Five Annoying Habits Most Travelers Make
15 July 2018
Now before I begin my rant below, I should preface my grumbling with the following statement – I love travelers – I’m honoured and proud to call myself one. Anybody who gets up off the couch, pulls on a backpack and heads out into the wider world is ok in my book.
That said, there are a few habits than more and more travelers seem to be demonstrating that really grind my gears. I don’t know maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy. But nevertheless here are my top five, or should I say bottom five, annoying habits in travelers...
Laughing at broken English
Oh, so you find the way that local speaks English funny do you? Well before you start doing hilarious impression of them ask yourself the following – can you speak more than two words of their language? In the immortal words of the inspirational author H. Jackson Brown Jr:
“Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.”
Disrespecting local customs
This habit, above any other, is the worst sin any traveler can commit in my book. There’s never any justification for treating the local inhabitants with anything other than the utmost respect. You are after all a visitor in their land. And never, and I mean never do what this man did in Myanmar, not only was it rude but he almost went to jail for a long time.
Respect the customs and social norms of the destination you find yourself in. That means treat elders with deference, respect religious sites, always ask permission to take photos, wear appropriate clothing and drink in moderation. Ask yourself, would I do this at home? If the answer is a big fat no, then the chances are high you shouldn’t do it while traveling.
Spend too much time staring at their phone
Hostels are great places for travelers to meet other travelers, share stories, tips, maybe even a little holiday romance. Well, they used to be. Now when you walk into a dorm room all you see are faces lit up by smartphones.
People, put the phone down, you can check Facebook later. Say hello to the person in the bunk below you, talk to each other. You never know they could be your soulmate!
The same goes when you get to a tourist attraction. Put your phone down and soak up the sight with those two beautiful eyes you have. There’s a reason Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal and The Great Wall of China are famous. They are unbelievable architectural wonders. So instead of wasting four hours taking the perfect selfie why not spend the time wondering at the architecture.
The reason you went traveling was to broaden your horizons, not to simple add a few extra followers to your Instagram account.
Spending too much time on your phone while traveling will also ruin your sleep, leaving you exhausted the following day – at least that’s what the team at the Sleep Advisor say, and they seem to be spot on when it comes to anything slumber-related.
Complain too much about being ripped off
The world is an inherently unfair place. The sheer randomness of birth means some people are lucky to grow up rich, others poor.
Many travelers from wealthy countries often have to do very little work at home before being able to travel in style in countries with weaker currencies.
Ten euros will barely buy you a meal in Dublin, London or Paris but could last a frugal traveler days in India, Nepal or Vietnam. Remember this fact the next time you feel like kicking up a fuss when you’re charged a slightly inflated ‘tourist price’ at the market or when boarding a bus.
How much does that extra 50 cent really mean to you? Think hard now, because it likely means a whole lot more to a person earning less than $5 a day. That extra 50 cent could mean a better meal for a undernourished family.
Always remember the mere fact you’re able to travel is a luxury most will never experience. Get some perspective.
Rely too heavily on their guidebooks
Some travelers are more sheep than person. They blindly follow every word written in their guidebook as if it were the walkthrough guide to their favourite computer game.
I will never forget watching a young backpacker (probably travelling on The Bank of Mum and Dad), having a stand up argument in the street in Hanoi over the price of his laundry. To prove his point he was pointing a page in his Lonely Planet shouting, ‘it says the price right here!’. Presumably ignoring the fact that his guidebook was likely written at least two years previous. Prices rise people!
Guidebooks are great for getting a general idea of a town, a rough guide if you will – so too are apps like Trip Advisor – but the joy of travel is in exploration. A great trip is about getting lost and having the type of truly random experiences that you can’t find in any mass published guidebook.
Well, there you have it – rant over. Travelers I love you all but sometimes I want to give some of you a clip round the ear. Always remember being able to travel is a luxury, one that the majority of the world will never get to experience – treasure it with all your heart.
That said, there are a few habits than more and more travelers seem to be demonstrating that really grind my gears. I don’t know maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy. But nevertheless here are my top five, or should I say bottom five, annoying habits in travelers...
Laughing at broken English
Oh, so you find the way that local speaks English funny do you? Well before you start doing hilarious impression of them ask yourself the following – can you speak more than two words of their language? In the immortal words of the inspirational author H. Jackson Brown Jr:
“Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.”
Disrespecting local customs
This habit, above any other, is the worst sin any traveler can commit in my book. There’s never any justification for treating the local inhabitants with anything other than the utmost respect. You are after all a visitor in their land. And never, and I mean never do what this man did in Myanmar, not only was it rude but he almost went to jail for a long time.
Respect the customs and social norms of the destination you find yourself in. That means treat elders with deference, respect religious sites, always ask permission to take photos, wear appropriate clothing and drink in moderation. Ask yourself, would I do this at home? If the answer is a big fat no, then the chances are high you shouldn’t do it while traveling.
Spend too much time staring at their phone
Hostels are great places for travelers to meet other travelers, share stories, tips, maybe even a little holiday romance. Well, they used to be. Now when you walk into a dorm room all you see are faces lit up by smartphones.
People, put the phone down, you can check Facebook later. Say hello to the person in the bunk below you, talk to each other. You never know they could be your soulmate!
The same goes when you get to a tourist attraction. Put your phone down and soak up the sight with those two beautiful eyes you have. There’s a reason Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal and The Great Wall of China are famous. They are unbelievable architectural wonders. So instead of wasting four hours taking the perfect selfie why not spend the time wondering at the architecture.
