THE PINOY EXPLORER

6 Most Unusual things to do in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:16:00 +0000

People who travel often, come up with their own ways to get the most out of any trip, even if it is a lesser-known destination like the Philippines. Make no mistake though, this archipelagic nation has seen a rapid transformation from a laid-back fishing village into a leading hotspot for tourists worldwide, especially those seeking something out of the ordinary. Here is a list of some of the most unusual things you can attempt when on a holiday in the Philippines.

Get mesmerized by the Hinatuan River

Located in Mindanao island, lies a crystal-clear source of water said to be coming from a miraculous source. Visitors throng to this place in large numbers just to get a glimpse of how the salt waters of the Hinatuan River, emerge over the surface of the earth from an unknown underground aquifer and merge with the Pacific Ocean. The river is devoid of any silt or dirt, throughout its length, making the view all that more magical. The only downside is that currently visitors are not allowed to swim at the main pool of the river. A designated swimming area is allowed though near the mouth of the river leading to the sea.

Get amazed at Vulcan Point

A visit to Vulcan Point can be called as the ultimate dream of any geologist. After all, where else in the world can one come across an extremely active volcano and the biggest crater lake in the world together. With 33 eruptions on record, Taal volcano has strange geological features formed over the years and has created some of nature's most unique landscapes.

The tiny island, known as Vulcan Point, stands in the center of a thousand feet high lake. The lake itself lies in the largest crater and is surrounded by an island within the boundaries of another island. Confused? Go see for yourself the extraordinary caldera, situated right on the edge of the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire'.

Do not miss out on the Waterfalls Restaurant

This is a dining place like no other, as it is located bang in the middle of a river with water cascading down barely a few feet away from the diners. It can be found within the Villa Escudero resort, which is a few hour's drive from Manila. The place may not be for the budget-conscious, but the palatial background of this waterside cafe allows guests to enjoy the local cuisine barefoot and lean under the waterfall for a unique eating-out experience.

Experience the unique burial rituals in Sagada

The strange burial practice, carried out by the residents of Sagada, is well worth the bone-breaking thirteen-hour ride required to reach this mystical place. Until today, the people of Sagada, after putting their dead in wooden coffins, hang them from the walls of cliffs. Legend has it, that the old and infirm prepare their own coffins and have them hung from the highest position possible after their death, as an attempt to allow their spirits easy access to higher life after demise. Some of these coffins are said to be centuries old and are left untouched after hanging them.

Pay respects at the Sunken Cemetery

For the citizens of the town of Camiguin, there is no better epitaph than the single giant cross standing over the place where the town once stood. Camiguin and the cemetery of the town were destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1870 caused by the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. In fact, so strong were the tremors that the capital city and the cemetery sank into the sea. To commemorate the tragic loss, a cross was constructed at the very place the town sank, right in the middle of the sea. The isolated structure stands as a stark reminder and a place of reverence for the tragedy that befell this once vibrant place.

Behold the Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Imagine 1268 similar conical mounds emerging from the earth, all within a small area. These are said to be the mysterious Chocolate Hills of Bohol island, best viewed in the dry weather when the hills turn brown. Despite their large numbers, their source remains a mystery, even to this very day. Numerous theories are suggested, from volcanic activity to weathering away of limestone, but none have been confirmed. Along with island hopping in Balicasag Marine Sanctuary, these hills make the cornerstone for any Bohol tour package and you should certainly make sure it is included in your itinerary.

The remarkable country of the Philippines has a wide array of unusual elements to contend with. Harsh weather conditions, regularity of severe typhoons, and an abundance of still highly active volcanoes have given the nation a fair share of worries. Despite these issues, the country is like no other, especially when it comes to exploring obscure and paradise-like places. So, wander away from the crowded tourist spots, and find peace and calmness by exploring these offbeat places.

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A glimpse of Bali

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 06:37:00 +0000

Acclaimed as "Island of the Gods," Bali offers more than temples, great beaches, natural sites, colorful ceremonies, and indigenous artists. The Balinese warm, pleasing and welcoming character entices many tourists to assemble in this part of Indonesia.

Home to an ancient culture, Bali carries with it that spirit that is almost magical and mystical that allows a traveler to explore in awe and free one's soul to wander and wonder.

First time in Bali, I made it a point to visit some of its tourist destinations within a limited time. I was only able to visit Tanah Lot and Uluwatu Temple during daytime as I was scheduled to head back to Manila at night. Be that as it may, it has been a visually and spiritually rewarding upon seeing Bali's temples. Although with a limited and borrowed time, I was not complaining. Instead, I was enchanted with the way how nature served as their backdrop, that these temples become more unique and special in their own way.

Tanah Lot

Tanah lot complex is more of a commercialized zone. Before one can see the temples, one will enter a commercial complex filled with souvenir shops and small restaurants. This is a place for souvenir shopping. The rows of stores and establishments will lead to the main entrance leading to the temples located at the rocky shoreline.

As one of the most important landmarks in Bali, it is famous for location on the rocky shores of Tabanan Regency. An ancient Hindu shrine rests on top of an islet that is accessible by foot during low tides. However, one can also brave the crashing waves for a photo opportunity. The coastline in this massive temple complex is also dotted with smaller shrines. If you are quite challenged for walking, while enjoying the magnificent view, then this is a place for you. On a good day, this can be a perfect place for sunset watching.

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple or Pura Luhur Uluwatu is much-publicized for its majestic location. Just like Tanah Lot, it is also located on the fringes of Bali but the most notable peculiarity is its location on top of a steep cliff. Uluwatu got its name from the Balinese language 'ulu' or the ‘top’ or the ‘tip’ and 'watu' of a ‘stone’ or a ‘rock.’.

Aside from it being a Hindu temple, hundreds of monkeys dwell here, which are believed to guard the temple against bad influences. Tourists, however, are warned against these monkeys as they have the penchant to steal one's eyeglasses, food, caps/ hats or even mobile phones, bags and cameras. So tourists are advised to put their loose belongings in their bags and secure their mobile phones, tablets, and cameras.

