Top 10 Things to See in the Philippines

Philippines has seen a steady growth in the number of Indian tourists traveling into the country over the years. The Department of Tourism is confident that this trend will continue as they improve on their aggressive marketing campaigns to attract more tourists from all over the world.

For Indian travelers, the visa application is difficult because it is offline and so whoever wishes to apply for a Philippine visa needs to download the form and submit it to the nearest embassy or consulate along with the required documents. Visa-on-arrival is only available to Indians who hold valid visas for countries like USA, Schengen countries, Australia, Japan and the UK.

This country of more than 7600 islands offers discerning travelers numerous opportunities that are both unique and enriching. Whether you travel for business or for leisure, you will always find something interesting in the country. Here are the 10 must-see places in the Philippines.

1. Bohol – This laidback province is packed with natural historic sites, tiny primates and thousands of hills that look like giant chocolate chips during dry season. Bohol is an all-in-one travel destination because it has everything a traveler is looking for. From beaches to mountains and rivers, Bohol has got you covered.

Don’t forget to try the province’s delicacy, peanut kisses, which is very similar to Hershey’s kisses with a delicious peanut flavor and a distinct shape of its famous chocolate hills.

2. Cebu – Cebu is the queen city of the south and it is very adjacent to Bohol. You can easily combine Cebu and Bohol tours which is perfect for a short vacation.You can fly directly to Cebu and then go to Bohol by ferry which will save you a lot of time and money as no additional flights are necessary. Here, you will find the best roasted pig belly in the country. Lechon and Liempo are two most popular delicacies and are sold anywhere in the country. Cebu is also home to the most colorful festival. Every year millions of tourists from all over the world come to Cebu to witness and partake in the Sinulog festival held on the 3rd Sunday of January.

3. Pampanga – The culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga offers numerous gastronomic options for foodies around the globe. Here, you can sample the best sisig (a sizzling local dish made of parts of the pig head and liver seasoned with chili, lime and topped with raw egg) in the country.



4. Cordilleras – The cordillera region is rich in history and culture mirrored by the famous Ifugao rice terraces. The climate in this region is much cooler and so this is the perfect place to buy vegetables and fruits like strawberries and cauliflower fresh from the farms. You can also get inked by the oldest tattoo artist in the world who uses nothing but charcoal, stick and a thorn from a lime tree. This experience is truly one of a kind as you will never get it anywhere else. For more adventure, you can hike the mountains and explore the deepest cave in the country while the ancient coffins hang above your head.

5. Bicol – Another all-in-one travel destination, Bicol is home to the most beautifully-shaped and most active volcano in the country. Apart from its beaches and geological landforms, Bicol is also popular for its spicy foods. As the chili capital of the country, most dishes in Bicol are spiced with chilies and have varying degrees of hotness. Laing and Bicol express are some of the local delicacies that you must not miss.

6. Ilocos Region – Home to one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the world, Ilocos Region houses Vigan City which is the most extensive and the only surviving historic city that dates back to the 16th century of Spanish Colonial period. When you step inside Vigan city, you will be taken into a different time where horse-drawn carriage was still the form of transport. Cobbled stones and old Spanish houses adorn the streets and local antique furniture is everywhere. Here, you must sample the famous Vigan longganisa (local garlic sausage), empanada, pinakbet (mixed vegetable dish), bagnet (deep-fried crispy pork belly) and Igado (an Ilokano dish made with pork tenderloin and innards with green peas and paprika).



7. Palawan – Apart from the scenic natural wonders of Palawan, it is also famous for its local delicacies and rich culture. Palawan has the best danggit (sun-dried and salted rabbitfish), crocodile sisig, and the exotic tamilok (a kind of woodworm mollusk ceviche served with chili and vinegar). There are also numerous karst limestone cliffs protruding from the waters, Japanese shipwrecks for diving and plenty of secret beaches to explore.



8. Manila – Contrary to what most people would like to believe, the country’s capital is teeming with character, culture and color. When you venture away from the city center, you will find Intramuros – the old walled city in the heart of Manila with all the preserved historical sites. Manila is also home to the oldest and biggest Chinatown in the world where you can sample numerous authentic Chinese cuisines.

9. Batangas – Just two hours away from the capital, Batangas is a significant part of the country’s history as it is home to some of the most famous and well-respected heroes of the revolution against the Spaniards. Batangas boasts of the biggest Catholic Church in Asia and its people are incredibly religious. Some of the local products that you must try are bulalo (bone marrow soup with corn, potatoes and cabbage), lomi (savory noodle dish), panutsa (sweetened peanut much like the peanut brittle), barako coffee (strong coffee for brewing from Liberica variety and tawilis (a freshwater fish only found in taal lake).

