Introduction: Nestled in the northern reaches of Vietnam lies a fascinating border town that serves as a gateway between two distinct cultures – Vietnam and China. This town, with its rich history, vibrant markets, and unique blend of traditions, offers travelers an unforgettable experience. In this article, we will delve into the charm of Vietnam's border town and explore the possibilities of a day trip to China, immersing ourselves in the cultural tapestry woven by these two neighboring nations.

A shop located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An

Having celebrated its 400th anniversary this year, Tainan continues to hold dear the ancient culture of Taiwan. It is the country's oldest city and once served as the capital of Formosa, the previous name of Taiwan, for 260 years spanning the rule of the Dutch, the Kingdom of Tungning, and finally, the Qing Dynasty.

The mountains of Guanziling in Tainan is known for their many mud hot springs

Imagine Taipei, but more relaxed. That is how I would describe Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city. Despite being laid-back, the city has evolved into a thriving metropolis brimming with modern living necessities such as charming cafes, walking paths, cycling routes, outdoor parks, museums, jazz bars, art districts, and more, all surrounded by adjacent beaches and expansive, lush, forested mountains.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Cagayan, situated on the northern tip of Luzon, typically gives visitors second thoughts due to the 12-hour or longer land journey from Manila. Doubt no more, wanderers; there are daily direct flights from Manila to Tuguegarao, the province's capital city, and the plethora of attractions — natural, cultural, and cultural landmarks — make a long-distance trip to Cagayan well worthwhile for those who choose to drive.

View from the Cape Engaño lighthouse

When one mentions the word lanterns, understandable concerns about the environment usually follow. Where would the lanterns land? Who would clean up the debris? Questions regarding the environmental impact of the recent Lantern Festival in Tainan, a city in southern Taiwan, should be put to rest. The festival is now in its 35th year and is staged as part of the sustainable tourism program run by the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA). Instead of sending lanterns soaring into the sky, the Lantern Festival features a variety of colorful, designed, and LED-lit lanterns that remain fixed on land — and displayed throughout the festival's duration from February 24 to March 10, 2024.

Colorful lanterns of various figures, designs and sizes wow'ed the crowd.

To sum it up, it's one glittery, eye-catching extravaganza.

As Philippine festivals go, the bigger and brighter, the better. That rings true for popular ones like the Sinulog in Cebu, Dinagyang in Iloilo, Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Pahiyas in Lucena, and Panagbenga in Baguio, just to name a few. Unbeknownst to most, several locations across the archipelago are staging their own little-known festivals that are equally well worth the effort to witness.

The street dance competition was held on a stage set up in front of the San Pedro Bautista Parish Church

It was an eye-opener to experience the Ati-Atihan for the first time. That was the case back in 2012. The second time in 2015 was a glorious return, capped off by drinking a Red Horse beer poured over a still-unused toilet bowl plunger (thank God). The third one in 2018 was, without a doubt, a charm, celebrating it with my friends Karla and Erica. When the opportunity to attend the Ati-Atihan for another time came about, I expected it to be a toss-up between me experiencing a case of the "same-same" or having a great time.

The  Santo Niño is the centerpiece of the Ati-Atihan Festival

When I signed up for this trip, I expected to explore the Caraga region that includes the five provinces of the Sur and Norte parts of Surigao and Agusan, as well as Dinagat Island. Little did I know that in the province of Davao Oriental, there is a municipality also called Caraga that claims its name from the word kalagan, which in native language refers to a "spirited person.”

A typical shoreline in Caraga.

A few years ago, when typhoon Odette pummeled southern Philippines but luckily spared parts of Northern Palawan, we found a pleasant refuge and downtime at Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort (SETIR) on Culion Island during the tail end of our Coron, Palawan trip. We eventually made it to Culion after two days of island hopping and getting holed up in another Sunlight property in Coron town hotel while weathering the storm.

The new Salepan Villas of SETIR numbers around 30

Museums, like what candy stores are for kids, are a haven for my never-ending curiosities. Whenever I travel to a new country or city, I always look forward to visiting one. Imagine my astonishment when I finally stepped foot inside a museum in a country whose ancient civilization made substantial contributions to world history, literature, writing, religion, art, architecture, science, and so on.

Me in front of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

The last leg of our post-PHITEX’s Nature and Adventure familiarization trip took us to Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, where we soaked ourselves in local culture and gastronomic fare and had some much-needed R&R in the great outdoors. 

Getting ready to spot some giant clams