Solo Backpack trip to Europe (Part 1: Planning)

(Note: Publishing this post almost a year after the trip. I hope I still remember the details)

Backpacking in Europe has always been on my bucket list.  So realizing I will have a one week off for Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr ), I was mentally drafting an itinerary and looking out for inexpensive plane tickets.

I used Kayak App for researching and comparing various airline prices. I subscribed to updates if there are price changes on the trip details. After a few days of price watching, I finally settled to book a flight via Etihad Airlines.  The itinerary: Jakarta-Abu-Dhabi-Paris then Rome-Abu Dhabi-Jakarta, with layover of 4-5 hours each.

As it was holiday in Indonesia, prices are not necessarily cheap. I booked my tickets for around $1,700. I know in lucky days, one can even purchase roundtrip tickets for less than $1000. But since I’m traveling on a national holiday, I have to live up with the price premium.

After which, I checked requirements on how to get a Schengen Visa.  I applied through Italian Embassy (via VFS) since I plan to stay longer in Italy.  In multi-country visit, you need to apply VISA to the country you’re staying the longest. If you have the same length of stay in all countries, you apply on the country you’ll first visit. For the Visa, I needed to prepare my plane tickets, hotel reservations, certification of employment, and bank certificate as part of requirements.

The next few days were spent researching on accommodations. Traveling alone means accommodations will be more expensive unless I opt to stay in hostels wherein I can get a dormitory bed for less than 40 Euros. However, for this trip, I felt I needed to upgrade from hostel bunk beds and get a nice, cozy, but affordable room for myself.  One of my options is staying in hostel but have a private room.  This is an attractive option, since staying in hostels means you get to meet and talk to other people who share the same passion of travel as you have.

I used mainly Trip Advisor to research on my accommodation options. Here, I get to sort my options—budget, accommodation type, ratings etc, and more importantly, I get to read reviews of other guests.  After I mark my choices, I checked out different booking sites such as booking.com, agoda.com to check out best deals and book my hotel accommodation.

After completing my Visa Requirements, I scheduled an appointment with VFS through email (since their online registration site is down). It is recommended to schedule appointment a month before the planned trip. During the appointment, I submitted all requirements and paid the Visa Application Fee (worth IDR1.2M or 100 Euros).  After a week, I received a notification via email, that my Visa is ready for pick-up.  

2 days before the trip, I went to the bank and bought some Euros. In most of my travels, I just usually withdraw local currency in my destination. But for this one, to be sure and to avoid any unnecessary hassle, I just bought Euros while in Jakarta. I may have paid a few more because of exchange rate differences, but I guess it’s worth it.

A day before the trip, I finished my packing. I said to myself that I wanted this to be a backpack trip.  I was tempted to use my 4-wheeler luggage, but have to remind myself that the goal is to “backpack in Europe”. Never mind the fact that I have 30kilos luggage allowance, I fit my stuff in my ever-reliable red Conquer backpack. This is the same backpack I used for a 7-day autumn/winter trip in China, 7 days December-trekking in Nepal, amongst others. So an 8-day summer Europe trip still made the backpack a bit roomy.

And I’m off and ready to go!  

I was a bit paranoid for the trip, since there were several plane crashes in the span of 3 weeks.  I was never afraid of plane rides, but this one is different. I had to request for prayers from friends and family and prayed for safety as well. (Oh! There is a travel prayer as well in Etihad planes, after the safety briefing).

Thank God for the safe journey!

Solo Trip to Batad, Banaue Rice Terraces

Trip Date: July 2013

Sometimes, you feel the need to escape the city just to get fresh air.

So that's what I did. Traveled 12 hours from Manila to Banaue solo.

In Banaue, shared a jeep with 2 Austrian brothers, whose names I can't pronounce, hence can't remember. They were my travel companions to Batad. 

My Batad travel companions

Along the way, we met Sir Rene, an architect who's helping with the rehabilitation of the Batad Rice Terraces. Rene tells us stories and helped us settle in Batad. We stayed at Rita's.

