I Love Cheap Destinations!

10,000 Vietnam dong= U$.63 or 63 cents

I know for a fact that it is quite expensive for a middle class, peso-earning Filipino to leisurely travel abroad but it does not have to be if you carefully plan when and where to go. If you ignore the places where tourists come in herds you will save enough money to travel longer, more often or with a touch of class.

A hundred travel tips on how to save from discounts and finding a good deal would not be enough if in the FIRST place the destination is expensive. Even if the exchange rate is 1U$=Php30 or 1U$=Php44 one can travel well if you go to a country where your humble peso is worth a fortune.

As a rule of thumb, you should not worry about how much your taxi ride or your lunch when you are in a foreign place for you to enjoy the experience of being new to a country. Cheap and near countries like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and to some extent Indonesia offer many of the world's most beautiful natural and man-made sights like Halong Bay, Luang Prabang, Angkor Wat and Borobudur which are all listed under the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

To compare the cost, a coupon taxi ride from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Paranaque to our house in the neighboring Las Pinas City costs at least 450 pesos, 270 pesos if via a metered airport taxi. Well, you will also spend the same amount for your coupon taxi ride in Hanoi to your hotel in the city center but that would be a 40-kilometer ride as compared to less than 15 kilometers from NAIA to my house. And in fairness to the Vietnamese people, their taxis are newer and well maintained as compared to a number of Manila taxis.

I thought my 90-peso Camiguin t-shirt is a bargain but to my surprise I can buy 3 t-shirts in Vietnam for just $5, while your $10 in Laos will get you 12 good quality baseball caps (until now I still haven't yet disposed about 3 baseball caps). In Indonesia, I got a very beautiful high quality F1-themed jacket for only about the equivalent of 400 pesos which even some of my former officemates are willing to buy it for 2,000. I thought my $2 Vietnam t-shirt two years ago is cheap, well after practicing my bargaining skills my $5 produced 3 t-shirts this time :) hahaha! It is just like "reverse inflation or deflation" just in time when all the price of commodities in the world are skyrocketing... $2 in 2006 becomes $1.67 in 2008.

Typically, Filipinos consider Bangkok and Hong Kong as the travel destinations when you are in a budget and just would like to go out the country to go on a shopping spree. All I can say is that "yes they are cheap, but it's cheaper somewhere else."

Ways to Avoid Delays (Air Travel)

It's the travel peak season once again! For those who will travel which requires you to pass at an airport, it may feel almost like a miracle if you will have a hassle-free time at major local and international airports. Delays in the aviation industry are now getting more the attention in the news whether caused by extreme weather disturbances, national security concerns, mechanical/technical problems or just a simple (but getting habitual) late arrival of turnaround aircraft. The news are everywhere claiming that delays have gotten worse year-by-year.

Even the Philippines' leading budget carrier Cebu Pacific advertised a few years back that their flights are leaving/arriving on-time 9 out of 10 times and even has a 90% on-time flights logo in their electronic tickets. But now I can't see that logo anymore everytime I receive my e-ticket, guess what? So it is very safe to assume that their flights are now leaving and arriving late more than 10% of the time. YES they are!!! What happened? Why the delays continue day-by-day even they are now operating a much reliable brand new Airbus airplanes compared with aging DC-9's and considering that their fleet were drastically increased?

You can blame the worsening ground and air traffic condition or how airlines operate their business but the point is the delays are sometime becoming unbearable for the passengers. We don't pay airlines for us to stay long in a cramped airport with pathetic facilities which even does not include a functioning drinking fountain (if there's even one).

So much for my ranting... As passengers, we can follow certain guidelines to help us prepare for that uneventful delay.

* The best time to fly is during the morning. Delays normally worsen throughout the day so if you are traveling early in the morning the chances of delays are greatly reduced.

* When booked with a connecting flight always leave enough time if you have to change airlines or go through long lines of airport security again. Budget airlines only offers point-to-point service, in other words they will not be in any reason be liable if you miss your connecting flight/s even if you are traveling with the same airlines.

* It always pays to read the "terms and conditions" section at the back of your paper ticket or at the airlines' official website. It is the passenger's duty to be familiar with the airline's rule for baggage limitations, identification requirements and check-in procedures.

* The most important tip I can share to you is to "BE EARLY." It is our responsibility as passengers to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check-in and pass through security.

If you view these tips as inconveniences there's a way to circumvent all the hassles that a passenger might endure... buy a Business Class ticket in that way there will be a shorter queue at the check-in counters as they have a dedicated counter for you plus you can enjoy the lounge facilities before boarding your on-time/delayed flight.

