I never imagined myself visiting what many Europeans call the most isolated place in their region: Iceland. Never did I also imagine to be traveling there during a pandemic. But in June 2022, I found myself strolling around Reykjavik, eating fermented shark, and being so cozy with the Nordic summer with single digit temperature. The…
Category: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Palawan: Arguably, the Philippines’ Best Island (Part 2 of 2)
As stated in the first part of this post, the locals (particularly, the boatmen and the tour guides) analogize the stalagmites and the stalactites formations of the cave as artistic sculptures or masterpieces by renowned masters. One formation I will never forget is attributed to Da Vinci: Palawan’s Last Supper, which as our boatman in…
Palawan: Arguably, the Philippines’ Best Island (Part 1 of 2)
My family and I were supposed to travel to Palawan in April 2020. We had to cancel the trip because of the onslaught of the pandemic. But above all, we were grieving over the losses of two loved-ones in the family: my partner and my dad who both succumbed to cancer in March and April…
Melbourne's Expo House and Royal Gardens
I am writing this post while the entire Luzon was on an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). It is the 7th day since the ECQ and right now, Barangay UP Campus (and the entire academic town of the University of the Philippines Diliman) is on lock down. This COVID-19 situation is really so scary and so…
From Shanghai to the Classical Gardens of Suzhou (Concluding Part)
An hour away from the Suzhou city center is the ancient city of Tongli! This ancient water city is one of the six famous ancient towns to the south of the Yangtze River along with the towns of Zhouzhuang, Yongzhi, Xitang, Wuzhen and Nanzun. When my Chinese colleague learned that I was traveling to Shanghai and was…
From Shanghai to the Classical Gardens of Suzhou (Part 2)
“It’s the peak of tourist season” said our driver. He was pissed. He had a difficult time looking for a parking slot. “Summer time, also in China, meant travels for many” he added. Since early 2000, several Chinese, especially those from rural areas began exploring the world via travels. Some began visiting large urban centers…
Heritage appreciation tour, or adventures and misadventures in Vietnam and Myanmar (Part 2)
Second day! City tour in the morning until about 1 PM, then fly to Yangoon via the official/national carrier of Vietnam. The tour was self-made – based on what the Internet provided as the must-see and must-not-do in Hanoi as suggested by travellers. But definitely, one important provision for the itinerary was the inclusion of…
From Shanghai to the Classical Gardens of Suzhou (Part 1)
A one and a half hour westward drive from Shanghai is the city of Suzhou in the province of Jiangsu. The city is home to kunqu, the oldest form of Chinese Opera and listed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2001. The city is also known for…
Heritage appreciation tour, or adventures and misadventures in Vietnam and Myanmar (Part 1)
My brother and I went on a “heritage appreciation tour” to celebrate his 21st birthday. This was a first time for us: to travel together. Normally, I would travel on my own or with my colleagues on official business or with the whole family on holiday tours. My sister informed me that my brother was…
Drottningholm: Palace, Garden and Theatre? It’s history!
One of my favorite European cities is Stockholm. The reason: Drottninghom Palace Complex. It was summer of 2016 – conference season for academics like me. The International Federation for Theatre Research awarded the hosting of the federation’s annual conference to Stockholm University on the occasion of the 250th year anniversary of the complex’s theatre. As…
Tanghal Kultura 