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by Erica Jahn

Welcoming my Japanese friends with Airbnb

In Travel, Uncategorized
March 18, 2015
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While uploading last month’s photos on my Fb account, I
realized: It’s been an incredibly fulfilling (read: wanderlust) month.

“I enjoyed Japan”
would be an understatement but perhaps the closest to describe how I felt. Come on! I experienced snow in Mt. Gozaisho!

My trip to Japan is my first travel this year. I’d say it boosted my travel momentum to continue all the way through this year’s journey list.

I just came back to Manila from my 3-day Davao trip and my friends can’t help but ask where do I go next?

As much as I miss Kansai and Kanto regions (especially my Japanese friends in those
areas who welcomed me and guided me during my stay), I won’t be going back there ’til Autumn. If all goes well. Autumn. Maybe.

But I am thinking, it would be nicer to travel again with my Japanese friends here in the Philippines. I swore I would accommodate
them if they happen to visit my country. After all they were too generous to give me action-packed weekends and my fill of feasts on special holidays.

These are my Japanese friends from Mie. Took this photo on the Valentines Day. They are so kind. I need to show them utmost kindness here

Sidenote: Reiko wants to visit Cebu with her kids… study English, bum by the beach, drink fresh coconut juice, relax…

In Nagoya, we (Reiko and I) talked to an agency that offers English Study Program abroad…

Earlier today, I received a message from Reiko about their confirmed 3-week stay in Central Visayas.

I got ecstatic. Possibly due to the fact that I’m gonna see them again, and this time I’d be able to return the favor, you know show them around, share Filipino culture and stuff – or because Ethan (my 3 year old son) is taking a plane with me (for the first time) to meet Reiko’s family…

Very much the latter!

So yeah it’s settled. In August I will be flying to Dumaguete with my son! But before that month comes, I need to find the safest and the best place to accommodate my foreign friends, myself and my son.

Typical Japanese house in Yao City

I normally turn to Airbnb for unique accommodation for personal and business travels. I’m a big fan of the site. Today I did my Airbnb listings search. I keyed in “Dumaguete City” for the place I want to go, entered my travel dates, filtered my search with room type (i.e. entire place) and added my magic keywords ‘by the beach’…

My search led me to this Airbnb listing: Hassarams Courtyard

About This Listing
Fully-furnished serviced unit in a newly built apartment complex. With amenities that include Kitchen, Cable TV, Utilities, Parking and Free WiFi to name a few. Conveniently located near the airport and city, ideal for up to 4 people.  

Let me also share some photos I grabbed from Airbnb site:

Looks fresh from the outside!
Lucky house!
LOOK AT THIS LIVING ROOM! VERY COZY!

Orange!!! The interior is really inviting me in!

Reiko will love this simple queen-sized bed!
These will be good for the kiddos!

I love the convenience of the listings search on Airbnb. Whether an apartment for a month, a castle for a week, or
a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at
any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries.

Having that said, with a normal hotel booking site, it’s a little tedious to search for an entire house for rent. Options are very limited (unless of course you have all the money in the world).

Most of the time average hotels lack bath tub (OK I have this serious thing for bath tubs) or kitchen and mind you, the kitchen plays an important role in my goal to share Filipino culture.

I intend to cook traditional Filipino foods for my foreign friends and begin a good conversation about my country’s history and people.

Chicken Adobo with Japanese ingredients 🙂 I cooked this for the family one fine dinner in Mie 🙂 

I want to mention Airbnb mobile application warrants a download on your device. I’d say is modern-ish kind of convenient. I have it on my iPad. So far I haven’t encountered any troubles booking listings through it. It has accessible accurate maps, guidebooks, high-res photos, descriptions, reviews, etc… You can make use of these features to plan your awesome itinerary.

Some screenshots from my iPad

Hassarams Courtyard is perfect for me, Ethan and Reiko’s family. It’s close to Lu Pega building where the kids are supposed to study. Just 4 minutes away! It’s clean and polished! It’s cozy and serene! On top of that Arjan, the owner, is apparently a very good host. 

So where is The Girl with the Muji Hat traveling to next? In the city of the gentle people, in Dumaguete! And hopefully we get to use the discount for our stay at Hassarams Courtyard! Thank you Airbnb!

