Patchwork of Joy

1. Follow or get notification from Google Flight tracker on target travel date/destination. Book as early as possible, or once the flight prices are cheaper. Track and compare prices using Google, stand on the shoulder of this giant! 2. Follow FB PH travel groups for new updates/changes in SK travel (DIY tips and visa processing). Lurk daily... 3. Process visa as early as possible to buffer some time in case processing problems occur. Do process by DIY for additional experience. 4. Get the visa travel requirements from the official page. Official website:  https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684566&page=1 Locate the correct traveler type. (C-3-9 TOURIST) Strictly follow and only send requirements as listed in the official site.  In case you need(or want, just because) to send a letter, Chatgpt can help you with the letter template.  See sample filled-out Application Form  ---> PDF File ( Some personal information are not actual for privac...

A Fool Man's Plan It was late January, I couldn't remember why I made plans to travel to the beach, other than the 88 base fare sale. I was yearning for the sun. The gloomy days don't seem to end. It's not ideal to travel to the beach when the weather is expected to be as gray as what I have in my room. The night before, I read “Who Moved My Cheese”, and I took a note on "What would you do if you are not scared?" I was anxious and I realized I was over-preparing for my trip. I even created a "travel wardrobe itinerary" where I assigned the clothes I'm going to wear for just 3 days. The Pipe Dream I'm no stranger to traveling alone. After all, I am already always alone. It's been years since I lived alone. As I sat in the front seat of the jeep, my stomach felt weird. All I could think of was to cancel my trip and as I looked at random store's façade my mind lurked to wonder, “Was there always a convenience store and a Thai massage par...

The first time I took my airplane flight, it was back in 2004. I was then a high school student. My English teacher was in-charge of everything I needed to settle for the trip. We were bound to Surigao City but took a flight from Manila to Butuan. Prior to the flight, we took a bus from Legazpi to Manila. When everything has been organized by someone, travelling was easy but makes you dependent. I just followed my teacher and co-participants all times. Yeah, I couldn't even remember the roads we passed. I'm a total hick and travelling from province to Manila was also my first time. When we boarded the airplane, my teacher joked, "Don't be too obvious that we're first timers." Few years passed, I've been back and forth Manila and I learned the going around mostly on my own. Thanks to Google searches and maps, people I met along the way and some "nice" people who shared a bit of information. I mostly took bus trips to visit home in the pr...

Shot taken 5:53AM “There is relatively little "color" in the life of the Bontoc Igorot. [...] this lack of "color," the monotony of everyday life, has to do with the continuation of head-hunting. The life of the Igorot is somber-hued indeed as compared with that of his more advanced neighbor, the Ilokano.” - Albert Ernest Jenks, The Bontoc Igorot (1905), Aesthetic Life, page 184 Around 2019, I have put Bontoc on my travel bucket list after reading a heart warming blog about their visit. Coincidentally, I downloaded an old random expat travel book from Archive.org about their stay in this town. Four years have passed then and I have forgotten about it —  the blog, the book, and all my thoughts about it. Until, my former colleague posted about their own visit and so I thought it was familiar. I  quickly made an impromptu trip for it and dragged my brother to accompany me. Stopping by the terraces (on descent) It was a Friday in November when I arrived at the Coda Lin...

First I want to say I am worried of climate change. Although the cataclysm on earth is yet to come not in the century that I am living, I feel concerned much this way. If this is Roman empire time, I might have been dead since the life expectancy is 22 and I am over that. My life is longer and might still be longer, I have choices. I have the power to travel if I will persevere. I want to see the world better by seeing it with my own eyes. I want to see the churches of Florence, I want to exactly see with my eyes how Iceland and the people looks like and why they are one of the richest country in the world. I want to see the wall that divides north and south of Korea. I want to see the trans-siberian railway in order to travel from Japan to Russia. I want to see the circle houses of the Zulu world of Africa. I want to see them more than the pictures the internet is showing me. I dream enriching my purchasing power on traveling but I am yet to surpass again a wall--finding and retu...

Destination: Most known as " Calaguas ", our destination is the Mahabang Buhangin of Tinaga Island , part of the Calaguas Group of Islands. The virgin island is said to be of match to the famous Boracay Islands. Planning. Since we took a package tour, we needed 10 people to commit for the trip. A lot of my college friends expressed their desire to join but only 9 participants made it. Most of us just got out from office work on Friday afternoon. Four friends traveled from Metro Manila, four from Legazpi. Our 9th member, organizer-friend is a local of Vinzons. Our long awaited planned Calaguas escapade finally came to realization. How We Got There: Coming From Legazpi: Depart @7PM, Friday* Van->Legazpi to Naga. (140pesos/2hrs) Van/Bus->Naga to Daet. (Van - 180pesos/2hrs) (Bus - 110pesos/3+hours)~* Tricy -> Daet Terminal to Vinzons' Jeep Terminal (10pesos) Jeep -> Daet To Vinzons Town Proper(16pesos)/less than 1hr Tricy ->Vinzons Town Pr...

I said this in the 'nth time, "Hello, Manila. I'm here again." Livin' in Manila wasn't easy, especially comparing the laid-back life in the province-city. Most people who lived here for years say it's all about adjusting. For me, the sinus-punishing air of the city was the worst. And then, the crowd of people, heavy traffic, humidity and the heat. But, every place has its own wonders. This place is historically rich, and that makes it one fascinating visit. While I was looking for a travel guide to Intramuros, I read one comment about visiting Manila. The poster advised that Intramuros was the only place worth visiting in the city. Therefore, after that, get out of the city and enjoy better sights. As a non-fan of Mall Tourism/Tourism Shopping, I do agree to this.   I followed the Travel guide from wikiTravel  which was very helpful. The visit was low-income, non-splurge. The trip was done mostly by walking, which by itself was already the tour. I pr...

"Let us rendezvous in Rodriguez." Where is that? In Montalban... It's where the  Katipuneros wrote " Viva la Independencia Filipina " on the cave walls using charcoal to    declare independence from Spain.  After hiking Mt. Pamitinan, I get to read the lore of this little rich town renamed. Along the way, the name gets confusing for a noob traveler, especially when people still use the old name Montalban. I get the impression that renaming a town to celebrate a politician is a bit of a whim (but IDK, my complaint is a bit of a personal whim). Mama Sierra Madre is quite vast. My first encounter with her beauty was hiking Mt. Pamitinan. I was in love with her landscape. Its slowly declining beauty is a bit bothersome to observe but again what do I know? A much needed short break after resuming to work again in Metro Manila was just all that I truly know. Rizal became my home again and Sierra Madre was such a healing place. I was so amazed by how close it was from ...

1 2 3 Quick! Let's go to Subic Beach! To prepare the trip or not to prepare much, that is the question. To spend money without work, that’s the bigger question. ( this is a bum trip! ) You have the money but you don’t have enough time. You have the time when you have no money.  Well honey, there’s always a way if there’s a will. Amen. Have I just said too much? Here's a really simple guide for a trip to Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon. If you’re coming from Metro Manila, I suggest go to Calaguas , too!!! HEHEHE Well, it's nearer when you travelling via bus.  Unless you've been there.  If you’re coming from Metro Manila, take a bus to Daraga (or Legazpi ).  Or if you had your flight ready and set, from Legazpi you can take a jeep to Daraga.   Vans bound to Sorsogon City are both available at Daraga/Legazpi. But it's faster to take it at Daraga (near Shell Station), the locals think so ( more passengers are here, I suppose) ...