My First Sense of Snow at Sapa, Vietnam

Unknown October 23, 2014

I know its 'winter' in the northern part of Vietnam at the time I arrived there middle of December last year. I remember sleeping at the airport upon arrival with two layers of jacket until I was woken up by a freezing burst of wind I thought was emanating from the air-conditioning system. I looked around and saw the source of the cold - the automatic door that remained open. When I arrived at the old french quarters of Hanoi that morning I welcomed the 12 degree Celsius cold with delight, it was my first time to experience that kind of cold - in a city setting outside of my trips to Sagada and Mount Pulag - which are both in the highlands, before.

Winter Read more

Eat, Sleep, Relax and Repeat at Taal Vista Hotel on its 75th Year

Unknown October 19, 2014

"Next time we see those, can you please stop the car so I could take a picture" I said to Monnette as we make a pass at those colorful miniature windmills by the side of the road. We're in Tagaytay already and the sky can never get bluer than what is above us that day. If the air has a texture it would be two notch smoother than the air from where we came from. I've never spent a night at Tagaytay before, just a handful of daytrips and nary of a chance to wake and feel its morning dew on my feet. This time though, an invite to stay at Taal Vista Hotel will mark that first time.

Welcoming guests since 1939

Tagaytay Read more

A Better than Expected Sidetrip to Qutb Minar in New Delhi

Unknown October 14, 2014

In a four-fold piece of paper, New Delhi should be jotted around the first folded part. It was day 7 or 8 of our 25-day peregrination around India when we arrived at this capital city. Still reeling from a hangover of amazement developed by our feasting of the eyes over the sight of Taj Mahal in Agra, I expect to be taken aback by New Delhi the same way Kolkata blew me away with its tremendous amount of street activities and noise.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Read more

Paddle Up and High Five Redux at CDO

Unknown October 13, 2014

I've been on a river rafting ride three times already, each one not washing-up away any of the excitement, every ride brings forth a feeling of thrill and a sense of adventure. Although this was a somber version compared to my first river rafting experience in CDO, where Lot, Tina and I opted for the 'wild' ride - which we tumbled and experienced the 'washing machine' effect at least half a dozen times, I still enjoyed this ride I had with my fellow #TravelMindanao buddies. Our party of eight were divided into two rafts so I ended up with Lisa Marie, Alex and Doi while Ferdz, Shugah, Glen and Nathalie boarded the other raft where they were joined by our new travel buddies Audrey and Teckie.

wilderness Read more

The Kids of Chavayan Village Will be Alright | Batanes

Unknown October 11, 2014

Coinciding our visit to Batanes on the windiest time of the year, the weather on Sabtang Island resembled an early winter setting. The scenery along the way to the old village of Chavayan was some of the prettiest I've ever seen. It's impossible to blink my eyes as we pass through seemingly limitless green fields studded by lingering munching cows and goats foregrounding immense blue waters. We arrived in town an hour before sundown, leaving us with little time for exploration that day.

The kids of Chavayan are alright

Sabtang Island Read more

Taal Vista Hotel Presents: Culinary Gems: A Festival of Filipino Flavors

Unknown October 01, 2014

I went nearly addicted to Thali meals while I was in India. I can also tell of similar food-tripping pleasures over spicy dishes that I tried in Sri Lanka, stuffing myself with various stir fried dishes and drowning on tom yum soup in Thailand. While I'm glad to have such an eventful gastronomical adventure so far this year, my heart still belongs to my native land's home-cooked flavors. Each time I would arrive at the airport I instantly imagines what my mom would be cooking at home. Same with every Filipinos in every part of the world, Filipino food still rocks our appetite. That's why when Taal Vista Hotel - as part of their 75th year celebration, invited me to experience their Culinary Gems: A Festival of Filipino Flavors, I was almost flabbergasted with excitement.