Enduring Temptations
So why did we attend this year’s TravelTour Expo?
Because we are planning to avail a package complete from airport transfer to food, souvenirs and guided tour…
NOT!
Again, backpackers don’t get tours or vacation package, unless required for visa approval. If you have the money and don’t have the time to plan it, then TravelTour Expo is the best place to get SOME of the good deals. So other than the freebies and being surrounded with other travel hungry monsters, we attended this event just for the kick of it. We drove from my place to SMX at the Mall of Asia Complex early morning and we literally opened the event, we could’ve cut the ribbon, I swear.
The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event and is considered the biggest gathering of travel agencies, tour operators, local and national tourism organizations, hotels, resorts, airlines and suppliers of travel-related products and services.
With the theme “Ready, Jet-set, Go!” they held the event last February 19-21 2010, some of the biggest travel agencies, airlines, tourism boards and other travel related groups and product distributors participated and filled three huge halls of the venue. Hoping to beat last year’s record of PhP 216,000,000.00 generated sales. We found interesting booths, countries we would want to visit really soon.
But the destination that caught our short term attention was the Islands of the Pacific. Thanks to the island swaying music and the dancing to the beat, we were hypnotized and we almost booked a flight, our credit cards were being magnetized and literally dragging us to the Continental Airways booking counter.
There were Daily Raffle Draws, Entertainment & Games and Exhibitors’ Presentations & Surprises. And talking about surprises, when the performing group from Guam came up the stage—MAN ALIVE surprised we were! bolted from the blue when an unexpected big Kekoa peeked out of the grass skirt. Monette’s jaw dropped down the floor, and the imagery is still haunting her up to this moment.
The event is like a traveler’s Sodom and Gomorra, it is evil, too EVIL!
So as a displacement mechanism, I’m going to enjoy my lechon bread!
so where r u both heading to next??
we have kota kinabalu, shanghai and beijing lined up for this april… can’t wait to leave! how ’bout you?
omg.. how exciting!!! all at one go in april? from malaysia to china… are you guys going climb Mt Kota Kinabalu. Sabah is great for culture, adventure and nature!! great choice! sadly i am STILL planning… have limited leave coz just switched jobs. i actually want to visit china (yunnan province or beijing)… & japan (expensive tho)… but the language thing is a barrier.
how are you guys planning ur china trip?? backpacking on ur own or arranging day tours as well?
hi Lee
yes we will be climbing mt. kinabalu. not sure tho if we are physically prepared, i mean IT’S HALF THE HEIGHT OF MT EVEREST for crying out loud! hehe, but we will try to conquer it. we must!
japan is also a dream destination, but it’s pretty difficult for Filipinos to get a tourist visa to japan.
we will be on a DYI trip (as always) hopefully the Chinese embassy won’t give us a hard time getting a visa.
hey, we should go on a trip together one time.
RON
wow u guys are conquering mt kinabalu.. awesome.. there have been trips organised amongst colleagues, friends and i never joined them!! i’m nowhere as fit as u guys … that’s why i think i wudn’t be able to survive with the travels u guys do which i admire haha! do remember to bring a thick jacket.. hear it’s pretty cold up there. try to explore other parts of sabah too if u have time.. the beaches (altho’ the waters of phillipines are probably clearer), the tribal culture, white water rafting – did that when i was there.
thanks lee! but that doesn’t say we’re fit. we are nowhere near fit. walking around the city is different from climbing a mountain. and this is the first time we’ll ever do it. we’re keeping our fingers crossed! thanks for the tip, we’ll bring jackets and windbreakers. checked the weather and it seems like it’s going to be rainy on the day of our climb. we’re actually spending one day island hopping after the climb. we hope to see tribal villages too. i have to say pass to white water rafting… i don’t know how to swim!
cheers!
monette
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