Not So Much Travel Blog For This Year

It's almost New Year and two more days left before 2019!

I was contemplating for more travel on 2018 but I think things weren't meant to happen yet. Except last March until July, I spent my time back and forth in Bicol Province and that was because of an official visit, although there were times that I snicked in and I was able to visit some town in Camarines Sur like Caramoan, Libmanan and Legazpi in Albay. But they were only a short stint.

There weren't so much travel for this year. But hopefully next year will be a blast now that I put up my own online travel agency.

At the moment, the rain pours today while writing this and I could see rain from my window pane.

So what will I do for the next 2 days since it's raining since last week? Well let's see if I can go out and I am contemplating either to go to the malls or go to Manila in Binondo and Quiapo.

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Siem Reap, Cambodia

Recently, my client visited Siem Reap, Cambodia where he had a tour for Ankor Wat.

Siem Reap is a resort town in Northwestern Cambodia and is a gateway to ruins of Ankor. Ankor are well preserved, which has a complex of intricate stone buildings that is preserved. Ankor is the seat of the Khmer Kingdom from 9th-15th centuries.

Below are some of the photos which my client took pictures on his 5-day tour to Cambodia.

According to my client, it was a worth the money of seeing the Siem Reap.

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Tips When Working For Your Customized Tours

JuanTravelTips: For customized tours, here's a guideline that will help you in the way of working for your tours with a travel consultant:

-Your country/city destination. Do you need a single destination only or multi-city/multi-country?

-Preferred Travel Dates: You can include your departure and return dates. Would it be 3 days, two nights, 4 days or 3 nights, etc.

-Do you need a round trip airline ticket? you can include here your preferred carrier, The preferred time of departure, with baggage and meals as some of a low-cost carrier charge you on this.

-Your accommodation. Do you want 3, 4 or 5 stars hotel/resort/accommodation. Will it include breakfast. Standard room, twin or double or any special room.

-Do you need a transfer, whether it's one way or two way-airport to the hotel/hotel to the airport.

-Do you need a tour. Sightseeing, or does it involve activities that will need a lot of energy, for example, biking or hiking. Do you want an extra day for FREE TIME.

In that way, your travel consultant will be able to assessed your customized tour packages.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TravelEveryJuan/

Website: www.traveleveryjuan.com

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Putting Up My Own Online Travel Agency

It's been a while since I started to put up my online travel agency. More than 3 months already and I still have to keep a lot of things going. Having a travel agency was my dream aspiration and it started in 2011 and it was only now that materialize. Not really big but I want to make it BIG.

Things becoming clear and it was unexpected of putting up my own agency in hopes that it will have more clients to come. Little by little I am pretty much sure and have faith what I am doing.  

After all, it started as a dream, and yet it happened.

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Creating A Tour For A Client

I have several tools to create a tour for a client, especially when someone is looking for the best tour packages. It is quite easy though. First you have to find out what place they want to go. In this way you already have an idea how the tours would gonna go because we know that each place have some tourist spots to offer. In this way you create a need for them why they have to see these places. This will lead them to the spots which has a milestone to each place that is unique and distinctive.

Second, is to identify the date which means that you have to know when they want to travel and its duration. Let's say 3 days and 2 nights, etc. Then you will have an idea how you are going to plan a tour for them. For example, a whole day tour would commence on their second day. The first day usually happens on their arrival time and place and this will give them more time to rest since the flight might be long and tiring. The first day usually have to do with their check in at the hotels.

Third is their accommodation, and this way, they have the place to stay in before the tour starts. They also have the choice if they would add an airport transfer to the hotel or do it by themselves.

These are the three things to keep in mind when creating a tour for a client. Make sure you connect to a reliable tour provider/operator.

Airline arrangement with a travel agency will give them their itinerary going to their destination and can offer them the affordable airfare packages.

So here's a link where you can get some of the best tour packages:

http://traveleveryjuan.rezb2b.com/

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Tips On How To Find A Cheapest Airfare

I love traveling and going to different places to experience the culture, arts, foods and the beauty of the place. I usually travel by land and if it is deemed necessary to travel by air, I usually look for an airfare through online. The reason of this because as much as possible I want the best deal although the first thing that comes into my mind is how a travel agency can give me the best customer as much as they can.  For me it is not really the price but it is how the service being given to me.  I remember the time before I traveled to New York 8 years ago, I was looking a cheap flights and airfare online and it was costly because it happens that going to New York was on peak season. I found one that is the cheapest online but because I continue to do so, I went to the local travel agency which was near to our place. I was able to look for a cheaper one since I let them know that they have to beat the price. This was the same agency that I took ticket from them going to New York via Korean Air in 2009. Then I got one from them with Emirates which they had a better price in 2010.  The difference buying online and through the local agency was quite minimal so I decided to take my airline ticket through the agency.

