Bacolod Overnight

October last year, I had chance to visit the lovely city of Bacolod. Coming from Iloilo, we boarded Weesam Express Ferry. Travel time is about 1 hour and our fare cost around 330PHP (First Class). I think the Economy Class is full that time; the fare is roughly around 210PHP.

We took the 1130AM trip so by lunchtime we were in Bacolod. The first thing to do is find a hotel, good thing Bacolod Business Inn has a vacancy for an overnight stay. Without wasting any time, after we settled our bags we went out to explore the city. But first we need to fill our empty stomachs. Our first stop is Manokan Country to sample the famous chicken inasal.

Manokan Country is a place you shouldn't miss when in Bacolod city. You'll find endless rows and stalls of restaurant serving chicken inasal. We had a hard time choosing which restaurant to eat. Here's a tip, Go where there are alot of locals eating. Its an indication that food there is good. After all, when it comes to local cuisine they are the experts. We found this small place called Nena's Rose. It was packed with locals happily eating with their bare fingers. And so, its decided that's where we are eating. Food is affordable and really good. What else to order but Inasal, price is about 75PHP (with rice) ; a cup of hot delicious arroz caldo is also included in the meal. We ate to our hearts content! yum!

Just across Manokan Country is .... *drumroll please* SM Bacolod. I know, I know, you would ask, "why in the world of all places we need to visit SM in Bacolod when there are so many SM's in the Metro?!". Forgive us, but our only purpose is to go Bong Bong's and Merci's to buy pasalubong. There were so many items to buy. We ended up buying a lot that plastic bags would not suffice and that it needed to be packed in a box. Talk about hoarding!

We walked on our way back to the hotel and dropped by San Sebastian Church. It is filled with people hearing mass. As I waited for Bambi and Vina to finish the mass, I grab the chance to take photos.

And then we head out to explore the streets again. There was a night market, the streets are filled with people and you could feel the festive mood of the place. Balloons, bibingkas, clothes, sandals, jewelries, keychains and stalls selling different trinkets abound the street. After much walking, we ate dinner at a local restaurant and capped the night by satisfying our sweet cravings at Calea.

yummy chocolate cake

The following morning's activity is to do our last minute shopping. We went into this souvenir store that sells a wide array of Bacolod made products like sugar, coffee, inasal sauces, bags, shirts among other things. Just nearby the store is the Provincial Capitol. There is lagoon and interesting statues infront of the Capitol.

After taking pictures and admiring the view, we went to the airport and waited for our flight. Drank coffee at Kuppa's (a famous local coffee shop) to conclude our 24-hour stay in the City of Smiles, Bacolod.

view from departure lounge

I'll go back and visit Bacolod to experience the colorful Masskara event. 'Till next time! :)

on the spotlight: Bacolod City

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the place Bacolod?

Masskara Festival?! Inasal?! Sugar?! Smiles?!

Well, you are correct! There  are a lot of things Bacolod has to offer from its delicious foods to colorful festivals to its friendly people one has to go and experience it. It is located in the province of Negros Occidental in Western Visayas.

How to get there:

Bacolod is pretty much accessible. Local carriers like Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and Philippine Airlines have several flights daily in and out of Bacolod. There's even ferry that services Manila-Bacolod routes. Bacolod City is also accessible to other provinces like Iloilo, General Santos and other parts of Mindanao via Super Ferry.

Getting Around:

• Taxis - taxis are abundant. Its very easy to get a cab. And I must say, it delights me that taxi drivers there are honest and gives back your change. 
• Jeepneys - jeepneys are everywhere, you won't have a hard time roaming the city.
• Tricycles - tricycles are abundant too; another cheap way to get around the city.

Pig Out:

Sample the famous chicken inasal after all this is where it all originated.

Buy:

Masskara souvenirs like keychains, magnet, shirts and miniature masks.

Why not?!:

Go to Calea's and feast on their delicious cakes. There are plenty of choices. yum!

Pasalubong:

• Take home some Inasal marinade and try your hand in cooking inasal.
• Go and hoard Bong-Bong's famous piyaya, tarts and sweets.

So there you have it... some things to PIG OUT for, BUY and TRY in Bacolod. What are 'ya waiting for? Pack your bags and head out to this city.

