I used to buy several pairs of Havaianas slippers back in the day. But I stopped purchasing when my umpteenth pair's strap broke after just three months. The 'life expectancy' for this specific brand was really short-lived. I mean, I never even used it for running or jogging. So it was a constant battle having to endure those unexpected breaks whenever I wore those sandals on the road. That's when I decided to try a different brand, and got myself Ipanema's New Temas ADflat sandals in black and silver.
Most smartphones and tablets today are already equipped with apps that you can use whenever and wherever you may be. And for the last two years, I've heavily relied on my phone whenever I travel around the Philippines or Asia. It has been a great device when it comes to checking the weather, consulting interactive maps and nearby landmarks, scouting for cheap flight options, taking and editing photos, and making free calls and SMS. Here's a few of the apps that actually help enhance my travels.
1) VIBER - Viber works as long as you have an Internet connection. Most of the accommodations that I've stayed in would usually offer Free Wi-Fi, so my Viber app stays open and connected. It has proven very cheaply on my end, especially when I travel abroad. I get to use it for either voice or video calls whenever I call my loved ones in the Philippines. It saves me from having to spend on international calls or SMS.
Have you been the kind of person that takes home hotel bath essentials right after a stay? Well, I have. But I'm sure that I'm not the only one who does this. I've actually developed this habit of pocketing unused bath products after staying at an inn. I mean, I've already paid for those. I usually just keep those for a future travel. Then again, I never really get to use any as I always bring my own soap, shampoo, toothpaste and so on. So what happens later on is that I keep all these clutter inside my CR cabinet. But all of that has changed when I learned about my cousin's project.
Hey Biyaheras and Biyaheros! I just wanted to share this video from YouTube. The findings were pretty alarming for someone like me who likes to take pictures from my smartphone, which I upload online soon after (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). It has been a routine for me, especially when sharing photos of certain family moments and of my travels. I'm sure you've all heard or used the services of Foursquare, where you log in your exact location when visiting a certain area. Well, there's an even bigger threat to posting or emailing your pictures without even accessing the mentioned app.
There will be an instruction on why you need to turn off the locations services of your phone at the end of the video. So please, please.. watch it until the end.
I've always loved Divisoria for being Manila's all-around market. You can haggle and buy almost anything there without breaking the bank. Although Divisoria is quite far from where I live (I'm a QC gal), it's still a marketplace worth visiting every now and then. But thanks to all the LRT lines, I can easily take a trip to Divisoria without worrying about getting stuck in traffic, and inhaling all the vehicle fumes. But what I loved even more about exploring the grounds of this bustling shopping center was the opportunity to seek refuge nearby. That's when Rubel and I found the comforts of home in Orion Hotel.
I don't remember being this excited about traveling again, until I received my Yellow CHELSI LEATHERSHOP Debbie Passport Holder. Although my next international travel is still on November, I can't help but fit my brown passport right away. And guess what? It fits perfectly!
THE CHELSI LEATHERSHOP BRAND
Chelsi Leathershop is a wholesale producer of high-quality leather articles that are 100% Made in the Philippines. The core of their business is to re-sell their products to wholesalers and retailers of top brands. They also manufacture from leather material to final product from their in-house tannery, Chelsi Leather & Services. Their products are 100% Made in the Philippines.
The only things that I collected when I started traveling with my family were photos and shells. I always thought that these were enough when it came to documenting the places that we visited. But when I started traveling on my own, I was eventually drawn to the little yet valuable things that I encountered along the way. From then on, I knew that I had to take home a piece from every destination that I've been to.
There are certain things in life that you plan along the way but won't always push through. My spirit was dampened when I had to cancel a few trips during the summer due to my fractured foot. Not only was I on house arrest for the whole season, I also couldn't leave my room that easily because of my cast. It felt like I was in prison. Yet I still I had some hope that I would get that last summer getaway. True enough, my family was invited to stay for a few days at Blue Pavilion Beach Resort, Infanta, Quezon.
Blue Pavilion was a 5-hour drive from Quezon City. My family and I didn't have a hard time finding the resort, as the directions that were posted on their site was easy to follow.
