Thursday, February 07, 2013
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Take 2! [Boracay]
I'm not in the mood to work now, like I'm having a "travel hangover" -- if there's such thing. I just got back from bora with Lou, Del and some of Lou's officemates.
It was awesome, in spite of typhoon Pedring. Why, I got my primary goal -- to just relax. No tours, no banana boats or what, you know what I mean? Right from the start I wanted it to be my "pre-employment vacation", something just to relax myself amidst errands in Manila, and something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period!
higlight 1: Astoria. On our first night, some agent from Astoria approached us (me and lou), and offered us free dinner buffet for two, in exchange for 90-mins of "hotel tour and presentation". They said it was a part of their promotion, because Astoria will have new resorts in Palawan and Bohol soon. Simple, why should we say no?
Geeee this is awesome, annoying and funny all at the same time. Because after Lou and I had a really yummy and sumptuous dinner (take note: BUFFET. FREE OF CHARGE), a "holiday consultant" then took us to their function room, more of a classroom, filled with couples (I assume these couples got the free dinner as well) and other sales agents doing their one-to-one sales talk with these couples. Apparently it was a sales talk session to sell their "Astoria Club membership" -- a pricey membership, ideal for [married] couples or families, offering cheap Astoria rates for the next 30 years.
To cut the long story short, the supposedly 90-min "tour" turned out to be a 2-hour chickahan then sales talk with the agent. Lou and I found the membership cool and interesting, but due to lined up bills till the next N years we didn't take the offer. Anyway, no regrets. if the dinner buffet is worth 2 hours of our precious time, then it's still all worth it. Because the food was really good. hahaha!
(and as what Lou's colleague said, if I can still remember every bit of info about that membership that I can blab about it for the rest of the night to others, then it's also worth it on the part of the sales agent. win-win!)
highlight 2: BORACAY GARDEN RESORT! Lou and I bought his officemate's unused ensogo voucher (here we go with deals again!):
It's one of the best deals we purchased! they had awesome, classy rooms and facilities, and their food was good, especially the buffet breakfasts. Most importantly, service was excellent!
I left it with all sadness :(
highlight 3: Typhoon Pedring. The entire stay in Bora wasn't really 100% fun, with the big waves, strong winds and heavy rain on our 3th-4th (day of departure!).
Luckily, our flight wasn't canceled. Thanks to Cebu Pacific who survived the turbulence (haha!), and who gave us accurate info about their flights, through their website and call center, in spite of the chaotic situations in the airports that day. I must say, their service has improved a lot!
Now that I think about it, with the perfect accommodation, safe flights, wholesome rave parties and drinking we did, the entire trip wasn't so bad after all. Actually, it made me decide that from now on, Boracay should be an annual tradition!
P.S. I just realized that this trip CAN'T be "something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period" ...I still have my Coron trip next week. hehee.
It was awesome, in spite of typhoon Pedring. Why, I got my primary goal -- to just relax. No tours, no banana boats or what, you know what I mean? Right from the start I wanted it to be my "pre-employment vacation", something just to relax myself amidst errands in Manila, and something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period!
higlight 1: Astoria. On our first night, some agent from Astoria approached us (me and lou), and offered us free dinner buffet for two, in exchange for 90-mins of "hotel tour and presentation". They said it was a part of their promotion, because Astoria will have new resorts in Palawan and Bohol soon. Simple, why should we say no?
Geeee this is awesome, annoying and funny all at the same time. Because after Lou and I had a really yummy and sumptuous dinner (take note: BUFFET. FREE OF CHARGE), a "holiday consultant" then took us to their function room, more of a classroom, filled with couples (I assume these couples got the free dinner as well) and other sales agents doing their one-to-one sales talk with these couples. Apparently it was a sales talk session to sell their "Astoria Club membership" -- a pricey membership, ideal for [married] couples or families, offering cheap Astoria rates for the next 30 years.
To cut the long story short, the supposedly 90-min "tour" turned out to be a 2-hour chickahan then sales talk with the agent. Lou and I found the membership cool and interesting, but due to lined up bills till the next N years we didn't take the offer. Anyway, no regrets. if the dinner buffet is worth 2 hours of our precious time, then it's still all worth it. Because the food was really good. hahaha!
