tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-275605942024-03-08T10:40:58.483+08:00Tabi tabi po!Jane's travels - includes family travels, preparing an Itinerary, searching for deals, finding hotels, tips on destinations, where to go and what to do upon arrival at destination. Features Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USA, China, Hong Kong, Macau destinations. Read about Palawan, Tagaytay, Davao, and other Philippine destinations.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-62389294953610757922014-06-15T17:12:00.001+08:002014-06-15T17:12:43.521+08:00Hey! It’s Her Birthday Again. – A Backpacking Weekend in Pangasinan<br />
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Birthdays always warrant a trip. At least for my family it does specially when
it’s the little girl (who’s not so little anymore) who’s celebrating. For June 2014, we took a trip to Bolinao with
my husband’s family. They had originally
thought of going to a beach at Batangas.
However, I didn’t quite like the idea of having to bring our own water
to use for bathing and not having at least a fan because there wasn’t any
electricity to reckon with. So, of
course I had to look for an althernative and Pattar in Bolinao was my
choice. </div>
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As always, we left the house at 4 am. It was going to be our first time to go to
Bolinao as a family and Googlemaps said
it would take about 5 to 6 hours
to get there. We didn’t have much time
to spend as we were only staying 24 hours at most and getting to our
destination early would give us a few more hours to play or laze at the beach or
go elsewhere around the area. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While the trip was scenic and the lighting in the blue and
golden hours was perfect for a photo shoot, the travel time was not as we
expected. We reached Bolinao at almost 1
pm – almost 9 hours after. Of course we
stopped a few times - Once to have breakfast for 1 hour at Lakeshore along NLEX
before proceeding to SCTEX, 15 minutes to have the tire checked, and about 3
times at 10 minutes give or take at each stop to take a leak. <o:p></o:p>Bolinao is a municipality of the province of Pangasinan. It is located in the northern western coast of Luzon at the opposite direction of Baguio. With that distance, we had anticipated to get there by noon.</div>
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True enough, it was lunchtime when we got there so first stop was at the
Bolinao Seafood Grill ATBP. I had
originally planned to have our lunch at the Bolinao waterfalls because we
brought food anyway. However, it was really
cloudy with the rain about to fall and hubbydubby was already hungry that I
didn’t think it was good to trek anymore.
The resto turned out to be a very good choice. A plate of medium sized succulent and freshly
cooked shrimps cost 160 to 190, mussels cost about 120 pesos per serving of
about 2 to 3 persons, etc. We had
pinakbet (it would be a sin not to have it being in the Ilocos region), some
grilled pork, 2 plates of shrimps, mussels,
and rice of course. That cost
only 700 pesos more or less. Not bad
conidering there were 7 of us. What made
it a great meal was that everything really tasted very delicious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After lunch we headed to Coco’s beach resort where we were
booked for the night. It turned out that
not only was Bolinao Seafood Grill a good place to dine, it was also along the
road we would have to take to go to Ilog Malino where Cocos was. It only took about 10 minutes to get to the
resort. It had a few rows of rooms along
the shore and towering coconut trees by the entrance and within the
compound. They had some grocery items
being sold at the information hut and they had common grilling stands near the
rooms for guests to use. I didn’t know
that they had coal, and rice and all other sort of stuff that you’d need to
cook. Had I known, I wouldn’t have
brought so many. LOL<o:p></o:p><br />
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The room we stayed at was enough for 6 by HK standards if
you know what I mean. LOL. That just says there’s enough room on the bed
but not enough room to walk by. It had 3
twin beds and a shower inside. It had a table and some chairs outside and
visitors were allowed to pitch a tent.
We brought ours as we had expected some of my hubby’s aunts to join us.
That was just in case there were more of us and there weren’t any more rooms at
the resort. The advantage though is that
the rooms at Cocos were cheap. Some had
airconditioning while others just had fans in them. Ours was airconditioned and cost 2500 pesos
which fit 6 not-so-picky adults. Basic
but it served its purpose. The room for
4 was only 2 Grand. <o:p></o:p><br />
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After we had brought our stuff inside the room, I and my sister-in-law with her husband went
to the talipapa nearby where be bought some yellow fin tuna and porkchops for
dinner. After we stashed our goods
inside the cooler, they went out for a ride to Pattar which is 15 minutes
away. I, on the other hand, went out to
the beach to take some pictures while I waited for my husband who took a nap.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My hubby and I went out to join them after about an
hour. Most of the tourist spots in
Bolinao were in one area – Pattar. We
dropped by the Enchanted cave where they had an underground pool. I didn’t go with them as I was told it was
very small anyway and there wasn’t anything else to see. Fortunately, it was the lean season already
so there weren’t too many people. Next
we went to the lighthouse. It is not as
big as Cape Bojeador in Ilocos but it was also a sight to behold. Situated on top of a hill, there was a
fantastic view of the sea from the deck.
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Next stop was at Pattar beach. I was thrilled to see it as the reviews I
found on the net said it was very beautiful.
It wasn’t as I had expected. The
beach was not white but was just light brown, fine but not powder as Boracay, and
the waves were strong because it was on the China Sea. Pattar is a public beach on the coast of
Pangasinan. There were vendors about 50
meters from the shore and there were cottages built by some individuals. While it is true that we could have brought a
tent there, it wasn’t the time for camping as a downpour was expected in the
afternoon during the rainy season in the Philippines. We didn’t stay long, only a few minutes to
take some pictures and we were off to meet up with the rest of our group. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We headed back to Cocos after meeting them. There, we found the water to be calm and
clear unlike in Pattar where the the waves were threatening to devour you. Ilog Malino, as I observed is a cove and thus
the area was protected from the waves from the sea. They had found several rafts which they used
to frolic in the water. I had originally
planned for us to stay at Pattar but the rooms there were at some expensive
resort. There were cottages but the
toilets and showers were communal. So,
as fortune would have it, I chose for us to stay at the adjacent Ilog Malino
and would just rent a small hut at Pattar had we stayed long there. But we
didn’t. Less expense. Great for the
budget. LOL<o:p></o:p></div>
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For dinner we had yellow fin tuna and pork that I had cooked
on the grill along with some fruits that we had brought in. Quite nice.
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As it had always been, I woke up early to see the sun
rise. With my cam, I took some
shots. The pictures I had were among the
best ones I have taken so far. We had breakfast there, took some time in the
water, and by 12 noon, we set off to go around the town on our way home. Lunch was still at Bolinao Seafood Grill ATBP
as we really enjoyed our lunch the day before.
We ordered food and reserved a table but went to the see the church
while we waited. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The St. James Parish is a 400 year old church. Like the other old places in the Philippines,
it is located at the heart of the town just beside the market and walking
distance to the municipal hall, bus terminals , etc. It is comparatively smaller than the ones
I’ve seen but is well maintained considering that Bolinao is a third class
municipality and the people are mostly fisherfolks and farmers. There was a stall just outside the gate of
the church where they sold Binungey. It
is a delicacy of steamed rice and coconut milk cooked inside a bamboo. A suman as we would call it here in the
Tagalog region only that the suman is wrapped in banana leaves. The Binungey
has banana leaves as lining for the bamboo.
