Three years ago I made a list of “100 Things I Wanted to Do before I Die”. It was a combination of childhood dreams like riding an elephant in Thailand, petting a kangaroo in the wild, French kissing someone under the Eiffel Tower; crazy ideas like jumping from the highest bungee in the world, sky diving, white water rafting grade 5/5 rapids, sunbathing on a nude beach and simple goals for myself like conquering my fear of snakes, becoming a vegetarian, working in the United Nations, owning an organic farm, taking my parents on a trip overseas, falling in love and as many other silly things as I could think of.
Most of the things on my list require travel for me to be able to experience them while some simply need determination, hard work and discipline. I showed my list then to one of my colleagues thinking they were impossible to achieve anyway, especially stuff like seeing penguins in Antarctica and joining an expedition to the Galapagos Islands. I expected her to laugh at my silliness and wishful dreams. Instead she told me, “You have a lifetime to work on these things. What if you complete the list, something might happen to you?” I smiled with the thought that she was actually sincere that I could complete the list. I revised my list anyway, being superstitious as well, and added two impossible things just so I would be assured of never completing all the items and meeting an early death as a consequence.
( I finally rode an elephant in Bangkok and treated my mother to an overseas trip)
I’m still terrified of snakes though.
You see, you can’t really blame me for doubting myself even if I’m an optimistic, positive and driven person (I think). Three years ago, I had never been on a plane or even on a ferry boat. The farthest place I had been north of my hometown in Albay was Quezon City – Diliman and Katipunan area to be exact. Ok, maybe I had been more adventurous than that and had explored further all the way to SM North EDSA (extreme diba?) Three years ago, Fairview was still a mystery for me. I always wanted to ride those buses from PHILCOA and just go to Fairview with no itinerary, but I wasn’t always that adventurous you know.
Three years ago the farthest place I had been east of EDSA was Megamall or was it Robinson’s Galleria – whichever you think is farther. I had never even been to Sta Lucia East Mall, but who wants to go there when you can get everything you need from these two malls, not to mention Greenbelt and Glorietta in Makati. But, at least before that, I had already made it out of Luzon – umm well almost. We drove a relative once to the ferry terminal in Matnog, Sorsogon and there was this welcome arch there that says, “You are now leaving the land of Luzon” and then when I looked back from the other end, it says, “Welcome to the land of Luzon”. So there, that was my only claim of almost making it out of Luzon and probably the farthest place I had been south of my hometown.
Once in a while, we all need a break from the mundane routines of our lives, whether it’s pursuing our passions, living our dreams or simply doing the things we like. Just like everyone else I had my own dreams of traveling, seeing beautiful places and meeting people from different cultures. I had always wanted to travel, learn photography and do adventurous stuff- but, but, but, but – I have no time, my friends are busy, it’s hard and dangerous, I have no budget, I can’t do it, I have other important things to do, I can’t do it alone, it’s a waste of money, it’s expensive, I have no one to travel with, I’m scared, I need to wash my clothes on weekend, I need to finish watching my pirated DVD series collection, I don’t think it’s possible, maybe when I win the lottery, maybe next time na lang. These are the things that stopped me before and perhaps even you have your own version of “but, but, but”.
Looking back now, I think I have come a long way from the hermit and anti-social me who watched too many travel shows on National Geographic and Discovery Channel, spent too much time at Powerbooks reading Php3000 worth of books and magazines in one sitting and sometimes even working on the weekend by choice for the lack of better things to do. I finally found the guts to get a good camera, start taking pictures and start going to the places I wanted to visit without if and buts. I went out of my comfort zone, became more open to other people and tried new things. There is really no magic formula out there. Just do it and just follow your heart. If you believe you can you can, if you believe you can’t you can’t. The phrase “You can do it if you just believe” is so watered down but it’s true for me at least.
Now I have finally ridden a plane 
thanks to all those piso and promo fares from Cebu Pacific and other low-cost airlines around the world – every Juan can truly fly now. I had been to FAIRVIEW and I think I have accomplished almost half of the 100 things on my bucket list. I am glad I took that first step – it brought me wonderful friends, unforgettable memories and great lessons about life.
