Climb Central Manila

If you’re looking for something fun and active to do in the city, but don’t want to get too sweaty outdoors, indoor wall climbing is a good option. There are various wall climbing facilities and gyms in the metro, but Climb Central Manila is currently the largest indoor air-conditioned sport climbing venue in the Philippines.

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10 Fun & Unique Things to Do in Camarines Norte

For those based in Metro Manila, Batangas and La Union are the most popular destinations that tourists head to for a beach fix. For those willing to travel a little further South, then Camarines Norte (or Cam Norte) in the Bicol region, roughly 343 km southeast of Manila might be the ideal spot for you. Much has been written about the historic destinations in this Philippine province, so here are my picks of the most fun and unique activities you can do there.

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Nature Road Trip in Laguna

When it comes to weekend destinations, Laguna is one of the most accessible provinces near Metro Manila. Most people driving cars usually approach the province from SLEX on the way to urbanized cities like Santa Rosa, Los Banos and Calamba. But from the Manila East Road, you can avoid traffic and traverse easily through the more laid-back towns on the Eastern side of the province.

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Travel Guide: Minalungao National Park, Nueva Ecija

These days, a lot of city folk want a taste of the laid-back provincial life. When life gets too hectic in the metro, just heading somewhere you can float on a bamboo raft, enjoy simple home-cooked meals and see stunning natural sights can be just what you need to re-energize for the work week ahead. One of the fastest-rising destinations to offer this kind of experience near Manila is Minalungao National Park in Nueva Ecija.

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Gear Review: Supremo 4K Action Camera

Nowadays, I’m realizing that having an action camera is a must for a lot of the activities I like to do. For the past years, I’ve been hauling a heavy-ass SLR during mountain biking, motorcycling and island-hopping trips. Ninety percent of the time, I end up just using my Smartphone, because it’s just such a hassle to take out the big camera from a bag when both your hands are occupied driving or if you’re in a water-based environment. I was really hoping to experiment more with video features for the blog this year. As luck would have it, Supremo Philippines sent me their latest action camera to test out.

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Win a Free Trip for 2 to Batanes with True Wanderer 2017

Are you an Open Road Hero? Join the Wrangler True Wanderer 2017!

Now on it’s third year, the Wrangler True Wanderer competition is extending its scope from bikers to include all types of wanderers.

Read more for the competition details.

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Road Trip Guide: Laiya, Batangas via San Pablo, Laguna

Laiya in San Juan, Batangas is one of the most popular weekend beach destinations near the metro. It may not have the best beach and coastline compared to some other island destinations in the country, but because of its proximity to Manila and the availability of resorts, it’s one of the most visited beaches in the country for those based in the NCR region.

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Travel Guide: Palaui Island, Cagayan

After days of rain and gloomy weather that hampered our activities in the mainland, the sky finally cleared on the last day of our trip. Just in time too, since our destination for the day was the beautiful island of Palaui, just off the coast of Sta. Ana in Cagayan.

The first time I set foot in Palaui was back in 2011. I remember the roller-coaster like waves that propelled our boats towards the island where the ruins of an abandoned lighthouse sat atop a hill. There were a few rumors from locals that the hit reality show Survivor was going to be filmed there. Fast forward six years later, when I found myself one again with the tempestuous waves heading towards the island.

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Achievements Unlocked in 2016

Hello, 2017! It’s been another year of travel and since I haven’t had time to write all of my backposts, a summary year-ender post should do the trick. I had a lot of trips to both new and familiar destinations, participated as a finalist in Wrangler’s True Wanderer competition, and finally got a motorcycle upgrade! Here are some achievements unlocked and noteworthy adventures in 2016:

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ATV Adventures Rizal

Rizal is an adventurer’s playground often frequented by mountain bikers and motorcycle riders. The Sierra Madre mountain range east of Manila offers numerous off-road trails where you can ride through forests, beside river trails, or visit scenic spots with overlooking views. I’ve written a lot about places to visit in Rizal since it’s my favorite weekend destination near the metro. It’s hard to believe that some of these places exist so near Manila.

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For weekend warriors who don’t know how to bike or ride but still want to experience the thrill of off-road trails, one option is to ride an ATV or all-terrain vehicle. ATVs or quad bikes are operated like motorcycles, but since they have four wheels, they are more stable going over rough terrain at slower speeds.

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