Secrets that will Help you with your Long-Term Travel

Making the decision to pack up all of your belongings can be difficult. You may have to quit your job and you may even have to leave some of your family behind too. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make your experience that bit more enjoyable.

Travel Slowly

The best thing that you can do is travel slowly. If you are on the road every other day then this can be exhausting. You may feel as though you are bouncing from bus to bus and that you are also having to deal with taxi drivers far too often. The last thing that you want is to experience burnout, so spend a week or so in each town or village and don’t feel too much pressure when it comes to seeing absolutely everything. This will help you to truly unwind and take in everything around you. The longer you stay somewhere, the cheaper your accommodation will be too because you will be able to negotiate with hotels and they may even be able to give you a much better rate.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Hobby

It doesn’t matter whether you want to learn how to juggle or whether you are just writing in your diary because you need to find something that will help to keep your mind active. Sure, there is nothing wrong with you lying in a hammock for a week or two if you are going on a short holiday but if you are going on a long vacation then you might get bored. If you want to really document your experiences as you travel, then one way for you to do this would be for you to start a travel blog. This will help you to stay mentally active and it will also help you to share your journey with others. You might also want to add some travel pictures too, and this is a great way for you to make sure that you are preserving memories so that they last for a lifetime.

Fresh Eyes

Sometimes long-term travel can be a curse. The main reason for this is because you are constantly seeing new places and interesting sights. This can make some places in the world seem boring, but this is not the case at all. You need to remember that every single destination that you visit has its merit and that just because you have seen something similar in another country, doesn’t mean that the place isn’t worth visiting. For example, if you have been scuba diving in Belize then you may feel as though there is no point in you going to the Great Barrier Reef. This isn’t true, and sometimes by pushing yourself to try new experiences, you can really make the most out of your trip.

Have a Day Off

It’s important that you give yourself at least one day off every single week. This will help you to recharge your batteries and it will also give you the chance to relax. Remember that not every single day needs to be action-packed, and that if you don’t give yourself the chance to relax then this could end up making the rest of your vacation feel underwhelming. Of course, missing out on something exciting can be a difficult experience, but you need to do it for your own mental health. One way for you to make the most out of your day off would be for you to have a spa day. When you do, you can easily go for a massage or even have a swim in the pool. This will make you feel as though you are still doing something, and you won’t be cooped up in your room all day. If you fancy doing something a little bit more entertaining, then go to the bar to have a drink or even spend some time chatting with people who are staying in the same hotel as you. This could open up new experiences and you never know, you might have a relaxing night that is still packed with fun and adventure.

Stop for a While

If you are going away for months at a time, then one day off might not be enough. You may feel as though you eventually become worn out and need a little longer before you set off to the next town or city. This is completely normal, and it is certainly something that every traveller goes through from time to time. You need to make sure that you have a routine and that you also find a place where you can really settle down. Find a country that you like and feel comfortable in and then stay there for a month or even two. This will work wonders for your soul and your mental health, not to mention that it will also make you ready to tackle that next part of your adventure. At the end of the day, if you want to enjoy long-term travel then you need to actually stop travelling from time to time. Find a place that you love with a good amount of things to keep you interested and return to a life of normality.

Nature

A lot of people love to be surrounded by nature. The main reason for this is because it helps to soothe the soul. You could climb a mountain, sit by a river or even go hiking in a forest. Either way, it doesn’t matter which option you decide to go with because there is nothing like a bit of nature to relax your mind and body. Another bonus of getting out in front of nature is that it can easily help you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can fill your lungs with some fresh air and this can give you some real perspective. If you are an avid photographer, then you may even find that getting out in nature gives you some fantastic photo opportunities and this would be great for your travel blog.