The reason you went traveling was to broaden your horizons, not to simple add a few extra followers to your Instagram account.
Spending too much time on your phone while traveling will also ruin your sleep, leaving you exhausted the following day – at least that’s what the team at the Sleep Advisor say, and they seem to be spot on when it comes to anything slumber-related.
Complain too much about being ripped off
The world is an inherently unfair place. The sheer randomness of birth means some people are lucky to grow up rich, others poor.
Many travelers from wealthy countries often have to do very little work at home before being able to travel in style in countries with weaker currencies.
Ten euros will barely buy you a meal in Dublin, London or Paris but could last a frugal traveler days in India, Nepal or Vietnam. Remember this fact the next time you feel like kicking up a fuss when you’re charged a slightly inflated ‘tourist price’ at the market or when boarding a bus.
How much does that extra 50 cent really mean to you? Think hard now, because it likely means a whole lot more to a person earning less than $5 a day. That extra 50 cent could mean a better meal for a undernourished family.
Always remember the mere fact you’re able to travel is a luxury most will never experience. Get some perspective.
Rely too heavily on their guidebooks
Some travelers are more sheep than person. They blindly follow every word written in their guidebook as if it were the walkthrough guide to their favourite computer game.
I will never forget watching a young backpacker (probably travelling on The Bank of Mum and Dad), having a stand up argument in the street in Hanoi over the price of his laundry. To prove his point he was pointing a page in his Lonely Planet shouting, ‘it says the price right here!’. Presumably ignoring the fact that his guidebook was likely written at least two years previous. Prices rise people!
Guidebooks are great for getting a general idea of a town, a rough guide if you will – so too are apps like Trip Advisor – but the joy of travel is in exploration. A great trip is about getting lost and having the type of truly random experiences that you can’t find in any mass published guidebook.
Well, there you have it – rant over. Travelers I love you all but sometimes I want to give some of you a clip round the ear. Always remember being able to travel is a luxury, one that the majority of the world will never get to experience – treasure it with all your heart.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 8:25 PM,
,
Useful Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android Free Apps for Travellers
01 February 2013
These are what Tutubi has currently installed in Ring-O (his iPhone 4S) and Claire (his value for money Cherry Mobile Flare) to aid him in his daily dring and regular travels.
DISCLAIMER: Not all of them are listed though. Some apps he used in particular trips like the off-line maps of Singapore and Singapore Transport maps he used in his recent trip to Singapore. If you have other recommended apps for travellers, feel free to leave comments and suggestions:
Recommended Travel Apps for Apple iOS devices (Apple iPhone/iPad)
CityMaps2Go: offline free maps from OpenStreetMap
Mytracks: records your GPS tracklogs, nice to map unmapped places or just review where you've been
Waze: social community with maps and traffic data sharing
Maps: Apple's own maps introduced in iOS 6 (forget about this though)
ProCam/Almost DSLR: turns the iPhone camera into a DSLR with granular control on ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed settings
Fast camera: turns your phone into a shooting machine so as not miss a beat of the scene
Instagram: does this need any introduction?
Passbook: introduced in iOS 6, stores all your boarding passes in one place
Viber: to get in touch with friends when abroad. require Internet connection
TripIt: travel organizing including importing plane tickets (etickets) to the app (Tutubi has this for months now
but still not using it)
Blogger: to publish/update Blogger-based blogs (Blogspot)
remarks: no way to approve/delete comments here, needs improvement
Wordpress: free blogging app to update Wordpress-based blogs
MMDA: traffic situation in major metro manila roads
Facetime: built-in video conferencing. needs good Internet connection though
Flashlight: turn iPhone camera flash into flashlight
Mirror: if you want to re-touch or fall in love with yourself :P
Recommended Free Apps for Android Devices
Tutubi is still new to the world of Android, will just update this list from time to time
OSMAnd: GPS navigators and Off-line maps (OpenStreetMap)
TrekBuddy: GPS navigators and Off-line maps (OpenStreetMap)
Viber: to get in touch with friends when abroad. require Internet connection
Instagram
MMDA: traffic situation in major metro manila roads
Related Post:
Free GPS Maps Philippines
DISCLAIMER: Not all of them are listed though. Some apps he used in particular trips like the off-line maps of Singapore and Singapore Transport maps he used in his recent trip to Singapore. If you have other recommended apps for travellers, feel free to leave comments and suggestions:
Recommended Travel Apps for Apple iOS devices (Apple iPhone/iPad)
CityMaps2Go: offline free maps from OpenStreetMap
Mytracks: records your GPS tracklogs, nice to map unmapped places or just review where you've been
Waze: social community with maps and traffic data sharing
Maps: Apple's own maps introduced in iOS 6 (forget about this though)
ProCam/Almost DSLR: turns the iPhone camera into a DSLR with granular control on ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed settings
Fast camera: turns your phone into a shooting machine so as not miss a beat of the scene
Instagram: does this need any introduction?
