Metro – Page 8 – Travel Up

Biking in Balara Filters Park

The Balara Filters Park is one of the oldest recreation areas in Quezon City. First opened to the public in 1953, this 60-hectare park (almost as big as Rizal Park) is located in the Diliman village of Pansol in Quezon City, adjacent to the University of the Philippines Diliman main campus. This intriguing place contains an assortment of Art Deco structures, an old windmill, a replica of a fountain designed by a national artist, a picnic grove, an amphitheater, and several playgrounds.

Despite being one of Quezon’s City major parks, the historic value of the structures, and natural beauty of the surroundings, the park now lies in a sad state of neglect and dilapidation, resembling an eerie ghost town rather than a public park. Biking through this area always makes me feel like I’ve just entered Silent Hill or a long-abandoned town in The Last of Us.

Biking in Marikina River Park

Biking is one of the few allowable outdoor exercises during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Manila. Since the lockdown was declared, we’ve been biking more around our neighborhood for errands and nearby destinations to get fresh air and exercise during the weekends. For new cyclists who bought bikes during the pandemic who are not yet familiar with the usual biking spots in the city, I’ll be sharing more details and photos about safe biking destinations in and around Manila.

Sheraton Manila Bay launches gourmet delivery

With all the travel restrictions these days, the thought of going on a luxurious hotel staycation in the city and dining on gourmet cuisine is something that a lot of people are looking forward to. Staying in hotels can give you that sense of travel we’re all missing these days and a momentary escape from the quarantine lifestyle of going out just for essentials. But while we still can’t check into hotels for leisure, it’s still possible to get a taste of some hotel’s gourmet offerings through takeaways and delivery services.

Since special events like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries have had to be canceled, a lot of people are turning to food delivery as their main cause for celebration at home.

How to Ride Safely amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

The government recently relaxed the community quarantine guidelines, which gradually reopens up the economy. Thousands of workers are finally allowed to go to their offices, provided they follow strict health and safety protocols. Although public transport will be operational, there are lots of limitations to ensure social distancing among passengers.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the resumption of public transport systems will be done in two phases, says the Department of Transportation (DoTR).

Neighborhood Bike Shops in Quezon City

Looking to buy your first bicycle or need repairs done? A lot of bikers usually head to Quiapo and Cartimar where bikes and bike parts are generally cheaper. But with the bike shortages everywhere, it might be better to just head to your local bike shop or LBS in your neighborhood. It may cost a little bit more, but this way if ever you need spare parts or repairs or maintenance done, at least you don’t have to travel too far to get it fixed by bike mechanics.

For residents of Quezon City and nearby areas, these are just a few of the bike shops that are currently open as of June 2020 (including safety measures in place with regards to COVID.)

Best Types of Bicycles for Beginners

With the lack of public transportation and the need for social distancing when getting around, more people are interested in buying a bicycle for their personal mobility. While many are thinking of bicycles for short-term use and commuting because of restricted movements brought by the lockdown and quarantine, once checkpoints and borders to other provinces open up and travel by air and sea is allowed again, traveling by bike for leisure may also become more popular.

10 Travel-Inspired Activities You Can Enjoy Indoors

There are times when we just can’t travel. Maybe, we’re still working and saving up enough funds for our next getaway. Maybe, the weather isn’t really great, so it’s really better to just stay at home. Or maybe, the entire world is on lockdown because of a global pandemic, flights have been canceled, public transportation is halted, and everyone is required to go on a mandatory quarantine in the confines of their homes. It happens.

Interactive museums to visit around Manila

I’ve always thought of museums as typically boring destinations. Most museums I grew up with were just buildings that exhibited historical artifacts. Items are usually just displayed behind glass cases and shelves while paintings are hung up on walls for people to just admire from afar. Usually, photography isn’t even allowed inside museums.

Bike Ride to Wawa Dam via AFP Housing

Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal is a favorite weekend destination for mountain bikers based in Manila. Situated in the 360-meter high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge, a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, these headwaters of the Marikina River used to be the primary water source of Manila before La Mesa Watershed. The scenic destination is roughly just an hour’s drive away (depending on the traffic) from the big cities in the East of Manila.

Where to eat in Maginhawa: New restaurants to check out in 2020

A lot of restaurants have come and gone along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City. As a resident, I have top 10 personal favorites that I regularly go to including Friuli, Tomato Kick, Roberta’s Seafood Restaurant and Indonyaki, to name a few. While these days, the area seems saturated with food parks, Samgyupsal and milk tea places catering to the student crowd, some residences have been converted into restaurants ideal for quiet time or small gatherings. Here are some of the relatively newer restaurants (opened from 2017 to 2019) that offer unique food and a cozy homey ambiance in the Maginhawa neighborhood.

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