You can also get your PHP 1,110 (USD 25) off your first trip on Airbnb. Just get it here. Or click the photo below 🙂

Let’s discover unique places to stay anywhere our wandering feet may take us. Join me on Airbnb. It is sure the best way to travel!

#WhereToNext #Airbnb #AirbnbPH

Author

Erica Jahn

Erica is a former PR pro turned entrepreneur. Her greatest joys are family, blogging, music, skin care and social justice. As a Muay Thai enthusiast, Erica prides herself on working with increased focus, humility and diligence. She believes in living a fit life doing everything with a flair of creativity and love! Stalk her social channels @thegirlwiththemujihat

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Koro Bangkal Magbikin celebrates 10 years of melody and music in Hotel de Oriente at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

In Uncategorized
April 10, 2018
0

The Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is always plied at night by tourists seeking history and art exhibitions as well as cultural entertainment. On Sunday 8th April 2018, visitors and Bataan residents gathered in this same venue but for a musical performance by the Koro Bangkal Magbikin.

The members of the Koro Bangkal Magbikin are young Aetas from Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. For more than a decade now, this group of talented youth has been sharing its musicality to different parts of the Philippines through the unwavering support of its founder, Mrs. Vicky Garcia together with the Bataan Tourism Council, Fr. Lauro Mozo and Fr. Constantine Legaspino of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).

Koro Bangkal Magbikin performing Ang Pipit

The concert was dual purpose: to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Koro Bangkal and to provide cultural entertainment in line with the national celebration of 76th Araw Ng Kagitingan.

This year’s chorale concert themed “Isang Dekada ng Himig at Musika” (10 Decades of Melody and Music) was held for the benefit of the members of the Koro Bangkal Magbikin who are at risk of dropping out of school because of financial difficulty as well as the feeling of a low sense of belonging.

Mr. Nesty Enriquez, Koro Bangkal Magbikin conductor and trainer, pointed out that the members of Koro Bangkal Magbikin initially had very low self-esteem. Most of them tended to shy away from people. But over the years of choral training, these indigenous students have developed their self-confidence and had since the drive and enthusiasm equally in singing as well as in pursuing their education.




Credit to RDM Photography

On the night of the concert, people from Bataan (and visitors like us) had the pleasure to watch Koro Bangkal Magbikin perform various tribal hymns, classic Tagalog and Filipino folk songs like Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok ko, Ang Pipit, Leron-leron Sinta, Limang Dipang Tao, etc.. I particularly love their rendition of Ikaw ang Mahal Ko. As a choir member myself, I admire their harmony, love the clarity and sincerity of their voice, and also their stage presence.

Aiza Siguerra sings Pagdating ng Panahon with Koro Bangkal Magbikin

The choir’s performance with Aiza Seguerra was the highlight of the evening. They sang Pagdating ng Panahon, Aiza Seguerra’s top hit, a touching song piece and fitting choice too as the lyrics speak (figuratively) of future hopes and aspirations.

The overall performance was memorable. All who attended had a joyous night well-spent with Koro Bangkal Magbikin.

With Mr. Nesty Enriquez, Koro Bangkal Magbikin’s cnductor and trainer
Photo opp with some of the members of Koro Bangkal Magbikin 

Parting Words

Reflecting deeper, humble concerts like this are the best to be supported as one’s attendance goes beyond the act of being entertained. More importantly, the audience becomes an integral part in realizing the performers’ dreams, in this case, the members of the Koro Bangkal Magbikin’s pursuit of quality education and dream to uplift the lives of their family.

With all this said, I would like to congratulate Koro Bangkal Magbikin for the success of the “Isang Dekada ng Himig at Musika”, and also, with utmost admiration, I salute Mrs. Garcia, Mr. Enriquez, the Bataan Tourism Council, and all the people who support this kind of endeavor! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!


What do you think about this post? Have you ever attended a cultural performance of an indigenous group? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Top-rated Tourist Attractions in the United Kingdom

In Uncategorized
January 28, 2019
0

The United Kingdom is the country of beautiful sceneries and delightful views worth to be a picture or part of heaven. Some of the areas of England are an accurate representation of the United Kingdom’s culture and history and enchantress natural beauty. Millions of tourists attracted to charmer United Kingdom every year which will increase in the future.

