The Travel Blogging Calendar 2014: Save The Elephants

Her eyes lit up when she could finally make out the charcoal-gray figure I was pointing at.

She gasped and squealed and ran towards it without looking back. "Dumbooo!"

A few strides away from the elephant, she stopped in her tracks. She seemed terrified. Upon closer look, there was blood splattered on the elephant's face and ear. He was chained to a post, swaying his head left and right, over and over. He stopped for a second and directed his trunk to our daughter for a quick sniff, then fell into a trance again.

Definitely not how Luna imagined Dumbo would look or act like in real life. 

Even our two-year-old could tell that there's something wrong here.  

The "meet and greet a baby elephant" was part of a day tour my sister booked in Phuket, Thailand. We were mainly interested in the ATV adventure ride, but all the excursions offered to us by the travel agent included a visit to an elephant park. So we went, and found that poor calf.

Only a few meters distance from this distressing scene were giggles from tourists riding much older elephants who are whipped and forced to trek on a path through the "jungle". We eventually rode one too, and wished we never did. There's nothing magical about the experience. It made us feel like we supported animal abuse for a day.

Now I'd like to help make things right. How? Remember that Travel Blogging Calendar I posed for last year? Well, the team behind it is back!

More than 20 travel bloggers have banded together to participate in the second annual Travel Blogging Calendar (TBC) project.

This year, the group wants to raise awareness about the plight of the Asian elephants and support the mission of the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand. TBC is accepting donations on behalf of this incredible organization, and like last year they'll be submitting 100% of the proceeds to their cause.

 About Save Elephant Foundation (taken from their site):

Save Elephant Foundation is a Thai non–profit organization (founded by Sangduen "Lek" Chailert ) dedicated to providing care and assistance to Thailand’s captive elephant population through a multifaceted approach involving local community outreach, rescue and rehabilitation programs, and educational ecotourism operations. Each of our flagship projects is aimed at accomplishing that mission, as well as working towards these goals: 

- to expand self-sustaining eco-tourism operations that benefit local communities and ecosystems
- to better incorporate our efforts into local communities
- to become a leader in the field of Asian elephant research through academic outreach and education programs
- to create practical, positive reinforcement based elephant training and rehabilitation programs
- to establish an international volunteer community that raises awareness to issues facing the Asian elephant
- to more fully integrate with the global conservation community to facilitate dynamic cross-cultural networking

Donate And Win!

Simply visit The Travel Blogging Calendar Website and choose the amount (ranges $20 to $500) you'd like to donate. The funds will be utilized to rebuild the elephants' shelters and to purchase new land so that the park may open once again to the adoption of these beloved giants. When you give donation through this project, you are automatically entered into a raffle to win a $3,300 (USD) holiday to Thailand! Flight Network has donated a $2000 flight voucher and the eco-friendly tour company Where Sidewalks End will take you on a one-week tour in Thailand where you will even be able to visit the Save Elephant Foundation in Chiang Mai!

Winner will be selected in March of 2014.

But wait, there's more... In return for donating, the bloggers involved have come together to build a creative new product, only available to those who donate. Each week, on an exclusive blog, they will be posting tasty new content and photos highlighting different destinations from around the world. They tell you what’s happening in the world that week and they give you lots of great new reading material to check out, too.

Really, this is a win-win thing here. So let's shell out those dibs.
 

Photo from http://www.saveelephant.org
Meet Elephant Nature Park's Yin Dee, born on the 24th of August this year. I'm sure he's the kind of Dumbo my daughter has in mind.

Like https://www.facebook.com/TravelBloggingCalendar

and https://www.facebook.com/SaveElephantFoundation for project updates!

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2013 Thus Far: The Third Quarter

Woke up under an argentine sky. On my almost two decades-old, Peanuts printed sheet. Philippine home now, and will be gone again all too soon. Where to? Hopefully to a shack sitting on a Byron Bay trailer park which we're eyeing to live in for months. You read that right. Months.

We're quite traveled-out. And back in July I found myself searching for the old and familiar more often. Like swinging by pubs I used to frequent. Or being needed by friends. Or watching the local news before a simple dinner of boiled veggies with buro.

Our nomadic family managed to wind down this third quarter, finally. 

Birthday in Cebu with the family.  

