88 thoughts on “About”

1. Kara, I just read your post on the 5 destinations on a motorcycle, and wanted to share with you our ride to Infanta, Quezon via Tanay. The road is new and incredibly beautiful. Though there are 4 sections covered in mud and soil, light motorbikes and dual purpose bikes can easily navigate these areas without any problems.

   I recommend that you try this road soon, before the rainy season sets in.

2. Hi Wawel. Thanks for the tip! We tried riding to Infanta earlier this year, but got caught in the rain and some parts of the road were hard to navigate because of mud. (Check out my post “New Year Ride.” Glad to hear the roads are better now. We’ll check it out again soon 🙂

3. Hi there, glad to see this site. I have read the recent article here (5 places to motorcycle) from the Inquirer just the other day, i was looking at it and thought that I read it somewhere, stupid me not realizing it was the same author. lol.
   I love bein on the road, and am thankful for articles and blogs like yours. They give good insights and guidelines for travelers.
   My photographer friend and I might be going around the country visiting places for a certain project, I am sure that what I have read from your articles would help a lot.

   More power to you and hope to see more of your road trips!

4. Hi Vernie. Thanks for visiting my blog. Just started it this year, but have a lot of posts in mind related to motorcycle trips and travel in general. Good luck on your project. Sounds like a good one 🙂

5. Wew, you sound like my idea travel buddy. Took up journalism too, but never really worked as one. There’s still this itch though to share stories through words and photos. 🙂 Will definitely visit your blog more often. Added you to my blog list too. 🙂

6. Hi Cedric. Wow, joining PTB has really brought in a lot of traffic to this blog 🙂 I still practice straight journalism (though I admit it can get pretty serious and boring sometimes). Travel stories and photos are more fun to do. Will check out your blog. Nice market shot in your banner.

7. Great articles on the mam-eh festival, Kara.
   Think you grasped the essence of it all very well!
   BTW, the International Society for Ethnobiology (ISE) has put a link on their website to your article in the Inquirer. (Under ‘member news’ or something like that.
   Will let you know when next we have something very special – here or elsewhere in Asia….
   Jenne

8. Hi Jenne. Thanks very much. Wow, it would be great to to tag along during your field visits elsewhere! 🙂 Just let me know. Will check out the ISE website.

9. Hi Kara,

   I love your site. It’s fresh, hip and simply appetizing!

   Looking forward for more endearing reads.

10. Thanks Ariel! Haven’t seen you in a while. Keep up the great work in PPI! 🙂

11. I would really like to travel and see the sights locally…unfortuntely i dont have that much friends who would like to join me…they have thier own reasons why they cnt make it….have been to the common places like, i have been to boracay 3x this year and sick and tire dof it…i would like to go see other places…could you recommend a group to me who loves to travel…i would really appreciate it…tnx in advance

12. Hi Sonny. My advice is not to rely on your friends just to travel. A lot of people don’t travel much because they think it’s too expensive or they don’t have time. I find Boracay overrated, and people go there just to party. There are so many places in the country worth exploring. But it doesn’t always have to be an out of town trip. Where to go and who to go with really depends on what kind of travel you like to do – backpacking, food trip, etc.

    Why not trying to go to places you’ve never been to in Manila? Check out this post of the places you can go to just in Manila: http://www.lakwatsero.com/spots/manila-in-focus/

    A lot of people also enjoy traveling solo. At least you can choose what you really want to do and your adventure is not dictated on pakikisama with a group. If you’re not ready for that, you could also join arranged group tours like those found here and meet new people: http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/tours.htm

    I also suggest that you check add this page on FB: http://www.facebook.com/FilipinoTravelBloggers, where a lot of travel bloggers post their latest adventures. You may just find a place you’d be interested to visit there 🙂 Hope this helps!

13. Herro, just discovered your blog and yep, we have the same Nat Geo dreams. 🙂

14. Hi Aylablahs. Getting paid to travel really seems like a dream job. Thanks for dropping by.

15. Hi Kara. Nice site. I hope I can meet you on the road someday.

16. Pingback: Mt. Isarog Trek by Kara Santos | WHERE Webzine

17. Hi ma’am Kara i like your site:)

18. Hey Kara! It looks like you always have a lot on your plate but I am hoping to read more of your motorcycle rides on your blog or on print.

