Travel Plans Rained Out? Here’s 6 Things You Can Do.

If you’re like me — hyperactive, adventurous, living in a tropical country, and good-looking (Arguably. Just throwing that out there to make sure I haven’t lost you after the first sentence.) — you won’t take the coming of the rainy season sitting down. You can complain all you like, you will still bregudgingly carry that awkward-looking umbrella or musty coat with you when you leave your house.

Most people with vacation plans also grumble at the first sign of dark clouds. Well, don’t cancel those plans just yet. There are some ways you can get creative with your vacation when it’s pouring outside. I’ve listed 6 here to get you started. There’s plenty other alternatives too, just remember to keep an open mind.

* Try River Rafting.

Go out and get wet! It’s really not that bad. Some activities actually improve with that extra push of wind or water, and rafting and surfing are great water activities you can try. With rafting, the rivers change with the added volume of water, making for interesting rides or added surprises in the rapids. There are white water rafting sites in Cagayan Valley, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Just make sure to consult your water guides to ensure your safety. And of course, don’t go when the storm signal is at #1. For very obvious reasons.

* Try Surfing!

Surfing season is determined by the tides, winds and the swell. But oftentimes the rainy season provide a happy exception to that rule, as rains and winds can also very well affect waves. The Philippines has a lot of accessible surf spots you can visit when the conditions are right. Zambales is 3 hours away, and La Union won’t take you 6. Once your local weather report predicts un-sunny weather, Check your favorite wave forecast website (Here’s one for La Union: http://globalsurfari.com/surfforecast.aspx?San%20Juan,%20La%20Union) and get ready to pack your (rain)gear.

* Go to a museum.

Go ahead, inject a little culture into your life. Museums aren’t bad at all. If you couldn’t answer the call of the wild because your flight got canceled, head out to your local museum (there are plenty in Manila. Do a Google search and there’ll be more results than you can cover in one day.). If you’re in Paris, you’ll visit the Louvre. Why not do the same here? For sure, you’ll learn something interesting.

* Visit friends, relatives, or loved ones.

After your culture trip, why not build on your relationships? Visit with long-lost friends or with relatives who live within your vicinity but you just couldn’t find the time to see. With your travel plans temporarily set back, you now have the time to spend a few hours with them. It doesn’t matter what you do, that loved one will appreciate and remember the quality time you spared even if it was just over a cup of coffee.

* Play indoor games.

If you and your friends have been huddled on your doorstep, unable to go further because the sun suddenly took the rest of the day off behind nasty storm clouds, go back inside the house, drop your bags, and play charades, board games, or card games. You will literally forget that time exists because we forget how fun these activities are! My friends and I once spent 8 hours playing charades with Tagalog movies. That’s an entire day gone right there. These games also bring out the competitive side in everyone. And of course, the extra bonding time does wonders for group dynamics.

* Stay home.

Read a book. Clean your room. Dust off your DVD player and watch those movies you bought 3 months ago. Come up with a new hobby. Sleep. There are actually a lot of things you can do at home if the weather just won’t let you leave. Sometimes you just have to take a hint from the universe (or take a hint from your parents) and actually stay put. The last thing you should do is pout — it just makes you restless and irritable, making the weather even more terrible for you. The point is to take the time to relax. Your home is the best place to do that.

Of course, I suggested these options because they have worked for me. It’s not very hard to come up with an alternative plan. I am not a planner at all, I’m as gung-ho as the next idiot. But I do keep an open mind and almost always stay positive, and that’s half the battle right there.
So good luck with your travel plans. Don’t forget your umbrella.

Restless Wander Nominated for Best Travel Blog

The Philippine Blog Awards 2008

I had to interrupt my daily routine (of doing nothing) to deliver really important news — My good friend Trish Morente’s travel blog Restless Wander, has been nominated for Best Travel Blog for the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards! Way to go Trish! Everybody’s proud of you and rooting for you to get shortlisted among the finalists And although this isn’t as newsworthy, I’ve also added you onto my Blogroll (Now there’s two of you in there )! Woohoo! You’re not only being nominated for awards, you’re being added onto people’s blogrolls! You’re on a winning streak!

They’re posting the finalists soon, so I’ll be sure to check back, and I expect to see your fine blog in there, because you deserve it! Good luck!

Update: Another friend of mine’s blog, karlo rules the world without strobes, has also been nominated under the Best Photography Blog category. Congrats Karlo! Pa-Outback burger ka naman!