Ho Chi Minh (Un Journal Noir)

Ho Chi Minh, also known as Saigon—it's a city in Southern Vietnam; a blend of beautiful French architecture and eastern temples; it offers delicious street food like the bánh mì and bánh xèo to the hungry traveller; it speaks of long walks through parks and beckons to shoppers with its day and night markets that sell so many things at such affordable prices; it is the home of cultural buildings like the Saigon Opera House as well as historical landmarks, like the Cu Chi Tunnel and the War Remnants Museum.

Why Davao Has Become a Home in the South

I like diversity. I like changes in scenery. I like long, winding roads and forest trails; I like beaches and infinity pools. I like mountains and hills, valleys and rivers.

From the mountains to the beaches

They say that one of the best things about Davao is that you can go from the mountains to the beaches and back again in one whole day. If you are looking for a variation beyond nature trails and winding mountain paths, you can take a quick drive down to the beach. Boats are available for rent, as well as snorkelling gear. Soon, you will feel the salty spray of the sea and smell the summer ocean breeze, touseling your hair and warming your face.

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award is an online award given to bloggers by other bloggers that helps spread the love that we all so desperately desire. Liebster is a German word that translates to “dearest” so getting nominated for this is bound to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Video: Triplets Explore Ilocos 2016

Last week, I went on a trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, which are northern provinces of the Philippines. Lengthy post coming up about what we did and where we went and a bit of what we ate, but in the meantime, watch the video below that one of my friends made of our travels (and she's really good at it!). We call ourselves the Triplets, though we are neither siblings nor the same age nor have the same birthday. Ilocos is just one adventure, we are looking forward to more.

(Thanks for the video and the photos, Kim!)


Triplets Explore Ilocos from Kim P. Veria on Vimeo.

Adventures in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Day 3: Island-Hopping

Note: Wow, this post is overdue. Way overdue. Like one year behind overdue. But I have been taking a class here and there about Blogging and Content Marketing with Shaw Academy, and I've been learning that consistency is key. And in work, I have been learning to close the loop, to not leave any nail unhammered, any candlestick unpolished, any pie unbaked. I may not be able to post everyday or every week, but I will do my best to post once or twice a month.

We saved the island-hopping in Honda Bay for our third day in Puerto Princesa. They say that if you're in a big group, it's cheaper to customise your own tour and pay for the boat and entrance fees to each island, but if you're only 2-4 persons, it's better to get one of those fixed tours where they group you with other people. Puerto Princesa has a lot of those—tourist shops lined along the streets where you can book all sorts of tours. Even bed and breakfast inns and hotels have them, so we just had ours arrange by Casitas.

Adventures in Palawan Day 2: Dolphins and Unexpected Trips

I think a more appropriate title for this is "The Importance of Being More Flexible," especially as so many unplanned, unexpected things happened on this day.

Our schedule for the morning was a dolphin swimming tour, which is an item on my Dream List. (Actually, I wanted to swim with them, but after researching on the internet, I learned that they don't really allow you to do that in the open sea. It's more of in the special resorts that have trained, pet dolphins.) We booked with Hopping Buddies Travel & Tours, which is the cheapest I've seen so far. It was actually a tie between going on a dolphin-watching or firefly-watching tour. I would have loved to do both, but because of time and budget constraints, We could only do one, and we decided that we were more interested in seeing dolphins.

Adventures in Palawan Day 1: The Importance of Being Flexible

I had it all planned out: fly out to Puerto Princesa in the morning, check in at the hotel, grab a quick lunch, proceed to tour museums and other nearby areas until dinner time, before heading back to the hotel for an early bedtime because the next couple of days were bound to be jam-packed with activities.

Of course, not everything always goes as planned, starting with our flight being delayed for about three hours, till I was living in fear and cold-sweat that it would be canceled completely. (Thankfully, it wasn't.)

When we (FINALLY!) landed in Puerto Princesa, we were picked up by the van from where we stayed, Casitas de Az Pension. (Shoutout to them—everyone was so nice and friendly and accommodating. I peppered them with a thousand questions before booking with them.)

In Which I Become an Official Adventuress

I've always wanted to travel around the world, to any corner of the globe. (I still do and I sure do plan to make it happen!) I have been able to go on trips, both domestic and overseas, but not really on my own. I had always been with someone older, someone in charge, someone I could go to if I needed help, if I got lost, if things went wrong.

All that changed last week, May 21. I embarked on my first trip where I was the one who was in charge. I cannot begin to say how terrifying and exhilarating that was! To be the one to have to make the decisions where to go, what to do, how much to spend, how long to stay at a place.

Well, they say that the first time is the hardest, and that there is no other better way than to learn that to do it, and no other better time to start than right now.

Things to Do Before Visiting Another Country

It's a couple of weeks before I embark on my next adventure in another place. Needless to say, I'm excited, as I always am, when It's time to explore a country I've never been to before.

Nevertheless, one mustn't let excitement get in the way of practicality when preparing for a trip. There are several things I always check, double check and re-check when I take a trip (whether locally or internationally).

Photo: Red Chinese Lanterns

Red lanterns hang between the buildings in Ongpin, a remainder
of the recent Chinese New Year celebrations.

A Visit to Ongpin (Chinatown)

It's been some years since I found myself traipsing along the streets of Chinatown. Nevertheless, it is one of my favorite places, partly perhaps, due to the fact that I am half-Chinese. There is just always so much to see. The place is rich with the Chinese culture, and a lot about it reminds me of Hong Kong (which I find myself missing dearly from time to time). Perhaps this is where the major difference between the Chinese and the Filipinos lie. The Filipinos adapt to whatever culture they are in, the Chinese bring a bit of their own for everyone to experience. They say that in every country (and perhaps major city) in the world, there is a Chinatown.

Next Destination: Hong Kong

In a couple of weeks or so, I'll be wending my way through the streets of Hong Kong. Not for the first time, though. I recall—in a very hazy frame of mind— making a couple of posts (culture customs, etiquette, etc.) about the country before going there last year. I recall coming back hoping to make a couple posts or so about my adventures there. Unfortunately, life often turns out like nothing at all planned. (Sigh.) And now I am going back and I have not yet ever posted anything about my first trip.

Adventures in Palawan: City Tour

Palawan. They call it the paradise of people who love swimming and snorkeling. It is rich with diverse marine life, rich with places to sight-see and visit, rich with tourist spots, islands, and adventure. Palawan is where the Underground River—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—is.

I got to visit Puerto Princesa for the first time (yay!) last November for a team building. Our first day was spent on a city tour. We visited Mitra's Ranch, Baker's Hill, Binuatan Creations, and the place to buy pasalubong before having dinner in one of the Chicken Inato restaurants.

Etiquette: Hong Kong

Disclaimer: This post is based on research across various resources. Observations are not mine. Resources are below.

Just as I said I would in a previous post, I have done some research on the etiquette of Hong Kong, as a preparation before we leave in less than a couple of weeks. While our main objective is to minister to OFWs, we will definitely be encountering the natives. Some of the etiquettes are quite familiar, as we apply it in our family/daily life. I am half-Chinese after all, and bits and pieces of Chinese etiquette have been passed down to us from my dad and grandparents.

Hundred Islands in the Philippines

The Hundred Islands is located in Pangasinan, one of the provinces in the Philippines. It is a well-known tourist spot, attracting visitors the whole year round. I had the opportunity to go there for the first time last November 2011.

In order to explore the Hundred Islands, you have to rent a boat in Alaminos, one of the towns in Pangasinan. Some tourist packages include a tour guide and lunch.