Passbook: introduced in iOS 6, stores all your boarding passes in one place
Viber: to get in touch with friends when abroad. require Internet connection
TripIt: travel organizing including importing plane tickets (etickets) to the app (Tutubi has this for months now
but still not using it)
Blogger: to publish/update Blogger-based blogs (Blogspot)
remarks: no way to approve/delete comments here, needs improvement
Wordpress: free blogging app to update Wordpress-based blogs
MMDA: traffic situation in major metro manila roads
Facetime: built-in video conferencing. needs good Internet connection though
Flashlight: turn iPhone camera flash into flashlight
Mirror: if you want to re-touch or fall in love with yourself :P
Recommended Free Apps for Android Devices
Tutubi is still new to the world of Android, will just update this list from time to time
OSMAnd: GPS navigators and Off-line maps (OpenStreetMap)
TrekBuddy: GPS navigators and Off-line maps (OpenStreetMap)
Viber: to get in touch with friends when abroad. require Internet connection
MMDA: traffic situation in major metro manila roads
Related Post:
Free GPS Maps Philippines
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:11 PM,
,
Manila Airport (NAIA) Terminal Fee/Departure Tax Lowered to PhP550.00
10 January 2012
This is a bit of good news at least for international travelers from Manila, five year implementation of aviation security fee at NAIA, costing PhP200.00 per outgoing foreign travel, will lapse on January 31, 2012. the
Starting February 1, 2012, NAIA Terminal Fee will be pegged at PhP550.00/person. Domestic travelers will still be charged local terminal fee of PhP200.00 per passenger.
Comforting? This month though, expect Caticlan Aiport terminal fee to be increased to PhP200.00, up from PhP20.00, as pegged by SMC, who now operates Caticlan Airport.
Related Posts on Manila Airport/NAIA
Airport Terminal Fee
Manila Airport Guide
you may also be looking for:
manila airport tax, naia terminal fee 2012, naia aiport tax price cost, ninoy aquino international airport terminal fee rate
Starting February 1, 2012, NAIA Terminal Fee will be pegged at PhP550.00/person. Domestic travelers will still be charged local terminal fee of PhP200.00 per passenger.
Comforting? This month though, expect Caticlan Aiport terminal fee to be increased to PhP200.00, up from PhP20.00, as pegged by SMC, who now operates Caticlan Airport.
Related Posts on Manila Airport/NAIA
Airport Terminal Fee
Manila Airport Guide
you may also be looking for:
manila airport tax, naia terminal fee 2012, naia aiport tax price cost, ninoy aquino international airport terminal fee rate
Labels: Airports, Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 10:38 PM,
,
Lonely Planet Philippines: Not the Best Travel Guide Book
08 August 2011
If you happen to see tourists, whether usual or backpacker, most of the time you'll see them holding in one of their hands a Lonely Planet Philippines Guide book and discussing places with other people around.
In April 2004, Tutubi he met a French writer (writing a book about Bollywood) on a boat from Mumbai's Gateway of India en route to the World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island. He and the Frenchman became online friends kept in touch through email and telling stories and ideas.
Tutubi invited his french friend to come next to the Philippines and he in turn invited Tutubi to his home in Provence, France, south of Paris.
A few months ago, Tutubi's friend flew from France to Manila and made true his promise to come after almost 7 years.
He and his wife planned to visit Dumaguete City, but the plan was delayed due to lost baggage in transit, fault of their airline.
Lonely Planet helped them a lot during this time but turned out unreliable in Manila, of all places.
When they decided to stay in Manila for two days, not part of their original plan, but merely to meet Tutubi, Tutubi offered to tour them around several places in Manila including: Microtel Inn where they stayed, Mall of Asia for some Filipino food, Rizal Park, National Museum, Harbour Center (for seafood lunch), Intramuros and Fort Santiago (where they got acquainted and fell in "love" with Jose Rizal), San Agustin Church, Silahis Arts and Crafts for souvenir shopping, Malate for barhopping et al
You know how Lonely Planet Philippines travel guide book fared?
The Malate bars and restaurants recommended there are no longer extant. One was already a high-rise condominium unit. Imagine Lonely Planet editorial staff missed with years of constructing the condo tower? Another bar near Remedios and Adriatico was no longer there. Costs of beer was pegged at PhP25.00...gosh...it's been years when beer was sold in Malate bars at that price.
When Tutubi examined the guide book, he thought of Camarines Norte. To his surprise, Lonely Planet only has a few very short paragraphs about the province. No mention even of the getting popular in recent years that is Calaguas Island.
So what's his assessment and review of Lonely Planet Philippines?
Seems Lonely Planet Philippines only get a minor updates or none at all but churn out new editions without really updating places and information. Lots of outdated infos present that even some reason out due to delays from writing to editing to actual printing but can you explain recommended establishments now occupied by towering condominiums that took years to construct?
The best travel guides on your destination is not Lonely Planet, not Jens Peters, but explorers who've been there recently, and just hope and pray that they're travel bloggers who post about their conquests on their blogs with the latest information and updates plus respond to every comment/inquiry/question with promptness.
In April 2004, Tutubi he met a French writer (writing a book about Bollywood) on a boat from Mumbai's Gateway of India en route to the World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island. He and the Frenchman became online friends kept in touch through email and telling stories and ideas.
Tutubi invited his french friend to come next to the Philippines and he in turn invited Tutubi to his home in Provence, France, south of Paris.
A few months ago, Tutubi's friend flew from France to Manila and made true his promise to come after almost 7 years.
He and his wife planned to visit Dumaguete City, but the plan was delayed due to lost baggage in transit, fault of their airline.
Lonely Planet helped them a lot during this time but turned out unreliable in Manila, of all places.
