Category: Travel

Sun Setting at Bonbon Beach Romblon

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Bonbon beach sandbar aerial view

There is no shortage of spectacular beaches in Romblon. While “good beaches” vary in taste on a personal level, for me the qualifications come down to the sand quality, the surrounding environment, the waters, and the awe factor. Strip off any establishments or fancy gimmicks, it always comes down to the bare nature of it all. That’s why I’m loving Bonbon Beach (sometimes spelled as Bon Bon) in Romblon. About 5km from Romblon Island, Poblacion. Privately owned, but open to the public. Stretches of gorgeous coastal white sand beaches lead up to a panoramic sandbar. Oh boy, I envy Romblon …

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Photo Essay: Biniray Festival Street Dance 2020

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A young performer for the Biniray Festival

The day following the Tonton ng Sto Niño de Romblon, the Biniray Festival continues with a street dance parade. The festival re-enacts how the Señor Sto Niño was attempted to be taken away from Romblon Island en route to Madrid but was averted by storms. Only the image to be returned back to its place. A colorful parade of atis, similar to Ati-atihan adds color to the revelry. This time each baranggay trying to best each other in costume and performance.

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Tonton ng Sto Niño de Romblon: Opening the Biniray Festival in Romblon

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The Tonton ng Sto Niño de Romblon

The idyll coastal poblacion in Romblon Island, Romblon becomes festive beginning the 2nd Friday of January as revelers flock at the 400-year-old St Joseph Cathedral. Devotees gather in front of the church to observe the spiritual practice of the Tonton ng Sto Niño de Romblon. The Tonton, a Romblomanon word meaning to lower the image of the Sto Niño down the pedestal. This practice ushers the official opening of Biniray Festival which lasts for a week.

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5 Amazing Cities In India You Can’t Give A Miss

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Rishikesh Sunset

Are you planning your first trip ever to India? What comes to your mind when you think of India? Probably the majestic Himalayas, saints wrapped in saffron, cheerful people, lots of colours, spicy indian food, and not to forget the world famous indian ‘chai’. And yes, what’s India without its Yoga? India has often been associated with spirituality and meditation, and yoga originated in India.

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Penang Hill: Sunrise and Nature Walk

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I wanted to end my last day in Penang with something breathtaking and worthwhile. I didn’t get my desired sunset at Kek Lok Si temple so I made sure to wake up early for the sunrise this time at Penang Hill. Hoping the odds for good light would be better. Also known as Bukit Bendera, the distinguishing peaks seen from the city of George Town is easily accessible. With only around 6km from the city center to its jump-off at Air Itam, it’s one of the favorite cool escapes for the locals and tourists alike.

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Whale Watching Cruise: An Incredible Surprise for Any Occasion

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Whale watching cruise in Sidney

Buying a gift for a friend or family member can be difficult, most of us end up aimlessly wandering around the shopping mall hoping to find something that they’ll like and not succeeding. It often gets so close to their birthday that we give up on the idea of a perfect gift and go with something generic like a watch, perfume or a piece of jewellery. Instead of the usual, boring present, why not present them with something they’ll never forget?

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Kek Lok Si Temple: Impressive Temple of Supreme Bliss

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I was looking for a place to take night photos in Penang when an image of a beautifully lit Kek Lok Si Temple popped up on my searches. The fantasy-land like lights of the temple would offer plenty of photo opportunities especially after sunset. Reading more, I learned that there’s a lot of superlatives going for this temple. Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It has the tallest Buddhist pagoda, tallest granite pillars and the tallest statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. My interest deepened that I made sure to hop a bus at KOMTAR to Air Itam one afternoon in Penang.

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