Ten Ways to Escape Work and Afford a Vacation

It's reality. It's not easy to escape work for a mini-vacation. However, it is necessary to be more productive and of course we always deserve it as a reward for hard-work. 

I want to share here ten tips if you're planning to escape your stressful office for a mini-vacation.

1. Let the trip be the inspiration.

This is the best tip I can provide. Always consider the trip as a reward to yourself. The trick is to set your mind to it and to be flexible with your travel plans to get the most value from your hard earned money. Plus, being spontaneous about your travel destination can be half the fun of the vacation.

2. Finish your paperwork, file your vacation leave and be prepared.

First things first. If you have a specific trip in mind and already booked a flight, then finish your pending paperwork at the office. Also, file your vacation leave in advance so that when something in the office came up, your boss will make necessary arrangements to distribute tasks to other teams - no hurt feelings. Some bosses don't like their employees having a mini vacation while the office has some unfinished projects, so schedule the trip on a non-hectic day and the key is to act fast.

3. Set your budget for your vacation and save for it in advance

You are more likely to take that office escape if you set aside your budget ahead of time. Alternatively, you can also set a clear target price range for your trip, including extra expenses for pasalubong (take-home gifts) and miscellaneous expenses. Once the budget is set, you’ll feel more comfortable in planning your trip quickly.

4. Know your barkada or office-mates' travel style, and stick to it.

Would you rather lie on the beach all day, bond with your barkada drinking vodka all day or see as many sights as you can? It's best to identify the type of vacation you and your travel companions want up front. Also if you are traveling with other group, it's best to know their travel style. Do they prepare food on their own, what are their bonding moment activities, are they in for camwhoring etc. It is important because if you're only a guest traveler on that group, you maybe surprise when you discover that they are on a diet and you didn't bring extra food on you own like what happened to us in our Majayjay trip.

5. Look for all-inclusive packages.

Bundled pricing makes your vacation planning easy. All-inclusive resort vacations are being offered with big discounts at certain time of the year.The key here is extra research and bartering skills. Famous destinations are fighting over business right now, and you never know who’s going to come out with the next great deal, promos and discounts.

 

6. Understand seasonal travel trends.

Masses of people attend the Flower Festival in Baguio in February. Travelers flock to Boracay during summer. These events drive prices up, so it’s cheaper if you plan your trip on off-peak season and you’ll have easier access to activities than at busier times of the year.

7. Avail airline promos

You can save a thousand pesos on airfare just by availing airline promos. You’ll find the best fares generally offered six months to one year ahead so you better be on the look-out for these deals. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offer big airfare deals which is mostly on book-and-buy scheme. Early booking is great because you will have plenty of time planning and saving for the trip.

8. Do the art of canvassing.

Be sure to look for and compare prices, amenities and extras when making your travel decision. You should ask ahead for any available upgrades or freebies or inclusions as they increase the value of your stay and experience. Plus, it can save you a lot of money.

9. Ask for the smaller details

The package deal might look amazing at first, but think about how much you’ll be spending on food, entertainment, and pasalubong shopping while you’re traveling. It's always good to ask smaller details  such as airport transfer and other transportation requirements, service fees, entrance fees and corkage. Also, always ask if you can cook in the resort, it can save you a lot of money.

10. Utilize online resources to score the best deals.

Let online travel tools do the hard work for you. It is easier to do your research on social media such as Multiply and Facebook for promotional discounts and contest giveaways to the latest in travel.This is also a great way to save.

____________

Mga Walang Kwentang Tips ni Yodz : How to Enjoy Bora

Boracay Philippines - May 1-3, 2009 Company Outing Eastgategroup of Companies

Mayo Uno – nung student activist pa ko during my college days, importante ang date na to samin kasi sa araw na ito nagaganap ang malawakang rally – pakikipaglaban sa kung ano-anong isyu pulitikal. Pero ngayong working na ko, ang Mayo Uno ang araw upang mag outing, uminom ng alak at mag-trip. Last May 1, sa Bora ulit ang outing namin, di na masyado exciting kasi nga pang 3rd time na. Ganun pa rin ang Bora, crowded, perfect ang nighlife at ang sarap mag swimming – hindi dahil sa tubig at white sand kundi dahil sa mga nagkalat na Bora babes, he he. Ok yung trip namin kasi almost all expenses paid. Sa mga nagbabalak mag barkada trip sa Bora heto ang ilang mga tips at kung ano-ano pa na mga dapat tandaan:

1. Wear shades – Kahit hindi ka manyak mapapatulala ka sa mga makakasalubong mo na naka two-piece, mapuputing singit at mga naglalakihang boobs. E siyempre sobrang rude mo pag tumitig ka sa kanila and magmumukha ka talagang uhaw na uhaw sa laman – so ang solusyon: always wear shades, para di halata kung saan ka nakatitig.

2. Avoid Burning Sensation – Wag mong tatangkain na lakarin ang Station 1 hanggang Station 3 na basa ang damit, brief or panty kasi malamang magkakaroon ka ng tinatawag namin na “burning sensation.” (Ang term na ito ay na imbento namin ng mga ka-officemate ko dahil sa di maipaliwanag na pakiramdam kapag nagkaroon ka nito.

