Thursday, July 5, 2012

What A Journey It Has Been

Wow, I can't believe that my travel blog has turned one [year old] a few weeks ago! I did not even notice it due to my busy schedule (excuses, excuses LOL). Well, I am very grateful that in a span of a year, my travel blog had gained PR, traffic and of course, new friends.

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

You might be wondering why I don't have a TTN's birthday bash giveaway on my blog. Truth is, I have no plans to have one at all; I surmise that it's too early or due to lack of sponsors, so to speak. Maybe I'll give one in two or three years from now (ehem, calling all potential sponsors out there... kidding!).

Let us travel back in time as I tell you a story about the humble beginnings of my travel blog and how I managed to sustain it.

For those who didn't know about me and my awesome life (ehem), I graduated at University of the Philippines Mindanao with a degree in Biology last April 2011. I graduated without latin honors but received an award not related to academics. That's one of the things you ought to know. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. You know, finishing a degree on time with your college buddies, strutting all the way to the stage to receive your diploma from the chancellor and singing the university hymn for the last time. Ahhhhhh! Good times, good times.

Graduation Day! WOOT!

Everybody thought that I'd become a medical doctor. But unlike most of my batch mates, I decided not to pursue that road. The result: I became a bum for more than a year already. The first month of freedom was truly amazing. I had a break from studying... actually I had enough of it. Thus, I revived my blogging career and focused on earning moolah from it. As months went by, I became stagnant, useless and emo. I thought that I made a wrong decision of not pursuing a career in medicine.

Then, Lloyd added me to PTB Bagets, one of the funnest groups on Facebook and later convinced me to put up my own travel blog. I never had a niche blog before and I honestly do not have an idea about it. But because I have already traveled since 2008 (thanks to my numerous college field trips), I decided to make one and start narrating all those memorable field trips that I've had when I was still in college (ahhh, the perks of being a Biology major). 

Here's my first post, dated back to June 15, 2011:

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!

Several posts later, I received positive comments from people whom I didn't know. Well, as the cliche goes, the rest was history.

Highlights of 2011.

Soon after writing all of my college field trips, I started to travel on my own, well not solo-traveling per se, but traveling without the presence of my parents or relatives. It was a rewarding feeling knowing that the people whom you love the most trust and support you all the way.

Basically, my blog has been a witness to all of my travel experiences - both unforgettable or funny memories. I experienced a 9-hour delay and spent the whole day at Zamboanga International Airport, got lost in Iloilo City, met new friends along the way, tried solo-traveling (but eventually failed), learned 10 valuable lessons along the road, successfully climbed Mount Pinatubo and Osmeña Peak, explored the hidden gems of Baler, got nominated in Philippine Blog Awards and many more.

My Seven Super Shots

Many thanks to those who didn't believe that I will be successful in this kind of career. Well, you guys motivated me to push harder. I owe you big time. I am also grateful that I met awesome people along the road. You guys were one of the best. I learned a lot from you - from blogging and photography techniques to tips and tricks on traveling. You know who you are. *wink*

Another great year has passed. Hopefully, I'd write more stories about my travel experiences both here and abroad. Before 2011 ended, I made a promise that I'd travel more in the year 2012.

And yes, promises are not meant to be broken - I have traveled extensively for the past months.

The second half of 2012 would be more epic. 

I tell you, it's gonna be Legen.......  just wait for it... a little longer........



(to be continued)

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This post is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for July 2012 with the theme "The Journey That Made Us a Travel Blogger". Edmar Gu-Quibb of Edmaration Etc hosts this edition of the blog carnival. 

Visit Estan Cabigas' Langyaw to see the archive of Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival!

46 comments:

  1. wow ... yun lng nasabi ko ! astang nindota!

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  2. Happy Blogoversary Renz! :-)

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  3. I'm very happy to have been part of your beginnings, and I'm very happy for what you and your blog have achieved. I was right when I convinced you to start a travel blog, and look at where you are now!

    More miles for us! :)

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    1. Hi, Lloyd! Thank you for convincing me to put up a travel blog! My life has changed after traveling with some of the Bagets! Naaaaaks

      See you along the road! :D

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  4. It was nice meeting you last year! Naging anak pa kita wahahaha!
    Cheers to more trips with you! :D

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    1. It was a pleasure to finally meet the Diyosa of Bagets who happens to be my online mother. HAHA! EXCITED NA TALAGA AKO SA ATING KK-BRUNEI TRIP THIS AUG!

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  5. First blood! Taga-UP ka rin pala, hehe. Happy bloggerversary! ^_^

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  6. Nice one! Happy bloggerversary!

