travel | First-Time Travels

First-time in You Jie Xiao Chao Restaurant

…and Manila’s other hole-in-the-wall eateries It was another holiday in the Philippines as we commemorated the Day of Valor, celebrating the bravery of Filipino soldiers[…]

Claire Algarme - 30 March 2010 - 2:04 pm

First-time in Plantation Bay

The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa always grace the pages of travel magazines. I’ve seen photos of friends who stayed in this luxurious resort located[…]

Claire Algarme - 29 March 2010 - 3:32 pm

First-time in Danao, Cebu: work and vacation in one

There I was again traveling alone. It usually happens whenever I travel for business wherein I would be left to my own devices. Having been[…]

Claire Algarme - 17 March 2010 - 3:00 pm

First-time aboard the Amtrak train traversing California, USA

I woke up one early June morning feeling restless. It was my last day in LA and I had to be in San Francisco before[…]

Claire Algarme - 15 March 2010 - 5:33 pm

First-time in Cagayan de Oro City

All of my trips to this southern Philippine city had always been for business. My first visit to Cagayan de Oro City, or CDO, as[…]

Claire Algarme - 8 March 2010 - 1:08 pm

First-time in Tune Hotels near the Kuala Lumpur Airport

When I thought of Kuala Lumpur, what instantly entered my mind was the Petronas Tower, Malaysia’s poster image. Because of its prestige, I envisioned KL[…]

Claire Algarme - 5 March 2010 - 4:07 pm

First-time in Hilton San Francisco, California

When it comes to hotel chains, the name Hilton is not unfamiliar to tourists. Not only because it’s a nice family name but also due[…]

Claire Algarme - 24 February 2010 - 2:45 pm

First-time in Farmerbrown San Francisco, California

Farmerbrown. The name wasn’t familiar to me before until I encountered it and it definitely stuck in my memory bank. Not only was the place[…]

Claire Algarme - 4 February 2010 - 12:56 pm

First-time in Malatapay Beach Resort, Negros Oriental

Right after our plane touched down in the runway of the Dumaguete City airport, at the capital of the Negros Oriental province in the Visayas[…]

Claire Algarme - 29 January 2010 - 4:46 pm

First-time in Kusina Salud through the Viaje del Sol

Getting out of the capital of the Philippines, Manila, to nearby cities and towns is not an uncommon occurrence among the urban dwellers. With friends[…]

Claire Algarme - 26 January 2010 - 3:42 pm

First-time in Guangzhou RiverSide Youth Hostel (Jiangpan)

I’ve never experienced hosteling until I went to Guangzhou, a city in the southern part of China. I thought it would just be another small[…]

Claire Algarme - 25 January 2010 - 2:35 pm

First-time in Kaitulari Resort, Philippines

Before it’s name came about, it was only referred to as “Kay To(to) Larry”, which literally means “Larry’s Place” or “Toto Larry’s Place”, with “toto”[…]