The Longest Way Home Travel Blog » How to live overseas

How much does a person from the Philippines earn?

The Longest Way Home — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:05:58 +0000

Money to some simply means, "I will eat tonight"

How much money does a person from the Philippines earn or make a day?

From the least paid all the way to the president, I took to the streets to try and find out. The results, while holding no scientific nor Wall Street Journal like quality, are interesting nonetheless.

I say per day, as when I ask people on a lower income, this is what they quote me, exactly:

“I make ___ , sir.”

A middle income person is more reluctant, but will quote by the month using the term “around“.

Upper income people usually just smile. But will happily tell you what everyone else makes.

Cost of living in The Philippines (average, local):

Here’s a rough idea of what local things cost so you can see what a wage quote lower down must be spent on:

Jeepney ride – 10 pesos (medium distance transport)
Cost of fuel per liter – p45 +

Is it a pregnant lady? Or a case of wealthy male Pinoy belly: It's actually scary to see so many rich Filipinos who are grossly overweight

Tricycad – city transport - p6 +
Small bottle of water – p15-20
Average local meal with meat – p60

60 pesos (p60) = USD$1.31 approx

The reality of wealth distribution in the Philippines:

A village girl or boy brought to a town to work as a house keeper can be paid as little as 0 to 50 pesos per day. They are given accommodation and meals (basic, as in rice and the floor).

Low income earnings:

The average security person man or woman earns p200 per day

The average guest house / hotel cleaner earns 200 pesos per day

A receptionist (starter) earns: p200 – 300 per day

Middle income earnings:

Filipino's are obsessed with big cars, all the wealthy own one; shame they haven't been reading the rest of the worlds industry reports - or maybe they have been ...

A call center employees earns p10,000 – 18,000 per month

An office administrator earns p10,000 – 20,000 per month

A basic teacher earns p15,000 – 18,000 per month

Note: there are hidden extras in many middle income salaries. Many will also be given a free sack of rice every month, a health care plan and transport. Depending on the job and circumstances.

Upper income:

A doctor earns between p18,000 – 35,000 pesos per month

An airline pilot earns 80- 100,000 pesos per month

Government officials earnings in The Philippines:

Now this was hard to find answers on, I wonder why?

The president earns 40,000 -60,000 pesos per month (everyone laughs when this is mentioned)

A governor earns … ???

The president’s “official” salary was easy to find out. As for a Governor, Mayor or other government officials no one seems to know.

If you happen to know, then please leave a comment (references would be great).

Note: I can’t help but add in here about the massive fringe benefits politicians get in The Philippines. Not forgetting the wealth of political dynasties, shady business partnerships and corruption the countries politicians have been know for. They are amongst the richest here, one way or another. See further below for an example of a $20,000 steakhouse dinner

Expats & overseas workers:

Diplomats earn the same as their civil service salaries back home, plus hardship bonuses (differs depending on origin country). Least to say, they are far from suffering judging by the luxury apartments/ buildings, most live in.

Non owning manager of a corporate overseas business: $USD 80,000 + per year depending on business. (plus other benefits)

Unqualified expat looking for a job – same as a local, unless you get lucky.

A note on small expat businesses in the Philippines: in order to run a registered business in the Philippines you need to be a national. Foreigners generally (that I am aware of) have two options.

Marry a local: in which case the local will own the majority share of the company
Form a company whereby the BOD has at least 5 Pinoy members

I’ve seen and heard of many a bad story due to the above.

Street girl eating someones leftovers on a plate - is her only hope to escape overseas by any means? Or could she really run for office & eat a little better ...

Equality & fairness in the Philippine salary:

The above is not an official list of salaries by some government body. These are quotes from people either in that job, related to it, from the street or from a news agency and treated as a given average.

What struck me was the salary scale of a call center employee vs a teacher or even a doctor. Call centers are booming in The Philippines, and many graduates would rather work in a call center, rather than in their chosen profession.

Apart that is from those looking to leave the country, via their profession.

Filipinos working overseas:

In my time here I’ve met a staggering amount of Filipinos looking to work overseas. This is actually an industry itself. And no, I am not talking about the return of wealth from overseas workers.

I am talking about the amount of businesses within the Philippines dedicated to getting people jobs overseas. And, to a lesser scale, simply taking the money with idle promises.

Unemployment vs overseas working:

Today’s figures state there about 12 million overseas Filipino workers. The population is around 95 million. That’s roughly about 10% of the population that work overseas.

The unemployment rate is around 8% give or take. How this is actually calculated is beyond me as there’s very to back this up. Living off the land out of necessity and eating nothing but plain rice is considered employed.

Fringe benefits & justice:

Rather than the usual developing country heartache of focusing on people eating nothing but plain rice, children falling asleep due to hunger, or no medical care. I’d like this to highlight the flip side of things.

Whereby some people live very well.

Last year as the Philippines was struggling to cope with the world food crises former President Arroyo spent $15,000 and then another $20,000 on two meals for 60 colleagues whilst visiting the U.S.A. One of which was at a steakhouse where the bill was allegedly footed by a nephew of former president Marcos. The story was reported in many places. Here’s a brief ABS-CBN report.

The follow ups to this were met with non-statements, allegations, rebuttals and the usual “the head of state desires good treatment because …”

Conclusion:

This should give readers a rough insight into how mixed, cumbersome, irrational, fraudulent and bizarre salaries are in The Philippines.

From hand to mouth non earners, to teachers earning less than call center staff to Presidents and their entourages eating $20,000 dinners.

It’s a bizarre scale, and I somehow I don’t think The Philippines is alone in the world in this regard.

And, it would be interesting to see if anyone else can add to this, or disagree with my findings, either in the Philippines, or globally.

I am sure wealth distribution anomalies happen elsewhere too.

Coming Soon:

Documenting my life 101

Plus, a special on bribery within the travel photography community … aka travel photography ethics

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How much does a person from the Philippines earn?

The bad & the good expats in the Philippines

The Longest Way Home — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:22:30 +0000

Sometimes people have a different idea what it's like to live overseas (click to enlarge)

I’ve both traveled and tried living in the Philippines. Throughout my journals you can see that I have had both a very positive experience, and what I can only call life lessons for this journey.

The Filipino people themselves are very easy going, and it’s hard not to like them.

On the otherhand, I’ve yet to actually say very many nice words about any foreigner I’ve met here.

Why are foreigners not likable in The Philippines?

There are many types of foreigner in the Philippines: Package holiday makers away for a week or two, couples on honeymoon, the odd wandering backpacker, an occasional rich movie star, and expats making new lives for themselves.

And, the other kind of foreigner…

The sex tourist foreigner. Mainly North American, and North European. There is however a growing number of Mid Eastern, and African rich types making their way over here too. And yes, they are all male.

I must admit I haven’t come across many foreigners I actually liked in the Philippines during my time here. From drunk foreign men looking for local girls (and the occasional boy). To the rich elite that seem displeased that you also are traveling in the same place as they.

A few exceptions, there are some nice expats in The Philippines:

But under all that, there seems to be a thriving community of genuinely nice expats who are living in the Philippines. Some keep a low profile, while others are a part of huge network.

The people running Nut’s Huts in Bohol are an example of nice foreigner expats. A very friendly couple that were down to earth and easy to talk with.

Mindanao Bob, a great expat living in the Philippines

But, by far the most impressive expat I’ve met is Bob (aka Mindanao Bob) from Davao. I first came across Bob’s name from one of the many websites he runs call Live In The Philippines. I found it when I was searching for some visa information about the Philippines.

Bob’s run’s some great sites:

I left a comment on his website, and he posted back straight away. A few months later, I was looking for more information on the Philippines and again Bob’s website appeared. This time it made it’s way into my bookmarks and I kept on reading.

Then, as I was making my first journey to Davao I took an even closer look at Bob’s site and learned a lot from it. Including a lot about Bob. He has a little section on it about meeting up with him for a coffee. So I sent him an email. He replied and the following week we met up.

Breaking the norm!

I really didn’t know what to expect before meeting Bob. Would he be one of those expats with a younger girlfriend and a constant beer in hand or …

“From website persona to the man himself I am really happy to say Bob is a great guy.”

Married with a son and daughter, Bob’s been living in the Philippines for the over 10 years. He had something better than a beer waiting for me too. He had a freshly brewed coffee from his large collection of coffee beans from around the world.

I was already a bit late in arriving to his beautiful home. And, was worried about missing my bus. But as we sat down and began getting acquainted the time just flew by as did my bus journey. But it was well worth it.

Meet a man who knows more than most expats:

Bob was a wealth of information about the Philippines, and in particular Mindanao. Hence his nickname Mindanao Bob! In fact as I sat there and discussed about meeting other expats in the Philippines, travel, and other things Pinoy I wished that I had met up with Bob a lot sooner.

Bob makes his living through an incredible and well put together colleciton of websites all about the Philippines. He even owns www.mindanao.com. If there was anyone more dedicated to giving the world a more positive and realisic perspective on the Philippines its Mindanao Bob! He also makes a great cup of coffee!

Coming soon:

The beginning of the End … how much does a Filipino actually earn …

Interview with Karl Bushby: Inspirational Travelers

The Longest Way Home — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:26:08 +0000

I’ve known about Karl’s phenomenal attempt for well over 10 years. If there is one person who constantly tops my list of people that inspire me, it’s Karl.

Karl has been, and is, attempting to walk around the world with unbroken steps. He’s already made history in being the first person to cross the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia. And there’s so much more to this epic journey.

Karl Bushby (image © www.odysseyxxi.com)

“This is an incredibly revealing interview that I encourage anyone who’s any interest in travel, human nature or life to read all the way through”.

How can anyone embark on something like this? How can they continue? And, what happens to them afterwards?

12 years of travel on a mission to do something no one else has and still a lot of years to go. To most people this is nearly incomprehensible. Tell us the grass roots of this journey, why did you start this?

