12 for '12 If my massive desire for travel were a symptom for some serious addiction, then 2012 would have been the year when I have become a complete junkie. Travel junkie, that is. The burning passion to be always on the road, the insatiable craving to go someplace, the irrepressible yearning to take off - they've gone very persistent this year. I had no choice but to cave...

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One of the things I avoid doing when I go out of town is eating in a fast-food resto. It's a travel sin in my book. But Biggs Diner is an exception. Besides, it's not your usual fast-food restaurant. (Read: not your usual Jollibee, KFC or McDonald's). In fact the only thing that makes Biggs Diner a fast-food resto is its pay-as-you-order system. Everything else - food choices, service,...

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Disclaimer: This is mostly a positive post about CWC so don't be turned off by the seemingly unflattering title. The thing about having low expectations is that there's less room for frustration. Because there's nothing to meet and almost nothing to lose, you just try and go for it without worrying about finding the whole thing a complete waste of time or money. With such mindset, you're predisposed...

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We were kind of scrambling on Day 3 of our stay in Caramoan. Trying to catch the 9AM boat trip from Guijalo to Sabang, we had to wake up early. But even though we were running on a tight schedule, we did everything in a slow pace. We took time to pack our things and even breakfast became a sluggish affair. The sluggish breakfast was merely due to...

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There's a nice little cave in Paniman called Umang Cave (umang means 'empty shell', or 'the hollow sound an empty shell makes' in Bicolano). To access this cave, one has to wade through a chest-deep brackish water or ride a kayak/raft/small banca, whichever is convenient and available. I've learned about this cave a few months ago during my first trip in Caramoan, but I haven't had a chance...

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Getting free access to Gota Beach, known for its expensive cabanas and luxurious island-life accommodation, was not by all means accidental. I knew for sure that we'd get in despite it being temporarily off-limits to public and non-guests. (Technically, island hoppers can still drop by at Gota Beach as long as they pay an entrance, which is Php300 per head, and that's just for swimming on its beach.)...

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I hate playing favorites but I gotta say that among the islands we visited in Caramoan Peninsula, Lahos is the best. The creme de la creme. The finest. The greatest. All superlatives. Ok, I'm raving and I'm overkilling it. But really, the reason I liked it most is pretty simple: I had a swell time there. Well, to be honest, I had a good time at every island...

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There are two interesting versions I heard on the legend about the lone milk fish in a hidden lagoon in Matukad Island. The first version was relayed to us several months back during my first trip in Caramoan. I don't remember who told it to us but I suppose it's one of the boys who helped us climb the steep rock formation to see the famous, huge milk fish. In the first...

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It's past 2 in the afternoon when we left Manlawi Sandbar and headed to our third and last stop for the day: Sabitang-Laya. The gentle rays of the afternoon sun and the cool sea breeze made up for a perfect sleeping pill which left some of my companions temporarily conked out. As I couldn't find a good spot in the boat to take a nap, I amused myself...

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 If there's one thing that might dissuade people from going to Cotivas Island, it's its distance (from Paniman). You see, it's pretty far from the jump-off point and going there can take at least an hour. For an island hopping tour, that's quite a hassle. But I'm telling you that it'll all be worth it. Cotivas Island is a piece of paradise. ...

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The fact that I believe in premonitions, bad omens and lucky stuff makes me a little superstitious. It's a bad habit, I know, but I just can't help it sometimes. I can't count the times I canceled or backed out from a trip just because something didn't feel right. An irrational fear that's holding me back doesn't sound logical especially to my travel buddies who are expecting my...

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Most girls don't travel alone. Hitting the road solo is simply a scary proposition for them. Those who have taken off with only a backpack and a camera for company are applauded for their audacity and bravery. Granted, solo travel is not for everyone but there are people, regardless of gender, who are ballsy enough to trot across the county, or the world. Take Charlotte for instance. A...

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The beach in San Juan on weekends is dotted with surfers - pros, enthusiasts and wannabes all wanting to get a hold of the surfboard and ride it out on the waves. The waves come in varying sizes and intensity but they're stronger in the morning just after sunrise. Meanwhile, beach combers start their day by taking a dip in the water, ignoring the signboard that bore the caution:...

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Rock concerts aren't my thing. This I realized after spending the night on a beach in San Juan, La Union where the recently concluded 3-day Surf and Music Festival 2012 took place. While my friends rocked the night away by singing along with Franco and Urbandub's fresh tracks, I had a me-time drama at the far end of the beach, watching the waves crash the shore and occasionally glancing...

