Showing 1-21 of 21 results
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Lakbay Norte 2: Eastern Hawaii, Buguey and Claveria
Blog: Just Wandering - 15 March 2011
The weather remained gloomy, even when we got back to Sta. Ana. It was decided that we won’t head to Anguib Cove anymore, so our afternoon suddenly clears up. We head to our hotel for the night earlier than expected. … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Palaui Island
Blog: Just Wandering - 5 March 2011
We woke up to a grey morning, and immediately, we started wondering if we will push through with the morning’s itinerary. Two hours after the original call time, we were out in the docks and boarding the banca (outrigger boat) … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Checking in at Cagayan
Blog: Just Wandering - 2 March 2011
After a 4-hour delay, we finally made it back to Cagayan. We’re on the second leg of Lakbay Norte 2, and we’re going to explore more of North Luzon. First stop: Cagayan Museum Tuguegarao Due to the delay, we had … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Pampanga and Bulacan
Blog: Just Wandering - 21 February 2011
Bacolor and Betis Church The Bacolor and Betis churches in Pampanga are two of the most well known and visited churches in the province. They are known for different reasons. Bacolor Church San Guillermo Parish Church of Bacolor is known … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Subic
Blog: Just Wandering - 17 February 2011
C’ Italian Dining C’ Italian’s Panizza Before leaving for Subic, we had a sumptuous Italian meal at C’ Italian Dining in Angeles. Chef Chris mans the kitchen, whipping up pasta sauces to match every craving and taste. The best seller … Continue reading →
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Lakbay Norte 2: Destination La Union and Pangasinan
Blog: Just Wandering - 24 January 2011
Pugo Adventure Benjamin crossing the hanging bridge Opened just last September 2010, the Pugo Adventure in Pugo, La Union is quickly becoming a favorite among friends and family looking for fun and adventure. While most of the activities offered are … Continue reading →
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Rugged Travel
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 27 May 2010
Boy, taking a bus or jeepney in the Philippines can be quite an adventure. On more than one occasion, we have found ourselves stuffed onto the roofs along with grandmas, rice bags, chickens, firewood and iron rods holding on for dear life while maneuvering the scary roads of northern Luzon. Luckily, seat belt laws are [...]
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Living Memories of the Bontoc Tribe
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 25 May 2010
While transiting through Bontoc, we had the extraordinary opportunity to meet some of the older members of the Bontoc tribe. Downtown Bontoc looks like any other small town in the Philippines, with jeepney stands, hotels, restaurants, donut shops, and hordes of teen fashionistas. It’s very easy to pass through and miss any signs of the [...]
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The World’s Deadliest Country…
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 24 May 2010
… for journalists, that is. And it’s no cakewalk for politicians either. It turns out that this tropical paradise has a dark side. In 2009, the Philippines was listed as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists. Yikes, does that include bloggers? We’d better keep our questions to ourselves. I love the country, everything is great, [...]
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The Photography of Masferré
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 21 May 2010
One last discovery we made in Sagada has nothing to do with hiking through mountains or crawling through caves but rather with amazing art: the black-and-white photography of Eduardo Masferré. The local artist, who passed away in 1995 at the age of 86, has left quite an anthropological legacy. In 1934, Masferré started documenting life in [...]
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Sugong Coffins of Sagada
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 15 May 2010
Exploring the countryside around the hill-town of Sagada, visitors will discover Sugong coffins hanging from cliffs, lodged into karst fissures, and piled into caves. The unique burial ritual is still practiced today although locals have to pay a high price for the honor. Older coffins are quite short because the original animists buried their dead [...]
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A Few Friends in Banaue
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 13 May 2010
Tony and I met these three old Ifugao men while walking along the viewpoints outside Banaue. From left to right, Hemmiwat, Tundagyi and Thomas (no relation to me) drag their old bones up the hill every day to play music for tourists and pose for photographs in their headdresses and hand-woven loin cloths. They were so [...]
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Rice Terraces of Northern Luzon
Blog: ContemporaryNomad - 11 May 2010
We just wanted to share some of the beautiful rice terraces of Northern Luzon with you guys. Often labeled the “eighth wonder of the world,” many of the 2000-year-old terrace locations have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are generally considered the finest examples of mud and stone-walled terracing in the world. While the [...]
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Hanging out with the Hanging Coffins
Blog: Around The World On The Toilet - 18 March 2010
After my trekking in Kalinga I had to back track to Bontoc to catch the next bus to Sagada. Sagada is definitely “on the tourist trail” but sees far fewer visitors than Banaue or Batad. Actually, when I first arrived I had to ask myself if this was the right place because barely anyone was around. Sagada offers a chance to unwind in a cool pine forest setting complete with plenty of small restaurants decked out in a log cabin like motif serving up some backpacker food favourites. Unwinding is ...
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Photo of the Week – Philippines
Blog: Ottsworld - 12 March 2010
Puzzle of Green – Banaue Philippines In honor of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day – I thought I’d go GREEN with Photo of the Week. These are the luscious Rice Terraces of Banaue Philippines (UNESCO World Heritage Site). People think the Philippines is only about beaches – well think again. This northern part of the Philippines [...]
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Never throw your flip flop in a cave
Blog: Itinerant Londoner - 2 February 2010
The sun finally emerged from behind the clouds just as we getting ready to leave Banaue for the spectacular three hour journey through the mountains to Sagada, giving us the opportunity I’d been waiting for: the chance to admire the scenery unobstructed by riding on the roof of a jeepney. The ride was every bit as [...]
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The stunning rice terraces of Batad
Blog: Itinerant Londoner - 25 January 2010
It’s never a nice surprise to arrive in a new town, bleary-eyed after a restless night on a bus, to find it pouring with rain. “Isn’t it supposed to be the dry season in January?” “Dry season? Ha ha. No. That doesn’t start here til March” Serves me right for trusting the Lonely Planet when it comes [...]
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Ups and Downs - Trekking to Batad
Blog: Ottsworld - 15 April 2009
View Philippine Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of my trek to Batad - native chicken, trail shots, guest houses, and more! Nora had been teaching me many things along our hike; what berries to eat, how to catch dragon flies and save them for dinner, and roots to chew on to soothe a sore throat or cough. [...]
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Girl Power - Trekking in the Philippines
Blog: Ottsworld - 10 April 2009
View Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of trekking in Pula, Cambulo, and Batad My lunch was packed, my sunscreen was on, my backpack was prepared, and my chariot tricycle pulled up outside my hotel. When the trike pulled up, it appeared to be already full making me slightly confused. Nora greeted me and introduced Joy, my porter. [...]
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Rice Culture - Travel in the Philippines
Blog: Ottsworld - 6 April 2009
View Philippine Rice Terrace Photography View snapshots of Hapao Travel I love rice. Rice pudding, fried rice, red beans and rice, rice krispies, wild rice, sticky rice, and even young rice ice cream (there really is such a flavor in Saigon!). I even applied to be on the show Survivor once; that’s how much I like [...]
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Philippine Travel Destinations: My Itinerary
Blog: Ottsworld - 1 April 2009
I had been hearing about the amazing beaches in the Philippines for years now, so I always had it on my list as a ‘must see’. I had the perfect opportunity to travel to the Philippines for my niece’s softball tournament so I thought this would be my chance to finally experience the Philippine beach [...]
Showing 1-21 of 21 results
