Allow me to give you a bit of a background. I rarely watch TV shows. I just don’t have that kind of loyalty or commitment to follow a show. But one show that I’ve watched on and off again for the longest time is also one of the longest running reality tv series.
I’m talking about The Amazing Race.
I’ve always felt the urge to join, but life and travelling (how ironic!) got in the way. So this has just been one of those “Yeah, wouldn’t it be cool to join The Amazing Race?” kind of musing.
So in the middle of this unusually cold and frosty Australian winter, adventure came knocking when I needed sunshine the most.
Cebu Pacific Air, along with the Philippine Department of Tourism asked whether I wanted to represent Australia (along with another Aussie blogger) on a challenge that will have us visiting 5 cities and islands around the Philippines, and competing with other blogger teams from Japan, South Korea and China?
Holy Smither-YES!
So the CEBJuanderers Challange is formed. CEB is the airport code for CEBU, the home base of Cebu Pacific, and “Juanderers” is a word play on “Wanderers” and Juan (pronounced with a silent J), a placeholder name in the Philippines ( example: UK/AU’s John Smith is Juan dela Cruz to the Philippines)
So in a few days, I will be travelling to the Philippines, and along with Stefanie from A Modern Wayfarer, we make up not just the Australian team but the only all-female team in the group!
We are headed to 5 cities / islands all over the Philippines: Manila, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Cebu and Boracay. In each city, we will have challenges to face against the other blogger duo-teams. These challanges have not been disclosed to us (I tried! 😉 so this makes it all the more exciting.
What’s In it For You?
Now here’s the more exciting part. You didn’t expect me to just keep all these adventures to myself, did you?
Because whether I win in this competition or not, Cebu Pacific Air has generously granted for me to giveaway a Sydney to Manila return ticket for 2. Yes, exclusive to Holy Smithereens readers. (there will be one winner who will receive the 2 return tickets)
There will be a competition on Holy Smithereens’ Facebook account at the end of our challenge, and the winner will be randomly selected.
The competition quiz/question will be about what transpired during our 7-day adventure so you do need to keep your eyes peeled and follow the shenanigans on social media 🙂
I will be posting on the following:
Instagram – @jeanholysmithereens
Facebook: Holy Smithereens
Twitter – @holysmithereens
Here are the hashtags to follow:
#CEBjuanderers
#VisitPH2015
#CebuPacificAir
#itsmorefuninthePhilippines
And in perfect timing, just as I was preparing my stuff to take to the Philippines, this arrived in the mail from Cebu Pacific:
I’m loving the pashmina scarf (how gorgeous is that pomegranate red colour!). They also sent a turtle keychain and a coin purse woven from native cloth. And of course, flight essentials (inflatable pillow and eyemask).
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I’m looking forward to returning to the Philippines (it’s been more than 2 years since I visited!) and I hope you follow me on this adventure. And yes, do wish me luck!!! 😉
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Oh how exciting! Good luck! I’m looking forward to following along on your adventures!
Thank you Sammie!!! 🙂
That’s so exciting and cool!! Congratulations and best of luck!!
We’ll be cheering and I’ll keep my eyes posted on Facebook because we’re planning to visit Australia in early 2016 so it’s worth entering your contest!
What a great idea all around!! 🙂
Hey Alex that’s great to hear that you and Bell are visiting Australia next year! Yes definitely join the contest, it would be great for you guys to visit the Philippines while you are in this side of the world 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading all about this, Jean. We don’t have The Amazing Race in the UK – what sort of challenges are usually involved? Is it a race against time with puzzles to solve?
Thank you Suze!! 🙂 The challenges vary, it could be physical, sometimes puzzles, sometimes requiring one to eat local dishes, etc It boils down to great teamwork and determining strengths and weaknesses. All the while travelling around the world 🙂 Ours is an extremely miniature version of the amazing race as it’s just one country 🙂
Wawhooooo…. How super amazing and exciting. Will be following along your adventures for sure. What a fun idea too. Heading over to FB, havent been using FB much lately, so not sure I am following you there.
Happy week ahead lady. Stay warm. 🙂
OMG The best of luck and what FUN…the Philippines has been on my list for next year – so I will be watching closely for your adventures to give me ideas for my trip…looking forward to your flight experiences as well – I love an update on an airline I haven’t flown. Bon Voyage and Bon Chance..x
That’s fantastic Jean! Best of luck with the race and look forward to following!
So exciting Jean! What an adventure for you ladies and good luck with it! Something tells me this will be generating a lot of great stories ☺
Welcome to the Philippines Jean, hope you will enjoy my country.
Thanks Enrico I miss the Philippines already!!!!
great adventure ..
Please visit Lombok if you have a time 😀