Pinoy Boy Journals solo backpacking trip in Visayas, Philippines

I’ve been called too many times a loner, an anti-social and weird weird guy. I couldn’t blame people for thinking that way. In the Philippines, only a few people travel solo. For one funny reason, no one will take his/her picture. For the greatest reason, nobody wants to be alone because there’s no one to share the experience with.

When people ask me why the hell i travel alone, I refer them to my blog entries here and here. I've written about why i travel alone and it was so free-flowing, it had to be two entries. Kindly read them for your reference.

I tell them, that I’ve learned more valuable experiences when I’m out on the road alone, than when i am travelling with someone. Because out there, when you have no one to back you, you back up yourself.  I’ve learned to become more responsible with my money just because i have no one to borrow money from, in case i overspend. I’ve learned responsible drinking which some people think is corny, but because at the end of the day when you’re too drunk and you pass out, you have to take care of yourself. I could go on and on with my reasons for travelling solo, but the fact is, some are just born to travel that way. To each his own, as they say. Some are just more comfortable when they have a friend or two, or three, or four... to go with them when they’re on a vacation. I, on the other hand, prefer it when I'm out there alone in the wild.

For those of you who are reading this, and are still iffy whether to book that trip alone to some unknown destination, I would like to share my best and most memorable solo travel experiences around Visayas in the Philippines.

Boracay Island, Aklan

Frequented by families, friends and lovers, the island of Boracay is synonymous to group traveling. But back in 2007, I travelled to Boracay for 9 days alone.  After being $500 poorer, i realized travelling solo can sometimes be a pain. Because travelling solo meant for me paying for my accommodations and food alone, i realized i could have spent less if i had someone to share the cost with.But when i was there, i’ve re-discovered paradise on a whole new perspective. I’ve had more time to walk around, and find those hidden gems around the island. I sleep before midnight and wake up at five o’clock. The beach is most beautiful in the morning except for the few drunk tourists heading back home. I’ve truly relaxed my mind, my body and my heart. I would often hang out in Hey Jude alone and just drink beers and vodka. A few days later, i bumped into old friends and they asked me who i was travelling with? I just smiled, there goes company.

Read my comprehensive guide of Boracay in Lonely Planet.

Pandan, Antique

On another solo trip to Boracay, i decided to discover Aklan’s neighbouring province, Antique. With relatively no idea where I’m heading, i bought a map of Panay. I rode a jeepney from Caticlan port and found myself cruising to unfamiliar paths. I found myself at the foot of the mountain at dusk and stranded. In the land where stories of the occult are most famous for, plus the occasional NPA sightings,  it’s that one place you never want to be stranded in alone. I walked and walked till i reached the first and only beach resort there is. I remember knocking on the door and asking for a cheap room. I only have a few hundreds to spend for my accommodations. Ahhh, the kindness of strangers, the kind foreign owner decided to give me the presidential suite instead of the fan room. The rest of the days were spent chilling in the beach, drinking fresh coconut juice and organizing my thoughts. There was no one around except for a few locals taking a quick dip. It was all soul’s day and i was the only soul lurking around this vast, beautiful, unexplored beach. Who knew i have actually visited the hidden gem of Panay. My trip here is one of the first few wherein i was solo backpacking, and i’m glad to say, quite impressionable.

Read my travel story for MetroActive and Filipino Village.

Ilo-Ilo

There are many beautiful places, and then there are places you can never forget. I’ve spent a week wandering around this quaint province alone. I’ve rode those colourful jeepneys and stopped over to the key places like: Jaro, La Paz, Miag-Ao, and of course the capital city. I’ve visited beautiful churches, and happened to stay the longest at the UNESCO world heritage site of Miag-Ao church for about two hours. It’s the longest church visit of my life. I spent the time reading and writing my journals. I made God my witness. I was in search for the best Ilonggo food and up until now, i will never forget about eating two dozen scallops for lunch, for two days straight. It was that good. I enjoyed quite walks around parks and happened to oversleep in La Paz. In Ilo-Ilo, the best are the simplest of things. My memories of Ilo-Ilo are truly my treasures. Nobody can attest to my journey here but it’s enough that deep inside me, my memories remain.  I never knew eating home-made pancakes and fresh shakes infront of Jaro Cathedral during midday could be so so unforgettable. I said it once and i will say it again, if there’s one place i will live when i retire, it would be here in Ilo-Ilo, and up until now my mind has still not changed.

