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Travel, heritage, and food blog of Ivan Anthony Henares, PhD, tourism educator, cultural policy researcher, and advocate for heritage conservation in the Philippines.
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Mercado Central de Atarazanas in Málaga, Spain 19 Jan 9:06 AM (3 months ago)

 Mercado Central de Atarazanas is the largest food market in Málaga, the capital of Spain's Costa del Sol. Freshly caught seafood (so fresh it's still moving) is the major product at the market at this coastal city. But there's a lot more than that including olives, spices, cured meats, cheeses, and fruits and vegetables. The current structure was completed in 1879. It was the site of

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Ivan About Town celebrates twenty years in 2025! 3 Jan 5:29 AM (3 months ago)

Happy New Year, everyone! It has been a while since I've written anything on my blog. And so much has happened since my last post. Those following me on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram should have seen the major updates, including my appointment as Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines and election as Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and

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Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) in Germany 1 Dec 2022 7:47 AM (2 years ago)

Christmas markets are a holiday tradition in the German-speaking part of Europe that date back to the Middle Ages. So the best Christmas markets, known locally as Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkt, are definitely in Germany. While the markets originated in Germany, they can now be found in many other regions of Europe and among German communities in North America. I got to visit

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Afternoon trip to Ottawa, Canada: Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal 19 Sep 2022 8:32 AM (2 years ago)

After a two year hiatus, I've decided to start posting again in my blog. I attended the 18th TICCIH International Congress in Montreal, Canada earlier this month where I presented a paper. Right after the conference, I made a quick trip to Canada's capital city, Ottawa. Because we didn't have much time, I only got to visit Parliament Hill and the the Ottawa Locks of Rideau Canal.Parliament

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Ivan About Town celebrates fifteen years! 18 Apr 2020 11:20 PM (5 years ago)

Time indeed flies. And I can't believe it's been fifteen years today since I made my first blog entry in a hostel in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. This adventure brought me to every province of the Philippines, and close to a hundred countries, including forty-nine US states. While the blog has taken a back seat as I've transitioned into the academe, I express my gratitude to you all for traveling

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Visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail 11 Jun 2018 8:03 PM (6 years ago)

The US is proud of its whiskey: Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey and American Rye. But only Bourbon has been declared as a native spirit of America by the US Congress in 1964. Kentucky is the birthplace of Bourbon and creates 95 percent of the world’s supply. And today, you can visit eleven signature and fourteen craft distilleries as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, plus several more

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Northwest Indiana's largest corn maze in Lafayette 22 Oct 2017 10:11 AM (7 years ago)

Fall in Indiana means, among many things, that it's corn maze season! Farm tourism is a big thing in the United States. Many farms around the US create cornfield mazes as an added attraction. And they sure are fun! As they all say, there's more than corn in Indiana. But seriously, there is a lot of corn! Purdue Fulbrighters at Exploration Acres, Lafayette, Indiana We drove 14 miles

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Hello from Purdue University! 21 Oct 2017 12:14 AM (7 years ago)

This is definitely long overdue. I've been putting off further studies for the longest time. But I finally made that giant leap, dropped everything in the Philippines, and left to pursue my PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Hello from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA! I have been here for a little over two months now, which makes it the longest period I've ever

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National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties declared by the National Museum in 2016 24 Jul 2017 1:47 AM (7 years ago)

The National Museum recently released its list of declared National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties for 2016. A feature of the 2016 declarations is that the NM also included contents of the buildings, related structures, and buffer zones that are included in the declarations. These properties become part of the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property. National Cultural

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Thank you, 2016! My favorite travel photos to remember the year! 31 Dec 2016 5:56 AM (8 years ago)

This is my year, summed up in 35 Instagram photos. I finally decided to teach full-time at the University of the Philippines. But thanks to the many conference and study mission invitations, I still got to travel somehow. Thank you, 2016! I'm so looking forward to 2017 as a major, major (yes major) change is in the offing. I added Pakistan and Hawaii, USA to my travel list. This year

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Japan adventure from Osaka to Kyoto! Ohayo! 17 Nov 2016 2:48 AM (8 years ago)

There is a temple for everyone in Kyoto, Japan. There is a golden pavilion, and a silver one too. Many temples have beautiful Zen gardens. There are picturesque mountain temples, that become even more stunning with the colors of fall. And there is an iconic temple with thousands of vermillion gates. In fact, there are more than 1600 temples in Kyoto. A visit to Osaka will not be complete if

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Here’s why your next trip to Japan should be to Osaka 7 Nov 2016 4:00 PM (8 years ago)

Osaka has become a popular destination for Filipinos, especially for second time visitors to Japan who have already been to Tokyo. Universal Studios is a major draw, especially for families. Plus the city is also the gateway to the historic capitals of Kyoto and Nara. For my recent trip, I was hosted by Karaksa Hotels, a new hotel chain, and a partner of GoHotels.ph, where you can book

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Experience Boracay with Tides Hotel 8 Sep 2016 10:42 PM (8 years ago)

