Surfin Siargao

I was in Siargao 12 years ago when not too many tourists were going there. Stayed there only for a day and a night. But the little that I saw, I liked and I vowed to return.

Thanks to Cebu Pacific traveling to Siargao has been made easy and cheaper ( if you avail of promo rates). They have flights from Manila that connect to Siargao via Cebu. So finally this July I got the chance to stay for a week and took the opportunity to see more of this island paradise.

This time around there were more tourists and the majority were foreigners who came mainly for surfing. Cloud 9 ( the surfing area of Siargao) continues to be the main attraction of Siargao. In July, surf was mild which was good for beginners. Best time to go for surfers is from August to October where the waves are at its strongest. There is an international surfing competition held annually in September.

For non-surfers, Cloud 9 is still a good place to visit because of the beautiful seascape made rustic with the long wooden walkway that leads to the surfing area.

Kawayan's Pride

Worth a pit stop on the way to Laguna or Quezon along the Manila East Road in Pililia, Rizal is the Kawayan Farm and Restaurant. This place has a great view of Laguna de Bay and meals are served in huts made of bamboo.

House specialities include the jumbo lumpia (with generous fillings of lettuce of bamboo shoots wrapped in egg roll) and fresh organic lettuce salad which is served with their house dressing combined with tomatoes, peanuts, onions and mangoes.

Food is good and prices very reasonable so I always take a meal here driving on my way to Quezon or on my way back to Manila.

Quezon's Tilapia Dish

One of my favorite dishes in the popular Palaisdaan Restaurant (located in Tayabas, Quezon) is the house specialty, Sinugno. This is actually tilapia fish wrapped in mustasa leaves and cooked in coconut milk. Just writing about it now, makes me hungry and craving for another serving of this truly delicious dish.

So if you happen to be in Tayabas in Quezon make a lunch stop at Palaisdaan and order Sinugno. This restaurant also has local ambiance with dining offered at nipa huts floating on its fishpond. Its is worth a leisurely stop if you are in Quezon.

Pagsanjan's Halo Halo

Not to be missed in Pagsanjan is a stop at Aling Taleng's halo halo. This halo halo costing P60 per glass rivals the best halo halo of Pampanga and Cavite. Ingredients include macapuno, ube, leche flan, kundol, monggo, milk, and coconut. Said ingredients which are always served fresh with crushed ice make for a really good dessert or snack during a road trip this part of the Philippines.

Pagsanjan's Favorite Restaurant

Have tried different dining alternatives in the Laguna area. But this small unpretentious restaurant along the main road of Pagsanjan town stands out. Binalot sa Dahon is a 16 year old restaurant that does not call attention to itself. It is very ordinary looking from the outside and so it is easy to miss.

But inside is a carinderia style dining place in an old house setting with a garden with nipa huts where you can dine alfresco. The food is typical home cooking with a rice meal which includes tomato and salted egg on the side. Popular dishes are binagoongan, pork steak and tocino. But my favorite is the steamed tilapia with onions, garlic and tomatoes on top. Price is also very reasonable costing around P100 per head for a truly satisfying meal.

Angkor Wat at Sunrise

A "must do" experience when visiting Angkor Wat is to take an early morning tour to catch Angkor Wat as it changes colors as sunrise approaches.

Waking up early morning to get there at 4am is a minor inconvenience. You appreciate even more Angkor Wat as you watch in awe this truly magnificent temple in the different colors of sunrise.

Truly Amazing Angkor Wat

Deservedly the highlight of a trip to Cambodia is a visit to the Angkor Wat. To get to this spectacular temple you have to cross the long stone bridge above the moat and what awaits is a truly amazing complex of temples that is impressive both when viewed from a distance and up close.

The walls of the temples have intricate carvings and bas-reliefs of demons and gods. Equally impressive are the many Hindu god statues inside the temples.

Angkor Wat deserves its place as one of the true ancient wonders of the world!