JOVIAL WANDERER

Being an avid hiker and foodie, I've grown very fond of visiting Bataan. This province offers several hiking trails (check my post here) passing verdant forests and nicely decorated cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a proper cup of coffee and affordable comfort food. It is also highly accessible from Manila via land travel, making it a good option for a short but rewarding out of town adventure.

Here's a list of restaurants in Bataan where you can enjoy satisfying meals.

ANGELITOS (Orani)
The restaurant's name which means little angels (male) was inspired by the owner's 3 young boys, Miguel (after St. Michael), Rafael and Gabriel.This 2 year old family owned restaurant has a homey ambiance and serves any type of food that the family enjoys.

Dishes are flavorful and priced affordably -100 Pesos above for the main dishes and 20 Pesos above for the desserts. Specialty includes, pork binagoongan and creamy tofu (my fave!). The restroom which has a mini garden is also nice!

Angelitos
M plus C Building, Tenejero
Orani, Bataan
Contact Number : +63 (047) 237 0743
Facebook Page here
Location map
Related Post :Bataan Tourism | Angelitos
Notes : Located along a national road, easily reached via tricycle at the town proper

SAVERDE (Abucay)
Located in a side road close to the highway, this home turned restaurant and badminton center offers a memorable plate of beef tapa rice, marinated beef with rice, nicely enveloped in omelette. If you like it sweet and savory, you'll enjoy their version of this Pinoy favorite. Another must try is the buttermilk bread. Similar to French toast, the aptly sweet chunky slice of bread is great to be paired with brewed coffee. Price range : 20-75 Pesos.

Saverde
Gabon St., Abucay, Bataan
Location Map here
Facebook Page here
Business Hours : MONDAY TO SATURDAY, 3:00pm - 12:00mn
Contact Numbers : +63 (047) 633 5270 | (0906) 458 0230

CHOCO-LATE DE BATIROL (Pilar)
This restaurant located within the complex of a gas station serves Filipino dishes and its specialty, hot chocolate prepared with batirol, a wooden object used to whisk the hot pot of a melted cacao beans. It also has a souvenir shop where you can buy snacks to bring back to family and friends. Dishes start at 200 pesos above and local delicacies such as bibingka, suman at 80 Pesos above. Hot chocolate starts at 100 Pesos.

Choco-Late de Batirol
Total Gas Station, Roman Super Highway, Alauli, Pilar, Bataan
Location map here
Business Hours : Monday-Sunday 06:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Contact Numbers : +639228882873 / +63 (47) 6331445
Facebook Page here

THE FOOD PROJECT (Orion)
The restaurant's layout reminds me of a very hip food park with its black walls and wooden tables (perfect for flatlays :P), ideal for young people who want to dine with their friends. Equally pleasing is its food - a fusion of Western and Filipino favorites. Rice meals are at 79 Pesos above. I enjoyed their Sisig rice, nachos and the ribs, their bestseller. I normally don't eat ribs but my seatmate ordered one and it looked so nice, I had to try it.

The Food Project
Balagtas, Orion, Bataan
How to get here : (Directions taken from their FB page)

From Central Terminal in Balanga ride a jeepney bound to Orion, when you reach Orion, Shell Gas Station, walk at about 15 to 20 meters going to Orion National Highschool.
Location map here
Facebook Page here
Business Hours : Tuesday-Sunday, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Contact Number +63 (04761) 21647
Notes : it's an open-air restaurant and a bit far from the main road. If you're driving, check the location map above for directions

IMA'S PAMANGAN
Popular for serving Kapampangan and Filipino dishes. Their buffet is a must try for first timers. The spread features numerous dishes that are characteristically Kapampangan, satisfyingly full of flavor. From the outside, it looks like your typical eatery by the road and I was surprised to discover that beyond its small doors is a wide dining area that can accommodate big groups with its long wooden tables. Its's also air conditioned and the ventilation is actually nice. Buffet is at 200 Pesos. Ala carte dishes are also available. As this place can get really packed during peak hours, contact them for reservation on the number below.

Ima's Pamangan
Gov. J.J. Linao AlaUli
Pilar, Bataan
Location map here
Business Hours : Daily at 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Contact Number +63 998 564 0275/+0917-572-4703
Facebook Page here
Note : This is located on the same road going to Mt. Samat, before the long and winding road up the mountain.

ESPADA GRILL- serves grilled tilapia, pork liempo, chicken bbq/inasal and other Filipino dishes. Try their Monday buffet, a bang for the buck at 195 PHP/head inclusive of meat, vegetables and seafood, dessert and drinks.
Price Range : 195 PHP for buffet, every Mondays from 11AM-2PMand 5PM-9PM
Regular Meals start at 100 PHP. Bundles for those dining with a group are also available.
Address : National Rd. cor Batungbakal Subdivision, Sta. Rosa, Pilar
Facebook Page : Espada Grill

AMANDA'S - offers Filipino cuisine. Every dish we tried here was delicious! I recommend the pinakbet and practically any meal they have that has tilapia. :P
Address : Villa Carolina Subd., Puerto Rivas, Balanga

Facebook Page : Amanda's

MT. TARAK GUESTHOUSE & RESTAURANT - offers a wide selection of fusion meals and solo meals named after different types of adventurers like Hunter's 109 Meals, Backpacker Pork Schnitzel, Excurtionist Pollo Al Jerez, Hiker's Chicken Al Ajillo and more. Try their specialty, Pollo Iberico Antojo, slow-cooked roasted whole chicken that takes an hour to prepare.
Price Range : Solo meals start at 109. They also serve dishes for sharing.
Address : MAAP Road, Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan.
Contact Numbers : +63 917 534 28 87 (mobile) or +63 (047) 6121093 (landline)
Facebook Page : Mt. Tarak Guesthouse and Restaurant

LOLENG'S HUTIEU-AN (Morong)
This eatery offers Filipino and Vietnamese food. It is named after its owner, Aling Loleng and hutieu, a noodle soup dish. Aling Loleng is a Filipina who used to work in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center (PRPC) in Morong. During her stint at the center, she gained Vietnamese friends who taught her their cuisine. *PRPC operated from 1980-1994 and hosted refugees coming from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. The PRPC served as their homes while the refugees waited for the processing of their papers to resettlement countries like the United States, Canada and Norway.(Source : Inquirer)
Price Range : starts at 50 PHP
Address : Mayor St. Brgy. Binaritan, Morong, Bataan
Business Hours : 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)

STREGATO GELATERIA (Balanga)
This pretty cafe prides itself in serving gelato that has "less fat, less sugar, but has more intense flavor than ordinary ice cream". Aside from gelato, they also serve rice meals, sandwiches and pastas.

Price Range : 200 PHP below for the food and 150 PHP below for the blended drinks

Stregato Gelateria

Stregato Gelateria
Galeria Victoria Mall, Balanga
Facebook Page : Stregato Gelateria
Business Hours : Daily, 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Notes : It is just outside the entrance of Galeria Victoria Mall, near Dunkin Donuts

THE BEANERY (Balanga, Dinalupihan)
A local chain of cafes that serves tea, coffee and beautifully plated meals. It's Bataan's version of Starbucks but with cozier interiors! This is one of my favorite cafes in the country and I make it a point to visit a branch when I'm in Bataan.
Price Range : 120 PHP above for the pastas and around 120 PHP above for the coffee

The Beanery
The Beanery Main Branch, Capitol Drive, San Jose, Balanga City
Facebook Page : The Beanery
*There are two branches in Balanga. One is a few blocks across Crown Royale Hotel.

PLAZA BREW (Balanga)
Located right next to one of the nicest hotels in Bataan, The Plaza, this cafe serves moist cakes and designer donuts. It is cozy yet formal enough to be a venue for small business meetings. It is a few steps away from Stregato Gelateria and just in front of Plaza Mayor de Balanga.

The Plaza Brew
J.P. Rizal Street, Balanga
Location map here
Facebook Page here

Note : Business hours and location may change. Please double check with the restaurant before visiting.

Check out this posts by fellow bloggers on other places to eat in Bataan.
Love Mindanao Deliciously Yours, Bataan
Blissful Bataan by Turista Trails

Related Posts :
Part 1 : Outdoor Adventures & Other Places to Visit in Bataan | Part 3 : Where to Stay in Bataan

How to Get to Bataan?
From Manila, take a bus to Balanga, the provincial capital or to Mariveles, the last municipality. From Balanga, there is a central terminal with trips to other municipalities in the province.

The bus company, Bataan Transit has terminals in Avenida (Manila) and Cubao (Quezon City). For contact information and schedules, visit Bataan Transit’s website or their Facebook Page. Tickets can also be booked online through their partner website, Pinoy Travel.

Another reputable bus company plying routes to Balanga and Mariveles is Genesis Transport which has terminals in Cubao and Pasay (closer to both international and domestic airports). For schedules, contact +63 2 709 0803 or visit their Genesis Transport Inc.’s Facebook Page. Travel time to Balanga takes 3 hours depending on traffic while Mariveles is roughly 90 minutes away from Balanga.

I've also written about Bataan on Looloo, check article here.

Should you need assistance in arranging your trip or getting additional information to any of the destinations mentioned above, get in touch with the provincial tourism of Bataan.
Bataan Tourism Center (Balanga) - located along the Roman Highway, Bataan's major highway where public bus and vehicles pass by. It more than just an office, it's a destination itself, featuring a gallery, landscaped garden and a souvenir shop selling affordable products from Bataan such as bottled fish, shrimp paste, arrowroot cookies, mussel chips, cashew nuts and more!
Email : bataan_tourism@yahoo.com
Contact Number : +63 (047) 237 4785
Facebook Page : Bataan Tourism
Website : 1Bataan

NOTE : This post was made in collaboration with the provincial tourism of Bataan. I've also been visiting the province a lot lately for personal trips and it has become one of my favorite places because of its accessibility from Manila and good food.

Getting ready for your vacation to another city or country is exciting yet stressful. Since there are plenty of destinations you can choose to spend your time off, you will somewhat have a hard time deciding where to go. However, all you have to do is to pick one where you can truly enjoy and make the most out of your much-awaited break.

In fact, one of the perfect destinations you can loosen up with your family or friends is Melbourne. This lively city is the capital of Victoria. It offers tons of amazing things to all visitors from across the globe. You will be able to witness its breathtaking scenery, taste its outstanding food, visit its awe-inspiring tourist spots, and experience various exhilarating outdoor activities. Absolutely, your trip here will be one for the books.

If you want to explore the entire city, there are available low-priced car rentals in Melbourne airport. You can simply rent a car and roam around this diverse city with your loved ones. You will be more comfortable traveling by hiring a vehicle, so make sure to consider this when in the city.

