"TRAVELS....TRAVELS.....and more TRAVELS......." paolodecastro's Profile

I CHOOSE THE PHILIPPINES

THE TRAVELLING BUG IS STILL WITH ME.......*

2013 IS A DIFFERENT TRAVEL.....I AM STILL RESISTING AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL....for my GOAL is to travel the whole of Philippines before I do this...:):)

My travel plans for 2013 will be:

May........will see the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

November...will travel SOLO to Lake Sebu in Cotabato and will go to Zamboanga..."the Latin City of the South".......to experience their Vibrant culture .......I wish to accomplish these travels....:):)

THE TRAVELLING BUG STILL GOT ME*

2012 will be a different year for my TRAVELS............now that its the last day of February that I'm doing my 2012 travel plans.....:)

Just to be realistic I am aiming for one travel this year......The Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada TRAVEL.......been wanting this travel eversince ......:) (this was my plan before)....but.....

Last April....I did fall in love with Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City,
then I tried and SURVIVED the White Water rafting activity in Cagayan....where I had an adrenalin rush....hahhahahahhaa......wow thats FUN....:):)

Last September...after six tries in Cebu..I finally get the chance to try the SKYWALK.....:):).....nice view of Cebu skyline..:):)

I am also planning to take a walk in the longest Bridge in the Philippines (The San Juanico Bridge connecting Samar and Leyte in October saw a promo in AirPhilippines...:) maybe it is a sign...:):)

Then come November.....I will take years delayed trip to Sagada and Banaue........And I'm doing it SOLO again...can't wait.......(I hope I can meet new friends along the way):):):):)

Then Another planned activity is to see the HIgantes Festival in Angono on November 23, 2012.....this is also a dream of mine..:):)

Whew..I Just thought i will have one TRvel this year......;):):).......
*

I hope I can accomplish this travels......:)

Maybe after this i am seeking a new job?........ new surrounding will do.....:)....and definitely finding a new ME along the way..................:):):)
*

------------------------------------------------2011---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"THE TRAVELLING BUG GOT ME""Quoting a friend here in Virtual Tourist........ (thanks ate cyndy)

The start of the year is already good for my travels......

early february ...i started with
CONQUERING THE ISLAND OF BATANES

last April I did the
TREETOP ADVENTURE IN SUBIC WHEREIN I HAD A BLAST

then came May
I DID EAT...PRAY.....MAKE FRIENDS.....AND DISCOVERED BOHOL......

Last October
I CHASED THE MASSKARA FESTIVAL IN BACOLOD.....AND I GOT IT.....

I plan to take a FOODtrip in Chinatown,Binondo this coming Saturday.....hoping thats there's gonna be a good weather on Saturday...:)

I pray that GOD will still give me the opportunity to travel next year.....:)

ON COLLECTING POSTCARDS AROUND THE WORLD

HELLO EVERYBODY.......................

Today October 07, 2011

i just thought of collecting postcards........around the world....................

just like the other Vter's...................................

i know i cannot travel around the World.................at least on those postcards............I CAN.......:)

I am hoping you can send me postcards.............from your country

Please put a dedication on the postcards...anD some inspiring message..........

In return i will send you a beautiful postcard...from the PHilippines............;):).............

THANK YOU*

I already received some postcards from VT friends namely;*

Mircaskirca from Slovenia
Tropicrd from Cairns Australia
The Travel Slute from Florida USA
YUmyum during a mini VT meet in Slovenia
Ammy from Singapore
Pieter_jan_v from The Netherlands
Aterola from Klaipeda, Lithuania
Lori Pori and Waalewiener from Canada
Kshezz from Belgium
MartinS. from Arad, Israel
DAO from United Kingdom
Unravelau from Coffs Harbour, Australia
Uglyscot from khartoum, Sudan
JUmping Norman, from Arizona USA
Freddie18 from Toronto, Canada*

Travelling the Whole of Philippines...........

This is the GOAL........................:)

I have travelled most of the island already (thanks to my job)..........
but, the not so good part is that...i did not.......get the chace to put it here.........(90% of my travel...i didn't have a page...:(......)

So what I am doing right now.....is visiting places in my country......one at a time...........the ones' that i have visited .....I make sure that i leave a footprint of my travel...........;)

I am sure i cannot travel all of that 1,707 island........but the major part i think......I WILL...........

Just recently I have read in a newspaper list of ten must-see places in the Philippines....these are:

1.The Banaue Rice Terraces ( Check )
2.Intramuros, Manila (Check)
3.Bohol (Check)
4.Cebu (Check)
5.Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte (Im planning to go here next year)
6.Sorsogon (must see is the Butanding)
7.Batanes (Check)
8. Occidental Mindoro (Apo reef)
9.Puerto Princesa, Palawan (I'm planning to go here next year)
10.Tawi-tawi (I'm still trying to convince myself to do this)

TRavelling .....................on my OWN

I usually travel on my own....
why i do this...
its just it gives me freedom........
it gives me space.......
well, to tell the truth i still live with my family...............
but being a filipino this is but normal living with parents....
keeping family ties....and all that........
Travelling gives me time to think anything......about myself my future........sometimes even daydreaming hahahahahaa on tavels requiring longer hours......

