HELP and PRAY for Philippines

     Only a few weeks after the Philippines was badly affected by a strong earthquake. Philippines is again facing another ordeal. Severe damage and many lives lost due to typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), recorded as the strongest typhoon in the world. 

     We are asking for your prayers and help for the families of those greatly affected. Prayers and sympathies are greatly appreciated but more than these, they (my Fellow Filipinos) need our help. I tried to compile pictures from different websites and news files of the aftermath of the storm Yolanda. I also compiled the list of where we can send our help, a little amount or anything is a Big Help. Let's work together as a nation.  We (Fellow Filipinos) are thankful for all the support and help given by different countries.

Disclaimer: All the photos posted are not mine and compiled for the purpose of helping the victims of the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). 
Full Credits to all the owner of the photos. 

Some Places Greatly Hit By the Typhoon. 

The Aftermath.

Tacloban Leyte: (C) Inquirer 

Guian Town, Samar: (C) AFP Photo Ted Aljibe

Northern, Iloilo: (C) ABS CBN Iloilo

How can you HELP?

If you are from Philippines or Abroad and want to help please check the all the list below. I compiled some List of Institutions accepting Donations. 

(Gathered from different websites)

Locally:

Links: (Please Click the Links Below)
Compiled by Rappler.com (Local and Abroad)
Compiled by Yahoo Philippines


International (Please Click the Links Below)
International Institutions compiled by wunderground.com
Canadian Redcross

Thought Corner: Why You Should Consider Traveling SOLO?

Yes I love traveling. Yes I am a Female. And Yes I travel SOLO.

Sometimes it's fun to go mainstream. 

Being tourist-y in Singapura's Hop-on/Hop-off bus. It's always good to be back. 

People are always weirded out whenever they learn and hear that i travel solo and yes love it too!  Oh wait, May I just say that I feel happy now because finally my family and close friends understand my passion for travel and when i go solo. Well, not totally agree with me BUT now there's less violent reaction. 

Ok so why do I travel SOLO and encourage you to do so as well?

My first solo travel happened almost 3 years ago. Singapore was my chosen destination. You can read more about it HERE. Yes it wasn't easy for me because I had a hard time convincing my parents. I scheduled it during my birth month so I'll have a good excuse and yeah, it worked out well. The perks you get on your birthday. Oh yeah!
If you're gonna ask me what I gained from it? Well, A LOT. I'm proud to say it changed me. 

In Solo traveling...

1. You might be Surprised on How much You Can DO. Being solo especially in other places outside your comfort zone teaches you to be more independent, deepens self trust and confidence, challenges your critical thinking skills and unleashes your NEW self. Yes, I DO mean all those things written above. When you go SOLO, all you have is yourself and no one but yourself to decide on everything in order to survive your planned travel. You will be pushed to your limits during unavoidable times like getting lost in unfamiliar places, unleashes that inner confidence to converse to strangers (because traveling involves a lot of communication), and Yes imagine a BOOST on your Confidence after a Successful travel and BIG Credit to of course, YOURSELF. A different feeling of self accomplishment. 
Have you heard that according to studies, travelers find it easier to interact to people during social gatherings or situations compared to others?
Hmmmmm says a lot about Positive Self-Esteem right? 

2. You Meet and Gain a Lot of NEW Friends. Traveling in a group is fun. I also travel most of the time with friends and family. But sometimes the disadvantage is you limit yourself with the same crowd. You lessen the chance to get to know more about the people in that certain place and to learn more about their culture. Sometimes through interaction with the locals or other travelers, you get to know more about their culture that broadens your knowledge about each one's differences and why people act this way and that. And yes, I am proud to say that I've met many of my good friends now during my Travels. You can establish and build new connections in every place you go and that certain place might be your home away from home. You'll see the world in a different way, you'll see and feel that YES there are still so many good people vs. what we see on the news (re: crimes). You'll appreciate and see a lot of random act of kindness from strangers around you. But learn to trust your instincts as well. 

