BORACAY: A LITTLE SLICE OF PARADISE. Entry: Monday 5-9-11 through Thursday 5-12-11

By: Matthieu Assistant Director

The Philippines has a way of grabbing traveler’s hands, sucking them in, and taking them for the ride of their life. Your Budget Savvy Travelers found themselves on a breathtaking journey to the isle of Boracay.

A summation of Boracay is difficult but in a nutshell it is paradise… I will do my best to describe its beauty.

The island’s powdered white beaches, crystal blue waters, and cool air breezes erase all worries from the mind and rejuvenate a weary travelers soul. 

Not to mention the most memorable (or not as the case may be) nightlife that makes even the most uncoordinated of people put on their best pair of best boogies shoes and dance until the morning light. Boracay is the closest to paradise many will come across and it is easy to see why so many travelers make a stop here and why some may never leave.

BUDGET SAVVY

Although Boracay is not the lightest on a traveler’s wallet, its beauty is one that must be seen firsthand and therefore it is up to the budget conscious traveler to find ways to make it affordable.

Easier said than done, but not impossible.

The First Budget Issue: Lodging

There are many expensive resorts around that charge an arm and a leg (even for Philippine standards) but if you do some research you’ll find a plethora of affordable gems.

Your Budget Backpackers #1 choice to rest their head is Frendz Hostel. This so called “hostel” offers a tropical styled bamboo bungalows, 2 minute walk to the beautiful “white beach”, and even have hot water showers (a first so far) all for around 300 pesos per night (~$7 USD) in the off-season. Also this was rated #1 hostel in the Philippines for 2009 and 2010 by Hostel world, not an easy feat.

Another option for the more adventurist traveler is to talk with locals about staying in their apartment for a few nights. Keep in mind it never hurts to ask!

Second Budget Issue: Food

Food is more expensive on Boracay simply because it is an island. However the further you are away from the beachfront the more affordable the food becomes. About 15 minute walk from Frendz Hostel is D’Talipapa, an amazing market with the freshest fish around for very low prices. Scattered around the market are restaurants that will even cook your catch of the day for you!

A meal for our crew consisted of delicious mussels, and succulent Jackfish all for around 550 pesos (250pesos for fish + 300pesoos cooking fee).

Also, it also never hurts to ask a local where their favorite sport to catch a bite to eat is.

OTHER BUDGET TIPS:

Work for Travel

To make things more affordable you may consider offering to work in exchange for lodging, food, or transportation.

Laura, a SCUBA Diving instructor, is an adventurous young lass from England. She decided to leave all of her ties behind, get a SCUBA Diving license, and explore what the world has to offer.  She makes a living SCUBA diving each day, saving up for her next journey…not a bad way to travel.

 

There are countless testimonies of travelers working their way around the world!

Transportation costs

Transportation costs can be reduced if your itinerary can spare the time. Instead of a flight from Manila to Boracay, look into taking a ferry (+/- 9hours); Airfare = 3500 pesos($80USD) apposed to ferry = 700 pesos ($16USD). You never know what kind of adventures you run into when you cut corners. A good stategy is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

ACTIVITIES:

Now on to the best part of the island: the activities. As with any resort island there are a million things to do and most cost money. You can haggle as much as you like but in the end you might have to suck it up and give in. Boracay has amazing SCUBA diving, snorkeling, parasailing, skim boarding, and ATVing. Each offers a unique taste of the island and an unforgettable experience.

Your #1 Budget Backpacker activity of choice is simply lying out and enjoying a sunset! Best of all its FREE!! (Except for the drinks!)

Happy travels!! And good luck!

MANNY PACQUIAO BOXING MATCH AND COUCHSURFING. Entry: Sunday 5-8-11

MANNY PACQUIAO BOXING MATCH

AND

A LITTLE COUCH SURFING

By: Kile Sound Man

There I was…on a small side street in Barrio Santa Maria watching the Pacquiao vs. Mosely fight with 40 or 50 other people.  As I stood there in the rain, with all my sound equipment, in a poncho that was doubling as a portable sauna, I realized something.

Community is huge here.

