Andrea's Travels

Low fares, it’s more fun in Batanes!

2012-03-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

Thinking of a place to go this summer? Why not try the unique eco-cultural experience of the time-warped Batanes group of islands where you can get a glimpse of the Philippines of old? Flying to Batanes is now made more affordable and convenient as the Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA) offers lower airfares starting March 15. One way ticket starts at P6,200, much lower than the usual

Fear factor in Batanes: the Itbayat saga

2008-07-24T03:02:00.000-07:00

IT WAS THE SCARIEST RIDE OF MY LIFE -- the 3-hour boat trip to Itbayat, the northernmost island of the Philippine archipelago. I've heard many wonderful stories about Itbayat and my good friend Vic swore one could only fully appreciate Batanes if you visit Itbayat on a faluwa, no less! And so off we went on a faluwa. A faluwa is a small motorized boat which is more like a hull. Its design is

Learning from the Ivatans of Batanes

2008-06-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a week-long trip to Batanes. It was a tiring but very enriching trip. My body still aches from the uphill walks and the unbelievable 3-hour trip in the high seas to Itbayat -- the farthest inhabited island in the northeastern part of the country. But the biiiiigggg waves was peanuts compared to our "landing" in this coral island. (This will be in another blog.) So much have

Picture-perfect Sta. Ana, Cagayan

2008-06-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

By : Yen S. Lim-Galagnara YEHEY.Com6/12/2008 9:59:12 AMThe long trip I took last week was unbelievable; I have to say this honestly. Every time I opened my eyes from my sleep, I’d discover that we were still on the road.We practically had 3 complete meals along the way for crying out loud, not to mention the loot bags of chips and candy that Andrea Echavez, the very efficient brainchild of this

Enchanting Cape Engano

2008-04-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

IT'S NOT CALLED CAPE ENGAÑO FOR NOTHING. This cove in Palaui Island of the now-getting-famous Santa Ana, Cagayan North, is truly enchanting. I'm pretty sure the Spaniards who first set foot on this little island before they built the once majestic Faro de Cabo Engaño in the late 1800's fell under the spell of this enchanted island. The same spell that binds every

Travelling again

2008-03-22T02:10:00.000-07:00

"Travelling puts you in a heightened state of awareness. It stimulates your brain and makes you call up all your intellectual, spiritual and physical resources. Journeys are necessary for human beings; otherwise we stagnate. Change is essential for everyone, and travelling presents a high rate of change." - By the canadian writer Lynne Shuttleworth.In the journey called life, you sometimes come

Aparri, Cagayan

2005-12-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

Don't mind the foreground - that's me. :) But I wanted to share the beautiful sunrise of Aparri, Cagayan. Popularly known as the end of Luzon island, Aparri is very provincial. Yet, it's simplicity is just enchanting. It's one of the best vacation places - far, far away from the hussle buzzle of Manila. Not to mention the people are very nice, too. Kudos to Mayor Mael Tumaru and his beautiful

Sta. Ana, Cagayan

2005-12-30T17:43:00.000-08:00

We're at an islet called Manidad in Sta. Ana, Cagayan province. Sta. Ana, which is really the end of Luzon island (it's not Aparri, I found out) has many islands and islets including one with a virgin forest where endangered species can be found. This islet is a rock formation at the mouth of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the China Sea on the other side. Sta. Ana is truly bewitching. Thanks

Baao, Camarines Sur

2005-12-11T04:32:00.000-08:00

The "Egg Capital" of Luzon-- Baa-o. With Baao Mayor Mel Gaite (in red checkered polo) and wife (black and red), Unilever's Alex Tacderas (behind me) and Macky (in yellow). Thanks to the hospitality of Baao First Couple, we had a great time during our visit.

Luna, Apayao

2005-12-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

With Luna, Apayao Mayor Betty Verzola, Justine and Isa. We visited Luna to validate the town's entry to Lady's Choice Christmasterpiece: Bayanihang Pasko 2005.

2005-12-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

Ilocos is such a nice place. Behind us is an open sea -- one of the truly beautiful sights in the region. With me are Isa Reyes (Unilever) and Al Cruz. We were on our way to Laoag airport from Luna, Apayao. Though we were in a hurry to catch our flight, we just couldn't resist the beauty of the ocean.