Travel Archives » Page 2 of 8 » Touched by An Angel

14Aug 2016

Explore the charm of the islands #MyMarianasPH #Blogapalooza

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I love to travel and explore places that I have never been to. I want to get wonderfully lost in the Northern Mariana Islands which has three principal islands : Saipan , Tinian , and Rota.

Coast near Forbidden Island, Saipan. Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan by David Burdick. Some rights reserved.

Coast near Forbidden Island, Saipan. Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan by David Burdick via Flickr . Some rights reserved.

Yes, I want to “Explore the Charm of the Islands” with my sister and two good friends.

Saipan, Northern Marianas by flickr.com/photos/ctsnow/ . Some rights reserved

Bird Island, Saipan, Northern Marianas by flickr.com/photos/ctsnow/ via flickr. Some rights reserved

The tropical climate is similar to my beloved country but there is something to do in the Northern Mariana Islands that I want to strike out on my bucket list .Actually I have two things in my bucket list that I will meet when I visit the Marianas. And what is that?

Bring my sister and two good friends to “explore the charm of the islands” and to visit the latte sites .

House of Taga, Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. by Kevin Dooley. Some rights reserved.

House of Taga, Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. by Kevin Dooley via Flickr. Some rights reserved.

The Mariana Islands are home to “the only known latte stone historical sites in the world. Tinian’s House of Taga and the As Nieves Taga Quarry at Rota, as well as other latte sites on Saipan..” These are priceless symbols of Chamorro culture.

Now that is unique to Northern Mariana Islands .

Cap Taga Stone The island of Rota, CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by Michael Lusk. Some rights reserved.

Cap Taga Stone
The island of Rota, CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) by Michael Lusk via flickr. Some rights reserved.

Wikipedia says “Latte stones have been made of limestone, basalt, or sandstone.” The largest standing latte is the House of Taga in Tinian, where capstones measure between 2.7 – 2.48 meters in diameter and shafts are 3.87 – 4.23 meters long. The Chamorros never completed what would have been the largest latte in the Marianas. Those latte elements remain in the quarry at the As Nieves in Rota. The northern most latte sets or structures are located on the island of Pagan.”

House of Taga, Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands by Kevin Dooley via flickr Some rights reserved.

What is the story behind this latte architecture? I would love to visit these historical sites and know more about this significant icon of the Chamorro people.

Even if I have crossed out the visit to the Latte sites, I will continue to “Explore the charm of the islands”.

There are other charming places to explore in Saipan, Tinian and Rota islands. One charm is the variety of birds. Did you know that the Northern Mariana Islands have a total of 104 bird species, of which one is endemic, one has been introduced by humans and three are rare or accidental? Five species are globally threatened. Next on my list is bird-watching .

The island of Rota, CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). June 2010.
Provides breeding for red-footed boobies, brown boobies and brown noddies. by Michael Lusk via Flickr. Some rights reserved.

Maybe I can spot the Micronesian megapode , a “stocky medium-sized bird that is mostly dark brownish-black in appearance. Its head is paler than its body, and it has a pale grey crest, a yellow bill, and large dull-yellow legs and feet.” I wouldn’t mind hearing its “keek-keer-keet” cackle.

Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse) by Michael Lusk. Some rights reserved.

Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse) taken in the Sariguan , Northern Mariana Islands, by Michael Lusk via flickr. Some rights reserved.

Another charm is the Grotto in Saipan as a unique diving spot with “a collapsed limestone cavern and a pool of cobalt-blue seawater filled by three underwater passageways.” I don’t dive though but I hope to just go near the cave just so I can catch a glimpse of the whitetip sharks,turtles, titan triggerfish, parrotfish, and corals.

The Grotto, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. by Kevin Dooley . Some rights reserved.

The Grotto, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. by Kevin Dooley via flickr. Some rights reserved.

Or explore the charming beaches through a road trip and island hopping adventure. It would be great to explore the Managaha, a white sand beach-fringed island which is just a short boat ride away from Saipan. Or explore other beaches in Tinian Island.

Kammer Beach, SW Tinian,by Stefan Krasowski

While the Marianas is known for its sun and sand, the islands are also known for its history. “The island is now a US territory in the Pacific, as the Americans won it from the Japanese during World War II.” Perhaps we can take a submarine tour and see if we can spot the sunken Japanese warships at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

Micro Beach, Saipan, Northern Marianas by tata_aka_T in flickr. Some rights reserved.

I can envision it now. As the day ends, my friends and I will lie on the sand and watch the dazzling sunset at the Micro Beach. Perhaps, we will be sipping red wine, laughing and telling stories of our silly past. Maybe, we will just be…meditating for being blessed and witnessing this spectacular and colorful sunsets.

