Backpacking Philippines
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DIY Intramuros Tour with Bambike 2023
I have tried exploring Intramuros before through a DIY Walking Tour. I have always loved the feeling of walking down the streets of it: wondering how does it look like before or how does it feel like to be living during those times. It was fun and fulfilling as I truly learned a lot about the history of the Philippines. However, it was quite exhausting. When we came back, we decided to rent a Bambike – the greenest way to go on a DIY Intramuros tour! About Bambike Bambikes are handcrafted bicycles out of bamboo by Bambuilders, a group of skilled people from a Non-Government Organization called Gawad Kalinga. Bambike, at…
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North Luzon Loop Road Trip Travel Guide 2023
It was a pouring morning of Christmas day, 25th of December, 2019 when the thought came to us. While everyone in the world was busy exchanging holiday greetings and gifts, a friend of mine who also travels a lot and I were thinking of going somewhere for a week or less during the holiday break. My mom and I initially thought of going to Isabela province, my father’s hometown; and we thought of just taking my friend with us if he wanted to. He thought it was a good idea until we came up with a better one – a North Luzon loop road trip. Once decided with the itinerary…
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The Ultimate Mindanao Philippines Bucket List
This ultimate Mindanao Philippines bucket list gives you an idea about the activities, places and food that you should not miss when visiting the provinces in this region. Go over the list and check which of these have you ticked off and which should you look forward to on your next travel! About Mindanao Mindanao is composed of the group of islands in the southern Philippines with its mainland as the second largest next to Luzon. It is dubbed as “the Land of Promise” due to the treasures that it holds – from the gifts nature bestowed on its people to their diverse, rich and well-preserved culture and traditions. It…
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The Ultimate Visayas Philippines Bucket List
This ultimate Visayas Philippines bucket list gives you an idea about the activities, places and food that you should not miss when visiting the provinces in this region. Go over the list and check which of these have you ticked off and which should you look forward to on your next travel! About Visayas Visayas is the central region of the Philippines. Among the the three island groups, it is the most archipelagic. It is divided into three regions namely the Western, Central and Eastern Visayas. Languages that are spoken at large are Cebuano or Bisaya in Central Visayas, Aklanon, Ilonggo or Hiligaynon and Karay-a in Western Visayas and Waray…
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The Ultimate Luzon Philippines Bucket List
This ultimate Luzon Philippines bucket list gives you an idea about the activities, places and food that you should not miss when visiting the provinces in this region. Go over the list and check which of these have you ticked off and which should you look forward to on your next travel! About Luzon Luzon is composed of the group of islands situated at northern most part of the Philippines. It is the biggest island of the archipelago itself. It is divided into seven regions namely the Ilocos, CAR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and NCR. The languages that are spoken at large are Tagalog, Ilocano and Bicolano: Ilocano…
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My Top 5 Backpacking Trips in the Philippines
Organized joiner tours used to be my thing because it’s convenient and cheaper as we get to split expenses with the others. Consequently, I started imagining how great would it be to be traveling around on my own. Also, I wanted to bring out the street-smart traveler in me who goes from one point to another by myself. That’s when I started backpacking. After a few trips, I realized how greater the experience is! I even met and became friends with a lot of locals who introduced me to their respective provinces and cultures. Most importantly, I realized how learning was more valuable in DIY backpacking trips. With that, I…
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Intramuros at Night (Walking Tour) 2023
Intramuros boasts great aesthetics with its historical architectures confined within its walls, amidst the bustling metro. The daylight promises a retrospect of the long gone decades but with significant stories of the past etched in the buildings, walls and stone paths which have withstood various catastrophe and the test of time. Every door, every gate is open to the curious souls to give them a chance to time travel through the curated well-preserved artifacts, replica and monochromatic photographs on display. Come dusk. Postigo De La Nuestra Senora De Soledad Darkness starts to fall and envelop the city. A different color of life unfolds a feast for the senses. Vibrancy reflects…
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Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila
Beyond the towering walls of Muralla, in a corner of an old town whose name is across the history books of the Philippines, lies a magnificent yet significant structure that holds stories of the past dating from hundreds of years ago. This is Baluarte de San Diego. The Baluarte de San Diego Complex The Complex actually houses two significant structures: the Baluarte de San Diego itself – the ace-of-spades shaped bastion; and the ruins of Torre de Nuestra Señora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance) – the three-tiered circular walls. It is considered as the oldest stone fort in Manila built between late 1500’s and early 1600’s during the Spanish…
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A Tour Around San Agustin Church and Museum
Culture and history are two of the other things that keep me so giddy about other than the ocean. I always find these two extremely fascinating especially if I could go to the places that I could only read from history books – if I could walk on the streets where the heroes used to pass by; if I could feel the walls which used to shelter the most important personalities in the history; if I could see the grave where these people rest peacefully in all eternity. I have always wondered how the people’s everyday lives are centuries ago in those places considering the long, rumbling history of the…
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The Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Mountain Province and their Burial and Death Rituals
After exploring Callao Cave of Cagyan, we drove to the other side of north Luzon to visit Sagada. I admit, Sagada first got me with its breathtaking and visually-arresting scenes. When I first set foot into it, the thing that primarily came into me was the thought that the photos I’ve seen did not capture everything who and what this town actually is, especially its culture. What has truly made me fall in love with Sagada in a heartbeat are their culture, traditions and how the people strive to keep and safeguard it despite the influences that the time brings. Layad Room of Inandako’s Bed and Breakfast. Book here! During…
