Trivandrum

Train to Trivandrum

From Kerala’s northernmost district of Kasaragod (READ Kannur and Kasaragod: Of Forts and History) we traversed the whole length of the state of Kerala, India for a 14-hour train ride to the southwestern tip of the country, Thiruvananthapuram, commonly referred to as Trivandrum. This is Kerala’s capital and biggest city. The Kerala Blog Express Season 4 …

Kerala Blog Express

Munnar: Chilling in the Mountains

In terms of weather and breathtaking mountain views, Munnar is probably the runaway winner in my charts. It was the only destination during our 15-day Kerala Blog Express Season 4 trip where I had to wear my jacket and sleep for two nights in non-air conditioned rooms, a welcome respite from the scorching heat and …

Kerala Blog Express

First-time in Kochi: My Intro To India

Kochi, the city where I spent my first few days during the Kerala Blog Express Season 4, was my initiation to India. The movies that were set in this country and the stories I have heard of this place somehow provided me with a picture of what was to come, something that would overwhelm my …

Kerala Blog Express

A Joy To Fly With SilkAir

Living in an archipelago of 7,107 islands can be quite daunting. Ever since I moved back to my province of Negros Occidental, flying out of the Philippines entailed one additional flight to an international airport, whether it is Manila, Cebu or another city. And for my Kerala Blog Express adventure, getting to Kochi in Kerala, …

Kerala Blog Express

First-time in Kerala: God’s Own Country

Kerala Blog Express Season 4, The Trip of A Lifetime, Kicks Off The past weeks, I was mostly on the road, riding a colorful bus that was shared with 28 other bloggers from across the globe, along with the organizers and crew behind this trip. This is the 4th season of Kerala Blog Express. After …

Yuan Thong Temple

Chinese New Year at Yuan Thong Temple

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! We are ushering in the Year of the Rooster. And when the Chinese New Year celebrations are on the roll, Bacolod City and other parts of the Philippines also join the whole world in this milestone in the lunar calendar. Locally, we have the Bacolaodiat Festival, spearheaded by the Chinese community …

The Hostelry Bacolod

The Hostelry Bacolod

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 …

Traveling and Worshiping

When one has a day job and has to take some time off to travel to some foreign destination, the journey is often scheduled near the weekends to make the most of it. That’s what I always do. Several times, I time my trips during the Holy Week when business in the Philippines are mostly …

Negros Bloggers Christmas Party

Christmas Treat Ideas from the Negros Bloggers Christmas Party at L’Fisher Hotel

When the Christmas spirit is in the air, expect gatherings, parties and celebrations left and right as people are wont to bring the holiday cheer through laughter and gifts. The Negrense Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI or Negros Bloggers) is no exemption as it gathered its active members for its annual Christmas Party. L’Fisher Hotel was …

18th St. Palapala Restaurant: Fresh Catch

Palapala, to Negrenses, is synonymous with having fresh seafood on display and you can have them cooked however you want. It has become a tourist attraction and the whole experience of choosing your fresh seafood and have them cooked is something that many travelers look forward to enjoying. I have tried it at the Palapala …

BonChon comes to Bacolod

No, we’re not getting enough of yummy chicken delights in Bacolod City. While we boast of a Manokan Country (“manok” is the Filipino word for chicken) where delectable grilled and barbecued chicken abound, we still welcome other chicken treats – fried, roasted, simmered, glazed, or cooked in any other way. [UPDATE 2023: The restaurant has …

Sharing the J.Co Way

We were at the terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when a lady ran after my niece and grabbed her hand. Surprised, my niece turned, who was walking in front of me. The lady asked, “Where did you buy your J.Co Donuts?” My niece was still taken aback and didn’t respond. I quipped, …

Tom N Toms Coffee: A Touch of Korea in Bacolod

Who would have thought that a South Korean brand will arrive in the quiet city of Bacolod and give a jolt to the already vibrant food scene in the City of Smiles? Tom N Toms Coffee, which first opened ApGuJeong-Dong in Seoul in 2001 and now in the US, China, Australia, Mongolia, Qatar, Thailand and Singapore, …

Traveling around the world by collecting postcards

I recently brought with me to my home province my vast collection of postcards. As I opened the container where I kept all my postcards, I remember the places I have visited and those which I yearn to visit one day. Many of the cards were bought in places where I visited, because they’re handy …

First-time in Legoland Malaysia: from toy blocks to theme park

Lego is a global brand that is popular with children and adults alike. This popular toy blocks that are being put together trace its roots from Denmark and has made its way all over the world for over 80 years. Now, the Lego brick builds not just a small house but a whole theme park! …