When they decided to stay in Manila for two days, not part of their original plan, but merely to meet Tutubi, Tutubi offered to tour them around several places in Manila including: Microtel Inn where they stayed, Mall of Asia for some Filipino food, Rizal Park, National Museum, Harbour Center (for seafood lunch), Intramuros and Fort Santiago (where they got acquainted and fell in "love" with Jose Rizal), San Agustin Church, Silahis Arts and Crafts for souvenir shopping, Malate for barhopping et al
You know how Lonely Planet Philippines travel guide book fared?
The Malate bars and restaurants recommended there are no longer extant. One was already a high-rise condominium unit. Imagine Lonely Planet editorial staff missed with years of constructing the condo tower? Another bar near Remedios and Adriatico was no longer there. Costs of beer was pegged at PhP25.00...gosh...it's been years when beer was sold in Malate bars at that price.
When Tutubi examined the guide book, he thought of Camarines Norte. To his surprise, Lonely Planet only has a few very short paragraphs about the province. No mention even of the getting popular in recent years that is Calaguas Island.
So what's his assessment and review of Lonely Planet Philippines?
Seems Lonely Planet Philippines only get a minor updates or none at all but churn out new editions without really updating places and information. Lots of outdated infos present that even some reason out due to delays from writing to editing to actual printing but can you explain recommended establishments now occupied by towering condominiums that took years to construct?
The best travel guides on your destination is not Lonely Planet, not Jens Peters, but explorers who've been there recently, and just hope and pray that they're travel bloggers who post about their conquests on their blogs with the latest information and updates plus respond to every comment/inquiry/question with promptness.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 8:25 PM,
,
Typhoon Season/Rainy Days Travel Ideas: From Museums to Storm Surfing
28 July 2011
Just what every traveler doesn't want is for summer to end and be stuck at home during typhoon season. Here are a few tips from Tutubi to do during these no "starry, starry nights" with occasional rains, low pressure areas, inter-tropical convergence zones, tropical depressions and storms hounding the weather news.
1. Visit Museums
When was the last time you visited the National Museum? During elementary school days herded in and out of the bus on a field trip? Museums are the repositories of our country's heritage and showcases our culture, history and the richness of our biodiversity. Tip: There's still free entrance to the National Art Gallery, right across the National Museum, for you to catch a glimpse of Juan Luna's Spoliarium.
2. Learn New Languages
Tutubi studied Spanish and Japanese (Nihongo) in college, self-studied a little French and Cebuano. He can actually understand Cebuano and can speak it "gamay lang" just to haggle with vendors and ask directions from Cebuanos.
Just recently, he's heard about the free Korean language classes at the newly-opened Korean Cultural Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, he might give enrolling in the free Korean language class in Manila a try if the schedule permits.
3. Couch potato travel or the armchair explorer by watching Travel TV shows
Cheap and cozy travel watching travel tv at the comforts of home and help you plan your next trip. A handy Travel TV Show Schedules compiled by Tutubi (needs updates though). On Sunday mornings, Byaheng Bulilit, Pinoy T.A.L.K. and Easy Ride if you don't have cable TV channels like Living Asia Channel and Discovery Travel and Adventure.
Storm Chasers: Storm Surfing
For the adrenaline rush and dangerous one at that, when most people avoid the beaches during typhoons, a handful of adventurers actually paddle out on surfboards to meet gigantic waves on the surfing beaches facing the Pacific Ocean. Try the beaches of Bicol (Bagasbas Beach, for one) or those in Baler, Aurora (where the closing scene of Oliver Stone's Hollywood movie "Apocalypse Now" was shot). It's also during typhoon season where the world famous Cloud Nine waves of Siargao come alive.
Storm Surfing Philippines, a haven for storm surfers :P
1. Visit Museums
When was the last time you visited the National Museum? During elementary school days herded in and out of the bus on a field trip? Museums are the repositories of our country's heritage and showcases our culture, history and the richness of our biodiversity. Tip: There's still free entrance to the National Art Gallery, right across the National Museum, for you to catch a glimpse of Juan Luna's Spoliarium.
2. Learn New Languages
Tutubi studied Spanish and Japanese (Nihongo) in college, self-studied a little French and Cebuano. He can actually understand Cebuano and can speak it "gamay lang" just to haggle with vendors and ask directions from Cebuanos.
Just recently, he's heard about the free Korean language classes at the newly-opened Korean Cultural Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, he might give enrolling in the free Korean language class in Manila a try if the schedule permits.
3. Couch potato travel or the armchair explorer by watching Travel TV shows
Cheap and cozy travel watching travel tv at the comforts of home and help you plan your next trip. A handy Travel TV Show Schedules compiled by Tutubi (needs updates though). On Sunday mornings, Byaheng Bulilit, Pinoy T.A.L.K. and Easy Ride if you don't have cable TV channels like Living Asia Channel and Discovery Travel and Adventure.
Storm Chasers: Storm Surfing
For the adrenaline rush and dangerous one at that, when most people avoid the beaches during typhoons, a handful of adventurers actually paddle out on surfboards to meet gigantic waves on the surfing beaches facing the Pacific Ocean. Try the beaches of Bicol (Bagasbas Beach, for one) or those in Baler, Aurora (where the closing scene of Oliver Stone's Hollywood movie "Apocalypse Now" was shot). It's also during typhoon season where the world famous Cloud Nine waves of Siargao come alive.
