Travel Talk: Bring something home.

On a previous entry I wrote about how I used to collect shot glasses, flags, ref magnets, and paper money when I travel. In the long run, I reckoned that I collect too many things. I settled with the easier to acquire collectibles – paper money and ref magnets. On a separate entry, I told you about the paper bills I have collected so far. On this entry, let me tell you the ref magnets I have on collected so far. They are as follows (in no particular order):

A. Places from the Philippines

Philippines
Sagada
Windmill, Ilocos Norte
Hundred Islands
Bacolod
Naga
Vigan
World Partners, Every Nation
Bicol
Anawangin Cove
Bohol
Dumaguete
UP
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Guimaras
Tuguegarao
Cebu
Callao Cave
Paoay Church
Pagudpud Beach
Palawan
CWC
Siquijor
Baguio
El Nido
Baler
Trappist Monastery, Guimaras
Camiguin
Marinduque
Cagayan de Oro
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
Bolinao

B. Other Countries

Canada
Aruba
Thailand
Washington DC
Vietnam
Nicaragua
Malaysia
Dominican Republic
Mount Kinabalu
Nagoya, Japan
Virginia
Los Angeles
Red Light District, Amsterdam
New York Police Department
Detroit
Costa Rica
Sri Lanka
Sentosa, SG
Qatar
SPCA, VA
South Africa, EN Collection

Some were given to me as gifts such as the ones from Canada, NY, LA, Sri Lanka, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Qatar. I have never been to those places but seeing them on my fridge door tells me that, maybe, one day I will. I lost my HK magnet and couldn’t find any in Panama airport when I was there. If you can send me one, it would be great!

When you travel, bring something with you home. It does not have to be expensive. Its purpose is just to remind you of that one time of your life when you or your loved one has set your/their foot on a different place. Just that idea is almost magical to me.



I first posted this entry on this site.

TRAVEL SNIPPET: One Fine Summer in Camaya Coast, Bataan

NOTE TO SELF: Your country has 7, 107 islands. You better plan your summer well.

As soon as summer started here in my country, March 1st to be exact, I wrote the above NOTE TO SELF on my Facebook page. I have been limiting my travels this year because I am preparing and saving up for a big one towards the end of the year. My friends and I wanted the beach but would really like to go friendly on the pocket so we signed up for deals. There were 8 of us originally but the number went down to four, which meant the budget will have to go up. Well, it was worth it!

We purchased an affordable promo package for four. The promo includes lunch, kayaking, snorkeling, use of facilities including the infinity pool, biking, nature trails, visit to waterfalls. etc. Frankly, I was just after the beach, really.

Camaya Coast is a residential project located along the coast of Mariveles Bataan targeting well-off families. Camaya boasts of its eco-tourism theme and offers outdoor activities such as biking, snorkeling, fishing, trails, diving, etc. It's like being home away from home. There are two ways to reach Camaya Coast - land and via ferry. Here are instructions I got from their site:

LAND VIA PRIVATE CAR (2 hours and 30 mins)

• Take NLEX about 50 meters after the Dau exit take the SCTEX.
• From SCTEX, head towards Subic & exit Dinalupihan to the Roman Superhighway.
• Turn RIGHT upon exit of SCTEX and follow the Roman Superhighway to Mariveles Bataan Economic Zone Authority (BEZA).
• From BEZA, you can: CONTINUE on until you reach CAMAYA COAST via Bagac-Mariveles Road.

If you want to take the land option, they prefer that you bring a car. We were glad that we did. The distance from the main gate to the beach area is far. It took us 30 mins. But if you are up for a little more road trip with no heavy traffic in a literally long and winding road to see the houses being being built and a fantastic view of the landscape and the coast from afar, then it's a good one. 

If you can't bring a private car, it is more advisable to take the ferry.

VIA SUNCRUISE FERRY (SUPERCAT) 1 hour and 30 mins

• Suncruise Ferry Terminal beside Jumbo Palace, CCP Complex Roxas Blvd, Pasay

We left Manila at 5AM on a Sunday so we can be one of the firsts to take advantage of the free lockers that go with the package. It worked. It took us 3 hours to reach our destination with a 30-minute stopover for breakfast. 

First thing that draws you to the place are the facilities and amenities. Let's start with one of the most important when visiting a resort, the toilets.

There are about 25 (more or less) lockers available for day tour guests. The lockers are inside the rest rooms that are well-maintained. There is someone dedicated to cleaning it almost every 15 minutes. The upper right corner of this photo shows you the water supply that you can use to wash up before entering the rest room. It keeps the floor clean all the time - the big pot and the wooden ladle give it a local touch.