Tips for Domestic Travel and Beyond

Eventough that major domestic airlines offer PISO or EIGHT pesos fare this time of the traveling season you can also make your travels cheaper without availing of the PISO fare. Because of deregulation and competition, air travel became cheaper today than in 10 or even 5 years ago and it could get cheaper if only the price of petroleum products (particularly jet fuel) will be much stable.

* To start with, budgeting and finding a cheap hotel or restaurant will not help so much if the destination itself is expensive. Here's my point: I love Camiguin not only because of its beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, cold springs and 7 volcanoes but because it is cheaper to travel or even live there than to go to Boracay which has only a beach to offer.

* The Internet contains gazillion of information about the place where you plan to spend your vacation from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi so it pays to google first your destination before trying to make any reservation for hotels, transportation arrangements and organized tours.

* The best website I think there is for those who seek everything under the sun about travel is www.virtualtourist.com. I enjoy reading everything it says on a particular destination I am interested in and one can even ask as question in the member's forum. TripAdvisor.com is another great site to view reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourist spots.

* When you have a contact in that particular destination be it a hotel reservation clerk, a van-for-hire agent or whatever, don't be afraid to ask for DISCOUNTS as they are available throughout the year even for peak season.

* If you still don't have an air ticket, you may find cheaper tickets during weekdays rather than flying on a Saturday or Sunday. Usually, the roundtrip discount don't apply to domestic airline tickets so try to check all the airlines if they offer a cheaper fare on your way to your destination or your return flight. It is common for me to have a different airline on the way back to Manila because of lower fare or better flight schedule.

* If you find information which the Internet offers not sufficient, you can request for a free visitor's guide or brochure from the local or regional tourism office of your destination. Maps and travel books are expensive and there's no need to bring those bulky Lonely Planet guides when you can print maps and information you need.

* When time is not an issue, it's always cheaper to travel off-season as the price of everything travel related significantly drops. And besides, the promotional fare of airlines are always timed during the off-season. I found out that September is the best time to visit Boracay if you hate crowds obstructing your view of the beach. Locals even dubbed September as the "little summer" as the weather is good during that time. Anytime of the year is the best time if you want to go to any Mindanao destinations as that region is always not on the path of typhoons.

Remember, the later you wait to do your planning for that well deserved vacation, the more you will likely to pay for it so it PAYS to plan early.

HAPPY TRAVELING!

My Views on How to Have a Memorable Travel

• Before embarking on a once in a lifetime adventure in a place or country that you don't know where to find in a globe, always try to research and take time to know the local culture by blending in with the locals. It pays most of the time to be observant with your new and unusual surroundings and take a cue from that on what to do next. You have to experience how locals live, what they eat and what are their interests.

• When you think your research didn't made fruitful answers it is always fine to talk to local residents as they obviously know their own culture and city. A guidebook might tell you that the shop around the corner is the best place where to dine or shop but many locals have different opinions so take consideration their inputs.
  

• Many of us are guilty of this... as much as possible avoid rushing from one tourist attraction to another in an Amazing Race attempt to see it all. In the first place it is uneconomical so in my opinion it is better to savor and enjoy to the fullest just one or a few sites that to visit all what the guidebook says just to cross them in your "To Visit" list.
  

• Always be unconventional by trying new things. One way to do that is to eat bizarre foods and trying local wine or drinks. When choosing where to stay avoid those international brand chains, better yet try in the local hotels, hostels or bed-and-breakfast.
  

• Undoubtedly, it is fun (but not always recommended) to make a fool of yourself while enjoying your brief stay in a place or a country. Anyways, those people who are witness to your "acts" will not likely be there when you got home.
  

There you go... hope these tips made sense :)

Last Minute Travel Tips

photo taken from www.engrish.com

I'm now back from my Malaysia trip. After observing my travel habits including those of my fellow passengers I want to share to my readers this indispensable tips to make your hundred or thousand miles journey hassle free and without inconveniencing other travellers.

Before going to the airport:

*Always have a blue or black in pen handy to sign immigration declaration forms and other documents.

*Remember to lock every single zipper in your bag. When packing, to get fewer wrinkles on your clothes, roll them! Particularly shirts and they also allow you to add more stuff into your luggage. Oprah even does it.

*After all the bomb scares around the world, make sure you don’t bring in any liquid on your hand luggage to avoid inconvenience. (You could bring a certain regulated amount but it is better just to put it on your checked luggage).

*Dress light but bring a jacket just in case you can’t stand the cold temperature inside an aircraft. Don’t overdress unless of course your final destination is Japan. And finally, don’t wear clothes with metallic objects as you will regret it after going through countless security checks.