(and as what Lou's colleague said, if I can still remember every bit of info about that membership that I can blab about it for the rest of the night to others, then it's also worth it on the part of the sales agent. win-win!)
highlight 2: BORACAY GARDEN RESORT! Lou and I bought his officemate's unused ensogo voucher (here we go with deals again!):
Only P8,008 for a 3D/2N’s Premier Room Accommodation with 4 sets of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for 2 persons at Boracay Garden Resort, Boracay Island (valued at P16,544)
It's one of the best deals we purchased! they had awesome, classy rooms and facilities, and their food was good, especially the buffet breakfasts. Most importantly, service was excellent!
I left it with all sadness :(
highlight 3: Typhoon Pedring. The entire stay in Bora wasn't really 100% fun, with the big waves, strong winds and heavy rain on our 3th-4th (day of departure!).
Luckily, our flight wasn't canceled. Thanks to Cebu Pacific who survived the turbulence (haha!), and who gave us accurate info about their flights, through their website and call center, in spite of the chaotic situations in the airports that day. I must say, their service has improved a lot!
Now that I think about it, with the perfect accommodation, safe flights, wholesome rave parties and drinking we did, the entire trip wasn't so bad after all. Actually, it made me decide that from now on, Boracay should be an annual tradition!
P.S. I just realized that this trip CAN'T be "something to look back to while I'm at a 6-month no-leave probationary period" ...I still have my Coron trip next week. hehee.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Zambales - with Lou's family
Oct 9 - Outing at Zambales, with Lou's family. I thought I'd be a party pooper, having slight fever from friday night to saturday afternoon, but no. Thanks to bioflu (hehe), I was able to swim, pigout, and bond with everyone (up till now I'm hoping I did not make any booboo for them to dislike me. Hehe)
We stayed at Canoe Resort, which was good - clean and not crowded (or maybe it's the rainy season). The weather wasn't good on our first day btw, so we weren't able to island-hop ..which I've been looking forward to. Good that the resort had a pool, and sunday's weather was good, I was able to enjoy night swimming, then the beach the next day! I LOVED the beach, the sand, and the landscape. That, plus the thought of island hopping, makes me want to go back! (Zambales, anyone?)
We stayed at Canoe Resort, which was good - clean and not crowded (or maybe it's the rainy season). The weather wasn't good on our first day btw, so we weren't able to island-hop ..which I've been looking forward to. Good that the resort had a pool, and sunday's weather was good, I was able to enjoy night swimming, then the beach the next day! I LOVED the beach, the sand, and the landscape. That, plus the thought of island hopping, makes me want to go back! (Zambales, anyone?)
Lago de Oro [Calatagan, Batangas]
Sep 25 - Outing at Lago de Oro, with my HS friends. Nothing to do, except wakeboarding and swimming (in the pool. Beach's dirty, but photogenic during sunset at least!). And perhaps pigging out with 'smuggled' food and booze, because there's corkage and food inside's really pricey!
Calatagan Sunset :)
group pic! a lot weren't able to come actually.
But I did enjoy this one. Not that I loved the wakeboarding experience okay! I never went beyond 3 meters, and muscle pain woke me up the next day. plus, the soil underneath felt gross, too squishy (I remember Roger saying, "Parang tae ng sheep!" haha!). gaaah! Wakeboarding sucks!!! I just loved the fact that finally I was able to try this famous adventure ...then realizing as early as now that this sport IS NOT FOR ME! Hahaha!
Calatagan Sunset :)
group pic! a lot weren't able to come actually.
But I did enjoy this one. Not that I loved the wakeboarding experience okay! I never went beyond 3 meters, and muscle pain woke me up the next day. plus, the soil underneath felt gross, too squishy (I remember Roger saying, "Parang tae ng sheep!" haha!). gaaah! Wakeboarding sucks!!! I just loved the fact that finally I was able to try this famous adventure ...then realizing as early as now that this sport IS NOT FOR ME! Hahaha!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My 3rd Solo Travel [Davao!]
(Continuation...)
Sat morning, I took a van to San Francisco, Agusan (del Sur, I think) then took a really nice Bachelor Express bus to Davao City (really awesome, the bus is new, clean, spacious and really cold. I've always looked foward to this ride!!! Babaw I know! Haha!)
After 6.5 hours all in all, there I was in Marco Polo hotel. I never planned to splurge the way, I was just enticed by my uncle who had a transferable discount in this hotel ...which I ended up keeping because it's more sulit for huge suites (and I'm sure the family will be able to use it before it expires!)
