Where to Eat in BATANES: Marconines Canteen in Racuh A Payaman

For lunch during our South Batan tour, our guide Ryan already arranged everything for us. Located just within the vicinity of the famed Racuh a Payaman (also known as Marlboro Countrty), Marconines Canteen offers guests with sumptuous meals perfect for the cool and windy atmosphere of the common pastureland. After exploring and enjoying the panoramic view at Racuh a Payaman, we settled in one of the makeshift huts for that al fesco dining experience.

China: Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Style

China is certainly a country that skips to its own beat. Rich in diverse landscape, culture and cuisine, it's a land where the ancient traditions mix in with the modern as the locals 'sweep the bad luck' out of their houses. Plan your trip during the Chinese New Year and prepare to be blown away by the sea of colourful celebrations that play out before your eyes.

ALIWAN FIESTA 2014 List of Winners, Schedule of Events and Activities and List of Contingents

The Grand "Festival of Festivals" will once again grace the streets of Manila and Pasay City as the Aliwan Fiesta 2014 is set to happen on April 24-26, 2014. Aliwan Fiesta is an annual gathering of different cultural festivals in the Philippines featuring contingents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This festival of winners is a 3-day event where participants will compete in a grand street dance competition, glittering float parade competition as well as the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant.

BATANES TRAVEL GUIDE: How to Get to Itbayat from Basco and to Basco from Itbayat by Boat and by Plane

Itbayat is the largest island in the entire Batanes group of islands. It is a municipality located northwest of Batan Island and the closest inhabited island to Taiwan. It is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, by the South China Sea on the west and by small uninhabited islands in the north such Siayan, Matarem, Misanga and Mavudis islands. To get there, you have 2 options: (1) take a 4-hour boat ride from Basco port or (2) take a 10-minute plane ride from Basco Airport.

Awesome Celebrations and Festivals in the Philippines this February 2014

February is the season of love, flowers, music, arts and fireworks in the Philippines. This February 2014, we have several festivals and celebrations to watch out for. There's Valentine's Day, the 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in Manila, Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City, EDSA Revolution Anniversary and the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival 2014 in Puerto Galera. For your reference, here's a calendar of the festivals and celebrations happening next month.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES: Batan Island South Tour - "Amazing Places to Visit, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Mahatao, Ivana and Uyugan"

As one of my ultimate dream destinations, I expected Batanes to be "heaven on earth" because of the rave reviews of those who've been there before. The truth is, it exceeded all my expectations in every sense of the word. Still can't get enough of the province, we spent our third day in Batanes visiting the different tourist spots and attractions in the southern part of Batan Island, the second largest island in the province of Batanes. This whole day tour filled with amazing sights and activities includes a visit to the towns of Mahatao, Uyugan and Ivana. Taralets! Let's explore Batanes!

Where to Eat in BATANES: Paypanapanayan Canteen in Sabtang Island

On our Sabtang Island day tour held on our 2nd in Batanes, we had our lunch at Paypanapanayan Canteen. It is a small and cozy canteen situated along Morong beach where the famed Mayahaw arch and Nakabuang Cave are located. Set on a verdant surroundings, this is a common dining place for tourists visiting the island. At Paypanapanayan Canteen guests are treated not only with great tasting sea food, but with a breathtaking view of the beach as well.

2015 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (Press Release)

Last November 2013, we posted about the cancellation of the 2014 Philippine International Balloon Fiesta. Few weeks later, the Department of Tourism announced that due to the clamor of the public for a ballooning event, they will be organizing a new ballooning event called the 2014 Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival. The said festival is set to happen on April 10 to 13, 2014 in Clark Pampanga. These are two separate ballooning events organized by two different organizations.

