Romantic Getaways For Valentines

ian dela pena

Still thinking of where to go this valentines day with you love one? Here are some suggestions that you might want to consider

1. Boracay

Who wouldn’t fall in love with the fine sand under your feet while watching a perfect sun set across the vast turquoise water, Boracay simply just levels up the romantic vibe with its picture perfect vistas.

2. Anawangin

Cuddle up and enjoy more of each other while feeling like one of the casts of survivor as you enjoy the solitude in this secluded cove in Zambales. Far from the noise of the city and no electricity this experience will surely make you closer with each other.

3. Vigan

Walk along the cobble stone streets of Vigan and relive the days when harana was the in thing. The way back when brings you back in time when romance was a true art form.

4. Taal

Vigan is too far away? Well just an hour away from Manila is Taal, Batangas. Taal boasts of not just Hispanic abodes but also turn of the century houses. Enjoy a lovely dinner or lunch at Villa Tortuga with their exquisite menu dating back to the olden ages. Oh have I mentioned you can also dress up and be in character while in the villa?

5. Baguio

February is great month to visit Baguio as this month is also celebrated as the Arts Month and knowing that Baguio is one of the Art Mecca of the Philippine you will surely find lots of activities that you can either watch or participate that both of your would really enjoy!

These are just some of the best places here in the Philippines where you can spend your time this love month specially on valentines day. How about you where was the most romantic place that you have spend your valentine’s day?

Seoul, South Korea Backpacking Guide

ian dela pena 16 Comments

Here’s a comprehensive (as comprehensive as I can though lol!) guide that you may want to take a look at if you are planning to go backpacking in Seoul, South Korea.

Visa

For Filipinos we are required to apply for a Visa before we can enter South Korea. You can apply for a visa even before buying your tickets (which is ideal) as it is not part of their requirements you can see my Guide How To Apply For A Korean Visa for more information.

Air Fare

There are are two low cost carrier that flies directly from Manila to Incheon international airport, South Korea’s premier airport, Cebu Pacific Air and Airasia Zest. If you are willing to spend a little more on airfare Philippine Airlines is another option. I got my tickets for about a little more than 6,000 pesos when I bought it three months prior to my trip but I could have saved more if I booked on a much bigger sale by Cebu Pacific months prior.

Information

Of course you need to research about your destination prior to traveling to Seoul but you can get much more updated and accurate information at the Tourist Information Desk near gate 10 of the arrival area where you can get your maps and pamphlets.  You will also see some information booths around the city but I tell they aren’t that much.

Information Booths

 Accomodation

There are many hostels and hotels that you can find in Seoul that offers a wide range of prices that you can choose from. Seoul is pretty much backpacker friendly when it comes to accommodation, in fact my home in Seoul during my stay, Bong House, was even recommended by Trip Advisor as one of the best hostels in Seoul and I was not disappointed. The important thing that you should consider is that it should be near public transportation like the subway, just weigh your options on how far you are willing to walk to and from the stations and just to give you an idea 200-300 meters of walking is not far if you are in Seoul as most places are accessed via walking.

Food

South Korea has a rich heritage when it comes to food and believe me you will never ran out of alternative options when it comes to food choices! They must have invented all possible ways how to cook making even their street food something that you’d crave for over and over. Cheapest food that you would find (street food) is at about Kw1,000 – 3,000 and I tell you it is worth it! Food was number one out of all of the expenses that I have prepared budget for because some of my friends and online articles does mention that food would probably be the most expensive part if you plan to visit Korea, which proved to be really true. As for proper meals you might want to prepare around 6,000 and up but if you have friends to share dishes with this might (just might) still go down, but better expect the higher amount than be short.

Places To Go

There are lots of places to go to in Seoul not to mention just experiencing how to live there is an awesome experience already. Here are the places that you can visit while in Seoul, well at least these are the ones that I planned to go to but failed because of the my laziness…. lol!

Transportation

Seoul has a very good public transportation system that you can get to most places without even taking cab. One feature that I really like most about Seoul’s transport system is that they have a cashless system! All you need to have is your T-Card and you are all set to hop on whether be it a bus or Train! One good thing about using a T-Card is that you get discounts if you transfer within a time frame (about 30 minutes gap) from a train to a bus or vice versa, hence you only get charged for one trip instead of multiple ones.  There are unlimited passes (M-Pass) that you can buy if you will be hopping on and off the train and bus system a lot more, just weigh your options by planning how you will get around the city.