THIS IS MY ROOM. :)
It was only 2pm, but I was already tired. So after eating the shawarma I grabbed in NCCC (where I got off, and took a cab), I fell asleep and woke up at 6pm! I felt like I wasted time, skipping a lot of things in my afternoon list. so I immediately got out, hoping that I can shop enough before 7pm, Aldevinco's closing time (that shopping center with a wide variety of Mindanao's products). I was about to stop a cab when I noticed that Ateneo de Davao's right infront of me ...which meant that Aldevinco's just 1 block away, or - seriously - just 1 minute away! Good I remembered Ateneo as the landmark, or the cab driver could've died laughing. Hehe! (or he could've roamed me around the city first, wasting my money)
I shopped for the usual stuff - shawls, bags, accessories, etc. I think I did half of my Christmas shopping already. Haha! This time too, I didn't forget to buy stuff for myself... That's my regret in the previous years! I went back in the hotel feeling so fulfilled, also because I saved a lot for my transpo to Aldevinco. I think I'll forever love Marco Polo for that reason. Haha!
I then thought of having dinner in Matina Town Square but then rain poured heavily. At first it felt bad, having no choice but to dine in the hotel's resto ...then I realized that the price's same as outside PLUS cab rides anyway ...so I excitedly scouted for hotel foods without guilt. I enjoyed checking out all 3 restos, holding just a book and a cellphone, giving the aura, "I'm checked in here, I'm hungry, and I haven't found the food that may fit my taste!" haha! How sosyal!
I ended up in Lotus, a quiet chinese resto which gave me a perfect spot to read a book. Food was good, not too pricey for a hotel resto, and service is excellent. My only rant is that they don't serve dimsums for dinner, though they're available for lunch. But hu-whyyy right? (Bev, I'm still not done with Eat, Pray, Love!!!)
Then I ended my day, still a bit cramming... I had lots of to-do things in my list, but I've done just one so far - to shop in Aldevinco *sigh*. I then started trimming my list - why feel such pressure, when I'm here to rest anyway??? Haha!
I woke up the next day, eager to make the most out of my stay in the hotel. So I immediately got up, dressed up in loose clothes on top of my swimming attire, then went down to eat breakfast (ohyesss, sulitin ang pool, magexercise after magpakababoy!)
OH I LOVE BREAKFAST BUFFETS IN HOTELS! Generally, I mean. Simply coz I'm a breakfast person, I eat A LOT for breakfast, and buffets in hotels give me that chance to do so, without spending (well, unless you're not checked in) haha, how baboy.
my salad
DIY congee
Anyway, I loved their do-it-yourself congee, native hot chocolate, and their dessert - not the usual cakes, but sliced FRUITS. in yogurt! (and they have 3 flavors!). But what I loved most is their BOTTOMLESS MANGOSTEEN AND RAMBUTAN!!! Where in Manila would you find that? Hehe!
Fruits in yogurt! (I chose blueberry flavor)
...and CHAMYTO. hehe!
THE BEST part of my breakfast
I then tried their pool, which was so-so. I guess I really am not a pool person. Hehe. But generally, it was nice, neat, a good place actually to hangout, especially at night. Some pics: (and look, there's one proof that I'm still the queen of self-photography. Haha!)
The pool
Marco Polo, from the pool area
me. hehe.
I checked out feeling a bit dissatisfied. I feel like I need at least 3 nights in a hotel, alone, before I can say that I'm rejuvenated enough. Hehe! Oh well, next time!
Anyway, my flight's 10pm, which meant I still had a half day to spend around the city. But as always, I decided to spend it in a place where there's massage, durian coffee, kinilaw, pasalubong items, and package counter where I could leave my stuff. Where else? SM of course! Hahaha!
So there, I had lunch at Antonio's (really, I can't leave Mindanao without having kinilaw!), got an aromatherapy massage at MediSpa, then had durian coffee at Blugre. Oh, and I watched Going The Distance btw. Haha!
Antonio's - Kinilaw with salted eggs
Blugre - Durian Larcepuccino
(ata. basta, durian frap, something like that!)
Blugre - Pita chips with Mozarella and Tuna
All those were enough for me to kill time. The next thing I knew, I was there in Davao int'l airport, waiting for my flight back to Manila... still burping time to time, which tasted like DURIAN (hahaha, sorry, TMI!)
I felt sad a bit, knowing that my vacation's over... That tomorrow's another day at work... And that I have no idea if I'll still be able to solo-travel again after this one.