A few meters away from the coast, you will find the dining area. You are free to secure a table for your group to dine or to chat and relax as soon as you arrive.

There's music, free drinking water supply, and you can also place food orders, if you can no longer wait for the lunch that usually comes with the package.Maybe a serving of halo-halo upon arrival will be a good way to freshen up after a long trip.

At the time that we visited, there was only one thing that we didn't like. I'm thinking that it was just an isolated case. I think the resort wasn't prepared for the number of visitors that day, which should not be since a reservation is required. The lunch was delayed, the lines for it were long, and there was not enough personnel to attend to our needs. No manager showed up, either, to talk to the visitors waiting in line under the heat of the sun to apologize or take responsibility. Am sure and I hope, the resort learned from it as there were a lot who complained and some even called their customer service number.

Back to the tour - 

Near the parking area is a basketball court that guests can also take advantage of. Just don't forget to wear sunblock as the heat can be painful to the skin. I couldn't stay any longer than this 5-second photo. I bet an afternoon or night game would be an awesome experience. I supposed there is proper lighting at night.

A few meters away from here is a billiard hall for those who want an indoor sport.

Let's visit the infinity pool -

It's located near the dining area and a great place for kids. They, however, follow strict swimwear guidelines. There are beach beds available around the pool. 

Now, let's check out what we came here for in the first place - the beach.

The beach has fine, white sand. The shore is well-kept. There are benches and beach beds for sun bathing. They also offer banana boat rides and other water adventures I previously mentioned. Here's a photo I got from their Facebook page.

Photo was taken from their official Facebook page. See this link. 

Here are photos of the beach:

These are what you see from the beach beds. 

This is what you see from the dock area or the beach.

Overall, the experience is worth the trip. A day trip is enough if you don't really plan on getting a house here. Come early, not just for the lockers, so you can enjoy the place while it's not jam-packed. We left the place early, at 4pm, so as not to get caught in traffic. It was a wise a decision.

We were swamped with work prior to this trip and we thought of going to the beach to de-stress. We were not disappointed.

The sea is a manifestation of the magnitude of God's love.  It will always remind us of how tiny we are. It tells us that the world does not revolve around us and not everything is about us. God made it so magnificent that every time we come to it, we get the kind of peace so humbling that we forget the very things that made us come to it.

Camaya Coast

 Sitio Wain, Brgy. Biaan, Municipality of Mariveles,

Province of Bataan, Central Luzon Region,Philippines.

Consumer Tip: Use Your Perks

My apartment has a well-oiled water supply system (of course I meant that figuratively). However, I do not rely on it for my drinking water.

I do not have water purifying system to make it safe enough for drinking so I opted to ordering for it via a nearby water station and having it delivered to my house, in gallons, on a regular basis. This is a typical practice for a lot of residences here in my country, especially those who rent and are not willing to install a water purifying system and eventually leave it when moving out.

My water supplier has this promo for their loyal customers. For every 10 orders, you get 1 for free. All you need to do is keep the receipts and avail of it on your 11th purchase. I did. I pay P30 (less than a $1) for every 20 liters. This means that I got to save P30 today. The money I saved is going straight to the coin bank am trying to fill for a big travel.

Consumers, know the perks and use it. Save money.

I first posted this entry on this site.

A Tiny Random Act of Kindness

Today, on my way home while on a public transportation, I took this photo. I am usually very particular with my own space. My space is mine. Let it be mine. Yours is yours.

I didn't even notice it until I accidentally pressed the camera button while browsing my phone. I decided to press the shutter and capture this tiny foot comfortably leaning on my left thigh. I suddenly wondered, am sure I have done the same, at least once, when I was a baby - to lean on a complete strangers. I wonder what it made them feel.

Am sure this baby will never remember this moment when she found comfort from someone other than her mom. She probably thought my thigh is an extension of her mom's. But I? I will not forget how her tiny random act of kindness made my day.

She invaded my space and I didn't mind.

I posted this entry first on this site.

THINK GREEN: I Sort.

We complain a lot about how hot it is, or how polluted the air is, or how dirty some places are but we do not see how irresponsible we can be inside our very own households.

Waste management starts in us. Sort your waste. It's easier than it sounds.

Divide your waste into two - biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

I keep all my paper waste and recycle them as lining to my pets' litter box.

I place all leftoever food from the table or the kitchen sink in one bag.

I keep all plastic containers in one bag and give it to someone who can sell it for extra money. The containers are recycled for another use.

Before I dispose the waste, everything is sorted our accordingly. Sounds great, right?!

But I am just one person. There are six families living in the building where I stay and probably hundreds in the community I stay in. Imagine if all of us learn and actually sort our wastes, what a better world!

I sort. Do you?

I first posted this entry on this site.

