Sunday

A Taste of Filipino Recipe at Christmas time in the Philippines



Philippine food and culture have distinct mixes of the East and the West.

You are in the Philippines because you want to see its beauty, experience culture and tradition of the local people and have a taste of the best Filipino dishes.

Philippine cuisine was greatly influenced by the American especially the names of the dish. Asian countries like China, India and other Southeast Asian countries has contributed to how the Philippine food is prepared and evolved throughout time.

Like some Asian countries, rice is the Philippines' staple food. It is always part of the meal whether it is homemade, or dining in a feast or holiday season. In any occasion, meals are generally served with rice.

Filipinos typically accompany their meals with complementing sauces, spices and condiments. It is common for each diner to put his preferred sauce, spice, or condiment in his own plate. Popular ones used in a meal include: Patis (fermented fish sauce) or soy sauce (usually blended with calamansi, a green Philippine citrus fruit similar to lemon); native vinegar; and alamang (cream-style shrimp paste).

I identified some of the Filipino dishes that you must try while in the Philippines at Christmas time, festivals or important events. I guarantee the following are the best and can be found in most local dining table.

Adobo (Chicken or Pork)
The signature Filipino dish adobo used pork or chicken cooked in oil, vinegar, pepper, bay leaf and soy sauce. In some cases, dried banana blossoms is added for a distinct aroma and sweetness. It is one of the most popular Filipino dishes commonly prepared in both Philippine homes and restaurants.

Saturday

Why Did I Travel to Karachi?

Karachi may not be a popular tourist destination, but I wish I would have extended my stay. When you see the good side of Karachi, you will be able to paint a picture of a cosmopolitan and urban city different from other major Pakistani cities.

And you probably be asking why.....

Being in a geographical location on a bay, you too will enjoy its prominent position that made Karachi the financial capital of Pakistan. In spite of violence in certain parts of Karachi, the Karachiites are determined to carry on with their lives.  

Karachi is not the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is.


I will tell you a bit about Karachi before I go on with my short escapade of the city. It is located on the coast of Arabian Sea, north west of the River Delta. The way I see, it is practically large and really busy of a city.

You have no idea how I feel when I set foot at the Jinnah International Airport early morning at 5:00 o'clock. Just in time to catch the locals getting ready for the morning prayers. I am used to this, as I always hear them due to the fact that I was coming from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Thursday

What You Should Know Before Travelling to Dubai

Written by Shezaa Nehal

The most sophisticated place in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is famous in the world due to its beaches and most shining and amazing structures. A place where elegance moves, Dubai is almost an isle of excitement enclosed by real rich waters. An amazing Dubai shopping area, Dubai is the centre of the purchasing mania that holds the world with its greatest shopping events. Switching desire into reality, the place is presenting its greatest and the best shopping malls, resorts and structures to the world.
Photo Credit : Pixabay Creative Commons CC0


It Is An Awesome Place

The second greatest emirate in United Arab Emirates, Dubai has amazing scenery too. Fantastic seaside pieces enclosed by aqua blue rich waters are a cure to the eyes. Having a warm environment throughout, Dubai is always pleasant to the tourists. Mostly a wasteland place is home to vast beaches and hills. The high-rising city and its endless styles however make it like a haven.

Tuesday

Best Hostels for Backpackers in Santiago, Chile

Written by: Alexia Wolker


Santiago is the capital of Chile and the largest metropolis of South America which is located in the basin, surrounded by mountains on all sides.




Santiago is primarily a city with rich history. Therefore, the main attractions here are rare artifacts, colonial buildings and places of recent historical events. It is a modern megalopolis, which develops in a frenzied rhythm, and the miracles still appeared here.

Thursday

Two Cities in Israel that are Entirely Different

A visit to Israel can be overwhelming and it is surprising that this is my longest stay in a country. The memories is endless. 

You won't believe it, I explored and have stayed in two cities which are entirely different in many aspects. Though some of you may not agree, they are both memorable in spite of their differences.






The distance of 60 kilometres between the two major cities is not the reason why I see a very different feeling from the time I leave the bus station in Jerusalem. My barely one hour travel takes me into another dimension, one that defies distance and time.

Saturday

5 Fun Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in New York City

Written by: Ray Chin


There are so many fun things to do in New York City. You have Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. But here are a few fun off the beaten path things to do in New York City that may not be on your radar when you are visiting NYC.
Bryant Park






Bryant Park is just two blocks away from Times Square and there are so many things to do. You can play ping pong, golf, chess, board games, and there is even an art cart. It also offers fun daily events such as movies at night, yoga meetings and concerts seasonally. During the winter, there is even an ice skating rink.

