Last Chance to support the Puerto Princesa Underground River

 

 

 

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is presently a finalist to the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. If you liked what you saw, please vote for it by texting PPUR to 2861 or visiting www.n7w.com.  Voting ends on November 11, 2011.

 

 

 

Why I Run: A Gastronomic Tour of the Philippines

Traveling is what I love to do. While I may not be a hearty eater, I love to try a place's favorite local dish to get a taste of their culture. These taste tests accumulate and I have to work it off somehow. That is why, when I am not travelling, I run.

Here are just some of my favorite from my travels across the country:

1. Iloilo: Batchoy

Aside from spanish colonial churches and mansions, or its pristine beaches, Iloilo boasts of its delectable La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo. Get a swiff of the sweet and salty aroma and you might forget your name. Read on how to get to Iloilo, here.

2. Camarines Sur: Laing Pizza

The Bicol Region boasts of its sweet and chili cuisine. Familiarize your tastebuds with food infused with coconut milk with the Laing Pizza at the CWC. Read on how to get to CWC and the Caramoan Islands, here and here.

3. Manila: Steak

While it is perplexing how one can ruin a perfectly good piece of steak, some still do. Better be safe than sorry. Get your fix of meat heaven in the country's capital.

4. Capiz: Oysters

Have your fill of seafood all year round. After all, Capiz is the seafood capital of the Philippines. It definitely lives up to its name.

5. Bohol: Sea Urchin

Fresh as it can be, Sea Urchins are opened right in front of you at Virgin Island. Eat them raw with vinegar. Read about what you should not miss while in Bohol, here.

6. Tagaytay: Native Food

Drive along Tagaytay's main throughfare and you get to travel around the world. Almost every major cuisine is represented. But having maruya or any local native food for that matter with some coffee or tea will bring back sweet childhood memories you thought you already forgot.

7. Batanes: Homemade Pizza

Tourists have been raving about the homey pizza place in the northernmost tip of the country.They say it's all in the dough, which is freshly made from scratch by the house chef-owner. Read on how to get to Batanes, here.

The Philippines is a beautiful and diverse place. While Malay, Chinese, and Spanish influences can be found in our food, we take pride in the uniquely Filipino flavor in our local dishes. Try us! Just run it off when you get home. That's what I do. *wink*

Come one, Come all. CamSur Water Sports Complex

It's no wonder why international wakeboarders head to CWC. Here, people do not simply wakeboard. They develop a certain relationship with the water. They don't even just JUMP.

They FLY,

GLIDE,

and MAKE A BIG SPLASH.

Been making a lot of splashes? Don't sweat it. Even professional wakeboarders don't finish the round sometimes. And they are even the ones making the biggest splash. Just head to the registration office and get listed for a professional massage. Your muscles will thank you big time.

To avoid feeling like an old person after one round of fun, try doing some lapses before taking the reins. It will loosen those muscles you haven't been using.

Afraid of the water? You could just bask in the sun by playing some ball. Or spend some time people watching.

But don't let the eyes do all the feasting. Dine or cool down with some San Miguel Beer in the clubhouse or in one of the cabanas. You need all the energy for another round of wakeboarding. Check their menu, here.

Getting There:

From Naga:
Take a jeepney with the signboard "Sabang Port" from the Naga Bus Terminal near SM City (15-20 mins:Php 10). Get off at the jump off point in Pili (just tell the driver beforehand that you are heading to CWC and to drop you off at the jump off point). There are tricycles, single motorcycles, and padyaks willing to take passengers towards the CWC Complex (15 mins:Php 20).

From Sabang Port (jump off point to Caramoan):
Take a jeepney heading to Naga City (approx. 2 hours:Php 80) and get off at the jump off point in Pili (don't forget to tell the driver to drop you off at the jump off point to CWC). Then take a tricycle towards the CWC Complex (15 mins:Php 20).

