Category: Adventure and Sports

Travel Guide: Once Islas, Zamboanga City

Most tourists associate Zamboanga City with Sta. Cruz Island, famous for having a pink sand beach. But there’s a new eco-cultural tourism destination that you can check out in the area: Once Islas.

All drone shots courtesy of Escape Manila

This cluster of eleven mostly uninhabited islands and islets belong to the remote villages of Panubigan and Dita in Zamboanga City just recently opened to the public in July 2018. These unspoiled islands are ideal for low-impact activities like swimming, kayaking and trekking.

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Review: 2-in-1 Travel Pillow + Hammock from Hammock Republic

Everyone loves lounging in a hammock. It’s so much more satisfying taking an afternoon nap on the beach to the sound of the waves or waking up a view of the the mountains on a hammock than from inside a hotel room after a long road trip. Especially here in the Philippines where many beach destinations are just ideal for lazing around.

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10 Things to Do in El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. This coastal town in Palawan is renowned for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and stunning limestone cliffs. Composed of 45 islands and islets, each with its own unique geological formations, El Nido consistently ranks as one of the best island destinations in the Philippines – and the world.

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Travel Guide: Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Most people associate the province of Oriental Mindoro with Puerto Galera. This party beach has long been a favorite summer destination for those based in the metro because of its proximity to Manila. While Puerto Galera is located at the northernmost tip of Mindoro island, down south on the opposite end lies a destination that will appeal to those looking for quiet and secluded spots for quality beach-bumming minus the crowds – Bulalacao.

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3 Springs Mountain Park in Tanay, Rizal

Growing up in the province, my childhood friends and I used to enjoy camping sleepovers. On hot summer nights, we’d haul out banigs, folding beds and foam mattresses on the grass and “camp out” in our garden under a makeshift tent sewn together from my parent’s old protest streamers.

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Kowloon Walled City Park, Hong Kong

It’s hard to believe that what is now a beautiful park used to be one of the most densely populated places on the planet. Despite having been demolished 20 years ago, the Kowloon Walled City continues to captivate people today. While at first glance, it may look just like a pleasant garden in the middle of the busy city of Hong Kong, it felt surreal and disconcerting to visit a place with so much history behind it. This was the most fascinating place I visited during my recent trip to Hong Kong.

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10 Great Biking Destinations in Luzon

Manila is not the most bike-friendly city in Asia. But if you venture a little further from the metro, you’ll be surprised to find that the Philippines actually has some pretty spectacular mountain biking destinations. Ok, so it may take a little bit of time, effort and resources to get there, but for cyclists looking for bucketlist-worthy places to bike in the country, I think we have a few that we can be proud of.

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What to Pack for a Motorcycle Road Trip in the Philippines

Touring on a motorcycle in the Philippines is a great way to enjoy both the journey and a destination. Riding a motorcycle can give you the freedom to explore places, both familiar and remote. While riding a bicycle can give you that same freedom, riding a motorcycle doesn’t require as much energy, allows you to carry more stuff, and can take you to places faster, which is great if you only have limited time to explore.

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Travel Tips for the Rainy Season

Most people prefer to travel and go on adventures during the summer months when it’s sunny. However, you may find yourself having to travel during the monsoon months. While travelers need to take extra care as the rain may bring landslides and floods to many areas, the rainy season shouldn’t stop you from having fun. Here are a few travel tips to make the most of the rainy season in the Philippines.

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10 Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan is best known for its hi-tech attractions, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts and mountainous terrain. Its capital Taipei is a fusion of culture and technology, with historical attractions, landmarks and vibrant night markets, all easily accessible with highly efficient public transport systems.

Last month, I got to visit Taipei for the first time. Art was on a work assignment to cover Computex, one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world held annually in Taipei. He extended his work trip for a few days and I joined him by booking an AirAsia flight through Traveloka to take advantage of the Visa-free entry for Filipinos. My mother and nephew decided to join for a summer family vacation.

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