2GO Travel: A Diary

Before low-cost airline carriers came about, sea travel was the budgetarian way to go. Travelling by ship in the Philippines is basic stuff. It's very efficient in getting you from point A to B in this 7000-strong archipelago.

Open deck

Odd as it may sound, spending a night aboard a passenger ship is something that's only recently ticked off my bucket list, so excuse the amateur ship lingo from here on.

The Palabok Connection | Santa Ana Heritage Tour - Part 3

Palabok - that noodle dish topped with egg, chicharon and calamansi - you think you know it very well, but do you ever wonder what that orange stuff is made of?

Palabok: the real thing!

Together with Santa Ana Heritage Tours head tour guide, Boyet, and Fundacion Santiago representative, Cheska, we venture into Santa Ana's public market to sample this traditional delicacy. A number of stalls sell their own 'original' version, which have gained quite a following among locals (and now, including balikbayans).

Lilac Street Food Crawl - Marikina | Part 2

The sun was setting fast and our bellies were far from full (so far, we've only tried 2 places). We venture across the road and spot a short row on Rainbow Street.

Working up an appetite along Lilac St.

In case you missed it, here's a link to Part 1.

Lilac Street Food Crawl - Marikina | Part 1

There's a new foodie strip in Metro Manila that everybody's been talking about: Lilac Street in Marikina. This stretch of road is dotted with delightful food joints you don't usually find in malls. There was nothing to do one Saturday afternoon, so me and my sisters decided to do a Lilac Street food crawl.

Bennt II Building: Infinitea and Cupcake Bites Cafe

Within The Hallowed Halls | Santa Ana Heritage Tour - Part 1

Three ladies were rounded up in a dungeon-esque room within the thick walls of Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados Parish in Santa Ana, Manila. One of them was me.

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned

Okay, it was obviously my first time to venture into the back rooms of a centuries-old church. There, our Santa Ana Heritage Tour was about to commence.

City Of Dreams Manila - Opening Night

City Of Dreams Manila officially opened its doors to the public Sunday, December 14. Though still on its soft opening, we trooped there to check out the deal. (Pun intended, of course!)

Reminds me of the diamond enclosure in the Ocean's 13 movie.

Dumaluan Beach, Panglao, Bohol

Dumaluan Beach in Panglao is a second-string destination in Bohol. It's mostly visited by locals for its budget-friendly-anything-goes atmosphere. Here are the reasons why I love this place:

Family friendly beach

Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Rizal

The Angono Petroglyphs (formally called Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs) is a significant archaeological site found in Rizal. It is the oldest evidence of artwork in the Philippines.

Ancient drawings are carved on a rock wall in the Angono-Binangonan border, within a compound shared by the sprawling Eastridge Golf Course and VIP-worthy Thunderbird Resort.

Indie Escape Blog Giveaway #1

Can you believe it? I can't believe it, too. It's Indie Escape's first. ever. blog. giveaway! These sweet goodies are yours, just scroll down to see the mechanics :)

I recently received a GC from 1780 to use on their shop. Managed to snag some goodies and I'd like to share them to two lucky readers, in celebration of Philippine products!

This holiday, I encourage everyone to consider local products when shopping for gifts :)

The giveaway: Two winners will receive 4 bars each of Kablon Farms Dark Chocolates (assorted variety). These chocolates are made using locally-sourced cacao and is produced in South Cotabato.

To join, simply follow the instructions from the Rafflecopter app below. More points means more chances of winning. Good luck!

More on 1780 by SariSari here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks so much!!!


Went a little crazy here, but here you go -
Mechanics/Fine Print:

• This giveaway is open to Philippine residents only.
• This giveaway is for 4 Kablon Farms assorted dark chocolates. Two (2) winners will be selected (each will receive 4 assorted pieces).
• Giveaway period starts on October 26, 2014 12:00 AM Sunday and ends on November 10, 2014 12:00 AM Monday. Time zone GMT +08:00.
• Each point in Rafflecopter constitutes to one raffle entry, Rafflecopter will randomly select a winner.
• To increase your chances of winning, simply accumulate more points:
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• Send a twitter message: "Enter @IndieEscape's #giveaway to win this sweet prize! "
• The winner will be announced within 72 hours after the end of giveaway period.
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A Dose of Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal

T'was 4PM and our driver swiftly zigzagged past cruisers, trying to chase the sunset. Daranak Falls in Tanay, Rizal is open only until 5pm, and we were determined to reach it before then.

It was one of those spur-of-the moment trips. Our group of 10 decided on it at the very last minute, while hanging out at a friend's home in Taytay. It was just an hour drive away anyway.

