Best of Travel 2011: One Year, Five Countries, 12,300 Miles Flown

Back in 2010, I was telling myself that it was my travel year, but certainly, 2011 wasn’t to be outdone! As my trips are mostly around here in the Philippines, it was record-setting in my almost three years as a young traveler that I was able to see five countries! Let me recount some of my adventures and where I have been this year. Read more…

Photo credit: naftels

PHILIPPINES 
Travel Date: January-December 2011
Outbound Flight: numerous
Inbound Flight: numerous
All year round I’ve been roaming around my beloved country, and frankly, I haven’t written maybe about 70% of where I’ve been to this year. I won’t say yet what my destinations were this past year until I’ve written them, just so they would be a surprise. 
HONG KONG 
Travel Date: March 2011
Outbound Flight: CRK-HKG Cebu Pacific Air 5J 150
Inbound Flight: MFM-MNL Cebu Pacific Air 5J 363
My formula for our Hong Kong family trip was to go out early in the morning for a solo off-the-beaten-track exploration, go out with the family all day, and get some nightlife alone. For three days, my days started at 6 AM and ended 2 AM. It was tiring, but seeing so much in that short span of time—from temples to Disneyland—was worth it.
POSTS: Lost in Hong Kong (DAY 1) (DAY 2) (DAY 3) (DAY 4)Hong Kong-Macau with Only an iPhone Camera (PART 1) (PART 2) (PART 3) (PART 4)The Lost Boy’s Survival Tips to Hong Kong
MACAU  
Travel Date: March 2011
Outbound Flight: CRK-HKG Cebu Pacific Air 5J 150
Inbound Flight: MFM-MNL Cebu Pacific Air 5J 363
There was a lot to explore despite Macau’s minute land area, yet we only had a day to spend. I got to compare the colonial and new Macau—the majestic heritage sites versus the grandiose hotels and casinos. I feasted on Macanese and Portuguese food as well!
POSTS:Lost in MacauHong Kong-Macau with Only an iPhone Camera (PART 4)The Lost Boy’s Survival Tips to Macau
SINGAPORE  
Travel Date: September 2011
Outbound Flight: MNL-SIN Singapore Airlines SQ 915
Inbound Flight: SIN-MNL Singapore Airlines SQ 918
I was so lucky to have been invited by YourSingapore to cover the 2011 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix and Grand Prix Season Singapore. For four exhilarating days, I went to parties, lifestyle events, and of course, the only night race in the Formula 1 calendar. I did a lot of sightseeing as well, which I will write about in the near future.
POSTS:Just a Quick Update on the 2011 SingTel Singapore Grand PrixGrand Prix Season Singapore (Practice Day) (Qualifying Day) (Race Day) (Wrap Up)The Grand Mercure Roxy: A Great Hotel Tucked Away in KatongSingapore Airlines: My Five Star Experience Up in the Air
MALAYSIA 
Travel Date: September 2011
Outbound Flight: MNL-SIN Singapore Airlines SQ 915
Inbound Flight: SIN-MNL Singapore Airlines SQ 918
I’ve been to Malaysia—for a couple of hours. I went to Johor Bahru, which is in the immediate north of Singapore, to get a passport stamp and to get a glimpse of West Malaysia, perhaps as a teaser to our already booked trip to Kuala Lumpur next year. I’ve shared my experience crossing the border, and I’ll write more about Johor Bahru soon.
POST: Travel Diary: Don’t Tell My Mom I Went to Malaysia
WHERE I’LL BE LOST NEXT
Honestly, I have no concrete travel plans this coming year, save for some already booked flights. With the advent of fuel surcharges in our local airlines, however, I think I’ll do some land trips within Luzon for this time. I really want to go to Sagada up in the Cordilleras, Calaguas in Camarines Norte, and Mt. Pinatubo if time permitting.
See you on the road this 2012!