Live life and explore -- 37 Quotes that will encourage you to travel!

I've been feeling under the weather for a month now because of the foot cast that constantly reminds me of a very bad fall. Not only is my left calf muscle rapidly wasting away, being immobile for the longest time also takes an emotional toll on me. The month of April was supposedly an exciting time for me since travel plans were already in place (a quick beach escape, a weekend festival, a trip to Tacloban City). 

Being on house arrest and not being able to work is pretty sad on my end. But I still try to keep things productive by stuffing myself with all the positive things that one can get from online resources (Pinterest and Craftgawker are awesome boredom-busters!)

Just wanted to share one of my current pick-me-uppers --- a super cool travel layout from Travel + Escape, which has certainly helped lift my spirit! :)

Explore & Be Free!

Mai

HEAT WAVE 101: How to spend your summertime in the Philippines

The heat wave hasn't gone full blast on us just yet. But you can definitely feel it coming. I've been sweating like crazy, and the fan in my room is almost always turned on the whole time. So what more when the rest of the summer months come in, right? 

Anyway, most of you are probably gone to that much awaited trip for the Holy Week, while I'm stuck at home with a fractured 5th Metatarsal! However, I see my 'painful condition' rather fit for my penitence this year.  And since I'm on house arrest with no plans in tow, then allow me to share some of my local escapes that I think are quite fitting this summer. [Check out my 2012 Summer Post here]

So click away Biyahera's and Biyahero's!!!

Food + Travel: Gastronomic flavors at NAPA Restaurant and Bar

I had the opportunity of dining in Napa Restaurant & Bar one January evening with blogger friends --- those who I had the honor of working with at last year's FBW 1st Grand Eyeball. The admins and I wanted to treat the volunteers from that event to a thanksgiving dinner of sorts. Thus our post-Christmas gathering at NAPA.

COZY AMBIANCE 

NAPA is actually a casual dining restaurant in Quezon City (by Scout Borromeo). A nice place where warm greetings will immediately welcome you. The food establishment that serves both American and Italian dishes looked a lot like a cozy and stylish home. But other than that, the beautiful interiors of NAPA was also inspired by the rustic vineyards of Napa Valley in San Francisco, and was lovingly designed by Cynthia Gaerlan.

Turista Magazine's Pagudpud Edition: Of Waterfalls and Windmills

I therefore conclude that my right foot is totally injured! Yes, I tripped somewhere down the road -- and this was just yesterday after attending my niece's graduation. But this latest issue of TURISTA Magazine has certainly made my crippled day WORTH SMILING about! 

Please get a FREE copy at any of the NAIA Terminals and check-out my Pagudpud Feature. Ü Rubel and I are on print again.. Hooray for BUDGET BIYAHERA! Woohoo!! 

You can also check the online version of Turista Magazine here.

Explore & Be Free!

Mai

4 Things that I graduated from since I started traveling

I have to admit. I've never really bought anything expensive for myself. So if you were to ask me, most of my pricey stuff were given as gifts by my family and friends. So if it's not food, all of my savings goes directly to my travel fund. Believe it or not, I've graduated from obtaining and/or keeping 'material things' as investing on trips and journeying off to different places has given me more fulfillment in life than the former.

So what have I graduated from since I started traveling extensively? I've marked off...

My Inhibitions

“Cities were always like people, showing their varying personalities to the traveler. Depending on the city and on the traveler, there might begin a mutual love, or dislike, friendship, or enmity. Where one city will rise a certain individual to glory, it will destroy another who is not suited to its personality. Only through travel can we know where we belong or not, where we are loved and where we are rejected.” 

― Roman Payne

I am an introvert. Well, I still am. But I've managed to control it through the years. I mostly travel with my family and close friends. So meeting new people on the road wasn't an option to me from the very beginning (due to personal reasons). But all that's changed when I finally broke free from my shell. That's when I gradually pushed myself to meet and talk to new individuals, which lead me to experience bigger opportunities and new found friendships. I enjoyed being in the company of like-minded people when I started to leave behind my inhibitions. Since then, my network has expanded.