Well, let's see! :p
Sat morning, I took a van to San Francisco, Agusan (del Sur, I think) then took a really nice Bachelor Express bus to Davao City (really awesome, the bus is new, clean, spacious and really cold. I've always looked foward to this ride!!! Babaw I know! Haha!)
After 6.5 hours all in all, there I was in Marco Polo hotel. I never planned to splurge the way, I was just enticed by my uncle who had a transferable discount in this hotel ...which I ended up keeping because it's more sulit for huge suites (and I'm sure the family will be able to use it before it expires!)
THIS IS MY ROOM. :)
It was only 2pm, but I was already tired. So after eating the shawarma I grabbed in NCCC (where I got off, and took a cab), I fell asleep and woke up at 6pm! I felt like I wasted time, skipping a lot of things in my afternoon list. so I immediately got out, hoping that I can shop enough before 7pm, Aldevinco's closing time (that shopping center with a wide variety of Mindanao's products). I was about to stop a cab when I noticed that Ateneo de Davao's right infront of me ...which meant that Aldevinco's just 1 block away, or - seriously - just 1 minute away! Good I remembered Ateneo as the landmark, or the cab driver could've died laughing. Hehe! (or he could've roamed me around the city first, wasting my money)
I shopped for the usual stuff - shawls, bags, accessories, etc. I think I did half of my Christmas shopping already. Haha! This time too, I didn't forget to buy stuff for myself... That's my regret in the previous years! I went back in the hotel feeling so fulfilled, also because I saved a lot for my transpo to Aldevinco. I think I'll forever love Marco Polo for that reason. Haha!
I then thought of having dinner in Matina Town Square but then rain poured heavily. At first it felt bad, having no choice but to dine in the hotel's resto ...then I realized that the price's same as outside PLUS cab rides anyway ...so I excitedly scouted for hotel foods without guilt. I enjoyed checking out all 3 restos, holding just a book and a cellphone, giving the aura, "I'm checked in here, I'm hungry, and I haven't found the food that may fit my taste!" haha! How sosyal!
I ended up in Lotus, a quiet chinese resto which gave me a perfect spot to read a book. Food was good, not too pricey for a hotel resto, and service is excellent. My only rant is that they don't serve dimsums for dinner, though they're available for lunch. But hu-whyyy right? (Bev, I'm still not done with Eat, Pray, Love!!!)
Then I ended my day, still a bit cramming... I had lots of to-do things in my list, but I've done just one so far - to shop in Aldevinco *sigh*. I then started trimming my list - why feel such pressure, when I'm here to rest anyway??? Haha!
I woke up the next day, eager to make the most out of my stay in the hotel. So I immediately got up, dressed up in loose clothes on top of my swimming attire, then went down to eat breakfast (ohyesss, sulitin ang pool, magexercise after magpakababoy!)
OH I LOVE BREAKFAST BUFFETS IN HOTELS! Generally, I mean. Simply coz I'm a breakfast person, I eat A LOT for breakfast, and buffets in hotels give me that chance to do so, without spending (well, unless you're not checked in) haha, how baboy.
my salad
DIY congee
Anyway, I loved their do-it-yourself congee, native hot chocolate, and their dessert - not the usual cakes, but sliced FRUITS. in yogurt! (and they have 3 flavors!). But what I loved most is their BOTTOMLESS MANGOSTEEN AND RAMBUTAN!!! Where in Manila would you find that? Hehe!
Fruits in yogurt! (I chose blueberry flavor)
...and CHAMYTO. hehe!
THE BEST part of my breakfast
I then tried their pool, which was so-so. I guess I really am not a pool person. Hehe. But generally, it was nice, neat, a good place actually to hangout, especially at night. Some pics: (and look, there's one proof that I'm still the queen of self-photography. Haha!)
The pool
Marco Polo, from the pool area
me. hehe.
I checked out feeling a bit dissatisfied. I feel like I need at least 3 nights in a hotel, alone, before I can say that I'm rejuvenated enough. Hehe! Oh well, next time!
Anyway, my flight's 10pm, which meant I still had a half day to spend around the city. But as always, I decided to spend it in a place where there's massage, durian coffee, kinilaw, pasalubong items, and package counter where I could leave my stuff. Where else? SM of course! Hahaha!
