Tired of the usual Baguio trip? Just in case you needed even more reason to visit Benguet or want to extend your itinerary, here’s one more to spark your wanderlust, for just an hour and a half, to two hours drive from Baguio City. A half-day to full-day trip further north of Baguio awaits wanderers an off-beaten paradise beyond the clouds. Read on to know more about this hidden gem in Benguet.


Jump into an 8.37% awesomeness of the whole Benguet as far as your eyes could see. The lush emerald green pine forests adorn the majestic mountains of Atok, Benguet. This little municipality of Benguet got it's name from "naypatok shi chontog" which means "on the mountain top". It boasts picturesque and breath-taking mountainous landscapes which is truly a sight to behold.

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.


My boyfriend and I are locals of Baguio and we decided to visit Atok during the Panagbenga Festival to escape the crowd and traffic. We woke up at an ungodly hour of 4 a.m. because we want to witness the sunrise at Atok. I just brought with me some bread for a quick munch-up along the way, hopped on to my boyfriend's car, then we left my apartment at 4:30 a.m. and started our adventure to Atok.

HOW TO GET THERE

Before heading to Atok, it is important to contact the Tourism Head of Atok first so they can provide you assistance once you are there.

If ever you are interested to visit Atok, Benguet just text or call 09294903970, Atok Head of Tourism FIRST before going there. Or you may contact the Tourist Information Center at 09465147799 and 09301892757.

Via private car:

• If you will use the Waze app to get to Atok, type in Saint Paul's Academy of Sayangan, Atok, Benguet. I repeat, do NOT just input "Atok" because by doing so, it will lead you to the other side of Atok.

Via commute:

1. From MANILA to Baguio: ride a bus going to Baguio via Victory Liner or Genesis/Joy Bus (both transit companies have terminals located at Pasay and Quezon City).
   
   • Bus fare:
     
     • Genesis-Joy Bus - P450 Regular, P755 Deluxe
     • Victory Liner - P455 Regular, P750 First Class
   • Travel time: Manila to Baguio (Approx. 4 - 7 hrs.)
2. From BAGUIO to Atok via bus or van:
   
   1. From Victory Liner Terminal (located at PNR) / Joy Bus-Genesis Terminal (located at Gov. Pack Rd.), hail a taxicab going to DANGWA STATION (back of Baguio Center Mall).
      
      • Taxi fare: P50-P70
   2. From Dangwa Station, ride any bus or van bound to Bontoc or Sagada. These public transportations will pass by the Municipality of Atok. You can take Sunrise Bus or GL Trans Bus Line at Dangwa Station. Bus leaves as early as 5:30 a.m., next trip is at 6:30 with 30 minutes interval until 11 a.m. Alternatively, there are also buses bound for Sagada at Slaughterhouse Terminal. Just tell the bus driver that your destination is at Atok's Municipal Hall.
      
      • Bus fare: P60 for students; P73 for regular passengers
      • Travel time: Baguio to Atok (Approx. 1 hr. 30 mins. - 2 hrs).
3. Finally, drop off and register at Atok's Municipal Hall, Sayangan, Atok, Benguet town proper to begin your adventure.

GOING AROUND ATOK

Going around Atok from one spot to the next are far from each other and can really be tricky. So it is important that you get a tour guide and rent a car. Even if you have your own car with you, they might advise you to rent a car, as some cars may not be able to climb certain places (especially the one's that are not meant for off-road adventures).

• Tour guide - P500 for a group of 5
• 4x4 car rent (or usually an FX) - P1,000 (minimum rent for a half day tour) P1,600 (minimum rent for 2-3 hrs. tour)

*Note: Prices may change without prior notice. Last updated: December 2019.

THINGS TO DO IN ATOK

We opted to tour around Atok for only a half-day then back to our home in Baguio. If you want to do it for a half-day, like what we did, then here are the places we visited:

1. Feast your eyes with beautiful floras at Northern Blossom Flower Farm

Red, rose, merlot; pink, purple, picotee; flame, orange, yellow; champagne, snow, white. You couldn’t find a wilder colour wheel except on the palette of a charismatic painter. And yet, these various hues flourish in harmony across the mountains of Atok.

Northern Blossom Flower Farm is one of the private flower farms of Atok that has just been opened to the public for anyone to enjoy and witness the flowers overlooking the magnificent mountains.

This was our first stop as we want to catch the sunrise along with the patch of cabbage roses. We arrived at 6:30 in the morning and the temperature was really freezing. Our arrival came right at the opportune moment as Mrs. Melanie Ganayan "Lany", owner of the flower farm, greeted us with her warm smile as we stepped out of our car. She ushered us inside her house/office. We registered our names on her visitors' log book and paid the entrance fee. She then introduced us to our guide, then we toured around the flower farm.