Listed below are a few reasons why you need to travel to Melbourne:

Arts

One of the things that Melbourne takes pride in is arts. It is a place for striking galleries, festivals, museums, exhibitions, and live performances. Art lovers around the world will truly appreciate this city, for there are so many art pieces you can check out. A visit to a museum, gallery, or theatre will get you in awe. Additionally, world-class acts and marvellous displays will make you love the stunning city even more.

Food

Melbourne is definitely a food paradise. Those who love food so much can visit this vibrant city and witness its gastronomic scene. It boasts an extensive range of restaurants that serve heavenly food that you should not miss while here. With this, include food tripping around the city on your itinerary and create memorable food adventures with your loved ones. Definitely, you won't regret anything by trying out this one.

Shopping Centres

In case you love shopping, Melbourne is a shopping haven. There are a lot of top-of-the-line shopping centres and factory outlets around the city where all shopaholics can enjoy. Everyone visiting here will be tempted to shop and spend, for there are plenty of malls to choose from. You have to get ready your budget or bring extra money when you travel here.

Melbourne is a dazzling city that you should visit at least once in your life. See its natural beauty with your own two eyes and enjoy a wonderful trip with the people you love the most. Your vacation here will truly be worth it and you will have the time of your life as you unwind and witness new things. It will be an adventure of a lifetime and an unforgettable Melbourne experience, so plan your trip here ahead of time and create happy memories.

NOTE : This is a collaboration post. Melbourne, with its art scene, food (friends say coffee is good too!) and wildlife sanctuaries remains on my bucket list.

Hi all, I'm passing along a travel advisory sent by Cebu Pacific's PR. If you've booked a flight to and from any Cebu Pacific or CebGo destination in Mindanao from May 25-31, 2017 and have concerns traveling on these dates, please read on. For additional questions, please get in touch with Cebu Pacific directly. Contact details are listed below.

***************

Operations of Cebu Pacific in Mindanao remain normal, with no restrictions or limitations imposed on air travel by the authorities.

However, in light of recent situation in Marawi City and the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao, Cebu Pacific and Cebgo strongly advise allits passengers to allot sufficient travel time to get to the airports due to the heightened security measures being implemented. Heavy traffic is also anticipated around the areas as numerous check points are expected to be put up.

Guests flying to and from any Cebu Pacific or Cebgo destination in Mindanao from May 25 to 31, 2017 who are concerned about travelling at this time may opt to rebook their tickets for free within 30 days; or place the cost of the ticket in a travel fund for future use.

For flight rebooking or other concerns, guests are advised to contact the Cebu Pacific hotline at +632 7020-888. They may also message the official Cebu Pacific Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificair) or Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) accounts.

CEB also reminds its passengers of the following:

· Remember to bring a valid ID* to be presented during check-in and boarding.

· Liquids, aerosols, and gels inside a hand-carry bag should be in a container (100 ml or less) and they should be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.

· Be conscious in bringing objects with sharp edges (i.e. nail files, nippers, nail cutters, scissors, etc.) as these may not be allowed in your hand-carry baggage

· If you are bringing gadgets like your laptop, be prepared to take it out for inspection

***************

Mindanao covers region Region IX-XIII and ARMM. Visit Philippine Statistics'Authority site for more info on Philippine provinces.

The same advisory is posted on Cebu Pacific's site.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Marawi city.

Four months into 2017 and I've already made three visits to Bataan. With a lot of nice trails, good food and its proximity to Manila, it has become an irresistible weekend destination for me.

On my most recent trip however, I wasn't going for a hike like I usually do, but for an unconventional adventure - a journey back to the past, remembering those who courageously fought for our freedom during World War II.

Every 9th of April, the Philippines' celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), formerly Bataan day, honoring those who sacrificed their lives to defend the country's freedom against the Japanese invaders.

This day of remembrance commemorates three significant events in the country during the war - the Fall of Bataan (April 9, 1942) where thousands of American and Filipino soldiers surrendered and participated in the grueling Bataan Death March; Fall of Corregidor (May 6, 1942), the last stronghold to surrender against the Japanese invaders and the Battle of Besang Pass (June 14, 1945), a vicious battle won by Filipino warriors that contributed to the surrender of General Yamashita, the leader of the Imperial forces in the Philippines.

*For more information, please click the link on each event.

The arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte drew excitement from members of Veterans
Federation of the Philippines

A related celebration recognizing World War II veterans, April 5-11 of every year was declared as Philippine Veterans Week. During this period, activities are held "to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of the Filipino veterans as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth."

In the province of Bataan, a variety of programs and activities are held celebrating people, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country and the people living in the present - young and old, who are driving progress in the country.

Read : Filipiknow | 10 Biggest Misconceptions about World War II in the Philippines

In this years commemoration, I witnessed several activities starting with the Foot Parade, an event where members of various civil society organizations march the streets, a way of recognizing their contribution in nation building. It was a humid day but after a wonderful lunch at Angelito's, walking around was exactly what we needed! (more info on where to eat in Bataan here)

members of Knights of Columbus, a global fraternal organization dedicated to "providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education & Catholic public policy positions and actively defending Catholicism"

In the afternoon, we listened to lively and impressive performances by the bands from the Armed Forces of The Philippines Band and the Philippine Airforce.

The program which was open to everyone was attended by Bataan's key politicians, Governor Albert Garcia, Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, Mariveles Mayor Ace Concepcion to name a few.

It was surreal seeing Gilbert Teodoro back on the stage to deliver an inspirational message.The former secretary of national defense, with his eloquence and wit was a popular presidential candidate during the 2010 National elections. Ever charming, he began his speech by apologizing for being a little out of practice as it was his first public appearance after the elections. In his message, he stressed the importance of protecting our territory and remembering veterans from World War II and the present day, the soldiers who are fighting the war against terrorism.

Former National Defense secretary, Gilbert Teodoro

The parade of floats was another highlight of the program. A contest participated by the municipalities in Bataan, each float executed a theme related to important events during the war, with a narrator delivering heartbreaking stories behind each float - the start of the war, how the hospitals were attacked, the violation of women, the horrific details of the death march and the war. The parade ended on a positive note, an account of the province's achievements, a testament of how Bataan has risen from the war.

A float by the municipality of Samal portraying the first line of defense in Layac.

The next day, we headed to Mt. Samat to cover a program attended by veterans groups and their families, political leaders and other civic organizations. During the war, soldiers retreated to this mountain along with civilians. Bombed heavily by the Japanese, the mountain looked like a giant ball of fire. Today, the foliage around this mountain has grown back and is now a major tourist destination. On its summit stands an iconic structure, Dambana ng Kagitingan, a 92 meter cross with a viewing gallery built in honor of WWII Filipino and American soldiers. Other attractions include a war museum, colonnade and scenic views West Philippine sea.

Colonnade at Mt. Samat

It was a hot morning and though we waited for a few hours before the program started,font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the energy of the crowd buzzed with excitement s President Duterte announced that he has ordered the release of 6 billion Pesos for the veteran's pension.

His exact words :
"I’d like to repeat it. I am directing the Department of Budget and Management, DBM, and the Department of National Defense to expedite the early release of the AFP’s retirees pension credentials for fiscal years 2008 to 2013 in the amount of 6,421,000,000." Read full speech here.

It was indeed cheery news but taking into account that the war was in 1942, the compensation is long overdue. Nevertheless, the announcement was well received by the audience.

The Japanese, who have long made amends to what has transpired in the war, also participated in the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan. This year during the program at Mt. Samat, Japanese ambassador Kazuhide Ishikaw stood on stage, in front of American and Filipino audiences and began his speech with a sincere apology, a gesture I found noble. Having lived in the Philippines all my life, apologies from public officials convicted of crimes are rarely heard (or maybe - it's just not publicized?).

Related Read : Rappler : 9 important facts you should know about the 'Day of Valor'

Kenji Mori, a private citizen from Japan also does his share. This year, he sponsored
the Grandest Pyrotechnics, a 25-minute fireworks display, enjoyed by guests of honor, the people of Bataan and their visitors. He has also donated sound systems to schools and cash prizes to some of the local contests showcasing the talents of Bataan's youth.

Here's a clip from the performance of Koro Bangkal, a youth choir composed of children from the Aeta community, an indigenous group.

Below's a photo from the performance of Orani, the winning municipality of the drum and lyre competition.

Read : 7 Reasons Why Bataan Should be your next destination

Here's a video of the highlights.

This year's Araw ng Kagitingan had been very memorable. For one, it's my first time to witness the activities up close. Even more valuable as being able to travel here, I developed a deeper appreciation of our country's past and remain optimistic about the future. Despite the pressing issues in our country, I cannot just throw in the towel. This is the same country where I met kind and sunny people, the land of great singers & talented people, eye-popping landscapes and good food. How can I believe we're hopeless?

Bataan is a good destination at any time. Aside from historical sites, the province has beaches, biking and hiking trails and the best part, good food. For travel information, check out my posts below:

Where to go | Where to eat | Where to stay

Bataan Tourism
Office Address : Bataan Provincial Highway, Balanga city

Website : http://www.bataan.gov.ph/tourism/
How to get to Bataan

To the Provincial tourism of Bataan, thank you for inviting us!

I often pass by the province of Pangasinan when traveling for a hike to the Cordilleras but I never got to go around. One day, I went for a visit to have a look!

While researching for my trip, I learned that there's so much to see (and eat!) from the infamous Hundred Islands in Alaminos, the beautiful beaches of Bolinao and its mountain trails that spending a day is ridiculous, but with my limited time and budget, I figured, this solo trip will serve as a kickoff for numerous return trips. :)

Lingayen beach

From Solid North Terminal in Cubao, I traveled by bus to Dagupan city, some 30 minutes away from Lingayen, the provincial capital. This being a lazy trip, I boarded the first bus I saw with a signage marked "Lingayen", the bus' last stop. Travel time took 6 hours which I felt could have been shorter if only I rode a bus with a different route (perhaps, one that passed SCTEX or TPLEX - highways in the northern part of the island which skips some towns, shortening the travel time).

By noon, I had checked in to Hotel Monde, a 7-room budget boutique hotel, just along AB Fernandez, a major street in Dagupan. It's a convenient place to stay, close to public transportation, restaurants, banks, stores and other establishments. I installed the Traveloka app and utilizing one of their frequent promos, got this a for a discounted rate of 784.38 Pesos instead of 1,400 Pesos. (Will post about my stay soon and link it here.)

My lime green room at Hotel Monde

After napping, I headed out for my first meal. Dagupan is know for its bangus (milkfish) and Matutina's Seafood House came highly recommended but being a coffee addict, my craving for a good brew couldn't wait. With that, I walked to Caffe Angelito Coffee & Juice Bar.

