Ever since our stay at Tune Hotel, Downtown Kuala Lumpur, Rubel and I talked about staying in one of their Philippine-based hotels. And given that they have plenty in and out of Manila, we decided to try one of their nearby branches, and booked 2-nights in their Ortigas branch (summer of 2014).
I started looking for wedding venues in Quezon City right after getting engaged, since we wanted a nearby space that could be turned into both a ceremony and reception place. We've already decided to do a very simple wedding, so planning things on a very limited budget had to be carefully considered. I believe that we’ve come to think and act the way we do due to us being budget travelers. So we definitely wanted our practical and resourceful side to show, without leaving out a few wedding traditions.
***UPDATED LIST*** I'm obsessive compulsive. But I've always seen this 'trait' as an advantage. Not only does being OC keep me on my toes. It also helps me to be coordinated and disciplined at all times. Being an OC traveler has certainly pushed me to be more organized with my trips. And whenever I plan my travels (local or international), I always make sure to produce certain 'lists' that will help show my progress in the planning stage. This way, I won't have any excuse to forget things. Moving forward, I have my (1) things to do, (2) things to bring, (3) trip itinerary, (4) and of course, my expense/budget sheet. These four elements always assist me from the beginning until the end of my trip.
Now, as a traveler who's always on the look out for reasonably-priced trip deals, I'm also constantly searching for affordable travel essentials that will help keep my trips more meaningful. So with that in mind, I'll be sharing to you some of my travel must-haves. Some of which never fail to keep my trips fun and hassle-free.
My Travel Essentials:
1) Point & Shoot Camera - I traded my DSLR Nikon D40 for a Nikon P300. Yes, it was a downgrade. But purchasing the P300 was super worth it! Not only did it lessen the load off of my shoulder (considering its weight), the bulk of having to bring the camera bag, my lenses, weren't a burden to me anymore. I did enjoy having a DSLR back in the day. But I enjoy more, the lightweight wonder of my new camera. The Nikon P300 is remarkable for a Point and Shoot. It has a Nikkor 4.2X wide optical zoom, and a bright f/1.8 lens. Other than that, it's also able to capture FULL HD movie/s. Awesome gadget, right? :)
A 2013 Philippine Statistic Authority study says that around 9.4 million Filipinos aging fifteen and up traveled within the country for leisure in 2012. That number sounds like a lot of people. But in fact, that is just barely 15% of that age group, and not even 10% of the country’s total population. Roughly 85% of Filipinos stay within their home and work vicinities all year long. For Filipinos, traveling usually means visiting relatives. Leisurely vacations are something we rarely give priority to.
It feels different when you've been to a place that you've passed by a few times, yet you never really took the time to appreciate it. That's what I felt towards Libis and nearby Eastwood City. Now, regardless of these two areas being located in Quezon City (my hometown), I still never made the time to explore much of either, as it was a far commute from where I lived. But when I was recently given a chance to stay at Microtel by Wyndham - Acropolis, I realized how much the locale has changed since the last time I was there.
I've lived in Quezon City all my life. But there are still so many places in my hometown that I haven't explored yet. Fortunately, I was recently invited by Microtel PH to join their City Media Familiarization Tour, along with several travel bloggers. I've actually been to a few of the city attractions that were listed on the itinerary. Surprisingly, several of the QC sites that we visited were new to me.
The plant box was a gift from the Tapia Family for Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon.
I was already planning on booking a hotel somewhere in Quezon City, so that I could give myself that much needed R&R. But I no longer had to, as I was recently invited to a weekend stay in two of Microtel's well-appointed hotels: Microtel-UP Technohub and Microtel Acropolis.
Several people have wondered why our LAKHAMBINI shoes are priced the way they are. But then I ask myself: why not that price range? If you only knew how much we value the process in which the material is made, up until the construction of the shoes (and how they're very comfortable when worn), then you'll know that owning a pair is truly worth every peso. :)
My best friend got married last December, and her wedding was held in St. Benedict Church by Ayala Westgrove Heights. Since it was a destination wedding, my family and I decided to stay in Laguna for the night to avoid the late drive back to Manila. Several factors came with looking for a proper accommodation, like the location for example. I, for one, needed a hotel that wasn't too far from the church or reception venue (Angelfields Nature Sanctuary). I also wanted a nice lodging that would accommodate the needs of my family, especially with an 8-month old baby traveling with us [Click Here]. That's when I found Microtel, South Forbes. It was so perfect because not only was it 5 minutes away from the church, it was also a 30-minute drive to the reception venue.
