Meet the Nomads: Dong Ho

Dong Ho documents his travel experiences within the country in his blog named Escape Islands. He's one of what I consider as influential and inspirational travel bloggers in the Philippines.

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."