While walking to the cafe, I noticed Dagupan's pedestrian-friendly roads. The sidewalk has enough room for people and the traffic lights are respected. It made walking convenient and how I wish this is how it is in all parts of the country. A Dagupan-based friend has informed me that the local government is strict about enforcing rules against jaywalking - well, that's exactly how it should be.

Pasta from Caffee Angelito

Caffe Angelito was a good choice for a late lunch. I had iced coffee which was strong and full of flavor and in no time, I was back to my usual perky self. The pasta was served beautifully and equally satisfying. The interiors with reminded me of a library so I decided to take out the book I had with me and ended up staying for another hour.

From the cafe, I walked along Dagupan-Binmaley road to catch a jeep to

Tondaligan, a public beach. Spending just 12 Pesos, the jeep's route got me all the way to entrance of the beach.

Catching the sunset at Tondaligan beach in Dagupan

The beach is massive. As the sun's heat had died down, I saw groups of families and friends just hanging out. The vibe made me feel like I was actually part of a group so even as I stood there all alone, I felt very welcome.

The breeze was a refreshing change from the afternoon heat. The sight of a huge area filled with coconut trees gave out a very tropical vibe. The trees were aptly spaced from each other that you can just hang a hammock and relax!

If you're looking for a nice hammock, I recommend a local brand that provides livelihood to home-based sewers in Laguna, Hammock Republic. This is the brainchild of a friend of mine, James Betia AKA Journeying James. Their hammocks also serve as a neck pillow when folded and some designs have a net to protect you from insects. The design's pretty cool!

I looked at the water and the playful waves lured me in for an afternoon wrestle. A bit bigger than usual, it's the kind of waves that's good enough for skim boarding. I couldn't find a place to leave my stuff and making a judgement based on female intuition, I I left my bag by the shore and covered it with a beach blanket. I swam close to shore and occasionally watched over my stuff, a challenging feat because the waves were just coming hard towards me, I spent a lot of time jumping and going under the water. Being a water baby, I couldn't be any happier!

The beach and the boys. This was taken at Tondaligan beach in Dagupan

I stayed in the water until sun went down, filling the sky with various colors. First, it was yellow. Accompanied with a couple of dark clouds over the horizon, the combination of colors reminded me of a fried cheese flambe. Then, came the fierce orange glow and as it disappeared from the sky, purple! After my visual dinner, I dried myself and took a jeep back to the hotel, salty and a little wet from the beach. It had been a good day.

The next morning, I took a side trip to Lingayen. Just a few blocks from the hotel were jeeps that transported passengers to the provincial capital. It took a little over 30 minutes to get there as the jeep picked up passengers along the route.

From the town proper, I walked towards the historic Lingayen beach. On January 1945, General Douglas Mac Arthur and members of the US forces returned to start their mission of freeing the island of Luzon from the Japanese invaders. Nowadays, this beach with its massive shoreline is flocked by people looking for a quick break. The beach is kept clean and its fine gray sand is just as charming as those with white sand. Being a public beach, entrance is free. There's also a huge picnic area (not sure if the picnic tables are for rent though) and restrooms.

Lingayen Beach

Other nearby places to visit include the provincial capitol (Lingayen beach is just behind it) and the Veterans memorial park. For an itinerary on Lingayen, check out this article by Mai Flores here.

After returning to Dagupan, I made a spur of the moment decision to make a quick visit to Baguio. The City of Pines is just two hours away by public van and fare is 165 Pesos. The reason - I was missing Ili-Lika Artist Village, an art gallery with a cluster of food stalls serving healthy meals, one of my favorite places to eat in the country. After a hefty lunch - tofu rice meal, waffles and coffee, I boarded a bus back to Manila.

I got exactly what I wanted on this trip - some time alone, see the beach and even had enough time for some side trips. Traveling solo, despite it downsides (no one to share food with and split the bill :P) is mostly fun for me. I enjoy having the freedom to move whenever, wherever without having to wait for anyone and change my plans as often as I want to.

For more travel info on Dagupan, check out this very helpful post by Senyorita, A Quick Guide to Dagupan. It contains details on how to get here, suggested places to eat and see. Thank you for your post Mica! ;)

On a recent overseas trip, I traveled south of Japan in Kyushu, the country’s third biggest island. It was the end of March, the beginning of spring, just in time to see some blooming cherry blossoms! Weather at this time varies from 10-16 Celsius, a comforting contrast to the tropical weather in Manila.

View of Fukuoka from Mt. Tenpaizan

Taking the only Cebu Pacific flight that day, I arrived at Fukuoka International airport past 7:00 PM(Japan time). Since I had to go through immigration, take a bus (it's free if coming from international terminal!) to the Domestic terminal to take a train to the city and navigate my way to my accommodation in the outskirts of Fukuoka (thank God for offline maps!), I got to Sharely Style Hakata around 11 PM.

Vendo machines everywhere! Hello Japan. :)

By the time I checked in to my room, I was drained. Thankfully, the room is neat and smelled good. The space is small but had everything I needed, a toilet & bath and ample number of sockets. There's also a balcony, not a requirement for me but it sure is nice to have. My view is facing a small quiet street, across a vendo machine and if the neighboring house across has its shades open, I get a glimpse of what's inside. :P

Mt. Homan
After preparing my stuff, I took two trains to Mt. Homan (Itinerary here) in Dazaifu, a small city in Japan's Fukuoka prefecture. The nearby Tenmangu shrine and all the stores and restaurants around it attracts huge numbers of visitors but with my preference for quiet time and solitude, I moved away from the crowd and up the mountain.

A shrine at the foggy summit of Mt. Homan

It drizzled a bit, making it colder than it already was. My face felt numb from the cold which was a nice experience since I've spent my entire life in the tropics. :)

Fog began settling in, creating an eerie vibe but I kept my focus on nature. The beautiful huge trees were a good distraction. :) Though the trails are established, most of the signage are in Japanese so I relied heavily on the directions I downloaded online from Fukuoka Now, a website which contains helpful travel and hiking info in Fukuoka.

This was lunch. During my trip, I got a kick out of hunting for interesting food at their convenience stores
which are everywhere! Lawson stores are common here.

As it was a weekday, I was pretty much alone the entire hike. The only time I saw someone else was when I was going down from the summit, a fellow solo hiker.

A section of the trail to the summit of Mt. Homan

On my second day, I vent to Tenpaizan (Itinerary here), another hiking trail with a shrine at its peak.

Walking from a train station, I got so lost trying to locate the entrance of the trail. Ironically, it's a popular place for tourist and hiking enthusiasts but I'm not really good with road directions. :P A lady I met in the street, who didn't speak English, was kind enough to lead me to the jump-off which is 10 minutes away from where I was! I couldn't thank her enough.

Check out my other hikes here.

I ended up following another trail that turned out to be more challenging from where I intended to start. There's less people on this side which I love. I eventually found the main trail and rejoined the crowd. From there, it takes less than an hour to get to the summit. Compared to most mountains which are at least 600 MASL (Meters Above Sea Level), its highest point is only at 258 MASL.

a view of Fukuoka from Mt. Tenpaizan

After going to Tenpaizan, I took another train and got off at Hakata station. It is said to be where most of the action is. Hotels, stores, restaurants and other touristy places are nearby. Hakata train station is a tourist attraction itself filled with souvenir shops and restaurants, but after spending two days in the outskirts, I found it to be overwhelming and crowded. It's funny because friends told me that it's a very laid back city compared to Tokyo . I guess I just spent so much time in the mountains. :P

Hakata area

With the cool weather and pedestrian friendly sidewalks, I found myself doing a lot of walking. From Hakata train station, I walked 1.2 KM to Canal City, a huge shopping and entertainment complex. Think MOA (Mall of Asia). I didn't want to because there were so many people but I couldn't resist checking out Muji and a branch of Montbell, a Japanese retailer and maker of outdoor gear.

Montbell branch at Canal City,a huge shopping & entertainment complex in Hakata

My last stop for the day was Ohori Park, another one of Fukuoka's top attractions. It's just a few steps from Ohori Koen station. After coffee at Boathouse, a cafe with a view of a man-made lake, I walked around and found myself in an area in the park with tons of food stalls! Here, I enjoyed takoyaki, a balled up street food made from a batter of cabbage and octopus. Some wouldn't enjoy its "fishy" taste but I really like the flavor, generally salty with a hint of sweetness.

Food stalls at Ohori Park

I walked into some sort of street party - music was blasting from a speaker and there were many groups just huddled together in tables and eating, having a great time. I could see smoke from barbecue pits and other food stalls. I did feel a bit lonely for a second, standing on my own and people watching, but then again, I was on vacation, I can't be sad!

Hours before flying back to Manila, I did my 3rd and final hike in Fukuoka.

View at Mt. Shioji

Popular to locals, Mt. Shioji is a scenic peak in Dazaifu offering views of the city, surrounding mountains and the ruins of Ohnojo Castle. With its easy trails, it welcomes hikers and visitors of varying fitness levels. Those who are not up for a hike can actually take a car to its peak while those who want to walk on a natural trail can cut through the well-marked forest trails to get to the top like I did. The forest trail is reminiscent of the trails in the Philippines with ribbons tied on to trees to mark the correct way! With the exception of seeing cherry blossoms and signage in Japanese, it actually felt like I was hiking back home.

Torii, a traditional Japanese gate found in Shinto shrines

The short hike gave me enough time to go around Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine and enjoy a lunch.

By 5:00 PM, I was in a bus back to Fukuoka airport with 3 hours to spare before my flight back to Manila. (Travel tip : At Dazaifu station, there are lockers where you can stash your luggage and go around. The rental fee varies on how big your luggage is. I think I paid 300 Yen for my 33 Liter Osprey Nova. There are also buses at the exit of the train station that can take you to the entrance of Fukuoka International Airport)

FUKUOKA TRAVEL INFORMATION
How to get to Fukuoka
From Manila, you can fly via Cebu Pacific, a budget airline that has direct flights to Fukuoka.

Where to stay
I booked a room at Sharely Style Hakata through Agoda. Click here to book.
Rates : For a 3 night stay, I paid 4,706.89 Pesos
Description : Single bed, aircon room with a balcony, private t&v, mini ref, desk, tv, hair blower, (breakfast not included). This place is outside the tourist district, within walking distance from Ijiri station. It's located in a residential area. I suggest plotting it on a map which you can access offline before your trip.

Solo Travel Tips
- If you're taking Cebu Pacific, you will most likely arrive way past the normal check-in time. Just so I don't have to wander around in the wee hours of the morning, I paid for my accommodation on the same day I'm arriving then informed the hotel that I'll be checking in late.
- The train station map I got from the airport was helpful. You can ask for one at the information desk. The staff were quite friendly! I also learned from watching a vlog that you can download an app for the train schedules. For more tips on traveling to Japan, watch the vlog here.
- there's decent cheap food (sushi, noodles, meals) at the convenience stores and the vendo machines
- Watch out for sales on the Agoda website (or just download the app) so you can book your accommodation at a cheaper price. If your flight is arriving late in the evening, inform your hotel. I found it easy to get in touch with them through the contact page on their site.

