You don’t have to be rich to travel

When you hear the word TRAVEL, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Are you thinking adventures, beautiful places, trips, and MONEY?

Many people would like to travel and see the beauty of the world but they’re struggling on how they can pull it off. They see travel as an expensive dream that they will never be able to achieve it.

Travel is not as expensive as what you think.

I booked a budget airline flight that offered huge discounts on the flight. You will not believe that for a round-trip ticket to Cambodia I shelled out PHP 3000. In my wallet, I visited my country with PHP 5000 and it was my pockets for a journey of three days. I’ve booked and paid it in advance in an affordable guest house. It’s a great cheap tourist place. You can travel even for less if you stay in affordable bed and breakfasts and guesthouses.

Making travel a Priority.

If you truly want to travel, whether locally or internationally, you must make it a priority.

Saving money for your dream vacation is not as difficult as you might think if you make it your top priority. If you work and earn money every month, I would recommend saving 5 or 10% of your salary; you can even save more if you want to.

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I have a white-collar job that requires me to work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week. I also support my family in the Philippines. It makes no difference how slowly you save money for travel as long as you don’t give up.

As the saying goes, a goal without a plan is just a wish. So, don’t quit, start planning and prioritizing your goals.

Traveling isn’t always about saving money; sometimes you just have to be brave, so learn how to plan wisely.

Comparing the prices of airline tickets on various websites can help you save a lot of money. Another tip is to book your trip three months before your intended travel date because you can find cheaper flights if you book early.

As for hotel accommodation, as previously stated, you can stay in budget hotels, dorms, and guesthouses. Instead of hiring a travel agent to help me plan my day-to-day activities, I always DIY my travel itinerary. DIY travel planning is one of the best things you can do for yourself, in my personal view.

True travel, in my opinion, is about mindset rather than money. It’s a way of looking for adventure in the mundane. True travel does not require journeys to a distant land. You begin to rule your life the moment you step outside of your comfort zone.

So, if you really want to travel, start with a low-cost destination. You’ll spend less money while creating more memorable moments.

Embrace more adventures, and let’s travel the world!

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The Color Run Dubai ’18

The Happiest 5k on the planet is back in Dubai! The Color Run of rainbow-hued unicorns and splashes of color was held at Dubai Autodrome on Saturday, November 10, 2018.

Doors were opened from 7am, and the race kicked-off at 8.30am.

WHAT IS THE COLOR RUN?

The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality.

Source: thecolorrun.com

I’d been wanting to participate in this kind of event as it looks exciting!

I’ve tried to join a 10k marathon before, since I’m really fond of running. This time I have told myself why not try to partake in a fun run.

I used to be a volunteer in the color run and I feel like floating on cloud nine as this year I’m one of the participants.

Two weeks before the run we’ve registered online along with my friends so we can get our slot and our race pack early.

The registration fee was extortionate! But fret not, a portion of all fees will be donated to a local charity – Friends of Cancer Patients in 2018.  Does that sound OK to you? You can give back to your community while enjoying the fun-filled run.

The Regular race pack includes:

• Entry to The Color Run
• Limited Edition 2018 Bolt Tee
• Hero Cape
• Unicorn Badge
• Bolt Tattoo
• Welcome Card
• Mobile Phone Pouch from Volkswagen
• Costa Coffee Voucher
• Global Village Voucher
• du Tough Mudder & du Mini Mudder Offer!
• Headband and Medal at the event!

There were group of friends, Families, Corporate Teams, and Individuals who took part in the race. Honestly, we did not run. Haha.. it’s not really a run! The pace was slow and you want to slow down and enjoy the color zones anyway.

Here are the photos before we dive in into the colors. 🙂

🙂

Before the race!

The run is not timed, so you don’t feel pressured to finish within a certain time frame. You can do a walk-run method. Haha. You can enjoy taking lot of pictures every color zones. The cheerful & upbeat music of each zones will keep you awake and makes you wanna dance.

