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Sometimes, it’s fun to just go on a quick adventure and take a nice vacation from the hectic and stressful life in the city. Not all of us want something extreme, like rock climbing or white water rafting, so a quick hike up a scenic mountain trail can be just the thing for a quick weekend out.
If this is your first time hiking, then here are some tips on how to prepare for your first hike!
[Read more…] about 10 Tips on How to Prepare for Your First HikeI’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, and although I’m not one of the most hardcore hikers out there, I still managed to join and volunteer at a hiking company that guides beginners and advanced hikers alike in the most popular mountains of the Philippines.
One major requirement for their guides and volunteers, however, is that they always carry a first aid kit and they undergo basic life support and first aid training every one or two years. These are just some of what we carry, and a few more that was recommended by the veteran search and rescue officer who trained us.
Note: We usually go on “day hikes” in a tropical climate where river crossings and rain storms are fairly common and thus we are equipped accordingly. If you’re going on a longer trek or you’re going to hike in a different climate like a desert or a snowy region, you might want to bring other specialized first aid and survival equipment that’s appropriate for what you will do.
[Read more…] about How to Prepare a First Aid Kit for HikingOne of these days, you’ll probably want to go on an adventure, and while you could simply put on a shirt, a pair of jeans, and a backpack for your stuff, having some nicer equipment can definitely improve your experience.
For example, some quick-drying polyester clothes can prevent that sticky sweaty feeling, some good hiking shoes can let you walk safely on almost any terrain, a breathable waterproof jacket can ward off the cold and rain, and a tough backpack with shoulder straps and hip belt can make carrying all your stuff much more bearable.
When ordinary department store goods aren’t enough, where can you get some better gear? Here are some awesome sports and outdoor shops in Manila that you should definitely check out.
[Read more…] about Awesome Sports and Outdoor Shops in ManilaWith a relatively flat trail, a 2 to 3 hour hike, and beautiful scenery from start to finish, Mt. Pinatubo is certainly one of the best trails for beginners. Famous for its catastrophic eruption in 1991, this active volcano rising 1,495 meters above sea level has now become one of the most popular hiking destinations in Luzon.
Are you planning to try it out? Read our guide here to prepare for your Mt. Pinatubo hike!
[Read more…] about How to Prepare for Your Mt. Pinatubo HikeMagic talismans and good luck charms have been part of human culture since time immemorial. In Japan there are omamori charms, nazar boncuğu in Turkey and Greece, and anting-anting in the Philippines. In Thailand, Buddhist monks pray to amulets to give wearers different kinds of blessings.
Personally, if I’m going to travel abroad, I’d want something other than those crappy souvenir shirts that I’m never going to wear. I’d either buy something I can use like the phin coffee filter I got in Vietnam, or I’d get a trinket or piece of jewelry. When I found out that amulets are an important part of Thai culture, I decided to get one for myself!
Here’s how you can have an amulet as a souvenir from the Amulet Market, and how you can own some REAL “blessed by monks” Thai amulets.
[Read more…] about Buying Souvenirs in Amulet Market Thailand
