Safari trip to Kenya's Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli

Images of highland savannas and wild animals roaming around were vivid in my mind as we landed in Nairobi, Kenya. Many have asked me what destinations I have not been to. And my ready answer always is, "A lot!" And one of the places I was about to tick off my bucket list was Kenya!

I was about to venture on an African safari in a fantastic country at the center of Africa's great migration. We spent the night in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, which sits 1600 meters above sea level. So despite its location near the equator, Nairobi can get really cold.

Despite getting up really early, we ended up leaving Nairobi late in the morning after having to go through the city's notorious rush hour traffic as we picked up other passengers. 

Our first stop was at one of the many viewpoints for the Great Rift Valley which stretches 6,000 kilometers from the Red Sea to Mozambique.

From there, we continued driving down the valley, passing through wilderness and occasional small towns and villages before we finally made it to Narok. It was several more kilometers through dirt road before we arrived at our tented camp, where we were to spend two nights, our jump-off for game drives at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Tented camps are a cheap but comfortable way to experience Africa's parks. Note that we slept on beds and that each tent had its own toilet. Electricity is available only at certain hours in the evening and morning. But since it gets really cold at night, there's no need for air conditioning.

After tea at the camp, we proceeded to the park. We passed by several Maasai villages. And I like it how locals would wave at us as our van passed by.

At the gates of the park, we were greeted by Maasai ladies selling various souvenirs. The best buys would be shukas (woven blankets used as garments) and beaded necklaces and bracelets. They give the best prices, unlike the many curio shops that try to get as much money from you as they can.

The weather at Maasai Mara was pleasant as we spotted our first impalas, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hippos. The excitement that I felt seeing animals in the wild was worth all the hours spent trying to get here from Manila.

I'll talk more about Maasai Mara in my next post. But if you're interested to join safari trips to Kenya next year, e-mail me at ivanhenares@redvinta.com. Also check out my Kenya Safari album.

Part 2: Game drive at Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve

Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2016 (Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015)

Hunyo 12 by Claude Tayag (1989 Fiestas Serigraph Series)

Next year is one of those years when many holidays fall on a Sunday. Malacanang issued Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2016. Instead of just giving you the same list of holidays of the Republic of the Philippines for 2015, this list will help you plan your trips with confirmed and expected long-weekends:

• January 1 (Fri) - New Year's Day 
• January 2 (Sat) - Special Non-Working Day (five-day long weekend from December 30, 2015 to January 3)
• February 8 (Mon) - Chinese New Year (three-day long weekend from February 6 to 8)
• February 25 (Thu) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary
• March 24 (Thu) - Holy Thursday
• March 25 (Fri) - Good Friday 
• March 26 (Sat) - Black Saturday (four-day long weekend from March 24 to 27)
• April 9 (Sat) - Araw ng Kagitingan
• May 1 (Sun) - Labor Day
• June 12 (Sun) - Independence Day
• July 5 (Tue) - Eid'l Fitr (pending proclamation when date is confirmed)
• August 21 (Sun) - Ninoy Aquino Day
• August 29 (Mon) - National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 27 to 29)
• September 11 (Sun) - Eid'l Adha (pending proclamation when date is confirmed)
• October 31 (Mon) - Special Non-Working Day
• November 1 (Tue) - All Saints Day (four-day long weekend from October 29 to November 1)
• November 30 (Wed) - Bonifacio Day
• December 24 (Sat) - Special Non-Working Day
• December 25 (Sun) - Christmas Day
• December 30 (Fri) - Rizal Day
• December 31 (Sat) - Last Day of the Year (four-day long weekend from December 30 to January 2, 2017)

BPI Credit Card is my travel card!

Travel is a very important part of my lifestyle. That must be the understatement of the year! I always have to plan my trip properly to make sure I make the most of my limited budget. An essential part of my travel is my credit card. Actually, I’ve had only one credit card since I got my own card nearly a decade ago, the BPI SkyMiles MasterCard, which is one of the many BPI Credit Cards available.

Like all BPI Credit Cards, it has the lowest foreign exchange conversion rate of only 1.75% among the top surveyed banks under the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP). Imagine, other banks charge as much as 3.525% for currency conversion. That’s something you have to look into especially if you are a frequent international traveler.

That’s why I prefer to swipe my BPI Credit Card instead of bringing cash for international trips. While cash has its obvious benefits, bringing too much of it also has disadvantages such as bad exchange rates, exchanging too much, or even theft.

My BPI Credit Card was very handy when I rented a car and drove around Europe in 2011. I used it to pay for the car rental, gas, accommodation, meals, souvenirs, and everything I could use the card with. I got a lot of points because of the purchases.

