Vintage Bicycles (1940's - 1960's) Displayed at Cebu Museum

During my niece and I's visit to the antiquated Cebu provincial jail now turned museum (Museo Sugbu) we were led to the inconspicuous portion of the jailhouse that housed the vintage bicycle collections. That room used to be one of the jail rooms inside the prison. We were almost going home that time until my niece, upon careful exploration of the rest of the areas of the jailhouse, discovered one last room that housed the said bicycle displays. Being a bike lover myself, you can imagine how ecstatic I was to find the museum exhibits when we opened that one last room door. I was quick to pull out my cellphone to take the shots:

Quick Pose with the array of vintage 1940's to 1960's era bicycle collection.

This 1940's BF Goodrich Straight Bar (Schwinn-built series) was manufactured by Arnold, Schwinn & co. for BF Goodrich. Special identifying features are the Blade fork, Delta rocket light, "sweet heart" chain ring, tapering trust rods, longhorn handle bar, tank and chain guard's embossed details, front fender is Ducktail, built-in side stand as reflected in exhibit label.

Exhibit label reads: 1960's Colson Sonic Scout (ladies' size 20); Manufactured by Evans-Colson which manufacturing plant was either in Plymouth, Michigan; Coos Bay and Rosenburg, Oregon; and Vancouver, Brtish Columbia. Sepcial Identifying features are Single Speed, Tear drop cut out chain ring design, original paint, rare frame designed by Harley Earl; owned and donated by Renir John Aligno

Exhibit label reads: 1949 Columbia Five Star Superb manufactured by Columbia Manufacturing Co. in Westfield Massachusetts; Special Identifying Features are Delta Headlight, "ther-o-matic" frame, single springer fork, spined fender, angled horn tank hence the so-called "coffin tank" type, built-in side-stand; owned and donated by Noe Noel

Exhibit label reads: Columbia Westfield 1940's manufactured by Westfield Mfg.Co. in Westfield, Massachusetts; Special Identifying Features are Delta headlight, crowned fork, spined fenders, ornate horn tank accentuated rear-end carrier, buitl-in stand; Owned and donated by Andrew Ford Guardo

Exhibit Label reads: 1940's Firestone Cruiser manufactured by Huffman Manufacturing Company in Dayton 1, Ohio; Special Identifying Features are streamlined luggage carrier, airflow tank with lateral line, crescent fenders (full length). This model was recently replaced with "Gliding Ride Spring Fork". Owned and donated by Eleazar Ledamo

Exhibit label reads: 1950's JC Higgins Colorflow manufactured in Sears, Roebuck and Company in Ohio; Special Identifying Features are bee-hive springer fork, skirtguard (missing), Batwing headlight(missing), Jeweled horn tank (missing). It was owned and donated by Jonnel Delima

Exhibit label reads: 1940's Monark Super Deluxe (Ladies' bicycle) manufactured by Monark Silver King Inc. in Chicago USA; Special Identifying features are Metal Rocket Ornament on front fender, Pedestal headlight, Teardrop Chain ring cut out, Chrome rear-carrier trim, Chrome rear-reflector casing, bull bagde, Springer fork, halfmoon handle bar. It was owned and donated by Nina Guardo

It felt so good having the chance to view these antique bicycles from Cebu's American Occupational Era. I wonder how envious the underprivileged would have been seeing these beautiful and classy bicycles being driven by the elite few. So much for that, I will be posting more vintage bicycle museum exhibits in my next post. Credits to the Vintage Bicycle Club of Cebu.

A Recreational Forest Park Resort in Mindanao, Philippines: Dahilayan, Bukidnon

It was my second visit to my sister in Cagayan de Oro City and it was also an opportunity for us to revisit the recreational forest park in Dahilayan, Bukidnon. The trip going there took about 45 minutes of scenic mountain and views of lush woodlands. The most exciting part of the trip was when we started the climb toward the Dahilayan highlands where we started to see the pines scattered in the mass expanse of the place. I was temporarily illusioned to be nowhere in the Philippines because the woodland was unlike most of the other provinces in the country.