Top 5 Adventure Destinations in England

It may be small – at around 130sq km England is less than half the size of the Phillipines. But this part of the world certainly has plenty to offer the adventure traveller, whether you’re a land lover or you love your water sports. Here are just a few of the adventures we've discovered so far:

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES: Sabtang Island Tour - "Amazing Places to Visit, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Sabtang, Batanes"

We woke up early on our 2nd day in Batanes. From our accommodation, we were fetched by Ryan, our tour guide and brought us to the port in the town of Ivana where we will be riding the boat going to the island of Sabtang. Batanes is known to have strong waves, and I've heard a lot of stories from friends about how enormous the waves. Their motorized boats are locally called "faluwa", which are boats designed to withstand the strong waves. These boats don't have a "katig" or outriggers as it would only be crashed by the strong waves while at the sea.

Where to EAT in BATANES: Bunker's Cafe at Naidi Hills, Basco Batanes

An awesome way to end our first day in Batanes is to savor on a sumptuous dinner at Bunker's Cafe. As the name suggests, it's used to be a bunker during the American occupation which was converted into a cozy restaurant. Obviously, one of the best things about Bunker's Cafe is its location. This small restaurant is located in Naidi Hills beside Basco lighthouse; it is closed at day time and only opens at around 6:00 in the the evening. At Bunker's Cafe, diners are treated with the best view of Batanes sunset during dinner time as well as moonlit dining perfect for those romantic dates. So, if you're looking for where to eat in Batanes, check out Bunker's Cafe.

Awesome Celebrations and Festivals in the Philippines this January

Most of the festivals in the Philippines have some sort of cultural or religious aspect to them. Indeed, they are events that shouldn't be missed in the Philippines. We have a lot to offer with festivals and celebrations happening every month all over the country. This January 2014, we have five big festivals and celebrations to watch out for. There's the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo Aklan, Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City and Chinese Lunar New Year. For your reference, here's a calendar of the festivals happening this month.

RESORTS IN TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE: Banana Beach Resort - Tagum City, "Davao's Best Kept Secret"

If there is one place in Tagum City, Davao del Norte that you should not miss visiting, that would be Banana Beach Resort. Located just an hour drive from Davao City, Banana Beach Resort, a property of Hijo Estate Resorts is touted as the only beach resort within a banana plantation in the world. Nestled within a sprawling 760-hectare banana plantation, it can be considered as an upscale resort with top-notch amenities, great food and world-class service. So, if you're looking for a beach resort that is peaceful, quiet and isolated from the noise of the metropolis, Banana Beach Resort is the perfect hideaway for you.

THINGS TO DO IN BATANES: Batan Island North Tour - "Amazing Places to Visit, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Basco, Batanes"

On new year's day, I asked my readers "What is your ultimate dream destination this 2014?" and around 80% answered Batanes! Indeed, this province in the northern Philippines is (almost) everybody's dream destination. I, myself had been dreaming for quite some time to visit this so-called paradise. I thought it will remain as a dream, but on May 6, 2013, the long-time dream became a reality as I finally set foot on Batanes, my 79th province! Our packaged group tour started after our hefty lunch of Ivatan specialties at Pension Ivatan Restaurant. I must admit, I am so excited to explore and experience Batanes' breathtaking sights, beaches, centuries-old churches and other man-made and natural wonders.

Davao del Norte: Lanikai Resort, a "Heaven by the Sea" in Tagum City

Lanikai Resort's Infinity Pool

Do you yearn for a quiet and tranquil hiding place? Are you an urban dweller who's already fed up with the chaos and noise of the city? Then you have check out Lanikai Resort, a member of Hijo Estate Resorts. Nestled along the coastline of Barangay Madaum, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, it is just 15 minutes away from the center of the city. It is a private resort where you can enjoy your private and intimate accommodation coupled with good food, relaxing ambiance and a peaceful environment.

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN BATANES: Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant's Ivatan Platter

Ivatan Platter

Pension Ivatan is a lodging/hostel and restaurant in Basco Batanes that offers sumptuous Ivatan cuisines. Located just across Basco Airport, the restaurant is quite spacious and presents a typical dining place in the provinces. There are about 7 tables inside and 2 outside. They also have a small and cozy gazeebo-type dining area outside which could fit about 6 to 8 persons. So if you're looking for where to eat in Basco Batanes to sample of sumptuous Ivatan cuisines and dishes, check out Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant.