Author: iAn L.

Upon our arrival at Yangon’s Aung Mingalar Bus terminal, taxi touts swarmed the few travelers who disembarked the bus to offer their services. I was observing the ruckus when I heard two of my co-passengers were going downtown. I approached them if it is okay to share the ride. Luckily, they both agreed. Kai, who hailed from the US, was somewhat dragged by reluctance. Striking a continuous conversation is not his thing. He remained certain and talked only whenever necessary. With Kai is Chow from Nanning, China. Both of them met only at the bus. Hence, they were stranger to each other as well. Moreover, getting an awkward ... Read more

Where would you spend your next vacation? You are probably thinking of wading across the shallow waters of Boracay, hopping around the stunning islands of Palawan, swimming with the exquisite creatures of the deep in Apo Island, chasing the majestic waterfalls of Iligan, plunging in the top infinity pools of the country, or simply flying around to taste the delicacies of every province. You can actually do it all, if you have the will. Yes, travelling could be expensive. But if you plan it right, you can get to places you wanted. You can schedule your travels months ahead and scout online for budget deals. ... Read more

When I booked my seat, I repeatedly asked if the bus will go directly to Nyaung Shwe. I always got a yes. So, despite the troubled compulsion, I took it. By the way, I cut short my Bagan stay to head to Nyaung Shwe and added the lake south of it, Inle lake, to my itinerary. Inle Lake ride Chilly arrival ‘Twas 3:30 in the morning when the bus conductor woke me up, and then told me that I can alight. Though my vision was still hazy and my muscles were twitching, I hastily grabbed my heavy backpack and disembarked. The full-throttled ... Read more

Travel, for me, is a major stress reliever. That scene with a blue sky reflected on the sea beneath, which gentle ripples broke towards the white sand strips that freckles the edges of the island back dropped with verdant massifs is a pure bliss. Then at night, you can see the stars flecking in the sky, while you are comfortably lounging on your hammock with both ends fastened on steadfast beach trees. Travel allows you to gaze at awesome amalgamation of greens, get pampered below the draping waters of majestic cascades, stride through vast prairies and lush fields, paddle across translucent ... Read more

Touts approached every single individual alighting from every single bus that arrives in Bagan terminal. They offered taxi services with exceptional persistence. The sun was almost up and it was their major selling point—the guarantee of getting you at any available pagoda where the view of the sunrise is stunning. No other available cheaper transport that time, so I dealt with one to get me to a Pagoda for sunrise, and then bring me to my hostel immediately after. At the gate just outside the terminal, an outpost was setup to collect tourism fees. A 5-day tourist pass to Bagan Archeological ... Read more

Sumo Sam is not a typical Japanese restaurant. The strokes of kanji printed atop the branding, the “hinomaru” circle on its logo, and the part of the name itself, sumo (a Japanese martial art) are your only clues. The restaurant’s look and ambiance, however, does not feel Japanese at all, despite the presence of some Nihon cultural figures and paintings displayed at the bar. The dining sets look modern and the ceiling lights are pretty contemporary, similar to any “hodgepodge” restaurants out there. Sumo Sam at Ayala Center Cebu Good thing that the selections on the menu cover a mélange of Japanese cooking. Your ... Read more

The simple vertical strokes of orange and red makes a fine and stunning contrast with the ivory walls. The tidy-stalked bamboo trees, the small mead that wrapped the lawn, and the classic-looking set blend perfectly to let you experience a zen feel. The Reception A simple and chic reception There’s nothing flashy in the receiving area. In place of chandelier is a hand-crafted spherical rattan which mesh added an atypical element to the lighting inside it. Two black solo couches seemed out of place with regards to color coordination, but give a comforting acceptance to the waiting guests. The reception desk is ... Read more

When I hadn’t had a sight of the top, It was then I fathomed that it would be a tough climb. A friend told me that it’s around 750 steps. I had no expectations at first, because I had never tried a continuous steps before. I couldn’t even scale the difficulty level by merely looking at it. But then, we started the hike – we are climbing up the famed peak of Coron, Mount Tapyas. Appreciating Coron, Palawan When we reached the 100-step marker, we were proud of the milestone, but the sweats were dripping endlessly from our faces. On the ... Read more

I could feel the warmth of the morning sun. Bright rays transcend through the wooden shutter window. It was left open. No one minded to close it though, after watching the fireworks that lit the sky the night before. New Year’s Eve, that was. I was still sleepy at 07AM. However, inasmuch as I wanted to return to sleep—I couldn’t—I remembered I agreed to join a friend for a laid-back sojourn in Moalboal. The resort town is one of Cebu’s popular destination for diving, aside from Malapascua, Bantayan, Camotes, and Mactan. So after a quick fix, I headed to Moalboal on New Year’s day. ... Read more