tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67100045976752695912011-12-27T15:21:09.640+08:00a compilation of my travels and personal journeys.ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.comBlogger231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-69356060659741836672011-01-24T20:54:00.000+08:002011-01-24T20:54:25.176+08:00

Choosing our accomodation for the overnight stay in Batad Village was really not that hard, my internet research showed one place where they had an unobstructed view of the rice terraces and that was Hillside Inn.  And i'm telling you, the view was PRICELESS.Once we decided with Hillside Inn, next thing we did was contact Ms. Maya Addug through her cellphone +63917-7574411 and +63908-6012888.  Ms

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-33713981367185925232011-01-24T01:42:00.006+08:002011-02-18T11:32:31.895+08:00

Here are some scenes along the path going to Batad Village.  30 minutes would be a doable time to reach the village if you were to go at it without stopovers, 45 minutes would be the normal time on average speed. We made it exactly one hour after we left the Saddle but these were due to numerous stops for wifey's rests and the photo opportunities.But check out what you might miss along the way if

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-29256625582893623522011-01-24T00:40:00.007+08:002011-01-24T00:51:04.608+08:00

Finally, we reach the Saddle, the jump-off point for the trek down to Batad Village.  It is the spot where you try to catch your breath from that brain-shaking bumpy ride.  Here you get to enjoy some refreshments, souvenirs, rent walking sticks and get some rest before starting the one-hour trek to the village. Some jeepneys are waiting to be filled up by locals and tourists alike before heading

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-7475594630914012892010-07-28T01:54:00.000+08:002010-07-28T01:54:56.565+08:00

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”  - Greg Anderson Of the whole trip to Banaue and Batad, this I consider the most challenging part. You see, i thought that we were going to reach Banaue town by 7am, which all my research pointed to as really the Estimated Time of Arrival. Now that we were late by an hour, thanks to that

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-79475571964311648812010-07-12T18:43:00.015+08:002010-07-28T00:47:26.663+08:00

We had another breakfast, pancakes and coffee, this time at Greenview Lodge. It is right beside People's Lodge. I believe these two lodges and Sanafe Lodge are the 3 of the more famous lodges in Banaue due to its proximity to the transportation terminal located near them. What i like about all three lodges are that their restaurants are relatively clean. they really make it a point that their

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-42531638421486035872010-07-12T18:12:00.010+08:002010-07-28T00:54:27.477+08:00

we had our breakfast of tapsilog at People's Lodge. clumsy me, most of my rice went flying off my plate when i was fighting it out with the tough tapa. so i had to order another one, which means another debit to the expenses column. the nice thing about People's Lodge is that it has a balcony outside where you can enjoy a nice view of some pocket terraces as well as an old, rusty hanging

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-77432495615323893012010-07-12T16:30:00.005+08:002010-07-28T01:00:30.919+08:00

A shuttle van drove us to the Banaue town proper about a 3-minute drive away from the Autobus terminal. And the beginning of countless negotiations begin. The driver offered his van to this and that, but we just heard him out and didn't commit anything. We asked to be dropped by People's Lodge so we could have our breakfast. Another set of drivers offered their set of services to us for the

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-89653435542772787202010-07-12T16:00:00.005+08:002010-07-28T01:00:48.547+08:00

Of all the travels i've done so far, including those done in other countries, nothing excited me more than my latest travel (May 16-18, 2010) to Ifugao Province, particularly Batad. The Banaue bug bit me around April 2010, but even the yearly summer outing of the our clan (which one of my cousins referred to as C-clan short for Chua clan) to Anawangin in Zambales and Bolinao in Pangasinan,

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-78561356470119665302009-07-04T20:39:00.028+08:002010-07-28T01:03:42.893+08:00

this feels weird. can't seem to get the first sentences out after being away from blogging for so long. i'm ningas cogon personified. after starting the year with eight blog entries, eclipsing my total for the entire 2008, i hibernated for 6 months and now this. let me borrow a quote from Michael Jordan "I'm Back!". i remember when he said it, the whole world rejoiced. with my version of "I'm

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-16976071660093281042009-01-26T17:57:00.013+08:002010-07-28T01:04:53.158+08:00

Tam-awan Village has already been in my radar for years now. i saw it on the boob tube many times over and in publications a couple more. It has always tickled my curiousity bones and so i wouldn't pass up this chance of visiting this artist haven in Baguio. Not many people know that Baguio is an artist's haven. The more popular ones who called Baguio home are of course BenCab and Kidlat Tahimik

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-22998142911400257012009-01-12T12:43:00.012+08:002009-01-12T19:05:03.383+08:00

over the weekend i went to Tagaytay City with our Thailand Trip travelmates together with our respective kids.i saw our the itinerary prior to the trip and it included dining at one of the branches of Antonio's.i've been to Tagaytay numerous times, being so conveniently close to Manila, but never got to try this very well-recommended restaurant called Antonio's. i've passed this up way too often

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-68372099672981529692009-01-08T23:09:00.012+08:002009-01-18T20:24:19.358+08:00

