tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21648546199235086912024-02-20T19:30:07.424-08:00TRAVEL ADVENTUREThis site has a new home, please visit us at www.thetravelerstale.blogspot.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-22560310924157773692016-12-28T10:28:00.001-08:002016-12-28T10:28:22.888-08:00Travel bucket list as the year ends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGzI3L0e3vUOtYsYVmv6URzbeWcFRrt-35IaOme_UDOSsJVnRiQUrSFj11Cxkxu12TvQpAYKSQITuhqab_mKtrsFLKiOH984b4W7wajFygOI_lv1F_TQkYDgfNbNZvHSBh__eHqN3fNgi/s1600/08-French-Polynesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGzI3L0e3vUOtYsYVmv6URzbeWcFRrt-35IaOme_UDOSsJVnRiQUrSFj11Cxkxu12TvQpAYKSQITuhqab_mKtrsFLKiOH984b4W7wajFygOI_lv1F_TQkYDgfNbNZvHSBh__eHqN3fNgi/s320/08-French-Polynesia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The year 2016 is almost over!</div>
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How's everyone doing in the travel scene? Have you accomplished the items in your travel bucket list? Certainly, almost everyone fulfills their travel wishes this year But in case you have not and you did not, we are on the same radar haha! </div>
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I've a huge travel dream dangling at the back of my mind, and had been nurturing a long travel bucket list for quite sometime now. But 2016 seems not a generous year for me and I was deprived of almost everything. However, hope still reigns in my heart. I am keeping my faith that the succeeding year will give me a different story.</div>
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We should never lose hope despite all the misfortunes because as long as the world rotates, there's always a brighter tomorrow to look forward. And with it, comes hope and great anticipation for a beautiful future and fulfillment of dreams.</div>
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Speaking of travel bucket list, here's another list to nurture for the upcoming year:</div>
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<b>1. Tuscan holiday </b>- How I wish I could really fulfill this dream. I love everything about Italy and aside from Vatican city, Tuscany is one Italian region I am dying to visit someday.</div>
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<b>2. Autumn in New England region</b> - I love autumn! And where else to experience the best of this season other than in the New England region? Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, are some of the most beautiful places in America to visit during autumn.</div>
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<b>3. Springtime in Japan</b> - Yes, this remains in my list for quite a long time. </div>
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<b>4. Black forest in Germany</b> - I love nature and this destination offers the best of nature!</div>
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<b>5. Switzerland </b>- This has been my childhood dream! Ever since I saw that glossy calendar about the Swiss alps when I was 10 years old, I never stopped dreaming that one day I could see the Alps and the entire Switzerland.</div>
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<b>6. The British isles</b> - Cornwall, Isle of Mull, Scotland, the countryside like Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Grasmere. Oh, Britain! All those majestic mountains, castle ruins and countryside wonders!</div>
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<b>7. Lappland, Finland</b> - Funny it may seem that suddenly I am considering a travel to Finland. Last December 11, 2016, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho featured a winter travel to the Arctic and I just discovered that Lappland in Finland is around the vicinity of the Arctic circle and where the breathtaking natural wonder called the Northern Lights can be best seen. So I immediately included this place in my travel bucket list.</div>
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<b>8. Any beach destination in the Philippines</b> - Suddenly I longed to escape to the beach, not to swim but to relax and eat. Yeah, beach atmosphere is always a fantastic destination if you are looking for an escape route from the torment in the city. The ocean atmosphere offers relief and comfort. It's a best retreat for a chaotic soul.</div>
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There you go, my travel bucket list for the succeeding years, not just for 2017. Traveling is always the most fascinating ways to enjoy life to the fullest!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-53712887929901770862015-07-17T15:58:00.000-07:002015-07-17T15:58:46.197-07:00Angkor Park, Cambodia<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Good morning Angkor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYgxfqFmKiUZUZpvhHrhCIreZaQjOgOn_l_ul-0GKJKbPqFW139rRquWicrRR1_sHVRWNR8C3D3uiETQXYUxAYkYajYcFISahXUxiw83iY8YdrEKMebCMdsn0Pc_q1Gum4ojcl9QlV287/s1600/a146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYgxfqFmKiUZUZpvhHrhCIreZaQjOgOn_l_ul-0GKJKbPqFW139rRquWicrRR1_sHVRWNR8C3D3uiETQXYUxAYkYajYcFISahXUxiw83iY8YdrEKMebCMdsn0Pc_q1Gum4ojcl9QlV287/s640/a146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>AT THE BAYON TEMPLE IN ANGKOR THOM</b></div>
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Are you planning to trek Angkor Park in Cambodia anytime soon? Explore this blog and the link provided below for more information how to get there and what to expect.<br />
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<span style="color: #2c2626; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spreading across more than 400 kilometers, Angkor Archaeological Park is home to several ancient temples built during the Khmer regime. Its existence and survival to the modern era largely shaped Cambodia's cultural heritage and thoroughly became the country's ultimate national symbol.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2626; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Angkor Park is immensely wide and quite impossible to explore in just 5 hours and since our time was very limited, the Tuktuk driver suggested to just visit the three big temple sites: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2626; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">These three sites exude grandeur and mystery with historical charm that intrigued the modern world. Its imaginative carvings of bizarre faces have been hailed as some of the greatest architectural achievements of humankind. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2626; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider movie had film locations at these three sites which made these attractions even more famous.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2626; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thetravelerstale.blogspot.com/2015/01/day-4-angkor-complex.html">CONTINUED READING HERE</a></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-48496126352928211312014-09-13T05:02:00.002-07:002014-11-22T04:46:21.673-08:00The iconic LOVE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you been visited a location where you find a romantic sculpture called LOVE? Perhaps, most of us did not know that this iconic structure exist but yeah, it truly exists and it can be found anywhere in the world!</div>
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The next time you travel try to visit a location where a replica of LOVE is installed, you can find the locations where this sculpture is located. visit my Travel Site</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIufxKgL-z2Fy3CtOSABOg77dtkodWgPnZ1khwBMDYSCuYL4E2QJNXwgsFfh595LApoTUgmnul4iO3F3eRN1oXtA-sIEmnX2R1Cd1clUBNs_RuvqY1opcM6YgyC_WzYtIqPVcUh7MaDK_/s1600/AZlove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIufxKgL-z2Fy3CtOSABOg77dtkodWgPnZ1khwBMDYSCuYL4E2QJNXwgsFfh595LApoTUgmnul4iO3F3eRN1oXtA-sIEmnX2R1Cd1clUBNs_RuvqY1opcM6YgyC_WzYtIqPVcUh7MaDK_/s1600/AZlove.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The LOVE sculpture in Scottsdale, Arizona</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">For more details of this post, visit my </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mytravel-adventure.com/" target="_blank">TRAVEL DIARY SITE HERE</a></span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-71639682296507696002014-07-12T21:57:00.002-07:002015-07-17T15:49:19.266-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-35667251372653678372014-07-06T06:13:00.000-07:002014-07-06T06:13:09.804-07:00Tagaytay: Favourite Weekend Escape!<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 16.799999237060547px; text-align: justify;">
I love Tagaytay!!</div>
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<b>Cool dining experience at Bag of Beans!</b></div>
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It could be the city's cool climate or its stunning vistas that lures my interest to make a repeat trip, whatever it is, Tagaytay is always a convenient choice for a quick weekend getaway. The place is very ideal, aside from its proximity to Metro Manila, it has so many things to offer -- food, relaxing atmosphere, gorgeous tourist spots and breathtaking view of the romantic skyline at night time.<br /><br />And yesterday was another day of fun and leisure at the country's second summer destination! It's no longer summer season in the Philippines though but I still love visiting Tagaytay because of its ultra-relieving countryside scenery!<br /><br />Had been planning for months to dine at Bag of Beans and visit Sonya's Garden to buy herbal plants but kept stalling the idea due to other weekend tasks until yesterday when we finally decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, due to drizzly weather, we're not able to go to Sonya's Garden, so we went to Puzzle Mansion instead.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-70952911840952931632014-06-21T21:12:00.000-07:002014-06-22T04:58:00.870-07:00Cool Travel Destinations!<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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Got these oh-so-inspiring travel destination suggestions from other "stumblers" while adding my websites in Stumble Upon. I love nature and I adored Europe so these suggested European holiday getaways really caught my attention.<br />
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What made these getaways very interesting is its terrific location in the countryside, calm, quiet, and romantic with a vibrant scenery of rolling hills, streams and valleys, a perfect diversion from the redundant beach resorts and luxurious amusement parks regularly mentioned in travel magazines and websites.<br />
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So let's get to know more about these spectacular villages in Europe we rarely read in travel columns. </div>
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<b>BIBURY, ENGLAND</b></div>
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Well, my closest friends know I am obsessed with England. :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREeOobjOhr3U9v2UkAYvQNUJ83E19Gees5d_AjY4kpQQ0Xz7Op2Mxtojz_rP1Tw2VuhOlFbL3rOsKTJ60WO_j45evK6aFeg7RYsSLG8XcJyml2ZKuro46B4JF0eyaZ-3O1YJbJaKIuzfG/s1600/Bibury-England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREeOobjOhr3U9v2UkAYvQNUJ83E19Gees5d_AjY4kpQQ0Xz7Op2Mxtojz_rP1Tw2VuhOlFbL3rOsKTJ60WO_j45evK6aFeg7RYsSLG8XcJyml2ZKuro46B4JF0eyaZ-3O1YJbJaKIuzfG/s1600/Bibury-England.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Bibury village in the Cotsworld Region, Southern England</b></div>
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<b>Image source: Stumble Upon</b></div>
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I love everything about Britain, from the afternoon tea tradition, beautiful countryside to castles and royalty, it's cool to explore the archipelago even just in my thoughts. </div>
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I've been researching for quite sometime now how to travel to Britain (Great Britain is composed of three countries which are ancient in existence: England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is not part of the geography of Britain but it constitutes the whole part of the United Kingdom, the official name of Great Britain) and read everything about its beautiful countryside, Northumbria, Grasmere, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and the Scottish Loch ness for instance, but I didn't know anything about Bibury! I read stuff about Cotswold, which is known as the area of outstanding natural beauty, and its breathtaking sea side but haven't heard anything about its villages.</div>
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Okay, so here. According to the source, Bibury is a beautiful English village at the Cotswold region in Southern England. So lovely that by looking at the village's cobbled houses and pathways through photos you will be instantly entranced with its extraordinary beauty of nature!</div>
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According to the image source, Bibury has relaxing lush meadows that serve as a natural backdrop to the ancient stone cottages with steep pitched roofs in the village. The most scenic area is the Arlington Row, a lane of sepia-hued cottages believed to be built around the 17th century and has been preserved up to the modern times.</div>
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Oh I love Cotswold! This Southern England region is really fantastic and dreamy. The countryside and the beaches are captivating and I believed the Isle of Mull (correct me if I'm wrong) is part of this region.</div>
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<b>CONG, IRELAND</b></div>
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Before going elsewhere in the continent, let's have another taste of wonder at England's nearest neighbour, Ireland. This might sounds strange as some globe-trotters never included this country in their list of favourite travel destinations, but did you know that Ireland, known as the emerald isle, is equally interesting as England? Or so I thought (I just read it in the book).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndMXIELGdAY10lD1_E5Ewvhg0L78sHcibjmxk_Q_u_5nh0-jpITVBgLbEhApgRLba7FZwSpdh2jsDD8nN8zCBFFubKpCP9iYRwrnQabMogcmTrq_lGM7xIJGbVGu3tNdl4kkAnSCCYUOb/s1600/Cong-Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndMXIELGdAY10lD1_E5Ewvhg0L78sHcibjmxk_Q_u_5nh0-jpITVBgLbEhApgRLba7FZwSpdh2jsDD8nN8zCBFFubKpCP9iYRwrnQabMogcmTrq_lGM7xIJGbVGu3tNdl4kkAnSCCYUOb/s1600/Cong-Ireland.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Classic Victorian architecture of Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland</b></div>
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<b>Image source: Stumble Upon</b></div>
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I'm not quite familiar with Ireland, aside from its capital, Dublin, and the Giant Causeway, the only Irish village I know (through books) is Limerick. But Oh, there's one, Cong! What a name!! Never heard about it.</div>
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Cong is a lovely village whose topography straddles between the County of Mayo and Galway dominated by vibrant meadows, lakes and lush plants, it has medieval cottages that survived up to the modern times. The most fascinating thing about this village is that it is home to Ashford Castle, a grand Victorian estate that has been converted to a luxurious hotel.</div>
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Cong, Ireland might not be your ideal travel escape but with its amazing gift of nature and interesting culture, it's not bad to include this place when travelling to Ireland.</div>
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<b>REINE, NORWAY</b></div>
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Known to the world as the Land of Midnight Sun, Norway is equally interesting as the rest of the countries in the Scandinavian peninsula. Its countryside is covered with fjords, streams, lakes, rugged terrain, rolling hills and beautiful blooms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSoteFw6uoqzSLSwXVMwHemQuz6Mx9DM8tX5_I2XT9Fuc8uZ-9foJbnKD7n4Isvm69aNVICBckr6od27F-w01Gm5QSiYeR7YMix3lDVILV05XjUdPB0y8EzSrQ5PabidHxa2he_1Ozpfq/s1600/Reine-Norway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSoteFw6uoqzSLSwXVMwHemQuz6Mx9DM8tX5_I2XT9Fuc8uZ-9foJbnKD7n4Isvm69aNVICBckr6od27F-w01Gm5QSiYeR7YMix3lDVILV05XjUdPB0y8EzSrQ5PabidHxa2he_1Ozpfq/s1600/Reine-Norway.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Experience the snowy travel in Reine, Norway</b></div>
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<b>Image source: Stumble Upon</b></div>
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Everyone knows Norway's capital is Oslo, but only few travellers are aware that the country has an extraordinary and lovely lakeside. Here, let's find out more about this lakeside sort of thing and discover Reine, one of Norway's wonderful villages which has a direct access to the Arctic circle.</div>
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According to the source, Reine is located in the North of the Arctic circle, so expect to experience a terrible blizzard of ice during winter when visiting this place. Basically, Reine is a fishing village in the Lofoten archipelago which is shrouded by the breathtaking wilderness of Nordic!</div>
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This village offers visitors an extraordinary experience of breathing the cool fresh air from the Norwegian sea and the amazing view of the summer midnight sun through its cottages and cabins which are directly facing the sea side.</div>
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<b>BLED, SLOVENIA</b></div>
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Oh! Another unpopular European destination, you might thought. But no, Slovenia is as lovely as Austria and Germany.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdE6WFAO6D0xrxykNF5TzBlipNFuWL3isC0PC3t50AKPSvHiqQoA894UZH5RVfuXdZXzm9_OWHJjOm_LsEA__ef2-7iHxPhyFr7op6DQzdO8cAbxo7lIa4SMQCY9fDqwnn7scbKYGlLyI/s1600/bled-slovenia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdE6WFAO6D0xrxykNF5TzBlipNFuWL3isC0PC3t50AKPSvHiqQoA894UZH5RVfuXdZXzm9_OWHJjOm_LsEA__ef2-7iHxPhyFr7op6DQzdO8cAbxo7lIa4SMQCY9fDqwnn7scbKYGlLyI/s1600/bled-slovenia.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Bled is a small Alpine Town in Northern Slovenia cradled with lake, mountain and meadows</b></div>
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<b>Image source: Stumble Upon</b></div>
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To make things easier for everyone to know Slovenia, here's a little background:</div>
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This country is once part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, when this Kingdom was partitioned and thoroughly erased in the map of Europe, Slovenia for a time was annexed to Serbia until 1991 when it became an independent country. Now, this small nation is one of the most interesting places to visit in Central Europe. The country's capital is Lijublijana.</div>
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It borders Italy, Austria and Croatia and what's interesting about the landscape of Slovenia is its ideal location near the Alps! So just imagine how romantic it is to visit Slovenia during winter or even Autumn.</div>
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One of its amazing villages is Bled. The atmosphere is so relaxing because this small Alpine town is cradled by mountain hilltops, meadows and a lake whose glacial blue waters encircled the tiny island with a baroque church smack in the middle.</div>
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While we never gone yet to Bled, Slovenia, we can easily picture out how everything runs when we travel to this place someday. After visiting the church and marvelling at its placid blue water, a quick mountain trekking is somewhat ideal and experience the soothing breeze while throwing glances to the panoramic view of the Alps. Picture-perfect isn't it?</div>
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There you go, the amazing European villages we almost never know as these are rarely featured in the travel magazines and articles. Countryside travel is ideal especially if you want to discover the natural beauty of the country you are visiting and experience the stillness of the mother earth.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-4654970729648061592014-06-12T01:44:00.000-07:002014-06-21T16:45:03.546-07:00Travel with Fond Memories on Father's Day<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCa4EitCutBhpDUK7eaFuva1cdIeJ6yIUJ-JDseVChkJgi4i8mlT9fg6wZJfSmr9qz9lSiE29QoaOzg4QYHVYn8qcJy9ZtzflxOk_8BFmvtS1V_LBdPJNtYmL5gHrSFCnAxHTTYQeUCXN/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCa4EitCutBhpDUK7eaFuva1cdIeJ6yIUJ-JDseVChkJgi4i8mlT9fg6wZJfSmr9qz9lSiE29QoaOzg4QYHVYn8qcJy9ZtzflxOk_8BFmvtS1V_LBdPJNtYmL5gHrSFCnAxHTTYQeUCXN/s1600/images.jpeg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Sunday, June 15, the world will celebrate Father's Day!<br />
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Here comes a special occasion that has long been touted as only a second fiddle, back-up support to the <i>flowers-and-fashion</i> laden celebration of Mother's Day.</div>
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But it's no ordinary. It's a special day of the year dedicated to the first man in every girl's life and the first superhero in every boy's life -- Papa.</div>
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But why it is often called a second fiddle celebration to Mother's Day?<br />
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Well, because fathers are not choosy <i>hehe</i>! As with most typical men in the world, fathers are very easy to please than, <i>ahem,</i> mothers, maybe because men in general are very spontaneous, they don't like elaborate rituals and ceremonies, they settled on simple things, unlike women who love to ponder on tiny details of almost everything.</div>
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So naturally, choosing something for our fathers, is not an agonizing mission :-D, just pick something and you're on the go! But it's not as simple as that, of course we want to make it a little nicer for our Papa.</div>
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No matter what circumstances we would encounter later in life, whether we would grow increasingly distant and alienated with our fathers or closer than ever as we count more years in our existence, we really owe the guy something for what he has done. And no matter how upset we are with him, he is still worth a celebration. </div>
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Father's day allows us to revisit the fond memories we shared with our Papa, so for this special day dedicated solely for them why not make it extra special?</div>
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Buying gifts can be a little punishing, aside from pondering on what items to buy that would compliment his personality and taste, the varied options offer by different business establishments seem redundant and lifeless. So why not do something extra special instead?<br />
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Family bonding is always special to parents, it brings warm memories, there's nothing more important than seeing their children unite and share a day in one place. Take it from me who has an emotional father <i>hehe!</i> Every time we are together at home, my father would easily reduce to tears.<br />
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No expensive gifts or luxurious celebrations can ever compensate the value of seeing their beloved children come together in one place. Memories dart sweet notes to their heart, it refreshes their lives.<br />
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So for this year's celebration of Father's Day do an extra mile by taking an escape to a relaxing place, a resort or a countryside retreat, bringing the entire family and share meals or whatever activities you have in mind with Dad as the center of the show. The bonding will relive all those beautiful memories you shared together while growing up, believe me, this tripping-down-memory lane moment with your father will make a big difference to the event. Sharing conversation and laughter over food in a beautiful, soothing place with the rest of family members ignites warmth and affection.<br />
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Taking a road trip closer to the city with your family in time for Father's day can be a good option. What destination to choose depends on your preferences and your idea of this special celebration.<br />
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Here are two options for a weekend father-centered celebration escape:</div>
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<b>Aquaria Beach Resort in Calatagan, Batangas</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBoxono3xSGASeeHS54GB9Lp3pflsi0q-y0VXWo7FVnpFl9rk9oDuplfYAIlJa-qvs4W_vpyqpOK1D8shWpRWw7UFlWbEwVLiufLgxwqDF2Vwi9ZBJCp8q6VF4GQZy42XJ99W_67gN5Lk/s1600/aqua1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBoxono3xSGASeeHS54GB9Lp3pflsi0q-y0VXWo7FVnpFl9rk9oDuplfYAIlJa-qvs4W_vpyqpOK1D8shWpRWw7UFlWbEwVLiufLgxwqDF2Vwi9ZBJCp8q6VF4GQZy42XJ99W_67gN5Lk/s1600/aqua1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Aquaria Beach Resort in Calatagan, Batangas, </b></div>
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<b>can be a great option for the entire family to spend a day with Dad for Father's day</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf-OZv7xLHOaDg5uD_rfnw-RKLlVXjmvuCj-9rIgP7XtP58YBj_713uybVAAjTlq3OJaoaaLtRCbkLT166CaAVwnGR9JX46yfWDI_eihBiInN4RYGL2T01ANxAaoAV2-9ZztcjqQ9pMQJ/s1600/aqua5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf-OZv7xLHOaDg5uD_rfnw-RKLlVXjmvuCj-9rIgP7XtP58YBj_713uybVAAjTlq3OJaoaaLtRCbkLT166CaAVwnGR9JX46yfWDI_eihBiInN4RYGL2T01ANxAaoAV2-9ZztcjqQ9pMQJ/s1600/aqua5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've been to this place once and I found it ultra nice for family bonding. Aside from the sleek design and modern swimming pool facilities, this resort has a beautiful and sprawling beachside where fun activities can be shared by the entire family, this will most likely pleased your Dad. The cliche? This resort will allow you to bring foods without corkage fees. Entrance fee is Php 400.00, for more details read my blog about this weekend destination (scroll the item below this site).</div>
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<b>Tagaytay where else?</b></div>
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Tagaytay is a good option to take a road trip on weekends if you need to chill down after busy days at work. Aside from the cool weather and beautiful countryside, the place is closer to Metro Manila which makes it more ideal to tuck the whole family on a quick trip. </div>
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There are lots of relaxing spots around Tagaytay to choose. Your option depends on what's your purpose of coming to the place. Are you looking for something to pick your energy or you just want to spend the day over food under a romantic and spectacular view of the countryside vistas.</div>
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Some of the best destinations in Tagaytay to loosen up with your family are Picnic Grove, Sonya's Garden along Buck Estate or you may drop by at Bags of Beans.</div>
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<b>One sweet morning in Tagaytay :-) </b><br />
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Picnic Grove is a good spot to spend the whole afternoon with your family, it has a spacious ground to relax and play, an area to grill foods and cottage options to rest on. The environment is cooler when you visit the place beyond 4:00 in the afternoon. Visitors are free to bring food.</div>
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I've never been to Sonya's Garden (Still finding enough time to visit) but I've read beautiful reviews about the place so this too can be a wonderful choice. This is an ideal destination to chill for gastronomic bunch. Sonya's Garden offers organic, scrumptious meals and has a beautiful landscape to stroll around, a perfect option to bond and celebrate Father's Day.</div>
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Bags of Beans has a beautiful ambiance and the surrounding is terrific for a cozy celebration for Dad. Its wide menu options include pasta, grilled meat, desserts, salads and fabulous coffee concoctions. Your dear father would be pleased to smell a freshly baked bread while enjoying a cup of aromatic, mind-soothing freshly brewed coffees which this food destination is very famous of. Located along 3650 Aguinaldo Highway, Mendez Crossing West Tagaytay City, Bags of Beans is not far from Sky Ranch and Buck Estate entrance gate. </div>
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There you go...the two destinations to spend a relaxing weekend with the family. Your choice depends on how you define love and gratitude to your father.</div>
