Monthly Archives: March 2017

The very first National Park was Yellowstone, designated as such in 1872. A few years later, in 1916, the National Park Service was formed, to protect and share these special landmarks, which by then included a few more, like Sequoia and Yosemite, among others.

One of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, was designated a National Park in 1919. Living in relative close proximity to it, I have visited it often, and it still never looses its magic. Every day, a cloud, a sunny day, can make a difference in how this vast canyon looks. The amenities around the top have changed over the years, especially on the South Rim, since the ever-growing crowds required more amenities, and ways to help everyone enjoy it. However, the canyon itself is still the same, still as spectacular as ever.

Some of the parks preserve the “work of men”. Mesa Verde was the first park of this kind, designated as such in 1906. With lots of ancient dwellings, the site is spectacular. Like Chaco Canyon, accessible through a dirt road, off the beaten track and quiet, these sites give us a glimpse into the lives of people who came before us.

We have parks protecting areas as diverse as redwood forests, snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, rainforests, high and low desert areas, and archaeological sites. By designating them National Parks, they are protected, we can enjoy them as much as visitors before us have, and make sure those who come after us will as well.

Roughly, fourteen years after my first visit. I took my wife, and I decided to have our 2nd honeymoon there to renew our vows. We were booked for a 4-days, 3-night stay on December 10-13, 2013. A month prior to our travel date, the Philippines was hit by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) where most of the Eastern Visayas Region was hit, including Boracay. Flights were cancelled and guests were stranded for a couple of days. Some of the guests scheduled after the typhoon up until those booked around December, foreign and local, intentionally cancelled their hotel bookings upon seeing how massive the damage was and expecting major rehabilitation and on-going relief operations. And so, I made sure that hotels and commercial establishments were up and running before we came. I kept on trying to recall the vivid memory I had in Boracay when I first came to visit. It’s a bit hard but one thing’s for sure: I cannot, in any way, remember any resorts and restaurants just right along the shore line. In a normal pace, December would have been a peak season in Boracay but because of the typhoon, we were lucky to have witnessed what Boracay is like during the lean season.

I was looking for the “crowded and polluted shoreline” side of Boracay which I had seen countless times in the news and in Facebook. I was, in a way, frustrated because I saw it myself that Boracay was not as exploited as how they portray it to be. There were only a few people and it was peaceful, and the water was so clear. The beach was still picturesque just the way I remembered it fourteen years ago.

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations around the world. It would be fair to say that New York City is larger than life. Almost every aspect of this magnificent city touches perfection. New York is well known for its friendly people, modern lifestyle, cultural importance, tourist attractions and Broadway shows. There is so much to explore that you certainly can’t have it all in one single visit. New York is one of those cities that calls you back and leaves you with an unforgettable and mesmerizing experience.

1) 9/11 Memorial:

9/11 Memorial is the best place to start your sightseeing experience in New York. 9/11 Memorial has a sentimental value for the people of New York City. Two beautiful reflecting pools have been constructed at the place where towers stood once. Around the pool, the names of all the people who lost their lives in the attack have been inscribed in bronze. You will also find a museum that has artifacts narrating the story of what happened that unfateful day.

2) Madison Square Garden:

Madison Square Garden is undoubtedly the world’s most famous arena. Some people call it an entertainment powerhouse. Almost every famous celebrity has performed in Madison Square Garden. Check out if there are any concert tickets available. Watching a show in this grand arena is an experience of a lifetime that you will never forget. You can also try to watch an NBA game of NHL match in this arena during your stay in New York.