A Backpacker's Five Best Friends

After months of reading travel blogs and dreaming of going on my own backpacking trip, I finally was able to live my dream! :) I recently just got back from my first backpacking trip to Bohol-Cebu and my first solo backpacking trip to Legazpi.
After only a week of travel, I can say that I really have learned a lot - from planning a backpacking trip itinerary to reviewing my actual expenses versus the budget. What amazed me the most? - finding out what a wise backpacker's five bestfriends are. Get to know them one by one :)
1. TRAVEL BLOGGERSThe best way to start planning a backpacking trip is by getting tips/pointers from one who has already gone on a backpacking trip himself/herself. Here are a few travel bloggers who have helped me a lot in my recent backpacking trips.
http://thepinaysolobackpacker.com/http://www.wearesolesisters.com/http://www.blogalag.com/blog/http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/http://justwandering.org/http://anasarmiento.wordpress.com/http://kathangisip.com/http://lakwatseraako.blogspot.com/
2. SEAT SALES
I was never a fan of seat sales until I started reading travel blogs. I read how these people get to travel to these amazing places without splurging. What could be more fun than being able to get to far places without closing your bank account? :)Here are the leading local airlines which offer seat sales almost weeklyAir PhilippinesCebu PacificPhilippine AirlinesSea AirZest Air
*While almost everyone is in love with Cebu Pacific, I am an Air Philippines loyalist. My four plane rides for my recent first backpacking trip were all with Air Philippines and I must say that I am highly satisfied.
3. PENSION HOUSESThese pension houses appeal to budget-conscious travelers like me. Why spend much on hotel accommodation when you only get to use their facilities for a limited period during your stay in a certain place? Unlike fancy hotels, pension houses provide a decent place to stay without hurting your travel budget. :)
4. TRAVEL-SIZE TOILETRIESWhile pension houses provide you with a decent and cheap place to stay, some do not provide you with the basic freebies (i.e. shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.) you get from hotels. It is a wise decision to always bring along your own travel-size toiletries.
5. CAMERASelf-explanatory. How can one forget bringing a camera to any backpacking trip? :)