Category: Travel

Backpacking in Time: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

There are certain destinations in the Philippines that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Places like Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Corregidor in Cavite and Intramuros in Manila offer that old-world charm that makes you appreciate history more. Our adventure trip in Bataan had us not just visiting destinations, but jumping from different time periods. From the cobbled streets and Spanish Colonial Houses of 18th Century Philippines to the elaborate control room of a nuclear power plant built in the 1980s, we literally went back (packing) in time.

osprey bataan las casas de acuzar travelup bag door window

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Gear Review: Lakhambini Shoes

One of the things that I look out for when I travel around the Philippines are items made from native weaves or indigenous textiles. Underneath the motifs and patterns are beautiful stories of culture and heritage from different tribes and the skillful artists who weave them.

lakhambini shoes philippines banig yakan textile basket tote bag itsmorefuninthephilippines
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JAPAN: Savoring the Flavors of Takayama

The streets were buzzing with the chatter of locals and tourists alike admiring the ceremonial yatai – ornate wooden structures that display traditional Japanese craftsmanship. It was hard not to get overwhelmed as we walked along the streets of Takayama, a city in the mountainous Hida region, roughly two hours away from Nagoya, Japan. Our visit coincided with the Takayama Autumn Festival, so the streets were extra lively.
takayama autumn festival japan yatai floats people

The crisp morning air, the aroma of fresh meat and seafood sizzling on hibachi grills and the naturally beautiful backdrop of the old town’s streets put everyone in a festive mood. Continue reading “JAPAN: Savoring the Flavors of Takayama”

Tomb Riding in Cambodia (Part 2)

On our first day of biking around Siem Reap, we rented a couple of mountain bikes to explore Angkor’s ancient temples. On our second and third day, we decided to take it slow and just rent city bikes instead. As hardcore as the mountain bikes look, we found out that most of the terrain was pretty flat. We also found ourselves spending more time on foot, channeling our favorite archaeologist-adventurers as we ventured into ancient temples and ruins. Who knows what hidden treasure we might stumble upon?

biking day 2 cambodia angkor archaeological park preah khan window

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JAPAN: World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go

Many role-playing video games start out in a remote place hidden deep in the mountains. The hero’s home town is often depicted as a rustic village full of wooden houses with thatched roofs. Outside each house, you pass rice fields surrounded by rivers, perfectly landscaped gardens and trees with fruits ripe for the picking. Okami, which is one of my favorite video games of all time, has all these elements of the classical Japanese countryside.

Walking through the streets of Shirakawa-go felt like I was transported into a fantasy world right out of a video game.

01. shirakawago village japan gassho style house

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Malinamon Falls in Capiz

The smell of gunpowder was thick in the air as the soldiers fired off their guns one at a time. The rapid succession of shots from the Armalite rifles felt disconcerting as we stood meters away from what felt like a firing line. We faced the soldiers dressed in full battle gear as they introduced themselves – rattling off their names, where they came from and their position in the battalion. They listed all the gear they carried with them – maps, GPS, grenades and the main weapon they carried before firing it into the air in a grand display.

Not exactly how I pictured our hiking trip to a waterfall would start.malinamon falls jamindan capiz travelup

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Fresh Dining Destination in Tagaytay: Sisterfields

When it comes to quick weekend or day trip getaways from Metro Manila, Tagaytay City is the top destination for many families. The refreshing view and number of restaurants make this a favorite among foodies who want the closest “out of town” experience to the metro. For those looking for a new dining destination with a unique concept, Sisterfields located in Summit Ridge Hotel Tagaytay is a good option. Sisterfields serves a modern take on home-cooked Tagaytay favorites using locally produced ingredients and fresh garden herbs.

sisterfields by cravings tagaytay pineapple tawilis tinapa roll

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Food Trip: Capiz

Roxas City, the capital of Capiz is known as the “seafood capital of the Philippines.” Home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country, Roxas City offers a range of fresh and affordable seafood including shellfish, squid and different varieties of fish. From jumbo-sized tiger prawns to crabs and oysters cooked in a variety of ways – you can enjoy seafood any way you want. Grilled, steamed, stewed, fried, dried smoked or even raw – take your pick!

seafood dinner espacio verde roxas city capiz

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Rizal Wind Farm Loop Ride

Since I blogged about my previous rides to the Wind Farm in Pililla, Rizal, I’ve been getting inquiries from riders and bikers on the best route to take. Over the past few months, I’ve visited the Rizal Wind Farm a total of five times, usually on solo weekend rides. On previous rides, I was always stopped at either the Pillilla or Sampaloc entrance and told that that I couldn’t go in because of ongoing construction, so I usually ended up taking photos just near the entrance.

01. rizal wind farm philippines travelup motorcycles

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Tomb Riding in Cambodia (Part 1)

Cambodia is home to Angkor Archaeological Park, one of the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia. The site, which encompasses dozens of temple ruins, including Bayon, Ta Prohm and the legendary Angkor Wat, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Partly because the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) was filmed here, this historic temple complex has been been on my motorcycle bucket list for years.

biking cambodia angkor archaeological park angkor thom gate

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