Indeed, Tanah Lot and Uluwatu temples are just a glimpse of Bali. If I have the chance to come back, I would definitely see more tourist attractions to eat, pray and love in Bali.

See more photos of Bali.

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Kuala Lumpur Foodie guide

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:20:00 +0000

Exploring Kuala Lumpur is like entering a maze of wonderful sights and attractions. The capital city of Malaysia lures hundreds and thousands of tourists every year because of its myriad of natural attractions. The city boasts of gleaming skyscrapers and numerous landmarks like Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves. Apart from those iconic attractions, one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city is the food here.

It is a must to sample as much of the local cuisine where ever you go and treat your palette to different flavors you come across at every corner. Browse Withlocals tours in Kuala Lumpur for some great holiday package deals, where you can benefit from a well-planned holiday. Everything is taken cared of and all you need to do is sit back and relax. You are introduced to the best foodie spots around the city.

Here are some great foods and delicious options to check out while you are in the city.

For the best street food
There is fantastic food available in those hidden backstreets of the city. You can sample some of the best cuisines at the following spots in this diverse city.

Jalan Alor is most famous for street food streets in the city, and you will find some of the most delicious chicken wings and chili crab here.
Pudu Wai Sek Kai is best known for authentic local Chinese Malaysian food, and it is a must to try out the legendary chee cheong char kuay teow, rojak, and more.
Kampung Baru is a favorite section for the foodies, and here you can get the best local Malay food. You can try out different restaurants and enjoy some fantastic nasi campur and the great ikan bakar.

Little India and Chinatown
Tour the colorful markets of Little India and Chinatown, and here you will come across several family-run restaurants serving authentic Indian and Chinese food. Try those different types of fragrant Indian curries and snacks. When you wander in the lively main street of Chinatown, you must try those different Chinese noodles and the famous Loh Shu Fan.

Most popular restaurants
One will come across some impressive restaurants that serve a well-curated menu with a plethora of different cuisines.

Botakliquor – Enjoy some drinks in this popular bistro, which is the most popular bar in Kuala Lumpur because of the botanical setting and with lots of greenery around.
Medan Ikan Bakar – This is indeed one of the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur if looking for Malay style seafood and tasty grilled fish
Coffee Amo - This is a very popular cafe in Chinatown, and it is easy to locate because of its centralized location. Enjoy great coffee with 3D coffee art with your friends.
RA Nasi Lemak – RA Nasi Lemak makes for an excellent choice if looking for the best Nasi lemak, a top dish of the Malaysia food. Enjoy a delicious meal here.
Troika Sky Dining complex – now you can dine with a great view and at one of the most popular dining restaurants and bars is the Troika Sky Dining complex. Enjoy epic views over the city as you tickle your taste buds with a vast range of tapas and unique cocktails, shelled crab, ceviche and the churros.

Your Local Food Bucket List
Before you embark on a food tour, you must know what to try out when you experience the local food culture. Some of the must-try dishes include laksa, the spicy noodle soup with chicken, prawn or fish. Another must eat is the fragrant rice dish of nasi lemak and banana fritters and pisang goreng. Ice chendol is a popular sweet treat and you can’t leave Malaysia without trying pulled tea or teh tarik.

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My 2018 Best Nine on Instagram

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 05:21:00 +0000

Although this is a bit late, 2018 has been a great year for The Pinoy Explorer's Instagram (Follow me on IG). Allow me to share some snippets about my IG #2018bestnine.

Starting from top, to the right, and to the bottom:

This is taken from Dumaluan beach in Bohol.
This is the famous ruins of Talisay, Negros Occidental.
It was in The Scoop in More London, near the Tower Bridge.
I have blogged about it in Monologues, entitled "The Boat Builder"
This is part of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao taken from Hiwang, Gohang
Taken before the deadly earthquake in Bohol, the Dauis Church stands strong. The facade was damaged but it was already reconstructed.
No one can miss the beautiful Chocolate Hills of Bohol, of course!
This is the La Inmaculada Concepcion church of Culion, Palawan, and finally but not the least
This one is from my memorable volunteer work for an NGO working on environment protection in Ticao Island.

Thank you for liking my photos on Instagram!

Kiangan homestay with a view

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:00:00 +0000

It is out of the ordinary that I blog about a hotel, lodging house or even a homestay--unless they catch my fancy. Whenever I feature them, I give good reviews that usually arise from an extraordinary experience. Please note, that I am not paid for this post.

In a far-flung municipality like Kiangan in the province of Ifugao, Philippines, one can rarely find a comfortable place to stay, either for business or leisure. I tried to look for a place to stay in Kiangan, and I found only three (3) homestays listed on Google map. But when the local contact recommended Viewpoint Homestay, all I needed was to trust them--as they always say: trust the locals. I was only looking for a comfy bed and a clean bathroom. I was expecting less when we got to Kiangan.

I even had to convince myself to lower my expectations. Once we arrived at the homestay before sundown, it became one of those moments when awe strikes me. Upon seeing its location, I got more than what I wanted!

I could feel the dopamine rush from my brain through my nerves and veins. No words can express what you feel upon seeing this beauty right before my eyes.

I have nothing but good words about this homestay. Located at the fringes of the Kiangan Poblacion, the bedrooms and bathrooms are basically clean and offers peace and comfort after a tiring day at field work or adventure.

The biggest catch of this homestay is its excellent location where you could endlessly stare at the panoramic mountains and the valley below where Ifugao capital town of Lagawe is located. Sunsets and sunrises are the best times to witness its full glory.

It simply awakens your senses and mesmerizes your whole being that all you wanted to do is just want to loaf around the whole day staring at the ever-changing clouds and wait for the sunset or sunrise.

With only P600 (less than $12) a day, you have paid for yourself a good bed, good breakfast, and a great view! With the unspoiled beauty of the historic town of Kiangan, the place is just awesome!

This place is called Viewpoint Homestay and owned and managed by Tuwali Terraces Tours and Services. The property is owned by the former Vice Mayor of Kiangan who has already migrated to the US with his family. It is managed by a family member.

