Travel Junkie Manila in Candy Magazine May 2015!

We made it to Candy Magazine! Woohoo!
Travel Junkie Manila shared some tips in the article "Travel Like A Pro."
Grab a copy of Candy Magazine's Wanderlust Issue for an issue filled with tips on how to start experiencing places. 

On the cover of the May 2015 issue is the lovely Sofia Andres. 

Flip to the article "Travel like a pro" for trips on to start traveling around the world.

Travel Junkie Manila helps you find the starting point on your research. 

Back in Boracay: three must-eats in boracay

These three are the closest we have to local food on the island. These three have been in Boracay long enough to be institutions, me thinks. And as far as I know, they can't find be found anywhere else but in Boracay.

Apart from being good grub, the best thing about these three is that they offer real good views of White Beach.


1. Cool down with a Jonah's Fruit shake.

What is a more quintessential island drink than a cool fruit shake? And sipping them in view of one of the best beaches in the world? What more do you need?

a jonah's fruit shake seems to be  the unofficial welcome drink of the island. 

2. While away the afternoon with coffee and Calamansi Muffins at Real Coffee.

Real Coffee's Calamansi Muffins is a boracay delicacy (at least to me.) It's tangy, dense, and perfect with coffee. And now that it fronts onto the beach, it's a good spot to do some muni-muni or people-watching. Take your pick.

when in boracay, look for this sign and go in.

3. Have a vegetarian dinner at True Food.

It's said to be the oldest restaurant in Boracay. But what I am sure of is that this Indian restaurant serve yum vegetarian food. I like my pork and chicken so to make me want to eat vegetarian food while on the island says something.

this was a meal for two which we weren't able to finish. the food was quite heavy!

Back in Boracay: Girls and Sandcastles

Sandcastles intimidate me.
There is something about them that makes me feel inadequate as a functional human being.

Perhaps it's because that I never really fully fleshed out the sandcastle of my dreams. Which is nothing really grandiose. It's just simply the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. 

So I was highly amused and a bit wistful when we chanced upon these three girls building whatever it was along White Beach.  

three girls and a sandcastle?

Staying on the other side didn't mean we never crossed to the other side. White Beach is where most of the restaurants and convenience stores are.  

10 Things to Do in the Philippines' Summer Capital of Baguio

Baguio City has been THE Summer Capital of the Philippines ever since the Americans built their colony there. Today, it’s still a favorite among locals and foreigners alike. It’s easily accessible with a six to eight-hour bus ride from Metro Manila. When there, we recommend you visit the following places:

1. Cafes and restaurants along Session Road

An eight hour travel will leave you famished, so the first order of the day might as well be breakfast. Session road is filled with different cafes and restaurants that you can choose from. You’ll be sure that all the ingredients are fresh, thanks to the abundance of farms in the region. Session Road is accessible by foot from the bus station.

Breakfast at Zola Cafe

2 and 3. Walk around the city (Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral and Burnham Park)

From Session Road, you can walk around the city, starting with a walk to the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral. The iconic pink Cathedral is perched on a hill atop the city. Offer a prayer with a candle or maybe catch someone getting married. From there, your feet can take you to Burnham Park.

Baguio Cathedral

Burnham Park is the patch of green at the heart of Baguio City. It serves as the central recreation area of the city where people can have a walk, relax, or ride a boat in the lake. At night, the edge of Burnham Park transforms into an ukay-ukay(flea market) mecca, famous for selling second hand branded and luxury merchandise.  

Burnham Park | Photo by Kenneth Gaerlan

4. Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is a former American military base. The Tree Top Adventure offers a zipline and other daring rides for those looking for thrilling time. There are also restaurants in the commercial area to refuel yourself after exhausting your energy from the different adventurous activities.

Walking at Camp John Hay

5.  BenCab Musem

Hop on to a jeep to Asin to get to the BenCab museum for a little culture in the mountains. The gallery permanently houses the contemporary works of the National Artist, Benedicto Cabrera popularly known as Bencab. There’s also a cafe, a farm, garden, and a mini-forest for everybody’s enjoyment and inspiration.