19. Hi Doms, thanks for your comment. Have a bunch of motorcycle trips that I haven’t written about. Will try and post more about these trips more regularly this coming year. Please check out Motorcycle World Magazine as well! 🙂

20. Good morning Ms. Kara Santos!
    This is Raymond Bermeo, Program Researcher from Motorcycle Diaries ni Jay Taruc on GMA News TV Channel 11. Currently, may ginagawa po kaming documentary about Philippine Photography. One of the elements that we would like to include is about a professional photographer and at the same time motorcycle rider/enthusiast.
    Ang treatment po kasi ng segment is magmomotor sila ni Sir Jay Taruc papunta sa isang na lugar (na choice ng mai-invite naming photographer na malapit lang po sa Manila) tapos kukuha po sila ng mga litrato and they will have an interview about photography and everything.

    Regarding that Maam, okay lang po ba na ma-invite naming kayo na ma-feature sa aming show on Monday morning po para sa shoot. Yung qualifications (based on my research) niyo po kasi ay fit dun sa hinahanap namin.
    I hope Maam okay lang po. May hinahabol po kasi kaming deadline.
    If you have further inquiries, please feel free po to contact me in my number 0926.664.0744 or email me at raymondbermeo@gmail.com.
    Thank you very much Maam Kara! Godbless!
    Raymond Bermeo (EM)
    Program Researcher
    Motorcycle Diaries

21. Hi, Kara! I chanced in your blog while looking for drinking spots along Maginhawa. I also saw you in Tomato kick eating seafood pesto and it looked sumptuous while you were eating it. Soo, I ate the same thing and i loved it. Haha not a stalker :p

22. Hi Ochi. Tomato Kick’s Seafood Pasta is my go-to meal after every trip! Had it again the other day. The Fajitas and Wedges are great too. See you around if you live in the area 🙂

23. Hi Kara. I’m glad I stumbled on your blog from Journeying James. I got hooked.

    Thank you for promoting our beloved city.

    This is beautiful, well written blog- is it okay to put your webpage in my link?

24. Hi Ramon, nice to meet a fellow Nagueno! Sure, feel free to add me to your bloglinks 🙂 Mabalos!

25. Dios Mabalos Kara.

26. Hi Kara,
    Good to see you have now added share buttons to the blog. Can i also suggest that you make all external links open in a new window. Currently the links you have open in same window and therefore take your readers away from your website/blog, so you are in affect losing them.
    This also applies to the logos in the sidebar.If you need the extra bit of code to do this with the logo/banners just let me know. you can contact me on my email address.
    Dave

27. Hi Kara!

    I am a 19 year old student from De La Salle University. I’m taking up photography under photo journalist, Rem Zamora. One of our assignments for our final requirements is to meet up with any of the Photo Journalists we find on the Photo Journalists’ Center of the Philippines’ website. I had decided to choose you because you of your concept of “Traveling Up” — being able to explore and widen your grasp in experiencing new things. It is quite inspiring for it challenges me to embrace the new things that come my way as well. Our task is to meet up with the Photo Journalist and immerse ourselves with his/her work. I need to be able to take a photo of you while at work and observe how photography is done.

    Is it okay if we can meet up on Monday? 🙂

28. I Googled for local bike blogs, and I yours was one of the links I saw. This is such a delight. Will keep a close watch.

    Cheers,

    bike love manila

29. Hi Bike Love Manila. Thank you! Please check out my husband’s blog Outside Slacker which focuses more on biking. 🙂 I occasionally take photos for him.

30. HI Kara,

    We would like to invite you to visit our resto along Maginhawa corner Makadios.
    We just opened last October 25.
    Thank you! 🙂

    https://www.facebook.com/AlfarsiPersianGrill

31. I love your site! I also have a travel blog. I have been working on it so someday it will be the same as yours. 🙂

    More power and more travels!