3. You Feed Your Soul. POWER of MEDITATION.  Traveling Solo can also be a form of meditation. When you are solo, there will be a lot of chances where you'll be caught up drowned in your own thoughts. Flashbacks, A vision of what you wanna BE and DO on your future or maybe just enjoy your NOW while you're in a train ride going to your next destination. Submerged into Nothing but your own thoughts and reflections, listening to no one but your own self which in turn strengthens your inner self-awareness. In our busy schedule with work nowadays and other stuff, when was the last time you listened to yourself? When was the last time you heard that "voice within you"? During meditation we detach ourselves from reality for a while and we learn to embrace our "wholeness". We learn to feel and really listen to our hearts and provide more space for great ideas to come. Yes, a time to reflect and re-create self. You'll feel more relaxed, happier and calmer. I really feel reinvigorated after every solo travel. Ready to face anything again with a bolder heart. Let me share some thoughts I had during another Solo Travel, La Union, Philippines: More than just a Surfing Spot

Yoga in Maldives
A Solo traveller must master the skill of Timed Shots And equip themselves with monopod or tripod. 
Taking this shot wasn't easy but upon seeing it... All worth it!

4. You Become OPEN MINDED. Definitely NO to BIGOTRY. An Open Mind is what you learn to exercise from traveling in general. That's why I really encourage people to start packing their bags and go! Doesn't mean international right away. A visit to a nearby town is already traveling away from the world or routine you've created. You'll see that the world is way different outside your own world. That there are a lot of people luckier or less privileged than you; a lot of problems bigger than what you are ranting for days; a lot of differences in culture and places; and a lot of things to be thankful for. You'll understand more why certain people act this way or that. Maybe, just maybe, you'll see and live your life differently from before. Traveling changed me a lot. I learned to appreciate (more) every bit of me and what i have (contentment). So before you leave any negative comments about other people, do you really know why they act that way? Before focusing on negative things in your life, maybe there are more things to be grateful for? 

5. You Create a Great Investment. The rewards you gain from it are priceless. Furthermore, the life lessons you get from traveling especially SOLO lasts a lifetime compared to mundane things. Traveling shapes you to be a Better, Wiser and Stronger person depending on how you accept and embrace each valuable experience and lesson. As for me, I always try to see through the goodness in things. 
I definitely disagree whenever I hear some people say that traveling is just a WASTE of money. I think it all depends on how you perceive things and how you use them in favor of you. When you buy fancy things, Yes you experience happiness BUT short-lived. When you buy a travel ticket, you are investing on yourself and on an experience that may totally change you. Experiences weigh more than tangible things. Great and inspiring experiences leave an imprint in your heart that will definitely last a lifetime and can be surely passed on from one generation to another. When time comes that I'll have kids of my own, I'm gonna share all my wonderful travels to them and teach them that they may see the true Beauty in the World and Life. 
May I just add, a lot of really Successful people (self-made people) traveled the world before they became Successful or More Successful. The Ideas you get when traveling are Infinite.  

6. You are FREE.
Yes, you get much freedom during solo travels. You're FREE to: follow your own pace or time, make your own itinerary (IT) and visit all the places you love, plus eat and sleep anywhere you want without having to worry about others. Moreover, you are also FREE from stress, rush and conflicts which may arise at times when you travel with a group.  Sometimes when we travel, we just need to sit back, relax and savor the experience without any ITs, no time pressure, and just…. get lost for a moment. The best travel experiences are sometimes the unplanned ones. So don't be scared to go out of your comfort zone, and be ready to embrace the unknown. It might be an experience of a lifetime. So pack your bags and just go! 

Surely I can add-up a lot more to this list but for now let me leave you with 6. 

Some Things To Keep in Mind:

When traveling solo, SAFETY should be your first priority. Try to research about the place and people, the DO's and DON'Ts beforehand. 
I always get the number of the hotel (and inform the front desk) or Police Station in case of Emergency. Plan some important things well and Be ALERT all the time. 

And yes, traveling doesn't have to be lucrative. For tips on how to travel cheaply you can also read my blog: I CAN Travel, You CAN Travel TOO: 10 Tips on How to Travel Cheap

Solo Biking in Maldives.
I stayed for a night in one of the islands where the locals live so I can get to know more of their culture. 
It was so fun! 

