Our room had everything we needed ; complete bed and bath linen set up, flat screen cable TV,IDD/NDD phone lines, coffee and tea making facility,mini bar, lighted closets with hangers, luggage rack, in-room safety box,bathrooms amenities, hot and cold water and 24 hour room service except free Wi-Fi, as you have to pay for it to be able to avail of it in your room. But you can also get wireless internet in the lobby.  The hotel is also equipped with swimming pool and waterfall, a spa, fitness center and a business center.

Dining is one of the most gratifying experience in Widus Resort.  The Salt Coffee Shop features a wide variety of delectable Asian, Western and local cuisine.  We only had breakfast here though which is part of the complimentary breakfast buffet when you stay in the hotel.

But oh boy, the food choices were superb! The hotel’s dedication to decent food was more than evident, and left us wanting for more. We experienced nothing but warmth during our whole idle stay. As we ate in the lively, refreshing surroundings of Salt Coffee Shop, we congratulated ourselves on having such a wonderful and welcoming corner in Clark, Pampanga.

How to Get to Widus Resort (Hotel Vida):

Hotel Vida is an hour and a half away drive from Metro Manila via the North Luzon Expressway and a 40-minute drive to Subic via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Expressway. The hotel is strategically located within 5 minutes away from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, 5 minutes from the the Mimosa Golf and Country Club, and 3 minutes from the Duty Free Shops within the area.

Widus Resort / Hotel Vida

5414 Manuel A. Roxas Highway

Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga

For Inquiries and Reservations:

Phone: +45-4991000 or + 2 5844091

For Widus Resort / Hotel Vida room rates, check out:

Widus Resort website: http://widus.com

* During our last night for Lakbay Norte 3, we stayed at this pleasant deluxe hotel.  Lakbay Norte 3 is an eight day media familiarization tour of Northern Luzon Philippines organized by North Philippine Visitors Bureau in cooperation with Manila North Tollways Corporation, Victory Liner, Mc Donalds, Petron and Universal Robina Corporation.

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Here’s the Panagbenga 2012 Calendar of Activities for your disposal.

Major Highlights of Panagbenga 2012:

February 1 – March 4, 2012 

–> Market Encounter

February 11, 2012 – Saturday

–> Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom

February 12, 2012 – Sunday

–> Handog ng Panagbenga sa Baguio

February 12, 2012 – Sunday

–> Fluvial Float  Parade

February 19-26, 2012 

–>Iptik Festival

February 25, 2012 – Saturday

–> Grand Street Dancing Parade

February 26, 2012 – Sunday

–> Grand Float Parade

February 27 – March 4, 2012 

–> Session Road in Bloom

March 2, 2012 -Friday

–> Pony Boy’s Day

March 4, 2012 – Sunday

–>Panagbenga Closing Ceremony and Grand Fireworks Display

Community Led Events

February 2, 2012 – Thursday @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

–> Kid’s Stage Performance   @ Melvin Jones Grandstand

February 2-4,2012

–> IPMS-Baguio Scale Model Exhibit and Competition @ MPH,BCC

February 12, 2012 – Sunday

–> The Power Plus Race @ Burnham Park Lake Drive

February 17-19, 2012

 –> Panagbenga Media Shootfest 2012 @ primehills Firing Range in Tuba, Benguet

February 18,2012 Saturday @ 8:00 PM

–> Colt 45 URCC IV-Battlegrounds Mix Martial Arts @Baguio Convention Center

February 18-19, 2012

–> Airsoft Challenge @Melvin Jones Grandstand

February 19,2012 Sunday @ 7:00 AM -5:00 PM

–> Dog Show and Rabies Awareness Program @People’s Park

February 24-26,2012

–> Panagbenga 2012 Flower Fest Inviational Darts Fest 100K Guaranteed

      @ The Ian Bolinget Billiard and Eatery

February 25, 2012 Saturday @ 6:00 PM

–> Mr.Panagbenga 2012 Muscle Showdown @Baguio Convention Center

March 2, 2012 Friday 5:00 PM onwards

–> 1st Ramp Model Competition @Baguio Covention Center

March 3, 2012 Saturday @ 8:00 AM -5:00 PM

–> Swimathon Big Splash : Great :Lengths for a Great Cause

       @ Athletic Bowl Swimming Pool Complex

March 3, 2012 Saturday @ 5:00 PM-12:00 Midnight

–> Handog Pasasalamat ng Bombo Radyo at Star FM: Free Concert & T-shirt

      @ Melvin Jones Grandstand

March 3, 2012 Saturday  @ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

–> Sail on Caravan Tour II @ Baguio Convention Center

March 4, 2012 Sunday @ 6:00 PM – 12:00 PM 

–> Tambalang Saya sa Panagbenga 2012 @ Melvin Jones Grandstand

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The 2012 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Schedule:

