NO NEED TO BUY GEARS: WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE WHILE SPELUNKING THROUGH THE LUMIANG-SUMAGUING CAVE CONNECTION

Spelunking is the exploration of caves as a hobby. In Sagada, they have a cave connection between Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave and the journey to go through it will take 3-4hours, depending on how fit your team is and how long you pause for photos.

Of all the extreme activities I have ever done, this I believe is the most challenging (and trust me, I already did a lot). While doing this, I was tested not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as well. We were not provided with gloves and helmets (like they did in Palawan) and to be honest, I don’t think you will need any. In fact, halfway through the cave, I was asked to remove the shoes I bought before the trip. So much for my so called preparation.

You will not need any equipment but here are the things that you must have:

STAMINA - the whole activity took 3.5 hours so with that alone, you know that you have to have the strength for this activity.  You also have to be able to pull yourself up or push yourself against the walls (and to your limits. LOL).

ENDURANCE – you have to withstand a lot of things while inside. Hunger, coldness and a whole lot more. Although, if you think about it, you will have to endure everything because you kinda have no choice. No option for quitting.

OBEDIENCE -  you have to be able to give full trust to the people you are with, especially your guides. You have to know how to follow instructions and blindly believe what they are saying because guess what, they were able to finish this course a lot of times already and they know what should be the right placement of your hand and foot for you to be able to go through all these natural made obstacle course. When they tell you to slide or let go for you to be able to move on (#whogoat), you have to listen.

FEARLESSNESS – or at least set aside your fears while inside. Here’s why:

• Claustrophobia (Fear of being enclosed in small spaces) – There are times that you will be required to slither in extremely tight spaces. Sometimes, even I was surprised that I was able to fit through it.
• Monophobia (Fear of being alone) – There will be times that you will have to go through some spaces alone because it can only fit one. So you have to get over your clingy-ness.
• Nyctophobia (Fear of the dark) - Since you are inside the cave, there is no other light source apart from the kerosene lamp the local guides have. Good luck to all those afraid of the dark.
• Acrophobia (Fear of heights) – You have to climb, jump and skin the cave walls. So yes, you have to fake your fearlessness while inside.

You also have to keep yourself from being paranoid because it is so easy to be succumbed to all the monstrous creatures your imagination is making while inside.

FRIENDLINESS – You know how they say that if you go through a very intense situation with a stranger, you tend to be close to that person immediately, I proved it here. When I went inside Lumiang Cave, I only know the name of my 2 friends and 3 fairly new aquaintances. At the end of the tunnel, it felt like I already knew everyone because the experience would make you feel like you are clinging to your companions for your life. LOL. I am not joking!!!

FAITH – yes, you gotta believe that you will eventually see the light again. You kind of have no choice there, actually. You have to believe that God will allow you to go through all of this darkness and hardships, kind of like in life. Believe me, you will feel that way after your first hour inside the cave. J Again, not joking there.

#InstaWorthy Places in Davao

"We travel to see the world not to take photos"

Some people have this mantra, but not me. Others might find it narcissistic but I wanna be seen in the places I've been.

Maybe a lot of travel photographers find that cringe worthy but in my opinion, if I want to just take a photo of the place, I can just buy a post card in the airport or something. Besides, I'm a traveler and a tourist (I don't care about the labels). I am not a travel photographer either so I'll do what I want no matter what other's opinion is. I encourage everyone to do so as well.

After all that rant, I just want to share the #InstaWorthy places I've been in my recent trip. I will start doing this from now on. :)

All pictures were taken by my friends. Feel free to copy our poses if you want. Lol

Francisco Bangoy International Airport

This city is so full of beautiful spots for pictures that right after getting off the plane, we were already able to take a good snapshot to show everyone in Manila that we have arrived in Davao. Thank you large Durian just outside the airport.

