Wild Junket » the Philippines

6 of the Most Unusual Honeymoon Destinations

Nellie Huang — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:12:35 +0000

Hidden coves, a far-flung location, undiscovered deserted isles and unparalleled beauty – these are what most people look for in a honeymoon destination. The world is huge and there are tons of these secret corners around, if you know where to look. Forget Cancun, Maui and Venice, I’ve come up with these 6 uncommon honeymoon destinations that are loaded with cozy resorts, private bays and incredible natural beauty. At least we know where we’ll be honeymooning.

1. Seychelles

In this exotic Indian Ocean archipelago, expect turquoise waters similar to that of the Caribbean Islands, without the flashy resorts and tourists. With over 100 islands, couples can go island-hopping one day, forest-trekking through its lush foliage the next or scuba diving in its deep waters. This is definitely our top choice for a perfect blend of relaxation and wildlife-watching.

Flickr Photo by J.Ballester

2. Suriname

A country not many has heard of, Suriname is a slice of South America that is yet to be discovered by travelers. Perhaps that’s what made this country an attractive honeymooning destination. As the only Dutch-speaking country besides Holland, Suriname is blessed with a bizarre mix of cultural traditions and colonial architecture. Thanks to a tropical climate, dense inland forests, this is the best spot for adventure travelers seeking something different.

Flickr Photo by Daveness_98

3. La Réunion

This French island located in the Indian Ocean is sprinkled with tropical rainforest, active volcanoes and endless greenery. The island might be popular among French tourists, but it is still undiscovered by tourists from the rest of the world. Again for outdoor lovers who are into hiking, trekking and adventure travel, this might just be your paradise.

Flickr Photo by Cyril Abad

4. Tunisia

In contrast with its limelight-grabbing neighbor, Morocco, Tunisia is not as well-known but has equally impressive Arabic souks, Muslim mosques and natural landscapes on offer. Get off the tourist trail and search for a calmer world here instead – honeymooners might like to get lost in the blue-and-white beach town of Sidi Bou Said (the Santorini of Tunisia) or relax on the Tunis Bay in the capital.

Flickr Photo by Macourig Paolo

5. The Philippines

A nation made up of over 7,000 islands stretching from northern Borneo to the south of China, the Philippines is often overlooked by travelers. Instead of Thailand, head out to the remotest Filipino islands and get the most out of the private setting, gorgeous backdrop and rich culture. Islands such as Palawan, Puerto Galera and Boracay are teeming with gorgeous sandy beaches and emerald green mountains. Expect to find Bora Bora-style water bungalows here, at half the price.

6. Palau, Micronesia

Another far-flung nation in the Pacific Ocean, Palau is as exotic as it can get. Rare orchids, plants and vines embellish the island’s lush jungle interiors. Palau is considered one of the world’s best dive locations with pristine coral reefs and proliferate marine life. It is also home to the Rock Islands, a unique phenomena of 485 jutting limestone islets. Its jellyfish lake offers an extraordinary experience like no other.

Flickr Photo by Caranx latus

Flickr Photo by PacificKlaus

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Dog Meat and Rooster balls: The 10 Most Exotic Asian foods

Nellie Huang — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:47:27 +0000

Chicken feet- a Chinese delicacy

Picture deep-fried grasshoppers and stewed chicken feet — the world of Asian culinary is wild beyond your imagination. Perfect for the brave new traveler, eating in Asia requires a certain degree of guts and a wild sense of adventure. As an Asian saying goes, ‘The key to one’s heart is through his stomach.’ As you eat your way through Asia, you´ll find yourself getting deeper in the heart of this mystical continent.

Crunch Filippino Balut

From the crunchy Filippino Balut (half-hatched duck eggs with partially formed fetus) to the powerfully ‘aromatic’ King of the Fruits -Durians, you’ll get a sneek peek at all the exciting Asian foods that bring new levels to your tastebuds!

Inspired to write this article after daring myself to try all the culinary delights in the Philippines, I knew I had to let the World know about these amazing food, that some of us might have just found them too gooey to swallow!

Eating in Asia is definitely not for the faint-hearted…

Read more of my article on MatadorNights.

Soaking up Paradise – Boracay

Nellie Huang — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:57:00 +0000

In this little piece of heaven,

we found peace and tranquility, and a kind of calm.

For a moment there, I was in a paradisical high.

It really felt like an escape from reality.

Everything they said about Boracay was real.

A tiny island that only existed in our fantasy.

Not overcrowded with tourists, nor overbearing touts

nor pumping loud clubs.

Just subtle beach bars and good food..

Seeing local kids play around in the clear waters

made me feel more blissed

to be in this authentic unspoilt haven.

Rusty tricycles are the most common form of transport

around this tiny island. Looking out through the rural scenery

and locals walking by, it’s priceless.

Walking through the quaint little village towards our hostel,

we saw rural Filippino life and adorable local children.

This walk stays vividly in my memories.