February 9 – Thursday

First Fiesta Day

5.00-5.45 am
Philippine Flag jump

5:50-6:00am
PAF High Speed Opener and SF260 Fly By

5.45-7.00 am
Hot Air Balloon flight

5.45-7.30 am
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition

7.30-8.30 am
ACFC Ultra light / Micro light Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing

8.30-9.00 am
Maynard Halili  Aerobatic Show

9.00-9.30 am
AFP/PNP/Brunei/Malaysia Sky Diving Exhibition

9.30-9:45 am
Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration

9:45-10:00am
USAF F16 Flight Demo

10.00-11.30 am
AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition

11.30-12.00 nn
KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition

12.00-12.30 pm
Air link / WCC / Omni /Aviators/ Alpha flyby

12.30-1.00 pm
Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demo

1.00-1.30 pm
Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition

1.30-2.00 pm
Ultralight Flour bombing demonstration

2.00-3.00 pm
AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition

3.00-3.30 pm
FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration

4:00-4:30 pm
Philippine Air Force Silent Drill and SPOW Bomb Sniffing Dog Exhibition

3.30-4.00 pm
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight aircraft formation flights

4.30-5.00 pm
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

5.00-5.30 pm
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding exhibition

5.30-6.00 pm
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In

February 10 – Friday
Second Fiesta Day

5.00-5.45 am
Philippine Flag jump

5.45-7.00 am
Hot Air Balloon Flights

7.00-7.30 am
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition

7.30-8.00 am
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing

8:30-9.00 am
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

9.00-9.30 am
Sky diving exhibition

9.30-10.00 am
Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration

10.00-11.00 am
AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition

11.00-11.30 am
KAP / KTP Kite flying exhibition

11.30-12.00 nn
WCC / Aviatours / Omni / Aviators/ Alpha/Leading Edge / flyby

12.00-1.00pm
German aerobatic glider flight

1.00-1:30 pm
Skydiving exhibition

1.30-2:00 pm
Jet Turbine Radio-controlled modeler demos

2.00-3.00 am
AOPA- P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition

3.00-3.30 pm
Car Drifting Display

3.30-4.00pm
FEATI/Philsca Rocketry demonstration

4.00-4.30 pm
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights

4.30-5.00pm
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

5.00-5.30 pm
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition

5.30-6.00 pm
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In

February 11 – Saturday
Third Fiesta Day

5.00-5.45 am
Philippine Flag jump

5.45-7.00 am
Hot Air Balloon Flights

7.00-7.30 am
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition

7.30-8.00 am
ACFC Ultralight/Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing

8.00-8.30 am
Tandem Skydiving exhibition

8.30-9.00 am
Turbine RC flying display

9.00-9.45 am
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

9.45-10.30 am
Helicopter flight display

10.30-11.00 am
Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration

11.00-12.00 am
PT13 Stearman /  AOPA-P Flyby

12.00-12.30 pm
WCC / Aviatour / Omni / PPA / CIA / Orient / flyby

12.30-1.00 pm
Radio-Controlled model aircraft demonstration

1.00-1.30 pm
Winch-launched German aerobatic glider flight

1.30-2.00 pm
KAP / KTP Kite Flying Demonstration

2.00-2.45 pm
AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition

2.45-3.15 pm
Skydiving Exhibition

3.15-3.45 pm
CIAC Fire-fighting demonstration

3.45-4.30 pm
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

4.00-4.30 pm
ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights

4.30-5.00 pm
FEATI/Philsca Rocketry Demonstration

5.00-5.30 pm
RP/Malaysian/Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition

5.30-6.00 pm
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow

February 12 – Sunday
Fourth Fiesta Day

5.20-5.30 am
Philippine Flag jump

5.30-7.00 am
Hot Air Balloon Flight

7.00-7.30 am
RP / Malaysian / Spain/ Australia Paragliding Exhibition

7.30-8.00 am
ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights and flour bombing

8.00-8.30 am
Tandem Skydiving Exhibition

8.30-9.15 am
Meynard Halili / Aerobatic Show

9.15-10.00 am
Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demo

10.00-11.00 am
Wings Over Asia / AOPA – P Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition

11.00-12.00 nn
CIAC Fire-Fighting Demonstration

12.00-12.30 nn
Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration

12.30-1.00 pm
Car Drifting demonstration

1.00-1.30 pm
PT13/ WCC / Aviatour / Omni / Leading Edge/ Air link flyby

1.30-2.30 pm
KAP / KTP Flying Exhibition

3:00-3:30pm
AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition

3.30-4.00 pm
ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights

4.00-4.15 pm
PT13 Stearman fly by

4.15-5.00 pm
Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show

5.00-5.30 pm
RP / Malaysian / Spain/Australian Paragliding Exhibit

How to Get to Clark, Pampanga for the Hot Air Balloon Fest:

Ride a bus that is bound to Dau, Pampanga (Victory Liner,  Baliwag Transit see contact info below) Fare is below Php 200. Travel time is roughly 2 hours from Cubao.

then from Dau Bus Station walk left to Caltex Gas station (you should pass by the jeepney station to SM Pampanga)

cross the street, you should be on the other side of  Caltex

ride a jeep headed to Main Gate. fare is Php 7.00

then from Main gate, ride a jeep to Clark. fare is Php 10.

Baliwag Transit

2nd Ave Caloocan City

Tel: (02)3634478 or 4331 telefax: 0236757886

33 EDSA, Cubao Quezon City

New York-EDSA, Cubao Quezon City

Tel: (02)9123343 * (02)9129131 or 32 * (02) 9123361

Victory Liner website:

http://www.victoryliner.com/schedules/

713 Rizal Ave Ext. Caloocan City

Tel (Main Office) (02)8335019 or 20

EDSA cor East Ave Kamias, Quezon City

Tel (02)9231296 * (02) 9207396

EDSA near Aurora Blvd, Cubao Quezon City

Tel (02) 7274688 or 4534

Espana cor Galicia St, Sampaloc, Manila

Tel (02) 7411436

By Car:

NLEX, SCTEX – Take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and continue past Dau toll plaza — but do not take the Dau exit. Pull to the right and take the SCTEX on-ramp. From the SCTEX toll booth, take the southbound lane to Clark South exit. You will be entering Clark through the Yokohama complex. At the stop light, turn right into Roxas highway. The Balloon Fiesta will be to your right

NLEX, Dau- Getting to the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. One simply needs to take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. Take a left turn towards Angeles City and make an easy right turn into Clark itself. After entering the main gate, proceed along Roxas highway, and the Balloon Fiesta will be to your right.

The car trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila.

Hotel Vida photo

Recommended Hotel in Clark, Pampanga: Hotel Vida

Hotel Vida website: http://www.hotelvidaclark.com/

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 So when they opened the invite to Lakbay Norte 3  again to the new media last November, me and my Palaui travel buddies Angel and Edcel secretly talked about joining. Luckily, I was selected along with my friends : Angel Juarez of  Lakwatsero, Marcos Carratao of Ambot-ah, Edcel Suyo of SoloflightED, James Betia of Journeying James and Christian Sangoyo of Lakad Pilipinas.   Another blogger/writer friend Kara Santos of Sunday Inquirer Magazine will be joining , along with Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Travelife, Travel Plus, Asian Traveler, Cebu Pacific’s SMILE magazine, One Sport Magazine / One Radio, and Living Asia Channel.

Lakbay Norte with its tagline: Rediscover the North, aims to promote tourism in North and Central Luzon.  Most of us who are based in Luzon seem to have taken for granted the allures of North Luzon. Oftentimes, when we plan for our vacation during holidays in the Philippines, we  almost always look for tourists spot down South of the Philippines, we tend to ignore the scenic spots and outdoor adventures that North Luzon Philippines can also offer with just one bus ride away via Victory Liner!