Flying Solo

Aaaahhh... The smell of FREEDOM is in the air. Actually, the more appropriate word would be INDEPENDENCE. It was back in 2007 when my sister and I went to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia together with her good friend, Arnel. They had plans to go to Malaysia and Hongkong after our KK trip and I can't go with them so I had to go back to the Philippines on my own. I was 21 back then and a newbie at traveling. Imagine the dread I felt when I found out that I had to stay longer because their flight is 8 hours ahead of mine. Good thing my sister left me to the ever dependable and trustworthy Tracelyn from the Sabah Tourism Board (this lady deserves a post of her own in the future). Going back, I really felt nervous but all my anxieties were erased once the plane touched down at Clark, Pampanga.

Something like this happened again this February 2011. Our family has a planned trip to Singapore but due to schedule issues I had to fly there solo. This year the Singapore Immigration is very paranoid about girls travelling alone because of the increasing number of TNTs and job hunters. I'm the perfect target... alone, single 24 yrs of age and a yuppie! Just thinking of it makes my heart jump out of my chest as I imagined myself being interrogated by Immig officials. Oh the horror! Add to that the gruesome stories from friends who were sent back home on the spot. I can't bear being sent back what with all the effort and savings I've given for this trip?!

The whole SG thing was like an extra challenge for me. It was like a multi-level game wherein I had to beat the big boss to get through the next level.

Level 1: The Philippine Immigration Officer

She was tall. Intimidating. Stern. She was very strict. She questioned a lot about my work since I declared that I am a nurse. It took about 10 to almost 15 minutes answering her questions over and over again. *rolls eyes* I thought I wouldn't get past her and I imagined myself being pulled at the Immig booth and be "profiled". I was very relieved when she (half-heartedly)  stamped my passport. Jaichey wins level 1!!! yehey!

Level 2: The Singaporean Immigration Officer

He was serious looking. No smiles. Big built and looks like he means business. My heart went thumping once again. He just looked at me and smiled (surprisingly). He just asked a few basic things: where will I stay, why was I on my own, what will I do and how long will I be there. I answered every question and he just stamped away! that easy! haha Level 2--- Jaichey wins again!

So how would we all go about on flying solo? Here's a few (hopefully) helpful tidbits on my "winner" experiences:

1. Preparation is key

Prepare ahead of time. Know all the details of your trip - how long will you stay, who you'll be with, the purpose of your trip, etc. Rehearse if you must so you won't stammer plus you'll look and sound more confident if you're sure about your answers.

2. Familiarize yourself to the process.

Knowing what you need to do next reduces your anxiety. For an OC like me, it helps me feel in control of the situation. for example: have your bags screened, look for your flight sched, pay the travel tax, check in your bag and so on.

3. Make sure that all your travel docs and essentials are complete.

Since you are traveling alone anticipate everything that could happen. You wouldn't want the added stress if you forgot something. Remember, the Immig officers are very mindful of people traveling of their own so they are stricter. They may require you to present other docs which will confirm their background checks on you.

4. Remain calm at all times.

Knowing that the Immig Officers are out to get you (just kidding!), can really cause you to be anxious. Hey, don't look like you're about to poop your pants. Grace under pressure is essential at this time. Smile! Remember all the preparations you've made for the trip and just go for it.

5. Come earlier that your expected time of departure.

Should any problems arise, you'll still have the time to figure things out.

6. Look smart.

Don't look like a lost puppy. And don't over and under dress. Wear comfortable and presentable clothes for your destination. In times like these, first impressions matter. You wouldn't want to be "profiled" if you know what I mean.

7. Bring extra moolah!

this is pretty much self-explanatory..=)

8. Orient yourself.

Months or days before the trip, research about the place. Print city maps which you can use once you arrive. Ask friends who went there before and ask for tips about the transpo system, the people, weather and conditions. Knowing enough never hurts. Having a good background saves you from future travel dilemmas.

9. Be vigilant.

Extra vigilance is required when you're alone. Don't trust easily and don't let your guards down. Always be aware of your surroundings and your belongings (do travel light for your own convenience). Should you need to ask directions go to a help desk or to tourist info desks. Being careful is always your best self-defense.

10. Pray.

It always help ease our overactive nerves when we know that God's hand of protection and traveling mercies are always with us.

11. Inform your loved ones on your whereabouts.

When traveling have extra cellphone credits so you can easily contact your family and friends in case of emergencies. Do inform them that you arrived safely to ease their worries.

12. last but not the least. Enjoy!

Enjoy the whole experience whatever happens. The good thing about traveling is that whatever comes out of it you'll always gain lots of lessons and street smarts you can use in the future!

