Top 15 finest & Worst travel moments of 2017

Vins as well as I will always keep in mind 2017 as the year we made a decision to go slow.

The year prior, we traveled to over 26 countries on three continents. The whole time, we were joking that when it pertains to “travel blogging,” we were a lot more thinking about the travel part, something that was honestly half-meant. This year, we stopped, looked back, as well as shifted the focus to the other half of our profession. You know, the blogging part.

We have long accepted the truth that we are not the type of blog writers who might travel as well as produce material at the exact same time. We have tried doing that before, however it just couldn’t work for us. We discovered that the most effective rhythm for us is to roam one moment as well as compose the next, never at the exact same time. So putting a lot more effort to the material development indicated moving much a lot more slowly as well as being stationary much a lot more frequently. Thankfully, it paid off.

But of course, we couldn’t set travel aside completely. This year, we were able to stay much longer in only nine countries including Canada, Greece, as well as Malta. however what we genuinely took pleasure in about 2017 was the chance to rediscover our house country. We checked out a lot more Philippine destinations than any type of other year — from as far north as Batanes down to Zamboanga, from Palawan to Samar. We were likewise able to return to a few of our preferred regional destinations: Biri Island, Zambales, Aurora, as well as Coron.

In this yearend post, we will be sharing with you the 5 worst as well as 10 finest moments we had on the road.

Top 5 Worst travel Moments

5. budget Shocker in Batangas

One of the things we’ve always wished to do was to go beach-hopping in Batangas over a weekend. The beaches were great, however our Laiya stop was especially unforgettable since we didn’t expect that the resort we booked charges for a mandatory food package, which was typical at best. We booked it utilizing a third-party site as well as didn’t see that bit in the fine print (if there was at all), so it was partly our fault. We still paid for it, of course, as well as pushed with with our stay. I just desire that resorts would make details such as this a lot more famous or make an effort to remind their future guests with a lot more efficient channels (like email).

4. Headache in Vigan

Vigan is a charming city, possible one of my faves in the country. This year, I got to see it once again when our cruise ship, the Superstar Virgo, made a stop in Ilocos (on the method to Taiwan). Unfortunately, I had a horrible headache. I desire I were speaking metaphorically here. I rarely get headache (or any type of type of body pain), however that a person so awful, I made a decision to just get some meds as well as spend the entire day at a quick food restaurant. It wasn’t Vigan’s fault. however the timing was just nasty.

3. headache Up in the Air

My journey from Tokyo would’ve been best however at one point during the flight, I had a poor dream. When I was a kid, my left arm got burned in an accident. I dreamed about that onboard. in that dream, I might feel the pain as the flames engulfed my left arm as well as cheek. I might odor the stench of torched flesh, my flesh. I might hear the boiling plastic as it stuck to my skin as well as the screaming of the onlookers as I tried to crawl out of that pit. I woke up as well as realized it was just a dream as well as that I was on a airplane as well as that, since I was traveling alone, I had nobody to talk to. So I sobbed quietly.

2. losing sun glasses in Coron

I have a big, round face. I’m normally fine with it up until I put on sunglasses. The issue with having a puffy deal with like mine is that it is rather the difficulty discovering sun glasses that would not make me look like Jollibee. I lastly discovered a great pair six years ago, however I couldn’t pay for it. working for a startup company, I wasn’t earning much at the time, so I saved for it for months. It was most likely the very first piece of high-end that I gotten for myself ever. It was the only pair of shades that I had as well as used. as well as while in Coron, I lost it. most likely dropped it as I was getting off the tricycle.

1. Tricycle mishap in Manila

Speaking of tricycle…. the worst travel moment I had experienced this year occurred not as well far from where I live. I was coming house from a trip. I was just 3 minutes to my apartment or condo when the tricycle I was riding made a sharp turn. The automobile lost its balance as well as tumbled to its side. Sensing what was about the happen, I jumped out of the sidecar, however I was a second as well late. My foot got caught between the automobile as well as the road. Thankfully, the cars and trucks behind us stopped in time. No severe injuries, however I was shookt to the core.

Top 10 finest travel Moments

10.cruise to Taiwan as well as Hong Kong by means of Superstar Virgo

Last summer, we were able to hop onboard Superstar Virgo, the very first cruise ship to homeport in Manila. We treasured every minute of it because, you understand us, we don’t do this often. however every now as well as then, it’s excellent to experience something that we never envisioned we would get to enjoy. since we have been to the stops (Vigan, Taiwan, Hong Kong), it was our time on the ship that lingers in our head!

More information here: Superstar Virgo Guide

9. A Maltese Welcome

We didn’t believe we would be back in Europe so soon, however there we were! Our very first stop this time around around was Malta, a location that we’d been trying to capture into our travel plan on our past Euro trip however couldn’t since of time constraints. Finally, it happened. Malta is one of the most picturesque destinations we have set foot in. Every corner is postcard worthy. however it was the sunrise on our very first morning there that made us so ecstatic about the whole journey.

