What is Valentine's Day to a Travel Aficionado?

My husband and I have never really celebrated Valentine's Day. There's really nothing romantic about sitting in a car while stuck in traffic in congested Manila. A romantic dinner at home is also out of the question. Buying takeout is more like it. Eating it while watching Game of Thrones or Big Bang Theory reruns is probably the best way to spend Valentine's Day.

So, as you may have guessed, I didn't receive flowers from my husband. However, he gave me the best Valentine gift ever. He gave up Seoul for Sydney. Prior to Valentine's Day, he and I were talking about going to Seoul, Korea. He was really excited about it. We were just waiting for Cebu Pacific's promo fares. They always have seat sales before Valentine's Day (and around the same time as the PTAA Travel Expo).

We checked Cebu Pacific's website the day before Valentine's Day but were disappointed because it seemed that all the promo fares had gone. The next day, after dinner, I checked again and found extremely cheap round trip tickets from Manila to Sydney. The problem was, the website was so slow, and it took me three tries to book the tickets.

Now how cheap is cheap, you ask? It's USD 394 for two (PHP 17,431.64) or USD 197 (PHP 8,715.82) per person.

We also booked a reasonably-priced basement twin room (upper floor rooms cost a bit more) at Springfield Lodge in Potts Point. Our room costs USD 533.26 or (PHP 23,652) for seven nights.

The seat sale is still on, and the last time I checked, there are still cheap tickets to Sydney and other destinations. :-) So, if you're on a hunt for cheap fares, check out cebupacific.com. Happy bargain-hunting!

Grand Palace in Bangkok

My husband and I flew to Bangkok to celebrate our first year anniversary in 2010. I can't believe that on April 12 this year, we will be celebrating our 5-year anniversary. Time does fly when you don't fight. Hehehe. My husband and I rarely argue, and it's been like this since the beginning. We enjoy each other's company and we share the same passion for travel. As I write this, my mind is actually somewhere else, planning our next trip; how we can save hundreds of dollars on airfare, accommodation and food. 

When I woke up this morning, I saw that Cebu Pacific is having their Piso Fare. Sydney, unfortunately, was not included in the promo, but when I checked the fare for November (around my birthday), it was so cheap. PHP 16,000+ for two (inclusive of taxes, baggage fees, and even food). That's only around USD 375! 

Of course, being the responsible, frugal traveler I am, I immediately went on to AirBnB to check the rates for November. I could actually book a nice room for two for less than PHP 2,000 (USD 45) a night. 

I must admit that traveling is my addiction, and I would gladly take a job that requires me to travel and write (as long as I can take my husband with me, for we are inseparable.) Anyway, if you plan on getting away (whether it be for a weekend or a couple of weeks) from June to December this year, why don't you try your luck on cebupacific.com. Promo period is from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28. 

Beach in Skagen

I took this picture in Skagen in May 2012. I love how this picture looks like a painting. I would definitely love to go back to Denmark to take more beautiful photos like this. Click here for more information about this beautiful part of the Jutland peninsula.