Palawan in Black and White Photo Series

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Here’s a little something I wanted to do during my trip to Palawan. I felt during the previous months that I haven’t growing as much as I’d like as a photographer, probably because I’ve shifted my focus on so many distractions. I need to inspire myself again and not succumb to the vacuous feeling I’ve been having lately whenever I get in front of the mirror, click the camera’s shutter, or take that first step out the door before a trip. For my Palawan Photo Series, I’ve stripped down my photos to black and white, back to basics … raw and natural:

4723237947 51691065fc Palawan in Black and White Photo Series

Getting there is part of the adventure

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Arrival and First Impressions of Siem Reap, Cambodia

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4601047904 0398d9dfd6 Arrival and First Impressions of Siem Reap, Cambodia

I finally arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is famous for the ancient Angor Wat Temple built by the Khmer Empire. I was so surprised with my first glimpses of Siem Reap! it looked so different compared to the images of Cambodia I had in mind. The roads were excellent, so many large hotels, and a lot of foreigners filling up artsy restaurants and bars. I was expecting more of a small farming community village than a bustling tourist city. What I loved about Siem Reap was its unique charming character, it wasn’t hard to fall in love with the place and be inspired with the brimming dose of culture.

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Traveling Overland from Bangkok (Thailand) to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

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Overland travel from Thailand to Cambodia was surprisingly easy and convenient (sans the long 9 hour travel time) especially now that the road conditions in the Cambodian side has improved significantly. When I was still planning the trip, I expected to travel from Thailand to Cambodia on my own so I already had an idea how to do it. It was my first time, nevertheless, and even though I’ve thoroughly did my research nothing, in travel amongst most things in life, is better than personal experience. Fortunately, my new travel buddies Kawajan and Bubbles knew their way around Bangkok and Thailand, which made my trip almost glitch free.

4601127132 d741a9da91 Traveling Overland from Bangkok (Thailand) to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

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Planning a trip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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One of my planned trips in September is a four day visit to Singapore and Malaysia. I’m so excited since it’ll be my first time going there … well, I haven’t gone out of the country a lot to begin with :) It’ll be a four day trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (I’ll be flying out of KL early morning on the fifth day, so it doesn’t really count). The Singapore leg will be spent more on theme parks and the usual touristy stuff but I’ll be sure to fit in some heritage destinations as well. While the Malaysian leg will be spent mostly in Kuala Lumpur and its diverse multicultural attractions. I’m planning to squeeze in a visit to a mosque, a hindu temple, and a chinese temple during my short time there. I also arranged a side trip to Putra Jaya, Malaysia’s masterplanned government complex.

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Getting to Bangkok City Center from Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport

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4600511069 24585e1998 Getting to Bangkok City Center from Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport

It was my first time in Thailand and after arriving in Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport I was all set to go to Silom in Bangkok City Center. There are a number of ways to get to Bangkok City Center but because Cebu Pacific Airlines lands in Bangkok around midnight, my options slimmed down dramatically (the plane arrived at 11:35PM but it was around midnight when I finished going through Thai immigrations and customs). I was left to choose between riding a taxi or taking my chances on whatever public buses were still available.

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Palawan Itinerary: 12-day Budget, and Expenses – DIY Backpacking

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Starting from Iloilo City, I went to Cuyo Island and several destinations in the northern half of Palawan Island including Puerto Princesa City, Honda Bay, Sabang (St. Paul Underground River), Port Barton, San Vicente, Taytay, and El Nido.

This is the itinerary I did during my 12-day “do it yourself” (DIY) backpacking trip to Palawan including a summary of my budget and expenses.

4723305661 dea7e6410c Palawan Itinerary: 12 day Budget, and Expenses DIY Backpacking

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The Other Side of Boracay: My Relaxing Summer Break

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While backpacking may be my traveling style of choice, I also get the urge to take a break once in a while so I can relax and clear my mind especially after a long backpacking trip. Despite the thousands of tourists flocking to Boracay every summer, there’s still a lot of space for relaxation. It’s only a matter of looking for the right spots.

Puka Beach, Boracay Island

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Survivor Palawan: A Solo Backpacker’s Travelogue

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Taoist founder Lao Tzu was immortalized by saying “every journey starts with a single step”. Well, that ancient Chinese proverb didn’t exactly apply to me during my recent trip to Palawan. I was out of the house with my overstuffed backpack and enthusiastic vigor on my way to ride the ferry to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from Iloilo City. When I got to the ferry terminal, the guard told me that the boat was already fully booked and I had to wait a few more days to catch the next one. Total Bummer! So I had no choice but to go back home and postpone my trip.

4793231463 9e81427bbd o Survivor Palawan: A Solo Backpacker’s Travelogue

After four days of recuperating, I was out of the house again with a renewed fervor and the same unopened backpack, except this time, I have already secured the reservation for the ferry. I was really looking forward to visiting Palawan for a few months already. No other place comes to mind to do my first solo backpacking trip than in Palawan, which is definitely on the top of my list of places to travel in the Philippines.

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A Solo Traveler’s Photo Story of Backpacking in Palawan

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While on an island hopping tour of El Nido (Palawan), I chanced upon this lonely kayak lying idly on a small beach cove. The setting was perfect! The high noon heat was glaring mercilessly upon the bay with low lying trees sheltering the shore.

The shallow waters were painted with a refreshing aquamarine and in the distance with lurky deep blue colors. The verdant foliage was lit up like emeralds bordered by jagged rocks and tall limestone cliffs accentuated by sinister shadows.

Images of “Survivor”, “Lost”, and “The Beach” suddenly filled my mind and from than moment on I was relieved of satisfying what I was longing to experience for my visit to Palawan.

4729186205 a125b27a41 A Solo Travelers Photo Story of Backpacking in Palawan trans A Solo Travelers Photo Story of Backpacking in Palawan

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Survived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last Frontier

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4716844802 7a6c65be1b Survived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last Frontier

I just got home from an amazing trip to Palawan and my first attempt at solo backpacking. I had such a great time exploring the island and took with me a lot of memorable experiences, misadventures, new friends, healthy exercise from walking around so much, loads of great photos, and a not so flattering tan from all the sun exposure.

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