Author: Claire Algarme
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Unique, varied observance of Holy Week in the Philippines
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Below is a News Release of the Philippine Department of Tourism. Lent in the Philippines is usually observed through weekly fastings and abstinence, penitence as well as the traditional passion plays or senakulo, panata, via crucis, visita iglesia and the pabasa in most barangays or villages in every town and city. …
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First-time in Putrajaya
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The last time I was in Malaysia, I learned that Putrajaya was a thriving place because it is now considered as the country’s administrative capital, housing the offices of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Ministers of the different departments in the executive branch of their government. This…
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Lessons in my Malaysian trip
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My recent Malaysian trip was all about letting go of control. I’m obsessed of doing background research on a particular destination, making itineraries, and budget. So, I went ahead and browsed on some hotels, not even checking its location, but only considering its rate. I was set on not becoming…
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Walking around Downtown LA solo
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Traveling solo is not my gig, unless I am sent on a business trip. I am used to traveling alone but it was always for a meeting or when I had to go home. As much as possible, I prefer not to venture exploring various sights on my own because…
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Travel to Change
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My friends and I were touring Bohol, visiting the famous Chocolate Hills, Lobok River, and the Tarsier Sanctuary. We were wide-eyed as we took in all the beauty around us. But as we were interacting with the locals we learned so many things; like the tarsiers, which have been considered…
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First-time in Rarinjinda Resort
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It may look like a botique hotel from the outside but once you enter its doors, it’s as if you are brought inside a different world. Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort is your perfect hideaway tucked in the heart of Chiang Mai. The most interesting part is that Rarinjinda House, or…
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First-time to walk in darkness
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Nothing can compare to my walk in pitch black darkness. Going back to Corregidor Island five months after visiting the island may not hold any novelty to it. But I guess this historical landmark never failed to amaze me. Our trip was something different. I was with several travel bloggers hosted…
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First-time in a Habitat Bloggers Build
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I missed the first two Bloggers Build with Habitat for Humanity. To think that I work for this non-profit organization. Finally, I was able to be at the site when a group of bloggers once again took a morning off and traveled for almost two hours to the quiet town…
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First-time in Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
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The golden streaks of the sun setting was our backdrop as we rode towards our accommodation in Chiang Mai — the breathtaking Dhara Dhevi. From a morning flight from Bangkok as finalists of the Medical Tourism Blog Contest, we spent the whole day going to a dentist, eating a sumptuous…
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First-time in Silk Street Mall, Beijing
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Silk Street Mall is neither your ordinary street nor your usual mall. It was something I’d find anywhere in the Philippines. Yet, tourists, especially those from Europe or the America, love to go to Silk Street Mall. There were a bunch of kids who were having a field trip there.…
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First-time in Bale Dutung, Pampanga
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Lechon Menu Ensaladang Pakô (Fiddle head fern salad) Piniritong Lumpiang Ubod sa Claude’9 Oriental Sauce (Fried all vegetable spring roll with lemon coriander Thai basil sauce) Inasal na Manok at Claude’9 Talangka Rice (BBQ chicken wings with lemon grass marinade and crab fat rice) Talangka Sushi Hito at balo-balo Sushi…
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First-time in the Ligligan Festival
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Apart from exploring the entire stretch of the Philippine archipelago, one thing I also want to fulfill is to witness the various festivals in our colorful and culture-rich country. This year, I can tick off another Filipino festival, called the Ligligan Parul, or the Giant Lantern Festival of San Fernando,…
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10 Reasons Why Spend Christmas in the Philippines
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If you happen to visit the Philippines during the Christmas season, don’t be surprised to find the country abuzz with so much celebration. Being the largest Christian-dominated country in Asia, the Philippines start the season as soon as the calendar hit the “-ber” months. So, as early as September, the…
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First-time for a Loi Krathong Festival
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I never expected that as soon as we touched down at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport we would be witnessing the Loi Krathong, which is the festival of lights. It literally means “to float a basket”. During this day, Thais, and even foreigners, release their krathong, a decorated banana trunk with candle and…
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Thailand Medical Tourism Blog Contest: An Adventure Like No Other
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It was a first time for me to be picked as a finalist in a blogging competition. I must say that I’m pretty new in this field as I only started with this blog in 2009. Yet, I’ve made several attempts but never had the chance to really build up…