Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Traveling: The Only Addiction That's Good For You

batanes

I'm an addict, a self-confessed travel addict. Before, I used to see traveling as a luxurious lifestyle that only the privileged people can do but learning the art of budgeting has given me the opportunity to visit different places without the need to empty my bank account.

I remember my very first out of town trip and I was thinking ‘this is the first time that I will be away from my comfort zone’. Little that I know that this short trip to Puerto Galera was just the start of a long journey of self-discovery.

beaches

The charming beaches of Caramoan, Puraran, Baler, Guisi, Bantayan and North Cay has made me appreciate sunsets even more and realize that every day is a new day.

temples

The temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Pha That Luang in Laos and A-Ma in Macau opened my eyes to different cultures and religions which I highly respect and adore more than ever. The good news is that getting a Cambodia Visa is easy and straightforward so I was able to explore its majestic temples.

food

Tasty dishes from Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam may have worsened my acid reflux but the gastronomic experiences were always a delight.

lighthouse

Towering lighthouses in Palaui, Capones Island, Ilocos, Bolinao and Batanes gave me breathtaking views of different horizons that one day I choose to explore further.

trek

The long trails to Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pinatubo, Batad and Pico de Loro were able to test my endurance and patience to the limits while appreciating that there is no mountain high enough to keep me from living life to the full.

collage

I have shared a trip with different kinds of travelers; some I have traveled with a couple of times and some I have only met while on the road. But what’s amusing is that these are actually the most amazing people I have ever met. Once you share a room or a ride with a traveler, you’re most likely to share stories or even have a common interest to talk about and before you know it, a stranger becomes a friend and these are the type of friendships that are worth keeping.

pukaimas

5 years. That's how long this addiction has been going on for and I probably don't see it ending anytime soon. Why? Because it has changed me, for the better. For such a long time I have put a limit on my dreams and just became contented with a boxed-in life. Then I discovered the art of traveling and came into a realization that my life is more that can be contained in a box. I chose to step outside of its confining walls to get me started to living a life that is more open to change and embracing any challenge that comes along the way. Every trip that I made has changed me and little by little I become a better person, appreciating another way of life that I have lived even for just a few days or weeks. After every trip I realize that the world I left hasn’t changed at all but it is me, enlightened with totally diverse values and inspired by a series of adventures. My travels have completely changed the course of my life and it's all I want to do for the next years ahead.

So are you ready to live out of the box? Go pack up your bags and discover how fun it is to travel. This is the only addiction that won't require you to go to rehab!


Pinoy Travel Bloggers Blog Carnival
     This is my entry to the March Blog Carnival hosted by Reiza Dejito of Wander If You Must on the topic "Leap of Faith: When Travelling Changed My Life."

To see the archive of Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival click here.


31 comments:

  1. timing din sa fb group na bago ah, hehehe !!

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    1. syempre kasama pa rin ang bakasyonista :)

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  2. No side effects, overdose and withdrawal symptoms. Tried and tested!

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  3. an addiction that's so good.. ako magtu-2 years pa lang sa travel addiction.. sobrang sarap ma-high!

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    1. keep it up ivan! i'm sure you'll see more places :)

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  4. wow ang ganda naman!! i agree with you, traveling is indeed the only addiction that's good for you hehe

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  5. I love traveling too pero di pa ganun karami napupuntahan ko. Marami ako gusto marating dito sa pinas pati na rin sa ibang bansa!

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    1. i'm sure you will soon as long as you have the passion :)

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  6. Travel is an experience of a lifetime... who wouldn't agree with that motto of mine.
    I enjoy reading this and the learnings you had in every travel you had - this is worth sharing with others! I like this words of yours at the end - "After every trip I realize that the world I left hasn’t changed at all but it is me, enlightened with totally diverse values and inspired by a series of adventures. My travels have completely changed the course of my life and it's all I want to do for the next years ahead.".
    I definitely agree. Travel is an experience of a lifetime!

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  7. "the only thing you buy that makes you rich!"

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  8. i think i wanna travel with you someday!!! :)

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  9. That's right! :) Traveling is such a good addiction. You can buy expensive items but as time passes, things will get broken. However, in traveling, your memories will always remain with you. :)

    Btw, regarding your question about Lumix LX5, I believe it has HD video. I recorded a video and when I uploaded it in YouTube, it had an option for HD. :)

    Take care and keep on traveling! ^___^

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    1. could agree more. thanks karla. will get a lumix soon ;)

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  10. Every day is indeed a new day... And traveling teaches us to seize every waking day, because 'living in the now' is the most awesomest way of life :)

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  11. "Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer". Traveling has always been my dream and I'm glad that I have the chance to make it come true. Malaking tulong talaga ang pag-bubudget at mga seat sales!!

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  12. Indeed travel is best addiction.I was attracted by travel factor at the age of 8 and I continued exploring mountain world in Nepal and last year my travel habit made me the youngest person to thru-hike 2000km long Great Himalaya Trail and further in future I will be travelling lot and lot.Travels teaches you lot thing and make you realise facts of life.

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    1. hi sunil! hope i can tag along with you soon in one of your hikes. would love to visit nepal :)

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  13. naiyak ako... nainspired ako sa blog post mo!

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  14. No wonder you really a Travel Addict yet Inspiring Post you have :) Travel Philippines

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  15. Its an expensive hobby but it makes your life meaningful and appreciate the beauty of nature. Its like a self achievement. :-D

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    1. hi henry. yes it does require one to spend money but it's really not that expensive as long as you do proper budgeting and have good researching skills :)

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  16. i sooo can relate to the last paragraph -- the boxed in life. just going out makes a big difference living. as long as we have the means and the body to do so, nothing's stopping us.

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  17. Nice one. Super inspiring blog. I have many places in mind to travel and explore. Sana one day I can start. Keep inspiring, keep blogging and keep walking.

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