A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
We first discovered La View Mountain Resort in January 2022. After trying to ride to Jariel’s Peak one weekend by motorcycles, we were forced to turn back because checkpoints and border restrictions going to Infanta, Quezon were still being enforced.
The Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone, simply known as Subic Bay, is a coastal northwest of Manila frequented by families and water sports enthusiasts for weekend getaways. Formerly the location of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay before it was decommissioned in the early 90s, the area is now known for its beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and dive sites.
Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and one of the country’s most famous landmarks. Commonly called “Fuji-san, this active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo is the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters.
The town of Lucban in Quezon is celebrating the Pahiyas Festial soon. Known as one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines, Pahiyas is celebrated every May as a means to give thanks after a bountiful harvest. ‘Pahiyas’ literally means “precious offering,” and the practice dates back to the 16th century. People celebrate it in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the farmer’s patron saint.
Summer months always call for new adventures. With travel restricted the past two years, now is the perfect time to chill out by the lake with the family, hike up mountains with friends, go on car camping dates, or just get out of your comfort zone.
A year before the most recent eruption of Taal Volcano and the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020, we rode our motorcycles from Metro Manila circling Laguna Lake and Taal Lake. Back then, it was just for the thrill of the joyride and so we could hike to the crater lake on Volcano Island afterwards.
UPDATE: In September 2022, the province of Maguindanao was split into two, so the Philippines now has 82 provinces. This travel guide was originally completed and written in 2019 before the split and the pandemic, but has been updated to reflect the new province and newer photos from more recent revisits.
The Philippines is made up of 82 provinces, spread out under three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanano. Currently, there are 38 provinces in Luzon, 16 in Visayas, and 28 in Mindanao. The provinces are grouped under different regions based on their geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: 82 Provinces of the Philippines”Lucban in the province of Quezon is best known for celebrating the Pahiyas Festival, one of the Philippines most colorful harvest festivals, every May. The town is also known as a religious destination for pilgrims since it’s home to the 50-feet high Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, reportedly the third biggest Christ the Redeemer statue in the world.
In progressive countries around the world, it’s normal for citizens to bike to work. Netherlands, Sweden and Germany are just a few of the countries where cycle usage is high. In Asia, Japan and Taiwan are also ideal for urban cycling, with extensive bike networks and trails along coastal roads, cities and proper bike paths.
The Philippines still has a long way to go, but the pandemic has brought about some good changes in terms of bike mobility, as more people are turning to two-wheeled transport to deal with the high cost of fuel and terrible public transportation.
Continue reading “Review: BESV JF1 Hybrid E-Bike”Laiya Beach, located in Laiya-Aplaya in San Juan, Batangas, is one of the most popular beaches within driving distance of Manila. The whole stretch here is a favorite weekend destination for families. You can enjoy water-based activities here like banana boats, kayaking, and island-hopping, or just chill out by the beach at one of the many resorts.
Since we’ve traveled to Laiya several times before, last May 2022 we decided to take our bicycles and spend a day just biking to experience a different side of the area.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Biking from Laiya to Malabrigo Lighthouse, Batangas”
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