the art of traveling alone
“It seemed an advantage to be traveling alone. Our responses to the world are crucially moulded by the company we keep, for we temper our curiosity to fit in with the expectations of others… Being closely observed by a companion can also inhibit our observation of others; then, too, we may become caught up in adjusting ourselves to the companion’s questions and remarks, or feel the need to make ourselves seem more normal than is good for our curiosity.” ― Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel
This is exactly why for the first time I am travelling solo. When I was in Los Angeles for Christmas, I promised myself I will embark on a DIY trip this year somewhere in the Philippines. While I marvel at the places I’ve seen from California to Georgia traveling by land, I felt a sense of shame for not being able to bear witness to the beauty of my native country (cue in PAL’s old jingle). Although I traveled a lot in the past for gigs, I rarely get to experience visiting the tourist spots or find out what makes each province really tick. It was more like a fly-in-perform-get-intoxicated-then-fly-out-with-a-hangover kind of routine.
So I randomly booked a promo flight to my first solo destination — Puerto Princesa — the City of the Living God and home to one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Six months later, I’m here now in the lobby of a new no-frills hotel five minutes away from Puerto Princesa airport having 3 in 1 coffee and mustering every bit of motivation to blog once more, week after week.
Coming up next — my tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Dragonfly Collector 
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