Museo Dabawenyo
Andres Bonifacio Rotunda, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur
Mon-Sat 9:00a-12:00p, 1:00-6:00p

This is a free museum because it is run by the government but there is 1 rule; You cannot take pictures inside. So why did I include this, well the place where photo is allowed made a really nice background. Just check this:

People's Park
Palma Gil St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur
Hours of Operation: 5:30 – 10:00 am, 3:00 – 11:00 pm

This place has a lot of great spots but I chose the most popular Durian sculpture that it is known for. I don't know why but it kind of reminds me of South Korea.

D' bone Collector
San Pedro St, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 10:00a-5:00p, Sat 1:00p-5:00p

When I saw our pictures, i only had one thing in mind: Jurassic World. No, they do not have dinosaurs but all the bones around makes me feel like it is. They also had some animals that were preserved via taxidermy. Whether you wanna be part of the picture or not, this place surely take a lot of your memory because of all the interesting things they have to offer. Mitch posed for a funny shot while Jinky, Kyrel and I went all dramatic. Lol

Adrenaline High in the Sky: Eden Nature Park and Resort

Eden Nature Park
Bo. Eden, Toril, Davao City, Davao Del Sur

It is my second attempt to visit Eden Nature Park because when I first tried last December, some wealthy family in Davao had it closed during the days I was there. (It's ok, I got over it.)

My friend Zeli who is from Davao planned our itinerary and I'm so glad she included this. She said that it is one of her favorite places in the city. In fact, her family booked to stay there for the night because she will come home. They know her so well.

Photo from Eden Nature Park and Resort's website

It is a an hour drive from Ma-a, where we were staying but with all the chitchats (Yes, it is a known fact that girls can talk for hours), we didn't even notice it.

The place reminds me of Baguio because it's cold and they have a lot of pine trees.

There is a mandatory entrance fee but it's ok because it comes with food already. You can choose between a plated snack (choice between Tuna Melt or Spaghetti *drinks included) or buffet. We chose the first one because we don't intend to stay long.

Photo from Eden Nature Park's website

We headed straight to the Sky Adventure area which is on the opposite side of the park. You can get the SkyCycle and SkyRider Combo for 300php but we already had enough of ziplines from all of our other trips so we opted out of SkyRider already. For SkyCycle, you only need to pay 200php.

The newest attraction of the park is SkySwing. It's just like your normal swing but on steroids because it is 95 feet high. You can choose to go solo at Php 300 or with a friend at Php400 per pair. We chose to go in pairs and just paid 200php each.

SkyCycle

Going up the platform can make anyone with Acrophobia seriously sweat. The waiting area is 60-feet high and you can see the ground from where you're at. Like what I said earlier, if you have fear of heights be ready to be freaked out.

Look at Michelle. So competitive!
Photo by Zeli Viduya

It is 400 meters back and forth and there is a steel that connects it to a cable above you so you don't need to worry about balancing because you don't have to. That is actually my main concern because I do not know how to bike (Poor me. :D )

There are 4 bicycles and we were advised to go at the same time. We were worried about who is gonna take our pictures but the operators of the ride offered themselves. Seems like they already had a lot of practice doing so because they got some pretty decent shots of us. Well of me, at least because I made sure I go slowly and asked the operators to take a photo of me before reaching the waiting platform again. It pays to not be afraid of heights because you get to have great pictures. (wink).

SkySwing

While we were waiting for our turn in the SkyCycle, we saw a couple do this and to be honest, we got scared. First of all, they were suspended higher than where we're at. The wait area for the SkyCycle was 60-feet and you will be lifted up to 90-feet for SkySwing.

The operator will give instructions (something about whistle blow and some counting to tell us we have to be ready, i think but I forgot already) prior to your ascend but believe me, it is not easy to remember it once you're already up there. (Tip: Lean back!!! You'll thank me for this. I promise).

My friend Kyrel and I went together, I was talking to her the whole time we were going up to give comments but she wasn't speaking anymore, I totally understand because I was just talking a lot because I was already nervous. It was really so high and the slow ascent makes it even higher.

Kyrel and I
Photo by Jinky Tuliao

Once we reached 90 feet high, I heard a whistle (or two but this was already hazy and I'm not sure) and we were released. We shouted so loud to release the nervousness we were feeling while going up and man, it feels so great!!! Check out the video below.

