Into the Wild

‘Sup guys! I am Renz Bulseco, 20-something years old from Davao City, Philippines. People call me Renz or sometimes Renzy. I finished my degree in Biology at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Today, I work as an Air Traffic Controller in Tacloban City, Philippines (keeping the ground and sky safe is my duty) and dreams to travel around the world.

I started documenting my travel stories last June 2011 but I have been to various places in Mindanao and some parts of Luzon and Visayas for some time. As a Biology student, I was assigned to conduct field works at various locations. At one point, my group went to Iligan City, and the following week, we were tasked to conduct another field work at Camiguin Island. It had dawned on me that there are so many beautiful places in my own country in which some locals are not even aware about it.

Thus, the inception of this travel blog.

You might be wondering why I chose ‘thetravelingnomad’ as my blog’s URL. I know it sounds redundant but here are the reasons. A nomad is (1) a person who has no fixed home and move according to the seasons from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land; and (2) a person with no fixed residence; a wanderer. Traveling on the other hand is defined as 'to go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey'. For me, traveling is NOT limited to transferring from one place to another. Whenever I travel, I see to it that I appreciate every bit of it. It is totally different whenever I’m not in my hometown, my comfort zone. Therefore, I want to create another definition for traveling – one who transfers to another place and experiences life beyond his comfort zone.

I am a nomad who moves from place to another and I travel because I want to experience life in different places; in different perspectives. Hence, thetravelingnomad.

And no, that's NOT a wedding ring.

Only a few people will understand why some of us invest a LOT in traveling and end up penniless after the trip. But you know at the end of the day, everything's worth it – the memories and the experiences during traveling. It is one of the best investments in life since you have the chance to choose your travel date. As for the price? It's flexible; you just have to scramble your way through promo fares and know how to carefully plan your itinerary ahead of time.

Before conquering Asia (and possibly, the world), I shall visit various provinces and islands of the Philippines to showcase how beautiful my country is. Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan (Don’t be a stranger in your country).

Have a happy and safe trip everyone!

(Email at renzbulseco123@yahoo.com or tweet me @renzybenzy)

Quere yo con El Zamboanga (Day 1)

I first visited Zamboanga City last April 1992 due to the nature of dad’s job. I was barely two years old that time. We stayed there for about a year and a half before returning to Davao City and settled there for good. It was around the third week of January 2011 when Shane called me. He told me that Cebu Pacific Air’s having a seat sale to all domestic destinations for only Php 488 pesos (one-way, excluding tax and fuel surcharge). We suggested different cities but ended up in Zamboanga. The following day, we purchased a round-trip ticket to Zamboanga City for only Php 1,270 with a flight scheduled to leave Davao on the morning of April 1 and a return flight on the morning of April 3. We left Davao 15 minutes ahead of our scheduled time of departure and 41 minutes later, the Airbus A319-100 safely landed at Zamboanga International Airport. Nothing had changed in Zamboanga for the past years.

 

Initao, Misamis Oriental

One of the things that I really miss about being a Biology student at UP is the never-ending laboratory field works. As Ecology majors, we always travel to different places and explore some terrestrial and aquatic biomes.

Last September 4-6, 2009, we went to Initao, Misamis Oriental to conduct four laboratory exercises in BOT 150 (Plant Ecology). It is an eight-hour ride from Davao City and just an hour drive from the provincial capital of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City.

Transportation was not really a problem for us since one of my classmates owned a rent-a-van business, ergo we availed a big discount. We hired three Toyota Ace vans and left Davao at around 5:30 PM. The highway was paved but it seemed to have lots of 45 to 60 degree sharp turns. We endured that kind of situation until we arrived at Valencia City, Bukidnon. I believe it was already 8 in the evening when we ate our dinner at Jollibee.

We spent our night at a quaint inn at Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. By 6:30 in the morning, we left the inn and ate breakfast AGAIN at Jollibee. Then, after eating, we traveled for another 4 hours to our destination. The Bukidnon scenery was really amazing. We stopped by at a place somewhere outside Malaybalay City. Travelers will have a vantage view of Bukidnon's picturesque landscape - mountain ranges and dense dipterocarp forests.

We ate lunch at a local restaurant in Initao and headed straight to Lasang Secret Adventure. For just Php 200, one has the chance to walk through the canopies of hardwood trees and glide through a hundred meter zipline. We had a short briefing before embarking on a thrilling adventure. Although, some of my classmates were acrophobic (fear of heights), they still conquered it. Walking through the canopies was a great experience.

We finished our lab activities early so we went to this secluded beach-slash-cliff resort. The view of Macajalar Bay was really breathtaking. We even went spelunking! The cave was filled with statactites and... *ehem*, bat poop. Guano aka bat poop is one of the most expensive fertilizers used by farmers. The air inside the cave was thin and it was really hot inside! We were actually gasping for air!