Kiangan has a lot to offer other than this beautiful homestay. Stay tuned to The Pinoy Explorer for more stories about Kiangan.

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Enchanted River: Reloaded

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 12:15:00 +0000

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In January 2017, the Hinatuan Tourism Office closed the Enchanted Ricer temporarily. It lasted for almost a month from January 9 to February 3, 2017. The normal service operation of the river resumed on February 4.

The local tourism office set in motion some changes to guide local and foreign tourists. The local government decided on the temporary closure to allow the river to go through regeneration from the heavy tourism activity. This tourist spot is usually crowded during summer and little attention is given to its carrying capacity, water quality, crowd management, as well as waste management.

This blog entry, therefore, endeavors to inform future tourists about some changes and "upgrades" so that they can better enjoy the Enchanted River. The following are some changes:

Entrance, registration, briefing, waiting, and parking areas

In previous practice, all vehicles are allowed on the road right outside the fenced and guarded compound enclosing the river. It is now located some 500 meters away before the original entrance. This is located on the right side of the road leading to the river. You will not be lost as there is a guard right before the entrance of the complex and will direct your the new entrance. One has to go through registration and a mandatory briefing on the proper use of facilities before one can go to and enjoy the river. The photos with the captions will explain this big change.

This is the complex that houses the registration, waiting, dining and parking areas. The registration is located on the right of the green tent.

A closer shot of the registration area. The green tent serves as a briefing area on how to use and enjoy the facilities.

Parking is no longer allowed on the road outside the old river entrance. The parking area now is much bigger, albeit, very hot on a sunny day. Nonetheless, this is a better parking area -- wider and can accommodate more vehicles.

Food and Dining area

In the old practice, dining was still allowed in the huts-for-rent near the river. It is no longer allowed this time. This is primarily to manage solid waste and avoid the pollution of the river. More importantly, it was found out that the area where the old huts used to be has a hollow underground. This means that the ground above it can only hold so much weight. This is to avoid caving in or collapsing of the area. So fewer people staying on the ground will put less weight than when all visitors would stay in one area at the time. Hence the relocation of the dining and parking areas away was deemed to be a good solution.

There are no longer individual huts for hire, but the management built a large hall made of wood and nipa that can accommodate more or less 200 people at a time. You do not have to bring food and not worry about getting hungry. There are food stalls selling cooked food and drinks located in the tents below the dining area.

There are disposable plates and utensils for sale, but if you are just from Surigao or you can, bring utensils, instead. Using too many disposable plates and utensils can also pose a garbage problem in Hinatuan.

This is the bird's eye view of the new complex. The tents on the foreground are the stalls where cooked food are being sold.

This is the new dining area right above the food stalls. You can also rent tables and chairs.

Free shuttle service

A free shuttle service brings tourists to the old entrance. Anyone can ride the jeeps that ply from the main gate to the old river gate. It is encouraged, though, that those physically able tourists can just walk to the river because the shuttle service's priorities are the children, elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.

No swimming allowed in the deep pool

Swimming is no longer allowed in the deep blue pool. This is to prevent an accident as well as to protect the fishes thriving in the pool from human disturbance. One cannot even go down the stairs beside it anymore. One can enjoy the place by just having a selfie or a group photo or just capture its beauty in photos.

No swimmers are allowed in this area.

The concrete stairs going down the river is already cordoned off. One can only enjoy the deep pool by having a selfie photo as swimming and going down the area is no longer allowed.

Designated swimming area

Since the deep blue pool is no longer for swimming, the management designated the downstream area as the place where one can swim in the same cool and crystal clear water flowing from the deep pool. The management has extended the embankment with rip-rapping to widen the swimming area. It is shallower, wider, longer, and even safer even for kids.

Related Post: Surigao del Sur | Enchanted River of Hinatuan, finally!

Safety measures and precautions

You can only swim if you are wearing a safety vest. The vests can be rented near the gates on an hourly basis. There are also designated swimming areas for adults and children. The end part of the stream is designated for kids.

Safety gears like vests and ropes and safety net are in place to serve protection and guide for swimmers.

Ropes that serve as a guide to the swimmers are in place. The middle part is the deepest part. Lifeguards are also manning the area.

The net at the end of the designated swimming area was also installed. During low tide, the current can be very strong that makes it difficult to swim.

So next time you are planning to go to Hinatuan's Enchanted River, take note of these.

Be safe. Help keep the Enchanted River clean. Enjoy!

Read my related story on Enchanted River.

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Part 2 | Singapore in photos

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 07:30:00 +0000

Here is the second installment of my selected photos of Singapore.

See Flickr Album for more photos or click Part 1.

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Part 1 | #Singapore in photos

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 07:00:00 +0000

Singapore is such an eye candy and I am just glad to share them with you. This blog post will simply bring you images...

Hope you like it!

Read PART 2 of this series.

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SURIGAO DEL DUR | Enchanted River of Hinatuan, finally!

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:00:00 +0000

A few years back, I saw a photo of a body of water that kept me mesmerized. Later I found out that it is called Enchanted River. So to say, I was enchanted--and I hankered to visit this place at least once in my lifetime.

I envied others who have been here. But I did not stop envying. I dreamed and I have explored! Luck has it that I was able to visit it, even for just some borrowed time.

No words can explain the feeling of being in this place, even if I did not have the chance to swim in its cool and crystal-clear water. Merely seeing it and freezing the moment through my lenses is more than enthralling.

I have no more words to say, other than the fact that the Enchanted River is simply beautiful and truly enchanting.

To this day, the beginnings of this 50-feet river have not been known. One theory is that it is connected to the ocean through an intricate underground cave system that filters water from the sea and spits it out in this lagoon-like body of water, that in turn flows back into the sea.

Shrouded by mystery, locals turn to legends. And legend has it that the river was created by fairies and encantos or supernatural beings that dwell in and serve as protector to this natural wonder. The river is known for its unusual and awesome color hues depending on the depth. The darker the shade means the water is deeper. One story of the locals is that fairies sprinkled the colors of blue and green to the river to make its unique shade.