The four of us will surely love the adventure as we explore the charm of the islands…. the Northern Mariana Islands.

—-

Blogapalooza in partnership with the Marianas Visitors Authority is celebrating its 5th year anniversary by holding a contest for a free, all-expense paid adventure to the Northern Mariana Islands.

29Jul 2016

Life is short. Make art and let it be seen.

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 2 Comments

Time And health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted. – Denis Waitley

Riding a train on our way to Abbottsford five years ago, I pondered over my vacation to Melbourne. All I could think of at first was how expensive this vacation is. Everything cost more than back home and that is partly because I am staying in a hotel in the central business district. Once I started converting Australian dollars to pesos, I feel like I am splurging when that is not really the case. The standard of living is just high here. But see, life is short fretting on material things that it is actually the time spent with my daughter that is most precious. There is a tendency for human beings to have this infinite capacity for taking things for granted. I don’t want to make that mistake.

I loved spending time with my daughter. She is like me in so many ways. We enjoy the arts, having lazy brunches and just chilling and enjoying the scenery. My daughter wanted to show me graffiti art in Hosier Lane where graffiti is not considered vandalism. Graffiti has long been a part of human history, but it wasn’t until the emergence of hip hop culture that graf began gaining recognition as an art form around the globe.

I like how supportive the City of Melbourne is towards their artists. The artwork decorating the walls near number 1 Hosier Lane and near Misty Place at number 3-5 Hosier Lane have been approved as registered street artwork. There is symbolisms out there for every artwork.

I get into the mind of Banksy , a prolific graffiti artist from Bristol, UK, whose artwork has appeared throughout Bristol, London and other locations around the world to understand graffiti art.

Is graffiti art or vandalism? That word has a lot of negative connotations and it alienates people, so no, I don’t like to use the word ‘art’ at all.

“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re having a piss.”

“People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish. But that’s only if it’s done properly.”

” I never use sketchbooks in the way you imagine a “real” artist does – perched in a terrace cafe with a pencil capturing the essence of their muse. I tried that once when I was on holiday with a girl, but her nose came out so big in the drawing that she never let me touch her again.”

“Bus stops are far more interesting and useful places to have art than in museums. Graffiti has more chance of meaning something or changing stuff than anything indoors. Graffiti has been used to start revolutions, stop wars, and generally is the voice of people who aren’t listened to. Graffiti is one of those few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make somebody smile while they’re having a piss.”

“A lot of people never use their initiative because nobody told them to”.

“Art is not like other culture because its success is not made by its audience. The public fill concert halls and cinemas every day, we read novels by the millions, and buy records by the billions. ‘We the people’ affect the making and quality of most of our culture, but not our art.”

“I like to think I have the guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy and call for things no-one else believes in – like peace and justice and freedom.”

“Writing graffiti is about the most honest way you can be an artist. It takes no money to do it, you don’t need an education to understand it and there’s no admission fee.”

“A lot of people think that scuttling around stencilling images onto buildings in the middle of the night is the action of a sad, frustrated individual who can’t get attention or recognition any other way. They might be right, but I’ve done gallery shows and, if you’ve been hitting on people with all sorts of images in all sorts of places, they’re a real step backwards, painting the streets means becoming an actual part of the city. It’s not a spectator sport.”

“Remember crime against property is not real crime. People look at an oil painting and admire the use of brushstrokes to convey meaning. People look at a graffiti painting and admire the use of a drainpipe to gain access.”

“T.V. has made going to the theatre seem pointless, photography has pretty much killed painting but graffiti has remained gloriously unspoilt by progress.”

I can discern the political nature behind the art. These artists definitely think outside the box. I know I have limitations in my visual literacy but I allowed an open mind to appreciate their work. I believe that to truly appreciate a work of art, we must bring with us nothing from life, no knowledge of its affairs and ideas, no familiarity with its emotions.

Most of the photos attributed to my daughter M, using a Nikon D7000. Some are from my iPhone

08May 2016

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

“Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived a more simple and meagre life than the poor.” Henry David Thoreau

To my dear daughters,

It is Mother’s day today and as you might know, I celebrate it everyday with you even if you are all grown up. Today, I just want to write about the rewards of the simple life.

Let me tell you that about finding ” the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter” to be thrilled by the stars at nights… some of the rewards of the simple life.” Let me tell you about our trip to Batanes.

I could not help but prance around the sloping hills of Racuh-a-Payaman , twirling around and singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music”. Remember how we used to sing that song in the car as we travelled the long and winding road towards Baguio?