After a quick rest, the Austrian brothers and I hiked to Tappiya Falls passing through the rice terraces and other Batad villages. A very memorable pit stop is the village by the foot of the terraces. Here we witness an old Ifugao grandmother pounding rice for her family.

A few more kilometers of hiking, we reached Tappiya Falls. I was not physically conditioned for a hike, and strained my self. My legs cramped and had difficulty walking back. It rained as we were walking back, and reached the inn just before darkness came.

Tappiya Falls

The next day, I woke up with aching legs, that I can't even walk without difficulty. With Josie, our guide, I walked (or limped) back to Saddle Point to catch a jeep back to Banaue. They said, jeepneys will leave by 9am. However, no jeepneys came and so I back ride on a motorcycle going back to town.

Back in the town, I was confronted with two choices-- go back to Manila, or go up to Sagada. I chose the latter, injured legs and all. So took another jeep to Sagada, befriended the other passengers, and continued the adventure.

Batad

8 Lessons I Learned while Traveling

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamt of traveling the world. Now, I’m blessed that I am able to achieve this dream one place after another.  From all of my travels, I’ve learned a handful of things that I feel made me a better person/traveler, and lessons and tips I wish to share to other travel-dreamers as well.

1. People are inherently good and kind.

In most (or if not, all) of the places I've been to, people genuinely want to help out other people. Not because they need something in return, but just because it’s naturally human.

I was solo traveling in Batad, Banaue and teamed-up with 2 Austrian brothers. Apparently, these guys have little cash with them (barely none), and there are no ATMs in Banaue. Along the way, we’ve met Rene, an architect volunteer who’s helping out in the rehabilitation of the rice terraces. Rene paid for the brothers’ “environmental/entrance” fee and helped arranged accommodation and food in one of the inns for the least cost possible. The owner of the inn only charged P200/night and even shared their family meals to the brothers.

Yes, there are 1 or 2 people who will try to cheat/steal from you (pickpockets, merchants charging more than fair, cab drivers taking a longer route), but for every one or two who cheat, there are tens or hundreds who are truly  willing to help.

2. Keep your senses up, especially your common sense

While traveling, all senses must be alert. As you’re in a new place, observe your surroundings and the people. Try to “acclimatize” yourself in your new surroundings and get your bearings in place. Also, trust your instincts or common sense.  If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. 

I’ve met a Taiwanese traveler who was “drugged and mugged” by an old lady. He said, he was approached by an old lady and offered him to show China Town and some churches. Next thing he remembered, they were riding a tricycle into a slum area, then he was asked to drink beer which he did, and woke up next day, drugged and without  money.  

3. The world is not that big scary place after all

Fear. This is probably what holds back most people from traveling.  But trusting in the natural goodness of people while keeping your senses up, you’ll realize there’s really nothing to be afraid of. 

4. Don’t be afraid to ask.

If lost, ask for directions. If you can’t understand, clarify.

When we were in Taiwan, the lady we asked for directions even logged online to find the directions to our hostel. In Nepal, a kid even walked with me to find the place I was looking for.  Also, when I was asked for direction by another tourist, I gladly walked with her to find a good restaurant.

Again, most people are willing to help.  

5. Learn to say “No”, politely

Merchants will ask you to go and check out their merchandise, tuktuk drivers will ask you to ride their tuktuks.  If you’re not interested, you can politely decline. Smile. Don’t be rude. 

6. Travel Light but with all Essentials

I try to keep my bag within carry-on limit (7kg) so it will be easier to lug around. I usually travel with my 30L backpack. Bring all necessary items such as medicine, printed travel documents, jacket/blanket, “enough” clothes.  For short travels, I always bring a number of set of clothes equal to number of days (plus 1 or 2 extra). For longer travels, note that you can always send your clothes to the laundry (or do laundry yourself). You can always buy essentials such as extra shirt or toiletries wherever you are. The shirt you bought is a good trip souvenir.

7. Carry Cash and Call Your Bank before you leave

One travel mistake I made before was going to a foreign country without cash on hand. I relied on withdrawing in an ATM once I get to the airport. However, my ATM card was not accepted and later found out that I needed to call the bank to activate international withdrawal. Good thing I was traveling with a friend who lent me some money. 