10. Pangasinan – This is not a very popular tourist spot internationally but Pangasinan is a gem on its own. It is where you can find the locally sought-after hundred islands national park - a place you can very easily tour on your own. Only 6 of these islands can be explored though. Pangasinan is the milkfish capital of the country and here you can join the Bangus Festival known for the longest barbecue grill event in the world. It was previously featured in Guinness book of world records and they also have more than a thousand ways of cooking their favorite fish – the milkfish.

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Top 5 Favorite Activities in the Philippines

The archipelago of Philippines owing to its volcanic nature and tropical location is home to so many gorgeous sights and rich adventurous experiences. While most of the tourists to the Philippines head to Manila for its night life and shopping malls, to Boracay and nearby islands for its beach parties, white sandy beaches and emerald waters, to Bohol for its chocolate and green hills and to Cebu for a larger island experience, I prefer a slightly different trail in the Philippines. My favorite 3 islands in the Philippines are Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao, but as Mindanao is not considered very safe, I am listing below my top 5 favorite things to do from the islands of Luzon and Palawan.

1) Hiking in the Rice Terraces of Banaue



A fantastic tropical atmosphere, dense greenery, misty mountains, cooler climes, tribal culture and lots of hidden beauties…that is Banaue for you. This is one of my favorite places to hike in the Philippines. I absolutely love hiking over the rice terraces from village to village, coming in close contact with the local people, understanding the Ifugao traditions and seeing a natural wonder up close. And the rice wine here is something special and a perfect way to relax after a long hike in the mountains.

2) Exploring the world’s longest underground river at Sabang



It is believed that millions of years ago, the island of Palawan was connected to Borneo and hence the nature, flora and fauna bear more similarities to Borneo than to the rest of the Philippines. A fairly under-developed part of the country, Palawan has many special attractions. One of its more famous ones is the Puerto Princesa underground river, which has been classified as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Located near Sabang, this river is the world’s largest underground river and offers everything from an awesome cave experience, rich jungle experience, fantastic birdlife, a remote beach and the absolute awe of one of mother nature’s special creations.

3) Island Hopping off El Nido



Located in the northern part of the Palawan island, El Nido is a perfect destination for off-beat adventure. Dirt biking, mountain biking, jungle trekking, ATV rides, remote waterfall hikes, island hopping, cave diving and so much more is on offer here. While Nacpan beach, Duli beach and Dagmay beach are three remote pristine beaches located in this region, the highlight of an El Nido experience is its island hopping. Located a short boat ride away from El Nido are stunning limestone karsts, blue lagoons, underground cave systems, blow holes, remote beaches with nothing but a green mountain around it and basically things that all adventure lovers and water babies will drool over.Snorkeling, Scuba diving, discovering underground caves, fishing, eating the fresh catch, climbing misty mountain tops on these remote islands and lots of swimming are on the menu here. While the days are loaded with activities and things to do, EL Nido nights are more laidback parties with great food and alcohol. They are the more subdued version of the Boracay parties.

4) Tropical Trekking near Batad



The stone walled rice terraces of Batad are like the eighth wonder of the world for me. While most travelers see these rice terraces and then leave, the best option is to stay here for a longer while as this region has so many rich tropical sights that will blow your mind away. You have tropical treks, green horse shoe bends, mighty waterfalls in the middle of dense green mountains, misty mountain top trekking trails and many other jungle trails for all kinds of hikers. And to top it all, the countryside experience is way more different than the rest of the more touristy places. The locals here are real friendly, but they take some time to warm up to strangers, so it might be prudent to spend some time here for a thorough experience.

5) Scuba Diving off Coron Island



Located north of Palawan Island, Coron island is known for its colorful coral reefs and rich marine life. One of the underwater biodiversity hotspots of the Philippines, scuba diving enthusiasts and researchers used to frequent this island many years back. Today, more mainstream scuba diving organizations are present to enable regular travelers to experience this rich underwater beauty. Be it wreck diving (from the world war days), cave diving (this is a specialty here), coral reef diving or lake diving, this place has all the secret ingredients to blow the minds of even the most accomplished of scuba divers.

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Top Things to do in Philippines

Considered as one of the most awe inspiring places in the world, Philippines is more than just an island with beautiful beaches. On my trip to one of the cheapest holiday destinations in the world, every penny I spent in Philippines during my Philippines Holidays was worth the time spent there. With the perfect and the most beautiful beaches, awesome local food and the friendliest people, this country is gradually cementing its place in the chart of the most preferred holiday destinations in the world. If you are looking for reasons that help you know more about how to spend your holiday in Philippines, my experience through this article will tell you a few of the hundreds of things that can be done there.