The whole farm boasts different varieties of vibrant floras and plants perfectly situated with views of neighboring municipalities. Every view is breath-taking and one can witness the view of Mt. Pulag and Mt. Timbak from here.

Our friendly guide gave the names of every flower varieties we see in the farm, like rose cabbages, snap dragons, and more, but I couldn't remember them all. Haha. I took a snap everywhere I could but my hands couldn't even press the shutter button as it was frosty cold. I should have brought my mittens.

The flower farm tour ended with a free cup of hot brewed coffee and a sweet slice of cinnamon bread which was just perfect. I also ended up buying cactus and succulents to add in my plant collection.

Entrance fee: PhP 100 PhP 300 per person (updated: November 2019)

Note: When we went there, half of the rose cabbages were already harvested.

*Note: Price may change without prior notice.

2. Catch the Yakiwari Cherry "Sakura" Blossoms at Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park

There's no need to book a flight to Japan, Korea, or Taiwan to get a glimpse of the Sakura flower. In 2016, around 40 Japanese Sakura trees were planted in Paoay, Atok, Benguet. There are two varieties of Sakura trees planted, namely Sindaya (white variety) and Yakiwari (pink variety) at the Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park.


We arrived at the Benguet Kochi Sisterhood Park at 8:20 a.m. to catch the Yakiwari Cherry "Sakura" blossoms. This park is a friendship park commemorating the 40 years of sisterhood between Benguet and Kochi prefecture of Japan. It sits within the Haight's place.


Moreover, the place offers a spectacular view of the peculiar vegetable and flower farms including, and the view is quite stunning as if it feels like the movie set Hobbiton in Tauranga, New Zealand.


The trees are still young and expected to mature in one to three years. I can just imagine how the park would look like in the future, it would be a magical moment as wondrous spectacle of these white or pink flowers blooming en masse. It would be a great place to go for a picnic with your other half.

Entrance fee: FREE.

Notes:

• There's a donation box propped in the area. A little donation might not hurt and a few coins or papers will go a long way to maintain the park.
• If you have a car with you, no worries, the park has it's own parking space.

3. Admire the Mountainous Beauty of Benguet at the Philippine Highest View Point

The highest point is the highest of the Philippine highway system. Located at Brgy. Cattubo, Atok along Halsema Highway at Km. 52. It has an elevation of 7,400 ft. above mean sea level. There's a view deck in the area for you to enjoy one of the best views overlooking vegetable gardens and lush pine forests. During rainy season, the place is a paradise in the clouds.

4. Natumpukan Half Tunnel

Going to Atok there is a 90% chance that you might witness this man-made half tunnel of solid rock located along the Halsema Highway at Km. 57, Bonglo, Paoay, constructed in the early 1960's by a joint team of DPWH and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company. It measures about 50 meters in length.

@riderako

OTHER NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS

Here are other potential attractions if you want to visit Atok, more than just it's flower farms, or if you are planning to do it for a whole day or a two.

Haight's Place/Paoay Vegetable Gardens is located at Proper Paoay. The place is named in honor of Mr. Haight, who brought the first vegetable seedlings for in the place. Mr. Haight was an American soldier during the Spanish American war that married local lass and settled in the place. The Haight's place is about 7,937 ft. above sea level. Due to its high altitude, the place experiences frost during the month of December to February. It is Atok's coolest place wherein temperature goes down to 0 degrees centigrade during the early and late months of the year. It offers a spectacular view of the beautiful vegetable terraces including the Naguey Rice Terraces toward the west.

Mt. Timbak. the third tallest mountain in Luzon, next to Pulag and Tabayoc. It’s also the highest of the mountains along Halsema Highway and covers a wide range. The hike up the mountain isn’t a difficult one. Hike to Mt. Timbak's summit is just for 15 to 30 minutes from Timbak's Elementary School, if you have your own car. However, if you will start your trek from the jump-off point (Km. 55 along Halsema Highway), prepare yourself to walk in a cemented road for almost 2 hours to reach the summit. Mt. Timbak's summit is marked with three white crosses and it is aptly called as the "mini-Cavalry".