Whatever the explanation on this natural wonder is, for me, it is a tick off the bucket list, finally!

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Five (5) tarsier encounter tips for newbie travelers

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 01:00:00 +0000

They sure are a cute and cuddly-looking creature that you'd hanker for a selfie or touch, but no! For noobs who would want to have an encounter with tarsiers, here are five (5) Facts about tarsiers and Five (5) ways how tourists should behave in the tarsier encounter:

ONE. Tarsiers are nocturnal. This means they are active only at night, hence they should be sleeping and should not be disturbed at daytime.

What you should do?: Just shut up! Put yourself in their shoes and imagine yourself sleeping and somebody makes a disturbing noise. How would you feel? You don't want to get roused from sleep due to loud noise, right? If you keep on making loud noise while watching them or while scampering for that selfish selfie of yours, you just have become an accomplice to a suicide. If you insist on behaving otherwise, jump to THREE.

In addition, Take photos with your flash off. They have very sensitive eyes and flashes of strong light can stress them.

TWO. Tarsiers feed mainly on insects. While they are delighted over crickets, beetles, termites, and other insects, they also eat small animals like lizards, frogs, and even small birds.

Will you feed them?: You are not allowed to feed them. Period. You are not allowed to impose your vegetarian diet as well [Smile!].

THREE. Tarsiers have suicidal tendencies. They commit suicide during captivity due to trauma from touching and loud noise

You, yes you!: You do not want to be an accessory to suicide, right? So, just be contented with just staring at them. You can play a staring game with the tarsier till your eyes hurt, but do not ever, ever touch them, lift them and place on your shoulders.

FOUR. Tarsiers like to live alone. They are solitary and territorial animals A single tarsier needs at least a hectare of space per individual They don’t belong in a cage.

You leave them alone: Moving on is a must after an encounter with tarsiers. If you have seen it, move on. Do not linger too much. You are not only giving a rare chance for the next tourist who would love to see a tarsier but you are actually doing yourself a favor to see a cuter tarsier out there. Most importantly, though, do leave the tarsiers on their places.

FIVE, last but most important of all, Tarsiers are a threatened species. Tarsiers are not pets. They are not supposed to be captured and sold in the pet shops. They are meant to be kept in the wild or a controlled and permitted natural environment.

You can be a part of a conservation efforts: You can report cases of hunting and smuggling. You can choose not to patronize pet shops and illegal tourist sites. You can also donate to tarsier research and conservation.

No tarsier was disturbed due to noise or held during the photography session. The author used 300mm and 50mm lenses to photograph them. No flash was ever fired.

Be a responsible traveler.

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SURIGAO DEL SUR | Refreshing Libuacan Cold Spring

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:29:00 +0000

On the way to Davao from a work-related trip, we decided to drop by the Libuacan Cold Spring. We followed a directional sign for "Tagbina Eco Park" and drove through the dirt road that leads to Libuacan Cold Spring. It is just five minutes drive from the highway, this roadside wonder in the town of Tagbina in the province of Surigao del Sur, is a must-visit destination for both locals and intrepid backpackers.

This rustic and unspoiled beauty offers serene and refreshing break from the humdrum of city living. Had it not for a minimal development it is almost virginal and pristine.

The spring is less famous compared to the nearby Enchanted River of Hinatuan, but this is equally awesome. With its cool and crystal clear water, shady surroundings, and bucolic beauty, it simply offers fun and relaxation.

The place is not very known to many travelers. For locals, this is a weekend destination or simply a place where they celebrate a special occasions. Visiting this spring on a weekday would prove better because there are less people.

The place does not have much amenities like restrooms and shower areas so be prepared for a real spartan traveling.

On this note, just seeing this natural wonder lifts the spirit. How much more if I have actually dipped and waded in its crystal clear water? I just hope that there would be no further development in this tourist destination so it will not suffer from the ill-effects of commercialization. This is, foremost, a gift to Surigaonons and the Philippines that must be protected. I just hope the local government can enforce rules and regulations so it will not be too much exploited.

______
More photos at Libuacan Cold Spring in Flickr!

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Treading "dangerously" on Sikidang Craters

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 03:30:00 +0000

The nearest that I have been to a volcanic crater was when I climbed the mouth of the Taal Volcano from Mataasnakahoy in Batangas. It was very far because it is prohibited to go down the crater of Taal volcano not only because of the high health risk brought by sulfur emissions, but also the physical risk that goes with the downhill trekking. But of course, there are tour operators on the other side that allow tourists to even go down and get exposed. In this case, you might want to consider being covered by insurance for trekking.

When we went to Sikidang Craters, I really thought it was very dangerous to set foot on the place. It is an active volcano, after all. What if this volcano suddenly erupts while we were there? We would be definitely not only toasted but charred to our extinction.

Being located on Dieng Plateau, the whiff of cool air was welcoming, but the fetid odor of hydrogen sulfide emission was a bit disconcerting that made it difficult to breathe. Save for my scarf which helped block and lessens the stench like that of a rotten egg. Hydrogen sulfide can be very poisonous, corrosive, flammable, and explosive. Truth to tell, I had an asthma attack after that trip. I was just prepared enough to bring my inhalers that lessened the effect.

Nonetheless, we came out alive and still healthy and bringing home that short but the great adventure of treading on the unstable and dangerous grounds.

Sikidang is probably different from the other volcanic craters you think about. It looks like a deforested or a landslide area. It is covered with rocks and ash in varying shades of gray, green and yellow. The area is filled with potholes and vents that can give in anytime whenever you step on a loose soil, which would definitely injure you if you become careless. Some larger vents are filled with water, which mixes with the ash to form mud. The main attraction of the area is the large crater filled with boiling mud and constantly spewing steam.

Every visitor in this tourist attraction is being warned to be careful. Vents and holes are scattered everywhere--some with boiling water, steam or a combination. There is a magma chamber beneath Sikidang Crater. When this magma gets too hot, it creates high pressure hence small eruptions happen--and this can be anywhere in this large complex.

