Although I love being on a group while traveling, nothing gives me that “natural high” better than the thought of SOLO TRAVEL.
During my 2-day solo camping at El Nido, Palawan
Most of my travels are done only with my hammock, backpack and running shoes. I travel without frills or fanfare, sometimes I blend with the local scene so as to better experience a particular destination. Traveling with a group of Facebook-profile-picture-addict tourists will ruin the experience. I travel solo so as to understand the raw beauty of others culture and mores.
Exploring solo the spectacular Biri Rock Formations, Northern Samar
Beach bumming in Boracay, waiting in vain?
No Money
I would gladly claim that I’m the cheapest Pinoy Travel Blogger, by default and by choice. I do this because I’m not born with a silver spoon nor I have a 6-digit income. I practically do not have any investment as all my money goes into plane tickets and personal trips. I go out with just the exact amount (usually Php500/day or less) and come home with zero balance. I’m already used to traveling with the exact travel money (or lack of) and I believe having someone or traveling with a group would be hard with my kind of travel lifestyle. Not unless someone special wants to join me in my hammock-hanging adventures? I would gladly lend her a hammock.
Anyway, I just want to let the whole world now that traveling can be cheap and is for everyone, you just need Php500 and a day-off and you can see yourself already on the road.
A once in a lifetime experience in Yato Island, Guimaras
Frustrated solo traveler/surfer at the Majestics, Catanduanes
No Honey
I know the feeling of having someone to hug you or hold your hand while on a butt-numbing trip and sometimes I miss that. But hey, meeting locals and befriending them is a different kind of experience. You also don’t have to mind your group as you don’t have one. You are forced to discover things for yourself, ask others for directions, be brave in your decisions, make your own plans and most of all have your own experience. No one can claim he/she did that too. Traveling solo reduces the complexity of preparing an itinerary as I can just go to a place and just go with the local flow.
“Traveling solo is the simplest kind of travel I know of, I discover things for myself and meet the most people I can.”
I think I will do more of this until I finish my personal project of “100 Days of Backpacking the Philippines, The Cheapest Way Possible“ or until I find the love of my life. Hoping to find her, SOON!!
Meeting new friends while solo traveling at Tinago Falls, Iligan City
*Photos are mostly because of the 10-sec timer option of my camera.
**Thanks to Marky Go of Nomadic Experiences for the title of the post. I like your tweet dude!
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Ang hot ni James sa 3rd photo! Ikaw na ang new Bench summer model ;p
paging Bench! hahaha “bench temptations” ba? haha
I always refer people I talk to this site whenever they complain that traveling is too expensive.
You were able to prove a point with your 14-day challenge and it’s something that you’ll always look back and say you’ve done it! Kudos to your passion, James!
thanks for the referral ed! ikaw din, love your latest blog, tipid mode din yun at out of the country pa. mas astig yun!
Nice post James! Idol kita pag dating sa backpacking 🙂
salamat aya! 🙂 flattered 🙂
i like travelling solo, very relaxing.
but also travelling in a group of like minded-frugal individuals… surfers. haha!
oi surf na tayo!
ditto jokoness! that i also wanna, i think surfers are uber kewl, walang arte arte.
shaka hand sign,
im going sa manila east this sunday, you there?
There’s always a certain Joy in experiencing things alone…
and I totally agree with Gay.. 😉
indeed, we always want to experience that certain JOY, that unexplainable joy while in solace. grabe ka talaga gay! hmp hmp!
weh wla daw pera pero naka five fingers vibram oh! =P
thanks to barefoot inc. 🙂 my vff pair is given during the launch, hehe
alamat in the making!
inferness, i asked my friends kung nagbabasa din sila ng blog mo, yes daw! naks! =)
alamat ng ano? hahaha
hmmm, sino ung mga friends mo? pakisabi naman thanks and virtual kisses to them *mwah* *mwah* *mwah*
the advantage of traveling solo is you don’t really need to follow a certain itinerary and you have a choice if you want to splurge or just take it slow, relax and unwind with less money out. i admit though na konti pa lang solo travels ko, pero my favorite part is the journey itself lalo na kung long bus trips. gandang mag-observe about sa ugali ngmga pauwi sa place na pupuntahan mo 😛
oo nga mica, love the journey itself! i miss yung mga times to see an old woman bring a live chicken in a bus or a little boy bring his lil dog with him. hahaha
you definitely have a point, enjoy it while you can. pag may partner ka na in life, you have to take into consideration yung availability nya pati willingness to explore. I hope you can find find someone as passionate as you are . =)
thanks! she must be an outdoor person and loves traveling too 🙂
haha
By the way, ang inspiring nung mga travels mo. thanks! =)
wooohoooo! thanks ulit, buti na-inspire ka sa adventures ko.
be an inspiration too, more travels to come lhay 🙂
Wow, I’m so impressed with your self timer photography skills James ha. May walk away effect pa. I should learn that..