To give you a teaser of this 9 day sponsored trip, it will involve a lot of outdoor activities and adventure sports like sports fishing in Nueva Ecija, karting in Tarlac, white water rafting in Kalinga, airsoft in Baguio, trekking in La Union, off -road adventure in Angeles, jungle survival in Subic, surfing in Pagudpod, paddle boarding at Paoay and river cruise in Pangasinan.  You can also try these adventures sports over the weekends, your vacations or during holidays in the Philippines!  Visit North Luzon!

For more information and updates on Lakbay Norte 3 you can visit:

Website:  northphilippines.org

You may also add them  on:

NPVB Facebook Page: facebook.com/northphilippines 
Lakbay Norte Twitter Page: twitter.com/lakbaynorte

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Just when I thought I got the best headset at a reasonable price, I suddenly got these posh white headphones in the mail!  And that’s no other than the signature Marshall Major headphones and Marshall minor headphones!

I love the stylish design because it looks pretty elegant.  I got both the white Marshall Major headphones and white Marshall minor headphones but I like the major headphone better.

Marshall major headphone photo

For the Marshall Major headphone, it comes in white faux leather, a touch of gold metal accents, and with ear cups proudly emblazoned with the Marshall legacy. Aside from being stylish, I also find it comfortable. It can easily be adjusted and not too heavy on my head and doesn’t easily sweat on my ears even for 2-3 hours use.  Now when it comes to sound quality, it is good enough for me because the clarity is impeccable.  The highs though can be too loud and can hurt my ears but when used overtime, my ears got accustomed to it.  I love the way it catches the bass sounds, I can really hear the beats playing.  I was using it all the time with some pumped up music while I was working on my laptop. Although they can eat up a lot of space on my backpack if I bring it on my long trip, the Marshall minor headphone would be a better option for out of town trips since it is smaller and lighter to carry.

For the Marshall minor in ear headphone, I didn’t get to use it much because I find it a bit complex to use.  At first I thought it was huge for my ears until my brother discovered more silicone ear pads hidden on the box.  The Marshall minor headphones don’t sound as great as the Marshall minor headphones but compared to other brands of earphones, I’d say it is better because of its clarity. Like I said, I prefer to bring the Marshall minor headphones on my out of town trips than the Marshall Major headphone.  For one, it has tiny mic attached to the wire which works with cellphones and iPod. So aside from being convenient to carry for travels, it is useful for making calls as well.

Marshall minor headphones photo

Marshall Minor Headphones Price (in the Philippines): Php 2,650

Available at the following stores:

8Telcom -Davao

Astrovision

Beyond The Box

Digital Hub

Digital Hub – CDO

Digital Walker

ECentral – Cebu

Gadgets

iN Style HTC – MOA

iStore – Cebu

iStore – Dumaguete

iStudio

Listening Room

PC Hub Power Hub – Davao

Power Mac Center

Switch

Technoholics

Urban Athletics

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“One, two princes kneel before you.”

I was humming the song in my head while walking the long stretch of the crazy Bukit Bintang.  My head kept spinning over loud clubs, diverse shops offering different services, restaurants bragging their world class cuisines, towering buildings and seductive hotels all lined-up on the bustling street. It’s like walking in a hippie world of faceless crowds and United Colors of Benetton models. It’s one amazing blend not just of Asian lineage but of the entire world’s descent.

“Just go ahead now”, the music continued.

But unlike Spin Doctors’ song, these Two Princes I’m after are both rich and perhaps like it’ll be a big headache to tell the difference between them. But little do most tourists know that these two towers where built by 2 competing contractors.  The two structural pinnacles atop the twin towers came from different countries – one was made in South Korea while the other from Japan. PETRONAS Towers is the world’s tallest building from 1998-2004 until the Taipei 101 was built.  But to date, it remains to be the world’s tallest twin building.

I could actually see them from the idle land beside my hostel which is by the way quietly tucked in the midst of Kuala Lumpur near the Puduraya Bus station surrounded by the old colonial district and the Golden Triangle.  I thought I could easily reach them by foot since I also saw a lot of tourists walking all the way to the Golden triangle.  I prefer walking around the metropolis for most of my trips despite the unforgiving heat of the sun because for me, it is the most effective way of getting acquainted with the city. Well I did reach Petronas Tower but EASILY seems to be the wrong word.