Mines View Park remains one of the most visited tourist spots in Baguio City. It offers a spectacular view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the surrounding mountains.It's one of the must-visits no matter how often you've been to the City of Pines. So we headed off to this secluded part of the city.One way of avoiding the traffic jam and the lack of ample parking in the area is to drive

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-62834702012415783512009-01-08T19:57:00.016+08:002009-01-12T21:02:48.875+08:00

i've always been curious about this strawberry fields whenever any person talks about it coming from Baguio. maybe because i've always associated the fruit to be an american thing.i remember when i was first told that strawberries are grown in Baguio, i thought it was pretty cool stuff.many may have been discouraged to go to La Trinidad for its strawberry fields, maybe they are misinformed

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-62188217400098124642009-01-03T23:53:00.011+08:002009-01-04T10:44:20.405+08:00

on our last day since we've pretty much covered up all of those contained in the itinerary i prepared, we thought of going to Ambuklao Dam. I checked out the Dam before going to Baguio and the views were quite interesting. The dampener was the travel time going there.So i took the Ambuklao Road from the Leonard Wood Rotonda. At the onset i made sure i asked 3 people how far and how much time it

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-16913491643861764232009-01-03T08:33:00.022+08:002009-01-03T18:43:56.987+08:00

On our first day, i really made it a point that we visit Burnham Park since i wanted Jaden to enjoy his first trip here in Baguio City. during the planning stage i really included things that i know my son Jaden will enjoy such as the Butterfly Farm, Wright Park, Kiddie Golf at CJH and of course boating and biking at Burnham Park. The park was named after architect Daniel H. Burnham who built the

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-27223561808451980972009-01-01T17:03:00.012+08:002009-01-01T18:16:22.492+08:00

The first spot on the itinerary that we visited was Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral or more commonly known as the Baguio Cathedral. The cathedral is distinct from the other cathedrals in the country for its rose-colored paint on its exterior.It can be accessed through the Post Office loop at the top of Session Road or you can choose to climb the 100-step ladder from Session Road going up to the

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-28807331107157906512009-01-01T00:53:00.013+08:002009-01-01T02:24:47.941+08:00

Finally, after more than 5 years i was set to go back to the City of Pines, Baguio City. i didn't really intend to be away from this mile high city that long, there had been numerous attempts to come back sooner but got cancelled for reasons i can no longer even remember. forget those cancelled trips, the important thing is i'm going back and i'm as excited as my first time some 20 years

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-66235541460445467112008-11-20T22:26:00.061+08:002008-11-30T11:29:00.344+08:00

Some 5 months ago, a group of 6 friends composed of 3 couples hatched a plan, to travel to a different country as a group for the first time.As a couple, me and my wife were used to travelling alone so it was a challenge travelling with 2 other couples as we didn’t know how it will turn out.One thing that discourages me from travelling with groups was the possible constant waiting. Waiting for

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-31960039305850008112008-07-10T23:16:00.002+08:002008-09-19T18:44:37.671+08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-4973074-1");pageTracker._initData();pageTracker._trackPageview();Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Senecalast june 8,

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-28343350519436931302008-04-16T20:59:00.001+08:002008-09-19T18:43:48.756+08:00

Finally! you see i've been wanting to visit the Taal Volcano Crater for the longest time now. this volcano that's so near and yet so hard to decide whether to go near or not. this volcano that in grade school made us a little proud knowing that this is the smallest active volcano in the world. anyway to reach Taal Volcano, one would have to go to Talisay town in Batangas. Talisay is the

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-15585873800022684672008-04-04T22:21:00.002+08:002008-09-19T18:55:43.643+08:00

I intentionally didn't include Pagudpud from the Ilocos Norte page coz being the highlight of the whole trip i wanted to give it its own page it deserves.the Pagudpud welcome arch is quite unique in the sense that it's the first welcome arch i've seen located just after a bridge and right before approaching a mountain road. Sad thing with Pagudpud's arch is some people who doesn't give a damn

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-50873376288782411352008-04-03T18:04:00.001+08:002008-09-19T18:53:27.864+08:00

Ilocos Heritage Tour – Part 2 (Ilocos Norte)Whew! Just got out of Ilocos Sur and boy was the place great. Bad news is I’m back driving on the road, the good news is Laoag City is only about 80kms from Vigan City. So it’s like a scooter ride compared to the grueling 400kms from Manila to Vigan. Not long after leaving Vigan we reach the Ilocos Norte provincial arch.First on the itinerary was the

ALAIN O. ANDREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00261774273033303335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710004597675269591.post-58968864075870413962008-04-01T19:46:00.002+08:002008-09-19T18:53:58.413+08:00

We left Metro Manila on a holy Tuesday of 2008. Woke-up around 5am and after our morning showers we were on our way to Ilocos by 5:30am. We were anticipating the holy week traffic so we left early. By the time we reach Balintawak, to our surprise we encounter what we were anticipating but was really avoiding…TRAFFIC! Good thing, it was just some vehicular accident that poured cooking oil all over

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