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DIY Travel Guide to Sta Cruz Island: Pink Beach of Zamboanga
Our ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga – Basilan – Sulu – Tawi-Tawi) backpacking adventure kicked off with a flight from Manila to Zamboanga City, bringing us straight to our first destination— the Great Sta Cruz Island Pink Beach. As expected, it did not disappoint. The long stretch of white beach complemented by the clear waters under the midday sun dazzled and got us excited to sink our toes in the sand and bless our skin with the brine. It was a scene straight out of a postcard. If you also look forward to seeing and soaking in the beauty of this island with your own eyes, this comprehensive DIY travel guide will walk…
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How to Apply for a Chinese Visa for Filipinos: Complete Guide, Rates & Requirements
China has always been on my bucket list, but I never really thought about visiting it sooner—until an opportunity to visit Shenzhen came up. Excited yet slightly anxious (as a Philippine passport holder), I braced myself for what I expected to be a tedious visa application process. But to my surprise, it was way easier than I imagined! If you’re planning to visit China soon, here’s how to apply for a Chinese visa for Filipinos—step by step. From requirements to processing times, I’ve got you covered so you can get that visa hassle-free and focus on the fun part: planning your trip! Types of Chinese Visa for Filipinos The type…
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Sailing to Shenzhen from Hong Kong International Airport
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Sailing to Shenzhen from Hong Kong International Airport
I first discovered the sailing route from Hong Kong International Airport to Shenzhen when my flight from Shenzhen to Manila was unexpectedly canceled. Stranded and scrambling for options, I learned about the ferry service that connects the airport directly to Shenzhen. Instead of dealing with long border queues and multiple transfers, I took a comfortable ferry ride that turned a stressful situation into an unexpected adventure by the sea! If you also wish to explore this route between these two cities, here’s everything that you need to know. Why Travel to Shenzhen by Ferry? Choosing to sail to Shenzhen from Hong Kong International Airport offers several advantages over traditional travel…
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Dive In and Chill Out at Casalay Boutique Villas and Dive Resort
I’m not sure if it’s the rise of slow travel post-pandemic, my own aging, or it’s a natural evolution among some travelers, but I’ve noticed a shift in my travel preferences. In my early 20s, I was eager to check off every tourist attraction, chase thrills, and crash into the most affordable hostels at the end of the day. Now, my approach has changed. I find myself still exploring but a bit more inclined to relaxation on some days—savoring the comfort of a good hotel or resort bed. This slower, more intentional style feels especially right in familiar destinations like Puerto Galera. I recently returned to Puerto Galera to complete…
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2025 Mati Davao Oriental DIY Travel Guide (Itinerary+Budget)
After exploring the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, we headed down to the south-eastern side of the region next for some more tropical respite. I’ve always been excited about visiting Mati and I’d say, the anticipation has been well worth it. This once-quiet town has recently become a buzz in the tourism scene, and it has a lot of exciting things to discover. If you’re curious about what Mati has to offer, here’s a Mati Davao Oriental DIY Travel Guide to help you plan your trip out! About Mati, Davao Oriental In the southeasternmost part of the Philippines, you’ll find a hidden gem, likely ranking among…
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What to Do After an Open Water Course?
Before the holidays, I decided to visit Siquijor and further my diving skills and knowledge through certification in both freediving and scuba diving. After years of exploring the ocean, I’ve finally decided to take a certification on scuba diving. The PADI Open Water course had several skills sets that made it both challenging and fun for me. This full entry level certification allowed me to safely dive down to 18 meters without an instructor’s supervision, learn more and set up my own diving kit or equipment, plan and log my dives, perform basic self and buddy rescue drills, navigation, use the dive computer and more. After coming home fresh from…
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2025 Tablas Island DIY Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary)
Just when we thought that we’ve seen so much of Romblon province during our adventure to Cresta de Gallo in Sibuyan Island and Romblon, Romblon, Tablas island surprised us with so much more with its unrivalled landscape to its unexplored underwater scene! It was just as marvelous yet unique as the previous islands and attractions in the province that we visited. If you’ve been eyeing it as well for a while now, here’s a detailed Tablas Island DIY travel guide for you including a sample itinerary and budget! About Tablas Island Nestled between the Sibuyan Sea and Tablas Strait is the largest of Romblon’s roughly 20 islands called Tablas. It…
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CRESTA DE GALLO DIY Travel Guide 2025 (Budget + Itinerary)
Our journey to Cresta de Gallo began long before we set foot on its pristine shores. Upon our arrival at Batangas pier, we just learned that the scheduled trip to Sibuyan for that day had been canceled. Our only option was to embark on a circuitous route: from Batangas to Odiongan, then to Romblon, and finally to Sibuyan Island. This involved a grueling 17-hour trip involving sea and land travel (20 hours if you include the journey to the island itself), marked by interrupted sleep, hunger, and exhaustion. Yet, as we neared the stunning island of Cresta de Gallo, we realized that the trip was merely a small price to…
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Sagada Travel Guide with DIY Itinerary and Budget 2025
It was 2019 when we decided to go on a North Luzon loop road trip. We were supposed to drive to Ilocos Norte from Cagayan but the road was impassable, so we took a detour. The next thing we know, we’re chilling as we walk down the streets of Sagada one evening in flowy, summer dresses that my mom and I was supposed to flaunt in a dinner by the beach. The next morning, we embarked on an adventure that made us fall in love with Sagada in a heartbeat that we swore to heavens, we’ll definitely come back for it. So I did. As I spend more days in…
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2025 Complete Romblon Ferry and Boat Schedule
Romblon is an archipelagic province in Region IV-A also known as MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan). Its main islands namely Tablas, Sibuyan and Romblon, are among the main entry and exit points out of the 20 islands for discovering the province. Hence, it’s quite important to carefully plan the points of entry and departure for your journey to maximize your experience in the province. To help you with, here are the latest Romblon ferry and boat schedule that you should know! Understanding the Ports and Romblon Ferry Schedule As mentioned, Romblon province has several entry and exit points. Some of these islands have more than one…
