"it is not the place that we see but the people that we meet" was among the most important words from last night's "Backpack Around the World: Pinoy Style" at the Recreational Outdoor Xchange (ROX) at Serendra Fort Bonifacio.
the event was composed of stories from the certified backpackers who have been traveling outside the Philippines. sir Robert Alejandro and Jetro shared their east Asia route that included nine countries for three long months of traveling.
their backpacking experience included Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and China in three months. meeting other backpackers along the way, taking pictures and doing artworks. Sir Robert also promoted his book "Backpack Southeast Asia and parts of China" which covered this trip.
a newly wed couple Gabby and Mench in the other hand shared their plan for a 25-day backpacking honeymoon in Europe and North Africa. they call it "Manila to Morocco" trip. it was inspiring how they were able to raise money for this trip by setting up a website where people close to them can contribute or sponsor a part of their trip as their wedding gift. 
last to share was Sian whose backpacking experience amazed everyone because of an almost 2years travel around the Asia, Europe and Africa. she was traveling, hitchhiking, walking, and trekking places all alone. many were inspired how she did it but it was very real as she also shared some of the dangers of traveling alone in a strange place. her funny moments encourages backpackers to really try and do it in their own way. she didn't have an itinerary as she find it more exciting to travel and get lost.
the whole 2-hour event was successful as people were given enough time to interact with the speakers. free magazine of the first issue of DisPatch was given to everyone plus prizes like Hi-Tec shoes and the book "Backpack" to lucky participants.
thanks to ROX Philippines and Hi-Tec for hosting this event to make it free of charge. this is already the second time and expect a third session in the future. thanks to Erick, Violet and Bambie who also joined the event.
the event was composed of stories from the certified backpackers who have been traveling outside the Philippines. sir Robert Alejandro and Jetro shared their east Asia route that included nine countries for three long months of traveling.
their backpacking experience included Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and China in three months. meeting other backpackers along the way, taking pictures and doing artworks. Sir Robert also promoted his book "Backpack Southeast Asia and parts of China" which covered this trip.
a newly wed couple Gabby and Mench in the other hand shared their plan for a 25-day backpacking honeymoon in Europe and North Africa. they call it "Manila to Morocco" trip. it was inspiring how they were able to raise money for this trip by setting up a website where people close to them can contribute or sponsor a part of their trip as their wedding gift. 
last to share was Sian whose backpacking experience amazed everyone because of an almost 2years travel around the Asia, Europe and Africa. she was traveling, hitchhiking, walking, and trekking places all alone. many were inspired how she did it but it was very real as she also shared some of the dangers of traveling alone in a strange place. her funny moments encourages backpackers to really try and do it in their own way. she didn't have an itinerary as she find it more exciting to travel and get lost.
the whole 2-hour event was successful as people were given enough time to interact with the speakers. free magazine of the first issue of DisPatch was given to everyone plus prizes like Hi-Tec shoes and the book "Backpack" to lucky participants.
thanks to ROX Philippines and Hi-Tec for hosting this event to make it free of charge. this is already the second time and expect a third session in the future. thanks to Erick, Violet and Bambie who also joined the event.
31 comments:
sponsorship of a portion of a trip--now that's a clever idea. beats all the toaster ovens they will get for their wedding. :=)
Looks really fun!
>photo cache, you got it right! their idea was really inspiring not just for people who are going to marry but you can also do it for your birthday!
>luke, thanks!
This event was indeed a great venue for backpackers to share their experiences with their peers.
Please pardon my ignorance about backpacking but I just have a question for you, Dong. When one goes on such a trek, is one free to choose his/her own route in a particular country or does he/she have to follow a designated route?
This was a very informative post. Thanks for sharing. :)
Sayang we missed this one. Na corner ako ng isang event sa mega and couldn't get away. Interesting yung last speaker si Sian, wow 2 years backpacking. Buti me funds sya to do that. Ayus sa freebies.
galing ni Sian! idol!
>panaderos, it really depends. because backpackers are the most flexible travelers. usually they have an itinerary but they are free to change it anytime.
like sian who shared her experience where she was first using a travel book to guide her going to different places but then realized that getting lost was more exciting.
she learned to visit places where she gets to visit and talk to the locals and set apart from the normal travel route.
in my case, i also do that. i go to places without knowing where i can stay. i just check about what the place can offer and then take a ride to the place. best example was my bantayan trip.
>ferdz, oo. nagawa nya talaga yon na mag isa. umaakyat pa sya ng mga bundok. dati kasi syang nagtuturo sa italy, nagresign at nagsimulang magbyahe.
nung nandun kami nina eric, kayo ni oggie ang iniisip namin. kasi pwedeng pwede na rin kayo magsalita dun.
sayang nga at hindi ka nakahabol. may susunod pa daw. dumaan nga din pala si romi garduce. saglit nga lang.