Guimaras

With all the right reasons, i am in love with this province. I found the best words to describe Guimaras and i happen to write her a love letter "It's been one thousand four hundred sixty days, My Love." Although Guimaras is one of the country’s smallest provinces, it boasts of so many riches, the wealth of wonders, and her beautiful people. I recall spending quiet mornings frolicking on white sandy beaches and finding a little spot away from the crowds, afternoons watching the sunset on top of the cliff while listening to the sound of the waves, and just drinking and chatting with the friendly people i’ve met. I was alone, but not once did i feel lonely. I've met a family from Ilo-Ilo, vacationing. They asked me to join them over drinks because i was traveling solo. The next day, i was riding the same hired jeepney they arranged to the port of Guimaras on the way back to Ilo-Ilo. When i got to the city, they even paid for my transportation going to the hotel. I will always remember them. Salamat gid. It’s truly one of the country’s hidden gems, and no bad publicity of oil spill could ever make me love less this province. I’ve eaten the sweetest mangoes, asked to be married to an Ilongga lass, and slept with a huge reptile in my room. How can i forget that one place where i saw the most beautiful sunset to date, that i cried.

Negros Oriental.

My most recent trip to Negros proved that there’s so much more to see, a week’s trip is never enough to experience the highs and lows of Negros Oriental. This province has unbelievable natural spectacles from rugged mountains, to jaw-dropping waterfalls, to glimmering islands and beaches, and of course the kindness of the people. I found myself before the 2010 ended, scouring for experiences in the land of gentle people while proving myself i can go extreme. I hitched a ride on the back of a motorbike and explored Dumaguete’s surrounding municipalities and towns. I ‘ve learned to love the mountains as much as i loved the beaches. I’ve swam in Lake Balinsasayao, Red Rocks Waterfalls and Casaroro Waterfalls. I’ve island hopped to Apo and found myself swimming with sea snakes. I've met a family who again, showed nothing but kindness and courtesy that they gave a lonely traveler a ride to the city. I’ve eaten the best chicken inato with the view of Cebu’s Liloan Island. Although my stay at the worst guesthouse ever was unforgettable, i will forever remember the City of Gentle People through the eyes of my tour guide / motorcycle driver and my friend.

Siquijor

All talks of sorcery and witchcraft aren’t true. The trip to the land of fire proved me wrong. I discovered the real truth about Siquijor. This beautiful island is home to unexplored coves and white sandy beaches, amazing waterfalls and a vast vast land of lush virgin forest. I circumnavigated the island on one day and found myself discovering even more memorable experiences.  Traveling to Siquijor alone rarely happens to Filipinos,  most especially with it’s very bad publicity. I spent my days chatting with the local people about life, women, quietness of the province. I’ve smoked Mighty cigarettes and drank Gold Eagle beer, it doesn’t get more provincial than this. I was there alone on the boat on my way to this island, when i realized this is what living is all about. Learning through experiences, and excitement for the unknown. While everyone’s watching a humorous flick on the old television set, i laughed with the people. I knew i was home.

The truth about solo travelling in the Philippines is that it’s relatively safe and sound to be roaming around Visayas. These places i’ve been to proved to be friendly provinces for solo travellers because the people you will meet will truly make you feel at home. I am not a hypocrite and say that not once did i feel lonely because loneliness sometimes creeps in most especially when you’re too blessed to experiences how beautiful the place is. You sometimes wish, you were spending it with your loved ones. But during these lonely days, that's when you ponder, think and realize how beautiful the world is.

"The essence of solo travelling is that while you’re there surrounded by nature’s beauty and living the best days of your life, you will realize how much more rewarding it is to be back home after. "

 This entry is part of 

Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival 

 Theme: Solo Travel
Host: Nina of Just Wandering

Subscribe to Pinoy Boy Journals by Email www.pinoyboyjournals.com

Filipino travel journals about backpacking in the Philippines, Asia and Beyond!

http://www.facebook.com/pinoyboyjournals