Bosleng Lourdes Grotto is located at Barangay Paoay and it is a 20 minutes hike if you are coming from Mt. Timbak a man-made grotto underneath a pile of big rocks with a garden of vegetable such as cabbages, potatoes, carrots and cut flower productions surrounding it. t is being utilized for the conduct of prayer meetings/pilgrimage by the Roman Catholic Congregation. An image of the Virgin Mary is installed inside the grotto. The cold climate and serenity of the place make it ideal for the prayer retreats and meditations. The place is reached thru a foot path. There are no amenities in the area.

Spanish Trail. It was constructed as a horse trail during the Spanish Period and it is still exists to this time. The unique features of the trail are three man-made tunnels carved through huge rock formation about 10 meters long each.

Naguey Rice Terraces. Approximately 33 hectares stone walled terraces were built along the banks of the Amburayan River by the ancestors of the people of Naguey. This is where the "Kintoman" rice is raised extensively and yet not enough for the purpose of making rice wine.

Adevonan Waterfalls. It is a potential natural attraction found in Banayakeo, Poblacion. The falls is 90 ft. high. The natural pool below the falls was used by soldiers as a bathing place during WW II. It is still being used by the local people for the same purpose. PUJs regularly ply to Sitio Banayakeo where it takes a kilometer hike to the place. The site can also be reached from Tublay, although with a much longer hike.

Amburayan River. Located at barangay Naguey and Pasdong. It is about 30 kilometers more or less that runs from Pasdong to Naguey. This breath-taking view offers some portions for swimming and fishing whilst the friendly riverbanks for camping and picnics. PUJs ply to Naguey and Pasdong daily via the Halsema highway then branch off to the left at Km. 30 for a two-hour drive. It takes a few minutes hike to the river.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodations in Atok are scarce, but if you want to spend a night or two there, make sure that you have a reservation in advance. You can do this by contacting the Tourism Head of Atok or Atok's Tourism Office before going there a few days before your intended trip. I was informed that Northern Blossom Flower Farm offers a home stay accommodation for limited number of people only.

For accommodation assistance, you may text or call 09294903970, Atok Head of Tourism. Or you may contact the Tourist Information Center at 09465147799 and 09301892757.

WHERE TO DINE

Restaurants and small canteens can be found along the highway as they cater to the commuters. There are more at km. 26 (Saddle, Caliking, Atok) and km. 50 (Sayangan, Paoay, Atok).

BEST TIME TO VISIT ATOK

The climate is temperate with two pronounced seasons. The wet season starts in the month of May and ends in October. The wettest part of the year is July and August. Dry season starts in November and ends in May. The temperature goes down to below 0 degrees centigrade at Paoay during the days of late December to early February. Temperature at lower areas goes up to 25 degrees at Naguey proper and Pasdong proper.

Occurrence of strong winds stars in November to January. Typhoons and floods usually occur in June to September.

WHEN IS THE FLOWERING PERIOD?

I should add one more thing: the flowers don’t blossom at the same time every year. Flowers are seasonal and according to the locals, the best time to visit the place is during April. The following photos were taken at the end of February.

If you're planning to catch the Sakura blossoms, don't expect the Sakura blossoms all year round. Local authorities are still studying when is the flowering time of these Sakura trees, as the trees were just planted in 2016. My guess is it can commence from January to March or February to April.

OUR TIMELINE & OVERALL EXPENSES

This was our timeline:

04:30 a.m. - Depart: Baguio to Atok
06:30 a.m. - Arrived at Northern Blossom Flower Farm to catch the sunrise
08:20 a.m. - Tour Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park
09:25 a.m. - Philippine Highest point
10:00 a.m. - Depart Atok to Baguio
11:30 a.m. - Arrival: Baguio

Total hours: 6 hrs.
Transportation used: Private car

Our overall expenses from Baguio:

• P30 - (P15 per way) Halsema Highway toll fees
• P100 - Entrance fee per person at Northern Blossom Flower Farm
• P60 - Food and drinks (I brought some snacks with me from home during the travel. We opted to have our lunch back at home in Baguio.)
• P190 - Plants (cactus and succulents)
• P20 - Our voluntary donation for Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park

OUR TOTAL EXPENSES: P400

THE VERDICT

Atok may be a small municipality in Benguet, but it has a lot more to offer to keep you coming back for more!

Please feel free to tweak this itinerary and make full use of my other activity suggestions in order to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style.

What do you think of this Atok half-day tour? Which of the following spots do you like the most? Have you been to Atok before? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment box below.

Description: Learn 6 common reasons why college applications are rejected even if a student tries hard at high school

6 reasons to reject a college applicant

Graduation from the high school and entering college is one of the most responsible bends of young people’s lives. Not enough effort, silly mistakes or a wrong choice may prevent a school graduate from entering a higher educational institution. Every student applying for a university hopes to be admitted but unfortunately, it happens not always. It is not easy to become a student of a selective college and many applicants are rejected. Why does it happen? There are many reasons for that.