Here are some of the things I learned from my adventures and misadventures.
1. From my first solo weekend trip to Puerto Galera, I learned that I could do it on my own and I discovered the joys of solo travel as well.
2. From my first solo overseas trip to Vietnam, I learned the inherent goodness of people and how similar we are despite our differences.
3. From my trip to Mt. Pinatubo with 3 people I had never met before, I learned the importance of the DIY trip and sharing the expenses with a group to make travel cheaper than the cheapest package tour.
4. From joining my first package tour to Mt. Pundaquit and Anawangin Cove with 21 people who were also strangers to me except for a few, I learned the comfort of a worry free travel. I met my future travel buddies here and later on some of their friends and the friends of their friends, and my weekend has never been the same.
5. From my trip to Coron, I learned the importance of research and planning in finding the cheapest place to stay and eat, as well as the cheapest way to see as many sights as you can in the shortest possible time.
6. From my hiking and camping trips, I learned how to appreciate more life’s daily comforts, the beauty of nature as well as the importance of supportive people to help you achieve your goal.
7. From my trip to Cebu and Davao, I learned how to get one of those Piso and promo fares of Cebu Pacific and other low-cost airlines. The secret is to just do it and book even in the absence of a travel mate or an itinerary. Sale period is short and they sell really fast. It wasn’t hard for me to convince my friends to book a Php999 round trip ticket to Cebu and Php1700 round trip ticket to Davao. If you’re really determined you might even get a Php98 round trip ticket to Boracay on low season. Just remember if you see one, choose a weekend in the inclusive month and book! And if you’re generous, you can even buy your friends a round trip ticket too
Anyway, what the heck am I doing here writing about this nonsense when I only have a few hours left before finally disqualifying myself as a twenty-something? I’m supposed to sky dive today. It’s my last chance to complete the “5 Crazy Things I Did before I turned 30”. I completed 4 of them so far and I think I could still make it. Maybe I’ll just substitute sky diving with kissing a total stranger on the street to complete the list. It’s crazy enough for me . But for now, goodbye, sayonara, arrivederci, au revoir, adeus. I need to start working on another visa. Life is too short. It’s never too late to do what you want. Live well, love passionately, laugh hard and conquer all your dreams.
And just in case you’re curious of the other 4 crazy things I did …..
Zip Lining upside down in what used to be the fastest Zip Line in the Philippines
Bungee jumping in Macau Tower
Rafting the Tully River in Queensland (grade 4/5 – close enough)
Sun bathing on a Nude Beach
This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for the month of March 2012, with the theme “Leap of Faith: When Travelling Changed My Life” hosted by Reiza Dejito of Wander If You Must.
haha i read it twice. and i cant stop wondering who’s that in nude hahaha. thumbs up
Aha! Talagang sa haba ng post ko, yung nude pic ang nakakuha ng attention mo
before your pinatubo trip or after ba yung mt pulag mo with us? hehehe.
Before yun, pero Mt.Pinatubo yung first entry ko sa blog a week before Anawangin I think, and after nun sunod-sunod na
so nice!!! Amazing.. wala akong masabi!!I
Thank you po, kayo original sa lakwatsa
ganda!!! grabe ka T. claire,,
Happy birthday Claire!
Thanks Idol
yep yep yep… sabi nga ni Nike, JUST DO IT! *swooooosh!* (or is it swish?)
happy bortdei!
Chalamat. Cheers to all your adventures too!
hi Claire, you really are amazing person, ala me say…it’z your red letter day today so just wanna grit u HAPI BORNDAY…just continue living your life to the fullest…:D
Thanks Nolan, ikaw din enjoy life to the fullest
Happy Birthday Claire! and thanks for posting this because you’ve inspired me again in so many ways. Two thumbs up madi!!! Btw, I aslo made my must-do and must-go-to list some years back, but i’m so far away from even being halfway that list hehe…and I’m also trying to coax myself to be more adventurous
Anywys all I can say is more blessings to you, more travels and adventures. Keep living the kind of life you love but ingat parati.
