AirTrav is the newest air transportation in the country that transport people from Manila to Clark in 25 minutes and from Manila to Puerto Galera in 40 minutes.

Being stuck in traffic is just a waste of time. Sometimes, I spend more than two hours going to Clark, Pampanga and five hours going to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Good thing there's a company like AirTrav that offers services for quicker travel.

It was a gloomy Thursday afternoon when we went to Hop Inn Hotel located in Aseana City, Paranaque City. This was my second time to stay in a Hop Inn property. The first experience I had was at Hop Inn Makati, just minutes away from the country’s business capital and city's famous entertainment and nightlife destinations. I really had a great stay in their Makati branch that's why I took the opportunity to stay again at Hop Inn Hotel.

Upon entering the hotel, we're welcomed by their accommodating staff. Their blue collar shirt uniform is simple which is fine for me. I saw a reception officer talking to a Korean girl asking for a help for a direction and to book her a taxi. I knew that the officer was having a hard time to understand to this girl but he's still manage to be polite and friendly. Their cheerful and superb professional staff are ready and available to assist you 24/7 .There are available comfy couches in the lobby where you can sit while waiting for someone or for your car /taxi to arrive.

Aside from the amazing food, Pampanga also offers a lot of beautiful destinations and thrilling activities that will surely satisfy your adventure needs. One of the destinations we visited during the #LovePampanga tour was Puning Hot Spring and Spa, which can be found at the foot of one of the most destructive volcanoes of the 21st century (Mt. Pinatubo).

I didn't know there's a beautiful hot spring and spa in the middle of mountains of Angeles City. I thought that the city is just the home of exotic delicacies. Well, a there's a Puning Hot Spring and Sand Spa. The jump off point is at the Puning Restaurant in Sapang Bato. We took a 4x4 off road jeep (6-7 seaters) and traversed the scenic and craggy terrain going to Sitio Puning. We passed along the shallow streams and desert- like ground of sand and ash mixture. Get ready for a bumpy ride. It's advisable to hold tightly your digital camera or action camera while taking pictures or videos along the journey. Most of the time, our body was bouncing especially our ass due to the rugged roads. It took us almost 20 minutes to reach the hot spring. Overall, our 4x4 ride en route to Puning Hot Spring and Spa was extremely fun and exciting.

If you are planning to travel to the beautiful town of Bontoc in Mountain Province, I highly recommend to visit the twin mountains in Maligcong, the Mt. Fato and Mt. Kupapey. These two mountains are perfect for beginners who want to experience hiking and to witness sea of clouds. At the summit, you will be treated to an overlooking view of the Maligcong  Rice Terraces.

Going up to the summit of Mt Kupapey was fairly easy. The trail was friendly during the first few minutes of our hike.The first 500 meters was cemented and the rest was forest trail. There’s already established trail with very minimal assaults, prepare only for long walk that will take 1-2 hours. We found few stray dogs along the trail which became our guides going to the summit. Most of the time, they stopped when we stopped and wait for us to walk. I suggest to hike early in the morning to avoid so much exposure from the heat of the sun.

Islas Pinas is the first indoor "Filipino Food & Heritage Village" in the country that showcase the Philippines' beautiful sites and diverse regional cuisines. It is now open at the DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA Extension, Bay Area, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Recently, we're invited by Islas Pinas on their opening together with members of the press and other Filipino bloggers. The event was hosted by Issa Litton. Before the main program, Filipino dancers entertained us with the beautiful and vibrant folk dance. The performance of one of the dancers was heart-stopping as she danced gracefully with a set of 10 real clay pots (Palayok) on her head.

The Bituin Cove, popularly known locally as Angara Beach Resort, is part of the beautiful town of Nasugbo in Batangas. It's one of the unspoiled beaches in the town which is perfect for beach lovers and adventure seekers. This beach is 3-4 hours away from Metro Manila.

Nasugbo is known for its breathtaking white beaches that attracts thousands of foreign and local tourists every year. It's the home of some of the unspoiled beaches, coves and dive spots in the country.  Most of the time, I recommend beach resorts in this town for special occasion like family outing, birthday and team building. There are also some great destinations for backpackers and nature lovers like the Fortune Island.

