Choose Your Own Retreat at Hacienda Isabella

Ever wanted to get away from the city but don't have the luxury of time to be gone for too long? Then go ahead and treat yourself to a time-out at Hacienda Isabella.

Originally a coffee plantation, Hacienda Isabella -- named after the owner's (Ms. Kuh Ledesma) daughter -- has now opened its doors to people who want to be refreshed and recharged even just for a weekend.

Excursionista's Blog Anniversary Giveaway

My blog's 3 years old! What better way to celebrate this milestone than a giveaway, yes? :D

Just a little trivia: My Blogger profile says I'm a member since June 2009. But I didn't actually write my first entry until 2010. All posts dated 2008 and 2009 were just antedated. :)

So without further ado, here's what's up for grabs:

1 winner of Water bobble

1L bobble in Black

bobble is a stylish, reusable bottle that filters water as you drink using an ingenious replaceable carbon filter. When water passes through the filter, the carbon removes chlorine and organic contaminants. 

1 winner of Human Nature Products set from Purplecow's Attic

(1) 50ml Natural Bug Shield Oil, (1) 50ml All Natural Spray Sanitizer - Cool Burst, (1) 50ml Sunflower Beauty Oil, (1) Purifying Facial Scrub, (1) Natural Intensive Hair Mask and (1) Human Nature Toiletry Pouch

I personally don't leave the house without a hand sanitizer and insect repellent. It comes in handy for trips. And as bonus, we're throwing in the sunflower oil, facial scrub and hair mask. Give your skin and hair some love after all that time under the sun. ;)

The best part is that all Human Nature Products are made from biodegradable ingredients & are at least 95% natural. 

3 winners of 1 HeadWare each

*Actual prize may differ from the ones pictured above

HeadWare is a handy all-purpose, stretchable, breathable and tubular yet seamless accessory that has numerous ways to use for many activities.

HeadWare wicks sweat away from your skin, keeps you cool on hot days, protects you from the elements or just makes you look cool.

Ever since I came to know of HeadWare, I never go on a trip without it.

1 winner of loudbasstard

loudbasstard in Teal

The loudbasstard sound amplifier enables you to share your music through passive sound amplification. Incredibly durable, renewable, and rich in tonal variation, bamboo and rattan bring a relaxed style to any area. Zero energy consumption. :D

The concept of passive amplification is not an invention of loudbasstard. That concept, coupled with the abundance of natural resources in the Visayas as well as Cebuano hand craftsmanship were key elements in the design process of this product. 

1 winner of Lagu beach blanket

Lagu in Aguamarino

Lagu is the world's first beach-friendly beach blanket. Save the Sand, Save the Beach :) 

Unlike ordinary towels, Lagu repels sand allowing you to lay with ease while also conserving the beach. It's unique linen blend is allergen-free and has quick-dry properties, keeping it fresh for repeated use. 

1 winner of Sassa swimsuit + cover-up

Sassa Bikini Boyleg (S-XXL)+ Cover-up (free size)

Sassa carries a wide range of active wear starting from tank tops, tees, jackets, shorts, Jazz, Capri and full-length pants to the latest in swim wear, rash guards and board shorts for women of all ages.

2 winners of Towelite

(1) winner of Towelite Bath towel in Yellow (24x48 inches) & (1) winner of Towelite sports towel (18x36 inches) + face towel. Mesh/Pouch included.

Towelite is a high performance towel for travel, sports and outdoor activities.

It can be folded into an incredibly small size, yet it provides more absorbency than a traditional towel. It also dries up much faster than an ordinary towel; 90% of the water can be removed just by wringing it.

1 winner of High Sierra Access backpack

High Sierra Access backpack in red

Whether it's outdoor sports, adventure travel, school or business...you need gear you can count on. With uncompromising commitment to quality and innovation, High Sierra has become one of the world's most trusted brands.

Some features of the Access backpack: cushion zone padded laptop sleeve (can fit most 17" (screen size) with max size of 15.5" x 10.75" x 1.8"), tuck-away rain cover, mesh beverage compartment on the side, size: 20"x15.0"x9.5", capacity: 2743 cubic inches (45L).

Want to win one of these prizes? Joining is easy! Just use Rafflecopter below. But please read these notes first:

- Contest is open to Philippine residents only.
- If your name is drawn more than once, you will automatically win the prize with the higher value.
- Liking/Following select sponsors will not guarantee that you will only be eligible to win specific sponsor's prize. So I highly encourage you to Like and/or Follow all sponsors social media accounts for more entries and higher chances of winning.
- Winners will be contacted by email 48-72 hours (to allow verification) after the giveaway ends on how to claim the prize. 


If you have any additional questions, feel free to send me an email or comment below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

K

Calaguas: DIY Style

If you still want to go to Boracay Calaguas even after reading my post here, okay, fine. Here's my take on going there DIY style. 

When's the best time to go

Unless you're on a suicide mission, obviously, not during the rainy season. The waves this side of Luzon is notoriously choppy even on dry months.  

If you want to experience peace and quiet, better head there during weekdays.

Egyptian Beach Holiday Ideas

The Red Sea Riviera is one of those dream holiday destinations that everyone should make a point of visiting. It’s located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and has loads of excellent resorts and hotels all within easy access to the tranquil and warm Red Sea. 

If you’re a beach lounger, then you’re in luck as the sun shines for over 330 days a year here and high temperatures rarely dip below 20°C between March and November. In the water, keen swimmers will find themselves in the midst of a world class snorkeling and diving destination that is teeming with colorful coral reefs and a stunning range of sea life.

The Jekyll and Hyde That is Calaguas

Calaguas*, in recent years, has been the 'it' beach for people wanting to get away from it all. Indeed, it is an ideal location where you'll be disconnected from the outside world. Yep, no mobile phone signal and no electricity (save for a generator that runs for a few hours at night). Just you and Mother Nature. That's why it's a no-brainer to add it on my list of beaches to visit.

However, I had reservations as soon as I saw pictures of its 'crowded' shores. It also didn't help that I read blogs of people who've been there recently stating it's slowly turning into the next Boracay. 

Long story short, me and my friends still pushed through with the trip even with this not so enticing image in our minds.