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Father's Day is only a one-day event so make it extra special for your Dad, punch the celebration with love and memories. For new fathers (that is, with babies who are still super young to understand the meaning of the celebration), maybe your wives have greater plans to make it very special for you, just prepare for the surprises. Hahaha!</div>
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I'm far from home so I cannot spend it with my father. I'll just send something for him to mark the celebration. To all fathers in the world, Happy Father's Day!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.agoda.com/partners/tracking.aspx?cid=0&url=http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/tagaytay.html&tag=BNR[tagaytay_468x49]" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://img.agoda.net/banners/agoda.com/70/18218/tagaytay_468x49.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-17459960120028946922014-06-09T07:27:00.002-07:002014-06-12T02:32:17.254-07:00Food Travel Presents: Gelatissimo Cafe<b>Gelatissimo Cafe</b><br />
<b>2F Greenbelt 5</b><br />
<b>Makati City</b><br />
<b>Tel No (2) 728-3587 </b><br />
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While contemplating for my next travel adventure (still no plan at the moment ^___^) I'll just update this blog with foods! Yeah, travel experience is incomplete without taking a side trip on something that could satisfy our hunger pangs.<br />
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<b>Gelatissimo, the real taste of Italia, is located at the second floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9Kk4aH3gweJxDzrVuLyK-_gDh75iCXX3hTqujv6DeeUTpyLePQYQFKUz7f2hSHOYa25J1iJKq-U1mELNhiQNdvDlSAB_A7EpavlyNip95lbCBXF5KCP2J4MafElr-orfpbSZ58d3bR9n/s1600/gelato3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9Kk4aH3gweJxDzrVuLyK-_gDh75iCXX3hTqujv6DeeUTpyLePQYQFKUz7f2hSHOYa25J1iJKq-U1mELNhiQNdvDlSAB_A7EpavlyNip95lbCBXF5KCP2J4MafElr-orfpbSZ58d3bR9n/s1600/gelato3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Oh-so-yummy Gelato! Smooth taste and creamier than traditional ice cream in the market</b></div>
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Last Sunday, after attending mass and watching Maleficent, with my friend, Rowena Tagaan, I was so intensely craving for ice cream that we walked around Greenbelt 5 in search for an ice cream parlor, until we reached the 2nd floor and found Gelatissimo Cafe.</div>
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We're quite surprised upon reaching the store and found many people standing in a queue, this must be something extraordinary I thought. We moved closer to the glass shelf with several choices of mouth-watering Gelato displayed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkzva8BRHe878wBTwWUIvnjEs68_iZqzecmpAHyvZORjjzKhgYv6yYLbiEPGhi102U9pKwpQUQ2A1hsrS2retstTs5JoRmqsTcgzODHgBeh1BfoXL3XY-byk4gmTF6065FsN04XCrrfoL/s1600/gelato1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkzva8BRHe878wBTwWUIvnjEs68_iZqzecmpAHyvZORjjzKhgYv6yYLbiEPGhi102U9pKwpQUQ2A1hsrS2retstTs5JoRmqsTcgzODHgBeh1BfoXL3XY-byk4gmTF6065FsN04XCrrfoL/s1600/gelato1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Insanely delectable Gelato! Dairy and Sorbet flavors that would really </b></div>
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<b>satisfy your cravings for creamy coolers</b></div>
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<b>Each medium cone will cost you Php 170.00</b><br />
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My eyes popped in amusement upon seeing the eye catching options, it took 10 minutes before I made my choice - Almond, Rowie opted for Hazelnut. It was my safest choice because I wasn't sure how other concoctions would taste, I might purge in disgust if I would take an adventure on strange flavors.<br />
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We chose the cone variant and to our surprise it's a lot expensive than the traditional ice cream in the market. Each cone costs Php 170.00 and the small cup costs Php 150.00. What's with the skyrocketing price?</div>
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The taste of Almond Gelato is not bad though I was expecting for richer Almond nuts mixtures, but it tastes great and creamier than the traditional ice cream. Insanely scrumptious and very refreshing!<br />
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Gelatissimo Cafe offers other options for a more delicious Gelato experience, I heard they have Bambino cone choices, sundaes, premium roasted coffee concoctions and Gelato shakes. So it's worth visiting!</div>
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Okay. I am a tea drinker.<br />
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I am always on the "look-out" of the best and finest tea in town. This healthy beverage picks up my sagging energy especially in the afternoon when I am almost consumed with stress. But sometimes I would kick the habit of grabbing a cup of hot green tea in the morning when my breakfast consists of fatty or too-sweet foods, the bitter taste of tea balances everything and helps prevent my appetite from blowing up!<br />
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I love this exquisite British tradition - <a href="http://joycelamela.blogspot.com/2012/05/afternoon-tea-party.html" target="_blank">Afternoon Tea Party</a>! Because it has something to do with my fascination in life--the British monarchy haha!<br />
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The fashionable Afternoon Tea Party, which has been continued by the Queen in the Buckingham Palace every summer, started during the time of Queen Victoria of England in the 19th century when one of her ladies-in-waiting, the Duchess of Bedford, initiated the tradition by inviting her aristocratic friends to the palace to have an Afternoon tea.<br />
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Okay... <br />
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So after our arrival from Calatagan, Batangas, (and because we wanted to attend the Sunday afternoon mass at the Mary Mother of Hope chapel in Landmark, Makati), we hopped in at Ayala station from Taft.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_4Hfn7xCBTNzx5G0tMonzCl0QWJHzhU1vVhoI2NM0hl8sukBtmawdCBCvb7Pq6Zi3-v6pbmRGahU98Xp6xIoUMOAiNy__ZSeSrXmygzjRIir477Ru4LeYh4O81idvP9cH_3zuRiLSnY0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_4Hfn7xCBTNzx5G0tMonzCl0QWJHzhU1vVhoI2NM0hl8sukBtmawdCBCvb7Pq6Zi3-v6pbmRGahU98Xp6xIoUMOAiNy__ZSeSrXmygzjRIir477Ru4LeYh4O81idvP9cH_3zuRiLSnY0/s1600/1.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
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After attending the mass (we left our pack bags at Landmark's baggage counter :-P), we excitedly proceeded to Greenbelt 5 and giggled upon reaching the lobby where TWG Tea situated.<br />
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It's an opulent Tea Cafe originally established in Singapore, so luxurious that by looking at its design and interior, you would instantly feel the aura of grandeur and glamour that the cafe exemplifies. </div>
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I was nervous. You know what? Because I was afraid the rate per order at this magnificent Tea Cafe might left my wallet bleeding in disaster lol! Good that my friend, Rowie, foot the bill, it was her treat for my birthday because I always wanted to have an Afternoon Tea Party but never got a time to organize it.</div>
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We entered the cafe with a hesitant mind but with an excited heart!<br />
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Finally, we settled in a remote corner because we wanted to observe how the richy richy patrons behaved, we did not dream to put ourselves into great embarrassment so a little observation was a good idea :-D<br />
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TWG Tea, though Asian in nature, follows a very European attitude in dining, the etiquette, the setting, the mode and all those intricate details in holding cutlery and tea cups.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbrlbiecG0sSd7HTWId2DVw2flEsnJgj3KUmgwZdBZb20l-7cWmPaLhC_qIu7XrT4CKzhGpcIOUfVCTdLgwps-uNI5E2cSXTFbG14C8CFgJSNmk-wU5A9tW7-zlxHZyLmhu1Bkmq7UGZ4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbrlbiecG0sSd7HTWId2DVw2flEsnJgj3KUmgwZdBZb20l-7cWmPaLhC_qIu7XrT4CKzhGpcIOUfVCTdLgwps-uNI5E2cSXTFbG14C8CFgJSNmk-wU5A9tW7-zlxHZyLmhu1Bkmq7UGZ4/s1600/2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /> </a></div>
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<b>TWG Tea at Greenbelt 5</b></div>
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<b>Tea Party!! :-P </b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Fv-N1j84PL_45Jqir5zaKuRgqcQJlQFc0iIubsH7Y6_jUqsvNv1wN6t70ToyE7xGMncxIS0dt_6LxAWOFRsfFvSBrogZIlpn9MweU14owe_eP-bzoOD0_wfZtdn_uYqCdFOqXOeZQZ5/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5Fv-N1j84PL_45Jqir5zaKuRgqcQJlQFc0iIubsH7Y6_jUqsvNv1wN6t70ToyE7xGMncxIS0dt_6LxAWOFRsfFvSBrogZIlpn9MweU14owe_eP-bzoOD0_wfZtdn_uYqCdFOqXOeZQZ5/s1600/4.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>All smile while waiting for our Tea!!</b></div>
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But here's the funny thing. As the waiter handed down the menu list, I and Rowie exchanged curious and hilarious glances. My eyes rolled in anxiety. Honestly, we don't know how to choose our order, so confusing because the list has several options and decorative terms lol! Our huge fear was that we might order all Teas with no tea food, shocksss!</div>
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The waiter sensed our hesitations, so he moved forward and explained the complicated list hahaha! It saved us from trouble! </div>
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<b>Not sure if this is the correct etiquette of holding a tea cup ahaha!</b> </div>
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European setting is quite amusing when it comes to table manners. Unlike other culture, Europe has a sophisticated and tricky rules and codes in table etiquette, code and behavior. There should always be a certain process of delivering food, placing a set of cutlery, goblets, taking foods, blurting orders, etcetera.<br />
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The complication sometimes lies on holding correctly the tea cup, other races never follow an etiquette in sipping tea, but in Europe that's a different story. You must absorb the dimension of the Tea etiquette or else you will be bitterly judged as socially ill-mannered.</div>
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When I made a research years back about an <a href="http://joycelamela.blogspot.com/2012/05/afternoon-tea-party.html" target="_blank">Afternoon Tea Party, </a> I learned that most experts suggested that when sipping tea, you must bring the saucer when raising the tea cup and sip it leisurely (oh please don't gulp it!), the tea spoon must be placed vertically in a 6:00 0'clock manner. Use only the tea spoon when putting honey, milk or sugar into the tea and please do not occasionally stir the tea!<br />
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Okay, after few minutes, lots of observation, frequent browsing on the menu list, finally, our nerves settled down and everything went smoothly. <br />
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I suggested to Rowie that we chose scones and tea cucumber sandwich because these are perfect afternoon tea partners. Scones are buttery and a little sweet, so it can perfectly balance the bitter taste of tea.<br />
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Per order is not really bad. At 540.00 you have four cups of Green Tea, three thinly sliced cucumber sandwich and two scones with cream and jelly.<br />
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Impressive!! </div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>THANK YOU!</b></span></div>
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Another Summerfun adventure with my best travel buddy, Rowie Tagaan! This time at the gorgeous resort of Aquaria in Batangas!<br />
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Well, as life revolves into different shades of surprises, my choice of leisure also undergone a little make over. I wanted something magical and strange :-P </div>
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I got to know Aquaria one afternoon when I was painstakingly searching for a resort around Calatagan, Batangas that's something magical, fun and new. I've longed been wanted to visit the scenic province of Batangas since I moved here in Manila from Davao last year, so the quick sojourn last weekend was a sort of fulfillment in my part.<br />
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Aquaria Beach Resort is located in Brgy. Sta. Ana, Playa, Calatagan, Batangas. I was in awe with the spectacular photos I saw around the net of this resort that I immediately made a travel itinerary and informed Rowie.<br />
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Aquaria is truly amazing! It offers the best of
both worlds - an elaborate swimming pool with a sunken bar, a beautiful winding path, spiraled slides and a beach side with a long coastline to cool down. Perfect for a soothing holiday getaway!<br />
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The resort is very far from the town of Calatagan, almost located in the middle of the wooded land of Barangay Sta. Ana but the travel is not really exhausting because the road leading to this resort is not scary and isolated, in fact it is wide and fully developed so no fear of any inconveniences along the way, the only down side is that there's no available public utility vehicles going to and from this area. </div>
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If you are a commuter, the only way to reach Aquaria is through a tricycle ride from the town proper of Calatagan, the travel is about 30 minutes, and in order to ensure your trip back to the town, you must make an arrangement with the tricycle driver to fetch you towards the end of the day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_XvitG6RsgurpycKrIjUlbqovxdbHLCqj4mUJpllh4UAk5r5IDve04sC7WE3A7Ur3RDkcW1CnmuyY6C4GgzJcRFlpAIJdjTu5EmUUW3gm4n8fWQfvoogv6V2Tc46bsC8bfhTHGigcg5J/s1600/aqua2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_XvitG6RsgurpycKrIjUlbqovxdbHLCqj4mUJpllh4UAk5r5IDve04sC7WE3A7Ur3RDkcW1CnmuyY6C4GgzJcRFlpAIJdjTu5EmUUW3gm4n8fWQfvoogv6V2Tc46bsC8bfhTHGigcg5J/s1600/aqua2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Elegant entrance of the resort</b><br />
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Aquaria is equipped with state-of-the-art modern swimming pool facilities with a beautiful garden, relaxing cabanas, kiddie pool area and lined-up umbrellas to rest on. It has a sunken pool bar, a spiraled three-storey slides and a very comfortable rest rooms, chic, clean and luxurious!<br />
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The resort opens from 9:00 in the morning and closes at 6:00 in the evening. Entrance fee is Php 400.00 and no corkage fee for foods.<br />
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The restaurant area is facing the beach side so the feeling is very soothing and cool when you dine! Refreshing breeze of the sea air will give you a more gratifying feeling of being in a beautiful environment. The beach side has a sprawling area where ball games and other fun activities can be held. The only bad thing is that the sand along the shoreline is not very refine, so you must wear your slipper/shoes all the time.<br />
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We did not take the plunge at the beach because when we arrived the sun was terribly hot and I was afraid my skin might be roasted :-P but the water, which sparkled under the beaming sun, seemed like invigorating that your fear of being "burned" might be compensated. But I hate the idea of experiencing that stingy feeling on my skin due to sunburn (though I applied sunblock, it doesn't guarantee of anything,) so I chose to remain in the shade and waited until afternoon before taking a beach side strolling :-D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoZT2r9ixydJhfDykcHmN8uqnExBW2z135yt-lQff6z9-Ri3TNyCt0v-DFwmglnQyMxOmEwSW5C_iRS_I2BK48HfgigHq5QkXpy1gZN29RteMBAo0PdlBTyF4ZxS8BfO3QXmwg3oUj5KK/s1600/aqua12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoZT2r9ixydJhfDykcHmN8uqnExBW2z135yt-lQff6z9-Ri3TNyCt0v-DFwmglnQyMxOmEwSW5C_iRS_I2BK48HfgigHq5QkXpy1gZN29RteMBAo0PdlBTyF4ZxS8BfO3QXmwg3oUj5KK/s1600/aqua12.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Strolling along the beach area with Rowie</b></div>
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<b>Sun-kissed beachside of Aquaria!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYYoKA_pTO0lUV8VhxFjU1h3Rt-u-m18lDvh1e-rBaxIKSDmd1lxVinensz_PSfDQsMv6ScqY0KvgSyiibNAk1xUMYyOiF13XRFXSEVp94vFWmPbRckehakiCOkARpgJm9mz8iDN0T8m5/s1600/aqua10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYYoKA_pTO0lUV8VhxFjU1h3Rt-u-m18lDvh1e-rBaxIKSDmd1lxVinensz_PSfDQsMv6ScqY0KvgSyiibNAk1xUMYyOiF13XRFXSEVp94vFWmPbRckehakiCOkARpgJm9mz8iDN0T8m5/s1600/aqua10.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Relaxing afternoon walk during low tide!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOhTGPKcaQaLe9zGhAb7hkrXtrXNAAF3QwWF3BixSnjmy6BDoQp1AMlb1xm6C27l-pyiCmZaTH92Z259MGEBmK2cAGtZ6zHJmTeD6ZkNoU85rE_JWk9ibuOMqS7wLaEX-t_0-iSqqQK0t/s1600/aqua9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOhTGPKcaQaLe9zGhAb7hkrXtrXNAAF3QwWF3BixSnjmy6BDoQp1AMlb1xm6C27l-pyiCmZaTH92Z259MGEBmK2cAGtZ6zHJmTeD6ZkNoU85rE_JWk9ibuOMqS7wLaEX-t_0-iSqqQK0t/s1600/aqua9.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Sweltering heat of the summer sun! </b><br />
<b>You have an option to take refuge in the cool shade or roast your skin under the </b><br />
<b>harsh rays of the sun, the choice is yours, hehe!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvdgX4j6TGKLpHZr0sU1xnN7aa9RrZaMHe3g9m-BNjnW6Yn4rArD0ocQYh191Oq_iKOggicWOyBAYPXzG8kHAFCONbCvA9njW1cvarLOEr4N8LueEr9UMPX5oiBm759ZLOJFbiblC1B9d/s1600/aqua8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvdgX4j6TGKLpHZr0sU1xnN7aa9RrZaMHe3g9m-BNjnW6Yn4rArD0ocQYh191Oq_iKOggicWOyBAYPXzG8kHAFCONbCvA9njW1cvarLOEr4N8LueEr9UMPX5oiBm759ZLOJFbiblC1B9d/s1600/aqua8.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>We chose to protect our skin so we decided to rest at the pool side</b></div>
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<b>Ultra-modern pool facilities</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgtjnO_b9leRqoM326KMFs7KbsoQ8B1ZDviL752aeGvwk94nAKrxDJcAFZR_YhGGkRqQnk0TU9Lj7uSsE-Fc2s1jxDxnps6lh-bnyonoIkYEJDuZhzhnj-LQQ0fSohL_4XmLHOiXYlhiC/s1600/aqua6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgtjnO_b9leRqoM326KMFs7KbsoQ8B1ZDviL752aeGvwk94nAKrxDJcAFZR_YhGGkRqQnk0TU9Lj7uSsE-Fc2s1jxDxnps6lh-bnyonoIkYEJDuZhzhnj-LQQ0fSohL_4XmLHOiXYlhiC/s1600/aqua6.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Picturesque Pool!!!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmB8ts7k9rFx08TWaYCuvH-eAa46BYry2ekkhPbEpA5Crum_4MCtRVGHjgBiIwspW-R1tfMwL1DcQxqGiaZJNX3NceXNlP0CNcRSD9ujKFOLKvg1mnwxss6XTDrHmrFv8GXSuoPnP9jiB5/s1600/aqua5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmB8ts7k9rFx08TWaYCuvH-eAa46BYry2ekkhPbEpA5Crum_4MCtRVGHjgBiIwspW-R1tfMwL1DcQxqGiaZJNX3NceXNlP0CNcRSD9ujKFOLKvg1mnwxss6XTDrHmrFv8GXSuoPnP9jiB5/s1600/aqua5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>If you're coming as a group, you may book one cabana along the pool side, </b><br />
<b>it can accommodate up to 10 persons, rate is around 1,200.00</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnvrYkIfDhwIvCTsLN65PD0LGxWvCfS-eu1cwMDCH-VNvGrEwV8cmeVLnKgN8smrYtaoBsHVUPjKQIkl2gUkNM7E89KT-Y4YGOIRonTZm059zqvBDeFQJmGC4FkVwtKevpdksITcUf219/s1600/aqua4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnvrYkIfDhwIvCTsLN65PD0LGxWvCfS-eu1cwMDCH-VNvGrEwV8cmeVLnKgN8smrYtaoBsHVUPjKQIkl2gUkNM7E89KT-Y4YGOIRonTZm059zqvBDeFQJmGC4FkVwtKevpdksITcUf219/s1600/aqua4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Kiddie Pool area complete with water sprinkler</b></div>
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<b>My overall review of the resort:</b></div>
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Aquaria has an ultra-modern swimming pool. Beautifully design with an impression of grandeur and fantasy. I loved the garden and the intricate details of flowers around the cabanas. It's ultra romantic! I enjoyed the wide sleek pool side, spectacular, magnificent and truly fantastic! The beachside is just fine, if you're not into sun bathing or getting yourself tanned, don't stay along the beach side longer because the harsh sun rays will badly roast your skin. But I like the wide beach front, you can frolic leisurely, it's good if you want to play ball games with your friends! The food options are equally great!</div>
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<b>How to get There:</b></div>
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If you are travelling via bus: Go to Coastal Mall and look for a route going to Calatagan, Batangas but this is very rare as buses to Calatagan are only few, take Lian route instead. Tell the driver or the conductor to drop you off at Lian near the public market.</div>
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Upon arrival at Lian, look for a tricycle that would take you to the market, it is there where you can find jeepneys for Calatagan. Tell the Jeepney driver you're heading to Brgy. Sta. Ana so that he can drop you off near the terminal of tricycle in the town proper of Calatagan. Don't forget to make an arrangement with the tricycle driver to fetch you after your stay in Aquaria because there's no other way to get back to the town.</div>
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<b>Important Reminder:</b></div>
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Aquaria has no overnight accommodation as it does not have cottages or villas yet, they don't allow tent also so you better plan carefully your travel. You may look for transient inns in the town of Calatagan to spend the night away or you may choose to stay at nearby beach resorts like Casa Astillejo or Calatagan Beach Resort.</div>
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<b>Good Experience with the Resort:</b></div>
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Okay, so here's my little story about our trip. We know that Aquaria does not have an overnight accommodation and originally we planned to go to Casa Astillejo to spend the night, so we asked the number of the tricycle driver so that we could text him at 6:00 in the evening.</div>
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The big trouble came around 6:00, the driver's cellphone number lacked one digit! We could no longer contact him and there was no way to look for a tricycle in the area, argggh!! We're the only people left in the resort so we asked the staff how they could help us. The staff, about four of them, were extremely kind and generous with their time, they made effort to really help us, one of them contacted their friend whose father is a tricycle driver, to assist us. The staff did not leave the area until we're safely secured, they assured us the driver is a good man, in fact his son worked also in the resort.</div>
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Whoaa! It was truly a strange adventure! Hahaha! Thank God, we reached Calatagan safely and the tricycle driver brought us to a transient Inn, whose owner looked like his friend because they knew each other, it was just a walking distance from the bus terminal. The accommodation was just right for backpackers but not if you're particular of comfort and convenience. It was a little hot with just electric fan in the room, but at Php 400.00 rate per room for 12 hours, what do we expect? The most important thing --- we're safe, never mind the comfort :-D</div>
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We travelled back to Manila on the following morning, Sunday, May 18. It was a comfortable travel and we arrived safely.</div>
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<b>Here's the list of expenses we incurred for this weekend getaway (in Philippine Peso, amount is per person):</b></div>
<ul>
<li> Bus fare from Coastal Mall to Lian, Batangas: 149.00</li>
<li> Tricycle going to public market in Lian: 10.00</li>
<li> Jeepney for Calatagan, Batangas: 38.00</li>
<li> Tricycle from Calatagan to Playa: 75.00</li>
<li> Entrance Fee in Aquaria: 400</li>
<li> Lunch: 155.00 (rice + calamaris without drinks)</li>
<li> Tricycle back to Calatagan: 75.00</li>
<li> Transient Room: 200</li>
<li> Dinner: 50.00</li>
<li> Van fare Calatagan to Pasay: 180.00</li>
</ul>
<b>TOTAL EXPENSES: Php 1,332.00</b><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-88530590451249662832014-05-02T23:08:00.001-07:002014-05-23T23:59:38.675-07:00Cattleya Resort, Antipolo City<div style="text-align: justify;">
Had a good time with colleagues last April 26 at Cattleya Resort in Antipolo City. It was just an overnight stay, the fact that we're in a hurry to leave the area on the following morning, I wasn't able to take nice shots of the resort.:-D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aCWyCWZ228zckg6nRUa-a8WhvwGteHp3xlCl5Sta-j21Cj_hd4YwmS50ANl1rEKm4AJoidYpdszh3sFP3J4Abj6QAhUz0ynR8yII3ZUgeegbK0Qj9qhjFTonevZeQqu2SW_yc45awmcK/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aCWyCWZ228zckg6nRUa-a8WhvwGteHp3xlCl5Sta-j21Cj_hd4YwmS50ANl1rEKm4AJoidYpdszh3sFP3J4Abj6QAhUz0ynR8yII3ZUgeegbK0Qj9qhjFTonevZeQqu2SW_yc45awmcK/s1600/19.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Pool side of the vacation rental home within Cattleya Resort</b></div>
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Cattleya is not your usual idea of a typical resort, it's more like a village with several vacation rental homes. But the place is not disappointing as you might think, in fact it is ideal for people who may want to escape the extreme hot weather in the city and cool down privately.<br />
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It is extremely private with just only visitors who booked at its specific rental home can occupy the pool area and the ground. The swimming pool is not really huge, you should take extra precautions, especially if you have kids, when walking around the pool area, you will topple if you won't look on your steps.</div>
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Cattleya resort is a huge village situated at the scenic landscape of Antipolo city. Its location guarantees a breathtaking view of the panoramic vistas of the province of Rizal, so relaxing! At night, visitors will be treated to a spectacular sight of the vibrant city lights, while embracing the chilly breeze of the evening air.<br />
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Visitors have several options to choose for a rental home within the resort. Area varies according to accommodation rate packages. Each block in the village has a two-storey house with a swimming pool and a spacious ground.<br />
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So when you rent a place at Cattleya you have to rent the entire block, you will be guaranteed with an ultra-exclusive privacy in a homey environment anyway. The house our team rented has three spacious bedrooms, two comfort/bath rooms, a kitchen, refrigerator and a living room.<br />
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Good for team buildings and exclusive party events, this resort has all the comfort of a relaxing home away from the maddening crowd in the city. The sprawling ground can hold games and other fun activities of the celebration, so you won't be bored when deciding to rent any of the rental vacation homes at Cattleya.</div>
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<b>Cattleya Resort, your home away from home</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYagzXGeRFr_AKszS51Ye2JnjZYyXpUUOcI3EyByjEXGIiUGB_cEJLv1fudq2sZkrnYaRQr-Mx1ND3Jitc6ey44wf09FpW-7eMg2dSzaJzt99r4bQzWGcy3coibgRy-B2lBl80nyw6QQeh/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYagzXGeRFr_AKszS51Ye2JnjZYyXpUUOcI3EyByjEXGIiUGB_cEJLv1fudq2sZkrnYaRQr-Mx1ND3Jitc6ey44wf09FpW-7eMg2dSzaJzt99r4bQzWGcy3coibgRy-B2lBl80nyw6QQeh/s1600/18.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>With pretty ladies: Dianne, Jessica and Jen in the bedroom</b></div>
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<b>posing a break before plunging at the pool!</b></div>
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What I love about the place is its ultra-exclusive mode of accommodation. Calm. Homely. Cozy. Relaxing. I like the comfort and the privacy the resort provides, so cool!<br />
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Visitors are free to bring foods and drinks! There's a kitchen and a grilling area where meals can be prepared.<br />
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The accommodation includes videoke machine rental too, but visitors can only enjoy the videoke facility up to 12:00 midnight due to a city ordinance strictly followed by the resort. </div>
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The accommodation is 12 hours (not 24 hours) so better plan your stay when coming to Cattleya.</div>