32. Thanks very much Tere. Appreciate it 🙂 Will check out your site!

33. Hi, Kara. On behalf of the Public Information Office, I would like to thank you for featuring Marikina in your blog. Hope you can visit us again one of these days.

34. Sana mas maraming areas, bike-friendly din katulad ng Marikina 🙂

35. Hi Kara,

    Thank you so much for posting a blog and sharing your experiences!:)

    I just like to seek your suggestion for the best places for a team building?
    I am currently organizing a one-night overnight team-building experience for 30 pax in our company’s department and looking for a venue that is about 2 to 4 hours (max) from Manila. That is, if you’re not too busy to answer my questions. Haha

    God Bless and cheers to more travel and posting!!

36. sis , nice blog me n my bf also does mc and hike to mt. like u ive been to mt. etc several trips abroad.ty more power

37. can u contact me if there will be a long drive with mc ty

38. Hi Cathy, add me up on FB! http://www.facebook.com/TravelUp I sometimes post ride invites 🙂

39. Hi Wins. For team-building venues near Manila, I can suggest the following: 1) Ten Cents to Heaven, Rizal 2) Seda Nuvali in Laguna, 3) Lima Park Hotel, Batangas, 4) Corregidor (I’m not sure if they still have their team-building package), 5) Casa San Pablo in Laguna Message me on Facebook if you want to ask for more advice & details 🙂

40. your website is now my new best friend.

    in my efforts to re-acquaint myself with the country — having been away for nearly half a decade — i have been looking for places (new or old) to visit and see for myself that it is, indeed, more fun in the philippines.

    thank you for bloggers like you who write with purpose.

    all the best.

    viajero,
    e*dict

41. Hi Edict. Thanks for the kind words and dropping by my blog. There are lots of great underrated places here in the Philippines! 🙂 Hope you enjoy rediscovering the country.

42. Hi Kara,
    Great site you have. Do you also like riding big bikes? Im doing a half day to jariels peak tomorrow!
    Wade

43. Hi Wade. Right now, I just ride a scooter, but am saving up to upgrade to a better bike. Hopefully, this year! 🙂 Enjoy your ride to Jariel’s. Much cooler weather there than in Manila.

44. Hi maam. Bicolano ka man po ata I assume. Gusto mo po maam ma try ang 5 falls in a day na na experience ko with my mountaineering group last sunday lang po. Kung dai ka po busy and okay lang saimo. Ingat po and God Bless! More Power!

45. Hi Malone. Taga Naga po ako, pero based sa Manila for work. Kakauwi ko lang ng Naga last month, so no plans of going back yet. Aling waterfalls yan? Napuntahan ko na yung waterfall circuit sa Pili, Bula at Libmanan. Thanks!

46. Sa Panicuason po Isarog Natural Park… Malabsay Falls, Nabuntolan Falls, Baby Falls, Secret Falls & Big Stone Falls maam! 🙂 I’ll send you the link of my blog entry for this adventure… meanwhile po ito yung blogsite ko sa laskwatcha ko sa Bicol. http://www.sinosasama.blogspot.com Salamat po! More Power!

47. Hello. I’ve been to Malabsay several times and nakapunta na rin Sa Nabontolan 🙂 Hopefully, I can check Baby Falls, Secret Falls & Big Stone Falls next time I go to Naga 🙂

48. Hello Kara!

    I soooooooooo love your Blog site!!!!!!! I’m from Antipolo City and I frequent the Marilaque area. Thanks for the reviews.

49. Hi Burn, appreciate the comment. Still a lot of places I’ve been meaning to try in Antipolo. Thanks for dropping by here 🙂

50. Hi Ms. Kara. This is Allan Semana of A Different Story . We are the producer of the show ” Something To Chew On” – a travel food show airing over CNN Philippines. We would like to invite you to be our guest on the show as we are featuring Quezon City. We hope to have your contact number so we can discuss details and concerns for the shoot.

