surf-with-the-flo-blog
Surf With The Flo
Hey there! My name's Flo and I'm here to tour you to my (mis)adventures in this crazy yet beautiful world of travel writing. More about me? I like to describe myself as a tight-budgeted traveller with an overpacked luggage. Not a good match, right? And before I forget, I have strict parents! OOPSY. I assure you that my trips will be certified parents-approved. Taralets!
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A Sense of Place in the Eyes of the Girl With No Sense of Direction
While taking up my Journalism 195 (Travel Reporting) class, it suddenly occured to me that maybe, just maybe, I can be a travel writer. And by travel writer, I do not mean to be like the typical travel bloggers who want to score for free trips and accommodation, then unfairly write a critique in favor of the sponsor. I want to be this kind of travel writer who would still live up to the journalism code of ethics: unbiased.
But I do not know where to start. I am a newbie with not much of a writing personality. How do I really set myself apart from other writers? Thankfully, we were required to read Michael Shapiro's A Sense of Place. It is a compilation of interviews of Shapiro with the world's greatest and known travel writers. It definitely is a good read for starting travel enthusiasts like me.
Among all the writers interviewed, my favorite is Paul Theroux. What he said really made a mark on me: "Travel is transition, and at its best it is a journey from home, a setting forth." He emphasized that it is important to link our destination to a place we know best, our home. This is the element that sets travel writers apart from each other. This is what creates unique experiences in same destinations.
Home does not always refer to a place. It can be the environment, the attitude of people from where you came from, the people themselves, and even the culture shared between the members of the family. Not all travel writers have the same home that keeps their stories grounded. Most of the time, its their homes that bring tasteful moments to their travels.
This realization and learning led me to think: Which part of my "home" can spice up my articles? Definitely, my parents and their rules. I am a girl with strict parents. Unlike other carefree travellers, I always need my parents approval before trying out new things. As much as I want to dive into the sea from a 10-foot cliff, I may not. Having a chaperone may guarantee permission, but not all the time. And I think this situation is not only existing in my world but also to other kids with very protective parents.
Thanks to Theroux, I finally realized the personality I want my readers to feel. My articles will be towards but not limited to kids with strict parents. I may feature "safe" (parents-approved) destinations but will not cut-off the fun.
This book is very eye opening as well. It also tells about the misadventures of travel writers and how they overcame those challenges.
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Banaue on A Steeper Level
Manila is a living hell.
So if you want to find that heavenly escape from all the traffic noise and deadlines, better climb up the stairs of Banaue, Ifugao.
People usually check into hotels for accommodation but to live in a house which actually stands on those terraces, is a big game changer.
In this age of technology, everything is almost possible – even living in someone else’s house. Phone applications such as Airbnb, let you book different types of accommodations. One of the best options available for Banaue is the house of Tony Tocdaan, a native Igorot who offers five-star hospitality for a low price. For 700 pesos, a group of four can enjoy a comfortable accommodation. (Prepare your self though for a 200-step stair to get there.)
The affordable price though does not give justice to the view that this house offers. Peeking through the window is the actual rice terraces used as the inspiration for the old one thousand Philippine peso bill.
This peaceful scenery will greet your blanket-covered self in the morning while sipping your hot Ifugao black coffee. The vibrant color of the planted rice will take you away from your smoggy memories of the urban city.
If you want more action, you can hike up to Batad’s amphitheater-like rice terraces. One of Tocdaan’s sons offers service as your hike guide.
Before you get a cozy slumber, you may like to take advantage of their bonfire treat while listening to Tocdaan’s life stories. This great man has already been featured in British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), National Public Radio (NPR), and as well as the book, The Best Travel Writing compiled by William Dalrymple.
Go and pack your things now, skip the hotels, and enjoy a Tony-Tocdaan-kind of Banaue.