An individual’s body clock may get disrupted when encountering different kinds of time zones. This may also result to feeling fatigue -- physically and mentally. Frequent travelers can certainly attest to experiencing getting jet lag after traveling from one destination to the other. So to be able to overcome such distress, take these health tips below to help your body to adapt on both time variances and surroundings.
It’s good to be in a healthier state,
especially when traveling from one destination to another. That’s why it’s best
to heed some of the most basic yet important health tips. These 3 pointers will help give you the
best defense while you’re on the move.
The importance of getting vaccinated
Taking your immunization shots prior to a
trip would have to be one of the most effective ways in keeping you resistant
from all kinds of illnesses. There are plenty of diseases that any traveler can
acquire, especially if your immune system is weak. So if you lack some
vaccination shots, find the time to consult your physician about it. Moreover,
having and bringing your medical insurance and vaccination records when you travel will also be beneficial on your end. This can help cover all your
medical expenses, should an unlikely event happen during your trip.
Create you own Travel Medical Kit
One of the best health tips when packing for a trip is by remembering to bring copies of your medical records. Also, bring a good enough supply of
medicine. Your medicine should suffice for the whole duration of your vacation. Moreover,
prepare your own travel medical kit. Try to pack some of the most common remedies
like ibuprofen (painkiller),
antihistamines, antibiotic, antacids and alcohol (should be sealed tightly and contained in a 3-ounce size bottle)
and bandages. You’ll never know when you’ll run out of these remedies and when
the nearest drugstore will be in sight.
I fractured my right 5th metatarsal last March after attending my niece's graduation. But I only got my foot placed in a cast after Holy week, since I sought a bone specialist for it. My blue, rough, half-calf cast was molded on me last April 1. Given that, I asked my Orthopedic doctor if I could still travel to Tacloban. But he advised that I put it off for now. I was disheartened after I heard his advice, especially when I was already booked to leave on April 22. Then again, I had to divert my disappointment since my health was my first priority. I didn't want to have to travel with a cast anyway, even if I brought my crutches with me.
The next concern was rebooking my flight with PAL Express, since I could no longer make the trip. So after getting my diagnosis, I immediately contacted the airline. I was then advised to email my concerns.
When the Piso fare was offered by Tiger Airways (in partnership with SEAIR) last February 2013, I didn't think twice about booking a trip with them. And since I wanted to visit Davao this year in time for Kadayawan, I was lucky to find seats that offered P1 for each route (MNL-DVO-MNL). My total was PHP675.04 (fare price + fare fees & taxes + service fee + special services a.k.a. extra baggage allowance). So when I got my booking details, I paid for my ticket at Cebuana Lhuiller that same day. Come 10:22 AM, I was already paid in full. So when I got home, I immediately called SEAIR's hotline to confirm my payment. 2 days later (after following up my trip details a few times), they finally emailed my itinerary. I also asked the CSR if there were hidden charges, which she answered 'no' to. I mean, the rate was unbelievably cheap so I had to ask. It was just too good to be true. Then again, it was.
And on May 2, I received this unfortunate email from Tiger Airways...
I'm very fortunate to know travel enthusiasts (family and friends) who never fails to think of me when they see Starbucks Mugs in sight. And since mylast update, I now have 9 additions to my collection. =)
Boracay, Makati, Baguio, Bacolod, Davao (all from the Philippines), Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Los Angeles and Bali (Tumbler).
The first time that I stayed at Great Eastern Hotel, QC (also known as Aberdeen) was in 2007. My Kuya wanted my 2 sisters and I to have a relaxing weekend, so he booked us a room at Great Eastern's new wing. I wasn't particular with hotels at the time, so I was pretty much satisfied with how our staycation went.
So when Rubel and I wanted to relax, we opted to stay somewhere nearby (since I couldn't walk long distances yet). Thus choosing Great Eastern. Then again, we didn't expect to get disappointed later on. Anyway, here's our review below.
I've been feeling under the weather for a month now because of the foot cast that constantly reminds me of a very bad fall. Not only is my left calf muscle rapidly wasting away, being immobile for the longest time also takes an emotional toll on me. The month of April was supposedly an exciting time for me since travel plans were already in place (a quick beach escape, a weekend festival, a trip to Tacloban City).
