Night markets are very popular in Taiwan. These are street markets which operate at night and are generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping, and eating than more business like day markets. You can find here a mixture of individual food stalls, trendy clothes, consumer goods, xiaochi (similar to snacks or fast food), and specialty drinks. And if you are planning to visit Taiwan, then visiting night markets should be your number-one thing to do.

Ximending is a fun place to visit, no matter what time of day. It is a shopping district which is called the "Harajuku of Taipei" and the "Shibuya of Taipei". The road is full of lights and atmosphere is crowded and busy. This place is just 10 minutes walk away from our hotel (Just Sleep Hotel). We found lots of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, international brand outlets, milk tea stores and a lot of more.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand formally introduced to the Philippines' members of the press and bloggers the 5 famous Thai festivals at the PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2019 happened last Friday, February 8. They also unveiled the new Thailand ambassador none other than TV host Robi Domingo.

Before the main the event, dancers from Thailand perform on stage with their amazing Thai traditional dance. Women dancers were wearing a sinh ( a traditional garment worn by Lao and Thai women ) with blouse or a suea pat (s a long-sleeved shirt with no buttons.) and glamorous accessories. Men dancers were wearing chong kraben or pants, a Raj pattern shirt, and trousers or sado. Their costumes were very impressive.

Pampanga  is known as the culinary capital of the Philippines. You will find here a lot of food establishments that offer authentic signature dishes. This province also features numerous tourist destinations including cultural and historical spots, water theme park, organic farms, adventure zoo, etc.

Photo from Paul Benzi

In our recent trip to Pampanga, we visited some of the must-see places that are worth the money. And if you are planning to travel Pampanga, below are just some of attractions that you might want to consider on your next trip.

Many places in the Philippines are known for their joyous and colorful festivals, and Cebu is certainly no exception! Although the fiestas of this island province are renowned for their unique color and pageantry, they are also deeply rooted in the Cebuanos’ religious tradition and history. Cebu’s fetes are also opportunities for thanksgiving, reminiscence, as well as reunions of family and friends. Here we will have a look at some of Cebu’s famous festivals, which are special for both locals and visitors alike. 

(c) Christian Toledo Photography

Sinulog Festival

The grandest and most celebrated of Cebu’s festivals, the Sinulog, is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January in Cebu City. The Sinulog commemorates the feast of the Santo Niño, or the Child Jesus, which is a significant icon in Cebu’s history. The fiesta is marked by Masses, processions, and pageants, as well as a large street party in the heart of the city. The gaiety and verve of the festivities is so infectious, and will certainly have even newcomers shouting out “Pit Senyor!”

Located in the mountainous area of Nantou, Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan's top attractions. You can find here the most gorgeous lake in Taiwan which is surrounded by forested peaks and has bike/foot trails. The lake takes its name from the unique terrain that looked like a round sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other.

The weather was perfect during our visit in one of the most romantic places in Taiwan. It wasn’t too cold. I can even wear my favorite pastel short. First, our guide toured us in Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village amusement park. The park is home to Taiwan's first suspended roller coaster and tallest free-fall ride. Inside the park, we saw a lot of Cherry Blossoms that's starting to bloom. One of the highlights of our tour was an aboriginal tribal performances from the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village dancers.

One of the famous tourist destinations in Taiwan, Chung-she Flower Garden (Zhong She Toursight Flower Market) is a beautiful flower farm located in the Houli District of Taichung. It features numerous major flowers covering more than six hectares of radiating flowerbeds with stunning landscapes that change throughout the four seasons.

As we entered in the flower garden, we're amazed by myriads of flowers from tulips, sunflowers to lavender and Calla Lily. We felt we're in Holland. Everything was awesome. Flowers are arranged according to their kinds and colors, forming a large colorful carpets of indescribable colours.

Kota Kinabalu is one of the amazing destinations in Asia that you need to visit. It features a wide array of spectacular attraction sites over the city, beautiful white beaches, tropical rain forests; historic sites, beautiful landscapes and the mighty Mount Kinabalu. The city is also a famous getaway for tourists and the primary entrance to Borneo Island and Sabah.

