Articles Written By: JB & Renée Macatulad

This author has written 627 articles

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Bangkok, Thailand (2019)

Bangkok / THAILAND / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Jan 16, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and its biggest city by far. It's a top tourist destination which is consistently ranked among the world's most visited cities. In fact, so popular and beloved is Bangkok that it was voted the "World's Best City" by Travel + Leisure magazine readers for four consecutive years.

READ! Cebu Pacific’s New Baggage Policy

WHEN WE WANDER Jan 14, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Beginning January 15, 2019, Cebu Pacific will be implementing a new baggage policy which limits the number of bags you’re allowed to check in.

Bangkok Food Guide: 12 Must-Eat Restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok / FOOD GUIDES / THAILAND / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jan 16, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Ren and I have been to Bangkok many times over the years and the one thing that keeps us coming back is the food. With all the things to love about Bangkok, the food is definitely the biggest draw for us. Go anywhere in Bangkok and you’re guaranteed to find good food.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Seoul, South Korea (2019)

SOUTH KOREA / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Jan 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Korean brands like Samsung and Hyundai are globally recognized brands. People worldwide watch K-dramas and listen to K-pop. Myeongdong has become a hotbed for cosmetics and nearly everyone I know loves Korean food! Needless to say, South Korea is booming, and at the center of all that excitement, is Seoul.

Yangon Food Tour: Get a Taste of Burmese Cuisine and Culture with A Chef’s Tour

MYANMAR / WHEN WE WANDER / Yangon Last Updated: Jan 20, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Like many of its neighboring countries, there's a clear Indian and Chinese influence to Burmese cuisine. There seem to be strong regional identities as well. Wikipedia's list of Burmese dishes points to several dishes that are Shan-, Kachin-, or Rakhine-influenced, all of which are administrative regions within Myanmar.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Philippines (2019)

Mountain Province / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Jan 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As much as Sagada has changed over the last two decades, one thing remains the same – it's still the blissful mountain enclave that made me want to escape to it so many years ago. I still do.

Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: Get a Taste of the Real Malaysia with A Chef’s Tour

Kuala Lumpur / MALAYSIA / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jan 9, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

I've been on many of these tours from A Chef's Tour and this Kuala Lumpur food tour is one of my favorites so far. Malaysian cuisine is too broad and nuanced to encapsulate into four hours, but Chef Faris does an excellent job of giving you the best possible taste.

Experience the Magic of the Holidays at Universal Studios Japan™

JAPAN / Osaka / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jan 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As I learned today, it doesn't matter how old you are or how many times you've been to Universal Studios Japan™. This place will always, ALWAYS be fun.

Visit Hong Kong, an Ideal Holiday Getaway

HONG KONG / WHEN WE WANDER Nov 15, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

If you’re Filipino, then the holidays are a wonderful time to visit Hong Kong with friends and family. As described, its proximity to the Philippines makes it an easy trip. It’s got everything Filipinos love – shopping and eating – plus we don’t need a tourist visa to go there.

Yala National Park Safari: The Best Place to See the Elusive Leopard in Sri Lanka

Hambantota / SRI LANKA / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 19, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

I didn't know this at the time but Yala National Park is home to one of the highest if not the highest concentration of leopards in the wild. It's also home to mega fauna like elephants, wild buffalo, and sloth bears, as well as a slew of bird species and smaller mammals and reptiles.

Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka, “The Most Scenic Train Ride in the World”

Badulla / Kandy / SRI LANKA / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Nov 19, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

I'm not an authority on scenic train rides but one thing's for sure, this was absolutely the most beautiful train ride that I have ever been on. If you heed Lonely Planet's advice and visit Sri Lanka for the first time in 2019, then you absolutely need to go on this train ride.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka: Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts

Colombo / Galle / Hambantota / Kalutara / SRI LANKA / WHEN WE WANDER Nov 11, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

Before TBC Asia 2018, we were sent on a 5-day press trip that had us visit multiple destinations throughout Sri Lanka. We were put up at several Cinnamon hotels and resorts, each more luxurious and astounding as the one before it.

Top Travel Blogs: 100,000 Monthly Hits and Beyond

TOP TRAVEL BLOGS Last Updated: Jan 18, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

100,000 monthly pageviews is a good first milestone to strive for. It's difficult to reach and even harder to maintain, which is why I've decided to start this list of travel blogs that receive at least 100,000 total visits a month as measured by SimilarWeb and Google Analytics.

Oslob Tour: Swim with the Whale Sharks and Visit Tumalog Falls in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Oct 23, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

It may have been my third time to share the ocean with these beautiful creatures but the experience didn't hold any less wonder than the previous two. It's such a privilege to swim alongside these gentle giants, an experience you can only have in select parts of the world.

Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Unlimited Booze in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu / PHILIPPINES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Oct 23, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

To be honest, Ren and I aren't the biggest fans of boats. Ren easily gets seasick and I find the experience to be a little confining. But throw in the promise of unlimited booze and a stunning sunset and it becomes en entirely different story.

Kolkata Food Tour: Get a Taste of Bengali Cuisine with A Chef’s Tour

INDIA / Kolkata / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Dec 25, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

Apart from being a gastronomic trip, I expected this to be a spiritual journey as well. Many people, friends of mine included, describe it as a life-changing experience. Life-changing indeed it was, for reasons I never would have expected. And it all started here in Kolkata.

Mumbai Food Tour: See and Taste the Best of Mumbai with A Chef’s Tour

INDIA / Mumbai / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jan 9, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As always, I do a fair amount of research before a trip but there’s only so much Google can tell you. Insider knowledge, especially when it comes to food, is always best, which is why I think it’s so important to experience a new city with a local. Shailesh, a third-generation resident, was about to give me my first real taste of Mumbai.

Phuket Food Tour: Experience Phuket Old Town Like a Local With A Chef’s Tour

Phuket / THAILAND / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Oct 5, 2018 JB & Renée Macatulad

If you're visiting Phuket and looking for a fun, informative food tour, then you should seriously consider this one. Pema is an excellent guide with an infectious enthusiasm for her town, a town that seems to hold as much wonder for her now as it did when she was a little girl.