Like the volcanos in the Philippines, Sikidang craters has its share of folklore. Sikidang Craters got its name "Sikidang" from"kidang", a Bahasa Indonesia word for "deer"

Legend has it that King Kidang Garungan, a creature with a body of a deer and the head of a man, fell in love with Queen Shinta Dewi. A contest was held among many suitors to mary off the queen. When Queen Shinta Dewi learned about the freaky appearance of King Kidang Garungan, he did not approve of the king's intentions. Instead, she tricked the king into digging a very deep well to prove his love. When the king has dug deep enough, the queen ordered his men to bury the king alive. In his fury, the king used his supernatural powers that resulted to a strong explosion from the ground that formed the crater. The king was not yet able to escape, hence in his every attempt to escape, it created big and small craters. His efforts appeared to be like traces of a deer jumping from one place to another. Hence the crater was called Sikidang.

Until now Sikidang crater is still active. A geothermal plant was built to exploit the natural gas it produces. The geothermal energy is being used to power Dieng Plateau.

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Video: Behold Bohol campaign

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, Inc. has just come up with their new campaign video, "Behold Bohol". The moment I saw it, I was in awe and I thought I should take pride to help in this campaign, with no strings attached.

Needless to say, Bohol holds a very special place in my heart. One can just rummage through this blog how much I have written about Bohol.

This video featuring the Loboc Children's Choir with their chanting game me goosebumps. Lending their angelic voice to the entire production truly represented the heart and soul of Bohol. Not to mention the images of jaw-dropping spectacle, and the mix of old and new attractions in Bohol lives up to the expectations about Bohol rising from the rubbles when a powerful earthquake struck this beautiful island last October 15, 2013.

It has been three years and I see this video as a fitting tribute to its gentle but resilient people rising from the rubbles, the natural and man-made wonders that make Bohol a prime travel destination in the Philippines.

I must say, Bohol has risen once again!

Watch the video for you to hanker to go back to Bohol again!

For mobile users, Click this Link to watch the video.

Credits and Acknowledgement:
Permission to publish this video was granted by:
Ms. Emmylou Palacio-Noel
Executive Director of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, Inc., and
Mr. Chris Ramasola of ramasola.net

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Arjuna Temples: Greatness in being small

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 03:30:00 +0000

By the sheer size of Candi Prambanan and Candi Borobudur, the Arjuna Complex looks quite unimpressive. The complex is but a small group of Hindu temples neatly laid out on a square lot. But this temple complex is not to be belittled and still worth the stop in this part of Central Java. These small group of seemingly odd-looking separate structures are the oldest temples in Java which were believed to be constructed around 809 AD, thus, boasts of its historical significance.

It was told they hold the "template", so to say, in building temples in Central Java. It was here where Hinduism unfolds and sets foot as a religion in this part of the globe.

Not only does it offer quite historical and cultural significance but also is located on a plateau where one can enjoy chilly weather especially in the afternoons, compels a traveler to just enjoy the "isolation" and quiescence.

Unlike Prambanan and Borobudur which can have thousands of visitors in a day, Candi Arjuna visitors are insignificant, which make it more enjoyable to just appreciate the raw beauty it offers. This temple complex is just perfect to chill around, for loafing and just enjoy watching occasional visitors taking their photos, exploring the grounds, or spend a few hours of meditation and prayer.

CLICK here for more photos.

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Dieng panorama

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:52:00 +0000

The name of Dieng comes from Sanskrit word “di” that means "place" and “Hyang” means Creator or God, then it forms the whole meaning as a place of Gods or as locals call it, the "Land above the clouds." True to its namesake, one feels like in heaven as it always gets foggy in the afternoon.

Rustic and simple, Dieng is offering a bucolic experience in this part of Central Java. Traveling to Dieng, Wonosobo Regency in Central Java, Indonesia also reminds me of Natubleng, Benguet in the Philippines not just because of its chilly climate, but also about the gracious people and the vegetable gardens sprawling the plateau as wide and far as your eyes can see. Why not? Dieng is known to be the biggest potato producer in Indonesia.

It is about 26 kilometers from Wonosobo, and sits on a plateau 2,000 meters above sea level and enjoys cool weather that ranges from 12-21°C at noon and a low 5-9°C at night. It gets even colder during the dry season that starts in July until September when the temperature can reach -4°C in the morning.

Dieng is actually a plateau formed on the floor on a caldera complex. Yes, it sits on a volcanic crater, albeit, inactive. It offers many touristy spots like the Arjuna Temples, Sikidang Craters and Telaga Warna which I happen to visit during my short visit.

Arjuna Temples

Home to a few ancient Hindu temples or more popularly known as Arjuna Temples or Dieng Temples are the oldest Hindu temples in Java Island and they were established in the 9th century.

Telaga Warna (Color Lake)

Color lake (Telaga Warna) is known for its changing colors, thus, the namesake. It has high sulfur content that causes the changing of the color of the water of the lake from yellow or green and even more colorful like a rainbow.

It can be best viewed via Dieng Peak where you can also see its twin, Pengilon Lake.

Sikidang Crater

Dieng features two craters of the volcanic complex. Although the volcano has been inactive for centuries now, some of the volcanic craters are active until today. The craters are Sileri Crater and Sikidang Craters.

Visiting Dieng, albeit only for a day, was truly a wondrous experience. It gave me time to commune with the people and at the same time allowed me to experience its culture and nature.

Watch out for more features of these tourist sites in the coming posts.

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IN TRANSIT | Of memes and hashtags

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:22:00 +0000

In this age of memes and hashtags, we usually find them in our social media apps--in our smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

I would say they have invaded our world beyond our gadgets. They are everywhere, like these two establishments.

I found this on my way to Surigao del Sur.

