Beyond Wild Imaginings

New Home.

Siroy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:14:56 +0000

Beyond Wild Imaginings has found a new home!

See you there! =)

Manila: Intramuros & Luneta.

Siroy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:50:38 +0000

Visited the old city again as I played tourist guide to my niece, Phoebe. Each visit makes me appreciate the history of this great country. I was proud to show my niece bits and pieces of the old manila.

After spending time at Intramuros, we went to Luneta for more history tour. The place was swarming with people and buzzing with activities — families having picnics, friends laughing and talking, children flying kites, etc. It was one happy summer afternoon in this amazing city.

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How to get there: To go to Luneta and Intramuros, heck, just take the cab. haha. Really, you can take the Roxas Boulevard route.

Accomodations in Manila: You may want to stay in any hotel at Roxas Boulevard and be enchanted by the famous Manila Bay sunset. Check this for hotel list.

You may, of course, also stay in Makati, which is just about ten minutes to Manila. List of Makati Hotels.

Transportation: Try the LRT, the jeepneys, buses, and cabs. Every driver in the metro knows where Intramuros and Luneta are.

Things to do: Walk back to history. Enjoy every charming little corners, secret passages, and beautiful old buildings. Drop by the by chapel of the Lady of Guadalupe, Rizal Shrine, and museums around the area. Take lots of pictures. Make a quick stop at the Manila Cathedral and then make your way to Luneta.

Buy dirty ice cream, enjoy the gardens, watch the changing of guards at the Rizal Monument, fly a kite, people-watch. Just linger in Luneta. As my friend Imee would say: “If you want a glimpse of life, this is the place to be.”

One more thing: Take lots of water with you! And oh, the best person (and I mean, BEST) who could show you Manila is Carlos Celdran. Go ahead, contact him for your Manila tour.

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Manila. April 2008.

Dumaguete.

Siroy — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:40:07 +0000

Dumaguete was our home base as my friends Angela, Imee, and I visited Sumilon, Dauin, and Apo to dive. We fell in love with Dumaguete. It is charming and it speaks of simplicity and gentleness.

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How to get there: Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly from Manila to Dumaguete daily. Weesam Express and Ocean Jet travels to Dumaguete from Bohol and Cebu.

Accomodations in Dumaguete: My friends and I stayed at Hotel Palwa, a charming little hotel in the middle of the city. It is very clean and the service is quite efficient. The rate is reasonable. Check this SITE for more hotel listings.

Transportation: Traveling around the city is easy. Just hail a tricycle! You can rent motorycles, too.

Things to do: Take a walk at the Boulevard, visit the Cathedral and the bell tower, explore Silliman University, try local cuisine, and spend time with friends over silvannas at Sans Rival. Dive, dive, dive at nearby Dauin, Sumilon, and the famous Apo Island. Contact Dive Worx for your diving needs!

One more thing: Sans Rival serves lunch and dinner, too. Yummy food, affordable price. =)

More information on Negros Oriental.

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Dumaguete. March 2008.

Singapore.

Siroy — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:53:20 +0000

I needed a breather and my friend Joy just transferred to Singapore from Switzerland. Perfect. So I visited, spent time with friends, and enjoyed this amazing country. I did the usual tourist-y stuff and took lots of pictures.

I was impressed. Singapore is clean and efficient. Service almost everywhere is excellent. It is a melting pot of cultures. It is the place to try delectable asian cuisine.

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How to get there: Visit Philippine Airlines for flight schedules to Singapore.

Accomodations in Singapore: I stayed at Joy’s three-bedroom condominium while in Singapore. But this country has a wonderful selection of hotels. There’s the Raffles Hotel which I found very charming. Visit this site for a comprehensive list of Hotels in Singapore.

Transportation: It’s quite easy to go around the city. Cabs abound. They’re clean and cab drivers are courteous and friendly. There are also buses, an MRT, and shuttle service from the airport. You may want to get the Singapore Tourist Pass for a hassle-free trip.

Things to do: There are many things and lovely places to discover in Singapore. Visit the Raffles Hotel, the Esplanade, and the museums. Do not miss Orchard Road and Bugis street, just so you could say you’ve been there (haha) and do some extreme shopping. Try their amazing selection of asian cuisine. Go for a river cruise. And if you are up to it, go for a night safari.