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After our visit to the church, we headed back to have lunch
at the resto. After the meal, we headed
straight to Alaminos to see the Hundred Islands. We had wanted to see the waterfalls because
it was along the highway anyway but it rained so hard that the path to the
falls would be too slippery. And while
most of us were adults, we had brought my mother in law along. Of course she’d probably try to keep up but
we didn’t want to risk a fall or any accident.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The downpour continued all the way from Bolinao to Camiling
Tarlac. While we actually went down for
a quick stop at the Hundred Islands, the view was so hazy we could hardly see
the islands that were nearest the port.
Anyway, looking at the bright side, there’s reason to go back that part
of Luzon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0Bolinao, Pilipinas16.3425356 119.8927295999999416.0987471 119.57000609999994 16.586324100000002 120.21545309999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-2007469358302797692013-06-18T04:06:00.001+08:002013-06-18T04:06:22.172+08:00Ride the Waves - Surfing at San Juan, La Union<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d55dTwRCA-0/Ub9qr1EKpXI/AAAAAAAACxM/Khmvz-mrNuo/s1600/sufingsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d55dTwRCA-0/Ub9qr1EKpXI/AAAAAAAACxM/Khmvz-mrNuo/s320/sufingsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It'd been a long while since my daughter Ikee wanted to surf. I guess since she was in the 6th grade or so. Anyway, it became a reality for her last December when we decided we'd just go on a short trip up north to San Juan, La Union. <br />
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The trip took about 9 hours or so including stopovers for coffee and wee breaks. It was around 2 pm when we got there having left at around 6 am. We were not in a hurry to get to San Juan as my cousin-in-law, Mike, and Ikee's cousin, Carlo, knew that the waves weren't due till late afternoon. So, we ate a rather late breakfast along the way and had lunch at Sebay Resort where we were billeted. Sebay is a cheap alternative for surfers who are only there to surf but do not mind how the accommodation looks like. We had paid about 2000 pesos for the 4 of us. It was basic but clean nonetheless. There were other resorts but they were either full or too expensive. Besides, both Mike and Carlo recommended the place so we tried it. It was ok. I'd give it a 7/10.<br />
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At about 4 pm, Ikee, Carlo and Mike trotted to the beach and got a surf instructor to teach them. My husband and I just watched them as the 3 surfers-wannabes listened intently. It turned out that as Ikee was a beginner and the guys weren't pros themselves, they needed an instructor not just to teach them but to also guide them. The whole package of the 1 hour board rental with instruction cost 400 per person. Not a bad deal. After 10 to 15 minutes of combined lecture, demo and return demo, they were off with their boards to ride the waves. Here are some pics:<br />
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I guess the 3 enjoyed the waves as they returned the next day for another hour of stoke. And guess what? They wanted to drop by for yet another hour after our 3-day trip to Ilocos. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-14463468487281221892013-06-08T13:37:00.000+08:002013-06-08T13:37:01.719+08:00Do you Mind? - Mind Museum at BGC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7PW0fheO9RbARxW2OHFJc_Zz8ZC4uJtjpA5g7957j1zjWmGR7kM9_wAlyNpaLw9jjHVGDr4he1lj5o4QGFHFNLvJnV9Yq5jWkLVRNA72500LWbMKC55VkU7JqKrSLvOQhxTXqQ/s1600/phileagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7PW0fheO9RbARxW2OHFJc_Zz8ZC4uJtjpA5g7957j1zjWmGR7kM9_wAlyNpaLw9jjHVGDr4he1lj5o4QGFHFNLvJnV9Yq5jWkLVRNA72500LWbMKC55VkU7JqKrSLvOQhxTXqQ/s320/phileagle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was my daughter's birthday yesterday. Even at 19 she still wants to go to a museum ('guess that part she inherited from me). So, after lunch we headed for the newest world class museum in the country - the Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines. Even on our 2nd visit, the museum still is new to us. The first time we were there we checked out the exhibit on the human body and went to the science park where we played. Yup, as old as we were, we enjoyed playing at the park.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkUO9WsWpceIr9BLm7xcq8Fww1_ZhuZds5-hxz_limzJpmCb1j8DsFt6hrPuTTOBup-Cvam1B7MnsLYpWkFk7oj0nL4q-VLC7TQz8Ymx-Ai0WS8S2Ll6Efo2a_BDJyzhauCaeJA/s1600/experiment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkUO9WsWpceIr9BLm7xcq8Fww1_ZhuZds5-hxz_limzJpmCb1j8DsFt6hrPuTTOBup-Cvam1B7MnsLYpWkFk7oj0nL4q-VLC7TQz8Ymx-Ai0WS8S2Ll6Efo2a_BDJyzhauCaeJA/s320/experiment.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Ikee and I bought our tickets ahead of my husband. He had to park the car and it took a while for him to do so. When we got inside, we went straight to the Atom exhibit. There was a demo experiment going on so we watched it. It was rather fun specially when we were asked to go to a room where we temporarily left our shadow. Wake up Peter Pan! It's not just you who left his shadow. <br />
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There were other things that we did there. The shows we watched were good specially the "Ang Simula" which was done by ABS CBN (one of the Philippines' leading TV network). It is a story of how science thinks the philippines evolved. Another one was the planetarium show although I liked the show at the planetarium in Manila years ago. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5fzdvm8i_Q/UbK_kmCBSOI/AAAAAAAACwA/Og3BBEMU9T8/s1600/trex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5fzdvm8i_Q/UbK_kmCBSOI/AAAAAAAACwA/Og3BBEMU9T8/s320/trex.jpg" width="214" /></a>One of the highlights of the museum is the presence of the TREX skeleton. I had seen one of those at the Museum of Natural History at Washington D.C. before but it's good to see one in Manila. <br />
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So, if you're planning to go visit a museum here, do include the <a href="http://www.themindmuseum.org/pages/11/ticket-prices-and-time-slots" target="_blank">Mind museum</a>. It's fun for both adults and kids I tell you. Although they have a 3 hour visit which costs 600, the all day pass only costs 750. Take the latter as you can't enjoy a museum with only 3 hours. Oh, and they're closed on Mondays and are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm. Sorry for the pics by the way. there was very little light and I didn't have a tripod (sheesh!). <br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-38339028755293040212013-06-01T16:12:00.000+08:002013-06-01T16:12:41.286+08:00Two Trips Up North (Part 1)This is a year late. Anyway, today I think it is time I write about it. <br />
