#THROWBACKEATS | After breakfast at Bagel Yard, my friends and I redeemed our Crazy Crunchy Sushi Rolls from Sumo Sushi & Bento's Town Centre branch just by registering on their app (they have plenty of perks and goodies). You should definitely download it.
#THROWBACKTRAVEL | General Santos City is an independent city that lacks the usual tourist destinations despite being a melting pot of business industries in Mindanao. But GenSan is still worthy of exploration given its noteworthy background. The ‘Tuna Capital of the Philippines' (famous for its yellow-fin tuna), which hosts the annual Tuna Festival every September is also proud of being chosen as one of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s homes. The world champion professional boxer calls his residence in General Santos City as Mansion II.
The first time that I heard about Bagel Yard was when my friend MJ won a contest from them. She wanted to celebrate her win so she took us with her for lunch. And boy, were we in a for a tasty treat!
#ThrowbackTravel | My husband and I were able to go on a staycation before Dubai went on lockdown. We went around February and checked in at Avani Hotel in Ibn Battuta. I had previously won a contest from Lovin Dubai, and the reward was a 1-night hotel stay at Avani. We were ecstatic that I won as the prize came with a nice superior room (facing the poolside) and half-board meals.
Before the lockdown in Dubai, my friend and I had the opportunity to try Melt and Roast’s High Tea offering. We expected that it was going to be the old-fashioned tea time type. The kind where hot drinks and some bite-sized delicacies were the only ones served on a tiered stand, but we thought wrong! The mouthwatering spread that was catered during our visit completely surprised us.
#THROWBACKTRAVEL | I've been a travel freak for most of my life. I eat and breathe travel. My love for the Philippines, my home country, can prove my desire for wandering and exploring different places. I am completely in love with my country's remarkable and rich ecological treasures. And if I were, to sum up, all of my favorite spots in a list, South Cotabato would be included. The culture-rich background of this province, and its beautiful lakes and majestic waterfalls deserve your attention and more.
#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.
An unexpected family matter came up that had my husband and I rushing to Abu Dhabi for the weekend. And since we were on a tight budget, we looked for ways to make our trip comfortable without breaking the bank. Good thing we had The Entertainer app, which offered a variety of Buy-1-Take-1 deals ranging from food & drinks, everyday services, travel and more. Through this app, we were able to get a 2-night stay at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi while paying for just one night.
Last year, I met an entrepreneur who created a very ingenious product. Joyy Tuazon's vision of creating such beautiful and valuable merchandise and realizing it to life has certainly helped keep a lot of my stuff more organized. Allow me to introduce Kiepsky (/kip-skē/) - a trimmed slim wallet that lets you find smarter ways to carry your essentials.
There are millions of people all around the world who dream of traveling the world. Unfortunately, many people will never fulfill their dreams. After all, traveling the world can be pretty expensive. While traveling can be expensive, it is also true that there are ways to minimize the costs. By learning how to do so, you’ll be able to find ways to travel even when you have little to no money. It isn’t impossible. Within this guide, you’ll learn how to do just that.
There are a thousand more islands in the Philippines (about 7,641 isles) that I’ve yet to visit and explore. And it's packed with natural treasures worth discovering like Mariveles for example - a picturesque seaside town in Bataan. Situated at the southern tip of Bataan (50 km west of Metro Manila), Mariveles is famous for its much-admired Five Fingers – a series of coves to the west of the municipality, which looks like a hand spread out when you view the map.
There are only a few things that make me remarkably excited, and one of those include out-of-town trips and hotel stays. I just love a nice getaway that provides a delightful bed and breakfast setup. To have the opportunity to dwell in a cozy and quality accommodation truly helps restore one's mind and body. So imagine yourself savoring all these and more at a redeveloped hotel that's resting on a hilltop, amidst a very tranquil and green setting. Want to know where to find such a place? Visit the Oriental Bataan in Mariveles, and discover why it's a destination of its own.
I was never a fan of long-haul travels, which is quite ironic for someone who loves to explore, right? So just imagine my hesitation when I got invited by a friend to visit Bataan again (check the 1st trip and 2nd trip here) - a Philippine destination that usually takes 3-4 hours to reach by bus. Fortunately, we discovered a better and more convenient way to reach the progressive province, all without the butt-numbing experience - 1Bataan Integrated Transport System (ITS) – a ferry service that brings Manila closer to Bataan.
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.