BURNING SENSATION : mahapding pakiramdam sa singit dulot ng mahabang paglalakad na suot ang basang panty or brief. Sa sobrang layo ng paglalakad ang mga singit ay nagagasgas at namumula.

SOLUSYON (daw) : pa-Dilaan ang singit sa boyfriend or girlfriend. Kung walang ka-relasyon, kahit kanino na lang. He he he

3. Spend Wisely : Siyempre mawawala ba naman ang pasalubong shopping. Para sa mga totoong sosyal sa D’Mall or mga shops sa Station 1 sila namimili, pero para sa mga tight ang budget yung Talipapa sa station 3 and 2 ang best place for pasalubong shopping.

4. Be yourself : Sa Boracay walang pakialaman, kahit baboy-baboy ang katawan mo o mukha kang tuyot na kawayan pwede ka mag bikini or trunks. Walang makikialam sayo. Meron nga dun Koreana nag s-swimming naka long sleeves at may naka-rain coat, may rumarampa na naka office attire at kung ano ano pa, so kung saan ka kumportable dun ka wag lang out-of-this-world na costume kasi baka mapagkamalan ka na mascot.

5. Be camera ready (always) : Siyempre palaging kasama ang kodakan pag barkada trip, so dapat lagi kang poise, at ready anytime sa mga pictures dahil kung hindi ikaw mismo ma-s-shock sa mukha mo or parts ng katawan mo pag na upload na ang pictures. Yun bang mga shots na kahit ikaw masusuka sa sarili mo or magdududa ka kung ikaw yun? Lalaitin ka ng mga barkada mo pagtatawanan at aalipustain pati ng ng buong mundo kung ma-upload na yun sa internet. Nangyayari to madalas kung trip mong matulog sa biyahe, balahura pag lasing at maharot na maharot.

6. Be Careful with Henna Tattoo Trip : Uso sa Bora ang may Henna tattoo. Kahit saan mo gusto ilagay pwede – sa legs, paa, braso likod, pwet or singit, o kung gusto mo whole body pa o kaya kung feeling mo sobrang pangit mo, whole face na lang pwede yun. Pero dapat wag kang maharot na maharot habang di pa tuyo yung henna, kasi kakalat yun at magmumukhang puro patay na libag ang katawan mo. Mahirap siya tanggalin and dumidikit sa bedsheet lalo na kung white. So para di ka magmukhang di naliligo be careful.

7. Prepare your itinerary : Dapat pag first time sa Bora may itinerary ka para sulit at walang ma-miss. Marami pwede gawin : island hopping, banana-boat ride & other water sports, visiting famous food shops katulad ng Jonah’s Milkshakes at walang katapusang beach walk at pasalubong shopping. So dapat talaga naka plan pati schedule kung kelan dapat malasing.

8. Set a barkada bonding and kulitan moment : Siyempre kelangan may barkada moments di lang puro gala. Pwedeng harutan or practical jokes, Sample: magdala ng empty polvoron wrappers at ibalot dun ang fine white sand ng Bora then ipamigay sa barkada. (mukha kasing polvoron yung sand dun.) o kaya take a picture of your barkada habang naliligo sa shower or tumatae, o kaya i-video or i-record ang mga barkada revelation moments. Maganda to pag lasing na lahat. Yung tawag namin sa moment na to e “Sofa Session” or “Rhum Cola Party.” Para dun sa walang idea kung ano to, basta samin n lang yun - hik hik hik

9. Pack (este) Fuck Lightly : Siyempre number one rule na yung pack lightly para di mahirap magbiyahe at di ka magmukhang biyahero nag b-buy & sell (Note: iba ang look ng biyahero sa turista). Pero dapat “Fuck Lightly” ibig sabihin kung meron kang kasamang FuBu (Fucking Buddy) dapat discreet lang. Di dapat masyadong malakas ang ungol kasi baka mainggit yung mga taga kabilang kuwarto. He he.

10. Make your trip memorable: E pano nga ba magiging memorable? Pwedeng sa trip mo na to i-break ang syota mo, dito mo sagutin ang nanliligaw sayo o kahit yung di nanliligaw, dito mo isuko ang yong virginity at marami pang iba. Siyempre bahala ka na, buhay mo yan

P.S. Di mo talaga kelangan ang mga tips na to. Malaki ka na at nasa tamang pag-iisip. Ginawa ko lang to kasi wala akong maisip na blogpost para sa Bora Trip namin. Pero kung naaliw ka or may napulot na aral o kung gusto mo gawin yung mga suggestions ko e di sige, go ahead.

Heto nga pala yung mga pictures namin.

Just landed


The BIKINI SNIPERS, bang! bang! bang!
Banana Boat Ride. Cool! Pasalubong Shopping at Biscocho Haus - Iloilo City
Wish you were there "DEAR", he he he... Miss you.

MORE PICTURES AT MY MULTIPLY Site :
http://profyodz.multiply.com/photos/album/17/Boracay_Trip_-_Summer_09