Wednesday, January 03, 2024

2023 Year-end Laidback Beachbumming Solo Trip in Subic Bay

December 26 to 28, 2023 Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines

Preparation:
Cubao-Olongapo bus return 674 / Sleep and Stay Hotel 2,484
Total: ₱3,158

Day 1: December 26, 2023 Tuesday
0100H ETD Home; jeep to Cubao 40
0200H ETA Cubao; lugaw goto 70
0400H ETD Cubao; regular aircon bus
0700H ETA Olongapo; Jollibee breakfast 182
jeep to Subic 15; Subic beachbumming / jeep to Olongapo 13; movie watch 270
Lunch 195; jeep to Subic 13; snacks 219
1430H Hotel check-in; nap; dinner 175
Total: ₱1,192

Day 2: December 27, 2023 Wednesday
1230H jeep to Olongapo 13; lunch 165; jeep 13 / Beachbumming / random walk / Dinner 400
Total: ₱ 591

Day 3: December 28, 2023 Thursday
1100H Hotel check-out; jeep to Olongapo 15 / Lunch 109
1245H ETD Olongapo; regular aircon bus
1545H ETA Balintawak; jeep to Home 34
Total: ₱ 158

TOTAL: ₱ 3,158 + ₱ 1, 783 + ₱ 158 = ₱ 5,099

2023 Year-end Laidback Beachbumming Solo Trip in Subic Bay

Saturday, December 23, 2023

How to Apply for Ireland Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

 Quest to visit all Countries of Europe in 2023 as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Highlight: I applied as a Filipino Solo Traveller with a Philippine passport onlywith NO WORK (ex-OFW, retired Engineer) and with NO BUSINESS. I provided proof of enough savings, investments and previous 3 Schengen visas per below link.

Note:
- Processing time is around 6 to 8 weeks per VFS website (courier included). 
- All required documents to submit should be in A4 paper and in English only.
- Advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.

Ireland Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder (single entry with 3 months validity)

How to Apply for Ireland Tourist Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

November 25, 2023 Saturday in Dingalan, Aurora Province, Philippines

DINGALAN, AURORA (HIKING + SWIMMING + FALLS)
₱1,500 only all-in per/pax with free boodle fight & no hidden charges 
Just 3-4 hours away from Manila. Masasarap ang Seafoods. Unexplored Beauty, kaya dinarayo ng nakararami.

INCLUSIONS: Roundtrip van transfer,  Driver's Gas, Park, Toll fee,  Boat Transfer,  Ecological / Entrance fee. All permits, Cottage, Dingalan Local Guide fee, Insurance Fee. Food (BODDLE FIGHT)

NATURE SITES TO VISIT: Dingalan Feeder port, White Beach, Mountain view deck (Batanes of the East), Dingalan Lighthouse, Tanawan Falls, Cliff Diving Spot, I Love Dingalan Marker. Lamao/Rock formation (wave dependent)

Things to bring: Extra Clothes, Extra Money, Toiletries, Cap, Shades/Sunglasses, Sunblock or any sunscreen protection, Camera or any device to take photos or vids, Powerbank, Water, Gears for water activities

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East) Itinerary
11:00pm Centris McDonald's ₱213
1:00am Meet-up, ETD Centris 
6:00am ETA Dingalan
6:30am Dingalan (Breakfast) own account ₱100
7:00am Feeder Port Registration
7:15am Event Briefing/ Boat ride to white beach
7:30am White Beach
7:40am Start trek to Viewdeck
8:00am Viewdeck (Picture taking)
8:10am Start Trek to Lighthouse
9:00am Start to Descend
9:30am Boat Ride to Lamao Cave 
10:00am Lamao Cave Picture Taking/ Swimming/ Cliff Diving
11:00am Suah Rock Formations/ Snorkeling/ Swimming
12:00nn Feeder Port/ Lunch (boodle fight) 
12:40pm Go to Tanawan Falls
1:00pm Trek to Tanawan Falls
1:20pm Tanawan Falls/ Cliff Diving/ Swimming
4:00pm Descend/ Cleanup
4:30pm I Love Dingalan Marker; (souvenirs, tip, transportation going home) ₱500
5:00pm ETD Dingalan
10:00pm ETA Mnl

Total Expenses: ₱1,500 + ₱813 = ₱2,313

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

Thursday, September 14, 2023

My Job Transition: From Traditional Office Set-up to Work from Home

not just as a Solo Backpacker but as a Corporate Slave like most of the Filipino travelers (2006-Present)

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering. I have been in the Aviation Industry for over fourteen years focusing my experience on Aircraft Maintenance and Production Planning. Throughout my career, I have been fully exposed to Airline (Part-M) and MRO (Part-145) engineering planning processes. Furthermore, I have handled complex maintenance checks and completed work packaging from light to heavy maintenance to achieve the targeted TAT and Return to Service milestone. 

