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Every travel blogger I know has written a post summarizing the trips theyβd made in 2013. I would love to say to heck with it, and just greet the new year with not much ado. After all, Iβm not known for caring about recent trends, in blogging and otherwise.
In this case, however, I do see the value of a year-end post. It will be a chance for me to look back, to assess my experiences in travel, and to hopefully extract βlessonsβ that I can use to live a better life next year.
I havenβt traveled as much in 2013 as in 2012. Internationally, Iβve been only to India and Thailand, and locally, Iβve gone to Batanes, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, La Union, Puerto Galera, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga.Β However, it was a rich year for me, rich in experiences and rich in memories (definitely not rich in money!). Hereβs my year-end report, a mish mash of the best in my travels and my writing in 2013.
Batanes
Hands down, Batanes belongs to my best travel experience this year. This small island province north of the Philippines has proven elusive to me for so many years that the time when I was finally able to go there was made even more special. I found (and wrote about) ways to travel cheaply there, helping not only my readers but friends Iβve made in the hospitality industry in Batanes.
Here are Β my must-read posts:
How to Travel Cheaply in Batanesβtried and tested budget tips
Where to Stay in Batanesβthe best budget accommodation you can find in Basco
The Beautiful North BatanβBe awed by the beauty of Batanes!
Bohol
Early in 2013, Mabuhay Magazine, the in-flight publication of Philippine Airlines commissioned me to write a comprehensive guide to the sights of Bohol.Β Together with multi-award-winning photographer Hannah Reyes, the Mabuhay team went all over the island in almost a week, covering all possible tourist attractions. I was so glad to enjoy Bohol before its centuries-old churches were destroyed by the earthquake in October.
More than the sightseeing, however, my trip to Bohol was also quite memorable because of one thing: I conquered my fear of heights by doing the canyon swing in Danao.
My recommended posts:
Taking the Plunge in Danaoβtry it if you dare
Beyond the TragedyβBohol Revisited
India
India is incredible indeed, with its cacophony of sights, sounds, and colors. In the three weeks I spent there, Iβve couchsurfed in Kolkata, observed Holi with kids in Bodh Gaya, paid respect to Mother Ganga in Varanasi, got awed by the majesty of Taj Mahal in Agra, fell in love with Jaipur, and made good friends with locals in Delhi.
My trip to India was an eye-opener. Iβve learned how it feels to be so completely helpless, as well as what itβs like to be given support by hundreds of people you donβt even know. (Read:Β Of Eve Teasing and Solo Travel in India)
At the same time, Iβve also learned that itβs possible to separate the experience from the place, to eventually love instead of hate. Despite what happened, I enjoyed India, thanks mainly to Jaipur and all the locals Iβve met while traveling.
Indiaβs not the most comfortable of places to travel to, but that only makes me want to go back there all the more. She challenges me as a solo traveler, and I really want to see her again!
I recommend these posts:
Backpacking India in 3 WeeksβThisΒ became viral, getting shared on social media over 23,000 times in just a few weeks!
Indiaβs Tourist Visa on Arrivalβall you need to know about VOA in India (if youβre Filipino)
Thailand
Thailand has become my favorite country to travel. It has replaced Vietnam (Read: How My Favorite Country Betrayed Me) for a while; not only is it really easy to go around there, itβs cheap too. Whenever you need to interact with other travelers, you can find one anywhere.
More than that, however, Thailand is also the (present) home of someone special to me. When he asked me in October to join him there, I didnβt hesitate to book a ticket. For the first time (except for that trip to Europe), I didnβt look at the cost. I booked two days before my flight and never regretted it.
When I was in Bangkok for three weeks, I didnβt consider myself a traveler. I treated the hostel as my home, our roommates as our friends. In the next few months, when I go back there to join him, I expect to write more about Thailand not as a tourist, but as an expat who considers the country a second home.
