Philippine Travel Notes

This was one time I wished my flight would be delayed heheh! Well sorry me, it was departing not just on time, but even ahead of its published schedule (I suspected)! How'd I know that? Oh just guessing! At 0932H there it was about to dock at the gate. So I surmised, the airline's manager at Taoyuan would want to dispatch that plane at 1032H because the usual 'parking fee' that they pay is only for an hour! I wasn't sad anyway. I just wished I could stay longer to explore all the boarding gate themes of Taipei Taoyuan International Airport . But I know I'll be coming back many times soon, so I look forward to it. Look, at 10:09AM, the forward section of the aircraft belly was done loading. Nagkukwentuhan na sila! I was seated 1F, I could see the loading operations at the forward underside of the plane. Through the years of frequent traveling I learned that most of the time, when a plane's belly is not going to be full, many of our checked-in luggage a...

Its not in Nagcarlan town, Laguna! Its in MajayjayI I think there is even a town in between the two (Liliw?). But that is how the place is called and we are here to re-write history hehe! It does not even look “underground” – if you were looking from the road! Then again, They would not have called it such for nothing, right?! I/We did not know there was something like this. We just happened to have passed by the area and noticed the rather era-style compound from the fence to most every structure. So I requested that we drop by for a quick view at what might this place be. Whoa! An ancient cemetery! At least that’s what it looks! There probably is an NHI marker that we just did not see as we were in haste. And there were not so many people around for me to ask.  It was in fact just about to be closed. At least someone told me this place is called Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery and it is supposed to be historic. I will not be ashamed to admit that most of the info I got (actually a...

I am a waterborne person and I thought only the beaches, oceans and the seas attract me. But when I got to Lake Caliraya it was a similar kind of high… only there is a big difference – which I can’t quite put what it is yet. Perhaps it is the cooler air, the different kind of tranquility, different flora & fauna than along beaches, the activities? Or perhaps all of them! I have been there before to camp out by the edge of the lake (on mainland side and at night) - it was fun! But this new sojourn was just fantastic! Went to Lake Caliraya with friends to join a tree-planting activity sponsored by the Philippine government – if only to ensure that the lake’s denuding watershed is preserved. But, we booked the same weekend for a stay at one of the resorts. Going there On separate vehicles and departure times, I and some friends opted for the northern route that pass via the cities and towns of Pasig, Cainta, Antipolo, Teresa and so many other towns in the provinces of Rizal and Laguna...