Photo of the Month - September 2013

Iyah Gravador's snapshot of the Bangui windmills at sunset is my favourite photo of the month.  Captured during her most recent road trip to the northern part of the Philippines, the picture showcases the beauty of Ilocos Norte.

Hope you liked the photo. :)

Read More

Photo of the Month - July 2013

I've always been a follower of the National Geographic website, especially that it presents candid photographs from across the world.  Regin Lorenzo's candid snapshot (above) of a mother and son Nyani at the Lake Nakuru National Park has got that National Geographic photo appeal, which makes it my favourite travel photo of the month.  

Regin, a pilot, describes his most recent Kenya safari experience as by far the best trip he has ever been on.  

Read More

Photo of the Month - June 2013

“Chicago happened slowly, like a migraine. First they were driving through countryside, then, imperceptibly, the occasional town became a low suburban sprawl, and the sprawl became the city.” 

― Neil Gaiman, American Gods

Renz Kervin Sarmiento's photograph showing an overhead view of glistening Chicago and its skyscrapers is En Route's Photo of the Month for June.  The image was captured from the John Hancock Observatory, which affords 360 degrees views across four American states and Lake Michigan.  Ain't it lovely? :)   

Read More

Happy Feet, Happy Fit

If there's something better than having much freedom to travel on your own terms when travelling solo, or having so much fun when travelling with friends and families, it is being able to share adventurous experiences with your better half.  

However, many people say that travelling as a couple can be difficult and very stressful.  Well, in some instances, that could be right.  But then again, travelling together strengthens and adds spices to a relationship.  You get to share all the challenges, adventures (plus misadventures), see places and eat cuisines together for the first time, and create memories that you could reminisce and share with your children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, if you're lucky enough. :)

As travel has played a major role in improving the bond between my husband and I, and because today marks our sixth year as a couple, I thought of sharing fifteen of my most favorite "happy feet, happy fit" pictures since we started travelling as a couple.  

Hope you'd enjoy this post. :)

15

as we while the time away atop Saranggani Highlands 

(2011)

After an early morning trip to Gensan's fish port, we visited Saranggani Highlands, which afforded us good views overlooking the province of Saranggani.  As we had a specific place in Saranggani Highlands all by ourselves, we tried to duplicate our poses during our very first travel as a couple in Hong Kong.  We lost one of our memory cards (with loads of Hong Kong travel pictures) on our way home from our Hong Kong-Macau trip by the way.

14

on a cloudy afternoon at Prambanan Temple, Yogyakharta, Indonesia

(2010)

Coming off from Singapore, we headed directly to our hotel near Borobodur.  The trip from the airport to our hotel was more than approximately 1.5 hours, and it was much longer than what we have anticipated (admittedly, we have not done enough research and preparation for this trip because of our wedding preparations).  Just as we checked in, the lady from the concierge advised us that we should have headed straight to Prambanan Temple from the airport.  We ate packed Indonesian lunch inside the van on the way to this temple and were there on time.  Just on time before the heavy downpour while we were visiting the next Yogyakharta landmark near Prambanan!

13

at the petronas towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(2010)

The picture, however bad the lighting is, is one of my favorites as this reminds me a lot of how we tried, for several times, to take a good picture of ourselves with the Twin Towers on the background.  Kuala Lumpur was the last city visited during our Singapore-Yogyakharta-Bali-Genting Highlands-Kuala Lumpur trip in 2010.  It was in Kuala Lumpur where we got a "VIP tourist treatment" as a wedding gift from a good friend.

12

our skywalk at the 37th floor of the Cebu Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu, Philippines 

(year 2009)

Who would ever forget conquering one's fear of heights?  

11

a picture taken by the Korean couple we met during our gondola ride in Venice, Italy

(year 2012)

We never really thought we'd have a real gondola ride along Venice's Grand Canal!

10

as we await the sunset atop Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence, Italy

(year 2012)

Florence is our top favorite city, and this picture of us at Piazzale Michaelangelo reminds us how Florence wowed us both aesthetically and gastronomically. 

9

a silhouette shot at the top of Borobodur Temple as sunrise unfolds, with Mount Merapi on the background 

(year 2010)

Witnessing a beautiful sunrise unfold at the top of the Borobodur Temple was a perfect reward for waking up at 4 AM.  For this alone, our side trip to Yogyakharta was really worth it. 