Not an easy question to answer. On the surface it was a simple challenge framed in a question ‘what would it take, and is it even possible, for a lone man to get back home to the UK from the Southern tip of South America unassisted by any form of transport’. Once the fire is lit it smoulders at the back of ones mind for a long time and I found I was never able to put it down. How such an idea came into being, I guess that was part of my immediate culture or environment.

As a young British Paratrooper there is a lot of competitive banter at hand, driven men always looking to find ways to push them selves a little further, never willing to back down from a challenge. Within this environment, and taking into account ones own wonder lust, my own history, you can start to piece together an hypothesis as to why I undertook this challenge. But its very much a game of introspection.

I believe I know why I do what I do, not that it will always make sense to others. Humans rarely do. But at the end of the day it’s a huge challenge and a battle of will, and the question remains “what would it take and can it be done”. The theory is simple but in practice, that’s a whole new ball game.

Have your reasons for doing this changed over the past 12 years?

Again I can only re-alliterate the above. Somewhere throughout my life, from childhood to the day I stepped onto the road, the reasons are scattered hither and too.

Have you drawn any inspiration from other travellers, past or present, and if so who and why?

The only real case that I drew inspiration from was Ranulph Fiennes and Mike Shroud crossing of Antarctica on foot in 1993. I found their effort mind blowing. I still do. Their have been many an example, incredible feats by incredible men in a class way beyond anything I am capable of. But the Fiennes Shroud 1993 effort left an indelible memory and image I have never forgotten. In particular a single photograph of the two men at the end of their ordeal. Two emaciated figures, half the men that set out only months before.

One could not imagine what it had taken, what these guys had gone through to get that last snap shot at the end of a mind blowing endeavour. Other than that I had little interest in such events, and was not really interested in walking. I chose to walk because I know how demanding it can be, that’s the point of the challenge. And I don’t see its really about walking, but more about moving a set weight and amount of logistics from point A to point B on foot, there is a big difference.

In your 12 years of walking, what has been the one thing that has surprised you most about the world we live in today?

I think the first thing that stood out was the warm hearted reception I received everywhere I went. I remember very well the early days where I would stumble across small farms run by indigenous peoples in Patagonia, and without hesitation I would be invited in, fed and warmed. That’s been the story from Chile to Russia and not something I expected. The kindness of people I think has been an intriguing insight.

After living 12 years in the army and coming from the big cities of Europe it was incredible to find so many good natured people out there, in every nook and cranny from every walk of life. That has been inspiring and one feels indebted to the world after so long and having received so much help.

The current situation might be a candidate. I was very much convinced that if I could achieve the Bering Strait, it would be down hill from there. Somehow I got that wrong! Having got over the worst of it, the obstacles considered the most challenging and threatening to this endeavour, having got over the half way point, everything suddenly begins to unravel. This was not expected, perhaps not so much of a surprise in hind sight. I had lived on a wing and a prayer for far to long and it was going to catch up on me one day.

Karls book, the first 6 years (affiliate link)

Tell us what the worst day was in your journey so far and why?

Mid December 2005 somewhere in the heart of winter wilderness Alaska. It was all about a woman, what else could bring a man to his knees? A woman I was losing slowly over the last 5 years prior. The one woman who had truly meant everything, I guess, for want of a better word ‘my soul mate’. But again not a surprise, this had been predicted, a foot note on some long forgotten scribbled plan, underlined and marked with exclamation marks and question marks, followed by “be prepared”. But nonetheless, after years of struggle, I had reached the bottom of a dark pit of despair.

After everything I had faced down, this was the day I could not get out of my tent, the only day. I went down into such a frightening place an incredibly painful place and it took a little while to get out. Only one other time in my life had I felt anything similar I believe, also on this journey, in the early days for totally unexpected reasons, but this one had been on the cards for a long time, there had been countless hard days dealing with this. Those few days where the grimmest I can remember.

The physical stuff you can deal with, but a software glitch is a problem. A dark Arctic winter was not to help. The girl I left behind in Colombia, now nine years ago, still to this day, is the dominant factor I have to deal with, and to my horror, a daily concern. The mood you find me in at any given day is tide directly to a relationship that finally died two years ago now. Not to mention the son I left behind.

The hairy monster called time visits more often now, and knocks me around harder with every passing year. But after each beating the mission has not changed and neither have I. Moving is easier, being static seems to aggravate the issues. To much time to sit and think. If I was younger perhaps these things would not mean as much, but I am 40, old enough to deal with it, and old enough that I could do without it.

Likewise, what was the best day in your journey so far and why?

This one is harder. So many good days. I could say the day mother and my son visited me in Fairbanks Alaska. The first time after six long years, and the last. But it was hard. The day I met Catalina, but I grew to Catalina, over time, it was not a supernova moment. Hitting the coast of Russia and making history, but some how in the light of all that has past, that would feel superficial.

The day I reached Riosucio on the Atrato River and had managed to avoid been gunned down by Colombian guerrillas. The day I walked over a cliff in a snow storm on a winter Alaskan coast, and broke no bones. Finding a whole discarded sandwich on the side of the road in Chile after days of hunger. So many amazing days. Each to its own.

With social networks, travel television networks, and books galore, do you think the age of traveller exploration is coming to a close? (have we seen and done everything?)

No, I think we will define it differently over time, but it will not be over. To day I am reminded of the change. People sometimes refer to me as an explorer, but I am not. Those who follow maps are adventures, those who wrote the maps where the explorers. To day there are few explorers left. Few remaining places that have yet to be mapped. Ocean depths, some forgotten cave perhaps.

The Bering Strait crossing was a first but far from exploration in my mind. The only real uncharted territory we entered was the troubled Russian politics, as they scrambled to deal with something new and unexpected, some one walking to Russia from the USA. I am an adventurer. The next great explorers will define this species in a whole new class, an interplanetary species.

You recently re launched your website, are you changing strategies?

Trying to find a strategy is more the case. This thing began even though it probably should not have. With no support, a few bucks in my pocket and a lose plan. I pulled it off for a long time. Got by on a shoe string or nothing at all. Got luck when it mattered. Lived in the day to day, horizon to horizon. How things change.

Today I am struggling to find anyone willing to partner or sponsor the endeavour, in the worst place at the worst time. Without the marking or business plan, the experience and skill needed in the field of marketing. I am struggling, doing what I can with what I have. But remember, I am here for the challenge, so it appears I have found my utopia!

The Odyssey XXI website (image © www.odysseyxxi.com)

As I follow your journey, I know your tremendous difficulties in getting into Russia continue. Please tell us about this and what can be done about it?

Firstly. We need help with Russian bureaucracy. We are currently trying to find a way to overcome visa restrictions limiting the Expedition to only 3 months in Russia at a time. This creates an impossible situation for an unfunded expedition on foot and currently placed in Bilibino, Chukotka, far North East Russia.

There is hope after Russia announced plans a few months ago that it needed to relax its visa rules. So I am waiting to hear further developments on this. All our attempts over the last number of years have not mounted to anything.

I have 900 miles between me and the nearest road system, that’s 900 miles of Arctic/ Subarctic tundra. Its hard going at the best of times, later winter. Extremely unpredictable in the summer when conditions make it almost impossible to cover any distance in a timely fashion, if at all. Not expecting any chance soon in Russian politics it really comes down to sponsors.

With the right backing I can reach the road system and get back on the move year round and it just gets cheaper from there. Its difficult for people to understand the nature of the challenge in Far North East Russia, the terrain, politics, logistics and money for remote Arctic expeditions need real support. Its mind numbingly frustrating at the moment and I just need to keep a stiff upper lip and keep the faith.

Life after travel: When you have completed this epic feat, have you given any thought into what you will do?

No. it’s to far ahead, the world will be a different place in a different time. The next horizon is the focus and I cannot see beyond it. I spoke earlier in this article briefly about an unpleasant moment early on in this journey, and I believe it was due to looking to far ahead.

Trying to cope with the whole picture in one sitting on one plate and I almost choked to death on it. Since then I have learned to keep focused on the road in front of me, right now its enough to deal with.

Is there any great travel tip you would like to share with the readers here that’s helped you on your own travels?

It’s like the man said “just do it”. So many people ponder on making a move but don’t act upon there dreams and ideas. More often than not its out of fear, it’s a lack of self confidence.

Our addiction to safety and over abundance of caution can stop us from being the best we can be, can stifle the human spirit. Man has to realise he got where he is today because he was willing to take risks and he will have to take risks again.

Finally Karl, how can people follow you and support you on this incredible journey? (website, facebook, twitter, rss links etc)

Yes, the website I try to keep updated. I’m constantly adjusting and adding to it, lots of room for improvements. The website is: www.odysseyxxi.com

I will be opening a forum this week( editors note: it’s live now!) I hope as people feel there is a lot to talk about and I agree. I have a Facebook but its not real active right now. I use Twitter: http://twitter.com/OdysseyXXI there is a link on the website home page.

—

Inspirational Travelers: they do exist.

What do you think of Karl’s journey?

Could you ever embark on something like this?

This interview is an additional entry exploring how other travelers are inspiring and can help us all learn

The Arc of Darkness: the dark cloud over Mindanao

The Longest Way Home — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:32:47 +0000

I wrote here about the electrical outages affecting Mindanao in the Southern Philippines.

General Summary: Lack of rainfall means a decrease in water for the hydro plant at Lake Lanao to provide enough electricity for the southern region.

The Dark clouds are here, but only in certain regions ... Why?

After I published this, I received a lot of email & messages via twitter ( @TLWH ). Aside from concerns that I was in this troubled region, many Pinoy’s said they had electricity.

That night in a hot humid & dark guest house room I watched as my phones battery slowly ebbed away. Tweets from Manila said they had 24/7 electricity. Cebu, Palawan had no problems. Okay, even the national newspapers said it was a Mindanao problem, so I wasn’t anxious.

The whole of the Philippines had electricity it seemed ... Except for a region to the south: Mindanao

Then, came a tweet from Davao (southern Mindanao), there were no outages. General Santos, the same, and so it continued.