Storm Surfing Philippines, a haven for storm surfers :P
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:56 PM,
,
Sunday Travel TV Shows: Byaheng Bulilit, Pinoy TALK, Easy Ride
05 June 2011
With nothing to do on a lazy Sunday that was only perked up by the exciting yet disheartening loss of the Philippine Azkals to the UFL All Stars later in the day, Tutubi merely did some channel-surfing and caught up with three travel shows one after the other: Byaheng Bulilit, Pinoy T.A.L.K. and Easy Ride.
Herewith are his comments on the three TV shows:
---
Byaheng Bulilit
with host Chacha of Bulilit ad fame, with a senior citizen and a japanese national as co-hosts, features typical tourist destinations. Notheing really new for the show but sometimes can feature some surprises.
The days episode featured Bohol Island tour. Nothing new but usual tourist destinations. There's no correction for the site of the Blood Compact Site (the touristy site is the wrong one, the true site is further inland)
Schedule:
NBN 4 at 10am every Sunday
major sponsor: Alaska
---
Pinoy T.A.L.K.
NBN 4 at 10:30am
Pinoy TALK means Travel, Adventure, Leisure, Knowldge hosted by Jet Claveria and the the pretty Marjorie Cornillez (Tutubi's fave travel tv host besides the lovely Faye de Castro of Landmarks)
The show featured Angono town of Rizal, the Art Capital of the Philippines. Nothing new featured here, at least for Tutubi, as he's already been to Balaw-balaw restaurant, the various art galleries and the lyrics of Ugoy by Lucio San Pedro.
---
Easy Ride Studio 23
Sunday 11am
travel show for bike riders, first season featured the Luzon Loop, second season the Mindanao and now the third season featuring the visayas. Funny though that they've featured Mindoro even if it's not really part of Visayas, probably just because it's the next point after Batangas Ro-Ro onwards to Boracay.
The show however featured the real world of bike riders from getting caught in the rain, to accidents and mechanical problems.
sponsors:
Von Dutch Originals, Motolite, Shell, Colt45, Motospray, Oakley et al
---
Note that as much as Tutubi notices the sponsors who've made the the show's production possible, note also the resorts and hotels featured are also sponsored so just be careful and proceed with caution :P
Travel TV Show Schedules
Herewith are his comments on the three TV shows:
---
Byaheng Bulilit
with host Chacha of Bulilit ad fame, with a senior citizen and a japanese national as co-hosts, features typical tourist destinations. Notheing really new for the show but sometimes can feature some surprises.
The days episode featured Bohol Island tour. Nothing new but usual tourist destinations. There's no correction for the site of the Blood Compact Site (the touristy site is the wrong one, the true site is further inland)
Schedule:
NBN 4 at 10am every Sunday
major sponsor: Alaska
---
Pinoy T.A.L.K.
NBN 4 at 10:30am
Pinoy TALK means Travel, Adventure, Leisure, Knowldge hosted by Jet Claveria and the the pretty Marjorie Cornillez (Tutubi's fave travel tv host besides the lovely Faye de Castro of Landmarks)
The show featured Angono town of Rizal, the Art Capital of the Philippines. Nothing new featured here, at least for Tutubi, as he's already been to Balaw-balaw restaurant, the various art galleries and the lyrics of Ugoy by Lucio San Pedro.
---
Easy Ride Studio 23
Sunday 11am
travel show for bike riders, first season featured the Luzon Loop, second season the Mindanao and now the third season featuring the visayas. Funny though that they've featured Mindoro even if it's not really part of Visayas, probably just because it's the next point after Batangas Ro-Ro onwards to Boracay.
The show however featured the real world of bike riders from getting caught in the rain, to accidents and mechanical problems.
sponsors:
Von Dutch Originals, Motolite, Shell, Colt45, Motospray, Oakley et al
---
Note that as much as Tutubi notices the sponsors who've made the the show's production possible, note also the resorts and hotels featured are also sponsored so just be careful and proceed with caution :P
Travel TV Show Schedules
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 8:10 PM,
,
Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?
18 February 2010
Whenever Tutubi will travel on official business, he'll accomplish a form for travel insurance with his company's Human Resources Department. There were times however when he simply forgot to file or the trip's too close to be even processed by the insurance company.
Do you really need travel insurance? Is there such a thing as cheap travel insurance? Do you consider getting insured when traveling?
Tutubi's writing about this topic for he's celebrating his fourth birthday. Yes, you got that right. Tutubi considers himself a four-year-old on his second lease in life when he nearly drowned on a deserted Palawan Beach (and where he lost a very close friend). Tutubi and his three friends boarded a plane to Puerto Princesa four years ago. The four of them went home, three on board the aricraft and the fourth one returned in a coffin. (to read about the Palawan beach tragedy, click here
In unexpected times, this is where travel insurance will play a big role. It's a benefit you never want to avail but need in time of an emergency. It's just good that Tutubi and his friends have contacts that made them get their acts together in such an unplanned event.
Accidents, always unwelcome of course, do happen. Local Travel insurance cost of P250.00 can go a long way to avoid experiencing something a Tutubi went through. Insurance companies will shoulder repatriation and other things that went awry in your travel.
Travel Insurance may already be not cheap for most people, but the consequences of not having one when you really need one is too costly to bear.
---
Notes:
If you're flying Cebu Pacific, you have the option to tick Cebu Pacific Travel Insurance at a price of PhP250.00
The usual price of Travel Insurance for doemstic travel is PhP220.00, for foreign travel it's a bit higher.
Do you really need travel insurance? Is there such a thing as cheap travel insurance? Do you consider getting insured when traveling?