- Pocket Money : 15,000 Pesos was enough for me to get me by on this 4 day trip. I mostly did hiking and a bit of eating. This excluded the plane fare and Philippine Travel Tax (1,620 Pesos). Of course, budget varies depending on what you want to do or buy.
- Souvenir shopping can be done at the duty free at Fukuoka International airport. You can shop while waiting for your flight out of the city. There's also Starbucks here.
- Learn a few basic Japanese words. During my stay, the following words were enough for me to survive :
sumimasen - excuse me (before asking a question) or sorry (when you accidental bump to someone)
kore - this (to point at things close to you, such as ordering an item from the menu you're holding)
kudasai - please
doko - where

wakarimasen - I don't understand (when someone talks to you in Japanese)

Here are some of the helpful resources I read while researching for my trip :
How to apply for Japan visa for Filipinos - http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/11/japan-visa-requirements-manila-philippines/
Japan Embassy in the Philippines - http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html
Japan Tourism Site - http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/natuscen/index.html
Getting Around Fukuoka - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2436.html
Fukuoka airport official site - http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/
Info on Fukuoka City Tourist Pass (train pass) - https://yokanavi.com/en/tourist-city-pass/
Info on Bus pass -> http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4802.html

I followed this YouTuber to get tips when traveling in Japan. :). (Thank you!)

Hiking in Fukuoka -http://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/2016/09/hiking-in-fukuoka/

Going to other prefectures in Japan? Check out their trails here atJapan Guide.

Hiking has become very popular in the Philippines that it's now easier to find a mountain and come up with your own itinerary or join an organized group. (Read 10 Tips on How to be a Good Climb Participant)

Our group - bloggers and fellow outdoor lovers at Basekamp PH at our campsite in Tarak Ridge, Bataan

If you're heading out to your first mountain hike and thinking of what to bring, here are a couple of tips. Note that this list was created as a guide and not a mandatory checklist. The items featured are based on what I observed to be useful when hiking in tropical weather.

7 Hiking Tips for Beginners | 8 Essentials for Rainy Day Hikes by Basekamp PH

1. Footwear
Footwear should enhance your experience outdoors and protect you from injury. There are shoes designed specifically for hiking but I encourage you to research the mountain first before purchasing hiking shoes. Will there be sections where you need to cross rivers? How long will you be hiking? If the mountain has a clear and established trail that normally won't take more than 4 hours to complete, you can very well survive on any type of footwear. However, comfort and safety might be compromised, making it challenging to get through the slippery sections.

Pick shoes with a good traction (one that can be used in steep, muddy trails which are common in the Philippines) and one that's comfortable enough that you can walk in it for hours and hours. Shoes with a good traction have lug pattern on the outsoles (the outermost part of the shoe which come in contact with the ground. (Recommended read - Hiking Boots: How to Choose) Trail running shoes are also a good option so you can maximize your investment and be able to switch activities.

2. Backpack
Don't sweat too much thinking about which brand of backpack you need to buy on your first hike. If you already have a sturdy backpack (just check the straps and zippers before using it), that will do, as long as you're able to bring the essentials and use both hands when hiking. Once you've decided you really want to continue hiking, do your research and invest in a nice backpack.

With my trusty backpack. Photo taken by Celine Reyes of Celineism

Packs designed for hiking have special features that support your back and hips such as adjustable shoulder straps and hip belts. Some also have a mesh back panel (that area in the bag touching your bag) for ventilation which prevents the sweat from your back from being absorbed by the bag. These extra features allow you to hike longer hours comfortably. A good backpack is more valuable when doing extended day hikes - hikes that last 8 hours or more.

When hiking especially during the rainy months, protect your stuff by storing it in waterproof dry bags or a resealable bag. A waterproof backpack cover offers added protection from the rain and helps avoid tears on your bag when navigating in the bushes.

If you're ready to buy a backpack, check out this post for tips on what to look for in a bag.

What I use : Osprey Sirrus 24, a pack designed specifically to fit a woman's frame. It provides good support on the back making it very comfortable to use on long hikes. I'm also a fan of Sandugo Pilot 15 because you can use it for trail running and you can carry a lot with it. Link to FB page here. Prices of hiking bags vary depending on the brand, specs and capacity. To give you an idea, Sandugo Pilot 15 (max capacity, 15 liters) costs 1,845 Pesos.

3. Water bottle
Minimize plastic waste by using water bottles that you can reuse. I've invested in a durable water bottle because I tend to drop things a lot. :P Nalgene is one of the most trusty brands around, though the 1 Liter bottle takes up space (Price range : 525 Pesos-750 Pesos depending on size, available at Basekamp branches listed below) .There are also foldable water bottles around such as Hydrapak (sold at Urbanize stores).

How much water you need to bring depends on your needs and how long you need to hike. Also, when the trail has no forest cover and exposed to the sun, you may need to bring more. I normally bring at least 500 ml to 1.5 liters on a day hike. For long hikes (12 hours or more), I would bring hydration salt (you can buy at any drug store for about 11 Pesos per sachet) and mix it with water to make sure I stay hydrated.

Before visiting a mountain, please read this short guideline from the Center of Outdoor Ethics on how to enjoy nature responsibly.

4. First Aid Kit & Personal medicine
An essential that you hope you don't ever need to use. I suggest making it as handy and as lightweight as you can so you won't feel lazy to bring it with you.

What to pack on your first aid kid? Check out this list from the Philippine Red Cross.

5. Trail Food
Hiking can be physically demanding so eat a good meal before your hike and bring snacks with you so you can replenish your energy while hiking. I usually bring something that's easy to carry (leave that jar of Nutella at home :P) and as nutritious as possible. I also suggest bringing food that you enjoy to help boost morale when the trail gets rougher.

Also check out this good read on Top 7 Food for Sustaining Energy on the Trail

A mix of cashew nuts and cacao nibs

What I bring to hikes : cacao nibs, dried fruits such as cranberries (this makes me feel full and energized), mangoes, pineapple, nuts like peanuts, almonds and cashew, chia seeds in water. Whenever I can, I hydrate the day before the hike by drinking 500 ml-1 liter of coconut juice.

6. Headlamp or flashlight
This is always in my bag even if the itinerary does not involve hiking in the dark. It's best to be prepared in case you end up extending your hike until nightfall or if you find yourself exiting at a remote community that does not have electricity. Make sure you put the batteries in. You can also utilize the flashlight apps on your phone (just bring a power bank to charge your phone), though not as convenient as a headlamp which you can use hands-free.

What I use : I'm using a Black Diamond Storm and for back-up, Sunree Ree headlamp from Basekamp (940 Pesos).

7. Garbage Bag
Help preserve the beauty of the mountain by bringing your trash back with you. If you see garbage around, pick it up as well for proper disposal. I never get why some people think it's okay to throw their trash in nature. When bringing a bag, make sure that it won't rip easily and soil your stuff.

8. Emergency Whistle
Ideally placed where you can easily access it - either in the straps of the backpack or on your neck. It can be used to communicate with the rest of the group you got separated from and takes lesser energy than yelling. It is also used in emergencies when calling out for help. 3 short whistle blasts is an internationally recognized distress call. Two blasts mean, "come here". If you get separated with the group and want to locate them, blow one short whistle blast. If the rest of the group can hear you, they should respond back with one whistle blast. (Source : Outdoor Life - Signal Whistle Codes)

9. Mini carabiner
A mini carabiner comes handy when you need to clip stuff together so it doesn't fall off or for hanging stuff. For example, clipping your water bottle to your bag, hanging your dry bag in the changing room. If you're visiting communities near the mountain, you'll most likely have to use spartan bathrooms with no hooks to hang your dry clothes.

Where to buy : I get mine from hardware shops. Basekamp also has this cool whistle carabiner (100 Pesos). Check out their merchandise on their Facebook page.

10. Head scarf/bandana
A tubular shaped bandana is easy to wear on your head, helps keep sweat and hair off your eyes and can also be used in a dozen different ways. It's a fashionably functional accessory, offers protection from the cold, sun, dust and can be worn as an eye mask to help you sleep better while traveling to the jump-off.

Where to buy : Basekamp (99 Pesos)

11. Slippers or post-hike footwear
After your hike, give your feet a break by changing into slippers or sandals. Sometimes, your shoes get so muddy, you wouldn't want to wear them with your clean clothes and you end up having to look for a sari-sari store or market that sells slippers. Avoid the hassle and added expense by packing a pair.

12. Lightweight Travel Organizer
These handy travel pouches keeps your stuff organized and easy to find. I find those with mesh material more convenient to use because I can easily see what I've stashed in it. It's also a plus if it has a built-in hook so you can easily hang it.

Hammock Republic sells affordable travel organizers at 200 Pesos per set (plus shipping fee).

If you plan on getting any item on the list above, check out Basekamp PH for your travel and outdoor gear needs. Facebook Page link here. The "Shop" tab on their page features some of their products including price and specs.

Branches :
BaseKamp Market!Market!
BaseKamp Galleria
BaseKamp Ali Mall
BaseKamp Trinoma
BaseKamp Ligaya Pasig
BaseKamp Gaisano CDO
BaseKamp Star Mall Alabang
BaseKamp Isetann Recto
BaseKamp Gaisano Davao
BaseKamp Fairview Terraces

Where to hike?
10 Hiking Destinations Near Manila (Note : Pico de Loro which appears on the list is currently closed to the public for rehabilitation)
6 Beginner-Friendly Hikes that Offer Spectacular Views around the Philippines

NOTE : Photos with watermark were taken by Jed Rosel aka Biyaherong Barat during our camping trip at Tarak Ridge, in collaboration with Basekamp PH.

Check out the posts of my fellow bloggers below :
Travel Up : Guide to Hiking Tarak Ridge | Celineism : Of Implements & Second Chances (a nice narrative of our hike)

Less than four hours away from Manila by plane, Singapore offers endless options for food, shopping (here's a list of malls) and nature parks (more info here). Even the Changi airport is a destination on its own (Airport guide here)!

If you plan to visit Singapore soon, read on for some news from our PR friends.

"Visit the Singapore Travel Showcase at SM Megamall Fashion Hall (in Mandaluyong city) from September 15-17, 2017. The showcase will feature collaborations between Singapore – Passion Made Possible brand personalities and Filipino key opinion leaders and personalities. It will also serve as a platform to share how Singapore can enable Filipino travelers and visitors to realize their passions and dreams. Aside from attractive airfare and travel deals for Singapore, visitors to the 3-day fair can also expect an exciting line up of activities, performances and programs featuring some of Singapore’s best offerings, attractions and brands such as Irvins Salted Egg, Naiise (a retailer of well-designed products), and Benjamin Barker (men's clothing store)."