8

our very first parasail in Bali, Indonesia

(year 2010)

Have you ever felt what it is to be in "cloud nine"?  I guess "flying" with the man you've just married, overlooking Bali, is to be in "cloud nine". :)  By the way, I don't know if I would be able to do this if I, alone, parasailed.  

7

at Hong Kong Disneyland
(year 2008)

We lost one of our most important travel gadgets during our first ever travel as a couple - a memory card.   With the lost memory card, our 360 degrees cable ride pictures, our Ocean Park adventures, our off-the-beaten path yoga poses have gone away.  Two days of Disneyland was very fun though, and we had the pictures saved in another memory card.  We'll surely (forever) travel lesson number 1 - always back up travel pictures!

6

at Zambales, Philippines

(2009)

The picture above was taken from the beautiful paradise of Anawangin in Zambales, Philippines.  The place is lovely and very picturesque, in the same way that Capones and Pundaquit Islands in Zambales are.  Probably half of our most beautiful pictures together were shot from Zambales! 

5

at the Colosseum, as we enjoy the splendor of ancient Rome
(2012)

Seeing the Colosseum and the other ancient Roman structures was a fulfilled dream for both of us! :)

4

our ATV-turned-buggy ride in Boracay, Aklan, Philippines

(2011)

I initially wanted dreamed of driving an ATV so we had a trial ride at an ATV-rental company's training grounds.  As I do not know how to bike (yes, unfortunately), I drove slowly during the practice.  Just when I have gauged that ATV-driving is easy and not-so-fun when you're driving slowly, I decided to start picking up my speed.  Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to put on the brakes slowly as a sharp road bend was coming up.  I flew with the ATV.  To make the story short, we rode the buggy together (and I was not the driver..haha!). 

3

our 'Lovers in Paris' picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

(2012)

The skies were overcast on our first and third days in Paris.  We were lucky enough that we planned to see the Eiffel Tower on the second day, when the weather was good and the skies are lovely to take beautiful pictures - of course, with our very reliable tripod. :)

2

as we zipline over Lake Sebu Seven Falls, South Cotabato, Philippines 

(2011)

Our most favorite adrenaline travel experience was in Lake Sebu, where we had 700 meters of exhilarating zipline fun at around 600 feet above the ground, overlooking the majestic waterfalls and the lush forests of South Cotabato.  

1

our big shoes at the Zaanse Schans Museum, The Netherlands

(2012)

This was taken outside the clog factory at Zaanse Scanse, the Netherlands.  The windmills, the perfect weather, the beautiful landscapes and the crisp air - all these made a perfect day in Europe.  Happy feet! :) 

Read More

Photo of the Month - May 2013

"We went to the island just to explore, without knowing what lies before us.  I just remember myself saying "ang ganda!" ("how beautiful!") the whole time we were there. :)"   - Iyah Gravador

Antique's pristine beach, together with her discovery of a pathway lined with beautifully arranged trees that leads to a lighthouse, capped Iyah's Panay Island adventure experience in Nogas Island, Anini-y, Antique, Philippines.  The above snapshot is May's Photo of the Month as it is not only beautiful; the experience of the traveler essentially captures the true spirit of traveling - daring to explore.  

"It's not down on any map.  True places never are. "

-Herman Melville

Read More

Photo of the Month: April 2013

A candid image of a typical scene at the Pura Tirta Empul pool in Bali is my favorite photo of the month as it aptly reflects the Hindu Balinese people's devotion to religious rituals.  The Balinese people's rich religion-based culture is one of the reasons why Bali is one of the most popular and interesting destinations in Southeast Asia.  

The long rectangular pool at the Pura Tirta Empul is filled with koi and fed by the sacred spring through 12 fountains.  Offerings are made at the Pura Tirta Empul Temple, and then worshippers come to this pool.  The worshippers bathe for purification, pray and sometimes collect the holy water to take home. (Source:  http://www.sacred-destinations.com).

The photograph was captured by Ave Gaile Peraz, a fellow Bulacan Letratista and travel enthusiast. 

P.S. 

Do you have a memorable travel photograph that you wish to share?  I hope to feature them one day in my Photo of the Month blog posts.  I am just an email away.  :)

Read More

Paris' Magic Spell

I have something to confess:  I do not love Paris.