Stay Fit and Healthy

When you are at home, you probably have a schedule and a solid routine. At the end of the day, it can be difficult for you to make time for your health when you are travelling, and you may even find that you just don’t have healthy options available too. If you want to help yourself here, then make an effort to go on an evening run instead of going to the bar. Sure, this can be difficult at first but when you get in a good routine of it you will soon find that it becomes second-nature. You might also want to make the effort to keep up with daily exercise too. This could be something as simple as walking up and down the stairs or even choosing to rent a bike instead of taking a bus to your destination. If you don’t feel as though any of this is an option then consider doing sit-ups when you wake up, as this can get you in the right frame of mind for the day ahead.

Detox

One day a week, it helps to have a detox. This is a day where you will only eat fruit or even vegetables. It also helps to have a strict rule where you only drink alcohol one or two nights out of the week. This will help you to sleep much better and it will also help you to avoid staying up too late as well.

Prepare for Everything

When you travel the world, you will be going to all kinds of different countries. This is great, but if you are not careful then you may not be prepared. It always helps to have some contraception with you and it is also a good idea for you to take some bug repellent too. In some countries it is harder for you to access pain relief as well, so make sure that you keep that in mind. Of course, it may help to pick up certain items as you travel the world, as they might be more convenient or accessible in some countries.

Taste Something Different

As you go on your travels, you may feel as though you get sick of certain meals. This is understandable, but it does help to change things up a bit. For example, if you are absolutely sick of rice and noodles then it may be a good idea for you to try something different, or even a dish that you have never heard of before. Sure, you might be worried about wasting your money if you don’t like it but at the end of the day it is a great way for you to broaden your taste and it may even help you to explore new ingredients too.

Of course, there are so many ways that you can help yourself when you are out travelling the world, and if you take the above tips into account then you’ll soon find that there are endless things that you can do to make your trip more enjoyable.

Tangadan Falls Adventure!

Super duper late post but who cares haha. I just don't want to forget this event 'cos it was so fun!

We went to La Union during one long weekend in December last year and our itinerary included a trip to Tangadan falls. I was actually surprised that we were going somewhere else aside from Urbiztondo beach area so I was internally freaking about it because I wasn't prepared! I didn't bring my pang-malakasang tsinelas (ie my Sandugo) and I didn't bring enough clothes. I was so dreading the thought of river trekking and wading in the waters while I'm not equipped with the right, uhm, slippers. I could die you know?!

But what have you, our biglaang Tangadan proved to be my favorite part of our LU trip. Aside from our friend's proposal hehe! It was thrilling, exhausting, and rewarding. And even if I woke up super sore from the short trek to the waterfalls, I could do it over and over again because the experience is truly worth it! Littered in this post are a couple of snaps from that super memorable trip. We were driving all the way in that we didn't notice a bunch of locals had gestured for us to stop. They chased us for a bit until they were able to catch us to inform us that they do not allow private vehicles to drive up the mountain because it's not safe.

So quick note to those using Waze or Maps to drive to the place: DON'T IGNORE THE SIGNS. We missed the checkpoint so they had to chase us hehe.

You either have to trek, or rent a vehicle (motorbike, tryke, or jeepney) to get you up there. Since we're a big group we opted for a jeepney and paid over 1k for it. We thought we were being scammed but eventually got convinced of why we had to transfer vehicles.

The trip to the falls was soooooo exhilirating. Nerve-wracking climbs and steep descends filled our short journey. And on a road just wide enough to accommodate our bigass sarao?! We were juggling between trying to enjoy the moment and praying for dear life. Kaya naman pala pagsabayin.

After the jeepney ride, we still had to trek a bit to reach the falls. And when we got there, man was it so beautiful. You can swim, dive, or just chill by the big rocks. Water is cold, the river is deep but they rent out life-jackets naman for 30 pesos each.

There are locals who can guide you during the trek too. You can even borrow a walking stick to help your knees lol. Our kuya was kind enough to lend me his and GRAABEEE sobrang hayahay magtrek pag may walking stick lamoyon?!?! Hahahaha

Can't express how much I loved this trip! I wanna go baaaack!

Surefire Ways to Stay Fit and Healthy While You're Travelling

You spend all year daydreaming about your holiday; don’t you?