Tutubi's writing about this topic for he's celebrating his fourth birthday. Yes, you got that right. Tutubi considers himself a four-year-old on his second lease in life when he nearly drowned on a deserted Palawan Beach (and where he lost a very close friend). Tutubi and his three friends boarded a plane to Puerto Princesa four years ago. The four of them went home, three on board the aricraft and the fourth one returned in a coffin. (to read about the Palawan beach tragedy, click here
In unexpected times, this is where travel insurance will play a big role. It's a benefit you never want to avail but need in time of an emergency. It's just good that Tutubi and his friends have contacts that made them get their acts together in such an unplanned event.
Accidents, always unwelcome of course, do happen. Local Travel insurance cost of P250.00 can go a long way to avoid experiencing something a Tutubi went through. Insurance companies will shoulder repatriation and other things that went awry in your travel.
Travel Insurance may already be not cheap for most people, but the consequences of not having one when you really need one is too costly to bear.
---
Notes:
If you're flying Cebu Pacific, you have the option to tick Cebu Pacific Travel Insurance at a price of PhP250.00
The usual price of Travel Insurance for doemstic travel is PhP220.00, for foreign travel it's a bit higher.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:03 PM,
,
Airport Terminal Fee/Departure Tax/Airport Users Charge
06 March 2009
All airports in the Philippines charge departing passengers airport tax or departure tax, most commonly called terminal fees, used by airport administrators in the upkeep of the facility, operations of the airport, aviation security and to the national government.
Terminal Fee for international flights is PhP550.00 for all major international airports in the Philippines (will be included in airfare tickers starting October 2014) while airport tax for local flights costs from PhP10.00 to PhP200.00 (Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod)
Note: Terminal fees are sometimes called airport tax and different from travel tax, usually paid together with the plane ticket, priced at PhP1620.00 for economy seats.
Terminal Fees for NAIA and Mactan-Cebu International Airport are now part of plane ticket fares. No need to pay at the airport.
List of Airport Terminal Fees for budgetary purposes and trip planning:
UPDATED June 2014
Manila International Airport, now called Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), includes NAIA Terminal 1, NAIA Terminal 2 (also called Centennial Terminal), NAIA Terminal 3 and Manila Domestic Terminal (Domestic Aiport): PhP550.00 for international flights and PhP200 for local flight destinations.
Cebu Airport terminal Fee: PhP550.00 (International) PhP200.00 (domestic departure fee now part of plane ticket fare))
Mactan Cebu International Airport
Terminal fee for domestic flights now included in airline ticket fare
Davao International Airport (DIA)
Davao Airport Terminal Fee: PhP550.00
PhP200.00 for domestic destinations
Clark Airport Terminal Fee: PhP550.00 (International) PhP200.00 local destinations
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) gateway to Angeles City, Pampanga
Bacolod Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00
(Bacolod Silay International Airport)
Iloilo Airport Terminal Fee PhP200.00
(Iloilo International Airport)
Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00
Boracay Airport
Laguindingan Aiport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00 (domestic), PhP700.00 International
this replaces Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro
Kalibo Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Kalibo, Aklan
Puerto Princesa Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido)
El Nido Airport Terminal Fee: PhP112.00
El Nido, Palawan
Busuanga Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Coron, Busunga, Calamian Group of Islands of Northern Palawan)
Laoag Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Laoag, Ilocos Norte (gateway to Pagudpud)
Legazpi Airport Terminal Fee :PhP30.00
Legazpi, Albay (gateway to Mayon Volcano and Donsol)
Naga Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Naga, Camarines Sur (gateway to CWC, CamSur Watersports Complex)
Tagbilaran Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Bohol: Tagbilaran, Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, Loboc)
Tacloban Airport Terminal Fee: PhP100.00
(Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport)
Dumaguete Airport Terminal Fee: PhP30.00
(Negros Oriental and Siquijor)
Ozamiz Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Ozamis, Misamis Oriental
Cagayan de Oro Airport Terminal Fee: PhP30.00
(Lumbia Airport, gateway to CDO and Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Bukidnon)
Laguindingan Airport (under construction)
Butuan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP30.00
Caraga Region
Dipolog Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Zamboanga del Norte (Dipolog City, Dapitan City)
Zamboanga City Airport Terminal Fee: PhP100.00
(Zamboanga International Airport)
General Santos City Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Other airports not yet visited by Tutubi but high on his list:
Batanes Aiport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Basco Airport)
Subic Airport Terminal Fee: PhP500.00 for international flights PhP50.00 for domestic
(Subic Bay International Airport, SBIA)
Ormoc Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Siargao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Surigao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Tuguegarao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley)
Romblon Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(San Jose, Tablas, Romblon)
Virac Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Virac, Catanduanes)
Masbate Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Pagadian Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur)
All fees are paid in cash, no credit cards or other means of payment accepted, to be paid after checking in the the airport.
Only a few airports in the Philippines have baggage carousels and passenger tubes due to low passenger traffic, some smaller ones even have no X-ray machines but security checkers scrutinize each bag for dangerous items plus frisking of passengers as well as requiring passengers to remove shoes and belts.
