy your gadgets from.
Tip: Go here in July for the Great Singapore Sale!
Sight Seeing
Surprisingly there are many places to go to that will not cost you that much. Here are my top 5 picks:
1. Clark Quay: Buy your drinks from 7-11 and sit beside the river banks and watch people as they pass by.
2. Esplanade and Merlion Park: Take a picture of Singapore’s famous landmark, the Merlion and marvel at the grandeur of Marina Bay Sands.
3. Little India and Chinatown: Stroll down Little India and Chinatown to experience Singapore’s diverse cultural heritage.
4. Sentosa: Watch the Lake of Dreams light and water show in Sentosa (A trip to Sentosa from Vivo City would only cost you S$3.)
5. Casinos: Singapore has nice casinos that you can go to. As a tourist you don't have to pay anything to get in. Go to Marina Bay Sands or Sentosa and sign up for their free membership.The membership card entitles you to some discounts on their hotels and restaurants and the card itself is a nice souvenir too. Oh, coffee and milk tea are free. :-)
Tip: Bring a bottle of water so you wouldn’t have to buy along the way. You can also make a sandwich before you leave your hostel. This would definitely be cheaper.
What's your best cheapskate tip for Singapore?
> > > > >
Meet the Nomads: Mr G and Ms Gourmantic
Mr G and Ms gourmantic are the authors of the travel blog that I try to avoid because it makes me feel really hungry. Kidding aside. Mr and Ms G features awesome food delights from different parts of the world. Once you start reading an article, you can't help but drool over the delectable cuisines that they feature. I suggest you keep a snack at bay.
Learn more about Mr G and Ms Gourmantic, visit them at www.gourmantic.com... and now I'm heading back to the kitchen.
Here's Flip's short interview with Mr G and Ms Gourmantic.
Here's Flip's short interview with Mr G and Ms Gourmantic.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
Mr G: "It was instilled as a child. My father was with the airlines and we lived in New York for a time with frequent trips to Europe. He always ensured those trips were about people more than places. Be it family or those we met on the road."
Ms Gourmantic: "Through the imagination of a young girl who studied languages and liked to read French literature. It inspired me to dream of places and made me fall in love with France. Then I wanted to experience the world."
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
Mr G: "Nothing horrible has ever happened to me, touch wood. I have seen cripples begging in a place that our government aspires to for its broadband policy. I have seen coloured-only benches or drinking fountains, now mercifully confined to history. I only have to see this for the time I am there. They live like this day by day."
Ms Gourmantic: "Getting sick while travelling. When there’s a lot to see and do (and eat!), there’s no time to rest. I pushed myself to the limits and got worse so it spoiled the enjoyment of the trip. Unfortunately, it also left a bitter taste in the mouth once I was back home and started lamenting the things I didn’t get to do."
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
Mr G: "We had a Tahitian wedding ceremony in Moorea and expected it to be a bit set up for tourists. It was so far from that. The local men instructed me on the meaning of the ceremony as they tattooed me. The party afterwards had singers and dancers and we both left being made as part of the Tahitian people."
Ms Gourmantic: "Undoubtedly, it was the trip where my family from different continents organised a surprise reunion to coincide with our European holiday. They all turned up at La Rochelle on the west coast of France then we spent a week together in Paris. We had an unforgettable time catching up and meeting new members of the family."
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
Mr G: "So many journeys, so little time."
Ms Gourmantic: "That you travel to distant lands to learn something new about yourself. With every trip, I have come home with a renewed outlook on life. I need to find a way to make it last in between trips or travel more often!"
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
Mr G: "For the sublime moment when you become one with where you are – you are no longer the traveller, you are at home."
Ms Gourmantic: "For the desire to experience something new and to meet people who leave a mark on you. As a foodie, there’s the enjoyment of food and drink, particularly regional specialties. Also, for the inspiration to write. I often find my writing muse while travelling."
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?
Mr G: "Captain Kirk – he can beam you anywhere without the hassle of plane travel. Captain Picard – ditto. Dr Who – same, plus you get to meet exotic aliens or yourself in a time paradox. Being sensible, (why?), it would be Douglas Adams. A person who loved this planet for all of its greatness and absurdities. Why? Because, he would regale you with all the greatness and absurdities."
