Have you travelled to the Philippines before? If you have not, you should definitely consider travel into the Philippines at least once in your lifetime. The biodiversity and cultural diversity in the Philippines is one of the best in the world which draws thousands of visitors every year from all around the world. There is a lot to explore, and if you have a motorcycle you can trot along the entire length and breadth of the Philippines and Revel in its diversity and beautiful.
Many first timers make a lot of mistakes which you can simply avoid by keeping these few things in mind.
Focusing too much time on the waterfront
The Philippines is known for its wonderful beaches, lagoons and islands. But besides that, there’s a lot more to explore which many people simply miss out because they do not even know about that. The Philippines has a very political history with the Spanish and Portuguese occupying the country for several decades, later on the English colonial Masters also left behind a distinct impression of their own culture and architecture. Make some time in addition to lazing on the beach to see all of these different aspects of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Thinking it will always be sunny
Being a tropical country, the Philippines is rather warm even in the winter which makes it a great winter vacation destination for people in the northern hemisphere. But there are places where the temperature can drop a lot specially when the altitude increases. Do not always expect the weather to be sunny and tropical all the time. This is important to keep in mind while packing the bags, you don’t necessarily need a lot of thick winter clothes, but having a few in your bag will definitely help. If you are travelling by motorcycle, consider investing in a motorcycle luggage box to carry all the clothes and gears with you. it is common to rain even in the winter, which is why you must definitely carry a raincoat with your other motorcycle riding gear. A good way to reduce the clutter of having multiple body covers to get a windcheater or a motorcycle riding jacket that is waterproof. The same goes for your gloves as well. Invest in a pair of motorcycle riding gloves that has a good air ventilation system as well as waterproof to keep the water out.
Missing out on the ecological diversity
As you travel to the impressive length and breadth of the Philippines, you will encounter different cultures and ecological diversity ranging from white Sandy beaches to thick overgrown tropical forests to tall mountains and volcanoes! Do not be afraid of exploring all of these different ecological diversities, because if you don’t you will be missing out on a huge aspect of what makes the Philippines so unique. Travelling to the distant volcanoes and mountains is quite easy these days because these are all maintained by the government and modes of communication are quite cheap especially if you book them early in the season. A lot of national parks and water reserves open up for visitors during specific times of the year, so keep an eye on doors and book them ahead in advance. In some cases, you might have to book travel facilities such as leave on board boats as early as 12 months before the season begins.
Not interacting with the diverse cultures
While we’re completely in the favor of never letting your guard down, we also encourage our readers to interact with the local culture and explore the diversity in all of them. Keep an open mind and talk to people whenever you get the opportunity. Never share your opinion unless asked for, and also when you do that, make sure to keep things civil and pleasant.
Not trying out local cuisines
If you do not try out the local cuisine at the destination, you are missing out on a very special aspect of travelling. In the Philippines, you will find everything from western cuisines to local cuisines being served side by side, which means you should not just limit yourself to what you already know. Try out a new cuisine, you never know when you might come across your new favorite dish!
Overpacking
Overpacking the bags with things nobody is ever going to use during the trip is one of the very common mistakes first time travelers make. If you were travelling by a motorcycle, you already have the restriction of a limited luggage space, so make best use of what you have and organize your luggage in such a way that you do not carry anything which you can easily buy at the destination. Leave out non-essential items such as paper napkins, disposable batteries, disposable paper plates for meals, and some common medicines. Be sure to carry all your necessary documents and proof of motorcycle ownership as well as international driving license if you are crossing international boundaries to reach the Philippines. Staying safe against the Coronavirus infection is also one of the new concerns that travelers have, so make sure to have adequate sanitization equipment and products with you. You can also find them in local stores in the Philippines, so only carry what you need for the time being.
Overplanning
Too many people make the mistake of planning everything to the last simple detail but never actually enjoying the trip! While it is very important to research the destination and being prudent about your decisions, there’s no point in over planning every last detail. be mentally prepared to face unforeseen challenges and unanticipated problems can you will be just fine as long as you keep your cool and stay positive. That said, always happen exit plan and comprehensive travel insurance plan to cover for unplanned expenses in emergency conditions.
Spending too much on travel expenses
Be frugal with your travel expenses. Book your accommodations as early as possible to get great deals on hotel rooms. Always eat where the locals eat, rather than eating at tourist hotspots where the price is going to be exorbitantly high. Don’t worry too much about purchasing gifts for people back home, because you can always get something simple on your way back. Focus on enjoying the trip and keep money in your pocket because only hard cash is your best friend when you’re at a strange destination.
Neglecting the need for safety
The Philippines is a comparatively safe state. Policing is strict and people follow the laws and regulations just like any in other developed countries around the world. But that does not completely eliminate the risk of being mugged or duped. Keep your motorcycle partner safe area where you can keep an eye on it when you are taking breaks in between your rides. Always be sure to wear good branded motorcycle helmet, as well as other motorcycle riding gears at all times to stay safe as well as to adhere by the local road safety laws. When you are settling down for the night, take your motorcycle luggage boxes with you inside the hotel room and keep the bike locked, and chained with a padlock for additional safety.
Being too trusting or too suspicious
Do not trust anyone exclusively for your own safety. Never give out details such as where you are coming from, or where you are heading out next. This is how tourists get into trouble when they get waylaid by people with scrupulous intentions. On the other hand, do not be very suspicious of everybody, because it reflects in your face and you will have a hard time getting anybody to help you out or even serve you at the restaurant or any public service facility. Always have a neutral but positive attitude towards the local people but never let your guard down.