International airports in the Philippines (sourced from Wikipedia)
Angeles City (CRK), Cagayan de Oro, Cebu (CEB), Davao (DVO), General Santos (GES), Kalibo (KLO), Laoag (LAO), Legazpi, Manila (MNL), Olongapo (SFS), Puerto Princesa (PPS), Tagbilaran, Zamboanga (ZAM)
Major Domestic Airports:
Bacolod (BCD), Butuan (BXU), Cagayan de Oro (CGY), Cotabato (CBO), Dipolog (DPL), Dumaguete (DGT), Iloilo (ILO), Legazpi (LGP), Naga (WNP), Pagadian (PAG), Roxas City (RXS), San Jose (Mindoro) (SJI), Tacloban (TAC), Tagbilaran (TAG), Tuguegarao (TUG)
Information contained herein were taken from Tutubi's notes from his actual travels and may have been changed. Feel free to leave a comment for corrections and updates.
UPDATED: June 2014
Terminal Fee for international flights is PhP550.00 for all major international airports in the Philippines (will be included in airfare tickers starting October 2014) while airport tax for local flights costs from PhP10.00 to PhP200.00 (Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod)
Note: Terminal fees are sometimes called airport tax and different from travel tax, usually paid together with the plane ticket, priced at PhP1620.00 for economy seats.
Terminal Fees for NAIA and Mactan-Cebu International Airport are now part of plane ticket fares. No need to pay at the airport.
List of Airport Terminal Fees for budgetary purposes and trip planning:
UPDATED June 2014
Manila International Airport, now called Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), includes NAIA Terminal 1, NAIA Terminal 2 (also called Centennial Terminal), NAIA Terminal 3 and Manila Domestic Terminal (Domestic Aiport): PhP550.00 for international flights and PhP200 for local flight destinations.
Cebu Airport terminal Fee: PhP550.00 (International) PhP200.00 (domestic departure fee now part of plane ticket fare))
Mactan Cebu International Airport
Terminal fee for domestic flights now included in airline ticket fare
Davao International Airport (DIA)
Davao Airport Terminal Fee: PhP550.00
PhP200.00 for domestic destinations
Clark Airport Terminal Fee: PhP550.00 (International) PhP200.00 local destinations
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) gateway to Angeles City, Pampanga
Bacolod Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00
(Bacolod Silay International Airport)
Iloilo Airport Terminal Fee PhP200.00
(Iloilo International Airport)
Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00
Boracay Airport
Laguindingan Aiport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00 (domestic), PhP700.00 International
this replaces Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro
Kalibo Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Kalibo, Aklan
Puerto Princesa Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido)
El Nido Airport Terminal Fee: PhP112.00
El Nido, Palawan
Busuanga Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Coron, Busunga, Calamian Group of Islands of Northern Palawan)
Laoag Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Laoag, Ilocos Norte (gateway to Pagudpud)
Legazpi Airport Terminal Fee :PhP30.00
Legazpi, Albay (gateway to Mayon Volcano and Donsol)
Naga Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Naga, Camarines Sur (gateway to CWC, CamSur Watersports Complex)
Tagbilaran Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Bohol: Tagbilaran, Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, Loboc)
Tacloban Airport Terminal Fee: PhP100.00
(Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport)
Dumaguete Airport Terminal Fee: PhP30.00
(Negros Oriental and Siquijor)
Ozamiz Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Ozamis, Misamis Oriental
(Lumbia Airport, gateway to CDO and Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Bukidnon)
Laguindingan Airport (under construction)
Butuan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP30.00
Caraga Region
Dipolog Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Zamboanga del Norte (Dipolog City, Dapitan City)
Zamboanga City Airport Terminal Fee: PhP100.00
(Zamboanga International Airport)
General Santos City Airport Terminal Fee: PhP40.00
Other airports not yet visited by Tutubi but high on his list:
Batanes Aiport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Basco Airport)
Subic Airport Terminal Fee: PhP500.00 for international flights PhP50.00 for domestic
(Subic Bay International Airport, SBIA)
Ormoc Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Siargao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Surigao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
Tuguegarao Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley)
Romblon Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(San Jose, Tablas, Romblon)
Virac Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
(Virac, Catanduanes)
Masbate Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20.00
Pagadian Airport Terminal Fee: ???
(Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur)
All fees are paid in cash, no credit cards or other means of payment accepted, to be paid after checking in the the airport.
Only a few airports in the Philippines have baggage carousels and passenger tubes due to low passenger traffic, some smaller ones even have no X-ray machines but security checkers scrutinize each bag for dangerous items plus frisking of passengers as well as requiring passengers to remove shoes and belts.
International airports in the Philippines (sourced from Wikipedia)
Angeles City (CRK), Cagayan de Oro, Cebu (CEB), Davao (DVO), General Santos (GES), Kalibo (KLO), Laoag (LAO), Legazpi, Manila (MNL), Olongapo (SFS), Puerto Princesa (PPS), Tagbilaran, Zamboanga (ZAM)
Major Domestic Airports:
Bacolod (BCD), Butuan (BXU), Cagayan de Oro (CGY), Cotabato (CBO), Dipolog (DPL), Dumaguete (DGT), Iloilo (ILO), Legazpi (LGP), Naga (WNP), Pagadian (PAG), Roxas City (RXS), San Jose (Mindoro) (SJI), Tacloban (TAC), Tagbilaran (TAG), Tuguegarao (TUG)
Information contained herein were taken from Tutubi's notes from his actual travels and may have been changed. Feel free to leave a comment for corrections and updates.
UPDATED: June 2014
Labels: Airports, Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:58 PM,
,
Philippine Travel TV Show Schedules
05 July 2008
For information of armchair travelers and couch potatoes: travel, living, food and lifestyle oriented shows on Philippine TV whether Kapuso, Kapamilya, Ka-Q, Kabarkada and others.