Fast forward, I set up my own online travel agency and the idea is to give the best prices aside from giving them the best customer service experience. So I was able to create Travel Every Juan, an online travel agency based in Cainta, Rizal.

I have learned a lot on how to get the best deal when it comes to the cheapest airfare.  There are two ways actually.

The first one is to get them through the trade shows usually on a specific date they have on sale was through their booth in the trade show.  You can get the cheapest airfare if you have an advance booking prior to traveling, maybe 2 to 3 months or as much as ahead of 6 months. This gives you a guarantee to get the best pricing.  But in the trade shows, time is limited and if you missed to attend, chances are, you'll never be able to get the best price again. The ticket has to be reserved immediately so that this will not go to other customers on the same date that they will travel, or chances may also depend on the availability of the seats and time and it may get costly once your travel plan comes close.  And chances are, you may find yourself getting quotes from different agencies.  So trade shows have limited time for sale and being a walk in, you may miss the best price deals.


The second choice is to find it online. This is the easiest, you don't really have to travel and spend time looking for the cheapest flights. Anytime you can find them in the search engines and you will never have to worry getting to your local travel agencies. You can always check on the prices.

The online travel agencies offer the best deals on airfare as it gives you a view on how different airlines offer their price to your destination. You can always be online from time to time checking on the prices and chances are, you'll get one as the prices changes in time. Online travel agencies offer a low price airfare all year round so if you plan your travel few months or even up to one year looking for the low prices, you can always watch them and once you get the best deal, then you can book your travel online.  It is all year round as prices are being updated always.

You keep an eye on it and for my experience on checking some low prices, just few months ago, I was looking for a cheap airfare going to Thailand for January 2019 trip. At first the price was quite high as it ranged to even $197. But upon checking it daily, the price went down to $113 on the same date and destination. There is also a time that you can find a Bangkok round trip flight for only $77!

So in order to get the best deals on airfares, don't go on the time you want to travel. Go to the cheapest flight you can find on the month that is offered online. In this way, you can save a lot.

Remember, don't go on the date you want to travel, go with the date that low prices is being offered.

For best deals on airfares, hotels and vacation packages, visit www.traveleveryjuan.com.

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How to Find the Lowest Airline Tickets

You may keep on searching how you can find the best deal or the lowest airline ticket that in on sale because as much as possible you want to save money. Yes, it is true and I myself does want to get this opportunity by looking on the best deal on airline tickets. When I still go abroad a few years back, although I was not really a frequent traveler, I used to go to different travel agencies looking for the cheapest flight they can give me. I go from place to place so I end up spending some time and spending money in looking for the best flight deals.

It was soon enough that I was able to realize that the answer was not on the travel agencies alone but when I went to look online, chances are, I still have to look for the best alternative on best flight deals.  It is true that there are a lot out there, online portals that offer the cheapest one. But when I thought I was able to book the cheap airfare, I realized that it wasn’t the cheapest at all, on the date that I want to fly abroad.

Since I already have learned my lessons already by ending up looking for the cheapest flight that I want to buy the ticket on the date that I want to fly, the answer is that, it’s not all about the date when I want to travel and find the best deals online.  True enough you can find a lot actually, but maybe some people may not have an idea on how go get the best travel deals.

In my experience of researching, I found out that it’s not actually about the date when you want to travel that you can find the cheapest flight.  Do not control the date when you want to travel. Let the calendar date get you the lowest fare by filtering the results online.

For instance, go to this website at Travel Every Juan website and here’s the link www.traveleveryjuan.com. Then go to flight, and scroll down. At the left bottom of the page, you will see “Lowest Fare Calendar”. Then time the Origin, and Destination, check either you want to go around trip or one way and then scroll the slide at Vacation Duration – where you want the duration of your stay in one country. In this way, it will automatically show the lowest price all year round and get the best deal that you want, book a flight in advance so you don’t have to worry about running out of the flight details.

You can do this and check the prices from time to time since the price may change depending on the availability of the airline tickets and the date. Everything varies but you can always check it occasionally and it’s possible that you can hit the lowest price that you are looking for. In this way, you don’t really have to check on the travel agencies and call them from time to time and let the agent find it for you.

In this way, you let the calendar date find you the lowest airfare and you don’t have to spend your time going from site to site.

I hope this helps.