Gas station #memes #itsmorefuninthephilippines #weareinlove

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Feb 26, 2016 at 4:11pm PST

This is one of the most popular convenience stores in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

#Hashtag #Convenience #Store #only #in #Kabankalan #Rare #finds

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on May 24, 2016 at 4:13am PDT

When you are on travel, do you also look for amusing places like these?

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Incomparable Manohara Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Mon, 30 May 2016 05:13:00 +0000

There can never be a more pleasant way to relish and appreciate Borobudur temple than to spend a night or two at the Manohara Hotel. The hotel holds the exclusive and unrestrained daytime access to the Borobudur complex and is the perfect place to wait for the sunrise tour that the hotel affords to its guests.

While researching online about the Borobudur sunrise experience, I came across the website of Manohara hotel that hosts the sunrise tour. Staying in this hotel would be less hassle, I thought. If you are staying in the hotel outside the complex, it would mean that you have to wake up at the wee hours of the morning or when you are coming from Yogyakarta, it would have to start traveling at 2 AM to catch the 4 AM call time. This also means you have to arrange a shuttle service or take the bus to Borobudur or join the tour that you can arrange with your hotel. If you are not lucky enough to wake up after midnight, then you lose the opportunity.

Staying in a hotel beside the 9th-century Buddhist Borobudur temple, was simply one for the books and really a good decision on my part. Making a quick decision to book right away through their website was the best thing you can do when there were only three rooms left in this 35-room resort hotel. At the time, getting a room seemed like winning the lottery! I could not wait for the day of my stay at the hotel, and explore Borobudur temple!

As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I was already smitten. It does not only bespeak luxury and comfort but also offers its guests the opportunity to immerse in Javanese culture.

A chilled lemon grass tea as refreshment, an old man playing faint Javanese music with his gender barung, and a cold towel while they prepared my room truly reflected Javanese hospitality.

One thing was noticeable— everything was done in a very mild, gentle and tranquil manner—almost in slow motion—that a few minutes already meant like hours of stay. Even when I blurted while finding our way to my appointed room, “I am already loving this! This is bliss!” I only received a smile from the concierge guy and a short “Thank you, sir.” It was not overly done. It was not over-acting and bereft of unnecessary cordiality. It was just plain, simple and “just enough”—that kind of unobtrusive atmosphere in your quest for a serene ‘me-time’. I hope you got me there.

Its well-appointed airy rooms are really remarkable. It’s lanai that leads to the garden and the greenery was very bidding. The big and comfortable bed undoubtedly gave me that tranquil night enough for me to rejuvenate from an exhausting week and be raring to explore the temple grounds the next day.

____

For the story on Sunrise Experience, read Witnessing a glorious sunrise at Candi Borobudur.
Coming soon: My day-tour of Borobudur complex.

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Candi Prambanan quickie

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 14:12:00 +0000

*Candi, pronounced as “chandi” is an Indonesian word for stupa or temple.

For some reasons, we left Malioboro at past 3PM and we arrived in Candi Prambanan complex at around 5:00 PM. Perhaps it was the rain that kept us from leaving at an earlier time or was it the difficulty of meeting at the appointed place and time or my companions were more interested in shopping for souvenirs in Malioboro.

The time of our arrival would have been perfect for a sunset shoot, but it was raining the whole morning that gave a gloomy weather for the rest of the day. After queueing up to buy tickets, we were finally inside the complex.

Realizing that I have barely over an hour to explore the sprawling grounds of this temple complex, I made some mental notes that I had to follow a strict time. To do this, I decided to explore the area alone.

I started by standing in the middle of the complex, took a 360-degree turn and made an imaginary transect while quickly planning out which area to shoot, which temple had to be climbed, and which architectural detail had to be checked out. This gave me an idea which quadrant I had to visit first, what to do, allowing some time to stop, photograph an interesting angle, observe people and scenes and just admire the architectural wonder right before my eyes.

I got the chance to go up the main temple (Temple of Lord Shiva) but it was already dark inside for me to do some photography. Then the sky began to get dark. It was a signal for me to go back to the meeting place.

I think I covered the main site but I missed some nearby and equally interesting temples like Candi Sewu and Candi Lumbung that require hiking or taking the shuttle service. I just took photos of any part that interests me. I did not have so much time to check details of the bas-relief engraved on each temple and without saying, I missed the Kama Sutra reliefs [Smile!]. I rather went for the forest instead of the trees.

Be that as it may, exploring Prambanan for the first time gave me much delight, great sense of awe and wonder. The structure was just so massive, seemingly unfathomable and complicated that reflected the level of civilization, engineering and architectural prowess back in the day. I had very little knowledge of Prambanan. I did not even bother to research about it before exploring. I just went to experience it by just going along with the flow, and follow the well of excitement. It was just awesome that I was in the midst of Indonesian Hindu folklore, belief, and culture!

To think that Candi Prambanan was restored from the rubbles is definitely one for the books. The effort and resources they have put into its restoration are immeasurable. Built in the 10th century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. The temples collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century. It was only in 1918 when the Dutch colonizers began their reconstruction of the compound and the proper restoration only in 1930. The reconstruction of the main Shiva temple was completed around 1953. Efforts at restoration continue to this day.

One should not miss Candi Prambanan when visiting Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This fascinating architecture is said to be the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. It is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Depending on your location, it is just around 18-20 Kilometers from Jalan Malioboro and ideally, it will take you around 30 minutes by private car or taxi sans the heavy traffic. On a bad day, which we experienced, it took us more than an hour to get there. It was May 1 (holiday) and everyone seems to be going to Prambanan.

Click this for more photos of Candi Prambanan.

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THROWBACK: Manila's San Sebastian Church

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 03:00:00 +0000

San Sebastian Church is one of the most enthralling churches in the Philippines. Its gothic architecture makes it very noticeable from the rest of the churches in Manila. The fact that it is also the only metal church in the Philippines makes it as an inimitable architectural feat, not to mention its colorful and challenging past.

It has been submitted to UNESCO World Heritage Site but the Philippines is still waiting for its confirmation.

