When I was asked to provide a half-body 2x2 photo, it honestly stressed me out. Not only because I couldn’t find anyone willing to take a “half-body photo that fits in 2x2”—but also because I got teased: “How can a half-body shot fit into such a tiny square?”
✨ Visiting Puerto Galera has always been one of my favorite trips from Manila—it’s close, affordable, and offers a perfect mix of beaches, waterfalls, and mountain views. But if you’re a first-timer, figuring out how to get there can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’ve been through the whole process (tricycles, ferries, and even water taxis!)—so here’s a comprehensive, updated guide to help you plan your trip.
✨ The first time I walked into the Calapan City Museum, I didn’t expect much—it’s tucked away inside the New City Hall complex in Brgy. Guinobatan. But what I found was a treasure trove of stories: photographs of leaders who shaped the city, coins and stamps that survived wars, and even a life-sized ossified statue of the tamaraw 🐃—Mindoro’s most iconic creature.
🌟 Must-See Attractions in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
Every city has a heartbeat—and in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, you’ll feel it through its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From heritage museums to nature parks, from a quiet trek to Lamesang Bato 🌄 to the colorful underwater world at Harka Piloto Fish Sanctuary 🐠, Calapan is a place that invites you to pause and explore.
✨ Whether you’re in Calapan City for a quick getaway, a family visit, or as a stopover to other Mindoro destinations, finding the right place to stay is key. What I love most about Calapan is that accommodations here may not all be grand, but they’re full of warmth, local hospitality, and that Mindoreño charm.
Puerto Galera, a gem in Oriental Mindoro, is one of the Philippines’ most loved island getaways. With its white sand beaches, world-class diving spots, and laid-back coastal vibes, it’s no wonder why both local and foreign travelers keep coming back.
✨ Welcome to the Other Side of Ocean Park: Where the Little Things Make a Big Impact
Sure, Ocean Park is known for its adrenaline-pumping rides and wildlife wonders—but the “in-between” moments? They’re often just as memorable.
From cuddly panda encounters (or at least the hope of them!) to quirky food, fun merch, and festive events, these hidden corners added surprise and delight to our visit.
🧭 Welcome to Garden of Joy: A Gentle Pause in the Adventure
After conquering coasters and splash zones, Garden of Joy was a breath of fresh air—literally. Tucked away in a quieter part of Ocean Park, this Zen-inspired garden offered calm paths, traditional architecture, and nature’s gentle touch. 🌿
🌿 Where Wild Meets Wonderful
Tucked between Rainforest and Marine World, Animal Encounters 2.0 is Ocean Park’s newest animal walkthrough experience—redesigned in 2025 with immersive zones, open habitats, and more interaction than ever before.
This isn’t just a zoo exhibit. It feels like walking through a peaceful nature reserve, where animals roam comfortably and guests move quietly and curiously.
🧭 Welcome to the Summit & Transport Zones: Ride with a View, Travel with a Twist!
Sometimes, the ride to the ride is half the fun. That’s exactly what we found at Ocean Park’s Summit and Transport Zones—a collection of unique transportation experiences that turned even the transitions into unforgettable adventures.
While the Waterfront has the pandas and the Summit has the penguins… Thrill Mountain is where the screams echo, hearts race, and gravity-defying rides make you rethink your lunch choices. 😂 If you're an adrenaline junkie—or traveling with one—this is where you brace, scream, and grin like a maniac.
🐼 Amazing Asian Animals – Ocean Park’s Celebration of Asia’s Wildlife & Culture
If you love animals, cultural experiences, and a little bit of nature walk charm, Amazing Asian Animals at Ocean Park Hong Kong is your spot. Located in the Waterfront area, this zone feels like a beautiful mix of mini-zoo, botanical garden, and cultural village.
If you’re looking for a mix of nature, excitement, and immersive wildlife encounters, the Rainforest zone is the hidden gem of Ocean Park. Nestled between Thrill Mountain and Polar Adventure, it’s like stepping into a lush jungle—complete with animal exhibits, dense foliage, and the park’s only river rapids ride. 🌳🌧️🐒
🐳 Marine World – Thrills, Waves & Ocean Wonders at Ocean Park Hong Kong 🌊
Visiting Marine World was like stepping into the heart of Ocean Park’s ocean magic. 🎢🐬 From gliding above the sea on the Cable Car to staring into the mysterious eyes of a hammerhead shark, this zone is where the excitement is as vast as the South China Sea. Whether you’re here for marine life encounters, sky-high rides, or just soaking in the salty breeze, Marine World will keep you busy for hours.
