NOTE: This is not a guide. I'm just sharing my experience. I'm a messed up person so follow me at your own risk. LOL
As a person suffering from anxiety and panic attack, travelling solo is a huge deal. Actually, travelling even with someone is scary enough for some reason I cannot comprehend (u lil dumb brain y u scared too much?). But I just had to. This has been a goal of mine not because I'm broken hearted or searching for myself or other cliche reasons. It's because I just wanted to. I'm an introvert so the idea of travelling by myself felt satisfying (except the fact that I had to, you know, leave my bed, my coffee, and my cats).
As a person suffering from anxiety and panic attack, travelling solo is a huge deal. Actually, travelling even with someone is scary enough for some reason I cannot comprehend (u lil dumb brain y u scared too much?). But I just had to. This has been a goal of mine not because I'm broken hearted or searching for myself or other cliche reasons. It's because I just wanted to. I'm an introvert so the idea of travelling by myself felt satisfying (except the fact that I had to, you know, leave my bed, my coffee, and my cats).
Last year I scored a deal during the Piso sale of Cebu Pacific. A discounted plane ticket to and from Iloilo. I didn't had second thoughts back then but as the days went by and a thunderstorm visiting Philippines, I almost backed out my plans. Piggy encouraged me to do it, though, because he believed I can do it. So I packed my clothes, a book, and cameras and flown to a city I've never been to.
Ooh too much chitchat boo hoo. Let's get down to business. To defeat. The scared lil kitten inside my head. Here is my 5-day itinerary for my Iloilo-Guimaras-Gigantes trip. I will include my expenses though it was huge because I just can't control myself when it comes to food, plus I was sick during the trip (as always) and had my menstruation oh my gosh TMI! Okay I will stop.
It was midnight when I got to Iloilo airport so I had no choice but to take the taxi. If I had known this I would've just paid more for a plane ticket for a morning flight. I stayed in Ong Bun Pension House for Php330 a night plus transaction charge (Traveloka).
DAY 1. GUIMARAS DAY TOUR
Surprisingly I woke up early for my Guimaras trip even if I slept late the night before. Must be excitement. I as still sick but I didn't include my medical expenses in the list since I hope you wouldn't experience that. Anyway, I hired Kuya Charlie for a day tour via habal-habal. More information about my trip in my next post, but I will tell you that it was amazing plus the photos are great! I think all the guides there are trained to take the best shots in Guimaras tourist spots.
DAY 2-3 Gigantes Islands
The next day, I went to a paradise called Isla de Gigantes. Again, I sacrificed money for convenience and safety so I rented the van bound to Carles with pickup directly from my hotel. I joined a scheduled group tour 2d1n via Gigantes Travel and Tours for Php1699 all in. More of this on my upcoming post. Spoiler: what makes this place a paradise was the people.
After my trip in Gigantes I was so depressed because I really fell in love with the people and the strangers I met in the group tour. I didn't want to leave, it's pathetic. Anyway, I rented a cute artistic room via AirBnb called Home of the lost Soles, owned by the lovely Riza and her wonderful family. From there I went to Baybay to see another public beach. I didn't swim though coz I was shy since I would've been the only one swimming. Honestly, scared is the right term. I also experienced dining with an ocean view. Loved it!
DAY 4. Southern Iloilo
Tired and exhausted from travelling and crying, I woke up a bit late for my southern Iloilo trip. At 8 I packed my things and travelled for 4 hours to Garin farm in San Joaquin. Usually it was just a 2-hr trip but there was a couple of road widening going on in Iloilo-Antique road so yep, heavy traffic. Felt like EDSA all over again.
I met a group of strangers again and they let me share the tricycle ride to Garin Farm. Actually they treated me two rides, a lunch, and a siopao for snack. Why are these people so nice?
After the farm, I went to Miag-ao to visit my Alma Mater's sister (UPV). I got super sick again from there so I went straight back to the city. I would've stop by Guimbal had I known how lovely the city was and and that they have beach resorts and if my uterus was not killing itself. More of this in my upcoming post (no, not the uterus one).
I met a group of strangers again and they let me share the tricycle ride to Garin Farm. Actually they treated me two rides, a lunch, and a siopao for snack. Why are these people so nice?
After the farm, I went to Miag-ao to visit my Alma Mater's sister (UPV). I got super sick again from there so I went straight back to the city. I would've stop by Guimbal had I known how lovely the city was and and that they have beach resorts and if my uterus was not killing itself. More of this in my upcoming post (no, not the uterus one).
DAY 5. Hunt for Pasalubongs
The last day was full of disappointment and thrown cash. Disappointment because Camina Balay nga Bato was fully booked and I regretted not going the day before (curse you uterus!). Second choice was Madge cafe and I literally flown to get there because the cafe closes at 12 during Sundays. Then I went back to Guimaras to buy 3kg overly-expensive mangoes, walked around Jaro carrying said mangoes plus other pasalubongs, went to Molo to buy overly-expensive Molo soup (cheaper if I bought a whole kaserola). It was worth it though.
