Blogs from Batangas, Philippines, Asia - page 5

So good to be traveling again. Arrived in Manila yesterday night. Fun and crazy asian monster of a city, but with the 50 years of being run by America and serveral hundred by those wild Spaniards has definitely taken it's toll... the local form of transport is a Jeepnie, Jeeps from the American army that have been painted rainbow colours and now drive everyone around. Some of the locals seem to get on without the car even stopping! Only 24 hours in the country but already we've ticked off * having a hostage situation in the suburb next door (standoff between government, mililitary and some newspaper men...?) Jojo!!! * walking into a site that had been bombed / burnt down a few days ago * accepted the challenge of trying every kind of beer in the ... read more

Last March 25-26, 2007 the whole family went to Matabungkay Beach Resort at Lian Batangas to celebrate my niece’s(Marielle) 3rd birthday. The whole family consists of Celeste family(Tita Cleo, Tito Jess, Jam and Niknok); Dianne and RJ with little Adriel; Ate Cherry and Marielle, Nanay, me, Jerome and Mel. We stayed at their senior suite room which has 2 bedroom with Queen sized bed, Cable TV, Mini Bar Lounge & Dining Area, Hot & Cold Shower and Spacious Verandah. The room was comfortable for all of us, the only downside is that there was no sink to wash the dishes. We particulary enjoyed the swimming pool but not so much the beach. We had our own food but we ordered some on the hotel which was really overpriced! According to its website: “Once discovered, never forgotten…” ... read more

It was a bright morning of June 7, 2007, when the group decided to experience trekking in Taal Volcano, the smallest volcano in the world. The trip was pushed through as planned on June 9, 2007 gathering at exactly 5:00 dawn and meeting at MCDO Quezon Avenue-EDSA for a brief coffee and hot choco. Surprisingly, all the members of the trekkers were on time and were off the road at 5:30am. At 8:00 am we were already in Tagaytay, City, a place for a romantic honeymooooon. The road travel from Tagaytay to Talisay was a bit dangerous because of the steep cliff around the bend. There is an alternate longer route along EDSA exiting in south superhighway, a safer route than the steep-cliff via Tagaytay-Talisay. There are plenty offerors of boat ride along our way ... read more

Last hurrah before La Niña strikes... and this was not even on my list of "to see places"! It just so happens that my company needs to give their employees a much needed rest! My money and vacation leaves have all but been saved for my trips on the coming months... and visiting Laiya wasn't really on the budget... Good thing is, the overnight stay has all but been paid off... So here we are at the Palm Beach Resort, enjoying the sun and the lack of it! Apparently, the non-stop puoring rain who has been seizing Manila like a storm (excuse the pun), would follow us all the way to Laiya!But nonetheless, the fun didn't end while it poured, it was actually refreshing given the fact that it the mountain rain was exquisitely fresh, ... read more

Got to travel to some great areas in Batangas province. As usual, I was not really a tourist but more of a tourism researcher. So here goes... We were promised a great colony of giant fruit bats in the municipality of San Juan. First, the drive towards the jump-off point was almost new to me. I actually had the same experience of going through a dry river bed, but this one was quite unerving. We could actually get stranded when it starts to rain. We drove for what seemed like 30 minutes. I kept asking my companions how the locals in the area cope with their situation. Its very simple, they said. The locals just bulk up on everything before the rains come and they have nowhere else to go but stay in their remote ... read more