🐠 Welcome to Aqua City: Where the Ocean Comes to Life
If the Summit is where the screams are, then the Waterfront is where the smiles live. 🧒👵 Compared to the thrill rides up top, Ocean Park’s Waterfront is perfect for families with kids, gentle souls, and—let’s be honest—people like me who’d rather skip the terrifying drops and just enjoy cute animals, scenic rides, and playful moments.
Personal Picks & Travel Tips from My Own Adventure
If you’re planning a quick trip to Hong Kong, don’t worry—you can still experience a lot in less than four days. This list covers 17 major attractions, including must-see sights, relaxing escapes, and a little time for pasalubong shopping. If you're lucky enough to have more than four days, even better! But if time is tight, these highlights are well worth squeezing into your itinerary.
If you're visiting Hong Kong and find The Peak Tower a little too crowded for your taste (like we did!), consider walking just a few steps further to The Peak Galleria. Nestled on the same scenic Victoria Peak, this lesser-known gem offers a more relaxed experience — without sacrificing the stunning views.
✨ 1881 Heritage: The Elegant Place I Almost Visited
🚶♀️While walking along Kowloon to get to the harbour for the Symphony of Lights, my friend and I passed by this glowing building wrapped in Christmas lights. It looked grand and elegant — and at that point in the evening, all I really wanted was to sit in a warm restaurant, eat something nice, and take it all in.
When we visited Hong Kong, I made sure that the Clock Tower was on our must-see list—especially after learning that it’s been a declared monument since 1990. It may seem like a small stop compared to the bustling skyline or theme parks, but to me, it symbolized a deeper connection to the city's colonial past.
Ilocos Sur is a province where the past lives on through cobblestone streets, ancestral homes, and centuries-old traditions. Whether you’re a history buff, a culture seeker, or simply someone who loves scenic landscapes, this northern gem offers a well-rounded experience. From strolling down the iconic Calle Crisologo in Vigan to witnessing the craftsmanship behind Abel Iloko textiles and hand-molded pottery, each stop is a glimpse into the soul of Ilocano heritage.
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So I ditched the spreadsheets and joined a group tour instead — and spoiler alert: it was one of the best travel decisions I’ve made.
🏕️ Anawangin & Capones Islands: My First Camping Trip, Real Talk & Tips
When I first visited Anawangin and Capones Islands, I joined a group of mountaineers my work friend knew. I was young, open to adventure, and didn’t think twice—even after being told there would be no phone signal, electricity, or proper toilets. That didn’t bother me at all. I grew up with none of those luxuries, and I could live without them again. The bonus? We had a car—so transporting all our camping gear wasn’t a problem.
Kalibo isn’t just a gateway to Boracay — it’s a hidden foodie town with delicious surprises at every corner. From street-side inasal stalls to cafés with freshly brewed native coffee, there’s always something good simmering nearby.
When I first visited Kalibo, I honestly thought it was just a stopover. But one stroll near the plaza changed my mind — the smell of grilled pork, the sight of pancit steaming from a karinderya, the sound of someone slicing ripe mangoes for halo-halo. I knew I had to stay and eat. (Spoiler alert: I ate too much. No regrets.)
I had no idea that Brunei wasn’t exactly a popular destination. Not because it lacks beauty — it’s clean, peaceful, and quite regal — but because it’s not very tourist-friendly in terms of transportation and accessibility.
🌄 A Quick Guide to Getting Around Sagada
If you're headed to Sagada in Mountain Province, one of the Philippines' most scenic highland towns, you might be wondering—how do I get around once I’m there?
The good news? Sagada may be small and walkable, but it still requires a bit of planning when it comes to transportation, especially if you're visiting major spots like Bomod-ok Falls, Sumaguing Cave, and Marlboro Hills.
🥢 Where to Eat in Brunei: From Hawker Centres to Fine Dining
If you're visiting Brunei and wondering where to eat, you'll be surprised by the variety! From street food and hawker stalls to stylish international restaurants and cozy cafés, Brunei offers something for every kind of foodie. Although I only managed to try a few during my short visit—a local hawker centre, a casual Asian restaurant, and a homey café—I gathered this list to help you explore the local food scene better than I did!
Planning a trip to Brunei? Don’t forget to check their public holidays and national events! While they do celebrate Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year like other countries, Brunei also honors unique Islamic and national observances that can greatly affect your travel plans.