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When I think about our side-trip in Capones, a small island in San Antonio, Zambales, I think about those massive waves which perpetually rocked our boat and made the ride bumpy, not to mention scary. The journey from Nagsasa to the island of Capones usually takes an hour but it took us longer than that because of those nasty waves. We had a hard time docking on the...

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There's a monkey near the entrance of Katibawasan Falls. Tourists are advised to stay two meters away from this monkey. He's probably a grumpy monkey who doesn't like visitors. This monkey is chained to a tree nearby. He's used to seeing guests going and leaving the falls that he barely gives them a look anymore. He looked like he's comfortable being chained, which was kind of sad because...

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Mountains. For most people, they're just an elevated mass of land on the earth's surface; but for some, their value transcends from being a product of geological activity to an incredible work of nature. It doesn't take an extensive psychological study to understand why some adventurous souls are drawn to them. Although a few people might be wondering what makes climbing fun or addicting. Clearly, there's some satisfaction...

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The town where I grew up is small and languid and everyone knows almost anyone. It's called Looc, which in our dialect means 'strangle'. No, don't judge us just yet. We certainly don't strangle strangers. On the contrary, we smooch and welcome visitors with open arms. In other words, we're loving and friendly people. The name 'Looc' is believed to have originated from a local legend about a...

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I'm a sucker for shrimp. It's my favorite food. I'd die without it. It's the first thing I look for every time I dine out at a certain destination outside town. So when I found it on the menu at J&A Fishpen in Camiguin, I forced my travel buddies into ordering it. They couldn't say no, not after noticing that I was holding a table knife. Kidding. What...

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I don't usually go to church to attend mass (don't tell my folks about this). Not that I'm an atheist or agnostic. I believe in God, I pray before eating, sleeping or before leaving the house. Just like a good Christian. But going to church on Sundays is something I rarely do. In fact, I only go to the holy house when I'm out of town and I...

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"This is madness," I cursed, more to myself, than to anyone else as we kicked off our trek one Saturday afternoon under a heavy downpour brought about by typhoon Karen which was reportedly leaving the Philippine area of responsbility the next day. With rain pelting like bullets and thick fog rolling in, I was quite sure that the climb would eventually be aborted. But I was dead wrong....

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Date of Production: September 2, 2012 Running Time: Approximately 3 hours Genre: Thriller/Action, a little bit of comedy Budget: P2,000.00 (kayak tour, lunch, van rental) Synopsis: 14 young people who have an insatiable hunger for thrill and adventure went on a whitewater kayaking escapade in the scenic rivers of San Jose in Tarlac. Idyllic town of San Jose Location: San Jose, Tarlac San Jose is considered as a fourth...

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There are plenty of reasons why cruise holidays are so relentlessly popular and appealing to so many of us from different parts of Europe and the world. The food is amazing, the accommodation resplendent and you're always likely to find yourself in the company of some fun-loving people. But possibly the biggest draw of the whole experience is the chance to simply unwind like never before and to...

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If you’re hoping to go further afield than the usual western European resorts for your skiing holidays 2013 could be the year for you to venture to Scandinavia. Family ski vacations in Norway, for example, can provide your family with an entirely new experience, with memories that will be etched on your mind forever. Photo credit: VisitNorway Located in the valley of Hallingdal, the municipal resort of Geilo...

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"WHO ARE YOU WITH SIR?" she asked in a tone coated with so much sweetness it sounded nearly cloying. "Oh, I'm just alone," I responded, mildly hurt with her question despite its innocence. "But your room has two beds, sir," she argued, ogling at the piece of paper with my name on it, probably checking if she had the correct document. "Where is my room located?" I said,...

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As I was taking a swig of Cuba Libre at Epic, one of the many bars in Station 2 in Boracay, a small commotion erupted from an adjacent table. A large chunk of dried coconut leaves fell from the sky and landed unceremoniously on a group of foreign party-goers, momentarily breaking the monotony in that part of the bar. It was such a miracle that no one got...

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Pretty Young Blood Traveler* Kate Renner is not in any way related to Bourne Legacy actor Jeremy Renner but they nevertheless share a common connection - they both have been to El Nido.   Palawan is just one of the many destinations Kate has crossed out from her list. (And no, her surname isn't Renner; she sometimes goes with Escudero too. Kidding). This twenty-something attractive Proposal Manager is...

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I found Ellis Ecotel thru Agoda.com, an online site that provides hotel reservations. I was looking for a cheap but chic hotel, one that's decent but not too basic. I predicted a gloomy weather over the weekend so I thought it was a good idea to get a nice hotel room where I could leisurely spend the day in case I couldn't go out. True enough, my stay...

