Roaming Buddy: A Digital Nomad’s Best Friend

Internet access has been declared a human right by the UN way since back in 2011, and yet it
is still notoriously hard to find. Frequent travellers know this best, especially those who need to
take their work with them. The thought of frantically searching for wireless signal while trying to
beat a deadline on the go would be enough to dampen any travel plans. Despite its advantages,
living the digital nomad lifestyle still has this one major blocker to overcome.

However, a company has been constantly chipping away at this global problem, and is now
poised to eradicate it once and for all. Roam Buddy claims to be able to deliver wireless Internet
in more than 90 countries around the world, without the hassle of changing providers or signing
up for other services.

Roaming Just Got Easier
Imagine a device that can deliver unlimited (yes, no capping!) 24/7 Internet access no matter
which borders you cross. Roam Buddy aims to be just this. Powered by Skyroam, a company
that provides a “global hotspot”, Roam Buddy is a small, handheld device that acts as a wireless
router. Simply connect your mobile devices to it (up to 5 at a time), and enjoy consistent Net
access.

Roam Buddy has a pretty amazing list of countries covered. Whether you’re watching eating
shawarma in Turkey, or tending to elephants in Southern Asia, Roam Buddy has you covered.
And because it’s battery-powered and pocket-friendly, you can use the device while being
where the action is. Skype with your loved ones while dangling your feet over a picturesque
Andalusian gorge, or submit your work while sipping cocktails in Montserrat. Or, better yet, use
it to find your way while trekking through terra incognita.

That last part is what I’ve been using Roam Buddy for as I travel Europe. I’ve been using its
services to find the best tourist places, to search Google Maps, to know the train schedule, and
more! As a digital nomad and online freelancer, it also helps me complete my tasks without
having to shuffle back to the hotel’s WiFi zone.

I absolutely love the service because no matter how many borders and time zones you cross,
the rates are still the same. It’s still part of the same 24 hours.

Friendly travel options
While Roam Buddy is easily positioning itself as a travel must-have, it has to make itself
available to budget travelers, too. For frequent travellers such as businessmen, a unit can be
purchased for $99. The purchase includes 3 free “Daypasses”. A Daypass (a full day of Internet
access) can then be topped up for $8 a day.

And for those who just travel on occasion — backpackers, tourists, and the like — a rent option
is also available. Roam Buddy also offers unlimited Internet at as low as $8 a day. As a plus, it
can be delivered to your location or you can pick it up from one of their offices.
It’s devices like Roam Buddy that help make the world a more connected place, opening up new
possibilities for its users. What can the Internet do for you? Find out as you roam the world!
How it Helps

For students who do online tutorial, study online or who would like to learn a different language
from abroad. You will no longer need to worry about the lack of internet connections. So go
ahead and book your math, science, language or physics tutor with smiletutor because even
while you are on a trip, you can be assured that you will be connected.

Azalea Residences Baguio: Summer Staycation in the City of Pines

A few weeks ago, I was among the 20 bloggers who were invited to experience Baguio by Azalea Residences Baguio.

Our stay was fantastic!  The service was superb.  Upon our every arrival at Azalea, we were greeted by the staffs with a full-blown smile.

The hotel has great ventilation due to its spaciousness.  It has five floors but not all the area are utilized to allow the lobby to have high-ceiling.

Two Bedroom Apartment Suite

We had a family room which had two bedrooms: a master bedroom with queen-sized bed and another was for a single bed. 

Since we were five who stay in the room, the couch was converted into a bed.  That's were I slept. 

The front view rooms are more expensive but you have the pleasure of having a view like this from the veranda.

The master bedroom has its own cable TV, closet and bathroom.  Azalea's beds are so soft and heavenly so if you can stretch your budget, it's better to sleep here than on the couch.

The bathroom is very clean with clean towels, shampoo, lotion, conditioners and toothbrushes.

There's a hallway with an open space center.

We also got to check out the other rooms.

The single rooms are typically like this.

Presidential Suite

Of course, we were all mesmerized by the Presidential Suite which costs 30,000 a night.

It feels like a house right?  It has two floors with its own living room, kitchen, bathroom and 3 bedrooms.

Each bedroom has its own bathroom, cable television and closet.

Now, who wouldn't want to stay in a room (or should I say a house-like-room) like this?

If you're too lazy to go out, there's Tradisyon by Azalea downstairs where you could eat.

Overall, we all had a great summer staycation in the City of Pines because we had Azalea Residences Baguio to go to at the end of the day. 

Azalea Residences Baguio
7 Leonard Wood Loop,  
Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines
(632) 435-3545

Up Dharma Down: New Single All the Good Things in Collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board

It's been almost 4 years since I've seen Up Dharma Down perform so I was ecstatic to be invited to their Your Singapore Launch at 12 Monkeys.