When I first step out of the car my senses was greeted by the forest scent of the pines while the atmosphere soothingly chilled my nerves. To sum it all, the feel and look of the surroundings was more or less comparable to that of being in Baguio in Cordillera, in the opposite, big island of Luzon, though it was a little more exotic. The recreational park seems to be the only sign of development in the virgin, forested mountains.

The gate opens to welcome you to forest park recreation and adventure

The front desk. Checking in for an overnight stay. You have choices of overnight accomodation.

Our De Luxe accomodation: One twin-size and one single bed. We asked for an additional foam bed since there were four of us.

While my sister, hubby and niece went out for a stroll I stayed put to have some rest. I took the pleasure of taking this photo from the window of our room.

The hallway of De Luxe accomodation - sufficiently lighted by the sun's rays and ceiling bulbs, also nicely decorated with wall art sculptures.

Adjacent the Forest Park is the walking-distance Adventure Park where the drop zone is located.

The pleasure of hot coffee at Adventure Park Coffee Shop to beat the chilly, early afternoon breeze.

Open lawn for the horseback riders overlooking the province of Cagayan de Oro from a distance.

The restaurant as viewed from the fishpond attraction below it.

The dining area overlooking the forest park landscape inside Dahilayan Resort. It didn't take long for the darkness and fog to slowly envelope the surroundings.

At daytime a group can idle away time hanging out for a picnic in the man-made forest.

The forest cottages adorned with animal statues. Even by just going around the area is enough to amaze you with a different kind of inexplicable experience.

Floral decorated man-made fishpond offers serenity of mind and spirit away from the chaos of city life.

This long passage could very well be a romantic haven for a couple.

I couldn't help myself with the beauty of a certain vantage point so I decided to take a digital version of that awesome view.

One can take a joyride with the ATV buggy rides around the park if opted.

A long, mesmerizing, downhill Luge ride attraction could add fun your group perfect for selfie videos.

As if the Luge rides weren't enough to please our hearts, another view of the distant opposite direction of the park was too good to snub.

The Luge rides go with a free 15 minutes at a mini golf-course. Because I am not good in driving I didn't bother to use the golf stick. I made good use of my selfie stick instead.

I couldn't help myself pretending to be a subject in the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".

Most Popular Pristine Tropical White Sand Beach in the Philippines - Island of Boracay

Boracay is one of the most renowned tropical white sand beaches in the Philippines. The thrill of going to this exciting island starts from the moment the plane touches down the Caticlan airport runway. From there, you will take a 5-minute ride to the Caticlan Jetty Port via a "tricycle", a modified motorbike with a sidecar extension to accomodate passengers. A number of motorized wooden boats locally termed "Bangka" wait in queue at the port to to ferry customers to the pristine, white sand beaches of Boracay.

Many tourists from around the world travel to this popular place to spend their holiday vacation for the beaches, sea adventures and nightlife. Being in Boracay is virtually a feast of fun, food and adventure. An array of luxury services line up the coasts where a number of hotels, restaurants and stores cater to the needs of the tourists. Furthermore, you get to choose vendor services of seashore massage under the coconut shades, tattoo arts, sale of souvenir items and more.

I was there myself and I am posting below some of my amateurish and un-edited dig-cam photos. Amateurish as they were, there were no tricks involved. They're just simple clicks of the button from a simple camera and perhaps, taken with luck.

If you haven't been there yet the scenes I had taken should give you an idea of how it is like vacationing in one of the liveliest and exciting island beaches in the Philippines. It is most famous for its fine, white sands with crystal-clear waters to dip in.

After a 20-30 minutes of bouncing with the playful sea waves and occasionally dousing our faces with the seawater mist aboard the inter-island wooden bangka ride, we finally approached the vibrant docking area of the Boracay Jetty port. I couldn't help but wonder at the clear blue waters that welcomed us.

Motorized, wooden "bangka" passenger boats await at the Jetty port to ferry customers to and from the Boracay island.

