Why Do We Travel: My Personal Reasons

Travelling is sometimes an expensive hobby. We need to have sufficient budget for us to go to our desired travel destination, regardless of the reason. Here are my personal reasons why I always want to travel, whether I have enough budget or none.

1. Relax and unwind

Although travelling is a bit tiring, my main purpose is to relax and unwind; to free myself from a tiring work. There are times that we have been so busy doing our tasks at work and we forget to give ourselves the freedom they deserve. I always desire to go to a place where I can feel inner peace and have a stable state of mind. I always long for self-reflection and cogitation. To a place where I have peace of mind, I can relax and unwind, and forget about life problems.

2. Discover new places

When I travel, I always make sure that I enjoy and see to it that my chosen place of adventure is worth it. I do research as to where to go next, then make a list of worthwhile activities. I love discovering new places that I have never been to. I admire every little thing that place has to offer as I love nature. When I go to a certain place for adventure, I get excited about it and what I can do.

3. Meet new friends

I have been travelling domestically by myself. Sometimes I travel with my friends. Travelling alone is more expensive than travelling with friends, but when I go alone, I meet new people - strangers. Talking with the locals while I eat their usual snacks is like getting to know them well and feeling like I am one of them. I have realized that it is always good to befriend the locals as they will treat you more than a tourist or a visitor. In places of adventure and beautiful spots, we can also make friends or acquaintances by greeting our fellow tourists or starting a small talk with them. It is one way of getting out of our shell and explore others' world too.

4. Self-assessment and Cogitation

Everytime I travel alone, at the end of every day, I think about my main purpose. I give myself time to reflect and cogitate. I re-assess myself by going back to the stressful days I have been struggling. I think about possible solutions to problems. This time is my "me time." I always make time for myself and to spend it with my own company. This is the only time when I can value myself more than anything else, because I deserve peacefulness in mind and heart.

5. Explore another culture

I appreciate learning about other cultures particularly learning a language and eating food. I love learning new things. If I go to another place, it is expected that there is a vast difference in terms of language or dialect, conversational styles and attitudes, food preparation, eating habits, norms of the locals, beliefs, and many others related to culture. I have always been interested to all of these, and it is one of the reasons why I love travelling. I want to learn more and I want to be part of that particular culture (although impossible).

6. Experience

If you don't go to other places, you have nothing to share with others. As much as possible, travel if you can. The experience I get when I go on a trip is always a treasure. There is nothing more beautiful than the experience I encounter in every place I go, whether it is nice or not. At least, there is always something that we can share and not just rely on what we read in books. I take a lot of pictures and keep them because one day I know, all these will become a memory.

7. Develop confidence and enthusiasm

I am not a shy person but there are certain times that I hesitate to initiate a query. When I travel, I learned that there is no harm in asking. It is way better than doing things on your own. I was able to develop self-confidence by doing so. To add, I was able to develop my enthusiasm in all the things I want to get and what I want to happen. Because I am always enthusiastic, I make sure that what I imagine happens.

8. Doing myself a favor

I believe that I deserve a break - a break from the toxic reality. When I travel, I grant myself's request: achieve your goal. I always find ways to do it, because at the end of the day, I only have myself to accompany me. I don't care about material things. Travelling is my form of contentment.Travelling is my self-reward. 

We have our own reasons why we travel. Although it is expensive, travelling makes us more adventurous and the experience we gain from it does not equate any value of money. It may be hard at times, but if we try to be more aggressive and keen, we can achieve it.

Are you in for a trip after the pandemic? Send me a buzz and let's talk.

Share your thoughts with me.

Goal Achieved: A Traipse and Sunrise in Panimahawa Ridge

Whether it is a team goal or a personal goal, we can always achieve it if we really want to.

Sunrise in Panimahawa Ridge

Who would not want to chase the sunrise or sunset at this picturesque ridge? Beautiful, isn't it?