    Allan Semana
    Production Manager
    A Different Story Productions
    Something to Chew On- Season 4
    CNN Philippines
    09152444357
    09997000750
    office number: 8932232- 8932240

51. Hey kara, i am so glad that i found your blog! I am passionate about driving motorbikes as well and love to explore the phils that way. I am from germany an will be there in january. First i was not sure about the possibilities exploring some spots by bike. Now i definitely am. Thanks! Maybe we meet in the road 🙂 Vanessa

52. Hi Vanessa, thanks for dropping by here! You can get in touch with me via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TravelUp) when you get to the Philippines if you need any advice.

53. Hello Ms. Kara,

    Ano pong web hosting gamit mo. saka ano po ma recommend mo?
    newbie lng po.

    Salamat

54. Hi Ron. Originally used a free WordPress template than upgraded to self-hosted site and domain with Bluehost. https://wordpress.com/

55. Hi Kara,

    I have read most of your blogs and it really inspired me. I love to travel, though I don’t have the luxury to travel for many days since I’m a father and too busy at work. But I do find time to ride and go to different places I haven’t been yet.

    I have started to make my own blog and hoping to share my travels and adventure like you did

    More power to you and to Travel Up

56. Hi Gerald, Thank you very much for the comment. It’s always great to hear from readers and fellow riders. Traveling doesn’t always to have be to exotic far-off destinations. I’m just glad that there are a lot of relatively near destinations where I live which are good for weekend rides. I’ll check out your blog for ideas. I’ve also been wanting to explore the Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas area more. Ride safe! 🙂

57. Hi Kara! 🙂

    Just want to ask your rate for an advertisement link/space or a social media campaign for a promo package tour of a travel agency (name of travel agency to follow). Hope you can get back to me as soon as possible.

    Thank you so much! 🙂

    Regards,
    Deborah

58. Hi Deborah, I’ll respond to you by email. Thanks for the inquiry. 🙂

59. Hi maganda hapon how can I go there and what about the entrance and cottages I read that there’s no entrance fee just leave only I’d to the guard. Thanks

60. Hi Cathy, what destination are you referring to?

61. Wow I love your site! such an adventurer woman! reading your blog makes me so excited for whats waiting for me ♥

62. Hello,
    Planning to take a trip to Caramoan soon. Tanong ko lang po kung alam nyo kung safe iwanan ang private vehicle sa sabang port for a couple of days?

    Salamat po

63. Hi Gani, we hired a van to bring us and pick us up from Sabang Port to avoid that problem, but I heard there are secure places to park near the Sabang port for a fee of P50 a day. I’m not sure if it’s a restaurant or resort nearby where you can park, but I wouldn’t recommend you leave your car at the port because it’s open.

64. Sheila and I are very honored to have met, traveled, and go on adventures with you, Kara! 🙂

65. Hi Kara!

    I bumped into your blog looking for itinerary for my trips as well. And honestly, I was hooked with all your published post 🙂
    Just recently started my own travel blog and I wish to hear some advise how to grow my own page as yours :))

    Keep on doing adventures 🙂 to more places to see.

66. Thanks, Nathalie. When I started my blog in 2011, I just wanted to share my travel experiences and interests. There are a lot of blogs out there that offer travel guide type lists and itineraries (and I still do those list type articles once in a while) but I guess you just have to offer something different to stand out. I get the most satisfaction about writing experiential posts from personal motorcycling trips, which I think no other blog offers. I guess you can just try to find your niche and focus writing about things that will help other people with similar interests. I don’t know. Still learning, actually. 🙂

67. Hello .. This is Ferlin from Viva Films.

    May we invite you to the presscon of Jamie Dempsey – host
    of The History Channel Asia’s hit series “Ride N’ Seek”
    this coming May 8. Venue and time to be confirmed.

    We hope to hear from you.

    Thank you.

68. Hi Kara, I saw your trip around Samar.
    I’m thinking about doing the same but with a heavier bike.
    Can these boats to and from Laoang handle a 250kg adventure bike?
    Thats my concern.
    Thanks!

