Review: Isla Culion Hotel Maya – Palawan, Philippines

May 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hotel Maya

She raised her left arm and led my eyes to the round-roofed church perched on a cliff by the shore. "Beside it," My friend Mica said as-a-matter-of-fact-ly, "is where we will be staying." Before I could respond with "We're staying outside the church?" complete with a half-joking half-violent look to match, my eyes caught the big bold letters that adorn the edge of the plateau --- Hotel Maya. Hotel Maya is perhaps the most well-known in the few lodges in Culion and it's not difficult to see why. From the moment we set foot on the island, we were treated with utmost kindness and hospitality. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Accommodations, Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Where to Stay in Bangkok, Thailand: Natra Silom Hotel and Sunflower Place Review

May 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Photo by Nantra Silom

It was a toss between Khao San Road and Silom but my friend Bebs, who had been living in Bangkok for months already, already picked for the two of us. Khao San Road is the city's backpacking hub is the usual choice for travelers seeking budget accommodations. Bebs, however, favored Silom, Bangkok's business district, for its location and the convenience of the train (Silom Line) that connects it to the rest of the metropolis. Many of the major tourist spots in Bangkok are accessible via the MRT or BTS; Khao San Road usually requires a cab ride. Silom was built in 1851 as part of a dyke. Today, however, it is Bangkok's major financial center, harboring some of the country's biggest … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Accommodations, Bangkok, Thailand Tagged With: , , , , ,

Restaurant Review: Manos Greek Taverna, Tagaytay City

May 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Inside Manos Greek Taverna

Every time somebody mentions Greek food, the memories of my college days come flooding my brain. In particular, those weekends when I had to travel from the university to Batangas to spend time with family. It's not because I used to love this cuisine. The truth is, I had not had a spoonful of any Aegean dish until probably two years ago. It's just that to get to our side of Batangas, we have to pass through the city of Tagaytay. Back then, whenever we did,  my attention was usually captivated by a small white and blue restaurant along the highway. Since my freshman year in college, I spotted it every Saturday but never had I ever stopped and made an effort to try it. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cavite, Food, Philippines, Tagaytay Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Budget Travel Guide to Bohol, Philippines

April 24, 2013 by 5 Comments
Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol

Whenever a foreigner asks me for recommendations, Bohol is always in my top three. The reason is simple: a wide array of extraordinary attractions. Sure, other islands in the Philippines are worth recommending, too, but most boast one or two of the following --- white beaches, incredible sites, diverse wildlife, interesting history. Bohol has them all. From wild encounters with dolphins and other marine lifeforms to the incomparable views of the Chocolate Hills, Bohol is a province that is easy to promote for it doesn't need much sales talk. And given that I've only explored the southern edge of the province and a few of its islands, I wonder just how much harder I would love Bohol when I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bohol, Budget and Expenses, Planning a Trip, Sample Itineraries, Travel Guide

The Kerbside Cuisine of Bangkok, Thailand

April 22, 2013 by 1 Comment
Pork noodle soup. Just okay.

"Would you mind if we have street food for dinner?" My friend Bebs stopped on his tracks and turned 180 to face me. It sounded more like an invitation than a question. "Are you kidding me?" was my response. "Of course not! I'm a sucker for street foods!" And with that, we started our hunt for the food stall that would give me a plateful of the warmest Bangkok welcome. You see, it was my first night in Thailand and I had not eaten anything since my plane landed that afternoon. Thailand probably has the most famous cuisine in Southeast Asia. From spicy soups like Tom Yum to sweet desserts like Mango Sticky Rice, Thailand's popular dishes have made their way to dining tables across … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bangkok, Food, Thailand Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

From Pat Pong to Khao San Road: A Slice of Nightlife in Bangkok, Thailand

April 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The notorious Pat Pong

None of my friends believed me when I told them I stumbled upon Bangkok’s red light district by accident. Sure, I was curious and wildly intrigued but that moment when I just found myself in the middle of it was not planned at all. I arrived in Downtown Bangkok past six in the evening. From the Saladaeng Station of the BTS (MRT), the hotel I booked was located several blocks away. While I had the exact address, I was totally disoriented by everything in Bangkok --- their address system, the night market, the goodlooking people, and the language barrier. I had asked many but no one seemed to know where the hotel was. It was getting dark, the makeshift stores of the night market were … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bangkok, Nightlife, Thailand Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Paoay Sand Dunes: Getting Down and Sandy in Ilocos Norte, Philippines

April 18, 2013 by 1 Comment
The sunset afterglow.

"We're losing it!" I shouted in a mixture of excitement and panic as the 4x4 jeepney we were riding stirred dust across the vast arid land. The big ball of fire is slowly dipping in the horizon and the sea pine trees --- which under normal circumstances I would find delightful --- were blocking the view. We're losing it,  I whispered again, this time in a tone that was coming from a place between sadness and frustration. We just lost the sunset. But there was no time to be unhappy. The vehicle accelerated under the twilight skies, illuminated by the afterglow of the sunset that we just missed. The weak sunlight hurdling the horizon became our guide and there we were in the middle of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, Deserts, Ilocos Norte, Natural Wonders Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Budget Travel Guide to Langkawi, Malaysia

April 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Kilim Geoforest Park

Comprising 99 islands, Langkawi lies in Andaman Sea, off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its main island, Pulau Langkawi, takes its name from the reddish brown eagle that has also become the symbol of the island. The archipelago is known for its natural resources. It may be small but it is packed with all kinds of natural wonders --- glorious waterfalls, white beaches, mangrove forests, brackish rivers, limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife. While Langkawi's popularity as a honeymoon and backpacking destination in Malaysia skyrockets, it remains unheard of to most Filipinos. During my visit, the manager of the hotel where I stayed shared that there were not many Pinoy tourists who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Langkawi, Malaysia, Planning a Trip, Travel Guide

Calauit Safari Park: A Piece of Africa in Busuanga – Palawan, Philippines

April 3, 2013 by 4 Comments
Miller and Terrence.

That scene alone sums up the park. Three zebras escaping the scorching sun took shelter in a garage and there they stayed beside a rusty, old Pinoy jeepney. It was an intriguing sight, a harbinger of how I would see the place after spending half a day in it. The land rover we were riding stirred dust across a vast plain where giraffes roamed gracefully, hopping from tree to tree. Zebras bent their necks as they grazed, pulling the grass off the more moist corners of the island. Africa, I mumbled as our vehicle slowed down to halt. A far cry, maybe, but for now this was the closest I could get to an African safari --- Calauit Safari Park. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Man-made Marvels, Natural Wonders, Palawan, Parks, Wildlife Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Black Island (Malajon Island) – Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

April 1, 2013 by 5 Comments
The main beach of Black Island (Malajon Island)

Upon contact with light, the walls of the cave sparkled as if covered with a girl's bestfriend. He threw the light on the other corners and they, too, shimmered like diamonds stashed away in the dark. “There are many caves and chambers like this under this mountain,” he said proudly to an overly excited audience --- we, his audience. “But they’re inaccessible today,” he added. And the audience let out a long sigh. Harold, our boatman and tour guide, led us out of the second cave we visited that day. The caves are probably long and deep but we were only allowed at the mouth, leaving us wanting, drooling for more. Still, we were not disappointed. Its depths may be elusive for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, Caves, Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Natural Wonders, Palawan, Philippines Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

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