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For rates and information about the resort, visit their <a href="http://www.cattleyaresort.com/" target="_blank">SITE</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-19234718398213637672014-04-19T10:31:00.003-07:002014-05-23T23:59:52.103-07:00Spiritual Adventure: Visita Iglesia<br />
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Taking a break from Travel and Leisure...<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br />
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And journeying back to myself...to the deepest part of my spiritual sense, honouring the solemnity of the Holy Week season and remembering Jesus Christ's suffering and death on the cross.<br />
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Holy Week is the only period in a year that Christians are given a chance to commemorate solemnly the sacrifices, pain and suffering of Christ. It's not a whole year round event, it is just one week, so why not offer it to Jesus alone? </div>
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Over the years, my belief and concept of observing the Holy Week did not change. I am still following the traditional practice of spending the days quietly at home or visiting the church. The most crucial days of the week -- <i>Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday ---</i> celebrate the four sacred events that constituted the life of a Christian faith --- <i><b>The Lord's Last Supper Mass (Maundy Thursday), The Passion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), The Easter Vigil and renewal of our Baptism (Black Saturday) and The celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus (Sunday)</b></i>. I can take a vacation any time of the year but not during Holy Week, I always considered it a very special and sacred week that must be spent only in the church and getting in touch with my faith devotedly.</div>
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Yesterday, Good Friday, I was able to complete the devotion of <i>Visita Iglesia</i>, one of the most enduring Roman Catholic traditions that can be traced back from the early times. It is a pious tradition where believers visit seven churches during Maundy Thursday or Good Friday to meditate on the Passion of Jesus Christ and venerate the Crucifix.</div>
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The seven churches I visited represent historical significance of the Roman Catholic Church life in the Philippines. Most of these churches had survived calamities and disasters, including two World Wars and foreign invasions, that hammered the country in the past centuries. </div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">HERE ARE THE SEVEN HISTORICAL CHURCHES </span></b><br />
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<b>1. MINOR BASILICA OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, Quiapo, Manila</b><br />
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Also known as the Quiapo Church, this basilica is home to the most famous Black Nazarene where throngs of devotees flock every Friday to attend the mass and honour the miraculous image of the Lord. Various testimonies of answered prayers and miraculous healing had been associated to the image of the Black Nazarene making Quiapo Church one of the most frequently visited churches in Metro Manila.</div>
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A little reminder to the faithful, when you come to visit this church during Lent expect the crowd to be a little larger than expected so bring something that can make you comfortable, umbrella to protect you from the intense heat of the sun, a bottled water to keep you hydrated and a face towel.</div>
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<b>How to get there</b>: Locating Quiapo church is not a problem because it is just along the highway where all public utility vehicles pass, obviously you have to take a PUJ/PUB bound for Quiapo ^___^, there are FX vehicles also that pass along the busy street of Quiapo church.</div>
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<b>2. SANTA CRUZ CHURCH, Sta.Cruz, Manila</b></div>
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Built in 1608 by the Jesuit missionaries to cater the Chinese Catholics in nearby Binondo area, the original structure of this church was destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt later and continued to be administered by the Jesuits until 1768. The church's titular patroness according to its history is Our Lady of Pillar. The present peach-colored European structure was erected in 1957. This Spanish-styled church is just in front of another famous landmark in Manila, Carriedo Fountain.<br />
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<b>Peach-colored and Spanish-styled exterior of Santa Cruz church</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIKXaNHuVwEF0ocGYdQOIK_3xwVvA5CyieaVrl2JkhH9glK3ZYfjgm60oasVCHnItf6GLKIfy8ei7dffZFH4lI9tw3jooXVMtLzyw1SM9t4F8Tt5BhhZxi54gasOLEanbGNSgl_qkCoZE/s1600/stacruz4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIKXaNHuVwEF0ocGYdQOIK_3xwVvA5CyieaVrl2JkhH9glK3ZYfjgm60oasVCHnItf6GLKIfy8ei7dffZFH4lI9tw3jooXVMtLzyw1SM9t4F8Tt5BhhZxi54gasOLEanbGNSgl_qkCoZE/s1600/stacruz4.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Inside the Santa Cruz Church</b></div>
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<b>How to get there</b>: From Quiapo church just walk straight ahead, turn right upon reaching the Sta. Ana street, you will pass at the Feati University, continue to walk until you reach the Plaza Sta .Cruz fronting the old building that houses BPI, the church is just beside this plaza.</div>
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<b>3. THE MANILA CATHEDRAL, Intramuros, Manila</b></div>
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Officially known as Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, this church is the official seat of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is located at the heart of the walled city of Intramuros. Originally built in 1571, the cathedral passed through many renovations due to the destruction of its structure from calamities. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.<br />
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<b>The Manila Cathedral is fronting Plaza de Roma in Intramuros</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AC8gnw1iOC4jDYUsMHzasrtA4g8TvOFsjbschm-4B_bBa0W4ASc4__W0DTZw-Lw7GH8pgzcqgu0EIxuVySjjQSw9ElF5hmV09ox-qzxeprXGV4qAUaL-JLjlFTFxkYRBrOF72USyapww/s1600/manila+cathedral1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AC8gnw1iOC4jDYUsMHzasrtA4g8TvOFsjbschm-4B_bBa0W4ASc4__W0DTZw-Lw7GH8pgzcqgu0EIxuVySjjQSw9ElF5hmV09ox-qzxeprXGV4qAUaL-JLjlFTFxkYRBrOF72USyapww/s1600/manila+cathedral1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Details of the ceiling of Manila Cathedral</b></div>
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The cathedral is fronting the beautiful Plaza de Roma, just few walks away from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Its original structure was destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt in 1958 to its present form. The cathedral only reopened recently after two years of refurbishment. The interior has an gorgeous intricate design of modern architecture.<br />
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<b>How to get there: </b>Just go to Intramuros and ask trisikad drivers to take you to Manila Cathedral.</div>
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<b>4. SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, Intramuros, Manila</b><br />
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Located along General Luna street, four blocks away from the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin is considered the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was first constructed in 1587 and finished sometimes in 1607. The church was founded by the Augustinian Friars and survived through many atrocities and calamities since the middle ages. The church houses the crypt of Spanish conquestador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the founder of Manila who made Intramuros the official seat of government during Spanish colonization.<br />
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<b>San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines, and one of the remaining Baroque structured churches in the country, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRD69I4MIUqYAsEqhccpnSVT_cWIlBoEzdE7oWYZ2XklLZ9arsSTxTTQtCOclog02RpmzDBHSuaa5R557hskZwgP9bJ-EBFo6KxekiGfmwAku8jCJPwTW00R1fSjDsaZWze0838oNLhMg/s1600/san+Augstin2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRD69I4MIUqYAsEqhccpnSVT_cWIlBoEzdE7oWYZ2XklLZ9arsSTxTTQtCOclog02RpmzDBHSuaa5R557hskZwgP9bJ-EBFo6KxekiGfmwAku8jCJPwTW00R1fSjDsaZWze0838oNLhMg/s1600/san+Augstin2+-+Copy.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b> San Agustin church is an architectural wonder! </b></div>
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<b>The elegant details of the church's interior feature an art technique where</b></div>
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<b>realistic imagery is being used to create an optical illusion that depicts </b></div>
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<b>objects exist in three dimensions</b></div>
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San Agustin Church is the only church along Intramuros that was not destroyed during World War II, it also survived foreign invasions, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Due to its many centuries of survival, unique Baroque structure, elegant interior architectural design and historic existence, the church was declared by UNESCO in 1993 as a World Heritage Site under the collective category of Baroque Churches in the Philippines.<br />
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San Agustin church is probably the most popular wedding destinations in the country due to its grandeur and reflection of Filipinos' cultural heritage. It is one of the favourite locations also of pre-nuptial and post-wedding photo shoots among couples who have poetic touches. Its interior is artistically designed in full details of opulence complete with chandeliers and gold-plated linings, reminiscent to most churches in England. It features <i>Trompe l'oell,</i> an art technique painting that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion depicting objects that exist in three dimensions<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<b>How to get there</b>: From the entrance gate of Intramuros, ride a trisikad and tell the driver to bring you to San Agustin church in General Luna street. It is just beside Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines building and four blocks away from the Manila Cathedral.</div>
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<b>5. OUR LADY OF REMEDIES, Malate, Manila</b><br />
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Another Baroque structured church in the country that survived since the pre-war era is Our Lady of Remedies commonly known as Malate Church. It houses the original statue of <i>Nuestra Senora de Remedios </i>which was brought from Spain in 1624. Its existence dated back from the early 16th century when the Agustinian Friars built this historic church.<br />
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Malate Church has an important historical value during the British invasion. It was in this church that British forces took refuge while preparing their defense strategies against Americans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGzQMRBQn46QfG3juqOHu11phEPSNsVCPVkNNnoZaZn6-GPJUnUMbQ7m_ichPJdLOmNjSRquUdFDPOInRcvuWUSR0e3X22FwMfBIc73PREyr7deOgGfmGYJ-7HOSeSi6ZIabJW_l5Y-E8/s1600/malate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGzQMRBQn46QfG3juqOHu11phEPSNsVCPVkNNnoZaZn6-GPJUnUMbQ7m_ichPJdLOmNjSRquUdFDPOInRcvuWUSR0e3X22FwMfBIc73PREyr7deOgGfmGYJ-7HOSeSi6ZIabJW_l5Y-E8/s1600/malate1.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Malate Church features a Baroque structure on its exterior but the church's interior</b></div>
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<b>is built under modern touches especially the details of the ceiling.</b></div>
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The church was destroyed several times during war, typhoon and earthquake calamities, it was rebuilt years later but retained the original exterior baroque design. It is located in front of the Rajah Sulayman Park along Manila Bay<br />
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<b>How to get there</b>: Look for a PUJ that has a sign board of Ermita and Malate. It is just few miles away from the Ermita church.<br />
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<b>6. MINORE BASILICA DE SAN SEBASTIAN, CM Recto, Manila</b><br />
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If there's one Catholic church in Metro Manila that really caught my attention due to its very European exterior design it's San Sebastian Church. Located along Hidalgo Street and CM Recto, this basilica is just a walking distance from Quiapo church.<br />
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<b>The elegant exterior of San Sebastian Church, painted in icy mint green with </b></div>
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<b>fabulous architectural details reminiscent to churches in England.</b></div>
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<b>San Sebastian is probably the only church in Asia that is built from Steel.</b></div>
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<b>According to its marker, the structural metal used in the construction was manufactured in Belgium and was brought in the Philippines and erected by Belgian Engineers.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiwYU2prKEuGVDhEdDZ2AJbgOjtMmVhvIGiHM46IKOhMY9e6sVsp-74Ih8ESUwQc62s4ijCJ1I-7WfPsy40Ea2Q9lOI8aok8rTDbvK9kVX8und6qhG3pa88N6JwxAjp9h-U-YNoROH6ld/s1600/sebastian4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiwYU2prKEuGVDhEdDZ2AJbgOjtMmVhvIGiHM46IKOhMY9e6sVsp-74Ih8ESUwQc62s4ijCJ1I-7WfPsy40Ea2Q9lOI8aok8rTDbvK9kVX8und6qhG3pa88N6JwxAjp9h-U-YNoROH6ld/s1600/sebastian4.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
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<b>Entrance area of San Sebastian church with its two imposing towers</b></div>
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<b>like the Westminster Abbey in England</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsFHFFQAM8MRgQZU5o3wz2ft6fa6NAHfzW-wAre15DHjPoMvPiiCH5I1GcfDDRcRrmVsxMdI1f7L2rOZXwxjt0NhnoVmdZtFqSxLbao5cKbItJuqJhrD3o9YtdJcx9jAvPLwkNR-kj91h/s1600/sebastian3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsFHFFQAM8MRgQZU5o3wz2ft6fa6NAHfzW-wAre15DHjPoMvPiiCH5I1GcfDDRcRrmVsxMdI1f7L2rOZXwxjt0NhnoVmdZtFqSxLbao5cKbItJuqJhrD3o9YtdJcx9jAvPLwkNR-kj91h/s1600/sebastian3.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
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<b>Inside San Sebastian Church</b></div>
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Originally built in the late part of the 19th century by Recollect Friars, San Sebastian church, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, earned the reputation of being the only church in Asia that is built from steel and claimed to be the only prefabricated steel church in the world. t was destroyed by earthquake many times and undergone massive refurbishment down the centuries. In 1973, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared this church a National Historical Landmark.<br />
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The exterior structure of the church is painted in icy mint green which is very cool to the eyes. It has two pointed towers and extended clusters of buildings, the design is reminiscent to churches in England and other European countries. Aside from its beautiful exterior, San Sebastian church has a very spacious quadrangle and breezy, relaxing environment.<br />
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<b>How to get there</b>: San Sebastian Church is just a walking distance from Quiapo Church. Just cross the street (in front of Quiapo church) and enter a narrow road leading to Hidalgo street, you will pass a bridge, just walk straight ahead and beyond that point, you will see the imposing towers of San Sebastian Church.<br />
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<b>7. REDEMPTORIST CHURCH, Baclaran, Paranaque City</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoG5g66MVeqoyKAuBBVD9BlzG8hKlUDOw5-LWUPJMuGwHEuFcRdhE3eNnXKmmpuPu-JcGN3KgR_BihPlWNOewSUeURWmQj5zFfAAwN0lGtueKERV6pU_V5_CHRnvX1VGJ0zOmp4MnXgcP/s1600/baclaran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoG5g66MVeqoyKAuBBVD9BlzG8hKlUDOw5-LWUPJMuGwHEuFcRdhE3eNnXKmmpuPu-JcGN3KgR_BihPlWNOewSUeURWmQj5zFfAAwN0lGtueKERV6pU_V5_CHRnvX1VGJ0zOmp4MnXgcP/s1600/baclaran.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our last stop. Baclaran church, now officially known as The National Shrine of Mother of Perpetual Help. The church was established by the Redemptorist priests in early 1900, it was them who introduced the devotion of Novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help. Over the years, the testimonies of miracles and answered prayers from devotees emerged, making the church extraordinarily famous, giving birth to the adage " the Baclaran Phenomenon".<br />
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Baclaran church was personally visited by Blessed John Paul II in 1981 when he made a stop over in Manila en-route to Australia, the late great Pope, who was a Marian devotee, was reportedly amazed upon entering the church and saw thousands of people, he thought it was a feast day. Every Wednesday, this church is pack with devotees.<br />
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This was our last stop where we wrapped up the 13th and 14th Station of the Cross.Unfortunately, we were not able to kiss the crucifix because the line leading to the altar was ultra long so we just lighted candles on the right wing of the church.<br />
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There you go, the seven historical churches you might consider visiting in the coming days or the next Holy Week season, it's worth the sacrifice and suffering. The architectural wonder and historic background of each of these churches will make the journey very fulfilling and self-gratifying.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">READ THE DETAILS OF THE STORY OF THIS JOURNEY IN MY</span></b> <a href="http://www.joycelamela.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PERSONAL BLOG, CLICK HERE</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-628079797427244702014-04-13T20:48:00.001-07:002014-05-24T00:00:10.298-07:00Food Travel: My Oriental Food Cravings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I am very hungry, the first thing that would come to my mind is devour oriental foods! ^____^</div>
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Yeah, I love everything about oriental cuisine from<i> Chicken Teriyaki to Maki to Gyoza to Siomai</i>. It satisfies my cravings and hunger. I love the way oriental meals are prepared, the taste is just right, there's always excitement in every bite!</div>
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So here, presenting my food walk to two oriental restaurants!</div>
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<b>TOKYO TOKYO, Skyranch, Tagaytay</b></div>
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I've come to visit Tagaytay last weekend with my friend, Rowie Tagaan, and by the time we arrive at Skyranch our hunger pangs strike. We've only one clear purpose to spend lunch, to look for an oriental restaurant hehe! Tokyo Tokyo naturally became a certain choice. </div>
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Though my favorite meal at Tokyo Tokyo is Honey Chicken Teriyaki, I opted to choose other meal to explore other varieties. I settled with Salmon Donburi and Rowie shared her California Maki order with me. Comparing Donburi and Chicken Teriyaki, the latter is still the tastier and yummier! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GboRUb64_6UdPmodYxb39mVpqBRtG87hmDZ_pyjkS8KRWbaSOBaZfwhV2lSQiqDy5N61ENwKtPtVufucLFJCOIORKUaGU6H7fkU70oprJdztrCX2zkglnhEVEti7sNsidSvfVQsqecvk/s1600/c163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GboRUb64_6UdPmodYxb39mVpqBRtG87hmDZ_pyjkS8KRWbaSOBaZfwhV2lSQiqDy5N61ENwKtPtVufucLFJCOIORKUaGU6H7fkU70oprJdztrCX2zkglnhEVEti7sNsidSvfVQsqecvk/s1600/c163.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> California Maki! Php 45.00 I am a certified maki addict haha!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ol4oh3WZpQtaCCLxxpEBgiylL_41aR4iKqc2p0tBHJPhZ7U1-oyx5K8AXU4C2FDGMHVc922yTqD78uodWnQhVoxXtIYOxotMIPyWc96c_fKNSDpkANVMhndL-yB295aNKqhqbzb4TP1/s1600/c167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ol4oh3WZpQtaCCLxxpEBgiylL_41aR4iKqc2p0tBHJPhZ7U1-oyx5K8AXU4C2FDGMHVc922yTqD78uodWnQhVoxXtIYOxotMIPyWc96c_fKNSDpkANVMhndL-yB295aNKqhqbzb4TP1/s1600/c167.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Salmon Donburi meal!Php 99.00</b></div>
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<b>SUPERBOWL OF CHINA, SM Mall of Asia</b></div>
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Oh I adored this chinese restaurant. Their meals are insanely delectable! Most foods in the menu of Superbowl of China are buffet-like sets which are very ideal when dining as a large group. But if you want an individual/single order, you have an option to choose the supersolo meals which are equally gratifying and bulky.</div>
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The sets of meals I tried at Superbowl so far are Super bowl Lemon Chicken and Braised Beef Brisket, sooooo fantastically scrumptious! The price per order of each of these meals is not really horrifying haha! It is very affordable, don't worry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc_ACvWkE8x5gJTayTE_ecnt00m8_FDwx0O6SxU223qSZHciffdMU5MKH7I7VPyNEnReUdeLlH5DOakmQFP51WCMiXJWzK1DsaXbRl1eEZ1vytFzJhVrCS5WLT0Ha9ndDWORZ3xCJAEfW/s1600/superbowl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc_ACvWkE8x5gJTayTE_ecnt00m8_FDwx0O6SxU223qSZHciffdMU5MKH7I7VPyNEnReUdeLlH5DOakmQFP51WCMiXJWzK1DsaXbRl1eEZ1vytFzJhVrCS5WLT0Ha9ndDWORZ3xCJAEfW/s1600/superbowl1.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b> Superbowl of China! Fulfilling...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRVLYA21Y8QNyk0gK4GKx4RGWF7q9wtHc0SX42BZ37H412ARQya6eWDhvV04gwzRpsLj2eOzWJn6djYOhHEA0wa3qZ1xU607PZhCQ7e0OY68aUNYhFjTsWxUJFVWidu3U7mC3w_Ve5sei/s1600/superbowl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRVLYA21Y8QNyk0gK4GKx4RGWF7q9wtHc0SX42BZ37H412ARQya6eWDhvV04gwzRpsLj2eOzWJn6djYOhHEA0wa3qZ1xU607PZhCQ7e0OY68aUNYhFjTsWxUJFVWidu3U7mC3w_Ve5sei/s1600/superbowl2.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b>Braised Beef Brisket Supersolo Php 129.00</b></div>
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<b>Tender meaty savoury beef soaked in heavy oriental sauce with vegetables</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdZjQHaFYgbDloEuPd5axBr8R7vwPIPM5fx6LAi9c2OcDNxURmeCex7nWSP-XFwTJ5VV6ClRxpvK2hBcB5l0eiQl5-FVooESpm3AyYvkgaSDyQ7ekrWQ4m4b205DTcO1Jyi1X1h9FGLNb/s1600/superbowl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdZjQHaFYgbDloEuPd5axBr8R7vwPIPM5fx6LAi9c2OcDNxURmeCex7nWSP-XFwTJ5VV6ClRxpvK2hBcB5l0eiQl5-FVooESpm3AyYvkgaSDyQ7ekrWQ4m4b205DTcO1Jyi1X1h9FGLNb/s1600/superbowl3.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b>Super bowl Lemon Chicken Supersolo Php 112.00</b></div>
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<b>Very tasty chicken fillet (tenderly fried) with thick lemon syrup dip</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolZFAz4yEAVZ7tHeX8bc_IX9GZEjPP8f6UwOmYN9b8td51XRACIVYrh69jLdBtPF3jM0oMMfaowTKwYV_HZN06yPFeSvFdQyzdgpfgW-fHMfd9sWblGKTcRZu_W8e14DPjkW-47q7FQpu/s1600/moa6+-+Copy+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolZFAz4yEAVZ7tHeX8bc_IX9GZEjPP8f6UwOmYN9b8td51XRACIVYrh69jLdBtPF3jM0oMMfaowTKwYV_HZN06yPFeSvFdQyzdgpfgW-fHMfd9sWblGKTcRZu_W8e14DPjkW-47q7FQpu/s1600/moa6+-+Copy+-+Copy.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>And due to my passion towards oriental cuisine, I felt I already looked very Chinese haha! And I love it, I love Chinese and Korean people!</b></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-41536623117713443602014-04-08T21:03:00.001-07:002014-05-24T00:00:29.153-07:00It's Summer Fun in the Philippines!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Scorching heat of the
sun, tormenting weather, blistering temperature even at night! These
environmental symptoms only indicate one certain condition --- Summer! </div>
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When summer season hits the landscape of the Philippines, the weather is terribly punishing and the atmosphere inside the house is almost as hell, so taking a relaxing escape elsewhere to chill down is definitely on everyone's mind. And where that “else” would be, depends on
one’s idea of a soothing getaway.</div>
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I've no definite travel
plan at the moment, maybe I’ll do another backpacking adventure with friends
somewhere else haha! </div>
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I want to take a
relaxing road trip in the countryside, marvel at the cool shade of nature, trek
at the rolling hills, smell the freshness of the lush tropical plants,
experience the stillness of the surroundings and feel the smoothness of the
afternoon breeze. Serenity at its highest form!</div>
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Hot Spring Resorts (especially in Laguna) are good but beach is a tempting option, so maybe a quick trip to Batangas is a
good consideration. Though I hate the scourging heat of the summer sun, I love the idea of frolicking
in the shoreline than romp off at the pool side with the crowd, the tropical environment of Philippine beaches is so refreshing and soothing plus the bellowing of the waves is a relaxing view to cool down tired senses. </div>
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Practically, I grew
up around the shoreline because I lived in a place where houses are nestled by
beaches and mountain. I spent my childhood years in the coastline of Surigao del sur, at
the outskirt of Mindanao peninsula directly facing the mighty Pacific Ocean so a seaside atmosphere is already a natural feel. Often times when I am visiting a beach resort, it no longer excites me because of its too familiar surroundings, but somehow it gives me enough time to reminisce my sweet childhood memories in the province.</div>
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So while contemplating
my summer escape, I would like to take a quick trip down memory lane reminiscing my most memorable nature getaways I'd taken so far. <br />
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I want also to provide few details on the spots I'd visited just in case you, readers, are on the looks of a holiday escape this summertime.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuBsIUPvqf1d540BxXD2Acr-_F2mkx3HB-zsVwfFqtIowN_vbTcGo16HX9YynIPuBJCJwDdkTyAk1MxumAW19wKSTsF8_ReD0F6nD2_-gSw8D6a9mXKNKWT6Ia3nC7dG1UEV8CLo8gOFE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuBsIUPvqf1d540BxXD2Acr-_F2mkx3HB-zsVwfFqtIowN_vbTcGo16HX9YynIPuBJCJwDdkTyAk1MxumAW19wKSTsF8_ReD0F6nD2_-gSw8D6a9mXKNKWT6Ia3nC7dG1UEV8CLo8gOFE/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CAMIGUIN, Camiguin Island (April 2010)</b></div>
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Got to visit the
tranquil island of Camiguin in North Mindanao last April 2010 with colleagues in the university, it was part of our side trip after our annual retreat in Cagayan de Oro City. This
small island is home to some of the Philippines’s most wonderful tourist
landmarks: Mt. Hibok-Hibok (hot spring), Sto. Niño Cold Spring, the ruins of the old Church, Katibawasan
Falls, Soda Swimming Pool and the famous White Island. </div>
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Camiguin, which has a unique and spectacular setting above the sea, is the country's second smallest province next to Batanes. It is strategically
located off the coast of Northern Mindanao near Bohol Sea, cradled by
several volcanoes and hilltops, the island is surrounded with natural wonders of
white beaches, rainforest and mountains, perfect for a relaxing
holiday.<br />
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Read my post about <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/camiguin" target="_blank">Camiguin here </a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ENCHANTED RIVER, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (October 2011)</b></div>
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I came from Surigao
del Sur where Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls are located, but it was only
in 2011 that I was able to visit these two enchanting mountain landmarks in my
home province. </div>
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This river partly
lived up to the definition of its name “enchanted” due to the mysterious atmosphere
of the elongated river in the middle of the rainforest. Cool. Calm. Soothing.
