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Sibugay Mountain Resort – Enjoying the Bounties of Nature
Somewhere in the mountainous part of Albuera, Leyte, Philippines lies a picturesque resort called Sibugay Mountain Resort. It is a famous attraction in Leyte. At first glance the images found on Google, it's not really appealing and lacks some facilities to be called a resort. But during my actual visit last summer, the place just took my breath away. Heading to the Resort The road leading to the resort is concrete, however, be careful of humps because they looked invisible from afar. Road markings are somewhat lacking but signages towards the resort are adequate. The surrounding views are spectacular, which reminds you of every Southeast Asian country's rural views. Green rice fields and palm trees everywhere make our trip more…
Mashiko Sunflower Fields: More Than Just a Summer Attraction
Every year in August, approximately a million sunflowers bloom across the vast fields in Japan. The sunflower signals the arrival of summer. Luckily, I can easily view sunflower fields here in Mashiko, a 2-hour car drive from Tokyo. It attracts hundreds of visitors every year making it one of the largest sunflower gardens in Japan. PAST EVENTS As a resident of Mashiko, I'm always looking forward to visiting this sunflower field every year. In the landlocked prefecture of Tochigi where Mashiko is located, it lacks access to Japan's beaches. Instead of having that tropical beach vibe in summer, I want to explore more sunflower gardens and experience fireworks festivals. The past sunflower festivals were not really a crowd drawer. Most…
Mico’s Eco Park, Ormoc City: A Break from City Life
Eco parks are now gaining popularity in Southeast Asia, especially in the rural areas of the Philippines. And in Ormoc City, you can find it at Brgy. Milagro, a place known for its cooler temperature and high altitude. The place is developed yet it is not highly modernized and luxurious. Eco parks are meant to be natural and raw and use methods that reduce maintenance and promote sustainability. Little Bali in Ormoc City We paid the entrance fee at the little cafe at the roadside that serves refreshing drinks like bubble tea and iced coffee. It has breathtaking views of the verdant rolling hills with coconut trees everywhere. It just gives me that Bali vibes, so relaxing and rustic, just…
SALS Pineapple Plantation in Ormoc City
My first destination to visit in Ormoc City in The Philippines during my vacation was SALS Pineapple Plantation. I was really looking forward to this place because of the beautiful images that I saw on social media. The place has greatly changed from the past, and many people can easily access this farm. I still remember the time when this farm was greatly remote and isolated because of dirt roads and poor infrastructure. Fast forward to the present, the roads leading to this plantation are concreted and spacious, and it has become a tourist area frequently visited by people from other regions and countries. SALS Queen Pineapple The queen pineapples, known for their distinctive sweet taste are different from the…
What It’s Like to Travel After the Pandemic
It's air travel season once again and this time, it was something different from my past travels. I had anticipated this so much after the pandemic. After three long years of waiting, I finally got my air ticket, packed my bags, and traveled. What has changed? I was looking forward to the day when everything will be normal once again pre-pandemic level. It was like an impossible dream to achieve. But 2023 was indeed a great time to travel. All coronavirus restrictions are lifted, from the two-week hotel quarantine to the wearing of masks. What a joyful news to hear! Imagine if I had not waited, I have had to endure quarantines, swab tests, countless vaccine boosters, and certificates. I…
Utsunomiya Terrace: Discover a world of comfort during your travels.
Recently, I had the chance to visit the newly-opened shopping complex near Utsunomiya Station in Tochigi, Japan: Utsunomiya Terrace. As the name suggests, you might imagine being on the terrace of your home or resort. But the establishment resembles a resort/apartment type architecture where one can enjoy spending outdoors at the roof deck garden or terrace. The outdoor space brings an overall appeal to the building which is different from other shopping malls. It is also a perfect place to catch a glimpse of the nearby buildings or simply sunbathe during the cold winter months. Curious about what's inside Utsunomiya Terrace? Let's find out in my tour. Shops and stores Utsunomiya Terrace officially opened last August 2022 with some shops…
CANOLA FLOWERS: Japan’s Gorgeous Golden Flowers in Spring
When spring comes in Japan, we only have one flower in mind to watch out for: cherry blossoms or sakura. Did you know that the country is a plethora of flowers, especially during springtime? It ranges from flowering trees to vast flower fields that stretch through the horizon. And one of the best flowers to watch out for is canola/ rapeseed flowers or nano hana in Japanese. Also read: https://www.tanboblog.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-japans-cherry-blossoms-season/ WHAT ARE CANOLA FLOWERS? Image by Yves from Pixabay Canola or Rapeseed flowers are bright yellow members of the mustard family, harvested mainly for their oil-rich seed which is edible and contains erucic acid. In Japan, it is consumed as a side dish either boiled or sauteed. Canola oil is the third-largest source of…
Winter Illuminations at Grimm no Mori Park
Every winter in Japan, the country's parks and commercial centers comes alive with spectacular lights and illuminations to brighten the season's long chilly nights. Most of these spots have Christmas themes and decorations while some just display floral or fairy tale themes. One of my favorite spots near my town is Grimm no Mori. Fairy Tale Theme Illumination I wrote a previous blog about Grimm no Mori which you can find here. This park was built as a dedication to the Grimm brothers who wrote world-famous fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel. The sprawling park turns into a fantasy on a winter night. Elaborate Christmas lights are adorned at every corner of each garden, making it one of the…
Hiking Nikko’s Lake Yunoko
Before September comes to an end, I would like to share with you one of my best summer experiences this year--my family hiking the calm and serene Lake Yunoko. Located in Oku-Nikko up in the mountains in Nikko City and a few minutes drive from the bigger Lake Chuzenji. This lake is a 3km round lovely lake which you can do a round trip hike for about an hour. In my previous blog article, we had an enjoyable summer camp with the kids, and one of the plans that we love to do is to hike this small lake rich in natural beauty. As I was searching online about what it's like to explore this place, it caught my interest…
Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park- A perfect summer getaway
During the summer camp with my family, I had the opportunity to visit the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park and was curious to learn about this place that is being recommended as a sightseeing spot in Nikko. It is located on the banks of the popular Lake Chuzenji. There is no proper parking area when you visit this museum because the management does its part to preserve the surrounding areas of the villa. However, you can park in the spacious parking area near the ferry boat ride of Lake Chuzenji. Rich in history and Italian culture, this villa turned museum attracts visitors because of its vintage-style interiors and natural-looking architecture that blends well with the surrounding trees. In this blog,…
