My Fifth Solo Backpacking Trip

Travel Period: July 7 - 10, 2012
Destination: Coron, Palawan

The Photo That Captures Me
Months after I started journeying, I already have the symptoms of a travel addict, a feeling that you need to travel on weekends, constantly check online for airline promos, and want to discover new places. One day, I stumbled a scene like the image below that captures my attention. From that day on, Coron, made into must-visit place list. Fortunately, Airphil Express had this promo last year for all domestic flights and I quickly look for available seats and finally booked a flight of Davao - Manila - Busuanga - Manila - Davao. It was a big savings for me to be able to grabbed this promo fares and will finally set foot on Coron soon.

Biketas 2012: Conquering Mt. Puting Bato

Travel Period: July 01, 2012
Destination: Mt. Puting Bato and Canibad, Island Garden City of Samal


The Route
Climbing a mountain peak is never been an easy task, there are challenges along the way and keeping the pace is an important thing to consider to reach the peak at a scheduled time. Two weeks ago, an adventure event was created and the goal was to reach the highest point in Samal Island which is the Mt. Puting Bato with a height of 410 MASL situated in Brgy. Guilon, Island Garden City of Samal. But here's the twist, we will be conquering the peak not by hiking but through mountain biking, this made the experience an extreme adventure one. Below is the trail we took during the event.

Samal Excursion

Travel Period: March 11, 2012
Destination: Monfort Bat Colony and Vanishing Island

Davao: From Islands To Highlands
Indeed, Davao City is strategically located in southern part of the country that cater the needs for adventure and vacation of individuals. It's blessed with places to explore, people to interact, and one can experience an island to highland adventure just within a reach from the city. Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is the nearest place to experience beach bumming and water adventures. Aside from wide array of beaches and resorts, the island has also natural tourist spots like bat caves and a vanishing island.

My Fourth Solo Backpacking Trip

Travel Period: February 28 - March 7, 2012
Destination: Clark, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore

The Preparation
Before the day of my travel I have already researched the necessary information, revised my itinerary many times and packed the necessary things in a backpack for a 9-day journey. Starting from the places I want to visit, things I want to do, details on every expenses and even possible questions that Immigration Officer would ask, all is already planned and prepared. Since this is my fourth solo backpacking and my first trip abroad, I was very anxious about it. Let's say on how did I get through on this travel trip abroad.

Northern Mindanao Road Trip

Travel Period: February 10 - 12, 2012
Destination: Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamiz, Marawi and Cotabato City

Region X - Northern Mindanao
Northern Mindanao is one of the regions here in the Philippines and its interesting to know that this region is adjacent to the rest of the regions in Mindanao namely the Zamboanga Peninsula, ARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, Davao and Caraga region. Among the 5 provinces that comprises Northern Mindanao, only Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental that I haven't been to. I have already visited Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental including the island province of Camiguin. This time, I wanted to explore the remaining provinces where visiting the City of Majestic Falls was the main plan.

It's More Fun In Calinan

Travel Period: January 23, 2012

Destination: Calinan, Davao City

The Initial Plan

It was January 23, 2012 when a holiday was declared in celebration with Chinese New Year. Days prior to the trip, we have already decided to do the river tubing in Talomo River and even inquired, unfortunately it was not pursued because some of our friends backed out and it would be costly for the three of us to avail the package. Nevertheless, we push thru our plan to have a trip on Calinan but this time, it would more on a nature trip. Along with this trip is my partner in crime Jesisa and a close friend of mine named Lorna.

Mati Inventory Trip

Travel Period: January 19, 2012
Destination: Mati, Davao Oriental

The Excitement
It was just a day before the trip when I materialized the plan and knew that a workmate of mine named Jethro will be having an inventory count on one of the JVC farms in Mati, Davao Oriental. Our company (PMR Pallet Ltd. Co.) is on pallet industry which supply pallets to Unifrutti and JVC farms. One of the task of the inventory team is to account the quantity of pallets for every farm. This time, the scheduled farm for inventory is Panombom Agri-Ventures and when I knew it was located in Mati, I'd got excited to tag along in the inventory count. I emailed my supervisor about the matter and my purpose for tagging along and luckily it was approved. Yeppey!