Tag: travel
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Slow & Easy in Anilao
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Fishes of various colors and sizes swarmed around us as my friends threw in bits of bread into the sea. It was delightful to be in their midst, some of which kissed my fingers, hoping to get some food from there. This is Anilao, Batangas, home to many underwater species…
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First-time in Mabuhay Palace
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“We’re on the road We move from place to place” It was labor day. One must have minded working on a holiday. I would have. But since it was field work and I would be working with a Filipino music icon, I jumped out of my bed and proceeded to…
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Travel to Learn English
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I recently read this infographic on learning English at the Kaplan International website. Infographic via the KIC Blog. The data is interesting. One of the reasons why foreigners prefer to travel to the Philippines is that majority of the Filipinos can easily converse in English. In fact, there are many…
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Behind Masskara’s Smile: The beginnings of MassKara Festival
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I was eight years old and I was standing in front of my mother’s office right across the city plaza watching with awe the crowd gathered along the side walk. I squeezed my tiny head in between two adults so I could get a glimpse of the MassKara Festival parade…
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First-time in Panaad sa Negros Festival Part I
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“Panaad” or in local language (Hiligaynon), it is about a vow and fulfilling it. For 19 years, the province of Negros Occidental has been fulfilling its vow of celebrating its spirit of jubilation and friendship through the Panaad sa Negros Festival, highlighting the various products, attractions, history and culture of…
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Dreaming of Oia
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It was only a small writing assignment that needed a little bit of research but it bloomed into a hunger to explore the world and find my way into this ultimate dream destination someday. I was working in a PR firm and I was writing an article on the special SMS service…
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To Donsol and Back
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There’s something about Donsol that wants you to come back. So, after seven years of taking pleasure on its natural attractions, I’m back with a few friends. It’s a long drive, so think before embarking on this trip. If you take a vehicle, better hire a van with a driver…
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First-time in Vitton Beach Resort
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After a gruelling 18 hours on the road, including several stops for breakfast, sightseeing, shopping, and lunch, arriving at Vitton Beach Resort was a welcome respite from the long land trip from Manila to Donsol, located more than 500 km south of the capital. A replica of the whale shark…
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Twinkling Trees, Enchanting Fireflies
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A romance to remember. Tiny bits of light glitter in a synchronized manner as if a Christmas song is played in the background. But these are not Christmas lights but a colony of fireflies taking residence in one of the trees along the riverbanks of Donsol River. One of the…
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Tips When Swimming With Whale Sharks
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“Look down!” our guide shouted. There he was, in all his splendor and beauty, with his white spots that marked him distinctly as a whale shark. The whale sharks, or butandings, were discovered to have frequented Donsol, a quiet town in the province of Sorsogon at the Bicol peninsula, in…
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Traveling to help Rebuild Cagayan de Oro
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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…
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Your Story: 2 Day Jungle Trekking in Chiang Mai
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By Matthew Nunn. I went to Chiang Mai more than a year ago and I like it to be featured again by another traveler. So I’m putting this up on my blog. Thailand as a country offers many diverse and varied activities for travelers, from the mainstream well-trodden paths to…
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It’s More Fun in the Philippines for a First-time Traveler
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The Philippines’ tourism department recently launched the new campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” To this, I totally agree. There are 7,107 reasons why it is more fun to be in this part of the world than anywhere else. It’s even a lot more fun for a first-time traveler…
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The MRT Itinerary in Metro Manila
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A first-time tourist in Manila may enjoy going around the city by the traditional jeepney. But smog and traffic can probably make you think twice before loading the jeep. Getting around Manila with all its traffic jams, especially on rush hours, can sometimes become a bane. So why not try…
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2011 Travel Highlights
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While excitement at work kicked in pretty hard for me in 2011, it also hindered me to do a lot of exploring outside of my job description and workplace. It’s a good thing though that despite the demands of my job, I was able to do a bit of traveling last…