1780: A Collective Of Philippine Heritage Products

Much of traveling involves purchases from local merchants. What we take home from our trips around the country - the pasalubong - reflects the local ingenuity in culinary or craftsmanship (or others) that the destination has to offer. The way to see it - pasalubong and souvenir shopping is a way to help out the community in your own little way.

Travel find: I'm a fan of handwoven stuff!

Not everyone has the luxury to visit the country's 17 regions; 80 provinces. Even so, there's a way to get a good taste of what these destinations have to offer.

Kayaking in Mactan, Cebu

Learning to kayak

Estrera Beach House, Marigondon

Just across Plantation Bay is a family vacation house-turned-dive center - Stella Maris Dive Experts, one of the only two dive centers in Mactan Island that offers instructional diving course. Kayaking activities were introduced there last year by Isla Adventures. These include Basic Kayak Clinic for beginners, Kayak Clinic Plus, Moonlight Paddling (night kayak) tours and most notably, the Cebu-Bohol (Mactan-Getafe) kayak expedition. Chico Estrera, together with his partner Randy Salazar, facilitates the kayak clinics and trips.

Ready for 2014: An AirAsia Zest Booking Frenzy

It's only October of '13 but I've already maxed out my bookings for the first quarter of 2014! Hey, it's never too early to draft travel plans for next year. And now that two of the best low-cost airlines have joined forces, I expect to visit more tempting destinations - both local and international - soon!

Yes, Air Asia + Zest Air = AirAsia Zest! It's our very own AirAsia in Manila (now flying from NAIA Terminal 4, no need to go to Clark)!

Of Knick-knacks and Mementoes from the Road

Some people like to take a little piece of home with them when they travel. But others - a lot, actually - do the opposite.

A colorful souvenir stall, one of many in Baguio

Travel souvenirs make for a booming business under the tourism sector. While I'm not the type who'd collect ref magnets and shot glasses from the places I've been, I do have my share of material mementos scattered around my room.

Bike Trails: Post-Habagat Marikina Riverside Loop

Monsoon season is just around the corner, and as a reminder, I'm posting these photos of my bike ride in Marikina just a few days after habagat rains (not even a typhoon) devastated the place last year.

View Marikina Morning Loop in a larger map

My usual morning jumpstarter route goes like this: from JP Rizal in Lamuan area, I head towards the Marikina River Park in Santo Nino all the way to Barangay Calumpang riverbank, and then loop back to Malanday via the riverside Jocson road. If I have extra time, I warm up or cool down (or both) around South Supermarket's 'oval'.

The Case of the Curious Package from Gen San

NAIA Terminal 3

It was a particularly busy August afternoon in the airport arrival hall. Even though me and my kid were intentionally the last people to deplane, I still managed to catch up with the other passengers who took their time talking on their mobile phones and taking turns in the comfort room.

Passengers of Cebu and General Santos flights

I snagged one of the few remaining empty push carts and maneuvered my way into the unusually thick crowd in front of the baggage carousel. As it turns out, two flights' worth of cargo will be served by a single carousel.

To Be or Not To Be in Tubigon, Bohol

To Be or Not To Be in Tubigon, Bohol - that was the question on our first attempt to visit the place. That day, clouds were heavy and we (me, my son Hann and my sister) were running late for the early boat schedule from Cebu City.

It's a submarine! It's a banana boat! No, it's MV Starcraft

It wasn't meant to be. Defeated, we retreat to SM and drown ourselves with Leona's cakes.

Calaguas: The Summer That Was

An epic summer in the Philippines is not complete without a trip that involves a long drive and a beach during the height of Holy Week. Our trip to Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas Island last summer more than fits that bill.

Finally! approaching Mahabang Buhangin

Roadworthy
Every year, my friends organize an extended out-of-town trip where we can relax and get blotto. This year, all roads led to Bicolandia, to an island likened to Boracay - 20 years ago.

Bike Trails: Olango? Let's Go! - Part 2

Read Part 1 here.

Back at the sanctuary headquarters, the resident Rufous Night Heron engages its arthropod prey in a vicious fight. The poor bird loses by a literal split-decision (the caretaker had to un-clip the crab from its beak).

We thank Toni (OIWS guide) for sharing is avian expertise with us before saddling up for the next leg of our day trip. Our new-found cycling buddies lead the way this time.

Bike Trails: Olango? Let's Go! - Part 1

While the rest of the city remain under the spell of Zzz's, I was up and about, making final adjustments to Larry's hard-tailer. Finally, our bike trip to Olango is happening.

Overcast Mandaue

At 6-ish in the morning, Larry and I scoot out of Cebu City and head to Lapu-lapu City in Mactan Island.