We had an overnight stay at Midway Beach Resort. All we did was to unwind, chill and had a good time after a hard day's work. Karaoke all night long! The next morning, we went to the beach to investigate the marine ecosystem, as part of our laboratory field work. After finishing the activity, we hit the beach. The waves were so big. Moreso, the beach line was clean.

We went home at around two in the afternoon and ate late lunch at Limketkai Complex, Cagayan de Oro City. We ate at McDonalds, bought some pasalubong at the grocery (Pastel) and went home at around 4PM. We reached Valencia City, Bukidnon half past eight in the evening. Again, we ate dinner at Jollibee (saddest part of the trip). Almost everyone was asleep during the remaining part of the road trip. We safely arrived in Davao at around midnight.

It was one of the most memorable trips I have had with my batchmates and three professors.

PHOTOS:

Arrived at Valencia City, Bukidnon at around 8 in the evening and ate dinner at Jollibee. Spent our night at an inn somewhere in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The next day, we were greeted by Bukidnon's picturesque green landscape!

Lasang Secret Adventure. The highlight of the trip!

Macajalar Bay and bat cave.

Midway Beach Resort!

PS: The author would like to thank Monzer Abpi, Laurice Alvarado, Prof. Marie Vernaiz and Dr. Rey G. Abad for the photos.

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HOW TO GET THERE:

If you're from Davao, there are two possible ways to get there. You can opt to have a twenty-to-thirty minute ride to Cagayan de Oro by air or a six-hour ride by land. Rural Tours offers a non-stop ride from Davao to Cagayan de Oro City via Buda. After arriving at Cagayan de Oro City, hail a jeepney or a bus that plies the route to Initao.

On the other hand, AirPhil Express offers a daily service to Cagayan de Oro. It departs Davao International Airport at 11:40 AM and arrives at 12:20 PM. From Lumbia Airport, take a taxi or PUJ to downtown, ride a jeepney or bus that will take you to Initao.

MONEY TALK:

All-in-all I spent less than Php 2,000. It would have been cheaper if I chose to eat at local karenderyas. Fast food is really expensive. Also, you have to bring your own bottled water, just to be safe. It would be more expensive to travel alone, thus I suggest to bring some of your friends and have a great adventure in Initao. I guarantee you that the place is safe.

Rule the World

Hello there!

I have just created another blog. This blog will serve as my travel blog. I will post some pictures of some of my adventures and tell exciting stories about them.

Moreover, I shall share some traveling tips that might help you.

Thank you and welcome aboard. We are about to embark on a brand new adventure with me, The Traveling Nomad.

Cheers!

Blogroll

Blogroll as of 08 Feb 2012

• Ada Lajara
• Ada Sandoval
• Algene Cutamora
• Andrew Mamangun
• Andrew dela Serna
• Angel Juarez
• AJ Poliquit
• Berniemack Arellano
• Bino Caiña
• Brenna Bustamante
• Brian Ong
• Byron Datinguinoo
• Ca de Ramos
• Cai Abbass
• Catherine Iblan
• CJ Salas
• Chino Pantua
• Chyng Reyes
• Claire Raborar
• Crumpylicious Blog
• Dan Punzalan
• Darwin Cayetano
• Doi Domasian
• Dong Ho
• Edcel Suyo
• Edgar Alan Z. Yap
• Edwin Castillon
• Elal Lasola
• Ella Berjamin
• Gael Hilotin
• Gagay Dinampo
  
• Gay Mitra-Emami
• Ian dela Peña
• Ivan Cultura
• Izah Morales
• Jerik de Guzman
• Jerome Baluyut
• Josh Uy
• Josiah Sicad
• Kaiz Belga
• Kara Santos
• Lauren Gaile
• Lloyd Lostboy
• Marcos Caratao
• Marcus Castle
• Marky Ramone Go
• Marx Velasco
  
• Mervin Afan
• Micaela Rodgriguez
• Mikko Gozalo
• Mimai Cabugnason
• Nursetrepreneur
• Neo Davao
• Nina Fuentes
• Plif Nomad
• Olan Emboscado
• Paul Sherwin Ang
• Ram Cossid
• Regine Garcia (The Ilongga)
• Regine Garcia (Design Portfolio)
• Renevic Amago
• Robbie Bautista
• Sinjin Pineda
• Tara Cabullo
• Tina Capati
• The Wandering Couple (Edcel and Sheena)
• We Are Sole Sisters
• Will Hoffmann 

USEFUL LINKS

• Dealchecker (comparing prices for cheap holidays to destinations worldwide)