Thanks Doreen! There is no rush madi, you have a lifetime to fulfill all of them and more. I wasn’t that adventurous either. It was only when the desire was too much and I wanted it so badly that I finally got to do things that I want. Enjoy your future travels and endeavors. Kaya mo an, uragon baga kita
hahaha… tinalo mo ako sa mga adventures ah… taas kamay ako sau! I love doing that bungee jumping too… sana soon! I hope to be with you in your next safari… sama ako ha! happy birthday…. pareho tau.. just follow our heart! How I wish I can write as good as you… haist! Till then!
Thank you Mark, you had been to as many places as well and you just keep on getting better in taking photographs. Don’t wish
just write about the things you want to write about, whatever level you are at, there is only one way but up if you keep on writing 
practice ika nga. Ingat din sa mga lakad and yeah, hopefully one day we can all travel together. Cheers!
that’s also my dream. to travel alone…hehehe..cheers claire…that in all things god may be glorified.
I agree Ms. Des, To God be the Glory
Won!!! as.. WONDERFUL. I used to read all you’re travel blog and this is the first time I leave a comment. I love your ideas!
Thanks Crizet, hope you share also at least 10 of your wish list here
hi Claire, I’ve been following your blog for few months now, and i can say that you have indeed gone thousand miles ahead of me! you serve as a great source of inspiration on my more-to-come adventures.
btw, did you really go naked on the nude beach? haha, just curious for i might try that, too
keep on inspiring people with your stories!
God Bless.
Thank you Adelle. Good luck to your adventures too. Enjoy life to the fullest. (and yep I sunbathed nude for the first time and maybe the last time
)
I do not know which is more dangerous sky diving or kissing a total stranger on the street, let me know when you find out LOL.
Kissing a total stranger is more dangerous for me, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get
first time,nice blog you have here. bungee jumping i like! i haven’t done going nude on the beach, but i once skinny deep sa waterfalls. will add you on my blogroll
Thanks James, I’ll add you too
” French kissing someone under the Eiffel Tower.”
I volunteer for that
ummm
Sana makasama nyo ako sa bawat trip nyo..Pangarap ko din to..
mam try koh poh mg comment ha,gustoh ko rin poh mg banjijumping b yon ha?tama b sa spelling hehehe?ang ganda poh ng mga pic nyo…
huwaw!amazing,claire! IDOL!!! ingatz lng po always!
thanks for sharing your adventures and misadventures thru well-written, interesting posts. i chanced upon your blog while we were looking for beaches and bouldering destinations in Quezon province. hope you get to do the other things on your list (even the ‘impossible’ ones!)
Thanks Gale, the 2 impossible ones are really impossible to protect me from completing my list
So where did you end up in Quezon for your bouldering activities?
best thing about that article….was the confession that you were a homebody. kinda like telling us “if i can do it, you can too! so do it!” haha. thanks for that post.
That’s right Rheysonn
NOW I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENT YOU LEFT IN MY BLOG.siguro tawagin nalang natin ikaw na late bloomer. at tignan mo naman—when you decided to come out of your shell and you were able to break free talaga namang adventure kung adventure. talo mo pako. diko kaya yang snake thing.hahaha. more adventures to come!!!!
hahaha late bloomer indeed, the moral of the story i guess is that it’s never too late
Hi!!!
Na inspired po ako sa blog mo lalo na nung nabasa ko na kaka start mo plng po mag explore. Katulad mo gusto ko rin po mag travel at gawin ang lahat ng gusto kong gawin before I turn 30 kaya lang time yung mga friends ko at takot po ako mag travel alone. But this year I want changes in my life. I hope you could help me to be with good travellers. Thanks *^^*
Thank you for your message TIna. The first travels on my blog were actually with strangers and people I had just met.You can start in your workplace and organize a daytrip yourself maybe to Taal Volcano perhaps or try to network with friends of friends. I know it could be scary sometimes to be with people you don’t know much but just be open and enjoy the moment. You will gain more friends eventually. I’m looking forward to the changes in your life. I would like to share it to others too if you don’t mind. Life is too short indeed. We should enjoy each moment.