Where to go, the kinds of adventures you’ll have - and picture yourself out there in paradise - blissful!

Photo from Pexels

But although we all make lots of practical preparations -  it’s easy to forget our own bodies - and we shouldn’t do. Travel can be a big drain on your health if you’re not careful - so it’s important to take the appropriate precautions.

Before you travel

Boost your immune system

A strong immune system is crucial to your overall health - so make sure it’s in shape before you set off.  Try to eat well in the run up to your holiday - and include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet. Dark leafy greens like kale and brightly colored fruits are particularly helpful.  And remember to take small, healthy snacks with you on your journey.
Check if you need any vaccinations

Depending where you’re going, you might need vaccinations - so make sure you’ve checked - it’s really important.  If concerns about pain put you off - don’t let them - perhaps using a numbing cream could be the solution.

You can find lots of useful information online about which vaccinations might be appropriate for your holiday destination.  So do your homework. And your doctor, physician or pharmacist will be able to advise you too.

Photo from Pexels

Buy the right sunscreen

We can’t emphasise enough the importance of taking - and using sunscreen - particularly if you’re visiting warmer climes.  Make sure you choose a cream with at the very least a factor 15 (30 is preferable, particularly for children).  Look for good UVA ratings - and apply it really regularly while you’re away.

While you’re travelling

Get enough sleep

Sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing and research has revealed that it’s crucial for our immune system.  Put simply, you’re more likely to catch a virus without it - and to shake one off if you do get sick.  So getting proper sleep is very important before and during your journey.

Consider packing a travel pillow and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to help you sleep more soundly too.

Stay hydrated

When you travel by air, the lack of humidity in the cabin air can lead to dehydration - and dry out mucous membranes.  This can make you more susceptible to germs - so remember to keep as hydrated as possible.  Water is the best option - obviously - so consider taking a bottle with you and refill whenever possible. Potassium-rich foods like bananas are also great options to help keep you hydrated.

Try to keep active

That might not sound straightforward while you’re travelling but it is possible - and, of course, crucial. Because it’s another really effective way to stave off unwanted infections - and boost your energy.

Photo from Pixabay

So make time in your travel schedule to do something that gets your body moving - even if it’s just a quick stretch.  And when you arrive don’t neglect this either - check out the hotel gym and go for a walk or run to explore your new surroundings.

Wash your hands regularly

It’s surprising how many people forget the importance of regular hand washing - and how it helps maintain health.

This is even more important when you travel - as you come into contact with surfaces that many other people have touched. Using handrails, touching counters and opening doors are all things we do without much thought.

Health professionals recommend carrying out the following steps to make sure your hand washing is effective:

1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
3. Rub hands palm to palm.
4. Rub the back of your left hand with your right palm with interlaced fingers. Repeat with the other hand.
5. Rub your palms together with fingers interlaced.
6. Rub the backs of your fingers against your palms with fingers interlocked.
7. Clasp your left thumb with your right hand and rub in rotation. Repeat with your left hand and right thumb.
8. Rub the tips of your fingers in the other palm in a circular motion, going backwards and forwards. 
9. Repeat with the other hand.
10. Rinse hands with water.
11. Dry thoroughly, ideally with a disposable towel.
12. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

If you can’t get access water to wash your hands fully while you’re in transit - try using an alcohol based sanitiser.  And remember to keep applying it frequently, to make sure you’re properly protected.

Photo from Pixabay

In conclusion

Just a little common sense and a tiny bit of preparation can help you stay fit and well while you travel. And then you’ll be sure to arrive at your destination - and home - relaxed healthy and happy.

[Review] The Serviced Residences at Kasa Luntian

To celebrate my parent's 31st wedding anniversary, I booked a staycation for the family at Kasa Luntian, Tagaytay. We all enjoyed our stay, and wished we could extend but oh well, we'll just come back next time!

The Serviced Residences at Kasa Luntian is part of an Alveo Land development located along Tagaytay-Calamba road. Kasa Luntian is part hotel part residential area, with its hotel services managed by Hospitality Innovators, Inc. (HII).

