Green Backpacking Tips

Backpacking can be a unique and wonderful experience, whether it is done in a natural or urban setting. Unfortunately it can sometimes be difficult to maintain an environmentally friendly attitude while backpacking. Convenience often takes the place of better judgment. There are many ways to enjoy the backpacking experience without adding to the decline of our already suffering environment. Here are a few simple practices that can be used while backpacking to ensure that others, who come after, will enjoy the trip as much as you did.

• When it comes to food and drink make sure you are using reusable containers. 
• Clean up after yourself and any pets you bring with you.
• Lakes and streams are great places to swim, wash up, and rinse out dirty dishes along the way. If you want to use biodegradable cleaning products then just get the water you need from the lake and dump it on the ground away from the water source when you are done. It will degrade much quicker on the ground than in the water.
• Please, at all times, leave everything that is living the way you found it.

• If you want a souvenir, take a picture and the environment will last longer. Taking pictures is a great way to make any adventure last for a long time to come.

• When cooking your own meals try to find alternatives to burning wood.
• If you smoke, you should quit now because it’s destroying your health.
• While trying to be a greener backpacker why not start with your backpack? A lot of textiles and clothing are made with chemical washes that are harmful to the environment and use a lot of energy in production. Try to find clothing and camping gear that are made with less impacting techniques. Recycled materials and materials such as hemp are good bets.
• While backpacking it is very important to remember not to feed the wildlife.
• Backpacking and making greener choices can co-exist with little inconvenience. The trick is finding easy ways to make sure that your trip isn’t at the cost of our environment. Being environmentally conscience while we are backpacking will help ensure that others can enjoy the experience long after we are gone.

LAKBAY SEASON!

It’s LAKBAY SEASON in the Philippines!

October to April of each year is the best time to explore the Philippines!

Explore North Luzon and Experience the beauty of the Philippines.

Email us for bookings and reservations!

Packages:

1. Mt. Pinatubo Day Trek P3,500/pax (min of 4pax) inclusive of shuttle service, guide services, lunch and snacks,
2. Baguio and Sagada Adventures (2nites-3days) - $150/pax (min of 4pax) Inclusive of shuttle to and from airport, guide services, snacks en-route to destination,accommodations (Baguio & Sagada). 

Prestige Cruises, Inc.

M/V Spirit of Manila

Manila Bay Dining Cruises gives you a chance to enjoy fine dining and live entertainment, and see Manila from a rare and moving vantage point. There are 3 trips on weekdays and 4 trips during weekends, less than two hour ride to enjoy the scene and the food. Current cruise rate is at 250 pesos for cruise only and 495 pesos with dinner. You can check out the the cruise at Harbour Square CCP complex. 

Join now its FREE! Share the Money. Share the Bar!

Official Provincial Websites

Here’s a list of North Luzon’s Official Provincial websites. There you will find great destinations - if you decide to take the trip on your own. Get in touch with the local provincial tour office if you decide to visit specific places or destinations. They will be more than glad to assist you.

• http://www.nvizcaya.gov.ph/ (I started with Nueva Vizcaya’s website because they offer the best information on some of their most amazing tour destinations) 
• http://www.baguio.gov.ph/index.php?q=content/welcome-baguio-city (the summer capital of the Philippines and a great summer destination. It offers both natural and man-made attractions that are not to be found elsewhere)
• http://www.santa.gov.ph/ilocossur/tourism/trsmabout.html
• http://www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph/
• http://www.dagupan.gov.ph/index.php?id=632
• http://www.tuguegaraocity.gov.ph/
• http://www.cabatuan-isabela.gov.ph/index.htm
• http://www.angelescity.gov.ph/ (Angeles City offers the best in night time entertainment to leisure and sporting activities. Shopping is also at its finest here)
• http://www.cityofsanfernando.gov.ph/ (and finally San Fernando, Pampanga. This city plays host to the annual Giant Parol (Lantern) Festival. It is also a great destination for food lovers and adventurers alike. It is next door to places such as Candaba’s wetlands and bird sanctuary, Bacolor and other notable towns)

For a list of Philippine festivals and events, please click on the link below.