Ms Gourmantic: "I could have sworn Mr G would have picked George Clooney! I don’t care much for celebrities but if I had to choose from Kirk and Picard (so I can be with Mr G), I’d pick Picard. He has a holodeck where I could program my fantasy holiday and travel back and forth in time. Failing that, a culinary trip with Chef Rick Stein on his famous food odyssey tours would indulge my passions for travel and food."
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
Mr G: "Firenze. This is where I would love to live. It is the combination of the local food and wine and its art, history and architecture."
Ms Gourmantic: "Paris. It’s my adopted home, and the one place in the world that makes me feel complete. Tahiti is a close second, whether I’m lazing in front of the lagoon in Moorea or swimming with the turtles in Bora Bora."
Best advice for new travellers?
Mr G: "Keep an open mind and be prepared to go outside of your comfort zone."
Ms Gourmantic: "There’s a lot of advice out there telling people what to do and what not do which can be constrictive and contradictory. Of course, you need common sense and you need to be aware of safety and cultural sensibilities. My best advice is to forget the guide books and all the travel advice out there. Explore the world with an open mind and you’ll discover yourself in the process."
What do you think about yourself?
Ms Gourmantic (to Flip): How about we swap the question? I’ll tell you something about Mr G and he’ll tell you something about me.
Ms Gourmantic: "Mr G is the most amazing person I know. He’s kind, warm-hearted, easy going and people are naturally drawn to him. But give him a plane ticket, and he turns into a control freak when it comes to packing. Every item has to be folded and packed in a particular way and put precisely in a certain spot or else! Yes, he’s a true Gemini."
Mr G: "Ms Gourmantic always says she won’t remember how to talk in foreign tongues. Five minutes after landing she is back to talking like a local and beguiling them with her smile."
Dedicated to the romance of travel and the enjoyment of food, Gourmantic is a magazine-style website that takes the reader on a global voyage, combining travel tales with culinary pleasures and photographic journeys. We feature experience-based travel, gourmet delights, international and local restaurant reviews and articles catering for independent travellers and discerning foodies. - Mr G and Ms Gourmantic
> > > > >
Top 15 Philippine Travel Blogs
Here’s my Top 15 Philippine Travel Blogs (and I recommend that you should follow them too)
Justwandering is full of useful information about places, accommodations and almost everything about the travelling world. The pictures of the places with her dolls will surely captivate your attention. Nina wanders around the Philippines and around Asia as well. She also shares her travel expense after a trip which will definitely be useful for those who are planning their next big adventure. Check out Flip's short interview with Nina.
Langyaw is one of the most awarded travel blogs in the Philippines. Estan writes about his adventures in the Philippines and some other places in Asia. What fascinate me about his blog are the pictures. I was just blown away with how beautiful his pictures are. You should check it out to see what I mean. Check out Flip's short interview with Estan.
Another multi-awarded travel blogger/photographer in town is Ferdz. His blog chronicles his journey around the country and in Asia too. His pictures are awesome and the details of his journey in his blog will definitely be helpful for those who want to go to the places that he’s been to. Check out Flip's short interview with Ferdz.
Byahilo seems to be one of the longest running blog in the Philippines and this guy would probably have written everything about the 7107 islands. I like his blog because he features festivals in the Philippines which are an important part of our culture.
Tutubi is another anonymous blogger who writes about his journey around the country and Asia. I’ve been following his blog for the longest time I think. And up to now I still find his articles useful and fun to read.
Out of town blog provides a lot of useful information about places, food, transportation and about travel blogging itself. Melo also intiates some online contests. Lately, Melo writes about tips about blogging that I think newbies would find very very useful. He also provides an online review about the hotels/hostels that he stayed in.
Escape Islands would also have covered almost all the islands in the Philippines. Some of which are places that i haven’t heard before. If you’re looking for a blog that will help you go to the off the beaten path then this one is for you. Check out Flip's short interview with Dong Ho.
Why??? He travels with a ridiculously low budget and I love it. He proves to anyone that if there’s a will, there’s a way. I also like how he chronicles his expenses down to the last Coke he drunk. Way to go man!!!
This girl proves that yes a Filipina can! She ventured to Europe on her own and travelled across Southeast Asia. Fear seems to be not included in her vocabulary. She’s such an inspiration for all the independent female travellers out there.Check out Flip's short interview with Gay.
Monette and Ron’s blog would surely entertain you not to mention that their posts are very useful for those who are planning to explore Southeast Asia. Fliptravels is one of the youngest travel blogs that is bound to be big and very popular in the future. Did I mention that Ron takes f*cking awesome pictures too!Check out Flip's short interview with Ron and Monette.
