Top 6 things to do on a plane

You’ll hear all kinds of stories from people traveling long distances by air. Some enjoy the long haul, while others become grumpy and restless—unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. That's why I want to share some tips on how to survive a long flight, like the one we took to Toronto, Canada.

For this trip, I packed my "Carry-On Luggage," or as I like to call it, my "Survival Luggage." I included everything I could to keep myself entertained on the plane, since I typically have trouble sleeping. I really envy those who can just doze off to make the journey feel shorter.

So, here's what I did 30,000 feet in the air!

1. LISTEN TO MUSIC

Listening to music can really help you feel calm and relaxed during a long flight, so make sure to download plenty of songs—you’ll definitely need them! I recommend using Spotify, as they offer a fantastic selection of albums and playlists that you can download instantly. For offline listening, you just need to pay P129 a month. It’s a small price to pay for some great tunes while you’re in the air

2. WATCH MOVIES

One of my favorite activities on a plane is binge-watching movies. On this particular flight, I ended up watching 70% of the in-flight movie options, including some non-English films like Chinese and Korean titles. I also recommend loading your iPhone, iPad, or any other device you have with a variety of series and movies. Just remember to charge them beforehand—you definitely don’t want your shows to cut off because of a dead battery! A high-capacity power bank can be a lifesaver, too.

3. READ A BOOK

I’m not typically a big reader, but a 13-hour flight might just convert me! I didn’t manage to finish the book I brought along, but it definitely helped pass about 45 minutes of the flight. For all the bookworms reading this, I bet you could easily finish more than three books during such a long journey. Plus, reading on a plane is a great option because, unlike car rides, you don’t really feel the movement of the plane, so you can read without getting dizzy.

4. PLAY GAMES

Whether it’s on your phone, tablet, or laptop, entertainment options are essential during a long flight. After binge-watching a few movies, I also played some games on the in-flight TV monitor. I’m really grateful that airlines continue to innovate their planes to enhance passenger comfort and enjoyment during the journey.

5. EATING

Over the years of traveling by air, I’ve seen a significant improvement in plane food. I used to dislike it because it was often oily, bland, and seemingly prepared just for the sake of it. However, on this trip, I was impressed with how Korean Air selected a distributor that truly understands how to create delicious, interesting, and satisfying meals. Plus, since it was a long flight, the flight attendants regularly served snacks and drinks, which made the experience even better.

6. DO NOT CHECK YOUR WATCH

Even if you own a beautiful Rolex and love looking at it, it's best to avoid checking the time repeatedly during a long flight, especially one that's over ten hours. There’s nothing you can do to change the situation, so why remind yourself that you still have seven hours left? It only amplifies the discomfort of being seated for so long.

Those are the strategies I employed to pass the time, but I’d like to add that there are no perfect flights. Even with distractions, something or someone can always disrupt your experience. For instance, you might find yourself next to a kid who can't stop fiddling with their tray table, making it hard for you to relax. Or you could end up beside someone who skipped a shower and is unfortunately seated close to you. And let’s not forget the inevitable loud snorer!

To sum this entry up, a long, lousy flight will all be worth it especially when you know in your heart that your destination is a place where your heart will be satisfied with memories and experiences.

TRIPOMATIC : You can make your own itinerary stress-free!

I am happy to have found this website on the internet while I am searching for destinations in New York. TRIPOMATIC helps you make your own itinerary. You just have to type the city you are going to, and all the main tourist spots and attractions will appear. It is really a great help in organizing your itinerary for your upcoming travels. 

First: Choose your destination.

For example, New York.  

Second: Select the date of your visit, or the date you wish to visit. 

Automatically, all the tourist spots and attractions will appear. By then, you will have an idea of the places that are closer to your hotel, and easier to go to.

Third: Select the places you wanted to go. 

TIP: Put them all on your DAY 1. So, you would know what are the tourist destinations that are near to each other.

Fourth: Regroup the places you have selected

Go to MENU, and click ITINERARY. 

This is why I suggested to put all your destinations on DAY 1. You can easily regroup the places depending on the number of days you are staying, and also to the places you are going to. You will know the places that are close to each other, and also to your hotel. At least, you will be less stressed, and end your confusion of "Malapit ba ito dito?", "Ano uunahin natin puntahan na malapit sa hotel?, "Hindi ba ito out of the way sa mga pupuntahan natin?". 

Here, I regrouped all the places that I've selected, and separated them from Day 1 to Day 5.  This will be our guide throughout our travel in New York.

Lastly: Generate your itinerary.

Click the TRIP MENU, and then choose whether you want to share or download it. You can download it and sync it to your phone or print it, or share it to your family and friends through social media. 

