“I’ll take you back to the old days and I’ll sing the songs once you’ll all remember so come and sing along (come on everybody)” This was the Latin beat of medley songs of Trini Lopez that has always embedded in my memory of the Masskara Festival I knew. I was a small child and …
The sky was dark and a downpour was threatening to halt the revelry. We hastened our walk through the crowd-filled streets of Bacolod that were closed for the Masskara Festival celebrations. We walked from one corner to the other, trying to find out if the street dance was already on its way. We waited for …
The red and yellow mood lights and the glittering crystal chandeliers created a perfect ambiance that enhanced the artful interiors of the newly unveiled iconic design of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila‘s Grand Plaza Ballroom. The last time I was in this hotel was earlier this year when I attended a press event which featured a …
Arriving in Bangkok on a dark night from Chiang Mai and an early morning flight to catch the next day can be a bit taxing. Good thing we were to stay the night at Novotel Suvarnabhumi, a stone’s throw away from the airport. But it’s not just the proximity to Bangkok’s gateway that makes Novotel Suvarnabhumi …
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 …
Home sweet home. It truly is. That’s because home is Bacolod, the capital of the sugar bowl of the Philippines. It is known for its delectable food, especially desserts. I’ve already written some fine eating places in the City of Smiles in my previous blog post Eat is Bacolod. Ever since I came home last …
Chiang Mai is home to one of the old Thai cultures, as seen in the many heritage sites in the city. In fact, the old square alone has several ancient temples that reflect the Lanna culture. Visiting Chiang Mai is like stepping into a realm where spirituality intertwines with architectural splendor. Moreover, it’s a place …
Read more “Wats in Chiang Mai: Exploring these Mystical Marvels”
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 …
Porcupines. Wild boars. Hyenas. Tigers. Lions. One by one these animal species appeared in the glass-enclosed arena as part of an informative and entertaining show on the Night Predators. This is the Chiang Mai Night Safari. Located in the Hang Dong District in Chiang Mai, the safari is 12 kilometers from the city center. They …
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 …
I’m now always looking forward to Tuesdays. Thanks to Travel Talk on Twitter or #TTOT, where I’ve been participating for quite some time. Taking part in this travel-inspired online Q&A had been fun and I found it a stimulating exercise that whets my travel appetite. I couldn’t trace how it all started but I just want to give a …
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 …
I always love to check on my Twitter timeline every now and then and see the various travel links posted by those I have been following. I am especially interested to read about places I wanted to visit but haven’t been to…yet. Sometimes, a new destination off my radar would suddenly sound interesting through the …
It was my first time to this location of a Thai Royal Project. I was standing there seemingly on top of the world as the cloud covered portions of the place where we were standing. Down below was just all white. The other side of that hill was different though. Plantations, roads, and houses were …