Friendly locale

The people in Asia are considered to more friendly and compassionate in comparison to the locales in other countries. Due to this, the hospitality of Philippines is something that you would love. Since the people here are very friendly and curious you would not face any problems related to security or ill-treatment.

Beautiful beaches

The beaches in Philippines are more than just beaches. When you spend some time there, you feel that it is nothing less than a paradise. Philippines have around 7000 islands and the natural beauty here will leave you astonished. For instance, the white beach in boracay belongs to the category of the top ten beaches n the world. With this fact, you can realize the beauty of the country. With crystal like white sand and the clear waters every beach will look like a dream come true.

Handicraft shopping
For all those people and specially the ladies who feel that a holiday is incomplete without shopping; you should consider visiting Philippines once. The giant shopping stores and malls in manila will leave you a lot of room for shopping for your favorite products and brands. Apart from the malls, the country is also famous for its street markets and handicraft markets as well. Depending upon your budget and choice, you can get a lot of things that you would simply love.

Safari and deserted islands

If you love nature and have a special inclination towards the flora and fauna, you would love Philippines. The widest and the most diverse range of birds, sea creatures and plants, Philippines are a proud country to be known as the home of to a lot of distinct species. Going scuba diving, watching and playing with the white whales and sharks and visiting safari and deserted islands will make you realize that your holiday will give you memories for the entire life.

Finger licking food
The local food and the drinks of the Philippines are very famous. Your holiday here will be incomplete if you don’t try the local food served by the most authentic restaurants. The rice terraces, the underground rives, funky, bumpy and unique modes of transportation are some of the other things that you surely should go for.

Well, the list won’t end as there is so much that Philippines has to offer to all the visitors. It is an assurance that once you visit the country, you will thrive to visit the country yet again just like I would be doing. Maybe this is the time to book your Holiday as well!!

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Temple-Hopping in Southeast Asia

The wealth of beautiful sights and fascinating histories supplied by the temples of Southeast Asia will be enough to dazzle even the most seasoned traveler. No expense or time was spared in creating these monuments to spiritual belief, and their tremendous variety means there’s always something new to discover. 

Traveling in Southeast Asia
     

Most Southeast Asian countries are very welcoming to Western visitors and, because prices are low, they are a popular choice with backpackers. Many people choose to start in Pattaya, Thailand, where there are plenty of low-cost places to stay, and where the friendly locals guarantee a warm welcome. Once the journey starts in earnest, long-distance buses make it easy to travel between tourist sights, though some people prefer to hitch and get to know the locals, while others opt to cycle or ride motor scooters. While this article looks at some of the most spectacular places to visit, there are many smaller ones, including local village shrines dating back millennia.

When visiting temples, it’s important to note that many remain active places of worship, of deep importance to local people. One should normally remove one’s shoes before entering and make sure upper arms are covered, and women should be careful not to make physical contact with monks, even brushing past them, as this can be seen to compromise the monks’ religious purity.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia
     
 

Probably the most famous temple complex in the region, Angkor Wat is built on ruins thought by some to be as much as 13,000 years old, one of the oldest manmade structures in the world. It was significantly extended in the 12^th century on the orders of King Suryavarman II and is the largest religious monument anywhere in the world, so it can take days to explore it all. Although it may not feature the gold or bright colors of other temples in the region, its distinctive Khmer architecture has majesty of its own, looking particularly impressive at dawn and dusk.

Batu Caves, Malaysia
Hewn out of a limestone hill just north of Kuala Lumpur, these remarkable cave temples are really something different. They’re presided over by a towering golden statue of the war god Murugan (an avatar of Kartikeya) and entered via an equally towering set of steps. Inside, the immense caverns house a temple devoted to the monkey god Hanuman, and the Ramayana Cave has murals depicting the story of Rama. The best time to visit is during the festival of Thaipusam in late January or early February (heralded by the full moon), when local Tamils celebrate Murugan’s vanquishing of the demon Soorapadman.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali


Perched on a precipice above the breaking surf, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is visible for miles around. It was built in the 11^th century, along with eight other temples, to protect Bali from evil spirits. The coral walls of its interior are covered in animal carvings (with both real and mythical beasts), and the Hindu people who worship there show respect for the local wild animals by bringing them food. Visitors are often invited to feed the monkeys. At sunset, people gather to watch the traditional Kecak dance in the temple grounds.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
     
 

Dominating Yangon, the golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda, set atop Singuttara Hill, is an awesome sight and is surrounded by porticos of gold and white, each with its own elegant spire. It incorporates 90 tons of gold in all, plus a spectacular diamond. Inside, it’s just as magnificent, with many small but elaborate shrines and smiling Buddha statues, and it houses sacred relics of the Buddhas. At 2,600 years old, it is thought to be the oldest surviving pagoda in the world.

