Davao Del Norte | Interesting Things to Do in Sto. Tomas

 Bananas haven, first impression that you will say when entering the municipality of Santo Tomas.  Previously known as Tibal-og, home of the "tribong lumad" called Ata-Manobo inhabited in the lush forest in current days.  

Located in between the municipality of Kapalong (north), Davao City (west), Asuncion (east), and Kapalong on the east side; this town is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Davao Del Norte province in which economy is dependent on the multi-national corporations and cooperatives connected to banana-based production while rice is very significant in helping the economic development of the community.

Mindanao | The Grand Mosque of Cotabato City - the 2nd largest in Southeast Asia

Cotabato City is a place full of history and stories. One of the oldest societies in the Philippines, Cotabato City is an independent megacity forcefully located in the capital of Bangsamoro Region with a population of 325,079 people in the 2020 Census.

Mindanao| A must visit place in Sultan Kudarat Province

During this post epidemic time, I had an occasion to visit the fiefdom of Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao for a week. This fiefdom is located 100 kilometers from General Santos City, the profitable mecca of the SOCCSKSARGEN region (region 12), and a neighbor fiefdom of Maguindanao. 

The capital is Isulan, the alternate populous city next to Tacurong City. Sultan Kudarat is named to the stalwart Moro idol the great sultan of Maguindanao in 1851-1671 led the Sultanate of Mindanao during his reign. 

The iconic statehouse was primarily erected while the new Arena and the provincial hospital was added recently.  Contrary, the Capitol compount is truly the state of the art with a jaw-dropping structure similar to an ultramodern gallery and structures overseas.

Mindanao | The La Palmera Mountain Ridge of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

On weekend, using google maps! we traveled for a further than a 3-hour drive from Davao City to fulfill our DIY Tour - the La Palmera Mountain Ridge in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. Before lunch, we traveled from  Davao City traversing Digos - Makila - Tacuring highway then turned left again at Datu Paglas junction.

Indonesia | The Istiqlal Mosque - the 6th largest Mosque in the World?

Sunday morning, a day of wandering. We reserved a Grab Taxi from Alam Sutera in Serpong going to Central Jakarta in Indonesia covering the Toll Kuciran connecting roadways to roadways until the business jam began while entering the Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma. The closest road to the largest mosque in Southeast Asia is located.

Indonesia | Interesting Thing to DO, Must visit places in Central Jakarta

Jakarta in Indonesia is the oldest inhabited megacity in Southeast Asia established in the 4th century latterly the important trading harborage for the Sunda Kingdom back then. Famously known as the Batavia during the Dutch rule.

Indonesia | The famous Kawah Putih of Ciwidey, Bandung

Ciwidey is located 50 kilometers from the south of Bandung metropolis, home of the notorious sulfur lake in West Java in Indonesia – the Kawah Putih (the white crater). Positioned in the timberland right on an andesitic stratovolcano-Mount Patuha which erupted in the 12th century creating 2 craters, one is dry and on came the lake, the Kawah Putih. There has been no recorded eruption of Mount Patuha since 1600 so this area can be considered stable.

During the Dutch rule, this place was formerly a sulfur mining point but now in cease. The Indonesian forestry department took over the area in the 1900s to develop as a tourist point.

Indonesia | The most visited places in Ciwidey, Bandung

This passage broke in Tangerang, aboard a private car, we headed to the small city of Ciwidey in Bandung to visit the noted sites in the area. It has a distance of about 210 kilometers and we traveled for over 3 hours via Jl. Tol Jakarta-Cikampek and Jl. Cipularang Toll Road from the starting point. It's farther compared to 140 kilometers from the southern part of metropolitan Jakarta.

Camiguin Island | The stunning beauty of the Tuasan Falls

 There is a never-ending exploration in Camiguin Island's alluring destinations, from dipping into the inland waters, exploring the Islands' beaches up to the historical places. But then, it will not be completed if you dropped an opportunity to scout the majestic waterfalls on the Island. On the second day of the visit, got lucky with perfect weather, the group headed to barangay Mainit in the town of Catarman to experience the nature's impact of the Tuasan Falls. It is about 27 kilometers away from the place we stay in Mambajao. 

Going there is like, easy as pie; passing a very accessible and concrete road with a little bit of zigzag towards the location. If you're passing the same way, don’t miss to visit the Sunken Cemetery just along the road in Barangay Bonbon.  

Indonesia | Enjoying the beauty of Pantai Pangi and the alluring sunset of Pantai Tambakrejo in Blitar Regency

 Blitar city is located in the East Java province, noted as the home of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno and the active volcano named Keludat in the north area of the regency. Blitar has a tropical climate while the economy depends on the majority in Agriculture. One weekend in September when I visited Blitar City for the second time and one of the things that I missed during my visit is to explore some side of the Blitar coast.