Consumer Tip: It Pays to Check Your Bills

A few months back, I called my DSL provider to inquire about a charge appearing on my bill that doesn't sit well on me. The charge says Super Bundle. I do not remember ever subscribing to the said package. I remember that I included the caller ID feature on my application. I am very particular in the bills that I pay. I always make sure that I know what am paying for. I was told by the representative that the charge was a package of call features such as caller id, call forwarding, three-way, speed dial, etc. It costs P120/mo versus the feature I signed up for, which is P50/mo. I do not need the other features so there is no need for me to pay for them.

I complained and asked if there was a communication sent to inform customers of this package. The representative said that it was free for the first three months but will automatically be charged monthly if the customer do not cancel. Now, that's not a new story to me! It's funny how they just charge it to all landline users even those whose phones do not even have the capability of a caller ID etc. They should have at least upgraded the units of their subscribers before charging; or simply put, they should have asked the customer's buy in first.

If I had not called to remove it, I would have been charged P70 more every month.

I never had issues with this provider. I mean when I encounter problems, I usually get an immediate response and action, which I appreciate. But it will not stop me from checking my bill always.

It pays to check the bills you pay. Make sure you only pay for what you really use. Get rid of the hidden charges. Ask.






I first posted this entry here.

Travel Talk : Travel Green with a Handy Soap

I love going out of town on a weekend; the only spare time I have for it, really. It's a little bit hard to go on long leaves from work. It used to take me so much time preparing for a travel. But as I got used to it, things were easier. I have a travel kit that's always ready-to-go.

One of the items on my travel kit, is a bar of soap, which is usually placed inside a plastic wrap that can get messy after use. I used to bring new soap bars but realized that it is too big for a short travel. Most I know end up leaving it. The mess it causes inside the travel kit can be a challenge. Carrying a soap dish can take too much space for a 2-day travel. Relying on hotel soap may not be safe, especially if you have sensitive skin. Soap bags in stores can be expensive. I, at one point, went for shower gels. But it also means having to bring loofah or a scrub, which defeats the purpose of traveling light.

Two years ago, while preparing for a short trip to the beach, an idea came to mind while I was dumping something to the trash can.

See the photo above? What do you do with those almost-consumed soap bars inside your bathroom? Do you dispose them and replace with a new one right away? Don't. Use it as your handy soap for the next short travel.

Where to put it? Well, I use those Mentos canisters. They're small, in fun colors, transparent (just peel off the stickers), and has tight lock. I use it for my travel soap, cotton buds, jewelries (so they don't get mixed up), baby powder, etc.

You saved money and bag space. You recycled and traveled conveniently. 

I originally posted about this here.

Travel Talk : Know the Rules

Last January, a good friend of mine asked me for some travel tips. It will be her first time to travel outside the country. None of her companions has gone out of the country, too. I was glad to help.

This isn't the first time someone approached me for travel tips. Not that I am an expert but I do travel a lot. When I get the question, my world usually stops for a moment and I can no longer stop talking. I love to travel. I compiled all the tips I gave her and the ones I gave my other friends, which I learned from my own experiences and mishaps, in one long list. Surprisingly, I was able to write a long post about it.

I'm going to share it one at a time. This is in no particular order.

KNOW THE RULES: If you are traveling to a foreign country. Be street smart. Research on basic street rules and or laws. For example, in Singapore, littering is a big NO! You can get a fine as big as USD1000 for throwing a chewing gum anywhere except the trash bin. If you smoke, know the local smoking rules.

Any particular street rule a traveler should know before visiting your country?





I originally posted this entry here.

THINK GREEN: Be reef-friendly

It’s summer here in my country. We were at 37 degrees Celsius (98.600ºF) the other day. A lot of us would want to hit the nearest beach to ease the heat and humidity.

As you enjoy the sun, the sand, and the beach, do not forget to be responsible travelers. Dispose your trash properly. Keep the shore and the waters clean and free of anything that could ruin its beauty and harm both the humans and the sea creatures.

If you need to use a sun block, be smart and green in your choice. I recommend Human Nature’s 100% Natural Safe Block. It is water resistant and blocks 93% of all skin-burning UVB rays, with spf15. It does not just take care of you; it is also reef-friendly because it does not contain the harmful chemicals that most sunscreens do. It is also rated PA+++, the highest possible rating against skin-aging UVA rays.

Human Nature is a Filipino company whose products are available in the Philippines and in the US.

Disclaimer: Human Nature did not pay me to write this article.I am a mere consumer who recommends the product based on personal choice and experience.


Photo Details: I own the image. It was taken at Camaya Coast, Mariveles Bataan, Philippines.

I first posted this entry on Bubblews.