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10 Travel Secrets of JourneyingJames

Posted on August 10, 2011 by journeyingjames 61 Comments
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As promised last week, i’m sharing with you my tried and tested skills on how I always get to spend the cheapest way possible. I assure you that you can do all of these:

 

1. Buy your plane tickets ahead of time. Plan ahead, seize the promo fares. Sign up to their e-mail alerts.

2. Instead of eating in fastfoods, try the local carinderia. Who knows you might found something exotic. I remember ordering “ginataang palos” (eel cooked in coconut milk) while in Guimaras and it tasted awesome! Would definitely recommend it to everyone. I also remember eating BBQ outside Mambukal Resort instead of ordering expensive packed meals inside.

 

Ginataang Palos at Judavel’s eatery, Jordan, Guimaras

 

3. Limit your baggage on the allowed hand carry baggage (7kg). Do you really use everything that you bring? Do I need to explain further?

 

4. Use the public transportation the moment you arrived at the airport. This is one of the benefits of traveling light, you don’t need a taxicab when you arrive at the airport. You can just jump into a jeepney, motorbike or tricycle when you arrive. This would save you a lot which you can use for buying pasalubong.

 

Green tricycle at Tagum City, photo by Leo T.

 

5. Compare prices. Being free means you can choose want you want to buy and the same goes with what airline you choose. Let me tell you what your travel agent doesn’t tell you. Buy Cebu Pacific ticket if you are booking a month before the flight. Always compare Airlines. This applies to everything- food, inns, transportation, etc.

6. If it is possible, fly out by a different airport to cover more destinations.  Ex. If you are on vacation to explore Central Visayas, Cebu-Bohol-Dumaguete-Siquijor. Try to fly into Dumaguete then fly out at Bohol. Don’t fly out of Cebu so as to save Terminal fee (Php200) and lessen the probability of delayed flights. In my experience, delayed flights often happen in busy airport hubs like Manila, Cebu and Davao.

During my Mindanao Challenge, from Manila I flew into Gen.Santos then after 16 days i found myself in Butuan going back to Manila.

7. Go to the public market. It has everything- culture, cheap food, local life and even souvenirs you can bring back home. A grilled fish in Mambajao, Camiguin only cost Php20 in the market, its Php70 at the restaurant.

 

Talipapa, Boracay

 

8. Ask for discounts. I envy the Senior citizens ‘coz they always have that 20% discount. But hey you could always ask for a cut off. If you are a student, use your student ID (all ships give student discount and provincial buses often give S/P fare). You can also ask for a discount while booking your hotel or inn, most hotels give big discounts especially during off seasons.

9. Dress down. I always wear simple clothing when I travel. I do this because I travel not to impress but to learn. Let’s face it; most people would try to upsell things to a richer person. So, if it is possible, try to dress like the locals. This is a step higher than “ask a local,” “living like the local.” Don’t dress to impress, that’s too shallow and doesn’t add to your self-worth; what more, it could be annoying. Imagine someone with a coat and tie walking on Station 3, Boracay- uncool!

 

10. Try to speak the local language/dialect when buying. I used “pabakal” when I’m in Iloilo; “sagmamano ti ___________?” when I’m in Ilocos or Baguio; “pila ini” when I’m in Mindanao and “how much is this?” when I’m in America. 🙂

 

Bonus: Buy taho, bbq, siomai, banana cue, bread or peanuts. It’s cheap! I always do this to save money.

I wrote 8 Travel Tips for Backpackers months ago. You will find it helpful too!

 

Maybe I missed something? Can you tell me your travel secret? I’d love to know!

 

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61 thoughts on “10 Travel Secrets of JourneyingJames”

  1. Lhen said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 4:48 am

    This is cool. I’ll also follow and use these practical travel secrets. 🙂

  2. mervz | pinoyadventurista.com said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Travel with a group or if you’re traveling solo, find a group that could accommodate you… it could save you a lot on expenses.

    Don’t stay on “hotels”, homestay and motels is ok! 🙂

    Be friendly and always have a smile ready… 🙂

    thanks for sharing these tips James!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:57 am

      sometimes when i see a group of travelers, nakikisabay ako sa knila lalo na kapag may space pa sa van or jeep nila. tipid talaga.
      thanks for the tips mervs!

  3. johanna | johx said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 5:00 am

    .. and for desert : sorbetes ni mamang sorbetero 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:56 am

      yep yep! delighting yun lalo na kapag summer!

  4. Brian said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    My travel tips and secrets are the following:

    1. Book a flight early and avail of airline promos (this goes with hostels, inns and other tours).

    2. Use public transportation.

    3. Try local food or delicacy.

    4. Talk to locals and learn a few local words.

    5. Know and respect their culture.

    6. Travel light (bring a backpack with extra space and a spare handy bag for souvenirs).

    7. Be aware of your surroundings and be careful of scams.

    8. Blend in with the locals (don’t expose your valuables).

    9. Get a travel insurance (accident can happen to anyone, it’s better to be insured than sorry).

    10. Try to get lost sometimes it is fun!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:52 am

      thanks for sharing this brian! i like number 3, 9 and 10. and +1 to getting lost, it is really really FUN!