The thick vegetation beckons a peaceful respite.</div>
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The location is quite far from the national road but the long travel is very rewarding as you will pass through the amazing landscape of the mother nature. It's very relaxing to the eyes. Enchanted River is far from the municipality proper of Hinatuan, it has a different route but you'll not get lost because you'll be pointed to the direction of barangay Talisay the moment you arrive at the intersection separating the town proper.<br />
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Visitors are allowed to bring food and drinks but if you want to eat fresh sea foods, there are several fish vendors around the area, they will cook it for you according to your preferences, price is very affordable. In 2011, the entrance fee is only Php 10.00. It opens at 6:00 in the morning. Inside the area, there are
several cottages ready for rent.<br />
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Read more about my <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/Surigao%20del%20Sur" target="_blank">Enchanted River trip here</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RMPC Beach, Island Garden City of Samal (May 2010) </b></div>
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RMPC beach resort is located at barangay Camudmud, Babak district,
Island Garden City of Samal. It is one of the most magnificent beaches
in Mindanao with sunkissed white sand and crystal green water. What I
love about this resort is its spacious ground and comfortable cottages
at affordable rates. </div>
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This is ideal for groups looking for a beach venue for office parties, special celebration gatherings and team building, because the wide playground can accommodate fun games and sports activities. Unlike other resorts, RMPC allows visitors to
bring food and drinks without additional charges.</div>
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<b>The relaxing beach atmosphere of RMPC Resort</b></div>
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<b>Cottages at RMPC Beach</b></div>
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This resort offers a relaxing surrounding especially at night. When we
had an overnight stay there last May 2010, we enjoyed the night resting in the ground talking with friends under moonlight because cottages are
quite far from the beach side so we'd all the freedom to laugh and talk
without disturbing other occupants. </div>
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The quiet environment of the resort is very ideal for people who are looking for a perfect holiday
get away under a tight budget. There's enough time to loosen up and unwind, the crystal
green water is super fabulous and sparkled at the rays of the
hot summer sun. The resort can be reached through a bus ride or via
ferryboat. Visitors may choose to spend meals either at the lined-up
waiting sheds or at the table provided within the ground. Read my full travel blog entry about <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/Davao%20Resorts" target="_blank">RMPC Beach here.</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TINUY-AN FALLS, Bislig, Surigao del Sur (October 2011)</b></div>
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If you’re in awe with
the Niagara Falls in Canada or the Iguazu Falls in the South American jungle (between Paraguay and Argentina),
you will surely be mesmerized with the breathtaking splendour of Tinuy-an Falls
in Borboanan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur.<br />
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Considered as the largest waterfalls in
the Philippines, Tinuy-an is a stunning sight to behold. With water curtain
dropping 180 feet below the ground and covers five layers of the falls, one
should surely be enthralled with its bewitching natural charm.</div>
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<b>Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao del Sur</b></div>
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Tinuy-an forms in clusters of water falls beautifully cascading
from the mountain, its white curtain water have five levels, but the
highest level on the second layer, is the strongest of all where you
cannot use your camera for picture taking at close range because the
splashing of the water will make it hard to capture the subject.<br />
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If you're planning to visit Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls together in one trip, you may hire a van from Davao City, there are lots of vans around Gaisano Mall in Bajada, Davao that accept a one-day rental to these locations, the rate ranges from 10,000 to 12,000 good for 14 passengers. To save time in your travelling, instruct the driver to go to Enchanted River first following the route in Agusan del Sur then to Tinuy-an Falls. When coming back to Davao, you may take the route via Cuevas, it is a shortcut road going to Davao and the travel takes only 4 hours.<br />
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Tinuy-an Falls entrance fee is around Php100.00. I'll advise you not to rent a cottage when you go there because it's a lot expensive, around Php 300.00 to Php 400.00, anyway you'll spend more time in the falls haha! So just leave your belongings in the car and if you want to eat after trekking the falls, just spend it around the area. Remember to bring food and drinks when you go to Tinuy-an Falls because there's no available food establishments in the area.<br />
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Read my <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/Surigao%20del%20Sur" target="_blank">Tinuy-an Falls adventure here</a>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PEARL FARM, Samal Island, Davao (August 2012)</b></div>
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Pearl Farm is a world-class beach resort located in the island garden
city of Samal, North of Davao, travellers may get there through a boat
ride from Lizada wharf in Lanang, Davao city which caters exclusive boat trips for Pearl Farm guests. The schedule is strictly
followed so travellers must be on the wharf approximately 30
minutes before the departure.</div>
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<b> Pearl Farm Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao</b></div>
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<b> Maranao Swimming Pool, Pearl Farm</b><br />
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It's one of the most stunning beach resorts in the Davao province where
guests are treated to a luxury accommodation of leisure, food, fun activities and world-class customer service. The place is fully secured and ultra exclusive. But don't expect too much about spacious shoreline like Boracay. Pearl Farm has no long coastline, it has plenty of breakwater, in fact the beach area is not huge because the resort is just
situated at the foot of the mountain and along the slim shoreline, but
the place has a terrific view of the sea and the amenities are
fantastic! </div>
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<b>With my friends, Juvy and Joice. </b><br />
<b>This beach line in Malipano Island is exclusive for its villa guests, </b><br />
<b>we only took a quick pose for pictures here then left the area</b><br />
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If you want to enjoy the pleasure of swimming, frolicking in the coast line, stroll around the beach and be captivated with the lush tropical environment, spend time at the Malipano Island, just across Pearl Farm, it is also operated by the Pearl Farm management so going there is free except that you cannot spend extended time at the beach area facing the ocean as it is exclusive for its villa guests.<br />
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Pearl Farm has two swimming pools: Maranao and Mandaya, and one restaurant that offers local and international cuisines. If you are under a tight budget, choose the room on top of the hills, the rate is more affordable. But if you want some intimate moments with your sweetheart, choose the Maranao rooms, it is situated above the sea water and directly facing the placid sea, the atmosphere at night is so relaxing and very romantic! Ideal for honeymooners ^____^, normal rate is around Php 10,000.00 per night.<br />
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Read my <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/Pearl%20Farm" target="_blank">Pearl Farm and Malipano Island joint adventures here.</a></div>
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<b>BORACAY! (July 2013)</b><br />
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Gorgeous tropical environment,
stunning coastline, sparkling water, romantic sunset, fun-filled daytime activities by the sea and
vibrant night life, where else to experience it but at the dazzling island of
Boracay in the Philippines!</div>
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<b>Beautiful island of Boracay! </b></div>
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<b>The water is crystal clear and the ivory, sugary sand is so amazing you may walk </b></div>
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<b>without footwear, it doesn't hurt your feet!</b></div>
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Unlike other beach resorts in the country where visitors only enjoy the
beauty of the seaside at day time, Boracay offers a unique experience of
fun and adventure even at night time. As the sun dramatically goes
down, Boracay springs to life and visitors are treated to an ultimate
party adventure.<br />
<br />
I'm not a party girl and I hate night life, I don't like staying up late
and I detested liquors and cigarettes but at Boracay yeah that was so
hugely different. The laughter. The vigour. The vibes. I enjoyed
watching people dancing, exchanging pleasantries, laughing and singing
along. So many tourists from diverse cultural background fidgeted the
area!! It looks like <b>Ibiza</b>, a beach party destination in Spain frequently visited by famous celebrities and European royals.<br />
<br /></div>
I have been into many islands and beach
resorts in the country, but nothing knocks the glamour and magnificence of Boracay. Truly impressive!!</div>
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<br />
Read more about my <a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/search/label/Boracay" target="_blank">BORACAY escape here. </a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So folks! Take your pick, what destination would you want to choose this summer? Send me a message if you want a detailed information on each of these summer getaways. It's a great pleasure to help your travel adventure ^____^</div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-79562258693803944872014-04-02T22:08:00.003-07:002014-06-21T16:44:28.291-07:00Tagaytay Backpacking Adventure! <a href="http://www.agoda.com/partners/tracking.aspx?cid=0&url=http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/tagaytay.html&tag=BNR[tagaytay_468x49]" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://img.agoda.net/banners/agoda.com/70/18218/tagaytay_468x49.jpg" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They say, you’re not a certified travel adventurer if you never tried backpacking!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The idea of backpacking does not confine mainly in mountain hiking, trekking unexplored trails and valleys or diving a cliff. It also refers to travelling without a well-coordinated and organized travel plan, you're just out there and see what you'll be getting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most travel bloggers defined
backpacking as travelling to a place you have never been before without a proper
itinerary and travel organizing and planning, no hotel booking, no tour guide,
no specific budget, you'll just go to a place, explore the area, sleep anywhere and find out what you’ll discover.</span><br />
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<b>My first backpacking adventure!</b></div>
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<b>At the Picnic Grove with my bestfriend, Rowena Tagaan</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Backpacking is every travel
blogger’s dream, because it reflects freedom, courage and extraordinary determination plus there are lots of things
to share in the travel diary. Somehow, it defines one’s ability to handle
complications and discomfort of being in a completely strange place without
anchors, without no one to turn to and without the presence of luxury. For thrill-seeking travellers, backpacking is an ultimate blaze of
adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am no exemption. I also dreamed
to try backpacking and experience what’s life beyond fears of getting lost.
It’s a crucial test of my courage and strength and how sharp and tough I am
when confronted with risky and obscure encounters in a totally different place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend, March
29-30, together with my friend, Rowena Tagaan, finally I was able to fulfill this dream! And because it’s our first time to try this adventure we chose a place that’s
not too threatening to first time travelers – Tagaytay! ^_____^<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’re not familiar where to catch
a bus going to Tagaytay so we ended up like Dora the Explorers haha! I’ve been
in Metro Manila for just nine months so I’ve no idea where to go and Rowie is
not a sort of person who loves exploration, so we’re in the equal footing of
discovering stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to Araneta Center
Terminal in Cubao looking for a bus going to Tagaytay but we were told the
terminal no longer accommodates routes bound for Tagaytay, we proceeded to EDSA still
we got the same response. Finally, the dispatcher told us to go to Coastal Mall. And there you go, the adventurers got the first taste of getting lost finding a bus haha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We boarded a bus liner going to
Tagaytay at the coastal mall around 1:00 PM, we’d no lunch so we just agreed to take a bite the moment
we arrive in Picnic Grove. My friend kept on asking where to go first,
what hotel we’ll be checking in. I told her we would just find something affordable around the area to spend the night. We would also disembark at the Tagaytay Rotonda
which I have no idea at all where it is, I just got the information from the
internet. From there, we will determine where to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yeah, did I told you I was
not familiar with Tagaytay Rotonda? So as our bus travel progressed from one hour
and forty minutes to two hours and a half I began sensing that we already
passed the Rotonda and we’re edging on the danger zone of being lost again. When we
asked the conductor, indeed my intuition proved true! LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rotonda in Tagaytay is at Olivarez and we almost reached Mendez by that time! We alighted at the
unfamiliar place to get back to Olivarez, we asked someone how to
get there, a lady told us to go to the opposite side of the road and wait for PUJ, while
crossing the street, we could not help but really laugh hard with our bloopers!
But that’s what adventure is all about, you've got to be courageous in order to discover something and I love the idea of discovering
things because there are so many lessons to learn and knowledge to gain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally arrived at the
Olivarez terminal and the driver told us to catch a jeepney ride with a
signboard of People in the Sky to get to Picnic Grove. So there we go, after
almost 40 minutes we finally arrived in the Picnic Grove. After entering the
place, the first thing we looked was a restaurant because we’re very hungry, it
was already 4:30 PM. But it seemed there was only one restaurant inside the
area – Alamat Restaurant which offers sets of menu with eye-popping prices!
Duh!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PICNIC GROVE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For travellers, the only thing I
can suggest is really bring food and drinks when visiting Picnic Grove, because meals here are ridiculously expensive! Gosh!! One serve of vegetables (without rice)
alone costs Php 200.00! What’s with that high-heaven price? Argggh! We ended up
sharing one serving of vegetables hehe! One fresh buko juice will cost you Php 45.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picnic Grove is not your typical,
you know, ideal mountain resort stuff, it’s just a small area composed of
rolling hills, pavilions, tropical plants with horse-back riding and
sight-seeing of the Taal volcano crate as the highlights. If you have this child-like
sentiment, you may try Kite flying hehe!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Picnic Grove! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>From the name of this landmark itself, it is easy to predict</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>that the best thing to do here is having a dry picnic.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It is surrounded with rolling hills and pavilions, you can bring food and drinks,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>visitors are free to cook their meals along the pavilions, there are available</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>spaces for grilling meat and seafood. The best time to visit this place is around</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>afternoon when the sun is not at its harshest rays.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After exploring the area for more
than 10 minutes, I felt I had enough, my stomach lurched in queasiness as I
walked around the slopes, we just arrived from a tiring travel so I was a
little bit disoriented. Fascinations lost, the smell of the horse was too much
for my woozy stomach and the 5:00 o’clock afternoon sun was pricking on my skin so
we decided to leave the area early.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We originally intended to proceed
to People in the Sky, but we were told that the park’s closing time is 5:00 PM,
and it was past five when we left Picnic Grove, so the next step we’re supposed
to take was look for a transient inn. But we saw this attractive offer for a
room to stay from someone outside the gate of Picnic. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We talked to a lady and we found
out there was a room for two on the slope of the mountain, just a walking
distance from Picnic Grove, overlooking Taal Lake, it’s ideal for backpackers
who just want to stay overnight and enjoy the scenic environment, room per night is
only Php 500. Since we’re really into this backpacking adventure and eager to
discover many amusing things in life, we gave it a go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’re just so adventurous really,
because we never felt any doubts, worries or fears going to this very remote
area to spend the night. We knew no one in the neighbourhood and the place is
completely stranger to us but we never thought of any sinister things of disaster that might happen, we just want to enjoy the moment. We walked few miles, passed the rugged
slope and felt the spooky silence in the environment before reaching the
hilltop. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The location is a bit far from
the highway and very laid back. The topography is in a very provincial setting,
lush tropical plants, plateau, native shanties, no signs of modernity, no
electricity, no buildings, we saw only one small hut store selling basic
commodities. But we’re not afraid, in fact we love it because aside from
cutting more than half of our travel budget, the room is facing the breathtaking
Taal Lake. There’s a view deck within the area where visitors can freely use.
This top deck will allow visitors to marvel the panoramic view of the Tagaytay
skyline. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b>The room where we stayed overnight on the hilltop :-)</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But don’t expect too much from
this accommodation. If you are a techy person who seems cannot live without the
blinking and snarling of electronic gadgets, this is not for you. The room has
no electricity, we were only provided with two candles and a match. Naturally, there were no toiletries and bath towels, the room has this yucky
container of water for bathing and a small bathroom which I did not dare to
look, afraid I might see horrid insects in the corner, I did not bring a candle
to light the area when I used it. LOL ! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So readers, if you are looking
for a comfortable accommodation and not a backpacking adventure then look
elsewhere. Anyway, there are lots of tourist inns and hotels in the area.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, we had a wonderful
experience, we laughed on top of our lungs! We frolicked in the view deck like
we owned the world! We’re like children again, as if the magic of innocence
never ended. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We loved the kind of freedom we had, freedom to live, freedom to
explore the world! We jumped, we giggled, we cartwheeled, we talked ridiculous
things, haha! That was totally amazing!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b>Candle lit dinner!</b></div>
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Beautiful morning!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the night, we had this
candle lit dinner in the view deck, no, not that sort of a romantic thing you
imagined in a restaurant where a boyfriend is ready to pop a question, it was a
candle lit dinner probably because there was no electricity and we were forced to
use a candle haha! But it was truly a magnificent experience, having dinner
outdoor overlooking the Taal Lake before the stars and the sleepy sky where the
evening air was whooshing like an intrepid intruder to two girls who had never
into a romantic candle lit dinner in life. </span><br />
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<b>Having fun at the viewdeck ^_____^</b></div>
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<b>Witnessing the beautiful sunset at the view deck facing Taal Lake</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while lighting the candle, covering it with our hands while squeezing the kalamansi juice to our soy sauce, we kept wondering if that sort of
romantic <i>eklavo</i> would ever come in both our lives. We talked about it endlessly
during the night and burst into laughter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the breezy air became extremely aggressive making us to chill in cold, we decided to go back to the room and slowly felt the discomfort, but we tried ignoring it and went to bed right away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lessons we learned</b>: Always look on the brighter side of life,
don’t count the bad things, only the good ones. What do we expect for a 500
room per night for backpackers? Naturally – inconvenience haha! But we dared
because we’re into this adventure thing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My comments</b>: Picnic Grove is very ideal for dry picnic, yes. So to
ultimately enjoy the area, bring food and a sheet/cloth to spread on the
ground, try also Kite flying it’s a little bit fun. There are lots of souvenir’s
shops around the area. The only warning I can give you is that foods are really
expensive inside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have a choice to rent a
pavilion or a cottage inside the resort or just bring sheet to spread on the ground
while you are enjoying the scenic environment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Good things about Picnic Grove</b>: If you are a nature lover, you will
really admire this place, you’ll get a beautiful view of the Taal Lake and the
volcano. The place is surrounded with trees and tropical plants. The landscape
is so cool and soothing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are lots of vendors, agents
(seemed-like, but don’t worry they are not swindlers) offering for a boat ride activity to Taal
lake and a room to stay overnight. They serve breakfast and dinner too, just inform them ahead of time. Our dinner meal consists of two rice and two grilled liempo Php 150.00 all, which is not bad :-)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Entrance Fee at the Picnic Grove: Php 50.00</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nearest landmarks:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>View Park Hotel – just in front of Picnic Grove<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Keni Po Tourist Inn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Famous Inn (Transient hotel)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Adam’s Café<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Bistro Restaurant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Our Lady of Manaog at Tierra de Maria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Development Authority of the Philippines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>People in the Sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PEOPLE'S PARK IN THE SKY</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amusingly, despite the bizarre
accommodation we had, we slept soundly and walked up feeling great and refresh!