1. An academic threshold has not been met by a student
According to the experts, the first thing college representatives pay attention to looking through the applications is a list of courses taken by a student at school and grades he has received in those subjects. These subjects and grades are very important for college counselors as they want to be confident that a student will be able to cope with other difficult courses studying at college as well as manage best custom writing paper of any difficulty.

2. Incomplete application
Being anxious about huge changes in their lives many students make a huge mistake submitting not everything necessary for successful admission. Sometimes they forget to include test scores or a custom essay of an applicant, recommendation letters or any other items required by the college. Of course, it is possible that this mistake will be spotted by college staff and they will ask to provide necessary documents. However, time flies and often applications are sent late so even if the mistake with application pieces is noticed, unfortunately, deadlines might be already missed.

3. A college is not a suitable place to fulfill student’s goals
It is not surprising that applicants should cope with writing essay where they explain why this educational institution is their only choice and what they want to achieve entering it. However, whether because of not enough research or other reasons students apply to colleges that do not meet their education expectations. For example, a student mentions such a major in his essay that is not taught at this college. No wonder he will be refused.

4. Overwhelmed with errors application
Can you imagine an application where a student gives the college another name? It may sound funny but such an experience is not rare. In addition, there are many other typos and mistakes in the application too. There is nothing strange that such applications are sent to the “refused” pile. It means that a young person has not only put effort to double-check his or her application but also is not intelligent enough to study at college. How can this person deal with academic paper writing if he is not able to write an errorless application?

5. A student is known for bad behavior
Student’s character is another important thing college staff pays attention to. There is hardly any professor who will be happy to bring up naughty teenagers who have had issues with suspensions at schools. Colleges are for studying so some severe cases of suspension can influence negatively on the decision of the application committee.

6. The number of applicants is hundreds of times bigger than the supply
Every college has a limited number of students it can enroll. At the same time, if this educational institution is prestigious, more and more applicants would like to become its students. Inability to accept everyone leads to numerous rejections as colleges select the best representatives for their restricted number of places.

We all have that one trip we can’t get out of our heads. It’s the ultimate goal and, no matter how unattainable it seems, we keep our eyes on it. We print off photos of the destinations we plan to include, and stick them where we can see them. One day, we swear we’ll make it.

In truth, there’s nothing for it but to jump into a trip like this. Whether you want to head to the depths of Asia or explore the African continent, there’s no point holding back. Or, perhaps your dream trip would be around Europe. It may seem attainable, and it is, but only if you’re willing to take the plunge. Your Eurotrip will forever remain on your horizons if you consider the reasons not to go. But, there are usually pretty simple ways around any obstacle here. For proof, let’s consider why you haven’t hit Europe yet.

You’ll never afford it

Money is the most common reason for putting off longer trips. A standalone vacation is expensive enough. You’ve likely done a little research into cost here and decided there’s no way you can stretch that far. You may have even made attempts to save until the fridge broke, or you needed to decorate the bedroom. Whatever the reason, your savings in this department have never come to much.

In truth, though, affording a dream vacation is as easy as dedicating yourself to the cause. Set up a savings account. Don’t dip into that money for anything else. To avoid the temptation, attempt to save in as short a time as possible. That way, there’s less chance of something cropping up. Or, you may want to delve into something like peer to peer lending to cover those costs. This is a fast way to get a loan and ensures you’d have no choice but to save up and pay it back.

You’d never get the time off work

Often, we also use work as an excuse. You’d love to go away for a month, but there’s no way your boss would give you the time off. In truth, they don’t have a choice. Your holiday allowance is yours. If you opt to take it all at once, that’s down to you. Make it impossible for them to say no by asking well in advance. The chances are they’ll accept without question, especially if you help them find cover while you’re away.

You wouldn’t know where to go anyway

Often, we have these dreams without ever considering the technicalities. You may have a rough idea of wanting to visit Europe, but no real plan of where you’d go. As such, you may find yourself stalling, even when you've cleared those other obstacles. But, there are many fantastic destinations, from the geyzers of Iceland, to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Consider what you want from your trip, and then do your research. In a matter of hours, you’ll have a better idea of precisely where to head.

If you’re somebody that loves food and loves to travel, then why not go on a culinary journey? A culinary journey is a travelling experience where you allow the food you eat and the food you drink to be the deciding factor in the places that you journey to and stay in. It is a travelling experience where you try all the local delicacies of the places that you travel to. Sound good? Well, you can do it, and you can do it just about anywhere in our world! So, where will your culinary journey take you?

