Eat, Pray, Work, Travel then Repeat

Northeast of the island of Luzon lies the Cagayan province in region 2. This Ilokano-speaking province, usually the hottest place during the summer period, has a big land size and has various attractions waiting to be explored. Cagayan has inviting clear beaches and long rivers, tall  mountains,  interesting caves and old churches, all waiting to be discovered. My several visits to Cagayan were mostly business trips, specifically to the capital city, Tuguegarao, but combining leisure with these trips became instant vacations. ITINERARIES : TUGUEGARAO CITY, CALLAO CAVE, PIAT, AND APARRI TUGUEGARAO CITY Tuguegarao city is a 12-hour bus ride from Manila. Where to go, what to do and what to eat - the city has its answers. Tuguegarao city has its own authentic tourism that should not be overlooked. It also served as starting point for visiting the other tourist destinations in Cagayan. Old Churhes At the center of Tuguegarao is its 18...

July is Philippines' rainy season, yet me and my friends had one of the best week-long trip at this month. Exploring north and south of Luzon for eight days was quite exhausting but the memories of our travel escapades including the road trips were all remarkable, a one-of-a-kind experience, and a travel adventure I wish I could experience once more. A group of eight made the most out of the eight day trip. The four of us in the group are workmates and we brought with us companies. I brought my father with me, Ed was joined by his older brother, Cathy was accompanied by his husband Holly, and Redjie's company is his 10 year old son. Imagine our age group! The itineraries: - Baguio , La Union , Vigan , Tiaong in Quezon and Manila in eight days! Baguio is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines. Its cold temperature all throughout the year makes it the summer capital of the country. This trip was my fifth ...

Tiaong is a landlocked municipality in the province of Quezon and its borders are the city of San Pablo in Laguna, and the municipalities of Dolores, San Antonio and Candelaria in Quezon. It is not as popular as the other tourist destinations in the Philippines but it has a charm of its own. I am from Tiaong and it will always be my home.  I may not have explored the whole of the town, but this first class municipality, two and a half hour drive from Manila, offers its own authentic tourism to Tiaongins and visitors. Ugu Bigyan Pottery Garden and Restaurant is a must-visit in this town. Nipa and brick-inspired huts This seasoned well-maintained house of the owner is right in front of the entrance gate. The garden owned by the famous potter Mr. Ugu Bigyan in Baranggay Lusacan, in Tiaong, Quezon, a 10-minute drive from the town proper, offers a very relaxing and cozy ambience. A weekend visit to the garden tog...

Hongkong is my first overseas travel destination. Being the closest country to the Philippines, it is Filipino's favorite getaway place. Having been to HK for twice already, planning the itineraries for a quick DIY tour in my recent trip to the city is not anymore difficult. Cebu pacific has several flights to HK, and the low fares are usually the very early or very late flights.  Flying is not tiring because Manila to HK is only a two-hour flight, and taking a six-am flight last July was not a bad option at all. Prior to our trip, I already availed of the deals and promos of Klook, Traveloka, and Booking.com.  I find these websites/apps very meaningful travel partners. Hongkong is an expensive city so I really appreciate the discounts I get from these apps. Filipinos are not required to obtain visa to enter HK and allowed to stay for 14 days as a tourist. A quick DIY tour is very much possible.  Below is our personalized itiner...

I am a Tiaongin! I may have traveled to several places, far and nearby, lived at those places temporarily, but Tiaong will always be my Home.  Villa Escudero in my howetown Tiaong, is a must-visit.  This huge plantation is an excellent place for a quick escape from the city. This is a perfect weekend getaway because it is only a two and a half-hour drive from Manila. A private car or a public bus can take you to this place. Take the bus going to Lucena City and alight just after the Welcome to Quezon arch at the boundary of Quezon and Laguna provinces. I have been a guest of the villa for several times already and every visit is always a unique experience. Joining my friends for a day tour last July, the 1500 pesos per guest day pass (approximately 30 US dollars) was all worth the visit. We all truly enjoyed the kamayan-style buffet lunch in the Labasin dam waterfalls while our feet are soaked in the running water. Such ...

Our two-day stay in Macau is a side-trip of my Hongkong tour. Being very close to Hongkong, approximately an hour ferry ride, Macau is a great option for a quick getaway. Known as the "Las Vegas of Asia", Macau is famous for its grand casinos. Other than the deluxe casinos, there are still many things to do and see in this colorful city. Our personalized short trip allowed us to still experience a fun-filled tour. We arrived early noon at the Taipa Ferry Terminal and from there, rode MTP4 bus going to our accommodation. I already booked at  Bahay ni Imee  guesthouse opposite the Sofited Hotel which is a 10-minute walk to the iconic St.Paul Ruins. We alighted at R.Das Lorchas station and from there had a short walk to the guesthouse. Public bus fare in Macau is standard at 6 mop, so its better to always have an exact amount since you have to personally dropped your money into a box near the driver seat. Do not expect change if...