The bright morning sunshine beckoned in the horizon somewhat telling us that
everything is perfect and right. We took a bath early and later our coffee and
bread were delivered at the doorstep. We brought it to the view deck and spent
another round of giggling embracing the warm sunshine and soothing morning air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe31iZ8p1GPsD6C-j1QVNg-iHuQc4lQc1AqlkjzL9T6YPKaQsmSkFnZEAwGkJXZH3W3o7jcaTNJcJibourXNUGBOvFw9HnXKIdXbgP6BAYK-wDicogate3mgi6ag0LtQCKwO3GyRvu2-Pj/s1600/people's+park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe31iZ8p1GPsD6C-j1QVNg-iHuQc4lQc1AqlkjzL9T6YPKaQsmSkFnZEAwGkJXZH3W3o7jcaTNJcJibourXNUGBOvFw9HnXKIdXbgP6BAYK-wDicogate3mgi6ag0LtQCKwO3GyRvu2-Pj/s1600/people's+park1.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the small ground of People's Park in the Sky</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got to see the breathtaking
view of the Taal Lake and the volcano crate, the beautiful morning sunrise
stirred our energy and rejuvenated our mind to be inspired more and to be
thankful that God indeed shows miracles everyday in so many ways. He let us see
and appreciate the beauty of the environment, provides us another day to live,
to dream big, to seize opportunities, to experience life in a more meaningful
way, to be hopeful, to enjoy the details of circumstances and to be optimistic!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An hour later, we changed clothes
and prepared for our next stop: People's Park in the Sky. Unusually and with all our
oddness, unlike other backpackers, we decided to wear a dress for this day
adventure, even in the middle of our backpacking exploit, we wanted to remain <i>fashionista</i> haha! And maybe, we’re just
some of the fewest lady backpackers in the world who wanted to keep in touch
with our feminine side in the middle of adventure J<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at People’s in the Sky
around 8:00 in the morning, and by the time we entered the place, I began to feel
this strange phobia deep inside, you know, I am a little bit acrophobic, that
is, having this fear in heights stuff. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People in the Sky is on top of
the Tagaytay vista and my energy started to sink the moment I looked back at
the cliff. I tried to remain calm and continued walking to see the place, the
unfinished, dilapidated mansion of former Philippine president, Ferdinand
Marcos.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My Comments</b>: It’s a breezy place, but poorly managed. The
structures are already decaying and the whole place is a bit messy. From the
entrance gate, visitors must have to walk at the spiralled road to reach the
area, it’s a bit effort on the knee part, so not good for senior citizens hehe!
But there are jeepneys available at the entrance area where drivers ready to
take visitors on top at an affordable rate. (Php 40.00 per group of four
persons)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Good things about People's Park in the Sky</b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visitors are greeted in the doorstep
with a tower wall of the mansion where a large statue of Jesus Christ erected.
On top, there’s a prayer area for our Lady of Fair Love.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon reaching the mansion,
visitors will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tagaytay uplands, the topography
of the entire city and the neighbouring towns is a sight to behold! The Tagaytay
vista is so breathtaking and spectacular. There’s a small park on the ground of
the mansion, a little bridge and a simple garden with pavilions where visitors
can take a rest and enjoy the spectacular view of the Taal Lake. There are food
stalls and souvenir’s shops around the area. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance Fee: Php
30.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeepney fare from
Picnic Grove to People in the Sky: Php 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Opening time is 7:00 in the morning and closing time is 5:00 in the afternoon</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Lady of Manaog at Tierra de Maria<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After staying for forty minutes
at People’s in the Sky, we left the area for Our Lady of Tierra Madre. Special
note to travellers: In order to really save, do not hire a tricycle going to
Manaog or Picnic Grove, they charged higher rates almost four times the normal
PUJ fare, just wait for jeepneys, transportation fee is only Php 8:00.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Lady of Manaog is just a
walking distance from Picnic Grove. No Entrance Fee. It’s more like a
praying/healing worship place. Inside the chapel, you can write your intentions
and drop it at designated drop boxes near the religious statues.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHglWnbQoi6GYqD8GP4jag8oPQxwpmS83JBwveFMno4TQ-Fx9bnu30iLg-R1_K0S6lzBpbF56HHjNE18v8waafiU_uoihlkl4hW_km4NwasXU2x80Br3x5WZXu2pH9NeWreujtACSFxn4q/s1600/manaog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHglWnbQoi6GYqD8GP4jag8oPQxwpmS83JBwveFMno4TQ-Fx9bnu30iLg-R1_K0S6lzBpbF56HHjNE18v8waafiU_uoihlkl4hW_km4NwasXU2x80Br3x5WZXu2pH9NeWreujtACSFxn4q/s1600/manaog.jpg" height="400" width="225" /> </a></div>
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<b>At the adoration chapel of Our Lady of Manaog at Tierra de Maria </b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBovBtBul_uo2kmuMNgrY3I3z4Xo02JUvALbp8tMtDLJGK430zL6phrWitEXFDT4XBRRtpvpnj6hDNGcKlyCs3gWKWrLL-V-XOGXwrgfd6Pvv48j-UuypaG5d5jxxh3ipJkC2Wv_8vB0U/s1600/manaog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBovBtBul_uo2kmuMNgrY3I3z4Xo02JUvALbp8tMtDLJGK430zL6phrWitEXFDT4XBRRtpvpnj6hDNGcKlyCs3gWKWrLL-V-XOGXwrgfd6Pvv48j-UuypaG5d5jxxh3ipJkC2Wv_8vB0U/s1600/manaog2.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a wishing well at the
entrance area, according to the epitaph, it’s a Wedding at </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cana wishing well, so I assumed this is for people who are tirelessly seeking a partner in life
lol! You can make a wish here, nothing is wrong with it anyway, I even make a wish for
myself, not sure if Rowena did the same thing hahaha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a souvenir’s shop of
religious items also. I bought one for myself, a bracelet rosary with intricate
beads depicting the image of Mother Mary. According to the lady inside the
shop, this bracelet rosary was imported from Italy and the beads are really
authentic, so I did not mind the price and just bought one as a gift to myself
because my birthday is about to come (April 3) and the last thing I want to do
is really give myself something very special and this is timely because this
bracelet rosary directly imported from Italy!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ-kq3DdJzPe3A5bdnLfc468I6e2msmVOagUJ-ZlIcgz4MRe94i2TGnjpPu5Fs1U8RafzlNuzYk_-ov8ps2SPsI4Wu96XeQWCimZhQCll90VsJ_ue1zpNmbmiu7BrZ6BYPUG0WbFurje-/s1600/rosary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ-kq3DdJzPe3A5bdnLfc468I6e2msmVOagUJ-ZlIcgz4MRe94i2TGnjpPu5Fs1U8RafzlNuzYk_-ov8ps2SPsI4Wu96XeQWCimZhQCll90VsJ_ue1zpNmbmiu7BrZ6BYPUG0WbFurje-/s1600/rosary.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best religious finds at Our Lady of Manaog</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A bracelet rosary composed of delicate beads from Italy! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The beads feature the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary </b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh459mcWgMhAB0X-NugOjiWjba1DFRahyuZ-LhcROEYTe4bVn8-y0Uiv4mPEgbGVWQ8OJKYUMtKJjqfIlPFTuo3Io9UxBzS5JWeyX3XKsJUyQCNuVdo24WkIYfEgsXWQ7tKRQHeWXYLQdla/s1600/manaog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh459mcWgMhAB0X-NugOjiWjba1DFRahyuZ-LhcROEYTe4bVn8-y0Uiv4mPEgbGVWQ8OJKYUMtKJjqfIlPFTuo3Io9UxBzS5JWeyX3XKsJUyQCNuVdo24WkIYfEgsXWQ7tKRQHeWXYLQdla/s1600/manaog3.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chillin at Adam's Cafe just in front of Our Lady of Manaog</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find this bracelet
ultra-lovely, it has a small crucifix attached and a gold-plated embossed of
Mama Mary’s face, plus each bead features the image of the Blessed Mother, this
is one of the most special and sentimental finds I have in my travel adventure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SKYRANCH<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went back to the rented room
to check out then we’re off to Sky Ranch. Again, another adventure because
we’re clueless were to catch a ride, we’re not familiar with the location, the
only thing I know, this attraction is located at the Aguinaldo Highway en-route
to Nasugbu, Batangas!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_DUkAHGYI1YHCtKzZgXw9J3Aik6dXV-CL08Ed0YjO5ues5WcgmkqKeANE4bFF6zgN2YzV_qYQSZ_ZfFyU_ewB3Y2S0rpYe3037g76HMV7KqeXYd5gbFevX1LOWI24ynxTd_dmr4TXUWs/s1600/skyeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_DUkAHGYI1YHCtKzZgXw9J3Aik6dXV-CL08Ed0YjO5ues5WcgmkqKeANE4bFF6zgN2YzV_qYQSZ_ZfFyU_ewB3Y2S0rpYe3037g76HMV7KqeXYd5gbFevX1LOWI24ynxTd_dmr4TXUWs/s1600/skyeye.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sky Eye, the highest Ferris Wheel in the Philippines</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIjiOOKHxtyHOTYO_zragq8GXsoHovoFPPKdiC1Hu2vtD-ovpeMEKryytIo-PJ-xac6JqpZpJ6CI8uAtbqpXT7jZQqg492l5z67lOkWheWoJqzolKcMDEhfCzZvAKNrbP-j4oVYvJ3sJl/s1600/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIjiOOKHxtyHOTYO_zragq8GXsoHovoFPPKdiC1Hu2vtD-ovpeMEKryytIo-PJ-xac6JqpZpJ6CI8uAtbqpXT7jZQqg492l5z67lOkWheWoJqzolKcMDEhfCzZvAKNrbP-j4oVYvJ3sJl/s1600/sky.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the ground of the Super Viking ride</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rode a PUJ from Picnic Grove to Olivarez Plaza. From there, we caught another PUJ ride (on the opposite
side of the road) with a sign board Nasugbu, Batangas via Mendez. Finally we
reached the area. We dropped by at the Praying Hands to take a pose for
souvenir J
then walked a mile to Robinson’s Supermarket to withdraw. BPI atm is located at
the second floor of Robinsons.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2fZuZa4u1XI7v_B-3jm7sY1l6fvFBw0r2CyvMOh1pvjx80RwWKBuSG7lnhJuWOaTu4Ojmyz02pQmSq7IW2qsLqwwen-9IB1_NVK3ZD1e8vM9lPjuQ_5GPLQ9T1UZC6u6RHvcHdnqxaYR/s1600/sky2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2fZuZa4u1XI7v_B-3jm7sY1l6fvFBw0r2CyvMOh1pvjx80RwWKBuSG7lnhJuWOaTu4Ojmyz02pQmSq7IW2qsLqwwen-9IB1_NVK3ZD1e8vM9lPjuQ_5GPLQ9T1UZC6u6RHvcHdnqxaYR/s1600/sky2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>My friend, Rowie Tagaan </b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked back to Sky Ranch. It
was around 12:30 noon, so we decided to take a lunch first before proceeding to
the ticket booth. When I am very hungry, the only thing that always crosses my
mind is to gorge oriental foods J
so we chose Tokyo Tokyo.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch and resting for about
10 minutes, we got in and so surprised to know that the entrance fee of Sky
Ranch is only Php 50.00 even though it was weekend! I thought it was Php 100.00<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a grueling Sunday
afternoon and my skin seemed roasted under the harsh heat of the summer sun,
still it did not prevent me from exploring the area, walking around and wandering
inside the amusement park. There are cottages/pavilions inside but these are
not free, visitors must pay for it, so we just strolled around and took
pictures. We did not avail any of the rides because it was extremely hot and
the temperature was repulsive, we might get headache if we would push through.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After staying for just 15
minutes, we left.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My comments</b>: Sky Ranch is not yet fully developed. The area is just
very small with a horse-back riding activity located near the park. Inside the
amusement park, rides are very limited. There are food stalls inside the small
park. High end restaurants and food chains are located within the ground of the
ranch before you enter the park.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good things about Sky Ranch:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><i>Sky Eye</i> – This is the tallest Ferries Wheel in
the Philippines </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> A</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">musement rides inside the park that adults and children
will enjoy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> You can get a closer look of Taal Lake and Volcano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Horse back riding at the nearest ranch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance Fee: Php 50.00
(excluding the rides)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each ride costs Php 50.00 while
Sky Eye is around Php 150.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall: Sky Ranch attracts
visitors maybe because of the hype of the Sky Eye as the country’s tallest
ferries wheel. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to experience the
best of Sky Ranch, visit this area in the mid afternoon and stay until evening,
the environment is cool, breezy and relaxing and the sparking lights at night
offer the best opportunity for souvenir’s taking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PINK SISTERS<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last stop of our adventure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Sky Ranch highway, we went back to Olivarez terminal, then rode another jeep going to Dasmariñas, Cavite because this will pass to the crossing where Pink Sisters convent is located. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You maybe wondering why we had included Pink Sisters in our backpacking activities, hmmm, because we just love
it, and it’s a little crazy going to another place on a Sunday without passing
at any religious landmarks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_sGnk2v2GqC9RiXittRe_ATBCKv7XyOVGs_7WxhQtKEUgTpjLuhYRtOVuDNIsGbTlc2H3EyUg4fFPv-sU6d6m6EK_aT-aEy2xxte4QkPpi-fxyGq9nxKeky8YBTa1m4byTk4JK0ybnC0/s1600/pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_sGnk2v2GqC9RiXittRe_ATBCKv7XyOVGs_7WxhQtKEUgTpjLuhYRtOVuDNIsGbTlc2H3EyUg4fFPv-sU6d6m6EK_aT-aEy2xxte4QkPpi-fxyGq9nxKeky8YBTa1m4byTk4JK0ybnC0/s1600/pink.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rowie posing in the beautiful ground of Pink Sisters</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wrote our intentions and
prayers and dropped the sealed envelope in a designated box (near the right wing
of the chapel). We only had few minutes here because we’re extremely tired. We
visited the convent’s souvenir’s shop and the garden then went off to the road
to catch a bus back to Manila.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a full day indeed and a
fascinating experience of exploring the place with no guide except sense of
direction and courage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Backpacking adventure is very exciting, amusing and
thrilling, plus the discovery and experience are so fabulous and memorable.
Life itself is a beautiful journey and those who don’t dare to take an adventure
has never fully live life yet! So start taking a daring adventure now!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>MAP of our TRAVEL and BUDGET:<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Cubao, Quezon
City to Coastal Mall: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bus going to Baclaran </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Coastal Mall to Tagaytay: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Depends on where you would want to go first:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>If directly going to Picnic Grove, drop by at
the Olivarez terminal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>If directly going to Sky Ranch, choose the route
going to Mendez and Nasugbu, Batangas, Sky Ranch is just along the highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The expenses we incurred for this
adventure (in Philippine peso) per head excluding expenses on souvenirs shopping:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bus fare from Cubao
to Coastal Mall: 35.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bus fare from Coastal
Mall to Olivarez, Tagaytay: 74.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from Olivarez
terminal to Picnic Grove: 11.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance fee in
Picnic Grove: 50.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch at Alamat
Restaurant: 165.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Room for rent: 250.00
(per room is 500 good for two persons)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dinner (we requested
food delivery from the owner of the room): 85.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(two rice, two
grilled liempo, one bottle of mineral water = 170.00)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coffee in the morning
plus bag of pandesal = 35.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ fare from Picnic
Grove to People in the Sky = 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance fee = 30.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from People in
the Sky to Manaog = 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from Picnic Grove
to Olivarez terminal = 11.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from Olivarez to
Mendez (Sky Ranch) = 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance Fee at Sky
Ranch: 50.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch at Tokyo Tokyo
= 99.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from Sky Ranch to
Olivarez terminal = 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUJ from Olivarez to
Pink Sisters (Dasmariñas signboard) = 8.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bus fare from Pink
Sisters to Coastal Mall, Mania = 72.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bus fare from Coastal
Mall to Boni, Mandaluyong = 20.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>TOTAL EXPENSES:
1,027.00</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, our
accommodation is cheaper, if you want to travel in comfort, try looking for
tourist inns and hotels around Brgy. Sungay, this location is just around Picnic
Grove. The accommodation rate per night of these inns ranges from 1,000 per
room to 4,000.00.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For <i>pasalubong</i>
purposes, a budget of 1,000.00 is just enough or you may increase it for a
comfortable shopping spree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the most
famous local delicacies sold around the tourist attractions in Tagaytay are the
following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Colette’s Buko Pie (very famous because of its
yummier taste!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 9.090909004211426px;"> </span>Aspasol (more like </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tikoy</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Piñato (peanuts)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’re a coffee lover, don’t miss Bag of
Beans along Aguinaldo Highway. I heard they are offering freshly baked goodies and pastries and this cafe is quite famous with their luscious and aromatic coffee beans,
their coffee varieties had been receiving great hype among travellers. I was
just wondering why we forgot to drop by at Bag of Beans. We’re planning to go back
there some other time because we missed lots of interesting landmarks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our next travel to Tagaytay, we’re planning to
visit the following places:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bags of Beans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Sonya’s Garden</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ilog Maria Bee Farm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> The Puzzle’s Mansion</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-53859911845269799652014-03-16T06:27:00.004-07:002014-04-13T20:03:04.496-07:00Let's Travel with Foods!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Food is part of every traveller's fascination because it provides comfort and respite while on the road. There is something in food also that I personally find very relieving when I am outdoor, it's the delight of keeping my stomach full while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding. In other words, I love eating lol!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here, I will be presenting the scrumptious meals/pastries I devoured recently and the joy it gives to my often-times-insatiable appetite.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I went out last March 9 with my close friend and former colleague in the University, Rowena Tagaan, to watch movie in Trinoma Mall and because we're both passionate towards eating and have hearty appetites and easily get hungry with no apparent reasons, we agreed to wolf on foods!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I am outdoor my craving for pasta is excessively epidemic, so naturally I suggested that we would look for a food establishment that offers pasta concoctions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>WORLD CHICKEN, TRINOMA MALL</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While walking around, looking for a food house, something caught my roving eyes, a list of menu at World Chicken. I saw several sets of meals composed of pasta and boneless chicken that looked so insanely delectable!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And that's it! We came closer and navigated the menu and chose my all time favourite--- Fettuccine Carbonara! Rowie chose the Asian Noodles meal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eYNI5kiGiNMmAzCZslqDwI30Nw1_ztpzPEDiKehuxYx0gLqrKFZPDjYJ8Ukt7m32qM9C43HbVYk1WmZxx3PNHEgN5ZPCnWJq53loRda2_Ai2zOeNxNf1Ai9bA8unKPBaEXakFtqYgMvj/s1600/IMG_20140308_160510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eYNI5kiGiNMmAzCZslqDwI30Nw1_ztpzPEDiKehuxYx0gLqrKFZPDjYJ8Ukt7m32qM9C43HbVYk1WmZxx3PNHEgN5ZPCnWJq53loRda2_Ai2zOeNxNf1Ai9bA8unKPBaEXakFtqYgMvj/s1600/IMG_20140308_160510.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Insanely scrumptious pasta meal at World Chicken in Trinoma Mall!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>First set: Carbonara, Toasted Garlic Bread, </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Boneless chicken drizzled with custard cheese sauce. Price: P170.00</b></div>
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<b>Second set: Asian noodles with Mashed Potato with gravy, </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Boneless chicken drizzled with mushroom sauce. Price: P150.00</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
World Chicken offers a wide selection of pasta concoctions from Fettuccine Carbonara to Pesto to Bolognese and a lot more. The boneless chicken is equally satisfying! I love this set of meal because the pack is so huge it can be shared by two persons per order.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>CAKE at GOLDILOCKS</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am not a cake person, much more chocolate, I rarely eat cake because I don't like sweets that much, it makes my head swirl in anxiety, but this cute layer of Chocolate mortle cake from Goldilocks is so mouthwatering I was not able to resist the temptation when Rowena bought one layer for my sister's birthday.</div>
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<b>Lush Chocolate mortle Cake with Cherries!</b></div>
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<b>Mouthwatering cake! So rich and creamy, yum!!!</b></div>
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<b>STARBUCKS!</b></div>
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Rowena is a Starbucks fanatic and I am not into coffee that much, I don't like the after-taste of coffee and chocolate but when we go out, I would support my friend with her cravings hehe! It's impossible to finish our adventure without passing by at Starbucks!</div>
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<b> Belgian Waffle drizzled with smoothie cream and heavy chocolate syrup!</b></div>
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<b>Green Tea Frappuccino, when I am at Starbucks</b></div>
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<b>I always prefer this smoothie concoction, I love green tea!</b></div>
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<b>Hazelnut Macchiato</b></div>
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Starbucks coffee house has been known with its unique blending of flavours among its coffee concoctions, but I am not really into it because aside from its intensely expensive prices, coffee always gives me a terrible after-taste that lasted almost an hour, but because my friend is really a coffee lover I got to support her every time we're on the road!</div>
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So there you go folks! The meals and other foods/drinks I devoured for the past weeks. I'll post more food finds in my next travel adventure! Thanks for visiting my travel blog!!!</div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-9130300014742398022014-03-01T08:26:00.001-08:002014-06-22T06:10:34.219-07:002014 Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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I must admit, I am not fond of attending or watching any sort of
festivals because of the heat and exhaustion brought by thick spectators, I hate to squirm in the
middle of the crowd. When I was still in Davao City, I rarely watch the
float parade and the street dancing during the Kadayawan Festival.<br />
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But <i>Panagbenga</i> Festival is
different, it is incredibly unique and famous and to be a part of the
crowd of this extremely popular celebration in the country is somewhat
fantastic. An opportunity I should never miss and as a travel blogger,
this sort of social activity is crucial to my passion :-)</div>
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The <i>Panagbenga</i> Festival, also known as the Flower Festival, is a month long celebration in Baguio city which traditionally kicks off on the first week of February and ends on the first week of March.<br />
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This is one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the country due to the unique atmosphere of the celebration --- the spectacular display of lovely blooms! So enchanting!! No doubt, it drew thousands of visitors annually, transforming the little city of Pines into a crowded cosmopolitan. Well, apart from the wonders of blooming flowers, people flocked to the summer capital every February to relax and enjoy the cool weather and the beautiful scenery of nature.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj95UY6uYramxaGt0NGtx_Bm64pY5zEGKvAVvEPZttvCVXzq8gC8SFzQInA5PlW4fLEijcyIg9HJm7NAPHvETdIwFjfO9kzM-EiSkWiyd_OF0eSepyLvUFjQfjiSHWA6SPocd5WOFJPUjj/s1600/parade9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj95UY6uYramxaGt0NGtx_Bm64pY5zEGKvAVvEPZttvCVXzq8gC8SFzQInA5PlW4fLEijcyIg9HJm7NAPHvETdIwFjfO9kzM-EiSkWiyd_OF0eSepyLvUFjQfjiSHWA6SPocd5WOFJPUjj/s1600/parade9.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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<i>Panagbenga</i> comes from the native dialect of the people in the Cordilleras which has a literal meaning of "season of blooming". And indeed, it was. All over Baguio, I saw nothing but stunning blooms of all kinds of flowers, in different shades and shapes.<br />
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I travelled to Baguio with friends, the trip was sponsored by Ms. Gemalyn Avila as her treat to her staff, we just get on as extra baggage haha!</div>
