Sole Sisters: September 2010

Top 10 Things I Love About Palawan

* This is the 4th post in the series: Chichi's 7k Extreme Challenge.

It has been hailed as the Philippines' Last Frontier. Some say the name Palawan comes from the PA-LAO-YU, or “land of beautiful safe harbour”.

Palawan is made up of 1,768 islands.

It is in fact the 2nd largest province of the Philippines. It has almost 2,000 kilometers of coastline. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. The entire province was proclaimed a Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1967.

I'm not stating these facts just to showcase my amazing ability to google. What this all means is that Palawan IS the paradise that we've all been seeking. A paradise that's rich in biodiversity. A paradise with thousands of remote islands that are just waiting to be discovered. 2km of coastline for frolicking, snorkelling, sunbathing, kayaking, camping. The possibilities are endless.

Let me show you the top 10 things I absolutely love about Palawan.

Let me give you a glimpse of what this paradise holds.

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Palawan: To Tour or Not To Tour

* This is the 3rd post in the series: Chichi's 7k Extreme Challenge.

That was the big question that plagued me while I was planning on how to tackle Sole Sister Lois' challenge to me.

There are distinct advantages of getting

a tour package.
Convenience, luxury, comfort, worry-free and security. There's no need to research your trip down to the last detail. No need to worry if you'll make the the last bus trip to El Nido. No public transportation. It's hassle-free.

But the thing is...I love the high that I get researching for a trip. I love the thrill of reading about my next destination before seeing it first-hand. I love riding on local transportation, it gives me a glimpse of what it would be like to live in the place. I like to travel on my own pace. I dislike schedules. I'm just not the tourist-package kind of girl.

So, what made us decide to get the tour package for this trip? It's simple.

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Chichi's 7K Extreme Challenge: The Result

* This is the 2nd post in the series - Chichi's 7k Extreme Challenge.

I was apprehensive in taking on the 7k Challenge thrown by my Sole Sister, Lois. I tell you this was no easy feat even for a cheapskate like me. The 7k budget will include everything, i mean everything. The only cost excluded was the airfare from Manila to Puerto Princesa.

A lot of hours were spent on the internet researching for the trip. I scoured blogs, travel forums, hotel/pension house/lodge websites to find the best deals. Hmmm maybe I should write a post on how to find all the information you would need for your next trip. Otherwise known as going completely OC with planning and research, complete with a budget and itinerary file in excel format.

I digress.

It was hard deciding whether to go with a tour or go with our normal DIY routine. We weighed our options and determined which was most cost and time efficient: to DIY or to TOUR. The tour package won.

This is a detailed accounting of my Palawan trip. Nothing has been left out, nothing has been added. Please be informed that the table below has been verified by the DTI representatives, PAMET and the Sanguniang Kabataan ng Pilipinas.

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Eat Pray Love: A Sole Sister's Guide to Renewal, Reinvention and Resurgence

It was my second time on my Happy Beach. I wanted to share my island with a special friend, Sanchie aka the KitchenGod.

Our itinerary for the weekend basically revolved around hedonistic pleasures. All we planned to do was to lounge on the beach, swim in the calm azul waters, have intimate converstations, go night swimming, eat gourmet food, drink an excellent 2006 red vino and take lots of pictures. As some would say, we were Glamping (glamorous+camping).

Of course, a beach trip wouldn't be complete without a good beach read. I brought along the new bestseller, Eat Pray Love, and devoured it like a fat kid with the last piece of cake. I read on the bus on the way to Daet and then back to Manila. I read on the 2h boat ride to the island. I read on the beach with my vino.

Every sentence, every anectode struck a deep cord within me. We had so much in common. This girl, Elizabeth Gilbert, was also my Sole Sister.

Let me share with you my favorite quotes from Eat Pray Love.

"Still, despite all this, traveling is the great true love of my life. I have always felt, ever since I was sixteen years old and first went to Russia with my saved-up babysitting money, that to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice. I am loyal and constant in my love for travel, as I have not always been loyal and constant in my other loves. I feel about travel the way a happy new mother feels about her impossible, colicky, restless, newborn baby--I just don't care what it puts me through. Because I adore it. Because it's mine. Because it looks exactly like me. It can barf all over me if it wants to--I just don't care."

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Travel VIdeo: Hot 'n Cold in Calaguas Island

Enchanted by the beauty that is Calaguas. The sand, the sea, the waves, the wind...we just couldn't resist. We were in paradise.

There's nothing left to do but just...DANCE!

Hot n Cold in Calaguas Island from Sole Sisters on Vimeo.

*Special participation of another Sole Sister, Zuring.

I brought my Sole Sister Lois, along with some of our friends, to Calaguas (it was my 3rd time in 4months, crazy). Look at how enchanted they were with Calaguas!

Until the next Calaguas trip,
Sole Sister Chichi

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Lois' 8K Epic Challenge: The Mechanics

After my Sole Sister Chichi agreed to to take on my challenge,
I'm compelled to counter it with a challenge of my own.

The Challenge

Lois will be traveling to Thailand from Sept 18-26 on an extreme backpacking budget. She will be spending 4 days in Bangkok and 5 days in Koh Samui. She will be allowed to spend on 8, 000PHP* (178USD) for the entire trip. This includes transportation costs, meals, hotel/guesthouse bookings, tours and entertainment (wink wink).