This world-class Laguna hotel is located inside South Forbes, "a 500-acre, world-class township with residential, entertainment, academic, and sports components that encompasses the Metro Sta. Rosa-Silang-Tagaytay growth corridor". We loved that it was just minutes away from Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay City and Laguna Technological Park.
If given the extra funds when traveling, I would book a hotel where all my comforts will be met. So you can imagine how hesitant I was into booking a room at Daylight Inn, Davao. But since I was following a certain budget, and only needed a place to stay in for one night, I took my chances there. Surprisingly, I had a good experience. They even honored my reservation through text message. So that was a plus for me. By the way, this recount was from last year, January 2014 to be exact.
It has been more than a year since Rubel and I celebrated our 6th anniversary at Best Western, A.venue Suites (December 2013). I would've blogged about it sooner. But time just got the best of me!
In our brief time in KL, we spent our days sleeping in the comforts of Tune Hotels, Downtown Kuala Lumpur. It was a hassle-free stay, as we didn't experience any problems from the booking stage to checking out from the accommodations (we loved the staff at Tune, as they were super courteous and helpful). We booked our stay from November 16-18 and 20-22, 2013 (we were in Penang in between these dates), and only had to pay PHP1,500 or 120 Malaysian Ringgit per night.
We availed of the Double Room, which we paid to have a 12-hour AC use, and a day's worth of Wi-Fi access.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, BIYAHERAS! Here's to starting 2015 by sharing to all of you a few tips on how to start your own travel blog.
I started blogging when Live Journal and Tabulas were still in fashion. But I never really focused on a specific niche back then. But when I started traveling more, I decided to create a blog for most of my explorations.
2014 has been the best year for me, by far. It's the special moments that were spent with loved ones, budget travels made with friends, and the challenges that I experienced getting into business that have truly helped define my year.
The birth of LAKHAMBINI has given me so much to learn about and reflect on. And because of this exciting venture, I've decided to do something that'll show how grateful I am to those who've continuously showed us love and support since Day 1.
Everyone deserves to feel blessed like I do, especially this Christmas. So what better way to say THANK YOU than to host a giveaway before the year ends, right? That's why I'm throwing one, and you can easily WIN A LOVELY PAIR OF LAKHAMBINIS THIS YULETIDE SEASON!
It all came to me on a hot and humid August day, like a sudden rush of blood to the head. Finally, I had a business plan in mind that I could definitely see through in the long run --- something that I felt I'd be pursuing head on no matter what. I knew there would be a lot of risks, especially on the financial end of things. But I just knew that it was going to be worth chasing after.
Everything just came together. My love for traveling, my interest in meeting different individuals on the road and listening to their stories, discovering cultural treasures, and finding purpose in every trip that I come home from. I've always known that traveling, as one of my passions in life, would always lead me to some of the most fulfilling adventures. And exploring the Philippines, my home country, has led me to a venture that I instantly fell in love with --- LAKHAMBINI.
I really had no plans to travel in the last quarter of this year due to some financial priorities. But Travel Expos happen to have this charm that just seems to attract you into purchasing at least a ticket or two. As for me, I ended up booking a round trip plane ticket that was bound for General Santos via Philippine Airlines. General Santos, which is the southernmost city in the Philippines, is part of the SOCCSKSARGEN region (stands for the region's 4 provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City). Although governed as an independent city, "GenSan" is geographically located in the province of South Cotabato. It also serves as the gateway to several municipalities such as Maasim, Alabel, and Malungon in Saranggani, as well as Polomolok and T'boli in South Cotabato.
Like everyone else on transit, looking for a place to stay-in is very important. And for a budget traveler like me, I always make it a point to find affordable accommodations that also offer quality spaces. That's when I found Microtel by Wyndham - General Santos.
I loved everything that Microtel General Santos offered us. Everything was impeccable, from the complimentary pick-up at the airport to our smooth hotel checkout. But it doesn't end there. So allow me to count the ways, as to why I loved our accommodations in the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines".
One of my must-do's when traveling to a new destination is to look for a budget accommodation --- a lodging that isn’t too far from where all the action is. That's when I found PEDAL INN via AirBNB. The lovely guesthouse is located just along Lorong Macalister, George Town, Penang.
For first-time travelers in Malaysia, going on a road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang was quite an adventure. We might have gotten lost along the way. But our modes of transport gave us one heck of an experience!