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Last year we went to Laoag, Pagudpud, and Vigan. It was a very long trip as our first destination was Laoag. The Sunshine City as Laoag is tagged is about 2 hours away from Pagudpud to the north and 2 hours away South to Vigan. However, we had expected Laoag to be about 10 hours away from Manila so we opted to take a quick stop at Vigan to have lunch. Bad decision I guess because we left Manila at about 5 am and reached Vigan at nearly 4 pm. Of course we had underestimated the travel time. It was the holiday season and the traffic was just so bad. It was my intention to see Vigan at both day and night but not for us to be starved. Yup we were all starved when we got there. Our breakfast was 7 hours earlier and at Tummy Talk it took nearly an hour for our food to be served. The holidays took a toll on us as there were so many people in the area and we had to go resto hopping before we even got a place. Then, after that, there were so much food for the resto to cook that it took even more time for them to hand our fare. It's probably because Tummy Talk was not as popular as Cafe Leona and the other restos that we were able to find a place to sit. Of course there was the usual empanada at the Plaza which later I found was just about 100 meters away from where we were but it was our first time in the area and we didn't know where to go. Plus I didn't have the energy to look for my companions any longer. <br />
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Vigan is a city but it is also rich in culture and history. In fact it had been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site as it looks and feels like you're taken centuries back when you're there. Calle Crisologo is a street where most buildings and housese had been preserved. Though most have been turned into stores and shops, the owners retained the stuff that reminded the visitor of the heritage and culture that influenced ours. The capiz-shell windows were there, the cobblestone roads, the lamps, the solid wood huge doors that mostly the affluent had in their homes. Even the shops sold more antiques than anywhere I have ever seen. The only means of transportation allowed to ply the length of the street were the calesas (horse-driven carriage). The one thing that turned me off were the small piles of trash that the unmindful tourists who didn't care to throw their garbage in the bin and the seeming neglect of the Ilocano merchants who probably didn't want to lose time away from their goods to pick the trash. Too bad. Anyway, we didn't stay long there as we had to proceed to Laoag where we were to stop for the night. <br />
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to be continued...<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-88096625167304283712013-06-01T16:09:00.002+08:002013-06-01T16:09:18.320+08:00Herb Republic - An Organic Resto in Los Banos<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I had been wanting to try out organic restos for quite some time now.
It seems hard to make good stuff taste good too. But not in the
case of a rustic resto in Los Banos, Laguna. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-PH;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Herb Republic, which once was over a kilometer away from UP Los Banos,
is now a stone's throw away from the academic community. My family and I tried
to eat there at least twice before to no avail. I thought they were
closing shop already. I was delightfully surprised one day when I saw
their ad outside an old house along Lopez Ave. that they are now occupying.
Of course we didn't miss out on the chance to finally taste their
food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The one that I like the most is their rosemary chicken. It is
roasted organic chicken and with fresh rosemary to flavor it. It is of
course tastier than their counterparts as organically grown animals are an the
addition of the freshly picked herbs seem to crown them as the best in Los
Banos. We normally just order half chicken for the both of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The other best thing that we love is the Herb Republic fresh and organic
vegetable salad that you wrap in pita with its creamy dressing. Of course I had to try their tarragon Shake
which I find so refreshing till now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, in case you’re interested to see them, check their website first and then gallop
on and pay them a visit. <a href="http://www.herbrepublic.biz/Herb_Republic/Herb_Republic_Restaurant_files/Herb%20Republic%20Menu%20ver2.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.herbrepublic.biz/Herb_Republic/Herb_Republic_Restaurant_files/Herb%20Republic%20Menu%20ver2.pdf</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Oh, did I say that<a href="http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com/"> yoggie’s yogurt</a>
now supplies their yogurt cheesecake there? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-12508406515818465642012-07-25T03:23:00.002+08:002012-07-25T03:23:52.487+08:00Chilline's T: A Beautiful House on A Hill in Tagaytay<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecR8DAzVgwXg0mdLVtwykngaofv8BdX0aO9lTDIBwLmRe6k8oCNUpXZGneLf5lNJDbRV2Vf-H6FLKY-25YD-SXTeaobqYziakw79Mg4qf_r6_ATvrUmS2tBKVe9MUVRDKREA6Uw/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecR8DAzVgwXg0mdLVtwykngaofv8BdX0aO9lTDIBwLmRe6k8oCNUpXZGneLf5lNJDbRV2Vf-H6FLKY-25YD-SXTeaobqYziakw79Mg4qf_r6_ATvrUmS2tBKVe9MUVRDKREA6Uw/s400/DSC_0391.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">driveway</td></tr>
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If you're considering a cozy wedding or a debut with a view, why not look at the property of Chilline Attitude Corporation's T. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWKQZLSGgXvX_3pulZrRrhscdxDWu8Zg8zbvI5-W0VwmSZyiN6H7bHouj5R54ox5RijebMeSMPAfqx8lR0NrxUkCuvUP7CPFqprgM5pZkHyc1iYDgK5XFC7veWqpu3VmeiPrQ5w/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWKQZLSGgXvX_3pulZrRrhscdxDWu8Zg8zbvI5-W0VwmSZyiN6H7bHouj5R54ox5RijebMeSMPAfqx8lR0NrxUkCuvUP7CPFqprgM5pZkHyc1iYDgK5XFC7veWqpu3VmeiPrQ5w/s320/DSC_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance</td></tr>
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Yes, the name of the place is T. Perhaps to mean Tagaytay, the property is set by the cliff with a magnificent view of Taal Lake. It is perfect for a romantic get-away, a nice and quiet vacation for a family, or even to hold special occasions at. From the driveway alone, the entrance warmly welcomed us with its foliage of light green, amber, and purple. The first floor is actually thee house's rooftop which is strong enough to hold a gathering for over a hundred guests.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">The house is Greek inspired. It is mainly white with accents made mainly from natural materials - wood and stone.</span> As we walked past the main door, we saw a wooden sofa set accentuated with a psychedelic painting. At least that's what it seemed to me, not that I'm one for the arts. LOL Anyhow, it was tastefully done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEGmXCdNEA9RGDcSkMeNcuG8q7hNfePu5q2BA0PXxrEjD5lZmKfmXuJZQPKryJyOuHg8kUa9aR0d4L2i0clIPZX0FXjXFhV5u7eDLPqf2UKcoRrwO5c-RYSdoYxos8QfvpcFdTA/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEGmXCdNEA9RGDcSkMeNcuG8q7hNfePu5q2BA0PXxrEjD5lZmKfmXuJZQPKryJyOuHg8kUa9aR0d4L2i0clIPZX0FXjXFhV5u7eDLPqf2UKcoRrwO5c-RYSdoYxos8QfvpcFdTA/s400/DSC_0312.JPG" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stairway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8X18q02kRgg/UA7od8gaFRI/AAAAAAAACpI/IqSEZHFgkjk/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8X18q02kRgg/UA7od8gaFRI/AAAAAAAACpI/IqSEZHFgkjk/s320/DSC_0317.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stairway view from the sala</td></tr>