As Singapore celebrates its 50th year of independence, it acknowledges many things that contributed to their nation's fast development.  One of those is the tourism industry.  Since the 90's Filipinos have loved visiting Singapore. 

Thus, it has collaborated with Up Dharma Down with their new Single "All the Good Things".  The song is about putting idea into action by doing it.  Travelling is one of the many ideas many of us conjure but don't really do.  So, in their video, they captured popular destinations in Singapore which they loved like Gardens by the Bay.

The music video is directed by John Polhem, former creative director at MTV Australia and a Gold Awardee for Music Video at the New York Film Festival.

Through their music, Up Dharma Down inspires us to go and travel and experience new things especially with its Golden Jubillee deals featuring a selection of flight and hotel promotions.  Fly on special airfare deals, get a 3rd night accommodation free for every 2-night stay, and enjoy the Singapore Sale even more with a chance to win S$500 daily.

View Up Dharma Down’s video at www.yoursingapore.ph. For more information about the Golden Jubilee deals, visit www.yoursingapore.com/goldenjubilee.

Lakbay Norte 3 NPVB Media Tour Blogger Contest

Although I'm not a travel blogger, I love to travel if budget allows.  So when I discovered about the Lakbay Norte 3 NPVB Media Tour Blogger Contest, I decided to take my chances and join!

If you think you're the blogger they are looking for then send your application too and maybe you just might be the lucky winner.  Check here for more details

The BPI BIG Outlet and Travel Sale 2011 TICKET Giveaway!

Whether its for your personal needs or an early preparation for Christmas, now is the best time to go shop because its time for "The BPI BIG Outlet and Travel Sale 2011"!  You can enjoy all the best deals with the biggest brands plus Book & Buy and discounted rates on hotels, resorts and airfare! Buy everything you need for your next big getaway in this 3-day extravaganza! 

Where: The Megatent, 30 Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City (bet. DepEd and Renaissance)

When: October 14-16, 2011, Friday-Sunday, 10am-9pm

What:  Up to 90% off on Select Merchandise + Book & Buy Promos from Resorts & Hotels

             Free Entrance to BPI Cardholders (with valid ID) (OR if you win my giveaway!=D)

             Additional perks for BPI Express Credit Edge and Petron Mastercard holders!

             Hourly Raffle Draws for BPI Edge & Petron Mastercard holders

             Chance to win Sun Cellular post-paid line + Mobile Phones!

WHO: BPI Express Credit Edge, BPI Petron Mastercard and Malibu Enterprise


Travel Merchants: AirPhil Express, Microtel Philippines, The Tides Hotel Boracay, Movenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Las Casas Filipinas, One Tagaytay Place, Hotel Elizabeth, Fersal Hotel, etc...


Brands: PowerMac Center, Plains & Prints, Ipanema, Levi's, Nike Golf, Dupe', Rudy Project, Crumpler, Cushe, Hush Puppies, Melissa, Adidas, Puma, Devant, Chocolate Clothing,  Nike, Accel, Rustan Marketing Corp. Cutting Edge,  JA Henckels, Manny O Wines, Canopy Homes, Parker, Dockers, R.A.F., Guerlain, Grendha, Giordano Ladies, Pac Sports, Sebago, Targus, Switch, Digital Walker, Audio Technica, Ideal Vision, Speck, Slazenger, Maldita, and many many more!

I want to experience the Lanzones Festival in Camiguin

The Philippines is a country rich in culture and festivities. It is general knowledge that most Philippine festivals were traditionally started 300 years during Spanish Colonization Period.  But, there are also festivals originally rooted from the Philippine local culture and legends as well.   The Lanzones Festival in Camiguin is one of them.   Have you heard of it yet? 


The Lanzones Festival began in the early 1980's as a thanks giving day for the annual harvest of the Lanzones Fruit.  Camiguin produces and exports the best sweet golden Lanzones in the country.  Although there are also other agricultural products, their Lanzones harvest is their main source of livelihood.   

*credits to the photogaphers of this photos

There are different legends about the origin of the festival.  According to one rural legend, there was once a couple who wished for a child from the Lanzones tree spirit.  Their wish was granted but they forgot to show gratitude so the spirit enchanted their boy.  In order to revive their son, they conducted a ritual to appease the spirit.  This gave way to the festival which became Camiguin's most famous.  Another legend tells about how a beautiful mysterious maiden took from the Lanzones its bitter flavor and leaving only its sweet and luscious taste.  Perhaps, there are more details about these which I can ask when I visit.