📍 Welcome to Brunei-Muara
Brunei has only four districts: Belait (largest), Tutong, Temburong, and Brunei-Muara (smallest but mightiest). I only visited Brunei-Muara, but don’t be fooled by its size—this is where Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city, is located. It’s the heart of commerce, culture, and politics. 🌆🇧🇳
🌄 Ngong Ping 360: Top Attractions in Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Lantau Island is the largest of Hong Kong’s islands — almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Located just 10km west of Central and stretching 25km in length, it’s home to dramatic peaks, lush greenery, and spiritual retreats. One day is not enough to see it all, but a visit to Ngong Ping 360 gives you a taste of its rich natural and cultural offerings.
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🇵🇭 The Heartbeat of Filipino Culture
As a Filipino, I’ve grown up with a deep love for celebrations. If there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s how to throw a party—and fiestas are the ultimate proof of that!
Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Bacolod or feasting in a sleepy town’s barangay, fiestas are woven into our national identity. They’re colorful, musical, spiritual, and undeniably joyful.
🏖️ My First Time at Laiya — Why I Fell in Love with La Luz
Laiya in San Juan, Batangas has long been one of my favorite beach getaways—especially back when spontaneous weekend trips didn’t break the bank. Its fine white sand (made of crushed shells) makes the shoreline feel soft under your feet, though the water gets rocky and dips unexpectedly.
When we were planning our Ocean Park day, we knew one thing: we needed a hotel that was affordable, close to the park, and convenient enough for our packed itinerary. After hours of comparing options online, we finally booked L’Hotel Island South (now called Nina Hotel Island South)—tucked in Wong Chuk Hang, just minutes away from Ocean Park and the iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant.
There’s something about the beach that makes me feel at peace — the kind that heals the soul and calms the mind. And that’s exactly what Laiya in Batangas does for me. It’s my “home away from home,” a place I return to when you need to reset, unwind, or just bask in the simplicity of sun, sand, and sea.
🚲 The E-Bike Boom in Metro Manila
Due to the pandemic and limited public transport, many commuters like me started looking for alternatives. Depending on your budget, options range from bicycles and scooters to electric bikes (e-bikes).
  Left: The line on our way back to the lower terminus | Right: Us with the Klook tour guide |
📍 Hong Kong Travel Tip | Personal Experience
When I was creating our Hong Kong itinerary, I stumbled upon this online ticketing site called Klook.com. At first, I was skeptical — like most people, I’ve heard horror stories about fake deals and shady travel vouchers. But their prices were just too good to ignore, especially for some of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions.
✨ A New Chapter for a Classic City
If you think you’ve seen Hong Kong, think again. In 2025, the city has taken its iconic energy and turned the volume way up—from reinvented theme park zones and futuristic museums to foodie hotspots that are trending on every travel reel.
✨ Maximize the Magic, One Day at a Time ✨
🏰 Your One-Day Magical Plan Starts Here
When I was planning our Hong Kong trip, I knew one thing for sure—we had to make time for Disneyland, even if we only had one full day. I read countless blogs, compared show schedules, and even mapped out the rides just to make sure we could experience as much of the magic as possible without feeling rushed.
For some time now, I’ve been on hiatus from writing and traveling — two of the things I love the most. Not being able to travel, even just once a year, makes me incredibly sad. Since I don’t travel as often as I used to, I find myself reminiscing about my past adventures, hoping and praying that I’ll be able to travel again soon.
Ever felt like the default Blogger labels just don't match your blog's vibe? 😅 I’ve been there too. When I first started customizing my Blogger layout, the Labels widget was one of the trickiest things to style. It looked too plain, and I wanted something more colorful, modern, and me. 🎨
"One Travel Habit You Should Know in Each Country"
As someone who loves getting lost in the winding streets of a foreign city or sharing stories with a stranger in a hawker stall, I've come to realize something: travel isn’t just about seeing places — it’s about respecting people. And respecting people often starts with understanding their culture.
💌 A Quick Note from Me Before You Go...
When I first traveled to South Korea, I didn’t realize how dynamic and fast-changing the entry rules and tourism landscape could be. If you are planning on travelling to South Korea, here's how to be prepared and inspired.
Traveling isn’t just about ticking places off a list — it’s about learning, connecting, and respecting the world around us. Whether you're navigating a night market in Thailand, attending a tea ceremony in Japan, or trying not to offend anyone with hand gestures in Italy, a little cultural awareness goes a long way.
✨ Why I Used Klook for Almost Everything in Hong Kong
When I found out that Klook was a legit ticketing site (with real discounts and skip-the-line benefits), I didn’t hesitate. I booked almost all our Hong Kong tickets there—Peak Tram Combo, Airport Express, and more. It made planning super convenient and, most importantly, cheaper.
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