TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Datu Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain of Mactan Island is heralded in the Philippines as the first Filipino hero. Lapu-Lapu dismissed Christianity and resisted the Spanish throne—good for him really but did you know that he was set up by the other Datu’s (chieftains) in Cebu? Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula who were recent converts to Christianity were Lapu-Lapu’s archenemies. They were able to convince the zealous Ferdinand Magellan to sail to Mactan Island to kill him. Unfortunately, the events turned against Magellan. This historical and critical decision to sail to Mactan lead to the fall of the Portuguese explorer and the unexpected glory of Lapu-Lapu. To honour Lapu-Lapu, a shrine is erected in Mactan Island, right on the shores where the ‘Battle of Mactan’ took place almost 600 years ago—27 April, 1521. The Mactan or Lapu-Lapu Shrine is located just before entering Punta Engano peninsula (this is before Shangrila Resort). Magellan’s death did not stop the Spaniards from further c...

While staying in Mactan Island last October 2010 , we’ve discovered a few very interesting Filipino restaurants. You know, my goal for this Philippine holiday was to only eat at Filipino (or Asian) restaurants but towards the end of our 2-week holiday, we’ve surrendered, albeit willingly, to European influenced restaurants and American fastfoods. Sigh, we are not perfect OK? Anyway, let me show you 2 Filipino restaurants in Mactan Island that have caught our attention. To get to these restaurants you would need a private car or you can book a taxi. The best GPS in the Philippines are the locals, so if you are lost, just stop and ask, someone would know. The ‘ JUNGLE RESTAURANT ’ Bagumbayan, Maribago, Mactan Island (Cebu, Philippines) What strikes us most with this restaurant is the cultural entertainment. The fire eating act was splendid and the Filipiniana regional dances as well but I think the show took a loooooooooooong time that it kind of lost its flavour. Food here is...

Currently I am juggling between 2 mobile phones. Both have different purposes and I am keeping it that way. The Blackberry is for work calls and work emails. This phone is strictly for work. There are only 2 people who knows this number outside work and that is the Dutchman and my mom. The Nokia Mini is my personal phone. I call here. I SMS here. I Facebook here. I internet here. Maybe I should try blogging here soon too. But most importantly, I use the OVI Maps and GPS here—this is actually the functionality that made me buy this phone. Being a travel addict, I need my MAPS and my GPS. The dosage I get: Free Drive Navigation Worldwide Free Walk Navigation Worldwide Free Maps and Maps Update (any city and country in the world) Free Events guides Free Lonely Planet guide (very basic) Free Michelin guide So in preparation for our upcoming holiday, today Dutchman and I downloaded the California, USA map. Just a few more nights and we are off! We also downloaded the Jordan map for my trip ...

Last year I was in Mexico for work and had the chance to spend extra days traveling in the region for pleasure and leisure. I went to visit Chichen Itza, the Tulum ruins , spent a day in Playa del Carmen , and stayed in Cancun as well. Since my previous employer sponsored us a luxurious stay at an exclusive resort near Puerto Morelos which means I had enough of the sun and sand and the all-inclusive hotel resort food (this is worrying my eating habits), I decided to stay at a hotel in Cancun El Centro and not in Cancun Hotel Zone for the rest of the days that I was not working. Except for the food, architectural ruins and the language, Mexico reminds me a lot of the Philippines. I find the old centre of Cancun a bit raw and less touristy compared to the Hotel Zone where its a chockfull of (north) American holidaymakers and partygoers. I did wander around the old centre and even went to the mercados to look for something to bring home but I did not find anything I like. My only ...

Monnickendam is located north east of Amsterdam and is part of the Waterland municipality, a group of towns and little cities of the glorious Dutch medieval past situated by the water. I came here by car which is probably the easiest way to come here, but there are buses as well that regularly ply the area from Amsterdam. My list of things to do and see in Monnickendam: (1) Climb the Speeltoren – This was on my plan to visit, I even checked the tower inside from the ground but didn’t buy the ticket to go up because I wanted to first go around town on foot and then have my beer at a café. I guess I people watched too long with my beer at the café that I lost track of time. Before I knew it, the tower was closed. (2) Visit the Grote Kerk (Church) – Located by the entrance to the village. There will be a separate post about this. (3) Tour the town on foot to enjoy the architecture – The town is small so it’s easy to walk around. Do pay attention to the houses, their details, the houses h...