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It’s almost Christmas!
This season means so many things to many people. One thing in common though, is that it is a season of giving, an opportunity for us to show our loved ones how much they mean in our lives.
In the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, it means caroling, midnight masses, lots of food, and of course, shopping!
It’s indeed a crazy time in the Philippines, when last minute shopping sprees mean traffic jams and unbelievable crowds in shopping malls. I had written before about the best Christmas gifts for solo travelers, but here’s another list, which serves as my wishlist for those who are interested to know. 😉
A Backpack
I bought my Montanara 45L+10 backpack in 2003, when I began climbing with the UP Mountaineers. Now, 10 years later, it has been to 18 countries and 52 cities (yes, including to Europe and India!), and I think it needs to retire. One of its clasps is broken and there are thin patches all over its body.
Being frugal, however, I will never throw it away while it’s still good enough to use. So until someone actually buys me a new one, or until it completely disintegrates while I’m on the road, I think I’ll be using this backpack forever!
An Android Phone
Yes, I have my Samsung Galaxy Y, but it’s so temperamental I wasn’t even able to use it much when I was in Bangkok for almost a month. Having a smartphone is a must nowadays for travelers; you will never get lost when you can access Google Maps anytime!
With a smartphone you are also connected. You can check your mail anywhere, respond to messages on Facebook, tweet real-time (though I’ve never done this in my travels), or if you don’t have a Kindle like me, play games.
Runner’s World Magazine Subscription
Okay, this is not in every traveler’s wishlist, but it’s in mine. I love running, but since my injury 3 years ago, I haven’t found my motivation to continue training. I’m hoping that receiving a one-year subscription would revive my love for the sport.
Compact Digital Camera
I already have a Nikon D3100 but there are times when my DSLR is too big to bring with me. My underwater camera got lost when I went caving, so now I just use my phone when I can’t bring my Nikon along. It’s not really the same. Check out some of the best cameras for travel photography.
A Power Bank
When I saw this Anker Power Bank last June, I knew I could use it. It powers not only smartphones, but tablets, too. I don’t have a tablet (nor do I plan on buying one), but my phone’s battery has a really short life when I’m online so this would come in handy.
Now, beside all these self-serving wishes, there are a couple that I wish some of my readers would support.
Help Support the Visayas
The Visayas Region in the Philippines has been hit hard this year, first by the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, and later on by Typhoon Haiyan which killed thousands and destroyed whole communities. This blog post (Memories of Visayas) contains a lot of links to people helping out in the Visayas. Please consider lending your support!
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Disclosure: These are Amazon Affiliate links. Clicking on any of the products will take you to the Amazon website, and if you buy anything there (it doesn’t have to be the ones I listed here), I get a few cents that will go to my travel fund.
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15 Comments. Leave new
These suggestions are actually great considering some wish lists are hardly attainable. Every recommendation in your list are a must when it comes to travelling! Even though some wouldn’t prefer taking their phone with them, I use it for connecting with new people I meet during my travels.
@ Freya: At the moment, all that you mentioned are still in my wish list haha Someday 😉
@ Shahil: A fancy journal to me (like Moleskin) is still…a journal. haha I’m not choosy with my notebooks, any will do. I can imagine it would be lovely to have a Moleskin though!
@ Jono: On one hand, I agree with you. Too many people use their smartphones indiscriminately, and their social media posts make it look like they’re enjoying their trip even though most of the time they don’t notice where they are because they’re too focused on their gadgets. However, I do see the value of a smartphone, and I know that it has never stopped me from appreciating the moment. I use it to keep in touch with my family, with people I meet on the road, and yeah, taking occasional photos for Instagram 🙂
Please, dont encourage travellers to take phones with them. I went a year around the world, into the jungle, across america, and didnt need it. how did people backpack before smartphones? they did it with maps, recommendations from locals, and a free spirit.
want to know where you are? get a standalone GPS. want to go online? a netbook will outlast the batteries of any tablet, much more durable, longer wifi reception, and you can swap the battery if you dont have power.
smart phones are killing the travelling community. every hostel you goto, the default pose is someone looking into their hand, bragging on social media about how much fun they are having. but i see you, i see the charade, missing out on the present in order to make those people back home jealous or looking for their approval.
Seeing that this is (was?) a Christmas Wishlist, I think a fancy journal should be added to the list. I never travel without a small notebook (around A6 size) even if its a work trip. Also, I’ve travelled with an Android and iPhone and oddly, I would actually recommend travelling with an iPhone rather than an Android. But I guess that’s a personal choice 😉
I have a compact digital camera just like that and also a backpack like in the picture – although in pink 😉 – I love both. It is so wonderful that you included donations for the Philippines, it is indeed the time of the year to help out.
@ Grasya: Hope your post gets a lot of support! You have listed so many resources there.
@ James: Yes. OMG, so sad 🙁
I presume that was the ancient 5mp Fuji Finepix waterprroof you lost?
I also want those that are in your wishlist ^_^.. I got myself an android phone and a new laptop, next target is a camera.. i have a lot of old stuff and my room has become a mini museum of ancient gadget relics already LOL! Thanks for including Memories of Visayas in your wishlist.. indeed this is the time of the year where we need to support people who needs help most
@ Mike: Thanks for your well wishes, Mike. It’s really tough for the survivors, especially those who have lost family members. This Christmas must be so lonely for them.
Very nice Christmas list, Aleah! Ironically I just looking at replacing my Canon Powershot S100 point and shoot. I dinged it up and likely would just get another one because the price has come down. And it takes wonderful pictures! I’m a big supporter of volunteering in general yet also donating this time of year. So, the Visayas support and Operation Save Santa are very appealing! Just horrible what happened in the Philippines. I have a very close buddy from there. We hope all is well with you! 🙂
@ Lakbay Diva: I can’t afford TNF huhuhu My Montanara cost only P1,500 so I really don’t see the need to buy one that’s 5x as expensive. I gotta admit, TNF and Deuter bags look really gorgeous!
i just invested on a northface router backpack so i think i’m good with this for local travel ^_^
definitely an android fone! mine just died hahaha
i’m not quite convinced with Lumix’s power, but i would argue for an olympus tg-2 🙂
@ Photo Cache: It’s just the basic things I need to travel and work at the same time. I wanted to include a netbook there, but it’s too unrealistic that someone will give it to me. Even the gadgets are too expensive haha Happy holidays!
nothing surprising here, except maybe the mag subscription. sometimes when bloggers make their wish list, it’s really a WISH list. but yours are all doable, methinks.
happy holidays.