At lunch I still went back to Camina praying they can accommodate me since I'm solo but got disappointed again. I just bought overly-expensive chocolate tablea instead. Me and my decisions!
By 3PM I was home-sick and missing my cats. I was glad to be home.
GRAND TOTAL: Php 12,083
The plan was to chill so I didn't make a detailed itinerary just like I used to. Also the reason why I overspent. Another plan was to avoid people at all cost. Fortunately, what happened was exactly the opposite and it was great!
By the grand total (exclusive of my meds) you know now that I am broke but still rich in memories oh who am I kidding I'm still broke! LOL. So to avoid such mistake, here are my tips:
- Don't travel sick.
- Don't get sick during travel.
- Don't travel if you're expecting your red flag (for girls).
- Don't bring all your money.
- Make a budget plan.
- Join a group of strangers (I did this)
- Dine in cheap karinderya (I'm a foodie so I failed to do this)
- Screw the pasalubongs!
- Always choose the jeepney
- If all else fails, at least make sure you had fun (I did)
So that's it for my first solo travel. It was so fun and life-changing (coz now I'm poor and I'm still paying for it. LOL). Check out my detailed posts if I'm not too lazy to write them huhu.
Have you been to Iloilo or Guimaras? Have you tried travelling solo? How was your experience? Did you get broke? Just kidding.
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
.png)
I love this...
ReplyDeleteNice post. You can make a solo trip budgeted via pre-booking cheap Luton airport parking if your destination place is UK.
ReplyDeleteExperiencing a safe, fun-filled camping trip is the thrill of a lifetime! Through careful planning, purchasing "easy to use', reliable camping gear and educating your group about safe camping rules, this experience can easily be accomplished.Missouri RV Dealer
ReplyDeleteApparently you need to visit the Peruvian Amazon district to really encounter the jungle, so this piece of your Peru trip will be substantial on adventure. A stay at an Inkaterra jungle hotel includes a few guided outings daily, and there are likewise some extra discretionary tours (extra expense). The early AM can be the best for certain natural life viewing, so visitors can hope to rise early (it's likewise a lot cooler). If you want to know more, Please check out here: Tambopata tours
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this interesting blog with us.My pleasure to being here on your blog..I wanna come beck here for new post from your site. visit website
ReplyDeleteHang loose! How ever much you planned for your trip, things always will happened, and these are things that you can not control, that is why it is a good idea to plan your trip well.Thuê xe tại Quốc tế
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for an inspirational walk than trekking in the trail of the old mills in Dhermi in Albania is a must-do. Discover Albania
ReplyDeleteplease do for travel and hotel booking. In Asia would be nice and nice comments. Thank you. ho chi minh hotel
ReplyDeleteIf you are planning to take an overseas trip, you should definitely look into purchasing a trip travel insurance policy for yourself, your travel companions and your family.council bluffs ia motel
ReplyDeleteThank you because you have been willing to share information with us. we will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with our. soft pet carrier for cats
ReplyDeleteTravelling offers a special awakening for each and every sense: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling. A new culture means new food to taste, activities to enjoy, and places to experience.deal on cheap used campers for sale near me
ReplyDeleteExcellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. india visa for chinese citizens
ReplyDeleteWhen people travel out of town to go to a conference they will also have transportation needs so they can get to and from the conference itself. They can also help with such things as arranging for car rentals and taxi services to and from the conference. family resorts in orlando
ReplyDeleteThis particular is usually apparently essential and moreover outstanding truth along with for sure fair-minded and moreover admittedly useful My business is looking to find in advance designed for this specific useful stuffs… ABTA Consultant
ReplyDeleteOpen Google and type into the search box, the name of whatever country or general area you want to holiday in, followed by the words "travel information" or "travel guide". For example; "Spain travel information". Browse several of the sites your search throws up and then decide which ones give you the best travel tips relevant to your holiday needs. thy uçak bileti
ReplyDeleteValuable life wisdom is definitely found when living in a new culture, with a new language and you will make new friends and quite possibly new romances all benefiting your social skills and confidence. ingatlan budapest
ReplyDeleteNice post… Thank you 🙂 for this article and very informative article. Wish to travel Visit turkey best place Mardin’s Old City is easily toured by walking American need visa for Turkey apply for Trukish visa through e Turkish visa online application. The US visa for Turkey visitors need to fill online e visa application upload documents & photos, make online payment. Pakistan is a world's 26th largest economy City is easily toured by walking.they need to get Pakistan visa and apply emergency visa to Pakistan. The process is so simple Just go to online emergency visa to Pakistan visa application form and fill out the Pakistan visa Information requirements application and UK all citizens traveling to Pakistan ,get the evisa
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe content you shared with us is great. Thanks for sharing it. You can fill the emergency Indian visa application form by clicking the link we just provided. Thanks for adding value to the post.
I haven’t any word to appreciate this post.....Really i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us. Napali Coast Hanalei Tours
ReplyDelete