Watching geysers and seeing them erupt are something I haven’t experienced before. I’m not sure if there’s one in the Philippines. I read there’s an El Minit Geyser in Mindanao but I haven’t encountered any blog post about it yet. But it was in Te Puia, Rotorua in New Zealand where I experienced the amazing …
How fortunate are we to witness the Queen’s birthday celebration in Auckland, New Zealand while we were still there. In fact, it was the day we were to fly out, but we still enjoyed the holiday as the rest of the Kiwis. The night before, my other co-winner Camille and I were watching the ceremonies …
Read more “Queen’s Day at Quay St, Wynyard Quarter and Queen St.”
Auckland is known as the City of Sails. Pictures of yachts and boats parked side by side are a common sight in this city. We spent some moment looking at them from the harbor and the wharf. They were lovely to watch from the parks overlooking Waitemoto Harbor, but they were even more relaxing when …
Auckland is a city that is full of open spaces and greens. Gardens and parks, which are often called domains, abound in this city. One example is the Mount Eden domain. Because of its culture and environment, as well as its stability, infrastructure, healthcare, and environment, Auckland is recognized as one of the most livable …
When we listed down the places we wanted to see in Auckland, Mt. Eden was among those that constantly popped out in our chats and the research I made. My former Habitat colleague, Thelma, with whom I had constant communication prior to my actual trip asked me, too, where we were heading during our third …
Did you know that beneath the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand lies a hidden realm straight out of a fairytale? Welcome to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a captivating wonderland adorned with millions of luminescent creatures that transform the darkness into an otherworldly spectacle. Nestled on the North Island, this subterranean masterpiece takes you on an …
Short as it may be, my five-day New Zealand trip has taken me to Middle Earth (Hobbiton), made popular in the novels and movies; the Living Earth (Rotorua), where geysers abound; and the Under Earth (Waitomo), the magical world beneath the caves. Hobbiton is a meticulously crafted tourist attraction located in Matamata, New Zealand. It is a …
Read more “Hobbiton: A Journey to the Shire, The Land of Hobbits”
When the shuttle service we took from the airport dropped us in front of our hotel, I admit I was a bit disoriented. The first signs I saw were Gucci and Louis Vuitton and I thought there must be some mistake. But as I scanned the area the second time around, I saw Grand Windsor …
Read more “First-time in Grand Windsor Hotel Auckland: Unparalleled Sophistication”
It was a 12-hour flight from Manila to Auckland, New Zealand, including an hour of layover midway at Cairns, Australia. I’ve taken my window seat, as I always request during check-in, which gave me an ample view of the scenery down there — Australia is vast and New Zealand is so green. Philippine Airlines has …
Never had I imagined I would travel to the land known for kiwis, Maoris and the Lord of the Rings all for free. It was in November of 2015 when I received one of Nuffnang’s blast e-mail regarding Globe Telecom’s #Wonderful Blog Competition. They had an app I had to use that will source information …
I have heard of the word “lawud” when I was still a child when fishermen manning my auntie’s boats would leave at sundown to the deep sea. Yes, “lawud” is the Hiligaynon word for the deeper part of the sea. The name Palawud for this restaurant located in Brgy. Banago in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, …
Traveling is an enjoyable thing to do. You get to see new places, taste new food, and try on new experiences, not to mention meeting new friends and learning new things. But it’s not just all fun. There are certainly a lot of things you have to bear in mind before you pack your bags …
We were planning our high school batch summer getaway and we were looking for a fun place just within the vicinity of Bacolod City, the hub of the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Forest Park Resort came up in the discussion. I couldn’t comment as I haven’t been there before, although my mother has mentioned …
Around this month six years ago, everything was abuzz in Shanghai, China as it welcomed visitors for the World Expo 2010. My friends and I were among those who trooped to this 528-hectare compound to see the pavilions of countries from across the globe (Read: First-time in the Shanghai World Expo 2010). Of course, while …
Since I love to travel and I prefer to do things DIY style (Do-It-Yourself), I’ve learned to include “hosteling” in my vocabulary. It started in Guangzhou (Read: First-time in Guangzhou RiverSide Youth Hostel (Jiangpan) where I booked in a youth hostel and found the place favorable and affordable. The one I enjoyed most was in …