Twosome Travelogue

Thoughts of Europe

2015-07-13T05:34:00.001+08:00

A year ago, there's a blog post from Rappler about "DIY guide to planning your dream Paris trip – on a budget". The author said it's entirely possible to go on a 7-day Paris trip for only P50,000. Paris is possible! I was like, "Yea right, it is possible but why the hell would I spend 50k for a 7-day trip?" At the back of my mind, I was envious of this person who could afford to get on a 15-hour journey to France, to see the Louvre, the Trocadero, the arrondissement, the Seine. He's lucky as fck!

I can go to Europe! I am going to Europe.

And when I do...

Here's 12 of the many things I will see and do in Europe:

1. Eat baguette, cheese and wine at the Seine banks

2. View the Eiffel from the Trocadero ( I have no interest to go to the top of the tower, duh?)

3. See Prague castles, walk the Charles Bridge, sample their beer (I hate beer.)

4. Ski, train rides, cable car ride in Interlaken, Switzerland

5. Eat an authentic (linguine) pasta dish with a view of these orange roofs of Florence, Italy

6. Climb the Duomo of Milan, Italy and window-shop at Galleria Vittorio

7. Cycling in Amsterdam because the Dutch had a great fighting spirit. The battle goes on as they know they would get a bicycle lane! Awwww.

8. Brussels at night

9. Madrid, just because someday I'd love to say, "Yup, I've been to Madrid."

10. Walk on cobblestones for a change

11. Fall peg (which we don't have in the Philippines), wear scarf, down jacket and boots

12. Budapest's London-like bridges and House of Parliament.

Yea, it isn't London!

Weekend Well Spent at Batad Rice Terraces - Ifugao

2015-04-25T15:20:00.002+08:00

Flooded rice paddies, stairs step down the Liwang Rice Terraces

Did you know that the indigenous people of Ifugao took more than 2,000 years to build the Ifugao rice terraces? They are the highest, best built and most extensive in the world, according to the Philippines Historical Committee. The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were declared National Treasures and likewise protected by the National Cultural Heritage!

But the world is changing...

Cities grew rapidly as rural populations relocate in search of jobs. With few left to work in the fields, some of the terraces were abandoned and began to deteriorate. Good news is that, in the last decade, the local government put in place programmes that will help restore and conserve the landscape. The better news is, the results are evident!

How to get to Banaue, Ifugao from Manila

I found this map through Google images and really find it helpful to locate Banaue from possible jump-off points such as Baguio and Sagada.

This image is from http://websushidesign.com/blog/uploads/food-travel3/batad-sagada/sagada/sagada-guide/map.jpg

Direct Night Bus via Ohayami Trans

This bus company is not as famous as other "go-to" provincial buses of the locals, but it is the only legal bus company that provides direct trips from Manila to Banaue. Their bus station is located in Fajardo street near UST. Note that this location is inconvenient if you're coming from the airport. I've attended school in UST so I can somehow attest that this area is not so safe for travellers; it's dark and many pickpockets wander around.

Travel Time from Manila to Banaue: 11hours (including the terrible traffic in A.Bonifacio and Balintawak area)

Cost: 470.00 pesos /person/way

Quality of Buses: Old, some of their buses looked 30 years old; Not all buses have wi-fi as opposed to the information from their website.

Service: During peak season, it's best to book your tickets at least a week in advance. Based from our experience, there were a number of foreign backpacking tourists who had no option but to sleep in the terminal because the buses were already full and cannot accommodate them.

What I also do not like about Ohayami is their terrible customer relations. They will reply to you in a snap if your question relates to the payment options or anything related to money. But if your query is to confirm if you can get a good seat, or make a request to be seated next to your buddies, they will left you hanging.

Our 2-Day Itinerary: Batad Rice Terraces

Batad Rice Terraces - very pretty on every angle :)

Must read! :)

There are many rice terraces in Ifugao, but the most famous are those of Banaue, Batad, Hapao and Hungduan. We thought that they all look the same so we just chose one. We picked Batad!

