Articles Written By: JB Macatulad

This author has written 731 articles

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines

Ifugao / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER 15 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Batad is a remote village of around 1,500 people in Ifugao province. It's said to be home to the best and most well-preserved rice terraces in the Cordillera region. These terraces are between 2,000-6,000 years old and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Filipino Food Guide: Discovering Philippine Street Food

FOOD GUIDES / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER 10 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

If you're familiar with our blog, then you already know how much we love eating local food when we travel. A lot of that traveleating involves street food, which in many countries, has a reputation for being less than sanitary. The Philippines is one of those countries.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Mountain Province / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 15 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

A small mountain town of a little over 11,000 people, the first time I visited Sagada was fifteen years ago. My sister and I took a backpacking trip up north and this sleepy town famous for its hanging coffins was one of our first stops. I've always preferred mountains over beaches so I instantly fell in love with the place.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER 2 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Saigon's pulsating nightlife didn't appeal to us. What we did find appealing, was the city's vibrant street food culture that exceeded every other destination we had visited in Vietnam. Despite spending little more than two full days in Ho Chi Minh City, we left with some of the most memorable dining experiences from our trip.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 5 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Hoi An is a city in Quảng Nam Province in Central Vietnam. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was one of the most heavily-frequented trading ports in Southeast Asia from the 17th to the 18th centuries.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 5 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

As chaotic and busy as Hanoi can be, its also a city teeming with character. Walk around the Old Quarter for a day and you'll see what I mean. An eclectic mix of foreign influences, you get the sense that this city has seen a lot in its thousand year history. Stick around long enough, and you may just get to hear its stories.

Take a Stroll in and around Hanoi’s Old Quarter in Vietnam

Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 30 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

Most buildings in Hanoi have seen better days but if you look past their weathered exterior, you'll find a Southeast Asian city with its own unique story. Obscured by power lines are French windows, decorative ironwork, and vernacular shophouses that narrate Hanoi's rich history. It's an interesting story, if you have time to read the clues.

VIETNAM: Phở, the Quintessential Vietnamese Food (Recipe)

NATIONAL DISH QUEST Last Updated: 3 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Even if you aren't familiar with Vietnamese food, chances are you've heard of phở. It's a popular Vietnamese street food and is considered a national dish of Vietnam. For me, it's the quintessential Vietnamese food and the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the cuisine.

VIETNAM: Gỏi Cuốn Vietnamese Spring Rolls are Fresh! (Recipe)

NATIONAL DISH QUEST Last Updated: 3 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

There are many varieties of fresh spring rolls but my hands down favorite is the Vietnamese gỏi cuốn. Translucent with alternating hues of orange and green, not only are they some of the tastiest fresh spring rolls, they’re also among the prettiest.

Get a Taste of the Real Hoi An with a Thuan Tinh Island Cooking Class

Hoi An / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 30 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

We enjoy eating local food on our trips, but to actually learn how to make these dishes yourself is a different kind of experience. It puts you on both sides of the table and gives you a better understanding and appreciation for the cuisine.

The Ultimate Vietnamese Food Guide: What to Eat in Vietnam (and Where to Try Them)

FOOD GUIDES / Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / Ho Chi Minh City / Hoi An / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 3 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

If I were to use one word to describe Vietnamese food, it would be "balance". Balance is important in all types of cuisine but it seems to be of particular importance in Vietnamese cooking. Vietnamese cuisine aims to strike a balance in different aspects of its food like taste, nutrients, and presentation, and it does so by paying attention to five elements per aspect.

Ha Long Bay Cruise: A Must-Do in Northern Vietnam

Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 30 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. If you'll be spending any time at all in Hanoi and the northern part of the country, then an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay is a must.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam: M2C+ Cafe

Ho Chi Minh City / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 2 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

M2C is a small chain of upscale cafes in Saigon. One of the cafe's branches – M2C+ Cafe in District 3 – offers more than just cool glasses of cà phê đá. They have a handful of rooms on the building's top floor which they rent out to travelers on AirBnB.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco, I Left My Soles in Langkawi

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO... 3 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

From disaster to favorite travel memory, this trek through the rainforest of Langkawi didn't go exactly as planned, but it turned out to be one of our favorite travel experiences thus far.

Hanoi Food Guide: 16 Must-Try Vietnamese Restaurants & Street Food Stalls

FOOD GUIDES / Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 30 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

Before we touched down in this city, I had little experience with Vietnamese food except for the most basic of dishes like pho and banh mi. I preferred rice over noodles and I hadn’t tasted real banh mi so Vietnamese cuisine was never one of my favorites. But Hanoi changed all that.