This girl is destined to see the world. The first time I read her blog I felt that she really wants to explore as much as she can. The author, Gael, writes really well and you could actually feel her emotions in her posts. I don’t know why, but I’m very much drawn to her blog even if I haven’t seen the writer yet.
Chyng’s blog is one of the lightest and fun to read blogs out there. She writes about her travels in and out of the Philippines and she includes a lot of recommendation about the food she had tasted and the places that she stayed in. Check out Flip's short interview with Chyng.
Marky juggles his time between his full time work and travelling. For those who are looking for the long-weekend escapes, this blog would definitely be very very useful. Check out Flip's short interview with Marky.
Jerik documents his trip around the Philippines and around Asia too. I like it when he talks about his realizations while on the road. This blog is for those who enjoy solitary travels and occasional partying with strangers. Check out Flip's short interview with Jerik.
Travelling will never be complete without food! And this is why Our Awesome Planet is on my list. Anton shares with us the experience of dining in different restaurants in the Philippines. This is for all the foodies out there.
How about you? What are your favourite travel blogs?
> > > > >
How Travel Changed My Life
I was just a 22 year-old corporate player almost six years ago. I dreamt of having it all. I thought promotion would be the only way to do it. So I chased it. I got it, every year. I was such a lucky bastard. It’s almost unimaginable for me what I was able to accumulate in such a short period of time (coming from a family that has nothing... literally nothing).
I was paying for my own condominium unit as well. I’m earning enough for myself. I travelled within the Philippines, in places that I could only dreamed of when I was a kid.
And on my 25th birthday, I’ve decided to travel outside the Philippines, another dream that I wanted to fulfil. I created the itinerary and I invited my friends. And then I flew, not knowing that my birthday trip would change me forever.
Suddenly almost everything seemed to have no value anymore to me. The things, the material things that I thought I wanted, that I thought I needed, that I thought would define me as a person... were just nothing. And so, I lost all the things that I accumulated in the past.
Travelling taught me that life is more than having this and that. Travelling taught me that there is life beyond my cubicle. Travelling burst my small bubble on how I see life, how I see MY life and how I see the world I live in. Travelling taught me that there’s so much goodness in this world despite of all the bad things that happened to me.
Travelling taught me to become human, in all its essence.
How about you? How did travel change your life?
> > > > >
Meet the Nomads: Shannon O'Donnell
I came across Shannon's blog as I was searching for some information on how to travel and volunteer around the world.
Shannon, like other travellers, sold almost all her possessions and set on an RTW last 2008. She went to Australia, through SE Asia, India, Nepal, Eastern Europe, the UK, and Ireland for about 11 months.
Unlike most travellers and tourists, Shannon engages herself in volunteer activities whenever she travels.
Get to know her more, visit her at www.alittleadrift.com.
Here's Flip's short interview with Shannon.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
"My dad always kept me subscribed to National Geographic magazines while I was growing up and that ignited the travel spark. Then I took the plunge and signed up for a Italy summer study abroad while at University and that clinched the deal; I spent two months in Italy and Europe and was hooked!"
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
"Really just getting sick. Although there are really frustrating situations on the road the only times that stick with me are when I was alone and ill. I got incredibly sick in Laos for about 10 days and actually thought I might die...that was a low point - and the only time I got that seriously sick so it's not something others should be worried about as long as you have a nicely stocked med kit!"
What’s the most outstanding travel experience that you’ve ever had?
"That definitely comes down to my volunteer experiences around the world, but particularly teaching English to young monks in Nepal. It's so easy to stay on the tourist and backpacker path when exploring so settling into a smaller town really grounded the experience for me - I was able to become friends with some of the locals, get their stories and interact rather than the fleeting meetings of faster style travel. It's the shared laughs, smiles, and stories that continue to stick with me the most."
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve gotten out of travelling?
"That the planet is smaller than you'd think and yet there are an unfathomable number of different cultures and communities. I realized that there is no place on earth too far away...it just may take a plane, train, bus, tuk-tuk and walking to get there! Before I left the US for the first time I was afraid at some level of the size of all that I didn't know - the world seemed so huge and unattainable, but now that I'ved journeyed through so many countries and cultures I respect that it's still a really big place, but more accessible and welcoming than I could have ever thought possible."