So there you go, my tips on traveling alone and conquering Immigration Officers. Feel free to add up to my list and share your solo traveling experiences!:)

*DISCLAIMER: I am not against any immigration officers as I am sure that hey are just doing their stuff. This post is made to reflect my personal experiences. I was aiming for a short post but my being madaldal (talkative) and insomniac took the better of me. I hope your patience will take over you to read through the whole post!*

tips: travel photography

If you love taking photos like me, whether you're a pro or newbie, read on!  Recently, I came upon a podcast about travel photography. They said that  every photo enthusiast should have a shot list, the said shot list will remind you what shots to take. Too bad, I don't have any travel plans for the month to cover the shot list. And my camera is busted too. 

Ideally, one trip should cover all this shot list but as I said, I just chanced upon this list lately. I'll just attached pictures from all my trips that best describes/shows the shot.

SHOT LIST

 composition


 ( high angle)

Petronas Twin Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    ( lines )

inside Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

 aperture ( depth of field )

infront of Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

 Macro

souvenir shop, Old Market, Siem Reap, Cambodia

 Shutter Speed (freeze motion)

Cultural Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia

 views of the city

Singapore

 icons

tarsier from Bohol

 transportation

colorful rickshaw at Melaka, Malaysia

 religion

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte

 food

Hawker food stall, Ben Tham Market, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

 people

downtown Guangzhou, China

I hope this list will be helpful to all of you. So what are you waiting for, grab those cameras and start clicking. Snap away! :)

Travel Tips inside North America

I moved in the US in April 2007 and since then I travel quite a bit. Here are some tips if you are flying within the 50 states.

1. Since 9/11 traveling by air changed in a flick of a switch around the world especially in the US. So make sure you have a VALID government issued photo ID or a valid passport if you are visiting the US. Just make sure you have this valid documents always handy.

2. Know your airport. Guess what's the busiest airport in the US? If you're thinking of New York or LAX, well you are wrong. It's Atlanta Hartsfield Airport in Georgia for passenger and Chicago O'Hare for cargo. Be there an hour early before departure. Anticipate traffic and weather to avoid long security lines

3. When I was in Atlanta for a business trip, I tried catching an earlier flight to Chicago only to see the longest security line I've ever fell in! (No kidding! ) Good thing I checked in online and have my electronic boarding pass on my iPhone! They have a different queue for a techie person like me! (No line!) So, if you have a smartphone get an electronic boarding pass. I am very sure that Delta Airlines offers this kind of service. Also take advantage of online check in, it opens 24 hours before departure. Be smart, check in online even if you have check in bags because these days they have a counter called bag drop where you literally just drop your bags and get your baggage claim tags.

4. 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume a traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure. Make sure all your toiletries are travel sized. Don't bring your bathroom with you.  http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

5. Wear sandals if you're not on a business trip or slip on shoes, trust me it will make your life easy when you go through the security line.

6. Empty your pockets! Put them inside your carry on bag and avoid putting them on the tray basket. A lot of passengers lose their valuables at security area because they simply forget! I know someone who works at the airport who found two left behind iPod touch in 2 separate occasions. Learning a lesson shouldn't be costly.

7. Lastly travel light! Avoid bag fees and the chance of losing your bag especially if you have a very short connection time.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson

How it all began...

JAICHEY

At 7, I went home on my own from school (and if I may add, I am not supposed to do such a mortifying thing atleast that's what my parents said). I rode the jeepney got off the street in front of my favorite sari-sari store and bravely walked towards our red gated apartment. I know, I know, you'd all tell me that it isn't your kind of an adventure but it is for me. I love the thrill of thinking as to how to get to a place on my own and managing to get there in one piece. As you see, I'm no good with names but places and pictures I can navigate through them. I can't even read as much back then but I got home safely despite the constant worry of my mom that I'd get hit by a car, get lost, or be kidnapped by an alien. The only danger I feared is that I'll get some good old sinturon smacking from my dad when he finds out what I've done. I went home unscathed but my dad wouldn't wanna let me off the hook so I got some taste of his discipline. Yeah, I know you wouldn't want to hear about my personal history but our personal histories are what brought us right here. So here I am right now 20-ish and itching to save and explore the world out there ( that is if I have the luxury to do it at the same time..) 

