A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Romblon is one of the three main islands and capital of the province of the same name in the Philippines. Formerly a trading post during the Spanish period, Romblon Island is popularly known as the “Marble Capital of the Philippines.” It’s also a rising ecotourism destination home to stunning white-sand beaches and uncrowded diving spots.
The town of Tanay in Rizal province is one of my favorite destinations near the metro for motorcycling road trips. Its proximity to Manila, refreshing mountain scenery, cooler climate, and generally uncrowded destinations makes it a good alternative to Tagaytay on any given weekend. Parts of Tanay pass through portions of the Sierra Madre mountain range, making it a great motorcycling and biking destination.
For weekend warriors and families, Tanay has lots to offer in terms of natural attractions. The resorts and leisure camps in the area also make it a popular destination for team-building activities as well.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Tanay, Rizal”Sometimes we all just need a quick getaway somewhere refreshing, but accessible. In the busy urban sprawl of Metro Manila, not everyone is lucky enough to have green spaces and gardens in their homes. Dining in garden restaurants can give you that quick fix of the great outdoors. Here are just a few garden restaurants in and near the metro worth hunting down for your next date, or food-trip session with friends.
In the tradition of our year-ender rides, it rained. One moment, it was bright and sunny and the next, it was drizzling. It wasn’t even strong rain. But it was enough to make us stop on the side of the road and wait it out. The gray clouds hanging heavy on the horizon didn’t look too promising.
It seems like everyone is on vacation and traveling this time of the year. My newsfeed has been flooded with photos of people relaxing on the beach or in snowy destinations, traveling internationally with their whole family in tow and going on epic motorcycle road trips across the country. It made me want to go somewhere new just for the heck of it.
Continue reading “Rides, Realizations and Roads Ahead”Calle de la Escolta or Escolta Street is one of the oldest and most historic streets in Manila, Philippines. Located in the old downtown district of Binondo, it was once dubbed as “The Queen of Streets.” In fact, Manileños used to flock to Escolta to shop, work, and dine, making it a leading commercial district during the 1800s to the early 1930s.
The Marikina-Infanta Highway or Marilaque in Tanay has always been a favorite for solo breakfast and date rides during weekends. With all the Christmas madness, I find myself just wanting to get away from the city, even if it’s just to drink coffee or have breakfast with a view of the mountains, away from all the cars and traffic of Metro Manila.
El Nido in Palawan is famous for its beautiful beaches, lagoons, and outdoor activities. While some people choose to explore this magical place by island-hopping tours, others may want to explore at their own pace on rented motorbikes.
While most of the main highways in Palawan are now fully paved, some alleys in smaller towns are pretty narrow. The road leading to beaches and natural spots are usually a combination of pavement, dirt roads and gravel, making motorbikes and scooters the perfect mode of transport. Here are some great places you can visit on two wheels while you’re there.
Continue reading “Things to do in El Nido on a Motorbike”Much has been written about the Indonesian island of Bali. The “island of the gods” is known around the world for its beaches, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, and Hindu temples. For travelers, Bali needs no introduction, as it has long been a top draw among backpackers and surfers, a romantic honeymoon getaway, and a destination for yoga and meditation.
Keeping up with the modern times, the aspirational island continues to evolve and reinvent itself in creative ways, catering to a new breed of travelers, largely influenced by social media. There’s something about Bali’s natural landscapes, exotic vibe, vibrant nightlife, and shopping scene that appeals to the younger set who want to travel internationally with their friends.
Continue reading “10 Unique & Fun Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia”The province of Aurora is an underrated beauty. While its capital Baler draws international tourists and surfers, there’s more to the province than just riding the waves. For riders and road trippers, Aurora’s proximity to Metro Manila, the scenic views of the mountains and sea, and the quality of roads getting to and from different points in the province make it a great destination for road trips where you can just chill out for the weekend.
Aside from traveling and motorcycling, one of my favorite hobbies is playing video games. A couple of months ago, I celebrated the completion of my Project 81 quest by finally buying a PlayStation 4. I’ve since finished Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and loved exploring the massively beautiful world of Horizon Zero Dawn.
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