Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Traveling With My Mom: A Mother’s Day Special

by Regin Reyno

From Isabela to South Cotabato. 1,800 km. in 3 days overland. My family first did that in April of the year 1993, using our classic 1973 Jeep Wagoneer, an American SUV. For me, that was my most epic road trip ever. We passed by beautiful seaside scenery, marvelous forests, mountain ranges, countless rivers, and varied road types. Because of that, I was able to see the beauty of the whole Philippines. My father was our only driver (as I am still 9 years old during that time). 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Krabi Islands, a Slice of Paradise on Earth

by Regin Reyno

Blinding white-sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs, emerald green waters, lush-foliage islands, clear blue sky; these were the sights I behold aboard a long-tail boat on the Andaman Sea in Krabi. As the warm summer sea breeze caressed my face while the boat sped off leaving a white stream and the port of Nopparathara, Aonang became less visible, my excitement grew stronger as I knew we were heading to paradise.

The 38-degree summer heat in Bangkok, coupled with a 3-day Songkran holiday prompted us to leave Bangkok’s cemented pavements and busy lifestyle to experience white-powdery beaches, refreshing waters, solitary islands and a laid-back atmosphere of Krabi.


Located approximately 800 km south of Bangkok, Thailand, Krabi is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. It is a province along the Andaman Sea blessed with lush forests, world-class beaches, glorious mountains and hills, stunning islands, scenic rivers, and magnificent karsts. Enough reasons to attract tons of tourists each year.

We were on a “4 island tour” that day, taken care of by one of the countless tour agencies located in Aonang, one of the towns in Krabi where the beaches are located. It is the jump-off of tours and boat rides to the islands. Laden with restaurants, bars, hotels, hostels, bungalows, tour agencies, souvenir shops and dive shops-it is a typical touristy town.

About 25 tourists coming from countries such as Russia, UK, Australia, India, Finland, China, Malaysia, and of course we, Filipinos, plus 4 Thai crews including our guide  were aboard that big long-tail boat during that time-all excited for the day’s activities, and to experience a slice of paradise on earth.

Passing by limestone cliffs