Tides Hotel is one of the best located hotels in Boracay, if you want to be close to all the action. In my previous trips, I always notice the entrance to Tides in D'Mall. There's no need to take public transport to get to Boracay's commercial center. As soon as you exit the hotel, you're there. So when I got invited by Tides Hotel to stay with them, I didn't think twice. My Tides

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Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2017 (Proclamation No. 50, s. 2016) 18 Aug 2016 4:45 AM (8 years ago)

Hunyo 12 by Claude Tayag (1989 Fiestas Serigraph Series) Malacanang issued Proclamation No. 50, s. 2016 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2017. Instead of just giving you the same list of holidays of the Republic of the Philippines for 2017, this list will help you plan your trips with confirmed and expected long-weekends. And

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Chef Claude Tayag wins People's Choice Award at Embassy Chef Challenge 2016 25 May 2016 9:34 PM (8 years ago)

The 8th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge was held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC on May 25, 2016. This is the first time that the Philippine Embassy participated in the Embassy Chef Challenge in Washington, DC. Representing us was Chef Claude Tayag who created his own version of bringhe using Philippine products that are exported to the United

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Pupunta ka ba ng Sagada? Basahin muna ito! 22 Mar 2016 9:18 AM (9 years ago)

Ito ay mga gabay para sa mga nais bumisita sa Sagada. Basahin at intindihin ang mga sumusunod bago tumungo doon: 1. Igalang ang lokal na kultura at pamumuhay ng komunidad. Panatilihin ang distansya mula sa mga ritwal o ano mang mga lugar na tinutukoy na sagrado. Huwag hawakan o buksan ang mga kabaong sa kuweba ng libingan. Huwag tatangkaing sumali o kunan ng litrato o bidyo ang ano mang

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2015 in review – 25 best Instagram photos from around the Philippines 31 Dec 2015 2:32 AM (9 years ago)

I hope we all agree, 2015 was not bad at all! Thank you for another great year! I haven't been blogging as much. But my Instagram account @ivanhenares is alive and kicking. In April, Ivan About Town turned ten! I can't believe I've been blogging for a decade now. In 2010, I became one of the first, if not the first blogger, to visit all provinces of the Philippines. This

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2015 in review – 25 best Instagram photos from around the world 31 Dec 2015 1:41 AM (9 years ago)

I hope we all agree, 2015 was not bad at all! Thank you for another great year! I haven't been blogging as much. But my Instagram account @ivanhenares is alive and kicking. In April, Ivan About Town turned ten! I can't believe I've been blogging for a decade now. This year, my international travel included trips to Malaysia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Sharjah

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National Museum declares National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties for 2015 3 Dec 2015 6:48 AM (9 years ago)

Several National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties were declared by the National Museum in May, August and November this year. The Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) has been updated. The National Museum announces that the following cultural properties have been declared in the course of 2015 as National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties:

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Game drive at Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve 14 Oct 2015 12:49 AM (9 years ago)

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok, Kenya is a fantastic place to see African wildlife, being the center of the Great Migration, the annual migration of millions of animals to and from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. In fact, it is estimated that 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 topis, 18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras undertake this annual journey between

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Safari trip to Kenya's Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli 13 Oct 2015 2:31 AM (9 years ago)

Images of highland savannas and wild animals roaming around were vivid in my mind as we landed in Nairobi, Kenya. Many have asked me what destinations I have not been to. And my ready answer always is, "A lot!" And one of the places I was about to tick off my bucket list was Kenya! I was about to venture on an African safari in a fantastic country at the center of Africa's great migration.

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Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2016 (Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015) 26 Aug 2015 4:02 AM (9 years ago)

Hunyo 12 by Claude Tayag (1989 Fiestas Serigraph Series) Next year is one of those years when many holidays fall on a Sunday. Malacanang issued Proclamation No. 1105, s. 2015 declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and a special school holiday for 2016. Instead of just giving you the same list of holidays of the Republic of the Philippines for 2015, this list will

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BPI Credit Card is my travel card! 1 Jul 2015 9:32 PM (9 years ago)

Travel is a very important part of my lifestyle. That must be the understatement of the year! I always have to plan my trip properly to make sure I make the most of my limited budget. An essential part of my travel is my credit card. Actually, I’ve had only one credit card since I got my own card nearly a decade ago, the BPI SkyMiles MasterCard, which is one of the many BPI Credit Cards

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Iloilo hosts the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence 11 Jun 2015 10:57 AM (9 years ago)

For the first time, Iloilo will host the Independence Day celebrations. As part of the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence, President Benigno Aquino III will lead flag-raising ceremonies at Santa Barbara, Iloilo, where the Philippine flag was first raised outside of Luzon. This will be followed by the traditional vin d'honneur reception which will be held at the

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Visit the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan 28 May 2015 3:30 AM (9 years ago)

Believe it or not, the Philippines spent US$2.3 billion from 1976 to 1984 to construct the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan. It could have produced 621 megawatts of power. This was the power plant that could have averted the power crisis in the early 1990s. It was never used. But despite it never being used, the BNPP is intact and well-maintained by the Napocor personnel stationed

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