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We left Mandaluyong City on February 22, 2014, Saturday, at 5:00 in the morning. It was a beautiful feeling being able to relax after a whole week of work in a nine-hour job. We brought so many foods for this trip! So we did not worry too much about our budget. </div>
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We also decided not to book for a hotel room and just sleep in the car instead. For a festival like Panagbenga, it's so rare to find vacant rooms in all tourist inns in Baguio, you need to make an advance booking several months ahead to get one. So the van of our friend, Aldrin Banas, became like a moving room :-P</div>
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<b>At the Wright Park</b></div>
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<b>At the Good Shepherd Convent</b></div>
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We had a stop over at Kennon Road to view the famous Lion's Head Monument. Despite the sunny weather, the environment was awfully cold! After 30 minutes, we're back on the road, up to the rolling hills of the Benguet province. We arrived in Baguio at 12:00 noon and we found ourselves stuck in the middle of a heavy traffic along the Brent road! The car barely moved, gosh!</div>
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<b>One of the cart entries at the float parade on February 23, 2014</b></div>
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Since we arrived very late we did not witness the street dance parade so we proceeded to the Wright Park to stroll, then to the Good Shepherd convent. We wanted to go to Burnham Park to have our lunch but we could not find a vacant parking space due to tons of private vehicles so we're on the road again travelling to Botanical Garden, there, we found a spacious parking area and had our lunch inside the car.</div>
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During my first travel to Baguio City last April 2008, I wasn't able to visit Botanical Garden because it was very late in the evening when my colleagues decided to go to this area and I was already tired walking around the market and Burnham Park so I just stayed in the Betania Retreat house. This time, I did not miss the opportunity of going down to the Botanical Garden, the blossoming flowers are incredibly lovely!<br />
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<b>At the Botanical Garden</b></div>
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We went back to the Wright Park after our botanical garden strolling. Then crossed the street to visit The Mansion, the official summer residence of the incumbent Philippine president. Visitors are not allowed to go beyond the manicured lawn of the mansion so we just contented to pose for pictures in the background.</div>
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And guess who we saw upon leaving the mansion? Paolo Contis! I wasn't sure what he did in front of the camera and the crowd, the only thing I knew, he was filmed while having a scene with another actor.</div>
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<b>Freezing night at Burnham Park!</b></div>
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By 7:00 in the evening, we had another round of a joy ride as we could not find a parking space in almost all areas in Baguio City. We decided to park the car in the intersection leading to Burnham park to take a rest. The night was so freezing and very cold so after staying a little while at the riverside of Burnham park, we decided to go back to the car. </div>
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In this travel, I experienced how it was like to be a backpacker, you know that weird, but exciting trip of a travel adventurer where one just go into different places with no particular itinerary to follow and no hotel room to rest on. Yeah, that was exactly what we did in this trip, backpacking adventure!</div>
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Though it was slightly uncomfortable, the experience provided me a different travel experience. We spent the whole night in the car, the environment was insanely cold so I covered myself with two layers of jackets, wore hand gloves and socks and put on my bonnet. We just used a public comfort room to wash our face and body and changed clothes. We felt like attending a jamboree but it was a very good adventure, so many funny memories!!</div>
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Around 4:00 in the morning on February 23, we're awaken by a gentle knock on the window of the car, someone telling us to move out of the area because it should be secured by the police in time for the preparation of the float parade later at 8:00 in the morning. Again, it was a total agony because we could not find a vacant parking space. We ended up having another joy ride all over Baguio City at the very early morning. Until we found a vacant space in front of the University of Baguio, very far from where the float parade is passing.</div>
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We rested for a while then had our breakfast inside the car at 6:00. At 6:30, we started walking the narrow street, joining the thick crowd to be in the road for the float parade. But the moment we arrived near SM Baguio the street was already fully occupied and we could no longer find a vacant space. </div>
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<b>at the PMA ground</b></div>
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We ended up standing at the upper part of the hill in front of Baguio Cathedral with nothing to see except branches of trees, we only saw the blossoming float carts on top of the heads of the crowds, so I felt so sleepy and tired.<br />
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The float parade was so amazing because the cart entries were decorated with different flowers and plants, my first time to saw such massive display of blooms!. We saw celebrities like Marianne Rivera and Alden Richards joining the float parade. The street dance presentation was also fantastic. The only thing I regretted was our location behind the trees preventing us from getting a perfect view of the floral parade.</div>
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Around 9:30, we decided to leave the area and went back to the car. At 10:00 in the morning, we went to Camp John Hay to visit the Philippine Military Academy. Nothing has change at the PMA ground from the first time I visited the area in 2008. </div>
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At 11:30, we left Baguio and travelled back to Manila. We had a stop over in Urdaneta, Pangasinan for our lunch. We arrived in Caloocan at 7:00 in the evening. What a two-day relaxing adventure at the city of Pines!! Thanks to Gemalyn Avila for this trip!!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-51462756387250444712014-02-09T05:32:00.002-08:002014-04-13T19:34:19.880-07:00McKinley Hill, The Fort, Taguig<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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When coming to Manila, don't miss the opportunity of visiting the little Europe in the metro --- <b>McKinley Hill</b> in Taguig!<br />
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You know, I always love Europe and it has been my ultimate dream to take a leisure trip around the continent, particularly in Scotland, Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland and a Tuscan Holiday is an ultimate obsession!This dream however remains a dream, but as we all know, God is good!!! Sometimes He creates certain forms of miracles to pacify our longings. Because I cannot afford to go to Europe at the moment, God allowed me to work in an environment that has a taste of Europe ^_____^<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Experience a taste of Europe in McKinley Hill!</span></b><br />
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If there's one business district in Metro Manila that combines the energy of a sophisticated urban living and the elegance of Europe then it's McKinley Hill at the Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. From the imposing buildings, stunning landscape down to the artistic architectural design of the high-end structures, McKinley is truly beyond imagination when it comes to modernization in the Philippines with a brush of a western culture!!<br />
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The transformation of McKinley Hill into a luxurious district is being handled by the Megaworld Corporation, a high-end property developer and the country's premier BPO office space provider that has been targeting an upper class real estate development in Metro Manila.<br />
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McKinley has state-of-the-art, large-scale condominiums, business establishments and town houses that are extremely modern, designed under a strong European influence. It is also home to some of the most highly reputable multinational companies operating in the Philippines, Accenture, Wells Fargo, Thomson Reuters among others. High-end condominiums and town houses mushroomed around the area leaving it no room for economical shelters to be built, making McKinley Hill one of the most expensive districts in Metro Manila.<br />
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According to the Megaworld Corporation site, the concept of McKinley Hill is developed for the successful set and for international engagements in the country. Aside from high-rising condominiums and offices, McKinley houses international schools and embassies.<br />
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<b>Luxurious Properties in McKinley Hill</b><br />
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1. The Florence - Offers the finest things of an urban living from retail stores, to restaurants and condominiums. The architectural design is patterned after the artistic Italian city of the same name.<br />
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2. Viceroy Executive Residences - High-rising condominiums designed for the elite and business leaders.<br />
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3. The Venice - composed of event pavilions, arcade and a beautiful Piazza.<br />
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4. Morgan - Townhouses and condominiums<br />
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5. Stamford - a world-class community with beautifully designed condominiums where you can experience the life of privilege and glamour<br />
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6. Tuscany Hill Estate - Are you dreaming to have a Tuscan adventure in Italy but cannot afford a ticket at the moment, why not visit the Tuscany Hill in McKinley instead? I am very lucky because I always pass here everyday. It's an illustrious clusters of residential houses designed under the Tuscan influence and Mediterranean mode, it has an array of cafes and restaurants too.<br />
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7. McKinley Hill village and gardens - Beautiful town houses designed under the Italian countryside concept and the Caribbean scene, it has a beautiful garden, trees and beautiful pathways.</div>
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<b>The Tower of Venice Piazza (orange structure) from a distance</b></div>
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When I arrived in Manila in 2013 and my friends brought me to Razon's in McKinley to try its scrumptious Halo-halo and Sizzling Bulalo, I was amazed with the grandeur of the surrounding, the magnificent buildings, the cool atmosphere, the luxurious ambience. It feels like Italy! So lavish and glamorous, but when I learned that the cost of living here is terribly expensive, my fascination towards the place waned down and did not dream to get a job here.<br />
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But oh, well, life sometimes can be so cunning and tricky, pushing us a little harder to test our endurance. Late last year, I had a final interview at one of McKinley's "resident" companies and my anxiety began. I had this slight reservation working at this district due to the distance of travelling and the expensive lifestyle. There's no public utility jeep, no <i>carenderia</i> and boarding houses, so I was hoping that if ever I got accepted on the job I would be assigned elsewhere. Unfortunately, I ended up at McKinley still hehe!<br />
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My travel everyday from Caloocan City to McKinley, Taguig, which takes almost three hours depends on the dense of traffic, is kinda toxic. But since I don't want to start my day in a bad light, I just treated each moment as a great opportunity to do a sight seeing in the city and the moment I enter the vicinity of McKinley hill and feel the European-like atmosphere, all the reservations and stress I felt eventually vanish.<br />
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<b>McKinley Hill as viewed at the 6th floor of the Tower A of One Campus Place</b></div>
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<b>The stunning skyline of McKinley Hill.</b></div>
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<b>Each day, in the morning, I would sit beside the window of the pantry</b></div>
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<b>on the 6th floor of the McK Tower A to</b><b> get a perfect view of the European atmosphere of McKinley Hill.</b></div>
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McKinley Hill is just a stone-throw away from Bonifacio Global City, another high-end district in Taguig that offers comfort, leisure and luxurious lifestyle, also a project of the Megaworld Corporation.</div>
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So if you are coming to Manila, seize the opportunity of visiting McKinley Hill, it's simply elegant!You will experience a different thrill and style of being in a European surrounding.<br />
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<b>How to go to McKinley Hill</b><br />
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McKinley can be reached by any means of transportation except jeepneys.<br />
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<i>From Bonifacio Global City (BGC)/Market, Market</i><br />
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<li>Take taxi or van</li>
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<i>From Magallanes MRT station</i></div>
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<li>Go to San Lorenzo place (just within Magallanes MRT station's area) and ride a City Link bus or Van, these PUVs have daily routes to McKinley Hill.</li>
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<b>What to do in McKinley Hill</b></div>
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<li>Dine! It has some of the finest food establishments in the Metro. Plus the surrounding is ideal for photo souvenirs.</li>
<li>Be amused with its European atmosphere.</li>
<li>Take a leisure walk along its quiet and glamorous streets.</li>
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<b>Best establishments to visit at McKinley Hill</b></div>
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<li>Don't miss dining at Razon's (near Florence Way). Its halo-halo is ultra-delicious, and the sizzling bulalo is so insanely delectable!</li>
<li>Tuscany - Not just a private estate but a food destination as well.</li>
<li>Venice Piazza - It feels like a shopping mall with fashion boutiques and foods!</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-90598825121223318422014-02-06T19:34:00.000-08:002014-02-15T22:23:00.982-08:00Ultimate Travel Dream: TUSCANY!<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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Each one of us has a unique travel dream.<br />
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It could be just within our country of birth or abroad, it doesn't matter, the point is we have this absorbing desire to really go into adventure once in a lifetime. I am no exemption. I have this unique travel dream too!<br />
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I always considered travelling as the most wonderful escape from stress and pressure in life. To be able to visit the fantastic places I only read in the book is such a huge accomplishment. One of the most beautiful regions in the world I longed to see is the romantic region of TUSCANY in ITALY.<br />
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Sounds super ambitious lol! But one of my fantasies in life really is to experience a relaxing TUSCAN HOLIDAY! It started as a fascination towards renaissance culture, history and arts then grew into an obsession of a grand European tour where Tuscany is the ultimate destination. </div>
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Tuscany is one of the regions in Italy on the central part and its capital is the artistic city of Florence. It is often dubbed as the world's greatest repository of art collections, from paintings to frescoes, sculptures and architectural masterpieces. Some of its famous cities are Florence, Sienna, Pisa and Chianti. With its interesting history, culture, food and romantic landscapes, Tuscany, for me, no doubt, is one of the best regions in Europe to explore for leisure, adventure and learning.</div>
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<b>The vineyard in Chianti, the wine producing region in Tuscany</b></div>
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Tuscany is also known for its breezy scenery, spectacular beaches, breathtaking countryside and authentic Italian dishes. Its artistic legacy and influence on high culture made this historical region even more interesting especially among artists, scholars and researchers.<br />
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<b>Beautiful Tuscan beach!</b></div>
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<b>Four of Tuscany's most beautiful destinations I dreamed to explore:</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Florence</span></b> - This is Tuscany's capital. Considered as the birthplace of the Renaissance period in Italy, it is highly popular due to its legendary artistic culture, so much so that it is consistently named one of the most beautiful cities in the world!</div>
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<b>Sienna</b> - Famous for its medieval buildings, arts, museums and cuisine, Siena, no doubt, is one of Europe's lovely places. Its countryside is dominated with rolling hills, beautiful scenery and relaxing mountain paths. Some of the best attractions in Siena according to an Italian travel guide online are the following: Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Piazza del Duomo, Siena Cathedral and Torre del Mangia. Siena also offers unique Italian food and wine.</div>
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<b>Pisa </b>- Home to one of the world's oldest universities, the University of Pisa. This Tuscan city houses some of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy including the Square of Miracles known in Italy as Piazza del Miracoli. </div>
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<b>Piazza del Duomo where the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is located</b></div>
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Square of Miracles is where the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, it is a bell tower of the Cathedral located within the ground of Piazza del Duomo. The baptistery located within the cathedral is considered one of the largest baptisteries in Italy. Other must-see landmarks around the Square of Miracles are enchanting monuments, treasures and the famous <i>Camposanto</i>, an ancient monumental cemetery located north of the Square.</div>
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<b>Chianti</b> - Located between the cities of Florence and Siena, Chianti is very famous for its stunning hills, vineyard, castles, medieval villages and churches. But most of all, this city is popularly known for producing the best wine varieties in the world. Delectable regional Italian food can be tasted in Chianti also and because of its close location to Siena and Florence, visitors can easily reach Chianti in just a short travel.</div>
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There you go, the reasons why Tuscany is my ultimate travel dream!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-3578074209254249072013-12-27T22:38:00.001-08:002014-02-09T03:18:08.891-08:00Luneta Park and Intramuros, Manila<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rediscovering
the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For everyone, December 24 is a busy day of preparation for Christmas Eve, but I and my friend, Lea, decided to spend it outdoor, strolling around the historical landmarks in Manila :-D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two
of the most famous tourist attractions in Manila, Philippines that reflect the country's long struggle for independence and freedom are Luneta Park and Intramuros. These historical sites embody the Philippines' unique culture and ancestry. So if you want to get an additional piece of knowledge about the country's glorious past and cultural orientation, try to include Luneta Park and Intramuros in
your itinerary of travel when coming to Manila.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">LUNETA PARK</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Located
along Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, this urban park officially known as Rizal
Park, is a massive complex of gardens, Philippine Heroes’ markers, plants and a playground. It is beautifully covered with manicured lawn, cobbled stone pathways, green plants, flowers and water
fountain. There’s a large Philippine map carved in stone situated in the middle
of the river near the foot bridge of the park.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the heart of Luneta Park</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philippine map carved in stone</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The park has several souvenir’s shops where you can buy gift items at an affordable price. It has park benches along the pathways. You will also find mini-shuttles and <i>Kalisa</i><i> </i>(horse-drawn carriage, Philippine’s oldest form of transportation) that would take you around the area for sightseeing, rate ranges from 30 pesos to 50 pesos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two
of the most famous monuments inside the park are that of Dr. Jose
Rizal, Philippine national hero who fought during the Spanish era in the 19<sup>th</sup> century, and Lapu-Lapu, a tribal chieftain in the visayas region, hailed as one of the early Philippine heroes who famously led the resistance of the Cebuanos against the Spaniards in the 16<sup>th</sup> century. Lapu-Lapu's monument is a gift from the people of South Korea. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nmnNkuL7dOXjj4pKlpUExmRulyKyiGPfY1ArQdjSImklE3lQNBrA08IXV6WUrH3v3ZdTSx6PlQxVYiNhxoGYFlf2KOALHOJWENCDMFCTiNIUfXwXqoDcDGcHXUJ_TLIo96P2uDdfhClp/s1600/L11i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nmnNkuL7dOXjj4pKlpUExmRulyKyiGPfY1ArQdjSImklE3lQNBrA08IXV6WUrH3v3ZdTSx6PlQxVYiNhxoGYFlf2KOALHOJWENCDMFCTiNIUfXwXqoDcDGcHXUJ_TLIo96P2uDdfhClp/s320/L11i.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the monument of Lapu-Lapu, a gift of appreciation from the people of Korea </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to honor the assistance extended by Filipinos during the </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Korean War in the 1950s.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luneta Park is an important site of Philippine history, it is where Dr. Jose Rizal executed on December 30, 1896. The site marker of his execution can be found not far from the water fountain. His
monument, made of bronze and granite, is closely guarded by military personnels and visitors are not allowed to go
closer to the vicinity of the monument.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ZOaJARkNO3SmbgQD1-TTkRsX2gbU-6PgcOjyv_3p3ixtkgWHbuPZN39IB-at-EcV0laOJbJ6lOJVK4JavaNTu1EuIZ1aGU22Tv640lckx3eapFvQpI5iWxlavb2qqJpmN-jvqZwF0Ni/s1600/L23a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ZOaJARkNO3SmbgQD1-TTkRsX2gbU-6PgcOjyv_3p3ixtkgWHbuPZN39IB-at-EcV0laOJbJ6lOJVK4JavaNTu1EuIZ1aGU22Tv640lckx3eapFvQpI5iWxlavb2qqJpmN-jvqZwF0Ni/s320/L23a.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monument of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYf_Dsw-YWqTB0CHI5vzFj84D35RG8V493rXCdRybQltkEx8NJQryMHrTuZQburpD9RmoiRTkp8MgcoPAA4zbDsl1JiYQDFH5MS7k3dej0K36kAIz6XGNP7rs9PAkZ40csOEfWCL8Tm7u/s1600/L74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best time to visit Luneta park is during mid-afternoon and early evening where the environment is cooler and soothing. You will feel
the relaxing breeze of the soft air coming from the Manila bay. The sprawling area is ideal for unwinding, dry picnic and simply bonding moment with friends and family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visitors are
allowed to bring food inside the park, just bring with you a sheet to spread in the
grass for your dry picnic. But not all areas in the park are available for resting, the manicured lawn with the greenest grass is off limit to visitors, just ask the guard on duties where to stay
for a dry picnic to avoid being reprimanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other tourist sites and landmarks within the park are Japanese garden, Chinese garden, Children's playground, Museum, Department of Tourism, the National Library, Luntiang Pilipinas garden, Quirino Grandstand, Kilometer Zero marker, which serves as a point where all road distances from Manila are measured, Harbor View and Manila Ocean Park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nearest Landmarks and Establishments in Luneta Park:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Bayview Park Hotel Manila</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Hotel H2O</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. La Luneta Apartment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Manila City Hall</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Manila Hotel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. NBI</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. SM Manila</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Supreme Court</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. The Corporate Inn Hotel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. University of the Philippines-Manila</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12. Philippine General Hospital</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How to get there?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
you are traveling via LRT, alight at the United Nations Station, Luneta
Park is just few steps from the exit area of the station. If you are traveling via the public utility jeep, disembark at the Kalaw street and walk straight ahead. Entrance Fee to the