Wat Arun, Thailand


The magnificent stepped pyramid of Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn) is covered in intricate carvings and surrounded by several galleries from which one can look down to the Chao Phraya river below. Brightly-colored porcelain tiles line its many roofs and prang (spires) and look dazzling in the sunlight. Its central Buddha, in the ordination hall, was created by King Rama II and guards his ashes. Below, six Chinese-style green granite pavilions welcome visitors who have crossed the water while, above, the seven-pronged Trident of Shiva pierces the sky.

Văn Miếu, Vietnam
     
 

Also known as the Temple of Literature, this Confucian shrine remains an island of peace in modern Hanoi, its five courtyards are the perfect place to rest or simply to gaze in wonder. Less elaborate than the other temples listed here, it is no less impressive thanks to its elegant design, with red brick roofs curving like wings and long, low walls perfectly complemented by the surrounding foliage. It was built in 1070 to replicate the birthplace of Confucius, the Qufu temple in Shandong, China, and over the centuries it has served as a university for the religious and social elite. The best time to visit is at Tết, Vietnamese New Year (in late January or early February), when it fills up with calligraphers writing wishes as beautiful works of art.

Miagao Church, Philippines



This elaborate Baroque church, now listed as a World Heritage Site, represents the collision of Christian architecture in one of its most dramatic forms with the very different but equally magnificent traditions of Filipino art. Also known as Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church and as the Fortress Church (since it was used to defend the town against Muslim raids), it was built in 1787 and has since survived full scale war, earthquakes and a massive fire. Inside is a gold-plated sanctuary that recalls the Buddhist and Hindu temples of the region.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand


Looking like an elaborate snowflake, Wat Rong Khun is a modern structure very much in keeping with the spectacular tradition of temples in the region. It is almost entirely built of mirror glass and it sparkles a dazzling white, topped with intricate structures that give it an ethereal quality. It is entered via a bridge over a gleaming lake. Designed by the esteemed painter Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997, it is dedicated to the Buddha but draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, with interior murals depicting Batman, Superman and scenes from the Predator movies.

Wherever you choose to go, there is no shortage of beautiful temples to discover in Southeast Asia, and visiting them will give you fresh insight into the dynasties and empires that have shaped this remarkable part of the world.

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Travel Photo: Beautiful San Agustin Church from Intramuros, Manila

The Intramuros area on the outskirts of Manila is such a far cry from this bustling Asian metropolis. There are no loud jeepneys or typical mad crowds of Manila. Instead there are pedi cabs, lesser vehicles and lesser people. This is the UNESCO World heritage area of Manila and is home to some stunning structures from the colonial era. It is home to the largest church of Philippines, the oldest church, a large river side fort, a very scenic golf course and a historic museum.


One of the top sights in this area is the San Agustin church, the oldest church of Philippines and a stunningly well decorated church. Its prayer hall, its inner chambers, its paintings, wood work and much more are worth admiring. The frescoes on the ceiling of this old church is a sight to remember. Have you visited this side of Manila?

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Puerto Princesa Underground River: One of the seven natural wonders of the world

The cabayugan river arises at Mount St Paul at an altitude of 100m and flows underground for almost its entire length to an outflow in St. Paul’s bay. This river is 8.2 kilometers long and is said to be the longest navigable river in the world. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and of the new 7 wonders of nature.


The main features of this subterranean river national park are its spectacular limestone karsts and its rich bio diversity. But, as a tourist, you will find any things interesting. First, the ride into the dark river on tiny rafts and seeing the limestone formations inside the cave using searchlights will be very interesting.


Second, you will realize just how wide the cave is and the sheer magnitude of it will impress your imagination. Out of these 8.3 kms, about 4.5 is navigable, but only 2 kms are allowed for the typical tourist. For the full navigable distance, one needs a research permit.


The other interesting things are the innumerable number of swiftlets inside the river cave and the thousands of fruit bats inside. You will be cautioned not to open your mouth while staring up at the bats, but that is part of the fun.