Back then I was sorta the "blacksheep"of the family, I'm the middle child and I think THEY think that I'm just an attention seeker. Well I'm not or maybe I am. But I just wanna be out there; the constant freedom of doing what you want to do even if it's the silliest thing you're ever going to commit in your entire life-- I love that feeling. Breaking free from the usual, seeing things that are out of the box. I guess, adventures and thrill seeking that's me. That's all me. I feel alive when I jump into something new and just give it a go. The rush of things brings me back to life and convinces me that this is real and everything just sinks in. 

2007 was my formal introduction to traveling. My sister treated me to a few days of vacation to KL. It was my first and as they say 1st loves don't get to die easily. I liked the feel of the plane seat just before the plane takes off and the slight nudge as it lands. It gives me a feeling that we hit home that we are safe and that we can continue to experience the place. The sights, the smell, the sound, the taste and the feel of the place is new. But while everything was new, I felt at home easily. I was like a chameleon blending in and making friends in no time. I am good at this as it just comes out naturally. I am the lakwatsera my mom and a few of our relatives tells me ( but wait for my sister's story she's more of a lakwatsera than I am, haha)

I realized that being a traveler is not a decision you make nor it is something you force yourself to be-- it is. Every human being is a wandering soul and each place he would want to go to or has gone to will always have answers waiting for him. I think we all travel, we journey with our lives and what propels us to do so is our will to know more, to understand more, to learn more so that we can be more… be more than ourselves. There will always be that force inside of you that constantly nags you to dream to be in another place and want to be in another place to see wonderful plains, meet awesome people, taste gastronomically mind-blowing food and find nuggets and even jewels of knowledge. Sometimes, we don't even have to go too far to travel, sometimes we just need to muster up the courage to go deep into ourselves and be surprised that the answers are there all along. 

So yeah, I'm not a born traveller but I was born to travel. For me, life is all about traveling and surviving what's out there. When your foot sets out there is no stopping only looking forward to the next destination and yes, enjoying what comes along the way while you're at it. So me and my sister right here though we can become potentially economically challenged in the future: WE WILL WORK FOR AIRPLANE TICKETS to satisfy our wanderlusts and zest for life! toddles and travel on!=)

GAILIE

wan·der·lust (wŏn'dər-lŭst')

n. A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel

German : wandern, to wander (from Middle High German) + Lust, desire (from Middle High German, from Old High German; see las- in Indo-European roots).]

Wanderlust, that's me! That's how my friends describe me.  They suggest that I change my name from Gail to Gala (which means to wander/travel in Filipino).

Back in the days, I was constantly transferred from one place to another.  Grew up in 3 different regions, Sampaloc, Manila; Catubig, Northern Samar and Tuguegarao, Cagayan. This proved to be benificial to me because I learned how to speak different dialects, I can speak Waray, a little Ilocano and Ybanag. At present, I can also understand a few basic Kapampangan phrases. 

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Sampaloc is exploring the vast grounds of UST. We lived just across the University.  Everytime I got bored I convinced my yaya to bring me to UST but that was our little secret. My mom doesn't want me exploring the dangerous streets of Espana, little did they know that I even reached Trabajo Market which is about 4-5 blocks away from our house. 

During my 3-year stay in Cagayan, I would sneak up in the afternoon and go to the park all by myself. There was even a time that i attended my classmate's birthday party which my grandma explicitly told me not to attend because its in a different town, very far away from our house. But my adventurous streak got the better of me, i went ahead and attended. I wonder if my grandma found out about it. 

I was wondering what led me to become a wanderlust, is it because I was raise in different locations, or genetics played a role in which i inherited this wanderlust DNA; Or perhaps, environment played a factor too; people influenced me to wander about. Or maybe, just maybe, this curious streak inside me drives me to explore and discover the world.

Whatever it is, I'm currently planning my next adventure trip! See yah! :)

Welcome Aboard!!!

The idea for this blog was conceived early last year but I guess we didn't have enough confidence to start it right away. This month though, we've mustered some courage to give it a go. Much of this blog's materials are borne from our personal traveling experiences throughout asia and the Philippines over the past few years.

We are not self-proclaimed travel experts but we are self-confessed travel "passionistas" eager to share our heart for wandering about. Feel free to graze our pages and get ideas on what to do on strange but beautiful places, how to book plane tickets and hotel accommodations, how to befriend local people or simply just "travel" with us through our pictures and stories. So take a seat and let us take you on a travel high fit for penny pinchers like us! TRAVEL ON!

*feel free to get in touch with us for questions and suggestions at: Tripidsistahs@gmail.com. Don't forget   to leave your footprints on our comment section. thanks!*