A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Bikers are always on the lookout for scenic spots to visit for a bit of nature and greenery in the city. Aside from Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife and Quezon Memorial Circle, one of the public parks currently open to visitors as of January 2022 is La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City.
Much has been written about the benefits of nature and green spaces. For many people who have been cooped up inside their homes for almost two years, a simple walk in a park or bike ride with a view of trees can really help boost one’s mood. Nature parks and green spaces can provide a respite from the stress of urban life and offer city dwellers a place to relax and recharge.
While the pandemic has kept most of us grounded compared to years of travel in the pas, it’s been a good time to rediscover the city and nearby destinations on two wheels. We’ve been biking for years long before the pandemic, and even short errand rides around the neighborhood has kept us sane throughout the different levels of quarantine restrictions we’ve had over the past two years.
Once travel restrictions eased and destinations started opening up again in the last quarter of the year, we started going on longer bike rides revisiting top biking destinations near the metro including Wawa Dam, Mt. Parawagan, Camp Sandugo, and Puray Falls, which ended up being my first Century Ride (over 100 km long).
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Biking to Mangantila Cafe and other scenic spots in Baras, Rizal”Banner photo: Winner, Special Award – Wide Angle, Paul Joseph Aristorenas
Amateur and professional underwater photographers, divers, and marine enthusiasts once again masterfully captured the beauty of Anilao in the entries to the 7th Anilao Underwater Shootout (AUS), recently mounted by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Dubbed as the “World Cup of Underwater Photo Competitions,” the event highlighted the town’s teeming marine biodiversity, including its world-famous nudibranchs.
Continue reading “Anilao Underwater Shootout stages a successful comeback”Anilao in Batangas is known as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. The small barangay in the coastal town of Mabini is one of the most popular diving destinations accessible by land travel for those who live in Metro Manila. Anilao is said to be the home to more than half of the Philippines’ documented shore fish species as well as over 300 species of coral.
After years of excavation and clearing, and months of pandemic-induced delays, the El Deposito Underground Reservoir is now finally open to the public! Visitors can walk back in time through a portion of the Spanish-era tunnels just sitting underneath the sprawling public park in San Juan City.
Biking, camping, and coffee rides have really boomed in the Philippines during the pandemic. Everyone wants to spend time outdoors, and going on bike rides to natural spots like mountains and forests near the city or visiting bike-friendly cafes with friends on weekends satisfies that wanderlust of traveling somewhere far by car or by air.
Royal Enfield has opened its biggest dealership and new flagship store in Quezon City!
The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production is enhancing the accessibility of its motorcycles, service, and accessories with the launch of the brand’s newest store in the country. The QC branch is the fifth exclusive store, adding to the brand’s existing presence in Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Meycauayan (Bulacan) and Pasig.
The coffee and cycling culture has really boomed in the Philippines. Since the pandemic hit, pop-up coffee kiosks coffee and minimalist roadside cafes serving good coffee catering to cyclists have become destinations on their own for weekend rides. You can find a lot of minimalist and pop-up roadside cafes situated in scenic spots along biker’s routes like Antipolo, Timberland, Boso-Boso, Marilaque, offering relaxing spots to rest during longer rides.
But for those looking for a destination for quick city rides, there are plenty of cool coffee shops in and around the metro that you can check out as well. Here are just a few cafes in my own Maginhawa neighborhood where bikers can grab a good cup of coffee and snacks for those chill Tambike sessions.
Continue reading “Bike-friendly cafes in the Maginhawa area”Interactive art museum Art in Island in Quezon City has finally reopened to the public starting Saturday (October 23, 2021).
The biggest 3D Interactive Art Museum in Asia, known for letting visitors become “part of the art” and pose and play with its paintings and exhibits, has been closed for 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the moment, only fully vaccinated guests are allowed to visit the art gallery as per IATF and Quezon City guidelines. Children (17 years old and below) are still not allowed to visit.
Continue reading “Art in Island has reopened: New Guidelines (October 2021)”
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