Only people with necessary permits are allowed into this national park that allows a fixed number of visitors per day. These permits can either be pre-arranged through a travel agent or you can go to Puerto Princesa city and get it on your own.  The next step is to get to Sabang, the small beach hamlet from where the boat rides begin to the national park. Sabang is about 76 kms or roughly 2 hours from Puerto Princesa city. There are 3 ways to get to Sabang from Puerto – private vehicle, public bus and public van service. The public van service is air conditioned and fairly comfortable.


You can either explore the underground river as a day trip from Puerto or decide to halt at Sabang, explore its beautiful beaches and go for hikes amidst its mangrove forests. For the underground river ride, you will have to present your permits and ID proof at the checking counter near the boat jetty (anyone can guide you here) and they will help you with the boarding. You will have to pay for the boat charges here. It is then a 15 minute ride across open ocean to the Puerto Princesa Underground river national park.


At the national park, you can read a lot of material about the various flora and fauna living in this park as you walk through the dense thicket of tall tropical trees to the place where you get your life jacket and helmet. Once you all fitted with the protective gear, a tiny raft takes you inside the river. An oarman and a forest guide accompany each raft. The forest guide handles the search light and educates you on all the interesting stuff about and in the cave. So, please pay close attention to what he is saying even if some of them speak with a slight accent. The underground river ride will be over in 45 minutes, but you will marvel at its beautiful formations, the fact that the river upstream has fresh water and at the entrance is more brackish and the eerie like natural setting.


If you wish to photograph inside the cave, do carry a separate flash unit that will work over and above the search light as even the light from the search light will not be enough for even high ISO photographs. And watch out for the rowdy monkeys who are known to steal belongings of the tourist.


This natural wonder might not come across as truly WOW if you just do the underground river trip as we get to see only a bit of it (as the government is trying to preserve the natural setting and the wildlife), but if you explore the forests, try and understand the flora and fauna, I am sure, you will find the place truly a wonder!

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Travel Photo: Colorful Window inside St. Agustin’s Church, Manila

The churches in South East Asia are nowhere as good as they are in the Philippines. And in my opinion, the St. Agustin’s church takes the icing on the cake. The oldest church in the Philippines has got a lot of class in it. Be its intricately carved altars, classic furniture designs, life-like paintings, heavily worked up on ceilings or its beautiful wooden doors, everything about the church makes you look at it and say ‘WOW’.


Even its colorful windows cast a special glow that decorates the already beautiful church with its colorful light. For some reason, I found these windows really special and ended up clicking some of their effects on the church.


I am sure you will understand what I am saying when you see the pictures and even better if you get to visit this church in the Intramuros area of Manila.

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Batad Rice Terraces: 8th Wonder of the World

This place is a UNESCO world heritage site. So are two other places in close vicinity. But, this place gets the cake as it is also the 8th wonder of the world. This place is the tiny village of Batad and the 8th wonder are its stone walled rice terraces.


Located amidst dense tropical forests and mountains in the northern part of the Luzon island of Philippines, the amphitheater styled rice terraces of Batad has a glorious path and a spectacular setting. It is managed by the citizens of Batad who are less than 1500 in number.


These Ifugao traditional rice terraces are amazing irrigated rice paddies carved into the mountains over two thousand years ago, but their beauty is visible even to this day. To see these wonderful rice terraces, you have to engage in a bit of physical work as you will walk the final 3 kilometers through dense tropical trails.


The easiest way to get to Batad is to take a jeepney from Banaue (the largest town in the vicinity) to the saddle. It takes about one hour for this journey, but can take much longer if the weather worsens and leads to landslides. At the saddle, you begin your short downhill trek of 3 kms. It would be ideal to wear good pair of footwear as generally the trail is wet and slippery.


The trail crosses a couple of streams and a couple of view points before leading you to the junction where you pay the entry fee of 50 pesos. This money goes in supporting the local community. After this fee junction, 10 steps lead you into the village and it is here you can find a lot of small guest houses and home stays to stay.


You can either explore Batad over a full day trip or through a 2 day leisurely trip. Even though Batad is a tiny village, there are lots of sights to explore around it. To start with, one can walk along the rice terraces, climb the steep flight of steps to the view point that offers a panoramic view of Batad, go and take a dip under the sensational and tropical Tappiyah falls and/or indulge in dense tropical treks around Batad.


The place is ideal if you are a nature lover and hiker. The options to explore beautiful sights are tremendous and the wholesome healthy food of Batad is a great way to recharge and the splendid rice wine is a great way to relax in the evening.