I would also like to note that you need to be prepared to walk walk walk. Most tourist spots are accessible via the train if not the bus, but after that you would have to walk from the station which is how things really work in Seoul.

Seoul Buses, Just wait at the proper bus stop 

Take the subway and with a little walking you can get to your destination for sure

 

Trains have guides on them but you can get maps from your hotel or the subway station

Expenses 

Finally Here’s a break down of my expenses in Seoul to give you an idea of how much you are to spend.

 

 

Did I miss anything? Let me know on the comments section!

 

This post is part of my four day backpacking trip to Seoul, South Korea series

Seoul Backpacking Guide

Part 1: Arrival, Coffee Prince and Seoul N Tower

Part 2: The Palaces and Coffee Shop Experience

Part 3: The Jimjjilbang Experience and Nandaemun

Part 4: The Epilouge: Going Home

South Korea Trip Preparations

How to Apply For A Korean Visa

Seoul Searching: My South Korea Solo Backpacking Day 1

ian dela pena 13 Comments

So THE DAY has finally come, off I go to the airport and on to the land of  the .morning calm. After almost a year of  anticipation and several months of preparation one of my dream destinations has come to be realized.

It was the first flight out to Incheon, South Korea’s primary international airport to Seoul, at about fifteen past midnight. After about four hours in the air the captain finally announced our finally approach, I actually remember not feeling anxious or nervous that I am about to set foot  on another country but this time its more of “I can’t wait to get lost!” certainly traveling has changed my outlook in life. And oh yeah it did feel as if I am at home still even if I was far away.

Incheon International Airport is a far cry from my own country’s “Premier” airport, their airport look as if it was a five star hotel. From the concourse I rode a people mover to the main terminal where the immigration gates are at.

Just like a usual scene at the immigration gates there’s a long line of people trying to get in to the country -mostly nationals – so yeah it doesn’t just happen here… only that it is worst in our terminals! Not funny though… Going through the immigration was quite easy you just fall in line, wait for your turn and then hear this…. they greeted me Good Morning as soon as I approach the immigration desk and they were smiling!!! come on! I couldn’t even see a single smiling face when I use our airports here, so don’t react if I am surprised.

The Incheon airport is really awesome and I will repeat it, it feels very much like a hotel than an airport! So after going through immigration, I picked up my bag and then on to the arrival area.  Though I have printed out the directions on how to get to my hotel , I decided to check out their internet access. I turned on my WiFi and connected to the airport WiFi, I typed in my hotel’s website and BOOM! within a blink of an eye it was there!!! Wow… Korea really takes its title as the most connected country in the world seriously.

I followed my hotels directions. took all the pamphlets and maps that I can at the tourist information center near Gate 10.  Before going to the train station inside the airport (yep it is inside the airport) I needed to buy a T-Card which I will  use to pay for transportation throughout my trip. The card it self costs KW2,500 then I loaded it with KW10,000 of credits. As soon as I had my card I walked my way to the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) which like I have mentioned is conveniently located inside the airport.

There are two types of train that you can take going to Seoul, the Express and the regular commuter train. The only difference between the two is that the express train doesn’t stop at the stations and just goes straight to Seoul from the airport on the other hand the regular commuter train stops at every station along its tracks. The Express train gets to Seoul 15 minutes ahead of the commuter train (which takes 30 minutes travel time) and costs about KW10,000 while the regular commuter train fare is KW3,000, so there you do the math.

The 30 minute train ride from Incheon to Seoul was a breeze, I also think that it is much safer to take the train if you arrive early in the morning as the fog is really thick on the road.

Upon arriving at Seoul Station I quickly transferred to the subway line going to my hotel. Navigating transfers are quite easy as you can even literally just follow a line on the wall, sometimes on the floor and the signs going to another line! The stations are properly labeled in four different languages so you’d feel confident navigating the train system, well I least I felt I was.