If you want yours to take you to South Africa, then make sure to read on.

First of all, try Cape Malay in Cape Town

Upon a journey to the coastal city of Cape Town, a place that acts as South Africa’s legislative capital, you will be met with an experience of a lifetime before your culinary journey in this city even begins. You can visit its famous old harbour, enjoy the natural setting of the Cape Floristic Region and take a look at its world-renowned landmarks such as the Table Mountain and Cape Point, amongst other things. And then, once your culinary journey in this city begins, you will find yourself met with a delicious bowl of Cape Malay curry. This curry, born in the 17th century because settlers brought slaves from Southeast Asia, along with all their aromatic spices and cooking styles, to Cape Town, is an amalgamation of cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and chilli, and it is certainly not be missed.

When in Johannesburg, give braai or shisa nyama a go

If you’re the type of person that loves having a real and true taste of the places that you travel to, and you’re a real meat lover, then when in Johannesburg you’d simply have to give braai or shisa nyama a go. You'd have to because this barbecued meat dish is just about as big a local delicacy as you’ll find in this part of the world and because it is enjoyed by local communities the whole country over. And, because it is quite literally enjoyed by local communities weekend in, weekend out, you’d always have a way and an excuse to try some (and soak up the vibrant carnival atmosphere of these weekly events as you do).

Go traditional in Alberton North

Alberton North is a part of South Africa where traditional Afrikaans dishes are taken very seriously, and thus upon a journey here it would quite literally be rude for you not to try some. This could mean you trying skilpadjies (made from chopped lamb’s liver), it could mean you trying a Gastby sandwich provided by the nationally acclaimed Sandwich Baron (essentially just a chip sandwich), or it could mean trying chicken feet (which needs no description). Whatever you try, just make sure to try something!

So, there you have it, a short but sweet culinary tour of South Africa.

To carry your culinary journey even further and over into the Philippines, make sure to check out this helpful article on the matter.

Ecotourism is the preferred way to travel for many people. It avoids having too much of an impact on the natural environment, aiming for conservation and sustainability. Some people imagine eco-travel to involve only having the bare minimum in facilities, perhaps always camping in tents and getting everywhere on foot. But it doesn't have to mean traveling with as little as possible. Luxury eco-travel is available too, and allows you to be comfortable while keeping your conscience clean. If you want to engage in luxury ecotourism, Botswana is one of the best places for it for a number of excellent reasons.

Botswana's Approach to Ecotourism and Conservation

In 2002, Botswana began a new approach to conservation and ecotourism. They started making more of a conservation effort in the Okavango Delta, where they began encouraging people and businesses to protect the wildlife and natural resources. Businesses operating in the delta are encouraged to recycle water and use solar energy for lighting to help protect the area. Tourism has helped Botswana to grow its economy, and ecotourism is starting to play a larger part. They have a system for certifying businesses in tourism that show they are contributing toward conservation to make it easier for tourists to spot responsible vendors.

Eco Accommodation

One of the main ways to ensure greater conservation on a trip to Botswana is to consider your accommodation carefully. If you visit Botswana on safari, you can stay at Chobe National Park, where there five-star Game Lodge has been awarded full eco-grading by the Botswana Tourism Board. Not only is it one of the most luxurious places to stay in the country, but it also has a strong focus on the environment. The Lodge uses an electric safari fleet for trips, for example, to cut down on their carbon footprint. Other accommodation options use initiatives such as recycling water or using solar panels for energy.

Eco Tours

Your activities in Botswana can also be eco-friendly. Many tour providers take responsible steps that help with conservation, such as using electric vehicles. They can also take steps to reduce their impact on the environment when conducting tours, perhaps being careful not to visit the same places all the time. Tour operators can also encourage their guests to take responsibility by doing things like keeping their waste with them. Eco tours can still provide luxury elements, like air-conditioned vehicles, while taking a responsible approach to the environment.

Maintaining Luxury on Your Eco Trip

It's easy to have a luxury trip to Botswana and still focus on ecotourism. In fact, your travel to and from Botswana is likely to have more of an impact on the environment than your stay there. Even if you're planning on a safari and exploring the bush, you can find luxury lodges and all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay. In fact, it's often the luxury service provider that put a lot of effort into being more eco-friendly.

Botswana is one of the best places you can go to if you want a luxury ecotourism experience. You don't have to look far to create a trip you'll love.