Being on house arrest and not being able to work is pretty sad on my end. But I still try to keep things productive by stuffing myself with all the positive things that one can get from online resources (Pinterest and Craftgawker are awesome boredom-busters!)
Just wanted to share one of my current pick-me-uppers --- a super cool travel layout from Travel + Escape, which has certainly helped lift my spirit! :)
I had the opportunity of dining in Napa Restaurant & Bar one January evening with blogger friends --- those who I had the honor of working with at last year's FBW 1st Grand Eyeball. The admins and I wanted to treat the volunteers from that event to a thanksgiving dinner of sorts. Thus our post-Christmas gathering at NAPA.
COZY AMBIANCE
NAPA is actually a casual dining restaurant in Quezon City (by Scout Borromeo). A nice place where warm greetings will immediately welcome you. The food establishment that serves both American and Italian dishes looked a lot like a cozy and stylish home. But other than that, the beautiful interiors of NAPA was also inspired by the rustic vineyards of Napa Valley in San Francisco, and was lovingly designed by Cynthia Gaerlan.
I therefore conclude that my right foot is totally injured! Yes, I tripped somewhere down the road -- and this was just yesterday after attending my niece's graduation. But this latest issue of TURISTA Magazine has certainly made my crippled day WORTH SMILING about!
Please get a FREE copy at any of the NAIA Terminals and check-out my Pagudpud Feature. Ü Rubel and I are on print again.. Hooray for BUDGET BIYAHERA! Woohoo!!
UPDATED: As much as I would like for you to read the online version, Turista Magazine's link no longer exists.
I have to admit. I've never really bought anything expensive for myself. So if you were to ask me, most of my pricey stuff were given as gifts by my family and friends. So if it's not food, all of my savings goes directly to my travel fund. Believe it or not, I've graduated from obtaining and/or keeping 'material things' as investing on trips and journeying off to different places has given me more fulfillment in life than the former.
So what have I graduated from since I started traveling extensively? I've marked off...
My Inhibitions
“Cities were always like people, showing their varying personalities to the traveler. Depending on the city and on the traveler, there might begin a mutual love, or dislike, friendship, or enmity. Where one city will rise a certain individual to glory, it will destroy another who is not suited to its personality. Only through travel can we know where we belong or not, where we are loved and where we are rejected.”
― Roman Payne
I am an introvert. Well, I still am. But I've managed to control it through the years. I mostly travel with my family and close friends. So meeting new people on the road wasn't an option to me from the very beginning (due to personal reasons). But all that's changed when I finally broke free from my shell. That's when I gradually pushed myself to meet and talk to new individuals, which lead me to experience bigger opportunities and new found friendships. I enjoyed being in the company of like-minded people when I started to leave behind my inhibitions. Since then, my network has expanded.
My beau really ain't the romantic kind. But he's thoughtful and quite generous. And when I do ask him to plan certain events, he would usually go above and beyond with the preps and all. So when I asked him to plan our 5th anniversary last December, I was already looking forward to spending a memorable time with him. And guess what? He made it happen!
I commend Rubel for not peeping a word about his surprise, despite my constant questioning. But he did however mention an overnight stay at a hotel somewhere in Manila. So when that day came, he asked me to meet him for lunch at Mall of Asia after his duty. He was coming from a graveyard shift, so he looked very tired. Nonetheless, his excitement to surprise me gave him that extra boost of energy.
My love affair with all the good deals online made me buy some of the most essential and not-so important goods and services. But these hard to pass up offers also lead me into experiencing one of the best dishes in the metro. Other than my Prestige Cruises encounter, I've also managed to buy an All-You-Can-Eat-Sausage promo from eBay Kuponan. I also got the opportunity to buy a few Midas Buffet vouchers from Metrodeal.com on two separate occasions.
For now, let me start by sharing to you my food affair with Midas Hotel's buffet dinner.
I've been to Midas Hotel twice now. One was in December 2011, and another last February 2012. And compared to what Prestige Cruises offered from their deal, Midas completely came through with their own advertisement. They truly promoted how good a catch their offer was. They were the real deal indeed.
Anyway, here's a peek at what they offered through Metrodeal in 2012:
The first thing that we asked from our host in Saud (Ms. Cathy) was where to eat for dinner, and she immediately suggested to dine at Evangeline Beach Resort's -- Emohruo Beach Restobar. Although she warned us about the price, she still recommended that we try their food just for the experience of it. Good thing that we listened to her!