We hit the first Color Zone – I ran up so excited. It was Blue – there are people shouting and singing their heart out.

Then the 2nd color zone was Red. There was a field of red-colored smoke everywhere.

When we reached 3 kilometers, it was the color Yellow Zone! Look at that!! Runners were drenched in yellow colors. (I’m not sure what I was doing there. Am I dancing or what? lol)

And this time there’s a twist! The Foam Zone is back by popular demand this year. All runners coated in foam as well as a kaleidoscope of colored paints.

Soak yourself in bubbles! Everyone had a great time, playing, running and swimming in the foam station. That moment of joy, I want to feel like a kid again.! I was so ecstatic and I don’t mind getting my clothes wet. Hooray!!

The 5th color zone was Orange! My sour-faced on the left photo looks funny. Lol. It was raining heavily with orange powder, but I still managed to take a selfie with that funny-looking face! Oh Geez.. I sneezed a lot after I got out from this area. Haha

To end the fun-filled run, the Pink color was the last zone. This one was my favorite color zones. Even though the pink powder was almost finished, but we still pulled off to get the powder from the ground and threw it from each other. 

Pinoy Perspective on Ramadan in Dubai

Do you know what is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it’s a holiest month in the religion of Islam.

The Muslim population will be taking part – with fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 days.

During this month Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, sex and other vices to attain higher levels of patience, spirituality and humility.

There are many Non-Muslims living abroad especially in Gulf countries like the UAE. Though we are not fasting  we must follow and respect the religious practices during the holy month of Ramadan.

But in the Gulf region many suhoor and iftar events are put up all over the country as a way to bring the entire community together.

Many Filipinos in Dubai acclimatized the Do’s and Don’ts in the time of Ramadan observation.

However, some Pinoys are fasting even though they’re not Muslims or shall I say “dieting”.  ( 🙂 kidding aside) If you have lots of Muslim colleagues  in the office you don’t want them to smell the food you are eating in the pantry nor the coffee you’re making.

I remember last year, I was so hungry to death and I grabbed a snack and ate it in the washroom as I don’t want my colleague to feel that I’m enticing him to eat and to break his fast. I know it sounds grossy but that’s the only way i can think of. Still, you have to respect them as well.

And as I mentioned earlier, Pinoys become accustomed the practices while observing the holiest month in the country. Like Muslims, when sunset comes they can eat and have their Iftar with their family and closest friends.

Pinoys are very flexible to change and adaptable to any culture wherever they go. And I’m proud that I am a Filipino!

So, my friends gathered together every Ramadan to have our Iftar dinner.

We decided to have our Iftar in one of the hotels in Al Barsha.

We are about 15 people who came, and all were excited to meet everyone after not seeing  each other for a couple of months. Some of our friends couldn’t attend as they were tied up in some errands.  (You guys missed this, really!)

While everyone is waiting for the Iftar, look at the lady there striking a pose on the left side! ahaha and that’s me!

And so the Iftar already commenced and everyone really enjoyed their sumptuous dinner!

Whether one is Muslim or Non-Muslim it is essential for us that we learn to respect other religion practices.

Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim Brothers and Sisters!

4-Hour Sailing Trip in Dubai

I just wanted to share my experience how blessed I am sailing in one of the biggest and luxurious Abu Dhabi’s Catamaran yacht. I was given a VIP ticket from Belevari Cruises for 4 – Hour Jumeirah Coast Catamaran Cruise with Swim Stop. So I wore my best swimsuit and off I go! 🙂

We boarded our trip at 2:30 PM and left from Port Rashid at exactly 3:00 PM. So make sure be on time! They will not wait for you.

 

The boat has a large hammock like area at the front with cool bean bags and plenty of room to relax as you watch the world go by on the water.

Since I did not shell out money for this trip and I was given 2 tickets for free. So I brought a  friend – Ate Marineth who is more like sister to me. And no one wants to go for an adventure alone, right?

