The Backpack Adventures

In the last article, I wrote about how the COVID19 pandemic brought new policies that lessen physical contact. One such policy is the cashless transaction in our tollways. To make that possible radio-frequency identification (RFID) stickers were "reintroduced" to our motorists and a s of December 2020, about 90% of the toll roads now use  RFID stickers.  Easytrip RFID Installation Guide Keep in mind that as of this writing, there are 2 RFID stickers used in our tollways. These are the: Autosweep RFID  used at Skyway, SLEX, NAIAX, STAR Tollway, MCX, and TPLEX. Easytrip RFID  used at NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CALAX. In this article, I will only focus on the  Easytrip RFID  and I will share with you how to avail it, where to avail it, and how to install it. If you haven't read about my Autosweep RFID article you might want to check it out by clicking this link - Autosweep RFID Installation Guide . Easytrip RFID Card How to Avail the Easytrip RFID: First things first, you do

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, several progressive policies were placed to prevent the spread of the virus. One of these policies is the strict implementation of the cashless transaction in our tollways. Although cashless transactions in our tollways had been available since 2006, the majority of Filipinos still prefer cash payments however the pandemic changed all that.  Autosweep RFID Installation Guide Although the initial launch of the cashless transaction during the pandemic caused inconveniences to many, it has been reported that about 3.7 million  radio-frequency identification ( RFID) stickers were already sold since December 8, 2020, according to Toll Regulatory Board ( TRB) Executive Director Engr. Abraham Sales. Aside from that about 90% of the toll roads now use  RFID stickers.  Keep in mind that as of this writing, there are 2 RFID stickers used in our tollways. These are the: Autosweep RFID  used at Skyway, SLEX, NAIAX, STAR Tollway, MCX, and TPLEX. Easytrip RFID used at N

Planning to visit Vigan City   soon? I have come up with a series of budget day tour itineraries that is aimed to maximize your visit to a specific place in the Philippines without having to break your bank. For today's itinerary, I'm featuring a day tour itinerary for the historic city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Read on my dear readers. Vigan City Budget Day Tour Itinerary Disclaimer: 1. Transportation from your accommodation going to Vigan City and back is  not included  in this itinerary. 2.  The accommodation budget is also not included. 3.   The exploration time in a place is pegged at an hour per destination. However, you may opt to cut it shorter or stay longer.  4.    It is also assumed that you are traveling light. Vigan City Budget Day Tour Itinerary  Vigan City Tour 9:30 PM Board a bus bound to Vigan City at any bus terminal in Manila / Pasay. Travel time Manila/ Pasay to Vigan: 10 hours 6:30 AM Arrival in Vigan City .  Ma

Located at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the province of Zambales, Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail  or simply Pamulaklakin Forest Trail is a wildlife refuge where visitors are toured deep in the forest by indigenous Aeta tour guides. Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail Details Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail got its name from the Pamulaklakin vines that abundantly grows in the area. These plants were once used by the Aetas as an alternative to vaccines. Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail - Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales For my foreign readers, Aetas or Agtas are nomadic indigenous people who once lived in mountainous areas of Luzon. They are typically characterized by their dark brown skin complexion, small stature, and kinky hair. Due to their skin color, the Spanish colonizers labeled them as Negritos. Aside from that, their nomadic lifestyle and looks made the lowland people indifferent to the Aetas during the Spanish colonial period - a feeling some still have ev

First Published: April 25, 2018 I published my first birthday travel wish list last 2014. In that wish list, I listed down 15 places in the Philippines that I really would love to visit. To date, I only managed to visit 5 1/2 of the 15 places that I wrote about. This year, I'm creating a new batch of 15 new places that I would love to visit not only in the Philippines but in Eastern Asia.  Unlike my previous travel wish list article, I'm including personal conditions that I should meet so that I can say for myself that I really "experienced" and visited the place. 15.  Hong Kong / Macau, China - These two places are two of the most visited places by Filipinos due to their accessibility and usual cheap airfares. Hong Kong and Macau offer a wide variety of entertainment for their multinational visitors. I'm including these on my list because I always feel left out when I see friends visiting either place for the Nth time. So I think it's high time for me t