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You learned about Caramoan Islands most likely because of the regular filming of the reality TV hit show, Survivor, in the archipelago in Camarines Sur. But probably you haven’t heard the challenges that you will face in surviving the tours within and around the islands. The survival series will start at the two-hour boat trip from Sabang. Your mind and body will be continuously tested in spelunking, in taking hundreds of steps in reaching the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Grotto, in staying away from sea urchins, in climbing limestones for a mystical milkfish that is believed to have a curse, and in eating allergy-triggering seafood feast every meal. If you got what it takes to survive all these things, then Caramoan is a place for a castaway like you.
Taipei, Taiwan – The National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine is dedicated to the revolutionary heroes of the Republic of China who engaged and died in different expedition, and civil wars, and crises in Taiwan. Besides its architecture reminiscent of Forbidden City in Beijing, crowd of tourists flocks to the shrine because of its hourly ceremony for […]
On my 73rd weekend project, I decided to visit an art gallery and museum situated at the one hectare Silangan Gardens in Antipolo, Rizal called Pinto Art Museum. Pinto Art Museum is a good place to find inspiration from the country’s contemporary art. It is collaborative effort of the Silangan Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Ecology. Pinto Art Museum is another testimony to the Rizal Province as the Arts Capital of the Philippines. The full blog post about the visit is underway.
When I came to Seoul, South Korea, I made sure that Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain be crossed from my must-visit and must-photographed list. It would be challenging to capture its colors and beauty at night. But at the same time it would be a reward for all the walks that happened within the day.
Banpo-Jamsu Bridge is a two-decker bridge that connects Seocho and Yongsan districts. Also known as the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, it is the world’s longest bridge fountain. The water is released from more than 300 nozzles and is pumped directly from the Han River river itself and continuously recycled. Meanwhile, there are more than 200 lights that illuminate the water projectiles and are synchronized with music.
The fountain show starts every hour starting 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekdays, and every 30 minutes from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekends.
You can also see the N Seoul Tower from afar.
How To Get There
Take the train and alight from Dongjak Station along the Seoul Subway Line 4, Exit 1 or 2. Follow the Dongjak Bridge and it will take you to Han River. Walk along the Olympic Park as you reach the Banpo Bridge.
How Did I Get There
I took the subway and alighted from Banpo Station because it’s Banpo! Unfortunately, I got lost in a village with no exit near the Han River so I wasn’t able to see the light and sound show on that night. Even though I missed the last show, I was able to start a conversation with four International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) students who are having a picnic in the park grounds. Two of them are from Taiwan, one is from Bhutan and the other is from Malaysia. It began with a question on the schedule of the Banpo Bridge fountain show, climaxed when they shared their true Korean fried chicken and ended up as we’re running to and catching the last train. We were like classmates of the same year. Because of my Facebook security settings and my iPhone was already drained, they were not able to add or even to look my account up. It would be exciting to see them in Taiwan, after 6 months, in my birthday. Yes, I already booked that flight that early.
My second attempt was successful the next day even I came all the way from Everland. And it was sweeter because I was able to catch two shows that night. There were several photographers and spectators who bring their bikes and friends waiting for the light and sound show. On that night, only one side was pumping waters of Han River. I stayed longer and planned to catch the last train again. Because it was my last night in Seoul. Because separation anxiety.
Mondays won’t be a struggle if you’re waking up to enjoy the sea, the sand and the sun. Standing from the top of the Willy’s Rock in Boracay Island station 1, this is only a glimpse of the 4-km White Beach of the island. The tide was low and was leaving a wide and lovable natural white beach. This was taken Monday after Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo last January. One of the good times in the year to savor a clearer Boracay waters.
How To Get There
You can reach Boracay Island from two nearest airports in Caticlan and in Kalibo. From Kalibo Airport, you have to take a 1.5 to 2 hours trip in a passenger van to get to Caticlan jetty port. It will only be a 15 minute ride from Caticlan airport to its jetty port.
Station 1 is located at the farther north of the White Beach and relatively the most quiet among the three stations. You may take a tricycle from the main road in the island for ten pesos but why would you miss your chance to step on a world-known fine white sand of Boracay?
How Did I Get There
This is a side trip after the Ati-atihan Festival which is the 54th weekend project.
Before the travel bug bit me, there were only few travel blogs that I follow. I even used to question them on how they can afford to travel when most of them are full-time bloggers who just earn from ad payouts and sponsorships. Contrast it with someone who’s doing a nine-hour work inside the office […]
Whenever I aboard from airports and seaports, I always see people carrying dozens of Krispy Kreme as their pasalubong. Even couchsurfers bring these sweet treats for their host as the former’s gratitude to latter’s warm welcome. So imagine a sweeter gesture – a delicious feast with your message as a twist! Personalized Message Doughnuts are […]
More than a year ago, I joined an open tour in Baler, Aurora. Months later after the said trip, I found myself among with the head organizer and new “board directors” forming a new open travel group called Just Go. Since 2013 is a year where I go out every weekend, my intention is to head the creatives, promotions and website development of our travel group instead of guiding the participants to the event itinerary. Until the time has come for me to shine, as my teammates say. JustGo takes a circle of ten to Aurora with me as their tour guide. Dubbed as ‘Haler Baler, Aura sa Aurora’ trip, the third batch of participants enjoyed the best days of their lives in one of the popular surfing sites in the Philippines.
Music by American Authors, “Best Day Of My Life”
Just A Gent Remix
There’s no other place in the Philippines where I should be partying on a summer of 69th weekend but Boracay. In a long weekend of May 1. The (infamous) Laboracay, a portmanteau of Labor Day and Boracay Island, attracts more crowd to the 24/7 island and more hate than ever from the outsiders. Curiosity killed the cat and I got the bittersweet taste of a super peak season in the premiere beach destination.
But Laboracay is not just all about eat-sleep-rave-repeat party animals. I still did find and spend chill times with good ol’ friends from different cliques. Little known, I started a moving on phase here. Because saltwater solution solves.
Music by Calvin Harris, “Summer”
Extended Mix
Let me introduce two things: First is the awesome electronic dance music of a Filipino music maker, KidWolf. Check the local airwaves and you’d find out he’s the guy behind the beats of some of the songs in the chart as he collaborates with artists like Sarah Geronimo and Daniel Padilla. “Free” is the official theme song of the recently concluded musical festival, Summer Siren. Aside from my inclination to DJ mixes as accompaniment to all my travel videos, I think only Original Pinoy Music will fit best in a clip featuring the Philippines. And the line in the song “Choose an island from the open sea” suits best. Second is my top 100 destination picks in our country that I’ve visited so far. All of the photos and clips featured here come from my travel. I am really enjoying this montage. This is my answer to Tourism Secretary’s call for Filipinos to turn ourselves into ambassadors for our country.
But this list does not end here. There are more spots to check in. I only have been around 30 provinces out of the 81. Another 100 Destinations list is on my way. Maybe, you, too, can join me in choosing one of the 7107 islands (and hundreds of festivals too) from the open sea.
Music by KidWolf & BV, “Free”
Extended Mix