Hearing the word "adventure" these days conjures images of a worn out me with a longer-than-Miley's tongue out, dangling like a dog's. So we'll pass up on exhaustion, sleeplessness, and starvation... For now. We're embracing the humdrum.

Let's take a look at this year's third quarter and its glorious laziness.

Traveled — more like, slacked — in Phuket, Thailand for two weeks. My sister flew from Singapore where she works to slack with us. We ate Pad Thai and honey-lime Thai pancake everyday.

Because of Luna's obsession with elephants, we took her elephant trekking in Phuket even though we do not approve of enslaving elephants for entertainment. The baby elephant in shackles which Luna called 'Dumbo', had bloody feet, prolly cause he/she tried breaking away from the chains.

Watched a Filipino acoustic band in Karon, Phuket for two nights. One of the best cover bands I've seen play live, or maybe I just had too much Chang Beer on both occasions.

We cut our Thailand trip short (we initially planned to stay for a month) so I could join the Allah Valley Tour 2013 organized by AVLDA and LGSP-LED. During the five-day trip we: Hiked Mt. Melibingoy and camped at Lake Holon, met National Living Treasure awardee Be Lang Dulay, ziplined above Lake Sebu's falls, bird watched in Baras Bird Sanctuary, and attended the T'nalak Festival. 

Pinay Travel Junkie partners with Keen footwear! An American shoe manufacturing company based in Portland, Oregon. Quite excited to write the review, because I am now a huge fan (I'd love to buy Luna a pair too!). And to be honest, I didn't even know such brand exists until they contacted me.

Discovered the "hostel of awesome" Pink Manila Hostel. The lone hostel in Manila that has a pool. Stayed for a couple of nights and although my parents' condo's just nearby, my staycation felt like I was in the middle of a backpacking trip. The hostel's atmosphere can do that to you.

Celebrated my birthday with the whole family and fellow travel bloggers in Cebu. Finally checked in eye-candy Mövenpick Hotel. Also visited historic city Carcar.

Headed straight to Hungduan, Ifugao after getting out of the airport, off a Cebu-Manila flight. Hiked Hapao and Hungduan Terraces with another group of travel bloggers over the weekend.Trip highlight: Watching 'The Conjuring' in a pitch-dark, Ifugao house-style hut.

Flew to Australia a day after the Ifugao jaunt concluded. Ate Persian food at the in-law's house everyday for two weeks (it's a big mystery why I still fit in my pants right now). We mainly did reunions with the hubby's family and... Shopped. 

On our last day in Sydney, we squeezed in our hectic schedule a quickie hike through Garigal National Park. 

Flight back to the Philippines closed the third quarter.

On to the last quarter... 

So will our nth plan of settling down once and for all push through? Let's wait three more months to find out.

 

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TigerAir Offers Its Inaugural Flights To Phuket At P3,499 Only!

TigerAir, Asia-Pacific’s leading value-for-money airline is now offering Manila-Phuket at Php3,499 roundtrip ticket, all in. This special inaugural fare may be purchased until August 4 only. Travel date for tickets sold is September 3 and 7.

Karon Beach beckons! We're probably coming back sooner than expected.

Since its official entry into the Philippie skies last July 3, TigerAir has vowed to open route networks that will bring guests faster and more conveniently to major destinations and tourist attractions across the region and the Asia-Pacific.

“We are happy to announce that effective September, we are flying to Phuket, Thailand twice a week every Tuesdays and Saturdays to accommodate as many passengers who wish to visit Phuket,” says Olive Ramos, CEO of TigerAir Philippines.

TigerAir reaches out to a wider market to give them access to quality airline, thus bolster its position as a low-cost carrier (LCC) committed to bring to its customers its brand of friendly, high-quality service and excellent standards of safety, security, and reliability.


TigerAir flies domestic via Terminal 4 to Manila – Cebu; Manila – Bacolod; Manila – Iloilo; Manila – Kalibo; Manila – Puerto Princesa; Manila – Tacloban.  Its international flights include: Clark – Hongkong Clark – Bangkok; Clark – Singapore; Clark – Kalibo; Kalibo – Singapore.


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2013 Thus Far: The Second Quarter

Half of the year's consumed, and we're trying to catch our breath.