As they say that it’s best to share your blessings with someone and so I did! 🙂

We stopped by in the middle of the ocean as there is 1. 5 hour anchorage for swimming, snorkeling and water sports.

What a phenomenal experience this was! They even teach you about sailing and you get the chance to put up the sails or even drive the catamaran!

We took photos with the Captain and the crew.

with  Capt. Berend C. Lens van Rijn  🙂

On the boat, the staff were very friendly, fun and accommodating.

As we sailed, I was very excited. The music was pumping, the ride was so smooth and the food was delicious. It was just like a hotel  in the middle of the ocean.

The hospitality from the crew was first class and they anticipated our every need and kept us well entertained, fed and hydrated.

Here are the below inclusions of our 4 – Hour Tour.

Four-Hour Jumeirah Coast Catamaran Cruise with Swim Stop.

Includes unlimited refreshments!

And delicious BBQ snacks (Hotdogs and Burgers)

Boarding at 02:30pm

Departure at 03:00pm

1.5 hour to Burj Al Arab, 1. 5 hour anchorage for swim, 1 hour cruising back to marina

VIP Lounge

There are 4 lounges onboard, each seating 6 passengers comfortably. Lounges are sharing unless booked with 6 passengers.

Source: http://belevari.com/special-cruises/

Beautiful sunset before ending the trip.

The perfect way to unwind after a long week from work!

This was indeed a perfect relaxation for those who wants to escape from the chaotic city life for a day.

The Cruise can also be ideal for family gathering and for sure kids will also love it.

The experience as a whole was superb!

I will never get to experience this luxurious cruise without Belevari Cruises.

Once again, a big thanks to Belevari Cruises for giving me a chance for this fantastic escapade!

Sri Lanka On A Shoestring Budget

Quick information

Country in South Asia

Language: Sinhala and Tamil are the two main languages in Sri lanka.

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Let me take you on my journey through this diverse, beautiful island of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is known as “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean” falling from the South East coast of India. And it is one of the cheapest countries I’ve been to. You will see lots of green everywhere you go. This country is so beautiful.

My friend and I spent travelling together in Sri Lanka for 4 days. Though she came 3 days earlier before I arrived in the country.

I have jotted the breakdown of my daily expenses throughout my 4 days and 5 nights in Sri Lanka. I hope this will help you in case you are planning to travel in Sri Lanka on a budget. I was traveling with one friend of mine, which is always a good way to ease the cost of travel.

Day 1

From Bandaranaike International Airport I hired a private car going to Colombo Fort Station to meet my friend. From Colombo, we have to go to Ella and we bought 2nd class tickets which was really cheap for a 9 hours of travel time.

Meet my travel buddy – Airene 🙂

Colombo Fort Train Station

Day 2

After the long haul train journey from Colombo to Ella, we spent our night at Rawana Den. Our second day was one of the most tiring and busiest days we had during our travel in this country. We started our early walk in the morning  from our hotel to Little Adam’s Peak to see the sunrise in there.

The views from hikes in Ella are phenomenal. Ella is known as the hiking hotpots in the mountain country of Sri Lanka.

At Little Adam’s Peak!!

After the tiring hike at Little Adam’s Peak, we proceeded at the Nine Arch Bridge. We recommend you to go early in the morning for the best views and it will be less tiring.

Next stop is the Nine Arch Brdige..It is a bit tricky to find but we managed to find our way by asking locals.

We walked to the bridge following the road out of Ella. The bridge is quite spectacular looking. This Nine Arch Bridge is one of the several top most beautiful sights in Sri Lanka.

See the below expenses for our second day. I calculated this for only one person (myself).

Day 3

We traveled all the way to Sigiriya. And it took us another 6 hours train ride to get there.

 

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 Here are some photos where we stayed at Sigiriya.

Kashyapa Kingdom View Home. It is near to Pidurangala Rock and Lion’s Rock.

With Lion’s Rock View from Kashyapa Home

Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited historical places in Sri Lanka.