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/philippine_festivals.html

Mt. Pinatubo Sky Tour

OMNI AVIATION CORPORATION

OMNI AVIATION Corporation is the premiere Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and Aviation Training Center in Southeast Asia

Mt. Pinatubo Sky Tour

Have the best seat to view the volcano that once ravaged central Luzon. Considered the one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, the eruption affected global weather patterns. Having been dormant for centuries, Mt. Pinatubo erupted anew in 1991, spewing an ash plume that spread across the globe. Have a bird’s-eye-view of the crater, surreal ash canyons, and the remnants of the once-devastating lahar flows.

Flights depart out of Omni Aviation Complex, Clark Field. Cost is PHP4,500.00 per person, flying time for 1-2 pax (45 mins), 3 or more (1 hour). The best time to fly is early in the morning (sunrise - 10am) and in the late afternoon (3-sunset). Interested? Just give us a call a day or two ahead of time to schedule your flight.

Fun Flights

Omni Aviation offers Fun Flights for those who would like to experience the joy and freedom of flight.  We pattern the flights to your desires.  We offer trial instructional flights, aerial sightseeing, and even utility category aerobatics.

Air Taxi Destinations

Omni offers aircraft charter services to any airport in the Philippines.  Our most popular destinations are listed below:

Choco-Late’ De Batirol

Inquire at email: chocobaguio@gmail.com

Where to find Choco-Late’ de Batirol

Igorot Garden, Gate 2 Camp John Hay, Baguio City

NOW OPEN!

Choco-Late’ De Batirol

North Walk 2, Jose Abad Santos Avenue Shell Station

San Fernando, Pampanga

http://chocolatedebatirol.i.ph

Adventure Photos

  Let the photos speak for themselves….

Pagudpud beach, La Union         Ultralite flights in Arayat

                                        Hanging coffins in Sagada      Longest Bangus grill in Dagupan

Uphill from Lagawe                 Waking up amidst the pine

                                                    Hiking anyone?                         Mt. Pulag summit

Chico River Rapids                   Marcos Highway

                                                   La Union surfing                        Hundred Islands

Manila Grand Opera Hotel

I have received a couple of comments regarding this particular blog. Rest assured I have passed your concern to the group you were referring to  in your message/comment. Please be reminded that comments that are overly unfair, injurious and defamatory will not be entertained in this forum simply because it does not give the party being denigrated a chance to defend themselves. May i therefore suggest you bring your issue up with the group concerned so that they could immediately rectify the matter.

In fairness, I have learned that its management is going to great lengths to improve not only its amenities including F&B,  but in its service delivery as well. I agree with you that the hotel is fairly new but understand to that even while it is new one must not expect perfection instead note that as with all other “great hotels of the world,” there are always challenges and obstacles before greatness is achieved.  And mark my words…this establishment will achieve it minus the caranguejos that are walking about.

Thank you for your comments. It is much enlightening.

The benefits are endless. Give a little and Get A Lot! Join now it’s FREE!

Fresh Lumpia is Awesome!

In making lumpia, store-bought wrappers are convenient. But, there is nothing like home-made egg wrappers. I used to make them with my lumpiang ubod.

A sprinkling of crushed nuts and sesame seeds gives it texture. These little things are really wonderful. Improves the aroma AND the taste. And you can get your share of Lumpia over at Choco-late’ de Batirol. Awesome eating and one i am not going to soon forget.

Tourist Arrivals on the Rise!

Working together, we hope to achieve 1.5 Million tourist arrivals per quarter by 2009 with a steady increase per year. - Blog Editor

 MANILA, Philippines- Foreign tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year rose marginally from a year earlier, still led by visitors from South Korea, the Department of Tourism said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DOT said foreign tourist arrivals rose 8.5 percent to 858,244 in the first three months of 2008 from 790,888 visitors in the same period last year.

The agency said that for the period in review, the most number of foreign visitors came in during January (293,803) while the month of February registered the highest growth of 11.7 percent. The tourism agency said the Korean market still the top markets as it contributed the biggest arrivals of 175,147 during the first three months of the year.

The Korean market had a 20.4-percent share of total inbound traffic and registered a growth of 2 percent compared to 171,716 in 2007.

Visitors from the United States constituted the second biggest arrivals with 166,128, or 19.4 percent of total visitor volume. This market grew by 6.3 percent compared to its contribution of 156,226 a year ago.

