CBRoque's blog

Looking for the adventures that travel agencies don’t know about

CBRoque — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:55:47 -0800

On a recent trip to Bohol, an island in the Philippines, I found myself riding at the back of a motorcycle in the mountains of Sevilla and Sikatuna. The roads were steep, stony, and unpaved. But the view held lush shades of green and the mountain breeze felt cool running against my legs. Knowing...

Trip to Bohol

CBRoque — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:16:37 -0800

Back home from our trip, which took us around 9 days. Below is the last entry I wrote in my diary. I feel that it captures my feelings about the trip, so I'm copying it here rather than writing a new one for the blog:

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Tonight is our last night in Bohol. I'm glad that we...

Keeping a Travel Journal

CBRoque — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:47:16 -0700

I’ve always kept a journal since I was twelve, but I didn’t have a travel journal until this year. Now that I have one, I’m surprised how I ever traveled without it. If you’re a traveler but don’t really keep a journal, it wouldn’t hurt to consider it.

It’s true that writing on a...

Seize the Day: Crossing off items from your list

CBRoque — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:39:41 -0700

Dave Freeman, co-author of “100 Things to Do Before You Die: Travel Events You Just Can’t Miss” passed away after a fall in his home this week. From the book:

“This life is a short journey. Make sure you fill it with the most fun and visit the coolest places on earth before you pack those...

Pairing your trip with the perfect book

CBRoque — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:03:05 -0700

Like pairing fine wine with food, finding the best book to read during a trip is an art. Wandering bibliophiles know what I mean - books may not make or break your travels, but having the right one on hand can enhance your experiences.

Click here to continue reading "Pairing...

Hacking meals at 30,000 feet

CBRoque — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:58:26 -0700

I’m not the first to say that airplane food, especially for coach passengers, is dreadful. Although the meat tastes like cardboard and the mashed potatoes have the consistency of glue, you have to admit that you get a little excited when the meal carts come along. (The meal carts are here! Hey,...

Seeking out peculiar travel suggestions

CBRoque — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:54:59 -0700

Many travelers love quoting (or misquoting) Kurt Vonnegut’s line about how peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God. In a way, the urge to arrive at an unusual destination or to embark on an unlikely journey is similar to dancing lessons. You’re not sure about your steps at...

My New Travel Journal

CBRoque — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:27:21 -0700

I've never really kept a travel journal.

I kept journals over the years that recorded my life and thoughts in astonishing detail, but never a specific journal about travel. Recently I've been on the hunt for the perfect travel notebook - preferably unlined, plain cover, simple, and inexpensive. ...

A Web Worker's Practical Guide to Organizing Long Term Travel (Part 2)

CBRoque — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:48:07 -0700

In the previous blog post, I mentioned the first steps a web worker (or online freelancer) needs to take in order to experience long term travel (click here if you haven't...

A Web Worker's Practical Guide to Organizing Long Term Travel (Part 1)

CBRoque — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:22:16 -0700

I've always been a web worker.

This means that my work is based mostly online, and even when it isn't, I try to keep my work as mobile as possible. Because of this setup, long term travel is more realistic for me than it is for someone with a 9 to 5 cubicle job.

The ironic thing is, for my...

Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you what you did on your trip

CBRoque — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:53:02 -0700

Many of my childhood summers were spent in a farm near Tagaytay, a small city in Northern Philippines known for its cool weather. It also provides a spectacular view of the Taal Volcano, a small active crater surrounded by a lake. Although I practically grew up near that area, I never...