It was the same story for the five-week land trip I made around South America in 2013. You can imagine how many plane, train and bus tickets and hotels I booked using the card all these years, for trips in five continents. That’s because BPI Credit Cards are accepted anywhere in the world! How’s that for a travel companion?

But the biggest travel benefit that all BPI Credit Cards offer is free comprehensive travel insurance when you charge your travel fares to your BPI Credit Card. The BPI Credit Cards are so comprehensive, it covers life, health and other travel inconvenience. BPI Credit Cards give you automatic protection from travel accidents, trip delays, trip cancellations, and other inconveniences. All cards qualified for travel insurance have the following covered at different amounts: from death and permanent disablement, medical reimbursement, lost or delayed baggage, cancelled or delayed flights, personal liability, and even lost passports! It has the widest coverage compared to other credit cards.

No doubt, my BPI Credit Card has been one of my most important travel companions. I’ll never leave home without it.

I received this text a few days ago: Travel NOW on Real 0% Installment w/ your BPI Credit Card! Visit the Travel Madness Expo 4 on July 3-5 at the SMX Halls 1-4, SM MOA Complex to avail of exciting travel deals & huge discounts. Visit bit.ly/tme2015 for details.

Iloilo hosts the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence

For the first time, Iloilo will host the Independence Day celebrations. As part of the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence, President Benigno Aquino III will lead flag-raising ceremonies at Santa Barbara, Iloilo, where the Philippine flag was first raised outside of Luzon.

This will be followed by the traditional vin d'honneur reception which will be held at the newly-rehabilitated Iloilo Provincial Capitol in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City has become a beacon of hope for local governance, leading the way in sustainable development and heritage conservation. As it makes the drive towards progress, it continues to conserve its rich heritage.

The Iloilo River Promenade is one example of the political will of Iloilo's leaders. They were able to reclaim the river, remove all illegal settlers no matter how influential, replant mangroves, and develop a linear park that has given the community a fantastic public open space. Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog has done a fantastic job! Here is a video of the Promenade courtesy of Archt. Paulo Alcazaren who designed the park.

We also got to visit the Iloilo Convention Center which is being rushed in time for the APEC ministerial meetings which the city will host in September. Thank God it isn't the usual generic infrastructure which the government usually churns out. We were toured by Sen. Frank Drilon and former DOT Sec. Narzalina Lim who heads the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation.

Iloilo is a city of parks and plazas. Take note, they don't build barangay halls or covered courts in their plazas. Open spaces are respected. Here is Plaza Libertad as seen from the roofdeck of Iloilo City Hall. And there are fantastic plazas as well in Jaro, Molo and La Paz.

We were treated to a fantastic tabu-an lunch at the Iloilo City Hall! On our table was ginisa nga uhong (kabute with patola), pinindangan (dilis), talaba ukoy, scallops, diwal, Pinoy salad (okra, talong, talbos ng kamote, itlog na maalat, kamatis, sibuyas) with lato paired with fresh Banate bagoong, duck estofado sa tuba at piña, binuro na kasag (alimasag), pork adobo sa achuete, fried ubre (pork mamary gland), prawns, managat and kinilaw na tanigue by Chef Rafael Jardeleza. What a feast!

Speaking of Iloilo City Hall, the old Iloilo City Hall is now part of a campus of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.

I really love it how Iloilo is giving incentives to heritage building owners to conserve their buildings. The heritage buildings of Calle Real are given fifty percent real estate tax discounts when they rehabilitate their buildings. No wonder Iloilo's heritage is alive and kicking. I wonder when Manila will give incentives to heritage building owners?

Note also that SM is restoring the Lacson-Yusay Mansion (which most call the Consing Mansion) to house a branch of SM Kultura. I wonder when SM will start conserving heritage in other parts of the country, especially in Manila. I hope they continue saving heritage. My fingers are crossed! But at least in Iloilo, they are on the right track.

But what I enjoy most about visits to Iloilo is the food! Oh yes the food! You have to try La Paz Batchoy at the La Paz Market. My personal favorite is Netong's which one can find inside the market.

And of course, there's also Pancit Molo. Ironically, it's difficult to find a restaurant in Molo known for Pansit Molo simply because it's usually prepared as home. Lucky for us, we got to enjoy a hot bowl of Pancit Molo plus Tsokolate Batirol at the Camiña Balay nga Bato (Avanceña Heritage House), Villa de Arevalo, Iloilo City. They get the Pancit Molo from Kapitan Ising.

There are just so many food choices in Iloilo. Here are some of my favorite must-try Ilonggo dishes.

Iloilo has so much to offer. You are missing a lot if you do not visit the original Queen City of the South!

Visit the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan

Believe it or not, the Philippines spent US$2.3 billion from 1976 to 1984 to construct the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan. It could have produced 621 megawatts of power. This was the power plant that could have averted the power crisis in the early 1990s. It was never used.