You may also want to Discover Singapore on Foot (this is a book that provides maps of places to go on foot around the city, and descriptions of lovely little corners and wonderful places. We got a copy of this books at Harris). Joy and I tried the Kampong Glam route that started in Victoria street, we passed by quaint little stores and beautiful windows lined with palm trees in Bussorah street. If you ever go this way, visit Sleepy Sam Cafe. Absolutely charming.

One more thing: Send a postcard to your friends and loved ones. The lady at the post office was very helpful. =)

Here’s more information about Singapore.

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Singapore. August 2007.

Cebu! Cebu!

Siroy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:31:57 +0000

Cebu is my hometown but I always see it with new eyes each time I visit. Cebu is never out of surprises. There’s always something new, something yummy, something different.

I was in Cebu recently for the Sinulog Festival. It was fun, colorful, and quite inspiring. I found new wonderful places to eat and visited old favorites. What makes Cebu really special, for me, is spending time with family and friends.

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How to get there: Philippine Airlines travels daily from Manila and from other major cities in the Country. There are direct flights from HongKong and the US, too.

Accomodations in Cebu: Hotels abound in Cebu.

If you want a holiday at the beach, try

These hotels are ony about 30 minutes away from the City center.

But if you wish to stay in the city, try

For a more comprehensive hotel list, please visit this site.

Transportation: It’s not a problem going around Cebu. There are cabs, jeepneys, tricycles, cars for rent, and buses.

Things to do: Dive. Snorkel. Dine. Meet friends. Go bar-hopping. Shop. And when you visit Cebu during the Sinulog festival, do not miss the street parade! Visit Magellan’s Cross, TOPs (and enjoy the view), and white-sand beaches in Mactan.

Diving in Cebu: There are many dive spots in Cebu. Here’s a list!

Hilutungan Island. It is a marine and fish sanctuary, so fin softly.
Malapascua. If you want to see thresher sharks and ship wrecks, this is the place to dive.
Moalboal. It is here in Moalboal where the Sunken Island could be found. Be prepared to meet big schools of jacks, tuna, and if you get lucky, you get to see sharks, too.
Santander. If you are an experienced diver, visit the Wall of Death. Now, that doesn’t sound so inviting, right? =D Between March and June, you may find whalesharks and manta rays.

Cebu is a jump off point to nearby islands with amazing diving sites. Bohol and Dumaguete is just about an hour away through fast craft. For diving information and other inquiries, please contact Daniel.

Places and food to try: These are places I’ve visited and I was pleased.

Harbour City. (Ayala Center, Cebu): For yummy dimsum and chinese cuisine.
Kuya J’s. (Capitol Site): For the freshest sea food and the yummiest soups!
Krua Thai. (Crossroads and Banilad Town Center): For authentic thai cuisine.
Cafe Laguna. (Ayala Center, Cebu): For filipino dishes like no other.
Lemon Grass. (Ayala Entertainment Center): Asian cuisine fusion.
Zao and Mooon Cafe (Guadalupe): More filipino food.
La Marea. (Crossroads, Banilad and Paseo Arcenas, Banawa): They’ve got the best desserts in town.
CNT lechon (right across SM City): For your parties and gatherings, order the best cebu lechon here.
Larsian, JunJun and Malou’s, and AA’s. (Banilad): Of course, Cebu has the best barbeque in the country! =D
Danggit, Fish Tocino, Dried squid, and other dried fish (Tabuan): Go to tabuan to buy these yummy dried products. My personal favorite: fish tocino and dried squid.
Philippine Dried Mangoes, Lola Pureza’s Peanut Broas, Titay’s Masi and Rosquillos. All these are already available in supermarkets. Yummy pasalubong treats.
Ripe Yellow Mangoes. They’re the sweetest.

One more thing: Cebu is quite humid. Bring light clothing. Bring swimsuits, too, because there are a lot of beautiful beaches there. Take lots of pictures especially when you visit during the Sinulog festival. Enjoy the queen city of the south!

For more information about Cebu, visit their official website.

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Cebu. September 2006. January 2008.

Bawai’s.

Siroy — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:29:48 +0000

On my birthday, my friends brought me to this lovely place in Tagaytay called Bawai’s. The place feels very homey and welcoming. The decors are tastefully done. The garden, filled with wild flowers, bamboos, and trees.

Bawai’s serves authentic vietnamese food you’ll absolutely love. So yummy, obviously cooked and sprinkled with lots of love.