To get out of Batad, you have a couple of options. Option one is to take the steep uphill climb back to the saddle and then to Banaue. The other option is take the longer hike over rice terraces to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Baangaan, which are beautiful rice terraces on the other side of the dense mountains.


If you ever happen to visit Philippines, don’t miss out the chance to see this 8th wonder of the world!

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Travel Costs: South East Asia Backpacking

A lot of you must be curious to know how much I spent in the last nine months while I traversed 12 countries across South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines) and a bit of East Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau).

Below is an approximate daily cost (in US Dollars and Indian National Rupee @INR 58 to 1 USD) for each country that I visited. This should help you give you a ballpark for your future travel expenses to any of these 12 countries. It includes:

1) Stay in a budget hostel or sharing a budget room with another traveler
2) 3 vegetarian meals either on the street or in a budget restaurant per day
3) 1 or 2 snacks from the street or from the super market (like yoghurt, fruits or biscuits) per day
4) Small commute inside the city using public transport or self drive rentals (I walk quite a bit)
5) Entrance fee for one tourist attraction per day
6) Occasional drinking. I don’t drink beer
7) Inter-city travel via trains, buses, ferries and planes
8) Bottled water wherever safe drinking water is not available
9) Lots of Souvenir Shopping (Fridge Magnets, Wood Work and the usual stuff)

Per Day Costs
South East Asia
Thailand: $23 (INR 1344)
Cambodia: $21.5 (INR 1247)
Vietnam: $19.5 (INR 1131)
Laos: $19 (INR 1102)
Myanmar/Burma: $38 (INR 2204)
Malaysia: $32 (INR 1856)
Singapore: $48.5 (INR 2813)
Indonesia: $28 (INR 1624)
Philippines: $19 (INR 1102)

East Asia
Hong Kong: $48.5 (INR 3103)
Macau: $43 (INR 3132)
Taiwan: $38 (INR 2668)

Note. There can be cost variances due to the following:
1) The above costs can be higher for larger cities and lesser for small towns. This is an average across the country.
2) I spent a bit more in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as I wanted to treat myself.
3) I spent 2 weeks in Malaysia with family and hence the cost went up marginally.
4) I did some big shopping in Malaysia as it was my last country
5) I took some expensive flights to reach the northern stretches of Myanmar
6) I had to pay for medical expenses in Singapore
7) I stayed with friends for brief durations, especially in Vietnam and Indonesia.

In total, I roughly spent about INR 4.25 Lakhs or ~USD 7,400 over the nine months. Mine was not truly low cost backpacking and I indulged in luxury from time to time. Below points briefly describe the way I traveled.

Accommodation
If the temperature went above 33 degree Celsius or more than 80% humidity, I ended up taking an air-conditioned dormitory or an air-conditioned room.

Land Travel I am 6 foot 3 inches tall. Hence, when it came to land travel, I always opted for more leg room and this were available in the most expensive buses and trains.

Air Travel
I took the cheapest flights available and never paid for anything extra except for 1 check-in baggage.

Food
I never once sacrificed food. I am a big guy who needs a lot of food and drinks and that’s exactly what I gave myself. I am a vegetarian so sometimes I ended up paying more to get good vegetarian food.

Paid Activities
I did avoid some unnecessary activities, but never bothered about entry fees or charges to go somewhere or do something. Since I was already there, I never shrugged from participating in a activity that would otherwise be deemed expensive.

Intra City Travel
I always took public transport and only in rare instances did I take a taxi all alone.

Shopping
I did a fair bit of souvenir shopping, but I bargained real hard.

Phone Connectivity
Except  for Vietnam and Indonesia, I didn’t get myself a local phone connection.

Packaged Tours
I think I took a total of 3-4 tours in the entire 9 months. I tried avoiding tours as much as possible and did everything my own way.

Internet
I always leveraged free internet available in hostels/hotels, restaurants, airports and other tourist areas.

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Nacpan Beach: Pristine Beach North of El Nido, Philippines

There are many beaches in this world that are pristine, super clean, have minimal infrastructure and are not usurped by an expensive resort. The Nacpan beach north of El Nido is one such place. It has a sensational 3 kilometer beach line of golden sand that is as hard as a floor. The waters here are great for swimming and perfect for a private beach getaway.


About 3 small streams join the sea here on this very beach offering an interesting mix of fresh and salt water. Except for a small fishermen village there is hardly any additional infrastructure. But, that offers a tropical concoction of old world charm under swaying coconut palms and paddy fields.


