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.
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")."
Dubai is a fascinating city. I've only been here for less than a year, and I've already enjoyed exploring this bustling emirate. With its magnificent and towering structures (it's not the City of Superlatives for nothing), this dynamic town doesn't fail to highlight its own culture and heritage, especially its ingenuity - all of the qualities that I absolutely admire about Dubai.
Below is a roundup of some of my personal and budget-friendly explorations in Dubai, along with some very interesting contributions from fellow travel bloggers.
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!
I've always had a soft spot for enthusiastic, generous and hardworking people, as I've always found them very admirable. They seem to be the ones who persevere despite the changing times, and of course, despite social status. That's why it wasn't hard for me to really like Mrs. Cathy Respicio -- part-owner of Cathy's Homestay at Saud, Pagudpud.
The room at the back was our haven for 2 nights. :] (Please pardon my 'bagong gising' look! Lol)
#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.
Go out and explore! And while you're at it, bring with you a dry bag that's waterproof, floats on water and folds flat. Wait, is there such a thing? Yes, there is! Such a bag exists and it's definitely a must-have for every globetrotter. It's ideal for people who travel with a lot of stuff (i.e. gadgets, planner, water canteen, etc.). Just like me, I never leave for trips without securing my essentials. That's why I'm happy that I found a product that suits this particular need in the form of an adventure pack called Hull & Stern.
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.
One of the things that I love about wayfaring is having the opportunity to share my passion for it. And in the past two years, I've been offered the chance to write for a few local magazines. It is through print media that I continuously get to show more of my love for exploring the Philippines.
{Trip last April 2010} On the fifth leg of our trip, we decided to visit Stanley Beach. The bus trip from Central to Stanley Bay was about an hour’s worth. And since we were scheduled to go back to MNL that night, the little time we had left in HKG was really scheduled.
It was raining that morning so the breeze was extra chilly. Nonetheless, it was the perfect weather, and we were in a perfect place to have brunch, on our last day in HKG. Not only was Stanley Bay a beautiful place, but it also exuded a relaxing mood. And despite the expensive bill that was tabbed for our Italian meals, we truly thought that Pizza and Lasagna was worth our money.
So what would my destination wish list include should I get the chance to fly via Air Asia?
Well, if I were given the opportunity to Travel
in the Philippines with Air Asia, my Top 5 Local destinations would
have to be Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Kalibo (Boracay), Cagayan De Oro and
Davao. But why these 5? Well...
PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN
I immediately fell in love with Puerto
Princesa the moment I landed on the city. I just loved so many things about it!
I loved the courteous people, the clean surroundings, the noteworthy sites (from the famous Crocodile Farm to the
panoramic view of the city from Mitra’s Farm), the 2-3 hour road trip and
boat transfers to the nearby islands, and the seafood trips that I matched
with my anti-histamines! I also love the fact that Puerto Princesa is the
gateway to El Nido --- another paradise that I’ve been dreaming of seeing
up-close.
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.
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!
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
Birthdays are a time for celebration, reflection, and rejuvenation. As I turned 39, my husband and I embarked on a week-long retreat to Lilom Resort in Mabini Batangas. Little did we know that this enchanting destination would give us a perfect balance of work, relaxation, and delightful experiences. Join me as I take you through the magical moments we cherished during our stay.
I usually set an expectation for myself when it comes to how often I should go online, especially when I'm traveling overseas. But in reality, setting expectations don’t always go as planned because I'd still find myself checking my Facebook feed, and posting photos on Instagram. This usually happens when I'm waiting for my food to be served or while I’m on transit. Anyway, I was recently in Thailand for my birthday/honeymoon. I wasn’t always glued to my phone, checking stuff online throughout the trip. But it still helped that I had a FLYTPACK router with me, which was a lifesaver during inopportune times on the road.
I've never been the techie type. So when Supremo sent me to try their latest action camera, I was both excited and worried because it's been a long time since I used one like it. I really felt challenged given the many features that I needed to learn from scratch. But I soon got the hang of it, and I could say that it’s an entry-level camera that you can definitely use on your travels. It’s both hardwearing and affordable. Plus, it has an attractive black matte coating that I absolutely love.
My father has instilled in me his passion for traveling, as he loved exploring on his own. He has been to different places, and has always felt contentment from every travel.
I’ve always been a light packer, as I like to travel without having to think about carrying too many useless items. That’s why I load my things in a very organized manner, so I don't forget anything before leaving for a trip. Furthermore, I take into consideration a lot of factors whenever I arrange my things, which usually revolves around (1) my bag size, (2) the number of days I'll be spending on the road, (3) the climate of my destination, (4) and the activities that I will be doing. The process might sound challenging for some people. However, packing my travel necessities into just one bag is quite doable. You can learn more about how to pack light by reading the tips below.
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.
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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