The rolling landscape of the Bicol region, just near Legazpi city in the Philippines. Typical for Bicol, is its delicious pili nuts and the spicy food with ingredients like coconut milk and chili. The easiest and fastest way to come here is by air from Manila. If you are on a tight budget you can take the bus instead but whatever transportation you choose it's well worth it. ​There are much to see and do here.

Related links:
Ligñon Hill in Legazpi
Mt Mayon, Philippines
View from Paguriran Island (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Una Pizzeria Restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Jollibee restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Casa Dominga restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Santa Clara Park Hotel (Sorsogon, Philippines)

Isabelle Royale is located near Makati Avenue and just a couple of minutes walking distance from A. Venue Mall where you have shops, a supermarket and restaurants. Just near A. Venue Mall they also have a small night market with local food and live performances, nice and perfect for a tight budget! If you prefer a more upscale area like the Ayala Triangle or Greenbelt, you can get there with a taxi within minutes, depending on the traffic of course. As an alternative to taxi and heavy traffic, it felt safe to walk down the Makati Avenue to get there, even in the evenings.

The room was clean and had a nice view over the Makati skyline at night. WiFi was working good even in the room. The room was equipped with a refrigerator and a water boiler. The AC was the old style but it went fairly good to adjust the temperature. A simple but ok breakfast was included and served at the top floor. The staff was friendly and helpful. I did find some cockroaches in the room and therefore I can only give a 3 for the Cleanliness.

​Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
4 Service
5 Value for the money
3 Cleanliness 
I stayed here in December 2015

Isabelle Royale Makati
4343 P. Valdez Street Brgy. Poblacion Makati City, Makati, 1213 Manila, Philippines
​Phone: +63 2 857 2600

Related links:
UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila​
Where to eat the fiery style in Manila?
Visit Intramuros in Manila​
Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​
Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​
Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila
Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila
Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay
Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo
Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila
Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay
Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay
Video clips Manila Ocean Park​

Water comes in different shapes, big and small, fresh and salty. We are water beings who all belong to the water cycle, depending on it for our survival. But I have too often seen things which make me depressed. Like for example in pristine environments on remote islands which at first sight look so beautiful with white sand beaches and clear water. But in the next moment I discover something else. Tons of plastic bottles, old fishnets, ropes and other stuff. It's like I feel ashamed to be human when I see that. We should be intelligent enough to bring our own shit back where it belongs.

When coming to Calayan Island the options for accommodation are limited. There are no hotels here. But one very good option is TPS Homestay, owned by Mam Tessie. The homestay is located at J.P Rizal Street not far from the pier. Just walking distance. Her helping hands are Medy and Arlene. Medy can assist you as your tour guide and driver around the island. We paid total 500 PHP per day for going around with Medy. The gasoline was included. With Arlene you can arrange so she will cook all your meals under your stay at an additional cost of course. There are some sari sari stores around where you can buy your own food and use the kitchen at no extra cost.

Since we were here under low season we were the only guests at the homestay. We were very well accommodated and well taken care of. It almost felt like our home. The surroundings around the homestay were quiet so in night time we slept very well. The electricity was limited, there was only electricity in the evening from 5 to 10 PM. Beware also about the cellphone coverage and that the access to Internet can be sporadic. Hey! This is a remote island out in the middle of the sea after all. 

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
5 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
4 Cleanliness 
I stayed here in January 2014

TPS Homestay
J. P. Rizal Street, Calayan Island, Philippines
Phone: +639399158667 or +639298375737

Related links:
Calayan Island, Philippines
Review of Eva's Panciteria (Tuguegarao city, Philippines)
Review of Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines)

If you for some reason happen to be in Santa Ana, the almost northern tip of the whole Luzon you are really off the beaten track but probably heading for the ferry going to the Babuyan Islands. There are not much here in Santa Ana, but you have the Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort here. This is a big casino and a Chinese restaurant with accompanying bungalows. When you pass by on the road outside it looks really anonymous like a big quiet warehouse or something. It's only the signpost which tells you there is something going on inside the compound.

But don't hesitate. Just proceed through the gates and walk along the big warehouse wall until you reach the front and you will be amazed! A big entrance with fountains and nice plantings welcomes you. But it's a little bit of a surrealistic experience, in the middle of nowhere, in this small town Santa Ana you find this place and there is almost no people around. By the time we were there having dinner there was only one other guest present. 

Related links:
Calayan Island, Philippines
Review of TPS Homestay (Calayan Island, Philippines)
Review of Eva's Panciteria (Tuguegarao city, Philippines)

If you are in Manila, why not enjoy the magnificent view of this once dormant volcano? Named as the "Sleeping Giant”. Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991 altered global climate and caused mudflows to cascade down its slopes, destroying everything along its path and leaving behind a labyrinth of towering lahar cliffs. The Crater Lake within the mouth of the volcano has a halcyon shade of blue that contrasts with the black, strombolic fury it exhibited years ago.