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
"I love seeing how other cultures are living their lives - their customs, language, crafts, their stories. The US is such a contained environment in so many ways - we like it American-style: food, clothes, shops, etc (which I do crave at times). But outside the borders of the US it's just so remarkably different...and yes, it gets tiring which is why I slow down and stay longer in places - it fights the burnout and I also learn so much more about with each country and culture. "
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?
"Angelina Jolie; I think we could be great friends :-) I also admire the real and actual effort she puts into her humanitarian efforts. It's not secondary or for publicity, she is truly out there getting involved and getting her hands dirty - I respect that a lot. It's easy to throw money at a problem when you have the money to throw, but totally different to actually invest your own time and passion into a project."
What could stop you from travelling?
"Nothing. If I couldn't leave the states I would travel my own country. I hear people use kids, houses, mortgages, and other things as excuses for staying put but I've been traveling enough to know that it's all doable with kids, doable on a budget, and doable solo if my future husband (whoever he should be) doesn't like to travel."
Among the places that you’ve been to, which one fascinated you the most?
"To just pick one? That's not fair. But if I had to pick one of many I found fascinating it would be India. The country has too many facets to even begin describing how I feel about traveling through India. Sometimes I got so mad at the country and so very frustrated - but other times it is the highest of highs. The food is flat out amazing; the most varied veggie food in the world I would reckon and the people are quirky and fun - there's not a day that goes by in India that you're not laughing a true and honest laugh with the locals."
What do you think about yourself?
"Travel has given my life a purpose and focus over the past couple of years that I really found lacking before I left - I'm in this transition phase right now and I have the rare ability to actually take my work on the road and perpetually travel to some degree. I love that. I feel fortunate and grateful that I am able to continue exploring new cultures, learn languages, and take advantage of the volunteer opportunities that continually allow me to bring my skills and hands to volunteer efforts all over the planet - and the Universe has kept it all fresh and interesting by bringing new opportunities and jobs my way that so closely align with my personal goals right now - like the worth I am now doing with Geeks International that takes me off the backpacking route for a while but still fully in the travel sphere!"
"It's a smattering of sorts - a hodge-podge of tips for other RTW travelers. Advice just for female travelers. Travel stories, experiences, inspiration, and a chronicle of my personal journey as I wander the world." - Shannon
> > > > >
Happy Deepavali: Festival of Lights
Last Friday, Ron of and I went to Little India to take a look at the celebration of the Indian sector here in Singapore. There were a lot of people on the streets drinking, eating and chatting with probably their friends and family members. There were also a lot of tourists who seemed to be enjoying a peek at the Indian Culture.
But what were they celebrating about? What is Deepavali?
Here’s some information from Wikipedia.
“Deepavali (also spelled Divali in few countries) or Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is the most important festival of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.
The name Diwali is itself a contraction of the word "Deepavali" which translates into row of lamps.Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Most Indian business communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali.
Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.”
After the walking tour that we did, both of us were really hungry. And of course an Indian festival wouldn’t be complete without food. Ron and I gobbled more than what we could eat. Both of us were bloated after eating cheese naan, masala, mutton curry and ice coffee.
Happy Deepavali!
> > > > >
Top Three Fictional Destinations
There are some fictional places that intrigue me a lot. And sometimes I just so wish that they were true so I could visit and explore them.
Here are my top three imaginary destinations:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The architecture of the school is amazing. I’m fascinated with the moving staircase, the hidden rooms, the paintings and everything else in Hogwarts. Not to mention that I could learn some magic tricks too.
Neverland
There are probably alot of interpretation of Neverland. Some of the things that got stuck on my head when I saw Peter Pan (cartoon) was the islands of mermaid, the Pirate’s cove and of course the area where peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys live. And of course, I want to stay young forever and have a grand adventure every day.
Konoha
I’m not sure if this rings a bell, but I’m a big fan of Japanese anime and I’m a big fan of Naruto. I want to see where they live and train. I want to be a Ninja too.
This entry is part of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Fictional Destination Tagging Game. I'm tagging James to share his fictional destination post.
This entry is part of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Fictional Destination Tagging Game. I'm tagging James to share his fictional destination post.
How about you? What fictional place do you want to see?
> > > > >
Halloween at Clark Quay
Last October 30, 2010, Clark Quay hosted the biggest (probably in Singapore) Halloween Party. A lot of costume clad individuals walked the bridge en route to the main partying area. A stage was built in the fountain area to accommodate the facilitator and game participants.
I was really amazed and entertained just by watching people pass by.
> > > > >
Previous Article