Dawn of 2013 I foresaw myself filling a more domestic role in an American redneck town while the hubby turns into some NASA rockstar around this time of the year. The scheme fell apart and here we are, the same ol' wildling mum and dad, still raising a daughter in her Terrible Twos 'on the road'.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nepal.  

We were hoping for a more unstrained second quarter, yet we ended up doggone hectic all throughout that we're more tired than when April began!

Here's what happened with Plan B, in chronological order. May contain random shiznit as ush.

Had to cut our Laos trip short for a flight back to the Philippines for my Turkey tourist visa application (which by the way was a royal pain in the arse). Sister flew from Singapore to Philippines the day after to surprise my mom with a quickie family reunion.

Hubby chose a nomadic life over the possibility of NASA stardom. Because he stayed in his current company, he was sent to California for business conferences and a baseball match (an annual outing of geeks) while Luna and I did some catching up with relatives in Tarlac. Hubby also visited Japan as a sidetrip on the way to the U.S.

Attended Choose Philippines' relaunch at MNL Boutique Hostel which turned into one helluva Pinoy Travel Bloggers' block party! Joined an ice cream eating contest which numbed my gums for days. My guwapo partner from Island Media Asia and I lost.

Celebrated Mother's Day with my mom and the rest of the fam over a somewhat simple lunch out.

Was in Manila for the Aerosmith concert! Snagged the last free ticket worth almost $500 off ze cousin.

After countless Singapore stopovers, we were able to finally see the Supertrees up close. And see the Merlion for the first time.

In Istanbul we managed to see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace before flying to Denizli.

Panic at Pamukkale when hubby and I lost each other for a couple of hours in the ancient Byzantine city of Hierapolis. Hubby actually assumed I was kidnapped to the point that he was already collecting a group of suspects (at least in his mind). I, on the other hand, climbed the travertines the second time (not a walk in the park, I tell you) in my frantic search of my husband and child. I also requested the ticket officer to radio all park rangers — the same park rangers under the hubby's list of suspects — to look for them. 

Entered the house which is believed to be Virgin Mary's last residence. A structure that the Apostle John had built for her.

Walked around one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League, ancient Greek city (and later a Roman city) Ephesus. I gawked at the Library of Ephesus.

Hired a manual transmission car (Qué horror!) for a DIY tour in and around Capadoccia. It turned out cheaper than joining a group, plus we were able to see the sights that piqued our interests at an unhurried pace. We forgot to refuel the Renault before leaving it (due to an early flight) at the parking space across our cave hostel for the owner to pick up, but didn't get into trouble.

In Şanlıurfa, a province of Turkey that shares a border with Syria, we visited the following sites: The oldest temple in the world Göbekli Tepe (built before the invention of writing and the wheel), traditional mud brick "beehive" houses, and the cave where Prophet Abraham is believed to have been born.

On our last day in Istanbul we met up with Sabrina of Just One Way Ticket and found out that she indeed buys only one way tickets! It was the third day since the Turkish police attacked peaceful protesters at Gezi Park with tear gas and water cannons. Tsk.

Luna constructed her longest sentence to date, "Put that sugar in the tea!". Referring to a sugar cube (widely used in Turkey) which she wanted to put in her bubba's apple tea.

Flew about six times in two weeks just within Turkey because we were pressed with time.

In the country Georgia (yes it exists), a driver who barely spoke English and played/s 70s rock music in his cab took us to Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century). Two of the most important structures that showcase Georgian Christian architecture.

The same driver took us to Joseph Stalin's (former de facto leader of the Soviet Union) old house that's now surrounded by a park, then to rock-carved town Uplistsikhe (a name I can't pronounce until now) which is one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia.

Hiked a mountain to get to the other part of Georgia's Davit Gareji Monastery's cave complex that physically sits on Azerbaijan. Yes, we crossed the border without having our passports stamped! Luna hiked by herself almost halfway.

Rode on Tbilisi's newly rehabilitated funicular and chanced upon a Georgian folk dances presentation by kids at Mtatsminda Amusement Park. We felt like we were on the set of Game Of Thrones.

Hopped aboard a marshrutka that took us from Tbilisi, Georgia to Yerevan, Armenia. Immigration formalities at the border took an hour.

Booked accommodation for the first time through AirBnB. Stayed in a Yerevan apartment for a week. Cheaper than in any of the city's hostels and guesthouses.