During the festival, there will be a street dancing parade and competition highlighting their rich culture, tradition and the Lanzones fruit.  I want to join and be part of the festival and feel their culture.  I 'm very eager to see how they dance, hear their music, see the colors and designs of the their traditional fashion and eat their local delicacies.  I also want to enjoy their delicious Lanzones fruit to my hearts desire.  


Festivals are not the only thing worth visiting in Camiguin.  There are also beautiful beaches, waterfalls, cold spring and hot spring where you can relax.  They also have the famous Camiguin Pastel.  It is a bun will different fillings like "Yema".  


While searching for more information about Camiguin and the Lanzones Festival,  I found out that I was not the only one interested in attending.  In fact, a lot of tourists from all parts of the world want to come and join the fun too but there are only a few information offered online about it.  If given the chance, I want to experience the Lanzones Festival this October and share it with you and the rest of the world.  

My First Ever Baguio Experience

Being four hours away from Manila, Baguio was my first out of town vacation ever!  I was around 10 years old when I went to Baguio with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  Back then Baguio was surrounded by pine trees.  It was so cold that when we were near the top of the beautiful plateau, we would turn off the air conditioning and open the windows to enjoy the cool breeze.  You could see cold mist and fog surrounding the area.  My cousins would fool around and breath in the air and see if fog would come from our mouths.

credits to the owners of the photos

We went to so many places on a single day.  We tried boating at the man-made lake in the middle of Burnham Park.  Back then, the lake looked so big and wide to me.   After that was my favorite activity, pony riding at Wright Park Circle.  I can still recall that the pony I rode was color brown.  Some of my cousins were afraid to ride but that was ridiculous since we were assisted by staffs and we couldn't even make the ponies gallop faster.=)  We dined at Camp John Hay during dinner and shopped around the city before hit the sack.  It was the first time I ever saw "ukay-ukay" shops.  We also saw lots of interesting native products and word works like the barrel man.

credits to titakosivilma.com

The next day, we visited Mines View Park.  The view was so nice.  We also ate "pinipig" being sold on the streets.  My aunts also went to the market.  They came back with boxes of FRESH vegetables and strawberries.  I love strawberries!  The strawberries in Baguio are so fresh and sweet I ate to my hearts content.  We also visited Good Shepherd to buy peanut brittle and strawberry jam.  On the way home, we also purchased brooms.  It was so much fun!

So why am I reminiscing?  It's because Baguio City is celebrating its 102nd year.  Happy Birthday!=)

In case you want to visit Baguio check out the cheap rates of http://www.eurotel-hotel.com

My Top 3 Dream Philippine Spots

Our country is so beautiful that there are so many places I want to go to.  But I never had the chance because I'm still don't have the budget so all I can do is dream away until I graduate. 


I want to share with you my top 3 dream Philippine spots.

1. Bohol

I want to meet the Tarsiers, Bryde's whale, flying lemur and dolphins.  I want to visit the chocolate hills,Mahogany man-made forest, Loboc floating restaurant, Alona Beach, and Busay Falls.


2. Puerto Princesa, Palawan

I want to observe the crocodiles at the croc farm, the birds from Rizal Park and dolphins at Puerto Princesa Bay.  I want to explore the beautiful beaches and the Underground River.  


3. Bellarocca Island, Marinduque

I want to relax and enjoy the serene views at Bellaroca Island Resort Spa.  I can imagine myself lying down sipping some drinks while enjoying the cool breeze of fresh air.  I also would love to go kayaking or swim at the infinity pool or beach.

Crosswinds Tagaytay Christmas Village: Where everyday is Christmas

Before getting on the bus, we stopped by the Christmas Store.  It was open with no attendant so we were not sure if the Christmas porcelain items displayed was for sale.  We just roamed around to appreciate.

      We were onboard the bus, waiting for other to come back from their rest room break when one of the Nuffnang team told us that we should get down because they have prepared a surprise for us.  

As we got off the bus, we saw the sign "Christmas Village".  It was very dark then it was announced that the Santa's House is now open.  Light flickered and snow made of foam showered us from the Santa House above.  It was magical!

    Despite the sign "for Kids only", we entered because we were kids at heart.  It was a dream playground for kids.  There were toys everywhere.  There's also a TV where kids can watch children shows.   

Train above us

TV

Kids playing toys

Stuff toys

Toy Village

Carousel 

Figurine town

Santa's chair

        Before we went home, Cross Winds handed out this delicious cupcake.  I really liked what's written at their card "LIFE is SWEET and EVER INSPIRING".  Kids were given a box of candy which I would have preferred.;)  Thank you so much Cross Winds for the great hospitality!

       Just beside Santa's house there is a convenient store.  Pretty convenient huh?

Cross Winds Tagaytay Christmas Village

Brgy. Iruhin Central, Calamba Road 

Tagaytay City.