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14 Days Solo Backpacking Challenge

Posted on July 1, 2010 by journeyingjames 55 Comments
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This I think will be my favorite post, the essence of journeyingjames: come and join me as I walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly!

Come July 6 (Tuesday), I am embarking on the longest backpacking journey yet in my life. Armed with courage, confidence, backpack, running shoes, camera (Mitchkay, are you going to lend me your DSLR? Pleeeease) and cheap tickets. You say ADVENTURE? Nahhh, its more than that! In fact, I will be amazed if someone did this already.Duration: July 6-20, 2010Solo. I want to do this solo because I don’t want to be in a hurry, stopping if I want to stop, take more time in some places, meet and make new friends along the way. Although being solo makes me vulnerable, it will also make me trust in humanity more. I will try to eat, buy and live as the locals.

 

I took this photo during my first solo backpacking trip at Panglao Island, Bohol.

Backpacking. My route would be Negros Occidental – Guimaras – Iloilo – Capiz –Aklan – Boracay – Carabao Island – Romblon – Batangas – Laguna (home). I will be bringing with me my 35L TNF bag, clothes good for 7 days (I will do laundry along the way), hammock and running shoes of course. The hammock will serve as my room/lodging most of the trip to save money.

Route Map

Challenge: Simple but almost impossible, to spend no more than PhP250/day or less all-in (US$6/day). And that starts at the airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental (food, fare and lodging). At first, I’m very hesitant on this but because I want to encourage every Juan that traveling is not only for the rich and famous, I will try my very best to do this. This means that I will be spending P3,500.00 (US$80) for the whole duration of the journey. Can I do this? Let’s see! I hope I can update you along the way. P250/day.

Activities. Running tops my list of things to-do. That’s the essence of journeyingjames, to run around the Philippines. Of course, I have this mantra that “all waters must be tested, all mountains climbed” so I hope to swim on falls, sea, lakes and river as long as it’s clean (and safe); and climb on mountains. Taste the sweetest and most delicious mangoes from Guimaras, eat inasal and batchoy, piayaya and all the local delicacies as long as budget permits. Walk and roam around downtowns, take some pictures of tourist spots and make friends. Observe and learn from their culture. Eat & Run and Visit too.

All waters must be tested: photo from Magpupungko Pool, Pilar, Siargao Island

Lodging. To tell you honestly, I do not know. I want to just set up my hammock on secret coves. I will couchsurf too (CS friends, please help). I have a friend in La Carlota who is willing to host me for 2 nights, one from Roxas City who will host me for 2 nights too. In my previous backpacking trips I saw rooms for only P150/night, common bathroom so maybe I will do that too and that means minus P150 for my daily budget. So, hammock is my best friend here. CouchSurfing, Friends and Hammock.

More hammock moments, shot from Siargao beside the beach.

Transportation. Habal-habal, jeepneys, pumpboat, cadillakad as long as I move forward. As everyone will say, the journey is more important than the destination. Hopefully, I’ll be back to Los Banos on July 20 alive, healthy and ready for another challenge.

Enjoying the Enchanting Coron on pumpboat

Updates. I hope I can find free internet along the way as usage would mean P20-25 on the budget. I think I will be updating my Facebook page (journeyingjames & james betia) on my whereabouts. For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/journeyingjames). I will text home-base of my whereabouts so they will be the ones to update you. If you are curious of my whereabouts, you can contact me through my mobile phone posted on my Contact Page. Let’s hope I can reply even as I enjoy the beautiful Boracay sunset.

Suggestions. I welcome any suggestion as I’m still doing my itinerary. Shout out a place to visit or things to do in places I will go to but please remember that I’m on shoe-string and I will do only those that are within my means. But if its free, why not?

Interested? Anyone interested of my story? Any suggestion on how I can use this trip to earn money? Thanks!

Before I forget, I bought my plane ticket to Bacolod for only P700, that’s PAL btw. I think I’m a promo fare junkie already.

