A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
A lot of couples have had to postpone their weddings this year because of the ongoing pandemic. Destination weddings have become more difficult with all the hassles of air travel and checkpoints at certain borders. Now that the quarantine restrictions have eased up, events are slowly getting back to normal though celebrations understandably have to be scaled down. Outdoor weddings and receptions in wide open spaces and garden venues are now preferred to prevent the spread of the virus.
Brisbane is the capital and the most populated city in the Australian state of Queensland. One of the oldest cities in Australia, Brisbane was founded upon ancient traditional lands. The city was named after the Brisbane River on which it is located, which in turn gets its name from Scotsman Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales at the time of the city’s founding.
Hello, Sydney! For international travelers, Sydney is the destination that immediately comes to mind when anyone mentions Australia. Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. It’s among the top fifteen most-visited cities in the world, with millions of tourists going each year to see the city’s most famous landmarks including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. But beyond historical and cultural sites, Sydney has loads of nature destinations to offer including beaches and mountains and adventure activities for those who prefer the great outdoors.
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. Located at the Northern end of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra was founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation. Despite being the largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall in the country, Canberra has a laid-back and relaxing “small-town vibe.” The country’s capital offers an amazing mix of history, art, food, and the outdoors.
This time last year, I tagged along with my parents on their Australia trip. October marks the birthday month for several members of our family, and I’ve always preferred to travel to celebrate instead of hosting parties or gatherings. This year, we’re all celebrating apart because of the ongoing pandemic, and I thought it would be a good time to reminisce about happier times together. The future of international travel is just still so uncertain right now and will never be the same again, so I’m extremely grateful that I got to enjoy this trip with my parents.
Despite being a highly urbanized city, Marikina still manages to retain a sense of history, nature, and culture. The “Shoe Capital of the Philippines” is a bike-friendly city that possesses a quiet, small-town charm. Heritage buildings are preserved, the streets are clean and well-maintained, there are actual designated bike lanes, a number of public recreational spots, and green spaces, and lots of charming homegrown garden restaurants, unique shops, and hidden gems here.
Whenever I bike around Marikina, I feel like I’m biking around a small town in the province. While the rest of Metro Manila feels grimy, congested, and overly developed, you still get the feel of the simple provincial life in some spots here. Marikina feels like a modern-day pueblo where family-run businesses are still the norm and cultural heritage is still present. Here’s a look at some of the fun and unique things you can do in Marikina.
Continue reading “10 Fun & Unique Things to do in Marikina”Do you miss traveling around the Philippines? Have you started a small business during this quarantine period and are looking for a way to increase your product’s visibility online? Or maybe you just have some free time on your hands and are looking for a way to earn some extra cash for your impulse cravings. If you answered yes to any of the above, you might want to check out the website Pinned.ph, a new digital lifestyle publication that highlights the best of the Philippines, while giving a much-needed boost to local destinations, businesses, and freelancers.
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).
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 different islands, which can make getting around the country a bit challenging. For backpackers who want to cover a lot of ground at one time, planning your route and trying to visit major tourist destinations spread apart the country can be a bit of a puzzle. While there are ferries and boats that connect major islands, it’s difficult to know exactly where to go.
In most cases, it’s practical and faster to just fly between islands to maximize your trip. For some places in Northern Luzon without commercial flights, you have no option but to take a bus or travel by land from major cities. For first time travelers to the Philippines, it really helps to focus on particular regions and aim for quality instead of trying to visit every major tourist hub.
Continue reading “Top Destinations in the Philippines for Backpackers”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.)
Continue reading “Neighborhood Bike Shops in Quezon City”
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