Blue Mountains in One Day: Hiking at New South Wales, Australia

Okay, here's the thing: I was never a fan of hiking. Back in college, we used to hike for our Ecology subjects, and it was stressful. I'd rather swim in an open ocean than climbing hills and mountains. After college, I climbed two mountains in the Philippines - Mount Pinatubo, and Osmeña Peak, but heck, these aren't one of the country's highest peaks. These two are just, you know, an easy-peasy climb.

Months before this trip, I originally planned to visit Canberra, the capital of Australia. I have read a lot of blogs about doing a day tour there, but government buildings and flower parks weren't really my thing. While searching for Plan B, I came across with Blue Mountains National Park. Since I was itching for a new adventure, I thought of giving it a try. Perhaps, it's about time to try new things while I'm still young.

7 Travel Destinations in Mindanao That You Shouldn't Miss

Samal Island.

I was born and raised in an island named Mindanao - a land of promise, and a land where different colors scream unity in diversity. Most of the Northerners fear Mindanao. Terrorist attacks, bomb scares, and other inhumane acts are everyday occurrences in this island, they say. Truth is, we live harmoniously and peacefully, and those turmoils only occur sporadically, just like any other places in the world. Apparently, the sensationalized news of some mainstream media groups had deeply concealed the beauty of Mindanao.

In this day and age, social media had made Mindanao more visible not just to the whole country, but to the whole world as well.  Thankfully, some Northerners proved to their fellow men that there is so much to see on our island.

Here are the Top 7 travel destinations in Mindanao that you shouldn't afford to miss.

Ready? Well, here we go.

Postcard: The Roof of the Philippines

It's been a year since the last time I visited Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur. This is the place where you can have a closer look to the highest peak of the country - Mount Apo. With a height of almost 10,000 ft., Mount Apo is the place where you can find various rare species of Waling-Waling (Vanda sp.), the mighty Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), and many more.

Postcard: The Pinatubo Crater Lake

It was a exactly a year ago when I trekked Mount Pinatubo together with some thirty travel bloggers coming from the different points of the country. It was my first time to trek a mountain and I was not really sure if I made the right decision. But apparently, I did not regret of flying all the way to Capas, Tarlac just to see the magnificent view of the crater lake. It was truly worth it.

The Visayan Trail

Traveling around the Philippines is indeed challenging. One reason for it is the country's geography. Unlike its Asian neighbors, where provinces and countries are only divided by an imaginary line that we fondly call borders, most provinces in the Philippines are divided by rough seas, stretching beyond what your mind can imagine.

It's quite easy to navigate by land when you are in Luzon and Mindanao. But in Visayas, it's a different story - it is a combination of land, air and sea. Despite the geographical challenge, Visayas is the most diverse island group of the country. The three regions - Western, Central and Eastern Visayas (Region VI, VII and VIII respectively) - have their own share of language, culture and heritage and a myriad of adventures.

Conquering Osmeña Peak of Cebu

The mountains meant nothing to me before. 

I never appreciated it and never in my life did I aspire to climb even the pandak-est mountain. Well, I used to be a lazy boy who just wanted to do easy things. But my perspectives changed after I successfully climbed Mount Pinatubo. It was one of my glorious days; seeing the turquoise-blue lake literally blew me away.

Months prior my South Cebu trip, Jerome, Robbie and I planned to conquer Cebu's highest peak. I have seen a lot of beautiful photos of Osmeña Peak from the internet and read that the trek to the summit wasn't that difficult.

Or so we thought.

Trips and Tricks for Summer 2012

The weather starts to get hotter and more humid as days go by. School's about to end and for those who work from nine to five, non-working holidays start to pile up. The beaches, as well as the mountains look inviting right now.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine!

Well, allow me to share some trips and tricks on how to spend your summer break wisely.

Conquering Mount Pinatubo

I have never thought of climbing a mountain. EVER. Nase-stress na nga ako every time I think about it. I never liked trekking for three main reasons:

(1) It's tiring. Duh.

(2) Getting lost and stranded in the middle of nowhere is downright scary, which brings me to number 3...

(3) It's dangerous, most especially if the weather's unpredictable.

But I eventually gave in with the idea of trying it, even just for once... or so I thought.