The National Museum of Natural History (Filipino: Pambansang Museo ng Likas na Kasaysayan) in Manila is a natural history museum in the Philippines. It's now open to the public and entrance is absolutely for FREE!

Recently, I visited the newly-opened museum. It is hosted inside the building formerly occupied by the Department of Tourism within Rizal Park near the Agrifina Circle. As I expected, there's really a long line of visitors in the main entrance. Most of the visitors are students from colleges and universities in Metro Manila. Bring more patience if you decide to go to the National Museum of Natural History.

Upon entering the gate, the guard checked my bag. Then, I went to the registration area. If you are going in a group, let one of the members to fill up the registration book. After that, I went to baggage counter to leave my bag. Please make sure to bring your important belongings like smartphone, camera and wallet.

The National Museum of the Philippines houses the largest national repository of botanical/plant collection in the country. You can also find here the vast collection land and water animals specimens from all over the archipelago.

On the other had, the Geology Division of the National Museum showcase of collection of Philippine rocks, minerals and fossils through collection, exchange or donation.

On the first floor, you can find the lower entrance hall, lower courtyard, education and function halls  as well the "Tree if Life Foyer which will give you on the introduction to the Museum.

On the second floor, you can find the Temporary Exhibitions,Our Natural Inheritance, Reception Hall, Upper Courtyard and Upper Hall.

On the third floor, you can find the Mangroves, Beaches, Intertidal Zones, and The Marine Realm. The Freshwater Wetlands, Ultramafic and Limestone Karts Forests, Lowland Evergreen Rainforests, and Mossy, Montane and Pine Trees are also this level which are not yet open to the public.

The Philippine Biodiversity, The Geology of the Philippines, Life Through Time and Minerals and Energy Resource are located on the fifth floor which are  are not yet open to the public.

One of the main attractions in the museum is" Lolong". He's the world's largest saltwater crocodile ever caught and placed in captivity(Crocodylus porosus) measured at 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in), and weighed 1,075 kg (2,370 lb).

Travel Guide / Tips

• Selfie sticks and monopods and tripods are not allowed inside the museum. 
• Please wear descent clothes. 
• Please make sure your camera and smartphone have enough memory and battery.
• Food and bottled water are not allowed.
• Please don't create too much noise.
• It's advisable not to touch anything in every displayed arts.
• Come early as you can
• Avoid bringing large bags

Aside from the National Museum of Natural History, don't forget to  visit National Museum of Anthropology, and National Museum of Fine Arts. These two museum offers FREE entrance.

For those who will visit the museum, please take time to read those information that are posted on each gallery. It will help you to understand the Philippine Biodiversity and to educate some important information about floras and faunas, mostly found nowhere else. Taking photos is not wrong but please mindful for those who take time to read what is written on each specimen.. Please take time to look and appreciate each artworks.

How To Get To National Museum of Natural History

From the CaMaNaVa* ( Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area:

Option 1. From Monumento, take an LRT 1 Yellow Line going to Taft and get down at United Nations station. Walk going right around 5-10 minutes walk.

Option 2. From Monumento, ride a jeepney along Rizal Avenue bound for Taft Avenue and asked to be dropped near National Musuem.

From the south (Pasay, Makati, Paranaque and more southern area):

Option 1. Ride an FX or bus bound for Manila City Hall or Lawton and get down at Luneta. Then walk around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 2. From SM Mall of Asia or along Taft Avenue, take a jeepney bound for Divisoria either via Taft or Mabini route. Get down at Luneta. Then walk around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 3. Ride the LRT 1 Yellow Line bound for United Nations Station and get down at United Nations Station and walk towards  National Museum.

Option 4. Around Makati and Pasay, ride Libertad-LRT or Buendia-LRT bound jeepneys or Ayala-Leveriza bound buses and get down at the LRT station. Ride either an LRT or jeepney along Taft Avenue and get down at United Nations Station. Then walk around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

Option 5. Along Roxas Boulevard, there are FX that are Sucat-Lawton. You can ride this and asked to be dropped at Luneta. Then walk around 5-10 minutes going to the National Museum.

