Journey through the rough and mysterious coastline of Luzon’s Northern Coast. This is where hidden treasures can be found at any risk anyone is willing to take. Beyond the frenzy of the cityscape and the tourist-clogged spots, secret coves, pristine beaches, and mysterious caves emerge, each holding its unique charm. Imagine yourself coming across sequestered […]
Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Luzon’s Northern Coast Read More »
Island hopping in the Visayas region of the Philippines ignites the passion of travelers and the imaginations of those who have only dreamed of island escapades. My initial exploration of the Visayas remains vivid. It was a sunny day when I jumped off a small boat onto the sandy beaches of Siquijor. The island’s mysterious
Perfect Guide: Lesser-Known Island Hopping in The Philippines Read More »
Most people who write about Alice Springs are describing a place they visited for a week. I am describing a place I lived in for nearly three years, from March 1987 through December 1989, and I have never quite left it, even decades later. My wife and I are planning to go back next year.
Alice Springs, Northern Territory: Notes From Someone Who Called It Home Read More »
The approach to Fort Santiago never loses its effect, no matter how many times you make it. You cross the stone bridge over the moat, the Pasig River visible to your left, the bay somewhere behind the walls to your right, and then you pass under the main gate. The archway is massive. The stonework
Fort Santiago in Manila: Four Centuries of Power, Prison, and Survival Read More »
I have been to San AgustÃn Church more times than I can count, and the approach still gets me every time. You come through the streets of Intramuros — past the walls, past the vendors, through the shade of the old city — and then the façade appears. Four centuries of Spanish Baroque stonework rising
San AgustÃn Church in Manila: The Building That Refused to Disappear Read More »
My mother-in-law, Rosaria, and father-in-law, Enrique, had a plan for my first day in Manila. They were going to show me everything. The bay. The boulevard. The neighborhood markets. The relatives, and there were many of those. By mid-afternoon, we had covered more of Manila than I had managed in a week in most other
Manila Bay: A Senior Traveler’s Adventure Worth Taking Read More »
From The Manila Hotel, Rizal Park is right there. Cross Roxas Boulevard in the morning, early enough to beat the heat and the crowds, and you walk straight into it. The Rizal Monument is visible almost immediately. A 12-meter bronze figure rising above the sunken garden at the park’s eastern end. The honor guard flanking
Rizal Park in Manila: Walking the Ground Where a Nation Was Born Read More »
The first time you pass through the gates of Intramuros, you feel the shift before you understand it. Modern Manila disappears. The noise doesn’t. This is still a city, but the register changes. Cobblestones replace asphalt. Walls that have absorbed four centuries of history rise on either side. You are no longer in contemporary Manila.
Intramuros in Manila: Where the Philippines Keeps Its Past Alive Read More »
The Visayan Islands occupy the center of the Philippine archipelago. They cover three administrative regions: Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. The major islands include Panay, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Leyte, Samar, and Siquijor, along with hundreds of smaller islands and islets. The diversity within this one region is considerable. A diver, a history reader,
Top 10 Tourist Destinations in the Visayan Islands Read More »
My first trip to Thailand came down to a single planning decision: which version of the country to see first. Thailand offers several wildly different travel experiences, and trying to combine too many of them on one trip results in a week of airports rather than a week of places. I chose Chiang Mai in
Chiang Mai and Krabi: Two Sides of Thailand Worth Understanding Read More »
The Philippines is one of the most rewarding destinations in Asia for older travelers. The combination of warm hospitality, affordable costs, good English-language communication, and an enormous variety of island environments makes it well-suited for those who want genuine travel experiences without unnecessary difficulty. The climate is consistent, the food is safe and appealing, and
The Senior Traveler’s Guide to Philippine Island Adventures Read More »
The Philippines contains more than 7,000 islands. Most visitors reach three or four on a single trip, which means the first decision is not where to stay but where to begin. The wrong starting point is trying to cover everything. The right one is understanding what each major destination actually offers and matching that against
Best Island Trips in the Philippines: A Guide to the Top Destinations Read More »