Bencab Museum Cafe

6. Strawberry Picking

The cool climate of Baguio is perfect for growing these juicy red berries. Because of its abundance, practically everything in Baguio is laced with strawberries from jams, to pies, to taho. To get your fill, head off to the fields in La Trinidad and pick a basket of berries which you can keep for yourself.

Strawberries in Benguet

7. Balatoc Mines

How often do you get to ride an authentic mine wagon and go into the tunnels in full mining gear? This is what the Balatoc Mines offer tourists who visit. To get there, take an Acupan-Balatoc jeepney from the city proper.

Balatoc Mines | Photo by John Marx Velasco

8. Baguio Botanical Gardens

This is the place to be if you just want to commune with nature, so to speak. It’s perfect for people who want to contemplate amongst flowers and greenery. Pets are allowed, so you can bring your best pooch pal when you go there.  There are also native Igorot people who will gladly pose with you for a picture.

Baguio Botanical Garden | Photo by Pacazano

9. Mines View Park

Mines View Park is a standard stop in Baguio tours. You can get there by riding the jeep or taking a private vehicle. View the mountains in the viewing deck, try strawberry taho and other street fare, take a picture with the St. Bernard dogs, and strike a pose in traditional Igorot costume while you’re there.

Mines View Park | Photo by: Louie Alfred Gomez

10. Shop for Pasalubong

What’s a quintessential Pinoy vacation without pasalubong shopping? Choose from strawberries, barrel men, vegetables, and sweets, all available in the Baguio City Market and other pasalubong centers scattered in the city. 

Good Shepherd items

Top 10 Beach Destination in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of those underrated travel destinations in South East Asia, but it is actually a gold mine of breathtaking beaches. With 7,107 islands, you’ll never run out of beaches. Here are our top ten choices:

1. Boracay
Aah, Boracay. That not-so-hidden gem of an island with powdery white beaches and clear azure waters. Boracay offers the best of both worlds, whether you prefer a serene stay lounging on the beach or a feisty bar hopping night in its bar district. Don’t forget to try out the waters; swim and dive to your heart’s content.

Boracay

2. Pagudpud

Enjoy your share of nature and culture while enjoying the beaches of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. Aside from the clear waters, there are other attractions along the shore such as the Bangui Windmills, the Cape Bojeador lighthouse, and the Kapurpurawan rock formations. Cap your day off chilling in a hammock by the beach.

Pagudpud Beach

3. Talicud Island, Samal

Talicud island is part of the Island Garden city of Samal, a few minutes away by boat from Davao City. Talicud is perfect if you prefer a bit of peace and quiet, since it is a relatively secluded beach. It offers top notch diving and snorkelling sites, so be ready with your underwater cameras.

Babu Santa Beach Resort\

4. Tiamban Beach
Tiamban is very accessible from the town of Romblon, but still manages to be very private and secluded. Enjoy peace and quiet along the gentle shores. There are available rooms to spend the night in, but we suggest you try camping under the clear night skies of Romblon.

Tiamban Beach

5. Panglao Bohol

Panglao beach in Bohol offers the full vacation experience. You can choose from the different beach resorts around, each one offering access to the picturesque beach. You can do a variety of water activities like swimming or diving, but the crowning jewel of activities here is the dolphin watching. 

Panglao Beach

6.  Dakak

A plane ride away from Manila, Dakak is one of those unexpected finds, nestled between mountain and ocean. Dakak used to be a beach only resort, but it has now expanded to include a golf course and an adventure zip line to cater to your adrenaline needs.

Dakak Beach Resort

7. Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island in Cebu is a great addition to your beach inventory. Rent a boat and hop around in the surrounding islands, then stop for lunch and a swim around Virgin Island. You might also want to try swimming in the caverns of Ogtong cave.

