Productive Things To Do During Lockdown

Image courtesy of Austin Chan @Unsplash

If you’re anything like me, I consider walking to the refrigerator an exercise. However, for many active individuals, the lockdown implemented in some parts of the world is what some people might refer to as a living nightmare. Everyone is bored due to the lockdown, especially since social events such as parties and festivals are out of the question. On the plus side, you can spend your free time at home picking up new hobbies and trying out new things. Don’t worry, I won’t stop you from binge-watching on Netflix but if you do wake up one day finding yourself wondering what else is there to do, this article is the sign you’ve been looking for. 

Clean your living space. Thoroughly.

What with assignments and work, when do we even have the time, am I right? On busy days, I’m lucky to even come home to a neatly made bed assuming I made time to do that before heading out (I usually don’t).

There are many changes and additions you can make to achieve a homier vibe. If you have no clue on where to start, enter Pinterest. Rustic, minimalist, bohemian, mid-century modern, so many to choose from. After all the research you’ve done, who knows, some of your friends might like your design so much that you can help decorate their space too! 

Earn some side income online

Although times are tough for job seekers, there are still ways to earn some extra money on a more flexible schedule. The possibilities are virtually limitless with the internet. If you have an eye for designing, copywriting or content creating, utilize it by finding freelance jobs on Facebook groups, Workana or any website that provides jobs for freelancing.

If you’re an aspiring baker or chef, share those skills with the community by holding virtual classes. If you want to turn a hobby into a small business, why not do just that! Sell homemade jewelry, paintings, clothes and all that jazz. With a minimal capital, you can get started on all these ideas from anywhere at any time.

 

Exercise

Sure, looking good after a workout is a bonus but what’s more important is feeling good. Boost your confidence before a virtual presentation or have a virtual workout session with your best buds. Trust me, after a long day at your desk, doing even a short workout will do wonders for your mood and productivity.

Go with the flow. If you’re into bicycles, ride your bike around the parking lot or your neighborhood. As for the best brand of bicycle, we highly recommend Polygon which is an Indonesian bicycle manufacturer based in Sidoarjo, East Java. If your body just wants to stretch and relax, Yoga With Adriene has been my go-to but if you want to work up a sweat, Daisy Keech or Chloe Ting have posted many different workouts on YouTube that will help you reach your goals in no time!

Spend time with your loved ones

We had no idea we'd be confined to our houses for so long. This period, however, has provided us with the opportunity to rekindle and improve the relationship we have with our family. Because of the hectic pace of our lives before, we rarely had time to sit with our family even for a meal.

The lockdown has allowed us to return to the days when family time was the most important part of the day. Get to know them again, play a board game, cook together or dress up your pets because as once Madeleine said “We love our bread, we love our butter but most of all, we love each other.” 

Become a bookworm

Does your daily reading consist of reading tweets, Facebook updates or the comic behind your favorite cereal box? Well, put down that cereal box and pick up a real book!

Why, you may ask? Books teach you how to stay calm, how to understand people, how to improve on vocabulary and communication, how to deal with problems and obstacles that you may face in life and expand your knowledge. As for me, reading has given me the opportunity to explore my imagination and open up my mind to new possibilities without leaving my room. To get you started, here’s a list of my recent personal favorites.

●    The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

●    The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi
●    Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
●    When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
●    Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab
●    The Institute by Stephen King
●    Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by James R. Doty
●    Beach Read by Emily Henry
●    The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

 

Final thoughts

This lockdown has shown us that there’s more to us than we realized. We just didn’t see it before due to our busy schedules and hectic social lives. So, get moving! However you decide to spend your free time during this time, remember to be safe and grateful for this life you get to live.

Fun Things to do in Siargao

Siargao is like a hidden gem that is located in the southeast of the Philippines. It is at a distance of about 800 kilometers from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Well, famous as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, the island boasts of enchanting lagoons, bizarre rock formations, and mangrove forest reserves. Take one of those cheap flights to Siargao and explore the paradise with exotic white beaches, coral reefs, and fantastic wildlife.

There is a lot more to do in the surfing destination of the Philippines. Well, if you are not the really the surfing type, you could go for caving or island-hopping or simply explore the beauty of Siargao. The surfing capital of the Philippines is filled with natural gems, a cool nightlife and some great food options that everyone can enjoy. Book cheap flights right away for Siargao and embark on an experience of a lifetime.

Here are some of the best thing to do in Siargao.

• Go island hopping – It is a must to explore the three spectacular islands along the shores of Siargao, and these include Guyam Island, Daku Island and Naked Island. There are plenty of day tours to these islands, and one can look forward to a perfect trip under expert guides and enjoy some fantastic food.

• Enjoy the seafood – You will come across a different kind of fish and seafood at almost every other resort and restaurant here. The best part is that the seafood is very fresh and cheap as well. The cooks of most restaurants and resorts will prepare the fish for you or whatever you desire for a small cost. So, make the most of it.

• Rent a bike- The best way to enjoy and explore the natural landscapes and scenery of Siargao is on a bike. Just hop on your motorbike and let yourself loose within the island. Drive across to deserted beaches, amazing waterfalls, and those endless rice fields. You will discover local villages on the way and get the chance to meet the locals and interact with them.