Camsur Watersports Complex
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
• Contact Number: (054) 4773344 / (054) 4773349
• Fax Number: +63(54) 477-5162
• E-mail: infocamsur@gmail.com
• http://www.cwcwake.com

Can someone pls. make badges for Philippine cities, too?

 

 

(Source)

 

 

 

Chicago, My Kind of Town

 

Frank Sinatra was not kidding when he sang "My Kind of Town, Chicago is."  And I bet more people will agree with him. After all, what's not to like about Chi-town. It has everything you look for in a big city (towering skyscrapers, international cuisine, world-class shopping, bright party lights), but has all the charm of a small town (amiable & artistic people, picturesque street scene). It is more of a big small town than a giant metropolis. Just my kind of town, too.

 

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Journey to Banaue

 

I don't know about you, but when I travel and have to sit on a bus for hours end, I'd want to know what kind of surface my ass has to endure.

The trip to Banaue especially is not a joke. 9 hours on a confined space, it should be at least something tolerable if not a pleasant ride. Fortunately, the buses of Florida Bus Liner are new (or at least looks new). While the seat do not fully recline, it is comfortable. I had a restful sleep. But don't just take my word, because I'm the type who can sleep during long haul trips without any problem.

 

 

 

Florida Bus Line has regular trips from Manila direct to Banaue. It leaves Sampaloc, Manila (Lacson St. cor. S. H. Loyola St.) at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Due to the number of people who take this route, it is advised that you buy your tickets well ahead of the scheduled departure.

Do not take lots of fluid before the trip. Although there are several stops in between, you don't want to take the risk and hold yourself until the next bus stop. The below zero temperature of the A/C doesn't help either. Bring something to keep yourself warm and cozy during the ride.

 

 

 

For those who cannot sleep during the bus ride, take comfort to the fact that the bus show movies during the journey or that the first thing you will see as you get off the bus when you arrive is a nice sunrise with the amazing terraces in the foreground.

 

 

 

Check out the rest of my Banaue and Sagada Series:

• Batad as the Backpacker's Mecca
• Photographs on the Road from Banaue to Sagada
• Stairways to Heaven: Hungduan Rice Terraces
• Banaue Accommodation: Banaue View Inn
• Sagada - Where Time Stood Still
• Playground of the Gods: Bomod-ok Falls
• Six Feet (and more) Under - Spelunking at Sumaging Cave
• Expenses for Banaue & Sagada Trip (2011)
• Suggested Itinerary for Banaue & Sagada

 

 

 

Batad as the Backpacker's Mecca

 

Walk through narrow paths along the terraces, over hills, and across streams to see the stunning view of the Batad Rice Terrace Clusters - a National Cultural Treasure inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You may even have to get off your jeepney to allow it to properly maneuver the very rough and wild road.

 

 

 

 

Despite its remoteness (9 hours from Manila to Banaue, 1.5 hours from Banaue to the Saddle by jeepney, plus 1 hour hike to view its splendor), it is a favorite destination of international as well as local backpackers. As a result, there are now a number of hostels that has mushroomed where guests may stay. Day trips are also possible.

 

 

 

Shaped as an ampitheatre, Batad Rice Terraces do not need further description. It is one of those things that you just have to see in order to appreciate their sheer size and beauty, not to mention the amazing feat of ancient farming engineering of carving rice fields on the mountain ranges.

Plan your trip and be ready for a very special surprise. It will take your breath away.

 

 

Getting There:

Florida Bus Line has regular trips from Manila direct to Banaue. It leaves Sampaloc, Manila (Lacson St. cor. S. H. Loyola St.) at 9 p.m. From Baguio, KMS Bus Lines and Ohayami Trans leave for Banaue at least twice daily. You can get transportation to Batad from Banaue.

Contacts:

Accommodation in Banaue

Banaue View Inn (Php 900/night), read review here.
Barangay Poblacion, Banaue
• Lily Luglu
• (361) 161

Jeepney for hire

Manong Peter Ramos
• (63920) 2787558

Guide

Javes Beyer
• (63926) 2320243