Kota Kinabalu is situated on the tropical island of Borneo, and is the state capital of the Malaysian state Sabah. The location is pretty awesome where most of destinations are near to the airport and to any hotel. Speaking of hotel, KK offers lots of accommodations scattered in and around the city a large variation of options ranging from budget-friendly hotel to luxurious hotels to high end beach resorts.. If you are a backpacker and looking for a budget hotel or great deal, you can find it here on www.zenrooms.com. Don't forget to use the promo code "PINOYTRAVELER' to get 20% off on your booking.

During my visit in KK, I stayed in Grandis Hotel, one of  the best hotels in  Kota Kinabalu. The hotel sits in the heart of the city, a mere 15 minutes’ drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and right next to the hippest lifestyle mall in town. My room was pretty awesome and the view from the rooftop was spectacular. I enjoyed the view of the glittering South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu’s breath-taking sunsets, and the picturesque Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands.

Food is great in KK. There are lots of restaurant offers sumptuous food which seasoned with lots of herbs and spices. If you're a budget traveler looking for affordable meal, no worries, there are lots of hawker stalls around the area. Don't forget to try several seafood dishes at the Gaya Street Sunday Market. The main entertainment area can be found in KK Waterfront. You can enjoy your drinks here while listening to live bands.

Destinations that you need to visit include on your itinerary are Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Atkinson Clock Tower, Tun Mustapha Tower,Tanjung Aru Perdana Park, Manukan Island, Sapi Island, and Mamutik Island ( Tunku Abdul Rahman Park), Poring Hot Springs, 'Signal Hill Observatory' , Desa Cow Farm, Moroli River Fish Spa, Desa Cow Farm, Kokol Hill and Mount Kinabalu. If you want a hassle-free tour, you can book it via KKDAy.

DIY is only recommended for tour to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands. You can go directly to Jesselton Point,providing ferry and motorboat services to nearby islands. There are also regular scheduled ferry services to Labuan if you are planning to go to Brunei via boat. One island tour is as low as RM20. I recommend to avail package tour for 3 islands which will cost RM50 plus tax and environmental fee.

There are many ways for getting around in the city for tourists in Kota Kinabalu which includes public as well as private transportation in KK. It's a advisable to take a grab car if you want to visit tourist destinations within the city. Grab car is is more secured and comfortable compare to a regular taxi. If you want to save money, you can walk or take a city bus.

If you are planning to go to Kota Kinabalu during summer, don't forget to bring apparel that will protect your skin from the direct heat of  the sun. Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm and tropical climate all through the year.It has has two kind of seasons, and they are dry season and wet season. The best time to travel to Kota Kinabalu is during January to March because the climate during this period is relatively cool, dry and less messy.

Activities to be indulge in KK include diving, leisure diving, technical diving, snorkelling, parasailing, fishing, kayaking, cruising, hikin etc. Several interesting dive sites and mountains can be enjoyed as day trips from Kota Kinabalu.

Kota Kinabalu is truly an amazing destination. There are lots of nice sights and attractions in and around the city.  Food is good specially at the Gala night market. A must- visit destination in Asia.

Food is always my cup of tea. I always look for a food destination that offers delectable but inexpensive food. Yes, I love food and my adventure would not be completed if I can’t go around the place for some awesome food stops.

In our recent trip to La Union, we found this steakhouse named Sizzling County. It's located at the 2nd floor LU Town Center in Urbiztondo, San Juan. It's a simple food establishment with inviting western country atmosphere. I found their wall cool featuring the "King of Philippine Movies" (often shortened to Da King), none other than Fernando Poe Jr.

Music is always part of my adventures. Whether I'm traveling for few hours or a few days, I need a good music. It gives me the positive vibe that I need every time I travel. Music makes my trip more exciting and more enjoyable.

As one sitting in the white sand or inside a beautiful room, there's nothing like listening to a chill vibe music. This is really fun especially if I'm listening with friends. The best way to share my music with them is by connecting my phone to a good portable speaker. I can tell you, it's more fun to listen music to a speaker. I feel more the sound's beat and the lyrics of the music.

Travelling is not fun when you get sick during your trip. Being sick when you're alone is even worse. It's impossible not to expose yourself to all sorts of weird germs when you travel. You will also experience a sudden change in weather, sleeping in strange places, and eating unfamiliar food. The chances are high that you're going to get sick.