Sta Fe Beach Resort

8. Twin Beach, El Nido

Twin Beach delivers what its name promises: beaches on either side of a strip of land. Nacpan is where all the beach life is, where you can lounge around and read a good book. Calitang is more dedicated to fishing, but that’s good because you avail of the day’s fresh catch.

Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beach | Photo by Alan Ascaño

9. Calaguas

The long boat ride to Calaguas might be off-putting, but once you step on the powdery sand, you’ll think that the effort was worth it. It’s an isolated in the northern part of Bicol, which means there are no hotels around yet. Pack your camping bags if you want to stay the night. 

Calaguas

10. Anguib

Anguib in Cagayan is touted as the “Boracay of the North” with its white sand beaches and shallow waters that is perfect for wading around. Aside from the usual beach activities, you can also try kayaking around. It’s still relatively undeveloped, so bring a tent if you want to stay the night.

Anguib Beach | Photo by Chad M

So there’s our top ten beaches in the Philippines. So pack your sunscreen, because you’ll never run out of beach fun in the Philippines.  

Back in Boracay: On the other side

It felt like we were on a completely different island. Nowhere were the algae and the crowds. There were only the sky, the sea, and a lone ship on the horizon for company.

here's a more peaceful, more quiet side of boracay island.

here's fairways and bluewater's private beach.

On this trip, we didn't stay along popular White Beach but instead checked-in at Fairways and Bluewater. Situated on the northeastern part of the island from the pier, it has its own private beaches, an eighteen-hole golf course, and acres of the green. (During our holiday, of course, we left the resort and went to White Beach for some food and the captivating Boracay Sunset.)

But things are about to change - in the near future, evidently. What seems to be one of the last vast green space on the island will soon give way to massive development. They are calling it Boracay Newcoast . The sales person was  quite excited when she handed me the flier of the upcoming township.

But not everyone is happy. There's a community on facebook that is named "NO to Megaworld's Boracay Newcoast."

To me, one of the biggest draws of Fairways and Bluewater is its green. I am quite happy that it somehow serves as a reserve for island's indigenous flora and fauna. But with the forthcoming development on the horizon, I think there is much cause for sadness and should I dare say it - distress?

here's the beach clean-up crew with their own truck. nope, the women in bikinis aren't part of the team. 

pinoy breakfast with a view of the golf course. 

Back in Boracay: What's that Green Stuff?

Perhaps there are certain places that need not be revisited. Maybe they're best left in some corner of the mind in their all-perfect state. Case in point is Boracay, that particular island in Aklan that people love to love. Or do they really?

this was boracay. look, no algae.

the last time i was in boracay, bangkas were still docking by the beach.

back in 2007, there was still no algae. 

I was finally back after being gone for eight years and what welcomed me brought me to near tears. Over-development abound, starting the moment on rolls out of the pier. Houses - permanent and makeshift ones, resorts of all sizes and businesses that cater to both settlers and holidaymakers flank the one main road. And the tricycles - their nginginging - shatter any hope one may have of a peaceful retreat. Then again, who goes to Boracay seeking serenity? 

But the one thing that really got to me was the green stuff on the shore of White Beach.  It’s algae, of course. I haven’t been living under a rock this past several years and have actually read about it. Here’s an article on the Manila Times website about the algae.  In pictures, it was alarming. Seeing it in person, it was heartbreaking.

that algae made me not swim in those waters. 

even with the algae, a boracay sunset is still captivating.

What has this island done to deserve this? Perhaps it was that it welcomed us with open arms. It has given us the utmost pleasure of letting us walk along its shores – in the middle of the day - without burning our soles. Its crystal clear water was a soothing reprieve from the heat. In its entirety has become a place that made us forget our worries. It has even loved us so much that it has put the Philippines back on the map and has become a good source of revenue.

But have we loved it back? Have we loved it back enough?

I guess, with that green stuff on the shore, the answer is a big N-O.