Visited Armenia's Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the oldest state-built church in the world. On the same day we spent some quiet time at Khor Virap Monastery where hubby descended to the dungeon where
Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for thirteen years. Thirteen!

Was left with a harrowing feeling when we left the Armenian Genocide Museum. And we were even more distraught when a cabbie charged us 3,000 dram (about $7) for a short ride back to town instead of 700 dram.

I was never able to pronounce Shnorhakalut’yun correctly (hubby never bothered trying). It means 'thank you' in Armenian. Even Armenians don't use it, instead they say merci. 

Flew to Nepal for it was the cheapest route out of Armenia and toward our home region. Checked in a hostel named End Of The Universe, and we were given a suite with a sweeping view of a Himalayan range. One out of the two mornings that we woke up to such vista, the clouds parted and gave us a peek at the peaks!

Spent four days just eating and watching videos in a guesthouse at Bhaktapur's UNESCO World Heritage Site Durbar Square. We also let Luna sit in a Nepalese pre-school class for two days. Oh how she loved it.

Where we are now...

Just arrived in Phuket yesterday and it looks like we'll be here for four weeks since my sister and hubby's bro and his wife will be flying in also on different dates this month. Currently on a pad thai and Thai pancake diet.

Who's going to be on the island the coming weeks? Raise your hand, and I'll pass you a Chang or Singha.

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Old Phuket Town: Vintage Charm

Drop the word Phuket during a conversation with backpackers who haven't been to Thailand and there's a high probability that you'll get dreamy stares backed up with oohs and aahs from sun worshippers amongst the group. Phuket is indeed synonymous to tropical island cliches: Swaying coconut trees, white powdery sand, and lagoons from cyan to royal blue.

Thalang Road, old commercial center of Phuket Town. Gracefully aging shop houses lined the street.
But if you're like us who became peculiarly jaded of paradise after backpacking for five weeks around Southeast Asia, you might also be on the hunt for underrated gems, overshadowed by destinations heavily marketed by travel agencies. Like us, you're prolly browsing blogs by indie travelers and joining a Phuket forum to dig up something different.

A cafe decorated with interesting antique pieces.
And what a vintage charm we found! Our Phuket Town visit left us enchanted. We were lured to stay a day longer than planned. A stroll along Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi Road made us travel back in time when the Portuguese and British were in town not as soul searching travelers but as traders. The tin boom provided riches to merchants, locals and foreigner alike, hence people were able to afford European inspired mansions and shop houses more than a century ago.

Today admission to these structures are free. A lot of them are still shophouses, while some were converted to theme cafes, galleries and museums. The streets are far from bustling and are waiting for you, the off-the-beaten path traveler, to trudge on them soon.

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Victoria Point, Myanmar

We stepped on Myanmar unfortunately just for a visa run. It was a border cross, or river cross, from the province of Ranong (Thailand) to Kawthaung (Myanmar) also known as Victoria Point.

The visa run package that we arranged in Ranong was 400 THB each. The rate isn't that bad since it includes hotel pick up/drop off, a big boat (a covered longtail boat ideal for rainy season), and a representative to guide us with the procedure. However, we needed to pay also for visa in Myanmar worth $10. This visa will only allow you to walk around town for fifteen to twenty minutes, no more.

Welcome sign at the small port.

Ranong

Ranong is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, located on Kra Isthmus, the narrow strip that connects mainland Thailand with the Malay Peninsula. The province is known for having the most rainfall of all Thailand, the rainy season lasting for about eight months. This could be a reason why Ranong is the least populated province.

Looks familiar? Chicharon from the town's market.

Phuket Town

We had too much of Thailand's southern islands and beaches that we weren't interested to see Phuket beach anymore. Besides, we've read (and fellow Pinoy Couchsurfer Poch told us) that accommodation is overpriced, and food is crappy (not that we're really choosy).

So we stayed in Phuket town instead, a charming Sino-Portuguese city that was once a bustling stop on the India-China trade route.

Old shophouses along Thalang Road.

Koh Phi Phi Lei

There's no way you can keep it out of Lonely Planet, and once that happens it's countdown to dooms day - says one of the characters in the movie 'The Beach'.

Although the popular novel (turned into a Hollywood movie) by Alex Garland is set in Thailand, it's been rumored that the actual inspiration for it is the Philippines.

Our own beach, just across "The Beach".