I canβt believe I only wrote two posts about Thailand in the weeks that Iβd been there, but here they are:
Worshiping the Phallus at the Fertility Shrine in Bangkok
Bangkokβs Lumpini Park
The year 2014 is but a few hours away, and I canβt wait! 2013 was good for me, travel-wise, but 2014 will definitely be better. To readers who continue to support Solitary Wanderer, thank you very much! I appreciate your support, and love the emails and comments I get from you.
Happy new year to all!
- Why Thailand Is a Great Destination for Solo Travelers - March 21, 2024
- 20 Absolutely Useful Tips For Backpacking Southeast Asia - July 30, 2023
- The Tale of Tonyo the Brave - June 14, 2022
44 Comments. Leave new
Best place in Philippines is undoubtedly Mindanao…people are still real…
Hi Ms.Aleah… GREAT POST! I LOVE YOUR ARTICLES!!!! thanks for posting …MORE POWERS and BLESSINGS..^^
I’m always in Manila, Aleah.. just a PM away! Hehehe! Happy 2014 again! (Di matapos tapos ang greeting noh? Hehehe)
Aleah, I’m with you on having Thailand as one of my favorite countries. It’s such a great mix of good food, an interesting culture and gorgeous sights that it’s hard not to love the country. Oh, and the affordable prices don’t hurt either…
Cant agree on Thailand, the Land of one Billion (fake) smiles…
Despite only traveling abroad twice in 2013, you managed to cover a lot of ground locally. Learning to appreciate local travel was a huge lesson for me last year. Wishing you many more happy travels this year!
Wow, you went to some cool places in 2013. The Philippines is still on my list and hopefully one day I will get there. I thought the same as you, that writing a post at the end of the year would give me a chance ti reflect too and it’s amazing how much you can achieve in one year. Here’s to 2014!
The best talaga ang Batanes! hopefully matuloy na ako this year π
WoW Aleah you had a great year of travel. I’ve been to Thailand and India but for some reason I never made it to the Philippines yet. From your photos, it looks absolutely stunning and definitely moved up a few places on my list. I will most likely not be able to go in 2014, but who knows maybe in 2015. Happy New Year to you Aleah.
I know whom to contact when I go to Philippines again. π
Aleah, your country has so much to show that it’ll take months to explore. Last time I went to Banaue, Batad, Tagtay region and some other places. Not been to Bohol.
Compared to you, I traveled much more & far & wide. Hope to meet you this year somewhere in this world.
Wish you a very Happy New Year, may you travel more.
I always love these roundups! Some unique choices here… Lights up my wanderlust. π
Sounds like you had a terrific year. Nice post. Here’s to 2014.
Hi, Aleah,
I remember reading your India post back in April and it scared me from traveling India solo, but at the same time, there’s still this insane lust to see the country for myself. Hopefully I’d get to visit it soon.
You may say you haven’t traveled much this 2013, but I think the experiences you got this year are unforgettable. I wish I could meet you or travel with you one of these days.
To a great 2014 ahead! π
Love your India series, though I remember one of your post that scares me, keri lang gusto ko parin makapunta doon. And the Danao plunge I was looking for bloggers who dare to do it when I was doing research about Bohol and youre one of the very few β may fear of height ka pa ο . It inspires me, wish ko lang I can conquer my fear like you did. Cheers for 2014!
@ Mary and Bret: You would love the Philippines. Come visit soon!
@ Paula: I know right? hehe
@ Apol: Shhhh!! π
ay, kinilig ako hihihihihi!!!!
Just read this, buti I didn’t forget.
I’m back from my travel blogging hiatus. Seeing your year-end post made me realize how far you’ve been to within the period of my blogging leave. Congratulations!
The best lahat wala na akong mapili Aleah! π
Philippines, Thailand, and India are all on our wish list! I’m glad to hear you had a great year.
@ Claire: He’s what made 2013 very good for me π Safe travels this 2014!
@ BertN: Happy new year to you and your family po!
Have a great travel year this 2014. Keep sharing your travel experiences with us. Stay safe.
Happy for you, Aleah – that you were able to find that person who would make you book a flight in a moment’s notice. π
Here’s to more adventures this 2014! =)
@ James: Thanks! Happy new year to you and your family!