These photos were taken back in the days when Flickr was the photography site to reckon with. I consider photographing San Sebastian Church a very challenging one. With all the intricate details and the many features of its architecture, plus the low-lighting condition, I could spend more than one day just to photograph every nook and cranny.

Using a standard lens could make it awfully difficult! I was comforted when they turned on the altar lights which illuminated the dome a bit, and the sun rays began peeking behind the clouds. So I knelt before the altar looking like a devotee and took this photo with my camera mounted only on a monopod.

The original photo was a bit dark, so I pulled up the levels, tweaked the shadows, increased a bit of the saturation, and I was surprised to see, finally, the great work of the Filipino artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students on the ceilings to give that faux-marble and jasper appearance.

After looking at it intently, I was simply in total admiration. You cannot see this with your bare eyes by merely looking up above the ceiling. Indeed a remarkable and elaborate work of art!

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#2015bestnine on Instagram and the stories behind

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:37:00 +0000

My facebook wall was filled with #2015bestnine photos on Instagram so I decided to make one. My Instagram account is relatively new and has not been used for quite some time until I had the zest to fill it up in 2015. There were only 72 posts. Not so much but for 2016, I will fill it up with posts that will remind me where I have traveled this year. So watch out for that.

More than just photos which have the most likes, I thought it would be more interesting to share with you some anecdotes behind these photos.

1. Borobudur Sunrise. In May 2015, I had the chance to travel to Indonesia for work and study. To cap my 10-day stay in Yogyakarta, I made it a point to visit Borobudur Temple in Magelang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the two photos that made it to the #2015bestnine. Borobudur temple is best visited and savored during sunrise. Read related story about Borobudur sunrise.

#borobudur #sunrise @ManoharaResort Visit www.thepinoyexplorer.com

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Jun 6, 2015 at 3:30am PDT

2. Enjoying pho bo in Lemon Grass. Lemon Grass restaurant in Cebu's Ayala Terraces is one of my favorites in Cebu City. The aroma of spices and herbs that come with their food just enlivens my senses. This was just a quick snapshot of pho bo, a rice noodle with beef before I finished it off.

Pho bo. Are you on IG? Follow me.

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Nov 12, 2015 at 6:45am PST

3. Another take at Borobudur Sunrise. Photographing Buddha with the rising sun as a backdrop would be an interesting photography perspective and viewpoint. I was not disappointed with the natural lighting effects that come with it.

#BorobudurSunriser #borobudur #Indonesia @ManoharaResort Soon on www.thepinoyexplorer.com

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on May 30, 2015 at 6:38am PDT

4. Circles. Photographing interesting geographical patterns is one of my fetishes. They are always good for abstracts. This is actually a chandelier in the lobby of Diamond Suites in Cebu City.

#circles

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Jun 23, 2015 at 3:54am PDT

5. Fountain and youth. Inspired by "fountain of youth," the lights, and the child playing beside this colorful fountain I took the opportunity to capture this moment. Taken in one of the malls near my residence.

Fountain and youth

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Jul 21, 2015 at 2:14am PDT

6. Snoopy. I am a dog lover and a fan of Peanuts, so this rare exhibit in one of the malls that is part of advertising of the upcoming movie peanuts is one for the books. It was cute and had to fire away!

#snoopy #peanuts

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Nov 18, 2015 at 1:09am PST

7. Kalabasa (Squash). Taken in a vegetable garden during one of my fieldwork in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. I have not seen a squash garden for quite some time and I thought I had to share it with urbanites who do not how a squash comes to life, aside from being an ingredient of their food on the table.

Ang #kalabasa. Bow.

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on May 19, 2015 at 5:17am PDT

8. The potter of Vigan. It is one of those moments when I had to make do with a steady hand because I simply did not have a tripod. Good thing it came out and I am very proud of this iconic photo of the potter of Pagburnayan in Vigan. Read related story how to spend your eight hours in Vigan.

visit: www.thepinoyexplorer.com

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Oct 26, 2014 at 8:29am PDT

9. Davao. Many Davaoeños/as will easily identify this location. This place is a Davao icon it itself. Perching on the hill is Jack's Ridge where you can dine, have coffee and enjoy some live music. This is one of the most popular places in Davao City.

#Davao

A photo posted by the pinoy explorer (@thepinoyexplorer) on Aug 13, 2015 at 4:26am PDT

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THROWBACK | Afternoon stroll at Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 07:58:00 +0000

2009 | After a business trip to Kuching City, I did not pass the rare opportunity to visit the tallest twin towers in the world. Coming from Kuching City on my way back to Manila, I had a long 12-hour layover. I decided to spend some time in Petronas Towers.

After depositing my luggage for safekeeping, I boarded the one-hour bus ride to central terminal and rode the train to KLCC. I lingered around from almost 2PM to 8 PM before I headed back to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. I had just enough time to check in and wait for my flight back to Manila at 1:00 AM.

The sky was overcast that gave me a great time roaming around its well-manicured and quiet gardens. It was definitely a stark contrast to the busy and crowded KLCC Mall below the Petronas Towers. I wanted to climb the towers, but the line was too long that time and I feared I might lose some precious time to do my photography. I thought that I already had so much of a mall scene back in Manila, and being new to the place, I confined myself in exploring photographing its every nook and cranny and observing people.

Then after a quick dinner, I patiently waited for sunset to capture the lighting of the towers at twilight, which highlighted my jaunt. After chimping on my photos, I thought I had good shots already and I had to go back to the airport.

It was quite a respite after a week of work back in Kuching.

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Jalan Malioboro: Day and night

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 02:00:00 +0000

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If there is any first place you should visit in Yogyakarta, it has to be Jalan Malioboro. It is the Yogyakarta's largest tourist district surrounded with hotels, restaurants, and various shops selling batik and souvenir items like shirts, keychains, refrigerator magnets and many other bric-a-bracs.

At night, open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street. It is also a place where local artists converge showing off their talents in music, performance arts, and visual arts.

The popular landmarks in this street are the Beringharjo market in the south and the largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda located on the street's northern end. If you are fond of walking, you can start from South to North, but once you get tired, you can actually enjoy riding the pedaled becac or the horse-drawn carriage called andong.