I absolutely agree about traveling on the cheap. It’s the best way to travel because you get to meet many backpackers, eat fresh street food and allows for creativity and a lot of self-discipline.
oo nga pero maraming take yan, minsan frustrating din kasi walang tripod. haha
meeting fellow backpackers gives me a different kind of “high’
spend less, travel more! regards to chichi. enjoy SEA!
haha.. i dont know why i found myself laughing while reading this entry.. the “no honey” portion was kinda cute..
it really amazes me how you got to travel to so many places alone.. i still have that on my bucket list too.. i hope to do it one day.. i was originally planning to go for a solo trip on my birthday.. but i am still too afraid to go solo.. haha.. this entry though is giving me that push that i need..
i think the kind of life you have is really a great example of living life to the fullest. hai.. i really hope i can do that too..
cheering for you on your next adventures.. and yes, crossing my fingers for you to find your honey soon… 🙂
cant hurry love ey! 🙂
Model na model nga ang dating mo, James. Hindi obvious that you travel solo; it looks always as if somebody is taking your pictures 🙂 I can relate with a lot of what you are saying, but I’ll write that in my blog carnival contribution na. hehe
so panggatlo ka na na nagsabi na model yung 3rd pic. now im thinking of deleting it na. hahaha!
i have mastered the art of the 10-sec timer! hahaha
will wait for your blog carnival post.
Congrats dude, showing na later ang first TV appearance mo, hindi ako magtataka in a few years I will be asking from you an autographed copy of your first published book. Rock on James!
amen claire! that would be a dream come true for me and yes, hoping that it will be soon!
pareho naman tayo nasa jessica soho later eh, kaya, see you on TV too! yeah!
Hi! Napanood kita kanina sa channel 7 kaya nahanap ko ‘tong blog mo po… Sana matry ko rin makapagtravel (solo) next month pero safe ba magtravel ng solo kahit girl? Anyway, astigin naman ako so bahala na… ^^
Basahin ko muna lahat ng entries mo para magka-idea ako kung san magandang pumunta 😀
Wow, I’m impressed with the P500 peso challenge! And with the traveling solo haha. Parang malulungkot ako! I’ve tried wandering just by myself in Bangkok and I felt like I have not enjoyed the experience fully, Pinoy na Pinoy ako, gotta have to share it with someone hahaha, baduy!;-p
-Mj
Congrats po kuya james napanood po kita sa tv!
I liked also the idea of travelling alone and with less budget (or at no budget at all). Anyways, as an experienced traveller, is it possible to request an itenerary of travel to a particular place? (includes travrel directions, modes of transpo, fare estimates and other useful tips)
Many thanks po and more powers!
thanks for commenting!
i’ll see what i can do. but i think it is better if you do your research first and make your itinerary, then mag-comment suggest nalng ako ng mga changes for the better if ever.
for tips, please check the archives: 8 travel tips for backpackers
idol james, Ikaw na, hehe!..ilang post mo lang ang hndi ko nabababsa lately, SUPER CELEBRITY kana, hehe..pa autograph ako ha..i miss reading you post (naiinggit kasi ako, d mo ko sinasama, hehe)..Congrats on your TV stint (telegenic huh!!! 😉 )
nireview ko ulit un mga photos mo, I agree with them. 3rd photo is a cute one. Nice shot! =)
James, you are the living proof that traveling is not an expensive hobby. Bilib talaga ako sa P500! You have a very interesting project, ituloy mo yan bro!
indeed! haha
who said that traveling is expensive? well, he should read me..haha
Wow. You are amazing and your adventures are beyond awesome. Sana magawa ko rin ang mga ‘to.
I’ve started traveling solo last year and while I’m also on a budget, napapagastos pa rin lalo na kasi matakaw ako.
Reading your entries inspires me to try surviving on P250/P500 as well. Magbabaon na ako ng Milo mula ngayon. Astig ka dude!
you can do it tin! it took me years to somehow master the art of traveling solo and on a tight budget. hehe
and i need to learn more…
thanks a lot!
I agree at your point, though I quite afraid to try solo travels… I agree that travel is for everyone now, spend less, travel more. I admire your passion keep the fire burning!