Yes, Baguio has a special place in our hearts because it is home to your dad. I could not help singing with the wind as it kept throwing my sun hat away to protect me. I felt the wind was telling me to let go of my fear of the sun’s heat and just feel the cool breeze. I did listen to the sound of the wind as it cools my face during lunch. Want to hear the pounding of the wind that afternoon?

My friends who were with me say it reminded them of the Irish landscape. One felt like crying with the majestic beauty. Another thought “I see God before me”. I was speechless. I thought the picture pretty hills was reminiscent of the English countryside without the Friesian cows and the sheeps grazing the pastures.

I sat down on the grass to get my bearings and just be awed. But your dad wouldn’t allow me to just sit down. You know how I fear heights …but your dad held my hand and said “you are going to regret this”. He dragged me literally to see more than just rolling green hills.

He led me to the tip of the hill where the blueness of the sea kissed the sky. Ever since he learned to use the camera , he kept taking photos of Batanes.

I cannot begin to describe Batanes . Your dad in our article of Batanes “Enhancing the ecological and cultural tourism in Batanes” says:

Despite our preconceptions about the allure of the place, we were still floored by the actual experience of being there. A clear light seems to suffuse the entire province , real life in HD. The drama of the juxtaposition of the landscape and seascape left us gushing and groping for words. We have literally never seen any place like it, although we have done a fair amount of traveling here and abroad

I am not as eloquent as your dad so let me just show you some of the photos he took of me. You know how I am when it comes to photos.

Let me take you to the rugged terrain of Chawa cliffs.

The hedgerows which serves as source of reeds for roofing, protection from soil erosion and firewood. Hedge rows are also proof of the centuries-old practice of Ivatans on appropriate farming technology.

The fishing port in Diura.

The rolling hills in Vayang.

I took this of your dad as he stood beside the Mt. Carmel Chapel that sits in between two bodies of water, the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The sound of the roaring waves of the West Philippine sea from Batanes Resort where we were billeted

This is the video I took of the resort:

Rock formations in Alapad Hills, the scene of the movie of Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (I Will Wait for You in Heaven) with Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta

I took a video while waiting for your dad as he ventured to the steeper side of Alapad.

The super moon that peeked out just before sunset at the Basco Lighthouse

The Ivatan art inspired by the beauty of Batanes.

But more than the majestic beauty of Batanes are the people themselves. You might find beautiful beaches, picturesque mountains, hills and hedgerows in other countries but Batanes is more than a pretty scene.

What makes Batanes endearing to me is the attitude and culture of the Ivatans, the natives of Batanes.

Ivatans are hardy and resilient, attuned to the vagaries of a temperamental climate. They have a strong sense of community. Neighbors look out for each other and every person is either an auntie, uncle or cousin. Bartering is still prevalent. The often-idealized concept of ““bayanihan” is actually alive and well in Batanes.

The pervading culture of Batanes “dictates that it is a privilege to help and be helped, and almost an insult to receive payment.” Isn’t that something to emulate and pass on to our children?

This Honesty Cafe store was started by Aling Elena Gabilo, a retired Math teacher for 40 years. She wanted to provide refreshments to the locals and travelers in the area. Anybody who enters the cafe can get food and drinks and drop whatever payment they feel like in a basket.

Aling Elena does not mind if the customers don’t pay or not. Her ultimate profit is the chance “to awaken her customers’ consciousness to honesty and responsibility and to teach them to live these lessons in the other areas of their lives.”

There is much to learn from the day-to-day experiences and resiliency of the people of Batanes. Life is about helping others and sharing their lives with one another. Rose Belmonte says it best about life in Batanes.

“Life that is lived fully will lead us to knowing who we are and becoming what we are made to be. Giving starts with one person. It starts with one home. One woman prepares food with love. One man takes pride in his labor. One traveler pays the right amount. One child learns to share. A neighbor gives unconditional assistance. Everybody does the same. And we get blessed with a community called Batan in an island simply known as Batanes.”

As your dad and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary in Batanes, I am convinced there is a certain majesty in simplicity. I realized that it is much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art.

As Richard Holloway says. ““Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy as they are also the marks of great art. They seem to be the purpose of God for his whole creation.”

I hope we can travel together to Batanes and explore it more. Most of all, I hope you can see how simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.

Love,
Mom (and dad)

15Apr 2016

Top 10 highlights of my visit to the Huawei campus at Shenzen, China

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

When I think of Huawei, I remember my first portable modem wifi in 2010, the Huawei E585. For the past three years, my Smart LTE pocket WIFI has seen better days but serves me well in getting connected to the world with the help of my two telcos and other gadgets.