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Just like any house on a mountain or a hill, the house's orientation is going down. the first floor is where the entrance is. A stone stairway lead us down to the sala where I had noticed a large stone accent stood in the middle it. most parts of this level had a view of the lake and the lone pool except for one bedroom that actually opened up to a garden. To the right of the accent we found the dining room which was separated from the poolside by a glass door A few meters down from the pool is where the sauna is located.<br />
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Another flight of stairs lead us to the basement where another room is. most rooms have its own toilet and shower. The master's room has a toilet and shower and a separate bathtub beside the shower.Anyway, I took the liberty of taking some pics. here they are and you judge whether my description is accurate. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LcBXa9YNYtzxYSU273qS_iP_CLQhdKejIHFzQhTKvyca6uogd8iC_XH-yxTSxGDUw-DyNpopDBRSCjdjxS9LTXcAwmQ4paI-tLq5C0yEbJs7eQ8wsRcbF7n-ZfXliSdmziJLcw/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LcBXa9YNYtzxYSU273qS_iP_CLQhdKejIHFzQhTKvyca6uogd8iC_XH-yxTSxGDUw-DyNpopDBRSCjdjxS9LTXcAwmQ4paI-tLq5C0yEbJs7eQ8wsRcbF7n-ZfXliSdmziJLcw/s320/DSC_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sala</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dining room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUZmi6X2b_M/UA7o3NgHJbI/AAAAAAAACps/J3u3MnOAKMQ/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUZmi6X2b_M/UA7o3NgHJbI/AAAAAAAACps/J3u3MnOAKMQ/s320/DSC_0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the dining room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">masters bedroom<br /></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwKEUHmJYcc/UA7pW0mxkVI/AAAAAAAACp8/7LxzckJVqHM/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwKEUHmJYcc/UA7pW0mxkVI/AAAAAAAACp8/7LxzckJVqHM/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" width="205" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathtub inside the master's bedroom</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-36459856144484027692012-07-23T14:51:00.002+08:002012-07-25T01:59:08.028+08:00Bus Just For YouConsider <a href="http://www.allaboardamerica.com/web/">bus rentals</a>. I've had several experiences with those and here are some:<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
When I was little, my family and I joined family vacations. In the Philippines, family would not just mean the basic family but the whole clan. In our case, the family would mean my maternal grandfather, his partner, his children and his grandchildren. That's us. <span style="background-color: white;">We are a huge family. my grandfather has 11 children and back then, 7 of the 11 were already married and had an average of 3 children per family.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Anyway, there are a lot of good memories during those trips most of which were in the buses. My older cousins brought with them some muscial instruments, while we mostly brought food and some board games. I believe the </span>bus rental<span style="background-color: white;"> we used then were of the companies of the buses that plied the EDSA. </span><br />
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When we were in the US and were planning to go to the Yosemite Park, we opted for a bus rental instead of bringing my relatives' cars. We saved on gas because we only had to spend for 1 vehicle. We saved on toll fees. We saved on food costs as we had brought lots of food and stopped at some park to eat. There was enough space for the small children to take naps and we didn't have to clean up after the trip. What's more is that it was a lot of fun having everyone in one bus. We sang, told stories, shared jokes. It was convenient since there were at least 2 people who could drive the vehicle. You know what, I even felt safer that we were in a bigger transportation.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">While planning for my daughter's debut, I thought of bringing all of the guests to an out of town resort on a mountain. That resort is near the university Ikee goes to. I thought her friends and the other invitees would all be able to provide for their own transportation. It dawned on me that most of Ikee's friends wouldn/t be able to go as many of them are not even 18 yet and couldn't drive according to Philippine laws. I only have one car and my dad has one too but those wouldn't suffice to transport everyone. Then I thought of a </span>bus rental<span style="background-color: white;">. The city government where I live rents out buses at a discounted rate to its constituents. It would've been perfect if we didn't have a change of plan. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">There are too many advantages at using buses and vehicle rentals. You just have to choose the right one. Consider the following when choosing what to rent:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">1. comfort - will it be able to accommodate the number of people and the stuff you will bring. I believe there should be an allowance of 1 or 2 person-seats. This means that if there are 10 persons riding, the vehicle should be able to accommodate at least 12. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">2. price - do your research. there are a number of car, van and </span>
bus rental <span style="background-color: white;"> companies that are published on the internet. Also, do check out the ones in sulit.com.ph and the ones on the yellow pages of a telephone directory. </span><br />
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3. inclusions - some rentals have their own drivers, some need you to gas up after the trip, etc.<br />
4, permits and licenses - some buses or jeeps are used for public transport but they can also be hired for private use. See to it that the vehicle has the necessary permit in order for you to avoid hassles during your trip.<br />
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These are but some of the things that you need to remember when renting a vehicle. Next you take a trip with the family, try a bus rental. You'll have memories to store when you do so.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-82902262285823228222012-04-03T20:20:00.001+08:002012-04-03T20:20:25.865+08:00Humour At UPLBWe were at UPLB yesterday. The cow's noticeably had some sort of caps on their body. My daughter explained that those were actually holes that were used to test the microorganism in the animals. Anyway, I'll let the pics speak for themselves. <span style="text-align: center;">He was quietly and calmly grazing. </span><div>