Indiana Jones

It is amazing how much fun can a short rope and a piece of round metal can give you.

Indiana Jones is one of the free attractions you can enjoy in Eden. Zeli told us to just mount the rope and go. So we did... and while we are already on our way, she shouted to us that we have to hold tight. When we reached the other end I understood why, you will feel the impact from the other end and if you don't hold tight, you might be thrown away. Maybe a part of the experience is not knowing what will happen on the other side that is why she did not tell us first hand that we might get thrown away if we don't hold on tight. LOL


Eden Nature Park and Resort is really a must visit if like me, you are an adrenaline junkie. If not ,well you can just chill around as there are other activities (non-death-defying) around like horseback riding, fishing and such. But come on, you're already there and the SkyAdventure will give you a great profile picture and an awesome tale to tell your friends back home. Live a little. :)

Unlimited Shrimps below Php 400: Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

Photo from Blue Posts Facebook Account

UNLIMITED SHRIMPS. These two words was enough to make us change our itinerary. I have always loved to eat seafood which is why I never considered myself as a mermaid no matter how much I love the ocean (because I'm pretty sure Ariel won't eat her underwater friends).

What caught my attention as well is that it's only Php399. Can you believe that? Shrimp bucket has theirs at Php 560 by the pound. So yes, I am ditching the crocs (cause we're scheduled to go to Crocodile Farm) for this. 

We had to go there by ourselves because my friend who is a local at Davao will stay the night at Eden. We don't have a ride and we don't even know where the restaurant was but we are determined. So determined that we rode a tricycle from Eden to Pan Pacific Highway just to get a cab because if we wait for the cab service that Eden Nature Park will get for us, it will take an hour. We cannot waste an hour more because it was already 2:00 PM and we really really need to get to this place. Come on, it's unlimited shrimps we're talking about. I'm sure you'll understand. LOL

Cabs know the place so just tell them and they know where to bring you. It's really hard to miss  because you will see a huge signage in front. But if you really wanna know the exact location, here it is: Lanang Business Park, Km 7, Lanang Davao City (In between Kia and Ford Showroom).

Photo by Jinky Tuliao

Interiors. It is inspired by the sea somehow because of the nets and some other fishing paraphernalia but all the vandalism somehow made the place look dirty. Nahh, I am not a fan of all the writings on the wall (or the ceiling). Had they used a sharpie instead of a broad pen, it could have been better. The seats are comfortable and spacious. I saw a couple of really healthy flies roaming around but when the staff saw us irritated by it, they gave us a couple of tea candles on a glass to drive them away. 

Staff. They are nice and attentive. They gave us an approximate wait time and was able to deliver the food before that. Something I really appreciated. I just hoped they told us that the Coke is refillable. (Tip: Buy the beverage once you are in. It will help you gulp down all the shrimp you'll eat and will make you feel less full so you can eat more!!! Gluttony at its best).

Experience. They gave us a plastic lining for our table which is good because like what I said earlier, there are a lot of vandals around and the table looked dirty (Don't worry my arte ends there). Plastic gloves were also provided and the staff helped us put on our bib. Once we were fully equipped, they served the hot food bag bearing what looks like over a kilo of shrimps. Our eyes all popped out when we saw what's inside. These are the same people I went to Shrimp Bucket to so we cannot help but compare the size of the shrimps that was served to us. We ate with our hands and after a bag, my friends are all set. As for me, I went for another one. (Please don't judge.LOL)

Taste. It certainly did not disappoint. They have 3 levels of spiciness for the Cajun sauce: Regular, Mild and Hot. I went for Mild while my friends asked for Regular. You can ask for the next bag to be different if you prefer it different. It is good! The shrimp tastes so fresh and it is cooked well. Highly recommended! Their food made me neglect the interior and the others that I don't like about the place. 

My verdict: This restaurant alone is enough to make me wanna visit this city again. That's how much I loved it!  I just hope they still have the same promo when I come back. I used to say that heaven will have a banquet with refillable shrimps and I think I found my own piece of heaven here. ;)

Slidefest: 1000 feet of Happiness

I was ecstatic when I first saw the Slidefest ad in social media and right there and then, I knew I wanted to be part of this event. So I gathered my usual fun buddies and being the child-like that we are, we were all sold by the idea.