DISCLAIMER: This is a late post. This was my experience commuting to LCCT, back when it was still operational. It was our first time to travel to Malaysia. But the city's transportation system was something that we quickly learned about. It's fairly easy to commute to the metropolis when coming from Kuala Lumpur's Low Cost Carrier Terminal. So regardless of the time of your arrival, there will be buses parked right outside the airport, ready to transport you to downtown KL.
Rubel was set to leave for work abroad on a September. So we made sure to book a quick getaway to celebrate our advance anniversary, and to also do a sort of despedida for him. We wanted to go the beach, and just have a relaxing time, so going to Boracay was an immediate choice. But since we lacked the time to do any decent research on where to stay, we chose to browse lodging options via Agoda. And after narrowing our selections, we eventually booked LSM Square Residences.
Rubel had to travel back home for a wedding. So I was left alone in the hotel, and in Kuala Lumpur for another 24 hours. But that didn't stop me from wandering around the city on my own. It was actually nice of my friends to invite me again for some girl bonding. So we went around the city's hip and happening shopping centers that morning.
Christmas decors at Berjaya Times Square (November 2013)
On our 4th day in Malaysia, Rubel and I spent the whole morning traveling by bus from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. The entire road trip took around 4 hours, since other passengers were picked up at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (plus one stopover). But we were able to arrive in KL just in time for lunch. We also met up with Rubel’s sister-in-law, Melody at KL Sentral (where we alighted), and went directly to Tune Hotel via cab. Yes, we came back to the same hotel since we loved its room and amenities. It was a budget traveler’s haven!
Penang to KL via Alisan Golden Coach (comes with reclining seats, power outlets, Wi-Fi connection)
Melody wanted to show us around the Central Market area, so we left immediately. So when we finally settled in at our hotel, the three of us headed straight to Sultan Ismail LRT (a 5-minute walk from the hotel via footbridge). The single journey ticket from Sultan Ismail to Pasar Seni is 2.20/person.
DIRECTIONS: From Sultan Ismail, get down at Masjid Jamek Station. Then alight at the next train that’s bound for Pasar Seni.
Did you know that Penang is a thriving Malaysian destination? It sure is! Considered as one of the country’s well-developed states (being technologically advanced and highly urbanized), Pulau Pinang (in Malay) is an island state that nurtures an interesting multicultural community. The “Pearl of the Orient” is also known for its remarkable heritage sites, multiracial citizenry, and diverse yet sumptuous cuisines.
When Rubel and I were still planning our trip to Malaysia, we initially included 3 places for us to visit: Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca. Unfortunately, the latter had to be dropped due to time constraints. But we were glad that we pushed through in visiting KL, and most especially Penang. The Guardian actually listed it as part of the "World's Top 10 Best City to visit in 2014". And according to Yahoo, Penang is also part of the "Top 10 Islands to explore before you die".
I fell in love with Penang, as the UNESCO World Heritage Site was just beautiful and exquisite. But what I loved the most about it was how diverse the cultures and races were in the state. And basing it from our observations, a multiracial community existed in harmony despite having different cultures, languages and religions (there are Malays, Indians, Chinese, Arabs just to name a few).
I didn't have any immediate plans to visit Malaysia. But I definitely included it in my travel list, just so I could see the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Yes, I've heard and read about the country and its rich culture. But I didn't give it that much thought. But when my Filipino friends urged for me to visit their second home, I gave it a go and was not left disappointed. Malaysia, let alone its lovely cities and states, have sincerely kept me in awe.
Malaysia, being the melting pot of religions, hosts a cordial, multiracial community. And in my time in Kuala Lumpur and Penang did I see how the society really lived harmoniously despite being so diverse.
Rubel and I were already searching for affordable hotels in Tagaytay for weeks before settling for Tagaytay Haven Hotel in Mendez. We needed an accommodation in the city in time for his friends wedding (last November 2013) --- somewhere near the church and Sonya's Garden. And since I loved Tagaytay Haven's other hotel by Ulat, I assumed that their Mendez branch would be as pleasant. I mean, their photos online (rooms and facilities) looked impressive. Then again, the actual thing disappointed us.
Rubel already went ahead of me since he was part of the wedding entourage. I, on the otherhand, came the day after. The driver had a hard time locating the hotel. So we got lost a few times. It was true when my beau said that the hotel was a bit hard to locate.
I didn't have a hard time searching for a lodging in Biliran Island, especially one that's located by the beach. So when AGTA BEACH RESORT popped into the search engine, I knew it was what I was looking for.