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The Great Iberian Route

The Great Iberian Route that will start in Madrid, Spain

I have been eyeing for a Spain tour and this is one of my dream vacation, to go to Spain where the root of my family originated from. After all, it was Spain who colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years and that is why you can find some Spanish structures and Filipino language has a mixture of Spanish.  On the other side, I have been in Portugal 20 years ago where we spent a two week stay in Lisbon.

I saw this tour it's called Great Iberian Route where tourists can spend 12 days and 11 nights in Spain with Lisbon, Portugal tour.  Some of the tours will highlight Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet, Montserrat, Barcelona, Peniscola, Valencia, Alecante, Caravaca de la Cruz, Granada, Mallaga, Marvella, Ronda, Seville, Ravida Monastery, Mertola, Evora and finally Lisbon, Portugal.

Imagine just how you can see these great cities in just 12 days and this is one of my intense obsession! I even just can't imagine that I had an opportunity before to be able to visit country like Portugal and it was beautiful!

But there's a travel and tours agency which can offer this and arrange the tour for you just in case you may want it and they will assist you for your travel needs. They have the best vacation deals and offer some itineraries that you will surely love.

For more information about this tour, you can visit their website at www.traveleveryjuan.com and contact them for your further needs.

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Siargao Hotel and Roundtrip Airport Transfer

Siargao is booming and a lot of travelers are interested to go to Siargao just to experience this getaway. Some might think and ask if it's really expensive to go and stay in Siargao? So my answer is NO. You can have this experience for only Php 5,000 plus and that already includes 3 days and 2 nights stay in the resort and airport transfer.  This is really a good deal if you are looking for an affordable price.  Travel Every Juan can offer this exclusive offer until December 31, 2018.  Also for cheap flights and affordable airfare, they can offer you this through their online sight at www.traveleveryjuan.com

Getaways should not be expensive and should be available for every juan who wants to experience memorable holidays. So contact them now and book your vacation experience through them.

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Travel Every Juan

Travel Every Juan logo

Everyone has the right to travel and get an affordable price.  Vacation does not need to be expensive. Whether you are a sole traveler and adventurer or traveling with family and friends, or simply as a backpacker, you deserve to have tours and vacation at affordable rate.  This is the best thing that you can pamper yourself after you work and decide to get a vacation.  Travel Every Juan was created for a purpose to get everyone involve for a cheap tours and vacations. 

Themed Travel/Customized. Credits to the owner of this photo

Whether you are celebrating your anniversary, birthdays, pre-nups or doing a surprised wedding proposal, Travel Every Juan can customize your experience.

For customized travel and tours, themed travel and events, visit Travel Every Juan's website at

www.traveleveryjuan.com .

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Something I Have Learned From My Past Mistakes

I feel that I have to write this down since I have paused my feet to travel back in the Bicol Region. I've been tripping Bicol for the past two months and I felt that when I went back to Metro Manila sometime a week ago made feel a little bit zest. I was sickly and maybe because I had to adjust a very humid weather as we have the summer feel, adjust to going back and forth that imagine I had to go back every after week from Bicol to Manila and vice versa. Just the first week of May I had flu and at the same time got a lower back pain that I couldn't even walk and when I move my legs it felt the pain on my lower back and especially when I cough. So I had to see a doctor and I was given some medicines.  But now I felt quite recuperated and hopefully to fully recover so I could move forward on my plans.

This note is my first entry for this month and I would like to share my past experiences which I made to realize of who I am today.  It doesn't mean when I think about my past mistakes, I could not move on but I just want to write it down and see where I should be more focus on the present moment.

Past is past and mistakes in life had already happened, but everyone learns from their past mistakes.  It is just a matter of time that you get to realize those summarized mistakes happened in the past. 

I've trusted a lot of people and because of my trust came to a point that I was giving a lot and finally put me on a spot. Trust to people being I thought you can trust and be a friend, trust in giving opportunities to others and for monetary reasons came that I lost a lot!  Some are just good at using you.  Do I look like a runner? Do I look like an assistant? Do I look like I should always please someone.  I have learned to say a big NO, and do I even really care if I have offended them? Whatever they are getting at me, is just one way.

But I have few trusted ones who I would consider as real as that proves them to be right.  Should I say this is just only a "mema" but this proves me that I have some points.

My lesson? Never let someone use you and take advantage of your situation.