Cheers! 
PS, try to join any open climbs that are organised by mountaineering groups like http://www.pinoymountaineer.com, join the easy ones first, or maybe you could start with a group tour to Mt. Pinatubo, Anawangin Cove etc, who knows, you might meet your future travel companions here
Hi T. Claire!
I found your blog really inspiring and motivating. It inspires me to do what I have always wanted to do us well – TRAVEL and IMMERSE myself with the beauty of the world. Your article “Musings of a Former Self-Confessed Homebody” touched me so much that I have to write to you. First time that I will be doing this (there’s always a first time, right? =)). I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in providing information that is SO useful. It’s a good source/reference for making a DIY itinerary.
Your pictures I SO LIKE, you mention in your 1st post (which is a long time ago by now) that you have a new camera you have no idea how to use, you see, I am in the same situation now, just recently gifted myself with a camera(yipeeee!). Any advice where to learn taking pictures as yours? I like the way you take pictures – as if I’m there myself.
Hahaha I just realized my letter(can we call this a letter?)/contact sheet(?) /message
is too long already. Well, T Claire, I just drop by to say, I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
I will be hoping and praying that someday…sometime … I can join you in your travel.
Sincerely,
Chikie =)
Hello Chikie
You are now on your way to being a trigger happy like me hehehe. The truth is I am still learning until now about photography. But free online tutorials helped me a lot before. You can just google photography tutorial and start studying from there. You can also learn from fellow photography enthusiasts. I used to ask a lot of questions. I even approach strangers that I meet who have cameras slung on their shoulders and strike up a conversation. After a year, i enrolled at intramuros for basic photography – all about understanding your camera and everything basic. It’s the cheapest class around. You will learn a lot from it. Although I had already read from online tutorials and magazines what they were teaching there.
Wow, I’m so touched by your message. I really appreciate it when I get feedback from my readers. I’m glad I was able to reach out to you in some way. First of all, congratulations on your camera
Where are you from by the way? Hope to meet you one of these days. Or better yet come and join one of my trips.: ) Anyway, thank you again for this touching message, until then, (feel free to leave questions and suggestions and comments to my new posts I will be updating it regularly from now on
Hi Claire, I love browsing ur pix since we’ve been friends on FB. I just read ur ‘Musings of a Former Self-Confessed Homebody’ & Im inspired to explore things & find my own adventure. I always wanna spend my ‘lakwatsa’ moments w/ my closest buddies, maybe I was used to that idea. Im not sure if I can travel alone, like solo & be on a diff place outside QC & of course Albay. I also made a list before of the things I wanna achieve & the time frame…suddenly priorities have changed & I have to work & work so hard first to earn money. Even w/ the Cebu Pacific promos are available, its hard for me to get a VL & I heard same if’s & but’s from my friends which made me think I cant go to my dream places anymore. Maybe I have to focus & get back on track. I think I see myself as a lakwatsera but not primera lyk u. Just the cheap & simple version of you.hehehe… Maybe in the next few months or years, I can post my own adventures as u. Thanks for inspiring me & showing the beauty of nature. =))
You are welcome Chel, lakwatsera de primera is actually a sermon from my lola, she used to call me that when I was a kid, whenever I get home home late in the afternoon from playing outside. I’ am very far from the literal meaning of that as the number one traveler coz many are way more traveled than me
But I do look forward to your stories about achieving your dreams. I love hearing stories about fulfilled dreams and success stories. That’s where i draw strength and inspiration 
Hi Claire, ngayon ko lang toh nabasa, didn’t realize na andami mong nagawa in 3 years! congrats on those milestones, I’ve never really thought about creating a bucket list as I’m more of writing my plans short term lang (I write them down in my planner during January and then finish them within the year).
But with the recent turn of events, I’m starting to think long-term. Thanks for this beautiful entry! dami nang na accomplish!