A Unique Tokyo Cultural Experience at Kagurazaka O-edo Street Tour

I realize I haven’t seen festivals as much as I wanted to,especially during some of my longer trips outside the country. For this trip to Japan, I have more than enough time to spare a day or two to attend some local events, and what a perfect timing that on my seven-day stay in Tokyo, there was a small event that I could go to. I wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t done some last-minute research before I left the country so it really pays to do a quick google search, don’t you agree?

3 Days (or More) in Tokyo for Frugal First Timers

I used to daydream about Tokyo, especially during my teenage years. I even went as far as announcing to all my classmates that I was going to Japan after graduation. I am true to my word, I made this happen… 10 years after. Back then, my interests were mainly focused on anime shows and gadgets. I enjoyed watching travel shows about Japan, but didn’t really appreciate the deeper roots of its culture. Years have passed and I can say I have matured (a little, yes) especially with my attitude towards traveling. Despite that, the need to see Tokyo didn’t fade one bit, so I finally got myself flight tickets to Japan! I based myself in the capital of the country for six more days, three of those spent seeing the highlights of the big metropolis that is Tokyo.

Jampacked Day of Fascinating Sights in Tainan

I always enjoy strolling around small heritage cities, that’s why when asked about travel suggestions, I always mention places like Gyeongju in South Korea, Pingyao in China, Melacca in Malaysia and of course, Vigan in the Philippines. So it was a must for me to go to Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city.

Located southwest of Taiwan, Tainan is a well-known destination for its temples and ancient buildings that has been a witness to almost 200 years of history. What makes it attractive to travelers like me is its rich culture that can be observed through the colonial buildings scattered around the city and its variety of snacks and street food.

Good morning from Tainan!

Two Days of Art and Flower Power in Taichung

My main objective in Taichung was to see the amazing sea of flowers at Xinshe Flower Festival, it’s also the most convenient gateway for travelers going to Sun Moon Lake or Alishan, but not knowing much about this city didn’t stop me to see what it has to offer. Taichung is pretty laid back, yet packed with interesting things to see that I really wasn’t able to cover much during my two-day stay.

Downtown Taichung by night

Xinshe Flower Festival in Taichung, Taiwan

When I booked this trip to Taiwan, I just set it at around November because I thought it will be cold by then. I was surprised that I’d be able to catch a festival during my travel dates (I probably ought to look up different events in the country I want to visit, and then book along those dates next time). Anyway,I happened to know I’ll be just in time for the Xinshe Flower Festival in Taichung. I have never really heard of this city prior to coming to Taiwan, but as I browsed through the pictures I made it a point to visit, and I can say that this has been one of the highlights of my 16-day stay in the country. 

Masskara Festival, Color and Smiles All Around

I don’t know what got into me when I booked this solo trip to Bacolod for Masskara Festival of 2011. Maybe it was the rampant advertisement of cheap airfares that made me hit that ‘Book Now’ button. Maybe it was craving to see more festivals after just experiencing the Pahiyas Festival of Quezon the same year and that pushed me to see at least one more before the year ended. Or maybe it was the plain feeling of wanderlust, the need to see and experience more and escape for a while from the pollution of the city and stress from work.

Holy Week Penitence and Crucifixions in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga

Spending the Holy Week in the Philippines can be a colorful and almost as festive as the major holidays in the country. Lenten traditions that have been passed from different generations are still practiced, making this season not just religious but culturally relevant as well. One province in the Philippines that surely has an interesting Easter tradition is Pampanga. It annually gathers thousands of local and foreign tourists for an event that literally shows true Filipino sacrifice and "blood". This is a famous sacred practice in the country that is mentioned in almost every travel guide about the Philippines.

#Throwback: Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon

It was my first summer of being a "corporate slave" last May of 2011 and I was itching to go somewhere. After my first solo out of town trip to witness a passion play of Jesus' crucifixion at San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga, I was psyched to do more solo explorations. Being a loyal lurker at Pinoyexchange forums, I joined a big group of travelers who were planning to head there for a day trip. Since there were almost fifteen joiners of the tour, it turned out I will only need to shell out less than 350 pesos for round trip transportation from Manila to Lucban. There was no way in hell that I could turn down this opportunity.

Welcome to Pahiyas... 2011! (Time travel? lol)

Baguio City's Panagbenga 2013 Photoblog

I am a big fan of festivals, it shows a lot about the culture of the place and how much effort locals exert to keep it alive. One of those festivals that I have been meaning to see ever since I was a kid was Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival which is being held every February. Good timing that my high school friend invited me to join her friends to experience this one of a kind tradition.

Panagbenga or in English, Flower Festival, is Baguo city's month-long annual festival that features the beautiful flowers being harvested at the Summer capital of the Philippines. The famous point of the festival is during the third weekend of the month wherein there is a street dance and float parade. Both parades are being accompanied by marching bands that plays lively tunes and different sets of colorful costumes and lively dance numbers from the participants. The festival is also being broadcasted on a local channel for those who don't want to exert effort on going to Session Road.

Panagbenga 2013!

Busan Fireworks Festival – Day 9 in South Korea

Welcoming the New Year with a new post. Hoping you had a very nice NY celebration yourself, and with or without any new year resolution, I hope this year, we exert more “-ER”s in what we do and aim to achieve, hardER, bettER, fastER and strongER!

This post is a continuation from our Busan tour with our Couchsurfing host and is also bit connected with New Year’s celebration as I will be featuring the fireworks display at the Busan Fireworks Festival 2012.

The fireworks show was originally planned to be held last October 27 but due to the heavy rain that day, it was postponed and re-scheduled the next day. The entire festival lasted for two days, the first day, Oct 26, featured a free concert with famous K-Pop artists - TVXQ and IU to name a few. The fireworks display is held at the Gwanggali Beach and has attracted not just Koreans, but lots of foreigners as well. Just like us, there were some tourists who visited Busan on the 26-28th to experience this festival and it also has been a tradition to the people of Busan ever since it started last 2005. The event is free for all – meaning no admission fee ;) More reasons to experience this famous festival.

Gwangan Bridge at dusk