How come I was getting constant power outages and the rest of The Philippines was alright?

These days Manila gets brownouts every other day, for 2-3 hours. In specific regions of Mindanao, it ranges from 16-5 hours, everyday.

Fuel to the fire:

Add to this warnings that Lake Lanao’s water reserve is so low its past critical. That the hydro turbines are in danger of seizing up with irreversible damage if they continue at such low levels. And, that there are no more reserves to tap into.

Why then when Manny Pacquio was fighting was there 24 hours of electricity?

Why for 3 days during the elections this week was there 24 hours of electricity?

And why, during daylight hours are suburban street lights switched on?

The Arc of Darkness

The outline of the blackout areas is a sobering picture. True sense of it comes if you only know why in this paradise nation, a large portion of it is a no go zone.

As you may know Mindanao is a troubled region in The Philippines. There are many things going on here, and it’s not my place to state who’s right or wrong.

Here’s a general overview:

The MILF/MNLF are an organization that wishes to have a region of Mindanao made autonomous. The region is largely Islamic, in an overwhelmingly catholic country.

It’s known that there are many “private” armies in the region.

Some of whom are controlled by local warlords seeking separation.

The most infamous is the Ampatuan clan. Accused of a mass murder last year of over 50 people. They obtained their arms from the government. Like many political families in the Philippines, the Ampatuan’s have family members from Governors on down to Mayors throughout the region.

Mix this with national government & local intervention and you can see problems. Oh, and should we not forget U.S.A. military training intervention too. Over 150,000 people have died in this little known conflict.

Journalists die here:

In late 2009 over 50 people were mass executed in Mindanao. Over 30 of them were journalists. Here’s a report by ABC reporter Mark Willacy, it’s worth watching (20 mins)

The head of the Ampatuan clan who is / was a friend of the outgoing president, Arroyo, has been arrested, as one of the many accused of organizing the mass killing. He’s shown in the video above. (the latest news is two key Ampatuan members have been released after presenting alibis).

My findings on the Arc of Darkness:

With map in hand I asked some people on the street. Why were certain regions blacked out, and the rest not?

Personally, I feared the worse. With the elections it seemed politically motivated to provoke individuals from within this conflict region. It could affect anyone’s political campaign, one way or another.

My rough map of blackouts in Mindanao

However, there have been no outbreaks of violence or accusations based on this issue alone.

“Why?”

In typical Pinoy fashion it took a while for people to open up with a story. It turned out I met a random person who grew up by lake Lanao. Their view is that the situation is far more financially motivated than political. Yet, the two webs are intertwined.

Lake Lanao is shrinking due to a high level of silt pouring into it. The silt is coming from the surrounding mountains, which are being stripped bare due to illegal logging.

Who is doing the illegal logging? Well, allegedly it’s the local militia and gangsters. They are armed, and well known for kidnapping, ransoming, and executing hostages. Both foreign and local, including reporters and journalists.

1+1=?

None of the above can ever be proved. Maybe this is why mainstream news agencies are not reporting it. Then again, in a land where more reporters have died …

Mindanao is now rated above Iraq & Afghanistan as being the most dangerous place for journalists in the world today.

It’s simply not feasible to garner this evidence if you look at the complexities and people involved within the region. Violence is a simmering undertone here. Profit is undermining that, for now. A lesser of two evils?

Illegal logging is hugely profitable. They are not going to stop. During an election, it would make sense not to rub your sore spots in public. Just let it ride as you turn a blind eye.

Turn off the power, and no one will protest as vast quantities of money is pouring into those allegedly involved in the logging.

Still, why is the government not preventing the illegal logging?

Strange how the electricity which is Nationally governed is only turned off in this outlined troubled region and nowhere else?

Is someone pushing power buttons of a different nature here?

Water levels don't seem that different to me - life goes on either way (click to enlarge)

No escape:

I see this problem escalating over the coming years. If the lake is truely shrinking due to rising silt because of illegal logging, with a growing population - Electric blackouts will become more frequent and last for longer.

What happens if an internal dispute with the factions in control within this Arc of Darkness triggers a retaliation? aka the money runs out.

This could well be the beginning of the end for what some people are already calling a failed state.

The more worrying aspect:

Why is this not being reported more? Yes, there are some columnists writing about this. Yes, there are wild rumors floating about. Yes, there are headlines about Hydro-Power. Yes, certain local electrical companies are using strong words to issue blame and even state that the crises is “artificial” (source the original that was removed ) . But is this garnering national interest, no.

Then again, remember: Mindanao has been quoted as being more dangerous to cover as a journalist than Iraq or Afghanistan.

When you live here, that means something more than just a quote.

The president has declared Mindanao in a state of calamity … but such terms seem to be lost in the media frenzy of the 2010 elections.

Share the load:

Electricity is split into various sub companies that distribute it.

The grid is not physically connected on a national basis. Davao for example is getting electricity from diesel stations. While others rely on hydro.

If this is the case, why can electricity not be purchased from other areas? Other nations can manage this (Nepal/India), why can The Philippines not manage this internally?

The future of Mindanao (The Philippines):

I have tried my best to write great things about Mindanao in my Seeing the Unseen series. Indeed for long term readers here you will no doubt notice the positive slant I give all of The Philippines.

Sadly, in recent times, I see a downward spiral that’s undeniable in fact.

At the moment I cannot hand on heart recommend Mindanao as a tourist destination. Yes, I do think, and believe it’s more safe than international media makes it out to be. But compared to other tourist destinations I cannot recommend it.

It’s a shame, as the majority of the people from this region are some of the nicest, most honest you will meet.

Why then have more journalists been killed here than anywhere else in the world?

Conclusion:

I don’t have the answers in this complex web of so many virtues. All I know is that the rains are overdue. And, with them electricity along with regular services will return.

The people will forget their woes as flash floods and more human tragedy make the headlines once more. Promises by former governments that this would be addressed year in year out will be excused by the new government who in turn will make a promise.

Then next year it will all start over again. And, it will continue on until there are no more trees left to fell.

Or, when the money runs dry like the lake. Then, I fear, something much worse will bring the worlds media back to Mindanao.

–Update–

Since election day there have been no electricity blackouts. There’s a new president elect from a party that’s currently not in power. There has been no heavy rain since election day either, so I imagine that Lake Lanao is still at “critical level” for producing hydro power.

There were few problems in Mindanao over the election period. Yes, there were deaths, under a dozen were reported, but nothing of note to suggest ill will nor disruption to the masses.

That’s not counting debacles such as polling equipment not showing up, broken machines, lack of officials and vast queues of voters unable to vote due to this and more. Lesser known in Mindanao are the reports of trucks filled with armed people preventing local villagers from leaving their houses on polling day.

The official response to the electrical crisis has always been a lack of rainfall and a lake that’s been been at “critical” and danger levels for months. People are not asking why the electricity is back for fear it might remind someone to hit the power button again.

More clouds on the way:

For one week the people here have had constant electricity for the first time in months. The only thing that’s changed is the election is over and new people are coming into office.

Will this and the other problems in Mindanao continue? Yes. This was only a new one. And, at the moment it’s not officially over. The people within the Arc of Darkness are just greatful that for the past week life has returned to normal. They are still very aware that at any minute the light may go again.

A few brave souls now mention the impending rains.

The ground is hard, when the rains come they will bounce off the earth and form this years flash floods. Another repetitive tragedy is looming.

With a new administration comes new hope. Every cloud is meant to have a silver lining. I hope for the people of Mindanao this is true. For now though, the problems in Mindanao seem to be on hold; as the people live day by day in wait …

Coming Soon:

Decision Time

Interview with Becky Sampson: Inspirational Travelers

The Longest Way Home — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:05:35 +0000

There’s nothing like following someone’s journey online: especially if it’s something different …

Here’s just one of those journeys:

Along with Bertie the horse Becky Samson set out in 2009 to ride from the UK to Japan. It will take 4 years at this time of planning.

Becky Samson & Bertie the Horse (image © www.expeditionequus.com)

But plans change, such is the nature of travel.

Why is she doing this?
How is she coping?
And, how can we learn from this inspirational young lady?

Let’s find out:

Why are you doing this?

To travel with a horse has been a lifelong dream, and I realised that if I didn’t do it now, I would probably never get round to it. I didn’t want to fall in to the trap of having a career, mortgage or other commitments and regretting not having at least attempted it. Doing the trip for SOS Children also gives it a greater meaning, especially in light of the recent events in Haiti. SOS Children do such amazing work with orphans and displaced children worldwide, that it makes the adventure all the more worthwhile.

Who are/were the travellers/adventurers that inspire you?
So many! Christina Dodwell is an amazing woman, who has travelled worldwide both with and without horses and now runs her own charity; also James Greenwood, who travelled the world with horses, and David Grant, who took his horse and caravan around the world with his family for 7 years; and all the countless others who have written books or offered advice following their trips which have both inspired and assisted me.

Has the journey been as you expected so far, or has it been the opposite?
Both! I started the journey in April 2009 with the intention of riding to Turkey by October. The riding, whilst great fun, was mostly on roads, as although I’d spent hours researching and planning routes, I discovered that, on the ground, they either didn’t exist, weren’t well signed or disappeared in to unmaintained and unpassable paths.

About halfway through the summer, I decided that if we were to be on roads 99% of the time, we might as well try out a gyspy caravan. I sourced and bought one in the North East of France, spent a couple of months with a lovely French family doing it up, and Bertie and I got lessons in how to drive. In August, we set off with our new mode of transport, and spent until October travelling through incredible French countryside, from flat plains to gorges.

Does it take a special person to do this? I think so (image © www.expeditionequus.com)

A friend joined me for the last 2 months and bought bicycles, which gave us the freedom to explore small towns and even cities en route. We dipped in to Switzerland and took a look at caves, a dinosaur park and Basel! We didn’t make it to Turkey in 2009, and Bertie is currently wintering out on the Swiss/German/French border, however, we had such a great time in France and met so many wonderful people (and ponies!) that I realised its the journey and the experience, not the destination, that matters.