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At this point, I hurriedly went back to the car as I was just a few meters away from the bull. LOL</div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-25121644673605444892012-02-13T18:54:00.000+08:002012-02-13T18:54:22.351+08:00I was at the Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012 in Clark, Pampanga yesterday, Feb. 12,2012. Left manila at 2:20 am and reached the Diosdado Macapagal Airport at about 4:15 a.m. Surprisingly, there were a lot of people there already. In fact, we were told that as early as 2:30 am people had already flocked to the site. Nonetheless, we had a pretty good view and were able to get really close to the balloons. Here are some pics for you to enjoy:<br />
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A skydiver with a flag as the Philippine National Anthem played. It was an awesome sight. </div>
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They started firing at about 5:30 am.<br />
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My friend Marian whose picture I took to document that she was really there. hehehehe nice girl.<br />
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Photographer's umbrella? An unusual way to use a tripod. clever.<br />
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This boy seems to say "wait up ate. I found a balloon on the ground!". Huh, balloon on the ground? LOL<br />
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The guys from our photography club. <br />
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I hopefully will be back to take more pictures next year. But, note to self, we should leave much earlier. and no excessive foodstuff please! LOL<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com1Pampanga, Angeles City, Philippines15.1697412 120.59075815.1678257 120.5882905 15.171656700000002 120.59322549999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-86398012149408506812011-10-24T00:53:00.001+08:002011-10-24T00:53:24.968+08:00Radisson Blu Hotel - Simple and Elegant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During our reunion, my friends and I got to stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel. It is situated at the Cebu reclamation area conveniently located as it is a stone's throw away from the SM mall and a few minutes to the city's center. Its lobby is spacious and beautifully decorated. Right at the center is a table where some plants with
a few Birds of Paradise were tied and placed in large transparents
vases. It's nothing fancy but it is classy just the same. It offered just the right atmosphere to hold a celebration of friendship.<br />
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A few steps before reaching the front desk is a wide stairway that leads to a mezzanine. Honestly, I didn't get to go to that part because we were so busy chatting. Anyway, I took a pic of it to show you. <br />
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We stayed in a beautiful de luxe room. There were two single beds and complete amenities. As in other hotel rooms, its toilet and bath is by the door. There, a huge well-lit mirror is at the center with the complimentary toiletries are placed which are replenished daily. To its right is a glass enclosed shower. <br />
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Included in the rate is a buffet breakfast for 2. This is the part I like. There is a wide variety of food choices for the Filipino or foreign guests. There were noodles, rice, meat, vegetables, fruits, cereals, yogurt, ice cream, etc etc etc. I can't name them all as there was so much food some of which I liked while others were not really bad. I so loved the cheese platter and the bread. <br />
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One of the hotel's facility is a large irregularly shaped pool that has a small bridge that you can use to walk over from one side to the other and not have to go around. It's a pity we didn't have time to use it. I believe there are other facilities in the hotel but for lack of time we didn't get to see them. We were so excited just to chat and be together. After all, that is why we were there in the first place. <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-44721839066085699722011-09-20T02:24:00.000+08:002011-10-23T22:06:24.777+08:00Coffee at Dal Cielo, Los Banos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aside from the Rice World Coffeeshop at IRRI, I discovered a small coffee and pastry shop right at the main road leading to UPLB. Dal Cielo is in front of an elementary school and is about 4 corners before the main gate of the campus. You won't miss it as it has this huge umbrella at the al fresco area. <br />
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It's a bit pricey compared to the Rice World but they have more choices - more pastries, meat pies, pasta, and of course coffee. Boyet likes their coffee better than Rice World while I particularly like their lemon squares and cream puff. As for coffee, I would give it the same score I'd give IRRI's Riceworld - best ones so far in LB. <br />
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One that intrigued us and which we eventually tried was their sugar-free sansrival. I didn't quite like it though maybe because i'm really a sweet tooth. <br />
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Dal Cielo is rather small. The dining area could be about 20 to 30 sqm only. Despite the size, their airconditioning unit is not able to make the place cool. It's fortunate that that at the time we were there it was rainy. It is tastefully designed though and the toilet, though tight, is well laid out that it looks rather larger than it really is. The verdict - if you like coffee and pastry, try it. but if you're on a budget, just go in and buy their lemon squares and other small pastries.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-15177946836863416232011-07-14T01:44:00.010+08:002011-07-14T02:16:36.038+08:00IRRI Coffeeshop at UP Los Banos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lB4XKiayi9I_rbZjCKHn45cKsM4qEhk_vXHA-YxlmMPl678y6LnALfqIssD3kMwx6ktmy4aWC__yKMWcMNt4oCIxcRQfpntdi1X2KCiS1U2JM7ahat44tCvTTKb8cfcAKplceg/s1600/IMG_0800%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lB4XKiayi9I_rbZjCKHn45cKsM4qEhk_vXHA-YxlmMPl678y6LnALfqIssD3kMwx6ktmy4aWC__yKMWcMNt4oCIxcRQfpntdi1X2KCiS1U2JM7ahat44tCvTTKb8cfcAKplceg/s400/IMG_0800%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895350835959282" /></a><br /><br /><br />One place that I do not miss going to whenever I'm at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna is the coffeeshop at the IRRI. It's a cozy establishment but it's nicely decorated with some painting of rice fields. The resto has glass walls that where one has a view of the vast, usually green and not too distant ricefield and the mountains and hills beyond it. The sight is perfect during an overcast. Picture perfect I should say. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHtjFx5bSSfYRRGgwt6CDrDMpXFd5AflSN17-beucyJwyrMg18kELhQadYkyOIDUieSHCLJsGWnEvPxhSvSMpx-QHF8oid8egVIH_f9hWSLLF9vAuXCrpz_RXT6kpfr7SJws1RQ/s1600/IMG_0798%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHtjFx5bSSfYRRGgwt6CDrDMpXFd5AflSN17-beucyJwyrMg18kELhQadYkyOIDUieSHCLJsGWnEvPxhSvSMpx-QHF8oid8egVIH_f9hWSLLF9vAuXCrpz_RXT6kpfr7SJws1RQ/s400/IMG_0798%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895342660349442" /></a><br /><br />I love their food there. They're cheap and yummy. The coffee ranges from about 30 pesos to about 60 when you have one of those fancy ones with ice cream on top of them. Their formulation is at par, if not better than, the more popular coffee shops I have gone to. It's perfectly brewed and its aroma fills the air. I just love the smell of fresh coffee. Brings back so much memories of family and friends. <br /><br />In addition to the brew, I normally order one of their pastries that are chewy and not so sweet but which have a lot of flavor. I have mine with ice cream on top. The pasty costs about 40 to 60 pesos. The ice cream costs an additional 15 pesos. perfect. I love their carrot cake. But of course, my daughter said my carrot cake is definitely better. Well, she's my daughter. What do you expect. hah!