I have been stuck in Manila since the whole country has been put under community quarantine in March 2020. Several variations of the quarantine have come and gone and I’m still here. Though I have already resigned myself that...

I have been stuck in Manila since the whole country has been put under community quarantine in March 2020. Several variations of the quarantine have come and gone and I’m still here. Though I have already resigned myself that long-distance travel is not in my near future, getting my first dose of the vaccine has left me feeling hopeful.

Of course, even when fully vaccinated I have no plans of traveling the same way I did before. At least not for the next two to three years. I am, however, more open to having a staycation with friends. As always, when it comes to staycations, I turn to Airbnb.

Here are some of the places I have put on my wishlist for future staycations.

Back in January, when I was so itching to travel, I considered booking a condo where my friends live so we can hang out and have out cats meet each other. This property not only looks good, but allows pets too, so it was quickly shorlisted.

This was another property I almost booked because I was super excited reading about the Intramuros sites opening and new cafes opening up (and the pressure of using up expiring Airbnb credits). This condo along Quintin Paredes is perfect because from here we can just walk to Intramuros or Chinatown. Unfortunately, the cases surged again last March and April, so I had to leave it in my wishlist.

Two summers have passed without getting to go to the beach or swim in the pool. I could not bear the idea of getting into a pool with strangers (as people tend to get full of snot when submerged in water), so I thought of renting a private home with a pool instead. This house in Makati fits the bill and there’s more than enough rooms and beds for me and my friends.

Another option is to find a beachfront property that is within driving distance of Manila. While this property is not exactly beachfront, it is quaint, has a pool and is just a short hike down to the beach.

Which property should I book? I’m leaning more towards the house with the pool because I really miss swimming, but I have to admit it’s hard to resist the call of Binondo and all its yummy food.

How have you been during the pandemic? Have you traveled? Do you plan on traveling soon?

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