Category: Philippines

PHILIPPINES

“The Philippines is defined by its emerald rice fields, teeming mega-cities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smouldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo and smiling, happy-go-lucky people.” – Lonely Planet

kayangan lake

Perpie in Pinas 2017 – 4 Days in Coron, Palawan

Palawan, the Philippines: The Most Beautiful Island in the World
– Conde Nast Traveler

It was originally voted as the number 2 island in the world according to its readers, but this article in Conde Nast Traveler appears to be playing favorite, as it placed Palawan even to the highest spot.

Who am I to say no and disagree, when I myself, together with my husband, finally came to visit Palawan. Coron in particular, which is a natural paradise on earth, we’re obviously impressed.

It’s no wonder Palawan ranked as the most beautiful island in the world this year, as the clear aquamarine water, limestone cliffs, and lagoons of the island province of the Philippines are only the most basic highlights. Palawan is home to nature reserves on both land and sea, with dolphins just offshore, marine gardens of giant clam, sea turtles nesting on white sand beaches, 600 species of butterflies, and lush palm forest like a Gilligan’s Island fever dream.
– Cynthia Drescher, Conde Nast Traveler contributing editor Read more

year-end review

Two Years Ago…

This must have been the longest break I’ve ever had from blogging, though it’s actually the opposite from what would be expected as uneventful years, for me at least. The truth is, 2016 and 2017 were significantly a turning point in our lives, as my husband and I finally become parents.

Sorry, not sorry.

I almost embraced before the idea of living as a single woman; neither I relished the thought of becoming a mother as well. I was enjoying my independence so much.

While I was seeing my friends getting married and settling down, I was getting less keen to find that better half who I can spend my life with.  It took me 5 long years after a break from a serious relationship to get back into another again. Read more

On the Go in 2015: At Home and A Bit Away Too

“Marmotjes!”

My husband and I just visited their museum somewhere at the mountain top in Grossglochner.   I had already expected that I’d only see these creatures on screen or at their “most preserved” forms.

“Turn around. Look!” hubby was calling me out in a forcibly hush tone, so as not to scare them and run away.

We stopped walking, and I couldn’t believe what I saw.

“For real, I’m finally meeting my furry kinds at last!” I jokingly reacted.

Marmots are large squirrels living in mountainous areas such as the Alps.  These fluffy animals typically live in burrows and often within rock piles, and hibernate there through the winter.  Most marmots are highly social and use loud whistles to communicate with one another. Read more

Photo Diary: Perpie in Pinas 2015

My Lakbayan map is a constant reminder for me on how much I’ve explored the Philippines. Despite that I’ve been living away for over four years now, my latest map tells me that I’ve traveled around my home country more than ever before. I’m happy to report that my Lakbayan grade is moved a notch higher. It’s C+ now.

Our visit to Cebu and Dumaguete last year definitely added up.  After that holiday, we actually didn’t expect that we would come back soon. Yet for some reason, we’re able to manage to visit the Philippines again. Though I also wanted to explore other places that I haven’t been, our return to Pinas for a holiday was another revisit of sorts for me. Read more

Perpie in Pinas 2014: Wandering Around Dumaguete

We initially planned to visit Bohol this year, but an earthquake struck the said province last October that we decided to forgo the trip and go somewhere else. It was a choice between Camiguin and Dumaguete. We chose to go eastward.

A very promising itinerary was prepared for our visit to Dumaguete, but somehow along the way, it didn’t go everything smoothly as we planned.

First, we weren’t able to go directly to Dumaguete. Instead, we spent the night in Bohol to take the ferry from there. Well, this overnight stay ain’t so bad at all. It suddenly became my husband’s surprise visit to the island, getting a quick taste of what it has in store.

Unfortunately though in Dumaguete, we missed visiting the islands of Apo and Sumilon, and Oslob, the southern village in Cebu to see the whale sharks. This one was disappointing. It’s mainly because we got sick. We realized that the travel junkies in us deserved a much needed rest. Read more

Perpie in Pinas 2014 – Cebu Once More: A Day in the Metro

This is the third part of CEBU ONCE MORE series. If you missed the first part, read it here – BE in Mactan. And the second part? Check it out here – Mactan Shrine & Sutukil.

Part of this post has been first published at The Filipino Expat. You can also check it out here – On Pinoy Malling and Cebu Lechon.

It was beautiful and sunny the following day we arrived, fitting for what we planned to do first in the city of Cebu. Since I’ve been here several times, as expected, I prepared an itinerary for the first-timer – my hubby of course! He had also been looking forward to this tour, as this was going to be the start for him to truly explore what my home country has in store, beyond the beach life that he’d ever been acquainted with. Read more