This is my entry on “Pimp My Trip” wherein you have to:
1. Write about your bad vacation
2. Choose a Pimp My Trip Package
3. Tell us why you chose it and include at least one Juice Reco
Introduction
I love traveling alone. I’ve done this a lot of time in the
Philippines and then I had the chance to try it in Singapore,
Malaysia and Thailand when I bought a promo ticket. As
this is my first time to go those places I research about it, I
even joined couchcurfing.org for a cheaper backpacking trip.
From bad to worse to worst…
After two days at Singapore I planned to travel by land to
Southern Thailand via Malaysia. When I crossed the border of Singapore to Malaysia the night of August 20 I was held up at Johor Baru by a certain man pretending to be a police. He was asking for my passport because according to him I have drugs in my bag. He tried to stun me with his stun gun so as to instill fear luckily I eluded the attack. Because it was my first time in Malaysia and I dont want to get hurt I gave my passport. He then easily got my travel money ($150) and my
borrowed digital camera. Good thing he left some Singaporean dollars in my wallet so I managed to used the internet to report to Philippines what happened to me.
Bad experience: First experience of hold-up (Passport, travel money and digital camera). I just wish this happened in Manila where I can easily communicate with my family or friends.
Worse: I don’t know anyone in Johor Bahru (even in Malaysia) and I don’t have money to book a guesthouse or hotel. I slept on chairs outside the police dept, “batang-kalye-style” with all the mosquitoes around. Actually I didn’t slept at all that night because of trauma. As I don’t have Malaysian Ringgit with me and money changers closed already I asked the police director to treat me dinner which he complied with.
Worst: I have to say good bye to my passport (with my beloved immigration stamps from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia), to my travel money (meaning good bye Bangkok). The camera I brought is just borrowed from my cousin and until now I haven’t got the opportunity to replace. Add to this are the credits incurred on this trip costing me a month of my salary. But wait there’s more, my return trip ticket is at Singapore which is now impossible to do because of the stolen passport.
PS. The picture above with the KL Twin Towers was taken by a Filipino couple who learned of my bad experience during my “moment night” at KLCC. But this is the other side of my story.
Now allow me to say “hello”
It is really hard to say good-bye. But maybe if I win this “Pimp My Trip” I would say hello to adventure once again.
A nature trip would be perfect as I am out-going and nature-lover.
Tribu Outdoors is great and exciting for adrenaline rush-seeker like me. Can I say hello to surfing, wakeboarding and mountaineering?
I heard about 7,107 Islands Cruise and it will not be a problem to say hello from familiar places like Coron, Puerto Princesa and Puerto Galera. Can I start waving my hands to say hello, I’m back!
I also like to try a jetski by MGM Boracay. I think its amazing. This time people will say hello to me.
Thanks for reading my story!
Hoping that I win, vote for me here.
Huwaawww… that really is a traumatic experience. Lucky you were still able to get back safely 🙂
yes runningatom… medyo kailangan lang ng madaming pagmamakaawa sa embassy natin dun. and super hassle sa lahat.dami rin bayarin.
Good Luck on your entry James!
Hi James, interesting story… I can't relate but I symphatize on what you felt that day. You must be really frightened. Good thing you were still able to go back home kicking in one piece! Godbless!
@minnie, thanks! sana nga manalo! para may bagong tatakbuhan na route.@argo, yup, frightening talaga. loko din mga tao dun sa malaysia lalo na sa johor bahru, malupit pa sa manila. thanks for visiting the site! see you on the road
He he he, takbo pa rin? Pero, I understand, kasi 'yun din maiisip ko just in case ako 'yung magkaroon ng ganung chance 😛
guys, please help me win my dream vacation. i need you vote on this… thanks alot!
Voted :)Pasalubong ko pag nanalo ka ha, LOL!
wow, i didn't know about your bad, worse, worst experience. PTL you made it back ok…and even won, huh!
darn! i've had so much trouble w/ my solo trips but upon redaing this post, i can say i should be thankful. that's scary dude! but congrats as you're able to survive! keep exploring! 🙂
@minnie, thanks for voting ha. i won na nga!@mam anne, yes, a blessing in disguise@TPSB, yeah, hope to share in your adventures
Nice James! Congrats! So, antayin ko nalang ang pasalubong ko?
Thank God you came home safe. That is what is important. God bless you on your next trips
what a scary adventure… good thing you were not hurt… congratulations for winning the prize btw…
OMG, this is scary. di ko maimagine kung ano gagawin ko sa sitwasyon na yon. saludo ako sayo!
thanks! thanks! dyan ako natuto ng marami and it gave me confidence that i can live with a minimal amount while traveling and still enjoy everything
Hey! I appreciate you for the nice blog. Keep writing! 🙂
sobrang nakakatakot naman itong naranasan mo. But it’s glad to know na nanalo ka. Everything happens for a reason talaga. I wish you all the best man!
Hey I think your blog is good. I found it on yahoo I will definately check back soon.
OMG, ang scary pla ng first post mu. Btw, did you won the contest?
oo nga! i won the contest, i use the money for more travels din
Huwaaaw! nakaka-upset naman ang experience na ito! at nakakapanghina ang lost passport with those immigration stamps! :(((
at least something really good came out of this experience…you won the contest and you’re now the sikat journeying james! sosyal!
blessing in disguise! i won and then started to blog my adventures seriously,. haha
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haha that’s one heck of an adventure you got there! Well that’s part of the adventure 😀 Good you came home safely
gosh!this is indeed a traumatic experience. I’ve traveled to quite few places in asia and thank God I hadn’t experienced as bad as this (though we almost got scammed in bali). Anyways, there are still good/great people out there who are more than willing to lend a hand ;))