 

From the blue line I got off at the Hyewha Station and walked about 200 – 300 meters going to Bong House, my accommodation for the entire stay. It was actually not that far and was fairly safe (as it is almost everywhere you go in Korea as they say) going to the hostel.

I arrived way too early for checking in so I hanged out at the common area first, there were lots of people checking in that day, luckily after just a few minutes my bed got ready so I moved in. I got an upper bunk bed, which is fine… though I would prefer a lower bunk for coz it is much easier to access it.

Anyways, so I settled in and put all my things inside my locker, but just as I was about to try to lock it my padlock won’t fit the loop! It was too big for the space around the lock hole. I got gadgets with me so I just prayed that no one would take it.

After hiding some of my stuff under my bed… lol! I went back up to the common area where I tried to figure out what should I do for the next few days.  I was trying to figure out how to use the hot water dispenser when a korean couple (I think) came in and started talking to me in Korean I just smiled and said “I’m sorry I think the staff went outside” hahaha…. I think they understood what I said but still replied in Korean, hahaha these kind of moments really puts a smile on my face every time I remember them.

A friend of mine was in Seoul that day as well, it was their last day, we decided to meet up and have lunch together it was almost past lunch time when I realized that I had to leave already, see it was cold and the cloudy so it felt like it was early in the morning here in Manila! hahaha! So a rambled and tried to get ready as quickly as I can. I walked my way back to the train station and tried to figure out how to get to the Hongik University area.

I was waiting for the next train to arrive someone tried to start a conversation with me she started with “You are staying at Bong House too right?”  and I was like yeah! Then I remember she’s the girl that I ran across while trying to figure out how to dispense hot water! Hahahaha! We talked about our travels while on the train, she was on her last day that day and I was just about to start my trip. I asked her what was her plan for the day and she said nothing really, she was just trying to wander around since she’s been to most places already she then asked if she tag along with me so of course I said yes! Hahaha! I have an instant travel buddy!!! 😀

So I took her with me and met up with Anton and Ian whom I was meeting for the first time in Seoul which was kind of ironic since we live in the same country. We ate lunch at KFC I know a lot of people would think “why would you eat in a fast food chain that you have in your own country? Go out and eat their traditional food!” Well come to think about it, it is not really that bad to try fast food chains in another country since they have food versions specifically made for that country that you can’t order in your own. We had a really nice talk about their concluding trip in Seoul and I asked about some tips that was really helpful.

After lunch Anton had planned to go to the Coffee Prince shop which is just walking distance from where we were. Anton had already asked about directions on how to go there but his memory really amazed me as he took the lead on the way to the coffee shop. It was like as if he was a local as he navigate the streets of Seoul he knew when and where to turn! Even his travel buddy Ian share the same with me as he talked about how good Anton is with directions.

Finally after about five to ten minutes of walking we’ve reached one of the reasons why I wanted to see Seoul….. The Coffee Prince Shop!!! hahaha… yeah I like KDramas but not all of them though… just a few. We were kind of hesitant first to get in because we only wanted to take pictures and leave but Daisy, my friend that I met in the subway, was decided already that she’ll get in so I said yeah let’s get in though I also warned them that their coffee is quite expensive and not that good. Since we ordered their expensive really bad coffee we hanged out for a bit.

Anton, Ian, Daisy and I talked about our travels and it was really fun I learned a lot from these certified globe trotters and I was just amazed on how far they have gone so far, I definitely would love to do the same. After a couple of hours we bade farewell to Anton and Ian because they still have a flight to catch going back to Manila, as for me and Daisy we visited the Ehwa Womens University as per the recommendation of Anton.

We took pictures of the iconic university building and roamed around for a bit. I got a bit hungry which was a perfect excuse to try their street food. I bought a spicy rice cake called Duk Boki, it wasn’t really that spicy just enough. Daisy bought an egg cake which was just basically a cake with egg on top of it. We ate our street food finds in the amphitheater adjacent to a wedding convention center.

I was just so lucky being with Daisy coz it felt like I have a mini tour of Seoul with her, she then took me to the Seoul N Tower.We rode the cable car going up, It was really chilly that night and I had to put on a jacket over. I just had to take photos of the city from there as it was just so beautiful. before we went back down Daisy treated me with a hot citron tea which was perfect for the chilly weather.  There are lots of things that you can do even just at the base of the tower.

We opted to walk down going back down so we could finally eat. It was past ten in the evening when we started our descent, we were really hungry so we just ate at the first restaurant that we saw that was open. When we checked the time Daisy figured out that’s why she was feeling a bit uncomfortable already because it was way past dinner time already. Well I think that’s the backpacker time syndrome, when you forget about the sense of time when you are having a good time.

After eating we took the subway back and parted ways just near back our hostel as Daisy needed to run some errands for home. I walked back the last few yards by my self and rested a bit and smoked a stick out side before I go in. While finishing my stick a girl appeared and yeah I can say she is ready to P-A-R-T-E-Y! hahaha…. They were asking me to go with them and party the night out but I was really tired… then the girl said.. “Okay, if you come with us we’ll stand on the ledge together and dance!” I was like My oh My! You don’t get invited that way too often Ian…. so I replied “who would say no to that!”

I had to fix my self so I went to my room and rested for a bit. and Voila! when I was morning of the next day when I opened my eyes!

This post is part of my four day backpacking trip to Seoul, South Korea series

Seoul Backpacking Guide

Part 1: Arrival, Coffee Prince and Seoul N Tower

Part 2: The Palaces and Coffee Shop Experience

Part 3: The Jimjjilbang Experience and Nandaemun

Part 4: The Epilouge: Going Home

South Korea Trip Preparations

How to Apply For A Korean Visa

Seoul Searching: My South Korea Solo Backpacking Day 0

ian dela pena 16 Comments

Over a year in the making, I almost couldn’t believe that this trip was possible. Why? I got this thing that it is so hard for me to purchase expensive things at a single cash out! hahaha I know it’s kinda weird but yeah that is how my brain works. Some may also think that the ticket which is the most expensive part of this trip still is way too cheap, being the backpacker that I am it can never be the cheapest.

Ever since I learned to watch Koreanovelas (Korean Dramas) I have always romanticized about walking along the streets of Seoul late at night and so the wanting to travel to Seoul during fall was born.

Photo from fanpop.com

I tried to tag my friends along but the plan falter and it turned out to another one of my solo travels. I just thought that it would be lots of fun to see the city with my friends. I still think it would be.

There were lots of seat sales that came but I didn’t had enough money with me so I just had to let the opportunities pass by. After a few months I was able to buy my own ticket for 6,000 pesos, not actually bad for an airfare to Seoul since regular airfares from Manila to Incheon (airport nearest to Seoul) ranges between 15,000 to 18,000.

The Visa 

South Korea requires Filipinos a visa to be able to enter their country. You don’t have to pay anything for the visa application and may take between three to five days depending on your qualifications. You may click HERE to find out how to apply for a Korean Visa.

One thing that I wanna share with you guys is how nerve racking it was for me to apply! Hahaha! Some might say that I am over acting but this is a visa still and my plane ticket is considered worthless until I have my visa approved!

Since I have a visa from an OECD member country I should be getting my visa in about three days after I passed my application, but due to a national holiday and the weekend I had to wait for eight grueling days! Passing the requirements and having a pickup date does not guarantee you that you will be approved, actually your pickup date is the day that you would know if you are approved or not. During the time in between you may be called by the embassy to provide additional requirements and that was what I was most nervous of…. what if they ask me to provide a bank certificate!? I mean I am a constant traveler and my bank account gets drained every time that I would have enough for me to travel to a place. Thank God, for they didn’t ask me any additional documents anymore.

On the day that I was scheduled to pickup my passport, my heart just kept on pounding, yeah I was damn nervous! And it seemed that all signs were pointing and saying hey you got approved!!! So from Ayala Station I took a bus going to Market! Market! and on the bus the movie playing was a Korean Movie! Buses don’t usually play them on board but this one is, but I had to keep my self together so I brushed aside the thought making me excited coz I don’t want to be disappointed if I get denied. I got off at Market! Market! and traversed the sidewalks of C5 going south, as I walk towards the embassy I got see another premonition! I heard a plane from above and as I looked up It’s a Korean Airline plane!!! Oh my, HELL YEAH I GOT MORE NERVOUS! I mean what’s is the meaning of all of this!?