It was the first week of November when my friend and I traveled in some areas of Eastern Visayas. I flew to Tacloban via PAL Express, and went straight to Biliran Island with Coreene. Her father drove us to the Van-Van Tours terminal (straight from the airport), where a shuttle van took us directly to the Municipality of Naval. It took us around 2 1/2 hours on the road before reaching Biliran's capital.
Coreene and I woke up early so that we could get a head start in touring Tacloban City. I still had a lot on my list that I wanted to see, so we went shortly after breakfast. And by 7 AM we were already off to see the Boyscout Monument and MacArthur Park (did a commute via tricycle). Coreene's dad fetched us at McDonalds Downtown a few hours later, to drive us to several more tourist spots.
1) The BOYSCOUNT MONUMENT in Palo was the first ever Boyscout monument that was created in human form. It was put up in 1941. [Read more about it HERE.]
Biliran and Ormoc are amazing places. As both areas made me fall more in love with my country. The waterfalls and the rice terraces in Biliran were remarkable. And the historical structures in Ormoc made me appreciate more of the Philippines' past hardships and achievements. So if you've already explored much of Visayas (or any part of the archipelago for that matter), then you will surely agree that "It's More Fun In The Philippines."
But my 4-day backpacking trip in Eastern Visayas didn't end in Biliran and Ormoc City. I continued to wander through Region VIII, and spent my last two days in Tacloban City --- Coreene's hometown. Cuks randomly asked me about plans on visiting her there. We haven't seen each other for so long since she worked abroad. So I decided to book a plane ticket without hesitation. I did it not just for the sake of traveling to a new Philippine destination, but to also spend time with a friend that I missed dearly. I actually thought that I wouldn't be able to make the trip since I broke my 5th metatarsal 3 weeks before the actual departure. But when I had the chance to rebook my plane ticket without being charged, I moved the trip to November. And in the most inopportune time, I left Tacloban a day before Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines. [You can read my short tribute HERE].
Super Typhoon Yolanda destroyed several areas in Tacloban --- a few of the sites that I will write about here. So allow me to pay tribute to this wonderful place by showing you its beauty before it was ruined by the storm.
Every now and then, Rubel and I would treat each other to a nice food sesh, a spa date or to a hotel staycation (if time and budget permits) whenever we would feel stressed from work, which he has been experiencing more intensely these days. So we decided to make time to reenergize, and booked a weekend stay at the Exchange Regency Residences Hotel in Ortigas.
Every now and then, Rubel and I would treat each other to a nice food sesh, a spa date or to a hotel staycation (if time and budget permits) whenever we would feel stressed from work, which he has been experiencing more intensely these days. So we decided to make time to reenergize, and booked a weekend stay at the Exchange Regency Residences Hotel in Ortigas.
I was never a fan of camping outdoors, so my initial response when my friends invited me to go to Calaguas was, “let me check my schedule first.” I wasn’t too keen on the idea of doing a long road trip, let alone sleep by the beach – devoid of all basic necessities. I've always been the type of traveler who likes comfy accommodations. But my love for my friends was far too great to decline an adventure-packed weekend away from the city. And I’m glad that Calaguas didn’t disappoint.
When my friend got married in Lingayen, Pangasinan last April, I failed to get my nails done in time for the event. I was rushing to get some work done, so I managed to just cut my nails, and dab them with natural nail polish. I wasn't part of the entourage. But it would've been better if I got myself made up a little bit. Oh, if I only knew that I was going to be the last person to get the bouquet (and you know what comes next to that --- putting the garter into my unkept feet and into my leg!). I definitely yearned for a nice spa session right after that nerve-wracking surprise!
Anyway, when an invitation to review a nail and body spa was sent my way, it was definitely something that I couldn't say no to. It came at an opportune time as well since I just came from a camping trip in Calaguas. And you know what they say... travelers also need to get pampered every once in a while.
It's rare for me to write about restaurants here in the Metro, as I often blog about the ones that I dine at when I'm traveling out of the city. But when I was invited and introduced to this restaurant in Mandaluyong, something in me had to say, "YES! GO RSVP!" And so I did, and I sincerely loved the experience thereafter.
For a Budget Biyahera like me, it pays to know where money is going, especially if I'm saving up for a trip. So affordable yet quality-made meals in the city will definitely help me with not spending too much. And let me just say that St. Nicholas was certainly a great find!
