Meet the Nomads: Dong Ho
Saturday, August 14, 2010
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Dong Ho puts a name on some of the "unknown (for most of us) places"in the Philippines.
If you want to know more about Dong, visit him at www.escapeislands.com
Here's Flip's short interviiew with Dong.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
"I grew up traveling as our family travel from time to time visiting our relatives for reunions or plain summer vacation. As early as six years old, I already started to be fascinated with our country. The passion for traveling began when I studied in a city where I don't have any relatives. That's when I started to explore more."
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
"I encountered a lot of road mishaps but the most memorable would be when we were in Sarangani where we get to deal with people who we cannot see because of brownout. We were asking this group to bring us back to Gensan, and as they use different dialect, we were in doubt if they will really bring us to Gensan or somewhere else. We were in fear during the whole trip but good that we made our way back to our destination safely."
What’s the most outstanding travel experience that you’ve ever had?
"It's when I go to a place less explored expecting nothing but end up seeing great things. Going to Kapangan was one of my most memorable and could be my most outstanding."
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
"When you see how each people embrace their culture to the point that what seems to be ordinary to you is extraordinary to them and what's ordinary to them is extraordinary to you. We have an amazing world."
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
"Beyond seeing great places, the people who I go with or meet along the way counts the most. Getting lost is a bonus."
This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?
"It should be David Attenborough. Just imagine how each trip will be with him doing a voice over."
What could stop you from travelling?
"Death."
Among the places that you’ve been to, which one fascinated you the most?
"A very challenging question but I must admit it's the Cordilleras. Look beyond the rice terraces."
What's the best travel advice that you could give for a novice traveler like me?
"I'm not really sure if you should still consider yourself a novice traveler. But one good advice would be, go beyond the usual route. There's more to explore. There's more to adore. Just be a responsible traveler."
What do you think about yourself?
"I just love to explore and get lost. I still have a long list of must-do must-see things and places, let me see how I can do all these before kicking the bucket."
"The blog Eskapo simply aims to bring out the spirit of adventure and traveling in each one of us. A lifetime is not enough to explore our planet. So I make the most out of my lifespan."
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wow! it;s Dong Ho this time. isa pang idolo ko yan! :)
naks! galing ng mga travels ni dong 'no.
just discovered his blog! aweeesome traveler!
what I like most about him is he explores the unusual destinations.. mapa-bundok, rice fields, falls, sea, etc.
2nd thing I like, uhm.. yung Starbucks treat nya sakin last friday. Hahaha
His blog is very helpful because it introduces the less-explored destinations in the Philippines. That makes us realize that our country has more than enough to offer.
Di ko alam na yung trip niyo palang yun, one of your most challenged one, hahahaha, be back to gensan! Nice feature for dong ho!
I love Dong Ho's blog ever since. From Escapo to escapeislands.com. And I am one lucky people to meet him.
panalo sa intro... isa rin si dong sa mga paborito ko...elib ako dyan!!!
i am one of escapeisland.com followers!! he's an amazing blogger/traveler!
thanks again Flip for the feature.
ay mabait yang si dom! nakasama ko na yan nung nag invite sya ng mt.pinatubo trek! :P