Related Posts : Jurong Gardens in Singapore | Hiking in Bukit Timah

For more travel info, visit Singapore's official tourism site here.

To check out flights from Manila, go to Traveloka or download the app on Google Play or the App store.

The Singapore travel showcase in Manila is part of a global campaign, Passion Made Possible, a collaboration between The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to market Singapore internationally for tourism and business."The agencies’ first joint brand is a bold move to put forth Singapore’s unique attitude and mindset: a passionate, never-settling spirit of determination and enterprise that constantly pursues possibilities and reinvention."

Mt. Kalisungan in Calauan, Laguna is another good option if you're looking for a short & moderately challenging hike near Manila. The trail starts easy at a farm, then onto a moderately steep trail all the way to the summit. Though forested, you'll hardly feel any wind, making it a very uncomfortably humid hike. Making up for all that sweat is the view at the summit! Here, you can enjoy a scenery of nearby mountains and the lakes of San Pablo.

approaching Mt. Kalisungan

If you're planning to stay at the summit for a while, bring a cap or umbrella as the peak is a grassland with no trees.

Read : 12 Useful Things to Bring on your First Mountain Hike

This was my third visit to Mt. Kalisungan and though the trail and the views are the same, the experience is unique. I'm happy with the new friends I met (hello Cess, PJ, Red, Rod, Razel and Ana!) and the food we enjoyed after :P.

Our group at the summit of Mt. Kalisungan (Photo fr PJ Sapoco)

Mt. Kalisungan can be tackled as a short day hike, combined with a second hike to nearby Mt. Mabilog (post here) or as an extended day hike to its neighboring peak, Mt. Atimla (post here).

More Tips!
- Wear a dri fit shirt as you'll be sweating buckets due to the humidity. Bringing a foldable fan or umbrella is also a good idea.
- After your hike, you can change at the bathrooms at the jump-off and eat at Itlog ni Kuya, a roadside eatery along the main highway in Victoria, just near the junction where you can see a giant duck statue. You can also make your way to UP Los Banos where there are a lot of good food! (Read ELBI : The real "food trip" | Food Trip Under 500 UP Los Banos).

refreshing ourselves with fresh fruit shakes at Vega Center in Los Banos, Laguna.
This stall near the mall entrance serves really good and affordable shakes! (Photo from Cess)

Supplies
On this hike, I brought 1.5 liters of water (I froze 500 ML the night before so I have something cold to drink while hiking). Bring more if you get thirsty often. For snacks, I bring food that sustain energy on the trail such as almonds, cashew, sliced apples, orange, healthy snack bars and for long hikes, energy gels.

How to get here
My friend arranged for this hike so I didn't keep track of the fees. However, I found a helpful itinerary from The Novice Trekker, check out his post here.

Thanks Gid (and Wang for the ride!) for letting me tag along this hike. :)

"If this inspires you to climb a mountain, just remember to preserve what Mother Nature has to offer. Reduce your impact leave no trace."

Last September 29 - October 1, a showcase of Taiwan's best brands was held at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium. Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone 2 featured products which has earned the Taiwan Excellence seal.

Sponsored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) organizes the Taiwan Excellence campaign to promote innovative and superior-quality products, and encourage Taiwan innovators to continue transforming current technologies.

A post shared by Julius (@lakwatserongtsinelas) on Jan 3, 2017 at 9:39am PST

Travel info on Taiwan? Read : Poor Traveler | Taiwan on a budget

In this 3-day event, Taiwan Excellence brought its sports and leisure products to the spotlight. Visitors got a first-hand experience of products that maximize active lifestyles, such as the Johnson S3+ Spinner Bike, which parallels the rigors of a spinning workout, while at home. Meanwhile, a Revolution Tri-Max Fabric can be the perfect gift for your athletic and sporty friends (See related post, Gift Ideas for Outdoor Lovers). This suit is made from special super-stretch fiber to support muscle, boost performance and reduce body soreness after exercise.

There’s also a plethora of options for the ride you and your loved ones have been looking for — the Verge X10, with its ultra-light wheels getting you places in style, the Strida LT making riding, carrying and storing your bike superbly convenient, as it folds in 5 seconds tops, or a Kymco Xciting 400 motorcycle,which makes riders feel completely safe, while enjoying the pleasures of driving.

Beyond the booths and presentations, the 3-day event gathered the thrill-seeking crowds for activities, performances, fashion shows, games, and raffle draws.

The first 50 registrants qualified for a draw to win a signed basketball from the one and only, Philippine Basketball Association player Doug Kramer. The Gosiengfiao Sisters (October 1) also made an appearance, while other performers included Angeline Quinto (September 29), 4th Impact (September 30), Inigo Pascual (October 1), and the Judy’s Harmonica Ensemble.

About Taiwan Excellence
The symbol of Taiwan Excellence honors Taiwan’s most innovative products that provide tremendous value to users worldwide. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in design, quality, marketing, Taiwanese R&D, and manufacturing. Started by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), R.O.C. in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is recognized by 101 countries.

NOTE : Post is from a press release.

Every September, Tawi-Tawi celebrates Kamahardikaan, its anniversary as a province. Held on the same week is Agal-Agal Festival, which highlights the province's top product, agal-agal, the local word for seaweed. On its 44th year, the municipality of Languyan played host, about an hour away by speedboat from Bongao, the provincial capital. This being my first visit to Tawi-Tawi, I was very excited and didn't mind the arduous travel to get here, about 15 hours of air, land and sea travel from Manila!

Contingent from Bongao wins 3rd place

Together with fellow bloggers and traditional media from Mindanao, we covered various activities during the five day celebration, showcasing the culture & history of the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun and Tausug, the four major indigenous groups in Tawi-Tawi.

Related Post : Zamboanga-Basilan birthday trip (this post was written 2011, I was more hyperactive back then :P)

One of the festival's highlights was the parade and the street dancing competition. This year, it was participated by 9 of the 11 municipalities of the province with each contender presenting a glimpse of their traditions through dance, music and their costumes. Having limited knowledge on traditional dances, my level of appreciation was at a basic level - how I felt while watching the performances. Most of the performances were engaging and I was in awe after witnessing the pangalay for the first time. Pangalay is a traditional dance by the Tausug in the Sulu Archipelago and Sabah (Malaysia). Characterized by graceful movements of the fingers, elbows, shoulders and wrists, it resembles a form of martial arts in the Malay archipelago (Information Source : EDC Dance Company)

One of my companions who studied pangalay,Travel Trilogy, did a better job of explaining their performances. Check out his post here.

Here's a snippet of Sapa-Sapa's performance at the 44th Agal-Agal Festival.

The top three winners were Sapa-sapa (1st pace), Simunul (2nd place) and Bongao (3rd place). Each won 1 Million Pesos in cash and 5 Million Pesos worth of project for their respective municipality. Whoa!

Participants from Languyan

Related Post : Ironwulf.Net | Tawi-tawi Agal-Agal Festival 2017 at Languyan

Next year's Kamahardikaan & Agal-Agal Festival will be in Sitangkai. About 6 hours from Bongao by boat, it is famous for its stilt houses and a community surrounding a canal, somehow reminiscent to the popular waterway in Venice, Italy.

Tawi-Tawi boasts of beautiful mosques, white sand beaches, peace-loving, kind people and good coffee. Unfortunately, its reputation is marred by reports of kidnapping and the stigma of being part of ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), a section of southern the Philippines with a long history of conflict. It is also included in a Travel advisory for US Citizens (read here). The local government wishes to change that. To travel to Tawi-Tawi safely, please get in touch with the following :
Provincial Tourism Office of Tawi-Tawi
Mr. Mobin Gampal (PTO Officer)
Contact number: +63 977 230 9061
Email Address: pto_tawitawi@yahoo.com
Facebook Page : PTO Tawi-Tawi
Facebook Page : Department of Tourism - ARMM

Tawi-Tawi Travel Guide by The Lakwatsero here.

NOTE : This trip was made possible by the Department of Tourism - ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao). Thanks again for bringing us here, it's a dream come true!

Living in Metro Manila, one can easily travel to Rizal for a quick outdoor adventure. About an hour from Quezon City (depending on traffic), the nearby province offers biking, running and hiking trails that can be enjoyed by people of varying fitness levels.

Read : Travel Up | 5 Places to Mountain Bike near Manila

An addition to its outdoor playgrounds is Adventure Farm, an education farm concept that provides visitors a preview of farm life while learning about plants and raising animals. Though the layout is designed for kids, adults looking for a fun and easy time are welcome too!

Check out our hike at Mt. Lubog, Rizal here.

Adventure Farm opened in 2014 and is a project of Filinvest Land Inc., one of the leading real estate developers in the country and the same group behind Timberland Heights subdivision, where the farm is.

On an overnight camp with my fellow bloggers, we tried its latest attraction, the Adventure Playground, a 1.25 KM natural trail lined with obstacles. I've been hustling weeks before so on the day of the camp, all I wanted to do was pick some vegetables at the farm and sip cold lemongrass (the welcome drink) all day, but I've already committed to joining the challenge against Team Timberland. Years of playing in the football varsity has trained me to go on auto pilot and show up where I need to be. So there I stood at the starting line with my friends, dressed in all black, psyching myself to embrace the thrill of running outdoors and getting myself dirty.

One of the obstacles along the trail. Photo from Dennis Murillo

Fortunately, the obstacle course was much more fun than I expected. I've been watching too much American Ninja Warrior (check out an exciting clip here if you're not familiar with the show) that I somehow convinced myself that the challenge would be just as hard. Silly thoughts.

While it was not as easy as a walk in the park, it gave us a good sweat. The kind of sweat that makes you happy and hungry after. :P (Tip : If trying this out, wear closed shoes with a good traction as the trail can get really muddy and slippery).

My favorite part of course was crawling in the mud. Being short, challenges where I have to kneel to the ground are easy for me. Parang normal na lakad lang, haha! Add my predilection to mud and there I was, having the time of my life. Background : The movie, Ghost has permanently romanticized touching mud for me. (Here's the clip I'm talking about. :P It's got a steamy scene so you'll probably have to log in on your YouTube account to verify you're above 18 so you can watch it ;))

A section of the Adventure Playground. Photo by Dennis Murillo.

Team Timberland got to the finish line first but we really enjoyed the obstacle course that we also felt like we won, ending our quest with loud cheers and some weird dancing.

