A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Last weekend, I found myself trapped in a casket trying to decipher clues to escape from a locked room. The same afternoon, I literally stepped inside paintings and navigated around the biggest interactive art museum in Asia. Nope, I wasn’t traveling to some exotic location abroad. I was right in Quezon City, where I’ve lived for years!
Microtel UP Technohub is Microtel by Wyndham’s 13th and latest hotel property in the Philippines located in the IT and commercial development of UP-Ayala Land Technohub in Quezon City.
There’s always this strange mix of uncertainty and purpose whenever I ride. I may be at the mercy of the elements and of the terrain, but I am still in control of my fate. I come to a fork in the road and it’s always my decision where to go. If a path scares me, I can either turn back or go forward. There are no boundaries except my own limitations.
Continue reading “Just Ride”
*Updated June 2015
Biking has really taken off, not just as a sport but as a lifestyle. Proof of this is the number of bike shops that have mushroomed all over Metro Manila catering to mountain bikers, roadies, fixies, foldies and everything else in between. Another proof of this is the number of cafes and restaurants that use bikes as their central theme.
For those who like to combine biking with food-tripping, here are some distinctly bike-themed cafes in and near Metro Manila. I’ve added some links from Outside Slacker to bike trails & routes you can hit near each establishment to work up an appetite or for post-ride food trips.
The weather in Metro Manila and all through Manila East Road was bright and sunny, but just as we got to the foot of the wind turbines in Pililla, Rizal, the rain started to pour. Howling wind sent small stones and gravel from the rocky terrain flying in the air, showing us just why this elevated spot was chosen to be the site of a wind farm project. But despite the threatening grey skies and rain, the windmills were impressive, towering over the rugged landscape. There were only three turbines standing during our exploratory bike ride last Valentine’s Day 2015.
10 Riders. 5 Days. 1 Bike.
Are you ready to go on a journey of a lifetime?
Nothing symbolizes freedom on the open road more than embarking on a journey on your motorcycle. Like modern cowboys, riders have the freedom to explore, go off the beaten path and blaze trails during their travels.
True to its free and daring spirit that thrives on adventures, the iconic American denim brand Wrangler takes its signature denim wear to the Philippines’ wide open roads as it launches the digital competition True Wanderer. Continue reading “Wrangler’s Search for True Wanderer 2015”
Lightweight, sporty and functional. The Deuter Spider 22L Backpack is exactly the backpack I need for my trips. German brand Deuter is known for producing quality backpacks for all types of outdoor adventures, including hiking, biking, trekking and mountain climbing. And while very compact, the backpack does not disappoint.
Updated: January 2016
Aside from Marcos Highway / Marilaque, the Manila East Road is another popular destination for cyclists, riders and road trippers. This highway traverses the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Laguna, starting from the junction of Ortigas Avenue in Taytay, Rizal all the way through towns surrounding Laguna de Bay and ends at a junction with the Pan-Philippine Highway in Calamba City.
I drifted along slowly with the current. To my right was a towering wall of limestone covered in lush vegetation. To my left, was a rocky riverbed peppered with purple flowers and weeds. We were cruising along Siitan River in Nagtipunan, a town in Quirino province where several major tributaries of the Cagayan River converge.
Photo by Lakad Pilipinas Continue reading “Siitan River Cruise & Landingan Viewpoint in Quirino”
Amélie Hotel Manila is a charming new boutique hotel that captures the bohemian spirit of the old-world neighborhood of Manila in a contemporary setting. Everything about the place — from the graphic art deco details of iconic landmarks to the warm and sincere service — makes the hotel stand out from the typical business hotels in the area. The hotel was formally launched amid Chinese New Year festivities last February 19, 2015 to signal the start of a prosperous life in the heart of the city.
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