Check out these top-rated tourist spots in the United Kingdom:

Canterbury Cathedral

1. Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral draws tourist attention as the place of murder of Thomas Becket. The building of Canterbury Cathedral has its hidden histories and mysteries with unique architectural styles and extensive size. The entrance of Cathedral will stun you by its historic tall, cluster pillars and gothic windows. Altar of the sword’s point is the most famous point of the building because it seems the exact site of the murder of Thomas Becket. The Cathedral tombs enhance the uniqueness of the building.

A baby elephant at Chester Zoo

2. Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is located in Chester. Chester is the old city which has its connections with Saxons, Scots, Normans and Vikings. It remains under sustentation for more than 50 years. Chester zoo is the most famous and biggest zoo in the United Kingdom. It is the home of more than 11,000 animals.  The points of attraction of tourists are Europe’s largest tropical house, Chimpanzee Island, penguin pool and Blue Planet Aquarium which is home to 50 marine species.

Lake District National Park

3. Lake District National Park

It is included in 12 top-ranked largest lakes of the United Kingdom. The travelers of England should never miss this beauty of nature. Lake District National Park covers some area of 900 square miles full of delightful sceneries like Scafell Pike of 3,210 feet and lovely aesthetic small towns like Grasmere.

London

4. London

London is the capital and most glamorous city of England. According to the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, London will hopefully get 40 million visitors annually from 2025, which will make it the greatest city in the world. London is inspected to be the most influential and visited place due to its culture, art and history. London was the host of the Summer Olympic Games in 2012. Fringe Theatres and Museums are also the beauty of this city. The capital of the United Kingdom has a broad history of Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. In order to visit this historic and beautiful city, the hackney carriage is the safest and comfortable mode of transport.

Reading

5. Reading

Reading is the most important town of Berkshire. It is famous for trading in the medieval ages, but the town was severely influenced due to the English Civil War. Reading is identified as the top-ranked economic area due to its development in the field of IT, and nowadays, it’s the vital commercial center. It organizes the Reading Festival every year-biggest music festival of England-which attracts visitors from all over the world. Visitors of this developed town of Berkshire should use the facility of a Reading taxi which is cheap and convenient.

Stonehenge

6.Stonehenge

Stonehenge is the most popular prehistoric monument of United Kingdom. It seems as a ring of stones. These stones are of 13 feet height, 7 feet width and 25 tons weight. Archaeologists said that it was built from 3000 BC to 2000 BC.  Stonehenge is the most visited place by tourists due to which visitors need to purchase a ticket for the entry. It is located in Wiltshire.

The Cotswolds

7. The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is one of most charming cities of England which covers around787 squares miles. It is the place of astonishing natural beauty and it is the heart of tourism in England. Castle Combe, Chipping Norton, and Tetbury are the masterpieces of Cotswolds due to their incredible natural beauty. The wonderful views of Severn Valley make visitors think that they are standing in heaven.

The Roman Baths

8. The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

Britain’s most attractive city Bath is full of artistic and magnificent places and listed in world’s heritage sites in 1987. Romans Baths are the eye catcher of tourists in the United Kingdom. Roman Baths are a place of relaxation established by Romans in 75 BC. The water of baths possesses 43 different minerals and its healing powers are popular among people. Roman Baths are also famous among visitors due to the unique Roman architecture. The other places in the glamorous city (Bath) are Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, Thermae Bath Spa, Holburne Museum, Jane Austen Centre and Theatre Royal.

Warwick Castle

9. Warwick Castle

Warwick castle was constructed by William the Conqueror in 1068. It is built by a wooden fort and highly attracted tourist’s attention due to its history and unique architecture works. Warwick Castle is on the huge area included a number of gardens, out of which most famous are peacock reserve and rose garden. The 14 century Castle Dungeon full of its terrible past became the hub of visitor’s attention. Also, wax model museum and full-scale working siege machine are the eye catchers of tourists in Warwick Castle.

York

10. York

York is a historic city in North Yorkshire. York was established by Romans in 71 AD.  The economy of York was raised in 19th century due to its railway network, University of York, national health services and most importantly tourism. York Castle was constructed by Normans in 1068. Its remaining part named as Clifford’s Tower made of wood. Clifford’s Tower was established in 13 Century named after Roger de Clifford. This castle is very popular among visitors due to its beautiful views. Tourists are also attracted to York Castle Museum and Shambles.

Author Bio: Jessica Watson has 4 years of experience in writing travel and business-related articles. Currently, she is working with Taxi In Reading who are famous for their Heathrow to Reading taxi which is cheapest in the whole Berkshire.

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