The access to this beach is through dirt and slush amidst paddy fields and before that about 15 kms of winding roads from El Nido. The ride/drive itself can offer a great tropical experience with beautifully green views. And when you reach the beach, you have open seas on one side and lush green countryside and hills on the other. One can even see the remote Duli Beach in the far distance.


This beach is ideal for a relaxed beach holiday for couples and families alike, where one can indulge in fishing, swimming, some beach sports and even dirt biking, if you feel like it. For food, you can either barbecue the fish you caught or ask the villagers to cook you some of their local favorites. Accommodation will be simple, but comfortable beach facing huts in this fishing village.


This is one of those beaches that you ought to see when you visit the Palawan island in Western Philippines. Except for its sand flies, everything about this beach is top class. A true tropical beach getaway where time stops.

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Hello and Thank you from South East Asia

During my nine months in South East Asia, I learned quite a bit of the local languages while I was in that country. Apart from Bahasa Indonesia, which I remember a bit more than the other languages, the only words that I remember in all languages is ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank you’. I remember them as I used them extensively during my stay in each country. Below table provides Hello’s and Thank you’s in the 10 different South East Asian languages. Hope it makes it an interesting read for you. Do remember to practice it before you go to that country. It will help break the ice and might come in handy during your travels.

Country	Hello	Thank you
Thailand	Sawadee Kaaa (Female) Sawadee Khap (Male)	Khaup Kun Kaaa (Female) Khaup Kun Khap (Male)
Cambodia	Susudaay	Aackhun
Vietnam	Sin Chaao	Kaum On
Laos	Sabaidee	Khaup Chai
Myanmar	Mingalabaa	Jejhujamarey
Singapore	Hello	Thank you/Terima Kasih/Nanri
Malaysia	Hello	Terima Kasih
Brunei	Hello	Terima Kasih
Indonesia	Hallo	Terima Kasih
Philippines	Kumusta	Selamat

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How to use your money wisely in South East Asia Travels

South East Asia is one of the more cheaper places to travel around the world. But, if you are not careful with your money, you might end up losing this value proposition. Below is a list of all the things every traveler should keep in mind to ensure they get maximum value for their money in South East Asia. These are based on my recent backpacking experience across South East Asia, but can be extended across most of the countries in the world.

 
Banking: ATM Withdrawals
1) Try a carry a travel card that does not charge you a fee every time you swipe it at an ATM. Check with your bank for options and details.
2) Ensure that the bank who provides your ATM card has a good global coverage
3) Visa or Master card is the more accepted card type. I would recommend visa especially in the developing countries as they have a stronger reach.
4) Do some online research to find out the charges of cash withdrawals and limits for the various banks in a country before landing in that country. For e.g. Aeon Bank in Thailand, Canadia Bank in Cambodia and Techcom Bank in Vietnam do not charge ATM or withdrawal fees for international transactions.
5) Carry two (2) international debit/ATM cards. One should be visa and the other should be master card.
6) Since most of the banks charge withdrawal fees for each transaction, it might be sensible to take the maximum permissible amount at one go. However, this would mean carrying  thick wad of bills on your person. Can affect safety for some travelers.

Banking: Credit Cards
1) Do not use your credit card to withdraw money from ATMs unless you have no other option. Credit card companies charge a huge interest for cash withdrawals
2) Most of South East Asian establishments charge a fee of 2-15% of the total amount for a credit card transaction. However, this fee is not charged in many larger establishments.
3) Use credit cards as an emergency mechanism for raising cash.
4) Again, like an ATM card, carry 2 credit cards (one visa and the other master card) to take care of your online transactions while you are traveling (hotel booking, ticket booking, etc.)
5) Use credit cards for online transactions. This helps in reducing online fraud and gives you more security. 

Foreign Exchange
1) It is always a good practice to keep some US Dollars with you. The greenback is one of the more accepted currencies around the world and in South East Asia. You will always get good value for it. $100 and $50 will provide you more value than $20, $10 and smaller denominations.
2) In Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia especially, the US Dollar will take you a long way. Plus, the US Dollar comes in handy to pay visa fees for Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Indonesia.
3) These days, most countries have fully functional ATMs to dispense local currency. Hence, there is no need to exchange currencies at the airport or bring it in from an earlier country.
4) Airports and border areas give some of the worst foreign exchange rates. If you need local money, use ATMs or exchange your dollars/Euros inside the city to get a much better exchange rate.
5) Use a foreign exchange converter app (like the XE converter) for your tablet/phone to stay on top of the latest foreign exchange rates. It is always good to know the current rates. Thereby, you know how bad or good is the exchange rate you are getting.