Tablescapes
Studio 23
Hosts: Angel Aquino and Chef Bruce Lim
Monday, 11pm
Review: cooking show and travel in one
Born To Be Wild
GMA 7
Hosts: Romy Garduce and Doc Ferdz Recio
Wednesday night after Saksi
Remarks: Doc Ferdz is a veterinarian
Travel on a Shoestring
TV5
Host: JC
Thursday 10pm
100% Pinoy
GMA 7
Hosts: Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin
Thursday night after Saksi
Balikbayan
QTV 11
Host: Drew Arellano
Friday, 10pm
Pasyal
Studio 23
Hosts: Mitch and Ramon
Saturday, 10am to 10:30am
Remarks: unique city slicker and backpacker offering different views and wacky antics of Ramon and kikay touch of Mitch
website: http://www.pasyal.com.ph
Update: August 31, 2008...seems to be axed. Hope only the schedule's changed
Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
GMA 7
Saturday, 8pm
Remarks: weekly feature on unusual destinations, food and wildlife
Philippine Explorer
QTV 11
Hosts: Migs Zubiri and JC Gonzales
Sunday 9am
Matanglawin
ABS-CBN 2
Hosts: Kim Atienza
Sunday, 10am
Kay Susan Tayo
GMA 7
Host: Susan Enriquez
Sunday, 10:30am to 11am (9am if there's a boxing match)
Review: Not actually a travelshow, it's some sort of a lifestyle show of the masses with occasional food and travel features
Out of Town
NBN 4
Host: Abel Cruz
Sunday, varies, sometimes 9am, sometimes 11am (sometimes even Saturday morning)
Remarks: tagalog
Tribe
Net 25
Host: Faye de Castro
Schedules: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm
Landmarks
Net25
Host: Faye de Castro
Sundays, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Review: travel and history show with a lovely host
Pinoy Meets World
GMA 7
Host: Drew Arellano
Sundays, 10:30pm
Travel Time
ANC channel
Host: Susan Calo Medina
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
"'Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan"
Cable Channels:
Living Asia Channel, a Philippine-produced travel channel, formerly Lakbay TV
Discovery Travel and Living (formerly Discovery Travel and Adventure)
National Geographic Channel (NatGeo)
Animal Planet
Arirang (Korean TV)
Living Philippines
Others:
Trip Na Trip (ABS-CBN Channel 2, Defunct)
Byaheng Langit
There's also a travel show on sundays at Studio 23 featuring bike riders but the show's name slipped Tutubi's memory. He also misses Steve Irwin of Discovery Channel’s “Crocodile Hunter”
Schedules may change without prior notice. Channels vary according to region. Schedules on TFC, ANC and others also vary.
Tablescapes
Studio 23
Hosts: Angel Aquino and Chef Bruce Lim
Monday, 11pm
Review: cooking show and travel in one
Born To Be Wild
GMA 7
Hosts: Romy Garduce and Doc Ferdz Recio
Wednesday night after Saksi
Remarks: Doc Ferdz is a veterinarian
Travel on a Shoestring
TV5
Host: JC
Thursday 10pm
100% Pinoy
GMA 7
Hosts: Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin
Thursday night after Saksi
Balikbayan
QTV 11
Host: Drew Arellano
Friday, 10pm
Pasyal
Studio 23
Hosts: Mitch and Ramon
Saturday, 10am to 10:30am
Remarks: unique city slicker and backpacker offering different views and wacky antics of Ramon and kikay touch of Mitch
website: http://www.pasyal.com.ph
Update: August 31, 2008...seems to be axed. Hope only the schedule's changed
Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
GMA 7
Saturday, 8pm
Remarks: weekly feature on unusual destinations, food and wildlife
Philippine Explorer
QTV 11
Hosts: Migs Zubiri and JC Gonzales
Sunday 9am
Matanglawin
ABS-CBN 2
Hosts: Kim Atienza
Sunday, 10am
Kay Susan Tayo
GMA 7
Host: Susan Enriquez
Sunday, 10:30am to 11am (9am if there's a boxing match)
Review: Not actually a travelshow, it's some sort of a lifestyle show of the masses with occasional food and travel features
Out of Town
NBN 4
Host: Abel Cruz
Sunday, varies, sometimes 9am, sometimes 11am (sometimes even Saturday morning)
Remarks: tagalog
Tribe
Net 25
Host: Faye de Castro
Schedules: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm
Landmarks
Net25
Host: Faye de Castro
Sundays, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Review: travel and history show with a lovely host
Pinoy Meets World
GMA 7
Host: Drew Arellano
Sundays, 10:30pm
Travel Time
ANC channel
Host: Susan Calo Medina
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
"'Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan"
Cable Channels:
Living Asia Channel, a Philippine-produced travel channel, formerly Lakbay TV
Discovery Travel and Living (formerly Discovery Travel and Adventure)
National Geographic Channel (NatGeo)
Animal Planet
Arirang (Korean TV)
Living Philippines
Others:
Trip Na Trip (ABS-CBN Channel 2, Defunct)
Byaheng Langit
There's also a travel show on sundays at Studio 23 featuring bike riders but the show's name slipped Tutubi's memory. He also misses Steve Irwin of Discovery Channel’s “Crocodile Hunter”
Schedules may change without prior notice. Channels vary according to region. Schedules on TFC, ANC and others also vary.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by GingGoy @ 9:32 PM,
,