Tell us about what’s been the hardest and most unexpected thing that’s made this journey difficult so far?

Burst tyres, angry dogs, mutant bees, escaped horses, minor injuries (Bertie cut his leg quite badly which took a few days to recover), steep hills, main roads, bad drivers…but all part of the adventure!

How about the best thing that’s happen on this journey so far?
Meeting such amazing people and making new friends was an unexpected highlight of the trip; I thought I would just be passing through, perhaps staying in people’s fields or gardens in my tent; instead, I was welcomed with open arms in many of the places I stayed, and made to feel like one of the family. I am in touch with several of the families who I met, and receive lovely emails from them, and I even got a Christmas card with pictures of Bertie on it from 2 children who’s back garden we stayed in, which was a lovely surprise.

It must get lonely riding all day, what goes through your mind? And how is Bertie the horse doing?
Although for most of the trip Bertie and I were travelling alone, we were never without company for long. Finding a place to stay each night involved knocking on peoples doors and communicating (my miming and out-of-date school French became semi-fluent by October!) and often I was invited in to have dinner with the families and a bed to sleep in.

Several times, I was able to stay for more than 1 night and the people I stayed with would take me to the local towns, museums and shops and show me how they lived – and would cook me the local cuisine, which included hundreds of different cheeses – delicious! The time spent alone with Bertie was great, as it gave me a chance to reflect on the trip so far and enjoy open countryside and one-on-one time with my horse and my thoughts.

With social networks, travel television networks, and books galore, do you think the age of traveller exploration is coming to a close?

Absolutely not! Although the internet and other mediums are making travel a lot more accessable, they are really only good for ideas, inspiration and research. To go to a place and experience it is the only way to discover somewhere. Traditionally, exploration means finding new land – but anyone can discover a new area, even if it’s only 5 miles from home. In our own ways, we can all be modern day explorers.

This journey is going to take over 4 years, what are your thoughts on how this will effect your family life, relationships, education and work?

Expedition Equus (image © www.expeditionequus.com)

Big question! In the past few months, a lot has changed for me with regards to all the above, but in positive ways. Being away for extended periods of time actually enhances relationships with other people, and you appreciate the time you have with loved ones a lot more. As for education and work – my French improved and I learned how to drive a horse and cart, and on arriving back in the UK for winter I found a job – so neither of these have suffered.

I believe travel pushes you and forces you to gain new skills, which you can then apply in the work place – so any experience is a good one.

When you finish this journey, do you think you will embark on a travel related career, or is there something else you plan to do?

Who knows what will happen in the future? The word ‘career’ terrifies me! I would love to take a boat down the Amazon, ride a Harley on Route 66 and trek in South America; there is so much of the world to explore, and I hope to see as much of it as possible.

I plan on writing a book of my journey so far through France, and am in the process of doing so (it will be available via my website expeditionequus.com in the near future) and if any travel related work opportunities arise I shall grab them with both hands; however, at the moment I’m just concentrating on the here and now, as life is full of surprises and the best laid plans never quite work out!

How can people help or support you?

If anyone wants to support the journey, they can visit the website at www.expeditionequus.com and go on the ‘support’ page, or visit http://www.justgiving.com/expeditionequus to donate to SOS Children.

For someone reading this, and wanting to have an “epic” adventure, what is your advise to them?

Get off the sofa, do some research, put all your loose change in to a pot and go, go, go! I have met so many people who say ‘I wish I could do what your doing’ – but they don’t. So stop wishing, start living - you won’t regret it.

Thanks for joining us Becky!

—

Personally I find Becky’s story could emerge into a real modern day classic. One girl & her horse going overland from the UK to Japan. The age of travel adventure continues.

Do you think Becky will make it?

And, do you know anyone else out there embarking on such an adventure?

This interview is an additional entry exploring how other travelers are inspiring and can help us all learn

Coming soon:

Inspirational Travelers: One of the best travelers, and travel blogs out there at the moment.

Jonny Bealby interview: inspirational travelers

The Longest Way Home — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:05:43 +0000

In keeping with my article “Inspirational Travelers” I wanted to bring to you one of my favorite authors of travel, Jonny Bealby. For those seeking a life in the travel industry, this may help you too!

Jonny’s written three books chronicling his travel life from a motorcycle adventure around Africa, to following in the footsteps of kings around Pakistan and Afghanistan to riding on a horse with a stranger whilst trying to make a documentary through Central Asia. Prior to that Jonny backpacked Kashmir, played in a band, worked as a waiter and as a journalist.

Interview with inspirational traveler Jonny Bealby (image copyright www.wildfrontiers.co.uk)

That was all about ten years ago, so what happened in his inspirational life after travel?

Can you tell us what happened after your last book, did you stop traveling cold turkey? or were there other adventures you haven’t written about?
I started a travel company, called Wild Frontiers, which I now run. Regarding careers, I remember years ago being told, work out what it is you most enjoying doing and then find a way of getting paid for it. I think that’s more or less what I have done. I now have a very good life travel balance

Is running an adventure travel company the cure to “itchy feet”?
As above yes it does. Of course it is not the same as climbing on a motorcycle and driving round Africa, but that’s okay. I am older now and the travel I do for Wild Frontiers I enjoy very much

How did Wild Frontiers come about, was it your idea?
Yes, and no. A pagan chief in the Hindu Kush suggested I start a travel business in order to take people to visit the region. That was in 1998, before I even knew there was such a thing as an adventure travel market. It was a good idea, and so long as you produce something unique, stylish and sympathetic to local ideals, its good business

Can you tell us a bit about what you do in Wild Frontiers?

Jonny's Travel Company (image copyright www.wildfrontiers.co.uk)

I run the business – that can mean anything from talking to the press, writing itineraries, dealing with bespoke trips, updating the website, buying off ward dollars to leading a trek to K2 base camp!

What advice would you give to travellers out there looking to work in adventure travel companies?
Get out there and travel. Degrees are all very well but what we really want are stories, experience, knowledge of a region and its culture. Anyone can learn about hotels, what is much harder to find is real knowledge

With social networks, travel television networks, and books galore, do you think the age of traveller exploration is coming to a close?
To some extent yes, I think it is inevitable. The journeys people make these days are often of an internal type, that’s what people find interesting.

Have you any plans to write another book, and any hint about what it could be about?
I do want to write another book – but it will be sometime yet I fear… not enough hours in the day

Do you see yourself working in the travel industry until retirement, or do you think you will change career?
Goodness, I don’t tend to think about such things. You must know the old adage: How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans! Well I kind of think that’s true… this is what I do now, who knows what I’ll being doing in 5 years? Not me

Is there any great travel tip you would like to share with the readers here that’s helped you on your own travels?
Don’t take advice from people like me! No, I know that’s a bit silly but it is also true. So many people told me things I did could not be done. Anything is possible and I think the fun is as much in the making mistakes as it is in getting it right. So buy a one way ticket to Lord knows where, turn right out of the airport and don’t look back…

Thanks for taking the time to join us here for the interview; I certainly wish you the very best with Wild Frontiers and your future endeavours.

Thanks, it was a pleasure

—

Please have a look at Jonny’s own travel company www.wildfrontiers.co.uk for a look at some great adventures and to see what one man did in his life after travel.

If you’d like to read my reviews of Jonny’s books head over to by Travel Books section.

Post interview question:

Are you thinking of getting into the travel industry after traveling?

Has this given you ideas?

This interview is an additional entry exploring how other travelers are inspiring and can help us all learn

Coming Soon:

Inspirational Travelers: An interview with a solo female traveler doing something no one else has!

Inspirational Travelers: are you one of them?

The Longest Way Home — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:25:22 +0000

You’ve been traveling around the world for weeks, months, or even years, what happens when you get back home?

A hot shower, clean fresh towels, home cooked meals. And your own beautiful bed that hasn’t had 10,000 faceless strangers use it.

As beautiful as it is, few people will really look through all your Sofia photos!

Yes, that stray hair is probably your own, for once.

A conversation about your adventures starts over dinner, which is good, but nothing like the exotic food from last week. Or even yesterday. Smiles all around for now, and then the conversation changes to politics, the neighbors, or worse still “what’s on TV later?”

We’ve all been there

If you’ve been in that situation, then no one needs me to tell them that taking out 10,001 photographs will change anything. With any luck some people have seen a few on your blog post or facebook updates. It’s enough for them, trust me.

“Why don’t they get it?”

It’s a question many people ask once they’ve come home. Why don’t people feel the same way about travel?

They’ve not done it, that’s why. People have securities at home. Responsibilities to live for. Other priorities. Dreaming of travel is not one of them. There is no inspiration to be found here.

From the past:

Legends such as Alexander the Great inspired legions, societies, and history writers. Marco Polo led the way to controversy, discovery and new worlds of old.

Where are such people today?

Sometimes we don’t realize that we are living through history, right now.

Pick up a glossy magazine and you’ll see someone on the cover with an extraordinary inspirational travel tale to tell.

Yet soon we put the magazine down and it becomes apart of a collection, somewhere.

Switch over to a cable travel station and we’ll get scores of inspirational travelers names, inspirational travel shows and events. Or are they?

To me, most of what is on the cable travel shows is just … well … not very realistic. Nice pictures, but where’s the inspiration of actual travel beyond that?

As soon as the show is over, we flick channels and the story is lost.

Click on a fancy travel blog and read about someone traveling around the world. Nice photos … next.

Nothing sticks anymore. Why?

What’s the problem?

Are travelers today really doing anything special? Are they making new ground? Or just covering old ground with fancier graphics?

I think it’s the latter.

Time to hang up those old boots

Planning to quit your job and go on a round the world trip?

Why not do something special with your once in a life time opportunity?

How to do it?

Who inspires you and why?

Have you read or seen a journey that inspires your heart to beat that extra beat?

Was it a movie, book or website?

If there’s a positive nod to any of the above, and you are planning a journey, then what’s stopping you?

You’re going traveling anyway, correct? Then why not become an inspirational traveler yourself?