<br /><br />Their sandwiches are muy delicioso too. I've so far tried their chicken sandwich. It was very tasty - has enough creaminess and less salt and a generous amount of chicken. They also have pasta and other dishes in their menu but I've not had the chance to be there to eat lunch or so. Maybe next week. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JhWQYoz-OII-6ohkn27BB-VamgACNlho00sUosyvNelr1bmhsK49deLyfsgRzFoc9-UQEVGTTXlJBbt4SL4tdj_RqJGSisUc16V3hVXP6-qdh0hFzazsu29JDU9KR6iPwzv30g/s1600/IMG_0796%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JhWQYoz-OII-6ohkn27BB-VamgACNlho00sUosyvNelr1bmhsK49deLyfsgRzFoc9-UQEVGTTXlJBbt4SL4tdj_RqJGSisUc16V3hVXP6-qdh0hFzazsu29JDU9KR6iPwzv30g/s400/IMG_0796%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895356283837554" /></a><br /><br />The coffeeshop has managed to stay at the top of my places-to-go list. However, I'm tempted to suggest they feature at least 2 rice based treat. Maybe rice coffee and a rice puff pastry? Perhaps I should go write the owner. Ah yes, that I will do next time I'm there. Wouldn't it be nice to be called the Rice coffeeshop at the International Rice Research Institute?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-49283258657742366242011-07-12T10:24:00.005+08:002011-07-12T11:29:28.494+08:00Pantoja Bakery - Goodies for Less<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkhSR5BgMnqpnGOmSBbQ6m1Di8kc7OmwcFnjwNXzewCvGz_-GRzqd7593dh5Ea7A-PVAa7EU697sZool1SSAuKRXcXg91zEDU10gFFovfbWz-6RHv0-5OXG1zwtevZ2OF9Nh-NA/s1600/IMG_0118%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkhSR5BgMnqpnGOmSBbQ6m1Di8kc7OmwcFnjwNXzewCvGz_-GRzqd7593dh5Ea7A-PVAa7EU697sZool1SSAuKRXcXg91zEDU10gFFovfbWz-6RHv0-5OXG1zwtevZ2OF9Nh-NA/s400/IMG_0118%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301490979870482" /></a><br /><br /><br />Have you been to a Pantoja Bakery yet? I suggest you do. <br /><br />We went to one last week while on our way to fetch my daughter. This one is at the corner of the National Highway and the main road in Los Banos. It's right across Jollibee. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcStIf1G7sM/Thu-Yo5I4fI/AAAAAAAACak/3stRC2Mwcqk/s1600/IMG_0117%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EcStIf1G7sM/Thu-Yo5I4fI/AAAAAAAACak/3stRC2Mwcqk/s400/IMG_0117%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301489832780274" /></a><br /><br />I was told about it by my mother-in-law when she saw the bakery 2 weeks ago. So, we paid it a visit a week later and voila! the goods were so cheap. And what's more is that their products are good too. So far the ones I like are the loaves and the crackers. need to go back there to check out the other stuff. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6WWWXMDQ2J2Lwiw6a7Ebttnmr-jDcTxGmrMMfSVx6XefzaJsIq85xb1EgBALxzkD4qsPflu0heO3cnvOmo1OEjCJO9xC6S2H4j2HyDOr-ycOJUWBkA5PpZslKaUEB5_IW_6owg/s1600/IMG_0120%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6WWWXMDQ2J2Lwiw6a7Ebttnmr-jDcTxGmrMMfSVx6XefzaJsIq85xb1EgBALxzkD4qsPflu0heO3cnvOmo1OEjCJO9xC6S2H4j2HyDOr-ycOJUWBkA5PpZslKaUEB5_IW_6owg/s400/IMG_0120%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301484625805362" /></a><br /><br />Another thing I liked is the idea of how they encourage people to bring their own shopping bags - they give a rebate of .50 centavos for each bag that is saved. Quite a good deal don't you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUqEbfxSD9S5eUdaJmHzpRYFqJMzRSE2E7UvksAkJ-sAeAYNbnCO2x6zJZt4N9TzFrFS0ktUM6IgOWhZYRAxs2G02O1kgDJ7CKdzOPHckg79CzG_cAcQfwzyZHJMp4QckBjEKnw/s1600/IMG_0114%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUqEbfxSD9S5eUdaJmHzpRYFqJMzRSE2E7UvksAkJ-sAeAYNbnCO2x6zJZt4N9TzFrFS0ktUM6IgOWhZYRAxs2G02O1kgDJ7CKdzOPHckg79CzG_cAcQfwzyZHJMp4QckBjEKnw/s400/IMG_0114%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301481664653282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi-zn5nn9x2zMUXiv7hJuFEb0jyZVjx_iVOrPeghNZqimMz_9FT3Tk9EZuX33KtmH9LqbeU-j8_BjyHkupx0A0XYSez63InXaFTaTMypDhjVkNKjZ7_Jjx8ecDDsLK5pnPuQnBw/s1600/IMG_0113%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi-zn5nn9x2zMUXiv7hJuFEb0jyZVjx_iVOrPeghNZqimMz_9FT3Tk9EZuX33KtmH9LqbeU-j8_BjyHkupx0A0XYSez63InXaFTaTMypDhjVkNKjZ7_Jjx8ecDDsLK5pnPuQnBw/s400/IMG_0113%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301482236990258" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-25031826711899145542011-05-22T09:27:00.007+08:002011-05-22T11:34:44.199+08:00Peri Peri Chicken At Megamall - Ok?A few days ago Ikee and I went to withdraw her documents from another university. It was almost 11 am when we left the house and I figured that it would be lunchtime when we reach our destination. So, I decided to bring her phone to the service center at the mall. We rode an FX jeep whose terminal is at Building B of Megamall, where the Authorized Nokia service center is too. Funny though that when we got to the center, the phone was working well!<br /><br />Anyway, we needed to take lunch before we proceeded to Manila. That way we would be able to maximize time. While walking along the 4th floor bridgeway, we saw a Peri-peri chicken restaurant and decided to eat there instead. It was the first time I saw that resto and so I was excited to taste it. Remember, I'm the self-proclaimed family gourmet. <br /><br />I was told Peri-peri charcoal chicken specializes in, quite obviously, charcoal grilled chicken. Just because we love hot food, it was Hot and spicy chicken for both of us. We were offered the drink-all-you-can soup and beverage for 49 pesos but we didn't try it since we were not quite hungry yet. <br /><br />Our meal was served in a short span of time - about perhaps 10 minutes after we ordered. It was served with rice diagonally placed on the side which became the boundary for the chicken and the gravy. Aesthetically good. The chicken was a bit charred but that's alright since it was cooked over burning coal. What I found interesting is that the chicken almost didn't have any fat in it and looked more like free-range chicken. It tasted ok, not unusual, not strange but not a stand out. Yes, the flavors were there and it blended well with the spices but yep, that's just what it is chicken that lost its flavor because it blended with the spices. I don't like that. I want chicken to taste like chicken even with the spices in it. <br /><br />The chicken resembles the taste of our very own Chicken Bacolod. In fact, as far as the dish is concerned I think Chicken bacolod, specially that one from Katipunan across Ateneo, is better. The one thing Peri-peri chicken has that Chicken Bacolod doesn't is the spice and the chili. I love their chilli sauce. It kinda makes up for the flavor that I found lacking in the chicken. Here I have compared the peri-peri chicken with Chicken Bacolod and Pollo.