>hi aracir, galing talaga! umaakyat pa ng bundok at nakiki hitchhike sa mga truck. entering one country to another including the middle east.
sayang, went overtime kagabi so missed out on this one. di bale, sa susunod. asus, puwedeng-puwede na nga si wulf mag-seminar dun :-)
I would also want to do backpacking. However, I am scared to do it alone. I would love to do backpacking in Europe which I am planning and saving for the longest time now.
nice event dong. kala ko sa sabado pa. pero di rin naman ako makakapunta bcoz malayo ako manila and i have worto do.
i do not consider myself a backpacker eh pero i won't mind trying that in the future.
>oggie, pwedeng pwede kayo dito. tagal din kaming tumambay nina eric kasi umuulan kaya kwentuhan muna kasama namin sina violet at bambie.
>hi equi, mahirap ngang gawin yan lalo na pag babae. may mga kinwento rin si sian na nakakatakot na experience nya sa middle east. pero desidido lang talaga sya. maganda pa rin na may kasama ka kahit isa.
ayos yang plano mo sa europe.
>lawstude, try mo rin mag backpack. masaya at exciting. may third session pa naman sana hindi ka na busy nun. may session din kasama si romy garduce.
been wanting to be part of this kaya lang ang layo ng davao sa manila at Backpacking is not that organized here... huhuhu.... kakainggit Dong...
This is a great post full of exciting ideas and news. You make me want to pack the old backpack and hit the road again. (I recently returned after 11 years volunteering around the world.)
Someday I dream of walking the Camino pilgrim route in Spain.
Do you know Sam's Unity Blog? He is an Australian walking the world asking people to pray for the unity of the Church.
http://walk4one.blogspot.com/
sayang. hindi mo kasi pinost ng maaga e, hindi tuloy ako nakapunta..hehehe..
galing ha! pwedeng mag pa sponsor! hmmm....dong, pwede bang mag sponsor sau sa trip ko sa US? hehehe..joke lang!
mukhang naging masaya ang event na yan para sa mga katulad mong lakwatsero! hehe
>olan, ok lang. magkakaroon din yan. dami din namang climbers dyan. usually sila din ang naguusap usap tungkol sa backpacking.
>hi dina, i really admire volunteers. selfless people who desire more to help others for free. i hope you get to visit the philippines as well. ill check sam's unity blog. sounds interesting. thanks for sharing.
>hi doc rio, oo nga. sorry at medyo nahuli yung post. sa susunod na lang. yung pagsponsor si kdr na ang bahala. kasi king na rich pa. hehehe...
Ganda ng event na yan. nakaka encourage at nakaka inspire. may mga freebies pa.
very interesting! i have a friend who backpacks across Europe and South America alone. backpacking is a lot of fun when you travel with a group...on your own can be dangerous. i admire the adventurous spirit of backpackers...but personally, i prefer private hot showers and a soft nice bed when i travel.:D
WOW! Mukhang ang saya ah
Very interesting and informative! I'm going backpacking too when my son starts working. I am free to go!!
mukhang nag enjoy ka sa event na ito ah... ayos yan... bagay sau na mahilig mamasyal... hehehe
ngaun lang uli ako nakadalaw kase busy busyhan... hehehe
nice meeting you again dom!
ganda talaga ng event. astig ni sian. hardcore na babae.
You well describe the event with great photos and very interesting text.
>redlan, kaka inspire talaga. cheap and light travel is the most exciting.
>hi luna, galing naman ng kaibigan mo. masaya din talaga pag grupo pero may dating din ang solo mahirap nga lang para sa babae pero kinaya nga ni sian.
masarap din naman magbyahe with really good accomodation. kakarelax.
>earvin, masaya talaga.
>hi eastcostlife, hahaha... jaymes needs to finsih school asap for that.
>hi lalaine, sinabi mo. para talaga ito sa mga byaherong noypi. ok lang kung hindi ka nakakapagblog.
>erick, salamat sa samahan. bilib talaga lahat kay sian.
>pietro, thanks!
I thought that was great about the young couple and how they raised money for their backpacking trip. I used to some backpacking when I was younger and enjoyed it so much. Good post.
backpacking is very exciting because it allows you to see places with reasonable expenses. The thrill of just getting there minus all the elaborate reservations gives some people the adrenalin :) For a photobug like you, it's the best deal :) I'd do it too, provided I have a buddy with me. It could be quite lonely out there by yourself.
>carver, it shows that you lived an active lifestyle. that's really great! i enjoy going out with fellow backpackers. they have that sense of happiness even on the simplest things in life.
>bw, that's true! lonely but sometimes you also have flexibility when you're doing it alone unless you have a mate that has the same urge to go out for a cheap trip and enjoy every moment, every place and every people that you meet.
Mahilig din akong mag-lagalag. Ang major backpacking na gagawin kong MAG_ISA ay sa Anghkor Wat sa Cambodia. Medyo kinakabahan ko.
Backpacking sounds like a great adventure. I've never tried it before but it sounds very exciting.
>anino, astig! at least nagawa mo. the more audacious it is the more excitement comes out from it. im sure those thrilling experiences will be considered as one of the most memorable experiences.
>hi rachel, maybe you should try it. but it will be challenging because you already have a family. but there's always a way.
A goodie adventure one for me! :D http://www.cdokay.com/
THanks for sharing. I think it is a very great experience. I wanna try this someday.
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