Footsteps to follow:

Need ideas? Inspiration is found everywhere in travel.

The lure of "what's on the otherside", drives many to become inspirational travelers

Follow an exact spice route, map it, put some history into it, photo it
Visit, drink, and write about the best coffee plantations in the world today
Climb a volcano, but do it at a different, harder, time of year, and video it
Be the first to ride a motorbike from border to border of lesser known country

Just some random ideas. But, all are relatively simple tasks – with a purpose. A purpose that can be enjoyed as well.

From here, others will find your travels inspiring.

Then, when back home, you will have accomplished something more than just traveling around yet another place. You will have become an inspirational traveler to others. You will have led the way in your field of enjoyment.

You are not alone:

Over the next few weeks I will be introducing you to several inspirational travelers. These are people I respect for stepping out from the masses, taking the gauntlet and going for it.

I hope with this series of interviews you will find a seed of inspiration with at least one of these inspirational travelers.

From this seed of inspirational travel, maybe, just maybe something great will grow.

It’s in all of us. You can feel it now. It’s just your choice if you want to run with it …

Inspirational Travelers interview:

The very first inspirational traveler I would like to introduce you to is, Jonny Bealby, one of my favorite travel authors. Jonny’s books and life is that of pure blood traveler.

Following the tragic death of his girlfriend while backpacking he rode around Africa on a motorbike, Asia on horse back, wrote three books about it, and ten years later he is now…

Well, let’s hear from Jonny himself about a Life After Travel that never happened!

Meanwhile; lets share something -

What or who inspires you to travel?

Do your think the great travel adventures of yesterday can still happen today?

Are you content with just “another” travel journey, or do you want to do something special?

Coming soon:

Inspirational Travelers: Interview with Jonny Bealby

Travel & Life with no Electricity, coming soon to a country near you!

The Longest Way Home — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:51:23 +0000

Travel & electrical outages are manageable for the short term. For long term travelers and those living with random interruptions it can be a very different matter.

Yep, Doomsday is approaching it seems

A failing electrical supply has made the President of The Philippines turn Mindanao into a “state of calamity”, others want a “state of emergency”.

Hence writing a travel blog without electricity is becoming increasingly difficult these days!

What’s happening, to me, is utterly mind boggling. For the last 6 weeks there have been enforced national power outages imposed by the Philippine National Power Grid. They sell electricity to smaller companies to deliver electricity throughout the country, but still remain the source. These companies are rationing electricity ranging from 5 hours, to 16 hours.

Causes & pre-planning:

According to National Grid, it’s a lack of rain to fill the dam. Do I believe them? Well …

Why wait until the dam reaches critical point before imposing electrical outages. Surely this could have been scaled in months ago, and not in the last 6 weeks?

Is this the typical Filipino/Asian/developing country thing of “lets hope & pray the rains come to save us?”

Or is it more to do with the fact we are just weeks away from a general election?

Road building & elections in the Philippines seem to go hand in hand

As I travel around it’s amazing to see how many roads have only just recently been paved and sealed? Of course the huge signs over such roads reminding everyone who paid for it, who did it, and who’s up for election in a few weeks serve as a none to subtle hint.

Talking to locals, it seems, unfortunately, that this tactic does indeed work.

A defeated mindset:

Again, most surprising about all this, to me, is the lack of interest the electrical outages are having with the general public. It’s as if the life has been taken from them. There is no more spark in the Pinoy spirit.

I talked with a taxi man the other day. He shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s all about the election. People are vying for a different kind of power in this country.”

A sample of life right now:

Only every other light is on these days

Today as I travel in search of electricity so I can write this travel journal I ended up at one of the big malls. However, the once sparkling super cooled leisure complexes are now dimly lit warm humid boxes. They too are being rationed.

“The supermarkets have taken on a strange smell as steamy mists rise from the meat counters into the warm humid atmosphere.”

What’s more, there are much fewer people here than usual. The coffee shop’s are virtually empty, the employees are forced to call out for your custom more than ever. But, it’s too hot to stay in the malls these days. Which to those that know, cuts off a vital social & cultural gathering point.

More amusingly; the positive effect in all this is that the escalators are also switched off. For the first time I am seeing Filipino’s being forced to take more exercise. A good thing, for a developing “fast food” nation!

Lack of electricity is spreading worldwide:

This is the fourth or fifth country I’ve traveled and stayed that is now suffering from serious power outages. West Africa has a near constant and random black out phase. Nepal is currently only serving up 2 hours of electricity during daylight hours. Pakistan is not too bad, but random electricity outages are frequent. And now, the Philippines has joined this infamous club.

Globally it’s known electricity is becoming harder to supply. The U.K. Minister for Energy recently warned that Britain may have shortages in the future too. The U.S.A.’s auto industry is an indication of what happens when you think there is a never ending resource.

This all effects tourism & travel to an extent, but day to day life even more so.

Traveling through these countries; the main cause for electricity shortages, in my view, is politics, followed by a lack of planning and infrastructure.

The saddest thing for me to witness though, is that in all these countries, it’s the people that seem to be failing themselves. They seem to have literally just given up on wanting something better.

Think about this:

In the Philippines if you have electricity right now, it doesn’t mean everything works! Turn on the T.V. and there might be no reception because the T.V. station is having an outage in their sector at the moment, the same with internet connections, mobile coverage and even the water supply.

I believe electrical outages will start to become more frequent in many more countries soon, including developed ones. And, I don’t see anything from preventing it.

It will become like many more things today, the richer classes will be able to afford electricity, either through priority lines, or generators. The poorer classes will not have any at all.

And, so it will be yet one more burden for those striving to achieve something in life to struggle with.

For travel it will be the added question of “Do you have a generator?”

How many people know about load shedding and the cost of generators? Which in turn equals fuel shortages, increased pollution and the cost of buying inverters, stabilizers and surge protectors.

Travelers will be looking out for generators in the future

How does it affect this travel blog?

For me it means I might not be able to write my travel journals as frequently here, nor respond to comments so quickly at the moment.

For others it means the foreclosure of a business, a failed surgery, no water, or at the very least, no light in sweltering heat.

I wonder how people in other nations would react? Can you travel in the same way with electrical outages?

I can’t, though I do cope. But coping gets tiring after a while.

Saturday was Earth hour. One hour without electricity to promote the environment. Some electrical company’s have different ideas though, and are not turning on the electricity for 1 hour. Who needs to, with rationing ongoing already? Instead the polluting generators will kick in. There is a missing point here.

They did however turn it all on for 24 hours when national hero Manny Pacquiao fought a boxing match recently. Priorities …

Have you lived or traveled in a country with electricity rationing?

How many people reading this really know what it’s like to have power rationing on a daily long term basis?

How do you think it would affect your travel, and how would you cope?

Coming Soon:

Life After Travel

Traveling and living in Mindanao, The Philippines

The Longest Way Home — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:23:33 +0000

Children fishing in Davao

To most people looking at the Philippines, from overseas, there are pristine beaches, lush rice terraces and all manner of diving opportunities. But, there is also one giant black spot; Mindanao. Just about every country has it black listed as a no go area.

It’s not my place as a traveller to get into internal politics nor disputes. Nor do I fill my journal here with such writings.

The basic outline is that there are several internal conflicts in the region resulting in kidnappings, prison breaks, bombings and other not so peaceful actions. Including the killing of more journalists than anywhere else in the world as of late 2009.

Rural Bus in Mindanao

Local bamboo ferry

Indeed in 2008 the President declared it a warzone, its still one today in certain regions. Or at least under emergency rule at one time or another – just don’t tell anyone as you’d never guess it was!

So what better place for me to go and live in for a while?

In truth it has nothing to do with it being a warzone more than it is unexplored. The place is not visited that often by tourists, nor travelers. Davao, is an exception and an extremely safe city. As is Cagayan de Oro which is the gateway to Camiguin island. Even Zamboanga City to the far west is a safe place, if you know how to travel safely.

I’ve found Mindanao to have more indigenous festivals than any other region in The Philippines. There are cool forested regions, the food is good and never have a I seen any misgivings. The army is certainly more present in Mindanao than anywhere else, but then that’s a good thing considering the troubles there. Stop and search procedures on buses take place regularly, though never very thoroughly.

Having lived and traveled in other hot zones like West Africa, Pakistan and during the riots in Tibet I

The Army is a presence in Mindanao

know all too well the pluses and minuses of such regions.

They can be expensive due to the fact that few tourists go there, so the accommodation is usually equipped only for the business class.

The people can be shy due to the over cautious attitude often needed in such places.

As a foreigner I stand out and am talked about more than anyone else. My movements noted, and I will be the center of all things gossipy. This can be good, and bad. But I know how to handle it.

Getting to some areas may be difficult, due to both communication and transport changes in such regions. e.g. Not everyone will quite understand why I would want to go into the highlands …

Devoid of backpackers, tour groups and package tourists Mindanao offers a refreshing cultural aspect of the Philippines that many people simply do not get to see or experience.

Whilst the beaches are not a touch on Palawan, nor are there massive rice terraces like in Banaue, there is a wealth of festivals and local culture that’s hard to get anywhere else in world. It’s hard not to feel alive in such a place!

Welcome to a new part of my travels and search for home in the Philippines. It’s time to see the places others fear to go and time to get to know some locals … And oh yea, did I mention that I might have secured some short term “work” cough, I mean “volunteer opportunity” cough, I mean …

Coming soon:

Seeing the Unseen: Introducing some people …

Google vs Lonely Planet

The Longest Way Home — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:22:00 +0000

Back in the day
When I was about to embark on this journey, to travel the world in search of home, I knew that I needed some form of “Ultimate” guide.

Let’s not forget this was over 5 years ago. Google Maps was only in development then, Lonely Planet was just releasing PDF’s and there was barely a glint of a smart phone on the horizon let alone an iPad to store or view anything.