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  7. Happy Blog Anniversary Renz. Glad I met you when I went in Davao. Cheers to more experiences on the road!

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    1. Thanks Joan! Glad to finally meet you here in Davao with Elal! Woot!

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  8. Happy anniversary Renz. Ala Barney ano? As in "legendary" talaga.. hehe.

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  9. Happy first Blog Anniversary Renz! You have come a long way and the journey has just began...more fun travels in the year ahead!

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  10. Happy Anniversary.. I love to travel.. pero can;t post picture kasi most of it e di film pa.. lol.... ever since I started working madalang na ang travel ko.. inngit much...

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  11. Wow! It has been a great year for you and The Traveling Nomad! :) Happy 1st blog anniversary and may you continue to travel, blog, guide and inspire people to go out and explore as well.. ^^

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  12. Good luck on your entry. it was well written and hope you win.

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  13. Belated Happy Blog Anniversary!!!! Your story really draws me to read more...

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  14. Hahaha!!!
    Now a name, soon an EPIC?
    Be safe on your future travels.
    I admire your enthusiasm. :)

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  15. happy 1 yr blog anniversary! :) Congrats on another milestone and more power to your blog! :)

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  16. Congratulations on your first year. More blogging years to come!

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  17. Congratulations on your first anniversary. More blogging years to come!

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  18. Saludo. wow!!! Inspiring, Believe it or not... Medyo teary eyes ako.
    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY THE GEEK TRAVELS and CONGRATS RM.

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  19. One year of travel blogging and the journey is just about to start. Looking forward to more travel tales from you and it's good that you did pursue your passion and doing well in travel blogging. I had an advise given to me when I was younger and I'm sharing it with you... "If you do things with passion, you'll never fail." I don't know if this is 100% true but so far I haven't failed in the endeavors I'm passionate with. Happy Anniversary!!!

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  20. Congrats on your blog anniversary!~ So this is another travel blog.. Nice work! And.. BS Biology? Taking Medicine?

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  21. Congratz .... Time runs fast kaya we have to move faster...Lahat nagagawa pag ginusto...never give up blogging...you give inspriation and knowledge to all :D

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  22. Great post! Very entertaining.

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  23. I congratulate you for doing a fantastic job Renz and thank you somehow been part of your humble begginings. Mabuhay ka ! Gusto ko na tuloy pumunta ng davao hahaa

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  24. wow! I wish I could travel like you! Hmm. Happy blog anniversary! :)

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  25. Lumilea Salonga lang ah. :) Congrats and happy 1st blogoversary! Reminds me of Madonna when she was still not famous. Asked what her ambition was, she said, "To rule the world!" Shempre we all know she eventually came the queen of pop. So I suppose you'll be the king of blogs din. ;)

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  26. ahhh.. time flies so fast! I am so happy for your achievements Renz. Clearly, you've made a name for yourself in the travel blogosphere *fan here*. Cheers to all of your wonderful trips.. and more! :) Oh btw.. congrats, isko! Taga-UP din ako. :)

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  27. COngratulations! in case you decide to pursue med school, come to USLS-Bacolod :))

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  28. We all began from a single step in this kind of hobby, which is at the same time a great tool for us to express and satisfy our cravings for self expression. Congrats!

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  29. Wow! Nice to know your story, your humble beginnings! This is an inspiration for newbies to keep on going! Wishing you more travel adventures! Cheers!

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  30. Congratulations on your blog's anniversary! Always keep safe in your travels. God bless! :)

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  31. Congrats, and Good luck on your new travel blog.

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  32. wow, congrats! keep moving forward! he he

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  33. Wow, it truly was a wonderful journey for you, Renz. Congrats sa 1st anniversary ng travel blog mo and more power to The Traveling Nomad! :)

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  34. I love your photos! Happy anniversary to your blog Renz!

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  35. I've been reading some of your travel blogs. I'm amused and informed of those places you've visited. Keep it up. There are more people not only bloggers would be informed and would appreciate your travelogue. More power!

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  36. Congrats! More years to your blog and more places to travel! :)

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  37. You appear to enjoy travelling and blogging. That's what life is all about, enjoying what you do. More power to your blog.

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  38. I almost sang when I read your title. Haha! I've already started also my travel blog. ayun, 1st post pa rin hanggang ngyon. I've been to many cities here in Germany and I hope someday I'll have more time to write about them.
    Congratulations on your anniversary.

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  39. Hey yeah Renz! Congratulations and cheers to more travels for the second half of the year! You were right when you have chosen the career that made you happy, what matters is that you are enjoying your life and your new journey in life. thanks for joining the blog carnival, it is my honor to compile your beautiful stories. All are worth reading.

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