Rightnow im on my last stretch of touring my country......
i got the opportunity to travel from the dangerous part of Lamitan Basilan to the Beautiful island of Batanes..........
Well i dont want to travel to Jolo Sulu, maybe thats too much hahahahahaha

Based on my experience.....there are pro's and cons of travelling alone......
Pro's - you can do things fast - from packing clothes....to going to the airport , you can decide fast (theres no more consultation,opinions, things like that when you are in a group) also you get the chance to meet new friends.........

Con's - well you have to take your own pics or find someone to do that for you
second travelling alone is much costly specially if there are tour packages that more persons involve lesser expenses
thirdly - well sometimes you missed having companions especially when you go on places and you see group of friends enjoying........;)

The BEST THING is that...when I travel alone.....at the end of the trip...I'm always...FRIENDS RICHER.....:)*

Am i a Narcisist?

Am I?
i always asked myself........
i always pick and put pictures that shows only me and myself hahaahhaa

but i think its not like that
i have a good answer........i will defend myself hahahahahah

You see i want to get all the pictures that i can i have
to different places........maybe with different people.......that i have cross roads with
because i like to see it when i get old.......maybe sitting on a rocking chair
trying to remember all the places that i have been...........all the memories..all the friends that i met in my life and all that....for its memories that will last a lifetime.............
*

Places that DEFINES me.........

Well im not a water person although im a CANCER...hahhahaaa
thats why you wont find any pics of me in beaches........(now..maybe a few one's hahahahaha)

What i like most are adventure ...zipline, bungy jumping..... sand boarding....things like that
Historical sites.........like to go to China.....Korea........Egypt......
thats some of my dream destination (some might find this boring)

Right now...im into Festivals.........i want to visit all tha major Festivals in the country starting with the Maskara Festival in Bacolod...:)

My ultimate dream Destination is Israel......
its expensive.....?? but i will try.........
i would like to experience a pilgrimage in the birthplace of Jesus.......
not to make yabang but i beleive it is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY if i can just see and hopefully touch anything on it..........
*

How I got Hooked up with Virtualtourist.....

It started last December 25
i am busy googling Batanes.........
and i have found out about this site......
to tell the truth this site became very helpful to me......
one proof.....
during my Batanes trip
i booked with a good hotel and their package tour
for a certain amount
and then i met some travellers in Batanes which spend higher than what i have spent
i thank this site because i have saved more money
VTer's members help each other.......

In all of my travels after Batanes
fellow VTers's helped me

My first friend here is ate cyndy
already a pro here when i met her in the batanes travel forum
she was a great help


the first person VT member that i met in person....is sumbungero
we didnt get that well........

The first VT members that i met in travel are Buenababe and Marco in our BOhol tour........*

And The first VT member who did a bulk of rating to my tavel page is jumpingnorman.....doc tnx a lot :)*

The reason WHY i TRAVEL..........

My passion in travelling started
when i came back again here in the Philippines
after a short stint abroad hahahhahahhaa

i am employed right now in a Bank
in their Design Department...
when you are in that area of specialization...you will travel the whole country
every place in the Philippines when there is an existig or there will be a proposed branch

As i always say to my travel blogs...
when i am out of town doing my job as an architect
i tried to visit something in that place ...
tried their cuisine....
meet new people........
hear their stories......
learn..........
try to experience life in that area...
because not everyone has the chance to travel like
we did here in this site........

it was not my intention to travel...
to go to different places.......
to tell the truth i havent been in any other place
other than my home some 22 yeras ago......
im 28 now and God has given me this opportunity.......

At first i take pics in my travel for the "Yabang factor only"
saying that i have been there done that.....
but as i have matured enough..
i have learnt that what im doing is something
that is good......
i am not just collecting pictures for the sake that i have been there
just to make yabang of all the places that i have been......
but i have learnt that its memories....that i saved....
i always fell in love in almost all areas i have been thru..
i feel at peace...
i feel freedom...everytime i travel (if its for work or leisure)
its like i am in some kind of amazing race......hahahahhaahahhhaa
yes i felt hat during my first trip in my company
travelling from Malaybalay-Iligan-cagayan-dipolog-zamboanga in just five days....whewwww.....but i enjoyed it

Also, i have noticed that travelling.........
is a good thing in my life.....
when i am bored with my everyday routine.........
braindead hahahahaa
in my job........
it became an escape.......
so if you have some savings....
just have a break........
go ahead.....TRAVEL...........
Get out.....see new things......LEARN
save memories...........

to all travelers
we go and leave every place that we have been
but we must not leave every special moments......
every experiences......
every lovely stories.......
every new knowledge we learned........
every people we meet in that area......
for its memories.......
that will last a lifetime.................

  • Intro Updated Apr 21, 2013
  • Report Abuse

Comments (91)

  • Mark69's Profile Photo
    Apr 19, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    I've still got the travel bug too! Is there a cure?