If you fancy a quick workout with your friends, Adventure Playground also accepts walk-ins with a minimum of 5 PAX from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but I still recommend getting in touch in advance as there might be bigger groups coming in (contact details below).

After cleaning up, we set our camp at a hilltop overlooking La Mesa Dam and the rest of the city. When darkness set in and the light from the infrastructures came on, everything in the distance sparkled, giving us a different perspective of the city.

There's a decent bathroom and shower room facilities just a few feet from our campsite, making it more comfortable, especially for those who don't want to rough it out too much. While I'm used to doing my thing outdoors, having clean facilities nearby is nicer and eases my paranoia from being attacked by an animal while sitting on the grass. :P

Aside from the Adventure Playground, there's plenty of other things to do out here. The farm is marketed for kids but adults who are interested in plants and animals can also enjoy. I advise you to get a a guided farm tour (150 Pesos/head) so you can get more information on how they're running the place.

Those looking for a venue to hold pictorials and prenups are also encouraged to visit. For rates, see contact details provided below.

Here's an infographic of what you can see at Adventure Farm.

Infographic provided by Adventure Farm

Other activities :
- chicken feeding
- fish feeding
- city viewing at Tree Troop
- relax at Hilltop Haven
- vegetable picking (pay for what you get later)
- birdwatching (binocular rental at 100 Pesos/piece, can be shared)
- fishing (rod rental at 100 Pesos/hour, can also be shared within the group)
- waterfalls trekking (150 Pesos/head, minimum of 5 in a group. 50% downpayment must be paid in advance 7 days prior to desired schedule, the remaining half to be paid at the farm)
- camping (advance reservation is required. Rate : 600 Pesos/head. Tent rental with a capacity of 2 persons is at 500 Pesos)
- biking (bike rental is at 100 Pesos/head per hour inclusive of safety gear, with an additional 50 Pesos for the succeeding hour)

Potted Herbs are sold at the shop for 50 Pesos/pot. Herbs like lavander, stevia, peppermint, aloe vera and more are available. They also have native tree seedlings at 150 Pesos/regular seedling.

With its proximity from Manila, activities available and reasonable rates, Adventure Farm is a good option for those who are looking for a light outdoor adventure.

Adventure Farm
Timberland Heights, San Mateo Rizal
Facebook Page : @AdventureFarmPH

Rates (in Philippine Pesos) :
Entrance Fee - 50 Pesos
Guided Tour - 150 Pesos/head

For booking inquiries, please get in touch with Adventure Farm directly.
Call + 63(02)571-9116
Email : adventurefarmtimberlandheights@gmail.com
Location Map

NOTE : This trip was a collaboration with Adventure Farm. Thanks to Jon Tablante and to the rest of team Timberland! :)

After covering the activities of the 44th Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi in Languyan(see post here), we traveled back to Bongao for some sightseeing. I was especially excited to hike Bud Bongao, a mountain which has long been on my bucket list. :)

Bud (mountain) Bongao is a small peak in the provincial capital with the same name, just 342 meter high with a stairs trail from jump-off to its summit. Sacred to locals, it is frequented by people practicing Islam who pray in tampats (burial shrines) along the trail.

At the top of Bud Bongao with my fellow bloggers, Marky/Nomadic Experiences, Ferdz/Ironwulf, Potpot/Travel Trilogy, Olan/The Travel Teller/ & Celine/Celineism (Photo from Ferdz Decena)

When we got to the jump-off at past 8:00 AM, the sun was high up and the humidity was uncomfortable. I don't mind. I was just excited to finally set foot here. :) (Tip : Since you'll be passing some open trails, it's ideal to hike early in the morning to avoid the heat. Trail opens at 6:00 AM.)

The tasking concrete stairs trail is built in the middle of a forest, making it doable for those without hiking experience and even more manageable for those who come just to pray. I prefer natural trails but if it will benefit more people and get them closer to nature, then I'm all for it.

Halfway through, we encountered lots of monkeys that gladly took the bananas visitors threw at them. I was initially freaked out at the sight of monkeys everywhere but when I saw a mother monkey carrying its baby, I was smitten, it's so cute! :)

The hike up normally takes 1-2 hours depending on your pace. As this is my first time here, I took my sweet time, taking in the scenery of a forest filled with tall trees, the sound of birds and monkeys.

There are two viewing decks before the summit and on the peak itself. Both offer breathtaking views of Celebes sea. You'll also spot the airport runway in Sanga-Sanga and the islands of Simunul and Sibutu.

I had a sunburn from island hopping the day before. Thankfully, the summit has a nice, covered sitting area, very ideal for those who want to take a long break and enjoy the view and fresh air. (Tip : There are no stores here so better bring your own water and snacks. Before reaching the summit, we saw a vendor selling cold drinks but I'm not sure if he's here everyday)

our group at the summit of Bud Bongao (Photo from Al Dam of Tausug Traveler)

After our hike, still sweaty and all, we rushed back to town for lunch at the affable mayor Jimuel Que's residence. Incidentally, it's his dad's death anniversary and their home is open for everyone needing a good meal. Hehe! I stuffed myself with fried chicken and despite the heat, I still drank native coffee after. Their coffee's really good! don't miss it when in Tawi-Tawi. Aside from lunch, we also joined a quick media interview with him, DOT ARMM Secretary Ayesha Dilangalen, Bongao Tourism Officer Kinlene Sabaani, our last activity in the province. You can read about it in this article by Ace Perez of Sun Star Davao | Bongao Lures Tourists.

How to get to Bud Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
From Manila, take a plane to Zamboanga City. From Zamboanga city, you can either *fly to Bongao or ride a boat via Aleson Shipping Lines.
Aleson Shipping Lines schedule (Note : Schedules may change. Please contact them directly on the numbers provided below to confirm the schedule.)
Zamboanga to Bongao - 6:00 PM, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Bongao to Zamboanga - 6:00 PM every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Zamboanga Ticketing Office +63(62) 992-5507, 992-6410, 992-4585

*Cebu Pacific flies from Zamboanga to Bongao every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

From Bongao town proper, take a tricycle to the jump-off. It'll take about 30-40 minutes up. Not sure about the fare since we took a private van going here. To give you an idea, the tricycle fare from the town proper to sunset boulevard in Sanga-Sanga, which is near Bud Bongao is 150 Pesos/tricycle. You may have to pay a bit more.

Other info :
- The park is open from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Smoking is not allowed
Entrance fees :
10 Pesos for locals
5 Pesos for 7 yrs old to 18 yrs old
20 Pesos for visitors from outside of Bongao
- the trail is straightforward and there is no need to hire a guide
- there's an ambulant vendor selling cold bottled drinks near the peak but I recommend bringing your own water to reduce plastic waste :)

Where to Stay in Bongao
We stayed at Rachel's place near the town proper.
Rachel's Place Hotel & Restaurant
Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Contact Number : +63 (068)268-1248

Facebook Page : Rachel's Place Tawi-Tawi

Room Rates : 1, 200 Pesos for a matrimonial room to 3000 Pesos for a family room (as of September 2017)

To travel to Tawi-Tawi safely, please get in touch with the following :

Provincial Tourism Office of Tawi-Tawi

Mr. Mobin Gampal (PTO Officer)

Contact number: +63 977 230 9061

Email Address: pto_tawitawi@yahoo.com

Facebook Page : PTO Tawi-Tawi (first contact)

Facebook Page : Department of Tourism - ARMM

Travel Guides :
Tawi-Tawi Travel Guide by Travel Up | Cebu Pacific Air City Guide, Tawi-Tawi

NOTE : This trip was made possible by Department of Tourism - ARMM. Last September, I traveled with fellow bloggers and members of the media from Mindanao to cover the 44th Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi, the province's founding anniversary. A DIY (Do It Yourself) trip to Tawi-Tawi is possible, just get in touch with the provincial tourism office of Tawi-Tawi on the contact details provided above.

I was itching for a solo birthday adventure but I was incredibly undecided where I wanted to go. Several destinations overseas came to mind. Japan (read about my first trip here) was my first choice, but with 4 days left before I planned to fly out, I realised it was going to be unnecessarily costly, around 30,000 Pesos for a four day stay.

Helicopter island in El Nido, Palawan, one of my stops during my birthday trip

Going old school, I wrote some provinces I wanted to visit on a sheet of paper, cut it out and drew my destination from the lot. I got Marinduque first. Hmmm. That was my first reaction and just as quickly as turning on a switch, I changed my mind once again and ended up booking a flight to Puerto Princesa (Palawan). From there, I booked another flight to Davao. Hehe! I can be very indecisive when I have a lot of things on my mind. :P (Tip : I use Skyscanner and Traveloka to check on available, cheap flights.)

I'm sharing with you my itinerary. It's not exactly efficient but it's exactly where I wanted to go. I'll be writing separate posts and include travel information for each leg and will put the links once completed. :) My budget for this trip was 15,000 Pesos inclusive of airfare but I have not accounted all my expenses and may have exceeded my budget. I certainly hope not.

Leg 1 - El Nido, Palawan

November 21, 2017 - fly to Puerto Princesa, travel to El Nido; check-in at Overcomer Lodge

November 22, 2017 - island hopping in El Nido (Tour C) via Northern Hope Tours

November 23, 3017 - AM : visit Nacpan beach; PM - chill

November 24, 2017 - 9:00 AM - travel back to Puerto Princesa; Check-in at Kuhl Inn; PM - Baywalk Cruise & Firefly Watching

Leg 2 - South Cotabato & Maguindanao

Blue Lagoon at Brgy. Margues, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

November 25, 2017 - fly from Puerto Princesa to Davao; travel to GenSan; Check-in at Hotel Giorgio

November 26, 2017 - travel to Tupi, South Cotabato, hike Mt. Matutum; travel back to GenSan

November 27, 2017 - travel to Cotabato City; stayed in a hotel downtown (didn't like the hotel so I won't mention it anymore. The recommended hotels in Cotabato are actually Novu and EM Convention Centre).

November 28, 2017 - hike Mt. Minandar in Maguindanao, travel to Davao to take flight back to Manila (Note : Davao has cheap flights to & from Manila; and is a good transit hub to other destinations in Mindanao such as Gen San & South Cotabato. It's really cheaper even if you factor in the fare to your final destination, but it can be very time consuming. Consider this only if you have plenty of time to spare.)

A day hike at Mt. Minandar in Data Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

Visiting a country that has so much to offer in terms of food, scenery and culture, it’s a challenge (but a very fun one), to squeeze everything on a single trip. While the country offers a variety of attractions, this post focuses on places (as you can already tell from the title :P) that will interest travellers with a penchant for nature at a relax pace.

Here’s a list of places to get you and I started in exploring this beautiful Southeast Asian neighbour of ours, Thailand.