As soon as I got to the gates of the Embassy I immediately gave my ID and registered, upon entering the receiving area I had to fill up some forms by the security personnel (who happens to be from the national police) then I was given a number. I was number 21. The staff then called out numbers and people starter lining up I thought that I’d be on the second batch but I was called! My heart was pounding really hard and I couldn’t describe how nervous I was, imagine, I have a plane ticket and have reserved my accommodation already, what a tragedy would it be if I got denied! right!?

I was the last person in line, I gave my number to the staff and didn’t open my passport until I got a little farther from the window, I didn’t want to startle or something the staff…. then I slowly opened my passport and voila! I got approved! It’s now official I am going to SEOUL, South Korea!

 

This post is part of my four day backpacking trip to Seoul, South Korea series

Seoul Backpacking Guide

Part 1: Arrival, Coffee Prince and Seoul N Tower

Part 2: The Palaces and Coffee Shop Experience

Part 3: The Jimjjilbang Experience and Nandaemun

Part 4: The Epilouge: Going Home

South Korea Trip Preparations

How to Apply For A Korean Visa

The Falls Of Mt. Romelo

ian dela pena

Like a dreamy scene from a pinoy fairy tale series we journeyed the hills of Mount Romelo…. ehhhhhh! Okay lets go back to reality here a bit. I am over weight and medically doctors are concerned about it they say that I am effin OBESE! Oh common its just a few pounds over my ideal weight and I am not physically disable to accomplish any task…. Well really I do have some difficulty and traveling had made it for me a lot easier to at least manage my weight.

Over the past year or two I’ve ventured into a new phase of traveling, I travel to climb mountains now too! Not so much though but at least I have included it now on my to do list every time that I have the opportunity. For this I have to thank Ivan of IvanLakwatsero.com for introducing me to the mountains.

A friend referred me to GMA News TV’s researcher for a segment on one of their shows. I didn’t really have a good idea of what we were to do so me and Jean my co-star if you I may say that, were speculating what are we to do, do we host or do we play like everything is just stolen shots. Anyway the bigger surprise for us was that the place where we will shoot and trek is at Mt. Romelo! Come on! I wasn’t prepared for this! I thought that we’d just cross rivers and trek easily on almost flat trail but no its an effin moutain! I’m really not complaining here, I am more of surprised because I am not prepared. As soon as we found out that its gonna be a mountain, memories of my terrifying Mt. Pundaquit traverse came

Burawisan Falls

The trek to the top of the mountain and into the valley of waterfalls was really okay, it was not that difficult but the terrain that you have to go through from one waterfall to another was more challenging.

Lazones Falls 

But the beauty of each and every falls just takes away the pain you feel on your feet. In short it was worth every step.

Sampaloc Falls
Batya-batya Falls

I still plan on going back to Mt. Romelo, not just that it is an easy hike for beginners but I also still have to seek fulfillment in seeing Sebakon Falls, the illusive falls that has not been reached by most people. That I have on my list.

Ironic: 2013 Year End POst

ian dela pena 2 Comments

Countless nights of reflections, struggling to put my self back on track. Sometimes it is so easy for somebody to get out of  focus from something that he had fought hard for, but luckily for me I snapped out of “Reality” again. Confusing isn’t it? But yeah I did say snap-out-of-reality, I had to or else I wouldn’t accomplish the things that I need.

Realizations.

There are many things that I have come to realize this year, that it isn’t wrong to be selfish from time to time specially if it would mean sacrificing your own happiness, coz sometimes happiness is all that we have. That you have to force your self to do something that you love so that you would not fall out of it.

Yes there are so much more. I just hope I get to live by them to realize what I know why I live for.

Travels.

Traveling had been so limited this year primarily because of shifting priorities on the early part of the year then shifting back again towards the end, but I am glad to have kept my major travel goal which is to travel abroad at least once a year.

Milestones.

This year I got to participate outside of the social media world  and into the mainstream media. I got to contribute for two magazines (Travel by mega) and Cebu Pacific’s SMILE Magazine. I also got to be on national TV to give insights about a tourist attraction. I also got a new job…. which I have later on realized that I really don’t want to do much longer that I think I could.

