Planning the Trip - References

Worthy to note are the references I use in planning trips. First and foremost, I would like to mention the Luzon edition of the Philippine Road Atlas and Stopover Guide published by E-Z Map. It has been an invaluable tool and source of entertainment at the same time. Even armchair travelers wishing to virtually tour the country are well-advised to purchase a copy. It is packed with tips, details and local color. Comments and observations can be humorous too coming from non-Filipino authors. My deep respect stems from the fact that they have apparently driven all those roads and visited (or at least researched) all those places. I bought my copy back in 2001 and it is getting a bit dated. I will check for a newer version next time I am at the bookstore. Too bad they don't have an on-line publication. I might also add that I am a great fan of the magazine called Cruising, a monthly publication of Manila Bulletin. It is in fact the only publication I buy on a regular basis.

I also use maps. In fact I like maps and collect them. I am never without a map in the car or when traveling with someone else. My all-time favorites are the Roadmap of the Philippines published by National Bookstore and the localized maps by E-Z Map. The first thing I do when I arrive in a foreign country is to look for a map in the airport. This came in handy when I visited Shanghai, China where asking and giving directions proved difficult since I didn't speak the language. I quickly found that pointing to my desired destination on a map to a taxi driver always did the trick. On the other hand, maps do not work very well as visual aids when asking for directions from the locals in the Philippines. In fact, I have become wary about asking Filipino locals for directions. Rather than admit ignorance, I have in more than one occasion been led on wild goose chases. I have also found that the local police are most helpful and reliable.

Finally, there is the Internet that I use extensively. But finding proper information there is as chancy as coming across an occasional TV feature while surfing the tube or printed article in your favorite daily or Sunday magazine. With the increasing use of blogs, a web search would come up with a profusion of personal accounts that are at best incomplete and at worse completely inaccurate. One good thing about them are the rants or raves about restaurants and resorts or hotels which are difficult to discern from the commercial websites of these establishments. Still, the Internet presents the handiest and most varied source for information. It has also inspired me to write this blog in the hope that other families or individuals find the information useful in planning their own trips.

T minus 38 days.

written by  Joey Carlotta on November 17, 2007 from Manila, Philippines
from the travel blog: Northern Luzon Loop (CANCELED)
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