Racing against the clock in the traffic-congested streets of Manila in the rain (during rush hour!) sounds like one of my worst nightmares. Especially in a scenario where I don’t own the vehicle and have just signed a waiver stating I will be liable for damages. The cryptic invitation for the Ford EcoSport Mystery Case had media racing around the city following clues ala Amazing Race. Though I drive a motorcycle and a (very old manual) car, I’m not exactly the racing type when it comes to SUVs.
Author: Kara Santos
White Pebble Beach near Naga City
I’ve traveled far just to visit some famous stone beaches in the country. There’s Luna Pebble Beach in La Union, Mabua Pebble Beach in Surigao City, and Valugan Boulder Beach in Batanes. These beaches are known for having shores covered with pebbles, cobbles and huge boulders instead of fine sand which give them a unique landscape.
Little did I know that there’s a nice pebble beach in my own home province of Camarines Sur. Bagolatao Beach can be found in the barangay of Bagolatao in the town of Minalabac, just 45 minutes away from Naga City! Continue reading “White Pebble Beach near Naga City”
Weekend in Jomalig Island, Quezon
Raindrops trickled down through the holes in the tarpaulin that served as the roof of the boat, forming a puddle right next to me and waking me up from my sleep. “Duct tape,” I mentally added to my list of things I should always bring on a trip, as I moved my bag and huddled in the center of the boat with the rest of the people on the boat.
Chasing Waterfalls in Pili, Camarines Sur
I grew up in Naga City, but I never knew that there was a very nice waterfall circuit just in my own backyard. Most Naguenos are probably familiar with Malabsay and Nabontolan Falls accessible via Panicuason in Naga City, located on the East slope of Mt. Isarog.
But apparently there are also eight pristine waterfalls shrouded by a triple-canopy forest in the Pili section of Mt. Isarog National Park (MINP). The site, surrounded by farming communities and some historical points of interest (including a Japanese memorial and wartime tunnels) is currently being eyed as a potential eco-tourism trail. And boy, does it have potential! Continue reading “Chasing Waterfalls in Pili, Camarines Sur”
Khmer Booze: Must-Try Beers in Cambodia
Aside from temple-hopping by bike and sampling crispy bugs and spiders, we ended up trying a lot of different local beers in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh during our week-long trip to Cambodia earlier this year.
Country Cuisine at Abe’s Farm, Pampanga
Food and travel really go together. More and more tourists are planning their destinations around food, and local cuisine is playing a big part in food tourism in the country.
Photos: Independence Day Freedom Ride 2013
Last year on June 12, 2013, motorcycle riders in Manila held a Freedom Ride to mark the 115th Philippine Independence Day. The event, organized by the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO), started at the People Power Monument, EDSA to University of The Philippines Diliman via C5 Avenue.
Continue reading “Photos: Independence Day Freedom Ride 2013”
Food Trip: Cambodia
Crispy spiders, insects fried in garlic and spices, stuffed frogs and barbecued snakes. These were just a few of the snacks being sold along the streets of Cambodia.
Gear Review: Targus EcoSmart Messenger Bag
It’s good to know that more companies are doing their part to help the environment when manufacturing products. The EcoSmart Emerald Green Messenger bag from Targus, a manufacturer of accessories for the mobile lifestyle, shows how companies are blending environmental sustainability with a functional product ideal for urban use. I was surprised to find out that the bag (along with other products in their EcoSmart line) is made from polyester material sourced from recycled plastic bottles and PVC-free material.
Continue reading “Gear Review: Targus EcoSmart Messenger Bag”
Travel Guide: Itbayat, Batanes
Batan and Sabtang Island are amazing enough. But then I got to Itbayat, the northernmost inhabited island of Batanes, and I was floored. While Itbayat is more rugged and more difficult to explore, it has a unique charm of its own. Hiking over rough roads, hills and steep paths can be grueling, but you will be rewarded with amazing views of caves, cliffs and coasts.
Poverty incidence in Itbayat is high, yet the people are friendly, honest and generous. Itbayanons pride themselves on having no casualties when typhoons hit, since their stone and lime houses were built to withstand calamities. And just like their vernacular houses, the people are strong, resilient, and hard-working.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Itbayat, Batanes”
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