Category: Philippines

  • Tune Hotel in the Philippines

    It’s been years since I last stayed in a Tune Hotel. My first Tune was at Penang, during my 30-day Southeast Asian backpacking trip in 2009, the second during my Indonesia trip in 2010. My room at Tune Hotel Penang Tune Hotel has expanded rapidly since then, finally making its way to Philippines shores in…

  • Wondering about Hotel 878

    Living in the outskirts of Quezon City, I (now) find a lot of places too far or too inaccessible to me. Nowadays, I often just venture out to places I can easily go to. Hotel 878 lobby The same goes when I travel: I pick places that are either centrally located, near a transport hub…

  • Shangri-La Hotel’s “School’s Out, Fun’s In”

    Though school is definitely not out in the Philippines, it is on other parts of the world. Also, it doesn’t mean there’s no more time to have some fun during the weekend, right? Very inviting pool of the Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa While in Boracay last May, my mermaid friend Ida, told us to…

  • Dining options at The District Boracay

    The District Boracay has three food and beverage outlets: the Vigan Grill, Star Lounge, and Caruso Ristorante Italiano. First meal: grilled prawns and poqui-poqui My first meal at The District was at Vigan Grill on the day of my arrival, and I was joined by the Ms. Naomi, the Resort Manager. As we wait for…

  • The District Boracay

    Sometimes, things just fall into place. The plan was to hold off all travel plans to save money for a bigger trip, but the apprehensions and frustration I felt while waiting for word regarding my Australian tourist visa application resulted in an impulsive purchase of round trip tickets to Roxas City. If I didn’t get…

  • Happy places, happy faces

    Back in 2006, I couldn’t think of anyone who would want to travel with me for two weeks in Thailand. That’s why I decided to go alone. I love the freedom of doing whatever I want when I travel, seeing only the places I’m really interested in, eating where ever and whatever I want. Traveling…

  • Carabao Island

    Much have been said about Carabao Island in Romblon, and it’s really as beautiful as people say. Just 45 minutes by banca from Boracay, it’s a refreshing change from the crowds and endless touts. San Jose beach and the tourist center Boats from Boracay can cost you about Php 1,500 to 2,000 one-way, but the…

  • Capsule pods at Kabayan Hotel

    Here’s something I never got to do while in Japan: stay in a capsule hotel. I am intrigued by the concept, but was dissuaded to try it when my friend Rotch said that it was geared towards short stays only — you need to check out and check in again if you’re staying multiple nights.…

  • What to do in Roxas City

    Last April, the nice folks of Pueblo de Panay took us to Roxas, to experience firsthand what the city offers. They timed the visit during the Capiztahan, the province’s annual fiesta. I was supposed to go to Capiz last December, but Toronto happened, so I was very happy that I got another invite to go.…