A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Tourists can discover the rich history, heritage, and old-world charm of the Intramuros in Manila more conveniently with fun new experiences and attractions. In case you didn’t know, Klook has launched a new Intramuros Pass, which gives access to the top activities in the walled city of Manila.
Last December before Christmas, we spent almost a week in Sagada just to enjoy the cooler weather. This lovely town in the Mountain Province is probably the closest place you can get to experiencing winter in the Philippines. At any rate, it’s always a respite from the summer heat. The cooler temperatures in the months of November to February dip to lows of 15°, though the average temperature all year around is 18°, which is amazing considering the 40° heat index we’re currently experiencing in Manila.
We all know that the public transport system in Metro Manila is a mess. Taking taxis or using ride-sharing services all the time can be expensive. Car users have to deal with rising fuel costs, bad traffic, and parking problems wherever they go. While owning a motorcycle can get you places fast and isn’t as expensive as owning a car, riders still regularly get discriminated against and still have to go through the tedious process of dealing with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to get a driver’s license and vehicle registration and renewal every year.
One of the best gifts you can give yourself is a bicycle since it offers both mobility and a leisure activity without the hassles of dealing with LTO. However, those who bike to work everyday know that biking can get pretty tiring, especially if you live far from your workplace or need to pass high-traffic routes and areas with a lot of uphills.
Continue reading “Review: Nakto Premium Ranger All-Terrain E-bike”A year before the most recent eruption of Taal Volcano and the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020, we rode our motorcycles from Metro Manila circling Laguna Lake and Taal Lake. Back then, it was just for the thrill of the joyride and so we could hike to the crater lake on Volcano Island afterwards.
Clark Freeport Zone (or simply Clark) in Pampanga is a former U.S. airbase in the Philippines that has been redeveloped into a modern industrial area. These days, it’s known as a center for leisure, fitness, entertainment, and gaming in Central Luzon. Clark is home to several family-friendly theme parks, casinos, and the Clark International Airport, a major airport near Manila.
For cyclists, Clark offers a great, bike-friendly destination near Manila. Since the pandemic hit, a lot of improvements have been made to appeal to cyclists and leisure bikers. Aside from the large open spaces and greenery and natural canopies provided by trees in the whole area complex, there’s a very good network of freshly painted bike paths, safety signages for bikers, and facilities to host cycling festivals and events.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Biking in Clark, Pampanga”UPDATE: In September 2022, the province of Maguindanao was split into two, so the Philippines now has 82 provinces. This travel guide was originally completed and written in 2019 before the split and the pandemic, but has been updated to reflect the new province and newer photos from more recent revisits.
The Philippines is made up of 82 provinces, spread out under three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanano. Currently, there are 38 provinces in Luzon, 16 in Visayas, and 28 in Mindanao. The provinces are grouped under different regions based on their geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: 82 Provinces of the Philippines”Lucban in the province of Quezon is best known for celebrating the Pahiyas Festival, one of the Philippines most colorful harvest festivals, every May. The town is also known as a religious destination for pilgrims since it’s home to the 50-feet high Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, reportedly the third biggest Christ the Redeemer statue in the world.
Al fresco dining has really made a comeback in the Philippines because of the pandemic. Since restrictions eased earlier this year and COVID cases are down, families and barkadas are dining out all together again during weekends, but many still prefer to meet up in al fresco spaces for safety. While mall-based restos with open air dining are an option, scenic places near Manila like Tagaytay and Tanay have just boomed with al fresco cafes and pop-up coffee stalls.
But because gas is so expensive these days, nearer destinations are becoming more appealing. For those based in the metro, Antipolo is always a popular destination that has an out-of-town feel and great views, but is still relatively near the metro and easy to drive to if you just wan to to enjoy a quick brunch or coffee with friends. For bikers, Antipolo is also one of the most popular spots near Manila to bike to for coffee or weekend rides.
Continue reading “Food Trip: Where to eat in Antipolo (updated 2023)”In progressive countries around the world, it’s normal for citizens to bike to work. Netherlands, Sweden and Germany are just a few of the countries where cycle usage is high. In Asia, Japan and Taiwan are also ideal for urban cycling, with extensive bike networks and trails along coastal roads, cities and proper bike paths.
The Philippines still has a long way to go, but the pandemic has brought about some good changes in terms of bike mobility, as more people are turning to two-wheeled transport to deal with the high cost of fuel and terrible public transportation.
Continue reading “Review: BESV JF1 Hybrid E-Bike”Laiya Beach, located in Laiya-Aplaya in San Juan, Batangas, is one of the most popular beaches within driving distance of Manila. The whole stretch here is a favorite weekend destination for families. You can enjoy water-based activities here like banana boats, kayaking, and island-hopping, or just chill out by the beach at one of the many resorts.
Since we’ve traveled to Laiya several times before, last May 2022 we decided to take our bicycles and spend a day just biking to experience a different side of the area.
Continue reading “Travel Guide: Biking from Laiya to Malabrigo Lighthouse, Batangas”
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