A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Most people associate the province of Oriental Mindoro with Puerto Galera. This party beach has long been a favorite summer destination for those based in the metro because of its proximity to Manila. While Puerto Galera is located at the northernmost tip of Mindoro island, down south on the opposite end lies a destination that will appeal to those looking for quiet and secluded spots for quality beach-bumming minus the crowds – Bulalacao.
For international travelers, Auckland, the largest city on North Island is the main entry and exit point to New Zealand. Traveling from Manila, Auckland was our first and last stop during our family trip / backpacking tour in 2016. This diverse and multicultural city is home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. It’s just one of the amazing places in the sovereign island country of New Zealand located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, which I consider one of the best places I have ever visited in the world
Growing up in the province, my childhood friends and I used to enjoy camping sleepovers. On hot summer nights, we’d haul out banigs, folding beds and foam mattresses on the grass and “camp out” in our garden under a makeshift tent sewn together from my parent’s old protest streamers.
It’s hard to believe that what is now a beautiful park used to be one of the most densely populated places on the planet. Despite having been demolished 20 years ago, the Kowloon Walled City continues to captivate people today. While at first glance, it may look just like a pleasant garden in the middle of the busy city of Hong Kong, it felt surreal and disconcerting to visit a place with so much history behind it. This was the most fascinating place I visited during my recent trip to Hong Kong.
Manila is not the most bike-friendly city in Asia. But if you venture a little further from the metro, you’ll be surprised to find that the Philippines actually has some pretty spectacular mountain biking destinations. Ok, so it may take a little bit of time, effort and resources to get there, but for cyclists looking for bucketlist-worthy places to bike in the country, I think we have a few that we can be proud of.
Touring on a motorcycle in the Philippines is a great way to enjoy both the journey and a destination. Riding a motorcycle can give you the freedom to explore places, both familiar and remote. While riding a bicycle can give you that same freedom, riding a motorcycle doesn’t require as much energy, allows you to carry more stuff, and can take you to places faster, which is great if you only have limited time to explore.
Continue reading “What to Pack for a Motorcycle Road Trip in the Philippines”
Most people prefer to travel and go on adventures during the summer months when it’s sunny. However, you may find yourself having to travel during the monsoon months. While travelers need to take extra care as the rain may bring landslides and floods to many areas, the rainy season shouldn’t stop you from having fun. Here are a few travel tips to make the most of the rainy season in the Philippines.
Taiwan is best known for its hi-tech attractions, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs resorts and mountainous terrain. Its capital Taipei is a fusion of culture and technology, with historical attractions, landmarks and vibrant night markets, all easily accessible with highly efficient public transport systems.
Last month, I got to visit Taipei for the first time. Art was on a work assignment to cover Computex, one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world held annually in Taipei. He extended his work trip for a few days and I joined him by booking an AirAsia flight through Traveloka to take advantage of the Visa-free entry for Filipinos. My mother and nephew decided to join for a summer family vacation.
Continue reading “TAIWAN | 10 Things to Do in Taipei”Cross-country road trips are on just about everyone’s bucket list, but they aren’t exactly a spontaneous thing. If you want to have an epic cross-country road trip, you’ve got to research and plan well in advance. From your route to your snacks, you’ll want everything to go smoothly while you’re enjoying the open road.
So here are six rules for an epic cross-country road trip: Continue reading “6 Rules for an Epic Cross-Country Road Trip”
Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area and karst rock garden hidden in the rainforests of Baras in Rizal. I’m sure by now, most tourists are familiar with the giant hammocks, rope bridge courses and spiderweb-like view deck, which are the highlights of the Discovery Trail. For those who would like to delve deeper into the forest, engage with the local community, and make a difference somehow, the park just launched a new trail called the Legacy Trail.
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