Souvenirs – Travel Up

Travel Guide: Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan (2023)

Anyone who grew up playing old school video games dreams of visiting Super Nintendo World. This themed section inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a geek-filled paradise where you warp right into Princess Peach’s Castle, punch question mark blocks in real life, and dine on cute Mario-themed food items.

After years of being stuck at home and escaping to virtual worlds, it felt great to get sucked into this immersive video game world in real life in Japan during a recent family trip.

Ultimate Souvenir Guide to the Philippines

The Philippines has a very rich pasalubong culture. The term literally translates to “something for when you welcome me” and shows the giving spirit of Filipinos when it comes to bringing something from their destination for friends and family back home. Whenever I travel, I try not to skip the usual t-shirts and magnets, but look for something unique to the place. It could be anything from processed food, a local delicacy you can only find in that place, arts and crafts or home decor.

Travel Guide: Antique

Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. Just a couple of hours away from the gateway to Boracay, the country’s most famous beach party destination, Antique offers a different kind of getaway. “Off-the-beaten-path” is the description that immediately comes to mind. This laid-back province comprised of 18 municipalities (no cities!) has a lot to offer for those looking for raw and rugged adventures.

They’ve got it all for you, including riverside jungle hot tubs, beautiful uncrowded beaches, rice terraces hidden in remote mountain villages, multi-level waterfalls, clear rivers and springs, mountain highlands and stunning karst cliffs.

Reference Points & Road Markers in the Philippines

Most riders and cyclists I know have a thing for taking photos with reference points, road signs and unique markers. These are basically just ordinary-looking signs on the road, but because of their uniqueness to a place, they symbolize stepping foot and exploring a new destination. It’s like the title screen starting a new chapter in your adventures or unlocking an achievement of reaching a new place.

Travel Guide: Culion, Palawan

Culion Island in Palawan is not your typical mainstream tourist destination. Locals say that most people have either never heard of Culion, or know it only for once being the world’s largest leper colony. In fact, the island was isolated for over a century. The Culion leper colony was established in 1906, and patients from different parts of the Philippines and hospital staff were brought to Culion. But in 2006, the island was declared leprosy-free by the World Health Organization.

HK Brewcraft, Hong Kong

The craft beer scene is booming in Hong Kong and it’s always good to sample the local brews when you travel abroad. I really wish I had more time to go on a proper brewery tour there, since I read that there are many amazing local breweries that have popped up all over the city from Kwai Chung to Kennedy Town.

Continue reading “HK Brewcraft, Hong Kong”

Weaving for Dreams: Maranao Collectibles, Marawi City

One of the things I like to collect from different provinces I visit are native weaves and textiles. There are many rich weaving traditions in the different parts of the Philippines and the fabrics often make more unique souvenirs compared to mass-produced ref magnets, mugs or keychains. With every distinct pattern are threads of culture and heritage from different tribes and the skillful artists who weave them. Each piece of cloth tells a different story.

In Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, we came across the langkit, a traditional Maranao weave made with a backstrap loom in the shop of Salika Maguindanao-Samad and Jardin Samad of Maranao Collectibles, who are working to creatively revive the vanishing art of weaving. Continue reading “Weaving for Dreams: Maranao Collectibles, Marawi City”

Travel Guide: Samar (province)

Samar (formerly named Western Samar), is one of the three provinces of Samar Island in Eastern Visayas in the Philippines. Home to a network of amazing caves hidden beneath the region’s lush jungles, including the biggest cave system in the country, Samar is a rugged destination where adventure seekers can experience something out of the ordinary. Though most of Samar Island remains off-the-radar for local tourists, many international spelunkers have been drawn here since it’s been dubbed the “Caving Capital of the Philippines.”

Gear Review: Lakhambini Shoes

One of the things that I look out for when I travel around the Philippines are items made from native weaves or indigenous textiles. Underneath the motifs and patterns are beautiful stories of culture and heritage from different tribes and the skillful artists who weave them.

Continue reading “Gear Review: Lakhambini Shoes”

Travel Guide: Quirino

Quirino is one of those provinces in Luzon that’s often overlooked and still off the tourist radar. Formerly part of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino became a separate province in 1966. While most provinces in the Philippines are known for something concrete, Quirino’s identity has yet to be formed. It was this air of mystery and “off-the-beaten path” vibe that made me more eager to visit the province.

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