And as posted from their website: the excellent chefs of Emohruo Beach Restobar serve a unique blend of innovative Asian cuisine that they themselves have created. The menu boasts of a variety of offerings ranging from creative seafood fares to spicy Thai curry sauces, all made from the freshest ingredients and herbs freshly-picked from the resort’s very own organic garden. Apart from the magnificent food choices, we also have a selection of wines for our guests and their discriminating palates.
Rubel and I visited Vigan a few weeks ago. And it was a trip that consisted using different modes of transportation. We flew to Laoag for almost an hour. Road the bus from the airport to Laoag city proper. Took the tricycle towards the Partas Station. Then rode a bus that was bound for Vigan, which took 2 hours. We were only able to step foot on the Heritage City of the Philippines at exactly 2 pm -- which was the exact and allowed time for checking-in at our accommodations: Grandpa's Inn. Great timing, right? :) Since we were really running on empty, Rubel and I no longer wandered off the streets to explore the best restaurants nearby. We just went straight to Grandpa's Inn's signature restaurant, which was Kusina Felicitas.
I've heard about Cafe Leona from several blogs that I follow. And most of them have had great reviews of the restaurant. I, on the other hand, would have to be on the neutral side of things. The famed restaurant by Calle Crisologo was a tourist site on its own. But I wouldn't really rave so much about their food -- or at least, with the ones that we ordered that night.
With our good friend, and co-travel/food blogger friend Edmar.
I love staying in hotels and classy inns that have affordable rates to them. Who doesn't, right? So, speaking of --- Rubel and I found a gem for our 5-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City, and the hotel was called Nguyen Khang Hotel. After reading so many good online reviews of the lodging, I was immediately smitten by the idea of booking with them right away. But what made me decide to finally book them? Here's 7 good reasons.
1) LOCATION - Nguyen Khang is situated at a small alley in Phạm Ngũ Lão, a street that was made famous for being a backpackers haven. The location was quite perfect since we were near some of Saigon's famous spots: 10 minutes away from Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square, a street away from Bùi Viện (famous for its night life and cheap beers), and a few walks away from several mini-marts and food establishments.
You're probably thinking that I got burnt from the flames fuming out of a hot air balloon. You thought wrong! My skin got burnt not because of the balloon blaze. But because of my exposure to the sun. I brought an umbrella. But the sun was just everywhere! The Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), where the festival was held was an open space. So the only shelter that one could stay in were the Airplane Hangar and the food tents nearby. Both places were a bit distant from all the action. So Rubel and I just braved the lot with just an umbrella over our heads. But even that didn't protect us. It was actually raining a few days earlier. So I was really surprised when the sun showed up last Saturday (February 23), all mighty and proud.
When I was preparing for my trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Rubel and I discussed the simple conversion of Vietnam Dong (VND) to Philippine Peso (PHP). A friend of his actually taught him how to do the math.
Let's say that you're eyeing a Class A "The North Face" Rucksack for 800,000 VND. It may look very expensive with all the zero's to it. But it's actually quite affordable. You'll just need to take the last three zero's, and then multiply the remaining three digits to 2. This will then be your estimate. So 800 x 2 is PHP1,600! That's your estimated value in pesos. Simple, right?
Since Rubel and I weren't able to see the rest of the sites from the previous City tour, we opted to do a DIY trip the following day. So after a good recharge, we started our evening walk towards the Bitexco Financial Tower (the 124th tallest building in the world according to Wikipedia). We didn't get to see it up close. But we managed to take a few photos of it while traversing the street of Hàm Nghi.
After a quick photo op, we continued on with our evening stroll. We were supposed to take a cab from Pham Ngu Lao all the way to Tôn Đức Thắng. But we decided to just walk all the way. And with our efforts, we were able to reach the Saigon river after 30 minutes.
There are plenty of beautiful and picturesque places where you can bring your loved one/s to. And these aren't just perfect for Valentine's Day! So if you're thinking about taking your relationship up a notch, consider these Philippine towns as a way of saying "I love you dear. You deserve to be treated to a romantic getaway!" Here's to sharing 8 romantic destinations that I've already been to with my 'honey'.