So there, I had lunch at Antonio's (really, I can't leave Mindanao without having kinilaw!), got an aromatherapy massage at MediSpa, then had durian coffee at Blugre. Oh, and I watched Going The Distance btw. Haha!
Antonio's - Kinilaw with salted eggs
Blugre - Durian Larcepuccino
(ata. basta, durian frap, something like that!)
Blugre - Pita chips with Mozarella and Tuna
All those were enough for me to kill time. The next thing I knew, I was there in Davao int'l airport, waiting for my flight back to Manila... still burping time to time, which tasted like DURIAN (hahaha, sorry, TMI!)
I felt sad a bit, knowing that my vacation's over... That tomorrow's another day at work... And that I have no idea if I'll still be able to solo-travel again after this one.
Well, let's see! :p
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tandag's Fiesta 2010 (388th!)
Hello, I'm back!!!
Just got back from Tandag, Surigao del Sur with my family, for the town fiesta. (Also from Davao ...ALONE. So that should be a separate post. Heehee!) For now, here's the first part:
Sep 8 - I left my apartment early and met my parents and sister at the airport for our 8:30 flight. I was kinda excited, knowing that it's been YEARS since we last went on a "family trip". At the same time I felt quite uncomfy psyching myself that "this trip's gonna be a tiring one", having senior citizen parents who are not light packers. Haha!
at manila airport (terminal 3)
We arrived Butuan after an hour (wow cebu pacific, you gave no hassles this time. I think I'm going to love you again!) then we took a van going to Tandag. The trip was awesome, rough roads are gone, it took us only 4 hours more or less to reach Tandag. It used to be a bumpy and dusty 6-8 hour ride back when I was in 4th grade!
Shrimps, at Lianga stopover
Tandag Plaza
When we got to Tandag, we all still had the energy to hear mass (it was Mama Mary's birthday!). Then we had our dinner at my aunt's place, then that's it, our energy was drained. We slept early for the long days ahead!
Sep 9 - we had breakfast by the beach! I think this is the first time that I wasn't so enticed to swim. Perhaps that usual shoreline no longer attracts me, after I've seen better beaches in nearby towns. Oh well. hehe! Then we went to the nearby town, Tago, to visit relatives (both dead and alive haha!). There we also had our first dose of crabs. Mmmm!
Our cousin gave us a lil tour btw. She showed us the ongoing construction of Tago-La Paz bridge, which will soon cut the trips to/from south by more or less one hour! We hanged out for a while under the bridge, and I was so amazed the whole time as it was my very first time to see, up close, the junction of a river and an ocean! And it's not just a river, or just an ocean - I'm talking about Tago river - the largest river I've seen in my travels, and PACIFIC ocean!!! So cool isn't it?! (or maybe it's just me. hehe)
Tago-La Paz Bridge
(that's papa, wearing white)
where Tago River (LEFT) meets Pacific Ocean (RIGHT)! :)
Now this is the most hilarious - Back in Tandag, my sister and I went to the plaza to watch the BOXING MATCH OF GAYS!!! (entitled: "Boksing ng mga bading -The friendly and peace-loving gays of Tandag.") HAHAHA! Funny how they punched, like it was just a cat fight, a harutan, rather than serious boxing. Haha! And gee, most of them wore girly attire (like pecpec shorts! Haha!) and makeup! Really hilarious! Haha! =)
Then, dinner - LECHON and CRABS again! That was only my 2nd day in Tandag yet my tummy's already used to eating pyesta foods, and double rice per meal. Huhu!
Sep 10 - we went to another nearby town, Cortez. We're lucky that tide's low, we were able to take pics on the fine reddish sand, which I really loved! The weather wasn't so good so we didn't stay long, but at least a land tenant gave 3 branches of bananas! Funny that we're so giddy about it, even though we knew we won't be able to bring it back to manila. Haha!
low tide
We had lunch at my aunt's house. Omygawddd, LECHON again!!! Then in the afternoon, while my parents went house hopping for the very plenty lunch/ dinner invitations (that's how Tandag's fiesta is!) Ate minnie and I just stayed indoors, at my aunt's house. We took a nap, watched TV, played with our nephews, and ate A LOT for dinner, simply buhay baboy haha!
I was getting my 2nd serving of humongous shrimps and lechon leftovers, I think, when my cousin told me that I'm getting bigger (huhuhu) and that I should stop getting more - to which I replied, "one shouldn't go on a diet, on his last day of vacation!". Actually, I still had 2 more days but I'll spend them in Davao ...so technically, that night is considered as a last day right?! Haha, excuses.