A Date with my favorite person, Self.
I usually spend my "ME" time pondering about a lot of things. I fell in love with the place and the food, ah heavenly. 
This is one of the restaurants in Kurumba Resort in Maldives and it's so hard not to fall in love with this place, hence Maldives is every Honeymooners' dream. 

So serene and private. 
Who wouldn't love it here? I had a hard time bidding goodbye, Maldives. 

Gardens by the Bay
I am the "Little Princess" surrounded by Baobab trees. 

Taken during my First Solo Travel in 2010. National Orchid Garden in Singapore. Thankful for mirrors. 

Meet my New Friend Mrs. Pecker.
The Perks of Going Solo in Universal Studios Singapore? I was able to have lots of photos with the stars, others got strictly one picture each only then you'll hear: Neeeext on cue no more take two's! haha 

MIRROR! Oh well, there's only one thing to do. haha
 Very rare chance to capture that picture perfect moment during Solo travels especially when always on the Move. Biking at Pulau Ubin, Singapore. 

Back in one of my favorite local destinations, La Union and another Solo Travel. 
Yes, I lived here during my stay in La Union. Hostel living and loving it. 

Baler, Philippines: Another Surfing Spot (Video Blog)

I made a short clip about my recent visit so you can see my experiences, mood and also feel the vibes during my travel. You can also go to vimeo to watch the video in HD. Happy Watching!

Baler, Philippines: Another Surfing Spot from gottabekara on Vimeo.

First Travel Vlog: Guimaras Island, Philippines

Kara's Blog Vocab List ***Baul- Filipino Word Meaning: Treasure Box ***Baul Blog- meaning stock of unwritten precious experiences So I suddenly came up with an experiment on how I can share to you my travel adventures faster and easier, since it's so hard for me to find that "Spark" in writing because of my oh-so busy schedule lately with work and other stuff. I wouldn't want this recent trip to be put in my "BAUL" blogs again. I decided to create my FIRST Travel Vlog and give you a sneak peek of my recent whereabout. After a year and a half, I am back once again in one of my favorite places here in the Philippines, The Island of Guimaras. I went to visit another secluded Beach Resort, "Cabaling Beach Resort". Let me show you a bit of what the place has to offer. Detailed blog about it soon. Hopefully reaaaaaally soon!haha. Check out my first vlog experiment. Oh well, this is the best I can do for now as a Beginner but hopefully I can improve more through practice. A spur of the moment chance and grabbed it. You can go to vimeo to watch the video in HD. Happy Watching! Location:Cabaling Beach Resort Brgy. Espinosa Sitio Cabaling Jordan, Guimaras Contact Ms. Lot at 0949-4909206 Multi-cab Service in Guimaras Island: 0947-7861479, Melvin Camera used: IPOD Touch

First Travel Vlog: Guimaras Island from gottabekara on Vimeo.

Underworld: Exploring El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Last June, I went to El Nido, Palawan together with eleven other friends hence the name "Cheaper by the Dozen Gang Adventure". I was really giddy and excited days before our much awaited barkada (friends) trip. But a day before our scheduled travel date, it was reported on the news that the weather will be rainy due to an upcoming storm. I felt worried that we won't enjoy the beach and the island tours because of continuous heavy rainfall. I am a beach lover; I love the Sun, Sand and Sea but how are we gonna enjoy every bit of it when weather doesn't cooperate? Then I sadly said to myself, well I guess this is one of those not so lucky trip and just see what things we can do in the island. 

But contrary to my expectation, it was one AWE-INSPIRING travel. We explored some of El Nido's islands during the two-day tour (TOUR A and C) and had a wonderful experience UNDERwater eventhough it was raining hard. 

No BAD weather can stop us from exploring the beauty of nature. Philippines really has a lot of amazing places and surprises. I just felt so lucky to be a local in a place with 7,107 islands. Below are some of the shots I took during our snorkeling adventure and I was just so speechless with every snorkeling spot we visited. In my opinion, the lime formations in El Nido were like those in Halong Bay, Vietnam but the world under is incomparable. I just hope the local government can support and maintain the beauty of the marine life. 

