Will it work out? One woman’s experiment with retired life in the Philippines
In the first year of my retirement, following a heart attack and saddled with a ‘terminal’ blood condition, I decided to leave the comfort of small town New Zealand and …
Travel
One beat! One dance! One vision! Your guide to Sinulog 2017 (Cebu City)
Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival, one of the nation’s biggest, brightest and wildest parties is getting underway this week. The annual cultural and religious celebration commemorates the Filipinos’ conversion to Christianity …
Brief encounter: A 16-hour layover in New Delhi
I found myself with a week of meetings in London and was living in Hong Kong at the time. Not being one to wantonly overspend on airfares (even when the …
A single woman’s guide to exploring Cambodia
“The land is sacred: It belongs to the countless numbers who are dead, the few who are living and the multitude of those yet to be born” I was at …
Chilling out at Mommy J’s in Agoo, La Union
When you’re travelling around the Philippines, it’s always nice to pull into a locally run resort and chill out for a while. Recently, I found myself in Agoo in the southern …
Roads less travelled: Exploring the wild northeast of the Hermit Kingdom
With so many truly magical places to visit around South East Asia, it may seem a perverse choice to visit the country widely regarded as the region’s most repressive regime. However, …
Midwinter inspiration: El Nido, Palawan, in pictures
El Nido: If you are reading this on a cold, dark day somewhere far from the tropics, it’s hard to believe that such sunshine and beauty awaits just a flight away. If …
Malacañan or Malacañang? 15 facts about the presidential palace
The Malacañan Palace (or should that be Malacañang? — find out later) is the most recognisable building in the Philippines. Official residence of the president, and his place of work, …
Lamma Island, Hong Kong: A haven of tranquility with great party scene
I first discovered Lamma Island a few years ago when an old shipmate from my cruise liner days invited me to his home there. I had been intrigued by his …
Pride of a nation: 13 facts about Manila’s Rizal Monument
The Rizal Monument in Manila’s Rizal Park is almost certainly the most photographed site in the Philippines and the focus of huge national pride. It honours the man who is …
Festivals of the Philippines: The Ati-atihan, pride of Kalibo
In these politically correct times, it’s generally agreed that “blacking up” to imitate a darker-skinned race is, quite literally, beyond the pale. However, in at least one Filipino city, it’s …
Roads less travelled: Five little-known beaches in the Philippines
It used to be bad enough when it was only Lonely Planet spilling the beans on all the world’s “secret” places (and thus dooming them to be overrun within weeks) but these …
Taking off: New routes for Clark Airport
PHILIPPINES Airlines (PAL) has responded to President Duterte’s call to ease congestion in Manila by announcing new routes from Clark International Airport (CRK). From December 16, the national carrier will make …
Baguio: Seeking cold comfort in the Summer Capital
Although I love the climate of the Philippines, there are times when it gets too much, and I just want to lie down under an air conditioner or sip drinks …
A girl’s guide to solo travel: Falling in love with the Philippines
The receptionist couldn’t believe that I’d arrived at the resort alone, a single female traveller. “Only you?” she asked. “No friends, no boyfriend?” It’s something I’m used to hearing, because …
A Walk on the Wild Side: A few days away in Sandakan, Sabah
SANDAKAN – The Philippines certainly isn’t lacking in natural beauty or wildlife, but it doesn’t really have any truly iconic creatures (on land at least) worth making a special trip …
The five most gut-wrenching foods you can try in Asia
For the intrepid fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants traveller there can be nothing more rewarding than showing your respect to Asian culture by sampling the local cuisine, something that is easy and enjoyable to …
Palawan, the world’s best island destination?
For two years now, Palawan has been voted the best island in the world, quite a lofty accolade when you consider the thousands of islands around the world. Some notable …
Five Asian alternatives to the Philippines for Americans
These constant musings from Malacañang about the implementation of draconian visa requirements on Americans would almost be funny, if it wasn’t for the fact that they’re not funny, not funny …
Land of smiles? Thailand mulls five-year visa scheme
A long discussion once again has hit the floor of Thailand’s tourism officials, a discussion that some believe is nearing completion. Visas for those wanting to stay extended periods of …
Apparently, it’s no longer “More Fun in the Philippines”
The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) said it will replace its slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” During a media conference this week the DOT said a new slogan …
Getting far off the beaten track in East Timor
Sometimes it’s hard to know what the highlight of any particular holiday is until it’s all over. In the case of East Timor, I can confidently say that the best …
Zika: Australia, Taiwan and South Korea issue travel warnings for Singapore
Australia, Taiwan and South Korea have advised pregnant women and those attempting to get pregnant to avoid travel to Singapore after an outbreak of the Zika virus infected more than …
Some hotels in Chinese city block people from five Muslim countries
Police have ordered some low-end hotels in the Chinese city of Guangzhou not to allow guests from five Muslim-majority countries to stay. Three hotels with rooms costing about 150 yuan ($23) …
Indonesian immigration reviews visa free travel due to crimes by foreigners
The Indonesian government is reviewing its visa-free travel policy due to rising crime involving foreigners. Spokeswoman for the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Immigration Directorate General, Heru Santoso, said the …
World’s first vending machine cafe opens in Singapore
VendeCafe, a new introduction into mini food courts has landed in Singapore, a first in the world. The new revolution simplifies ordering and receiving an entire meal at the touch of …