Day 0

9 pm: Call time, Ohayami Bus terminal in Fajardo
10 pm: Manila to Banaue night bus

Day 1

9 am: Transit from bus terminal to town; breakfast
10:30 am: Asked around for tours or do-it-yourself options for Batad
11 am: Tricycle ride from town to Batad Saddle (passing thru Liwang Rice Terraces and Batad Junction(jeepney drop-off point))
12 pm: 1 hour trek from Saddle to Batad Town proper, where the lodges are located
1:15 pm: Check in at Hillside Inn
2:30 pm: 1 hour Trek to rice paddies and Tappiya Waterfalls
3:15 pm: Swimming in Tappiya Waterfalls
4 pm: Trek back to Hillside Inn
6 pm: Dinner
7 pm: Sleep!

8-foot high pilapils, mornings in Batad with Kalash <3

Soaking it up at the stream banks while eating Sugo peanuts! (This is near the falls)

Day 2

7 am: Breakfast
7:30 am: Trek around the terraces, Batad Village and Hanging bridge (not worth the trek)
10 am: Trek back to Hillside Inn
11 am: Freshen up; pack up for check out
12 pm: Lunch and tambay with view
12:45 pm: Trek back to Saddle (under the noon sun!)
2 pm: Tricycle to Banaue Town proper
3 pm: Snacks, wifi, walk around the town and wifi again
7 pm: Bus to Manila via Ohayami
5 am: Back to Manila!

Travel Tips and Cost

Best time to visit: Summer (April, May)
If travelling during weekends, book your return bus tickets in advance; request (and demand) to sit beside your buddy.
Bring good shoes, preferably trekking shoes, for walks from Saddle to the terraces, terraces to Tappiya falls, to view decks. Running shoes is fine but some paths may be rocky and uneven, so your call.
You can trek around Batad without a guide, easily. If going to Tappiya falls, take the huge landslide as your reference point and follow the path that leads to it. Locals are polite and speak good English. Asking them for directions won't hurt. Be ready for the repeat question, "You have/want guide?"
Water and food are very expensive in Batad; lodging is cheap.
If the bus is late, you have to take a tricycle to Saddle point or hire a private jeep; there's a jeepney going to the Saddle for 50php, but no trip timetable is available. The locals seemed unsure too when we asked them. (see Total Expenses below for cost of tricycle ride to Saddle)
Outside Batad: Banaue Tour Map

Searched through Google (but maps are found anywhere in town) https://chrisdizontravels.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/amuyao-89831.jpg

Total Expenses (Excluding food)

Round trip bus for 2 pax = 1,940php
Tricycle to Saddle = 500php (2-3 persons only because the road around the junction area is very steep)
Lodge = 200php/night - Hillside Inn (room with view of Batad Rice Terraces); common bath with hot shower
Trek to Tappiya falls, Batad village and terraces, Hanging bridge = FREE
Tricycle back to Banaue Town = 500php
Total = 3,080php for 2 pax

Notes on (expensive) food and water in Batad

65php/liter of water (we saved a little here since we had spare Aquatabs from our last trek in ABC, Nepal)
1 serving of chicken curry and organic rice: 180php
Batad coffee: 40php
Tapsilog (not widely available): 150php
1 small bowl of sinigang: 170php

Asukal.

Almost time for sunset! View if you're coming from the falls

Happy Travels! ☺

9 Infinity Pool Picks in Bali

2015-03-30T02:07:00.000+08:00

There are swimming pools, and then there are these swimming pools.

The infinity pool is the design that usually takes my breath away. From the right perspective, they seem to stretch on endlessly, extending all the way to the horizon. Each is a soothing slice of paradise and leaves me longing. Love that it's already summer in the country. Hate that I dream of Bali all the time now. And I can't go.

So I am posting some Instagram-worthy infinity pools where I've stumbled upon reading through articles about Bali. I've been to Bali. But nope, I've never been to any of the pools in the list, yet.

Here's a look at 9 of the most spectacular infinity pools in Bali; they’re worthy adding to your bucket list.

1. Alila Villas, Uluwatu

photo courtesy of Alila Villas ($780 /night)

2. Alila Villas, Ubud

photo courtesy of Alila Ubud ($280/night)

3. Ayana Resort and Spa, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Agoda Indonesia ($270/night)

4. Hanging Gardens, Ubud

photo courtesy of hanginggardensubud.com

5. Le Meridien, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Le Meridien ($200/night)

6. Viceroy, Ubud

photo courtesy of Viceroy Bali

7. Rimba, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Rimba Jimbaran

8. The Seminyak Beach Resort

photo courtesy of hotels.com

9. Anantara, Ubud

photo courtesy of www.ultimatebali.com

Have you ever been to any of these resorts? :-)

Off the Cuff: San Juan, La Union

2015-03-23T06:12:00.001+08:00

Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that, it's called, EVERYBODY. And they meet at the beach...