The best thing I liked about the place is really the ambiance and how the suite is designed. The interior is soooo beautiful. Love the layout, decor, and patterns used in the room. The one-bedroom suite we booked looked super big at 55sqm, considering it has a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, spacious shower and toilet, and a balcony you can actually chill at.

Check-in

Check-in at Kasa Luntian is okay. The front desk is situated at The Lanai building, which is different from where your actual unit will be. So once you get your key card you have to move to another building.

The front desk area is super lovely! What it lacks in space it made up for the beautiful design. Welcome drinks (pandan juice) is a nice touch too!

There's temporary parking beside the reception area and after check-in you'll be given a car pass you can use to drive in and out of the property. To check-out you also need to go back to the font-desk area. Mild hassle right but it's fine if you have a car. Plus, walking around the place is such a delight! It's quiet and serene and the landscape is truly relaxing. The guards are also super nice and polite.

There's free open parking for hotel guests available beside each building. Covered parking is reserved for residents only. You can probably get in, but only to drop your luggage by the elevator. The Lanai also has a few restaurants and shops like 7-Eleven, Nailandia, and Taza Mia.

Before I move on to the things I liked and didn't like about our stay, here's a pic spam of the amenities and our room!

Amenities

Very relaxing ambiance.

Gorgeous pools, which reminds me of our condo lol. There's some serious DMCI vibes to this place, considering it's built by Ayala lol. Maybe because there's a resort theme to it.

We didn't really roam around that much so we only saw the pool and this small playground for kids. I'm not sure what else is there but I know there's a function room somewhere hehe.

One-bedroom suite

Now onto our room...

Oh this room is soooo lovely!

There's a fully equipped kitchen enclosed with a counter-top. There's an electric stove/oven, exhaust, set of knives (which needs sharpening), cooking utensils, a pot and pan, microwave, kitchen sink with sponge and dishwashing liquid.

They also have this complimentary glass bottle of drinking water, which they will remind not to take with you, both during check-in and check-out. Yeah. Apparently, guests keep on taking it with them because it's cute lol. There's a tabletop sign beside it which we didn't read lol. Perhaps it contained a note not to take the damned bottle, that it's not a hotel hoardable if you know what I mean hehe, but guests probably don't pay attention so management resorted to just keep on reminding everyone? Kinda condescending. For a while it felt insulting, being reminded TWICE, not to take something from the room. Sorry if I probably look like the kind who would request for extra bottles of shampoo lol, but heyy, you didn't have to imply it.

So. Can you request for extra water? That's 150 for you lol. There are better ways to remind your guests not to take the bottles with them, and drinking water should always be complimentary in the hospitality industry. If they care so much about losing glass bottles they should stick to the good 'ol plastic ones. Urgh.

What else. They also have four sets of eating utensils, as well as bowls and plates. We loved the kitchen so much because we brought in a lot of food and cooked a lot as well! They have glasses and teacups too, complimentary instant coffee and tea, and electric kettle.

I loved the living area. There's a big flat-screen smart TV equipped with cable. You can also watch Netflix and Youtube as soon as you connect it to the wifi (which wasn't setup properly, I had to call the front desk to fix it). The daybed is amazing, I actually slept in it!

Dining is perfect for the four of us. :)

The bedroom is separated by a sliding door. The balcony is spacious enough you can actually hang out outside.

That's fake turf by the way.

Closet space is enough for a staycation, there's also a safety deposit box, hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. There's an extra hidden storage behind this wall painting beside the bedroom door. Just slide the artwork aside and it will reveal more storage space for you.

Here the view from our balcony...

The pool is probably their greatest feature so I specifically requested to get a pool facing view, and also a high floor. Latter wasn't granted but it was fine cos the pool view provided such a nice backdrop during breakfast!

Price point

We stayed overnight on a Saturday and our bill totaled to around ₱8,500. Which is too much, so I don't recommend staying here on a weekend unless they have a promo. I mean if you're gonna charge me 8k+ for a night you better submit to all my requests, but that didn't happen so I think it's overpriced.