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Exploring the Town of Caramoan

Photo courtesy of www.lakwatsero.com

Last March 23 I decided to go to Caramoan. Well I guess it was the usual thing that I do when I travel  - unplanned and lack of preparation.  I must admit it, most of my travel are not carefully planned, but If I take a look at the brighter side, when traveling is done immediately, it adds to excitement and the challenges that I have experienced was some kinda unique because expectation might be different from a well-planned and organized travel.  Just like what I have experienced in Caramoan, I had some hesitation if I would push through on this adventure.  So the last minute took place when I decided to go to the Central Bus Terminal in Naga City as early as 3 a.m. since Florencia bus leaves its first trip at 3:45 a,m.

At the beach in Caramoan

One of the beach resorts in Caramoan

When the bus left the terminal, I had about an hour sleep and the next thing that I saw when I woke up we were already in Lagonoy. It was raining and we had a stop over in one of the towns on the way to Caramoan.

Work shop house of the Survivor Reality TV Show game

Participating Country of the Survivor

You'll often experienced a zigzag road going to Caramoan that is steep and small.  By 8 a.m. we arrived at the bus terminal where its main market is located and the moment I got off the bus, one of the tricycle driver offered me to go to the beach for a fee of 100 pesos only.

The church in the town of Caramoan

me at the church

We passed through a tour operator on the way to the beach and was advised about the rate for the island tour.  Unfortunately, due to the bad weather condition, boats are not allowed to go to the island because of the bad weather.  The high light of Caramoan was about the island tours and this is the reason why the tourists want to go to this place because of the destination that it offers, the island tour.  Caramoan has been chosen by the reality TV show, Survivor as their shooting place and is being leased by the said reality show for several years.

Eddie Boy told me that his younger brother was sick and looking for his father who work in the church

Since I couldn't have an island tour, I decided to have a walk in the town for just some few hours/

At 12 noon I decided to ride the MRR bus going back to Naga.  There's also another bus operating vice versa and that is Raymond Bus. 

After all, you learned about your experience though I missed out the island tour. But there's always a next time around and I will know what to do next.

Tip when you are in Caramoan:

1. The tricycle going to beach will cost you 100 pesos only. Some might charge you 150 pesos but try to negotiate if you can.
2.  Since I learned that there is habal-habal going to the main town if you are at the beach, the fee will just only cost you 20 pesos. If you are alone, you can ride habal-habal instead of tricycle if you are in a tight budget. So it would mean that you can also ride habal-habal going to the beach if you are in the main town.
3. Boat rental ranges from 1200 - 1800 pesos.
4  If you are having your meal at some of the carinderia in the town, ask how much is the viand and rice and the total cost of your meal and count your change for the meal you have paid for.

Well I'll just go back to this place for an island tour.

Helpful Resource: https://www.lakwatsero.com/destinations/caramoan/#sthash.nLmryQFw.YritITNH.dpbs

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Side Trip: Engkanto Falls

Five days I had a hard time to decide whether I go to Caramoan or Engkanto Falls. Engkanto falls is just an hour away from where I stayed in Pasacao, Camarines Sur and it is a perfect jump off point for me from crossing Pamplona to Libmanan, where Engkanto is just a few steps from the high way in Libmanan. Whereas, when you go to Caramoan, from Naga is about 4 to 5 hours traveling time, considering that buses to Caramoan has a limited time of leaving.  I was totally unprepared for the Caramoan trip so I decided to go to Engkanto Falls where I don't have to prepare that much.

Engkanto has multiple falls

one of the falls and there are still more when you go up

Engkanto falls has a cascade of water falls located in Baranggay Bikal in Libmanan town, Camarines Sur. Not far from Pamplona which is just about one town away or 20-30 minutes travel time from the national high way in Pamplona.

small road will take away 10-15 minutes walk to to the falls

you will pass this farm on the first jump off point

you will cross this wooden bride at the first jump off point

When you reach Libmanan, there are two jump off point which takes around 10-15 minutes walking distance from the high way.  The first one is before the main bridge of the high way which a small cemented path to walk crossing a stream with a small bridge built made of wood.  While the second one is after the bridge and getting to the falls has a wide road which lets the cars can pass through it and stop at the gate.  There is an entrance fee of 20 pesos but starting March 15, the entrance fee rises to 50 pesos.  Engkanto falls have cottages and to those who love to sing you and videoke is available for rent.

the main gate to the falls

Falls have a little trekking if you decide to go up but in my case I never went to the top to see more falls because I don't really like to go up, aside from the bag that I carry.

My mission was just to take some photos of the falls and that's all I want, and not something that I have to go up to the cliff.

Well I guess for me there's not much about this adventure so I decided to go back to Pasacao at past 2 p.m.