Let’s all pray for my safety and success of this challenge. I trust that the good Lord will guide and protect me along the way. I’m holding on to His promise from Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV)

“The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

“Ayokong maging banyaga sa sarili kong bansa.”
(I don’t want to be a foreigner in my own country.) Sana ikaw din.
Some photos I got from places I’ve bee too:
Sunflower at Benguet; Starfish from Starfish Island; 3 Boats at Puerto Princesa Baywalk;
Sunrise at Ifugao; Water splash at Puerto Galera; Heritage Village,Vigan, Ilocos Sur;
Shells by the sea, Romblon; Tree formation at Ilocos sur; and Baby crocs at Palawan.

Nice sunset at Batangas bay; Rock formations at Romblon;
Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao, Pine trees at Benguet;
Palay from Ifugao; Ambuklao dam; and Night-scape at Subic.
More nice photos to come during this 14 days solo backpacking trip!

 

 

Start reading Day 1: Touchdown Bacolod-Silay Airport

Related Posts with Thumbnails
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Romblon, Visayas. Bookmark the permalink.

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Ready and Excited for the Next 14 Days →

55 thoughts on “14 Days Solo Backpacking Challenge”

  1. Katiekate said:
    Reply
    July 1, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    i envy you! will definitely wait for your updates. take care!

  2. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 12:56 am

    thanks katie! i also hope i will be diligent enough to write my adventures

  3. pinaytraveljunkie said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 1:08 am

    Good luck on your endeavor. Cheapskate trips are awesome… And Couchsurfing will definitely help you save some money. It's more educational too. Safe trip!

  4. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 1:39 am

    salamat PTJ for the 'well wishes' not only AWESOME, its LIFE, FUN, PARTY and AMAZING too!

  5. Ronnie said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 1:39 am

    wow parang super challenging yang balak mo bro. i pray that you'll be safe along the way.

  6. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 3:14 am

    super thanks ronnie! medyo nakakakaba na rin, see you sa milo on sunday.

  7. RunningEnthusiast said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 4:33 am

    goodluck sa travel! don't forget to take a lot of pictures,okay? see you Sunday.

  8. te said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 4:58 am

    P350/day?! cool! i want to try this too! good luck and take care 🙂

  9. RunningAtom said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 5:45 am

    Wooaahhhhhh…. JJJJAAAAMMMMEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!Kaka-hanga ka! Idol ka talaga pagdating sa ano mang Journey! Php 350.00, that's challenging.. Solo flight lang ba talaga? gusto ko sumama (kaso di pa pala ako pwede mag-leave)!Give us daily updates, will be praying for your safety! That'll be a very very exciting, and so much fun experience ahead of you.Teka, ano ba talaga trabaho mo't gala ka ng gala? hehehe… kaka-inggit oh!

  10. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 10:13 am

    @te and pedz, not 350 but P250/day or 3,500 in 14 days.thanks ha!work, eto un magtravel..haha naka leave ako actually. astig dba?!@RE, sure. sana pahiramin ako ng friends ko.haha

  11. Aya Lumbera said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Wow ang galing naman! Sana malakas din ang loob ko pag dating sa ganyan but I'm too much of a worrier, di kakayanin haha. Good luck and have fun!

  12. Kenley said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    In essence, I really hope that you can learn a lot from your trip. Thus the essence of Journeying James. I love what you are about to do and accomplish, and I admire you for doing it. I wish you the best and will pray for your safety. May you take in the beauty of the sun, and bask in the wonderful waters. Have fun, be safe and God Bless! Safe Journeying!

  13. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    @aya, kaya mo din yan.. mga 2-3days lang muna for starters@kenley, thanks thanks! the sun, the seas, the clouds, the places to run! woohooo!

  14. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    @aya, kaya mo din yan.. mga 2-3days lang muna for starters

    @kenley, thanks thanks! the sun, the seas, the clouds, the places to run! woohooo!