For the quality of our stay, I'd say ₱5,000 tops. Room plus taxes cost us around 7k. Then remember they charged us for extra people so that's additional 1.6k. The weekend rates can get really steep so I'd recommend staying from Sunday-Thursday if you can.

Price varies of course but Saturday rates are the worst.

Okay. Now down to the things I thought needed improvement:

• For some reason our room smelled like paint. Anyway, we quickly got used to it.
• There's an apparent lack of mirrors in the suite. The only mirror present is in the vanity area, and the lighting is bad over there. Can't glam yourself up and take OOTDs. Sad. Hope they get a full-body mirror in a well-lighted corner hehe.
• Hairdryer cannot be plugged near the vanity area, where the only mirror is. I guess this was deliberate to avoid accidents? So at least add more mirrors diba so we can properly fix ourselves lol.
• As mentioned, I didn't like how they remind guests to leave the glass bottle behind, both during check-in and check-out. Reminder during check-in is enough, then they could charge any lost bottle from the security deposit. But to ask us if the water bottle is still there when we checked-out? I really find it insulting. Could've just put a note on the bottle's packaging instead or highlighted it on the tabletop sign you know, something like "Take the water, but not the bottle". Anyway.
• Extra drinking water will cost you, so just bring your own.
• The flooring is elevated as you enter the room, so be careful. I fkn tripped twice on my way in and hurt my nails. Arte no.
• The TV remote control is makunat. Ang tigas nung Enter and up arrow haha!
• No extra keycard.
• Not really something they should improve on but they're really strict with extra persons and guests. We're 4 adults staying in a one-bedroom suite with a capacity of 2 adults and 2 kids, and we were charged 800/per extra person. Not like most hotels where you can sneak in more guests lol. Fair is fair so next time, we'll just come in pairs. Visitors are only allowed until 10pm and they need to register at front desk before meeting you. Hmmm...
• Hopefully they offer breakfast and other amenities too like a spa! That would really complete the serviced residences experience :D
• If you booked online via 3rd party agent (Agoda, Booking, etc.), check-in time is 3pm. You can probably request to check-in early though. We came in around 1pm and had to wait until 2:30pm to get our suite ready. We just happily waited at one of the gazebos. But srsly, if I hadn't called front desk to follow up on our room (they said they would call), they'd probably let us wait 'til 3pm. That's how I feel about the girl who attended to us lol. Parang ayaw nya kami pagbigyan sa kahit ano lol.

And to sandwich my feedback...

• I'm probably coming back despite the mild annoyances and hopefully they've improved by then (ie. mirrors). 
• Their official online photos did not disappoint!
• We all had a good night's sleep! Bed and linens are comfy, daybed in the living area is super comfy too.
• I wasn't able to swim because I got my darned period but their pool looks really awesome there's even jacuzzi on one level. Plus two of the levels can be heated, I guess it depends on the weather. It wasn't on the morning my parents swam.
• The guards are super nice.
• I really really enjoyed the TV haha. Netflix should be a standard in Hotels you know. As in. Nobody watches cable anymore.
• I loved their bathroom essentials. The handwash, shampoo/body wash, and conditioner smelled sooo sooo good!
• Toilet has bidet, hooray!
• Place is perfect for 2 adults. More than that and your bill will make you feel unwelcome lol.

Finally, here's short video tour of the place! Enjoy!

Hope you liked this post! I'd say Kasa Luntian is great for couples and those with at most 2 kids only. Hoping they'd considering catering larger groups but I would understand if they can't to preserve the serenity of the place lol, after all it's also a residence. Looking forward to our next stay.

Let's tour! Staycation at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas

Spent the holidays at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas for the first time and what can I say, I was truly impressed! I didn't think so highly of this establishment because the hotel sits tight inside a CBD and barely has any perimeter clearance for any outdoor amenities. I'm kindof partial to 5-star hotels with spacious outdoors like Sofitel or EDSA Shang but yeah I'm starting to look deeper than the facade and really look at the overall service and value of each booking hahaha! So without further adieu, let's tour you!