And unlike in the Spin Doctors’ song, I was the one who knelt before these Two Princes – the Petronas Tower, while attempting to capture them from its floor to its pinnacle in my lowly lens.  But God, they are both so handsome up close!

Walking inside the Petronas Towers, one will be rewarded with the sight of luxurious interiors and grandiose intricate details of its fine architecture.  The floor is inspired by Islamic geometric squares creating an eight-pointed star reflecting unity within unity, harmony, stability and rationality.  A well-crafted masterpiece indeed that perhaps even the best photograph of it couldn’t define its beauty as seen by the naked eye.

It maybe another tourist trap and somehow it made me shrink in a world where the posh and the luxurious hang out, but I don’t care.  Petronas Towers is love at first sight.   The grandeur of the two iconic towers embodies that great spirit of Malaysian dream and ambition. It just feels good to watch them both transform from daylight to darkness.  I sat there for 4 hours, enthralled by the Two Princes.

**This is part of my Malaysia travel series.**

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HOW TO GET TO KWEBANG LAGPAS

First go to Pagbilao, Quezon:

HOW TO GET TO PAGBILAO QUEZON

Ride a bus bound to Lucena and get off at Lucena Grand Central Terminal. From the terminal there are jeepneys  to  Pagbilao.

Since I took the bus from Alabang it’s roughly Php 160 for an ordinary bus to Lucena ( my apologies,this trip is back in 2010 so I can’t remember the exact figure). Travel time is around 4 hours.

HOW TO GET TO KWEBANG LAGPAS
From Lucena Grand Terminal. Look for the jeep bound to Pagbilao. Fare is Php10. Then at Pagbilao Market Terminal, look for a jeep going to Brgy. Polo. Get off at the jeepney terminal in Brgy. Polo. then you can walk or rent a tricycle to Kwebang Lagpas. The Marker is the Power Station.

Travel tips:

Bring enough food, booze and water. There’s no store at the beach.
Don’t litter. Save our shores.

Kwebang Lampas Travel Expenses (rates  based on May 2010 solo trip):

Ordinary Bus Fare (Alabang-Lucen Grand Terminal) - Php 160.00 ( Buses en route to Bicol will also pass by Lucena Grand Terminal and Pagbilao )
Jeep Fare (Lucena Grand terminal – Pagbilao) - Php 10.00
Jeep Fare (Pagbilao Market – Brgy.Polo) - Php 30.00
Tricycle Fare (Brgy.Polo to Kwebang Lampas) - Php 150.00 (but you can also walk to Kwebang Lampas from Brgy.Polo’sjeep stop may take around 30 minutes)
Entrance Fee to Kwebang Lampas jump off-point (tricycle) - Php 25                        Entrance Fee to Kwebang Lampas jump off-point (visitor) - Php 5.00
Boat Fare (Kwebang Lampas jump-off point -private beach)- Php 35.00 but you can also walk, may take 15-20 minutes                                                                             Entrance Fee to Kwebang Lampas - Php 50.00
Tricycle Fare  (Kwebang Lampas jump-off point to Brgy.Polo crossing) – Php 400  (but you can also take a jeepney back to Pagbilao from Brgy. Polo last trip is 5pm, just leave  the beach around 4pm to catch the jeep to avoid renting a trike which is pretty hefty otherwise you can rent a tricycle. Check the rates above.                                                                                                                                                 Bus Fare (Lucena – Manila) - Php 160.00

Total Expenses: Php 975

It’s a private property and the owners doesn’t allow overnight stay for security reasons.

Cottage rental – Php  300- Php 500 pitching of  tent is allowed.

Where to stay in Pagbilao, Quezon:

Villa Anita Butterfly Garden and Resort  ( my family stayed in this charming resort sometime in 2006 because this is owned by the family of my uncle’s sister -in-law).