If you are planning on a trip with a difference, then some time out to work abroad or do charity work abroad can be a rewarding and enjoyable trip in a number of ways. Not only do you get to see a completely new country, but you get to really get to know the people and the culture of that country as you serve and help them. What are some of the best things to do and the best places to go if you’re looking to do this kind of thing, though? Here are some suggestions to help.

Thailand

Thailand is a fun place to visit regardless of what you are doing, but if you want something more out of your trip than parties and sunbathing on the beach, then teaching English as a second language can be a great thing to do in Thailand. There are many schemes and programs in place that you can sign up to. So do your research to see what the deal is. In many cases, you’ll be getting a small wage, as well as somewhere to stay. So you can work and then explore at the weekends.

Namibia

The natural beauty of Namibia’s is one of the most underrated in Africa. There are some really gorgeous seascapes to rugged mountains, as well as calm deserts to wildlife, Namibia has got something for everyone wanting to explore. However, despite the views and sights, Namibia is one of the poorest nations in Africa. So there is are many ways to volunteer and work on a variety of projects. There are programs set up with certain charities that you could look into, many of which would include a stay in one of the hotels in Namibia, as well as help with transport. It is more of a ‘pay your own way’ kind of deal. So if you’ve got the time and money to able to do this, then it would be a place in need of your help.

Australia

Going down under is one of the top travel destinations for many people. So if you’re able to combine it with doing some good for others, then you can experience the best of both worlds. If you’ve got a love of animals, then volunteering could involve cuddling koalas, handling tiny sea turtles, and feeding dolphins. But not only that, there are plenty of community developments that you can help with if you prefer to work with people.

Peru

A trip to see the Inca trail and the incredible Machu Picchu could be made even more incredible if you’re able to turn your hand at helping out a little when you are there. The people of Peru welcome volunteers with open arms, to help with their projects to help in their communities, as well as in their education system and health care. If you have a love of the outdoors, then volunteering to help conservation projects in the Amazon could be just what you need to create some amazing memories as well as making a lasting impression on the area.

Corporate parties are what every employee looks throughout the working year, and it's not only at Christmas you can thank your staff for all the hard work and successes they bring to the business. It’s a great morale-booster, encouraging employees to stay loyal and work hard for the coming months ahead. A happy team is a productive team so what better way to show them just how vital they are.

But what if you are the one that has been tasked with the organising? Planning a corporate party can be a challenge as more goes organising than it would appear. Here is a list of tips to make your life easier and ensure your shindig goes off without a hitch.

After choosing an appropriate date, one that ensures no one will need to be at work the next day as no one wants to do that, ask for feedback on the last party the company held. Specifically, make sure to ask their likes and dislikes and what they would prefer not to have happen again. Remember you can't please everyone all of the time, so majorities rule here.

It may help to send the questions to no more than 20 or 30 people, including differing departments, and randomise as much as possible. This way you don't have to trawl through hundreds of responses, trying to work out the best for everyone.

If you are looking for maximum attendance, you need to get the invitations out as soon as possible. Send out invitations no later than six weeks before. This will ensure the party is a factor in all your employees’ plans.

Theme

A themed party tends to be a winner, whether your colleagues soak up the atmosphere of a roaring 20s party filled with gangsters and their molls, casinos and speakeasy or turn up the heat and opt for a tropical theme. Thinks flamingos, palm trees and cocktails

Money Money Money

Most companies have a set budget for parties, understanding the importance of the employees. However, it’s your job to make that money stretch as far as possible.

Best Venue For You

What type of venue should you look for is entirely up to you and your preferences for the party. Party halls such as coralgablescountryclub.com/gallery.html are devoted to hosting parties, and well used to modifying their space into a room dedicated to fun and dancing!

Food & Drink

You can be sure a good number of employees attend as they are happy to eat, drink and be merry on the boss's wallet. So don't skimp. Choose a caterer that will give you a delicious menu but don't be too fancy. Remember this is all about them, so plenty of great food that they are comfortable eating is the way to go.

Management

You may believe this is important, but it unquestionably is! With so many things that can potentially go awry, having someone on hand is essential. This takes the stress off your shoulders; you are there to enjoy yourself too.

With a little planning and attention to detail, your party will be the one the employees are talking about around the water cooler for months to come, and all will be craving for the next one.

Malaysia is a beautiful country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo in the Southeast of Asia. The range of stunning beaches and rainforests create a magnificent vista for anyone who visits or lives there, and the mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences makes this country culturally rich and completely unique. The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, houses a range of traditional and colonial buildings, shopping districts such as the famous Bukit Bintang, and iconic skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers, which soar over the city standing at an awe-inspiring 451 meters. Malaysia has so much to offer, so why would you not want to live there?