This particular spot was set up outside someone’s house in the open, with some coverings over a few of the chairs and the televisions.  People had been planning to watch this fight together for a long time, and then suddenly, the day of it starts raining. 

I feel that anywhere else the event would be cancelled and people would watch the fight in their homes by themselves, yet here in Manila everyone stayed! They shared umbrellas, watched from neighbors’ balconies, and even stood in the rain. 

Yes, they probably withstood the weather partly because Manny Pacquioa is a national hero to Filipinos, but I think the major reason was because they wanted to share those moments together.  It was a simple yet beautiful realization for me.

An example of the friendliness and hospitality of Filipinos presented itself later the same day.  We met up with one of the kindest and friendliest people I’ve ever met. 

Dab Samar.

Dab is an avid couch surfer, which is to say he uses the website couchsurfing.org to find free places to stay with locals in different countries as well as hosting travelers in his home in Manila.   Couch surfing is a great way to find free places to stay in whatever country you’re visiting and a fun way to meet fellow travel enthusiasts.  Dab is the epitome of the couch surfing ideals.  He told us that he likes to host other travelers simply because he likes being helpful.  He likes being a part of the travel community and it’s obvious to me that he’s so open and welcoming because that’s just the Filipino way.

Despite being in a country whose culture and people are completely foreign to me, I’ve felt welcome and at home and I find that pretty amazing.

FILIPINO GAME SHOW AND REPUBLIQ NIGHT CLUB. Entry: Friday 5-6-11

FROM THE HAPPY YIPEE YEHEE TV SHOW 

TO THE FANCY CLUB REPUBLIC

By Matthieu the Assistant Director

The Philippines is a country that escapes its troubles by watching daytime media, which fantasizes about winning it big.

The Budget Backpackers attended a local TV show called Happy Yippee Yehey and what a scene they caused. 

We showed the Filipinos how rowdy a bunch of American/Brits can get. Yelling at the top of our lungs, jumping until our legs gave out, and just being crazy we all made quite a spectacle. 

Dom was even asked to come up on stage to be aired on live television.

Another passion amongst the Philippines is enjoying the nightlife and so the Backpackers cleaned the mud off their shoes, swapped tank tops for button downs, and scrounged up enough dough to get into one of the ritziest clubs in Manila. The Filipinos know how to get down, party, and have a good time. The Backpackers joined in fun, danced the entire night away, and felt that much closer to the foreign culture.

BAR IN MAKATI (CENTRAL). Entry: Wednesday 5-5-11

CENTRAL BAR

By Matthieu the Assistant Director

The bus coming back from Banaue was 10-hours of frigid vents blowing from all angles accompanied by a restless and sleepless bus ride. We finally arrived in Manila at 4:30 in the morning, so we planned in a little R&R to lighten our travels.

After our power naps, my faithful crew and I set our sights on the nightlife of Manila!  We decided to ease into it with the bar called Central Bar… The scene was scattered with young locals, boogie-dancing waiters, flame sizzling dishes, cheap beer and a whole lot of fun!

As the night progressed, Dom was dragged out to the bar to show off his dancing skills…although not the most impressive moves, he danced his heart out! Way to boogie down with the locals.

 

Midnight approached before we knew it and had to turn in for the night for tomorrow holds new adventures.

Stay posted for the next blog!!

SIDE NOTE:

I must remind my fellow travelers that plumbing may differ when traveling…I experienced this when my stool did not agree with the piping of the common Filipino house. My American poop of steel resisted to go down as I had to borrow a neighbors plunger and plunge as the water in the bowl rose aimlessly. The gods decided to give me a break and eventually allowed the toilet to clear up, but be warned as you venture away from that comforting porcelain bowl of yours at home…

BANAUE RICE TERRACES. Entry: Tuesday 5-3-11 and Wednesday 5-4-11

BANAUE RICE TERRACES
-KILE Sound Master

So we recently got back from the Banaue Rice Terraces…wow! One of the most amazing places I’ve ever been.  We said it’s like a man made Grand Canyon, due to the scale of it! I learned that the 4,000 square miles of rice terraces are all grown for consumption, to feed only the locals in the area.  It was pretty humbling to be in that majestic place.