If you have tips to share, please leave a comment or connect with me on my social media channels listed below. :)

Where to stay? Fortunately, travellers visiting to Thailand have a wide variety of options on where to stay. From backpacker types to luxury Thai Homes, it's easy to find one that fits your budget.

Hike to Thailand’s Roof

view from Kew Mae Pan trail (Photo from Douglas Perkins)

At a height of 2,565 meters, Doi Inthanon is the country’s highest mountain located within Doi Inthanon National Park, in the province of Chiang Mai. Though the only way up to the summit is by a hired vehicle or motorbike passing a concrete road, followed by a short walk to a signage that says “The Highest Spot in Thailand”, those who crave for a closer interaction with nature can explore the waterfalls and hiking trails in the area. For a rewarding hike passing a beautiful mossy forest and scenic cliff views, Kew Mae Pan trail is recommended. The trail is nearly 3 KM long and requires a local guide that can be hired onsite. Another hike is the Ang Ka Luang, a shorter boardwalk trail popular to birdwatchers.

Apart from hiking trails, other must see attractions in the park are the temples, Twin Royal stupas and its surrounding gardens . It can also be combined with a side trip to The Royal Agricultural Station, a research centre supporting the livelihood of tribes men.

Check out my other hikes here.

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

A visual treat to plant lovers is Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in the Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai. Sprawling 1,000 hectares at the foothills of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, it is Thailand’s first international standard botanic garden. Here, visitors are introduced to curated gardens showcasing the country’s flora as well as plants from overseas, arboretum trails and ornamental gardens.

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (Photo by Amada 44)

An exciting attraction onsite is Canopy Walkway. Suspended over a lush forest, it allows visitors to stroll over tree tops. There’s also a 30-45 minute trail passing Mae Sa Noi waterfalls to ornamental flowers and the Thai Wild Orchid Nursery. The waterfalls has 10 levels and can be visited on a separate trip.

Visit an elephant sanctuary in Chang Mai

Thailand’s national animal is a hit among travellers, with elephant riding as one of the top activities, but have you heard about how these pachyderms are tortured to do tricks and give rides? This post from PETA explains in detail, Why You Should Turn Down Elephant Rides.

Elephant Nature Park (Photo by Elemanxx)

Elephant Nature Park is one of the reputable animal sanctuaries in Thailand, allowing its visitors to meet its rescued elephants and volunteer. Aside from these pachyderms, dogs, cats and other animals are also in the centre.Guests must book through their website before visiting.

Travellers however must be wary of places masking itself as a sanctuary. Do your research - ask around, read reviews online before booking a tour.

Wat Khao Hua Jook

This temple with a big Buddha is on the northern side of Chaweng lake in Koh Samui island. Sitting on a 90 meter hill, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Chaweng lake, nearby islands and watch airplanes take off from Koh Samui airport. In the afternoon, it is a good spot to catch the sunset.

Not commonly part of tours, visitors can take a motorbike to get here or take an arduous walk on a steep hill. From Chaweng beach, the wat is about 1.9 KM away, on the road leading to Q Bar Samui.

Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui (Photo : Jacques.samui)

A more popular temple, thus attracting crowds, in the northeast side of Koh Samui is Wat Phra Yai or commonly referred to as Big Buddha. It also has a view deck, albeit less scenic, offering views of the water and the structures around it.

Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks

A section of Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Photo by Dirk Enthoven)

Also in Koh Samui, in a rocky coastline about 1.8 KM from Lamai beach, this popular attractionfeatures wildly interesting rock formations, in the shape of male and female genitals. Its name translates to Ta for grandpa and Yai for grandma, the subjects of a tragic Koh Samui folklore. According to the story, a couple, Ta Kreng and Yai Riem had a son who had just entered the right age to marry. To formally ask the daughter of Ta Monglai in marriage, the couple traveled by sea. Unfortunately, they encountered a storm, capsizing their boat. The couple did not survive and turned into rock formation, the shape of which serves as proof of their intention.

Nai Harn Beach

Phuket's Nai Harn Beach (Photo : ADwarf)

Developed but not congested with tourists, this beach near the southern tip of Phuket is charming. While there is no shortage of places to stay or eat, with restaurants offering a wide variety of International and Thai dishes, visitors are able to enjoy the beach in peace. It is however, not isolated. Ao Sane is only about 5 minutes away , a small beach with a good snorkelling spot. Patong, the most famous beach in Phuket and where you can find the crowd is only about 18.3 KM away. Other worthwhile places to visit include Promthep Cape for sunset viewing and Kata View point, a hilltop with a view of Kata Not, Kata, Karon and Koh Pu islands.

I woke up at 2:30 AM, ahead of the alarm, excited to meet another mountain. I had just turned a year older. Thankfully, my youthful enthusiasm for nature remains unchanged. Though I've been feeling the effects of aging with the slowing metabolism and white hair popping everywhere, I'm happy I could still hike, though my pace is much slower than a few years back. :) This time, I'm headed to Mt. Matutum, an active volcano in the municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato province.

Read : Celineism | I Spend My Birthday in the Mountain

My hotel in General Santos city was next door to a 24-hour branch of Taps & Mix, a restaurant serving Filipino comfort food that has become a new favourite. The menu looks like something people enjoy eating when they have a hang-over. Some of the items in their menu includes gambas, sisig, TAPSILOG, chicken wings & chopseuy . Though I did not get enough sleep the night before, I made time for brewed coffee and an early morning breakfast. #priorities :P

At a little past 4:00 AM, the bus left Bulaong terminal in Gen San for Tupi. (Tip : Be at the bus terminal by 4:00 AM and ride the bus with a signage "MARBEL - 2 Stops". This is bound for Koronadal, Marbel's new name). After an hour or less, I arrived at Kablon crossing in Tupi where I met with my guide, sir Toto Mateo. (If you're not familiar with the area, just ask conductor or driver to let you off at Kablon Crossing. While there are no obvious markers, the crossing has a waiting shed and a habal-habal or motorbike terminal nearby.

The jump-off is 30 minutes away on rough road, passing Dole's vast pineapple plantation. The view is beautiful and calming with Mt. Matutum as a backdrop.

start of our hike via Glandang trail

We had a short stop at the home of a barangay leader to show my permit. By 6:00 AM, we were making our way up the mountain via Glandang trail, passing Glandang Elementary school. At the time, only one other group was in the mountain and they had camped the night before.

The first part was not as easy as I expected. The trail is clear but narrow and gradually inclined. Add the lack of sleep and I was out of breathe early on. I adjusted my pace - slower with a max 10 second rest - just enough for my heart not to jump out of my chest. My guide, sir Toto could have effortlessly made his way up but he patiently waited for me. We were about 10-20 feet apart most of the time.

The slower pace was enjoyable. Numerous times I paused to admire the fog, the fungi, moss-covered tree branches and the orange flowers along the trail. We even spotted a bird perched on a tree. Thankfully, no snakes. Hehe!

In 1 hr 47 minutes, we reached an area called Phase 1. It's a wide area that serves as a resting spot. By the time we get there, I was dizzy from hunger. All the food I ate that morning had left my system in the first 30 minutes of the hike! Sir Toto and I ate a quick breakfast, his first, my second. :P I would have preferred to stay longer as we were ahead of schedule but it got so cold, we had to move again.

Mt. Matutum's mossy forest

After phase 1, the trail transitioned from steep to incredibly steep, making the hike up even more challenging, but seeing its beautiful forest, it was hard not to smile! The light rain and fog made the shade of trees and plants more vibrant. There's plenty of roots and branches to hold on to, I didn't slip. The soil was wet but because not many people went up here, the ground is stable. We did see limatik but they were not aggressive.

Our slow and steady pace worked. We barely stopped for a rest. After another 2 hours from phase 1, we finally reached the summit! If not for the markers, you'd think it's just another resting area. Fog was everywhere and there was nothing to see. Still, I was elated to have reached the summit. Some 30 minutes away, there's another area called Peak 3 where view is supposedly awesome but with the bad weather and cold, we decided to head down after about 10 minutes.

At Mt. Matutum's cold and foggy summit

Before 2:00 PM, we were already making our way back to downtown Tupi where we had late lunch. Farmers bread has delicious panic lomi and bread. It's just across Tupi Public market and bus terminal where I rode back to Gen San. (Tip : If you love coffee, check out the public market for native coffee. There's a stall near the entrance selling it.)

post hike lunch at Farmers Bread with my ne.w found friends from Tupi.
My guide, sir Toto is the guy in grey, while the rest of the guys are also hikers, his friends we ran into on our way
down the mountain.

Here's my itinerary and travel info:
Matutum Day Hike Itinerary via Glandang Trail (from Gen San)
Note : Contact guide ahead of your hike to schedule. In my case, I coordinated with my guide, one week prior. You will also need a permit to climb. If coming from out of town, he can process it for you. More details below.

November 2017 (Sunday)
4:00 AM - ETD Bulaong Terminal in Gen San
5:00 AM - ETA Kablon Crossing to meet with guide and take habal-habal to Sitio Glandang
5:15 AM - ETD Kablon Crossing
5:45 AM - ETA, Sitio Glandang, show permit to barangay official, final preps, restroom break.
6:00 AM - Start Trek
6:30 AM - Arrival at the only water source
6:45 AM - Start Trekking again
8:15 AM - arrival at Phase 1
8:30 AM - resume trek to summit
11:00 AM - arrival at summit
11:30 AM - start descent
1:30 PM - arrival at Sitio Glandang, dress up at barangay leader's place and take habal-habal back to downtown
2:30 PM - back in downtown, late lunch at Farmers Bread
3:00 PM - wait for bus back to Gen San
4:30 PM - back in Gen San

Expenses :

Permit fee - 500 PHP

Guide fee - 1,000 PHP
Guide - Toto (Jefferson) Mateo - +63 (0920) 743 7135

Note : He can assist with your permit. You will need to send the permit fee via Palawan Express (Guide fee to be paid after the hike). Contact him ahead of time before sending the payment. As he will be processing the permit, please consider adding an extra amount on top of the permit fee to cover for his expenses.

Habal-habal fare from Tupi to Sitio Glandang-100/person, one way. You will pay for the guide's fare.(to and fro, total is 400 Pesos if you're going solo)

Fare from GenSan to Kablon crossing - 40 PHP+/-* (aircon bus, first trip at 4:00 AM) -

*I forgot the exact cost but it's around that amount.

Where to stay in GenSan?
- I'm not able to recommend the hotel I stayed in because of noise issues. I do however, encourage you search for a hotel via Traveloka app (super useful for last minute bookings on domestic travels!) or Agoda. Do check the reviews on the site, via Trip Advisor or run a search on Google. :) You can find rooms for as low as 500 Pesos/night but take note of the inclusions (aircon, private t&b, breakfast, etc) as well as location from establishments and distance from Bulaong Terminal where you will be taking a bus to Tupi. It's easy to get around GenSan via tricycle though some drivers may overcharge you. There's a minimum fare (I forgot if it was 8 or 10 Pesos) and tricycles are for sharing. The driver will pick up passengers that are along their route, unless you request for a special trip.