The Japanese market came third with 99,453 or about 11.6 percent of the total inbound traffic. The Japanese market recorded a decline of 4 percent versus its corresponding arrivals of 103,589 for the same period in 2007.

Other top tourism market during the period were China with 48,619 visitors; Taiwan, 31,441 visitors; Hong Kong with 31,344 arrivals; Australia with 30,936 arrivals; Canada with 29,525 arrivals; United Kingdom with 23,863 arrivals and Singapore with 23,761 arrivals. - GMANews.TV

A Philippine Gastronomic Adventure

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Contrary to popular belief outside of the Philippines, the cuisine of this sunny country is rich in history, flavour, contrast, texture and colour. Filipinos, eat a varied diet of fresh meats, fish, shellfish, fowl, vegetables and fruits.

Most foods are field fresh due to necessity, and never older than two days. They taste as nature intended. Pesticide and herbicide use is minimal due to cost considerations, and both fruits and vegetables are picked ripe or very close to ripeness. Of course, Filipinos eat only seasonal fruits and vegetables, never dreaming to look for anything out of season, or imported from thousands of kilometres away.

While on the road, and on our way to our choice destination, we will have our guests sample the best foods and delicacies from a variety of food stalls or "carinderia" located along the highways. Here, an explosion of color, tastes and experiences will greet the weary traveller.

• Pampanga offers "Sisig" or grilled pork cheek with garlic, onions, liver paste, calamansi.
• Ilocos has "bagnet" deep fried pork rump. Crispy and juicy.
• Pangasinan offers its boneless Bangus (milk fish) from Bonoan.
• Vigan the "Pakbet" or "kebbet" (shrivel) Ilocano is simple boiled vegetables with fish bagoong topped with either bagnet, fried pork or dried fish.  
• Choco-late’ de Batirol thick, rich choco-late just like grandma used to make

Regional specialties include Puto Bungbong, Bibingka, Suman sa Lihia, Kalamay, Halo-Halo and much more.                                                                                                      

 Biko

  Sisig

Philippine Backpacker

Philippine Backpacker is an independent, adventure-filled, Philippine based adventure organization offering adventure tours, holidays and vacations to Northern Luzon, Metro-Manila and Central Luzon - to backpackers willing to explore and experience the Philippines. We are not a business. We are just guys who enjoy bringing people around to experience and explore. We do not charge fees. You pay your own way. We are merely your guides.

Take a trip to the Highest Point Highway in the Philippines on your way to Sagada!

Our in-depth knowledge of the Luzon regions enables us to offer original itineraries with a balance between the region’s better known ‘must-sees’ and it’s off-the-beaten-track, ‘well kept secrets’.

Philippine Backpacker Adventures will provide a real insight into the provinces you are visiting - culture, history, landscape and natural world - and allow opportunities for genuine interaction with the local people and communities.

Bomod-ok Falls, Sagada 

 As much as possible on our adventure trips we will stay in smaller, family-run accommodation, eat in local restaurants (carinderia) and use local style transport. In addition all guides and agencies used are considered friends rather than ‘business contacts’. The idea being that you will visit the Philippines as guests rather than as tourists.

Mt. Pulag 

Respect for local people, their cultures, traditions, religions and environment are essential to Philippine Backpacker philosophy, and we work hard to ensure our groups have a positive impact on the places and people visited.

Northern Exposure - Philippines!

Philippine Backpacker is for those with a yearning for discovery, adventure, and fun. We provide a wide range of eco-adventure tours in the Philippines. You can discover natural wonders and encounter people and their cultures unlike any you have met before.

You also have the opportunity to stay in traditional Igorot and other highland homes, take excursions to sites of ancient ruins and burial grounds ,or explore caves, experience a wild river ride, or climb the 2nd highest mountain in Luzon. Our standard or tailored programs will allow you to meet the real people of these exotic lands.

The combination of experienced guides and the broad range of participants ensures a trip you should remember for ever!

Explore the wonders of the Philippines. Meet local people and experience their intriguing lifestyle. Discover incredible natural beauty and the historical and cultural treaures of the regions. 

Experience wild river rapids at Chico River…

or simply paddle with leisure atop the clear waters of the Hundred Islands.

For information on adventure tours to Northern Luzon, Philippines. Email: pinoyservant@gmail.com