As a spectator many times over of numerous Philippine festivals in the past, I still overflowed with enthusiasm each time I witnessed a new one. After experiencing the Ati-Atihan three times and the Sinulog twice already, I had had a more than enough dose of fun from those twin festivals honoring the Santo Niño. However, I was always game to immerse in the different vibe of other lesser-known festivals in the country. Camarines Norte’s Busig-On Festival was not just previously unknown to me, it also had an interesting backstory involving a widely retold local story. Therefore, during my eight-hour bus ride to the province, I already visualized the kind of frenzy atmosphere that awaited me.

I remembered being envious of my then-girlfriend years ago when she went on a solo backpacking trip to Tawi-Tawi and hiked Bud Bongao. Not only was the mountain located in the southernmost province of the Philippines, it was also considered a sacred peak. Two preachers mentored by Karim ul-Makhdum—the Arab missionary who brought Islam to the Philippines in 1380—were said to be buried on Mount Bud Bongao in a location called the Tampat Rocks.

The future of traveling faced uncertainties brought on by the “new normal” or, as aptly put, the "temporary abnormal," until global medical health frameworks stabilized. Until then, travelers expected travel to become heavily reliant on strategic precautionary measures such as social distancing. Overcrowded tourist destinations would—for the meantime—be out of travel plans. This, however, challenged travelers to be extra creative in exploring alternative locations. Great news, though: beachgoers did not need to worry. Because in a country blessed with more than 7,000 islands, there were a lot of beach choices that perfectly met the criteria for wide-open spaces. Here were some of them.

Blame western pop culture pandering outsiders for coining a needless also-known-as name for this jaw-dropping place in Batanes. Racuh a Payaman, as the locals referred to it, sounded more faithful to its appearance: rolling hills showcasing the wealth of nature. It took a while before one's amazement was mellowed down by its spellbinding landscape stretching as far as the eyes could see. I missed out on going to that part of the island during my first visit there in 2014. On the morning when we were supposed to head to Racuh a Payaman, my friend Audrey suffered an accident. A tidal pool pulled her into the rocky bed while she was standing on a rock formation at one of the viewpoints situated along the road.

As the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is one of India's most popular cities among tourists. Part of the so-called Golden Triangle alongside New Delhi and Agra, the city draws travelers eager to experience an environment teeming with palaces, temples, magnificent forts, colorful bazaars, and, of course—plenty of roaming cattle. All these, combined with stunning architecture, rich culture, and a lively culinary scene, make what is widely known as “the Pink City” an unmissable destination in India.

Hearing about Taipei's street food scene went way back to my mom's solo trip to Taiwan in the late nineteen-sixties. Although my mom was not adventurous when it came to food, she would later tell me when I started traveling that I had better try as much local food as possible when I got the chance. Indeed, I did just that in Thailand, Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, and the rest of the countries I had visited thus far.

Rambling mindlessly around Tokyo in random directions took me to Ueno Park, where I stumbled upon an interesting-looking brick-faced building. Upon closer inspection, I learned that it was the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Despite my novice knowledge of art, I welcomed the serendipitous chance for some artsy-fartsy exploration and hurriedly walked in.

The heritage town of Hoi An in Vietnam possessed a vintage charm dating back to the fifteenth century. Punctuated by well-preserved structures that shaped the storied past of that former Southeast Asian trading hub, it stood as a major tourist draw in Central Vietnam. Stepping back in time did not require a time machine; a stroll through the ancient streets of Hoi An achieved this beautifully. As I boarded my bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An, I had already pictured a beautiful, age-old town awaiting me.

The last several years had seen the city of Angeles in Pampanga shed its red-light reputation by showcasing its rich culinary culture and heritage. The result was a newfound interest among tourists in exploring many of its nooks and crannies to satisfy not only the appetite for food but also for historical curiosities. One of the popular places to visit in Angeles City’s heritage district was the Pamintuan Mansion.

