MANILA, Philippines - Blogger Sabrina Iovino is getting to know the world one country at a time for the past four years. Since leaving her 9-to-5 job in her native Germany in 2008, the travel blogger behind the popular website JustOneWayTicket.com has never looked back. Now, 50 countries later, she continues to discover more places and go back to the ones that have captured her heart, including the Philippines.
“I went to the Philippines for the very first time in 2009 and have returned every year since then. I’ve been to the country about seven times so far, and I’m already planning to go back in 2015. Crazy, huh?” she asks. Sabrina shared that the wonderful beaches and generous hospitality of the Filipino people have completely won her over.
More fun in the Philippines. A fan of the sun, sand and the sea, Sabrina has been to dozens of the country’s best and most pristine beaches. “I don’t really have a favorite spot in the Philippines. Each place is unique and has its own specialty. And every time I get back, I discover a new favorite spot,” she adds. “The underwater life is superb. My most unforgettable experiences include swimming with the turtles in Apo Island. They’re such beautiful creatures.” On her last visit, Sabrina discovered new islands and went to Camiguin and Siargao. “I was amazed by the hot springs in Camiguin. And the people were beyond helpful. I met some really friendly locals who invited me to their house,” she quips. Siargao also won Sabrina over completely because of the province’s pristine beaches, captivating lagoons, coral reefs and rock formations, exotic wildlife and large mangrove forest reserve.
Travel as a way of life. When Sabrina realized that travel is more important to her than anything else, she did everything she could to pursue her passion. “I sold all my belongings, worked double shifts, saved every penny, sublet my apartment, lived with friends. I taught German to students and took on online jobs. I always found ways to make money and to keep me on the road,” she says. While others may find it daunting to leave everything behind for the uncertainty of long-term travel, Sabrina embraced the adventure with open arms. “It may sound unbelievable but I never feared anything. I always thought, ‘things will work themselves out.’ And so far, they have.” Travel may sometimes cost a lot of money, but Sabrina said that hard work, discipline and smart budgeting skills are the keys to living her dream nomad life. She visits online sites to look for different jobs to make sure that she keeps earning money as she travels.
The travel blogger also makes smart choices when it comes to her spending and always checks low-cost carriers such as Cebu Pacific for great deals and promos. “Cebu Pacific has been great. Back in 2009, I got a flight from Manila to Osaka for an unbelievably low price. I’m amazed how they have expanded their flight routes to many destinations. I hope they’ll fly to more destinations,” she said. Sabrina also took Cebu Pacific on her trips to Siargao and Camiguin, taking advantage of the direct flights so she could visit more destinations.