This Irish landscape may not be really different from what we've got here in Batanes. Except for the cold climate, an Irish accent and bagpipers of course.

The idea surfaced last night when my superior and I spoke about our travels in the past. She has traveled so much while I am just beginning to really enjoy it after seeing England, lived there for quite some time and proved to myself that the earth is indeed round. She is excited to see London and do backpacking trips all across the United Kingdom and Europe. I am not really sure how I would fare as backpacker in Europe but I think I have better chances of surviving there than in China where the locales do not speak English or other places where terrorists thrive and rule.

I haven’t really tried backpacking. I got used to being treated like a queen on several trips I made. Airconditioned rooms with comfortable beds, hot and cold shower, itinerary for the day, and delicious meals were taken care of by someone else. I just have to bring my luggage and get on the bus. It’s zero inconvenience. Purely leisure but less adventure.

Backpacking is something out-of-the-box fear factor type of adventure that may not really sound so enticing at first. It is more than just budgeting and planning but getting myself prepared to face the unknown. But I am excited at the prospect of walking on those less-traveled roads, seeing more places and learning more about the people and their cultures and tell you all about it while I still can. A European backpack tour may sound complicated for now due extensive Shengen visa requirements for a member of the Third World – bank account that would sustain you during the entire trip, certificate of employment, invitation letter, etc. So I guess I’ve got to start somewhere here right at my own turf and go back to London few years from now. After all, I still have Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to cover.