69. Hi Peter. It’s a pretty short boat ride (2 times) just to get back on the highway, but the boats I saw there were pretty small. Each boat can carry probably 2 underbone bikes and some passengers. You can see photos of the boats in action here here. Maybe they have other bigger boats used to transport cargo that you could hire but I’m not 100% sure. Cars and bigger vehicles usually just pass the cross-country and not the coastal road on the Northeastern side. The Southern tip of Samar particularly Guian and Calicoan are the more tourist-friendly spots.

70. Thank you!
    Always safe riding!
    Cheers!

71. Hi,
    Hope your are doing great.

    I am interested in your website http://www.traveling-up.com for a blog/guest post.

    Price for blog/guest post.?
    gambling/non gambling.?
    price for link instruction in the existing post casino gambling.?
    will you write the article.?
    will the post shows on home page..??

    let me know,
    Thanks

72. Hi James, kindly send an email to kara.m.santos (at) gmail.com. Thank you.

73. Hi Kara. we are interested in hiring the services of an artist for a wall art painting in our pantry here in the office. may we kindly know how to contact you?
    you may reach me thru email add: cristina.gomez@lycopodium.com.au
    landline : 8582444

74. Waw, you sound like my idea travel buddy. Took up journalism too, but never really worked as one,

75. Thanks, Yuli. I appreciate the comment 🙂

76. I am enjoying reading your travel stories. I would like to explore Phillipines by scooter. Ideally I would like to rent one scooter and loop around island to island but I’m not clear which islands I can take a scooter to via ferry. With so many islands its hard to even ask about certain ones. Do you know of any long routes where I could use one motorbike going island to island? Thanks for any help.

77. Hi Chris, thanks for the comment. I’d recommend going around Visayas area particularly Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and other nearby islands. You can check out my post on great islands to ride around in the Philippines. These are relatively small, but you can cross from one to the next. If you want to concentrate on a nice long ride on one main island, Palawan is great to ride from end to end.

78. i love travel and i love skyrim and now i love this blog.

79. Hello, Kara.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to write a blog and share your experiences! I enjoy being on the road and appreciate articles and websites such as yours. They provide useful information and recommendations for travelers. God bless you, and here’s to more traveling and blogging! <333

80. This is great, thank you so much fo this. This is so interesting and quiet enjoy to read. The tips will surely be applied when we or I travel, you have giving me so much hope and inspiration. I’ll probably would not have done but facing my fears, thanks to you Kara! Always take care.

81. Thank you so much for posting a blog and sharing your experiences!

82. First of all I’m happy to see someone is doing something that they like while earning money and respect of other and btw thank you for creating this blog Me myself enjoy reading that blog.

83. Hi Kara! Thank you for writing this blog, you have given us enough information and idea where to travel. I really enjoy reading your blogs stories and it inspires me. I hope to travel like you someday and more opportunities to come. God Bless and Take Care, Kara!

84. Hi Ms. Kara, I’ve enjoyed reading your travel blog. We used to travel to Surigao Del Norte by boat, there are many beautiful beaches there. I am looking forward to more travel blog stories of yours.

85. Hi,kara thank you for doing this blog u given us more info about some more amazing places to travel and I am hoping to read more of your motorcycle rides on your blog

86. Thank you, I appreciate it 🙂

87. Thank you Prince. I’ve shifted more to biking because of travel restrictions, but I look forward to going on more motorcycle rides in the future.

88. hi Kara. i am a Brit living in Rizal Province. i was a “Traveller” back in the 80’s. now i don’t have the freedom to travel the same way. however, i am getting around the Philippines. i have been to 46 provinces. i will be getting to 2 more in October, then several more over the next year. eventually, i plan to finish the 81. but, i have a question??? what is it going to be like going to Marawi; Basilan and Sulu, as a white faced (suntanned actually) foreigner? i don’t want to hire armed body guards. the plan is to just go to said places. p.s. i don’t ride motor cycles and mostly use public transport. when covid lock down hit i was on my way to Sorsogon. with the stopping of the buses etc, i ended up hitch hiking home. just like my old days.

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