We booked the first one which was held in Subic Freeport because of course, we want to be the first ones to experience it. Yes, we’re competitive like that.

Maybe it’s because they were effective in marketing this online that the VIP slots were almost full when we registered. Take note, we signed up the very same week they said that the website is already open for reservation. We were 9 altogether but only 3 of us (me included of course) was able to get VIP. My other friends booked the Wave Riders in 2 different time slots.

Registration  - It is organized because they had it in alphabetical order. I had my own voucher printed so I did not encounter any issue. However, for my friends that did group booking, they were confused at first because they cannot find their name. Note for the sliders next month, they use the name of the person who registered your names. So if you are in a group, line up on the one whose name is under ‘Customer Name’. Just a small glitch, no biggie.

Changing Stations – After registration, we head straight to the tents they provided to change clothes. It is big enough for a group to change comfortably. They even have tables for the bags however, it is very untidy. Since no trash bins (or waste bags at least) were provided, some ladies opted to leave their unmentionables inside. Yuck!

Baggage Counter – I really appreciate the fact that the people assigned to this station are efficient. They are probably very tired but I was able to deposit my bags within 2mins.

Queue – This is my most hated part at first. I mean who enjoys waiting, right? Given that we are in VIP and the page said that we are not going to wait, well it took me almost an hour before my first slide. Although when I look at the line for the wave riders, it slightly made me feel better because their line was longer. So thinking that they are going to wait longer somehow made me feel better. Lol.  There is also a personnel that uses a hose to water the people in the queue since we were all dried up already with the wait.

In the afternoon, they gave the hose to the people in VIP which made it more fun because now everyone in line is waiting for their turn to splash other people with water. It was really shallow but we were excited to have our turn while we were waiting. There’s also foam machine on the way so it made waiting a little bit bearable because we were somehow anticipating the part of the line with foam first before the slide itself.

Pre-Slide – There are staff that assists you before the slide itself. They tell you what to do and the likes but since we were excited, we already knew what they were saying because we already read that from the website. Lol. Btw, the guy that assisted us during our first slide is really cute.

Slide – It only took me 1:20 to finish the whole slide but it was so fun! Definitely worth the wait. Immediately after my first slide, we went back to line up again because they were right, once is not enough. Anyway, I was only able to go at it 4 times because we went there late and I’m already tired of waiting in the queue.

Freebies – Whenever the sponsors see your blue band, they will approach you to tell you they have treats for you. So even though we waited, we still somehow felt VIP because of it. I got an ice cream from Drumstick and a free bag of kettle corn. There’s also a photobooth with very friendly staff so we’re able to have our photos taken multiple times because there aren’t people lining up anyway. Oh and I love the shirt!

Food – I wish they had more concessionaires. Although the food stalls were ok, I was hoping for more choices. I love the popsies, i just forgot the name. Also, I saw cello's as one of the sponsors but I didn't see any donut. :( I wish there is cotton candy, shakes and most of all WATER! Calling bottled water sponsors, they still have 2 more events.

Music - We really love the music they have on. We realized in the end that there are DJ's the whole day and when we were playing back the videos we recorded, the music in the background is really good. I went home early so I didn't join the party at night anymore because I have to back to Manila but the party also seemed so fun in the pics.

Others – I really wish the person assigned in the place for tables and chairs have the initiative to clean up the tables or better yet, I wish they have placed lots of waste bags because I’m sure people are willing to CLAYGO it’s just that we really don’t see any trash can around.

To those who wants to do this too, they still have 2 more events and it's closer to the metro. Book now because slots run out fast. The next one will be held in Filinvest, Alabang on May 16-17, 2015.

In case you would, here are some tips for you:

• Bring your GoPro to record your memories. You can also make your own video like we did.
• Load up on sunscreen. (You should because I didn't and I am still trying to get my color back. lol)
• Be fun. Don't be the BV person in the queue. 
• Make sure you don't bring phones that are not water resistant because it will definitely get wet.
• Try to wear colorful clothes. (It looks better in the camera. Promise)
• Make sure you watch out and pose for the camera during the slide. They posted the ones in Subic and I'm thankful I did because now, I have a great profile pic on FB.
  
