El Nido Stay | Tapik Beach Park: Serene Home at East El Nido

Discover East El Nido, the cultural side of this paradise region of Palawan. West El Nido with its dramatic karst islands and stunning beaches in Bacuit Bay may be the main draw for tourist but there’s fulfilment in discovering the quiet side of El Nido East with unspoilt beaches, island and incomparable marine life than the other side. The perfect home base in discovering the wonders of the east is Tapik Beach Park, a rustic, family-run, beachfront lodging in Sibaltan El Nido offering spartan native beach huts accommodation to more sophisticated beach cottages with elaborate designs.

Continue Reading

Travel Mindanao | Downtime at Cathe Pacific Cantilan

It was an unforeseen disaster when Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ravaged the Philippines early November 2013. My Cebu Pacific Air cancelled flight to Surigao City is so petty a problem compared to what happened to the cities in the typhoon’s path. It was a storm the world was watching and the rest of the TravelMindanao team felt a portion of its wrath in Surigao City. Everything went to a sudden stop as we weathered the storm, Cebu Pacific Air easily rebooked my flight for Butuan on another date to catch up with the rest of the TravelMindanao team. Circumstances however led us to Cathe Pacific in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur prematurely for a much needed downtime.

Continue Reading

El Nido Stay | Caalan Beach, Eats and Resorts

There was a time back in mid 2000 where there are only about 40 rooms available for visitors in El Nido. These days, development is growing at a steady pace that even from the last time I visited (2010) there are already marked changes in town since I stayed in Hadefe Cottage in Calaan. Now that I have more time to explore this side of El Nido, I was able to comb through this north side beach. Check out my Caalan Beach, Eats and Resorts compilation.

Continue Reading

Surigao del Sur: Early Morning Sail from Bislig City to Hagonoy Island

It’s funny how sometimes in travel; events lead us to unexpected places and persons. Strangers at first meeting then it come to a full circle when we suddenly realize the degree of separation from the people we know. It makes travel so interesting. These thoughts were running in my head as our boat sails back to mainland in the pitch black darkness of the sea from Hagonoy Island. With us on the boat was Aling Ambing, the former governor of Bislig and the owner of the island herself. So how did we end up with her esteemed company again?

Continue Reading

Experiencing Boracay with Blazing Fast Smart Evolution LTE

For me who constantly go on the road or fly off to a destination somewhere, I always try to make sure I’ll have a reliable way to connect online since a big part of my work involves the internet. My usual mobile office activities are monitoring my own server where my blogs are hosted, updating them, my run on my favourite social networking sites like facebook and twitter and sometimes random image submissions on requested stock photos for some publications. I have been reliant on location wifi hotspots and most especially to my mobile broadband connection, so when Smart invited me with a few other bloggers to experience their new Smart Evolution LTE Mobile Broadband technology in Boracay, I was excited, since anything that’ll make my time more productive is always welcome.

Continue Reading

Puerto Princesa: Mangrove Beach and Microtel Palawan Resort

Microtel Puerto Princesa Mangrove Morning

Microtel for many years have already established their brand. “It’s the same hotel where ever you go” as their slogan says. For the regular patrons, this is a good thing. They really do have one of the most comfortable chiropractic beds around and the familiar interiors would make it easier for guest to feel at home. While they do have a template for their hotels, they do make adjustments on their resort-type hotels. Like their Boracay branch, Microtel made adjustments to their beach front hotel in Puerto Princesa, Emerald Playa Beach and Nature Park.

Continue Reading