My other cousin then told me that I'll be missing a lot ...as they'll spend the next day on a nice beach, out of town. That thought saddened me a bit, worsened by the thought of not having kinilaw for the entire fiesta (really unusual!)
But then I thought, I'll be back next summer anyway. and next fiesta. and next next summer. and next next fiesta. I have FOREVER to enjoy those things I missed this year! hehe!
(Oh, and I CAN HAVE KINILAW IN DAVAO INSTEAD!)
Part 2 kwento comin' up! (SOLO TRAVEL!!!)
Just got back from Tandag, Surigao del Sur with my family, for the town fiesta. (Also from Davao ...ALONE. So that should be a separate post. Heehee!) For now, here's the first part:
Sep 8 - I left my apartment early and met my parents and sister at the airport for our 8:30 flight. I was kinda excited, knowing that it's been YEARS since we last went on a "family trip". At the same time I felt quite uncomfy psyching myself that "this trip's gonna be a tiring one", having senior citizen parents who are not light packers. Haha!
at manila airport (terminal 3)
We arrived Butuan after an hour (wow cebu pacific, you gave no hassles this time. I think I'm going to love you again!) then we took a van going to Tandag. The trip was awesome, rough roads are gone, it took us only 4 hours more or less to reach Tandag. It used to be a bumpy and dusty 6-8 hour ride back when I was in 4th grade!
Shrimps, at Lianga stopover
Tandag Plaza
When we got to Tandag, we all still had the energy to hear mass (it was Mama Mary's birthday!). Then we had our dinner at my aunt's place, then that's it, our energy was drained. We slept early for the long days ahead!
Sep 9 - we had breakfast by the beach! I think this is the first time that I wasn't so enticed to swim. Perhaps that usual shoreline no longer attracts me, after I've seen better beaches in nearby towns. Oh well. hehe! Then we went to the nearby town, Tago, to visit relatives (both dead and alive haha!). There we also had our first dose of crabs. Mmmm!
 |  |
Our cousin gave us a lil tour btw. She showed us the ongoing construction of Tago-La Paz bridge, which will soon cut the trips to/from south by more or less one hour! We hanged out for a while under the bridge, and I was so amazed the whole time as it was my very first time to see, up close, the junction of a river and an ocean! And it's not just a river, or just an ocean - I'm talking about Tago river - the largest river I've seen in my travels, and PACIFIC ocean!!! So cool isn't it?! (or maybe it's just me. hehe)
Tago-La Paz Bridge
(that's papa, wearing white)
where Tago River (LEFT) meets Pacific Ocean (RIGHT)! :)
Now this is the most hilarious - Back in Tandag, my sister and I went to the plaza to watch the BOXING MATCH OF GAYS!!! (entitled: "Boksing ng mga bading -The friendly and peace-loving gays of Tandag.") HAHAHA! Funny how they punched, like it was just a cat fight, a harutan, rather than serious boxing. Haha! And gee, most of them wore girly attire (like pecpec shorts! Haha!) and makeup! Really hilarious! Haha! =)
Then, dinner - LECHON and CRABS again! That was only my 2nd day in Tandag yet my tummy's already used to eating pyesta foods, and double rice per meal. Huhu!
Sep 10 - we went to another nearby town, Cortez. We're lucky that tide's low, we were able to take pics on the fine reddish sand, which I really loved! The weather wasn't so good so we didn't stay long, but at least a land tenant gave 3 branches of bananas! Funny that we're so giddy about it, even though we knew we won't be able to bring it back to manila. Haha!
low tide
 |  |
We had lunch at my aunt's house. Omygawddd, LECHON again!!! Then in the afternoon, while my parents went house hopping for the very plenty lunch/ dinner invitations (that's how Tandag's fiesta is!) Ate minnie and I just stayed indoors, at my aunt's house. We took a nap, watched TV, played with our nephews, and ate A LOT for dinner, simply buhay baboy haha!
I was getting my 2nd serving of humongous shrimps and lechon leftovers, I think, when my cousin told me that I'm getting bigger (huhuhu) and that I should stop getting more - to which I replied, "one shouldn't go on a diet, on his last day of vacation!". Actually, I still had 2 more days but I'll spend them in Davao ...so technically, that night is considered as a last day right?! Haha, excuses.