 

Probably this would be the shortest year end post that you’d ever read, that is if you even read this or even half maybe. But the point is that was my year may not be that awesome for travel or whatever but I’m sure I’ve learned a lot from 2013.

 

Visa 101: How To Appy For A Korean Visa

ian dela pena 16 Comments

For a lot of countries like the United States of America, they enjoy the privilege of having to travel around the world and enter to another country without requiring them to get a visa or have a visa approved upon arrival at the very least. But for developing countries such as the Philippines, we have to go through extensive effort going to our destination’s embassy and provide documents to prove that, “hey we are just visiting, I ain’t gonna stay!”. Sad but yes it’s for real that we have to go through this to more than 60% of the countries that exist in the world.

For this first issue of Visa 101 I’ll be sharing with you my third country that I’ve applied for a visa, Anneyong Hanguo! Hello Korea!

There are two things  that you have to consider when applying for a visa for South Korea, If you have a valid visa for a OECD Country or None.  If you have a visa from an OECD member country the process only takes about three working days, otherwise it will be a full five day process.

For Applicants with valid OECD country visa

  • Application Form (download here)
  • Passport (valid for minimum 6 months) update: starting December 23, 2013 the embassy will only accept electronic or machine readable passports.
  • Photo copy of your passport
  • Photo copy of your valid visa (and stamps if applicable)
  • Certificate of Employment
 
Notes: I did try to provide a copy of my return ticket, hotel reservation and payslips but the staff at the embassy took it off and returned it to me. So I guess it is not needed. Also, if you can, prepare your bank statement just in case they would ask for it, just like what happened to my friend that even though she has a valid visa they still asked for it and specially if you are a business person along with your ITR.

For those who does not have a visa to any OECD country here’s what you’d be needing these additional requirements, which ever applies to you.

  • ITR (Income Tax Return)
  • Bank Certificate
  • DTI or SEC Registration
  • Mayor’s/Business Permit.

You can see the official announcement of the Korean Embassy for the requirements here:

http://embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr/eng/as/embassy_philippines/visiting/visas/index.jsp

Once you are ready with your documents bring them to the Korean Embassy at McKinley Hill in Taguig City. The embassy accepts visa applications from 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM ONLY! Upon submission of documents you will be given a slip with a date when you have to come back and pickup your passport, however it is not a guarantee that you will be granted a visa it is actually the date that you’d know if you are approved or denied. Pretty nerve racking ey!? Well I’d be the first one to say that it is, I had to endure more than three days of waiting even if I have a valid OECD visa because of the holidays.

Ultimately, all the nervousness and cramming for requirements was all worth it! Korea was indeed wonderful. If you have any questions that has not been answered in this article do put it on the comment section so I could answer it to the best of my knowledge 😉

How to get to the Korean Embassy

Address : 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines
Tel : (63-2) 856-9210
Fax : (63-2) 856-9008
E-mail : philippines@mofa.go.kr
ph04@mofa.go.kr (Consular Section)
Hours of Operation : Monday~Friday 08:30~17:30                                                                                                                                       (Visa applications are accepted between 09:00 -11:00 only)

Option 1. From Ayala Station of the MRT take a bus going to Market! Market! these buses can be found in their temporary terminal at the gas station just off of the north bound exit of the MRT.  From Market! Market! you can just walk for about 5 – 10 minutes going south  through the side of SM Aura. If you are not so much into walking, just take a jeep going to FTI and ask the driver to drop you off the Korean Embassy.

Option 2. From the Ayala Station of the MRT you can take a Habal-Habal for just around 50 pesos. A word of caution though, these are not government sanctioned vehicles so in other words “Colorum” and could be dangerous as it speeds through the busy streets of Bonifacio Global City

Disclaimer: rules and policies may change as per Korean Embassy, please do check the Korean Embassy website for more information.