I think the best part of the rice terraces was the people we met along the way.  Nora, our guide for the two days we were there was amazing.  She arranged everything for us and made the experience very informative.  We got to stay in a small native village inhabited by a tribe called the Ifugao.  I got to sleep in a hut made entirely from plants from the area! How cool is that?!

We had the privilege of witnessing ritual dancing of the tribe and then got to watch as Dom and Matt joined the dancing.  We also received the amazing honor of having sacrifices made for our arrival! PETA members take heed, stop reading now if you don’t want to get offended.  Four chickens were sacrificed: one to the rice god for blessings and a good harvest, one for safe travels, another for getting a better job (hopefully I become a CEO now!), and the final one for safety from sickness and harm.  We then got to eat a meal with some of the Ifugao in the hut, consisting of the chicken and rice that we helped to prepare.

The next day we hiked around the rice terraces in Hapao, a region near Banaue.  We went to a hot spring near a river where we cooled off and then warmed up.  Very relaxing overall. 

The whole experience was one of the most amazing of my life.  The area is breathtaking, but the people are really what make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  They are so welcoming and friendly.  They share what they have with you even if they don’t have much and they make you feel welcome.  I will forever have the amazing memory of eating with the Ifugao in the Philippines.

You can do it too! What are you waiting for? Everything I’ve experienced in only a few days makes me want to recommend the Philippines to all those who wish to travel.  You will not be disappointed. 

-Kile

RED CARABAO HOSTEL IN MANILA. Entry: Monday 5-2-11

RED CARABAO HOSTEL

Matthieu Petrucci the Assistant Director

If you are going to visit Manila, the crazy capital of the Philippines where would you bunker down for the night? Simple: RED CARABAO HOSTEL!!...DUH!

Awesome blend of cheap accommodations ( about 7.50 USD per night), cool mesh of oriental, Spanish and Filipino architecture, and some of the nicest staff you’ll meet while on your travels.  

Here’s a sample of the people, art and culture:

EDWIN the MANAGER  

MIKE the TRAVELER

Lain upon the fridge was the quote that sums up the trip:

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,

It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

As we were about to leave  the hostel, Edwin told us that he arranged a lunch for us and of course we could not turn down a free meal, so we indulged in some of the finest Filipino cuisine. There was broiled chicken, pork, rice, more tasty meat dishes and to top it off a mango tart…MASÁRAP!!

We left the hostel with new friends, satisfied stomachs, and a deeper sense of Filipino hospitality.

BARRIO FIESTA. Entry: Sunday 5-1-11

!!!!BARRIO SANTA MARIA FIESTA!!!

 (By Matthieu Petrucci the Assistant Director)

Wow…today is the Bario’s celebration of their patron saint, and I assure you, the Filipinos do not hold back!

This morning I woke up to the sound of Lady GaGa blaring from a marching band at 7:30am…that was just the start. Next they played a series of catchy American themed music ranging from 80’s hairband pop to newer mainstreamed music. Then came the traditional march of the fiesta, whose tune is inevitably stuck in your head for the entire day. 

After a short mass the whole town paraded around carrying floats of the Mother Mary and Jesus whom blessed the crowd as they passes by. As soon as the festivities started my crew and I were welcomed into the town as more than just an outsider looking in, but as a fellow companion.

Once lunchtime came around the parade dispersed and everyone invited each other back to their houses to share meals. The feast that awaited us was more than my  stomach to take in…there was every meat known to man on the table, complete with rice and even Filipino made Pasta Carbanara (my favorite!). My mates and I ate to our hearts content and then were forced to eat more for fear of disappointing Kenny’s Grandmother…

 

  

Slowly but surely, we wandered back out to the street to partake in the festive games.  The games ranged from gambling pesos to win a baby chick or goldfish, to swinging at “piñata like” pots for candy, or defend your karaoke title to see who has the best voice in town. During which the streets are covered with cheerful hearts that are willing to share a beer or two with you in the spirit of celebrating the saint.

As the festivities turned into night, the town lit up with a glow of old arrangements of Christmas lights, randomly strung light bulbs, and smiling faces of all ages. The crowd gathered again to parade around the town and bring the celebration to a close.