KM 174 Brgy. Cabuyao                                                                                                           Padre Burgos, Quezon

Telephone #: (042) 716-0326
Cellphone #: (0921) 524-0110

Check out Time: 12:00 pm
inclusion:
Free use of swimming pool
Breafast for 2 persons

Villa Anita Room rates:
Suite Room - Php 3,200
Dorm Type - Php 4,000
Nipa Hut -Php 900
Nipa Hut Jr. - Php 800
Tent - Php 500
Extra Person - Php 200

**This is part of my Quezon travel series**

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at Angkor Wat circa 2010

Wearing a dress when I go travel has become my trademark.  Budget traveling and backpacking is stereotyped as the travel style of “dirty-looking-travelers”. Though there’s really nothing wrong with that because I believe in the old saying you don’t judge a book by its cover but as humanly as possible I’d like to stick to my own epic style. Oh please, forget about labels!

Traveling in style wasn’t planned with my blog’s branding; I didn’t even notice my blog has this certain brand until a friend exclaimed, “Oh, I like you’re blog’s brand!” .  I love dresses because they’re cheaper than jeans (and jeans are heavy and take a lot of space in my backpack).  I love dresses because they make me look good in photos. But you can also catch me sporting other styles aside from my dress trademark whenever I travel alone.

Let me give you a peek to my travel staples:

Chic Travel Dress

A summer dress, a floral dress, a kimono dress, and a plain dress shouting its bold colors are my personal favorites. I choose light fabrics that require little or no ironing needed.  I usually bring  3-4 dresses for a week of travel.

Comfortable Flip-flops

Your mighty slippers don’t have to be branded to be attractive.  Although when it comes to brand I pick Dupe because of its tough quality and appealing style.  I prefer wearing plain bold catchy colors like pink, yellow, red, violet or blue flip-flops when I go travel. Colorful slippers look good on photos, while the pastel ones are barely noticeable on photos and may appear as if you’re walking on barefoot.

Shorts

Shorts are my favorite casual wear. I like wearing them especially during summer or when the weather is hot. They’re light to carry and I use them when I sleep or when I feel like dressing down. I particularly like vintage-inspired, board shorts (for girls) and boxers (pekpek shorts).

Shades

Choose a sunglass that will serve its purpose and at the same time fits you.  Shades are designed to protect your eyes from the harmful effect of the ultra violet radiation (UV).   I opt for shades with large temple arms to protect my eyes from stray lights passing through the sides.

Swimwear

Most of the time, I bring one with me especially when traveling to beaches and provinces because you’ll never know when you’ll encounter a falls, lake or  a beach.  I prefer sexy solid colors bikini, tankini or swimsuit than printed ones because it stands out.  When I’m headed to a beach, I usually wear them under my dress, ready to take the plunge!

Jacket

You know the weather can be so unpredictable, just like air-condition buses so carrying a jacket when you go travel will save you from freezing to death.  I also wear it when I want to have that dress-down look.

Sling bag

A smaller bag is indispensable whenever traveling for a long period. Trust me; you don’t want to carry that 45 Liter backpack while touring the city. I usually carry a sling bag that is strong enough to carry my camera and other travel accessories.

Stylish Shawl or Sarong

Shawls will keep you warm during harsh weather and will also add style to a plain top.  Sarongs can be worn as dress on a beach and can save you from renting shawls when entering a strict temple or mosque.

Sarong-turned-into a dress , photo by Darwin Cayetano

You don’t always have to dress like a local because most likely; the locals will notice you’re a newcomer especially if you’re touring a small place since they all know each other.  Before you go travel, think of a theme that you like for that particular trip, do you want a vintage-inspired look, eclectic chic, cast-away drama or a minimalistic fashion?   It’s all up to you and your personality and if you’d like to reinvent your style, so long as your comfortable with it.  Just make sure it’s going to match the weather and keep in mind respect for the community’s religion, culture and law especially when you’re traveling in a conservative country.

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Then viola, there was Malacca!  And He blessed it with a pint of  charm.

The heavy uproar in this tiny province listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site startled me. It was a jam-packed weekend!  Tourists from Malaysia and Singapura mobbed the streets.

Geez! Like a lost kid in the midst of the crowd of Panagbenga Festival ( a flower festival in Baguio City, Philippines), I struggled to find a way out of Jonker Street!  I say Panagbenga because of the lovely vivid flowers neatly manicured in the heart of the town plaza and those adorning the trishaws (rickshaws) with portable stereo systems.

