Eco-journeys and Environmental Education

It was the right call at the right time. A former colleague from the development industry gave me a ring one morning. “Claire, I’m in Bacolod!” she exclaimed. She was to attend the 8th International Conference and Scientific Meeting (ICSM) that was being held in Talisay City, the city north of Bacolod. A few hours before …

My 5 best first-time travel experiences

Travel brings a world of joys and delights, igniting a sense of adventure and opening doors to new experiences. It is a catalyst for personal growth, broadening our perspectives and deepening our understanding of different cultures. The thrill of exploring unfamiliar landscapes, tasting unique cuisines, and connecting with diverse people creates memories that last a …

More fun pic: Calauit, Palawan

Calauit seemed to be a forgotten island. It had its share of fame during the Marcos administration when it was developed as an animal sanctuary. Yes, animals roam freely here and they have a Savannah where they can gather during the day. It’s a long boat ride to this island and not many animals are …

Camsur

A First-time Traveler’s 3 Best Kept Secret Islands

I have three best kept secret islands found in my country, the Philippines, but I’m letting these out of the bag. With more and more people traveling nowadays, getting to a place where others have never been before has become quite a challenge. As I become more connected with other travelers, I observe that those …

Palawan

First-time in Black Island

Nothing prepared me for the surprise I’d find in my first-time at Black Island. Part of our Calauit tour in Palawan was some stopovers at islands around Busuanga. A short distance away from Calauit was Black Island, where the Slovenian franchise of Survivor, Survivor Srbija: Philippines, shot some of their episodes. Black Island loomed from …

Los Angeles, USA

Highlight of 2009: My first-time travels

Watching travelers in an airport coffee shop while waiting for my flight, I couldn’t help but wonder what 2010 has for me when it comes to traveling. Of course, 2009 was a good one. I have covered almost 20,000 miles, visited four countries, and enjoyed several beaches and landmarks. It was my first time to …

Calauit

First-time in Calauit Island

As Alex the lion, Melman the giraffe, Marty the zebra, and Gloria the hippo escaped to Madagascar and to Africa, we also had a little escapade of our own into a small island in the Calamian group in Palawan, called Calauit. It’s a wildlife sanctuary created by the Philippine government. Since we had to catch …

Coron

First-time in Coron

Coron is one of the must-see places in my list of destinations within my home country, the Philippines. Together with Busuanga, Culion, and several islands, they form the Calamian group of islands in the northern tip of the Philippine province of Palawan. Though not as hyped as Bali or Boracay or Phuket or any beach …

Puerto Princesa Palawan

First-time in Puerto Princesa: Unveiling this Philippine Paradise

I have always been interested in Palawan. Since my childhood days, I’ve been hearing beautiful stories of the paradise on this side of the Philippines. When the opportunity came for me to visit their provincial capital, Puerto Princesa, I jumped at it and found myself hungering for more of Palawan. If Palawan is a movie, …