• There's no decent shower in the area so you just have to change your clothes and rely on facial wipes to clean up and just shower at home.
• Remember where they put your bag during deposit because they asked me when I was claiming it and I didn't know what to say. Lol
• Bring as much friends as possible or befriend the person beside you. The wait in the line is more bearable if you do. This is the best time to talk to strangers. I forgot to ask the names of the people I talked to but whoever you guys are, I enjoyed our chitchats. :)

Better Noelee this Year

This year, I have decided to make a deal with myself. I intend to lose the extra pounds off before the end of summer. Through the years of working in the BPO industry again I have managed to gain a hefty 30lbs without me realizing it.
After thoroughly scrutinizing my daily habits, I was able to identify the reason why I arrived at this undesirable body weight.

• Abnormal sleeping pattern
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Increased appetite (Food became my source of joy. so pathetic. lol)

Since I made a declaration in my facebook account that I intend to remove this extra weight (thank you to the 103 Likers, it really meant a lot), I am more determined than ever.

This time, I have a clear goal in mind and a systematized plan in place. I have carefully thought of all the things that have happened in the past and arrived at these 

1. Controlled amount of better food choices (No amount of food over my fist size and steer clear to all the C's no matter how much I love them)  C=Chocolate, Cookie, Cake, Cola, Cheese (I must be strong. lol)
2. Do not drink your calories (Anything added to water means additional calories to burn)
3. Commit to working out 4x weekly with 1 dance class or swimming session per week. (Excuses are for the weak)
4. Always motivate thyself. (Find happiness daily instead of resorting to eating

So I am looking forward to going back to this post on May30th to tell myself that I've made it. By then, I will make another post to show my success. I am claiming it!

The Paradox of Our Age

This is one of the best articles I have ever come across and I want to post it here on my blog for me to always be reminded of these things - Noelee

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems; we have more gadgets but less satisfaction; more medicine, yet less wellness; we take more vitamins but see fewer results. We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner; we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits; we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less; we make faster planes, but longer lines; we learned to rush, but not to wait; we have more weapons, but less peace; higher incomes, but lower morals; more parties, but less fun; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, but short character; steep in profits, but shallow relationships. These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, thow-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room. Indeed, these are the times!

A Loveletter from one of God's Princesses

Feb 2015

Dear my Future Prince,

Hey you!

I am writing this letter because it’s that time of the year in which I actually hope that you’d already be here. Valentines is just around the corner and much as I want to dismiss the thought, I am somehow saddened by the fact that you are not yet here with me. Boo you!

You see, ever since a child, I have wondered who you might be, what you’re going to look like or how we’re gonna meet? These never ending questions that always make me hope for the best love story one can ever think of. You know, San Cai’s Dao Ming Si, the Edward of Bella and Miaka’s Tamahome, that special someone who will promise to protect her even though she can take care of herself.

After a heartbreak, I started wondering if I was really meant to have that happily ever after I had been hoping for. It became very hard for me to believe that you are still out there given all the tragic stories I hear about couples breaking up and cheaters everywhere. Sometimes I wonder if you’ve also given up and started playing with love the way all the others do.

Everytime I think of that, I always talk to the one that could make sense of it all. I speak to God with my eyes in tears praying for you and your heart. Hoping that you are also talking to Him, too.

I pray that you will find my weirdness cute and that my eccentricities that will keep you entertained as you learn each one of them.

I hope that you also have an awkward sense of humor so that you will find my jokes funny because most people don’t. LOL.

In the same note, I hope I’ll have someone to debate with in you. I don’t really need you to be like Teddy Locsin but at least someone who isn’t apathetic with what’s already happening in the world because I actually care about current events. I wouldn’t mind it if we won’t vote the same person in the next presidential election but I’m looking forward to our political disagreements in case we don’t have the same perspective (although it's better if we do).