8. return to Batanes

It’s been four long years considering that the last time we were in Batanes as well as our return was long overdue. For a moment, I believed it wouldn’t happen. We were meant to go to a friend’s wedding event there however then something occurred so we had to cancel. just a few weeks after that, we made a decision to still go wedding event or no-wedding. since money is an issue, we flew from Clark instead (which at the time was substantially more affordable than flights from Manila).

Batanes doesn’t get old. Although a lot of of the sites we checked out were familiar, they still felt like we were seeing them for the very first time. Some areas even appeared a lot more breathtaking this time around around.

7. Planes as well as Falls in Ontario

Our see to Canada wasn’t just our very first time in that country. It was likewise our very first time in North America, our fifth continent. That alone made that trip unforgettable. however that’s just the beginning.

There are two crucial moments that I would stay with me. very first our excursion of the Bombardier facility in Toronto, where I witnessed very first hand exactly how airplanes are built. As travel bloggers, we’ve always been fascinated by airplanes, to ensure that was absolutely for keeps.

The other is our short however wonderful trip to the Niagara Falls. very first look as well as I was blown away. It was waaaay bigger as well as a lot more grandiose than I imagined! as well as the rainbows developing amidst its splashes added a great touch.

6. Hallmark Realness at Shirakawa-Go

The very first time we saw a picture of Shirakawa-go, we were promptly reminded of those Hallmark holiday cards we would provide to our liked ones. That alone sends warmth to my soul. however seeing it in person was beyond heartwarming, it was likewise jaw-dropping. checking out this picture-perfect UNESCO world Heritage site is like being in a dream you don’t want to get up from.

More information here: exactly how to get to Shirakawa-go

5. wintertime Wonderland at Sapporo Snow Festival

We’ve always looked at snow not as ice powder however fairy dust, the stuff that wonderful locations are made of. as well as it can’t be any type of truer than in Sapporo. The Snow celebration was the highlight of that tour, however it wasn’t all of it. The Snow Lanterns in Jozankei was just as mesmerizing, as well as the food was drool-trigger irresistible.

4. radiant Plankton in Coron

Our Coron trip last summertime was eventful, to state the least. however if there’s one thing that truly made a mark, it’s the Fireflies as well as radiant Plankton Tour. This is incredibly magical! Although the fireflies are cool, the genuine stars of the night are the bioluminescent plankton. When you dip your hands in the water, it sparkles. as well as when you tap the sides of the boats, the most incredible thing happened: the water underneath us glittered as well as the lights spread out across the water! If I didn’t hold my jaws in place, they would have dropped into the water. It was insane!

3. Biri Island’s institution of Rock

Back in 2012, my top destination was Biri Island. Back then, I had no expectations. We just dropped by since we were doing a coastal cleanup job in one more town in northern Samar. however kid was I blown away.

This time, Biri Island was part of a 4-stop excursion that we did in browse of the most unusual beaches in the country. even when the novelty has passed for me, this location still left me breathless. It was Vins’s very first time here, as well as he was lost for words. It’s just extraordinary.

2. Off-season in Santorini

When I believe about Santorini, I always photo it with a large crowd enjoying for the sunset. as well as although we understood December was off-peak, we didn’t expect the village of Oia to be essentially empty during our visit. When we saw the sunset, there were only us as well as two other families.

Traveling to Santorini in wintertime provided us memories for keeps. Our stay began on the wrong note, having to spend our very first night outside in the chilly as well as amid the groaning winds. long story. Let’s save it for one more time. however that was quickly wiped away the next day. Oia, where we stayed, was peaceful as well as secluded, providing us a much needed break as well as peace of mind. It was as though we had the island!

1. among the Gods in Athens

On the method to our hotel on our very first night in Athens, our cab motorist John made a detour to a hill as well as took us to a excellent spot, where we might have a panoramic view of the city, with the Acropolis towering above it. He didn’t fee us additional for it.

On our last day, one of the locals we met, Sotiris, showed us around the non-touristy parts of Athens. We tried to idea him for his time, however he refused. “It’s my pleasure.”

We’ve never seen a people prouder of their city than the Athenians. as well as it’s not in a bragging way. We might tell in the method they explain their home. We might feel it in the method they share their history as well as culture. They are protective of it, however at the exact same time excited to share pieces of it. It’s amazing. It is maybe this like for their city that made us feel so welcome.

The history, the sights, as well as the food were all terrific in Athens. however it is the people that puts it on top of this list.

2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 1️⃣2️⃣ • 3️⃣1️⃣

More ideas on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Related Posts:

How I stop My task as well as ended up being a Full-time travel blog writer

12 female travel blogs for the Empowered Filipina

Get Inspired: 6 sensational Destinations Near Washington, DC (Video)

Quit Your 9-5 to online as well as work (David Getman)

My 3 a lot of absurd moments While Backpacking RTW

Top 10 finest as well as Worst travel moments of 2016

12 new YEAR QUOTES, desires & GREETINGS for Travelers

7 travel shows To Binge-Watch on NETFLIX