Category: Travel

What I immediately noticed when I visited Punta Isla Lake Resort are the sweet sound of the tree dwellers. Singing an un-arranged lullaby, the Eurasian Tree Sparrows, the Chestnut Munias, the Pied Fantails, the orioles, and the swallows emanate a music that was so fresh to the ears. Listening to these songs while wandering along the flower-filled alleys, the rustic stairways, and the healthy greens of the resort really feels extraordinary. Almost every corner of the resort is ornamented with natural flora, in which some are seemingly of foreign origin. Lake Sebu as viewed from Punta Isla Lake Resort The ... Read more

I had been to some great destinations around the Philippines. Palawan is a top choice, then there is also Mountain Province, Ifugao, Cebu, Camiguin, and a lot more. I had been to some random southeast Asian destinations too. To mention, I backpacked Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in 2013 followed by Indonesia–Singapore–Malaysia series in 2014. [Related Post: 15 Interesting Places in the Philippines to Spend the Long Weekend] You might be wondering how I managed to pay all these travels despite being a middle-income employee. Well, to tell you honestly, I only have three secrets: I plan a year ahead to get promo airline tickets, ... Read more

Around the later week of December 2014, I checked Siquijor before going home to spend the New Year with my family. When I am about to board a Dumaguete-bound ferry, the coast guard halted all sea-based trips – a pesky storm visited the Philippine islands again. Uh! That was a major buzzkill! I tried to eavesdrop on local travelers’ conversations, hoping for possible runaway options, however, I heard it was too risky. Both the pump boat operator and the passengers may face fines if caught. So, I booked a room at the closest hostel and stayed for night. The following day, the ... Read more

Getting on a bus that would bring you to all of the popular destinations in Kuala Lumpur using a single ticket is a genius idea. Aside from the comfort of getting a public transport, no tourist would get lost. The Kuala Lumpur Hop-on Hop-off bus will get you to your desired destination within the city boundaries. Hop-off to explore—and when done—wait for another bus to hop-on. With the 30-45 minutes bus arrival frequency, you won’t get tired of waiting and you have an ample time to take your best selfie. The proponent of this wise transport project strategically positioned their 22 ... Read more

I couldn’t beat my acrophobia if I won’t challenge it. Though slight, it is still bothersome to some situations. When in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to take on the challenge. After recovering from minor leg twitches, I immediately obtained the discounted Menara KL (Kuala Lumpur Tower) observation deck voucher ticket from the hop-on hop-off bus. That wasn’t part of the plan, though I had in mind to clobber the highest reachable height of Petronas Twin Towers. KL Tower, ticket, and elevator lobby Menara KL sells observation deck tickets for MYR49 (₱600) per person but I got mine for only MYR41 (₱500) from the hop-on hop-off ... Read more

Indulged with unprecedented and captivating charm, Sagada remains as one of the top choices for those who are looking for a tranquil getaway. The temperate climes, the towering massifs, the awesome caverns and rock formations, the appetizing dainties, the perpetuated traditions, and the accommodating locality melded perfectly to give you a memorable stay. If you want to experience a piece of Sagada’s splendor, then below details may be a handful. Main attraction of the Cave Connection: The “curtain” of Sumaguing Cave How to Get There From Manila, you can take any bus to Baguio or Banaue, and then transfer to an ... Read more

I could feel the biting chill as we whisked along the narrow passage to Salagdoong beach. The morning sun was barely peeking through the amalgamation of leaves and branches forming an archway. Passing through the man-made Molave forest felt like royal. According to my habal-habal driver, the man-made forest is 60 years in the making and stretches nearly two kilometers. The forest offers comforting shades and exhibits a relaxing ambiance to all beach goers. The man-mad Molave forest going to Salagdoong beach Salagdoong Beach Resort The other end of the engineered woodland is Salagdoong Beach Resort. The government manages the area ... Read more

I had been hearing Cebu Canyoning or Canyoneering activities since 2011 but I never got a chance to try it. Yes, not even as of this writing – and that is because of the pesky storm which prompted my guides to cancel the activity. However, instead of going completely broke, I decided to peek on the multiple cascades of Kawasan Falls, which, at that moment, was still accessible. Kawasan Falls Kawasan Falls is more than a kilometer away from the highway. I had to endure a 20-minute trek on an easy trail before I could get a perfect vantage of ... Read more

I could see the reefs in the seemingly shallow deep. From a afar is a mangrove-forested shore shielded with a concrete dike. On the other end are few houses overlooking the rock cliffs. Few seconds later, I heard the ships honked, signalling that we are approaching the port. Yes! In few moments, I could finally set foot in Siquijor. I missed the fast craft so I decided to hop on a Roro vessel. It wasn’t a bad choice since my resort is closer to the Roro’s port compared to that of the fast craft. Fastcrafts enter Siquijor island via the ... Read more