Admit it, our jobs have turned us into work slaves that sleep and weekend have become a luxury. Remember that time when we came to work and we were excited? Eh, me neither! Truly, this job hasn't killed me. But it hasn't made me stronger either.

And pretending to look busy on a Friday is the hardest I work all week. Today being Friday can only mean one thing... time for the WEEKEND!

Dear fellow nine-to-fiver,
Do you love long bus rides?
Are you fresh, vigorous, or active?
You have extra cash but have nothing else to do this weekend?
You think "don't think just do" kind of trips are great?

If you answered yes to all four, you may want to consider going to San Juan, La Union this weekend. "Yea, it's just another beach," you say. Just a beach where sunlight has been shown to decrease your depression and stress level by helping you unplug. Gazing out at the water can do wonders to clear the mind, you know! Yuh, it's like the beach know exactly what we need.

Long bus ride or road trip?

From Metro Manila, the most reliable way to get to San Juan, La Union is by bus via Partas Bus from Cubao. Take a bus bound for Laoag, Vigan, Abra or San Fernando City - La Union. San Juan is around 277 kilometers north of Metro Manila and the travel time is around 7 hours. Bus fare cost 450php.

If you are taking your own car and you are coming from Manila, take the NLEX > SCTEX > TPLEX route, exit at Carmen Temporary Toll Plaza and then Waze the rest! Travel time should be 4-5 hours. Combined toll fees may cost around 600php, one-way.

my thing over sunset <3

Fresh, vigorous, or active? aka YOLO, hippie, "surfer"

You catch that one ride of the day and you’re smiling ear to ear, you are stoked. From positioning, paddling and catching a wave, to taking that glorified push-up, into a stance facing sideways... you imagine cutting the waves yourself, don't you? This place is perfect to learn surfing.

Don't know how to swim? No worries, the water is still shallow from where the waves shape.
Can't paddle? No problem, you can ask a local surfer to push you and your surfboard for an hourly rate of 200-400php.
No surfboard? Hourly rentals: PhP 200; Halfday: PhP 500

Probably surfing is not enough for the hipster vibe, try the following hippie-inspired hostels:

Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel - Kubo Dorms: 780/bed; Aircon private room & bath: 3200/2pax

(from Google Images)

The Circle Hostel - Hammock: 450php; Bunk bed: 550php

from Circle Hostel's official website

Have extra cash and can splurge a little for accommodation?

Got it right, it's the gorgeous Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa - cheapest room: 5,500php
comes with Balinese style rooms and free use of their fab infinity swimming pool. And when you look out at the beach, there is sort of this infinity, a distance from your everyday predicament.

image from Agoda :)

Don't-think-just-do kind of trips can be great!

Stress is a silent killer.The dark circles under your eyes are begging you to sleep and relax. Remember what it felt like to nap on the sand? It's so good. You deserve that quality time with yourself rather, with people that you love. Also, I hope you remember you’re not going to look cute in a bikini or trunks forever, so why not hit the beach the soonest! Even with minimal planning, you can have the beach break you deserve.

A few words...
You've always wanted to write an auto-reply “out of the office” email, don't you? Write it! You deserve a summer vacay more than just a weekend off, you hardworking fella. Summer is here, so make use of it dearly, rain is coming soon!

Nag-overnight lang sa Elyu,
Brenda at Kalash ❤

We'd love to hear your "Off the Cuff" weekend suggestions too :)

678 Korean BBQ

2015-03-15T07:54:00.000+08:00

If I will be asked for the first 3 things that will come to my mind when I hear "Korean Food", I would say "1) Metal chopsticks, 2) Bibimbap and 3) Kimchi (with a peace sign)!" As we neither have these in common with Filipino cuisine, I've always been curious about Korean food.