The here and now alternatives

Times, and my travels have changed though. Now a laptop is under 1kg, and better yet – the smartphone, iPad like tablets and wide-scale wifi availability bring together a challenge to the paperback bible of travel.

As much as I have respected the information within Lonely Planet in the past, my enthusiasm has faded over the years.

Return of the Rough Guide?

Maybe this is due to my own experience level in travel increasing, or because of new alternatives. Back then I only tore out the pages I needed. Mainly the maps.

Once I know how to get to a place, it’s all easy from there.

That said, one alternative – Rough Guide’s generally comes under less of my tearing frenzy due to some genuinely interesting writing. Unfortunately I find their maps and labeling system chronically annoying and outdated. As for the other guides … well, let’s just say they’re not for me. Footprint was borderline once, nice maps, but the structure …

With a smartphone in hand I have access to Wiki’s, hostel review sites, blogs, and travel forums. Not to mention the ultimate in self location awareness – Google Maps. Mix in some pre-downloaded Nokia Maps, and a cheap sim in every country how could I possibly get lost? Everything is in my pocket.

Pro’s & Con’s of using both methods in travel
I travel far too often and for too long to carry the physical weight and expense of a new Lonely Planet Guide for each country. It’s simply not logical. I have looked at their buy by chapter and calculated it out to be about the same cost as buying the book depending on where and what you are printing.

Torn out LP pages that end up in my side pocket

In fact the whole print a chapter thing simply does not work in some countries. I’ve brought my shiny USB into plenty of places en-route and asked if they can print a few chapters out, only to be greeted with a shaking head. When the heads do nod, then the printing is only one sided, and on an excessively expensive ink-jet printer. Dejected I begin the $5 bartering process with the man with the latest “pre-release” edition of said guidebook waiting outside with a waggling head. Faded maps and all.

Fresh from ripping out the useful bits from the guidebook and designating the ‘flowery language’ bits concerning ‘overly friendly locals’ to the bin; I take out my smart phone.

Here though I find PDF guides equally inept. Constant scrolling, ill fitting on-screen pages and the lack of ability to take fast easy notes frustrates me too much to make this medium work for me either.

An iPad, no thanks. It’s too big & awkward for taking out on the street the way I travel, and it has severe limitations that a smartphone can offer as an all in one device.

Enter Google with another option to knowing where I am and what there is to see: Search and Mapping.

Still, up until one year ago Google had not mapped El Nido, not that the tiny town in Palawan (Philippines) is hard to get lost in. But it’s always good to know that the place at least exists!

Recently though, I checked again and it’s there! Road names and all, with a little blue GPS dot flashing my exact location. The cost to me, mere cents. It’s near impossible to get lost anywhere with this system.

What’s more, Google Maps are accurate. I seem to remember walking down a main road in Brasov Romania that wasn’t listed on my Lonely Planet map. It was 4am, it took 3 hours to find a crummy recommended hostel – and yes; I am still a bit bitter.

With Google Maps if I type in a search for a guesthouse it will fire back something useful, like it’s exact location, plus linked reviews. Pure travellers bliss. In Manila I could get off a bus onto a crowded road and head straight in the direction of the guesthouse that promised no GAP year students, no tour groups – touts at the bus station, be damned.

With the torn out page solution it would always take a while until I got my bearings. Street signs permitting, elbows at the ready; I stare at a crumpled map while telling the touts that I know exactly where I am!

There simply is no doubt; Google’s application kicks Lonely Planet’s proverbial paper map to the curb. Mix in ready access to wiki’s, forums, and reviews – it seemed near perfect.

That is until a few months ago.

Perhaps it’s Google playing with Augmented Reality, or perhaps someone is still practicing the moniker of BETA testing. But now as I search for a guesthouse on Google Maps – at least 4 or more little red markers pop up in different areas of the map telling me this is where the guesthouse is.

Misinformation overload at its worst timing.

Information overload, I just want the hotel I typed in!

These are user additions. I notice these additions come and go. Maybe they know this has the potential to be not so good. As in the photo example here, too much information can get a little confusing. The problem is, as I’m sure you can imagine, this can cause a traveler untold problems in finding the right place. Likewise with “suggestions”, or other places to stay.

Eventually, I suspect Google will soon monetize maps with sponsored listings, thus making it even more tedious to find the cheap, or pre selected guesthouse of choice. Least we forget what happens when we are in a country without gprs/3G etc, or we simply run out of credit/coverage or battery. Overland travel is another story, as more often than not there is no sim available at the border.

And no, I am not a fan of prepaid plans on international roaming rates. In country sim’s and costs are simply much cheaper, for my type of travel at least.

As for Nokia Maps? Well the idea is nice. Download all the maps to your phone, and you don’t even need an internet connection to get around… unfortunately they’ve not even road mapped the Philippines yet, and I am not holding my breath. What’s more, at one stage my Nokia map was telling me whilst in El Nido, that I was 5 miles out to sea… useful eh?

The result

Satellite view of El Nido

Is technology lagging here or is it the companies themselves? Surely Lonely Planet can see the writing on the wall? Using a combination of Wikitravel, hostel sites, and google maps, one can effortlessly move around a country knowledgeably without stepping out of place even once nor have the need to carry a hefty paper book around.

Or will Google’s monetization of maps and reliance on user contributions and ‘connected only’ regions cause it’s own downfall in the world of travel? I think not. Frustrate users, yes, but fail, no.

Will Lonely Planet risk all on Augmented Reality in the hope that it’s users will follow their prechoosen walking tour paths? Maybe so. And maybe it will work for a certain type of tourist. City breaks, weekend travelers etc

One things for sure; Apple iPad apps, private travel companies developing mobile app’s, interactive website guides and a host of other media are all also thinking about how they can get a bite of the travel guide pie. Maybe even Rough Guide’s will move back into the picture and surprise us all with something revolutionary.

Same view, different angle, no need for Augmented Reality here! (click to enlarge)

Google is pushing ahead either way; and, it’s working to an extent. Lonely Planet still has a great reputation, the feel good factor of a book, market dominance, and hopefully, if not obsessing too much with iPhone & iPad beta apps, a plan to move forward with innovative technology.

As for me?
I still shred guidebooks, and photocopy pages. They lurk with a pen in a side pocket. I like having this information to hand and the ability to scribble notes only I can read. But in my other pocket are two batteries, a smart phone, and the ability to not waste time in getting to exactly where I want to go with the exact information I need.

Both serve a purpose for my travels, for now. But I wonder which pocket is more likely to be emptied in the future?

Coming Soon:

Mindanao; Google have mapped it, LP barely mention anything about it! It’s technically a warzone (gloria said so), and yes I’m right in the middle of it with something very new to say…

The five stages of long term travel

The Longest Way Home — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:37:44 +0000

I’ve wanted to write this for a year now, but it didn’t feel right until now. As many know; travel is relevant to the person doing it. Some travel for a quick holiday, some take a year out, others are perpetual. From what I can see I am the only one out there traveling in search of home in this way, and writing about it as well.

For those looking at this travel journal live you’ll see that the timer of my journey is ticking over to 5 years of travel now. That’s five years of travel without returning to anywhere for a quick rest, or chill out at home. I don’t have any place like that anymore.

This has been a solid five years of travel in continuous search of home.

I’ve been through several stages over the past five years. As it’s relevant to my own quest; I don’t know if others have experienced something similar or not. What I do know from reading books, blogs and from the mass of personal email I get from people wishing the same, there are a few similar trends.

Year zero (the start)

This is the beginning. One’s first tepid and anticipated steps out of the cocoon of home and into the real world that many fear to tread alone. For me it was the start of a life time of working, saving and dreaming. I spent 6 months in a euphoric state of see everything and do everything. I partied, I met as many people as possible. I traveled for the sake of travel. It was my first taste of a dream becoming reality.

After 6 months reality kicks in, and the been there, done that mentality to late nights out works it’s way into your daily life. Now it’s time to see, learn, and engage in travel.

Year 1 (traveled for one year)

The first milestone. You’ve accomplished something that most travelers wish to get done. You know the ropes, learned from a few mistakes. And, you have moved up in the ranks of hostel table chit chat. People are happy to travel with you and learn, you are happy to have them come along as like it or not you still make mistakes and it’s always good to have someone around.

Year 2 (traveled for 2-2.5 years)

Travelers Ego kicks in. You’ve been at it 2 + years. You know the ropes like the back of your hand. Your stories move up to the higher level of the travelers table. People want to know you, ask you questions, and gaze at you as if everything you say is better than a guide book. After all, you’ve been there, and done that.

I’ve seen some people mouth off on a frequent basis in hostels once they reach this stage. Know it alls who like to mention they’ve been on the road 28 months 3 weeks and 5 days whenever someone new sits down. Their own ego fails to let them notice the looks people shoot at each other as this person can top everything you’ve done, or has been to the one place that was better than where they were.

Thankfully I was in an isolated place during this period. And while I did mouth off, I had some friends who were more experienced in certain travel aspects. They were also good enough to kick my ass when I did unleash the travelers ego!

Year 3 (3 years + of travel completed)

For me this was a difficult year. 3 years of travel without returning to anywhere is pretty much uncharted territory for most. During this year I found loneliness sneaking up. Along with a loss of purpose. Day to day in normal life we have jobs. An anchored social life, and routine.

I found emails drying up from friends once they realize “Oh, he really is going through with this thing.”

It was a struggle to keep going and stay motivated. I’d not accomplished anything in my mind. Other travelers became less interesting again, as I’d been there and done that.

Travelers ego was no longer a problem as I simply didn’t like to talk about travel so much. I was trying to refocus on a task at hand that didn’t seem to be getting closer. And, there was no one else out there that one could relate with. Reality was setting in.

One’s clothes also need replacing by now too.

Year 4 ( moving well into the fourth year of travel)

Something (a place or person) snaps you out of your lost and hopeless mentality. Purpose comes back and you reestablish goals. Things become clearer. And you start to put things together in a more systematic way. Discussing travel with others is no longer interesting as you know yourself better than others how to do it.