My next encounter with Huawei was during a launch of Globe’s rollout of its biggest network modernization program with the help of Huawei in 2011, that pretty much boosted its network quality . That launch broadened my knowledge that Huawei is not just a manufacturer of portable Wifis. Still, the image of Huawei imprinted in my mind is geeky and high-tech.

A visit to Huawei Headquarters in Shenzhen, China widened my perspective on its array of products, services and their innovation in building a better connected world .

I was invited to be part of the Philippine media and blogger delegation that toured the Huawei campus and exhibit hall on April 8 . We had an interesting mix of writers from the print and magazine, to lifestyle bloggers, fashion bloggers, and even mom bloggers like myself.

The biggest discovery for me as a mom, is that Huawei offers other products and solutions which are just as practical as my trusty old portable wifi.

Let me share the top ten things that fascinated me during my visit to the Huawei campus which by the way is huge and even bigger than the Ateneo de Manila Campus.

1. The wearable devices including the Huawei Watch

The line-up of wearable device is fascinating. Who would have thought that Huawei would come out with something so pretty for the ladies? Huawei included 10 feminine-designed watch faces available on the Jewel and Elegant. There is the fitness tracker , of course.

I am looking forward to the smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid, the Huawei TalkBand B3. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this at the Shenzhen showcase.

2. Huawei smartphones

The first time I heard of a Huawei smartphone was from a fellow tech blogger. I wanted to know more of smartphones that are not Apple or Samsung. My blogger friend told me the camera takes great photos. I didn’t believe him since I always associated Huawei with high-tech solutions. I am looking forward to the new Huawei P9 Dual-Lens designed in partnership with German camera producer Leica.

Another tidbit I learned is that Huawei is now in the top three in smartphone sales. Huawei is the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world at the moment.

Huawei has made a “bold prediction, saying it plans to surpass Apple as the second-biggest smartphone player in the world in three years.”

3. The 4.5G, Next Step Toward Mobile Broadband (MBB) 2020

Our children and even young at hearts (like myself) are fascinated with virtual reality which by the way, need fast internet connection. A great number of 4.5G networks will be under construction in 2016, making 1Gbps a new benchmark rate for mobile broadband networks.

Huawei will continue to help telecom operators construct ultra-broadband (UBB) mobile networks to expand their business opportunities and to build a fully connected world.

4. Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices

With an increasing rise of Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices, I will soon use my smartphone to check on the person ringing my doorbell.

“Huawei will leverage multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) to boost mobile coverage to “4.5G” prior to the introduction of 5G, in addition to attaining gigabit-speed fixed broadband through DOCSIS 3.1 and 10 GPON.”

5. Ultra-broadband (UBB) 2020

I am only aware of broadband so what is ultra-broadband? Huawei released its UBB 2020 vision which “intends to drive and lead the connectivity development goals in UBB the world over. The basis for realizing UBB 2020 is providing ultra broadband connectivity over all media. ” This is what Gigaband mean .

6. Mixing the old and new

Telephone booths are a thing of the past but there is no reason to discard these booths. One innovative approach is to convert these booths into a wifi hotspot. See that contraption at the top of the booth. That is the wifi hotspot.

7. Safe city solution

Mothers always want their community to be safe for their children. Who does not want to live in a safe city? Yes, we have Close Circuit TVs (CCTVs) but these are not efficient especially if no one is even monitoring it. Watching a demo of the Safe City solution offered possibilities for incident prevention, emergency response, and evidence collection.

Seated at the command center, it was like being there at the scene, as events unfolded in catching the suspect before the crime occurred.

Huawei’s Safe City Solution offers “cutting-edge E2E security with ubiquitous network access, a convergent command center, video surveillance cloud, and mobile policing.” It uses the same network of connected devices, or Internet of Things (IOT), to afford governments new tools to improve public services such as crime-fighting, and to keep an eye on what is going on.

Perhaps, our government can explore this essential yet innovative technology to ensure a smarter and safer city.

8. eLTE to provide voice and video dispatching,

How useful this is for our disaster-prone country! LTE broadband trunking solution “provide voice and video dispatching, which greatly increases emergency centers’ efficiency.”

9. Video conferencing

This video conferencing in a large conference room is simply amazing , made possible with Huawei’s cinematic-quality HD multimedia MAX PRESENCE system. It makes use of “Huawei 3-in-1 panoramic cameras and patented image-splicing technology enable 10 x 70-inch HD displays to be combined into 1 ultra-wide display with superior Depth of Field (DoF) for cinema-quality, fully immersive experience.” This is quite useful for those with regional offices that require frequent meetings.