After my Bachelor's degree graduation, I ventured into the BPO IT industry where I took the PRC board exam review simultaneously. I took the PRC Licensure Examination (Electronics Engineering, 1st take) in 2005 on a self-review basis while having my IT work on the graveyard shift. I review if I have a chance, i.e., in a jeepney while stuck in traffic and around 2 hours before going to sleep. Luckily I passed then resigned and jumped to leap of faith. 

My very first international flight and experience as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) lasted for 7 days due to homesickness (2005). I went home despite the debts my family had made just to complete this Taiwan journey. My work has 12 hours of duty a day with 1 day off only a week. Jobless for how many months with zero savings. I saw a Manila Bulletin ad for Engineering graduates to become trainees in the Aviation Industry. The training with a small allowance lasted around 7 months (graded modules). 

My 1st Job in Aviation: Avionics Mechanic to Planning Engineer (Philippines Corporate Set-up)

From 2006 to 2009 I was an Avionics Mechanic which is part of hangar production, directly working inside commercial aircraft. Just weeks after my local vacation, I bid for a Planning Engineer inside the company which is a typical office of engineering setup (assigned PC and desk). Handled PAL fleet base maintenance planning as an initial project for newcomers then Virgin Atlantic, Vladivostok Air, Strategic Air, etc. I took my Master's degree in Engineering while working as a Planning Engineer. My classes were on weekends and weeknights for three years as a resident university scholar in one of the most reputable and famous university in Philippines (all classes are on-site).

My 3rd Job in Aviation: Aircraft Parts Inventory Specialist (Work from Home Set-up)

Friday, August 25, 2023

How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder

Quest to visit all Schengen Member States in 2024 as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Highlight: I applied as Filipino Solo Traveller with Philippine passport onlywith NO WORK (ex-OFW, retired Engineer) and with NO BUSINESS (Dec. 2022). I provided proofs of enough savings, investments and previous 4 Schengen visas per below link.


Schengen visa is a special document that allows a Schengen visa holder to travel freely within the 26 Schengen zone (European Countries) member states. Apply for the Schengen visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you spend the most timeThis visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit or tourism, but not for employment or family reunification purposes.


How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder (Schengen Visa 2024)

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Budget Travel Tips in Solo Backpacking Winter New Zealand

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023


New Zealand is my 138th country visited on my personal journey beyond #lakbay100 Countries.
From South Island (Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch) to North Island (Wellington, National Park, Hamilton, Auckland) with FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 as the highlight.
Thank you very much Winter New Zealand.  
#livealifeyouwillremember #newzealand #fifa #worldcup #pilipinas #filipino #filipinas #philippines #football #soccer #solobackpacker #winter #oceania #pinoytraveller 

Travel Dates: July 15 to August 03, 2023 (18 Days) 
My Objective: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 PHI games and Hunt the Southern Lights
Status: PHI passport only Solo Backpacker with flights from/to MNL
Places Visited: From South Island (Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch) to North Island (Wellington, Tongariro, Hamilton, Auckland) - pattern based on the FIFA World Cup PHI games


Day 00: Jul. 15 – Manila Departure
Day 01: Jul. 16 – Queenstown 
Day 02: Jul. 17 - Lake Tekapo 
Day 03: Jul. 18 – Lake Tekapo 
Day 04: Jul. 19 – Queenstown 
Day 05: Jul. 20 – Queenstown 
Day 06: Jul. 21 – DUNEDIN FIFA WORLD CUP
Day 07: Jul. 22 – Dunedin 
Day 08: Jul. 23 – Bus to Christchurch 
Day 08: Jul. 24 – Bus to Wellington 
Day 10: Jul. 25 – WELLINGTON FIFA WORLD CUP
Day 11: Jul. 26 – Wellington 
Day 12: Jul. 27 – Bus to National Park 
Day 13: Jul. 28 – Bus Auckland 
Day 14: Jul. 29 – Auckland 
Day 15: Jul. 30 – AUCKLAND FIFA WORLD CUP
Day 16: Jul. 31 – Auckland 
Day 17: Aug. 01 – Auckland 
Day 18: Aug. 02 – Auckland to Manila 
Day 00: Aug. 03 - Manila Arrival 

Budget Travel Tips in Solo Backpacking Winter New Zealand

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