It was a 2-month plan for our team to travel to the beautiful province of Bukidnon and visit some of its tourist spots. Excitement was felt from Day 1 of the planning until the day we stepped on its territory. 

at Camp Phillips, Bukidnon

We went to some places such as the Mountain View College where the beautiful Mt. Kitanglad is clearly seen; 

At Mountain View College Bukidnon

Lake Apo where we spent our lunch at a floating cottage and had moments of laughter; 

at Lake Apo

Musuan Peak where, unfortunately I wasn't able to climb due to some circumstances, my friends however did it and enjoyed the view from the peak;

My friends, in Musuan Peak

Communal Ranch where my friends rode on horses and had fun racing with one another and of course picture taking for instagrammable posts. 

Group photo at the Communal Ranch

These are only few of the places we visited while in Bukidnon. The highlight most of all is our morning trek to the famous Panimahawa Ridge.

This had been one of our goals - reach the summit of the ridge and witness the sun as it gradually rises to light the whole world. Finally, we achieved it. The sun's rising indicated a good weather on that day.

Our team, ready for the trek

Our jump-off point was at Impalutao in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon where we met the in-charge if there are hikers who go for a trek. His name is Bobby Paul or known as Sir Bob. He introduced us to two guides named Kuya Dante and Kuya Larry.

We started the trek at 4:19 AM. It wasn't a difficult trek at the beginning since we just traversed plain corn fields for about 10 minutes to prepare ourselves for a more challenging trek and began to descend for 20 minutes to reach the bamboo bridge. We took a rest for a while then began to ascend to a little steep terrain. By the way, we were using our mobile phones' flashlights since it was dark yet. It was a 30-minute ascent until we reached a little hut where hikers can take a rest and see some town lights from afar. We rested for 15 minutes then began to walk again and reached a house where we can refill our bottles with water or answer the call of nature before we started to ascend again. This time, we were right at the foot of the ridge.

Our guides were surprised that we walked faster than any other hikers that we could reach some points during the trek in less than the expected time. The way to the summit was steep. It wasn't difficult, however, there were a lot of rocks along the way which can cause one to slide if not being careful. We needed to hold hands to help one another in ascending. 

The summit in silhouette view

They say, the most beautiful view can be found after a hardest climb. Yes, this is agreeably right. We were mesmerized with the beautiful sea of clouds as we reached the summit although the sun hasn't risen yet.

Not so thick, but it's still a sea of clouds.

Indeed. Panimahawa Ridge's view is breath-taking. This goal was achieved and we never regretted it. Personally, it has been my long time plan to go there, and yes, it was realized! We were able to witness the sun rising slowly and showing us its brightness. Of course, we welcomed it with a smile and with fulfillment.

Group photo at the Panimawa Ridge

We took a lot of photos and enjoyed the view. There were hikers who spent one whole night there to witness the sunset and the sunrise. They left with no trace, yes, but unfortunately, there were few trashes which is, I think, not a good attitude of a hiker. 

We also brought our trail food and ate at the summit. When the sun's heat was about to painfully hit our skin, we decided to descend. The descent from the summit was a little scary as rocks were clearly causing us to slide. We had to be cautious at all times. 

We were just behind our friends but we had to take more rests this time as our feet were already shaking and we couldn't almost catch our breaths. We traversed the same trail as we did while going to the summit. It was just funny that we (my friend and I) were lost as we took a different trail when we were almost back at the jump-off point. Good thing we met Kuya Larry and came back together to the base where our friends were already taking a rest and waiting for us.

The trek was an achievement, indeed. If you wish to visit Panimahawa Ridge, you may contact Sir Bob through his mobile number 09978013135. The rate of the hike is P300.00 per person. 

You may bring your trail food if you'd like to eat breakfast at the summit or bring a camping set if you wish to spend a night there. Wear hiking shoes with spike as rocks are dangerous near the summit. 

What are you waiting for?