The whole UNDERWORLD experience reminded me of my scuba diving certification (PADI) dream once again,maybe someday soon. 

Oh, Hello there! Mr. Patrick trying to play HIDE and SEEK.
This is my favorite starfish color. 

Look out! Sea urchins on the loose. 

They also have a flower underwater. Corals everywhere. 

Corals looking like mushrooms.

Can you spot the star? 

Very tricky to touch them, they swim so fast. 

School of Fish.

Had a hard time following this rainbow colored fish, glad I was able to have a shot even far away. =)

Oh look, another one. The closest shot I can get. haha. If only I am a good swimmer. 

Oh, NEON! It's Definitely a colorful world down there.

Because I just can't get enough, more shots of these beautiful creatures. 

Ooooh they look so different Under and Out of water.

More of them swarming under our boat, can they sense food? haha. 

One happy lady enjoying her underworld experience. Once again, i felt one with nature. It was one overwhelming and HAPPY heart experience. And yes, once again I am not a good swimmer. Thank you to the person who invented life vests because of you I was able to conquer the underworld once again. Yes, we just need a little bit of courage to do what we want.

How to get there:

You can ride a plane from Clark or Manila bound to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. From PP City, you can ride a bus or van going to El Nido which will take 5-6 hours land travel. There are also chartered planes from Clark or Manila direct to El Nido (around 1.5hrs travel) but are costly. 

Where in the Map am I?

I was so busy during the first quarter of this year and wasn't able to write much blog about the great places I've been the past months. Upon browsing them, I just felt so guilty not to share even some sneak peek of the places I've seen.

I hope I can find time soon to write all the extraordinary experiences I had. For now, let me give you some teaser of where my happy feet brought me. 

Can you guess where these amazing places are? 

Can you also spot the similarities in all of the photos? 

I CAN Travel, You CAN Travel TOO: 10 Tips on How to Travel Cheap

Because i love sharing my thoughts and experiences, below are some tips i listed on how I manage to travel cheap:

1. Plan Ahead of Time! This is really helpful because you can get Big discounts from airfares, hotels and tours. Months of preparation can really give you good deals on your planned destination. It always works for me. Best deals on plane tickets are booked 6months-1 year before date of travel. And in this way you can also SET a BUDGET or FUND for your travel.
2. Subscribe to Airline Companies. They send updates to your emails regularly. It's for FREE. Sometimes you get the privilege of being informed first before they Post Seat Sales or Promos on their Sites. (Locally you can subscribe to Cebupacific, Airasia, and PAL)
3. Being Nocturnal is Good! And that's said with conviction. Haha! Most Airline Companies announce PROMO fares during Midnight. So while most of the people are sound asleep, you get the the advantage to BOOK that DREAM destination at a very low price. While they are dreaming, you get a step closer to your dream. 
4. Reconnect with your Friends Living in the area. If you already have that specific destination in mind, try to think if you have friends living in or near the area. They can give you helpful tips about best and cheap hotels, restos and stuff. Some Locals know best. And if they are generous enough, they might let you stay in their place, the FREE things you can get sometimes! Now, that's a HUGE help on your budget. On some of my travels, I am adopted by my friends. I am so lucky to have such great friends! 
5. Choose DIY trip (Do-it-Yourself) Yes, travel tours can become costly sometimes. If you have TIME, i suggest you do your own research about the place. You will definitely save BIG BUCKS. I do DIY most of the time, not only because i can save but i can also choose the places i want. Furthermore, I can spend longer time on my favorite spots, no need to rush and I won't need to wait for other groups or fall in line. 
6. Travel with Friends. Remember the saying, The more the merrier... and I say PLUS the CHEAPER. Yes, you can save more when you travel as a group. Some destinations are quite expensive when you travel Solo. I love traveling Solo, but I also accept the fact that I also need to travel with a group sometimes. 
7. Research, Research, Research! If you know something about the place you are visiting, then you are a step ahead than those who don't do research. Now, what to research? Sadly, As tourists we cannot avoid some locals who try to take advantage of us. So I suggest you check on the regular rates in the area such as fares (taxi, motorcycle, bikes, boats, etc), rentals (e.g. Swimming or diving gears, etc) and souvenirs. In that way, you can haggle and avoid being taken advantage. It pays to be informed! 
8. Be COURTEOUS and KIND. Wherever you are know how to respect people, may it be a tourist or a local. In this way, you can get a lot of perks during your travel and really enjoy it. I DO this most of the time. In mostly all my travels I get the perks of getting some things for free or a favor from the locals and other fellow tourists and also get really big discounts on my purchases. Whenever I try to haggle on things, i always do it politely then luckily I get a Good DEAL. 
9. BUY in BULK. This is one technique i do whenever i want to get a good price for things i wanna purchase may it be on my travels or even on regular days. In most cases, they give you a good deal, if you haggle reasonably. So thinking of buying a souvenir? Next time buy in bulk, you might save more.
10. Be a COWBOY/COWGIRL (meaning, you don't pay much attention on fancy things and can stay or go anywhere). If you are this type of person, i guarantee, you can Go everywhere and get the BEST deals when traveling. Or in the travel world, they call it a Backpacker! Backpackers are people who love to travel but are on a tight budget. They get to explore almost all the places they want because they can sleep, eat and party anywhere. Sometimes you have to dump those fancy hotels, fancy restaurants and fancy parties in mind if you are on a tight budget BUT you really wanna go somewhere. Because simple things are the best. And there's also truth in saying the best things are free. 

