Tuyok

by Regin Reyno

In October 2011, during our semester break, I watched travel movies, Last Stop for Paul, A Map for Saturday, The Art of Travel, and Up in the Air.

In June 2012, while backpacking in Siem Reap, Cambodia with my buddy, Franz Calipusan, we met Japanese backpackers-Tsubasa Asanuma and Masayuki Ubukata-traveling solo around the world. They showed us photos of their adventures on their digital camera and tablet and told stories about their wonderful adventures all around the world; traversing African countries via buses and trucks, meeting locals and fellow backpackers in South America, experiencing different cuisines, and learning about cultures of other countries. 

These two encounters, are what sparked my initial interest to travel around the world. They inspired me. I told myself that one day, I will do it, too.

In 2017, I bumped into a video on YouTube about CNN's Richard Quest, traveling around the world for 8 days, using budget airlines only. 

Then, in October 2019, I came across 7 wonders of the World in 7 days Challenge videos of Simon Wilson, a travel vlogger/YouTuber.

They awakened my 2011 dream.

In my opinion, there's more to life than just making money, hating Mondays, looking forward to 5pm, and paying bills. For me, living is doing things that give us happiness and meaning, and contributing to society. 

Travel gives me happiness, meaningfulness, and fulfillment.

I believe, traveling is also educational. We become wiser, more knowledgeable, and even a better person when we travel. It is an investment to ourselves. It helps us improve as a person, in general.

Like those travelers in those movies/videos mentioned, and the ones I’ve met, I also want to experience what it is like to travel long-term; hopping from one country to another, circumnavigating the globe. 

I had a dream. And dreams, I believe, are to be pursued. 

I am going to take the plunge. So, in a few days, I will start my circumnavigation of the globe. A round-the-world trip (RTW), as what some travelers call it. 

I will start in Manila, Philippines then make my way east until I reach Manila again-coming from the west-in 1 1/2 months time. 

I will be strictly following the Guinness Book of Records’ rules for an around-the-world trip. 

        THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS' RULES FOR CIRCUMNAVIGATION 

• The start and finish points must be the same location
• The journey should be continual and in one direction
• Each leg of the journey must begin at the point at which the previous leg ended
• The distance travelled must exceed an equator’s length or ‘great circle’, i.e. must be more than 24,900 miles (40,075 kilometers)
• The participant must pass through two approximate antipodal points during the attempt, which means two spots on opposites sides of the Earth

And, I also made my own rules.

1. No check-in luggages. Only 1 carry-on luggage is allowed. 
2. I must visit at least 4 continents.

The title of this journey is, Tuyok. It is a Visaya/Cebuano word meaning “go around”, “circumnavigation” or “ikot” in Tagalog.

This journey is also one way of challenging myself. To wake up each day with a challenge and purpose makes life more exciting and meaningful. 

This is also an attempt to join the Circumnavigators Club. An international club for round-the-world travelers.

I have been preparing for 3 weeks-in Beijing, Manila, and Bukidnon-for this journey. I have been booking flights, researching, getting enough sleep, exercising. 18 flights in total and crossing different time zones is not that easy.

But It would not be a challenge if it was easy, right?




I praise God for this opportunity!

Keep posted. 

For advertisements and partnership, contact me: reginstravels@gmail.com