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It was raining cats and dogs outside, I knew, even if I couldn't hear the patter of rain on the roof. I didn't have to go out and check the weather. It's all over the news, this typhoon named Gener which brought strong gales and heavy downpour in Legazpi. Bicol isn't exactly new to weather disturbances. Located at the eastern side of the country facing the Pacific Ocean,...

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This is a guest post. Package holidays booked through reputable holiday companies give travellers the peace of mind they need when venturing to foreign lands. Ensuring that flights, transfers and hotels are included, as well as ATOL insurance and various tour operator perks can suggest a more expensive price tag. Take a look at Majorca holiday deals for bargain breaks without any sacrifices. Booking online is the best...

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Accommodation is something that I don't normally worry when I travel with my high school friends. You see, we have a 'travel specialist' who's always in charge of finding a budget-friendly but nice hotel (No, we didn't force him to take that role :-). He's the one responsible for getting as a discount at Sampaguita Inn in Cebu and he also booked us a suite at La Charica...

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Dinner for one When I embarked on my first solo travel last January of this year, I admit that there was hesitation due to a gnawing fear that the trip might go awry. But I was adamant and there was a strong resolve to just go out of my comfort zone so I took off. I was able to go back home safe and sound with great experiences...

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One thing you might want to do when you're in Puerto Princesa (PP) is to take the Underground River and Honda Bay tours. At least that's what tourists who've been to PP would tell you. Well, I'd like to say the same primarily because I have immensely enjoyed both activities. I know you will too. If you are time-pressed and only have a day to spare in the...

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Don't feel weirded out when waiters at Kalui ask you to take off your shoes before they lead you to your reserved seat inside. It's part of what makes eating here a unique experience. Eating barefooted, that is. You'll feel the coolness of the wooden floor sooth your feet as you sashay your way past diners and real fruits tucked on posts and bamboo tables. ...

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Travel and movies are some of the things that make me sane. When I don't travel, I watch movies. In fact, when I travel, I try to squeeze film watching in my itinerary. So far, I've watched movies at SM Bacolod, SM Naga and Robinsons Palawan. Well, I guess I'm trying unconsciously to intricately weave films into the tapestry of my travels. So I hope I've justified my...

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Itoy's occupies a small space along Rizal Avenue Itoy's Coffee Haus, a homegrown local cafe sandwiched between two commercial establishments along Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa, is barely noticeable, thanks to its poor location. Its unimpressive signage bearing a B&W profile shot of the owner perched atop its facade can be easily missed. But none of this observation matters as this coffeehouse is quite famous in the city. People...

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After a gruelling but exciting hike to reach the summit, we emerged at a shelter atop Ugong Rock with a great 360 view of Tagabenit below. Panting and sweating, I took the helmet off and wandered to the edge of the wooden floor to see how high we were. I could feel a tickling sensation sweeping under my feet and the knot in my stomach tightened as I...

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This is a guest post. Deadlines are looming, meetings are filling up your diary and the limited free time you do have, you want to be able to relax. Image from Google When travelling on business, there is rarely time to enjoy yourself. When it comes to business trips, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of a buzzing city knowing you can’t...

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A side trip to Ugong Rock wasn't originally part of our itinerary. The idea to drop by at this towering limestone pedestal came about after realizing that the Underground River tour wouldn't take that long, ergo we'd be wasting a whole afternoon if we went straight back to our hotel. We talked to our tour guide about it and he was cool with us stopping in for a...

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Paranoia sets in as the small outrigger boat winds its way inside the dark tunnel of the Underground River. It's not the depth of the water that scares me, it's the silly thought that in case an earthquake occurs, we'll be completely goners, buried under massive limestone rocks, forever irretrievable. I'm overreacting, of course, because you see, Palawan doesn't have fault lines so the probability of an earthquake happening...

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In downtown Puerto Princesa, old acacia trees arch over streets like canopies and nestled inside vacant lots or sandwiched between low-rise buildings. They line along avenues with an air of both invitation and intimidation, like rows of giant smiling saleswomen, rustling and swaying gently in monsoon breeze. You see them everywhere, inside and outside the city - proud towering trees, live and tangible proofs that Puerto Princesa is...

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As the guides paddled the boat idly away from the wharf, we accustomed our eyes to the darkness. The crescent moon overhead was not enough to light our way but it provided the perfect setting for this one-of-a-kind experience. It's almost seven in the evening; we arrived in Iwahig just in time for firefly watching. The stillness of the river was creepy, I couldn't shake off the thought...

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