Air Travel
1) Do some research and keep track of promotions offered by the different low cost airlines of South East Asia. A little bit of planning can help you save serious amounts of money as South East Asia is one of the top low cost flying hubs of the world.
2) If you are going through a travel agent, ask for a special price.

Shopping
1) South East Asian countries have a culture of bargaining. Hence, you will not be frowned upon if you ask for a discount or a best price. In fact, the locals want you to haggle and it is quite an interesting cultural exchange during such bargain sessions.
2) If you are a person from the western world, who is more used to fixed prices, get out of your comfort zone and learn the trick of bargaining. It is a useful skill to have in this part of the world and will help you save lots of money if you are the shopping type.

Stop Converting Currencies in your head
1) Nearly every traveler converts a local price into his home currency (say Euro) or international currency (say US Dollar). They do this to get a benchmark price, but in most of the South East Asian countries, this technique backfires as these countries are significantly cheaper than the rest of the developed world. What is a cheap price for a Westerner might actually be a hiked up local price. It is good practice to try and understand the local cost structure, like how much it costs for a 10 km taxi ride, a can of coke, a bottle of beer, a bottle of water, a McDonald’s burger, etc. This will help your money go much longer than your initial expectations. In my experience, your money should last ~30% more.

I hope these travel tips help your dollar last longer in South East Asia. If you have any tips based on your experiences, do write them in the comments below and I will be happy to add them in this post with a link back to your page/blog/website.

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Island Hopping off El Nido, Philippines

Island hopping off El Nido has been the most treasured holiday for all Filipinos and there is a lot of good reasons for this trait. The foreign tourists are slowly discovering this too. Be it scuba diving, snorkeling, cave diving, swimming in lagoons, discovering caves and lagoons, relaxing on deserted beaches and/or sipping a tropical cocktail on a pristine beach, the waters off El Nido play host to innumerable options.


Traditionally, all the attention of beach vacationers go to Boracay, the party capital of Philippines. It also has great beaches and good connectivity with the rest of the country. May be, this was the reason, El Nido went undiscovered for a long while. Even today, getting to El Nido would mean taking a flight to Puerto Princesa and then doing a 6 hour bus/van ride to El Nido or taking an expensive private charter from Manila. Today’s visitors are bearing a little hardship to indulge in El Nido’s nature and charms.


Whatever the reasons may be, the limestone karsts, the sensational cave systems, the amazing underwater life and nature here follows a life of its own. It is believed that the Palawan island was once connected to Borneo and due to tectonic forces moved away as a land mass of its own millions of years ago. Hence, most of Palawan’s ecosystem is related to Borneo and in some ways unique.


Most of the people who wish to do island hopping off the waters of El Nido stay in El Nido, keep it as a base and do island hopping as day trips. There are other luxurious options where in one can stay on the luxury resorts on some of these islands and explore from there. Off late, a third option has become a possibility where tourists can camp in basic style amidst the rugged nature of one of the remote islands. All three options have takers, but the one that is more popular is the first one, since staying at El Nido comes with various perks, like good food, decent party scene, healthcare and connectivity.


One can either take a private tour or go on a group tour to visit the various islands. There are many tour companies who advertise the options and their prices. As a thumb rule, the tour package and the price remains the same. The prices remain standard unless you join at the last moment, in which case, you can request for a discount.


If I remember right, there are tours from A to F and Tour A and Tour C are said to be the best of the lot as they offer a good combination of swimming, snorkeling, lagoons, caves, beaches and more. Most of the tours cost between 600 and 1000 PHP per person. This includes snorkels and lunch. If you are vegetarian, you might need to inform in advance to give you vegetarian food for lunch. Generally, lunch consists of pork, fish, salad and rice.


A typical tour would start in the morning at 9 AM from the El Nido beach on a banka (traditional Filipino boat). Depending on the size of the banka, the group size could vary from 8 to 20 people. If the weather is bad, the boat ride could get rough, but generally, the short distances ensure that sea sickness is nearly unknown on these island hopping trips. Depending on the tour, you will spend time swimming in lagoons, snorkeling in coral reefs, crawling through caves, climbing up view points, sipping a cocktail, seeing beautiful sights and/or relaxing on a beach.


If you happen to plan a holiday to El Nido, do ensure that island hopping stays on top of your to do list. If you have less time, try out Tour A and C and if you have more, try all of the tours. The perfect El Nido holiday is waking up to the sounds of waves crashing, having breakfast, going on an island hopping tour, indulge in pristine nature along with some physical activity and sunshine, a relaxed evening and then some partying in the night before continuing the same routine for the successive days. Get ready to be enchanted!

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