My other cousin then told me that I'll be missing a lot ...as they'll spend the next day on a nice beach, out of town. That thought saddened me a bit, worsened by the thought of not having kinilaw for the entire fiesta (really unusual!)
But then I thought, I'll be back next summer anyway. and next fiesta. and next next summer. and next next fiesta. I have FOREVER to enjoy those things I missed this year! hehe!
(Oh, and I CAN HAVE KINILAW IN DAVAO INSTEAD!)
Part 2 kwento comin' up! (SOLO TRAVEL!!!)
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Japan tourist/visitor visa
Okay, a lot have been asking how I got a Japan tourist/visitor visa, here's the list of requirements:
-Application form which I downloaded here
-2 pictures, 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background. in my case sinabi ko nalang sa Tronix, "Japan visa size" hehe
-Philippine Passport, must be valid until 6 months after departure
-Birth Certificate issued by NSO within 1 year. photocopy will do for those who previously had a Japan visa, as in andie's case
-Proof of Assets. I gave a Bank Certificate of 1 payroll account
and Photocopy of 2 passbooks (I have no assets other than that)
-Photocopy of most recent Income Tax Return (ITR). I gave my 2008 ITR
-Certificate of Employment. I don't know if this helped: mine had info on my monthly salary and number of years I've been working in the company
-daily itinerary. should be detailed, like day 1: eat at jap resto, day 2: nagoya castle, day 3: sleep all day, etc etc. I can't remember much, Mazel listed the places, Andie retyped the list to this format. Ours wasn't in japanese chars btw.
there. or just double check from this list. Bring them all to Reli Tours, Mall of Asia -left side if you're on EDSA facing MOA. it's just outside the department store (I'm not sure btw but I think they have a branch in Megamall. googlize nalang. haha.)
You just have to leave your docs, a japanese guy will check on the spot if they're complete -No need for embassy personal appearance. Processing fee's Php 2000 (pag na-deny, goodbye 2000 hehe) He said that processing will take 7-10 working days BUT we got ours after 3 working days! :) We got that common visitor visa: single entry, max of 15 days stay, 3 months validity.
Budget Budget Budget
And for those who have been asking me how much I spent -well, It's really hard to give a value as it all depends on what kind of shopper you are, and we didn't have to pay for our accomodation, so that makes a lot of difference (hehee, thanks ate mel and mazel!) ...so, just to give you a hint on how much your budget should be here are the prices that I could remember:
small bottle of mineral water: ¥120
A scoop of ice cream: ¥320
average set meal (that's satisying and yummy enough): ¥1200
train ride: ~¥200-¥400
train ride-all-you-can: ~¥600
taxi for just about 5km: ¥1500
conversion: ¥1 = P0.52... shocked with all the prices?! haha! (I use P0.50 for easy computation. though, take note you shouldn't convert when shopping or you won't be able to buy anything. seriously. You'll spend ¥100 like it's P10 here. at yung isang lapad (¥10,000) e lumilipad lang na parang isang libo. there. haha!)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
On time for Obon [Osaka, Japan]
previous post: [Landmarks, Shops, Food, etc - Nagoya, Japan]
Andie and I went back to Osaka to meet up Ate Mel -to squat again, because we had a flight back to Manila the following day, early morning (ahwww) BUT YES, the Japan trip's not yet over! After that first Shinkansen/bullet train experience, Ate Mel, with her friend Ate Susan met us up in Shin-Osaka station (I don't know the name of the station).
Shinkansen - At Nagoya, on our way to Osaka
We road another train to few stations away, left our luggages again in a locker then spent the afternoon knowing their pinoy friends, who were hanging out at that moment at Mister Donut, Selcy. Kuya Bob, Ate Chris and baby were there by the way, it was a nice mini SOLV reunion. haha :)
me, kuya bob with lizzy, and ate chris :)
We bought last minute pasalubong items from the department store and the grocery then went out of the mall again, to see what everyone was waiting for -the "Summery Selcy" as the stage backdrop said. According to Ate Mel, it was some sort of festival to give honor to the departed. And they call that Obon -a week long celebration every mid-August I think, where they honor the dead (and travel a lot? it's a week long holiday! so it's just like Undas!) Lanterns were everywhere, and people, mostly elders were dancing around this huge red and white cloth:
During the dance's short break Kuya bob asked the teens wearing yukata if it's ok to have a pic with them. and they didn't mind at all, they even happily posed as Kuya Bob took the shot. haha! Thank you Kuya Bob, I have no guts to do that by myself haha! In the first place, I can't try that at all because I can't speak Japanese!