So now, I Encourage you to Pack your Bags and Go! STOP dreaming and Make it Happen. Traveling is NOT ALWAYS LUCRATIVE, It is for Everyone. It just takes some Courage! And yes some planning too. 

All Set with my Traveling Shoes! Photo was taken before my trip to Bangkok, Thailand last 2012. 

How about you, what are your tips on traveling cheaply? 

La Union, Philippines: More than just a Surfing Spot

One Saturday, I decided to pack my bags and revisit La Union with only one reason in mind, not to surf but "to move meaning to break my usual routine". It was my first Solo SPONTANEOUS trip--no plans, no anything. I took the risk of boarding in a bus with no idea about their schedule; going to a place with no room reservation yet and no definite day of going back home. This was again the day when I succumbed to my alter ego (Dora the explorer).

Traveling rejuvenates the mind and body ---- BUT Solo traveling reinvigorates the mind, body and SOUL. Every journey gives me new perspective about life. Traveling solo is one of the ways i do whenever i like to ruminate, reflect and discover some aspects in life. It never fails to inspire and feed my soul.

My recent trip was monumental. It superseded my expectations. During my 4-day stay, i was able to meet a lot of people who were mostly strangers and engaged into meaningful conversations with them. I experienced living like a local and was treated as one. If you'll ask about my typical day during the trip, it was like...
     One day i was accidentally on a table discussion with an American, Australian and English men who were older. We talked and shared different topics about life, love, travel, career, poverty, etc. The almost half day conversation made me realize a lot, the wisdom you get when you hang out with people older than you. It also gave me a chance to know more about their culture. It made me giddy to plot my soon-to-be itinerary.
     The next day I was like a translator/local tour guide to a Korean guy who is exploring my country. The moment reminded me of my "Tour Guide" dream, sharing my passion about travels and places i really love. An interesting exchange of culture happened during our short conversation, as he also shared something about his country. Engaging in travel conversations makes me happy because it's like traveling without even moving (or more like bringing the world closer to you) and letting your imagination do all the work.
     AND most of the days I was like a local spending time with the people there, appreciating and admiring their way of life. I really fell in love with the Place. Yes, I am a Beach Lover, and I've been to a lot of beaches. But San Juan is the place where I felt HOME away from home. Everyone was so warm and accommodating. Since it's a small community everyone knows almost everyone which gave me a feeling of Safety. 