BAGUIO
Baguio's weather never fails. More so, the lush beauty that surrounds it. It may be a 6-7 hour trip from Manila. But the smell of the pine trees, the whiff of the cold breeze and the aroma of a hot cup of chocolate never fails to ignite the souls of two people in-love. Baguio is a destination that you wouldn't want to miss seeing and experiencing!
TIP: Bring your beau to Mines View. Sit by the rocks and enjoy the overlooking view while drinking your hot, Strawberry Taho. It's the perfect combination, just like you!
Rubel and I initially planned a DIY City Tour, so we asked our hotel receptionist, Ms Thu for a city map. As soon as she handed a copy, my beau and I immediately looked for the major sites nearby. Since most of the areas were a bit far from each other, we eventually decided to book a guided travel. Nguyen Khang Hotel was also offering different kinds of excursions. But we only availed of their USD 9/pax DAILY CITY TOUR, which was operated by Youth Tourist Joint-Stock Co.
We were going to be picked up at the hotel at around 8:30 AM, so we still had time to eat our complimentary breakfast while waiting for the guide.
Our guide was a nice, Vietnamese local named Taó. He immediately escorted us to an airconditioned shuttle right after greeting us that morning. A couple of Australians, Europeans, Malaysians and a Filipino were already on-board the van.
When a challenging yet fulfilling year is about to end, I would make it a point to cap-off things by treating myself to a post-birthday trip abroad. I've successfully done this for the last two years. So last November 2012, I flew myself to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Statue of General Tran Nguyen Han
Visiting Vietnam, let alone Saigon was a part of my bucket list. Rubel and I have already planned on going to several tourist sites. But we just ended up trimming our list after consulting friends who've already been there. HOW COME? Well, most of them just warned us that most of the places that we wanted to see weren't that interesting. So, what did we do in Ho Chi Minh? Well, Rubel and I just wandered around at our own steady pace. Here's how our first day went.
Were you able to partake in National Museum's "Museums & Galleries Month" last October 2012? If you did, then you probably enjoyed exploring the grounds since the entry to the official repository of the Philippines was offered for FREE. Yes, we got in for FREE! When I found out about this, it gave me and Rubel the opportunity to revisit the rich history of our country. I know that it's been years since I last stepped foot in this building in Manila. So I gathered all my museum-wandering-self just so I could taste what the 1900's edifice has to offer.
Joanne, Ced and I have been friends for almost three years now. We've always had the same dream of someday exploring the world. But it was only last year did we all get to travel together.
It was only hours ago when I discovered Ed Sheeran's "Kiss Me" being played on Grey's Anatomy's latest episode. The love songs lyrics suddenly had me remembering my friend's recent wedding by the beach. She and her husband just turned one month today, after getting married in Boracay. I've been to the island three times now. But my fourth time to step foot on this pristine and beautiful place felt like a different journey on its own. Not only did I get to travel with two of my closest friends Joanne and Ced, I was able to witness an intimate and one-of-a-kind union.
Around the time when people all over the world were getting ready for the 'end of the world', Rubel and I celebrated the 21st of December in one of Manila's prestigious hotels. He happened to book a Bayview Room for our late anniversary getaway, which made me feel mixed emotions --- like what if the world really ended that day? It would be a quick one for us since we were by the bay. A Tsunami could easily wash us over! But thankfully, our staycation in the metro went on smoothly. When we woke up the next day, Manila greeted us with a warm and sunny 'hello'. It was a new beginning. It was a new day that we were so grateful to have.
Looking back, I realized that this year has been very challenging yet fruitful in a sense. 2012 must have given me the most trips in a 12-month span.
Five years have gone by. But it seemed like it was only yesterday when we first laid eyes on each other. Starting out with an impromptu date with a group of people, which eventually lead to just us two -- sharing sentiments and crazy ideas over hot cups of Caramel Macchiato drinks. I will never forget that official first date. It was a mark of a new and blessed beginning.
We all know that Christmas is fast approaching (7 more sleeps to go!). Everyone's already rushing to the nearest mall or traveling all the way to Divisoria just to get their last minute yuletide hauls. But for those who may want to save on both time and energy, online shops are always the best go-to alternatives. Just consider Lazada Philippines for example --- one of the fastest-growing online shopping sites in the country today.