Lion’s Rock

Day 4

After our Sigiriya adventure, we traveled to Negombo around 10Am. We reached Camelot Hotel at 4PM.

We chose this hotel as it’s just 20 minutes from the Colombo Airport. My friend and I agreed to book this 3 star hotel since this is our last day to stay in Sri Lanka. This one  is the most expensive accommodation we booked during our trip, but it’s still   slightly cheaper compare to the hotels in UAE. Not bad!! lol.

 

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We just stayed here for one night and we spent our time chilling in the pool and sun -bathing on the beach.

Day 5 (Last Day)

And so we ended our trip on our 5th day! This is a country of contrasts and surprises and one I very quickly fell in love with.  I would love to visit again in this beautiful country.

And lastly,  I have summed up my daily expenses and you’ll be surprised how affordable it is to travel in this country.

For those who are adventurous and love mountainous places, I would highly recommend Sri Lanka. You can squeeze in mountains, tea plantations, train rides, culture, history and the opportunity to interact with the local people.

Than you Sri Lanka!!

Note: Conversion rates  fluctuate from time to time and it may vary from today’s rate.

How to apply for a Sri Lankan Tourist Visa online ?

If you are holding a Philippine passport you can consider the below information and guide on how you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in Sri Lanka.

All visitors must obtain an ETA prior to arrival or on arrival to Sri Lanka.

However, the below nationals of the following countries & category are exempt for ETA.

Nationals:

1. The Republic of Singapore
2. The Republic of Seychelles
3. The Republic of Maldives

Category:

1. Crew members of flight / ship
2. Children under 12 years old

Documents required:

• Valid Philippine Passport – should have at least six months of validity from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
• Completed ETA application form (https://eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/etaNavServ?payType=1)
• Passport Copies – Face page & UAE Residence Visa page (if you are residing in UAE)
• Return air ticket
• Proof of hotel accommodation or an invitation from hosts in Sri Lanka

Here are the 3 easy steps:

1. Fill out the application form and submit it online. Make sure that you have your passport number, address in Sri Lanka, and intended arrival date as you need to input those details in the application.
2. Once you finish filling up the form, you can then proceed on the payment section. Payment Options – Pay via credit or debit card. I paid 35 USD

For SAARC region Passport Holders – US$ 20 (AED 73.44)

For All Other Country Passport Holders – US$ 35 (AED 128.52)

The payment online  must be paid with a valid debit or credit card.

3. After payment submission, you will then receive ETA confirmation. Wait for the acknowledgment from the Department of Immigration & Emigration, which will be sent to you via e-mail.

I’ve got mine within 2 minutes. Please see sample email. 

Here’s the sample approval email.

I would advise that it is best to get your ETA in advance as it’s cheaper and faster rather than getting it upon your arrival.

I also suggest to keep a copy of the ETA approval notice to be produced at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

Note: Your Sri Lankan ETA visa is electronically linked to your passport number, you will not need a stamp, nor will one be issued.

You can also apply Sri Lankan tourist visa through embassy.

If you have any doubts/ questions, it’s better to contact or visit the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy in your country.

**Kindly note that all information mentioned above is based on my experience applying for a tourist visa through ETA.

Best of Armenia in 3 Days

#Armenia ##daystour #EuroAsia #Traveller #traveldiaries # Adventure #Wanderlust #Europe #Asia #Travel #Stories #Travelphotos

Source: Best of Armenia in 3 Days

Burj Khalifa – ” At The Top”

Burj Khalifa-The Tallest Building in the world

The Stunning view of Dubai from the top!

Burj Khalifa at Night

Source: Burj Khalifa – ” At The Top”

Perky Chic Bucket List

Do you still want to do something that you haven’t done yet? Well, get a pen and paper and list down all the things you want to experience and achieve before you die. It Ain’t too late buddies.

There are now bunch of things I should do before I disappear on earth! Lol

I have jotted down all the things I want to do, see, experience and achieve before I die.

