How to Catch the Lowest Airfare Deals

Traveling becomes more and more affordable nowadays due to variety of promo fares. With the presence of a number of low-cost carriers, finding a cheap airfare to your next destination is never difficult, if and only if, you book it some weeks (or months) ahead of the actual flight, especially if you’re planning to fly at a peak season. As a regular promo fare abangers, the cheapest flight I got was from Manila to Taipei and Manila to Kuala Lumpur at PhP121 each! (This was the time when the PhP550 terminal fee was still payable at the airport). Nowadays, all-in fares advertised by most LCCs will cost you for as low as PhP1299 for a one-way international flight. Take note that these seats are very limited and you should grab it at the earliest time possible. Here are some tips for particular airlines:

Kota Kinabalu to Brunei (BSB) by Bus: 8 Passport Stamps in a Single Journey

Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia and Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei are two of the major cities in the island of Borneo. Travel between these two is easy and convenient, since there are a lot of options available. There are flights between Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan served by different airlines; there are ferries you can take from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan and onwards from Labuan to Brunei; and there is also an option for a long land journey, if you have enough time and you’re not in a rush. During my tour in Borneo, I only had a short time of vacation but I took the last option, because of one reason: PASSPORT STAMPS! In case you’re not aware of it, choosing this route will let you earn EIGHT (8) passport stamps, and this is a good way to fill up your passport if you’re fond of collecting them.

Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saiffudien, Bandar Seri Begawan

The only bus that caters this route is

Traveling Visa-Free in ASEAN Member Countries

Having a Philippine Passport, one of the things that makes us difficult to travel aside from purchasing costly airfares is the mandatory application for tourist visas to most of the countries. Based on Passport Index, currently our national passport is only ranked 63 by the number of visa-free countries where we can enter (which is 62), that is a long way down from Germany and Sweden with 158.

Thankfully, our neighbours will always welcome us. Last 2006, there was a signed agreement between the ten ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) that grants the passport holders of these nations to move freely around the region and enter each country without applying for a visa for a stay of up to 30 days, depending on the regulations of each one of them. It means worry-free travel to those who wish to explore the culture around us!

Here is the list of the ASEAN Countries with their corresponding number of visa-free days:

Applying for Japan Tourist Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

Situated in the Far East and referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is a world-famous archipelago which offers a lot of activities from its bustling cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Sapporo. Perhaps when a Westerner thinks of an interesting Asian country, Japan would be one of his first thoughts. Almost everyone wants to visit this place, as it draws curiosity and excitement from foreign tourists. Some of the people I know also crave for an exposure to unique culture of Japan, especially the anime addicts. Going there could be a struggle because of visa requirements, but as long as you have all the requirements and you follow all their instructions, it will be easy to obtain one.

Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto (Source: japanphototrip.com)

As of 2007, application for the Japanese visa must

Applying for Chinese Tourist Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

Being one of the famous Asian countries in the world, and one of the largest, who doesn’t want to go to China? By just speaking of The Great Wall, Silk Road, Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai Cityscape, Tibet’s Potala Palace, Peking Duck, and Xiaolongbao, you will be enticed to go to this interesting region. China has a lot to offer, ranging from ancient architectures to modern skylines, sumptuous meals to cheap eats, and humongous malls to small shops. But how do you prepare yourself before leaving?

Some time recently I realized that I myself wanted to go to China too, so I tried to research information about visiting there, and here is what I found. As Ordinary Philippine Passport holders, by the requirement of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, we have to possess a visa before entering their territory, except for some reasons:

The Five Characteristics to Bring When Going Abroad

Traveling overseas is one of the dreams of the common people. For us it is one of the best ways to take a vacation, and have a rest from our daily routines in life like working in a four-sided office or having a business. But for some, this is not an easy task. The fears overcome the excitement, and many people overthink which results to a lot of worries. So here are some things you need to bring in order to make a memorable experience and to make the most out of your upcoming trip abroad.

1. Courage
– This is the first one you will ever need. Have courage to do everything. You cannot go on if you can’t conquer your fears, whether it’s just about getting lost in a foreign country or not being able to speak their native language. If you really aspire to do the things you have been dreaming for a long time, then you should throw away your what-ifs and negative thoughts. Keep in mind that everything will be alright as long as you have that fire burning on you. Stay positive.

Traveling is a rewarding activity.
Photo: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore

Tips on Traveling Abroad for the First Time

I never felt afraid or worried the moment I decided to travel alone. Instead I felt excited because it would be the first time for me to board on a plane, and to roam in a foreign land. Because of this feeling, I was already imagining myself walking through the streets of Singapore, having lunch with a cuisine I never tasted before, and of course having a picture with the national icon Merlion, even though I haven’t booked my flights yet at that moment. But anyway these are the things I made before I had my first-time adventure abroad, which can also be a guide for you.

1. Organizing the itinerary

This will be the list of places you want to visit. Read plenty of guidebooks which can give you suggestions of the best sights, restaurants, bars, and shopping areas. Check out travel blogs to see the actual experiences of tourists that can help you decide if a place is worthy of your trip. You may also research tour packages from various providers so you can estimate what you can visit for a definite amount of time.

As for me, after I have named them all, I organized the list by grouping the landmarks by district or by small areas, so that I would know the nearby sights once I stumble upon a certain place. I even used different font emphasis to order them from the most recommended to the least. So the top sights are in boldface, followed by italicized, and then normal. This is one of the advantages of DIY travel: you have the full control of your itinerary. Anyway, despite having this list, remember that being flexible is still a good idea. Don’t feel obliged to check all of these items. Just go where your feet would take you and enjoy every moment.

Some pages of my itinerary, Singapore 2013