Also, exchange some local currency before you leave the airport for cab rides and other emergency purchases.

8. Call your mobile operator get and/or get a local SIM

Before traveling, call your mobile operator.  Deactivate services you would not need during your travel such as mobile internet (there's wifi almost anywhere). Double check if your roaming service is on and ask for available roaming discounts/plans.

For longer travels, you may need to get a local SIM Card. 

Traveling is a learning experience. Every time I travel, I learn something new, from personal encounters and stories of others. So keep traveling. Never stop exploring.

Bangkok Solo Backpacking Part 2

Date Trip: April 10, 2012

Woke up at about 6am, packed my stuff, left it at the reception,  and checked-out early from the hotel.

The primary reason I chose the @Hua Lamphong, the hostel I stayed in, is its accessibility to the Hua Lamphong Railway station.

Morning Walk Sight-- Monks lined up

Hua Lamphong Railway Station

I walked to the station and bought my train ticket for only 20 Baht. About an hour and a half until my train arrives so I had a quick breakfast in a local bakery and chilled for a while.

Train ticket to Ayutthaya

All sorts of travelers

The train is a Class C economy train. There are some foreign travelers who boarded the train and will alight in Ayutthaya. But most of the riders are locals going out of the city perhaps to their native provinces.

The trip is an more than an hour long. As I arrived, I walked around the station weighing my options. So, how would I go around Ayutthaya? Will I join the young European couple who sat across  me by the train or the couple of Korean guys who were . Anyways, I decided to just go by myself so I can be at my own pace.


I hired a tuktuk which cost me 400Baht to tour me for 2 hours visiting 4 temples. It's quite pricey though since I was alone, but I guessed it was the cheapest way to go around Ayutthaya anyhow.

My tuktuk and lady tuktuk driver

And here are snapshots of temples in Ayutthaya.


Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Wat Maha That

Buddha Head on Tree, Wat Maha That

Wat Maha That

Wat Maha That

Wat Maha That

Wat Chaiwattanaram
This temple was actually closed during my visit since for precautionary measures since it was damaged by the last Thailand flood.

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Turista-shot care of other Pinoy tourists I encountered.

Wat Lokayasutharam

My tour ended around 11:30 AM. I had a quick modest lunch of barbecued chicken and rice in the sort of eatery fronting the train station. My lunch cost only about 40Baht.


I waited for a train back to Bangkok. Train ride going back costs cheaper at 15Baht.  The ride was long, hot, and sticky.


When I get back to the city, I tried hailing a cab going to Platinum Mall to no avail. I guess, it's rush hour and cab drivers here choose their passengers as well. So I asked the hostel receptionists how to take the MRT and BTS (Bangkok Train System) to Platinum. After giving me some written directions, off I go.


My quest to Platinum through Bangkok's city train systems is an adventure by itself. I got lost several times, boarding on or alighting from a station that sounds rather very similar to the one I was supposed to. And there was that time where I destroyed the ticket machine in one of the stations. (Another Nel moment for the books!)


So how in the world did I destroy a BTS Ticket Machine, you may ask? So, in the MRT, you're given chips as tickets. Apparently in BTS you're given a card (which I didn't know that time). I lined up the ticketing booth, told the man behind the counter my destination, gave my money bill, and he gave me coins.  I thought the coins were the tickets, a less high-tech version of the ticket chips from the MRT. So i dropped it in the ticket machine. And it got stuck. They have to open up the machine to retrieve my coin.  The man gave me coins to buy tickets from the ticket vending machine! I wanted to be swallowed by the ground, and I felt that the BTS guys were thinking that I am such a stupid tourist.  Well perhaps I was. So anyways, the ticket machine broke, and even when I returned back from shopping in Platinum the machine is still broken.


I returned from shopping late in the afternoon, showered, and went to the airport.
Tired and anxiously waited for my plane to bring me back home.


As I was excited to embark on that epic 4-country semi-solo trip, I was more eager to come back home.

