Saying "Travelling is fun" is an understatement....Travel while you're young, while you still can. Travel not just because you want to go to different places, but travel because you WANT TO BE IN that place, you want to see what is in there, how's the people and the food in those places. Watch, listen and feel as much as you can. And if I'm still not making any sense at all, I'm not going to share any travel itinerary to any specific place. 👅 Most of the time I hear from our friends that they think we always have lots of moolah that's why we're always away........ Di totoo yun!.. Though there was a point that I really wanted to be a travel blogger to share detailed itinerary but maybe next time. So, instead I'm sharing SOME tips on how we do it not as expensive anyone thought it is.
First, in availing seat sale.☺ Before we really don't have any idea how others can avail those Piso Sale, nakakainggit! Pero not anymore... I just booked a flight to KL for around 1500php roundtrip per pax. Nax!! First, start by following these airlines in all your social media accounts, but more than that I strongly advice that you sign up as a member and join their mailing list. Most if not all are just free when you sign up. And if there will be a seat sale, they will send a mail or even a text. Airasia also have a one-day-before-exclusive-to-members-only sale. And if you're a member, you'll also earn point for every completed flight. For CebPac, pay 150 for GetGo membership, recently they had a sale for GetGo members only which offers as low as 10 points for Taiwan flight so yea, its worth it. The thing is you have to plan early maybe even a year before. Or at least plan and decide where you want to go, Early 2016 I said I want to go to Singapore. Around November nagka sale, because we decided na where we want to go, we just quickly check when can we be available within the travel period of the sale and Voila! Scored a round trip Singapore flight for only Php 3,7++/pax all in. Way cheaper compare to around Php 6,000 "one way base fare only" as of this writing for a flight on November. For us, its around Php 800 for a domestic flight and Php 4,000 for an intl flight. It will still depend on where you want to go because some place like Siargao, Batanes, Maldives and Tokyo eh bihira na kasama sa mga sale. The 800 and 4,000 is just our guide but not the limit. Lastly, magpuyat ka! If the seat sale will start on March 30, 2017 it means March 30, 2017 12:00AM/ 0000h and then of course you're not alone trying to book so getting in their sites is pahirapan na. But if you stay for more than two hours or more, 2:00am-3:00am-ish it will be easier and faster.....or is it? Don't select seats while booking, in Airasia they will let you select those for free when you do web check in. Others will pre select your seats during web check in and if there are two of you, most if not always will place you next to each other. Next, skip buying those insurance, whether you buy that or not they will still pay you if something happens... or that's what i heard. Download their apps pala. I'm not really sure on this but sometimes when a seat sale is happening, its easier to book via their app or the other way around so to be sure, try both at the same time. Tirador ng seat sale nga! hahaha!👾
Next is looking for accommodation. If you'll be maselan you can stop and not continue reading this. Cause when I say if you want to save up on this, Its no joke! If you want the cheapest way, go to a hostel for as low as Php 300 for a bed in a fan room. Easy. But that's not just for me, for us. We want our privacy, our own CR instead of a common CR. But you have to be very flexible on this. We stayed in a room for Php 500, Php 200 more than a bed in a hostel right? but there's two of us so it will be Php 600 for both of us if we chose to stay in a hostel plus in the 500 fan room we have our own CR, a larger space for our stuff and the peace of mind that its easier to secure those than putting everything under our pillow. If you're going in a large group, its easier to find an accommodation where you can save but since its just the two of us most of the time, we have to do our research. Airbnb is better sometime specially in other countries (please ask for referal code from me to save some hehe). Some owners are more flexible in 'check in check out' time and rules. Most allow cooking inside their listing which is helpful if you're on a tight budget. Also try looking thru sites like Agoda or booking where they have these filters but it’s not always about the top result in the cheapest category. Be sure to also read reviews and to lower your expectations. Will you really expect a 5 star stay in an accommodation in the lower bracket of the 'price' category?
EDIT: according to an owner, it’s cheaper by around 17% if you book directly so i suggest you use said websites to search and read reviews but try to book and talk to the hotel of your choice directly.
For us it’s around Php 2,000-3,000 for international trips and Php 1,000 for a local destination for a night and around 3 stars review. The thing is, you will only stay there to rest and sleep. Staying in the hotel is not the reason why you'll go to Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur. If you'll gonna be out all day, as long as the room has a bed, an aircon, wifi and own CR...Keri na. There's also yung mga "homestay", where basically a lokal will accommodate you in their own house, give you your own room. With homestay, you can’t also expect the most comfortable bed, space and CR but how hosts will welcome you in their own home and treat you as their own relative will be PRICELESS! In a very short time, you'll feel the love and be reminded why Filipinos are known for their hospitality. I'm ALL for goin the cheapest way as much as possible BUT not on like this, please... Be a little generous cause most of these hosts/ family will say kayo na bahala if you ask them for their rates. Add in a little extra, sacrifice your next venti or two because I believe one of the most important benefits of Tourism is additional income for the local communities and that hey are the ones that should benefit from it directly....aytenkyubaw! Na afford mo na mag bakasyon, wag ka na magdamot. If you want to rest and take a break from the noise, pollution and stress from the Metro, go to the unspoiled beaches, provinces or municipalities for the perfect getaway and have a break but also note that these places are not developed as much so don't expect there will be establishments like hotels to cater your pagseselan. 👌
In making itinerary, my girl is better at this I think....or maybe she forced it at me to think that way... Haha!