@ Sky: Happy new year to you and Summer! Hope to see you in Thailand or somewhere on the road someday π
Same here! Thailand is our number one travel destination, at hindi kami magsasawa to visit this country kahit naka 3 beses na kmi in different cities. Wish you more travels in 2014!
Happy New Year, Aleah! Continue inspiring us with your blog entries π
@ Mike: I loved 2013, Mike, but I hope 2014 would be much better. Happy new year to you and Phoenix!
@ Joanne Tuanquin: Thank you so much for following my blog! Hope to produce better content this new year. π
I really like reading your blog. Looking forward for your travel guides and tips. More power.
Batanes looks so tranquil and warm…much needed right now for this guy! That is absolutely awesome that you were commissioned for the Bohol sites and articles, Aleah! I have a close buddy who is from India and he has said similar sentiments about India that you did. That it might be quite what I envisioned but to absolutely go! Yikes on that bungee jump in Danao. Very brave of you! I’ve done a lot of daring, adventurous activities in my lifetime but I’m still hesitating on the taking the plunge! Loved the post and Happy New Years to you and your family! π
@ Wandering Educators: It certainly was!
@ Penny Sadler: Thanks! Happy new year!
Love your photos and it looks like you’ve seen some beautiful places. Congrats!
what a lovely year!!
@ Mica: Someday you’ll know him hehe
@ McPol: Batanes should really be #1 in your priority! So beautiful!
Nabasa ko yung Batanes at India trip kaya nasama yung 2 destinations na yun sa mga balak ko thing coming 2014.
Ingat sa mga next adventure and travels.
Happy New Year Aleah:)
Hoping to visit Batanes soon! I’ll use your posts as a guide kung sakaling matuloy ako π
Happy New Year, Aleah! Pakilala mo naman kami kay Mr. Special Someone from Thailand! π
@ Jay Exiomo: India’s really beautiful. Hope you get there soon!
@ Gelo: Wow, I can’t believe you remembered that. Yeah, my tour guide is still using it now. He’s actively posting and promoting it. My paying for the domain is nothing compared to what I got when I went there. Batanes is <3!
I’m with our other fellows in admiring your Batanes post and photos.
I remember you mentioned in that post that you bought a domain for your tour guide because of your profound fascination of the place; for him to continue promoting it to travelers & tourists.
As clichΓ© as it sound, it’s not about the quantity but the quality.
The memories & lessons we gain from every journey matter the most.
Cheers to a more blessed year & to a lot more adventures!
Batanes also is one of my favorite places in the Philippines! As far as overall experience, my top travel moment this year would be Indonesia. BTW, I really want to go to India and your story there inspires me all the more. Keep traveling! π
@ Riz: Someday, someday hehe Happy new year!
@ Photo Cache: I just wish that next year will find me into more “experiencing” rather than observing. Love your photos. Safe travels!
They say it’s not the quantity but the quality of travels that count.
Having said that my travel record this year has been to a minimum too. Hoping that next year will be more geared into “going”.
Happy New Year.
Bongga ang Batanes!I hope to see you on the road Aleah! Happy New Year! π
@ Mai: So sorry I didn’t get to see (all of) you in the FBW party! Waaah! Are you free anytime? Let’s meet up when I get back to Manila.
@ Joshua: A lot of travel bloggers we know are going to India next year! Why not go there from Sri Lanka? You should have booked Kolkata instead hahaha
Gusto ko pumunta sa Indiaaaaaaaaaaaa, nakanaman may special someone na sa Thailand sana ako rin may mahanap sa travels π
Parehas tayo, Aleah.. I didn’t get to travel as much this year compared to 2012. Pero you still traveled to several destinations, kaya astig pa din! π And just like you, being commissioned to write for a magazine was also one of my 2013 highlights. Congrats ah! π
I hope that you have a more exciting 2014 — be it in every aspect. π Also, sana maMeet na kita in person, at di lang parati online. π Game? Game! π