park is free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">INTRAMUROS</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one area in Manila where you can still experience the atmosphere of the Spanish culture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Known as the Walled City, this ancient complex, which is preserved by the Philippine government to commemorate the country’s journey to freedom and independence, echoes the interesting past of the nation especially during Spanish colonialism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intramuros (Latin for "within the walls") is just as interesting as the country's tradition and culture, it will take you back in time to the old days of the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spanish Society</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbO04l_oH08IMdRSSM_q_ehyphenhyphen8bOu5hl2ik2VYhc6CL8w5z7NGHkvdxiV8GXbRfNfhgIHE8riGy8gC3emrxJ3pOgV6G63O9hX7pFNRl7PCMgAlPZlwfE1g8TCPwywUUw-lpX_ak6QNL3rt/s1600/I9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbO04l_oH08IMdRSSM_q_ehyphenhyphen8bOu5hl2ik2VYhc6CL8w5z7NGHkvdxiV8GXbRfNfhgIHE8riGy8gC3emrxJ3pOgV6G63O9hX7pFNRl7PCMgAlPZlwfE1g8TCPwywUUw-lpX_ak6QNL3rt/s320/I9.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upper part of the walled city just in front of San Juan de Letran</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mwo4bEo0hiA64RsenT9GwYtxG3gLG2-60PLtXLDJBqYbAVfsIcp66APR5WvPturQcoEujfclIpKsB4tjSFkRPj8bbp9_aH9Zr25qTq6k_PqYOnkO5G7-6aaJP3qZ7JrRUlw843v1WI6T/s1600/I13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mwo4bEo0hiA64RsenT9GwYtxG3gLG2-60PLtXLDJBqYbAVfsIcp66APR5WvPturQcoEujfclIpKsB4tjSFkRPj8bbp9_aH9Zr25qTq6k_PqYOnkO5G7-6aaJP3qZ7JrRUlw843v1WI6T/s320/I13.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lyceum of the Philippines inside Intramuros</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Built around the 16th century, Intramuros is one of the fewest remaining landmarks in the Metro where visitors can experience the Spanish-era Manila through its streets, restaurants, stores, buildings and churches. Within the wall lies Fort Santiago, originally built as a defensive fortress of Spaniards but later transformed into a prison wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intramuros was originally used as the seat of government of the Spaniards in the Philippines and was declared the capital of the new Spanish Colony. The defensive walls were built to protect the city from foreign invasions. It was heavily damaged during World War II but reconstructed in 1951 to preserve the cultural heritage of the Filipino people. The site was consequently declared the National Historical Monument.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1jYNuHMzLR4inZha3VUEcxHZ6JsdzpWfepBW_XPkaKAH43IcMAIFQDietR7BukVcd5j40tq4SCm1AaCM04MMQnO4pf5WDBVQtKCquhbOBhIr-RPP-Wvard_rBTeb0MD2hVFh3kdhPxVo/s1600/I2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1jYNuHMzLR4inZha3VUEcxHZ6JsdzpWfepBW_XPkaKAH43IcMAIFQDietR7BukVcd5j40tq4SCm1AaCM04MMQnO4pf5WDBVQtKCquhbOBhIr-RPP-Wvard_rBTeb0MD2hVFh3kdhPxVo/s320/I2a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Entrance to Fort Santiago near the Pasig river</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjna9vCxLjyLC2VYzt6ZUGbLwkKH88-JgaRft4txcaj6Ef14QsmExYg9615KYt1pwxnJfFmB7mUrm7ks00MaBKqFKzBUJ56oTK0R4W8lS0lPeVtQg0fPTmQZV7DDmvVVAG3sGR-229XICMh/s1600/I15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjna9vCxLjyLC2VYzt6ZUGbLwkKH88-JgaRft4txcaj6Ef14QsmExYg9615KYt1pwxnJfFmB7mUrm7ks00MaBKqFKzBUJ56oTK0R4W8lS0lPeVtQg0fPTmQZV7DDmvVVAG3sGR-229XICMh/s320/I15.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you visit this place, you will be surprised with the ancient appearance of the environment, even the guards on duty are wearing the Spanish-era tailored uniform. The cobbled streets look like the old days, very quiet and peaceful, the pathways and walls have no traces of modernization, felt like you are traveling back in time and as you walk through the quiet street, you will see the ancient structures of buildings and stores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are educational institutions inside the walled city: Mapua Institute of Technology, San Juan de Letran, Collegio de Sta. Rosa and Lyceum of the Philippines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>How
to get there?</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intramuros is accessible by any types of transportation. If you are traveling via LRT, you may alight at the Central station then walk ahead across Manila City Hall, you will pass two intersections, from there you will see a fenced lawn and ahead of that is the entrance of Intramuros. If you are traveling via public utility vehicles, choose the routes going to Lawton/SM Manila or Pier. Intramuros is just around the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my experience visiting Intramuros with a friend, we just walked from Luneta Park to Manila City Hall then we crossed the street on the left side, and headed to Intramuros.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Nearest Landmarks and establishments in Intramuros:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Manila City hall</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Palacio del Gubernador</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. SM Manila</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. US Embassy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. White Knight Hotel Intramuros</span><br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-30115184008748176752013-12-14T09:21:00.003-08:002014-01-14T00:44:23.345-08:00Best of my Travels in 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"There can be miracles, when you believe</i>" so goes the powerful song of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, indeed miracles do happen everyday.<br />
<br />
Who would ever think I could fulfill three of my life's long-standing wishes successively in a year?<br />
<br />
Once, I dreamed to obtain a master's degree from Ateneo, I thought it was simply an illusion because before 2010, I was not interested to pursue a higher learning anymore. Then I listed two ambitious trips to make before settling down (laugh!) one abroad, one local, again I thought I was a bit mad and unrealistic, little did I know that embarking into a dreamy escape abroad is more sane and realistic than snagging a guy next door (sigh!).<br />
<br />
God, with all His heavenly mercy and compassion, did give me a fulfilling year to remember with. I was able to achieve the three wishes I kept on listing in a white paper every Christmas Eve and on my birthday.<br />
<br />
I finished my master's degree in April, traveled to Hongkong and Macau in June and went to Boracay in July. <i>Whoaaa</i>! Feeling lucky in life!!<br />
<br />
But on the contrary...<br />
<br />
Honestly, I haven't reach yet the pinnacle of my travel quest nor accomplish the things most travel bloggers in the world are doing---<i>take a trip abroad twice a year and just explore and enjoy the places, as if nothing matters in the world except relaxation and pleasure</i>. I have not done yet any risky travel exploits (except the helmet diving in Boracay, which to this date, the scariest and most adventurous escapade I ever made), like backpacking, going around and just take an adventure in a completely strange place alone. </div>
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Nevertheless...<br />
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2013 is the best year for me as far as my travel fascination is concerned. I'd visited some of the most desirable holiday escapes in Asia and that's already a huge accomplishment. They were not headlong adrenaline rushes though (swimming with sharks in a pool for example) but I've got the best of both worlds with these travels, discovering and exploring the places and experiencing a different thrill and excitement.<br />
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As the year closes, I want to reminisce the good times I had with these adventures and hoping against hope, God will grant another wish next year for a back-to-back travel outing ^___^<br />
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<b><a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/2013/06/hongkong-and-macau-leisure-trip.html" target="_blank">HONGKONG and MACAU</a></b></div>
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Got to visit these two former European colonies, now part of the Special Administrative Regions of China, last June 2013.</div>
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Truly memorable because it was my first time to travel abroad, it was a DIY (do-it-yourself) trip under a tight budget with no tour guide to rely on so the experience was more exciting, completely adventurous. I and a friend made so many blunders and ludicrous slip-ups along the way while exploring the places but it was genuinely exciting. I learned and discovered so many things. From religiously following instructions at the immigration to observing how disciplined most people in Hongkong to discovering Victoria Harbour while walking along the Hongkong Museum of Art, few miles from our hotel.</div>
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Hongkong is simply sophisticated. The place is ultra modern, high-rising buildings, infrastructures, high-end boutiques and imported brands. The foods are fairly good, I enjoyed my meals because I loved oriental foods ^___^ Transportation is extremely comfortable. The subway. The double-decker buses. The tram. And all those amusement parks I thought I could never visit in the near future. The road is very clean and no annoying traffic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LNYuZOZ-N_w3hyphenhyphendNsiHi_-Ps4YsGmGHdjYKAHIfOzPRgOJbc-73c313xDA8STDuKsa9SfIraYkjm0YsPkJgOfVkIkIPf2uTEr72-TFL6U3tIffKB91jvHvkQF8wsHVeVG2oVJ-bXVfno/s1600/oceanpark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LNYuZOZ-N_w3hyphenhyphendNsiHi_-Ps4YsGmGHdjYKAHIfOzPRgOJbc-73c313xDA8STDuKsa9SfIraYkjm0YsPkJgOfVkIkIPf2uTEr72-TFL6U3tIffKB91jvHvkQF8wsHVeVG2oVJ-bXVfno/s400/oceanpark2.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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<i>Some of my memorable experiences/discoveries in Hongkong:</i></div>
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<ul>
<li>Huge airport (hehe!)</li>
<li>Searching the bus traveling to Kowloon (so difficult to ask bystanders, most of them cannot speak/understand English)</li>
<li>No sign board of destination in buses only number of bus stops.</li>
<li>Visiting the spectacular and magnificent Chinese classical twin gardens (Nan Lian & Chi Lin Nunnery)</li>
<li>State-of-the-art facilities especially public utility vehicles</li>
<li>The use of Octopus Card is a must when traveling to Hongkong. It's more practical.</li>
<li>Riding a tram in a reclining mode (wheew!)</li>
<li>Wandering around Victoria Harbour and Avenue of Stars</li>
<li>Traveling in a normal speed (no screeching, blowing of horn and overloading)</li>
<li>No dust and traffic!(love it so much)</li>
<li>Riding a cable car on top of the world passing through the scallop hills above the placid sea that divides Hongkong and Shanghai.</li>
<li>Riding a swirling tower more or less 20,000 feet above the ground!</li>
<li>Wandering around Victoria Harbour and Avenue of Stars</li>
<li>Shopping centers are interconnected.</li>
<li>So many transient hotels, clean and very affordable.</li>
</ul>
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Our group visited Macau on the third day of June. Earned the monicker of being the Las Vegas in Asia, Macau is home to some of the most elegant Casino Resorts in the Pacific. The Venetian Sands, City of Dreams, The Galaxy. It was awe-inspiring indeed! We were able to visit the majestic Grand Emperor's Hotel in Macau city too, with all the Windsor splendours, including the scarlet uniformed guards wearing a bearskin hat similar to the House of Cavalry Guards stationed in Buckingham Palace, I felt the sense of witnessing the royal finery at this landmark. </div>
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Macau is relatively smaller than Hongkong but the surrounding is more elegant. European influence is still very much evident on most of the structures. The design of the street and old buildings including the Leal Senado.<br />
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Cotai Strip is more fascinating than the Macau City proper because it houses the best Casino Resorts in Asia, opulence at its finest! Food in Macau is also great, I love the mode of serving because it came with a cup of hot green tea, <i>yeey!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqX_x32xMiy6ogphWzoy7XHAwoTfMYQEgr75sBGcFytUx3dkgiSujQBeHccLozlhVVoH8qhju6A460dkVDkWWlN10H9WG1tx1r2PWxc0Qp-DC5cGNvym8KcLCpBHpvcKWSw_CrJi_Gv6W/s1600/macau4+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqX_x32xMiy6ogphWzoy7XHAwoTfMYQEgr75sBGcFytUx3dkgiSujQBeHccLozlhVVoH8qhju6A460dkVDkWWlN10H9WG1tx1r2PWxc0Qp-DC5cGNvym8KcLCpBHpvcKWSw_CrJi_Gv6W/s400/macau4+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Some of my memorable experiences/discoveries in Macau:</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Immigration is not really strict compared to Hongkong</li>
<li>Filipino day tour guides are available at the Ferry Terminal</li>
<li>Going around Macau can be done for free just hopped in at any of the Casinos' shuttle buses</li>
<li>Discovering free food taste around the busy souvenir's market</li>
<li>The history of the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral.</li>
<li>The Venetian has an Italian theme, very elegant while The Galaxy smells ultra fresh and fragrant, I wonder what kind of freshener the hotel is using.</li>
<li>It's more ideal to choose Cotai Jet when coming to Macau from Hongkong because it docks directly to Taipa terminal which is nearer to Cotai Strip.</li>
</ul>
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<b><a href="http://traveladventurejl.blogspot.com/2013/07/boracay.html" target="_blank">BORACAY</a></b><br />
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With all the hypes of parties and fun and international recognitions as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Boracay, without a doubt, is everyone's idea of a perfect holiday destination. But for me who is just living under a scanty budget with no room to entertain luxury relaxation, going to Boracay after Hongkong and Macau trip seems a crazy idea. But as we all know of course, God is bigger than any worries in the world. He allowed some form of miracles to take place and puff! Everything became so real.<br />
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I traveled to Boracay with longtime friends and my sister last July 2, 2013. It was in Boracay that I truly experienced the wonders of being in a party island. Sooooo exciting and breathtakingly awesome. Boracay rocks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwT-xucyoltxrsYNnsM7agHPUsaqCyPmZX1FDCAFnOCkmBZ9Kd63_h2aV9A83uFhXPkGc3KKYWVS65NHru1NPzat-yJhTNO26OYLfh1bon6IVCYkXQeglt0hxOQAHQRPL78sY0zx9vKrAd/s1600/beach22b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwT-xucyoltxrsYNnsM7agHPUsaqCyPmZX1FDCAFnOCkmBZ9Kd63_h2aV9A83uFhXPkGc3KKYWVS65NHru1NPzat-yJhTNO26OYLfh1bon6IVCYkXQeglt0hxOQAHQRPL78sY0zx9vKrAd/s400/beach22b.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
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<i>Some of my memorable experiences/discoveries in Boracay:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>You can indeed visit Boracay under a tight budget, just plan the trip ahead of time and do lots of research before deciding to book anything.</li>
<li>Fun, adventure and excitement never sleep even during night time</li>
<li>Look for hotels at Station 2, it's more ideal. Very near to the party junctions and beach side.</li>
<li>It's okay to walk around the island in your bikinis or two piece hehe!</li>
<li>You can choose a better place to stay when you're already in the island</li>
<li>Foods are great!</li>
<li>It's so nice to walk along the seashore without footwear, the sugary sand is very relaxing to the palm of the feet.</li>
<li>The morning sunrise is very soothing and the sunset is amazingly beautiful and romantic.</li>
<li>Helmet diving is so scary!</li>
<li>Very long coastline with no breakwater.</li>
<li>I enjoyed the Banana boat ride so much!</li>
<li>Midnight strolling is great because the party has just started.</li>
<li>It is okay to go inside the bank and make transaction even if you are wet and just wearing a swimwear.</li>
<li>Boracay is so lively and vibrant at night time</li>
<li>Lots of restaurants to choose from.</li>
<li>Souvenir's boutiques offer affordable items.</li>
<li>Ideal for family and large groups but I don't think it's a good place for honeymooners. It's a party island and not an exclusive resort.</li>
</ul>
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So that's concluded my entry for Best of My Travel in 2013. I would like to thank God for granting my three wishes this year and allowed me to enjoy life to the highest.<br />
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Traveling is simply fantastic even if you're just out there discovering the environment, exploring the places and not so much on the shopping itinerary, the memories are more enduring and lasting than the items you will buy. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-54839160564201702682013-12-07T01:07:00.000-08:002013-12-28T02:52:10.216-08:00Let's Travel with Christmas Lights!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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It's holiday season! And while everyone is busy preparing for Christmas shopping list or searching gift ideas for their loved ones, I am making my own list of a unique holiday musing and stick to what I love doing most: Travel and Blogging ^_____^</div>
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Here's the first of the many Christmas holiday travels I want to indulge in.</div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">CHRISTMAS </span><span style="color: red;">LIGHTS</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;">HOPPING!</span></b></div>
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I love Christmas, it's the most wonderful time of the year and my happiest season! The mere thought of celebrating Christmas makes me to bounce in happiness and excitement, it brings warm memories.<br />
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I love the energy of the holiday season, the joy, the fun, the laughter and the vitality of everyone, the exuberance of the holiday rush and the foods to prepare! Seems there's an everlasting peace and happiness in the environment, the thought of Christmas alone gives me so much inspiration and delight, such a heart-warming feeling to relish!</div>
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One of the most anticipated elements of the holiday season I often look forward is the unveiling of unique Christmas ornaments by different establishments, felt like I am a child again staring at the vibrant Christmas decors in the surroundings, as if the magic of innocence did not end.<br />
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Whenever I travel through FX from Manila to Caloocan on weekend after work, my spirit is on high and truly relax because of so many sparkling lights in the street, it somehow eases the irritation of enduring the heavy traffic and the longing of missing home at Christmastime.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYqMI04k57rbabbVBwBxo514XXjzcAQe6tg3HlL_LyTf4JXZzVvp633Q6xcDr8w1HExSJGavZFXPTiC4HlkFJaicNDJUtiVHXESYxf6xDaKHuoF5EVvSiDJDGK0ODZ6Z27ZdAd_wQpoag/s1600/xmas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYqMI04k57rbabbVBwBxo514XXjzcAQe6tg3HlL_LyTf4JXZzVvp633Q6xcDr8w1HExSJGavZFXPTiC4HlkFJaicNDJUtiVHXESYxf6xDaKHuoF5EVvSiDJDGK0ODZ6Z27ZdAd_wQpoag/s400/xmas5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>The magnificent Christmas lights at the Garden Restaurants area of </b></div>
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<b>Trinoma Mall, Quezon City</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lCOfettz4CklkdkaJv3upkXIuvIQSDwvVtVatoOuB4Ykmf348VxI3uo9ytPFYA_XhWLUA2SzidGIAjaKjuBl-B200fu2qgoqxkRXIjedPSwdU2UHdHsufHf6qgJhMUOotXCvrYIOFJRv/s1600/xmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lCOfettz4CklkdkaJv3upkXIuvIQSDwvVtVatoOuB4Ykmf348VxI3uo9ytPFYA_XhWLUA2SzidGIAjaKjuBl-B200fu2qgoqxkRXIjedPSwdU2UHdHsufHf6qgJhMUOotXCvrYIOFJRv/s400/xmas1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>We're not able to witness the</b></div>
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<b>Merry Musical Lights presentation because we went home before 7:00 pm</b></div>
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<b>we plan to come back some other time to witness the show</b></div>
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Yesterday, I took a one day absent from work because I need to go to Greenhills, San Juan for an important appointment, after the meeting, I and my sister went to Greenhills Shopping Center to visit its Christmas lights and presentations area just across the Promenade, unfortunately the show will start at 6:00 in the evening and we need to go home early to feed our cats hehe! So I told my sister that we just come back some other time, we proceeded to Trinoma in Quezon City instead to view its lively Christmas lights.</div>
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Trinoma's Garden Restaurants area on the third floor transformed into a merry fairytale landia at night time because of so many elegant Christmas decorations, all its trees, plants and landscape were covered with beautiful Christmas lights. We seated for a while and took some pictures but unfortunately the show of Merry Musical Christmas Lights in the Garden will start at 7:00 pm, since we still have to travel for another one hour to reach home, we agreed to just come back some other time to witness the show.<br />
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Aside from Trinoma and Greenhills Shopping Center, there are other destinations in the city where people can truly enjoy the wonders of Christmastime. The Ayala Triangle in Makati city is just one of these destinations. With its spectacular 800,000 LED bulbs that come to life and dance in synchronization with Christmas medleys, visitors will surely be delighted. Mall of Asia, Star City, Policarpio street in Mandaluyong and Powerplant, Rockwell in Makati are other spectacular holiday destinations in the Metropolis where everyone can witness glamorous Christmas decors. With the exemption of Star City, people can visit these gorgeous displays of Christmas wonders for free, just visit the above-mentioned places beyond 6:00 in the evening to experience the glittery delights of the holiday embellishments.</div>
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I cannot wait to visit the Ayala Triangle in Makati sometime next week to view its extraordinary display of Christmas sparkles!</div>
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Asking where to go to take some souvenirs for Christmas 2013 memories under the twinkling and vivacious Christmas lights splendour? Here are some of the top picks and most recommended destinations in the Greater Manila Area.<br />
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1. Trinoma Mall, Quezon City</div>
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2. Ayala Triangle, Makati City</div>
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3. Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan</div>
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4. Mall of Asia</div>
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5. Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong</div>
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6. Powerplant, Rockwell</div>
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7. Quezon City Memorial Circle</div>
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8. Star City, CCP Complex</div>
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9. Roxas Boulevard, Manila</div>
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10. World Trade Center<br />
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It's 12 days before Christmas!!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Updated</span>: <b><span style="color: purple;">December 27, 2013</span></b></div>
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Finally, just before Christmas Eve! I was able to visit Ayala Triangle in Makati City with friends to view its stunning display of Christmas lights!<br />
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After our strolling in Luneta Park and Intramuros, I and Lea went straight to Makati City to meet her cousin, Archel. We made some grocery shopping for our Noche Buena at SM Makati and Landmark then walked along the glittery street of Paseo de Roxas to be at the Ayala Triangle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo0ng_SgYLPwPmAequ4yg5bOM4c8VYJLusZ-7li5h9oRDDTy5LFnpQZH117ieYseRUoPvWxETVsfsxGw0_nHxWxbWCvjAK9XptI6O5pU-FHiXF1BSRb7EnIJdCz5qD62SwdnbtqAFwWsI/s1600/xmas33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo0ng_SgYLPwPmAequ4yg5bOM4c8VYJLusZ-7li5h9oRDDTy5LFnpQZH117ieYseRUoPvWxETVsfsxGw0_nHxWxbWCvjAK9XptI6O5pU-FHiXF1BSRb7EnIJdCz5qD62SwdnbtqAFwWsI/s320/xmas33.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>At the lively display of Christmas ornaments in Ayala Triangle</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V5gaSFprG-0QXtUZO2z9zgJnroFfCohznRwwzlWG_zYmblE8-BqmACviBOq8bPxGC8ZxBIKy38frCxWqJMlPNjzW9Zd8GsncmRgF9DtJorf2Jz1kHFGf1S6_-i9mqZRFBF1IBonCi-WR/s1600/xmas34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V5gaSFprG-0QXtUZO2z9zgJnroFfCohznRwwzlWG_zYmblE8-BqmACviBOq8bPxGC8ZxBIKy38frCxWqJMlPNjzW9Zd8GsncmRgF9DtJorf2Jz1kHFGf1S6_-i9mqZRFBF1IBonCi-WR/s320/xmas34.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>With Lea Maika</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cxAeebHByyFDTTcRQnH-L0PjX_Ohsox7x-p-TvjFwUDzavKfnXuc3Avgb9JDLSKFUI1N3Rm9iAwUQeZofycppn5fWmgoxu7efI2nlMyOKvLi2Q1JYkp5TeisuS4SVmK4ahXoXDal9MjT/s1600/xmas35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cxAeebHByyFDTTcRQnH-L0PjX_Ohsox7x-p-TvjFwUDzavKfnXuc3Avgb9JDLSKFUI1N3Rm9iAwUQeZofycppn5fWmgoxu7efI2nlMyOKvLi2Q1JYkp5TeisuS4SVmK4ahXoXDal9MjT/s320/xmas35.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>....and Archel</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Ayala Triangle brings delight to everyone as it presents one of the most </span>gorgeous sets of Christmas lights in the metro that dance in synchronization with Christmas medleys.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-20226365896391249862013-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:002014-01-04T03:23:35.391-08:00Weekend Getaway: Batangas & Albay<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I've been contemplating to take another travel in the countryside in the coming weeks, need to breath fresh air and rest my tired soul under the cool shade of verdant plants. I need to create a concise itinerary to determine the cost and how much I would spend.<br />
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Since relocating here in Manila last June 30, 2013, my excitement to visit historical provinces in Luzon grew everyday. As a travel blogger nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than taking an outdoor adventure in the countryside, the sharing of the experience is more lively and inspiring when coated with the natural beauty of the environment, the serenity of nature and the scenery of lush tropical plants.<br />
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The farthest destinations I took outside Metro Manila so far are Tagaytay and Laguna. I already visited Baguio City in 2008 and no plan to take a re-visit in the coming months because I am more excited to see other destinations.</div>
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There's something in traveling that I find very alluring and liberating, it's the freedom of being in a completely different place, discovering something in the environment and learning from its culture and tradition. I am always fascinated with history, research and discovery and taking a road trip far away from where I am living is a perfect way to satisfy my curiosity.</div>
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I want to go back to Tagaytay to take a leisure visit to Sonya's Garden and the Highlands, I heard extraordinary comments about these spectacular places and it's my wish to see it for myself and experience the charm and comfort they have been raving.</div>
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Batangas is another fascination which hopefully I could visit before the year ends. Other provinces I would love to hop in for a quick getaway are Camarines Sur, Bicol, La Union and Ilocos Norte. The travel might be taxing and quite costly but the rare experience of marveling at the landmarks of these exciting places is priceless so I would not mind spending for the trip, it's a great escape and one of the best ways to loosen up and wind off a very tiring day.<br />