With over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, the telemedicine solution needs to be established to make “care-at-a-distance a reality and extends the reach of quality healthcare to remote locations with remote expert consultation, remote medical education, and remote monitoring”

10. Research and development comprise 45% of their total workforce worldwide

Joe Kelly, Vice President for International Media Affairs told us that Huawei has over 70,000 product and solution R&D employees, comprising more than 45% of their total workforce worldwide. It is in their value proposition that “Huawei continuously innovates to meet customer needs and advance our technological leadership.”

This building is devoted to research and development. Every company should devote resources to R&D. “Huawei’s R&D investment is comparable to Google, who spends 15%, while Facebook and Qualcomm spends even more, these two companies invest 22% and 21% in R&D, respectively.” The company is in the right path seeing that their biggest investment is into R&D.

Huawei released its latest wireless base station, GigaRadio, which sets a new benchmark for network construction with Gbps peak rate.

It is this cutting-edge technology that is changing the way families will soon conduct their lives and connect with the world around them. If only our internet is stable and consistent, then the possibilities of connecting our islands will bring us progress. In 2020, I hope to look back at this post and say “this really happened”. Wow.

03Aug 2015

PAL Junior Jetsetter kits in long-haul flights feature SpongeBob SquarePants #TravelPal

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I had so much fun at the #TravelPal Travel bug quiz night . Though my team did not win any prize, I actually won the twitter contest with my tweet on my favorite destination which is San Francisco . I love that city because two sisters live there. I left my heart in San Francisco, indeed. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the airline I actually take since it is a non-stop destination which is very convenient and less travel time. It is great that PAL are now engaging bloggers and not just travel bloggers. It was great to be recognized as a blogger who travels who is just as relevant as travel bloggers. Thank you PAL.

Speaking of those long-haul flights, moms will be delighted to know that PAL is bringing in SpongeBob SquarePants – one of the world’s most popular animated figures – to banner its Junior Jetsetter kits this year.

Now kids won’t get restless while waiting for the plane to arrive. The use of tablets can cause strain for long periods of time so it is good to have an alternative activity. The wholesome yellow sea sponge and his band of quirky friends from the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom bring their whimsical brand of humor to delight kids onboard PAL long-haul flights via the Junior Jetsetter activity kits.

Children from 2 to 11 years old will be provided these kits to keep them engaged and entertained on lengthy flights of at least eight hours.

These include PAL services between Manila and North America (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto); Oceania (Honolulu); Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane); the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam); and Europe (London).

The kits come in two variants, and both contain a set of basic items – activity book, crayons, collapsible water bottle, and dental set of tooth brush and tooth paste – all packed in a colorful, easy-to-carry bag.

But what will really kindle the kids’ imagination are creative items such as the 3D activity set with a pair of 3D glasses that allows them to watch SpongeBob come to life. There’s also the “fotobusta” puzzle game which comes with a magnifying glass to zoom in on hidden objects.

Ingenuity is further encouraged by the static cling sticker board where kids can conjure up scenes using reuseable and removable stickers. Finally, a coloring puzzle picture frame lets them make a keepsake of their in-flight creations.

The new kits started appearing onboard PAL long-haul flights on May 2015.

Those long-haul flights with kids will be less hassle for parents with these delightful new Junior Jetsetter kits.

14Jul 2015

Six things I enjoyed during my visit to Puerto Princessa, Palawan

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

“I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm.” –Anonymous

Working by the beach makes me happy. There is just something magical at the beach. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. It is as if I live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun. The beach is probably the only place children actually entertain themselves without parents having to think of million ways to distract them.

I am glad my mobile office can take me anywhere so I was so overjoyed upon receiving an invitation to cover the annual Baragatan Festival in Palawan. Though I’ve visited El Nido and Flower Island in Palawan, I’ve never been to Puerto Princessa. Three days in Puerto Princessa was just too short yet I had the time of my life. Let me show you the ways I enjoyed my short visit:

1. Hotel Hopping

Puerto Pension, Dalayon Beach Resort and Azizan Paradise Hotel in three days.

Enjoying the view of the bay from Puerto Pension

Enjoying the fantastic view of the bay from Puerto Pension

I feel very comfortable and relaxed in each of the hotel I stayed in.

Daluyon Resort- The perfect resort for a quiet getaway

Sabang Beach is so peaceful and I found myself relaxing at the lounge chair by the beachfront. This resort is the perfect jump-off point if you plan to tour the underground river.