Such bamboo huts are typical Filippino housings.

From ceiling to the floor, every single surface is covered with bamboo.

Beautifully simple.

The view from our hostel overlooking village huts.

This was what I wanted – a local insight to island life.

Trying street food has always been the top on my travel lists.

Filippino street food is undoubtedly one of the best!

Not to mention that BBQed meat and organs form an impt part of the Filippino cuisine.

Kechon Kawali.

Roasted fatty pork -literally 3 layers of fats between crispy skin and tender meat.

Fried to perfection.

Chicken Adobo.

Stewed chicken in soya sauce, vinegar and onion.

Seemingly simple, but overwhelmingly tasty.

Seafood stalls line the beachfront,

as restaurants tempt the passing pedestrians with their fresh and colourful catch.

A basic BBQ stand.

Of course I had to pig out on the famous Isaw Manok!

Isaw Manok (bbqed pig’s intestines garnished with sweet sauce)

Not for the faint-hearted, but the juicy bbq sauce mixed with the crunchy

crispiness of the intestines – perfect!

White beach is lined with chill-out casual bars

with comfortable bamboo sofas sprawled on the soft sand.

What better way to unwind after a day of soaking up the sun.

Oh and the best cocktails ever!

We rode around the island on a tiny rented scooter

and found this secluded piece of haven- Balinghai resort!

A rustic wooden place perched on top of a steep cliff,

spiralling down to a small exclusive beach..

It felt so down-to-earth and untouched by the world.

Ah food glorious food!

Chicken cooked with coconut gravy.

The view of the sea from the resort.

Riding up to Mount Luho, the highest pt of the island,

was probably something we would not wanna miss out on.

From that tiny observation deck, you could see both sides of the island

the White Beach as well as the Bulabog Lagoon

which is the hotspot for kitesurfing..

Night falls and the island is transformed..

The best meal we had in Boracay, was at Jonah´s shakes.

The restaurant was all candelit and had a great atmosphere,

your feet would be feeling the soft sand, while the waves roll by right beside you.

They had excellent set dinners, for a great price

- rice with crispy fried shrimps, and stewed meat, along with a drink and fruits

for only 280pesos. (US$4)

Mango Margaritas at the Hawaiian beachbar was perfect.

Short walk thru’ Manila

Nellie Huang — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:41:00 +0000

Flying over the skies of the Philippines,

I will always remember the view of the numerous islands…

We had a short transit in Manila,

and decided to explore the city and perhaps get on one of the cool Jeepneys..

Their most common form of transport,

the Jeepneys are bright, eye-catching and definitely very local.

Street hawker selling some guava.

(a green tropical fruit that goes well with sour plum powder)

We walked through the streets of Malate,

an old-meets-new neighbourhood

Here’s an unrestored Malate Church.

Street food with barbequed meat

- Isaw manok (intestines), chicken liver, and three-layered fatty pork

We didn’t have enough time in Manila to really get a feel of the city,

but an odd but interesting fusion of modern buildings and traditional street hawkers.

Eating in Asia

Nellie Huang — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:24:00 +0000

From the Filippino Isaw Manok (barbequed chicken intestines) to Vietnam’s Cha Basa (stir fried frog legs), Asian cuisine has always been the top of my culinary loves. The powerful aroma, and assaulting tastes have captured my stomach for quite awhile now, and being back in Asia means trying even more amazing street food and tantalizing sauces.

Read my article for more…

http://www.travmonkey.com/wordpress/2008/10/22/10-tips-for-eating-out-in-asia/

Isaw Manok

Don’t be shaken by its appearance..

Give it a go, you´ll know what you´ve been missin out on!

Whale shark watching in Donsol

Nellie Huang — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:29:00 +0000

Lately I’ve been seeing and reading about Whale Shark watchin in Donsol, Philippines.
I’ve been so intrigued with it, imagine that amazing experience of a huge animal swim by you..
The sheer size of the whale shark is enough to awe you beyond bewilderment. Many curious backpackers indulge in the experience to swim with the gentle giant, and get as close as possible.

Thanks to conservationists and WWF, rules have been laid down, and they have ensured that visitors will have minimum impact on the animals and environment. WWF, together with the LGU and the Donsol Municipal Tourism Council (DMTC), have implemented the Butanding Ecotourism Development Project.

http://www.ecotourdonsol.com/

The whale shark, locally known in Donsol as ‘butanding’, is the biggest fish in the world. This gentle giant is known to grow to great lengths of up to 15 t0 20 meters and can weigh up to 34 tonnes. Unlike other species of sharks, the whale shark can neither bite nor chew. Its thousands of teeth are so tiny that it can only eat small shrimps, fish and plankton by using its modified gill rakers as suction filter.

Donsol is a coastal town located at the northwestern part of the Province of Sorsogon. The people generally depend on farming, livestock production and fishing for their income and livelihood. There are no landline telecommunications and internet services in Donsol.

I’m going there someday. Anyone up for it?