Yes, Malacca (or Melaka) is irresistibly saturated with 936 historical establishments! But the apple of my eye remains to be the red painted thick-walled Dutch inspired Christ Church.

 A graceful old fashioned fountain dedicated to the crowning of England’s Queen Victoria stands at the center of the  sprawling Dutch Square dotted with old colonial establishments, and drivers enticing tourists with their charming flower-covered rickshaws.

In an attempt to escape the maddening crowd, I crossed the street to Chinatown only to find more tourists curious about this historic town.  There’s also that crazy queue outside Jonkers88, antique shoppers, and food vendors by the sidewalk.  Chinese red lanterns hanging on the streets, restaurants serving Asian dishes, bakeries, jewelry stores, and old colonial shop houses offering lustful bargains oddly blending with Chinese temples, Mosque and Old Catholic churches are testaments to the diverse cultural make up of Malacca.

The rich history of this province that was once colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British is reason enough why many tourists are obviously crazy about this quintessential place.

There’s something about this bedlam called Malacca that I hope to discover and give justice to in the future.  But for now, I shall leave it to the weekenders smitten by this archetypal town. And I say that with love!

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THE CARROT (Crumpler pencil case)

One item I always bring whenever I travel is a pen. Yes, I make sure I have one because I need to write down important information like my budget, hotel price, fare, etc. so I can share it with you in the future.  And whenever I feel like writing my thoughts, I need one in handy.  But my pen usually gets stuck at the bottom of my backpack or in between my clothes and stuff.   Good thing my fairy god mother gave me hearty pencil case on my birthday- The Carrot which is made by the legendary Crumpler!

I find The Carrot quite expensive for a pencil case which retails at Php 950, but I figured it must be due to its material and craft.  The Carrot outer shell and interior lining are both made from water resistant materials.  It is constructed with a single piece of ultra-durable material and reinforces the joining and/or stitching on all stress points.  The Carrot carries Crumpler’s famous lifetime guarantee.   It comes in 3 colors: Yellow, Violet and Black.

THE LIMPET (Crumpler bag tag)

Eye-catching bag tags are important especially when you’re waiting for your precious luggage at the airport’s conveyor belt.  It’ll avoid you from being too stressed when your bag is mixed with the same colored bag or the same exact bag!  A unique luggage tag will easily identify your baggage and thus save you time at the conveyor belt.

Crumpler introduces The Limpet, a uniquely designed bright in color and bright in personality baggage tag to make your trip to the carousel a whole lot easier! It’s the perfect blend of polyurethane, polypropylene webbing and rip stop nylon ensures, this bulletproof tag am not budging.  The Limpet’s super strength one piece tubular webbing keeps a vice like grip on your luggage. With an exterior fabric of 150D rip stop polyester, polyutherane backing and polypropylene insert, the Limpet is ready for whatever the luggage handlers can throw at it.  Like the carrot, it is expensive though, Php 750 for a baggage tag alone.

THE NOOSE (Crumpler camera wrist strap)

A camera strap is another inevitable accessory that most of us take for granted. Yes, it would not improve your photography, however it can make your shooting moment less stressful.

Most DSLR users settle with the strap that comes with their cameras usually shouting the brand of the camera in big bold letters.  It’s ironic how most of us pay a hefty price to buy a DSLR camera yet we end up to as a walking advertisement for a camera company for free (Ouch, I’m guilty!).

The Noose will keep your camera firmly attached to your wrist, offering unsurpassed security, without cutting off the circulation. Constructed from ultra-strong polypropylene webbing and neoprene for soft molded comfort, the Noose has got you covered whatever camera you tote. It even has a pocket for a spare memory card for easy access during extended shoots.  What makes this different from the ordinary camera strap is that the neoprene cushioning molds to the contours of your wrist.  In short, they provide additional comfort by being soft and a bit stretchy.  And also, the super strength one piece tubular webbing keeps a vice like grip on your camera.  The Noose retails at Php 850 which I find fair enough. Although I think this is better used with digital cameras than DSLR.

Crumpler accessories are available at:

Crumpler Bonifacio Highstreet

Crumpler SM Megamall

Crumpler Trinoma.

For more information about Crumpler products visit :  www.crumpler.com

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