Where To Live

Where Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic city, the city of Penang is seen by many to be a lot more laid back and the years of cultural influence can be seen through the state capital of Penang Island; George Town. You can see the colonial Fort Cornwallis, the Kek Lok Si Temple, the ornate Chinese clan house Khoo Kongsi and the Kapitan Keling Mosque all within this wonderful city.

Living in the city can be extremely expensive, and, as with any country, the further away from the city you live, the better the price is. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Have a look at these Top 100 Popular Condo For Sale in Malaysia to get a good idea of the areas and prices around the country. Each state has a capital city surrounded by fantastic countryside, rainforests, small towns and villages, offering a huge range of places to live and experiences to have.

Cost

The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit, how that translates to your normal currency you can see here. As we mentioned before, cities are going to be much more expensive to live in than in towns or villages where rents can be as low as US $100 for a house. In Kuala Lumpur and Penang, home prices get absurdly high and quite unreasonably priced. Living in Kuala Lumpur, excluding rent, health care and transport, you will need around RM 10,000 minimum to comfortably live and save a little. A lot of food has to be exported into Malaysia as there isn’t enough space in the country to grow enough for everyone, and because of that, there are foods that seem so much more expensive than you would pay back home. At the same time, street food and local delicacies are mostly locally sourced and so can be bought for a great price. Look here for more information on the cost of living in Malaysia.

Language

When you think about moving to a different country, there is always the fear of not being able to converse with anyone. The native language of Malaysia is Malay; however, due to years of cultural influence, it isn’t strange to hear Chinese, Hindi and Urdu, along with a range of other languages, as you walk down the street. Which can make the fear grow because now you have to learn even more languages to get by, right? Wrong. Most citizens in Malaysia speak English at a semi-fluent level, and many are completely fluent. So you don’t have to worry about learning Malay. However, if you’re moving there rather than just visiting, it is a great idea to start learning the native tongue. You can learn through classes, or with the help of apps like Babel. At the very least learn common phrases to show that you respect their culture and completely immerse yourself.

Transport

Compared to your home country, it is very probable that driving will be a bit of a nightmare for you in Malaysia; there are poor traffic controls, missing signs, misplaced signs, outdated and inaccurate maps, and a total haphazard design to all roads. Taxis are everywhere and easy to get hold of, and the prices are nowhere near what you would be used to coming from the UK or US. Buses don’t operate in a lot of areas, and a city is big enough that you couldn’t walk everywhere, especially if you have kids, and driving anywhere, especially in Kuala Lumpur, on a motorbike is just a death sentence. Motorbikes weave through traffic, often ignoring stop signs, and using empty oncoming traffic lanes as fair game.

Locals and taxis are apt at driving around, but it can be a terrifying experience due to the inadequate roads and a general feel of aggressive driving. The best vehicles are big, tall and nasty looking. Remember that traffic moves on the left side of the road, vehicles are right-hand drive. By law, you must use your front and back seat belts in Malaysia and must not use your phone while driving unless it is hands-free and laws against drinking and driving are strictly enforced and carry serious penalties.

Diversity

Due to its history, Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries in Asia. The general feel of the country is a complete acceptance of race and religion, in fact, all major religious holidays are public holidays in Malaysia and often celebrated by people not of that faith.

However, after saying this, there are two groups of people who are not welcomed in Malaysia; Jews and homosexuals. As with many Muslim countries, Judaism isn’t a welcome addition, and it has been known for people with a dual nationality with Israel not to be given admittance into the country. Since the 1970s the Malaysian government has pursued anti-Israel and anti-semitic laws throughout the country, meaning that the Jewish community that once resided in the Penang state has all but disappeared, and the only Mosque closed in 1976.

As for LGBT individuals - Malaysia can be a dangerous place to live. The government recognises no rights for LGBT. There are extremely strict rules surrounding gay couples, and sodomy, meaning oral and anal sex, is completely illegal and punishable by heavy fines, imprisonment for up to twenty years, and even corporal punishment. And where there has been talk amongst public organisations for a reform of the law to allow non-commercialised sex acts between consenting adults of any persuasion, no political member has broached the subject.

It's been a little while since I last wrote a restaurant review on the blog, or even about my hometown Baguio for that matter. My recent travels have had me writing about destinations a little further afield, but I also love to blog about the magnificent city I live in. When the opportunity arose to visit the newly opened and oh-so opulent Rewind Restaurant, I was there with (gilded) bells on.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Walking into Rewind Restaurant, it has that homey Baguio vibe which makes me feel reminiscent of the old Baguio. On the right wing, further inside, just before the fireplace, there's a little art gallery room on the left and more room for tables on the right. I could just imagine myself, finding a perfect spot there, sitting on one of Rewind's oh-so-fluffy beanbags, reading a book, and immersing myself with good food and a relaxing environment.