Side Trips
You can combine this with a hike to Sanchez peak near Gen San or a trip to Gumasa beach in Sarangani (see Pinoy Adventurista's post here for travel info).

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Cambodia, it’s likely that Angkor Wat will be high on your list of things to see. Though the country is also known for beautiful beaches and local culture, Angkor Wat is in a league with some of the most famous wonders of the world, and deserves every traveler’s attention. That said, it’s also a very misunderstood historical attraction, and it pays to know a little bit about a place like this before you visit. Thus, we wanted to write up a brief guide of things you should know about Angkor Wat.

1. Angkor Wat Is About 900 Years Old
Sometimes we lose a little bit of perspective when it comes to dating ancient wonders. For instance, we get used to the idea that things like the pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge are literally thousands of years old. Meanwhile, some other wonders like the Taj Mahal are far younger – in that specific case, only about 360 or 370 years old. But Angkor Wat falls somewhere in between ancient and modern wonders. It was built between roughly A.D. 1113 and 1150, making it roughly 900 years old.

That sounds nice, but when you really think about what was going on in the world around that time it’s rather incredible. In the 12th century, the Renaissance was emerging from the High Middle Ages, gothic architecture was first taking hold in France, and the Song dynasty ruled in France. It was during this time that the Khmer Empire in Cambodia was at the height of its power, which makes the structure of Angkor Wat seem all the more impressive.

2. It Was The Center Of The World’s Largest City
Unless you’re fairly sharp on your Cambodian history, you might not realize that the name Angkor Wat comes from the name Angkor, which was at the time of construction the capital of the aforementioned Khmer Empire. With a population that likely exceeded one million even in the 12th century – when there were still fewer than 500 million people on the entire planet. That made Angkor the biggest city on Earth for quite some time until the Industrial Revolution gave way to faster construction and bigger cities in the West. Imagining ancient Angkor Wat within this context gives it new significance.

3. It’s Not Indian
Clearly Angkor Wat is not in India, but there still seems to be a widespread misconception that it is of Indian origin. We do know that it was built originally as a Hindu temple, and thus in a way there was Indian influence. Some claim it was actually Indians living abroad who constructed the temple, such that the monument is often credited to Indian lore, right alongside the Taj Mahal. One modern gaming series even appears to use an Angkor Wat-inspired temple as background material. The games, hosted by Slotsource, follow an Indiana Jones-like adventurer to various ancient civilizations, and the “Pearls of India” game, while not exclusively using the temple, sure appears to glorify Angkor Wat.

The truth is simple. Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century (as mentioned) by ancient Cambodians who may have spent time in India learning about culture and architecture. Thus, while there is Indian influence, the building wasn’t actually conceived of or built by Indians.

4. It’s Still An Area Of Active Worship
This is a quick point, but one that may be of particular interest to prospective travelers. Angkor Wat is an ancient temple that is now primarily a tourist attraction and a monument to history. However, there are still active temples in its immediate vicinity – reminiscent of the city’s history, during which there were at times hundreds of temples serving the population. Thus, while it does receive a lot of attention from tourists, Angkor Wat is still a place for reverence.

5. There’s An Ancient City Beneath Angkor Wat
If it’s not already impressive enough to think of Angkor Wat as an enduring symbol of a 900-year-old city, recent research has indicated that the surrounding area was actually populated before Angkor became prominent. According to Baby Elephant, brand new laser technologies recently combed over the area, resulting in the discovery of the city of Mahendraparvata – a Khmer city that is dated to 300 years before the construction of Angkor Wat. That discovery came in 2012, and in 2016 evidence of even older cities in the immediate area emerged – some of them perhaps as old as 1,400 years. All of this only deepens the palpable sense of history you get visiting this incredible area.

Note : The above article was contributed by one of the site's guest writers. If you have any concerns about this post, please send an email to tine.fernandez@gmail.com.

Walking in the middle of trees and plants is just so energizing that the aches and occasional bruises that come after a long hike become easy to forget. :P For a person who loves forests, nature is indeed the best spa.

As most of my hikes are in mountain trails around the Philippines, where temperature can go as warm as 35C, I wear the most comfortable and affordable clothing I could buy (won't you rather spend money on food or coffee? :P). The latest addition to my "hiking wardrobe" is from FitGear, an online store providing premium essentials in honest prices. I tried one of their shirts under the Wind series, shirts that are lightweight, compact and quick drying.

wearing FitGear Wind shirt at Mt. Pimmayong in Zambales, Philippines. That day was so sunny
and it became hotter as noon time approached, I'm super happy I wore the most comfy shirt in
my closet!

True to its description, its fabric is very light but it doesn't feel cheap. The stitchings around the shirt are pretty solid. Being lightweight and compact, it's so easy to just stuff it in your bag.

Airy and comfortable, it's perfect for hiking in the tropics. I feel like I'm not wearing anything - which is really good when the air is humid and you're sweating so much. A shirt which come in women and men's sizes costs 14.90 USD or around 745 Pesos. While it's not as cheap as digging an old shirt from the closet, it's a worthwhile investment for a frequent hiker. I should also tell you that technical shirts from other popular outdoor brands range from 1,500 Pesos so their pricing is quite reasonable.

The design is minimal - colored shirts with the FitGear logo near the sleeves, making it easy to pair with any pants, shorts or shoes.

Tip : You can get it cheaper if you buy 2 or more pieces so I recommend ordering it with friends or perhaps a gift to a fellow outdoor lover.

FitGear's products. Men's shirts are also available. (Screenshot taken from FitGear's website)

I'm always on the lookout for good brands that can help me have a more enjoyable time outdoors, without spending too much and FitGear is one great find!

FitGear
Order online here.
Payment method is via PayPal, Visa or Mastercard
*product ships from Malaysia

Use the following codes at checkout to get a discount!
HELLOCHRISTINEF
HELLOCHRISTINEF1
HELLOCHRISTINEF2
Note : The discount codes are worth 5$ and valid only once per customer

Tips on purchasing online :
Before making a purchase, check out the size guide to avoid ordering an incorrect size. It's available on the product's page, just below the photos of the shirt.

If you're curious about what else I wear during a typical hike, here's the rest of it :

- compression pants

- hiking socks made of merino wool or 100% cotton (it's durable, breathable and super comfy!)
- waterproof hiking shoes

- bandana, it's very useful to prevent sweat from getting in your eyes. You can also wear it on your arm to wipe off dirt or sweat.

NOTE : FitGear provided me a shirt to review and I'm happy with the product thus, I wrote this post. I don't earn anything if you buy from them.

Here’s a list of places to get you and I started in exploring this beautiful Southeast Asian neighbour of ours, Thailand.

If you have tips to share, please leave a comment or connect with me on my social media channels listed below. :)

Where to stay? Fortunately, travellers visiting to Thailand have a wide variety of options on where to stay. From backpacker types to luxury Thai Homes, it's easy to find one that fits your budget.

Hike to Thailand’s Roof

view from Kew Mae Pan trail (Photo from Douglas Perkins)

Check out my other hikes here.

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (Photo by Amada 44)

Visit an elephant sanctuary in Chang Mai

Elephant Nature Park (Photo by Elemanxx)

Travellers however must be wary of places masking itself as a sanctuary. Do your research - ask around, read reviews online before booking a tour.

Wat Khao Hua Jook

Not commonly part of tours, visitors can take a motorbike to get here or take an arduous walk on a steep hill. From Chaweng beach, the wat is about 1.9 KM away, on the road leading to Q Bar Samui.

Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui (Photo : Jacques.samui)

Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks

A section of Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Photo by Dirk Enthoven)

Nai Harn Beach

Phuket's Nai Harn Beach (Photo : ADwarf)

After hiking Mt. Matutum (read post here), I continued my solo adventure to Cotabato city to visit the new friends I met during a media trip to Tawi-Tawi. From GenSan (General Santos city), that's another 4 hour bus ride, passing several municipalities in the province of Maguindanao, which I was visiting for the first time.

The driver let me off in front of a police outpost in the municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. On the next road, a few meters away is Masjid Dimaukom or more commonly known as the Pink Mosque for obvious reasons. Under a clear, blue sky, it's color,a strong shade of pink popped out beautifully.

I found a sitting area across that has an amazing vantage of the mosque and stayed there for a couple of minutes, admiring it.

I headed back to the road to hail another vehicle going to Cotabato City. With a lot of vacant seat and wide open windows, I enjoyed the wind and embraced the dust. The view was mostly houses, roadside mosques and a lot of greenery.

As we passed Barangay Margues in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), a huge sign by the road caught my eye "This way to the Blue Lagoon". I made another last minute decision to go down.

A beautiful pool revealed itself just a couple of steps off the road. Surrounded by huge trees and a forest, it looks enchanting.

Blue Lagoon at Brgy. Margues

For a while, I just stood there taking photos but being a water baby, I couldn't resist jumping in the water! I went inside a makeshift changing area, which is really just a small stall with sack as walls. Few minutes later, I joined the small crowd and swam.

As I was alone, I stayed mostly near the shallow area, occasionally swimming to the deeper sections. I could hear chatters of a dialect that I couldn't understand. To be honest, I felt such an outsider but thankfully, the atmosphere wasn't threatening. I was able to have a friendly chat with a few locals who knew how to speak Tagalog which made me feel less lonely. :)

After cooling down, I headed back up and changed. It was past 3:00 PM and I still had to travel to Cotabato city!From the main road, I caught an aircon van to Cotabato city.

Less than an hour later, I'm inside a tricycle looking for a place to stay. I wasn't happy where I checked in so I won't be mentioning it on this post. My room reeked of sweat and though the location is accessible and staff are friendly, it's near a busy intersection that made me feel uneasy.

Travel Tip : My friend from Cotabato recommends staying at Novo Hotel and I regret not asking him before. :P

Somehow, my Mindanao-based friends convinced me to hike Mt. Minandar the next morning. Please click here for the story (hiking information included!).

Resources
The following blogs helped me get around Cotabato City and Maguindanao. Please visit their blogs for additional helpful info :
Lakwatsero | Cotabato City Travel Guide
My Mindanao | Mt. Minandar, Maguindanao's Newest Attraction

The attractions, Blue Lagoon and Mt. Minandar are both in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS). For more info, please get in touch with DOS Tourism.
Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) Tourism Facebook Page
DOS Tourism Office contact : Datuhabib Salazar
Mobile Number : +63 0905-617-1725

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