I am hoping that we both read books or watch the same shows that may be part of our future conversations because you know, we will have a lifetime to talk about it. I’m interested to know your predictions about how Annalise and her class will get away with murder or how you planned your own survival tactics while watching The Walking Dead. I’m also curious if ‘One More Chance’ made you cry or if you are also as excited as me at this time for the next installment of ‘The Avengers’.

Not to keep your hopes up though, I am not perfect. In fact you might be irritated by my constant inability to predict traffic and be sometimes late during our future dates. I might also annoy you with me being so affected by the things around or you might find me very shallow as I laugh out loud because of a stupid internet meme I saw.

However, I promise to listen to your music (if you play any) or cheer you at your basketball games cause you are my own MVP, Most Valuable Person. We will go on our own journey and bring each other to countries we’ve been to during our Singleness. The places in which you thought to yourself, “Once I have God’s best with me, I’ll bring her here” because I have my list to bring you to as well. I am looking forward to travelling all over the world with your hand interlaced with mine.

More so, I am hoping that you are now in good company that will eventually be our support system. Those who will encourage us to lead a relationship that will glorify Him. The people we’ll run to in case we have misunderstanding to make us realize how minor our problems are and how we can get over each one of those together.

Right now, I hope that you are yearning to give away flowers but won’t. I hope that you save those bouquets of roses for me because I am dying to receive them once God already reveals to us that we are the characters of the love story he orchestrated from day one.

Patiently Waiting,

Your Princess

A Step by Step Look on How I Travel

I have time in my hands since I am waiting for my flight. I cannot really sleep because I am excited today (always giddy before heading towards a destination) so I am going to give this blog another chance.

People always ask me how I go about my trip. So I am sharing this to all of you today.

Step 1: Seat Sale Hunting

I usually start my journey by buying the ticket. So when the Piso Fare hits the website of Cebu Pacific, I'm already checking for available seats. No fixed destination. Not sure which and how many friends I'll go with. Once I see that magical 'piso', that will enable me at least a 3d2n stay on that destination, I take note of it (not book yet).

Step 2: Finding Accomplices

Once I found the best date (meaning it is on an American Holiday or the weekend), I bug my friends (mostly my seatmates or my travel buddy). I remember everyone who said they'd want to join me in the future. I tell them the date, destination and the amount.

Step 3: Book the Flight

This part is very tricky. Make sure you check each page carefully. Remove baggage and seat selections because it adds up to the fare of the ticket.

Step 4: Filing Leaves

Most people should consider this first. Always remember that you must not compromise work schedules. Your boss might get pissed and you'll get fired. No work means no moolah for your travels.

Lucky for me, I belong to a company that believes in Life-Work Balance so we have Vacation Leaves that are easy to file (you may contact me also if you want to be referred ;) ). Most of the time, it is available and since the only condition I need to consider is my partner who is usually not on Leave (Seriously! I even forced him to go on VL's at times!).

Step 5: The Wait

This is the longest. It could take months! The longest I waited is 9months. Most people doesn't like that but not me. It gives me time to pray for everything, enables me to save up and also allows me to research about my destination.

Step 6: Apply for Visa

Not every country requires this. In fact you can refer to this site to check the ones that doesn't need it. For those places who do, my suggestion is it is best to apply for Visa 50 days or less before your flight date. My only reason for that is the validity of your visa may be 60 days from when it's approved. That date should not be a standard though just consider the validity period.

Step 7: Finalize your Itinerary

I am a very optimistic person but I don't finalize anything until my Visa is approved. First of all, I hate having to plan twice so I don't make any until I really am supposed to. I make a schedule with myself (I really need to do this otherwise, I won't have the chance because believe it or not I am actually a busy person. hahaha) and the person I am going on the trip with. It's usually on a coffee or tea shop with Wifi because I have to check google every 5 minutes during this step.

Step 8: Book the Accommodation

People find it strange that my answer to the question, "Where are you staying?" during Step7 is still uncertain. My reason is that chances are, I won't stay in the same hotel or guesthouse during the whole trip. There are times where I have to stay on 4 different hotels on my 5 day trip. It saves you time and money if you make your lodging movable than flex your itinerary because of a preBooked room. Plus you get the liberty to go to the outskirts and suburbs of the country you are visiting.

