Travels
a collection of detailed travel guides, hacks and stories for travelers by travelers.
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North Batan Tour in Batanes: What to Expect
I remember myself being giddy and restless on my seat as I look outside the window admiring the view I’ve been coveting to witness with my own eyes for years. Our plane started the descent and the hefty clouds parted revealing a vast, rugged verdant landscape with long and winding pavements on the edge. I was mouthing prayers of gratitude as we safely landed with a fair weather in the island. It took me some time and pinching before I could even believe myself that I was there. It was only when we were there on top of the iconic Basco lighthouse waiting for sunset to conclude our North Batan…
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South Batan Tour: Top 16 Places to Visit in Batanes
During our North Batan tour on our first day, Batanes has right there and then tugged my heartstrings. South Batan, on the other hand, made me skip a heartbeat. Its marvelous wonders had me feel a rush of emotions—excitement, awe, and a touch of disbelief. The reality is sinking in, and it’s even more breathtaking than the photos I have seen; than I have ever imagined. Every destination was like a page in a book with each revealing a piece of Batanes’s rich and well-preserved tapestry. South Batan Tour: A Storyteller of Beauty and Legacy South Batan Tour is composed of areas of interests in three municipalities namely Mahatao, Ivana…
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What You Should Know about Getting a Tattoo in Buscalan Village
The year was 2018 and you’re a young adult with a tattoo-free skin from head to toe. You woke up to a dark blue sky melting into warm colors of sunrise; on your last day in the peaceful village of Buscalan. You were about to pack your things when it just hit you: I won’t leave this beautiful place without a tattoo. Fearlessly, you got your first tattoo and the next thing you know, a living legend, the master tattooist is hand tapping her three-dot signature on your waist. If you’re thinking of not missing out on getting inked by the living legend too; hence, getting a tattoo in Buscalan…
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Sabtang Island, Batanes: Top 6 Places to Visit for a Day Tour
As we slowly approached Sabtang island under the gray skies, the morning sun peaked a little casting a warm gentle glow on the ocean and the hills from afar. My eyes were glued to the island clueless about the marvelous surprise that we were about to witness. I spotted a movement in the waters in my peripheral and thought, “that’s a flying fish, maybe,” not until it leaped gracefully out of the water leaving a few of us who first saw it in awe. “Dolphins, dolphins!” I exclaimed. A pod of dolphins appeared beside our faluwa with their playful antics bringing most of us passengers to the edge. It was…
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Top Places to Visit in Samal Island, Davao del Norte 2024
Samal island is brimming with natural marvels ranging from its highest peak, magnificent waterfalls, eco-tourism attractions and sanctuaries, diverse array of marine life and more. It promises an ideal retreat and a peaceful respite from the bustle of the nearby city. If you desire to experience what this tropical island has to offer, here are the top places to visit in Samal Island, Davao del Norte this 2023! Places to Visit in Samal Island During an Inland Tour Kaputian Beach Majority of the breathtaking inland beaches on Samal Island are situated adjacent to beach resorts. Although certain beaches may be exclusive and costly, there are also a few options that…
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Top Places to Visit in Sagada, Mountain Province
It may seem tiresome with all the long drives, early morning wake up call and thousands of steps up and down the hill or stairs but I must say, Sagada is more than worth it. All the beautiful and scenic distractions it offers along the journey and the priceless view and takeaways at the end of it are all worth it. It truly has a lot to offer and if you wish to explore this charming little town in Mountain Province, here’s a list of the top places to visit in Sagada, Mountain Province to begin with! Important note: The local tourism office requires the tourists to get a guide…
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Top Places to Eat in Sagada
What could appease a wandering soul who just came back to población, tired and famished from a journey through the scenic trail? I’d say it would be a heavenly plate of food. If you find yourself in such a situation in this cool, tranquil place in Mountain Province, here’s the list of the top places to eat in Sagada and the food that you shouldn’t miss in each. A Glance into Sagada’s Gastronomy On the Traditional Plate The Igorots (mountain dwellers) of the Cordilleras are largely carnivorous or meat lovers. They have developed their own unique ways of preparing or cooking their food, especially the meat; which made their dishes…
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La Palmera Mountain Ridge: A Captivating Gem of Sultan Kudarat
“I wish I could say we didn’t sign up for this but hell I know we did.” Our bags felt heavier on our shoulders in every step in a partly uphill trail. It was 9:00 in the evening – four hours later than our expected time of arrival at the place and there we were: using up all our remaining energy for the trek. We had to walk our way to station 2 since it has been raining and the dirt road had been muddy. Our tour guides wouldn’t dare having their motorcycles stuck especially in the dark so we agreed to walk our way to our accommodation. Before our…
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Freediving in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
I am honestly into chasing new and beautiful things in the places that I haven’t seen nor experienced yet that I tend to miss the ones in those that I have previously visited. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, our destination options and outdoor activities to try are quite limited. On the bright side of it, we took this as a chance to go back to those provinces that are open and we’ve already visited. For more than a year now, we’ve been traveling to nearby towns and provinces where we could go freediving since it’s one of the few that we can do. Looking for some place else to dive aside…
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Lake Sebu Lotus Garden: Paddling through the T’boli Culture
As our owong glided over the calm lake, I felt like I was slowly drifting off to a deep slumber with such a beautiful dream except from the fact that my eyes were open and I was wide awake. Everything around us was peaceful and in an impossibly perfect harmony – the misty mountains from afar, the cool morning breeze brushing my cheeks, the distant cock-a-doodle of the roosters, the gentle splash when the paddle touches the water; everything. As we quietly approached the area where the lotuses are, time stood still as I soaked in the reality. The dream of finally experiencing Lake Sebu Lotus Garden is a dream…