Pingback: So why travel solo? | justwandering.org
Enjoy traveling solo James coz I feel that soon, (I’ll bet my socks on it) you will meet your lifetime traveling companion…and my crystal ball says her name starts with letter “C”….and ends with letter “G”
di yan matutuloy pre, medyas and binet mo eh…haha
hey, i just know you by reading your blogs and it inspires me to be just like you: having the guts to discover the world alone. thanks for the cheaper tips and realizing that “hindi lng mayayaman ang pwedeng mag-enjoy basta madiskarte lang”.
keep it up…
Wow, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I’m amazed with how you managed to travel with P500 and how you got those cute photographs. Its very inspiring and ngayon palang parang gusto ko nang mag book ng plane ticket and go somewhere. I’ll keep reading your blogs to get some tips for solo traveling and cool destinations. Keep it up! I’m a Big fan! 🙂
I really appreaciate this comment of yours! This made my morning, thank you so much!
Medyo mahirap nga yung mga solo photos kasi madaming try yan..hahaha
Game, book kana ng ticket.
You know what? This kind of comments keep me inspired and going (to my next destination). How kind of you to be leaving this kind comment.
This is my first time to read a blog. I can say that, this really gives me a new look into my photography. I’m one of the attendees on the last Blog and Soul Seminar in AIM, Makati last Saturday. You really inspires me. We’re on the safe footing sir.
wow, love to hear that! i saw some of your photos. nice, lalo na yung infrared photos.
ganda din ng mga models mo. paturo ako minsan ng photography. i need to learn more on that.
superlike it….after reading your blog it awakens the adventurous side of me…
adventurous side of jane, WAKE UP! PACK your bag now! hahaha
thanks for reading the blog
advantages of Solo travel, you don’t need to mind the time as you go along, no maartes na mga kasama, also tipid, like me na sobrang kuripot.
agree! like how kuripot are you?
hehehehe medio moderate lang ..
Moderate only 🙂
tama 🙂
wlang sakit sa ulo pag ayaw maglakad 🙂
hi kuya…
i read your article at smile magazine (zamboanga) that’s why i got an idea about you.
im not fun in reading but when i saw your article i’ve becme interested(traveling on budget) ^^,
im glad that i have a “mentor” now :))
ahm ok,.,,here i go…
i just love traveling and im planning to do it again this summer,.
can you suggest a place somewhere atleast in luzon that is good for traveling and how much is the budget
since im still a student…i hope the cheapest ones ^^,…except la union,bolinao,isabela,ilocos sur & norte and baguio…
thank you and im hoping for your reply 🙂
godbless po
PS: i send a friend request at your facebook…pls approve me 🙂
hi ana ross! thanks for dropping by sa site, buti you got that articel from cebu pac.
there’s a lot to discover in luzon. depends on your preference.
quezon has lots of white beaches. batangas has old towns and rich heritage (taal), laguna offers mt. makiling, UPLB and resorts.
pampanga, you can go bird-watching. zambales for anawangin and mt. pinatubo.
with expenses, i cant tell how much. but if you travel as the locals (not on tour package), you always get the cheapest.
hope this helps!
mga magknu po kya pag sa quezon? 🙂
whatmoreicansay???ikaaw na ang wlang honeyy pero for sure madami bhabes…Mdami naiiinspire sa travels mo..TRAVEL is not for the elite! yey!! No honey?? trend ata yan ngaun ,isa ako sa nakikiuso…hehe..AJA!
madaming bhabes? how come?
hahaha
di yan uso,
for sure maraming gustong maging honey mo Dodong James!hehehe. I spent my college years in Iligan, but shame on me and I haven´t been to most of the tourist spots of the City of Waterfalls, not even Tinago. grrrrrrrrrrr. Blame it to being the obedient, scared, studious daughter back then.hehehe.
no comment, hahaha
comment lng din sana ako although redundant na ata ang gusto ko sabihin coz it’s been said/commented na by the previous reader…so let me just say napa look back ako sa 3rd photo coz so many readers say you look hot…well, my point naman sila! haha:) i wanted to try traveling solo…the farthest i went to was watching movies/strolling sa mall/ walking in a lonely village…haha. one day maybe i’ll have the courage!
wow! james i really like your lifestyle……… soon after i graduate i will explore life! because i believe that life is an adventure!
i love this part..i am planning to travel solo…i would love an immersion even for a couple of days in unpopular but scenic places..no plans..purely spontaneous..no tour guides telling you what to do..and you’re right, it is cheaper this way..i envy you..huhuhu..today, i decided to follow your blogs..keep us posted..
that’s a good, no, great decision diana! thanks for the follow, hope you share it too to your friends and baranggay. haha
Hi James, visited your blog for the second time. And I always find myself laughing while reading your posts. Please don’t take it the wrong way. I mean I can feel that you’re also a funny person through your writings. It’s a good style. I think it comes naturally too adding some sense of humor. =)
Keep posting! Good luck on your 100 Days of Backpacking adventure which will happen soon. Have a great time and also have a safe trip!
