A few weeks back, a friend shared with me some information on a survey about travelers and how they access hotel reviews before deciding for an accommodation to book. It revealed that when it comes to choosing a hotel to stay Filipino business travelers are the most likely to rely on reviews, with 80% saying …
I have seen its façade four years ago for I have been to the building just across the street. This year, I finally had the chance to enter the Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai where it documents the way of living of ancient Northern Thai tribes. We began our walk down history lane at …
On a dark afternoon, while the mist covered the mountain view of Chiang Mai and its vicinity, the large expanse of the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (CMICE) appeared before us as we approached the compound. A giant skeletal structure of a dinosaur stood at the open area, giving us a preview of …
I always love to paint. Imagine my delight when we were given the opportunity to design our own very own hand-made umbrellas. It was a windy afternoon when we visited the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) in Chiang Mai where we did this quick but fun activity. But before we even got to the …
Fresh Mango Carpaccio with fresh Tuna, beetroot compote and simmered Shiitake mushroom served with avocado and lime mousse, mustard seed and tamarind dressing. Chargrilled fish fillet with garlic butter chili lime emulsion and vegetable “Misticanze”. French Baked Cheesecake with fresh berries compote sauce and spiral Tuile. There goes my diet. But, who’s counting? Come to think …
Our home for our brief visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand is the lush and serene Siripanna Villa Resort and Spa. It exudes “the essence of charming Lanna aesthetics”, preserving the rich heritage of the northern Thailand people. I have been to Chiang Mai twice already and I was happy that the places we visited in …
The Asiatique in Bangkok’s Riverfront is one of the newest places to be in the Land of Smiles. It’s a dining, shopping, and entertainment venue in one. It opens at 5:00 pm until midnight, providing a new vibe to Bangkok’s nightlife. But did you know that Asiatique was once a pier belonging to the East …
It was a fast ride to The Siam Hotel. As we touched down on a Sunday afternoon, the Bangkok streets were free of the usual traffic scene. More so, the police escort that we had, as part of our MICE lane experience for this familiarization trip by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), made …
Bound for Bangkok, Thailand for a MICE familiarization trip, I was engrossed playing a game onboard Thai Airways, one of our trip’s sponsor when the passenger seated beside me asked if he should also fill out the form, the immigration card, that I inserted in my passport. I answered in the affirmative and told him …
Though I try as much as possible to be a light traveler, there are things I cannot do away with which I carry with me during my journeys. They’re packed in my bags along with other essentials and clothes. Here are five of my five favorite travel accessories that make galavanting to different places easy …
Not everyone knows where it is. It’s not a public place but some events do happen here. For those holding office at the Enterprise building along Makati’s Ayala Avenue, the Sky Garden must be something they’ve heard of. It occupies the rooftop of the lower tower of Enterprise. I came to know it because of …
In December 2011, amid the holiday frenzy, the Philippines was struck with a challenge when typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) suddenly took everyone by surprise as it caused severe flooding in the southern region of the country. The cities that were heavily hit were Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Cagayan de Oro and Iligan …
I was recently back in Bangkok for the Asia-Pacific Leadership Conference of various Habitat for Humanity offices in the region. Yes, it’s back to business trips for me. Not that I abhor going abroad for work. There were certainly some perks, like fewer expenses. Yet, most of the time, days were spent cooped inside the …
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 extinct, should not be publicly …
The advent of technology has kept people on the go to be in touch with the rest of the world wherever they may be. It’s now an added bonus but it can also be a distraction to your journey. For first-time travelers wanting to be constantly connected, you will not only concern yourself with your …