Research and read as much about the place. If possible, talk to other travelers for contact numbers of bangkero, habal habal or basta yung mga lokal before your vacation, be smart. Don’t haggle so much but instead choose the one with the better offer. One may offer a cheaper deal but the other one will offer a more complete or something extra than the other. It isn't always about the lowest price. Do your research and read. You can find these peeps even in Facebook. Again, please be generous after the trip and give some tip. Research and read. Join in Facebook groups about travelling, backpacking and talk to them and meet new friends. Trust me, it's very helpful! There are times that some people will ask who would go to the same place on the same date your going, then go. Being in a large group will be easier to avail cheaper deals without being kuripot and an instant way to meet new friends. Research and read. For international trips, one of our secret is Klook. Google it and thank me later. It's very helpful and easy to use; sometimes it will even help you to avoid long lines. For us, it’s usually four days/three nights either domestic or international. Physically it can be tiring if susulitin mo and you'll go to many places. Leave on a Wednesday, come back Saturday then rest on Sunday. You have two days that is not so much crowded and next two days can be the other way around but some places have something extra every weekend or starting every Friday night like some light show or fireworks so plan accordingly if you want to avoid the crowd. Preparation is the key. Research and read and repeat. Google is your friend. Bloggers, reviews are all over the net. You just have to decide what places and spots you wanna visit. For us, we do it by tracing it first to google map. The nearest one to the aiport will be point A, then go back to google map again to decide what will be your point B and so on. Try also to consider that once you land in the airport you still have your bags with you so try to go first to places that you can enjoy while you still have your bags and if you'll pass thru the area where you will stay then go for a quick check in and leave the bags. If that's not really possible, then from airport go to hotel and then to your Point A.
In packing your stuff, bring all the essentials of course but don't bring the whole bottle of shampoo or conditioner. Go to suking tindahan and buy sachets even for deodorant especially if you will ride a plane. Wag maselan, one pair of PJs or pantulog can be good for three nights just make sure it’s EXCLUSIVELY for sleeping. If you will go to beaches, why would you wear or bring pants? Even if you will not stay in a hotel, homestay or budget friendly inns will still provide towels. Personally, I will bring one extra shirt, one extra short and one extra undies. ONE. Shades are not just to spice up your OOTD, it’s also for protection so bring one. Sunblock also. Actually there is no secret in this. I do encourage though to use a backpack because....well....you're backpacking *bad dum tss* but seriously, it will be easier I think to move around even if you're carrying your bag so as long you can fit all your stuff that you want to bring in your backpack, you are good to go. Invest in a good bag. I think the standard is 7 kgs but now ther are larger ones.
Next is about Food. The easy part, A week before going to a trip do some extra workout or be strict on your diet so when you're on your holiday.... Lamon! hehe but seriously, try local delicacies, even if it’s still in the Philippines. There's more from Cebu than Lechon, the best Laing I had was made by the Bangkero or his Family in Calaguas. Even the Tinola in Ilocos is different. And it doesn't need to be expensive....maybe. Go to local carinderias, turo turo or just spend some extra to try Kalui resto in Puerto Princesa or Chewlove in Tacloban. It's all gonna be worth it, promise. In Singapore, water is very expensive and Tian Tian hainannese chicken rice is nothing but hype..haha! Pass muna sa McDo, KFC and even Jollibee when you go to other countries. Have at least one expensive meal but try the local food as much as possible. F*ck diet! It's Cheat Day! You deserve it....says the 200 pounder guy!
Before, we just travel by joining and availing tour packages. Less hassle yes but it's not fun as much if you Do-It-Yourself plus it can be more expensive. Pero I would still advise that sometimes it’s ok to avail tour packages especially if you will go somewhere that needs a boat ride like Calaguas where you can only hope that you will find other groups so you can all chip in for the boat rental or else you'll pay it on your own, eh pano pa pag walang boat. Or even Ilocos because when you're there they will always say "malapit na!" then it'll take up more or less an hour pa without traffic to reach the next destination. As a joiner, you also have to follow THEIR itinerary. Either you or other groups will or will not follow it and will ruin the itinerary and may skip other attractions. True story bro
Point is you going on a holiday doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg (or a kidney hehe!*bad poker face*). Be more flexible and tone down your kaartehan. Finally, just like other things, don't worry too much because you'll eventually have your own diskarte on your own how you can travel but spend less and enjoy life even more. ツ
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