Tag: Outdoors
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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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Chicago on Two Wheels: Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour
On a crisp Saturday morning in Chicago, I join a biking tour led by Bobby’s Bike Hike. Having explored the central part of Chicago, I want to see the relatively less explored parts of the city, so I join the Lakeside Neighborhoods Bike Tour. After some orientation on bike safety and so, I emerge from…
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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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Pokhara: Post-Trek Chilling
The next morning, instead of hiking back to Nayapul, we ride a jeep instead. It takes an hour to get to where we started five days ago, and another hour to get to Pokhara. Pokhara is a lakeside city that has great views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges on a good day. It’s also…
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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…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 2
After breakfast the next day, we start with the next part of the trek. We leave the road behind and traverse a trail that takes us through a forest and some mountain villages, occasionally passing by fellow trekkers and young Nepalis coming from the Holi celebration in a nearby town (I’m assuming Ghorepani). The good…
The Tourist Gaze 