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Lois' 8K Epic Challenge

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Travel Essay: Of Sinister Waves and Deep Fried Maggots

When that last big wave hits me in the face and the undertow pulls me in the water long enough to make me gasp for breath, I struggle to remember which way is up. When wave after wave makes me fall off the board. When I’ve paddled hard for what seems like hours but haven’t moved an inch because the current is pushing me further and further out to sea. When the sun is harsh on my back. When I have muscle pain in body parts that I didn’t even realize had muscle.

That’s when I start to wonder – Why am I still doing this? What has compelled me to keep at it? To surf even after numerous gashes, blows to the head, a sprained ankle, chipped teeth (Okay, that wasn’t me). Yes, it could be much worse! Why am I still paddling forward? What drives me to get back on that board after being tossed around by those sinister waves, washing machine style?

Then I remember: Surfing is just one of those things you have to do without fear.

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Chichi's 7K Extreme Challenge: The Mechanics

My sole sister, Lois, threw an irresistible challenge at me. My response? Bring it on baby!

Sole Sister Challenge:
Chichi to travel around Puerto Princesa and El Nido on an extreme backpacking budget. How extreme? 5 days with only *P7,000 to spend.

Looks like a lot of moolah huh? Think again.

The 7k budget will include: land transportation (Manila-PPS-El Nido-PPS-Manila), food&drinks, accommodations (3nights El Nido and 1 night in PPS), Underground River Tour and island hopping tours around El Nido.

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How a 7th Grade Lesson Cost me 3,022 pesos or 65 Dollars

I booked my yearly trip to Cebu for my birthday months in advance on Cebu Pacific (Thank you Piso Fare promo!) to the tune of P192.75 or $4.33.

Score right? That's what I also thought.

Flash forward 9 months later on the day of my flight. I was packed, ready to go and at the airport almost 3 hours before my flight. I cruised through Manila's horrendous traffic and through airport security. My gut instincts told me that this was just too good to be true. I'm normally the last person to check-in and board the plane. I am never this early before my flight. I was ready for check-in and presented my ticket to the airline agent with 2 hours to spare.

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Chichi's 7K Extreme Challenge

Check out the complete Sole Sister Chichi's 7k Extreme Challenge series:

The Mechanics
Did Chichi sink or swim? Find out the result.
Most backpackers prefer to rough it out and avoid tours at all cost. What made Chichi decide to do the tour route this time?
Why YOU should go to Palawan. Yes YOU!
How I Almost Won the challenge (How to Travel Palawan on a Budget)
How to Get to El Nido: A Sole Sister's Story
Which Palawan paradise gets our vote? Battle of the Islands, El Nido vs Coron

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Travel Snapshots: Enchanting Calaguas Island

Calaguas Island is a little known island in Camarines Norte. Chichi had been there twice before and she swears it's the Ultimate Beach Camping Experience. Think Boracay sans the crowds, hawkers, pollution and in-your-face commercialism.

Here are some snapshots from our trip so you can see the Calaguas Island through our eyes:

The Sole Sisters enjoying the scenic boat ride immensely. Can you imagine that we still haven't had any breakfast or coffee and we are smiling like crazy at 6 in the morning!

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30 Before 30

1. Set foot in at least 5 of the 7 continents.

2. Surf in Siargao (Philippines), Indonesia, Hawaii and Australia.

3. Witness the four Grand Slam tournaments - ~~US Open~~, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open.

4. Go biking around Angkor Wat then watch the sun set from the temple towers.

5. Have a Beer Laos and go tubing in Vang Vieng.

~~6. Volunteer and give back to the community.~~ Lois

7. Be conversational in another language.

8. Hike the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu.

9. Basejump – or at least skydive.

10. Celebrate Carnival in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.

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Who are the Sole Sisters?

Ultimately, we are friends, cosmically aligned, unique in our own separate ways, united by the same passion for travel. Both of us, at some point in our lives, have had to jump in feet first, take risks and see where these itchy soles will take us.

So join us in our adventures, walk barefoot with us and let’s wrap our arms around the world one trip at a time!

About Sole Sister Lois

I am a student of Life and my wanderlust will never be sated. I love the water, whether it’s the ocean, river, waterfalls or just a quick run through the shower. I'm a restless soul, and feel alive by doing lots of things.When I’m not at my day job or having adventures around the globe, I am shooting photos, surfing or playing a tennis match.

I believe people should stop thinking about the cant's and focus on the possibilities. I believe that those who say something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it.

I love airplane food, the smell of a newly opened can of tennis balls and meeting random strangers in the most unusual places.

Read more about why Lois travels...

About Sole Sister Chichi

I am a wanderer. I am a gypsy. My proof: I own only 2 types of home appliances (hand-me-downs), an oven toaster and a blender. I hightailed out of my hometown before you could say 'TOGA' to work in the big, bad city of Manila.

I am inherently curious about people, places and culture. I want to feel alive every waking moment of my life - I want to squeeze every drop of fun, adventure and excitement out of it. Music soothes my soul. Play me some Brazilian hip-hop, Scissor Sisters or my fave Britney Spears song (Break the Ice) and I will DANCE myself SILLY.

My piggy bank is constantly depleted by my love for travel, fashion, books and food. Mostly with travel.

I am in no way related to that Dragonball character.

Read more about why Chichi travels...

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