We received a very warm welcome from the owners of the restaurant which only added an extra touch of hospitality. The lovely owner showed us to our table, which was located at the terrace over-looking the lush pine forest.

THE BIG FEAST

My food buddies and I don't do things by halves, and as soon as we had taken our seats by the terrace, we knew we were going to indulge. We kicked off by feasting on a hot pinapaitan which I have been craving for months. A little later came a perfectly sizzling pork salpicao, crackling pigar-pigar, scrumptious cheeseburger with fries and garlic dip, creamy pasta carbonara, and Rewind's garden salad  for a ridiculously indulgent main course combo.


Rewind's cheeseburger with fries and some garlic dip was crusty on the outside and perfectly meaty on the inside. I perused the menu whilst smothering a piece of the crispy fries with the delectable garlic dip, which was absolutely my favorite. The dish looked like a work of art and got my afternoon off to a great start.


The smoking hot pinapaitan just came right in time as I was craving for a hot soup. It is the perfect cold weather dish combo. For me, I prefer to add a dash of calamansi for that extra oomph on my palate.


If I ever see a Pigar-pigar on the menu, there's a 99% chance I am going to order it. As soon as I saw it was paired with rice, soy sauce, calamansi, and a red hot chili on the side, I was even more sold. The combination of fresh white onions, cabbages, and the tender beef was an absolutely delightful in the mouth. Rewind's Pigar-pigar: Tender beef strips, flavourful, juicy, and absolutely satisfying.


The Sizzling Pork Salpicao arrived perfectly cooked. The meat was flavoursome and succulent and I could really tell it was fresh. Small bites of the meat with the vegetables on the side were little bites of heaven.


Rewind's creamy Carbonara was one of the best Carbonara I have ever tasted and personally, it was one of my favourite part of the meal!I loved that it was made with chunky pasta spaghetti. The chunks of meat were small and subtle and added an extra dimension to the classic dish. If you go to Rewind Cafe you must order this!


Rewind's Garden Salad was the most juicy-licious and scrumptious salad to boot. A mix of fresh seasonal ingredients including grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and cucumber with crunchy crumbs on top, and seasoned with real orange juice as its vinaigrette. If you find yourself hungry but want something healthy then Rewind's Garden Salad is for you.


We kicked off by having a taste of Rewind's soy bean coffee masterpieces and came highly recommended by the owner and expertly poured to perfection on the cups. We have a taste of the four non-caffeinated soy bean coffee they have on the menu: Brewed Soy Bean Coffee, Raspberry Soy Bean Coffee, Hazelnut Soy Bean Coffee, and the Salted Caramel Soy Bean Coffee. I love the brewed soy bean coffee more. It has that rich taste which I absolutely would order.

Here's a list of what we ate that afternoon,

• Rewind's Garden Salad
• Carbonara
• Rewind's Pinapaitan
• Rewind's Pigar-Pigar
• Sizzling Pork Salpicao
• Cheeseburger
• Brewed Soy Bean Coffee
• Raspberry Soy Bean Coffee
• Hazelnut Soy Bean Coffee
• Salted Caramel Soy Bean Coffee

HISTORY BEHIND REWIND CAFE

The Rewind Cafe actually got its name from the words "looking back at the past". The owners wanted to let everyone feel the old Baguio -- where locals and tourists alike reminisce the incredibly rich culture of venerable Baguio.

THE VERDICT

Rewind Cafe is a must go-to foodie haven, a cozy world away, for just 10-15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city center. It is a stylish oasis for travellers and Baguio locals (like me) to escape to. If you're planning a trip to the Cordilleran region, embarking on a Northern Luzon mini-break or coming for a weekend to Baguio, it would be the perfect place to visit to satisfy your palates. The service is fantastic, the food is delicious, the price is budget-friendly, and the setting is truly unique.



What did you think of my experience at Rewind Baguio Cafe? Have you heard of it or are you planning to go? I’d love to hear your thoughts so please leave me a comment in the box below.

Want to read more of my Baguio reviews?

• Ultimate Staycation at Azalaea Hotels and Residences Baguio
• Best Restaurants in Baguio 2017
• Gastronomic Feast at Studio Coffee Baguio

This meal was provided complimentary in exchange for coverage. All views are my own.