RSSJan|29|2011
Tasty Treats in Peru
Posted by as Around The World, Destinations, Food and Drink, Nature, Travelogger
If you’ve chosen Peru to visit for your next holiday, you definitely have some taste in traveling – Peru has been a very popular tourist location for quite a while, and having so much to offer to its visitors, many of them keep coming back for more each year. If you’re visiting Peru, we surely don’t have to start listing the large number of places you can go to and things you can see – if you’ve planned your trip well enough, this shouldn’t be necessary as you’re probably already neck-deep in your list for sightseeing.
If you’re looking to grab something to eat while in Peru though, this can be somewhat tricky depending on your particular location. Some towns have very good places for eating all around, while in other towns you’ll have to look around for quite a bit before you’ve been able …
Oct|10|2010
If I Were to Eat, Pray, Love…
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Around The World, Arts & Culture, Books, Destinations, Features, Travelogger
Who wouldn’t want to be in Elizabeth Gilbert’s shoes? She got paid to travel to three beautiful countries and write about it! Then again, she did have her fair share of troubles in life, but don’t we all?
The movie has recently been released, though I haven’t seen it yet. I actually do not know if I am going to watch it – reading the book was difficult enough for me. Don’t get me wrong – I did enjoy reading the book, but some parts were just a tad too close to home.
In any case, just like countless other women out there, I have found myself wishing for the same opportunity – to embark on my own Eat, Pray, Love journey. Given that I just might have that chance – albeit …
Apr|18|2010
Travel Challenge: Go Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Travelogger
People travel for different reasons. If someone asks you why you travel, what will you say? Some people travel to get away from the tediousness of their daily lives. They don’t care where they go or what they do, as long as they have a change of scenery. Others travel to pamper themselves – probably something that they do not have the luxury of doing on a daily basis.
Have you ever thought of traveling to challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone? To be honest with you, I have always belonged to the first two groups I described above. When I travel, I want to stay at the most comfortable hotel I can afford. I want to do things that I am not “afraid” of doing. I stay away from …
Apr|04|2010
What Makes You Come Back?
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Getaways, Travelogger
Sunset at the beach
The beach is just “okay.” The sand is not even white – it’s more of a beige-brown color. Neither is it fine. Once you get in the water, the pebbly ground can hurt your feet if they are overly sensitive. The waves are often strong. There is practically no night life to speak ok.
So why do I keep coming back to Tamaraw Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines? My answer is simple: I feel at home there. Every time I lay my …
Mar|21|2010
Ben Thanh Market In Saigon
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Cities, Shopping, Travelogger
At the start of this month, I told you that I would probably be writing mostly about Saigon as I had tons of experiences that I would like to share. I did have a short break yesterday when I wrote about my Mount Pinatubo experience – which is in the Philippines. Let’s go back to neighboring Vietnam, shall we?
One of the attractions of Saigon is the shopping experience. Trust me, even those who normally shy away from shopping will have a blast in Saigon! The most popular shopping destination is Ben Thanh Market. It is located right smack in the center of the city and served as a landmark for me. When I got a little lost, I would always find my way back to this market and rediscover my bearings.
So what does Ben …
Mar|20|2010
Conquering Mount Pinatubo
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Asia, Destinations, Eco-Friendly, Features, Nature, Travelogger
Many Filipinos still remember that fateful day in 1991 when a relatively unknown volcano erupted north of the capital. The eruption caused a lot of damage and killed hundreds of people. Its effects were felt far and wide, even affecting the global climate. Today, this volcano has become a destination for many a tourist.
The fact that it erupted fairly recently and that you can hike right up to the crater is too tempting to resist. Even more so, the sight that greets you at the end of the trek is enough to entice anyone – even those who wouldn’t normally go hiking. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
That’s my first view of the crater. The eruption created this gorgeous lake, the depth of which is currently undetermined. I had seen pictures of this …
Mar|14|2010
Binh Soup Shop, Saigon
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Food and Drink, Historical, Travelogger
Going to Saigon? You will definitely find tons of soup shops around the city. They’re everywhere – and I mean everywhere. From the footpaths to medium sized eateries to classy dining places, they all have pho, the “national food” of Vietnam. My first – and best, I think – taste of real beef pho was at this corner eatery. We got to Saigon after midnight, starving. The shop was right around the corner of the first hotel we went to. Needless to say, it was bliss.
I did have another beef pho experience, and this time, it was more about history than the food. The soup was good, though not exceptional. However, the soup shop – Pho Binh – used to be the secret headquarters of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. …
Mar|11|2010
Accommodations In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh)
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Hotels, Travelogger
Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as more people call it) is full of hotels. Everywhere you look, you will find accommodations. The problem – if you can call it that – is choosing one. You may opt to go the “normal” route and search hotel web sites such as Asiarooms. I tried this before a month before our trip, but ended up undecided. Lucky for me, my friend found two options that were not that expensive.
You see, the countless hotels in Saigon offer good rates – anywhere from USD15 to USD40. The really big names, like Sheraton and Continental, are out of my league. I would have loved to stay at the Sheraton but it was just too much. Anyway, we ended up staying at Blue River Hotel for the first two nights, and then moved to Blue Diamond for the …
Mar|05|2010
Itching To Discover Saigon
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Cities, Destinations, Travelogger
In less than an hour, I shall be on my way to a country that I have never been to before. I have always wanted to visit Vietnam, if only for their food. Friends who have been there have said nothing but nice things as well. And, apparently, this is one place where I can be a millionaire – at least for a day or two. There aren’t many places where the Philippine Peso has a strong purchasing power, and Vietnam is one of them! For a mere PHP10,000, one call himself a Vietnamese millionaire!
So why am I itching to see Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh City – HCMC for short – by the way)? As I said, Vietnamese food is to die for. Fresh spring rolls, the famous pho (noodle soup), …
Feb|16|2010
Some Vacation Photo Tips
Posted by Noemi as Tips, Travelogger
I just got back from a beach trip without my usual companion and I realized one thing: I am a really bad photographer. My camera’s a point and shoot and that is exactly what I do. Just point and shoot. Needless to say, I am looking up tips that can help enhance my meager photography skills. Let me share them with you – for those who are just like me.
Get close and personal. My camera only has 3x optical zoom – maybe that’s why. An expert photographer told me, though, that you should get as close to the subject as possible. And when you can, use your zoom lens. This will make the shot more striking.
Try going black and white or sepia. This is something I played around with two trips …