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Speaking of Batangas, there's one resort in Lipa City featured in the tripadvisor site that I find very relaxing, Valentino Resort and Spa. Ranked number 2 among the 5 hotels in Lipa City, Batangas, and ranked number 10 among the numerous resorts in the Batangas province, Valentino Resort and Spa is located at Brgy. Pinagtung-ulan, Lipa City. Its villas and lounges in any of its ten cabanas surrounding the three swimming pools magnify luxury, modern comfort and elegance. The tropical garden adds romance to the natural beauty of the resort. I want to no more about this resort, since the clients' testimonies are very inviting. Visit the resort's <a href="http://www.valentinoresortandspa.com/" target="_blank">website HERE.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g1469074-d506030-Farm_at_San_Benito-Lipa_City_Batangas_Province_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html"><img alt="Photos of Farm at San Benito, Lipa City" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/3c/0a/07/garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This photo of <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1469074-d506030-Reviews-Farm_at_San_Benito-Lipa_City_Batangas_Province_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html">Farm at San Benito</a> is courtesy of TripAdvisor
</b><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g1469074-d506030-Farm_at_San_Benito-Lipa_City_Batangas_Province_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html"><img alt="Photos of Farm at San Benito, Lipa City" height="300" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/e2/20/9e/the-main-pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This photo of <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1469074-d506030-Reviews-Farm_at_San_Benito-Lipa_City_Batangas_Province_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html">Farm at San Benito</a> is courtesy of TripAdvisor </b></div>
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But if you want luxury, glamour combined with comfort and wellness under the natural backdrop of nature visit The Farm at San Benidto. It offers a great value for visitors' money according to tripadvisor site. The Farm, already featured in numerous lifestyle magazine and TV shows, is located at 119 Brgy. Tipakan, Lipa City, Batangas. It has an approval satisfaction rate of 95% from visitors. Explore the The Farm through its <a href="http://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com/" target="_blank">site HERE</a> to check the details of its amenities, villas, accommodations and rates.<br />
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Another exciting place to hop in for a quick roadtrip is Albay. I was deeply enthralled with the breathtaking landscape of Misibis Bay Resort after watching the TV 5 <i>teleserye </i>of the same name. It is located in the province of Albay just a few hour drive from Manila. It's a private tropical resort with casino particularly located in Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay. Travellers may take a bus from Manila to Legaspi, since this is a luxury resort, the accommodation is quite expensive but the place is so elegant and gorgeous you don't mind setting aside a large chunk of your income for this getaway. For more details, visit the official site of the resort,<a href="http://misibisbay.com/" target="_blank"> click here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3CwzJwkbGb6cQ1QwzF6nc6JxJ5SaDvwREEBLLIdscl22iq05qtMXveVWQipEWdauJiXk_EnkF3Tj1UZ9ZDCL8ppxbd7aXFoZUhSqry3Bio7l5BjC5w69bUVram-pApQ6zg3X-HmyEVey/s1600/misibis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3CwzJwkbGb6cQ1QwzF6nc6JxJ5SaDvwREEBLLIdscl22iq05qtMXveVWQipEWdauJiXk_EnkF3Tj1UZ9ZDCL8ppxbd7aXFoZUhSqry3Bio7l5BjC5w69bUVram-pApQ6zg3X-HmyEVey/s400/misibis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The gorgeous tropical resort of Misibis Bay popularized by the TV series</b><br />
<b>with the same title via TV 5</b><br />
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For foreigners who want to take a leisure visit in the Philippines in the days, months to come, don't worry about the recent insurgencies that erupted in Zamboanga, the area is far from Luzon and Visayas and there are breathtaking and exciting places around the Visayas and Luzon worthy of your time and travel plus the accommodation is relatively cheaper compared to other holiday destinations in Asia.<br />
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Come and experience the natural wonders and beauty of the Philippines and see for your self why the country is dubbed the Pearl of the Orient Sea.<br />
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Lots of discovery awaits here, the people are warm and very hospitable, weather is moderate and enjoys a tropical climate whole year round. The Philippines uses Philippine peso as local currency. 1 US dollar is more or less Php 43.00 as of September 13, 2013. The manner of transportation around the metro is by land, jeepney, taxi, bus, FX and train.<br />
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It's more fun in the Philippines!!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-199495614866017382013-07-09T06:30:00.001-07:002017-01-09T21:52:47.216-08:00Southwinds Resort, Laguna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am a country girl by heart so a place with a natural backdrop of nature -- rolling hills, lush plants and flowers -- easily attracts me.<br />
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I've come to visit Tagaytay for the first time last week, the place is so cool!Moderate weather, scenic atmosphere, romantic landscape, indeed, an ideal destination to loosen up after a very tiring day, it is also a place where you can get a perfect view of the Taal Volcano. Laguna is another historic province in the Philippines favored by travelers due to its numerous hot spring resorts, it's a magnificent place to hop in for a quick relaxation because of its proximity to Metro Manila. </div>
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Our road trip in Tagaytay was a very exciting one. We drove around the place, Then went to a Mushroom Burger joint and to Starbucks along the Aguinaldo Highway, we're able to see the romantic skyline and panoramic view of the city at night. It was so cold but I was able to enjoy the night, laughing, giggling and breathing the soft tang of the midnight air.<br />
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Two days later, I was on the road again with Rowie Tagaan, this time in Laguna. We stayed at <b>Southwinds Resort</b> in Pansol, Calamba City after a tricycle driver suggested it to us.<br />
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<b>Entrance area of the resort with my friend, Rowie Tagaan</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfkL6jIpkWDQd-IY_xAwjbPSpp0VXSkNGaeApYMbL0deQe6Hn4LyKjqq5HokLZ9NBZA47-ccc-0OYbyiJbyFTw8BorZQ_P66kQW-F4CGugHvJxPgl-R2xAcjzOlPSm-SLzCaA6d6vA2GE/s1600/IMG_20130707_162916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfkL6jIpkWDQd-IY_xAwjbPSpp0VXSkNGaeApYMbL0deQe6Hn4LyKjqq5HokLZ9NBZA47-ccc-0OYbyiJbyFTw8BorZQ_P66kQW-F4CGugHvJxPgl-R2xAcjzOlPSm-SLzCaA6d6vA2GE/s320/IMG_20130707_162916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>At the pool side</b></div>
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Southwinds Resort is quite far from the national highway but the location is not really remote because it is just along the road, it can be reached either by a jeepney or by a tricycle. From SM City -Calamba where we disembarked from the bus, we hired a tricycle going to Southwinds. The travel took almost 40 minutes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU7EL0gycCMJkW-PiLmD189joR2WbF7x0SMqf4eNH4rZUyfbtNbJUgZ0vkVt3oMjmwFqy23cx9-FUwtt792t5eOYIIN3xgTGo_ILxlcl8QT_lX3ytcpOMYSbQfMDfosx1H3sozD15XS1P/s1600/IMG_20130708_091317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU7EL0gycCMJkW-PiLmD189joR2WbF7x0SMqf4eNH4rZUyfbtNbJUgZ0vkVt3oMjmwFqy23cx9-FUwtt792t5eOYIIN3xgTGo_ILxlcl8QT_lX3ytcpOMYSbQfMDfosx1H3sozD15XS1P/s320/IMG_20130708_091317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> Pool side, playground and view of the resort's rooms</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdUEn_Wa88px6kcyyTtBaGmWZiNxAJ_8yK18wUFVd96yxvQYgy2dprLibpu16EznJxS5csQY7dT7vR7A8SuBHcNlA_20DUMyYzp8vc7SA2bPep66yKHE1Zmit0_9o2zniChEzF9rZXUQo/s1600/IMG_20130707_162214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdUEn_Wa88px6kcyyTtBaGmWZiNxAJ_8yK18wUFVd96yxvQYgy2dprLibpu16EznJxS5csQY7dT7vR7A8SuBHcNlA_20DUMyYzp8vc7SA2bPep66yKHE1Zmit0_9o2zniChEzF9rZXUQo/s320/IMG_20130707_162214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the cool surrounding of Pansol, very soothing especially the imposing mountain in the background. Southwinds Resort has four large swimming pools: two for children and two for adults, there are siesta beds and tables along the pools. The accommodation is quite expensive because the room rate is good for 12 hours period only and not 24 hours.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep8TurDJPP2RUrY7AEQIyK9mHs6onxQ8P6S7b6_LZk5CT2YYBaT8jf1WPE-D5T_ZePzNXNJciZkn9tExpedwR369WA3LUF6knjhhOkIo1JKRVgH3CUe31SwTgdCQbAQI9pPVNn1402Bc2/s1600/IMG_20130707_161209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep8TurDJPP2RUrY7AEQIyK9mHs6onxQ8P6S7b6_LZk5CT2YYBaT8jf1WPE-D5T_ZePzNXNJciZkn9tExpedwR369WA3LUF6knjhhOkIo1JKRVgH3CUe31SwTgdCQbAQI9pPVNn1402Bc2/s320/IMG_20130707_161209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Resort's room good for two</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgvXjjDtKHqhcpZwG0FhYijWTSX94mFV413xB5Q0GLDttOR0i_83a6BKIgYUEKvQOwVA2esvF-3baQFVVrP4vhTu0RoWUTaw_c6gclpjArATPEAWUwS5H1-lvP1mR4SgoSTa3zxJEVz9F/s1600/IMG_20130708_075843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgvXjjDtKHqhcpZwG0FhYijWTSX94mFV413xB5Q0GLDttOR0i_83a6BKIgYUEKvQOwVA2esvF-3baQFVVrP4vhTu0RoWUTaw_c6gclpjArATPEAWUwS5H1-lvP1mR4SgoSTa3zxJEVz9F/s320/IMG_20130708_075843.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Poolside in the morning</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj194kBHkrbUmItA2t4iJBg2uwTdITc9s8WnCH2I9ZtRpNze0AJUPjXS9mPj9nR56xpbpWb7cuJMR6p2bDOCP6u2ClzmgY3PrrVvYVuGe5oUFSidMzcay0I3kg7keNWzBI1TaqvC27sF26i/s1600/IMG_20130708_095439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj194kBHkrbUmItA2t4iJBg2uwTdITc9s8WnCH2I9ZtRpNze0AJUPjXS9mPj9nR56xpbpWb7cuJMR6p2bDOCP6u2ClzmgY3PrrVvYVuGe5oUFSidMzcay0I3kg7keNWzBI1TaqvC27sF26i/s320/IMG_20130708_095439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Morning swimming. I enjoyed the warm water, no guests yet :-D</b></div>
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Air-conditioned room costs Php1,383.00 (12 hours) while non-aircon room costs Php980.00. The resort welcomed guests who may want to avail the swimming pool facility only. Entrance for adults is Php78.00 while for children Php 68.00. Guests can bring food and drinks but there's a corkage fee for beer and hard liquors.</div>
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There are Videoke machines available in the area too. There's a pavilion that can cater large groups. </div>
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But don't expect too much about this resort. It has no wifi connectivity and the accommodation does not include freebies like shampoo, conditioner, lotion and toothpaste, stuff we normally found in hotels and resorts.</div>
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For inquiries, you may contact Southwinds Resort:</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 15.994318008422852px; text-align: center;">Southwinds Resort</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 15.994318008422852px; text-align: center;">National Highway, Bo. Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 15.994318008422852px; text-align: center;">(049) 545-0244 / (049) 502-8854</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 15.994318008422852px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 15.994318008422852px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 15.9943180084229px; text-align: center;">HI EVERY ONE, THIS SITE HAS MOVED TO </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 15.9943180084229px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thetravelerstale.blogspot.com/">WWW.THETRAVELERSTALE.BLOGSPOT.COM</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2164854619923508691.post-34682074161622312012013-07-04T18:49:00.001-07:002013-11-07T19:56:25.422-08:00Boracay!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Gorgeous tropical environment,
stunning coastline, sparkling water, romantic sunset, fun-filled daytime activities by the sea and
vibrant night life, where else to experience it but at the dazzling island of
Boracay in the Philippines!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkmD2LDlcS5fLw2Lh0qsueSCe_Ss3DpgaJS2EX2gXBSWZXz5mpDDTg3IYsxkHG1mtu0-RFx5PMzwFKIHZn4LfKiE2HsOfo8_dtD6WOAAlfiVMiJtU4Ux8fcknUlHpEyGBTcbv-aP6SN0o/s1600/beach131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkmD2LDlcS5fLw2Lh0qsueSCe_Ss3DpgaJS2EX2gXBSWZXz5mpDDTg3IYsxkHG1mtu0-RFx5PMzwFKIHZn4LfKiE2HsOfo8_dtD6WOAAlfiVMiJtU4Ux8fcknUlHpEyGBTcbv-aP6SN0o/s320/beach131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Boracay Sandcastles! </b></div>
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<b>Every morning, locals create sandcastles as charming backdrops for photo opps,</b><br />
<b> they </b><b>will just ask for a donation.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyuOy9odaLNg-UbRr4a_A0kqkWQh4je67rIdgmyKqalfvYv5ZOkvo_KCKhxgN8pOOJ_lcTBi3X5N6KS6Lw7dHIrD-_QZnvzuXdrmWZnjs_jt6HyYMIlj5NLtpISNrF8CNbwgfsqEzEb8n/s1600/IMG_20130703_081817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyuOy9odaLNg-UbRr4a_A0kqkWQh4je67rIdgmyKqalfvYv5ZOkvo_KCKhxgN8pOOJ_lcTBi3X5N6KS6Lw7dHIrD-_QZnvzuXdrmWZnjs_jt6HyYMIlj5NLtpISNrF8CNbwgfsqEzEb8n/s400/IMG_20130703_081817.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Unlike other beach resorts in the country where visitors only enjoy the beauty of the seaside at day time, Boracay offers a unique experience of fun and adventure even at night time. As the sun dramatically goes down, Boracay springs to life and visitors are treated to an ultimate party adventure. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I'm not a party girl and I hate night life, I don't like staying up late and I detested liquors and cigarettes but at Boracay yeah that was so hugely different. The laughter. The vigour. The vibes. I enjoyed watching people dancing, exchanging pleasantries, laughing and singing along. So many tourists from diverse cultural background fidgeted the area!! It looks like <b>Ibiza</b>, a beach party destination in Spain frequently visited by famous celebrities and European royals.<br />
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I have been into many islands and beach
resorts in the country, in fact seaside is no longer a stranger to me because I
grew up in the coastal area of Surigao del sur at the outskirt of Mindanao
peninsula, but nothing knocks the splendour and magnificence of Boracay. Truly impressive!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So why I love Boracay? I figured, it’s not just about the island’s
sun-kissed shoreline, ivory sand and crystal water, but more about fun and discoveries, the exciting activities at daytime and lively scene at
night time, the sugary sand, the sunset and the energy! Simply the best of both worlds!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>Banana boat ride against the backdrop of West Cove, Manny Pacquiao's resort</b></div>
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<b>Beautiful morning at Bora!</b></div>
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For three days and two nights it felt like I was in a completely different world, no worries, no concerns, no tension, I relished every moment of pleasure and freedom. It's good to think life one at a time. I had this very amazing, really incredible
experience of fun and leisure. A million thanks to my
very generous long-time friend, Anelyn Arcon, for sponsoring this
once-in-a-lifetime moment of bonding at this world-class beach resort. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This travel was almost impossible
because of the stormy weather that the country had experienced over the last week of June. We originally wanted
to travel via 2Go at the Batangas port to Caticlan, but due to the low pressure forecast, we did not push through, too risky. We waited for another day. On July 1, the weather had improved so we immediately
checked the promo rates of Zest Air, luckily for us, the airline offered a
cheaper rate.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>At the Kalibo International Airport with my sister after disembarking from Zest Air</b></div>
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We boarded Zest Air from Manila
to Kalibo, Aklan last July 2, the air travel took only 45 minutes. I was quite
surprise with the runway of the Kalibo International Airport, so narrow and
rocky, felt like I was riding a bus hehe! Caticlan airport, which is nearer to Boracay, also serves commercial flights but the airfare is quite expensive so we chose the Kalibo route.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After disembarking from the aircraft,
we proceeded to the arrival section of the airport, we looked around where to
catch a ride for Caticlan. Along the exit area, travellers have lots of options
to choose, either ride a bus or hire a van or a package of van plus boat transfer, we chose
the latter because it was more convenient (Php250.00 each person for this package).<br />
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At the Caticlan jetty port, we paid
P100 for terminal fee and P75.00 for environmental fee. The boat ride took only
10 minutes. After disembarking from the boat, we hired a multicab to reach the beach area (fare is approximately P100.00 each).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Boracay at sunrise</b></div>
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<b>So nice to have a morning walk at the sugary sand barefooted!</b></div>
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There was a man named Sonny who
worked for the tourism department of the local government and whose job is to
help assist visitors. He guided us from the van to the Caticlan port and to
Boracay, he also helped us find hotel because we did not book online. He
brought us to Villa de Oro at station 2 located at the beachfront besides
La Carmela. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One good advantage of not booking
online is that you can still have many choices where to stay, you can still change your mind what option to take. We visited La Camela first but it was already full so Sonny introduced us to another villa. Since it was no longer a peak season, resorts at Boracay
offered promotional packages to visitors who will book personally. We got a
cheaper rate at Villa de Oro. We stayed in a loft style villa good for 6
people, it has an original rate of Php7,000.00 and it was given to us for only
Php 4,800.00, the package included breakfast and dinner.<o:p></o:p><br />
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We were amused with the villa's Mongolian buffet at dinner time because we're the one to choose and mix our vegetables and noodles. During our first night, it was truly an adventure haha!We mixed whatever ingredients displayed at the counter and brought it to the waiting chef and puff! the taste was strange haha! At breakfast time we had two choices: Filipino and American starters and I tried both starters for two mornings hehe!<br />
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<b>On our last day, I chose American style breakfast with hot tea</b></div>
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<b>Villa de Oro loft where we stayed for three days and two nights.</b><br />
<b>comfortable and relaxing accommodation. Free breakfast and dinner!</b></div>
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There are lots of vendors/agents offering packages for daytime adventure/activities as soon as visitors
enter the place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The usual package offered by the locals:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Activities Rate Duration</b><br />
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Island hopping Php 1,200.00 3 hours (rate of one boat per group)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Snorkeling Php
120.00 30 minutes<o:p></o:p></div>
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Helmet Diving Php
700.00 15 minutes<o:p></o:p></div>
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Banana Boat Php
500.00 15 minutes<o:p></o:p></div>
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Para sailing Php 1,500.00 15 minutes <o:p></o:p></div>
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We chose three activities: Island
hopping, Helmet diving and Banana Boat. It costs us around Php 1,371.00 each.
The island hopping lasted 3 hours, we passed at the crocodile island and at the
crystal cove where we hopped in and spent lunch. We resumed after lunch and
passed at the famous beach resort of Manny Pacquiao, the West Cove, and at the exclusive resort
of Shangri-La. The island hopping was followed by Banana boat ride and
Helmet diving.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>At the crystal cove along Ilig-iligan beach during our island hopping</b></div>
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<b>Preparing for our helmet diving adventure hehe</b></div>
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Helmet diving is a bit scary
because you have to go down to the deep blue water wearing a pressurized
helmet, a slight error can be very fatal. Before plunging into the water, a short orientation will be given first to the visitors explaining the basic movements and actions while underwater.
I was so nervous that I did not immediately catch the instruction so I kept on asking
my companions about those critical reminders hehe!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Helmet diving!</b></div>
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I’m telling you it was really
terrifying! When it was our turn to go down, I hesitated at first but because
it was non-refundable I forced myself to calm down and control my fears.
Honestly, despite the orientation, I was oblivious what to do so
when the helmet was put on my head scare for my safety stroke in my mind, I gripped hardly
on the iron handle and did not release my hand so the diver pulled my body down
and gently guided me. It was terrible because the helmet was so heavy and it felt like my eardrums were about to explode due to pressure! I was holding my
breath and struggled to touch my feet on the sea bed. But when I saw Anelyn
smiled and gestured the “OK” sign, I released a deep sigh of relief and slowly
smiled back and realized it's safe to breath underwater hehe!<br />
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The diver had to pull us together constantly because we kept on
moving due to the strong current of water and we could not be put together for
the picture and video taking hehe! So nerve wracking!!! We were given slices of
bread to feed the fishes but I was not concentrating, I was thinking more of going up back to the boat. We did not consume the 15 minutes, it was too
much for our nervous system so I touched Anelyn's hand to send a signal to the diver to pull us up. Once back to the boat we could not help ourselves but poke fun with each other and laughed hardly on our bloopers!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Boracay is so lively at night.
Tourists packed the bar lounges and street enjoying the music, the food, drinks,
partying until early dawn. Yeah it was so vibrant, full of energy.
The crowd is restless and foreigners enjoy the night away, but we did not savor
this moment anyway, after walking around, observing people, watching the
fun and scrutinizing the area, we went back to the villa and retired to bed, we're too tired to join the crowd spreading wildness haha!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Island hopping!</b></div>
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<b>Walking around The Mall and High-end boutiques</b></div>
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Boracay is not your typical beach
resort where the accommodation is ultra-exclusive, it is a city island where visitors are free to walk along the beach with their bikinis and swim trunks and just roam around the long coastline. The island also offers high end boutiques, Souvenirs shop and restaurants. The activities offered are simply amazing!<br />
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For visitors who dreamed to
experience the best of Boracay choose hotels or villas from station one or station two, these are nearer to party junctions, restaurants and shopping destinations plus the scene at night is more fascinating and exciting.<br />
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Here's my itemized cost for each person based on our trip:<br />
<br />
1. Roundtrip airfare from Manila to Kalibo (Zestair promo rates) Php 1,656.00<br />
2. Van plus boat transfer package from Kalibo to Caticlan Php 250.00<br />
3. Terminal Fee (from Caticlan jetty port to Boracay) Php 100.00<br />
4. Environmental Fee (one time only) Php 75.00<br />
5. Accommodation (Villa de Oro) loft style villa good for 6 Php 1,600.00<br />
6. Lunch at Crystal Cove Php 200.00<br />
7. Island Hopping Php 200.00<br />
8. Banana boat ride Php 500.00<br />
9. Helmet diving Php 700.00<br />
10. Meals (for three days) Php 600.00<br />
11. Multicab fare (from the port to Boracay and vice versa) Php 200.00 <br />
12. Boat transfer (to Caticlan port) Php 25.00<br />
13. Terminal Fee - port (yes, you have to pay twice) Php 100.00<br />
14. Van (from Caticlan to Kalibo) Php 175.00<br />
15. Terminal Fee (airport) Php 40.00<br />
16. Shopping for souvenirs Php 700.00<br />
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<b>TOTAL: Php 7,121.00 each person</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv-x1lUzATrSFcCcQDddTX0Y7daJfS9P64jK3010RU8D76lpf8VYXyq6n5VwU_CONwBj8iUUoEwxsGNX6rMv4c7x38UNVLgg7Y-7lhyphenhyphen4XQJMi2A0aULAXmG8Tkecm4UKhdgPWHKJUa87g/s1600/beach326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv-x1lUzATrSFcCcQDddTX0Y7daJfS9P64jK3010RU8D76lpf8VYXyq6n5VwU_CONwBj8iUUoEwxsGNX6rMv4c7x38UNVLgg7Y-7lhyphenhyphen4XQJMi2A0aULAXmG8Tkecm4UKhdgPWHKJUa87g/s400/beach326.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>boarding Zest Air going back to Manila</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YYxv692HqRfAGsPk0bJZM-6MhwHMUD52Qa-OvesGcUwtwwL0-hNMCaHf9R1SkqbPD5yEjmpbhsBtHo_wwEKFfmaIhU6fkzOeYj5sV1z4XN0YJ1V__W5hKi811ltNhruPbSnuHut9490f/s1600/beach317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YYxv692HqRfAGsPk0bJZM-6MhwHMUD52Qa-OvesGcUwtwwL0-hNMCaHf9R1SkqbPD5yEjmpbhsBtHo_wwEKFfmaIhU6fkzOeYj5sV1z4XN0YJ1V__W5hKi811ltNhruPbSnuHut9490f/s320/beach317.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>At the Kalibo International Airport @ 4:00 am waiting for our flight back to Manila. </b></div>
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<b>We had no sleep all night!</b></div>
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We left Boracay on the 4th of July at 5:00 in the afternoon and travelled back to Kalibo for our flight back to Manila. The moment we arrived at the Caticlan airport thunderstorm greeted us, it was so awful, the weather turned pretty bad.<br />
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We rested at the nearby restaurant in Kalibo and went to the airport at 4:00 in the early morning. We had no sleep but still energetic when we boarded Zest Air back to Manila at 6:00 on the morning! Such a spectacular, relaxing experience at Boracay!<br />
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Thanks to Anelyn Arcon!!!<br />
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