  15. dong ho said:
    Reply
    July 3, 2010 at 1:59 am

    whoa! astig! dont forget to pass by don salvador benedicto in negros. it's just an hour bus trip from bacolod city. a highly recommended running area with great views. you wont regret! one of my favorite place.

  16. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 3, 2010 at 3:40 am

    @dong, astig talga, yeah! i saw the pics of DSB from the net, nice! i want to get there too. thanks for the suggestion

  17. Anonymous said:
    Reply
    July 3, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Good luck!I'll be waiting for your travel report as I am going on a solo trip to Iloilo in November.

  18. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 5, 2010 at 12:00 am

    sure, i hope im not too lazy to write it on my blog. thanks for the visit

  19. Amado L. Castro, Jr. said:
    Reply
    July 6, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    I envy you James! You have time and the youth going for you. Make the most of it as it comes only once in a life time. Wishing you the best on your "journey" and be safe. Will monitor your progress.

  20. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 21, 2010 at 2:01 am

    thanks sir amado! i survived the challenge

  21. Jed said:
    Reply
    July 22, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Ganda nang blog mo kuya James :D(Great blog James :D)

  22. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    July 22, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    thanks jed! sayang wala ka kanina, you don't have a pic

  23. jang said:
    Reply
    July 29, 2010 at 9:04 am

    checking on your blog kasi para na rin akong nagtravel, learning from you huh?..hope i can do that, i only travel through human emotions, haha..being a nurse.may i suggest you travel along aurora,my hometown, i know you've been through Dingalan, but there's more town and hidden treasures to see..Keep safe and God bless you more and more!

  24. Chyng said:
    Reply
    August 11, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    wow ang ganda ng route. if ever magkasakit ulit ako and I ahve 60days to spend, then I will do this backpacking trip too.mas masaya magbackpacking around pinas indeed! Ü

  25. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    August 13, 2010 at 5:48 am

    @jang, will try that too! thanks for the suggestion. i ralize that phlippines is a big country pala.@chyng, tara, next year i will try mindanao.

  26. Chichi said:
    Reply
    September 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Whoah James, $6 per day budget is pretty hardcore! galing 😉

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 20, 2010 at 2:41 am

      yeah! but it was fun at best. i got to meet almost all kinds of people. thank you so much for dropping by the blog. will add you on my blogroll. enjoy traveling!

  27. Pingback: Rave Run #1: Mambukal Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental | on a shoestring

  28. pinoy boy said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2010 at 7:51 am

    hands down, one of the few travel bloggers who have that urge and passion to get out there no matter what it takes! two thumbs up! You rock!!!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 12, 2010 at 6:35 am

      thanks pre! the est comment i read so far. this comment made my day. i appreciate it

  29. nathalie said:
    Reply
    October 19, 2010 at 6:57 am

    Galing! very informative… plan to backpack solo this side of Pinas and hopefully spend the same!. 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 19, 2010 at 9:19 am

      I hope you will be able to read the 14-part series, medyo mahaba lang. let me know if you need some help and good luck to your plans

  30. Pingback: Rave Run #2: Sweet Run in La Carlota City (Part 2 of 4) | on a shoestring

  31. flip said:
    Reply
    November 2, 2010 at 7:29 am

    really love this post…

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 2, 2010 at 11:58 pm

      thanks flip..my fave post so far

  32. HBR said:
    Reply
    November 20, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    I honestly think you’re AWESOME! I’ll add in to my bucket list a backpacking challenge of my own. Hopefully, it will be done this coming summer vacation. Thank you for the inspiration. I hope to you meet you in person one day! 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 22, 2010 at 4:41 pm

      hi HBR! muchos gracias, be sure to give me the link of your itinerary or finished report of the backpacking trip 🙂
      i know you will have a blast. glad that this has become an inspiration kasi yan talaga ang purpose ng blog na ito- to inspire others to travel. see yah 🙂

  33. chinchan said:
    Reply
    November 30, 2010 at 6:25 am

    sama sama sama AKO!!! HIHIHIHI

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      December 8, 2010 at 6:30 am

      seriously? lets go!