Relaxation and recreation at theAziza Paradise Hotel

2. Enjoying the food

Ka Lui struck me most because my son’s nickname is “Lui”. From the outside, Ka Lui looks like a small bahay-kubo. Inside the kubo unfolds —rustic ambiance; beautiful art works and great food. I felt like eating inside an art gallery.

I love fish cooked in coconut milk.

There is Palawan Beer , branded as Ayahay Craft beer. “Ayahay” means relaxed and it is so aptly named . Enjoy Palawan, enjoy a bottle and relax… “Ayahay”!

Palawan beer

3. Baragatan Festival

As part of the World’s Best Island campaign, Palawan celebrated a grander festivity this year for its annual Baragatan Festival.

Baragatan sa Palawan 2015

From the Cuyuno word “bagat,” (which means convergence of people), it is the most festive time in the province with various municipalities bringing their songs, dances and music and present all these aspects of life through cultural presentation, trade shows, exhibitions, float parade and street dancing.

There were many things to do at the trade fair, sampling the local delicacies, and admiring the native handicrafts. Baragatan sa Palawan is celebrated every third week of June. “Colorful floats, dynamic dance troupes, and angelic voices usher guests and locals to a festive week ahead. After the grand opening, numerous activities are also lined up to ensure that everyone is going to have a good time. Concerts at the park, photo contests, sports tournaments, quiz bees, beauty pageants, and other fun activities are set to fill the air with a pleasant mood all around.”

Baragatan festival

4. Underground river tour

Touring Palawan is never complete without an Underground River adventure. The boatman who acted as our tour guide were very entertaining and provided detailed information on the stalactites and stalagmites.

Since it was so dark inside the cave, I could barely take photos but trust me, it felt like being inside a museum of natural art.

Underground river is a must see experience!

5. The glorious beach

Each one of us looks at the sea differently. For me, the sea represents my roots. Appreciating its beauty, breadth and power is appreciating my existence, who I am and why I am here. Like the ocean, all of us are connected and interdependent yet each person is significant in its existence.

Even John F. Kennedy felt tied to the ocean. “And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came… ”

6. The culture and heritage

Did you know that in this present day and age, a small group of prehistoric people still exist in a remote valley in Palawan? They are referred to as “Taong Bato.” . No, I was not able to meet a “Taong Bato” but the stories by the Palawan Tourism Office were so mesmerizing. The roots of this particular tribe , as shown on the photo below, came from the Dutch who got caught in a shipwreck in the 1800 and lived and intermarried with the taong bato. One needs to be invited by the Chief of the tribe . I was told that their Chief owns a cellphone , provided by the Local Government Unit (LGU) for easy communication.

The three day visit to Palawan is just a preview of a longer vacation with my husband and my other family members. I hope you will join me, too.

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” –Anonymous

08May 2015

The rustic beauty of Anda, Bohol #VisitPhilippines2015

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

A wise traveler never despises his own country. – William Hazlitt

As Lawrence Durrell once said “Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection.” Going around Europe for the past three weeks made me reflect about my country. How do foreigners view our country? While I gasped at castles, grand old Baroque architecture, cobble stones and lakes, I thought of how tourists will be amazed at our wonderful beaches . Will they gasp as I did when I marveled at their touristy spots?

While Boracay , Palawan , Cebu and other beach locations have their own peculiarities, my eyes just feasted on Anda’s natural beauty. Fine , white sand , just like Boracay’s sand. This is the place to be today.

Anda is located 100 kilometers from Bohol’s capital Tagbilaran City. I cannot describe Anda well enough. Beautiful . Rustic. Calm. Natural. Rogelio Deligero describes his hometown as ” a peninsula composed of dense forests, agricultural haven, greenish mangrove plantations and above all, the white sand beaches surrounded by gigantic limestone formations and green crystal clear water.”

Anda is not just a place to frolic on the beach. Tourists from Europe skip Manila just to dive here and to marvel the diversity and abundance of Anda’s marine life. I am told diving in Anda, Bohol is simply astounding.

Photo via andabohol.gov.phI spotted some Germans with their diving gear and ran up to them and asked how they knew of Anda. They all said “word of mouth…a friend of a friend” who then introduced them to a local. You can check out the accommodations in Anda and how to get there.

