The Travel Peoples

Ever found yourself daydreaming about the enchanting life within castle walls? Reysa Alenzuela, Ph.D. recently turned that dream into a reality. According to this frequent traveler, the experience was nothing short of magical: "Living in a castle is like stepping into a world that seamlessly blends charm, tranquility, opulence, and a sense of privilege that transcends reality." Read the rest of her castle living. As a perpetual wanderer looking for unique experiences, my recent activities include staying in medieval houses, chateaux, and unique abodes. During this quest for a new and extraordinary adventure, a friend, aware of my fascination, recommended exploring places within their proximity. Thanks to the wonders of online aggregators, my search led me to an extraordinary find – the newly renovated Merlo Slott , with an enticingly substantial discount. The prospect of sleeping in a castle, with its historical allure and modern amenities following renovation, beckoned me to...

One will never run out of shopping places in The Netherlands. Bataviastad outlet store sells items at great discounts. Located at Lelystad, North Holland, shoppers get to enjoy a Christmas-themed shopping ambiance, complete with Christmas trees, and all that gleams. The highlight is always the bargain prices. Stores offer up to 70% deals.  Watch the video for a quick glimpse of the complex. Don't forget to subscribe for more travel experiences and tips.

  The Rembrandt Square in Amsterdam gleams at night. Christmas shopping at the outlets in Bataviastad, Lelystad. It may be quieter and more festive than in the Philippines. "Solemn" is the word to describe Christmas Eve here. I wonder if it's the rainy and windy weather. The snow lasted only for two days in early December. But it has been quiet and chill, literally and figuratively. It may also be the culture in my neck of the woods. I live in a suburb.  Although I liked the days preceding Christmas Eve. People were jolly and in high spirits. Even the bus and train employees at the Centraal Station sang carols to the delight of the passengers and passersby.  Christmas markets were a feast to the eyes, too. I uploaded a video on my  travel channel  for more visuals and market information.   I'm still trying to get used to this Christmas set-up. But honestly, I like Christmas in Asia or in the US. It's because of the lengthy period we celebrate it there....

Out of curiosity, we decided to check the local market prices of fruits and vegetables and compare them with those from the Philippines.  Watch this video of what we found out. Some notes: 1. The fruits and vegetables we bought are good for one week and for two to three people. 2. The market stalls do not issue paper receipts, like many food stalls in the Philippine markets. Hence there is no price breakdown for each item, only the total amount indicated in the mobile banking app. 3. This is not a fully comprehensive calculation as stated in the second note above. However, it gives an idea about the actual pricing of commodities in the Dutch marketplaces. 4. This is an informative video that does not intend to provoke political reactions to the content.

Alright. It's been a few months already since coming here to The Netherlands. I want to talk about what transpired, living here from Day 1 up to this time of writing as we continue immersing ourselves in the Dutch culture. The Dutchies They are amiable people. That observation still has remained since my first days here. Sometimes, it's the non-locals who are unfriendly, feeling entitled, and rude. To be honest. The Attractions It is undeniable that The Netherlands is a sight to behold. It has lots of beautiful parks and destinations. I love that many of the cultural structures are preserved. They are archaic, dating back to the 14th century. On weekends, we visit central stations and begin our self-curated walking tour. The key cities are teeming with museums and war memorials. The country was a war hotspot back in the ages. We spoke to a curator in one of the museum parks in Nijmegen, and he told us that the palace ruins were created by the attacking Vikings. Everywhere we go...

  It began on a vision board in January 2023. It was my first time to draw one. On it, I indicated The Netherlands as a destination. The truth was, it was not even on the list of countries we would like to live in for a long time.  Here, I wrote about my observations, the things I need to adjust to, and some tips. The Dutch way I've read a lot about the Dutch being straightforward to the point that they come out rude, especially with people who are used to sugarcoating words. However, I have not encountered rudeness or bluntness so far. It is the opposite. They are kind. Their common marks are " hallos " ("hello"), cheerfulness, and chattiness, in a good way.  Our neighbor stopped by to speak with us for minutes during our first meeting. Those we meet on the street smile, and say "hi", too.  Those in customer-facing jobs are accommodating to patrons. In grocery stores, they look after your convenience. In food outlets, they answer all your questions re...

  Preparing for take-off... As I wrote previously, here is the second part of my blog.  We returned to the Philippines for a five-day visit in late November 2022 to renew our driver's licenses. The process took two hours. We did it at the Land Transportation Office in Muntinlupa City. The processing began at 9 AM. Everything was the same, except that this time, the license is valid for 10 years (formerly five years). Yeyyy!  We followed the activities in our itinerary. Basically: Meet my side of the family, meet our close friends, and meet my husband's side. Thank God. We were able to accomplish those. Although I was hoping that we could stay longer to visit former churchmates, other friends, and relatives, especially my father's side. Besides, it was my husband's first time since 2018 to revisit home. Not to mention the grueling documentation so that he could travel.  All in all, it was a productive and pleasant short trip. We had things to do daily and ticked them ...