Manila: A Walk in the Park

Walking definitely is good exercise. And it's so amazing to walk under the sun especially when the weather's just right - not too hot and not too cold. But the best time to take a stroll is to have walked under the moon and stars of the night. Manila is relatively a safe place. That is unless, you exercise the necessary caution that you ought to do. Let me share to you a few of where strolling can be such a peaceful commune and an extra perk would be shopping and dining, of course.

Ever been to Manila zoo? The place showcases a couple of animals that would really be enjoyed by children. However, it's not that tidy as they say. But for the children who wants to see the tiger, hippopotamus, birds, elephants and other animals, this one is for you! But sad to say when it comes to wildlife preservation, the place is not a good sort. Better let them out in the wild. They're caged animals!

Fort Bonifacio is such a nice place, especially if you let yourself out in near sights during the nights. Have a walk in the Serendra shopping mall and see the architecture that is truly Ayala land's own. Check out their soon-to-rise condominium units that spells elegance and leisure. Have a walk at Mckinley park, the venue is for dining as well as hold concerts or other performances every weekends. The architecture takes you to Venice Italy.

If shopping is really a must in your list, check out Market, Market at Fort Bonifacio. They have an average price for everything you need. Of course, they have 3D cinemas which can give you satisfaction at a good cost.

Divisoria is really for cheap deals especially if you know how to haggle. Walk to your heart's content just by finding a thousand or even millions of things you could buy. Just be careful of pickpockets which may ruin your shopping experience. If you're in for furniture deals, go to Bangkalan. It's a must for slightly used furniture deals. Here you can find antique furnitures.

Zy calls its Speedy despite its Slow-pace

The Bewildering Tiger

Amongst Portraits at Serendra

A View at the Place with Clau

Fond of Cameras

Mckinley ala Venice Italiano Experience: With the Performers

Ant there was the Jump!!!

In Black and White

View at the Manila Zoo with Sister Cha

Ala Tele-serye: We Pose at the Mckinley Mall

In-house Affair: With Cha and Em

Baguio: The Weekend Experience

Ate Morena's Fairytale Come True

Fairytales do come true. This was in Ate Moreng's case when she had a wonderful garden wedding at the Camp John Hay Amphitheater. Many of us watched as she was wed to her foreign hubb Mr. Christoph Erk. She was like a princess who finally had her prince charming. Everything was well set from the Christian wedding where a band played classical music - one with the piano, another one with the violin, another one as a vocalist and I don't quite remember what else (lol). But anyway, it was music to the ears and soothing to the soul. A reception followed at Prince Plaza hotel where we were treated to a sumptuous meal. Everything was perfect, every detail and every aspect. Ate Moreng was a perfect bride who was a career woman for quite sometime but has decided to take it up a notch and live the family life in their own palace in Germany. She is a devoted Christian who found someone who would hold her hands dearly as she grows old - as both her and Christoph would grow old and make beautiful children together clothed with the combined genes of beauty, brains and real Christian values. To Christoph and Ate Moreng - Best wishes!!!

The Happy couple having a good laugh while holding hands...

Preparing for the most awaited kiss

At the Sidelines: Ate Che, Em and Me

The Doves Waiting to Soar High as Watched by the Children

The Simple yet Elegant Cake

South Drive Manor Experience

A day after, we set out to check out fine dining at the South Drive Manor for lunch. We were amazed at how mid-ranged their prices were. It was a good value for the hotel rooms starting with the standard room at 2,800.00 good for two people and a family room priced at 3,800 pesos a night. The interiors were promising. We expected a similar ambiance like Camp John Hay Manor but it did fell short of that. But truly, compared to Camp John Hay Manor, it was all at a good price. The Carbonarra pasta I ordered was really tasty. The mango crepe was appealing to the eyes as it was appealing to the stomach. So next time you need to look for a good hotel and some delicious food, do check out South Drive Manor at South Drive, Baguio City. It's a quiet place which spells elegance in itself.

My Life-long dream to be a Pianist... But I never got past playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (LOL!!!)

Family in a Boat:Some of the Splendid Artifacts We Saw

Mango Crepe: A Perfect Work of Art

Pasta Splendid

The Family Suite

Beautiful Interiors: The Fireplace at the Lounge

Insomnia Wills Me to Sleep

I wanted to sleep but I can't. It has been the third night where I've been writing and writing. Night and day I've been busy trying to beat deadlines. Pausing for a moment or savoring a few hours for me to sleep. I haven't written a blog for days. I have loved to write in between time but the mind runs out of ideas. But I still wrote didn't I?