Lazada offers a lot of cool and affordable products, which ranges from the latest gadgets, best deals on books, unique home & living items, child-friendly toys, hip fashion accessories, travel gears and more.
So when I found out that Lazada hosted an array of travel goodies, I immediately browsed through their hundreds of items. And lo and behold! I found some of the nicest gift ideas for travel aficionado family and friends.
I went inside the Immigration area after paying the Php 550 Philippine Terminal Tax. Since I didn't get to write on a Disembarkation Form yet, I went straight to the counter where the loose copies were. And right after filling up a form, I lined up. There weren't many people in the airport then since it was already late in the evening. So when I waited for my turn at the Immigration booth of NAIA 3, I was already the next one in line.
There are plenty of public schools in the Philippines that still lack the necessary educational tools and resources. That's why I truly commend those independent entities and personalities who really goes out of their way to help young students in reaching their dreams.
Rubel and I were working on a certain budget, so when I found Ong Bun Pension House's website, I knew that it was the perfect place -- or so I thought. Anyway, prior to our trip and booking, I read up on several of Ong Bun's reviews online. I was able to see that several noted bloggers have already stayed in their accommodations. So I told myself that if they liked it there, we would probably do too. But I later on realized that certain lodgings weren't always fit for everybody's preferences.
Ong Bun was just a P70 cab ride from the Parola Wharf. So you can say that it was nearby. But other than the old and unkept look of the buildings exterior, you will also get to see different types of guests coming in and out of the pension house (from senior citizens to very young couples).
If you decide to stay by Alubihod beach, then you should definitely stay at Raymen Beach Resort. I highly recommend their resort mainly for their courteous staff and readily available facilities. To help convince you more, let me show you how we found Raymen as a nice and well-equipped resort.
I already tried reaching the cellphone number of Raymen Beach Resort, months prior to our trip to Guimaras. But since I wasn't getting any response from them, I tried looking for an alternative. That's when I found Alobijod Cove on Facebook. I sent them a message on both Facebook and through SMS, and was able to get a response on the latter. There weren't many photos to convince me to book. But I felt like I had no other option since we really wanted to stay by Alubihod beach. Anyway, the booking was settled after a few days. I was able to reserve 2 nights, and wasn't required to put in a downpayment. Great, right?
When we arrived in Alobijod Cove, we went straight to the resort's small tindahan (store). There we met this lady (probably in her 50's) who we introduced ourselves to. Odd as it was, she still had to ask me what room I had reserved. Although she read from the guest list that I was to be expected that day. Anyway, I told her that what we got was a Fan Room (Php1,000/night).
I've clearly miscalculated the time that should be allotted for our day tour in Iloilo (this was just last week), as I didn't put in any time to research on all of the towns and tourist spots that we wanted to visit. Other than the fact that it was raining most of the time in Iloilo city, we we're basically left to just visit the nearby towns. But since we booked our stay at Ong Bun Pension House, Rubel and I were able to visit 4 out of 7 districts that were close by: Mandurriao, La Paz, Jaro and Molo. How to leave Iloilo airport There are 2 modes of transportation at the airport that leave every few minutes -- via cab or shuttle van. You can choose to ride the cab at your convenience. But prepare to pay a hefty price for it (P500 for a fixed price!). But if you have time to spare, you can always choose the latter. Plenty of shuttle vans can be seen just across the parking lot. A ride to SM Mandurriao (the van's last stop) will only cost you P50. As soon as you reach SM Mandurriao, you can now ride any cab that you want since these will run on normal meters now.
According to Discover Guimaras, "Iloilo city is the gateway to Guimaras". From Iloilo airport, we took the airport shuttle to SM Mandurriao (30 minutes with no traffic) and then rode a cab towards Parola Wharf (10-15 minutes). From Parola Wharf, we rode a pumpboat that was bound for the City of Golden Mangoes. The boat trip only took 15 minutes.
For 5 seconds, my life and the future that I have envisioned for myself flashed right before my eyes. I didn't know near-death experiences (which felt like it) could feel like that. And I didn't know I'd soon be tasting its violent reaction last night, on my way home.
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.
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