On traveling solo, I have that in mind too. But I’m too scared to do it since I am a female. The thought of “it’s a dangerous world out there comes to mind.” Hehe That’s why I manage to have atleast a travel buddy.
thanks for visiting and appreciating my writing style.
im almost done with #isangdaan
dont be afraid, you can do it!
i hate itineraries..theyre rigid and boring..heheh..
i love the spontaneous and impulsive nature if traveling solo – so free!!!
APIR! siguro when people are just starting out, they make itineraries i also follow itineraries before pero ngayon sanay na to be spontaneous.
…bro, your blogs were indeed a masterpiece….
…A-W-E-S-O-M-E……(hayahay)
>>>>kudos, bro<<<<<<
..im on my 2nd day reading your blogs! 😀
..i also followed you on twitter! 😀
..i dont wanna comment sana but you ought to know that,
..u really inspired me to travel solo, though i’ve done that before, i’ve been to Davao, all by myself but its a work related trips! and some other places which is also a work related trips with some pleasure on the side..hehehe!
..while reading your blogs, “nabubuhay ang dugo kong lakwatsera”! i say lakwatsera coz im really an explorer by nature..
..and now that i’ve been reading your blogs, i’ve made a plan that before i reach my GOLDEN AGE (14years 4 months and 28 days from now), i also have to do the like of your “Isangdaan Journey”!
..thanks for the inspiration James! GOD bless u..
hello cea! non-stop reading huh? thanks for that!
i hope you travel more often soon.
thanks for the very good feedback, it always leaves me smiling to be reading comments like this.
James, if this is in Hotel Isla Boracay (which was abolished in late 2010), I’ll be d*mned 🙂 this in one of my fave hang-outs in White Beach, kasi parang akin yung buong mundo 🙂 I couldn’t care less about the pricks at Hotel Asya (doon sa dulo). I bring my snorkel gear here and meet Nemo 🙂
parang yan nga yun, sa dulo pa ito ng station 3
hi james, your posts are very inspiring. i’ve tried solo travelling one time in samal island, davao last june. adrenaline rush to the max. i also went to some of the places you’ve been, and i always check your blog every time i visit new places. very informative. continue your journey, no destination is impossible to reach to one who has the heart to go for it. God bless 🙂
wow, thanks for this testimonial!
hope you can try solo backpacking more
haha! i know that lonely feeling of traveling solo esp. when you are in a long bus ride with super cool a/c. walang mayakap at ka holding hands. i had that experience when i traveled from albay to manila some years back. tapos konti pa pasahero. sakit ng katawan ko sa kakabaluktot dahil hindi enough yung jacket na suot ko to combat the coldness in the bus. and i hardlyn slept. nung nag stopover kami, napa-yosi bigla kahit di naman ako smoker. yucks!
haha, napayosi kasi walang magawa
your blog is really nice and insightful. just reading about it gives me a “real feel” of how it is to be in that particular place. it’s great that you’re writing about the places in Philippines, too. tunay na makabayan.
and one thing that really makes your blog into my :like”list is you have nice photos and articles about Boracay. From someone who grew up near Boracay, it’s always a humbling experience to see, hear or read good things about the island. 🙂
thanks Doreen for reading the blog.
i feel sorry for what boracay has become now
khit minsan im afraid to travel alone..i use to manage it na ngaun,and when im starting to read your blogs and scanning your trips..now i realize,takot is not an excuse..tnx to u!
haha! at akala ko may kasama ka kasi i always wonder who takes your pictures/videos. hanep!
ang saya maglayag magisa 😀 kaso minsan narealize ko kailangan may kasama talaga; kailangan ko lang talaga ng anchor. kaya kudos at kaya mong magisa! when our paths cross during one of our adventures each, paturo ng tips!
I just came across your site as i’m making plans to visit the Philippines this coming January. I must say your posts are awesome and I’ve found some helpful information. I could not agree more with this post and love the thoughts you shared. Thanks for the great resources, keep living life as you are and enjoy your travels!
hope you find our country beautiful and unique!
super awesome and helpful blog for a solo traveler like me! haha though onti palang yung solo travel ko talaga because of money matters, pero all the pagtitipid is worth it when you’re already traveling and discovering new places!
my first solo trip was in cebu, january 2013. namangha ang mga boss at officemates ko sa lakas ng loob kong magtravel, haha i took the ship going back to manila coz it’s cheaper but it’s more filled with adventure! ahah!
kudos to your awesome solo adventure blogs!