These tricyles could accommodate up to 6 passengers each. Sometimes, it could be overloaded to a max 8 passengers with the driver ridiculously moving forward towards the bike handles tightly. A quick 5-10 minute ride will further take you to the Boracay beaches.

Upon disembarking from the amusing tricycle ride the sight of fellow sojourners along the coasts of the island would energize your spirit.

Not even the coziness of the hotel's indigenous-themed accommodation could not entice us to lie down after a long journey to get to Boracay.

Instead, we quickly took our meals from one of the fastfood stores and had that relaxing body massage service waiting at a small area of the coconut-tree-shaded shores.

We could use some of our time sipping buko juices and randomly took this photo of the tempting white sand beach while lounging leisurely on a reclining chair.

Let's get one view of the shores being separated by lined-up coconut trees. The left side is used for passage of vacationers who choose to stroll along the myriad of commercial establishments facing the seas.

At the other side of the photo (shown previously) you get to come closer to the beach. The varying colors of the surfing boats waiting for rent add life to the lively summer beach life.

After a long days' journey and exploration of the island beaches it was time to cool off with my dose of beer amidst the waning afternoon heat.

These chairs and tables at the sand and shores await romantic beach dining at night.

As the dawn faded from last night's merrymaking we couldn't wait further for the new day to proceed. We had to wake up early to witness the serene beaches at early sunrise being prepared by caretakers for another pleasant beach day ahead.

A Must-See, Must-Visit Natural Spring Pools in the Philippines – Timoga Cold Spring Pool, Iligan City

If you are in the Philippines or planning to visit soon most especially in Mindanao or Iligan City for that matter, you shouldn’t miss the must-see, must-visit natural spring pool at Timoga Cold Spring Pools (Preferably Mimar’s Springway Pools). I have been there, sadly, only twice within twenty-two years, but know what? Those memories still linger vividly till now because I consider that place one of the most unforgettable I have visited during a travel and vacation in my beloved country, the Philippines.

My love for clean, clear, natural rushing waters certainly has something to do with those memories. That’s why, for those who have this similar passion with mine I am sharing, and perhaps help inform you where to find that place as mentioned above. If you are not yet familiar with Iligan City the easiest way to get to this “must-see, must-visit” pools is certainly to ask the locals there or unless you have local acquaintance/s or relatives to guide and take you to the place. Let my photos of the spring pools complement my description below:

The man-made pools are fed by the flow of water coming from the cold spring somewhere up the stream.

I prefer to take my dips up the streams than at the man-made pools below (not seen in this photo).

My nieces, nephew and I taking refuge on a rock midway in the violent rush towards the natural pool behind us.

A safer haven someplace along the streams.

Testing the violent rush. Not too dangerous after all. You need to have a firm hold and footing, though.

I just couldn't seem to get enough of the cool, soothing charge of waters. I Considered it water back-massage.

The Philippine Mangroves - Pilar, Siargao, Surigao del Norte

During our stay at one of the Homestays at Pilar, Siargao (Surigao del Norte) Philippines the backyard seaside cottage hut was an unforgettable hangout place for us visitors. Every day, I would marvel at the exquisite view offered by the chuckling waves of the sea nearby and the view of serene mangroves across at a stone’s throw away. While endlessly immersed at such a beauty of the island I couldn’t help myself with the mysteries of what lies among the shrub greeneries. Fortunately for me, the resident of the house who I quickly became friends with offered me to go canoeing with him there to explore the area and find answers to my curious mind.

I was quick to put on my hooded sweatshirt and water socks given to me by my cousin. The next few minutes were to be one of the wonderful moments of my island stay.

The Homestay backyard cottage hut at seaside we used to hang out on lazy afternoons pre-sunset.

The mangroves as viewed from the nipa hut cottage.

Approaching the mangroves on a canoe.

The homestay resident, Otik, on the paddles to skillfully maneuver the canoe as we got inside the maze of shrubs.

The eerily serene but beautiful mangroves as we paddled further among the thicket.

Me holding fast to the canoe's hull to keep the balance. I was a little bit tense of the unknown creatures that must be lurking somewhere.