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Sunrise Cove Hideaway in Calatagan Batangas

This year I promise to bring more travel experience on the table. I have missed out a lot of travel opportunities for the past few years due to some circumstances that I needed to take care of.  Now I think this year is the best time for more travel and get some good hideaways, although budget may always something that I have to consider.

solid rocks at the moment when you walk to the right at Sunrise Cove

Sto Domingo de Silos is the landmark going to the resorts

The big cottage house has 3 rooms, kitchen and large veranda

some of the cottage houses of the resorts

some of the resort beds outside the cottage house

Last February 21, 2018 I was invited to go to Calatagan, Batangas for a 3-day getaway and photo shoots to a couple celebrating their 25 years of marriage, who came from Berlin, Germany.  I was informed through Facebook a few days before the traveling date.  So I did not hesitate because I know I do not have any other schedule within that week except for my nightly e-commerce business which I had to check my email every night, aside from the newsletters and promotion that I was doing.

sunrise romantic shot of my client and floating cottage can be seen

setting the bonfire at night

pillows in a small cottage

me relaxing

So I met the couple at Crowne Hotel in Ortigas Center at noon where the van was ready to pick up the couple and their German friends.

entrance to the cove

van owned by bro rene

Receiving area and office

Our first stop over was in Sta Rosa, Laguna where we had lunch at Jollibee.  We went via Sta Rosa en route to Tagaytay.  We had a few minutes stop-over in Tagaytay but our total traveling time from  Metro Manila to Calatagan took us about 6 hours since we left the hotel around 1pm already.

We passed through Lian, Batangas and if I was right, Calatagan is just at the tip-most part of Batangas.

boating

cottage house

If you have reached Calatagan, the landmark was a small church -Sto Domingo de Silos is approximately 30 minute drive going to the Sunrise Cove.

We arrived past six at the resort just good for preparing our dinner.  It is a resort made of wooden houses with amenities like floating cottage, karaoke, bar and cottages in the sand.  The receiving area is a small office right at the entrance of the resort. 

guests/tourists having a jump shot

In the morning lies the sunrise in the horizon which is a photographer's delight to take some photos during sunrise. 

They planned to go boating on the way to the white sand bar but I did not go with them and remain at the resort.

On our third day at Sunrise Cove, we packed up our things at noon and took them to the van.  We drove to Tagaytay for approximately 2 hours and stayed a while at the hotel for a lunch(I forgot the name...lol) and it has an overlooking scenery of Taal Lake. At past 2pm, Bro Rene, the owner of the van dropped me of in Rotonda where I took the bus going to Manila.  Our company remained in Tagaytay for 2 days before they went back to Sta. Rosa, Laguna.


Note: For van rentals, please message me and I will give Bro Rene's contact information.

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Digital Adventure at Art in Island

Araneta Center, Cubao has been my hub up to this day as this place was an accessible destination from where I live in Rizal Province. Not really my favorite place but when I think about hanging out, I simply think about the Gateway Mall.  It's all around 30-minute ride taking a jeepney and going down to LRT Station in Santolan was just 7 minutes away to the mall. Farmer's Plaza, SM, Ali Mall and Gateway are just walking distance at Araneta Center. Think about the foods and it's all there, from fast foods to fancy restaurants.  The shopping center had changed a lot and condominium like Manhattan Garden rose, the old New Frontier Cinema became Kia Theater, Shopwise formerly the Fiesta Carnival and there were lots of BPO or Business Process Outsourcing company in the said center. So basically the old center which was dark and scary had turned into light and interesting place to rusticate and now became 24 hour hub. 

Just a few years ago, it was surprising to see a digital museum built at 15th avenue, which is a 15 minute walking distance from Gateway mall LRT Station in Aurora Blvd. The Art in Island is a 3D museum that run since December 2014.

Last January 25, 2018, my cousin from Canada who were in vacation invited me to go The Art in Island. The entrance fee was 500 pesos and it featured some of the digital art painting of 14 Korean painters and they 180 art works which was finished in just 4 months.  It is a 2-storey building and aside from the 3D arts there's a restaurant at the second floor and a coffee shop at the back of the ground floor building.

It was fun though as you'll get to experience an adventure beyond your dreams and it seems that the fantasy is real.  It's like you're part of the 3D world where the adventure changes from time to time you'll go to see another different world. Although I'm not really into this digital, but I know those on it in the digital arts can easily relate.  Yes, I was able to relate quite a bit but the experience was something unique.  It was an adventure and more on fun because you'll become part of the digital world so you'll get some selfies using your cell phone.

We had spent 3 hour in the museum and had meal afterwards in the restaurant at the second floor.

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