"My love for SOLO travels never gets old, rather leaves me craving for more."

I love observing people and engaging into meaningful conversations with them. Through observations alone i get to learn much and more during interaction. 
 

10 things I Learned and Felt during my recent Solo travel:

(Well there's more, but I'll summarize a few)

1. Contentment leads to genuine happiness. Be grateful of what you have. Know when things are enough, too much can be poisonous. A contented person feels the happiest.
2. Yes, Money can't buy you Happiness, Friends and even Love. Collect and count memories rather than tangible things. Establish good and real relationships, they do last a lifetime. Many things fail because sometimes people are too busy focusing on less important things in life.
3. Friendship has no barriers nor condition. Sometimes a perfect stranger can become your good friend in just minutes. It's about embracing each one's differences then learn from them. Wouldn't it be boring if you all think, do and act the same?
4. Face your Fears! You'll be astounded on how much you can do. Courage should be your best friend and Fear, your enemy. Never underestimate self. I am glad i did, it was an experience to remember. One tiny little step is better than not trying at all. Life is unknown and must be continuously explored. 
5. Flashing a REAL Smile when asking a favor and Saying Thank you is inevitable and can even save your day. TRY it! It won't cost you anything but you might gain something. It works for me every time!(***It varies on some culture, know the social norms in the area. In the Philippines it is considered polite.)
6. RESPECT everything and everyone around you. You'll be repaid or much more. The world is a better place when people learn to respect one another.It's never a one way process.
7. Dedication and Passion results to Greatness. Nothing is impossible if you exert much time and effort on to something. Nothing worthy enough comes so easy. 
8. Simple things in life are always the best. Live humbly, it will make you feel the richest person alive.
9. OPEN your mind. It's a BIG world out there. If you think you know everything, i suggest you think a thousand times. Avoid BIGOTRY and Be HUNGRY in so many ways. An open mind gives us more room for learning and experience, a never ending opportunity.
10. Life is a Choice. Your choices reflect the life you live. Life is not miserable, if you try to always embrace positivity. Life is Beautiful if we choose to see it on a much deeper sense. Choose to Be Happy, because Everyone deserves to be.

These Ideas are basic, but sometimes we still overlook them because we are too drowned in a World (or Society) where greed, fear, and money exist. Sometimes, we need to step out from time to time to always remind us and make us see what life really means. As i walked through the shore and slowly watched the waves crash into my feet; I realized that just like a SURFER, "In Life, Everyone just needs to learn how to dance with the waves to appreciate every bit of it."

How about you, what are your thoughts during your travels? 

At Cirle Inn. A Hammock can be your Home for a Night or a place for lounging. I spent my time here reading books.

Taken at Angel and Marie's Resto, and yes they really serve delicious grub. The best place to grab an iced cold coffee in the area, if you can't live without coffee. haha They also have rooms for rent, and i stayed there during my entire vacation. I called it my second home.

At Circle Inn (Perfect Place for Backpackers). Indeed! Inspiration you can get from Graffiti. 

San Juan Sunset is one of my Favorites. Sunsets make my heart skip a Beat, it's one of those moments that is worth waiting. 

Overlooking the Island, we were at the third floor of a House. It was Breath taking.

Meet my cutie little buddies!
While I was walking at the shore they confidently approached me and asked if we can have a picture together. Aren't they the cutest? 

A spot near Monaliza's point. The surfers love this point because of bigger waves.

Surfers' Shack, My favorite Place! Everything was built and made of scrap. I loved the creativity in here. Great Vibes, Great People, Great Company! I definitely admire their passion in Surfing.

Hammock by the Beach, now this is LIFE! The sound of the waves is music to my ears.
Great things you can get for Free.

Of course, MUST not leave the island without surfing. It was not a good surf day for me, BUT still thankful for the waves.

With Jeff, Textback (Norman) and Junior, great local surfers and new friends. We explored the night food market in the City which is only a 15min ride away from San Juan. Yet another Gluttony night. Thank you for the great company! 
For more tips about surfing in La Union, you can go to my previous blog 
La Union: Drive, Surf, Eat.