The trips I've planned have been booked. But like anyone would say, I have to wait. As zye puts it patience is a virtue. And I will, I really will. There's a part of me saying that somehow all my trips would cease. Just because I'm on to better things. Like a child playing, my travels would soon be subdued. For there are greater explorations I have to make. Into roads where I will trudge. I am excited. I think it's what keeps me awake.

I have to tell myself this time that patience is a virtue. And to take life step by step. I will be forever indebted to life and the process of learning.

I will write to share every thought and every happy feeling. I will forever remember peoples' faces. I will forever remember moments. I will forever remember places. I've looked up to other people's travel blogs. As I've read them, I wanted to be in the places where they have been. A picture paints a thousand words. In turn, I look back through my albums and wished that people could see what others have inspired me - the beauty of life. The element of surprise is always an amazement. It makes me want for more. But contentment should become a status in life rather than a state of mind.

I long for the waves of the beach. The sunsets and sunrises. But I have my pen to write figuratively. I have to be contented for now. You cannot be at two places at the same time unless there's two of you. You cannot  be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Someday, you're gonna choose head or tails. But until that moment, leave it be.

Now, I am sleepy but before I put myself to slumber I'll be listening to music. It soothes the soul. It really does. I chanced upon this song. Hope it does its work. :-)

The Boat Ride

If airplanes were meant to soar the skies, then boats were made to journey bodies of water. I am not a water buff. I do not swim but instead is fashioned on splashing myself with bits of water. But I love the beach, the sunsets and sunrises and the scenery under water. I would love to know how to swim and to dive so that I can peak at what lies beneath the waters. But I am afraid. Like everyone has their own fears, some of heights, some of snakes and other animals. Mine is purely and simply, the deep waters and the strong waves. Even with a life jacket, I have fear that I will get drowned or if not, I would lie afloat in the waters with no direction. I am afraid the currents may just pull me to somewhere unknown.

So that is how a boat has been to me. As uniquely shaped as it is, it is tasked to explore the seas, oceans and other waters safely - to get to an island securely. But the boat may find it's flaws in functionality and may sink. But I am not afraid even if the boat would dangle with the big waves. As long as I am aboard that boat or ship. Even Coron's bamboo raft kept me secured in the waters of Kayangan Lake. I remember then, that I did sit on the bamboo raft like a queen.

But I would like to know what lies beneath the boat. I would like to explore further. Would I drown? Would I be caught with the strong currents of the sea? Would I remain afloat until the very life draws out of me. Will I challenge myself to wager my life without a boat only to see what else is still there. I want to find a bridge somewhere. I'll cross it in case i find one and once I get there.

The waters and the scenes will always catch my eyes. Will I remain on a boat ride? As my zest for exploration doesn't end, I will forever remain curious. I will be afraid lesser. I will come in contact more with the waters. I am beginning to love the water and conquer my fears. But will it suffice? Will it be worth it?

The element of surprise may give me joy but the journeys I am set to put my feet on wills me to expect beauty like Coron. What if it's unlike Coron? What if Mindoro and Boracay fades and wanes? Will I still cling to the boat ride? Expectation not met is a dawning soul. But I will be oblivious just so I can see a glimpse of wonder.

Qualifying As A Boat: The Bamboo Raft in Coron

A Boat Ride to the Islands with Clau and Zye

A Snapshot of a Ship in Coron

The Waters, The Boats, The Fishermen and the Islands

With Friends As A Tourist in My Own Home Town

Friendship is the one thing that lasts forever. Even if you have all the wealth in this world but you do not have friends, you will not find the joy, the fun and the happiness that comes with life. Friendship makes you younger. Friends make you laugh, smile and brim with joy over things. Sharing experiences with them can make every moment of your life memorable. I am lucky to say that indeed, I have friends who have kept up with me through the years and through thick and thin. Some friendships rooted back in my high school years and we try to see each other often until know. Sometimes we travel together. This is what my latest weekend was about - sharing moments with my friends.

