Tag: Nature
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Fes to Merzouga: A Scenic Journey Through Ifrane, Midelt & the Ziz Valley
My original itinerary didn’t include a trip to the Sahara Desert. I initially planned to take the train directly from Fes to Marrakesh, thinking I didn’t have the time or budget for a desert excursion. But the owners of the riads I stayed at in Chefchaouen and Fes both suggested an alternative: a Fes-Merzouga-Marrakesh route.…
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Chefchaouen: Weekend Blues at the Rif
From Tangier, I take a bus to Chefchaouen, the famed “Blue Pearl” of Morocco, spending about two hours on the road with a short stop at Tetouan—a city I wish I had time to explore. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Rif Mountains, a striking contrast to the coastal scenery of my previous stops.…
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Bantayan Island: Soothing All the “Sawi” Vibes
It’s been almost a year in the making. Late last year, a plan was hatched between me and my former coworker Diane during a conversation over cups of coffee: we’re going to Bantayan Island. The last time we traveled together was when we hiked Mt. Maculot in early 2017. Many things have changed since then.…
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The Scent of Fall at Honey Hill Orchard
On a weekday afternoon, we find ourselves driving out to Waterman, about 67 miles west of Chicago. We’re with a couple of families strolling around a patch of apple trees. The scent of fall is apparent, as can be seen in the pumpkins lying around. We came here for some apple-picking but realized taking a…
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A Weekend in Wisconsin: Exploring Wisconsin Dells
After more than a week in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, we’re ready to take a go a bit farther and explore Wisconsin a bit. This state north of Illinois has a diverse geography, with its interior featuring forests and farmlands. The latter is immediately visible as we drive the interstate, while the former takes…
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Fun in the Sun in Glan
There has been a change of plans, and I am invited to the wedding after all. So after the weekend in Sarangani, I ride a bus to Davao City on Monday morning. The trip takes a bit more than three hours and reach Davao City just in time for a late lunch. I meet my…
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Alabel: Hello, Sarangani Province
My parents were invited to a wedding in Davao City, so they had this idea of taking a trip afterwards to South Cotabato, where my dad was originally from. And so I tag along, though since I wasn’t invited to the wedding, I go straight to General Santos City, where I will stay for a…
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Danjugan Island: Negros Occidental’s Ecotour Paradise
Danjugan Island, a sliver of island off Negros Occidental, is an ecotourist’s paradise. Protected and maintained by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, the island was first opened opened as an ecotourism site in 2006. Since then, it has become one of the province’s best-kept secrets, drawing not only tourists from Negros island and…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 4
In the morning we are treated to another great panorama of the Annapurna Massif, this time as the sun rises over a bed of rhododendron trees. It’s a magical sight that reminds me more of the Swiss alps than the Himalayas. But that’s just a testament to the range of the Nepali environment. After breakfast,…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 3
Day 3 starts really early. At 4:30, Rawal meets us at the lobby of the inn, and a few minutes later, we begin a 45-minute uphill climb to the Poon Hill west of Ghorepani. The Poon Hill is a hill station that provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna Massif. Being at the lower part…
The Tourist Gaze 