*Bring extra clothes on your carry-on to freshen up and just in case your flight will be delayed forever and you don’t have access to your luggage anymore.

*Remember PLMT -- passport, luggage, money, ticket

At the airport:

*Be aware if the airport where you will be departing requires you to pay anything like travel taxes or terminal fees. Most airports wouldn't charge you anymore for those taxes as it is already incorporated in your ticket except Manila, Saigon and Bangkok to name a few.

*Carry less hand luggage as much as possible especially when transiting to different airports.

*If you don’t want to use your credit card abroad always have an extra U$20 in your wallet even after your trip. Just in case you get stuck in an airport even if your bag you got in London looks great... it's not worth it if you're starving and lost in a 10 hour layover in an unfamiliar airport. There’s an exemption: Singapore Changi International Airport – where else would you look forward to being delayed.

Inside an aircraft:

*For the millionth time, do remember to turn off your mobile phone before boarding the aircraft because everyone will blame you when the plane crashes. Remember the preflight announcement? “Turn off any electronic devices as it may interfere with the aircraft navigation equipment.”

*When seating in economy class remember that personal space is a premium and needed to be respected at all times. Avoid reclining your seat before take-off or during landing. Remember, you are inside an airplane, not a Victory Liner bus.

*It is perfectly fine to take off your shoes during along flight and people would not mind but make sure that your feet don’t smell like a skunk as the plane is an enclosed space.

*The low humidity levels of outside air being supplied to the cabin can cause drying of the eyes which can irritate wearers of contact lenses.

*And finally, no, they do not serve hard drinks for breakfast. Look on the bright side, you should avoid them including coffee and tea as they act as diuretics. It is best to stay hydrated during a long flight so diuretics are a no no.

Problems When Traveling... And How to Deal With Them

One can bear in mind these very easy tips to follow for a worry free travel even when circumstances are not on your side. The following are according to one travel blogger:

• When it rains: play games, visit museums and galleries, take an umbrella and go out anyway
• When the tourists are swarming: get out earlier, laugh it off, make friends, or get off the beaten track
• When the hawkers are in your face selling t-shirts: politely but firmly decline (unless you want one) and move on
• When the coveted cafe or nook has clearly been bulldozed for a shopping complex: shrug and seek out some other local haunts
• When the place just doesn’t look like the postcards/guidebook promised: lighten up. Try and ‘discover’ things rather than visiting all the usual suspects
• When you get sick: Don’t push through it; give in, look after yourself and cross your fingers it’s a 24-hour thing.
• You get robbed: Report it to the police, keep safe, try and keep going. Don’t let it be your only holiday memory.

Any more problems you can think of? Post it in the comment section below. Thanks

photograph taken from www.airliners.net

Travel Tips to Live By

the coolest airplane in the world!

1. Positive Attitude - No matter what happens on your trip, it is your story to tell. Don’t let bad incidents ruin your whole experience. Don’t let others bring you down. You worked hard to get to this point and you deserve to enjoy it.

2. Patience - You will not make every train, bus, ferry and airplane. Instead of getting angry, take the time to explore your surroundings, get a cup of coffee. You will have to wait, but at least you are waiting in some exotic country!

3. Pack Light - Make sure your pack can fit on the plane as carry on luggage. If it is too big, take things out. Never take clothings that you wouldn’t be willing to throw out along the way (ex: bring old clothes).

4. Talk to People - Start talking to strangers on the plane trip, and don’t stop till you are home again. You will be very lonely if you do not allow yourself the chance to meet new people. You especially need to do this if you are traveling with a friend.

5. Keep a Journal - You will learn a lot about yourself on this journey. Document what you see and who you meet. Make writing in it a habit from the first day, and don’t be lazy. You will appreciate your efforts in ten or twenty years.

6. Take Pictures - Bring home the proof that you went cliff diving. No matter what kind of photographer you are, pictures you take mean a lot more than postcards and books. And take more pictures of people rather than objects. Or combine them.

7. Be Flexible - No matter how long you are gone, and what you see, there will always be new places to go. Allow room in your schedule to follow up on travel leads gained on the road.

8. Be Independent - If you think you are unable to go to Europe alone, GO! If you are traveling with a friend, do things by yourself too. Time apart will reduce stress in the relationship and open you up to the people around you.

9. Be Confident - Always maintain confidence in your ability to get from one place to another, whether across the continent or the city. Even if you don’t know what you are doing, confidence can cover this up. You will appear strong and driven. Note, this is a great way to deter thieves.

10. Be Yourself - You will meet a lot of people on your trip. Be yourself, and allow them to enjoy the company of a great guy/girl

H A P P Y T R A V E L I N G !

These tips were taken verbatim from: click me