Amun Ini resort , in their website asks “What is it like to dive Anda, Bohol?” Imagine:

When you first arrive to dive Anda Bohol, the dive team may ask which would you like to see first? Is it the group of Pygmy seahorses that live on a huge gorgonian 25 meters down a pristine wall, or is it the flamboyant cuttlefish and blue ring octopus that you would rather see at one of our macro sites?” The diversity and abundance of marine life when you dive Anda Bohol is simply astounding. The topside of each wall dive is full of healthy soft and hard coral where turtles can be seen passing by as well as a plethora of diverse nudibranchs. Over the crest of the wall is a vivid colored reef filled with diverse shrimp and crab as well as many types of fish.Besides our wall dives we are well known for our macro sites. Get your cameras ready because what these sandy areas lack in reef they make up for with pipefish, seahorse, mantis shrimp as well as a large array of octopus, wonderpus and other rare benthic critters which can be spotted regularly. It’s truly a macro photographer’s paradise.

It is a pity that the national government has yet to pave some of the roads in Anda which will give more access to the other scenic places. Anda needs all the support in order to achieve their Tourism Development Vision and Mission for their eco-cultural tourism development.

In other news, no less than Gov. Edgar Chatto and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnel Yap II are strengthening its position as a top tourist destination starting with the month-long Sandugo Festival.

The Sandugo Festival, which kicked off in July 1, is a month-long cultural celebration based on the historic blood compact between Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and local chieftain Datu Sikatuna. The blood compact is the first-ever recorded international treaty of friendship extended to a foreign country by what is now the Republic of the Philippines.

Chatto said this year is only the beginning of revitalized Sandugo festivities as the province gears up to attract both local and international market.

“Bohol is an eco-cultural destination and many people come here to visit our natural sites and beautiful churches. But we also want to highlight the fact that Bohol played an important role in Philippine history as the first province to ever engage in foreign diplomatic relations,” he said. Sandugo, the first peace pact entered into with Spain, led to improved diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Spain.

Such an activity attracts both local and international tourists who enjoy festivities that depict historical events and the beaches as well. Bohol is the best place to be today.

Photos of Sandugo Festival winners:

those in yellow top with a green skirt is Holy Name University is 2nd runner up;

the ones with a green top with yellow and orange pants is 1st place from the Municipality of Balilihan

(photos by: Mr. Bing Luspo and Mr. Reno Flores)

02Sep 2014

Spotting a rainbow in Vienna

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 1 Comment

“Somewhere over the Rainbow,
way up high
There’s a land that I heard of,
once in a lullaby.
…Birds fly over the Rainbow,
why then, oh why can’t I?”
-lyrics: “Over the Rainbow”, from “Wizard of Oz”

What do you do when a rainbow graces its presence upon you? Well, my first instinct was to take a panoramic photo.

It was amazing to spot this rainbow while strolling one rainy afternoon in Vienna. The last rainbow photo I took was when I was with my daughter in Tasmania. I believe rainbows mean blessings. “A Rainbow is one of the most beautiful artistic creations that Nature herself can paint for us. When we are given the opportunity to view a Rainbow we become mesmerized and enchanted by the breathtaking Beauty which appears in the untouchable distance; a Beauty which comes to us directly from the paintbrush of Divinity.”

Hmm, but what’s the deeper message and meaning of rainbows in my life? Let me count the ways .

Is it time to take a fresh look at the opportunities available to my family ? For sure, we spent time together in this first family vacation since 2002.

There will always be windows of opportunities.

It is preparing to move into a new light, seek adventure, and see things with a new perspective.

My husband and I have crossed over from one phase of life to an empty nest.

What kind of promises have we made in this family vacation and have we honored those promises?

My husband and I agreed to be patient with each other and not to lose our cool . “Let’s just enjoy as this is a rare occasion to be together”, I reminded my husband. We are now halfway in our vacation and I think we are doing quite well. No bad tempers so far.

The rainbow is recognized as a symbol of unity in diversity of action. Family members may have different tastes in sight seeing tours but we all agree that the museum is one of the best places to visit.

We definitely appreciate the architecture.

And having coffee .

Walking till our feet get tired.

and enjoying the food.

while helping each other navigate so we don’t get lost in Vienna.

“Rainbows bring the promise that the troubles of today will surely come to pass, hold strong in your faith and vision and the rainbow will bring fresh beginnings, and new prosperity. ” Soon, we will be back in the Philippines and face reality of our jobs, the corrupt government and an inefficient transport system .

The symbol of the rainbow “has such a powerful meaning to each of us and graciously bestows the energy of blessings.” It “intuitively tells us to hold onto hope, to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that sacred blessings are open to us when we are following our hearts desire.”

Beholding a rainbow is a gift, and when we are faced with their beauty, it is the perfect time to be full of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives.

31Aug 2014

Salzburg and The Sound of Music

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 1 Comment

If you were to ask me about my favorite place in Europe, well it has to be Salzburg. Austria was not one of the countries I traveled 30 years ago and I am glad my daughter made arrangements for Salzburg. Knowing the Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg, I knew I just had to visit these places that were part of the film.