It was Valentine's day in Manila, all restaurants were full, malls literally surged by lovers. We were really out of our minds when we went to Mall of Asia at this time of the month, very hungry, no table reservations at all. Trying to avoid the battalion of lovers, we made our way to the MOA Complex, by the bay, by Vikings. You really can't shout your lungs out when the receptionist tell you and your angry stomach, "Welcome to Vikings. Ma'am, you're 42nd in queue. There's no guarantee you can be in before the cut-off." Can you? I walked out and thought it was going to be the worst valentines!

Meant to be.
A few meters walk from Vikings, there's 678 Korean BBQ, the restaurant that saved our #vday2015 from being bummed! We've not tried Korean food before, so we thought it would be nice to make our first attempt here.

Here's Why We Love 678 Korean BBQ

1. Big portions of meat and free refill of salads, kimchi and melted corn and cheese

2. Excellent exhaust system

3. Refreshing service tea (Their tea had an after-taste like cooled truffles, so nice!)

4. Great service and attentive crew

5. Very good location away from the crowd

Bonus: Good viewpoint for MOA's fireworks by the bay

What we ordered:

Seafood Soft Tofu Stew (per recommendation of the waitress) - P350
2 servings of Pork BBQ - P370
Beer and soda - P120

Total Cost for Two:

P840 +minimal service charge

Beach, Please! Cebu

2015-03-07T17:25:00.000+08:00

If you are into beaches with blinding white sand and clear aqua water, then Cebu is probably your thing. Located north of Cebu lies two pristine islands, Malapascua and Bantayan. We were there for five days and it was hot and sunny pretty much the entire time while the rest of the coast was flat. We had so many incredible days in Cebu, but one of the best was an afternoon we spent lounging in Virgin island right off the coast of Santa Fe, Bantayan.

Getting to Malapascua Island

In Cebu city, take a taxi to Northern Bus Terminal
Take a bus bound for Maya Port (Ceres Bus leaves at 5am and costs P150) - trip duration: 4 hours
Take a boat to Malapascua Island (P80)

Getting to Bantayan Island

In Cebu city, take a taxi to Northern Bus Terminal
Take a bus bound for Hagnaya or Bogo Port (Ceres Bus leaves at 5am and costs P160) - trip duration: 3 hours
Take a ferry to Bantayan Island (P170)

Getting to Bantayan Island from Malapascua

Chartered boat costs around P4000. If you can gather a group of 8 then it will be a little lighter on the pocket. Trip duration is 2-3 hours depending on sea condition.

Before we left for Manila, we headed to the Plantation Bay for an afternoon relaxation and did a few sightseeing around the Sto.Nino Basillica. We already miss the islands!

Planning your first trip outside the Philippines? Try our Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam route!

You Will Forget

2014-08-18T16:16:00.000+08:00

One of the biggest travel mistakes I make is assuming I will never forget a particular moment. From my first plane ride to a foreign territory, to boarding that inflated interior tire in the Nam Song river, to losing our way back to the retreat house in Kep, and the relief of finding it before midnight, and all other memories- big or small, simple or epic.

We are a couple who have been traveling in the Philippines and in Asia since 2010. We've taken a lot of good photos and they are all sorted up in a directory in our computer. I sometimes spend a whole day by just looking at these photos, only to realize I've already forgotten the restaurant where we had the best popsicle ice cream, the interesting name of a little girl who randomly gave me a bracelet in Angkor Wat, the feels of riding a plane that's larger than an Airbus A320.

I don't keep travel diaries.

I would love to write but I just don't want the pressure of needing to write for others. I would love to take photos but I don't want the pressure of criticism. I am too lazy for change and what life is outside the circumference of my comfort zone does not seem to excite me. I would love to make friends but I cannot sustain conversations. All of these can be anxiety or something else. One thing is certain though, travel is my second priority, living being the first.

I don't have to travel. But if I didn't, I wouldn't be very happy.

However, as time goes on, I realize I want to transmit the life I have lived, and the life my loves have lived. I will write because I have something to say. I will write to caption more photographs even though my imagery is trite, my metaphors weak. This is the beginning, the takeoff. Because now I have this need of feeling that everyone of us who travels is in an essential relationship to the world.

Our ideas are immortal but our memories are not. We might forget a particular moment, but if we are able to share it, others may continue to relive it.

In great joy of a new leisure pursuit,
Twosome Travelogue