Blogs

Perched at Cebu’s spic neighborhood, Casa Uno by Circa 1900 is a food spot that you have to reach prepensely. Though getting there is easy with a cab, getting out would be a bit of challenge. For those who do not drive, Uber and Grab apps are rather convenient. Casa Uno by Circa 1900 The restaurant occupies the heritage house seating at the southern end of Sanjercas Ville Extension Road. The old-world charm compliments well with the well-landscaped front yard. Surrounded with greens, the place seems an ideal abode for nature sojourners. There is rustic feel despite being located smack within the city. South ... Read more

The weather seemed uncooperative. Thick, gray clouds shrouded the horizon. It blocked the sunburst from hitting the surface. Below it was another stratocomulus layer hovering to the northeast—the direction of the southwest monsoon. Beyond it was a draping downpour, a harbinger of a miry adventure. The Visayan sea was rather chaotic that moment. Unpatterned ripples collided with each other—creating riptides—and repeatedly smashed the hull of the outrigger banca. The boat’s troubled buoyancy hardly kept us afloat. I could see how the worries gushed, whenever the forward bow alternately plummeted and scaled. Some of us were not confident swimmers though. We drifted to Malapascua at a poky speed, thus enduring the ... Read more

Gorgeous lasses greet you upon arrival. One of them leads you to a comfortable seat. She then introduces the specials and wait until you decided what to order. Royal, white leather seats are arrayed at the corners. A glass-topped table runs through the spacious section of the room. It is matched with cozy and comfortable chairs. At one corner, a small platform stands for performances. Beside it is the bar that serves beer, pure liquors, and cocktails. Moreover, the restaurant is strangely L-shaped. A weird divider adorned with firewood creates a lot of corners and smaller cubicles. It gives some sort ... Read more

I found it dimmer than usual at first glance. Though the lighting coordination complimented well to the interior design, I couldn’t say that the ambiance is inviting enough for the lower middle class. I heard that Dong Juan offers food for every “Juan”, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Ordinary individuals may find it too flashy, but not opulent enough to invite the rich. Or, maybe, I am just a confused blogger. Anyway, I noded to a Zomato’s invite after few months in hiatus. It brought me at the Persimmon branch of Dong Juan. Since I was the first to ... Read more

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