“The hills are alive with the sound of music…” is so much a part of my childhood memories ever since I first saw the “Sound of Music” movie in 1966. I was nine years old watching a movie for the first time. The movie fascinated me simply because I came from a family of seven siblings where music played a huge part of my childhood. Years later as a mother, I often played the soundtrack as we drove the hilly road to Baguio. My two girls also loved this timeless classic.

From the time I arrived at Motel One Salzburg Mirabell, I fell in love with this city. What a spectacular view of Salzach River. As I lulled myself to sleep that night, all I could see were the city lights, and cars passing through the bridge. The next day, my husband took a short walk by the river with cyclists in the bicycle path. I was excited to visit the Mirabell Palace and Gardens where part of the Do-re-mi song was sung. My daughter insisted that we visit the gardens before the tourists arrive.

The walk to Mirabell gardens was spectacular. I don’t know how else to describe it.

True enough, we arrived at the gate and got a photo op right by the Do Re Mi steps.

Behind it is a unicorn.

The gardens were just so lovely.

This is the spot where the children turned around the Pegasus Fountain. Of course , I had to stand by there and feel the moment.

It was quite 15 minute walk to the Mirabell garden and I did not want to get tired. Here we are at our favorite spot, the bench and just enjoying the sunny , yet cool weather and the landscape. Today Mirabell Palace houses the offices of Salzburg’s mayor and the municipal council.

There are lot to see in the Mirabell palace grounds. There is a central fountain, Dwarf garden, the Green Archway, Statues of the 17th Century fencers.

The locations where the Sound of Music was shot are all over Salzburg so getting the Hop on Hop Off tour was an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful ride with the breathtaking view of the city.

The Hop on Hop Off City Tour is only 16 Euros. You may also check out other Sound of Music tours. Their coaches offer headsets for every seat and give you an informative commentary available in 7 languages. The 12 hop on hop off stops allowed me to get on and off as often as I wanted to.

By the afternoon, tourists soon arrive . It was a good thing that as early birds, we got good shots.

We hopped off at the Schloss Leopoldskron. This is the façade facing the lake that represented the von Trapp residence. The lake looked beautiful in this clear sunny day that even the clouds’s reflection is seen on the waters.

The next stop I chose was the Schloss Hellbrun where the Sound of Music pavilion is now located.

If you grew up with the Sound of Music, one of the most famous and romantic scenes was filmed in this pavilion: ‘I am 16 going on 17’

There is a signage by the gate. It says that the pavilion was “used in 1964 in a scene in the film ‘The Sound of Music’…

The pavilion was presented to the city of Salzburg as a gift at the end of the filming. In 1991, the city council decided to restore the pavilion and to show it publicly in the Hellbrunn Palace Park.

This is not the original location of the pavilion as filmed in the Sound of Music.

There other sights that I got to pass by like the Frohnburg Palace where the courtyard and main front were used as a backdrop.

I just had to share this moment with my siblings with a postcard. It’s been more than 49 years and still the music is cherished by the old and young generation. The Sound of Music soundtrack will always be a childhood comfort.

27Aug 2014

Bratislava post socialist city tour

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Bratislava is such a quiet city compared to Prague. I was looking forward to the post socialist city tour booked by my daughter from authenticslovakia.com .

The Funky retro tour was meant to visit the off-the-beaten-track places of communist past and recent transformation in Bratislava. First a view of the city, the Danube River and Hotel Bork.

Our tour guide took us to see concrete housing estate area, soviet monument Slavín, abandoned factories, riverside developments, bunker line from 1938 and loads of socialist architecture.

Walking around the largest cemetery for Soviet solders under the tall Slavín monument . The monument is dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who fell during Second World War while liberating the city. Almost 7,000 soldiers are buried here.

We got to explore a transforming textile factory.

A beer garden for some snacks.

I loved how we drove across the unique Iron Curtain zone at the edge of Bratislava with the line of bunkers from 1938. This was also the border of Austria to the right and Slovakia to the left.

At the edge of Bratislava, bunkers from 1938 are found here. In fact, these bunkers are now turned into muserums. After the Second World War and during socialism the bunkers were used for protection of national borders against “intruders of the peace in the state.“

We were not allowed to take photos inside the bunker but we got to see all the firearms inside, the sleeping quarters and how it was like to live inside. Taking this non-traditional tour is something you should definitely take when visiting Bratislava. After the tour, my husband and I rested at our hotel and explored the city a few hours later.