I was roused from my sleep as soon as I felt our minibus rolling into a bumpy off-road trail. I opened my eyes to a view of the Betwa River and its murky waters. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of towering structures with arresting-looking tips.

Located on the beautiful island of Panay, the province of Antique tended to get overlooked by tourists heading to Iloilo City down south, to Caticlan in Boracay up north, and to Gigantes Island in the east. Thanks to some travelers who wound up in Antique, word-of-mouth was spreading, raving about how that province teemed with wonderful destinations set across all types of terrain: mountains, forests, rivers, islands, and even quaint seaside towns. If you needed more convincing on why you should visit Antique, here were several things to do and places to visit.

Despite missing out on Duran Duran's peak popularity, their music videos still left a valuable mark on my consciousness. One of them was for their song “Save a Prayer.” Shot on location in Sri Lanka, it features intoxicating scenes of temples, golden beaches, and ancient ruins. One particular part of the video stood out to me; it was the scene where Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes performed the song on top of a massive boulder surrounded by what looked like a set of ancient ruins.

I was feeling benumbed as I stared out the window of the bus and saw the sky reddened with strokes of sunrise. “Dawning of a new day,” I told myself, and instantly, a burst of excitement shot up my body as this meant a new opportunity to explore. It was the first morning of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart which I was invited to cover. Before the event started, the organizers took our group of travel writers for a short excursion to the city’s landmark known as the ‘Crown among Mosques’—the biggest mosque in India, the Taj-ul-Masajid.

After spending the first couple of days at the mercy of a gloomy sky, the sun finally appeared in all its shining glory on the third day. The bright daylight, coupled with the wind of the autumn season, made for perfect brisk walking conditions—and walk I did—for miles and miles over sidewalks and subway floors. Every thump of my feet became audibly in harmony with the multitude of Japanese commuters’ rickety medley of footsteps, sounding like an orchestral beatbox.

It took me almost a day of traveling—including a long layover in Kuala Lumpur—before I landed at Nagpur Airport from Mumbai. Upon arrival, I immediately rendezvoused with my friend Karla at her hotel. Wasting no time, we met our driver from Pench who was already waiting in the lobby to drive us on a three-hour ride to Pench in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

Pushkar was a small town near Ajmer in the desert state of Rajasthan. Daily life and other activities there—including religious ceremonies and rituals—centered around Pushkar Lake, a sacred Hindu site. Surrounding the lake were more than fifty Ghats where pilgrims bathed and the nightly aarti ceremonies were held. Narrow alleyways lined with vibrant bazaars, housed in centuries-old havelis (traditional Indian mansions), and hundreds of temples surrounded that small town. Brimming with a rich history, colorful culture, savory cuisine, and revered religious events, Pushkar was more than just a charming destination—it still hid many gems that every traveler would delight in discovering.

Rishikesh, also known as the "Gateway to the Himalayas" and the "Yoga Capital of the World," was one of the Hindus' holiest places. It was a pilgrimage site dotted with centuries-old temples. The River Ganges, which was considered sacred in India, began its flow in the state of Uttarakhand, where Rishikesh was located. Made famous when the Beatles visited in the winter of 1968, Rishikesh had become a place where one could find spirituality, tranquility, adventure, culture, good food, and more. Here were some things to do and places to see in Rishikesh to learn more about it.

Arriving from Bandung, I headed straight to Wonderloft Hostel, where I had reserved a bunk bed for one night before flying back home to Manila. I originally planned on catching up on sleep, but when I learned from the receptionist that the hostel was just a few steps away from the historic Kota Tua Jakarta, I ditched rest in favor of the chance to explore more.

Describing the abundant advantages of travel, Saint Augustine was quoted in John Feltham’s English Enchiridion (1799) as saying, “The world is a great book, and none study this book so much as a traveler. They that never stir from their home read only one page of this book”—an evocative passage that summed up the ultimate desire of modern-day travelers: to learn and discover whatever exists outside our comfort zones.