“Getting there is half the fun”. It depends whether you take it figuratively or literally. In my case, it is always a mix of both as I have discovered in my travels. While leisure travel is not essential right now, a #throwback trip will be as unforgettable. To continue, my most recent visit to Hong Kong was back in 2019, I really enjoyed my journey and discovered a lot - even before I reached my destination! “Asia’s World City” is my first trip abroad and to “celebrate” its anniversary, I went back to rediscover and uncover more, in 2017. Good thing, there’s a direct flight from Iloilo to Hong Kong (v.v.) and there are more to choose from if connecting via Manila, Cebu and Kalibo (to name a few). Once connected, the massive and modern Hong Kong International Airport welcomes you to the city that never sleeps - in this part of the world. And that’s where the discovery of the iconic rides of Hong Kong begins… One of Hong Kong's signature views as seen from The Peak I
Heritage and gastronomy are two of Iloilo’s main attractions and one can experience both in just one setting – at the Camiña Balay nga Bato. A LIVING MUSEUM “Welcome and make yourselves feel at home” greets Luth Camiña. With husband Gerard, the couple are among the 4th generation descendants of the Avanceñas, and call this heritage house their home. It took them more than a decade to renovate the structure from its worn out state. “The old house had sawali (bamboo weavings) for ceiling which we replaced with pressed tin sheets as it was a fire hazard” reveals Ms Luth. “We just retained some original structures like the windows with ventanillas (air vents), the escalera (ladder-like stairs) and the stilt-like pillars on the ground floor.” Eugene Jamerlan, who worked with the Camiñas in the restoration explains that the number of these pillars was a status symbol back in the 19th century. “This house has a total of 24 pillars making the household among the affluent