Adventure Accounting

Even with the Schengen Visa and SK Visa under my belt, I still had the jitters when I applied for a tourist visa for Japan. The Japan Visa Application process requires the applicant to submit his/her application to an accredited embassy. This added to my anxiety because it means I won’t be able to “defend” myself during the visa application. This is another solo trip. *Gulp gulp* If denied, the applicant can reapply after 6 months. That will be six (6) months of heartache for me, if ever ( Oh have mercy on my heart). Requirements for Japan Tourist Visa: Philippine Passport Accomplished Visa Application Form (I downloaded this from the website) Photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background). Photo stations offer a specific “Japan visa” picture. Got 4 pc s for Php 75. Original Birth Certificate (Php 150 via SM ) Daily schedule in Japan Bank certificate (Php 100 charge for BPI bank-account holders).  I have no idea how much fund is required for approval and I will not dis...

The Dream. The Vision More than a decade ago, I was an “Otaku”. Otaku is a Japanese term for people with extreme and obsessive interest in Anime. It started with my childhood heroes: Voltes V, Sailormoon, and sentai series (Bioman, Fiveman, Mask Rider Black. I spent my high school life watching all anime series available: Fushigi Yuugi, Yuyu Hakusho (locally named Ghostfighter), Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X), Ranma 1/2, Gundam Wing, and whatever anime that would be shown in ABS-CBN, GMA (remember “We Are Anime”?!?!?!), IBC, and AXN (thank you cable TV!). Let's Volt in! Is volt really a verb in the first place? Fushigi Yuugi cast. This was our PC wallpaper back them One exceptional by-product of being an Otaku: my Amigas. The bangs days

Pasalubong: For shirts and local crafts, go to Aldevinco Shopping Center. Be warned that not all crafts are really “local” aka made in Davao/ the Philippines. I spotted the ethnic-y bags that I saw in Bangkok. The bags were sold for Php 150 (BHT 100 in Bangkok) . Aldevinco Shopping Center

Davao offers a lot of cheap budget accommodations for solo travellers. There’s even a new dormitel (mixed dorm). Since rooms were affordable, I wanted my own room. Sampaguita Inn is heavily recommended for a budget traveller like me. The new Sampaguita Inn is located in Mayon St., Davao City. From Fracisco Bangoy Airport, I hailed a cab going to Sampaguita Inn Annex for Php 155. They had no rooms available. The old Sampaguita inn was just around the corner so I checked if they had free room. No luck. My stomach was grumbling. Although they had their own cafeteria, I wanted to eat somewhere where the menu is familiar. Me and backpack. I found myself wandering around Illustre street and found a 24-hour McDonald’s. Hoorah! After breakfast, I draped myself in the Inn’s lobby and waited until a room became available. It took me a good hour of listening to my playlist before an airconditioned room became vacant. More expensive, but I was so tired already and I wanted to rest. The aircon ...

Two days of my Davao adventure were happily spent in a paradise called Isla Reta . With only 36 hours, I ditched my planned Samal Island daytrip plan and opted to check out the museums, restos, and of course... shopping. I only have one whole day for all of these. I chose another place this time: MyHotel, located in the very busy San Pedro St. Dinner: some random buffet place On the night of my arrival, I randomly picked a buffet resto near my place. The restaurant was wel-lit, and the diners were decently dressed (like they came from an event). Seems like a good choice.  For Php 139.00, I had two whole plates of the main course and one small plate of dessert. Hina ko no?  I wanted to try some local sushi buffet ( meron ba??? ) but I didn’t get to research on that. The kilawin was enough to fill that craving. Comes with a free glass of iced tea.

Since I just whipped up this Isla Reta trip just a night before , I had no time to find Isla Reta’s website and contact info and reserve a room. Good thing I was able to get one! By the end of the day, all the rooms were occupied. There were a lot of campers by the beach. The beach sand has some crumbly rocks and broken shells but the real white sand can still shine through. The Talisay trees give this island its character.  Ever thought of napping under a coconut tree? Try napping under a Talisay tree. Isla Reta Rates Day trip rate: Php 75.00/pax/day; 4-10 years old Php 35.00; 3 years old and below – Free Overnight rate: Php 150.00/pax/night; Kids – Php 75.00/head Concrete room (with private CR): Php 800/night – free entrance fee for 2 pax Native room (separate CR): Php 700/night – free entrance fee for 3 pax Dormitory type room: Php 6,500 – free entrance for 22 pax Bringing your own tent: Php 100.00 More rates of the island Rules. Ahem. I got my own room...

While having dinner at Penong’s , I wasn’t really crazy about doing the day trip in Samal Island and exploring the bat caves and waterfalls. I was craving for some solid white sand paradise beach. I also traveled to Baler, Donsol and Guimaras this year, but their beaches are not exactly not at par with Calaguas ( ang taas naman kasi ng peg no? ). I needed my dose of white sand. I whipped out my mobile phone and searched "White beaches in Davao". I encountered Isla Reta in my pre-trip research but I promptly dumped the idea because 1) I was uncertain that I would enjoy a solo beachbumming experience and 2) there’s not a lot of info about it. I found bits and pieces about how to go there and where to stay. How to go to Isla Reta: Proceed to Sta. Ana Wharf. I did this by taking a cab. I asked the reception how to commute but they didn’t really know (!?!?!). Cab from Sampaguita Inn to the wharf costs around Php 71.00.  Find the boat going to Talicud Island. One way far...