My first time in mainland China, my FIRST time experiencing snow. Don't stop chasing your many firsts.
Hep, hep, Hubei.
Rode my rented scooter to this part of the mountain where Sa-ay Cold Spring, surrounded by trees, lured me in for a dip.
The twin natural pools are so clear you can spot several small fish swimming, the upper one is a bit deeper at 8–10 feet, while the second is around 4 feet. There were only a few local kids swimming when I got there. Two of them took turns jumping into the deeper pool.
Postcard Series is a digital throwback to the good ole days of sending postcards to your love ones back home. It consist of a single photograph and a brief narrative of less than 100 words.
At a beach club in Argao, Cebu, guests may find an unexpected presence in the waters just beyond the shore: sea turtles, or pawikans, surfacing with quiet regularity. Their gentle movements have become a subtle draw, offering visitors a chance to observe these marine creatures in their natural habitat, just steps from the resort’s edge.
When I said "yes" to an invite to join the Calayan-Batanes media famtrip, I never expected the historic firsts happening on the beautiful island of Calayan. We arrived aboard the first-ever plane to land on the island to inaugurate their airport—and today—we also became the first set of passengers to depart Calayan en route to another destination: Batanes. The same crowd of locals who welcomed us also bid us goodbye as we boarded the Sky Pasada jet (the smallest plane I've flown so far).
Despite being dog-tired from the Maguindanao trip, I wouldn't miss our monthly hike for February. A vegan meal, Buhawi craft beer, fun conversations, sleeping under the stars, and pulling off a lackadaisical-planned trip—I was the assigned organizer for this month—equated to another memorable weekend, though I missed a few of our 'monthly chill hiking' crew.
If seeing the images on television news isn't bad enough, the moment we walked inside the Marawi siege’s 'ground zero’, reality shook me real bad. Tilted buildings plastered with bullet and rocket holes, homes beyond recognition, and personal items strewn on the road—clothes, suitcases, stuffed toys—left behind by fleeing civilians, are simply too much to process.
Outside ground zero, we met some survivors eager to tell their stories. After losing everything, all they have now are narratives of survival. I took a few photos, and with each click of my camera, I felt the grim scenes stabbing my heart.
The town of Marantao, which is almost next to Marawi is a picture of quaint countryside life. It was also here where we visited a demo farm program of the Peace Crops in cooperation with #ForMindanao. I was glad to learn about the many livelihood projects and community empowerment being implemented all over Lanao del Sur by various volunteer groups, as part of the many positive responses to the Marawi siege
From left to right: Laugh Travel Eat, Kat Pegi Mana: Where Is Kat Going?, Global Gallivanting, Orange Wayfarer, No Mundo da Paula, Explore with Ecokats and myself. Not in this photo are (they're probably napping at this time): a couple traveler from 🇦🇺, a legendary Man On The Lam, another couple traveler Wanderers & Warriors and a kabayan Out & About in Southeast Asia.
After getting settled in my hotel fronting the Mekong River, I took a stroll along the lengthy river walk in the city center of Nakhon Phanom. Passing by cajoling but polite street vendors, meditating monks, and local families on long walks, I caught a cinematic sight brewing across the river. Arresting my attention was how the disappearing gleam of the setting sun revealed the spectacular silhouette of the saw-toothed hilltops in Laos.
Mount Batur, an active volcano and its lake, may appear like a picture of tranquility. However, history of its violent eruptions suggests otherwise. The black patch stretching from the bottom to the middle part of the volcano were from the lava field generated by Batur's 1968 explosion. This remnant of nature's wrath stares back at me as I enjoy a feast of a lunch at a side-road outdoor restaurant.
A boatload of good karma fell on our laps when faced with a few days of being stuck in Zamboanga, the Philippine Coast Guard offered to hitch us all the way to Tawi-Tawi. Since the BNP Capones is also en route to patrol the waters of Celebes and Sulu Sea as a security for the upcoming Agal-Agal Festival, we unanimously said yes. As opposed to traveling a day later on a packed and slower passenger boat, we enjoyed the modern amenities of the ship. We even had a boodle fight of curacha crabs on the deck on the way back.
Portraying a one-man watchtower at the rocky shore of Curimao, Ilocos Norte. Dotted around me are several pockets of natural pools. If it weren’t for our tight schedule, I would have taken a dip the whole afternoon. This place reminds me of similar nature gifts surrounding at the rock formations of Biri Island.
As the old saying goes; there’s always a first time. On this trip, it’s my turn to fly on a business class. When I started traveling, I told myself I will be fine even If I stand inside a plane, as long as I get to travel. Flying on a business class wasn’t in any realm of possibilities as I know I could not afford it. Good karma indeed comes knocking when I get invited to a media trip to Thailand. A bonus: we get to fly on a business class of Thai Airways. So yeah, I did took advantage of the unlimited wine.
Will surely miss this view from the balcony of the River House here in Lanuza. When a surfer dude would ask me "how long you been surfing?" Unashamed, I’d say "five days in Lanuza." I've a long way to go as surfing isn't just any other sports where you could learn on the fly, a few days, a number of weeks, a couple of months or even a year. No way Jose Aldo! That’s why I hold those talented surfers with high regard because they earned it in the ocean.
Every movie with a church scene should be filmed here—the filmmakers of "She's Dating a Gangster" made the right choice—as you have one of the most amazing backdrops you can ask for. This is one of my favorite Spanish Colonial Churches in the country: Daraga Church or Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church (also Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church).
Day 10 of Kerala Blog Express 2: Our afternoon was well spent cruising on Periyar Lake and spotting sambar deers, black monkeys and an assortment of endemic birds including the Kingfisher at the surrounding forest—where if you get lucky, you also get to spot some leopards. Tough luck, we didn't saw any but the scenery was still something to marvel at.
His bicycle with a bunch of coconuts dangling on the side caught my attention from a distance, I zoomed in my camera and the man stared at my direction. He was selling coconut juice to the visitors of Galle fort. His gaze brings forth an appearance of a storied life. I wonder if he fought during the civil war or what hardships has he seen in his life. None of that are excess baggage anymore as he seem to be enjoying the quiet solitude of his current trade. After I saw the image the first thing that comes to my mind was that of actor Sean Penn. Maybe he is the personification of Penn's character in films like "21 Grams", "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" or maybe he is a goofy man after all like Penn in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High". Either way he makes up for an awesome photograph subject.
We were viewing the Taj Mahal from a spot where according to local myth, was the place where the Black Taj was supposed to be built, when these kids eagerly posed and asked us to take some photographs of them. In a heartwarming display of child-like wonder and innocence came a very humbling image of these kids, while living within simple means, could still convey such happiness amidst the background of the ultimate symbol of love - the Taj Mahal.