There are tour operators which arrange day trips from Manila to Mt Pinatubo and back. Expect an early pick-up at around 4-5  am, drive for a couple of  hours to Capas, where your local guide will meet you. Upon arrival, transfer to a 4x4 jeep and experience a 2-hour ride and almost 2 hour-trek to the crater.

See the complete story here: Mt Pinatubo day trip

Related links:
UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila​
Where to eat the fiery style in Manila?
Visit Intramuros in Manila​
Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​
Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​
Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila
Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila
Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay
Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo
Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila
Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay
Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay
Video clips Manila Ocean Park​

Calayan Island is a part of the Babuyan Islands located in the Luzon Strait north of Luzon Island. To come here you need to go to Tuguegarao. From there you can take the bus to Santa Ana where you take the ferry  roughly 4 hours out in the sea. The best time to go here is during April. Although you can go here other times of the year, but there is always the possibility that you can  get stranded because of the unpredictable weather.

There are a few Sari Sari stores where you can buy necessities and some homestay to accommodate you. Either you can cook your own food or arrange so they can cook for you in the homestay. Calayan Island is off the beaten track and perfect for enjoying the beauty of nature but not for a bustling nightlife.

Related links:
Review of TPS Homestay (Calayan Island, Philippines)
Review of Eva's Panciteria (Tuguegarao city, Philippines)
Review of Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort (Santa Ana, Philippines)

Here is the view from Paguriran Island on to the mainland at high tide. The distance over to the mainland is only a couple of hundred meters and you can easily wade here even in high tide. The small huts among the palm trees is Paguriran Island Beach Resort, a perfect getaway for picnics and some relaxing at the beach with white sand. This beautiful place should be on your bucket list if you are visiting Sorsogon. Just take a 20-30 minutes ride from the city center with a tricycle. 

Related links:
Ligñon Hill in Legazpi
The rolling landscape of Bicol
Mt Mayon, Philippines
View from Paguriran Island (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Una Pizzeria Restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Jollibee restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Casa Dominga restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines)
Review of Santa Clara Park Hotel (Sorsogon, Philippines)

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens is located around 21 km south of Manila in Imus, Cavite. The area of Imus is surprisingly green as long as you stay away from the R-2 highway. Since this is not really a tourist spot you will probably not end up here unless you have a reason to visit this particular area. 
Nevertheless Casa Verde is good priced hotel, quiet surroundings with breakfast included. WiFi and AC was functioning perfect. The room was very fresh and clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. Only 5 min from Casa Verde with tricycle, you reach the R-2 highway where you have plenty of public buses going back and forth to Manila or Dasmariñas.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Location
5 Sleep Quality
5 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here February 2016

Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens
254 Bayan Luma III, Cavite, 4103 Imus, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 715 0661

Related links:
Visit Intramuros in Manila​
Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​
Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​
Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila
Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila
Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay
Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo
Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia
Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay
Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay
Video clips Manila Ocean Park​

I have passed by this restaurant many times when I have been in Mall of Asia looking for something to eat. It looks nothing special from the outside. But then finally I thought I would give the place a try! 
Chili's offers a little bit of the usual stuff for this category of restaurants. Tex Mex, ribs, chicken, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, salads etc. They also offer lunch combos. Actually it took me a while for deciding what to take. Many of the dishes in the menu looked very delicious. I finally decided to go for the Monterey Chicken. Grilled chicken breast topped with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, cheese, diced tomatoes and green onions. Served with mashed potatoes and steamed fresh veggies. The waitress asked me if I wanted fried mushrooms together as a side dish. I really got the impression from her that the mushrooms were complimentary. So I didn't distinctively ask for the price, which of course I should have done.
The food was quickly on the table and the portion was huge and delicious. The price for the Monterey Chicken was 485 PHP. When I got the bill they had charged me additionally 220 PHP for the mushrooms. The portion of the mushrooms had been very small.  So I felt disappointed of the expensive price and the way the waitress had handled her upselling. 
So I asked for the supervisor and explained the situation. To my surprise she was very understanding and immediately offered me a compensation free of choice. So I ordered The Deep Fried Cheesecake as a dessert for 350 PHP. From the feeling of disappointment to satisfaction I become a very full satisfied customer.
​They also had a strong and fast WiFi net and clean and fresh comfort rooms. 

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 
4 Service
3 Value
4 Atmosphere
I was here February 2016.

Chili's Restaurant
SM Mall of Asia, South Wing, Ground Floor, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: 835 9663

Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!

Chili's restaurant in Mall of Asia, Manila Monterey chicken as it looked in the menu Monterey Chicken and my mushroom side dish on top Deep fried cheesecake with ice cream Related links: UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila​ Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila​ Manila American Cemetery & Memorial​ Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery​ Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park​