How far can Bubbles go?

Travel Dates: July 25 to August 2, 2015      By the time we arrived to Maafushi Island, we don’t have a prior hotel booking, but some staffs from nearby hotel were waiting at the port and offered their room to us.  We followed them and stayed at Picnic Inn for 45 USD a night. This is for off-season rate, because it is 2-3 times higher during peak season.  Then we moved to Dhonveli View and Narnia.        Staying in hotel in a local island will save you a big amount of money for accommodation and food.  While a private island resort with beautiful white sand beaches and over water bungalows will cost you about 500-1500 USD a night for a room only.  But we don’t want to get stuck in one island and will not get to experience the daily life of locals.      The next day, we went for snorkelling with a lunch at sand bank.  Riding a speed boat with other tourists, our first stop was Banana Reef. ...

Travel Dates: July 25 to August 2, 2015      One day, my boyfriend was very antsy to book a flight anywhere.  But all domestic flights were pretty expensive during that time.  So we waited for the following days for any airline promos.      A week after, he received an email from Tiger Air that there is a sale going to Maldives.  At first, he was hesitant, but he insisted that the airfare is really cheap.  Well, for me it is not, so I ignored it.  But after thinking it over and over again, he booked us a flight to one of the most popular destination in the world.      Maldives is known as an expensive holiday destination among newly married couple.  But we are not travelling for honeymoon, we just want to see the islands and underwater treasure it has to offer.  With little knowledge about the country, I started searching the web on what to see, what to eat, how to travel via local ferries, an...

Travel Date: February 7-8, 2015      We decided to visit Calaguas in February, because there was no rain and the weather forecast was good.  But we overlooked to check the gale warning which is how strong the force of the wind during that week.       Our boat sailed the beautiful greenish river with scenic banks going out to the vastness of Pacific Ocean.  From afar before we reach the mouth of the ocean, we can see already the towering raging waves.  We were so frightened and unsure if our boat can pass through.  At that time, you will think of withdrawing or continuing the trip.  But our boat managed to ride the huge waves for an hour.      The fear was gone the moment we came closer to Calaguas Island.  The nearby islands we passed by were so beautiful and virgin.  All beaches boast a long white sand and lots of coconut trees.  The moment our boat approached the beach of Cal...

Travel Date: November 26-27, 2014 The Long Mile Barracks      The Japanese-American War during WWII happened many years ago, but its battlefields remain some of the most popular historic landmarks we have in the country.   One of the most important is Corregidor Island.      But the trip here is quite expensive if you will book a regular rate.  Luckily we grabbed a good deal at CashCashPinoy website for a package tour to Corregidor.  It includes hotel accommodation, guided tour, lunch buffet, and a round trip ferry transfer.      Here in Corregidor Island you will journey back in time and tour through tunnels, ruins, batteries, and graves via tranvia bus.  The tour guide will bring the battleground to life through stories plus the light and sound animation effects inside the Malinta Tunnel (main tunnel only).  With the guided tour, you will learn more about the island aside from the information t...

Travel Date: May 1-3, 2014      Perhaps you know how beautiful Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan.  But have you heard that there are amazing rock formations at Northern Samar?      Shaped and sculpted in million of years, these rock formations can be found in Biri Island.  The difficulty of travelling to this tiny island remains the province untouched and hidden from most tourists.  There are few hotels, guest houses, and restaurants.  Motorcycles and boats are the only means of transportation.  And the electricity supply is only available from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight.      Around the formations, you can see a great number of corals, mangroves, seaweeds, sea urchins, sponges, fishes, and natural water pools.  The natural water pools are crystal clear and shallow.  You can swim in one of the pools all by yourself.  Then imagine that you are in paradise while listening to the sound of w...

     After Nami Island, we requested the Gapyeong Bus Tour to take us to Petit France.  It is a little French village on the hilly part of the province.       The Korean drama like Secret Garden and Running Man made it a popular tourist destination. The houses are painted in different pastel colours.  Here you can experience French food, clothing, and household culture.  There is also a gallery for paintings and sculptures.  The decorations around the garden are pretty too.  Good for taking photos!      If you want to stay for a night, they have accommodations for guests.  But you can finish exploring the park in an hour or two hours maximum.  You can skip this tour if you are not a fan of Korean drama.  Admission Fee: Adults: 8,000 Won Youths: 6,000 Won Children: 5,000 Won Souvenir Shops Gallery for paintings Inside the French house I ...

     I wish my boyfriend was with me when I visited this tiny island of Namiseom.  The park has a romantic settings and it was where the Winter Sonata has been filmed, thus making it a popular destination among lovers and Korean drama fans.      It was fun to walk or bike around with your partner, but I went there with a couple of friends on early winter.  Though, it could have been more colourful and vibrant in autumn or spring.       Towering Poplar and Chestnut trees were lined beautifully along the pathway.  The bridge on the small pond was designed with recycled green bottles.  There were restaurants, shops, accommodations, and art exhibits too.       For a bit of history, I also dropped by the grave of General Nami who fought and won against rebels in the 13 th century of the 7 th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (1455-1468).   Admission Fee: 10,...

Travel Date: April 20-21, 2013     It took time for me to write my trip to Zambales last summer.  Not because I don’t like the place, but I’m just too lazy and busy nowadays.  So here are my reviews of the coves and islands we visited. A summer getaway with friends in a perfect weather and without the comfort of hotel or guest house. Anawangin Cove       Anawangin Cove was our first stop.  It has a beautiful mountain backdrop, crystal clear river, and what makes it unique are the Agoho trees surrounding the area.  A favorite camping site among travelers because of proximity from Pundaquit.  Also, the boat transfer is much cheaper.  Although, I was disappointed to see littered items and animal waste along the beach.      After we explored Anawangin Cove for a couple of hours, we moved to Nagsasa Cove where we pitched our tent for the night.  It was hot like hell, but the first time camping exp...

Front beach of Green Views Resort      Palawan never ceases to amaze me of its many gorgeous beaches, lush green forest, and beautiful limestone formations.  I fell in love with it the first time I visited Puerto Princesa.  And finally, I’m back to this island to explore El Nido.      El Nido is undeniably romantic with its sleepy small town, front beach resorts and restaurants, white sand beaches, amazing landscapes, and beautiful sunset.      We booked our accommodation in Green Views Resort .  Though located in Corong-Corong, the resort’s simple nipa hut cottages with a front beach overlooking the Bacuit Bay offer a feeling of tranquility.  It is away from the noisy bars of El Nido town.      The nicest part is their beachfront restaurant.  While having a meal, you can enjoy the view of the beach.  Staffs are very accommodating too.      El Nido has many bea...