#THROWBACKTRAVEL | Nothing is ever too late for anyone, especially when you pursue your dreams. I saw myself exploring my country one province at a time, experiencing its many different cultures and traditions, and meeting different people on the road. And in those dreams, I imagined visiting South Cotabato in Mindanao to sightsee its natural wonders and to meet its amazing people, the T’boli Tribe in Lake Sebu. Everything materialized late 2014 when my friend and I finally flew in the southern part of the Philippines for an unforgettable birthday getaway.
The only time that I get to explore the posh establishments in Dubai is when my friend MJ makes an invite. We were able to go on several food trips in the DIFC area (before the citywide lockdown) and was able to try the Ravioli & Gnocchi masterclass at Ravioli & Co.
One of my favorite places in Dubai is the Arabian Tea House. This cozy restaurant, which is located at the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, is a must-visit when in the city. I’ve been here twice, and the experience is always homey and warm. It’s a perfect setting for alfresco gatherings, especially during wintertime.
I miss eating out. But the one thing that I crave the most is sharing a boodle fight with friends. Social distancing has been the new norm. While ease in restrictions is slowly being rolled out in Dubai, we still can't gather as close to each other as we would like, which is completely understandable. As long as there is no vaccine for COVID-19, life will continue to go in this manner.
#THROWBACKTRAVEL | Bacolod is one of the cities in the Philippines that you should see. Not only is the “City of Smiles” a culinary haven (famous for its sweet treats and Chicken Inasal), it is also home to some of the most interesting spots and attractions. The best way to see this local destination is to make SM City Bacolod your jump-off point, as it's close to several tourist sites in the city.
#THROWBACKTRAVEL | Known as a Heritage City in the Philippines, Silay in Negros Occidental is home to some of the most beautifully preserved ancestral homes and buildings – all exuding a great fusion of both foreign and local initiatives. The exquisite architecture and fine artistry can be seen and admired in all of these old structures. Truly, these picturesque, deep-rooted structures are worth visiting and more.
It's always a treat for a traveler like me to come home and rest on a cozy bed after a long day of exploring. But wouldn't it be more of a treat to come home to an environmentally-sound bedroom? That be the ultimate escape, right? If you're dreaming of having an eco-friendly bedroom, the bed is an excellent place to start. Since we spend approximately 25 years of our life asleep, the bed we buy is very important. Sadly, a lot of people buy a cheap mattress and don't think twice about how it impacts the environment.
Trying the food from Wok Boyz was an enjoyable experience because we love eating anything that’s Pan-Asian-inspired. It only takes five easy steps to create your wok-in-a-box. But I had a tough time choosing what elements to mix into my meal, as I wanted to have it with as many vegetables possible.
The first half of 2019 was a difficult one. A lot of things kept piling up (physically, emotionally, mentally), that it was already too much to handle. My husband and I needed a breather from all the stress and challenges that OFW life and work threw at us, that we decided on a whim to travel somewhere in Asia. We initially wanted to explore other Asian countries that we haven’t been to yet then realized that we still had to apply for a visa, which might take some time. We had to leave in a few days, so that wasn’t ideal for us. But that’s when the idea of going back to Hong Kong came to us. Asia’s World City has always been a favorite destination of mine (been here twice already). So it just felt right to revisit it after nine long years.
We recently visited Hong Kong, a food outlet located in Oasis Centre’s food court in Al Quoz. My husband and I had an early dinner here and ordered five delightful Asian dishes. Check out our selections below.
I recently downloaded this mobile application called Surkus, which is a discovery app that gives you access to attend events and to try products and services in the UAE for free or for a discount, in exchange for a review or post on social media (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Google). To my surprise, a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course activity was posted for users to try. So I applied and was luckily accepted.
One of the things that I looked for when I relocated to Dubai was Filipino food establishments. There are quite a few here that already cater to the Philippine market. But nothing beats the kind of authenticity and consistency, in terms of ingredients and taste, that Max’s Restaurant provides to its customers. This homegrown brand is truly one of the best Asian restaurants in the emirate. And it has been our go-to eatery whenever we long for legit Philippine food. I’m glad that we no longer need to travel back home to satisfy our cravings, as Max’s Restaurant is now offering some of the most sumptuous meals from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Allow their exclusive menu to take you on a tour of the Philippines in seven delectable dishes.
One of the things that I promised myself as soon as I got home in the Philippines was to touch base with family and friends. Even if I lived in Quezon City, I would still travel to the south to see and be with my closest buddies. So when a good friend gifted me with GCs to use in their BGC-based restaurants, I knew I had to invite my best gal pals who resided in the area. And the first one on my food-trip list was Motto Motto in Serendra.
Vietnamese and Thai food are some of my favorite cuisines in Asia. So when my friend mentioned the Papaya Salad Restaurant in Dubai that served an Asian menu, I knew I had to try it.
If you're a coffee-lover like me, then you will love the Coffee Museum in Dubai. You'll know it's nearby when the aroma of roasted coffee beans touches your nose. It's a place in the emirate that showcases the connections between the past and the present coffee world (Arabic style, Ethiopian, Japanese, etc.).