On two occasions, both day and night, I was able to visit Malioboro to dine, buy some souvenir items, and of course, my main purpose--photography. I am just glad sharing some of these photos through this short post and through the Flickr slideshow below.

More photos in MALIOBORO|NIGHT AND DAY FLICKR ALBUM or the slideshow below.

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Jaro, Iloilo's National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 01:30:00 +0000

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Recently, "Jaro Cathedral," rose to the limelight in the traditional and social media. The upcoming Philippine presidential elections in May 2016 is also hot news item. This is because of the fact that the rumored contender for the presidency, Senator Grace Poe, has very strong ties with Jaro, Iloilo and most especially this church.

Formally known as Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral or the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles, it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro. It is already a fact that Senator Poe was found in this church that led to some politicians questioning her nationality. More than the politicking, however, the senator is also in a quandary about her real lineage.

Be that as it may, Jaro Cathedral is not an ordinary church. From what I gathered from various internet articles, here are some facts about the church:

It is a national shrine and the National Historical Institute of the Philippines declared the Jaro Cathedral a historical landmark in 1976.
It possesses a reliquary of Saint Josemaria Escriva, Founder of the Opus Dei.
The image of Our Lady of the Candles was also crowned by the late Pope John Paul II during his visit to Iloilo City on February 21, 1981.
Philippine hero Graciano López-Jaena was baptized in the Cathedral on December 20, 1856.
In this cathedral, Senator Grace Poe was found by the Militar family and baptized by a famous religious and historical personality in the name of Jaime Cardinal Sin (then Archbishop of Jaro).

With the issues confronting Senator Grace Poe and the country as a whole, it is my fervent prayer that the Our Lady of Candles may light up and show us the way and that there may be solutions to all these problems.

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Witnessing a glorious sunrise at Candi Borobudur

noreply@blogger.com (Admin/Author) — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 09:55:00 +0000

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Waking up at 4:00 AM to catch the call time at 4:30 was not easy. Feeling so tired after 10 days of lectures and study tour had taken its toll. I should have been staying in Yogyakarta the whole day and just enjoy the comforts of my hotel room and call it rest day but Indonesia's UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Candi Borobudur was beckoning. [Candi is a Javanese term for "temple' and is pronounced as "Chandi"].

Wherever and whatever I read about Borobudur Temple, everything points to sunrise as the best experience one should not miss. So weeks before my travel, I made sure I would have this experience. To get the advantage of experiencing sunrise in Borobudur, without having to wake up too early and travel from Yogyakarta, I booked at Manohara Hotel that stands right in the compound where Borobudur temple is located.

On a chilly morning, I found myself walking along the dimly lit path amidst old trees dotting the way to the East gate of the temple. Upon reaching the plateau where the temple stands, I was again in awe. The stars that dotted the sky of the beautiful dawn, the bright moon and the floodlights that made the temple shine in the dark added to the drama that unfolded before my eyes, making this experience more sublime than I have ever imagined. Perhaps, it was the novelty of it all, and the fact that I am stepping on a famous heritage site, this sight was totally spellbinding.

The sun was yet to be seen rising from the East so I lingered a bit on the grounds to photograph the facade of the temple then I decided to climb up the steps leading to the top. Upon reaching the highest level, I realized there were already a lot of people, mostly Europeans, who had chosen their most comfortable and best spot.

I found it hard to position myself to get the best view--trying not to obstruct people at my back. Between staying in one position to wait for the sunrise and moving about to get the best view from different angles and perspectives was a decision I had to make. Thanks to a rude tourist who told me while I was positioning my tripod on his left side that it was "his shot." Somewhat irked by his rudeness, I decided to move on and around until I stationed beside a lady who happens to be a professional photographer who would give way whenever I aim my camera.

This encounter left me some lessons to live by:

If you want YOUR shot, do not stick to one place. Move around and find out what other perspectives and points of view can give you. Because of that, I was able to discover more interesting subjects on the other sides of the temple. I was not confined to the cliche, I must say.
If you are a real photographer, respect and give way to others who want to have a shot at the scene [life]. You do not own the beautiful scene. You are merely a spectator. As my friend, Cecile of SnapHappy Foodie puts it: "Sometimes we need other people to push us towards better directions, though not necessarily in a way as rude as that guy."

Applying it to daily life, I think we can be better persons.

Photography aside, seeing the sun rise behind Mt. Merapi and the plains of Magelang brought with it not only a sense of wonder but also the peace that comes from within my being. The mist rising from the plains was awe-inspiring and can easily cast a magic spell, while the warmth of the rising sun on your face was just assuring. One can only hear the stillness of the dawn and the murmurs from the tourists who were there to witness it as well. Glad that the people chose to be just silent spectators of the glorious rising of the sun. With this, all my stresses from the past weeks seem to have gone into oblivion. Sunrise has its own magical spell that revives your trodden spirit and awakens your senses. If I had another day to spend in Borobudur, I would just sit there and do nothing but wait for the sunrise unfold before my eyes.

Be that as it may, I wish to come and visit Borobudur again.

More photos at BOROBUDUR SUNRISE IN Flickr or the slideshow below.

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Travel Digest: Watch the newly renovated Bancasi/Butuan City Airport

noreply@blogger.com (The Pinoy Explorer) — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 07:30:00 +0000

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It has been more or less two years since I have flown to Butuan City. Coming from Cebu I was surprised to see a lit up runway and airport terminal. The arrival area is more spacious now, and well-lighted. As you go outside the arrival area, you will be surprised that the restaurants on the right have been demolished and were relocated to the right (area facing the terminal building). The former location of restaurants has been transformed into a spacious carpark.

It is very rare that I feature an airport, but I was just impressed with the changes in Butuan Airport. The rest of the new features of the newly renovated Bancasi Airport is shown in this video.

Kudos to the new airport manager!
Kudos to CAAp for making traveling a little better!

Also watch: FIELD WORK: Sunset in Tagbilaran

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