My Thoughts and Ideas

Apo Reef was recently re-opened to divers, campers and snorkeling enthusiasts after being off-limits for a few years in order to give the reefs rejuvinating time. Apparently, the exercise completely fulfilled its purpose. The island has absolutely no facilities. There is no store, no restaurants, no rooms or cottages and no running water or power. You have to be one who truly loves to “rough” it up to stay a night or longer here. Hence, most just come for a day’s visit. But be it be diving or snorkeling fun that you seek, this atoll-like reef is absolutely beautiful. Thousands of brightly colored tropical fish dwell along the reef walls as giant turtles slowly glide by like soaring prehistoric birds. You can actually snorkel for hours and not get bored with the visual treats of this underwater garden. Apo reef is one among the most beaitiful marine reserves in the Philippines.

The hand-carry is a bag that has to fulfill many cruiterias for the myriad needs of different ravelers on varied modes of transport and many terrains. The question on which hand-carry bags is more comfortable and the best depends on the type and personality of the traveller. For a free-spirited traveller, he/she may choose to have a sling bag. But for the femme and rich, a Louis Vuitton or Le Piage tote bag is perfect! While for the trekker type of traveller, backpacks are the best hand bag ever. The type of bag isn’t that necessary in travelling. What’s more important is that we are comfortable and happy with the bags that we use while we travel!

Puerto Galera Bay is considered to be one of the world’s best bays by a Paris-based world club. Because of its natural beauty, diverse marine life, rich history and economic contributions, an award was given to the bay. It is a sanctuary of coral species and mangrove species and nine of the world’s sea grass species. It has also provided a safe refuge to seafarers during storms throughout the century.

After a long journey from Hong Kong, which involved a 7-hour layover compounded by a 3-hour delay, we arrive in Chicago . We missed the last flight to Grand Rapids , our destination, by just 20 minutes. The airline arranged hotel rooms for us, and we took a shuttle for a short night’s rest. We must have been a pretty sorry sight to the hotel staff. One of them looked at us shook his head and simply said, “Distressed travelers”. Perhaps in the travel industry that is the common term, but it was new to me.