I hope I can inspire you to travel and go out of your comfort zone. Make a bucket list and start working on it.

Enjoy the journey! Let’s go and fulfill our dreams together!!
Last Updated: 12th Nov. 2018

1. Get Married & have children.
2. Have a dream Home.
3. Tomb Raiding in Cambodia (Done!! Visited Cambodia in 2013)
4. Swim with Whale shark (Done!!)
5. Volunteer Abroad (Done!! I started Volunteering in UAE in 2013)
6. Visit Taj Mahal in India
7. Go Canyoning / Canyoneering in Cebu.
8. Ride with Camel in the desert. (Done! – Dubai Desert Safari 2017)
9. Go on a stargazing date.
10. Go Kayaking (Done! – went for kayaking at Danao lake – Aug. 2017)
11. Camping on top of the mountain. ( Done! We camped at Osmena Peak Cebu – August 2017)
12. See the turquoise water in Kawasan Falls in Cebu. (Done!! I went there in July 2016)
13. Visit Europe
14. Go to Bohol, Philippines to see the chocolate Hills and experience eating in a floating restaurant. (August 2017)
15. I want to visit all Asian Countries.
16. Visit USA!
17. Hiking (Done!! Hiked at Wadi Al Helo)
18. Visit JAPAN!
19. Experience Paragliding (Done!! I went to Nepal in 2015 & did the paragliding there.)
20. Join a Beauty Pageant (Done!! It’s a Teen Beauty Pageant – June 2000)
21. Participate in a Color Run. (I’ve joined on 10th Nov. 2018 in Dubai Autodrome)
22. Join 10km Marathon (Done!! Joined Nike Run Dubai twice – 2014 & 2015)
23. Travel Solo (Done!! I started travelling solo in 2013 and I’ve been to 4 countries by myself! )
24. Organize a charity program in my country (Philippines)
25. Visit Sri lanka (Traveled to Sri Lanka on March 20, 2018)
26. Write a journal for every travel.
27. Eat exotic food (Done!! Ate Fried Crickets in Cambodia)
28. Go on a mission trip.
29. Visit Palawan
30. Go on a road trip with my Man.
31. See snow ( Done!! – I visited Armenia in 21-24, Feb. 2017)
32. Act in a Play ( Done!! )
33. Fly -first class
34. Buy a car for my Dad.
35. To be interviewed in TV (Done!! Got a chance to be interviewed on July 2016 about our Town Fiesta-aired at Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (GMA 7).)

Big Buddha

The Big Buddha is located in Ngong Ping Lantau Island as one of the famous tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Lantau Island is the largest Island in Hong Kong.

You can easily reach the Big Buddha within a few minutes walk from Ngong Ping 360 Cable car terminus. But for me it’s more thrilling when you ride a bus going up to the Lantau Island and climb the 268 steps.

From Ngong Ping Village, you will see the Ngong Ping Piazza and the Bodhi Path. At the end of the Bodhi Path you can already spot the entrance of Big Buddha. And if you are courageous enough you can climb the 268 steps to reach to the platform, and it is highly recommended for all visitors of Bug Buddha.

Okay, let’s get sweaty!! 268 steps.

And here’s the view after reaching the platform.

View from Big Buddha Platform

Me in front of Big Buddha.

How to get there: 

By MTR: Take MTR and transfer to Tung Chung Line. Get off to Tung Chung Station and take Exit B. It’s pretty easy if you can read and follow the signs.

Then get to Ngong Ping Island (Ngong Ping  360  Cable Car terminus or Bus Terminus).

The Lantau Bus starts from Tung Chung Town Center to Ngong Ping Road. The adult ticket is around $17 from Monday to Friday. If it’s weekends or holiday it will cost you $27. This option is much economical instead of taking the 360 cable car. However, riding a bus will take time so you have to be patient while waiting to get to Big Buddha. Approx. 50 minutes travel time I think.