      • Brian said:
        Reply
        August 11, 2011 at 12:34 pm

        Thanks din for sharing all of your travel experience James, i always love reading your adventures.

        I wish to visit all the provinces here in Pinas one by one! More and more travels for you after siguro sa Pinas saan naman ang goal mo?

        Thanks too for sharing your travel secrets!

        • journeyingjames said:
          Reply
          August 12, 2011 at 4:30 am

          thanks for always reading my adventures. after pinas? i still don’t know. europe or africa? bahala na..haha

          • frances said:
            November 18, 2011 at 11:27 am

            africa sounds much adventure. a lithuanian friend hitched hiked the 4 corners of africa spending only USD100.

          • journeyingjames said:
            November 20, 2011 at 11:23 am

            wow! that’s a hard challenge! cant imagine doing that.
            i think europe would go first. its calling me already

  5. renevic | lagalag said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Noted your Number 6 and 10 =) Thanks bro!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:50 am

      i love number 6 and still polishing my number 10. pleasure is mine renevic!

  6. Batang Lakwatsero said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    will follow your tips sir 🙂

  7. Karenskie said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    i’d also add…CouchSurfing! 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:45 am

      of course, CS is it!

  8. Lois said:
    Reply
    August 10, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Be friendly. You never know when a fellow traveler or a local can give you tips or help you when you least expect it!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:33 am

      definitely lois! smile smile not only for the camera but also to all people you will meet along the way.
      you never know what your smile can do right? thanks for the added tip!

  9. chyng said:
    Reply
    August 11, 2011 at 12:06 am

    very true with ask for discounts. the published rates are always negotiable. konting email and call = instant discount! =)

    ahem, may Nikon dslr ka na!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 11, 2011 at 1:29 am

      the dslr is not mine, pinahiram lng ng friend. basta discount, maaasahan mo ang mga pinoys

  10. Gladys/ByahengBarok said:
    Reply
    August 11, 2011 at 9:28 am

    #1 is so true. the farther the date of the trip is, the more time i have to save up.

    my friends & i have been doing #6 as well. land travels are always cheap.

    #8 you should see us when we ask for discounts. even when our driver was caught by traffic police in india, we still asked them for a discount. and they agreed! hehe!

    great travel secrets you have in here 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 12, 2011 at 4:34 am

      indeed, book lang ng book kahit next year pa, lalo na kapag piso-fare.
      talaga lang ha? pati yung police nakahingi kayo ng discount? wow! ibang level na yun ahh, astig!!!
      thanks gladys!

  11. Tripper10 said:
    Reply
    August 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Thanks sa mga Tips na to Sir James…
    Like ko yung #9… 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 12, 2011 at 4:29 am

      you’re welcome tripper! thanks a lot

  12. Ding | Explored! said:
    Reply
    August 11, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Cool tips you have here! Will keep these in mind. Though most of the time, my trips are “sidetrips” and I cannot do away with my business meeting attire as part of my luggage. Yeah, kinda cumbersome in many ways. Plus my camera bag and my laptop are heavy…that I cannot do away with.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 12, 2011 at 4:41 am

      mas okay naman yan sir, kasi wala rin kayo masyadong gastos lalo na kapag company lahat ngbabayad, fare, hotel, food, etc…

  13. Manu said:
    Reply
    August 12, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Thanks for listing out these pointers……really a great help for backpackers

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 13, 2011 at 3:06 am

      hey manu, thanks for dropping by. nice blog you have there! i like to taste that pink tea.

      • Manu said:
        Reply
        September 8, 2011 at 12:41 am

        Your are most welcome to come and taste it. Let us know for sure whenever you plan your Backpacking trip to india 🙂

        • journeyingjames said:
          Reply
          September 8, 2011 at 4:47 am

          definitely! but not too soon.. hopefully in 3 years time? we’ll see!

  14. Ed said:
    Reply
    August 14, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    great tips here James! been planning to write tips while on the road. Will link this article once done! bow pa rin ako sa katipiran mo kahit matipid din ako! haha

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 16, 2011 at 12:30 am

      wow, thanks for the link love ed!
      cge, i’ll try to link your post too.
      see yah kapag na-ligaw ako sa cebu

  15. Marj said:
    Reply
    August 16, 2011 at 5:05 am

    Hi I like your travel blog 🙂 I enjoyed reading and viewing your beautiful photos:) Hope to hear from you 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      August 18, 2011 at 2:35 am

      hi marj! you have nice photos too!
      thanks for dropping by.

  16. Janet said:
    Reply
    August 17, 2011 at 9:45 am

    cool you’ve been to the US too? 🙂

    It’s funny because I saw another article written online by a Filipina in a more national magazine (I think) who advised NOT to dress down. Because locals like to get dressed every once in awhile too, and it’s not doing you any favors as a white male to wear boardshorts and flipflops at the mall looking dirty (lol). I thought that was weird advice… I still prefer to dress down when I travel. I hate giving off the appearance that I have money (really, I don’t) and it’s all just bullshit social games anyway.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 7, 2011 at 4:37 am

      janet, nope, i haven’t been to US (and no plans of gettin there)! hahaha
      i think the dress down thing is kinda dependent on the place you are visiting, im not so knowledgeable with women.
      yes, i agree with you on not giving the appearance that you have money while on the road, more so when people dress up so as to say that they are “Someone Important” is bullshit!