National Museum of Natural History

Operation hours-  10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Contact Information: ASBMD, National Museum Central Office; 527-4192
Email: nm_asbmd@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph

Unicorn Island is real, and you can definitely see it in Zambales, Philippines. This newest attraction is part of the giant floating playground known as the Inflatable Island. It features colorful gigantic inflatable unicorn and narwhal, floating rainbow walk, and slipper slope slide.

The Unicorn Island is floating on Subic Bay waters which 10 minutes away by car from Ayala Mall Harbor Point Subic Bay and 2 and a half hour trip from Manila. It features six inflatable obstacles including Baba’s Super Slide, Slippery Slopes, the Rainbow Walk, Mini Jump and Fly, Climby the Seaunicorn and Wavy Dinosaur.

I heard some great reviews about Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel in La Union. I saw a lot of my friends posted their photos and videos on their Facebook and Instagram account with this laid back hostel during the #LaborUnion.  So, we decided to visit this cool hostel in Urbiztondo, San Juan.

Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel is a beachfront social hostel in Surf Town San Juan, La Union. It features affordable rooms from 8 sharing rooms, 4 bed rooms, Garden View Queen / Balcony to Sea View Queen. Certain rooms include views of the sea or garden. Lockers are included in the room. Guests have access to the shared bathroom.

Walk-in is not advisable if you want to stay overnight or stay 2-days or more in Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel. Unluckily, the hostel was fully booked when I called their hotline. It's better to book a month ahead of the scheduled trip. The hotel is very popular in #Elyu not only for Filipino travelers but also for international tourists. We saw a lot of backpacker foreigners around the area when we visited the hostel.

Guests can enjoy the on-site bar and the Free WiFi. Free private parking is also available on site. There is a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and gift shop at the property.

We really enjoyed the on-site bar. This relaxing bar is not only for hostel's guests, it's also for everyone who want to chill and relax while drinking their favorite beer or cocktails. The whole area is surrounded with colorful lanterns and bean bags. The best time to stay here is at night.

The hostel has water sports facilities and bike hire is available. Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including snorkeling and hiking.

Most of my friends told me that they enjoyed their stay in Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel. I guess this hostel is perfect for budget travelers and wanderers who want to celebrate art, music, surfing, happiness, friendship and imagination in Surf Town San Juan La Union, Philippines.

On our next visit to La Union, we will make sure we will stay in Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel to personally experience their rooms, facilities and services.

Destinations to visit in La Union include Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, Ma-cho Temple in San Fernando, Pugad in Pugo, Tapuakan River in Pugo, Gapuz Grapes Farm and Pebble Beach of Luna.

How to get to  Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel La Union

La Union can be reached after a 5-7 drive or bus ride northward from Metro Manila. You can take Partas Transportation, Dominion Bus Lines or Viron Transportation Co., Inc. Travel fare is from 480 to 580. Tell the driver to drop you off in  Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

• Partas Transportation – Cubao-   816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City
• Partas Transportation – Pasay - Tramo corner Edang St., San Roque, Pasay City 
• Dominion Bus Lines -  EDSA corner New York St., Quezon City
• Viron Transportation Co., Inc. - 1209 Dapitan corner Blumentritt Streets, Sampaloc, Manila

Flotsam & Jetsam Artist Beach Hostel La Union

Address: 12500 MacArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, 2514, Philippines
Contact Number: 09178021328

Facebook: Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel

Instagram: @FlotsamAndJetsamHostel

Youtube: Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel

If you have review, blog, opinion or any questions about La Union and Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel, please leave a comment below

Aside from Mt Balabag, Treasure Mountain in Rizal is one one easiest mountain to climb near Metro Manila. You can reach the jump off point less than 2 hours via public or private transportation. This mountain offers an amazing sea of clouds and breath-taking view of nearby mountains.

Treasure Mountain is perfect for those who want to experience a chill hike. Honestly, you only need to take 5 minutes hike to reach the peak of the mountain, which is also the camping site. You can tell to the tricycle driver to bring you to the gate of Treasure Mountain. You can also park your car in front of  the gate.I guarantee it's absolutely an easy hike.