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Apr 24, 2013 at 1:35 AM

      There is no cure...hahahhahaa.....so packed some clothes....bring your passport.......then ride the plane going to the Philippines...we will go to Boracay...:):):)

  • cachaseiro's Profile Photo
    Mar 24, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    Just posted this vt meet for april 16 members.virtualtourist.com/m...

  • asiantraveler's Profile Photo
    Jan 27, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    hi pao natuloy ka sagada hahaha ...uhmmm siguro next time na lng un hehe... btw nagbook ako ng ticket going to thainland may 21 tapos ang balik ko sa cambodia to philippines may 28 but im planning to visit the rest of indochina... so i hope hehe. will i be able to meet some vters there? happy travels bro who knows next time makita kta sa sagada cheers!

    • asiantraveler's Profile Photo
      Feb 8, 2013 at 12:42 PM

      pao when is the hike on mt. pinatubo? inform me right away bec i need to fix my sched and fyi another vter is asking me about it also..... cheers!

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Feb 9, 2013 at 2:02 AM

      sa april 20..i saw nnga n c kenette yung interested..:):)

  • Rastarigo's Profile Photo
    Jan 13, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    hi paolo... how's the new yr?

    • Rastarigo's Profile Photo
      Jan 13, 2013 at 9:19 PM

      that's full sched na for 2013 haha... I was in Thailand for 12 days, just returned last wk. Mmm then Indonesia for 4 days nx month. As of now, yun pa lang haha...

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Jan 13, 2013 at 9:40 PM

      di p ko pwed mag travel sa ibang bansa....libot p sa pinas...:):) but my sister and I will be going to China (Beijing), Hongkong and Macau sa December...sumabay lng ako sa knila ng friend nya...:):) Happy Travels...:):)

  • judayandryan's Profile Photo
    Jan 6, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    hi pao... happy new year?? san ang gala 1 month of the year...

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Jan 22, 2013 at 4:26 PM

      rona caluza po diba?...:):) di na po ako gano madalas dito i even deleted some of my travel page here..:):) sana makasama ko po kayo sa travels talaga..:):) sa pinatubo i will travel with vter marlo.flores...:):)

    • judayandryan's Profile Photo
      Apr 14, 2013 at 3:26 AM

      kuya Pao - friends na tayo di ba sa FB??? - naman may PM ako sayo...

  • mehulraj's Profile Photo
    Dec 25, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Merry Christmas and happy new year to you my friend

  • unravelau's Profile Photo
    Oct 21, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    Thank you for your kind thoughts Paolo. Regards, Carole.

  • Mark69's Profile Photo
    Oct 10, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    My last day in Singapore today then back to cold Europe! So much still to see so gonna have to come back! Time for my dim sum breakfast! Enjoy your day in the office! ;)

    • Mark69's Profile Photo
      Oct 10, 2012 at 6:17 PM

      Meet you in Chinatown for more dim sum! Decided to brave the Singapore Flyer this morning!;)

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Oct 10, 2012 at 6:23 PM

      i wish i can go there there today ..:):):)....Go mark...enjoy..:):)

  • elhombre30's Profile Photo
    Sep 11, 2012 at 2:56 AM

    invite moko pag may lakad ka.. super busy ko na sa work.. hayy!

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Sep 13, 2012 at 7:30 PM

      hahaha...ok lng yan....btw nag back out n yung frend ko n french na cash trap kc cxa sa laos......d n cxa tuloy sa pnas....i will be going solo n lng hehehe..;):) i am preparing the travel itenerary p...:)

    • paolodecastro's Profile Photo
      Sep 13, 2012 at 7:33 PM

      gus2 mo b tlaga sumama...:):):)

  • Rastarigo's Profile Photo
    Aug 12, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    hi paolo how was your trip this yr?
    musta di ba kayo nasalanta ng baha dyan?

Share your travels with the world!

Join Now!
paolodecastro's Profile Photo

paolodecastro

“What Kind of PLACE defines YOU?”

Online Now

Male

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 7 4 7
Forum Rank:
0 0 5 2 3
Real Name
Paolo Rafael
Location
Calumpit, Philippines
Member Since
Dec 24, 2010

Badges & Stats

  • 227 Reviews
  • 445 Photos
  • 28,577PageViews
  • 1 Countries
  • 11 Cities

Latest Activity

See All Activity

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Top hotels

Paris Hotels
22156 Reviews - 53823 Photos
Orlando Hotels
3078 Reviews - 5774 Photos
New York City Hotels
15552 Reviews - 30944 Photos
London Hotels
23057 Reviews - 47246 Photos
Rome Hotels
11940 Reviews - 26470 Photos
CancĂșn Hotels
1927 Reviews - 3713 Photos
Myrtle Beach Hotels
319 Reviews - 425 Photos
Las Vegas Hotels
8354 Reviews - 17030 Photos
Manila Hotels
1905 Reviews - 4447 Photos
Baguio Hotels
325 Reviews - 885 Photos
Toronto Hotels
4263 Reviews - 8768 Photos
Melbourne Hotels
3341 Reviews - 7498 Photos
Goa Hotels
2036 Reviews - 3787 Photos
Panama City Beach Hotels
193 Reviews - 288 Photos
Istanbul Hotels
7626 Reviews - 19428 Photos