This is new territory and you begin to see a pioneer mentality to travel, and how to cope with long term travel. You are confident in everything, prepared for anything, and nothing fazes you.

Other travelers no longer swarm around when you answer about how long you’ve been traveling. Instead they nod and give you a strange look as if to say – why? and how? and; is this person sane or not?

Survival. Purpose. Experience. It’s all too easy to travel now. Every country has the same basics that you know exist. One seeks out the places that others do not venture to. It’s not so important to see the Pyramids in Giza as it is to touch base with the simple man in the street selling oranges.

This is again new territory and instead of mapping it out. It’s the lessons from the past that truly seem to be holding one up to the ridicule of so many years of travel.

I don’t mention to people how long I’ve been traveling now. It get’s too many strange looks. Too many repetitive questions.

In my own journey I know more than ever about the feeling of home. I know where it’s not. I no longer have to linger anywhere. I no longer doubt. I know what I am looking for. This is perhaps the year that is the coming of age in this journey.

Year 5 ( 5 years of travel completed- right here, right now)

This is what you are reading

The future (moving into year 6)

As learned in the last year, things are easier now. I know more about this journey that I ever thought possible. While practical reality is more relevant (finances), the fact of the matter is my search is suddenly becoming a lot more clear.

When things become clear the steps are not so lonely, and those very first steps in year one are retracing themselves back to the soles of my feet. The adrenaline of a new path in life. My journey around the world in search of home is 5 years old.

I fought my whole life to do this. I could have stopped and just settled on many an occasion. I am glad I did not. Though this causes a future sacrifice. The fact that I feel closer than ever; more than ever- washes any apprehension away.

I am not unique in my search on this planet. Millions grasp, claw, break the rules, sacrifice and challenge societies dictates to strive for a new and better place to call home.

I just happen to be writing about it here. Maybe it can help some others who are on the cusp of taking that first small step into the giant stride of hope.

I met a man from Niger who crossed the Sahara on foot to find home … he did it.

I met a woman from Nepal who sold everything to smuggle herself to the U.S.A to have a chance at a good life … she did it.

I am a guy traveling the world in search of home … I will do it.

The Butterfly Effect- an unfolding theory in travel

The Longest Way Home — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:02:01 +0000

Mating Butterfly's in Peurto Princesa (click to enlarge)

If one butterfly beats it’s wings on the other side of the world, can it effect you?

Butterfly sunning itself in Palawan

That’s the basic idea of the “Butterfly Effect”. Also knows as the Chaos Theory, but butterfly’s are nicer sounding and imply more. Either way I do believe in the idea.

Travel’s grass is always greener

Back in Peurto Princesa I finally had a chance to catch up on a lot of email that I found difficult to get to over the past few weeks. During a trip to the Butterfly Gardens I couldn’t help but reflect on a few things from my inbox:

Someone emailed me and wrote they’d simply have had enough of the

The butterfly garden in Palawan

corporate life. They’d read my recent series of living on an island and said they’d been reevaluating things in their own lives. They wanted to travel around India for a year to find themselves again.

Likewise I got an email from someone in India wanting so much to leave their country and find a better place to live, namely the U.S.A. This is a little different, but it’s in a similar vain. They have a good job now in India, but realize it might not be the case if they leave.

Both sides of the coin want to “get away”

A Kaleidoscope of Butterfly's in Palawan

In the Philippines one of the most common comments I get when they hear my story is how much they too would like to leave and find a new home. But, visas, work, money, politics all get in the way. And too many are defeated before even trying.

We all want a similar thing, something “better” but don’t quite know how to reach for it - the answers quite easy, but actually doing it; is hard work.

I made sacrifices to get where I am now. Years of sacrifices that I surely do not want to go through again. As mentioned in my about page I worked my ass off to get here. It’s not a simple holiday, whim; nor time out. Finding a place to call home is my life. And, I am not the only one trying.

There is for sure a family living in Chennai looking for the same thing I am. It’s a different road they are on, but the map’s the same.

What goes around, comes around – even in travel

Butterfly wings beating

A lady sent me a great email about making her mind up, quitting her job, selling her car and taking off for 2 years to South America and then Asia volunteering. She’s never traveled before, is in her 50′s and said she wanted to see beyond the TV screen before it was too late. She mentioned feeling inspired by reading through my own journey here.

And in turn I have been inspired by the struggles of a sub-Saharan nomad I met as he told of his journey across the desert to find a new home. Of an Indonesian woman and her ordeal on a small boat for days at sea. And indeed, in turn, by that same 50 year old lady that emailed me to tell me she wants to see things before it’s “too late“.

So what happens when that butterfly across the world beats it’s wings?

We all have different dreams and goals in our lives. Sometimes they are of a similar theme. A better life. But we do need to differentiate from a “the grass is greener” mentality.

While in El Nido I had a lot of time to reflect on the past few years, and the journey as a whole. The mistakes, and the right things I’ve made. There’s no book out there to say how to do this. So I am learning all the time as I travel along this road to home.

The one thing I can relate to more now than ever before, is that I am far from alone in my wishes. I may not be from a slum in Chennai, but I’ve fought equally as hard to get this far. I know this because when I sit with the people other travelers walk by on the streets of many a city; and we talk, and listen; and more importantly – realize our common bond. There is a mutual respect. An understanding.

It matters not our skin color, economic background, creed nor nationality. We are all striving for a better life in search of a place we can call home.

Maybe, just maybe our individual efforts are helping others do the same as we travel similar roads with different maps.

Coming Soon:

Meeting Gustav, and moving into a place most don’t want to go …

Time to leave El Nido …

The Longest Way Home — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:14:44 +0000

Downtown street in El Nido, Palawan

I am becoming mind numbingly bored. Living on an island is appealing to most from the outside looking in. I knew this before trying this little experiment. For me this side project on my own path to finding home was sparked by friends who kept saying to try it. Strangers reading this blog also sent emails mentioning the lure of living on an island in some far off remote place.

In the back of my mind I thought, maybe the whole world is right and I am wrong. Maybe I should actually try it instead of brushing it off. I was in the Philippines, so what better place to try living on an island?!

Well, I’ve done it. You’ve read my journals on my life in Palawan. And I can categorically say I do not want to live on an island. At least not under the current circumstances.

During my time I wrote a lot and caught up on a lot of things. Which is good. But, I need more to do than just sit,write and photograph. Well, if I was paid to do those things then yes I would start to take on a different perspective. But I’m not paid to do either at the moment. And, as such have a different life on the island. I am but searching.

Kids from El Nido

Here are the biggest problems I found with living on an island:

1) Social integration – longterm. Short term no problems. Long term I’ve already discussed here.

2) Work. Not just for money, but for a sense of purpose. Writing helps, but I do need something else. I spent 18 hour days working on my book, and this website. That’s unpaid work with purpose. It’s good. But doesn’t pay to live.

3) Food. Diet is varied. But the lack of refrigerator and electricity makes it time consuming. And, I’ve kinda been there and done that sort of living in Africa.

4) There’s only so much to do on an island. By nature they are small, you quickly get to see everything. Social integration would help this out more. But, for now this is how I feel.

5) Communication expenses. Without a permanent Internet connection, it’s expensive to get online to do what I really need to do. Though buying permanent connect would help, and it’s not expensive. But they do require a 1 year contract.

6) Similar to 1. Lack of people to talk with! It’s isolating to live on a small island.

7) I didn’t get that feeling that said “this is good.”

I know there are more points, but for now they are the main reasons.

Palawan is a very beautiful place, with some friendly people, good food, and lots to see. I’m glad to have tried this little side trip of an experiment. But island life is just not for me.

Glimmering sunset in El Nido Palawan (click to enlarge)

So where to next? I was going to take a boat trip from Coron to Manila. But again during my time in El Nido there seems something quite dubious about the boats going there. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. So it’s back to the Puerto Princesa … there are still some things I need to do before leaving Palawan. Maybe the islands capital can offer something else up …

Coming soon:

Back on the road … only moving slowly

Australia and New Zealand? Should I go?

The Longest Way Home — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:34:54 +0000

For any long term readers of this website you’ll know of my poll on my about page. It gives you a chance to say where you think I might find home. I put it up quite some time ago and here’s what’s come in so far —–

Europe, and Australia / New Zealand are in the lead with nearly a quarter of the vote each.

As you can see there’s a fair indication of the web these days as Europe still ranks really high coming in at around 20%. Granted I’ve not traveled all of Europe, nor ruled it out.

Asia also ranks fairly high, which considering where I am; is fair enough.

Australia and New Zealand – Should I travel there or not?

It’s an easy answer to most – yes. But here’s my dilema in a somewhat ordered list:

It’s expensive to travel there so …
I have to work there to supplement travel, but …
I don’t qualify for a working visa (over 30)
I don’t have a degree
I don’t have a sponsor
I don’t have any reputable contacts

So what to do?

Take a chance and get a 3 month tourist visa and disapear under the counter for a while?

Or skip it altogether.

Or am I missing something?

As my living on an island attempt in the Philippines draws to a close I am in planning mode. I am closer than ever to Australia and New Zealand, they fall into many of my categories for possible potentials as home. But, bureaucratically I’m not welcome.

I’ll have to make a choice soon, and as of yet, I’m still undecided. Contacts are my biggest thing. I simply don’t have any. I don’t just mean a bed for the night either. I mean work contacts, volunteering contacts, heck even just friends to meet up with that don’t want to go out for beers every night.

The majority of Austalian’s New Zealanders I’ve met in the Philippines have been either retired with potential drinking problems, or young surfer dudes that might well be heading that way one day (no offence meant). So I really don’t know anyone outside of this scene.

Why is this a factor?

Well from what I’ve learned so far, this is will be very important if trying to find home in a developed country. And this is not easy …

Fellow travelers one meets in hostels are mainly a younger crowd looking to live life up a little. They see the sights during the day, and at night party. Not a practical scene for me.

Other people are busy with their own lives, work etc.