Travel Solo Adventure-

I feel that each one of us should travel solo at least once in our lifetime, not for school or for work but just because.

Recently, I embarked on that solo trip- that adventure you have to do when you're young and single. Some may say it is an 'Eat Pray Love' moment, others may wittily say 'Eat Prey Love'. Some may find this to be soul searching experience. My mom even urged me to soulmate search on this one.

But for whatever reason, I just jumped right to it. It just one of those things I feel I have to do.

So, with my reliable red 30L backpack, I ventured to perhaps the most exciting and challenging trip I've taken. 8 days. 4 countries. And most of the time solo.

I started in Singapore, spent a night in Kuala Lumpur, headed to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and concluded in Thailand.

It was a trip of many firsts and of countless anecdotes.
In Singapore, I tried indoor sky diving, successfully finished Visita Iglesia (without the live aid of Google Maps), watched Wicked, and smoked some shisha sitting on a carpet by a sidewalk.

In Yogyakarta, started my Temple Run series and attended Easter eve mass in Javanese.

In Bangkok, destroyed a BTS (MRT) entrance machine when I put in a coin in the card slot *facepalm*.

For the first time as well, I've been in 3 countries in one day- eating breakfast in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, lunch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and dinner in Bangkok, Thailand.

Each day, a new story. Each destination, a new experience. And here's how it goes...

Sagada Once Again

It’s true that you never travel to the same place twice. Each is a different experience. That’s why there is always reason come back. More so if the destination and its people are genuinely beautiful that they strike a chord in your heart.

Perhaps it’s true as well that there’s no travel which is a hundred percent smooth sailing. At any given time, there will be hiccups, mishaps of some sort. But these hiccups make travel more memorable, if not exciting.
This is the third time in 3 and a half years that I visited Sagada. This time, what started out as an over-drinks/slightly drunk plan with some travel enthusiast friends turned to be a family affair with my two brothers and our mom.

We planned to taker the Banaue-Sagada route to see the rice terraces during the short stop-over. But as we got to Florida bus station (one of two or three bus lines that have Banaue trips), the bus is full. We looked for Autobus, another bus line that supposed to service Banaue, but it seems that it doesn’t exist anymore. We found another line that services Banaue, Ohayami bus, but their buses were fully booked as well. Yes, we should have reserved tickets a day or so earlier, but I planned this trip to be a “bahala na” one. (What an irony.)

Changed plans.
We travel via Baguio instead. Thank you Lord for the empty seats in Victory Liner. We left at 11pm and arrived freezing in Baguio at 5am. We then took a cab to Dangwa station to catch a GL/Lizardo bus to Sagada. And woah, the line is sooo ling. A lot of travelers are going to Sagada at this moment. We were able to get tickets for 830am trip. Then off we go. Having no reserved accommodations and seeing the volume of travelers, I feel the need to book us a place to stay. Ms. ‘Bahala Na’ is a bit worried. Thanks for unlimited internet on my fingertips, I searched for Sagada accommodations and called all active numbers. Too bad though that all places I called were fully-booked. I was constantly silently praying that we get a place to stay once we get there.




Roadside View to Sagada

 We arrived Sagada at 130pm. We walked to the nearest inn, Gayudan Inn, and in God’s grace, there are vacancies just enough for us. P200/head, common bathroom. Not bad! Not bad at all.
So we thought everything will be smooth sailing since. But then, my youngest brother found out that he lost his wallet with all his money (P5k) somewhere between Baguio and Sagada. Having no ATM in Sagada, we have to make do with the cash we have. The tight budget of 3 persons must be stretched to 4.
And the trip must go on.

Cave Connections:

We enter through the burial cave and exit through Sumaguing.

Cave Connections in Sagada



We spent 3 hours inside testing our dexterity, limberness, and our upper and lower body strength. It’s my second time to do the cave connections, and it seems that some of the steps are harder and the gaps tighter (or perhaps I’m just getting bigger).

Cave Connections

Sumaguing Cave

Sumaguing Cave

Anyways, near the end of our trip, my mom slipped and sprained her foot. Oh no, injury!