Blame it to our hotel bathroom.  Or to its grey skies on the first and third days of our stay in Paris.  Or maybe to the difficulties that my husband and I had in communicating as most of the French people we talked to didn't know much English words.  Plus, we did ate great-tasting food; the food were expensive though.

But...

Albeit I do not love Paris, I miss the City of Lights.  In fact, I find myself having this 'Paris nostalgia syndrome' every now and then.  'Paris nostalgia syndrome' by the way is the phrase that I use to describe my state (and my husband's) whenever I get sappy over reliving our short autumn vacation in Paris.  And when I do, I can't help but sing Vanessa Williams' "Moonlight Over Paris".   Guess why? 

Could I be under Paris' magic spell?  :)

No matter how lackluster the atmosphere was during the days with grey skies, Paris by night gleamed.  And as if some fairy has waved her magic wand, Paris by night exuded both charm and mystery.  I think that its charm emanates from the moonlight, the lights displayed by its famous monuments and the street lamps' lights altogether; its mystery comes from the combination of its structures' old and modern architecture and that crisp air that allows for meditative or romantic strolls.  

Here, have a glimpse of Paris by night and be charmed. :)   

The famous Seine River at night

Above are snapshots of the Louvre Museum at night.  
Remember the movie, "Da Vinci Code"?  

Above and below are pictures of the Eiffel Tower.  I have always thought that Eiffel is an overused symbol for Paris that I did not really expect to be wowed by this iron lattice tower.  However, seeing how it transforms into a golden yellow gem from being unlighted at dusk was just very magical.  The Eiffel Tower even twinkles due its strobe lights for about 5 minutes every hour!

Here are snapshots of the Eiffel Tower taken from inside our restaurant during dinner time:

The Eiffel Tower strobe lights in action :)

Below is a view of one of the streets in Paris as reflected from a building's mirror.

The Eiffel Tower is everywhere! :)

All photos are by Gilbert and Anna.

“... you’ll have to fall in love at least once in your life, 

or Paris has failed to rub off on you.” 

― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Read More

Photo of the Month: March 2013

An image of the largest Hindu temple and religious monument in the world - the Angkor Wat - is my favorite photo of the month.  I just love how Angkor Wat still looked winsome and distinguishable even in silhouette.  Hmm... Should I instead say that it still looked winsome and distinguishable as a water reflection? :) 

The image above was captured by Iyah Gravador during her Indochina trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.  

P.S. 

Do you have a memorable travel photograph that you wish to share?  I hope to feature them one day in my Photo of the Month blog posts.  I am just an email away.  :)

Read More

My Favorite Memories of Heavenly Sagada

I could vividly recall how my best friend and I hoped for a Sagada trip before she left for Bermuda and how my officemates and I eagerly convinced our bosses to go on a Sagada weekend escapade.  My first two attempts were failures.

In June 2010, I found myself in the front passenger seat of a Toyota Avanza en route to Sagada with four other excited ladies and a proficient driver.  Our journey pushed through amidst the heavy rains in Manila.  

For its food, charming people, lush forests, cool and refreshing climate, breathtaking landscapes, amazing limestone cliffs, efficient tourism infrastructure and interesting culture, Sagada was worth the third attempt.  It was worth the 12 hours long, butt-aching land trip from Manila.  

Let me share my favorite memories of heavenly Sagada:

1.  The sunrise at Mount Kiltepan

It is often easier to catch a sunset than a sunrise, especially if you have to wake up in a place with a cool climate such as Sagada.  Despite the few hours of sleep and our body aches from the previous days' long, tiring treks and spelunking, we made it a point to make it to Kiltepan for sunrise just before heading home.  We were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the sea of clouds over the mountains of Sagada.  That moment was so priceless.

Above is one of my favorite pictures taken atop Mount Kiltepan.  Can you think of a more apt description for Sagada than 'heavenly'? :)

2.  The Fidelisan Rice Terraces Trek to see the Bomod-ok Falls

Our group trekked the Fidelisan Rice Terraces to see what they call as the Big Falls, which is otherwise known as the Bomod-ok Falls.

Coming off from a 12-hour night trip from Manila without a good sleep, the downhill and uphill trek to and from Bomod-ok Falls was quite exhausting.  It was very gratifying though, as it afforded us picturesque views of the verdurous rice terraces with charmingly simple mountain backdrops.  It exposed us to the Sagada farmers' way of life and culture.  It also paved the way for interactions with some of the locals at the Fidelisan Village.    Walking through the narrow passages in-between the rice paddies brought back my childhood memories of walking and playing in rice fields.  