When you have downloaded the file, the address, contact numbers, admission fees, etc., are also included. In this case, you don't have to search on the internet all the details of your destinations. SO STRESS-FREE!

TRIPOMATIC is also available on your mobile phones. Get it on Google Play (Androids), Apple Store, and BlackBerry World for FREE! Enjoy!! 

Thank you!

Philippines : Taal Volcano

Tagaytay City is a well-known tourist destination in the Philippines, just a two-hour drive from Metro Manila, depending on traffic. I've visited Tagaytay many times, and surprisingly, I never get tired of it. It’s perfect for road trips, food adventures, sightseeing, or simply hanging out—a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila with family and friends.

The top three landmarks in Tagaytay are Taal Volcano, Picnic Grove, and The Palace in the Sky.

This time, my friends and I decided to visit Taal Volcano up close instead of just viewing it from afar. Since we've been there so many times, our curiosity got the better of us. We quickly arranged our booking online, and they offer day tours for just P600 and P900. The P900 package includes horseback riding, a boat ride, a tour guide, a face mask, and a sun hat. We opted for the P600 package because we wanted to hike and fully enjoy the experience. Sir Marvin was our contact and provided us with instructions on how to get to Talisay, Batangas.

When we arrived at the meeting place, Sir Marvin briefed us on safety precautions and important reminders for the hike. After that, we boarded the boat for a bumpy 30-minute ride across the lake, but we made it safely. Taal Volcano is still active, yet it's deemed safe for hiking.

First-timers are welcome to hike here, and you can go with or without a tour guide. There are plenty of fellow hikers to follow along the way. We hiked approximately 8 kilometers, which took us about an hour and a half to reach the crater of Taal Volcano. Just make sure to apply sunblock because it can get scorching hot!

It is really beautiful personally rather than seeing it from afar. Our tour guide said that we can actually go down, but we have to pay an additional cost for that.

We went to the other side of the crater, and paid 50 pesos for the entrance fee. No words to describe this picturesque view.

We ended our tour at Tagaytay City eating Bulalo and Sisig, and chilling at Starbucks before we headed back to Manila. 

Thank you Sir Marvin and Kuya tour guide for the great tour and service. We really had fun!

Salamat!

What's in my bag? : Travel Edition

In less than two weeks, my mother and I will be traveling to Canada and the USA. I can already anticipate the discomfort of the long flight, and I know it might not be the most enjoyable experience. To help ease the journey, I'm planning to pack a lot of my essentials from home.

My mom bought this bag for me, and I'm totally okay with it! I'm not really focused on style; what matters to me is its durability and ability to securely hold all my belongings. This Swiss Gear bag features a padded compartment for laptops up to 15 inches, a padded pocket for tablets, an organizer pocket, and additional spaces for a water bottle and sunglasses.

The best part? It comes with an unlimited warranty! If the zipper breaks, they will replace the entire bag.

I need to pack all my gadgets since we'll be away for nearly a month. I usually only bring my laptop for trips longer than a week, but I worry about running out of things to do at the airport and on the plane. We have a 6-hour flight to Korea followed by another 13 hours to Toronto, Canada.

I’ll also be bringing my DSLR and GoPro for capturing photos and videos!

I have these four fantastic pouches that I absolutely love. They help me keep my things organized, so whenever I need something, I know exactly which pouch to grab from my bag. It makes everything easy and stress-free!

1. Electronic Pouch

2. Makeup Kit

3. Instax and GoPro accessories

4. Toiletries

My Electronic Pouch contains all my chargers and usb cords. I was surprised that everything fits perfectly. With this pouch, you don't have to worry all the tangled cords inside your bag. 

What's inside? 

1. Phone's Charger

2. GoPro Dual Battery Charger (Ziplock)

3. GoPro USB Cord (Camera)

4. GoPro Remote USB Cord

5. Laptop's Charger

6. DSLR's Charger

7. Power bank's USB Cord

8. Earphones

I absolutely love taking my Instax with me on my travels! Just pose, click, flash... and voilà—instant memories captured!

I also make sure to bring an extra battery for my GoPro. From my experience, the GoPro tends to have a short battery life, even when I hardly use the remote or its WiFi. Still, I'm really happy with it!

Having a connecting flight from Manila to Canada (Manila-Korea-Canada) is definitely a relief! I can't imagine being on a plane for such a long stretch straight to the other side of the world. Freshening up in the plane's lavatory can be quite a challenge.

When packing your toiletries, especially liquids like facial wash, contact lens solution, lotion, and toothpaste, make sure they are in containers of no more than 100 ml. It's also a good idea to keep them in a pouch or a securely sealed plastic bag for convenience.

Let me know what's in your bag when you travel! 

Thank you!