Travel is the teacher in Disguise

See the World for Free

Travel as everyone says, is the best experience. With mine, it is also the  meaningful and worthy teacher. It taught me a lot of things that I could not read from books, the subtle things that only I can feel when I am experiencing it at that particular time.

I am a sociologist and its power in me is driving me to places that i think can satisfy me with knowledge and experience. It amazes me to see the other side of the world completely different from my own.  Travel is my inspiration in writing and writing is my unspoken words.

By now, I have traveled in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia.  Each country I have visited  has touched my heart  in more ways than one!

One of my motivation to work hard is to travel to an unfamiliar place once a year. My last destination was Sydney, Australia. Sydney is not new to many, and its well known landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are among the top tourists destination while for those who like a laid back environment and quiet holiday, the Blue Mountains and the visit to Uluru will be a great place to be. Sad to say, as much as I want to be there, I was not able to. Being able to see the CBD and the two famous landmarks of NSW was more than enough for my visit last time. It was a home for me for a short time. There are many great places to be there depending on the ambiance that you would like to experience.

The food are plenty in the supermarkets. Fresh meats, fruits and vegetables or just anything you like. Of all the countries I have visited, I give Australia the 5 stars with the food.

People are nice but swearing becomes part of a daily routine. If you are a sensitive person like me at times or if you are not used to hearing bad words naturally like an expression, be aware because you might encounter one and I guess its pretty normal for some. It is perhaps differences in how people express their ideas. I owe it to cultural differences.

Weather is at its best for me in May and June just when flowers start to bloom and you I can feel the cold breeze softly touching my face. Gardening is my favorite past time apart from experimenting how to cook for my special one.

A trip to the CBD via train is way cheaper than getting a cab which can be 10 times fold. If you want to make the most of your experience, feel the local life, spend less, experience more!

Handmade Crafts made of "Nito Vine”

             Handmade products are common in rural or suburban areas in the Philippines commonly made from abundant local resources found in the  area. These local processing depict the traditional lifestyle of people as a window to their distinct cultural heritage. As a traveler from anywhere in the world, having it along your travels would make a nice souvenir to take home. 

 One of the handmade product local material is the “nito vine”. Nito vine is a climbing fern clinging to trees and rocks. This could be found on remote areas where it usually grows This vine is being dried up until it can be readily used for weaving.

          In the province of Antique specifically in the municipality of Barbaza, the hand-crafting is basically observed. Products such as baskets, jewelry boxes, plates, home decorations, and other useful products are produced from the nito vine through the process of weaving. In the weaving process, it involves patience and accompanied with great determination to finish such product and must be done in a keen way. It is a difficult process as it involves skills, time and effort to finish a fine and beautiful product. The materials needed are tape measure, cutter, nipper, the guiding gauge which will serve as the lay out and not also to forget the foremost material the nito vine.

             The weaving process of the nito vine serves as a livelihood for some and as a leisure time for others. The handmade products are being brought to the town and sold at an affordable price. For example, the plates and placemats are sold at 120 pesos as well as the jewelry boxes. 

While the little home decorations are sold at 100 pesos depending on their sizes. Baskets are sold at 300-500 pesos on its corresponding sizes also.

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First time traveler in the Philippines? Where to stay?

Have you been planning a visit in the Philippines lately?

For first time travelers, there is much to do wherever you want to go in the country. For people who have been coming around quite some time already, you might want to explore the unknown places in the country. Remember, there are 7,1017 islands in the country, I am sure you cannot do the visiting for a year to explore everything it has to offer.

Thinking of food, wine, calm and peaceful places to go? or even looking at meeting other travelers for a good chat and networking? There are right places for you to go,you only have to read a LOT before doing so.

So, let me say that if you are a first time traveler in the Philippines, lets get started by finding you a good accommodation.

If you are a leisure traveler, meaning money is not your problem, here are the list of hotels I would recommend you to stay for safety, security, good food and wine, cool and relaxing ambiance and access to almost anything you want to do- shopping, grooming, entertainment, and business.

1. Discovery Primea -  a luxury hotel in the heart of Makati City, along Ayala Avenue.

•  The hotel is near the famous shopping malls like Greenbelt, Glorietta, SM, and Landmark where you can actually get everything you need.  
• The hotel is equipped with a kitchen, washing machine and working table. It can be your home away from home. It is a fairly new hotel about 2 years old so it s equipped with modern amenities you can use.
• It is near the airport, about 15 minute drive if not traffic about 1 hour if it is. This is based on my experience.  Yes, it could be challenging at times. Think of the other hotels about 7 kilometers away from this hotel.
• You can switch hotel anytime because it is near other hotels like Rennaisance, Dusit, Manila Peninsula & Shangri La.
• The staffs are friendly, especially the Manager Ms. Guest Relations Manager Ms. Zandra Policarpio, she is an asset to this hotel. She makes sure you are well served.
• The food is nice, plenty of choices in the breakfast table for Continental, Asian and  Mediterranean food.

2. Makati Peninsula Hotel - a luxury hotel along Makati Avenue in line with the first hotel above. 

• This is a classic hotel with a very welcoming and refreshing receiving hall. 
• Rooms are big enough with a classic look. 
• The ground pool is big and refreshing.
• Serves a wide array of food. I like the Asian food in this hotel. Across the road, there is a blackbird restaurant which serves delicious and capricious meals. It is worth a try.
• It is near the airport, about 15 minute drive if not traffic about 1 hour if it is as i said in the first hotel.
• Near the chain of shopping malls, just across the road.

3. New World Hotel - A luxury hotel located along the chain of shopping malls and  other famous luxury hotels  which makes it convenient for guests to roam around and find just anything they need from food, shopping, dining and entertainment.

4. Makati Shangri La - A luxurious hotel within the heart of Makati's shopping centre. Just in line with the other hotels mentioned above, Shangri La Hotel is truly a place to be when you are thinking of having a well served and capricious holiday in the heart of Philippine's CBD.

These are the top hotels I can recommend for luxurious travelers. There are other hotels around which offers just the same service you get above. The advantage, is the warmth of service given by the people.