The Ultimate Guide to Italy's Best Yoga Destinations

Written by: Miriam Cihodariu


One of the best things about Italy as a vacation destination is that it's not something you simply scratch off your bucket list. You can return to Italy again and again and still not have enough of this picturesque land and its delicious fares, nor be bored with its history and culture.




Such is the charm of this Mediterranean gem of a country that offers almost any type of vacation you can think of. The present guide will focus on Italian yoga destinations. But even if you're going for a yoga retreat, it's hard to ignore the rest of Italy's wonders.

Wednesday

How You can Avoid Scammers and Thieves on Your Travel

Scammers and thieves are everywhere - in every country - no exception. Watch out while you're travelling.

There are many scams at your destination, so don't let your guard down. Here are some of their tricks that should be avoided.


Photo Credit: Pixabay


Free trip

Don't fall for the 'free trip' scam and avoid too-good-to-be-true offers.

Spot the fakes

When it comes to petty crime, tourists are easy target because they're not familiar with the surroundings and not aware of culture and tradition. It's easy to lure an unsuspecting tourist who can't tell what is fake and what is not.

Fake cops

You're in a foreign country and an official-looking person asks to see your documentation, your currency, credit cards and other valuables. As soon as you dig them out, the thief grabs them and runs. Fake cops have also been known to pull over cars for a "search".

Tuesday

7 Reasons Why India is a Perfect Place During Monsoons

Written by: Rohit Agarwal

You should be ready for the weeks of rain that will come around with the monsoon season in June. Enjoying the rainy weather is not difficult, as the rain alleviates the summer heat and brings on a refreshing change. Rain can remind you of fun times during childhood where you could jump into puddles and play football on the muddy field.

With monsoon being such a big deal in India, here are some great places to enjoy the rainy season in. So remember to pack up your raincoats and umbrellas!

1. Shantiniketan, West Bengal

A small town owned by the Tagore family, Shantiniketan is famous for the ashram Rabindranath Tagore. A centre for culture and arts, its full glory comes out during the monsoon season.
Photo by Kaustav das Modak CC0 1.0


If you want to learn more about the local culture and food, it is best that you lodge at a homestay. Classes in the university established by Sir Tagore are held in an ancient gurukul style, out in the open underneath a tree. You can find many local artisans who sell handicrafts here for cheap prices as well. Shantiniketan really makes monsoons beautiful and enjoyable.

Money Saving Travel Tips That You Must Know

Written by Kyle Doran

Travelling and experiencing novel adventure is a great way to escape your daily routine and expand your perspective in life. Boosting your mental health, reconnecting with loved ones, or discovering a new and exciting culture are just few reasons to set aside time to travel. However, taking a vacation can also be a very expensive pursuit. Along with the added costs of travel, you will also be missing out on wages that you'd normally be earning. As a result, it may leave you more stressed out than relieved. 

That's why learning how to travel smarter and make your money go further, is essential. In this article, we'll detail a few money saving travel tips that will help relieve your wallet.

Credit Card Airline Miles

Want to fly for free for your next vacation? Of course you do, but you think "what's the catch?" No catch, just a little spending discipline and responsible planning and you can cut your flying costs significantly. By signing up for an airline credit card, and using it to pay for all of your regular monthly expenses, you can accrue airline miles to cover your travel costs. 




For instance, if you spend $1000 within the first 3 months of signing up, you will earn x amount of points. These points can be used in exchange for free air travel. You just want to be sure to stick to two rules. To pay off your credit card's balance each month and avoid impulse buying. That way, you're not stuck with any of the late fees or spending any more than you would have regularly. As long as you stick to these two rules, you will reap the benefits of having an airline credit card, while avoiding the interest rate pitfalls.

Sunday

How to Make Your Family Getaway Memorable

Written by Cloe Matheson
Photo Credit: Pexels


Whether young or old, we all dream about going on one of those picture-perfect family getaways that promises a million kodak moments. Although, as a parent, you may have had a few less-than-golden experiences of holidaying with the kids - don't let that ruin your belief in a fun family vacation. Here are six brief tips to make your getaways more memorable and enjoyable for the entire family. 

1. Go Slow

Firstly, try not to rush. This goes not only for individual activities, but also for your general mindset regarding the holiday. We, as parents, tend to make life more difficult for ourselves by either trying to pack too many activities and pit-stops into each day or by rushing through the holiday because we're eager to get back to pressing work matters or other pressures of daily life.