A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
I recently revisited my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region for the first time since the pandemic started. Like other places impacted by the lack of tourism the past two years, there have been a lot of changes to the food scene.
NOTE: As of June 2022, many restaurants in Naga City have closed because of the pandemic. I’ve rearranged this list to highlight those that are still currently operating for reference, but have retained the list of old restos in case they still reopen in the future. Most of the restaurants below are those within the main Naga City proper. Post-pandemic “Uptown Naga,” the area of Pacol and Carolina has also become popular for al fresco dining.
In recent years, my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region has become a rising foodie destination. Every visit means that there are new restaurants waiting to be sampled, as well as old favorites that just have to be revisited.
Bikol cuisine is known as being spicy and sweet. Sili (chili peppers) and coconut milk (gata) are used in a lot of dishes, as well as pili nut products for desserts and a unique relish. Here’s a look at some of the best places where you can savor the flavors of Bikol (compiled from numerous visits to Naga to visit my folks), as well as some of the new restaurants worth checking out.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Naga City (updated 2022)”After biking through coastal areas and up steep mountain roads, it’s always great to just head back to a comfy base to have beer by the beach, enjoy meals, and chill out without having to drive back far to the city the same day.
For road bikers and urban cyclists, coffee rides have become a big thing for weekends. There are just so many new minimalist cafes that have popped up all over the metro that you can ride to every week just to go somewhere new or hang out on those Tambike rides with friends.
But for mountain bikers, there’s nothing quite like a mug of ice cold beer to beat the heat and help you relax and recharge during longer weekend rides, night rides, and bike camping.
Want to enjoy fun movie nights at home with your family and friends? The LUMOS RAY Home Cinema Projector makes the cinematic experience easy and hassle-free for Pinoy movie buffs who may have limited space at home. With its minimalist design and plug and play system, the projector packs the essential specs you need for a home theater, instantly transforming any room in the house into your own micro-cinema.
Baler is a laid-back coastal town in the province of Aurora that’s known mostly as a surfing destination. But it’s also an amazing base for riders and bikers to explore. In 2019, we took a road trip from Manila to Dingalan, Baler, Dipaculao and back by motorcycles and loved the vibe, so we decided to return and ride at a slower pace on bicycles in April 2022 as soon as travel restrictions eased.
Al fresco dining has been the pandemic’s saving grace. Providing safe yet enjoyable ways to delight in a good meal, and rediscover the joy of the great outdoors.
Most of the time, though, al fresco dining is only available in out-of-town restaurants which isn’t really practical when you’re not up for a long drive. The good news is that you no longer need to drive out of the city to find must try al fresco dining options.
At Bonifacio High Street (BHS), you can find all-time crowd favorites and date spots offering outdoor dining, allowing you to savor all sorts of cuisines to suit your taste without having to go very far.
Continue reading “Al fresco dining spots in Bonifacio High Street”For those coming from Metro Manila, Tagaytay in Cavite is one of the most popular choices for a road trip or quick weekend getaway. You can enjoy the cooler climate with a refreshing view in this mountain town overlooking Taal Lake without having to drive too far.
We’ve all been cooped up for the past 2 years since the pandemic hit, and it’s great that we can finally rediscover and revisit our favorite spots again.
Philippine Airlines heralded a “new PAL” as the flag carrier celebrated its 81st anniversary on March 15, 2022.
Having recently emerged from a successful restructuring with fresh capital, lower debt and a streamlined fleet, PAL unveiled a youthful 21st century outlook along with plans for network expansion, digital innovation, and a more cargo-driven strategy.
There’s a cool new spot to enjoy craft beer and local coffee in Tagaytay!
Siglo Brew is a relatively new dining destination, having opened on June 12, 2021. It’s conveniently located right across Tagaytay Picnic Grove, a popular sightseeing spot. For those who want to eat full meals, you can head to Siglo Modern Filipino restaurant along the road. But you can also just head on to the back, located inside View Park Hotel for coffee, craft beer, local pastries, and beer chow.
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