As we got back to the town, we called a manghihilot, and he did a therapy on my mom’s foot. The pain was relieved and by the afternoon the next day, my mom was able to walk around town, and by night, she was able to party with the Igorots around a bonfire. (But we’ll get to that later.)

Bomod-Ok Falls

By morning, my brothers, my brother’s friends and I trekked to Bomod-Ok falls. This is the fastest and seemingly easiest trek I took to the big falls. In my previous trios, it took almost half a day going to and from, but only, we only took less than an hour to trek down and another hour to climb up. Well, perhaps it’s because I was trekking with 3 mountaineers (2 of which regularly run 42k for FUN), and a 17 year-old Frisbee player.





View from the trek to Bomod-Ok Falls



Trek to Bomod-Ok Falls



By the time we get to the falls, there were a lot of people. We stayed for a while, taking photos and a dip in the freezing water.





Sagada Bonfire



The climax of this trip perhaps is the bonfire party in the pine forest. 500 or so guests from different parts of the world partied the night away. There was dancing—the traditional Igorot way; dinner of fresh salad, adobo, and rice served in banana stem; 3 kinds of wine—rice, lemon, blueberry, and overflowing freshly brewed coffee and mountain tea. It reminded me a bit of the Igorot wedding we crashed a few years back, but this is much more fun.

Overflowing wine, coffee, and tea

Traditional Igorot Dance around bonfire

I feel so privileged to be part of this bonfire. I feel so privileged to visit Sagada again. And if given the chance and opportunity to do this over and over, I will definitely will.

Sagada, til we meet again.

Flights

Everytime I fly I always request for a window seat. I'd love to stare by the window and take photos of the view. I probably got hundreds of photos of sea of clouds, airplane wings, miniature buildings, rivers and mountains, ports and seas, etc etc, but by far this is my favorite...



Mayon Volcano, October 4, 2010



Taken during trip to Legaspi for 2010 Marketing Advance in Misibis Bay.





Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

This trip almost didn't happen. 
Our plan was to leave 7PM, Friday via Victory Liner. Unfortunately, buses were full and next available trip was at 10:30. Given we only have the weekend, and that travel time to Cagayan will be at least 12 hours long, we knew that the 1030 trip is not worth it to take.

For a moment there, we were lost. We were travellers without a destination. Gica and I were in the center of Cubao, all geared up but with no place to go.

We considered going to La Union, or Vigan, or Baler. Anywhere with a beach!
Good thing Kathryn and Jeff were able to secure 9PM tickets from Baliwag Bus. We were at the very back of the bus but at least we're on our way.

After 12 hours of gruelling, bouncy bus ride, we arrived Tuguegarao. We had a quick breakfast in a carinderia near the terminal, and then rode a van to Sta Ana, the farthest town in Cagayan.

Another 3 hours of travel, we finally arrive the town of Sta. Ana. We checked in at Country Inn by the Sea, a newly constructed inn. We got a Family Room with 5 beds for P2500. The place is clean, quaint, and its staff, very friendly.

Country Inn by the Sea, Sta Ana, Cagayan

We freshened up, ordered sandwiches, and we rented a boat going to Palaui Island. Boat rental cost P2500.

45 minutes of boatride, we arrived at the beautiful Palaui Island. 
It's topography reminds me so much of Batanes.

Palaui Island

  



Cape Engano



Tres Marias- Dos Hermanas



Our guide Maya led us to see the hidden waterfalls. Walking along the trail is like walking in the Forbidden Forest in  Lord of the Rings. You can feel how enchanted the place is. 

Hidden Waterfalls

We headed back just in time for the sunset.

Sunset view by our balcony

The next morning, we toured the town of Sta Ana, complementary of Tita Audrey--the owner of Country Inn.

San Vicente Port

Tour boats waiting

 

Last Kilometer Marking in North Luzon

By 9AM, 18 hours after we set foot on the tip of Cagayan, we leave the place with memories, both beautiful and enchanting.

I may have taken a lot of trips in my life, but this one, I'm sure I will never forget.