 

This post is part of my four day backpacking trip to Seoul, South Korea series

Seoul Backpacking Guide

Part 1: Arrival, Coffee Prince and Seoul N Tower

Part 2: The Palaces and Coffee Shop Experience

Part 3: The Jimjjilbang Experience and Nandaemun

South Korea Trip Preparations

How to Apply For A Korean Visa

Cebu: Malacanan Sa Sugbu

ian dela pena 1 Comment

During the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the said president ordered that a building be dedicated as her official residence in Cebu to show gratitude for the landslide victory it got from the election that positioned her to office.

The Building stands east of Plaza Independencia just off by the sea. The building built on 1910 was designed by William Parsons and was previously used as an Aduana or customs house as it is just off by the port of Cebu

Unfortunately the building has not been taken cared off properly and has been in deteriorating state. I just feel bad with these kinds of government properties that can be a source of income if just used properly.  A building like this should be taken cared off not only because it is an asset for the country but also because of its historical importance.

Location Map


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Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

ian dela pena 1 Comment

The queen city of the south is home to one of the strongest religious devotion in the country to the Sto. Nino. It is also in Cebu where one of the most influential Archdiocese in the country is, the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Some of us (including me before I got to visit Cebu) may think that the Sto. Nino Church is where the seat of the diocese is, I even got confused and thought that the Basilica of the Sto. Nino and the Metropolitan Cathedral are the same! Well good thing I got to see them both and understood.

The Basilica and the Cathedral is just a stone throw away from each other, you can just literally walk from one church to another. The cathedral was built around early 19th century and had to face a lot of challenges mainly due to lack of funds, but more than 100 years later this magnificent house of worship still stands showing that every challenge fought was all worth it.

Inside the church you can observe that despite the old, classic look outside, you would notice that the church has a somewhat updated architecture giving a very royal feel to its interior.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my wide angle lens that day that I got to visit the cathedral so I only have parts of the church covered. But definitely I would comeback so I could take a full view photograph of the church.

Location Map


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Cebu: The Treasures Of The Carcar Market

ian dela pena 2 Comments

If you want to really get to know a place up close and personal you need to pay a visit to their local market and as for Carcar City’s case it is a must.

Carcar is not only known for having one of the most unique churches in the whole of Cebu (St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish) but also for being the home of the best lechon in Cebu and they -yes there are more than one vendor- can be found in their public market!

The Carcar Market can be found just across their famous roundabout. Like the usual market it has the common dry section where you can find the usual goods like clothes and just about everything that you’d need. But what’s special about their market is the food section! Here you’ll find not only their famous lechon but also other dried and fresh sea food. You can even eat out as there are Puso (rice wrapped with coco leaves)  that completes your meal of course there are eateries as well where you can buy other viands.

Carcar market is a definite must visit when in Cebu, so go on don’t be afraid to venture out and experience how to be a local in this lovely town.

Taiwan: The Beutiful District of Beitou

ian dela pena 5 Comments

A few minutes away from Taipei via the metro, Beitou lies on the hilly side of of the north western part of Taipei. The district is a charming part of this beautiful city and I’d say one of the best places to go if you wanna have some relaxation time on your short trip in Taipei.

It’s budget friendly although it’s a resort district as it has your typical fast food restaurants but I’d recommend to try out the small shops lining the arcade of the eastern side of the district –where I got lost lol!

As for accommodations you can check out online booking sites that offer really good rates and information about hotels there. I wish I could tell you more about this but if you are to ask me, as a backpacker, I’d rather stay in Taipei the center of this bustling megalopolis where I could easily take the Taipei Main Station and be somewhere else!

The main attraction on this district are the hot springs and Thermal Valley (some refer as Hell Valley). The oldest hot spring bath house in Taipei can still be found here, but you’d have to be naked here. If you are uncomfortable with your own skin you can try the public hot springs pool that can be found just across the street

My favorite spot (second to Lung Nai Tang) which is a perfect spot to hangout, if you don’t want to soak your entire body, is the area where you can wet your feet on to Beitou’s relaxing hot spring all for FREE! I my self spent an hour or more just enjoying the warm feeling on my feet after walking this hilly side of Taipei that afternoon before I visited their Cultural Center.

Definitely I’ll be back, I already am missing Beitou.

 

How to get there

Best way to get to Beitou is through the Tiapei Metro. Just get on it change trains at the Beitou station to the colorful trains going to XinBeitou and that is it!