Travel Footprints

In my recent trip to Bangkok last year, I was lucky enough to have experienced the Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand. This photo shows the flower-and-candle offerings that were made available to us by the Imperial Grand Palace Hotel where I was attending a conference. Loi Krathong, also called Festival of Lights, is celebrated every year in Thailand as a ceremony to honor Buddha.

Found myself back in Bangkok in October this year just because it’s the birthday month! I’ve always liked Bangkok, it’s one of the few countries I frequent most next to my own beloved Philippines. Here are some of my trip highlights in photos –

Noodles! My first meal for the trip as soon as I arrived in my hotel room. I can eat noodles everyday while in Thailand. Of course, this is paired by a spicy seafood salad, one of Thailand’s signature dishes (just don’t let the chillis scare you). Yum!

Passing under the RamaVIII bridge during the Chao Phrya River Cruise where we had our buffet dinner…

…together with friends from all over Asia! The picture below shows a good professor from Hong Kong, Dr. WT, teaching us how to do a real Chinese dragon dance during our Welcome Dinner –

Good times!

Aside from the fab shopping bargains, some of the things I got accustomed to in Bangkok are -

Temples! A view of the Grand Palace at night by the Chao Phrya River.

Busy highways with colorful taxis

Fascinating culture (these are books I found in my hotel room, never mind that I don’t understand a word in it)…

…Suvarnabhumi airport! I once found myself stuck in this airport for about 12 hours due to delayed connecting flight before the airline finally decided to get all passengers a room in a nearby hotel. Glad to have made it through the 12-hour wait with all the book/gift shops and restaurants inside the airport. Something I wish our own Ninoy Aquino International Airport would someday offer to weary travellers as well.

Sawasdee Bangkok! ‘Til we meet again

I’ve always had pleasant visits to Davao in the past and I knew this time would be no different as soon as I boarded the PAL flight and saw this –

The airline’s inflight magazine had featured Davao as its cover story! Definitely a useful read during the 1 hour 30 mins flight to Davao from Manila. While I was not in Davao for leisure, it’s always nice to squeeze in a good dinner or two, take time to go out and explore the largest city in the Philippines. Of course, nothing beats recommendations from the locals. I was fortunate that a college orgmate was able to take time out of her busy schedule from Davao Doctors Hospital to show me around her beloved city.

I’ve always preferred staying in Apo View Hotel while in Davao, not entirely because of the room rate or strategic location (it’s a big plus, though!) but also because of their cheap massages at Php250/hour. Imagine my surprise when my friend brought me to a ‘hole-in-a-wall’ restaurant that serves Italian just behind the Gaisano Mall (walking distance from Apo View Hotel). I’ve walked to Gaisano Mall from the hotel several times not knowing that there was a gem of a restaurant right behind it.

The place is called Picobello Ristorante Italiano, up on the 9th floor behind Gaisano Mall from the basement parking. I love places like this! Breaking into the dining scene of Metro Davao mostly through word-of-mouth, it’s an artsy little space that serves, well, pasta and Italian main course. The ambience is definitely cozy with a window table that overlooks most of the city.

It was a short stay in Davao but I’m looking forward to discovering more in my next visit! I was pleasantly surprised to see the bustling nightlife of Davao City on a weekday while visiting more coffee places around. It does pay to go out of the hotel room sometimes. It is also comforting that the locals would really extend their assistance if you need help with directions. Taxi drivers here are well known for giving back the exact amount of change down to the last centavo, or even returning wallets left in cabs.

Davao’s charm also lies somewhere in the streets called Madrazo, where crates of sweet, juicy pomelo or marang and other fruits are sold. I could never go back to Manila without my family expecting to receive some flavors of Davao, especially now that it’s Durian season –

Of course, the best farewell to Davao is to fly PAL business class going home

This is a post about things we don’t usually see while travelling through our airport terminals. Ever wondered how government VIPs are treated on their official travels? Well, last Friday i got a peek on how these VIPs find their way in the hustle and bustle of our airport thanks to a special pass issued to us by the Manila International Airport Authority –

In preparation for the arrival of 28 Ministers from 28 different countries for a big conference in PICC next week, the MIAA has gratefully allowed us a walk-through in the world of VIP-style travel. None of these long lines for our guests arriving next week –

I have had the experience of travelling by Business Class (especially via PAL) on several occasions so I was a bit familiar with the airport lounges and the facilities (and food!) guests can enjoy while waiting for flights. I was still thrilled to see these lounges that I never knew existed before Friday such as the Dignitaries Lounge in NAIA Terminal 1 –

the VIP Lounge in NAIA Terminal 1 –

and the Presidential Lounge in NAIA Terminal 2 –

As the name suggests, only the Philippine President and her entourage are allowed to use this lounge in the Centennial Airport. Our conference organizers had to request for a special permit to open this space for use of the dignitaries’ arrival and departure so I was glad to have the opportunity to see a glimpse of their world. The walk-through was quite informative. There were things I often see in the airport during my past travels but never really paid much attention until now. All I can say is, our VIPs really do travel in style!

