A walk in and around Daet, capital of Camarines Norte, is a stroll through history, a heritage mini-tour. There are historical churches, museums, landmarks and monuments to the past.
“My personal favorite destination is not really a secret one because it’s quite well-known. It’s the good old Miniloc Resort of El Nido because it’s what I would consider almost perfect. You live in a water cottage or a room by the beach. There’s a cove in front of you where you have a white sand beach and the bottom slopes gradually—perfect for swimming. Then at the edge of the resort’s wooden jetty, you can snorkel with jacks. Now how many places in the world can you have such things literally in front of your cottage? Then of course, there are other options beyond the resort. There’s kayaking, cave exploration, snorkeling, and diving. Also, when you cruise around the nearby islands, everything is still pristine. You barely see any human habitation or bare patches. Your banca just skims over clear water that changes from turquoise to mineral water-clear. A sea breeze blows in your face and you pass island after island, each with its own small, beautiful cove. Really, how good does it get?
About six years ago, I wrote a piece on Puerto Galera. I was in love with a French intern in Tabinay, and my article was peppered with lines like “a sea as blue as Paul Newman’s eyes,” and dreamy voyaging and sap and wanderlust.
AirAsia, the country’s newest low cost carrier, further heats up competition in the local airline industry with its “red hot” all-in promo fare of only P799 one-way for Clark-Kalibo (Boracay) and Clark-Puerto Princesa (Palawan) routes.
Imagine trekking along 14 kilometers of unspoiled powdery white sand with nothing but the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea and endless rows of lush forests and old coconut trees on both sides.
Fave secret getaway would be our rest house in Pililia, Rizal. It is the only house on a hill, and is not publicly accessible. It can be a place for solitude or could be a party place with a group of friends or my family.
There must be something in Bohol that draws the best cultural workers to it.
It seems like every year, more and more beachgoers both local and foreign find their way to Boracay, so it is a little unrealistic to expect to find a beach with no people.
The private joke going around Samal Island is that it is home to the biggest brothel in town, with Norma Monfort as its unlikely mama san.
My resolution this year is to see more of my own country. In the past, traveling abroad was the thing to do, with domestic travel reserved for those doing business or visiting their provincial hometowns.