When we arrived, the owners personally welcomed us and made sure we had everything we needed. Bawai’s is definitely worth-visiting.

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How to get there: To find your way to Bawai’s, please go to this LINK. You may also call or text Paul at 0920 9722924 for reservations, orders, and/or instructions on how to go there. You may email them, too, at bawais_tagaytay@yahoo.com

Things to do: Eat! Have wonderful conversations with friends and family. Eat! Take lots of pictures. Eat! Enjoy peace and quiet and fresh air. Eat! And oh, have vietnamese coffee, too! Eat! =D Here’s the MENU.

One more thing: The owners of Bawai’s are very nice people. Bawai’s is their home, so enter with utmost respect, like you are entering your own home. I assure you, you’ll love it there. =) Make reservations ahead of time and pre-order your food. It’s nicer that way. =)

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Bawai’s. October 2007.

Boracay.

Siroy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:29:25 +0000

There is something about Boracay that keeps people coming back. Maybe, it’s the long stretch of sugary white sand. Or the beautiful sunsets that fill the sky with warm orange colors. Or maybe, it’s the parties that keep everyone dancing all night. Whatever the reasons are, Boracay remains everyone’s favorite summer destination. It is a tropical paradise.

My friends and I visited the island in February 2006 (it wasn’t our first time though) to celebrate Kiko’s birthday. We all stayed at The Panoly. We went snorkeling, sunbathing, and had water adventures (the banana boat was fun). We spent most of the time just relaxing, listening to music under the stars, shopping, and talking and laughing our lungs out. It was a fun vacation, albeit short. We will definitely be visiting the island again. Soon.

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How to get there: Philippine Airlines travels daily from Manila to Kalibo. Asian Spirit and Sea Air travels from Manila to Caticlan daily.

Accomodations in Boracay: There are so many hotels, villas, inns to choose from in Boracay. They are all charming, comfy, and some are affordable than the others. Here’s a directory of hotels in Boracay. Enjoy!

Transportation: To go around the island, you can hire single motorcycles. Or you may want to hire bancas to go island-hopping. Each station has boatmen who could assist you. But the best is to discover the island on foot.

Things to do: Snorkel. Dive. Ride banana boats. Shop. Dine. Island hop. Beach hop. Dance. Listen to music and bands under the sun. Grab some fruit shake. Go to the spa. Get a massage. Sunbathe. Wait for the sunset. Kiss under the moonlight. Talk. Laugh. Have sand between your toes. Take lots of amazing pictures! Did I say shop already? =D

One more thing: Don your skimpiest swimsuit! Boracay is the place to flaunt that summer body of yours! =) Get a henna tattoo! Buy fabulous trinkets!

For more information about Boracay, visit this website.

Photos by Aileen Siroy. All rights reserved.
Boracay. February 2006.

Davao.

Siroy — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:25:07 +0000

I’ve been in and out of Davao for work. But in August 2006, I went back to this city for pleasure together with two of my favorite people, Rissa and Shadie. We stayed at the Waterfront Hotel and visited the Malagos Garden and the Philipine Eagle Center where the famous PAG-ASA resides, shopped at Aldevinco, had dinner at Jack’s Ridge, and explored the Pearl Farm. It was a quick visit to this big city, but it was fun nonetheless.

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How to get there: Philippine Airlines travels daily to Davao. Check their website for flight skeds.

Accomodations in Davao: Davao is a modern city and has many hotels to choose from. If you are looking for small hotels, visit this LINK. You may also want to stay at the famous Marco Polo hotel, or the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, or the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

Transportation: There are jeepneys that go around the city. Or you may take the cab (aircon and non-aircon).

Things to do and Places to visit: The best time to visit Davao is during the Kadayawan festival. This festival is celebrated in August each year.

Visit the Malagos Garden, Eden, the Philippine Eagle Center, and the Pearl Farm. Get amazed by how Davao has preserved its natural resources through these beautiful gardens. Meet the famous Philippine Eagle, PAG-ASA, at the Philippine Eagle Center. And then spend some quiet time at the Pearl Farm.

And oh, don’t forget to shop for colorful malongs at Aldevinco. Bring home some durian candies, too.

One more thing: Have fun in Davao! The people are nice and helpful. Try their durian frap at BluGre!

For more information about Davao, visit their official website.

Japan.