  17. Micamyx|Senyorita said:
    Reply
    November 9, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Yung #9 talaga ang pina-practice ko lalo na dito sa Manila. Marami akong na-witness na pasosyal sa road kaya nadudukutan LOL.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 10, 2011 at 7:27 am

      naks! kawawa naman yung mga nadukutan na yun. pero seriously, yung mga maraming alahas or mukhang mayamana ang mga target ng mandurukot.

  18. jhee said:
    Reply
    November 25, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    ~research about the place where you are going…read blogs of people who have gone there.
    ~if you have a tent, pitch where it is allowed and is safe…saves you from paying a hotel, even a cheap one.
    ~ask a close friend who has a relative where you are going..perhaps one or two nights of free lodging wont hurt them 🙂 of course don’t come unannounced. and let them know you only need a place to sleep on (be ready to sleep on the couch, floor or sala). please never impose!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 26, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      awesome tips! i always do the third one

  19. emm said:
    Reply
    March 19, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    tnx James for the infos..love it! il just have to religiously follow ur rules # 2 & 3..i have to this time..a big challenge for my 2wk mindanao backpacking this holy wk!!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      March 20, 2012 at 3:47 am

      ahaha! mahirap yung #3 sa mga girls noh?
      go go go emm!

  20. Michelle said:
    Reply
    March 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    I superb like your write ups specially these tips. It’s helpful. Another tip, bring instant coffee. What I do when I am in a coffeeshop with friends I only order hot water, their coffee is a way too expensive ahaha..

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      March 24, 2012 at 7:48 am

      really? you do that? cool! haven’t tried it yet

  21. maya said:
    Reply
    March 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    I like the number 9. Many people travel for porma lang. 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      March 24, 2012 at 7:48 am

      asar yun! dami sa bora, pagtinignan mo puro utang naman sa credit card nila.. tsk tsk

  22. charley said:
    Reply
    March 23, 2012 at 1:06 am

    hi james! i’m scheduled for mindanao solo backpacking this holy week. tips #2 and #3 would be a challenge for me.
    nice blog! =)

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      March 24, 2012 at 7:05 am

      thanks charley! enjoy the beauty of mindanao! ingat

  23. Patricia said:
    Reply
    May 8, 2012 at 5:27 am

    Place your liquid containers (e.g., shampoo and perfume) in resealable plastic bags like Ziploc.

    Especially for traveling abroad, photocopy your important documents, so if they get lost, re-processing them would be easier.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      May 9, 2012 at 8:13 am

      those are good tips patricia!
      thanks for sharing

  24. kit said:
    Reply
    May 8, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    befriend a local and they can give free stuffs and tours..:D

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      May 9, 2012 at 7:31 am

      yep! nothing beats that style.

  25. Reeds said:
    Reply
    July 24, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I just can’t do the DRESS DOWN THING…getting dolled up during travels doesn’t equate to looking stupid though (as exemplified in the Boracay coat and tie sample)….but,thanks for the tips though…helpful.I appreciate your efforts…

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      July 30, 2012 at 7:29 am

      to each his own. 🙂
      the dress down thing is for you to travel “cheap”

      • judai said:
        Reply
        March 22, 2013 at 3:40 am

        … and “light” heheh! hard for girls but yeah, it can be done 🙂

  26. JC said:
    Reply
    July 24, 2012 at 9:54 am

    enjoy lang kahit minsan o madalas eh misadventures!:)

  27. Weng Bulaon said:
    Reply
    July 24, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    I always enjoy reading your blogs…especially this “tipid” tips on travelling…really like it and very useful lalo na sa baguhang tulad ko…hope more “tipid” adventure tips from you…Godbless and happy travel….

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      July 30, 2012 at 7:25 am

      thanks weng! hope you will share your “tipid” stories too.

  28. mciti suites cebu said:
    Reply
    August 2, 2012 at 5:04 am

    Its like travel the world in 100 days. great article bro and love every photo. anyway. is this really doable?

  29. Duday said:
    Reply
    December 11, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    Id say fly in to a certain place during the off peak season it wouldnt only save you from an expensive airfare but also saves a lot of cost in accommodation. Plus you can enjoy the place more and have that serenity that you like.

    I go for the local cafe’s or their version of karinderya rather than eat at the fastfood restaurants or at the hotel’s restaurant.

    If I have a free breakfast at any of the hotels im staying in, I get an apple or boiled egg or a piece of bread into my pocket/bag I dont know if that’s legal so make sure to do it discreetly 🙂

    Rather than buying small bottled water every now and then during the tour I usually carry a small bottle with me and refill it when able.

    I hope these helped 🙂

  30. Poods said:
    Reply
    April 15, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    We bring baon. Like last time when we went to El Nido, we brought adobong baboy, paksiw na bangus, de lata and noodles. Laki ng natipid namin sa food.

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