And me and these guys will be there as it happens next week

Exactly a year ago, the Roños were with some talented photographers and PinoyNomads for our prenup shoot starting from the Cagayan Valley and ending up in Ilocos Norte via Claveria.

In this year’s trip to Ilocos, I took the opposite and ‘normal’ route from Manila and Pampanga towards Ilocos Norte. I’m not a big fan of long hours of travel by land (especially going back home to Manila) but there’s always this excitement in doing a road trip to north of Luzon simply because something interesting always turns up on the road to Ilocos. Here are some of my personal must-haves for pasalubong during stopovers.

Pangasinan has some of the best bagoong and dried fish around. Tarlac has fresh and cheap vegetables. La Union has the comfortable and inexpensive ‘inabel’ or Iloko weave. Ilocos Sur has, of course, the Vigan Heritage Site…

with the yummy empanada and Vigan longanisa…

There’s even an area called ‘The Vigan Empanadaan’ within the Vigan Heritage Site showcasing empanadas, a personal favorite. A sign there says: ‘The Empanada is a vintage merienda of the Bigueños. It is a delicious snack, similar to the Mexican Taco, of sauteed cabbage or papaya with egg of Vigan Longanisa stuffed in a crispy shell made from ground rice. It is a sentimental favorite of Bigueños, young and old alike.’ Amen to that.

And finally, Ilocos Norte has the historic Paoay Church, the man-made Paoay Lake and feast of bagnet (deep-fried pork), sukang iloko (cane vinegar), dinuguan, sarabasag (grilled pork soaked in vinegar) and pinakbet in any of the restaurants along the way.

Let’s not forget to bring home some chichacorn and kalamay from Candon City…

Oh and did i mention, the view of the beach from the highway is a beauty as well?

The beach of Fort Ilocandia is apparently a public fishing area. After I wake up, I always stroll towards the beach for a morning walk and see a group of fishermen doing this –

I was told this activity is called ‘daklis’ in Ilokano where fishermen from the same village would go and set up their net along the coastline to gather fish. Typically, there should be a spotter before they would cast their net. Then, together they would haul the net to shore.

The next morning, I stayed around long enough for me to see them actually bring in some fish. After about 30 minutes of hauling and swimming, I saw this group bring in just 5 small fish to shore. Very sad scenario. I felt sorry for the fishermen and the small fish who will never get to grow bigger to spawn more fish. I was told they would still divide the meager ‘harvest’ among themselves so they need to re-cast the net and hope for a bigger share the next time around for a decent meal.

One thing’s for sure, there ain’t never be any million peso-dinner for this folks.

After a long, long road trip we arrived in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and made our way to Fort Ilocandia, probably the best hotel you can find in this area. We arrived late evening and the hotel staff were very courteous to us weary travellers.

The next morning, I was greeted by the sun peeking through this hallway on my way to Cafe Ilocandia of the hotel. What striked me most during daylight was the vast and healthy gardens of Fort Ilocandia. Several staff tend to the gardens and with it comes the sprinklers on the pathway and smell of freshly-cut grass in the morning

GRAND. That’s my best description of the whole compound in all 3 relaxing days of stay in this hotel. I guess that also sums up the lifestyle of the Marcos – Fort Ilocandia was built to host their daughter Irene Marcos’ wedding reception a few decades ago.

View from my hotel room in Fort Ilocandia

There are a lot of amenities you can choose from to while away time during your stay in Fort Ilocandia. The sand dunes of Suba is also very near. Here is a picture of the area for golfing, horseback riding and the trail for the offroad ATV in Fort Ilocandia. As you can see, the beach isn’t too far away either.

Around Fort Ilocandia

Fort Ilocandia is easily located from the National Highway. They also offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. If you want to reach Fort Ilocandia place faster than usual by land, we discovered a shorter and more scenic route via Paoay if you’re coming from La Union. Along the Ilocos Norte National Highway, keep your eyes peeled for the sign ‘Batac Police Station’ on your right. That’s a crossroad with a stoplight. Turn left towards Paoay and go straight on, pass the historic Paoay Church and until you see the billboard of Fort Ilocandia. You’ll get to see a glimpse of the man-made Paoay Lake along the way too. I swear, this route cut down our travel time by about 45 minutes!

