Formerly a PR and corporate marketing slave, Maritess Garcia-Reyes, or Matet, resigned from her job years ago to chase after her one dream in life: writing about travel, food and lifestyle. Her persistence paid off, and today she writes for several titles under Philippine Tatler including Best Restaurants Guide, Homes, and Traveller. Her pieces had also appeared on the prestigious CNN iReport and Choose Philippines, among many other renowned Asian and Philippine publications.
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| Peek into Dicasalarin Cove. Photo by Matet Reyes. |
How exactly does she juggle between tending to daughter Akisha and her lust for globetrotting eco-consciously? Matet tells us in detail in this first installment of Travel Blogger Mom on Spotlight.
How did the whole concept of the blog came into fruition?
How did the whole concept of the blog came into fruition?
I actually started with a beauty blog (http://beautystashandmore.
Who constructs the itinerary for the day? Is there an itinerary to begin with, or do you simply go with gut feel?
It depends. I used to be super OC with itineraries but then there came a point when I felt like it’s becoming more stressful and frustrating when I try to make and follow an itinerary strictly. Now, vacation becomes more of a chore than a relaxing holiday. So, I said, I won’t be so OC na about our itineraries but what I always do is do thorough research on the destination — places to stay, explore, eat, etc. And I always bring these notes with me while travelling so that even if we don’t have an itinerary, I am not clueless about the place. It also helps to keep numbers of reliable local guides handy.
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| Matet and family luxuriating in Shangri-La Boracay. Photo by Matet Reyes. |
Do you allow your kid to explore outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, spelunking)?
I bring her to island hopping with us, but not to spelunking or trekking. Perhaps this is because I myself do not like trekking and spelunking much that I feel like I won’t be able to save her in case something happens.
What’s that one thing you can’t leave home without when packing with kids?
Sarong, baby wipes, cookies! Sarong is so versatile that you can make it as a cover-up, a blanket on the plane, a towel on the beach, and even as a dressing room anywhere!
Name a favorite place you and your family will never tire of visiting.
Biliran (for its raw, rugged beauty), Palawan for its idyllic beaches and rich marine life, and Bohol for its laid-back vibe.
How do you fund your travels? What tip can you give moms who plan on long-term traveling, finance-wise?
I save. I am not into branded clothes, bags, shoes, etc. I only spend much on food, skin care and travel. Also, it’ll save you a lot of money when you research a lot ’cause you’ll be able to know the real amount of let’s say public transpo vs renting a car, as well as where do local eat versus a touristy restaurant. I rarely get packaged tours as I find it more expensive. I like doing it DIY, or partly-DIY as sometimes I seek the help of local guides. I also book my own ticket (it pays to watch out for promos at midnight).
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| Love on the rocks: Matet and hubby on Kapurpurawan Rock in Ilocos Norte. Photo by Matet Reyes. |
As a traveling parent, what challenges does having a kid on board travels bear on you as a parent?
Safety. For me, if I feel the place is not safe for kids, I will not bring Akisha. Or if I feel that we would be roughing it out on the seas or rural areas, I’d rather not bring her now that she’s still too young at 5. Perhaps when she gets older.
How do you keep up with chores/ tasks while on the road? Do you delegate? Who babysits when you’re busy doing mom duties?
I have a nanny who looks after Akisha, but most of the time it’s just my husband and I who take care of her during travels. We’re so used to it already.
Let’s talk tantrums and all those not-so-fun stuff associated with traveling with kids. How do you deal with those? Do you do games? How ‘bout food?
I always bring her own food (cereals, cookies, chips, milk). When she throws tantrums, I just let her be, and talk to her once she is already calm. There’s no point in arguing with a kid who’s in a bad mood, right?
Is there a point when all the traveling with the kids gets tiring and you question yourself, “Why the heck am I even doing this?”
When she was younger, yes. But now, we’re ok to travel together. We’re used to it already.
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| Serene boat ride at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Photo by Matet Reyes. |
Has motherhood bettered you as a traveler, or the opposite?
Yes of course! It made me more responsible. Now, I’ll have to look after myself and my kid!
What crucial life lesson do you take from all this as a traveling mother?
Be a responsible traveller. Do not do things that can ruin the natural beauty of these places so that your child, even 10 or 20 years later, can still enjoy the destination as much as you did.
Last shout-out to moms on traveling with kids of all stages, and nay-sayers who don’t believe women be left to travel solo or with the kids.
Travelling with kids may be a tough job, but in the end, when you look at your photos together (on the beach or elsewhere), you would realise that it’s all worth it.
Twitter: matetreyes
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Travel Blogger Mom on Spotlight is a section on this blog that’s dedicated to mothers who live life with relentless passion for travel and motherhood. Suggestions on featured bloggers are always welcome. To forward requests for features, please contact me at admin@filipinaexplorer.com.