That's it, for the Japan trip finale, Ate Mel treated us to Noraya -a resto offering really yummy udon, served in all-cat stuff, haha so cute! After our dinner, we strolled around, then Ate Mel brought us to a nice spot within their village which has a nice view of the city.
cat on the chopsticks
cat bowls
hidden cat
even the tofu had a cat! hehe
strolling. a park had stones for foot massage!
The Japan treats didn't end up till the last minute though. At night, when we were packing our bags, we had green tea ice cream again (or was that popsicle?) which was cream filled, really yummy! For my breakfast the following morning, I had Onigiri or rice ball wrapped in nori, which we bought from the grocery the previous night. hehe.
Finally, Ate Mel brought us to Ibaraki station for the limo bus that will bring us back to the Kainsai International Airport. ahwww. thanks Ate Mel, I'll miss you! see you soooooon!
picture picture for the last time!
---------------
Back in Manila:
my niece, Sophia
wearing the yukata, my pasalubong for her. hehe
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Landmarks, Shops, Food, etc [Nagoya, Japan]
previous post: [The Hitsumabushi Night - Nagoya, Japan]
Anime!
It was blazing hot, and our bags were heavy, but we managed to maximize (I think) our last day in Nagoya. After leaving our big luggages in a locker in Nagoya station, Mazel brought us to an anime store which didn't give me much of what I was looking for, as I was looking for pokemon cards for my nephews. hehe. I was able to buy Naruto cards though, with an almost-porn freebie card, which of course I should just keep as souvenir. not for kids! hehe
these cars, and their owners are cool :)
TV Tower and Oasis 21
We strolled around and took a lot of pics within the vicinity of Nagoya's TV Tower and Oasis 21. I love Oasis 21's futuristic watery roof, which we didn't explore up close because one of us was afraid of heights :D but it's ok, I loved the pictures from afar and besides, it was really hot!
TV tower, ignore that fan I'm holding. hehe
oasis 21
zoomed in :)
Below were so many shops that made me giddy for pokemon cars (not CARDS. I never found them at all!) and miniature shinkansen (bulet train) models. Again, even if they were all pricey, I didn't want to regret not buying and so I bought some for my nephews. hehe. some stores had mascots for promotions, and that green round bubbly thing made my day:
"green round bubbly thing" hehe
Sushi Bar
Since I wanted to experience a shushi bar where there's a conveyer belt for all sorts of sushi, modeling right your very eyes to make you drool, Mazel and Adrian brought us to a sushi bar (and I can't remember the resto's name) just within Oasis 21. oooh Sushi Bar! my most awaited moment! I'll let the pictures and captions share my first sushi bar experience. hehe:
natto (soybeans) - too slimy, I didn't like
shrimp with fish eggs - I like!
salmon - I LOVE!
fish eggs - too salty, I like this
only when eaten with the pickled ginger hehe
okra - it just passed by, none of us dared to get it. hahaha!
octopus - gummy as expected, but I like!
There. generally, this sushi bar pleased me -though not as much as my breakfast the previous day, where I had karaage, rice, udon and kani salad in one order. well, I guess there are yet hundreds of sushi bars out there waiting for my review. hehe. but hey, really, I loved that thick slice of salmon!!! Anyway, I took pics of the bar, and the chef. good that he didn't mind. hehe.
the lower layer is actually for the clean tea cups.
I loved the powdered green tea by the way!
there, hi sushi master!
By the way, I was amused by how each was served on a color-coded plate to determine the price upon bill-out. Can you guess how much I ate? hehe:
Bye Nagoya...
After lunch we shopped for some more, also because Andie was looking for a ceramic knife, while me I was looking for the heel cream which my mom ordered. hehe. We got it all from the nearby stores then that's it, Adrian left then at around 2:30pm we were back in Nagoya station to get our luggages back and to bid hugs and farewell to Mazel, and Nagoya *sigh*.
Nagoya was a great experience, I had so much fun! I wish I could have that experience again -to stroll, shop and pig out in a foreign land, yet with someone as my personal interpreter. hahahaha! thanks so much Mazel, I don't know how I would survive Japan without you, Adrian, your japan-train-traveling-skills and your cozy home! :)
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