This article is previously submitted to writer’s J 111 class (Feature Writing)
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Bolinao or Never
Crushed shells for sea bed and salty breeze: just the same old package for the beaches in the Philippines. But what sets Bolinao apart from others is its wild waves, wild enough to devour your whole existence. This is definitely not a place for the faint-hearted.
From a far, it will deceive you with its serene and calm waters. It wants to bring out your inner Moana, as if the line where the sky meets sea is really calling you.
Bolinao is located at the tip of Luzon’s nose. The violent waves are created by the open sea, that is the South China sea. The sea level here is too low that you can even be a kilometer apart from the shore yet the water is still around your waist. However, do not be cocky because some waves are twice your height and would appear as often as once every minute. Make sure to wear a life vest or have a high level of swimming skills.
The air blown towards the land is a little warm. So if you are planning a bon fire session in the evening, skip the blankets and jackets because there is no use for those.
But Bolinao is more than just its beaches. It offers a sweat-astic experience as you jog to reach the light house. The light house showcases a breathtaking view of the sea. It also has an abandoned neoclassical bungalow, perfect for picture taking.
So when the Manila stress is already consuming you, why not drive to Bolinao? In just six hours, you will arrive in an adrenaline-rising beach getaway. It’s Bolinao or never.
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Still looking for things to do this weekend? Fret not, because we got you covered!
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The Not-So-Sosy’s Sushi
Sushi is a very intimidating roll of rice. It gives you an impression that you need to be sosy enough to eat a sushi. As you continue to enjoy this sticky goodness, you are also trying to count your bills in mind. You are now not sure if it is the wasabi that is making you sweat or it is the fear of washing the dishes. If all else fails, you hope they accept credit cards.
In this world full of money-loving sushis, it is a big relief (to our wallets) that Ta Ke Ho Me is a sushi place for less. With just Php 99, you can enjoy six rolls of this rice treat. And also with that affordable price, don’t you just want to take home some more?
This sushi place is situated along Marikina City’s Lilac Street. The interior of the shop may not give you much of the Japanese feel but their sushis will. Ta Ke Ho Me’s bestseller is their TKHM, a rice roll of salmon and cream cheese topped with Bonito flakes. This sushi roll is best described as the marriage of creamy and savory.
So the next time you crave for a Japanese rice treat goodness, make sure to put Ta Ke Ho Me on your destination list.
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Why You Should Skip Binondo’s Chinese New Year Celebration
Photo courtesy of Caselda Cruz
Crowded streets, loud cheers, and dancing dragons; these are just some of the perks this oldest Chinatown’s New Year celebration offers to shoo away the bad spirits. But if you have already thrown the bad-spirited people out of your life, skipping the festivities would be the better choice. So here are few reasons why skipping Binondo’s Chinese New Year celebration may be the next big thing.
No lines. More food for you.
Binondo is known for its hole-in-the-wall stalls that offer authentic (or almost) Chinese food. But during the Chinese New Year, most of them would require you to fall in line for minutes -- worst nightmare of a rumbling stomach. Visiting outside the celebration gives you more time to chug down as much food as you please. You can even sit wherever you want as if you own the place.
Locals are friendlier.
The Chinese New Year crowd will be wherever you are, will engage with the same locals, and will buy the same hopias and tikoys. To get entertained in this time of the year by the Binondo people is a privilege. So if you are the type who loves to immerse yourself with the culture and the people, regular days can give you more colorful memories. The locals will more likely to shower you with attention as you may be the only customer they have at that time.
SALE SALE SALE
If you paid attention to your Economics class, it is a fact that surplus will be solved through price decrease. Even if the festivities brought a massive crowd to the narrow streets of Binondo, there will always and always be unsold items. It is a pain to see unloved treats and trinkets wait on the store shelves, right? Some stores would offer discounted price for them while other store keepers are much welcoming when it comes to haggling.
The Chinese New Year celebration is really anticipated by many but it is also not for everyone. People with self-declared claustrophobia or even those who are irritated with loud noises may still enjoy the same festivities even if they visit way after the celebration.
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