But despite it never being used, the BNPP is intact and well-maintained by the Napocor personnel stationed there. And yes, because it was never commissioned, people can visit it.

Thanks to The Plaza Hotel Balanga and Roadtrippers, a trip to the BNPP was arranged for us. It's best to visit on weekdays during office hours. Weekend visits will require overtime pay and fees for the BNPP personnel. And note that visits are by appointment. You can't just show up at their doorstep and asked to be let in. But despite all that, a visit is definitely worth the long drive to Morong.

It was an interesting walking through the massive halls and rooms of the BNPP, with its unused but well maintained equipment. I'm sure this would make a fantastic backdrop for an industrial themed prenup or fashion shoot.

We visited the nuclear reactor. Not that this will require walking up several flights of stairs in warm and humid conditions. There are no elevators. But you get to see how well-designed the BNPP was.

The other highlight of the visit was the control room, which looks like a set from an Austin Powers movie! At the center of the room is a telephone which was a direct line to Malacañang. Protocol was that every time the nuclear reaction was turned on or off, a go-signal from the president had to be secured.

It took more than 30 years for the Philippine government to completely pay off its obligations in April 2007. Too bad we didn't get to use the power it could have generated.

To arrange a tour of the BNPP, contact Lee Llamas of Roadtrippers at (0917) 7828882 or via The Plaza Hotel, the best hotel in Balanga. Book your stay there (047) 2371037 / (0917) 3105083 / (0998) 5411741.

OPPO launches the New Trio

There’s a new phone that will make documenting your trips even more exciting! With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core processor, the OPPO R1x is the big boss! It has a powerful 13MP camera (5MP for the front camera), 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. Yes, 16GB can be quite small especially if you have lots of videos. But the optional slot for up to 128GB additional storage will solve that.

OPPO launched the New Trio in the Philippines last Tuesday. Aside from the R1x, OPPO also introduced the Joy Plus and Neo 5.

I got to try the R1x over the weekend. And the results were fantastic!

It’s what the camera can do that changes the way you document your trips: Ultra-HD, Slow Shutter Mode, RAW, Beautify Mode, Expert Mode, Flash Shot, After Focus, and Double Exposure. I really love it how these new phone are changing the competition by offering affordable alternatives with specs that are as good as known brands.

It’s available in white and black. I got the black one, a real stunner! You can get this fantastic phone at an SRP of Php15,990.00, not bad for what it can do.

Visit the OPPO Facebook page for more information.

Updates from the Agusan Marsh Indigenous Cultural Tourism Program in Agusan del Sur

Since 2010, we have been working on the Agusan Marsh Indigenous Cultural Tourism Program in Sitio Panlabuhan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur. We are helping them establish homestay facilities, purchase materials used to provide board and lodging, organize tourism and hospitality training programs and transfer cultural knowledge to the younger generation.

Cultural tourism is a potent tool for poverty alleviation. There is a potential for indigenous communities in the Philippines to benefit immensely from cultural tourism if given the information, proper training, infrastructure and guidance. This project will empower the Agusan Manobo indigenous group of Sitio Panlabuhan to create sustainable tourism programs for their community.

Here are photos from our trip over the weekend.

This is Sitio Panlabuhan, a Manobo floating village at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. After 5 hours on a bus from Davao and 3 hours on a river boat, we're finally here! #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on Apr 30, 2015 at 10:22pm PDT

This is Sitio Panlabuhan, a Manobo floating village at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. After 5 hours on a bus from Davao and 3 hours on a river boat, we're finally here! #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on Apr 30, 2015 at 10:22pm PDT

The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur is a Wetland of International Importance #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 1, 2015 at 12:43am PDT

The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, a Wetland of International Importance, is home to the Agusan Manuvu (Manobo) who live in floating villages #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 1, 2015 at 5:09am PDT

Madojow now aedow from the Agusan Marsh! There are several Manobo languages including Manobo Agusan which is spoken here #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 1, 2015 at 3:42pm PDT

Early morning at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. Madojow now aedow! #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 1, 2015 at 6:25pm PDT

A Manobo floating house at the Agusan Marsh in Sitio Panlabuhan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 2, 2015 at 3:29am PDT

Whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur. Birdwatchers are most welcome to stay with Manobo community in Sitio Panlabuhan #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 2, 2015 at 5:48am PDT

A Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica) at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur. It's a resident bird which can be seen even in Metro Manila. But few people take notice #VisitPhilippines2015

A photo posted by Ivan Henares (@ivanhenares) on May 2, 2015 at 7:34pm PDT

Here is a video of what we are doing at the Agusan Marsh.

You can fly to El Nido for free with Globe Cloud's Summer Selfie promo!