Lobby

Ground floor lobby

Marco Polo is actually part office space and part hotel so the ground floor lobby isn't the actual hotel lobby.

Reception counter

The real hotel lobby sits on the 24th floor. And it's gorgeous.

It's wide and spacious and the lighting is so beautiful specially in the morning. It's peak season during the time we checked in so the lobby is full of people in the morning.

Rare time I caught the lobby space empty. It's the wee hours of the night after all.

The earth tones remind me of Seda Vertis North hehe.

Premiere room

We booked a Premiere room with a king sized bed via Agoda. The room description says it's 51sqm but I managed my expectations. It can't be that big.

Boy was I wrong. It's hella big for a hotel room. It's so darned spacious I can't even! Just look at my Sofitel shots, I had to squeeze myself in a corner to get a decent shot of the room. You could see from where I stand how big the room is. I LOVE ITTTTT.

What the heck, this room is even bigger than our house. We got a room at the 36th floor. Guest rooms start at 27th floor I think? So obviously everybody gets a high floor. View from here isn't that great though, we're surrounded by taller buildings so I can't really appreciate the height haha.

Here's one side with the TV and desk. One of the drawers houses a safety vault.

All sockets are universal and there's also a USB port and and HDMI to TV port (which doesn't work). There's a total of three phones in the room. On the desk, on the bedside, and in the toilet.

Here's another side of the room with a small lounge and the minibar section.

Moving on! As usual, there's complimentary tea and coffee. But not just any coffee,

Freakin Nespresso man! The coffee capsules are complimentary as well. It's my first time to try this and I'm pretty amazed at the technology. It's cool, but I prefer the good old brewed coffee haha.

The closet area is super spacious, as you can see, they're quite generous with hangers lol.

There's an iron and ironing board, laundry bag, and slippers. The usual. I love how there's a lot of storage space for you to really hide your things in sight. I hate it when we stay in hotels and all our things are scattered on the tables and chairs. It doesn't make for a relaxing stay when you feel so at home, alam mo yun?! Hahaha

Let's go to the bathroom!

We've got two sinks, a bathtub, and a really good shower space. Water heats fast and the pressure is good.

Toilet is enclosed too. Noice.

As usual, we have the basic toiletries. Dental kits, cotton buds, shower caps, sanitary bags, body lotion, and sewing kit.

Let's also not miss the hair dryer, which is mounted in its own drawer. Cool.

Shower essentials are brought to you by Trussardi. Never heard, sounds posh, fragrance pallette smells a bit too masculine for my taste lol.

Pool and gym

The pool and gym is situated on the 22nd floor. Being that there's no outdoor space in this hotel, the indoor pool is kindof expected. Althouuuughhhh, I didn't expect it to be this nice! It's super no frills straight rectangular infinity lap pool with an amazing view. It doesn't look like it has some fun areas for kids? I'm sure there are shallow areas but I never got to swim hehe.

The gym is also super spacious. I can imagine running on that treadmill with a view of the CBD. Lovely.

Now let's take a peek into the changing areas.

Lockers over here.

Very elegant vanity counter on this side.

Equally impressive line of sinks. It's getting hard describing hotel amenities lol.

That's pretty much it for this pic spam! Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas is now definitely one of my favorite hotels. It's centrally located and you won't starve lol. There's Jollibee beside it and Metrowalk across, plus a whole array of restaurants just around the block. The overall feel of Marco Polo is serious and luxurious. Like it's for one of those snob bachelor businessmen wanting to take a break and enjoy being alone. Anuraw?

If you're curious about the breakfast buffet at Cucina, I have another post for that. 

Here you go: Cucina Breakfast Buffet at Marco Polo Ortigas

Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas is located at

Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street

Ortigas Centre, Brgy. San Antonio, 

Pasig, Metro Manila