Step 9: Plan your Outfit

Yes. This is the girl in me. :) I make sure my clothes will not just be apt for the weather, it should also look good in the photos I am about to take. I usually consider temperature, dominant hue of the place and lastly, how difficult is it going to be to get to the destination. I am also thankful for my sister Jackie because her closet is a gold mine for me during my vacations, her clothes are almost in every single one of my OOTD's.

Step 10: Pay Travel Tax and Baggage (if needed)

I do this 15days before my travel date so I will be able to pay it from my previous salary cut off funds. After planning my outfit, i now know how much baggage I need. This is also the time when people are asking me to buy things for them from where I am going. So I somehow have an idea already of how heavy my baggage will be. I then coordinate with Cebu Pacific to buy it. Since I do it over the counter, I also have to pay for the travel tax already. For adult passengers, the travel tax is PHP1,620(Business and Economy class) and PHP810 for children (2-11 years).

Step 11: Pack your Bags and Go

I do this on the same day of my flight (unless I have to work before I go to the airport). I lay everything out on my bed then Ate Aileen help me figure out how to put everything inside my small bag. I usually do not have added baggage so I have to be very strategic. You will realize that my Step 9 is really important because even though I have lots of outfit changes, I am able to pack light.

So there it is. Very lengthy but I hope I'm able to give you tips on how I do my travels,

Crossing Borders : Bangkok to Cambodia

We were really hesitant to go through this since we are both girls and you know how paranoid the parents get
The problem is, our ticket to Manila is coming from Siem Reap. So we tried with all our might to check for flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, but they are too expensive for us (yes, 125dollar one way is already costly for us).  Being the frugal people that we are, we don't want to waste our return ticket so we searched for alternatives.
One of the most helpful blogs that I found was from Lakwatsero. We are already determined to follow his path when I ran into a news from Bangkok Post.
The first blog is really helpful however, I felt uncomfortable with the transfers. I'm really anxious with the thought of not having a vehicle from the border to Siem Reap (although I know it's close to impossible and it's just the paranoid me talking).
So our agenda on our first day in Bangkok is to go to Mochit Station then took a cab to Northen Bus Terminal and book this bus.

The cost of the ticket is 750 Baht.

We were at the Northern Bus Station platform 106 at around 8:30 am. We got a couple of Dunkin Donuts and some water to munch on while we're waiting.

At around 9:15 am, we boarded. The bus is much like our Deluxe buses here in the Philippines. It has a bathroom at the end of the bus so make sure you get front seats because it gets stinky after a while a couple who unfortunately got seats at the back transferred near us.

The man who serves like our Journey Attendant (cause I can't use Flight Attendant since we're not flying) handed us some pre-packed snacks: cake and orange juice. Tastes ok considering it's free. Around noon, he handed us our lunch. I thought we're gonna stop at a restaurant.

we forgot to take a photo of the cake

Few minutes after we were asked to get off to fix our documents since we're gonna have to go through immigration both with Thailand and Cambodia. The foreigners we're with are hesitant probably because of the blogs but we went through with it since we know that we don't have to pay. Good judgment for us because the place is actually an official Cambodian Immigration Satellite inside Thailand to facilitate easier crossing once we reached the border. They gave us forms to fill out and we're also able to do bio break with a 5 Baht fee.

After sometime we're already at the border going through standard procedures.

We can't take photos in the immigration parts so this is the only photo we got.

Since we already filled out the needed forms, we finished early and we even had the chance to have a frappe and check in through their WiFi in Poipet.

Then we're back on the road again. From here, you will see that it is a lot like the outskirts of the Philippines. Notice that its already Right Hand Drive in Cambodia so we were really impressed with our driver.

A few more hours, we arrived at our destination: Siem Reap! There are tuktuk drivers waiting to take you to your hotel for a dollar each. We got Lucky Man and he became our driver the next day for our Temple Run Expedition.