Kara Santos currently divides her time between writing stories for an international news wire agency and her true passion photography. Every now and then she also finds time to write about the places she has been to and adventures she has gone through. She has traveled around the Philippines from Sagada to Sulu, and through several countries from Jordan to India. She honed her skills in writing and photography with a stint at the Asian Center for Journalism where she trained with some of the Philippines’ top media practitioners and photographers. She dreams of someday taking an assignment for the Lonely Planet or National Geographic.
Why Travel Up?
The name of my blog is inspired by the video game concept of leveling up, exploring new areas, meeting new people, and gaining higher levels by completing tasks and challenges. When I’m not on the road, I usually spend a lot of time playing video games. Am a big fan of the Final Fantasy series.
Email me at: kara.m.santos@gmail.com or follow me on twitter: @travelingup
Kara, I just read your post on the 5 destinations on a motorcycle, and wanted to share with you our ride to Infanta, Quezon via Tanay. The road is new and incredibly beautiful. Though there are 4 sections covered in mud and soil, light motorbikes and dual purpose bikes can easily navigate these areas without any problems.
I recommend that you try this road soon, before the rainy season sets in.
Hi Wawel. Thanks for the tip! We tried riding to Infanta earlier this year, but got caught in the rain and some parts of the road were hard to navigate because of mud. (Check out my post “New Year Ride.” Glad to hear the roads are better now. We’ll check it out again soon
Hi there, glad to see this site. I have read the recent article here (5 places to motorcycle) from the Inquirer just the other day, i was looking at it and thought that I read it somewhere, stupid me not realizing it was the same author. lol.
I love bein on the road, and am thankful for articles and blogs like yours. They give good insights and guidelines for travelers.
My photographer friend and I might be going around the country visiting places for a certain project, I am sure that what I have read from your articles would help a lot.
More power to you and hope to see more of your road trips!
Hi Vernie. Thanks for visiting my blog. Just started it this year, but have a lot of posts in mind related to motorcycle trips and travel in general. Good luck on your project. Sounds like a good one
Wew, you sound like my idea travel buddy. Took up journalism too, but never really worked as one. There’s still this itch though to share stories through words and photos.
Will definitely visit your blog more often. Added you to my blog list too. 
Hi Cedric. Wow, joining PTB has really brought in a lot of traffic to this blog
I still practice straight journalism (though I admit it can get pretty serious and boring sometimes). Travel stories and photos are more fun to do. Will check out your blog. Nice market shot in your banner.
Great articles on the mam-eh festival, Kara.
Think you grasped the essence of it all very well!
BTW, the International Society for Ethnobiology (ISE) has put a link on their website to your article in the Inquirer. (Under ‘member news’ or something like that.
Will let you know when next we have something very special – here or elsewhere in Asia….
Jenne
Hi Jenne. Thanks very much. Wow, it would be great to to tag along during your field visits elsewhere!
Just let me know. Will check out the ISE website.
Hi Kara,
I love your site. It’s fresh, hip and simply appetizing!
Looking forward for more endearing reads.
Thanks Ariel! Haven’t seen you in a while. Keep up the great work in PPI!
I would really like to travel and see the sights locally…unfortuntely i dont have that much friends who would like to join me…they have thier own reasons why they cnt make it….have been to the common places like, i have been to boracay 3x this year and sick and tire dof it…i would like to go see other places…could you recommend a group to me who loves to travel…i would really appreciate it…tnx in advance
Hi Sonny. My advice is not to rely on your friends just to travel. A lot of people don’t travel much because they think it’s too expensive or they don’t have time. I find Boracay overrated, and people go there just to party. There are so many places in the country worth exploring. But it doesn’t always have to be an out of town trip. Where to go and who to go with really depends on what kind of travel you like to do – backpacking, food trip, etc.
Why not trying to go to places you’ve never been to in Manila? Check out this post of the places you can go to just in Manila: http://www.lakwatsero.com/spots/manila-in-focus/
A lot of people also enjoy traveling solo. At least you can choose what you really want to do and your adventure is not dictated on pakikisama with a group. If you’re not ready for that, you could also join arranged group tours like those found here and meet new people: http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/tours.htm
I also suggest that you check add this page on FB: http://www.facebook.com/FilipinoTravelBloggers, where a lot of travel bloggers post their latest adventures. You may just find a place you’d be interested to visit there
Hope this helps!
Herro, just discovered your blog and yep, we have the same Nat Geo dreams.
Hi Aylablahs. Getting paid to travel really seems like a dream job. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Kara. Nice site. I hope I can meet you on the road someday.
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Hi ma’am Kara i like your site:)
Hey Kara! It looks like you always have a lot on your plate but I am hoping to read more of your motorcycle rides on your blog or on print.
Hi Doms, thanks for your comment. Have a bunch of motorcycle trips that I haven’t written about. Will try and post more about these trips more regularly this coming year. Please check out Motorcycle World Magazine as well!
Good morning Ms. Kara Santos!
This is Raymond Bermeo, Program Researcher from Motorcycle Diaries ni Jay Taruc on GMA News TV Channel 11. Currently, may ginagawa po kaming documentary about Philippine Photography. One of the elements that we would like to include is about a professional photographer and at the same time motorcycle rider/enthusiast.
Ang treatment po kasi ng segment is magmomotor sila ni Sir Jay Taruc papunta sa isang na lugar (na choice ng mai-invite naming photographer na malapit lang po sa Manila) tapos kukuha po sila ng mga litrato and they will have an interview about photography and everything.
Regarding that Maam, okay lang po ba na ma-invite naming kayo na ma-feature sa aming show on Monday morning po para sa shoot. Yung qualifications (based on my research) niyo po kasi ay fit dun sa hinahanap namin.
I hope Maam okay lang po. May hinahabol po kasi kaming deadline.
If you have further inquiries, please feel free po to contact me in my number 0926.664.0744 or email me at raymondbermeo@gmail.com.
Thank you very much Maam Kara! Godbless!
Raymond Bermeo (EM)
Program Researcher
Motorcycle Diaries
Hi, Kara! I chanced in your blog while looking for drinking spots along Maginhawa. I also saw you in Tomato kick eating seafood pesto and it looked sumptuous while you were eating it. Soo, I ate the same thing and i loved it. Haha not a stalker :p
Hi Ochi. Tomato Kick’s Seafood Pasta is my go-to meal after every trip! Had it again the other day. The Fajitas and Wedges are great too. See you around if you live in the area