<br /><br />(Scale of 1-5, 1 being the worst, 5 being the best)<br /><br /> Peri-Peri Chicken Bacolod Pollo Loco<br /><br />Price (1/4 chicken) 3 4 3<br />flavor 3 4 3<br />Moisture content 4 4 3<br />Saltiness 4 4 4 <br />time Food is SErved 4 3 4<br />Accessibility 5 3 5<br />Condiments 4 3 3<br /><br />Dish Average score(flavor, moisture, saltinees, price) <br /> 3.5 4 3.25<br />General average score 4 3.57 3.33<br /><br />So, for the dish itself, I would recommend Chicken Bacolod in katipunan across Ateneo. But, if you consider Food, accessibility, Serving time, price, etc. then I would go for Peri-peri Chicken.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-30573797190300375112011-05-21T15:09:00.011+08:002011-05-21T17:08:59.335+08:00Mt. Makiling HikeIkee's going to Los Banos. It is time that we explore the place while she's there. First, since UPLB is at the foot of Mt. Makiling, we should start our discovery of the area there. Mt. Makiling is one of the most significant dormant volcanoes in Laguna, a province in the Southern part of Luzon island, Philippines. It is the reason why Los Banos has a number of hot spring resorts. Not just that, Makiling is a mystical and mythical mountain that is believed to be protected by a goddess named Maria Makiling. According to legend, she was a generous, kind-hearted yet possessive goddess. <br /><br />I heard and read about the tourism in the area of the University and it seems like a good place to have a family trip. We may in fact join the Hike organized by NACCI this June 4, 2011. Of particular interest to me are the national forest reserve, the museum and the botanic garden. We'd probably book a room at the <a href="http://pinas-et-al.blogspot.com/2011/05/searca-residence-hotel-for-transients.html">SEARCA Residence Hotel</a>. It's currently priced at 1900 php for an overnight stay for two. I heard this is better than Trace College Hotel. Can't confirm that though because I only got to stay at SEARCA. <br /><br />If you would like to take a tour of Makiling, you may get in touch with <a href="http://philecotourism.wordpress.com/">Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc (NACCI)</a> or the <a href="http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/search/label/Hiking%20matters">Pinoymountaineer</a>. NACCI has an organized hike this June while Pinoymountaineer has a blog on do's and don'ts and what to expect in Makiling. I suggest you browse through it before you go. <br /><br />Might you wanna join us?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-24961415188554051712011-05-12T21:21:00.000+08:002011-05-14T04:25:49.156+08:00SEARCA Residence Hotel - For Transients in UPLB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-nDrrTujqAiqeUPvs9nBBiUUOepb9s4aT2BknD2vlSTQ9vEVp2o7GhYXbZlMYL3VrOvvJH6m_SZVCGbEcvgQ7pSQXbjBw5XaZdnFEv7D8kBaVql4wZ433OPItjoEgZzYLytSBQ/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-nDrrTujqAiqeUPvs9nBBiUUOepb9s4aT2BknD2vlSTQ9vEVp2o7GhYXbZlMYL3VrOvvJH6m_SZVCGbEcvgQ7pSQXbjBw5XaZdnFEv7D8kBaVql4wZ433OPItjoEgZzYLytSBQ/s400/IMG_0775.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605846587084205394" /></a><br />We just came back today from the University of the Philippines Los Banos Campus. Ikee had 2 interviews there and I was the chaperon. The interviews were on a first come first served basis and we wanted to be sure that she had an opportunity to be interviewed so we opted to stay nearby. <br /><br />Prior to the trip, I searched for where to stay and found out that the most recommendable accommodation was that of the SEARCA Hotel. I reserved for a double room which I was told was the last one remaining for the period I needed it. However, a few days after I called them, they called me only to say that there was a problem in the room and that they would try to fix it. Another call was made and I was told that they could not fix the room in time for our arrival but that they have already reserved a room for us at the SEARCA Guest house. How nice of them. <br /><br />When we got to UPLB, though, I opted to stay at the Residence Hotel instead because it is nearer to the places we needed to go to. It is conveniently located at Duhat Street about 100 meters from the men's dorm. We were given an economy room which is rather spacious but didn't have its own toilet and bath. The T&B was shared among 4 rooms. We were fortunate that there was only 1 other room occupied apart from ours. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ew_Y5YXbmRsxG9H3GAsFrKyrkhhpnvvr32vQDFaGOt1ZK-O38_2GDpkPWS8OgqgnCeYKY2bUBIvQR1jGLY9pvpEK2G248V6thgQtWkKsWFEEokQFPbSCspqVyWWwlFTp-YzMHQ/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ew_Y5YXbmRsxG9H3GAsFrKyrkhhpnvvr32vQDFaGOt1ZK-O38_2GDpkPWS8OgqgnCeYKY2bUBIvQR1jGLY9pvpEK2G248V6thgQtWkKsWFEEokQFPbSCspqVyWWwlFTp-YzMHQ/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605846593986218322" /></a><br /><br />The hotel is rather small. It only has 16 deluxe rooms and a few more of the economy room. It caters mostly to the visitors of SEARCA but they extend this facility to those who need to stay in UP for a few days. Its other facilities are the guest house and the Apartments although I was told that the latter caters only to those from the graduate school. <br /><br />Our room was spacious. It had two beds - one double and one single. The furnishings are rather old but everything was clean. My impression is that they really cater to those guests who have bulky stuff like books and other educational tools. The room has wi-fi unfortunately we didn't bring a laptop. <br /><br />There's a small cafe at the hotel. They serve local dishes and some snack but it is best to have some snack bought outside the hotel in case you get hungry and there's no food left to order. So far, the meals that we ordered from them were cheap and delicious. There 's small television, 2 huge cabinets, 2 big tables with a small lamp shade. The accommodation was rather basic but ample. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQx8rwCinrPeNvdzAxeoYR7-uSLgwuoACQA2RRaWlnGCWP8qFHqqvJadPY4NeIKSCRplJ2g5slm8cWWTCWqKbvxA8y1j4Or7QPJx3HuNt8tyj1tHSnoFTMldLBLp7zxqYCV_HeQ/s1600/IMG_0779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQx8rwCinrPeNvdzAxeoYR7-uSLgwuoACQA2RRaWlnGCWP8qFHqqvJadPY4NeIKSCRplJ2g5slm8cWWTCWqKbvxA8y1j4Or7QPJx3HuNt8tyj1tHSnoFTMldLBLp7zxqYCV_HeQ/s400/IMG_0779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605846598661413010" alt="searca_hotel"/></a><br /><br />The one thing that I think needed attention are the bugs. Nope, they're not roaches nor ants even. Those critters were the type that you find on plants. SEARCA is surrounded by trees and other foliage where the bugs might have come from. I did give this feedback to the manager so they could address it. Despite that, I still would go back to stay with them. <br /><br />If you're interested to contact them, their website is at http://www.searca.org/web/facilities/tariff/.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-6431625532584278052011-05-08T14:15:00.003+08:002011-05-08T14:19:12.218+08:00Mothers' day 2011<span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Mothers' Day to all moms. </span><br /><br />So, where'd you spend it? Me, I am just here. My husband treated me to a nice mcdo big breakfast and my daughter woke me up with a warm greeting. I cooked shrimp for lunch and am having a slow afternoon. Perhaps we'll go out to have dinner later. But I'll be at the grocery just the same to get the usual stuff. It's nice just to be with family. <br /><br />Where were you today?