Just like you, I was once single too. And to make you feel better, it also took me a few failed relationships and a lot of heartbreaks to eventually find the right one. I've waited for 24 years to meet the man who was destined for me. And three years ago, I finally married my best friend.
My husband and I love to eat. So when we dine out, we make sure to avail the budget-friendly restaurant selections on our Entertainer app. It's where we get some of the best bargains, like the Buy-1-Get-1 deal from Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que.
I'm not much of a morning person. But when my friend invited me for brunch (a prize she won from a contest) at Bosporus, I knew I had to get up early for it. The location was at Jumeirah Beach Residence, so it was almost a 2-hour commute from where I lived (bus then metro). Despite the long travel, I knew I couldn't miss it because the photos of the food spread she sent me were just too enticing to pass up.
I was recently invited to the VIP Media Launch of Lakbay Museo, an exclusive preview of a local museum that offered 14 unique experiences from 11 Philippine destinations. Excited as I was to attend, I couldn't since I'm based abroad. Fortunately, a blogger friend agreed to represent my blog for the event. Here's Franco's recount of his fun exploration in Lakbay Museo.
Getting tagged to come along a party on a chartered boat, even on short notice, was one for the books. It was one of those impromptu events that you’re likely to grab and go to because you rarely get an opportunity to experience it for free. So when my friend MJ got invited to attend a birthday celebration of a friend, she immediately asked Mane and me if we wanted to go with her. Of course, we said yes. We were with one another the entire day already, so what better way to cap off the day than to spend a lovely night onboard a beautiful catamaran boat.
My husband and I haven't gone anywhere together since our Singapore family trip. Luckily, our friend MJ won Aquaventure tickets, to which she invited us to enjoy with her. Good thing our schedules were free, so we were able to enjoy an after dark pool party at Aquaventure Atlantis The Palm.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is just a 2-hour bus ride from Dubai. While there is plenty of interesting places to see, you can go on a quick weekend tour by visiting some of the sites below.
Located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia is a beautiful country called Georgia - a romantic destination that became an instant favorite. Here, we experienced the daintiest things in the most affordable of ways like wine-tasting in Kakheti, DIY church-hopping in Signaghi to sightseeing in Gudauri and Gergeti. This astonishing nation simply gave us some of the best memories.
My husband and I spent five days in Georgia. That was exactly a year ago today. Going back, I initially thought that this trip would be easy to prepare for (in terms of packing our clothes and travel essentials), but I thought wrong. It was our first time traveling to a country that had actual snow, so we were a bit clueless if what we brought to Georgia would get us through the cold. Thankfully, we survived the weather, though wished that we had packed more thermal wear. Lesson learned.
I’m very new in Dubai, so I've only tried a couple of burger joints in the city. While my ultimate favorite is Jollibee’s Champ burger (yes, I may be biased), Shake Shack and Big Smoke Burger come in second place. But after this weekend’s food trip with friends, I might have found another worthy contender: Blaze Burgers.
Budget Biyahera was born after recognizing the need to share past trips that were arranged according to a specific budget while traveling with different types of people and gears. Everyone has their own financial perspective on things, whether you’re a big spender or the economically-conscious type. But as a constant wanderer, I’ve managed to keep my previous trips budget-friendly by allocating my resources.
Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor temples, can be traversed through the Angkor Archaeological Park. You can even explore its significant areas via the Grand Tour Circuit or the Small Tour Circuit (either start or end your journey with the smallest circuit). The latter option might be the shortest route, but it's also the one with the best views.
You can explore dozens of temples and ruins in Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor temples. Discover what the Angkor Archaeological Park has to offer by getting on an adventure-packed day by trying the Small Tour Circuit and/or the Grand Tour Circuit (recommended to do both when traveling to this side of Cambodia).
TIP: Try to get on the Grand Tour Circuit first as it offers the longest route.
We almost didn't get to explore the War Museum during our city tour because it heavily rained the entire afternoon. But good thing our Motodup's tall built helped endure the mud-covered streets on our way to the open-air gallery.
Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the Angkor temples, is a charming destination. You can plan your vacation days to know which sites to see and which activities to do so you can maximize your stay. And if you plan to visit its ancient ruins in the days to come, try to explore the town and its nearby localities on your first day in Cambodia. You won't be disappointed as the city is filled with remarkable places. Just take example of the Angkor National Museum.
Visiting the temples and sites within the Angkor Archaeological Park need real preparation. You have to know when to book a guide for your tours (are you availing the small tour or the grand tour circuit?), what type of park pass to buy, and what travel essentials to bring during your day explorations (amongst other things). You'll want to prepare yourself for the journey ahead to better appreciate the wonders of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
[NOTE: This was a 5-day trip three years ago] As Philippine passport holders who are traveling to Siem Reap for the first time, my partner and I made sure to prepare for our trip by learning about the country, to best be acquainted with their rules and traditions.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