You might be wondering where our footsteps have led us. Baguio City is my home place. It is where I grew up and it has always be a homey atmosphere. Occasionally, the breeze is cool here. But lately, the summer has brought in too much sun and heat. So it's nice to unwind and find the night life to keep away from the sun. So last Saturday night we decided to pour our energy over a night of bowling at the Puyat Sports at Center Mall. The place was nice with their techie bowling lanes and score boards. It is one where you can have a real fun time with friends and new acquaintances who happens to be Koreans. You can even borrow bowling shoes at minimal cost. I never was a sports buff not to mention getting the lowest scores among everyone but despite that I can say I did enjoy the game. The next stop that night was at a bar at Cafe Boss. The place was fine but I think the finger foods was fine. Do try their spicy chicken wings, it is highly recommended. But the real highlight of every bar are the drinks. We did try out some Blue Margarita and Tanduay Ice. It did make me tipsy. Why? It was because we had to play drinking games where the loser end up drinking the margarita. To our amazement, Koreans do have a lot of drinking games to play with where the loser end up to drink some beer or a shot glass of some sort. In our case, it was the Blue Margarita.

Bowling Shoes: The Unpretty Shoes (lol)

Cheers with the Blue Margarita that appears to be Yellow in Color (lol)

The Digital Score Board: See the letter L for my name? It has the lowest score ever (lol)

They call it the Love Shot: Carthel and Brady

On a Sunday, I ended up shopping with Zye at SM Baguio. Shopping has been really a de-stress or has become more of a hobby (lol). With the luring sale at the mall, you just can't resist to buy stuffs especially ones you can use for travels. But we had side trips before and after the shopping spree especially with Clau driving for us. We happen to feel like tourists in our own home town! We had a joy ride to the various places in Baguio like Mines View Park, Wright Park, The Mansion, Camp John Hay, Botanical Garden and lastly, an interesting place called the Safari Lodge. Safari Lodge is actually a place for accommodations. The least expensive room for two goes at 500 pesos per night during weekdays. At weekends, all room costs go up by another 500 pesos. I think it's fairly reasonable with the artifacts that you can find in the place which has a hunting theme on wooden walls, it's the perfect place to have that Cordilleran side of the primitive world.

With Zye and the Elephant Head

Safari Lodge: A View from the Outside

A Preserved Tiger???

Cozy Interiors

Posing in the Garden

A View of the Wooden Staircase with the Attendant Sheena

Taste Buds

La Union has always been a second home to me. It has been an escape from the bustling and mountainous ambience of Baguio City. Here, I can see the beach and find new environment where I meet different people everyday. Most of them have been influential in my explorations in life.

So after San Juan, I’m off to where I’m normally at – San Fernando City. To start things right, I usually end up dining at Golden Society. If you are fond of Chinese cuisine, then this place may fit your taste buds. But don’t worry, because the budget may also be just like your taste buds – just right on your pocket. It is one place where you can dine in groups without emptying your pockets. Jhe’s “balikbayan” mom treated us to a wonderful lunch with much stories about life in Hong Kong as an overseas Filipino worker, zest about life and love for family beyond distance. Hmmm… there goes my next destination plan sometime next year.

After a splendid meal, we went to Jhe’s aunt’s house. She married a British and I might say their tastes about architecture, decorations, furniture and almost everything are really befitting a home of substance. We were lucky to get a tour around their house and take pictures. It was a palatial home that “little princess” Mariella could grow in. I call their child a little princess. The rooms were spacious with closet rooms and a spacious comfort room with bath tubs and a shower room. The house was brimming with expensive chandeliers that illuminate the beauty of the painted walls and curtains. I chanced upon a wooden horse carefully tucked in the sala with pathways made of interior pillars. Even the staircase towards the second floor is uniquely decorated. I remember once that my father describes British houses as more beautiful inside than its exteriors. But in this case, the house was beautiful inside and out. We were told that they were planning to put a pool outside the house. But with a view of the sea from the veranda, who needs that much water? But I believe that with a pool it would be more like pure heaven. If you’re asking me if I could build a dream house, then surely I’ll tell you this house specifically fits my taste buds. Once you see the whole house; clearly, it would be to your fancy!

Golden Society with the STI College La Union Family

Meeh with Princess Mariella and Jhe

View from Upstairs

A Stolen Shot: What are we Looking for in Mariella's Bathroom

Who says you can't take pictures in the bathroom???

Mirrored Dining Table: Notice the Reflections?

The Tiled Floor

Posing with the New Wooden Horse

A Splendid Snapshot of the Staircase and the Ambitious Chandelier

A Colorful View from the Gate