A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
NOTE: This is an advertorial
Every traveler knows the importance of having reliable wi-fi while they’re on the road. Whether you just have the urgent need to upload your latest unique foodie find on Instagram or you need to check Googlemaps to navigate around in a foreign city, staying connected is really important. The problem is that not all establishments offer free wi-fi, and those that do are sometimes spotty at best. Continue reading “INFOGRAPHIC: Globe Data Roaming flat rate of P599/day”
One of my frustrations when shopping is that most top-performing outdoor gear (ex. convertible dri-fit pants, trekking shoes, or backpacks) seem to have been designed for men. Tall men at that. Unless I shop in the kid’s section or luck out with (frequently out of stock) S or XS items, my height makes it difficult to find good gear that fits properly.
Another thing that annoys me about travel gear is that most items for women almost always come in extremely girly designs of bright pink and purple (just look at the running shoe section of most stores. No offense, but not all girls like pink and purple, although Hit-Girl looks really cool and badass in violet.
Anyway, it’s great to know that some brands like Deuter have gone the extra mile and have designed women-specific backpacks that are just as tough as those made for men, and don’t look like they came from a Mattel catalogue.
Sunlight streams through the shady trees, casting a hazy glow on the garden. Amidst the refreshing greenery and peaceful surroundings, one is drawn to the distinct art pieces scattered about the grounds. A bizarre statue arches its back to stare at the sky, while lanterns resembling cat’s heads stick out from the branches of a large tree.
Aside from shopping for antiques and furniture, Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur, offers a lot of options for food-trippers. With their hefty servings of deep-fried pork and flavorful street food packed with native sausages, Vigan is definitely a foodie destination for carnivores. You don’t even have to go far to enjoy a good meal. A lot of good eating places are located along Calle Crisologo, just walking distance from the plaza and top hotels in the city.
Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur, has the distinction of being named a UNESCO World Heritage City. The city has made headlines lately as it’s currently in the running as one of the 14 official finalists in the New 7 Wonders. The city is well-known for its Spanish-era mansions, cobblestone streets and kalesas (horse-drawn carriages), which are the most popular way for tourists to go sightseeing.
Most Pinoys are familiar with Lambanog, a Filipino alcoholic beverage, described as coconut arrack. It’s neither wine, nor gin, nor vodka, but is something uniquely Filipino. I have fond (and not so fond) memories involving lambanog drinking sessions in college, when this was the most cost-effective alcoholic option for students. It’s a staple inuman drink in many provinces, available even in small sari-sari stores in sleepy towns in Quezon and other parts of Southern Luzon. I’ve also shared more than a few rounds of lambanog with friends and strangers during trips around the country.
Lambanog has long been considered a drink of the masses. But Lakan Extra Premium Philippine Lambanog aims to change all that.
The intense thunderstorm last October 1 seemed to come from nowhere. I had just come from a media trip in Malacanang where the weather had been very hot and sunny. As we were heading to our drop-off point, sheets of rain came pouring down from the sky. When I finally hailed a cab, radio broadcasters were announcing that many Northbound roads were not passable, with some areas in EDSA already waist-deep. Tired commuters were interviewed on air, recounting how they had to wade through floods because vehicles were at a standstill.
This October, Quezon City celebrates its 75th year of cityhood. October 12, 2014 marks the city’s Diamond Jubilee, and it looks like all six districts of Quezon City are gearing up for a lot of festivities.
Aside from commemorative events, the city will play host to arts festivals, concerts, health and wellness outreach programs, religious activities, and sports/fitness programs. There are a LOT of events lined up, but here are a few of the highlights that might interest the general public:
October 11: Quezon City Food Festival (9 am-midnight; Maginhawa Street)
The very first Food Festival in Quezon City intends to showcase Maginhawa Street as a major food hub and tourist spot while celebrating with the fun and festivities of a provincial fiesta. As a resident of the area, I’ve seen the transformation of the street from just an alternative road to get to UP to a major foodie spot, with friends and readers of this blog coming over just to go on major food tripping sessions. For a list of most of the restaurants in the area, check out Maginhawa: The Eat Street.
Food stalls will be set up along the street, and participating restaurants will open their doors to visitors. There’s no entrance fee, but 5,000 lucky visitors will be given special gift certificates and a commemorative plate which they can redeem at participating Maginhawa establishments. Take note that there are over 80 restaurants in the area and 120 exhibitors (and counting). Come hungry! :p
Here’s a handy FAQ prepared by the people behind the QC Food Festival. (Click image for larger view). For updates, like Quezon City Food Festival on Facebook.
The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) is the most famous work of the French writer and poet Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Many people have been touched by this beloved classic, which while written as a children’s book, speaks volumes about life and relationships.
So stumbling into a Little Prince-themed cafe was an unexpected surprise during a trip to Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. Continue reading “Chapters Book Cafe in Dipolog”
For those in the regular workforce, vacations can be tricky. Not everyone has the luxury of time to do long-term backpacking or visit exotic locales every month. But everyone needs a beach and adventure fix once in a while. Located just 3-4 hours away from Manila, Real in Quezon offers such a quick weekend getaway.
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