I've been to Pangasinan once with my dad when I was a kid, and I remember enjoying my time in the province. So when an opportunity to visit 2 of its municipalities were given to us [April 26 to 27, 2014], I couldn't pass up the chance to explore its travel-worthy destinations.
According to Wikipedia: "The name Pangasinan means "place for salt" or "place of salt-making"; it is derived from the prefix pang, meaning "for", the root word asin, meaning "salt”, and suffix an, signifying "location." The province is a major producer of salt in the Philippines. Its major products include "bagoong" ("salted-fish") and "agamang" ("salted-shrimp")."
If you're looking for a no-frills accommodation that is both comfy and affordable when visiting Lingayen, then you should check out THE PRESIDENT HOTEL. It's close to several tourist destinations (walking distance), and is just an 8-minute walk to the beach.
My friend and I arrived in Lingayen around 12:15 AM. From the Victory Liner terminal, we then hailed a tricycle to the hotel (travel was less than 5-min). We were actually glad that there was a guard who stood by the gate, and a male receptionist that welcomed us that early morning. We were told that the rooms at the main building was fully-booked, so we were given a spacious unit at the Annex building. It was just a 1-2 minute walk from the main hotel.
I haven't experienced a close encounter with any Philippine lake before. But I've seen several from afar. So I couldn't contain my excitement when we were getting ready to visit Lake Danao in Ormoc. Leyte's lagoon is said to be guitar-shaped and is of volcanic origin. What used to be called "Lake Imelda" (now called Lake Danao Natural Park) covers an area of around 148 hectares or 370 acres.
Now that you know how ZAMBAWOOD started, then I'm sure you're all excited as to what the luxury beach resort will have in store for you --- because when you stay at the San Narciso haven, you're sure to have the whole place to yourself. Their amenities are to die for! So I bet you'll get hooked with this lovely Zambales sanctuary! Below are 8 jaw-dropping reasons why I love Zambawood.
I loved the fact that the resort has character. So if I were to have a place of my own, I would design it towards Zambawood's aesthetics. I was that impressed with the whole look. Mrs. Rachel Harrison, being an Architecture graduate from UST, designed the entire house (both exterior and interior decoration). You'll also find that most furnishings in the house came mostly from their travels around the world.
So much has happened in a span of two days. Two weekends may have already passed yet the memories of a short getaway is still fresh in my mind. ZAMBAWOOD is a hidden paradise. And I felt truly blessed and fortunate to have been invited to stay in such a beautiful luxury beach resort.
I was taken aback when I found out the price for one night's stay at Zambawood. But when I learned more about it, I immediately felt what a remarkable place it was. It's definitely worth every penny!
Last weekend was unforgettable. I never thought that I would feel so elated just by watching a Pyromusical by the bay. I mean, I've never really seen anything as bold and as vibrant up-close (given the short distance from the seawall where the fireworks were lit). I guess, seeing it in close proximity felt really different, as opposed to seeing them already fired up in the sky every New Year's day.
Anyway, the seaside boulevard of SM Mall of Asia looked really amazing. It was packed with people, all waiting for the event to start --- the 5th (and the last one for the year) Philippine International Pyromusical Competition.
It started to get all gloomy when we left Agta Beach Resort. But thanks to Melo's father (who was on his way to Tacloban Airport), we were able to hitch a free ride all the way to Lemon Junction. The skies were getting pretty dark while we were on the road. But it only started pouring when we got dropped off at the intersection. Talk about being lucky! Anyhow, Coreene and I had to wait for 10 more minutes before we finally got on a regular Ormoc-bound bus.
We were standing half of the time on the bus. But I had no complaints. I was thankful that we were able to meet our host a good hour later. We were actually glad when the rain stopped as we were nearing Ormoc's bus terminal.
Coreene and I had the rest of the morning in Biliran before leaving for Ormoc. So for us not to feel constrained with the time that we had left on the island, we opted to have a more relaxed tour --- thus choosing to go and see Tinago Falls in Caibiran (another Biliran municipality).
It's been almost 4 months since I visited Eastern Visayas, particularly the areas of Tacloban, Biliran and Ormoc. Although I have friends in those cities that have been updating us of some progress from their provinces, I still couldn't digress the tragedy that has struck these precious areas late last year. I've actually contemplated about writing my visit to these cities before the Super Typhoon hit the Philippines. But for now, until these places fully recover, let me share to you the many scenic attractions that my friend and I witnessed during our 4-day backpacking trip last November 2013.
A HALF DAY AFFAIR IN THE ISLAND PROVINCE OF BILIRAN
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.
