Destinations

Travel Guide: Bataan – From Balanga to Bagac

June 27, 2015 by Bino 12 Comments

One of the most popular weekend and holiday destinations for those living in Manila and a must-see for World War II history buffs, the province of Bataan has only quite recently entered the mainstream, thanks to new investment in hospitality and recreation.

I remember Bataan from when we used to venture out some 20 to 25 years back to Montemar Beach Club, one of the more decent beaches within a 2.5 hour radius from Metro Manila. I had not been back to Bataan until this year to check out some interesting restoration of heritage architecture in some places. Here were some of the places I discovered:

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Why Pangasinan May Just Be One of the Philippines’ Most Underrated Provinces

January 27, 2015 by Bino

Within the last decade, many of Luzon’s central provinces have garnered quite a bit of attention among travelers who enjoy the balance between majestic natural attractions and proximity to the Philippine capital. Zambales has its many coves such as Anawangin and Nagsasa while Pampanga had in the early 2000’s successfully repositioned itself from a lahar-filled disaster zone to an eco-tourism destination.

There is however, one very worthy province that seems to be constantly overlooked despite having a plethora of things to see and do. Lying midway between Manila and Ilocos and serving as a transit point for travelers going to Baguio, the large but mostly underrated province of Pangasinan seems to be out of most people’s consideration as a holiday destination. This is despite having places such as Manaoag and Hundred Islands well within most Filipinos’ sphere of awareness.

It was actually by chance that I stumbled upon Pangasinan’s many attractions. I was looking for an interesting destination not too far from Manila during the Christmas holidays but found Baguio and Ilocos overcrowded, Tagaytay booked out and Mt Pinatubo too rough for the family escapade that I was planning. I eventually settled for 3 day trip covering the provinces of Pangasinan.

Here are some of the places I discovered:

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Best Autumn Viewing Spots in Tokyo

December 20, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

In my previous entry about autumn viewing spots in Tokyo, I highlighted the expansive Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa as the best place to see fall foliage in the Japanese capital. Tachikawa is located in Western Tokyo and is about a 45 minute train ride away from the city center plus a 15 minute or so walk. If you’re pressed for time, you can consider these other worthy autumn spots which are definitely must-sees if ever you find yourself in the city between late November and early December.

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How to Do Tokyo Comfortably For Just $35 a Day

December 11, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Although Tokyo no longer ranks as the world’s most expensive city, the stereotype is somehow hard to shake off. The thought of $250 airport to city taxi rides alone is enough to turn off the budget-conscious traveler. The good news is that Tokyo is no longer the ultra expensive city that it once was. Economic stagnation coupled with the weaker Yen have made this city a much more reasonable place for travelers. When I visited last year and again this year, I found Tokyo to be at par, if not more reasonably priced than the capitals of other developed countries. Save for the hefty taxi costs, I found Tokyo to be cheaper than other notable cities in Asia such as Singapore.

It’s possible to get by cheaply in Tokyo without compromising comfort if you know where to look. Here are some ideas on cheap things to do in Tokyo:

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Ubon Ratchathani – An Underrated Thai City You Would Never Have Heard Before

November 29, 2014 by Bino 7 Comments

I arrived at the almost deserted Ubon Ratchathani International Airport on a steamy morning, spotting just two other foreigners on my flight. The “international” in the name is a bit misleading – there is no other route besides the ones to Bangkok and the terminal looks like any provincial airport terminal in the country with a generic boarding gate. Located at the eastern part of the Isaan region, this is the first place that gets to see the sunrise in Thailand. Its namesake province is the easternmost that one can get to where Thailand’s concerned and the local culture bears some resemblance to Laos which is just across the border.

In between my sojourns to Champasak in Laos, I spent a bit of time in Ubon Ratchathani. While coming here certainly doesn’t normally count among Thailand must-dos, I found it to be a pleasant enough town, with interesting temples to please even the most templed out traveler. Here are some of those I managed to visit during my short time there.

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Awed, Mystified & Humbled at Vat Phou Temple in Champasak, Laos

November 15, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

The ancient temple complex of Vat Phou is located in the southern part of Laos, not far from the Mekong River, the major town of Pakse and the small community of Champasak. It is one of the 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Laos, the other being Luangprabang. I crossed the Thai border to spend a few days in Laos just to see this ancient wonder.

amazing reflections at vat phou

Traversing the ancient temple complex, I could not help but gape at the scene. It was not because I had to walk nearly 1 kilometer from the entrance just to get to the temples, or that there was a series of disjointed steps that led to the elevated sanctuary on the way to Mount Phu Kao. Rather, the source of my amazement was the sheer enormity of the site. By far, Vat Phou is the most scenic among the ancient Khmer ruins dotting Indochina. With a base at the foot of a mountain, the ancient rulers could not have chosen a better location.

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3 Islands in Spain That Should Be In Your Bucket List

November 4, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Spain may not be known as an archipelagic country but with its famed sunny weather, laidback culture and varied nightlife, its islands are among the most renowned in Europe. I have visited Spain in the past but never ventured outside the main towns of Andalucia, the capital, Madrid and of course, Barcelona. Visits to Mallorca for instance, are often part of the most popular Spain tours. For my future trips, I will make sure to visit these islands:

the town of san cristobal de la laguna by Santiago P.A. | CC by 2.0

Tenerife
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is well-known as a resort destination, with plenty of stunning beaches such as Costa Adeje and Playa de la Arena to seek a tan from. Beaches aside, there is also a lot to keep cultural buffs busy, with charming old towns such as La Orotava and La Laguna, the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For lovers of the great outdoors, there is the opportunity to hike to Mount Teide, the highest point in all of Spain. Even non-hikers can enjoy the view by taking a 4×4 followed by a cable car that reaches up to 3,550 meters out of the 3,718 meter tall volcano.

cala santa galdana by paul stephenson | cc by 2.0

Menorca
All it took was that one picture of a lagoon surrounded by translucent waters for me to be smitten. Menorca, the lesser known of the Balearic Islands, is the place to go to escape the maddening crowds that one finds everywhere else in Spain. A unique feature of Menorca is the presence of prehistoric monuments – the island is said to be the best place in Europe to see ancient settlements. No one knows exactly why they were built but they serve as constant reminders of the diversity of Spain’s tourist attractions.

the cathedral at palma de mallorca by sba 73 | cc by 2.0

Mallorca
The larger of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is well within the tourist radar but is very much worth a visit if you know where to look. For starters, its capital, Palma de Mallorca, looks just like any of the majestic cities lining the Spanish mainland. Its centerpiece is the impressive cathedral which was built several hundred years ago on top of a mosque. Mallorca is equally known for its stunning landscapes and a visit to Sierra de Tramuntana is not to be missed for those with a couple of days to spend.

As these islands are quite spread out, organizing a trip covering all may prove to be a hassle. Tour operators such as First Choice have plenty of experience in Tenerife or to the other Spanish islands, and cater to various budgets and travel styles.

Talad Rot Fai – Bangkok’s Hipster Night Market

November 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

In the Bangkok itinerary I recommended in an earlier post, I listed Talad Rot Fai as one of the Thai capital’s hidden gems. Whether you’re a shopaholic or simply a curious tourist, a visit to this suburban weekend night market is definitely worth your time. While I frequent Chatuchak for its immensity, Talad Rot Fai is the place to go for quirky and vintage items that you’ll be hard-pressed to see under one roof. This is without a doubt, Bangkok’s coolest night market and is a place where the Thai’s entrepreneurial spirit jive with their creative side.

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