Ambot-ah is a blog about my life as a travel blogger, nurse, and freelance photographer. After graduating in college, I decided to make a living out of blogging and live out my many passions. Join me on my travels around the Philippines and South East Asia. Read my helpful backpacking journals, budget travel trips, do-it-yourself itineraries, blogging pursuits (making money online), and photography tips.
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.
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.
The months of September and October will be busy months of traveling. Anticipating the peak of the monsoon season, I’ve intentionally set August for spending more time at home and working on my blogs. My travel spree in September will start with a week long visit to Cebu, Bohol, and Ozamis City then it’s a three-week series of trips in Luzon. I’m still brewing my masterplanned backpacking itinerary.
Starting in 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:
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
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.
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 my top places to travel in the Philippines.
Courtesy of Cebu Pacific’s Zero Fare last year, I’ve had the chance to book dirt cheap round trip Iloilo-Davao flights for July 2010 (next month). It’s going to be my first time to step foot in Mindanao, so I’m really excited about that! Initially, the trip was intended for South Cotabato and Sarangani only but Davao is just so irresistible, I decided allot some time to tour the city as well. Some of the places I’m eyeing to visit are: Lake Sebu, Koronadal City (Marbel), and General Santos in South Cotabato; Glan, Sarangani known for Gumasa Beach – the Boracay of Mindanao; and the multifarious attractions of Davao City and possibly Samal Island.
First Time in Mindanao: Davao City, Samal, South Corabato (General Santos, Koronadal, Lake Sebu), Sarangani (Glan)
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. During my sojourn, I got to see a lot of Northern Palawan … it was definitely worth more than my initial expectations. Here’s my photo story of my 13-day backpacking trip:
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.
