QUALITIES OF A PERFECT TRAVELER PARTNER

( A Tribute to Dr. Melissa Rose Piodena)

It is still without a doubt, the best traveler partner anywhere anytime would be my sister, Ping. But in her absence (my sis is working in Manila where little old me is here in Iloilo), I found a perfect replacement during my sis' leave of absence to our  girly getaways in the person of my amazing colleague, friend and current partner-in crime in travel 'lakwatsa', Mel which I fondly call sometimes Melrose.....

 which inspired me to list the QUALITIES OF A PERFECT TRAVELER PARTNER.... My sis & Mel are on top of that list in my book......

1. He/ She must have an positive attitude... No amount of unexpected setbacks (that sometimes naughtily appears during a well-planned travel) can dampen his/her spirit.

2. He/She must be flexible... Traveling could be unpredictable and being extremely rigid could really be  a downer.

3. He/ She must have a childlike spirit. Its fun to travel with someone who enjoys even the must mundane activity, someone who beams with excitement upon entering a new place,someone who squeals with glee at a new discovery...

4. He/She prays and  trust in the Higher Power for guidance for a safe trip. It's not cheesy, it's faith.

5. He/ She is photo savvy... Or in other words, loves cam-whoring,hehe..... Pictures speaks a thousand words and are perfect  way to capture & preserve moments..... Its just fun to be with someone who gamely acts all silly in all nooks & corners and try the unachievable 'jumping shots'.

6.   He/ She is a light packer so you can avoid shelling out some cash to help your travelmate for excess baggage especially when shopping money got reduced to counting change, hehe...

7. He/ She believes in the mantra: ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY! My sis and I made that mantra in our travels. We and our two other bros would chant that when we step down the plane or when we arrive in our destination, just to remind us that we are there to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

How about you? Whose your perfect travel partners? hehe.....