nature

Penang, Malaysia: Experiencing Kampung (Village) Homestays

Posted on August 14, 2014

Enjoy Malaysian hospitality at a homestay in Penang Malaysia has an extensive network of village cooperatives throughout the country that run homestays for both domestic and foreign tourists. I’ve blogged about my homestay experience in Negeri Sembilan, and was given the opportunity to try out the homestay program in another state – Penang. At the Jom Jelajah Koperasi (Let’s Explore Cooperatives) 2014 media trip organized by Gaya Travel Magazine and Suhuranjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM), we got to visit four kampungs (villages) in Penang – the popular heritage stateRead More→

Kuala Lumpur: KL Bird Park – World Largest Free-Flight Walk-In Aviary [SP]

Posted on February 21, 2014

An Indian peacock struts his stuff at KL Bird Park – the largest free-flight walk-in aviary in the world. One of the fascinating stops on the eco-friendly bicycle and tram tours from the KL City Gallery is the KL Bird Park (Taman Burung) – the largest free-flight walk-in aviary in the world! Located in the serene and scenic Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, it is only 10 minutes drive away from the city center. It is the home to more than 3,000Read More→

Ticao Island, Masbate: Bongsalay Mangrove Forest

Posted on December 7, 2013

Avicennia rumphiana, a mangrove species endemic to Southeast Asia In between Masbate Island and the Bicol Peninsula is Ticao Island, which still belongs to Masbate province. It is best known for the Manta Bowl, the top diving destination to see giant manta rays. A little known fact though is that it’s home to another behemoth of the natural world – the century-old miyapi mangrove tree of the Bongsalay Mangrove Forest Reserve in the southern town of Batuan.After arriving at Brgy LagundiRead More→

T’boli, South Cotabato: Hiking Mt. Melibingoy (Mt. Parker) & Lake Holon (Lake Maughan)

Posted on August 9, 2013

Lake Holon, the crater lake of Mt. Melibingoy,  in South Cotabato was once declared the country’s cleanest lake. While researching about Lake Sebu in South Cotabato some years ago, I chanced upon a mountain lake in the same province on Google Maps which I later learned was Lake Holon – formerly Lake Maughan – the ancient crater of a dormant stratovolcano, Mt. Melibingoy (formerly Mt. Parker). I’ve always been intrigued by this lesser known lake located in the municipality ofRead More→

Narra, Palawan: Spotting the Rare Philippine Cockatoos of Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted on July 4, 2013

Only 1,000 Philippine Cockatoos are left in the wild, with 300 of them living on Rasa Island From San Vicente, I headed back down to Puerto Princesa City and continued further down south to the municipality of Narra, where I visited Rasa Island, home of the last remaining large population of Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygi), locally known as katala. There are only around 1,000 individuals left across the Philippine archipelago, and this species is found no where else on the planet.Read More→

Awesome Sea Turtle Encounters at Apo Island with Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa! [SP]

Posted on July 2, 2013

Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa can arrange awesome sea turtle encounters at Apo Island!  Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel and Spa, a new hideaway located just five minutes away from Sibulan Airport, invited me to rediscover Dumaguete City and its neighboring attractions. Once a residential compound, the boutique hotel naturally possesses a welcoming and homey feel, but at the same time is expertly furnished to exude comfort and luxury with its well-curated furniture and decor, many of which can be purchased. There’sRead More→