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    • joan said:
      Reply
      January 7, 2011 at 2:33 am

      hey james, isa akong baguhang backpacker. 250/night challenge ha, amazing. pinakainteresado ako sa hammock-style lodging. gusto kong malaman kung paano/saan/kailan ka nag-seset-up ng hammock mo. nakita ko yung isa mong litrato na katabi ng mga bahay na yari sa tradisyunal na materyales. may plano akong magvisayas backpacking at marami akong matutunan sa iyo. nga pla bakit inggles ang travel blog mo e pilipino ka naman? salamt

      • journeyingjames said:
        Reply
        January 10, 2011 at 4:31 pm

        hi joan! you are attempting a life-changing thing. i set up my hammock sa 2 puno, sa poste or kahit saan maabot ng tali. caution din kasi baka private property yung place or baka mabasa ka kapag umuulan. make sure na okay lang and safe mag set up ng hammock. wala pa akong nakitang ganitong hammock dito sa pinas. i bought mine sa cambodia, fyi.

        its english so i can practice writing in english 🙂 and that foreigners would be able to read it too!

        • joan said:
          Reply
          January 14, 2011 at 2:04 am

          hey james, salamat sa iyong sagot. sigurado na ako, sa june magvivisayas backpacking na ako. ngayon ko lang napansin, taga-laguna ka pala, e ala e taga-batangas ako. sori ha di ko trip mag-ingles (kahit ingles ang itinituro ko :>). salamat uli.

          • journeyingjames said:
            January 15, 2011 at 5:16 pm

            yes im from laguna, saan ka sa batangas? i always go to lipa city.
            btw, im planning to backpack CALABARAZON this march or early april. care to join?

          • journeyingjames said:
            January 15, 2011 at 5:17 pm

            btw, i will be excited for your visayas backpacking trip. how many days? saan saan ka pupunta?

        • joan said:
          Reply
          January 16, 2011 at 2:41 am

          malamang susundan ko ruta mo. pero mas random mas maligaya! naku di ako pede april kasi nakabased pa ako dito malaysia hanggang mayo 25. june 6-20 ang west visayas tip ko. caticlan ang huling stop.
          taga-lipa ako. sige sa susunod join ako sa backpacking trip mo/ninyo. siguradong maraming matututunan sa buhay-buhay.
          kip in tch. ‘ngat.

  35. carla said:
    Reply
    December 29, 2010 at 3:59 am

    so this what they have talked about! 250 pesos per day. i envy you. not sure if i can do this 😉 Godbless

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      December 29, 2010 at 3:21 pm

      who are talking about this? its good to know that people or some few talks about this. i believe you can, go na!

  36. jr said:
    Reply
    January 20, 2011 at 4:19 am

    nice sojourn dude… great heart and adventurism.hope we cud arrange like this wth co-CSers… cheerS!!!1

  37. Ronnel j Dollaga said:
    Reply
    April 17, 2011 at 2:49 am

    ang galing .. =) 500 pwd na mag travel ….

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  39. monica said:
    Reply
    June 20, 2012 at 9:00 am

    hi. i really really want to travel. super, and when i say super, i mean SUPER!! as in. but my problem is.. i dont have any travel buddy. 🙁 thats why i envy you. huhuhuhu…

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      June 26, 2012 at 1:38 am

      then you can travel solo, its safe monica. you should try it sometime

  40. Andrew said:
    Reply
    November 13, 2017 at 11:15 am

    I really like i read it and enjoyed the post is great. And want to travel with my friend. Check out the mindblowing discounted air tickets from https://www.voyagesbooth.com

  41. Saif Ali Khan said:
    Reply
    October 18, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    Amazing post. Thanks for sharing.

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