• Swim in the Magkukob Cave- The locals and the tourists simply love Magkukob Cave because of the refreshing waters that are crystal clear. Get ready to experience the thrill of entering an enchanting cave which is surrounded by baby bats. Dive in those refreshing waters and swim to your heart’s content.

• Try out your rope swing skills - Swing at Maasin Secret River, and it is indeed one of the most picturesque places in Siargao. You can take the boat on the river or spend the morning swinging on the coconut tree that hangs over the water.

• Enjoy a relaxing day at Mamon Island – If you are looking for a spot away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded tourist spots, then head straight for the Mamon Island. The secluded island boasts of clear, blue waters and amazing coral formations. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling here or simply enjoy the peace and calm of the destination.

• Drive on the coconut roads – You must drive on the most scenic road on Siargao, and it lies along the coastline lined with white beaches and coconut trees. You can simply spend the day driving on the road, stop to talk to the locals and learn about their lives and culture.

• Visit Sugba Lagoon – One of the most popular places to visit in Siargao is the Sugba Lagoon. It is a playground for those who love kayaking, diving or stand-up paddle-boarding. The lagoon is surrounded by mountains and has a cliff-diving board from where one can jump into the clear waters.

I hope this starts your hunger to look for time to go to one of the nicest places to go to in the Philippines. I'm going there again this summer, see you there!

The Biggest Waterpark in Asia: Kamia Bay Resort Palawan

Nothing beats a watermark than a fat face that's already in a photo hahahaha!

A vacation in Palawan probably would mean El Nido, Coron, or that Underground River adventure that most tourists actually go to. A little known fact is, there are actually superb places you can go to just a little outside of Puerto Princesa City. A few only know about it but hopefully, that’s about to change. Really, there’s MORE things in Palawan that people should know about.

This is our second day here, woke up early to travel about 30-45 minutes away from Puerto Princesa City proper. The reason being, KAMIA Bay Resort in Palawan. It’s located at Baranagay Luzviminda along Binunsalian Bay. It’s a rarely new property being developed as an adventure sanctuary housing the BIGGEST Aquapark structure in Asia complete with a 30 and 40 foot slide in a stretch of 3,800 square meters of a floating island that sits a few kilometers away from Honda Bay.

One side of Kamia Bay Resort where the whole thing stretches.

Now imagine the possibilities, the various things you could do here with your friends and family. You could go on this vast course traversing through a multitude of floating islands, air filled trees, big and small tubes, jumping points, a trampoline, and slides like small mountains on sea. Tumble and leap off of platforms with ease and without worries as they’ve got expert lifeguards on stand by at every part of the floating ark.

Aside from the nice course, they’ve also got a moderately designed bike course which would take you in and around the property. They also have pavillions and small huts so whether you’re a company or just a small family, you can take refuge in it during lunch or dinner, or house your belongings during day trips in fact. They also have Eco tours which you can take for your land lovin friends if the floating island would be too much. But here's a glimpse on how fun this whole trip was courtesy of the Aloha Palawan Facebook page!

 

The thing is, it’s also quite affordable. You can do Aquaplay for Php 788 which includes an hour of the Aquapark, an Ecotour and buffet lunch or go for the Php 1,488 for Unlimited time in it. They also have options for roundtrip transfers if you want it to be more convenient. We highly suggest you do what we did and start the adventures very early. You will be briefed for your own safety and if you prefer a little grip, they have specialized water shoes for rent so it’ll be easier for you to run around in your bikinis.

Take a nice dip, or simply lounge at their lovely villa huts.

Heck I won’t be selfish to share with you how fun it was. I also got to taste the cuisine prepared for us by the Chef who manages all the food establishments in their other properties. Check out my adventures at Kamia Bay Resort!

It was pretty hard to leave that place after the fun I had with new friends. I got to know more of them and how a family built this resort. It looks promising that they can host guests during day time and perhaps soon, they’ll have some villas for people to stay in. They also currently have a haven for artists which they house in a secluded part of their resort which they deem would be a way to “pay back” the community and the country with “culture”.

For dinner, we freshened up at the hotel first then dressed up a bit. We went to Princesa Garden Resort and Spa which was near the Puerto Princesa International Airport. We walked a bit inside and off to the shore for their Asian themed restaurant called GOLDEN ELEPHANT which was on stilts. It was very romantic, I felt bad that I was single and had to see all the couples who were there. The food was also exquisite as you may have seen on the video, you just want to stay there the whole night. Albeit friendly to families, I would recommend this mostly for pairs who would want some quiet time. It felt right, I want to go back there and bring someone to propose haha!

Anyway, it was all part of a super happy day for me to just experience what Puerto Princesa City and it’s nearby towns had in store for travelers - and those who just want to have a nice relaxing vacation. I loved every bit of it.

If you want to go to Kamia Bay Resort, simply search for them at Facebook and message them. They can make arrangements for large groups and family. Same goes for Princesa Garden Resort and Spa which has rooms and spa services too. It’s easy because everything should be hassle free, make sure you make your own vacation stress free!