Philippine Travel Notes

A 'real surfing' camp, not a skimboarding camp like at San Jose, which I learned, is its sister facility. I did not know there is 'surfing' in this area, until this morning. I even just accidentally saw this signage at a corner along the national highway, as we were passing by Dulag going to Abuyog (both in Leyte). That is the national highway. I took the photo as we were already turning left to follow that signage. Even as we approached the gate (yes this beach is 'gated'), I could already see this is a wide beach.., At the gate, I saw info that this 'camp' is owned/managed by a cooperative supported by Gina Lopez. And just as I thought.., wide.., spacious beach indeed! More than a hundred meters to the water line! Notable notes: 1) The artsy signage at left is the first picture above. I like the wood carving, it creates a rustic fee! 2) There are no big trees (yet) in the whole expanse, from the time you enter the gate. But I saw that they al...

How many times ever we travel on the same route, there will always be something new or something different and interesting worth our attention, even for just a fleeting while. It happens to me everyday. Today was just like that. These hanging planters on the EDSA-SHAW underpass caught my attention Wouldn't our world be better and brighter if every vacant wall had that? I know some people who grow edible plants in those little hanging boxes placed around their houses. Not just beautiful, useful too! Then again, mahal pala yan! I asked sometime ago at SM. The little boxes don't really cost that much, add in the frames that you have to hang them on. But if you sum everything, expensive pala. Because you won't need just one or two or three. You'll need many of them to create an aesthetically cool wall! Take that underpass wall as an example.., I'll bet the reason it is not all-covered with those nice little planters is, because they (MMDA?) do not have enough of t...

I know what some of you would 'exclaim' by reading the title of this post - "Holiday Inn na naman"? But don't go away just yet, you'll thank me for sharing important details down to the last pic. Promise yan! Take note, while I am already starting to sound like a marketing ambassador of Holiday Inn or even its mother brand ( IHG ).., I already said that before and I'll say it again, no I am not! This blog just recounts my travel experiences as they come. Its just that my recent travels, involves/d staying at places where there are/were available IHG hotels, and as said before, they're a hard habit to break , a default for me! More are even coming! But let's talk about this one - Holiday Inn Manila Galleria. From the name alone, you would know where this hotel is located, right? On the eastern end, and just above Robinson's Galleria Mall. One of two towers, the other being Crowne Plaza (also an IHG Hotel). When I checked-in, the smiling...