A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Taal Lake is the third-largest lake in the Philippines. Within the lake, you can find Taal Volcano, one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world. Most people admire panoramic views of the lake from Tagaytay City in Cavite, the most popular (and usually crowded) weekend tourist destination near Manila. Those who want to enjoy a more peaceful and serene trip can visit the towns of Batangas surrounding the lake.
Davao Oriental is the easternmost province in the Philippines. Located in the Davao Region in Mindanao, this province is a rising tourist destination. For beach-lovers, the 7-km stretch of Dahican Beach is its main draw. The province is known as a top surfing destination as its main coast faces part of the Pacific Ocean. Its also one of the few destinations in the country where you can try flying in an ultralight plane, which is an experience worth putting on your travel bucket list.
Davao Oriental is also popular for being home to Aliwagwag Falls, considered the country’s highest waterfall and Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary, the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country and the only based in Mindanao.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Davao Oriental”Aside from being a source of clean energy, wind farms around the Philippines have become tourist attractions. There’s really something about these scenic spots that appeal to travelers. They just have that air of romance about them. Maybe it’s the sense of solitude brought about by their remote locations. Or maybe it’s the sheer size of the turbines dwarfing all those who visit that never fails to amaze visitors.
The Philippines is a tropical island, with two major seasons: wet and dry. The months of June to October are generally wet, while September and October are often the typhoon season in the Philippines. While we do get dry days, weather is generally unpredictable, making it difficult to plan travel and vacations, especially if sea travel is involved.
The rainy season can really curb one’s enthusiasm for travel and adventure. But if you’re already in the country during the monsoon season, what can you do?
If I had to pick a favorite tree, it would be the Balete (a relative of the Banyan tree). There’s just something about their haunting appearance, gnarled roots and their close ties to creatures of folklore that I find fascinating. They often look and feel like they could be portals to the Underworld. Or at least the setting for a good horror story.
The Balete tree is infamous in Philippine folklore for being the dwelling place of engkantos or supernatural creatures and nature spirits such as dwendes (dwarves), kapres (tree demons), diwatas (fairies) and tikbalangs (demon horses). If you grew up in the Philippines, you’ve probably been told by superstitious folk not to go anywhere near these trees as these could be gateways to the world of myths. This probably explains why I’m drawn to them.
Continue reading “Bewitching Balete Trees around the Philippines”It’s difficult to put into words what it’s like waking up in a remote floating village in the middle of a vast marshland.
Everything was silent and still. Thick fog veiled the landscape and the early morning air felt icy cold. Eerie trees that looked like something out of a Tim Burton film skewered the water. For some reason, they reminded me of skeletons and the sight sent chills down my spine. The whole night, I was lulled to sleep by the patter of raindrops on the roof. I had on a long-sleeved shirt, but goosebumps covered both my arms. The sight was so bleak yet achingly beautiful. It’s as if someone had put a grayscale filter on the landscape. Then the sun started to shine from behind the hazy veil and breathe color into the landscape.
I never knew a swamp could be this otherworldly.
Continue reading “Marsh Magic: Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary”Mention Mindoro and most people immediately think of Puerto Galera. This party beach that’s easily accessible by sea travel from Batangas Port is one of the most popular weekend destinations for those based in the metro. But that’s literally just the tip of the island. The rest of Mindoro has much more to offer. Mindoro is actually the seventh largest island in the Philippines and is composed of two provinces: Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.
Mindoro is home to majestic Mount Halcon and Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park, a protected area and ASEAN Heritage Park. It’s the only place in the country where you can find the critically-endangered tamaraw (Mindoro dwarf buffalo). Mindoro is also the home of the Mangyan, eight distinct indigenous groups with their own tribal language, ancient script and customs.
Continue reading “Road Trip Guide: Mindoro Loop”Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. Just a couple of hours away from the gateway to Boracay, the country’s most famous beach party destination, Antique offers a different kind of getaway. “Off-the-beaten-path” is the description that immediately comes to mind. This laid-back province comprised of 18 municipalities (no cities!) has a lot to offer for those looking for raw and rugged adventures.
They’ve got it all for you, including riverside jungle hot tubs, beautiful uncrowded beaches, rice terraces hidden in remote mountain villages, multi-level waterfalls, clear rivers and springs, mountain highlands and stunning karst cliffs.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Antique”A couple of days before we were supposed to ride through lahar in the foothills of Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga, I couldn’t decide whether or not I wanted to actually ride. There was an overwhelming sense of excitement and dread forming in the pit of my stomach. Excitement because damn it would be cool to ride through the post-apocalyptic landscape of volcanic mudflow formed by Mount Pinatubo. Riders even have their own hashtag for it: #Lahardcore.
Dread because I could already envision myself crashing and falling royally in front of all the seasoned riders and motoring journalists who’d be ready to capture every move because “semplang” shots always make more dramatic video footage.
Continue reading “Riding through Lahar in Pinatubo’s foothills in Pampanga”Camiguin is an island province in the coast of Southern Philippines. Dubbed “The Island Born of Fire,” the island’s volcanic origins and eruptions have brought forth an abundance of natural sites. It’s currently the second smallest province in the country after Batanes. But despite its compact size, this lovely island has a lot of natural sites to offer from sea to summit and all around the island.
Camiguin is the type of place you wouldn’t mind going back to again and again. Aside from the natural attractions, it’s the friendly vibe and local hospitality that will keep you coming back.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Camiguin”
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