Keep in mind these are my experiences in traveling in search of home so far. Which I rely on. And while others may have a different take on this. I have to go back to what I know through my nearly 5 years of travel on this journey.

To be very honest as I sit here I am thinking: no, I will not go.

It’s a financial crux mixed with a mesh of experience over the years. The thought of sitting in a dorm room hostel trying to find contacts, places, work, high end budget and searching for an ideal place in a place where I’m bureaucratically inept; sends doubts through my bones. It has me thinking back on how this worked during my travels in Europe … It may also just about break me if things do not go well.

I don’t actually envisage going to Australia nor New Zealand anytime in the next few months, there’s still a lot I want to do in the Philippines: but I want to start addressing this issue now.

So as I go through my own list of pro’s and cons:

What do you think about me going to Australia and/or New Zealand in search of place called home?

Coming Soon:

Yep … Time to leave El Nido

No related posts.

How to connect to the internet when you’re traveling in the Philippines

The Longest Way Home — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:57:53 +0000

Remote internet access in the Philippines (click to enlarge)

“How do you connect to the internet so often when traveling?”

It’s a question I get asked a lot from people planning their travel trips. Especially people going away for 3 months plus who want to bring a laptop, upload photos, and blog etc,.

For those who don’t have laptops I wrote up an article here called How to Travel Blog from a Cyber Cafe it’s more specific to connecting without a laptop.

For those that do have a laptop, or those who want to know some of the methods I have been using when in the Philippines- here they are:

The Philippines is a relatively well connected internet savvy country. And there are several ways to connect online – (this can also apply to many other SEA countries)

1) In any of the malls you will find a cyber cafe. General fees are an average of 30 pesos and hour.

2) Also in many of the Malls there are WIFI zones. Not all are free though. Head to the information desks and ask if there is free WIFI in the Mall, if not they may have scratch cards. But, do check around yourself anyway. I’ve found plenty of businesses in Malls who have WIFI that’s not password protected, and quite fast.There’s usually a place to sit nearby too.

The usb internet solution for travel in the Philippines

3) Out on the streets in many towns and city’s you will find plenty of small internet cafes. Some will just be gaming zones with no internet, others might have strange booths with guy’s and girls, and sometimes indistinguishable types using webcam’s. Best to avoid the latter cafes. Prices here are 15 pesos upwards. They don’t always have fast connections here I’ve found.

4) Nation wide roaming internet access with a doogle. This is something I used quite a lot. There are two main telecom company’s in the Philippines offering this method. Globe (philcom) and Smart. I don’t endorse anyone here. But I chose Smart as the queue was shorter! And, the people seemed to actually take an interest in what I was looking for.

For 1,999 pesos I paid for a Smart Bro plan that basically allows me to connect to the internet via my laptop and a usb doogle with up to 2MB/s speeds. I can access the internet anywhere there’s a mobile connection. Which is pretty much nationwide.

A more practical method evolved

The phone to laptop method is what I actually ended up using more often as the Smart doogle is a bit big for my USB ports. Again Smart have a package here, which is basically mini cd that has a program that allows an auto connect to their network via your phone.

I avoided the fee for this and just connected using Bluetooth or a cable. Almost like using the phone as a modem, but through Smart’s gprs/Edge/3G network. The only downside here is that it puts a strain on a phone’s battery. But for me this isn’t an issue as I have been using a fake i-phone with a staggering 2 week battery life.

I now connect my phone via bluetooth or cable with no issues. The mobile billing is quite cheap and works with a regular phone sim. Internet access is sold in blocks of time and not bandwidth here. About 10 pesos an hour at certain times in certain areas. Otherwise it’s about 30 pesos. And it does have good coverage. There are always promotions running so it pays to log onto your providers homepage every time you go online.

I will admit that the 2MB/s claim is a little generous. But, I can watch youtube videos etc. Though I wouldn’t as it’s a little costly after a while. You top up your account with ordinary telephone scratch cards.

I connect up via my fake i-phone and a usb

Some tips when using the above method of staying online while traveling:

1) Offline I write blog posts up on a word processor like Open office or MS office. I then get online and paste them in and I’m done. Staying online to write up posts simply takes too long.

2) Don’t read blogs! Sign up to their RSS feeds through a feedreader like Google Reader or FeedDemon. I use several, but I like FeedDemon as it’s fast and it allows me to catch up offline later.

If RSS is too much to handle, another great way to read blogs offline is to subscribe to email updates. If you don’t like getting a lot of mail then create a filter and a new folder in your email account so updates can go there rather than clutter up your inbox.

You can get my own journal sent to your email every week by signing up here. It’s free, you won’t ever get spam, and can unsubscribe anytime.

3) If you use Twitter, facebook or any other social site use the tabs on your browser and try to multitask as much as possible. It’s not so much about bandwidth here, but time. The less time online, the less you are spending on internet access fees.

4) If you use wordpress to blog, use Gears which is available in settings. It downloads the most commonly used files on WordPress and makes it a lot faster to use when you are online.

5) Use an offline desktop email application like Googlemail’s or Thunderbird. Download your mail as you are copying and pasting other things online. Get offline, read it. Write replies and then get online again to send them.

6) If you are using the doogle or phone method I mentioned, then set a timer on your phone or watch to go off 3 minutes before that time block of internet access expires. If you are charged 30 pesos an hour and you log off after 61 minutes, then you are charged for 2 hours. So be careful! And check the prices, as they will often change plans!!

7) If your pictures are small, then uploading them through the doogle/phone method is fine. But if they are big I wouldn’t. I prepare two sets of images. One for the website which are re-sized. I can upload them using the phone to laptop method with no problems. For larger 5MB -15MB plus photos I try to find free WIFI at a mall. Sit, have lunch, and maybe dinner while uploading. Or in a hostel with wifi, I simpy leave the laptop on overnight to upload.

Mobile Travel blogging

Mobile Blogging and emailing is quite easy and cheap in the Philippines as well. Until recently Smart had a 50 peso for 5 hours of internet plan on a ready to go sim pack for your phone (smart bro). There was also a 100 peso for 12 hour option on the same plan. The regular fee is 10 peso for 30 mins. This is by far the cheapest I’ve seen in my travels. Though they tend to turn the promotions off every now and then. At the moment it’s 10 pesos for 30mins.

On Mobile I use an application called Snaptu which works great as an all in one RSS reader, Twitter, Facebook and movie review application. Good news for travelers looking for an all in one solution on either blackberry, Symbian phones or Windows mobile. There’s also a really great photo app to view some stunning getty images. Snaptu’s support team is also great in fixing any issue you might have. Best of all, it’s free and they have a lot of new features on the way.

I use Worldmate and Psiloc World Traveler on mobile for multi currency conversions, weather reports and time zone checks across the world.

Skype works well with wifi on mobile but with gprs or Edge only via text.

Opera mini (Beta 5) makes browsing 10x faster and great for bandwidth hungry websites! It also supports tabs.

Not to mention google/nokia maps with gps for getting around with ease. I’ll have a feature about this coming up soon.

There are several other ways to connect online and upload that I mention in my article How to Travel Blog from a Cyber Cafe. Not everyone takes advantage of these methods, but I find it allows me to do a lot more than I would be able to otherwise.

So that’s how I am able to travel the Philippines and get online with ease no matter where I am – be it on a ferry, up a mountain, trekking in a jungle or when living on an island!

Coming Soon:

A very big question I have to ask in my journey to find home…

Walking on water in El Nido, Palawan.

The Longest Way Home — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:06:42 +0000

Reflecting on El Nido, Palawan (click to enlarge)

El Nido is beautiful, of that there is no doubt. I will take that back once the developers arrive. And from what I hear, they are on the way.

I continue to write, and I get a lot done. But, I am feeling pressured. The weight of 4 + years of searching is bearing down, or is it that there is so little distraction around me. It’s not home. Then why am I staying here? Ah, to prove a point about living on an island.

Point proved yet?

My daily expenses:

Accommodation – $-4 (it keeps going down)

Food – $1.50-2 (yes really, and I eat meat)

Keep in mind the above is not a ‘travel budget’ but a living on an island budget.

That’s it. But, there are hidden costs. Visas. Travel to Peurto to get visas. Internet costs and the occasional soft drink, coffee to stay in touch with today’s world at a local cafe.

Blissful life if you work a 9-5 job in another country and come for a 1-2 week holiday. But for any longer and …

Occasionally I look up and out of my window to see a miracle. A man walking on water. He is actually walking on water. But one inch below the water is a coral and rock plateau. He’s not just doing this to impress the strange foreigner who keeps pointing a camera at him every evening. Throughout the whole area are small sea urchins and other shell fish that the man is searching for.

He’s living off the sea. A nightly walk can bring back some side dishes to break the monotony of rice. Or quite simply to feed his family.

This man walks on water every night. I don’t know what he does during the day. But as dusk approaches he is always there. It was when I was watching him one night that two worlds collided.

I remembered back to my 48 hour Pakistan train journey with the good Colonel. We stopped over the Hindus river and he pontificated that the local man serving curry at the station knew no more than to make curry and serve it. Therefore he was a happy man. And it was a good life. I disagreed at the time. If the man knew about the outside world, maybe he’d fight tooth and nail to get to it. Africa taught me that.

But maybe I’d missed the keywords in the Colonel’s point. “He doesn’t know anything else.”

It’s a hard concept for someone bombarded with internet, TV, media and a deluge of culturally diverse people to understand. There are some people out there who’ve never been in that environment. The words 24, Beyonce, Oscars, interest rates, economic collapse mean nothing to them.

“It’s a simple life that brings peace to your life,” the colonel said.

I didn’t get it at the time. And even now, I know that I don’t actually want it.

But, I do feel it. Perhaps I understand it now.

I decided one evening to try this walking on water thing myself. It gets strange the further out you get.

Turn around, and the shore is really quite far away. Just sea separating you from all sides. I didn’t go looking for shellfish. But, I did walk on water; and I knew what it meant.

Walking on water in El Nido, Palawan

Coming soon:

Cliff climbing anyone?