Koh Phi Phi Don

Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi Islands. It is almost separated into two islands, but a strand of flat land (each side has a beach suitable for swimming) connects them. When we arrived at the Ton Sai Pier, Shervin led the way through the jungle straight to Long Beach. We scurried away from the mosh pit of locals and tourists haggling for accommodation.

Ko Phi Phi Don, shot from the view point.

Surat Thani-Krabi: Ferry From Hell

I was traumatized by the ferry ride from Koh Tao to Surat Thani. Though the ticket was a well-haggled 800 THB inclusive of ferry from Koh Tao to Surat Thani, bus from Surat Thani to Krabi, and ferry from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi Don.

We weren't given seats but beds since it was a ten-hour overnight trip. Had it been a day trip, it would just be five hours via express boat. The water was rough and I felt the boat crashing into the waves one after the other. I have never felt so sea sick in my whole life!

For this overnight ride, passengers are given beds, not seats.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao (Turtle Island), lies 45km north of Koh Phangan. It's known for diving and snorkeling because of its water visibility and abundant coral and marine life. Poch, Shervin and I headed to Koh Tao the day after the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan.

Our Couchsurfing host Sameer (who's from El Salvador and was then looking for a job as dive instructor) picked us up from the pier (ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao, 350 THB) one by one with his motorbike, and took us to his apartment which has a balcony with a great view of the water.

Taken by Poch at Freedom Beach.

Full Moon Party

We found out about the Full Moon Party when we were in Koh Samui. Travel agents were promoting it because they offer speed boats to and fro Koh Phangan. Since Shervin and I wanted the trip to be as cheap as possible, we didn't hang out in bars and clubs. We would buy beer from the grocery or 7-11 instead. But since Koh Phangan is famous for this full moon event (also for Half-Moon Party, Black Moon and Shiva Moon Party), we thought, might as well check it out.

Dancing from dusk 'til dawn - or 'til the next dusk.

Koh Phangan

Getting off an overloaded ferry was hell, but such big relief we docked Koh Phangan alive. Koh Phangan is 15km north of Koh Samui and is considered as the hammock haven of Thailand.

Our overcrowded ferry to Koh Phangan.

Topless at Lamai Beach!

Chaweng Beach is the most popular one in Koh Samui. Its long stretch of beach has lots of posh bungalows and pumping bars. That means, majority of the tourists flock here. But if you're content to just lay on the beach and have low-key, quiet nights, then Lamai Beach is for you. It is for us.

New Hut Bungalows at Lamai Beach.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand (bordering the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean). It is part of the Surat Thani province, and is only a two-hour express boat ride from Surat Thani's Ban Don Pier.

One of Koh Samui's sights, the Grandfather Rock.

Hat Yai-Surat Thani

Hat Yai (Haad Yai/Had Yai) is a city in Southern Thailand near the border of Malaysia. From Kuala Lumpur it is an eight-hour bus ride (50 RM) to its city center. We arrived at around 5:00 PM and bought tickets for an overnight bus straight away. It costs 500 THB including ferry and transfer from the travel agent to the bus station (which is 2KM from the city center).

It would be cheaper to buy bus tickets at the station and ferry tickets at the port, but we figured we'll be ripped off by a songthaew driver who'll take us to the station anyway - might as well pay the few extra bucks for a more stress free trip.

Dawn at Surat Thani's Pier.

South East Asia in Six Weeks

Despite storm signal no. 2 and the Swine Flu frenzy (it was not called AH1N1 yet), we set off 7th of May last year for our first Southeast Asia backpacking trip together (Shervin and I). A trip that took us to six countries (in order): Malaysia, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia.

Our SE Asia route. Edited by Shervin, map taken from here.

9 Countries for 2009: 'Best Of' Snippets

If you can't play the video, it may have been removed because of its soundtrack. You can view it here instead.
Part 1 of Pinay Travel Junkie's Best Of 2009 video. 'Best Of' may not pertain to the best choices in town, but they're the most unforgettable for me. Places I have been to and experiences which I found life changing (though my life didn't really change much).

Trip stats for 2009 here.

Disclaimer: Obviously, the songs used for the video aren't mine. Credits go to:
1. AC/DC - Highway To Hell
2. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - I Would Walk 500 Miles
3. Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime

What's on your 'Best Of 2009' list?

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