February 16, 2016
“Indonesian???” asked a local who looked at me with a confused look in his own face. “No,” I would smile. “Japan?” “No.” “Thailand?” “No.” “Vietnam!” “Try harder!” “Philippine!” And he laughed, as if he won the lottery. This guessing game is one of the few constants on my trips around […]
February 15, 2016
Some years ago, I handed half of my salary to my mother. I am single, have the highest-paying job among my working, familied older siblings. And culture dictates, it is my responsibility to help my parents and younger siblings. A year or two had passed; the half became a quarter […]
February 11, 2016
Said the overly quoted Pico Iyer, “We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, […]
January 25, 2016
The beauty of the southern states is not a secret to anyone. Florida, the Sunshine State, has captured the hearts of many travelers for its theme parks and beaches. North Carolina is the home of the best hike destinations, while Massachusetts is the home of many exciting casinos. The art […]
January 25, 2016
I shared the table with a Dutch traveler for our complimentary breakfast of coffee, two toasts, and few slices of melon—something that the Burmese or us Filipinos do not normally have for breakfast. But I enjoyed it, nonetheless, especially after an hour or so of pedaling on sandy paths, checking […]
January 24, 2016
Whether you plan to wander around Bryce Canyon National Park and admire rock architectures or walk your way up to Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park, indeed Utah is a heaven for the adventurous in you. The neighboring state is not far behind. Be it Maroon Bells, Rocky Mountain National […]
January 22, 2016
A note: Hi there! I would constantly update this list. If you have been to overcrowded destinations in the Philippines that you want to include in the list, email us at backpackingwithabook@gmail.com—Jona In April and May, some Filipinos take three showers a day while others suffer from the absence of water […]
December 30, 2015
Florida is not called the Sunshine State for no reason. It is the state that defies terrible weather: while other places brave the winter, Florida provides its own sunshine. Playing in theme parks and enjoying the beaches are just two of the many things to do here. Let your toes […]
December 8, 2015
It is too early to be nostalgic. But it is December already, and there is a certain demand to retrace the places we have been to before forgetfulness erases them for good. It has been a fruitful year, and I should pat my own back because I owe it to […]
December 5, 2015
San Cruz is a city with a sunny personality. It is liberal and supports alternative communities. Its warmth does not stop there; its landscape is to die for. This city is home to the renowned Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a tree-lined downtown, which is a lovely sight come fall. Plus, […]
December 2, 2015
It feels like April here in Cebu; for someone who brags about the seeming eternal summer in her country, I find the heat almost unbearable. And for someone who brags about having a life-work balance, here I am so caught up with revising Backpacking with a Book’s feel and content. […]
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