Siroy — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:20:14 +0000

It was in January 2005 when I visited four cities in Japan — Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Japan is a country of contrasts — the old and the new breathing and living effortlessly beside each other.

I love Tokyo for its many modern surprises. And despite how busy the city is, one could still get good service anywhere. And of course, Disneyland stands charmingly in Tokyo.

I love Osaka for its charming streets and corner cafes and little boutiques. It reminded me so much of Cebu — small, busy, but absolutely interesting.

I love Kyoto for its old-world charm, with its historical temples and gardens well taken cared of. If and when I go back to Japan, I will certainly visit Kyoto again.

And then there’s Kobe. This city has an incredible spirit, its people built the city after a strong earthquake devastated everything they had some twelve years ago. Kobe is a shopper’s paradise. My friend Mary (who was taking her master’s degree in International Relations at the Kobe University) and I spent wonderful time there. Speaking of Mary, I miss her. She’s still there, finishing her PhD.

Five days in this city of lights and fashion and food and culture is not enough.

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How to get there: From the Philippines, there are three airlines that fly to Japan — Philippine Airlines, Japan Air, and Northwest.

Visa requirements: The Japanese Embassy is quite strict with visa requirements. Make sure you go to the embassy early and your requirements complete. Visit the Japanese Embassy website for more information.

Accomodations in Japan: There are so many hotels in Japan. You can make reservations online. They are usually quick to reply. To experience real Japanese atmosphere, try staying in a Ryokan, japanese style inns. You get to sleep in a futon and experience japanese-style baths. Sometimes, a yukata is provided during your stay to be worn inside the ryokan and also serves as your pajamas.

Minshuku is also a good option. It is bed and breakfast run by a family. You also get to experience japanese-style living.

If you are on a budget, you can stay in youth hostels. They usually cost only about 3,500 yen per night.

Transportation: The transport system in Japan is very efficient. They have cabs (but quite expensive), they have buses, ferries, car rentals, trains, and the famous Shinkansen.

Things to do: There are a lot of things to do in Japan. No, make that a million things to do! If you are in Tokyo, satisfy the child in you. Visit Tokyo Disneyland. Do visit temples, gardens, famous tourist places. You may want to join a tour group (like I did when I was in Tokyo. I met new friends from other countries). Travel agencies that organize these tours usually have english-speaking tour guides. They could even customize your tour schedule for you.

Experience hot baths, try their local cuisines, and shop! Never miss Akihabara for those electronic gadgets you’ve been lusting forever.

One more thing: Learn about their culture before stepping into their land. Respect their culture. Keep an open mind. Enjoy every moment. And as I always say, take lots of pictures! And oh, bring lots and lots of cash! Japan is forbiddingly expensive.

For more information about traveling to Japan, visit Japan Guide dot com.

Haikou, China.

Siroy — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:16:44 +0000

This time last year, I was in Haikou for the East Asian Seas Congress. We stayed about nine days in Haikou, working mostly for the Congress. We enjoyed the cold weather (yes, they have winter) and had one day to explore the city.

Haikou City is in the province of Hainan and is called the coconut city. One of their major products is, yes, coconut. Even their sidewalks and highways are lined with coconut trees. Some call it the hawaii of Asia because just 45 minutes away from Haikou is this beautiful place with white-sand beaches called Sanya.

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How to get there: There are five hubs to Haikou — Guangzhou, Hongkong, Xiamen, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. From Haikou Meilan airport, there are shuttle services available that will take you to your hotel.

Visa Requirements: No matter what passport you own, you need a Visa to enter China. For visa requirements, visit PRC Embassy website.

Accommodation: Haikou is a modern city with lots of hotels. Make prior reservations, though. Rates for 4-star hotels starts at RMB 300 to RMB 800.

Things to do: Visit their parks and gardens, go out of the city and visit old chinese villages, join a tour group (which your hotel could arrange for you) and go to their version of the safari, and shop till you drop.

Try the city’s food specialties: Wenchang chicken, Dongchan Mutton, the Hele Crab, and Jiaji Duck.

For some authentic chinese cuisine, Jinlong Road is the place to go. Visit Longkun South Road for some seafood bliss.

One More Thing: Bring enough cash. Haikou is a wonderful place to shop. You may want to buy Li Brocade, China’s oldest cotton textile handmade by the Li people as pasalubong to family and friends.

For more information about Hainan, please go to the Haikou Travel Guide.