Believe it or not, you can win a trip to El Nido Resorts by sharing a selfie! Yes, just by sharing a selfie! Globe is giving away an all-expense paid trip to Miniloc Island for three people (including chartered flight from Manila to El Nido, transfers, accommodation and meals) to one lucky Globe user who will download the Globe Cloud App between April 25 – May 20, 2015 and share a #SummerSelfie using the app.

Globe Cloud is a cloud storage and sharing service. You can store your contacts and text messages by syncing them from your phone to your Globe Cloud account. You can also store and access your photos, documents and other digital content such as your playlists, videos in the Globe Cloud app using your phone, tablet or computer.

What’s more, the Globe Cloud also provides a simple and useful way of content sharing by allowing private shareable links.

And it’s free! The Globe Cloud App is free for Android, iPhone or computer devices.

To join the contest, upload your #SummerSelfie using Globe Cloud to your Facebook or Twitter account with the hashtags #GlobeCloud and #SummerSelfie. Aside from the El Nido Resorts trip, the winning #SummerSelfie also gets the chance to be featured in the advertising materials of Globe Cloud.

Globe Cloud is exclusive to Globe and TM subscribers only.

Ivan About Town is ten years old!

I still remember the scene vividly. Ten years ago in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, I sat down in front of a rented computer at Trekkers Lodge (a hostel which no longer exists), and typed my first blog entry. It was a spur of the moment thought to actually start a blog.

The blog title, something I simply came up with off the top of my head, in the few minutes I had on the rented computer, was inspired by the thought of being a man about town for travel. And so Ivan About Town became the silly title of my blog.

It was 2005. And I was among the first Filipinos to take advantage of the entry of low cost carriers in the Philippines. Seat sales and piso fares were unheard of before these airlines entered the Philippine market. I booked a "free seat" plane ticket to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and what happened next is history. 

Ten years later, I have so many things to be thankful for. 

Indeed, this blog has brought me places, literally and figuratively.

In 2007, Ivan About Town was named Best Travel Blog at the 1st Philippine Blog Awards.

I set foot on all provinces of the Philippines in 2010. In 2012, a new province was created and I visited that as well. My lucky stars have brought me to 72 countries and territories so far. I'm crossing my fingers for more trips!

The blog has also been an effective communication tool for our heritage conservation and cultural tourism advocacy. No doubt, it is a big part of the advocacy and one of the reasons I was named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 2012.

This month is also the 30th anniversary of my first international trip and travel journal, which I wrote when I was six. I have so many wonderful memories traveling as a kid.

Sometimes, I can't believe I was able to last this long given that the blog is something I work on during my spare time. The past few months have been extra busy, with quite a number of new responsibilities on top of the old ones, which meant a scarcity of posts as you all may have noticed. But we're still here and celebrating this milestone!

I have so many things to be thankful for. And to all of you who have been part of my journey, thank you!

Have you been to the Legazpi Sunday Market lately?

Makati on a weekend is a food lovers paradise. It's especially true on Sundays when the Legazpi Sunday Market, the biggest weekend food market in Metro Manila, serves a regular crowd of foodies, expats and curious locals who enjoy the variety of flavors available.

I explored the Legazpi Sunday Market with my Yoga Tablet 2 which was very convenient to bring. It made it easier to blog and update social media on-the-go. Very easy to use with its the 8-inch full HD 1920 x 1200 IPS display with 8MP rear camera and 1.6 MP front camera.

Imang Salud Ensaimadas are the best ensaimadas in town, topped with queso de bola. For the Kapampangans, check out the balu-balo and pindang damulag!

Finally, after looking far and wide for real Jewish bagels, I found them at the market!

Churros con chocolate anyone?

How about phad thai? Khun Caesar's is really good!

More noodles? Maybe char kuey teow perhaps? This stall serves various noodle dishes from Southeast Asia.

How about Vietnamese food? More noodles!

Takoyaki balls perhaps? I always buy from here.

Or maybe yakitori?

Talk about pork overload at this bagnet stall!

I have friends who swear by this panini stall.

The food in the market is so diverse. I like the couscous and chicken dish from Morocco.

One of the newest stalls is Rodrigo's, the best roast beef in town!

I love the oyster cake. Here's Binondo in Makati.

And it's not just the usual tablet. Aside from holding it, you can also tilt it or make it stand with a flip. And it you have a place to latch it to, you can also hang it when viewing content, freeing up your hands to do other tasks.

With a DSLR, the Lenovo Tablet 2 also works as an external HD monitor for shooting & filming people and places. You can also edit on the spot using photo editing apps. Most important is that it's there for the long ride with its epic battery life (2-cell battery, 6400 mAh lasts up to 18 hours) with Dolby Digital audio, and high performance with its Intel® Atom™ processor.

You should get one for your next adventure and discover something new!