Home Alone 

Homes Above a Cliff

Photo Credit:   Iyah Gravador

Photo credit:  Iyah Gravador

I have created a separate post about this adventure.  Please click here to read the post. :)

3.  The Spelunking Adventure at Sumaguing Cave

The moment I saw what we were up to at the mouth of the Sumaguing Cave, there were questions in my mind whether I will be able to make it.  But what's going to Sagada without spelunking anyway?  

We did not bring our DSLRs inside the cave as carrying our own selves was already tricky.  It was a good thing that one of us had a waterproof camera so we had these shots at least:

The experience?  It was really fulfilling to have done something like this in my life, at least while I am young and able.  I have usually hated the act of descending as I fear losing my footing and slipping all the way down.  With this Sumaguing Cave adventure, I braved my fears.  

What was the adventure like?  During our descent, I walked like a crab by using my hands and feet to cling onto the rocks.  Aside from that, I used my butt for additional surface friction.  I thought that a torn capri was way better than broken bones (I went home with my capri still looking good, though).  There were times when all of us needed to crawl, slide down, step on our driver cum tour guide's shoulder to descend from steep rocks and use ropes to transfer from one rock to another.  There were parts of the descent where we had to wear slippers to prevent damaging our foot soles; there were parts where we had to take them off to prevent ourselves from slipping onto the rocks.  Our lives greatly depended on our guide.  There was no light of course, except for the light coming from the gas lamp held by our guide, who seemed to be walking on even surfaces.  It was scary, challenging and fun at the same time.  Inside the cave, nature had its way of amazing and entertaining us as many of the rock formations resembled things we usually encounter in our daily lives.  Everything was up to our imagination!

Inside the Sumaguing Cave

Photo credit:  360virtualphilippines.blogspot.com

Thank you! :)

You may check out some photos of the Sumaguing Cave stalactites and stalagmites taken by other adventurers from this link: Sumaguing Cave.

4.  The Echo Valley Tour and the Trek to the Hanging Coffins

The Echo Valley Tour and the trek to the Hanging Coffins tested my fear of descent and heights all the more.  During the trek, we had to descend/ascend down/up the steep pathways and walk thru very narrow passages.  In exchange, we have discovered a unique, old tradition in Sagada of hanging the coffins of the dead in a cliff.  Creepy?

This activity bonded our group as we helped the weak, the weaker and the weakest links to ascend/descend to and from one place to another.  (And it was also here where we took advantage of a lot of photo opportunities. =P )

I will have a separate post about this experience.

Photo credit: Iyah Gravador

5.  Our Trip to the Pottery House

Our trip to the pottery house introduced us to the art of making pots.  In fact, we tried pot molding ourselves!  

A potter needs hand and feet coordination to create a masterpiece.

Trying to be Demi Moore for a few seconds - my turn to try pot molding! :)  

Here are some of the crafts that we saw inside the pottery house:

 

6.  Chilling at Lake Danum

Lake Danum is famous as a good sunset-viewing spot as well as a bonfire camping place in Sagada.  However, due to our limited time in Sagada, we went there during the midday.  

It was a good place to relax though we didn't really have enough of that deserving rest because of this young, naughty boy. :)  We had a good time though.

Amidst my jump shot, he immediately showed up and it appeared as though 

he was the original subject of the photograph..haha

Here's my favorite photo of myself from Lake Danum:

7.  Log Cabin Buffet

I reserved well ahead of time so we could avail of Log Cabin's Saturday buffet.  It was a very rewarding dining experience after surviving the trek to Bomod-ok Falls.  

         

8.  And last but not the least... bonding with the girls

My trip to Sagada would not have been very memorable if not for the company.  It was the very first time that Ave, Iyah, Jazz, Lyneth and I travelled together but we all had fun - amidst the long hours of travel, the short rests, the physically-challenging activities.  We've had good laughs about anything and everything.  Who would ever forget the tarot night?  The first, second, third, fourth and fifth boyfriend?  The weakest link?  The never-ending supply of food?  I just hear Cyndi Lauper singing 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' when I think of the good times.  I find myself sentimental whenever I see our pictures of Sagada.  Let's do this again (or something like this) some time! :)

How about you?  What are your favorite memories of Sagada? :)

Read More