Philippine Loop - The Checklist

Here are the things that are essential during our road trip:

• Photocopy of your vehicle OR/CR. have at least 3 copies.

• Photocopies of your driver's license.

• Cash (Small Bills, Coins).

• Credit Card / Gcash / Maya.

• Data Sim for your phone, GPS etc.

• Food (Snacks, Cup Noodles, etc).

• Water (we had a 6 gallon jug)

• Some sort of drinking cup with a straw.

• Pillows.

• Blankets.

• Slippers.

• Trash Bags. (big and small ones)

• Extension Wire.

• Lots of underwear.

• Shorts.

• Lots of Shirts.

• Bathroom Essentials.

• Offline Movies / Games.

• Camera or Good Phone Camera/ Selfie Stick.

• Power Bank.

• Sunglasses.

• Hat.

• Off Lotion / Sun Screen.

• Sun shade with a suction cup for the car window.

• A flashlight.

Tips I Can Share with You that where useful during our trip:

• It's always advisable to carry cash with you since some businesses don't accept credit cards. One such example is a beach resort in Pagupud, where we recently stayed. Unfortunately, we were running low on cash, and there were no ATMs in the vicinity. Fortunately, they accepted Gcash as a form of payment, which saved us from having to drive a long distance just to withdraw money.

• Based on our experience, it seems that most Roro vessels only accept cash as payment. The cost of the Roro ride itself can exceed Php 6,000.00, so it might be wise to carry at least Php 10,000.00 in cash with you. Of course, this is assuming you haven't already made a reservation and payment in advance.

• Always gas up whenever you are in a big city. Have a full tank before driving out. I always consider half a tank "empty".

• Keep coins handy. I place it in the cup holder so that it is accessible whenever I need it quickly. (see photo above)

• Pillows are convenient, especially when a passenger wants to sleep on long rides. They can also save you some money at the hotel because some of them charge you for extra pillows. (see photo above)

• Take a moment to walk around your vehicle and check for any issues. Once while on Roxas Boulevard, I was alerted by some passing motorcyclists that I had a flat tire, and I was grateful that I caught it before continuing on my journey

• It's always a good idea to stop at a reputable gas station during a long drive to use the restroom, buy snacks, or get supplies. It can be tough to find a decent restroom, especially for women, when you're on the road. My son and I have had to stop on the side of the road before. Gas stations usually have restrooms, and larger companies like Shell, Caltex and Petron are reliable options.

• Do not rely on one navigation app. I consistently utilize both Google Maps and Waze simultaneously to discover the optimal route since, despite being under the same ownership, they yield different outcomes. (see photo above)

Tips I Can Share with You that where useful during our trip:

• It would already be obvious that before you begin this trip, the vehicle should be in top condition. complete with spare tires and some basic accessories like:

• I always have a mini compressor with me, this was helpful when I had a nail in my tire and I was losing air until I had it fixed. (see photo above)

• A heavy-duty tow rope just in case I needed it.

• A jumper cable for when you need to jump-start your vehicle or someone else's

• A roll of duct tape, WD-40, basic tools, a jack, and a spotlight.

• If you have a chance, install an RFID sticker on your vehicle. You can avoid the long lines in the cash lane and use the RFID lane when entering the expressways.

• I would suggest avoiding traveling at night for safety reasons. To plan your journey, you can use GPS to calculate your estimated arrival time and decide on a suitable place to stop for the day.

• It may seem like a common piece of advice, but it's important to avoid driving while feeling drowsy. Personally, when I start to feel sleepy behind the wheel, my son takes over driving duties to ensure our safety on the road.

Tips I Can Share with You that where useful during our trip:

• McDonald's, Jollibee, Chowking, and other fast food restaurants will become your best friends. Sometimes you just don't have time for a proper meal, especially when you are in a rush to get somewhere.

• If you're not too particular, you can find some great food at Karenderias. Keep an eye out for the ones with numerous trucks, buses, and cars parked outside, as they usually serve delectable dishes.

• Adding more tips here.