How to plan a summer outing “na hindi drawing”

Summer in the Philippines is really hot! Which makes beautiful beaches and resorts really inviting.

If you want to beat the heat, create happy memories, take an Instagramable photo and a hassle-free vacation, here are some tips to lessen the stress when planning.

Set a meeting

First, create a group chat and ask who are interested in joining. Once the attendees are complete, set a small meeting. Suggest a place and date. Once a majority agrees to it, proceed with your planning.

Budget

Beach or resort? What is the budget? Sometimes, we don’t have to go far and spend hours travelling. If you have a big budget, make sure you spend three days and two nights to enjoy the place. Check your destination, rooms and utilities expenses so you can plan your budget.

If the budget is tight and you just want to relax, there are many and affordable farm resorts in Magalang and Arayat. You can ask your friends to check the place out or you can search it on Facebook.Taking a vacation in a group helps lessen expenses. This really works.

Food

Search for restaurants at your destinations, what food they offer and the prices. If the food is affordable and you don’t want to cook, dine out instead. It’s less work.

If you want to enjoy a variety of food but still want your mom’s cooking, then so be it.

Ask each person what food they can bring. Better yet, suggest or assign what food they should bring to avoid a doubling of the menu and assure variety. You definitely wouldn’t want to eat spaghetti all day, right?

Complete the set meals, snacks and refreshments.

Assign someone to buy disposable utensils. Oftentimes, excited vacationers forget important things like chopping boards, knives and new sponge and dishwashing liquid. Wipes and towels are important if you have kids with you. Bottled water is a must.

Plan your meals. Prepare just the right amount of food for each meal. It’s economical and prevents food from spoiling and going to waste.

Assign food preparation tasks among members in the group. This way, you don’t overwork someone who also wants to have some fun.

Rent a vehicle

Gasoline is very expensive nowadays. You can rent a vehicle, a van perhaps, which the whole group can ride in instead of using their private cars. Travelling together in one vehicle is merrier than travelling alone.

Summer Vacation Packing list

Make a checklist of what to bring.

Beauty essentials are also important. Get a small bag where you can put in sachets of shampoo, sunblock, body lotion and moisturizer, toothpaste, a small bar of soap, toothbrushes, sanitary napkin, deodorant and feminine wash.

Clothing

Here is my suggested list of things to bring: t-shirts, shorts, dresses, pants, pajamas, socks, swim wear, a belt and a laundry bag. No one wants to head home in soaking wet clothes. You should wash wet clothes and leave these out to dry. If you don’t have time, make sure you always have a plastic bag to keep wet and soiled clothes in.

It would also be better if you can bring your own pillows and blankets. If you don’t want to bring these, pack a “sarong” which always saves the day. You can you use it as a blanket, mat, and even a curtain for an instant changing room.

If you plan on having fun in the sun and sand, don’t bring your expensive jewelry as these are losable and can ruin your vacation. Summer accessories are fine.

Footwear

Always bring sandals, flats and rubber shoes. No need to use heels while doing the “rampa” on the beach. Don’t make any “scenes” in the trip that could go viral on social media. You can be fashionable but you can also choose comfort and functionality.

Health Essentials

No matter how excited you are, please check if members of your group are taking maintenance medication. Be responsible enough to remind them to bring their medicine. Designate someone who can bring an emergency kit.

Always bring facemask and alcohol with you all the time.

Electronics

Use a small bag to keep your phone, charger, camera, memory cards, ear buds and the like. Always check for a secure place or vault to store these. You can take turns watching important belongings.

If you are riding a boat, check, double check and count your bags when loading and unloading these. This is based on my own experience. My son forgot one of our bags and we lost a tablet, chargers, a bluetooth speaker and personal belongings.

We noticed it was missing later and could not contact anyone because we already reached the island where there was no Wi-Fi nor mobile service.

So, remember: no matter how excited you are, always be mindful of your stuff.

Documents

If you are travelling far from your hometown, don’t forget your passport, tickets, vaccine card, important phone numbers – especially if you have kids with you which should be kept in their bags or pockets, credit cards, cash, travel insurance and an itinerary.

Photos and memories

We always have a group photo. When you go to a far place, make sure to visit places of interest and taste their delicacies and document this. Make sure you show a landmark of the place in the background of your photo, selfie or selfwe to show the place you went to.

Make your photo a story.

Fun and Activities

Prepare some activities and fun things to do while on vacation. Rent a karaoke for those who love to sing and prepared some games too.

You can have a theme and wear summer costumes. A Bohemian theme is cool. You can wear long dresses and some accessories related to the theme. Some fun clothes you can wear are colorful swim wear, tie dye shirts, and “maong” short, headbands or scarfs, and fancy summer hats.

Show a little skin. If you are single, this is your time to release the sexiness in you. And when you get to mingle, remember: intelligent is sexy too.

And an important reminder: Don’t drink too much and regret the videos later.  

No Drama Llama

Don’t join the trip if you have issues. You are going to have fun and to refresh. Don’t open up issues that are not relevant. Remind yourself to be a source of happiness and not a burden.

Proper planning and defining and designating tasks can lessen the stress of a summer trip, giving you more time to relax and have fun.

Travel a new place every year. This is therapeutic. We don’t live to work to pay bills but to enjoy what God has given us.

Before and after the trip, pray to thank God for blessing and protecting you and the people with you while you travelled.

Have a great summer!