I’ve always equated La Union with surfing and fun. At least, that’s what me and my friends did last time I stayed in La Union so I was looking forward to going back again this year even if it’s mainly for work this time around. Due to some scheduling conflicts however, I had to travel to La Union by bus for the first time. So on this early Tuesday morning I brought myself to the highly-recommended bus line, Partas, to their Cubao-Arayat terminal for the 6-hour trip to La Union.

I needed to get off at Oasis Hotel which I was told was near San Fernando, La Union and, more importantly, could be spotted along the national highway. That should be easy, I thought. But as a first-time commuter to La Union, I was still a bit apprehensive so I decided to call on the assistance of the bus conductor –

Mrs. Rono: Kuya, pakibaba po ako sa Oasis Hotel sa La Union ha.

Conductor: Saan sa La Union?!

Mrs. Rono: Sa San Fernando. Sa Oasis (o-wey-sis) Hotel po.

Guy sitting beside Mrs. Rono: *speaking in Ilokano*

Conductor: Ahh…sa Oasis (o-wa-sis) Hotel

Mrs. Rono: Ah opo. Sa Oasis (o-wa-sis) Hotel

Needless to say, the bus did drop me off in front of the Oasis (o-wa-sis) Hotel. As the saying goes: In Rome, do as the Romans do The next day, I met with my group to go further up north to Laoag. Before leaving La Union, we stumbled upon a discovery – a cottage industry of woven fabrics! I like the soft woven fabric of bed sheets, pillow cases and towels, usually seen in Vigan shopping areas.

We had to ask around for directions looking for the house that sells ‘inabel’ (as shown in the picture above) and we finally found the area of inabel weavers tucked inside some houses of the town of Bangar, La Union.

It was a delight watching these elderly women in their workshop. The repetitive movements in the weaving actually reminded me of a scene in the movie ‘Wanted’ when Wesley Gibson tried to catch the moving steel out of the loom machine while training under Fox.

Today I went out on yet another road trip towards the South of Luzon for work. The destination is Batangas Country Club, a resort hotel tucked somewhere along the street just across the Star Tollway as you exit to Batangas. But like any typical seminar venues, you don’t get to enjoy the facilities until after the sun sets.

I just had to contend myself with dipping my feet into the 500-sq.m. ‘ionized water’ swimming pool, reflect for a moment and take a picture of the view before I haul ass again, sit myself in the 2-hour trip back to Manila and call it a day. I guess Batangas Country Club will have to be explored again some other time.

Landing at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport of Tacloban was as calm as the view of the Leyte Gulf. Certainly, a stark opposite of what the gulf is more historically known for – ships and battle. Downtown Tacloban did very well not to remind tourists like me about wars of ancient past but I definitely remember that food was good this side of town. I still remember Ocho, a seafood place a few blocks away from the impressive Governor’s building, where I went a few years ago. This time, we tried a place by the Cancabato Bay called Lion’s Den, a few meters away from the Leyte Park Hotel.

Lion's Den, the restaurant by the bay and the apparently-famous spa of Cristina Romualdez

Tacloban has become a bustling city of multi-cabs, Jollibee outlets on several corners and Cristina Gonzales’ (now Romualdez) spa centers blending the old with the new.

Speaking of new, locals on my way to Palo, Leyte would call my attention at a towering mall along the way and point at a Robinson’s Mall. Opened just last June 10, one said. I took a mental note to watch The Proposal if ever i have the time. But then again, one wouldn’t really want to be holed up in a cinema especially on a short stay in Leyte. I found it much more rewarding to go spend time out along the boardwalk of Palo, Leyte and watch fishermen when they go by in their daily grind as the sun sets on the horizon.

'I shall return' - the McArthur Park in Palo, Leyte.

It feels good to be back writing for this blog again. I was a busy, busy bee the past months. All this flying around for work was not half as enjoyable especially with the air turbulence of the crazy stormy weather in June and July. What I did enjoy, and pleasantly memorable to me, was seeing a new feature in Philippine Airlines international flight on my way to Vietnam –

I’m not sure when they started showing a camera from the cockpit during takeoff and landing on PAL flights. Through the screen, I could see the number of the runway where we will take off and then saw the plane lifting from the ground. Here we are taking off just before sunset in Manila and landing over the city lights of Hanoi.

Pretty amazing eh?