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-13186152468203905562011-05-07T00:02:00.012+08:002011-05-09T23:24:36.237+08:00Singapore Zoo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/09/3139955_Elephants-at-the-Singapore-Zoo_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/09/3139955_Elephants-at-the-Singapore-Zoo_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A delightful treat to kids (and adults too) while in Singapore is a trip to the world class zoo. The park is just about 15 minutes from the city proper. It is accessible by taxi and I believe I saw some buses that brought tourists too. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS6Qv539HJnEsJRI1jtlQHAvl9VbD7GfQ0snAeRHTu5V1m_m1yAAH2rbOgoZQGIhgvjNtfxWS28bWSzOiSuC_3Hdgl6YCovrPL9rVPiVwRJml7y-RnzrzD1kdKZzaF6clOl49lA/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS6Qv539HJnEsJRI1jtlQHAvl9VbD7GfQ0snAeRHTu5V1m_m1yAAH2rbOgoZQGIhgvjNtfxWS28bWSzOiSuC_3Hdgl6YCovrPL9rVPiVwRJml7y-RnzrzD1kdKZzaF6clOl49lA/s400/IMG_0616.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604735893080452018" /></a>The zoo is not as big as the other zoos in the world but it is well kept and the animals seem to be well taken cared of. The plants have are healthy and are green even in the summer. They have a tram which takes the visitor all about the zoo. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLUT3nDmBQllT81ufJTTygoczRiR502UqbGWhTeBXPK9RoVPdT4lOXlKNzONsq9dloumQqPnun4TQAlVxCvE-w7lf27KWRXR-HXE2AhY07iROUUvjyax5KZGKUOtRMo4i2ytWXw/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLUT3nDmBQllT81ufJTTygoczRiR502UqbGWhTeBXPK9RoVPdT4lOXlKNzONsq9dloumQqPnun4TQAlVxCvE-w7lf27KWRXR-HXE2AhY07iROUUvjyax5KZGKUOtRMo4i2ytWXw/s400/IMG_0622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604735879330832322" /></a>They have a package which includes unlimited tram ride and another package includes a tram and boat ride too. The visitor gets to see the whole place without walking too far. However, it is advisable to leisurely stroll through the zoo and muse at the animals they have there. One of the most interesting animals when were there is the kangaroo that the children got to pet. Our neice, Sofia, was hesitant to go near it at first. But, when she finally got convinced (by me of course) to join the other kids, she enjoyed the animal and even took my hand to touch its fur. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrocYvqM5AVFisUyGPERiPkuTsqb_ukSCXDA-83iL-qxCQQAuoVekKgHWYg7DQPBxlod5cavHGO8SoAlQlx7aeNsZfHkBL2xIUH3GYe97nWqshwug-T0_jdoUUxrerxWmDaBO_w/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrocYvqM5AVFisUyGPERiPkuTsqb_ukSCXDA-83iL-qxCQQAuoVekKgHWYg7DQPBxlod5cavHGO8SoAlQlx7aeNsZfHkBL2xIUH3GYe97nWqshwug-T0_jdoUUxrerxWmDaBO_w/s400/IMG_0634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604735889990129154" /></a><br />Also, the zoo had some of those so-called doctor fish which would eat the debris from a visitor's foot. We didn't try that though because we feared we'd not have enough time to see the whole park. The reptile section was one to muse at too. Sofia was delighted to see them though one particular poisonous snake was probably hungry and its head was sticking out of the branch that it clang on to. Ewwwww!<br /><br />Just like the other world class zoos, they have some animal shows there. One which we watched was that of the stray dogs and cats which the staff had picked up from different areas of Singapore. Some cats did an opening number while one dog played frizbee with some children. Sadly, it was a short show and I felt it would have been nice to have more tricks played. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/09/3139975_Otters_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/09/3139975_Otters_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Like I said the zoo is not huge but it is just the right size for a visitor to walk about and see the whole park in a day.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-30620736911720989442011-05-04T17:47:00.013+08:002011-05-04T18:47:21.895+08:00Singapore on A Budget - Botanic Gardens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu0uKA6Fdnwrr4OnT0BlM7eU5tBHJk84IE8_uh5JcGBV-SHNi8DpR2oPpyq7aAjtydM-ONiG-GokXU1sHItuqM6lcYT9rijabfc9jLLi9krLMFMF_Su_a17kbLr2v9H2TOb8lkQ/s1600/day+2-Singapore+botanic+garden+%252884%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu0uKA6Fdnwrr4OnT0BlM7eU5tBHJk84IE8_uh5JcGBV-SHNi8DpR2oPpyq7aAjtydM-ONiG-GokXU1sHItuqM6lcYT9rijabfc9jLLi9krLMFMF_Su_a17kbLr2v9H2TOb8lkQ/s400/day+2-Singapore+botanic+garden+%252884%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602807541632750994" /></a><br /><br />The park is a huge land home to some very colorful and interesting plants - from trees to flowering plants to ferns to medicinal herbs and a whole lot more. It even has its own rainforest and heritage trees that are really towering and have been there for ages. It is a beautiful, beautiful place. Don't bother about the price though because it's free. If you opt to go to the National Orchid Garden, you need to pay $5 per adult. children 12 years and below are free to enter. Seniors and students pay only $1 each. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/04/3117123_White-Vanda-orchid_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/04/3117123_White-Vanda-orchid_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The park has a children's garden/playground which we didn't get to see either. But our host wanted to show us. I believe it would have been nice to go there too. and yes, it's also free. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKcsG48xLtq8qoEDqYIeXzVxHIT2EHljfdojDEfvIGvio-ZGYlWmU-ZFx4ZlbscP3zSya3Hm-YOha2lvgxuWG0JCU11EyhhwZu0lLwjnLVWgw_bU7MlCAGSGMX38AKjA8RDgeMw/s1600/day+2-Singapore+botanic+garden+%252823%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKcsG48xLtq8qoEDqYIeXzVxHIT2EHljfdojDEfvIGvio-ZGYlWmU-ZFx4ZlbscP3zSya3Hm-YOha2lvgxuWG0JCU11EyhhwZu0lLwjnLVWgw_bU7MlCAGSGMX38AKjA8RDgeMw/s400/day+2-Singapore+botanic+garden+%252823%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602807534946837506" /></a><br /><br />One of the most relaxing and to me the most amazing thing in Singapore is its Botanic Gardens. It's about 15 minutes away from Orchard Road, but it is accessible by bus, by foot or by taxi. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/04/3117165_Stairway_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/04/3117165_Stairway_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I regret not having read about it ahead of time. I usually do so prior to our visits to other countries. However this year i thought we would have a slow paced vacation. It would have been interesting to take the rainforest trek which the park offers. Oh well, as we say, there's always a next time. Till then Singapore!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs1zJjgDiGKEKuaeBz6cIoeI4ep_EfQ3LqRI9rxLfl0fBDhAAHBHqqXN1KJrBOiUWhCiO17rDyBzP0TphWKfqNHUhxum5u2S_qr-MnhQBHazG7H3mwiw3XEjdx9SoIETxWM9pSw/s1600/botanic+garden+%252842%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs1zJjgDiGKEKuaeBz6cIoeI4ep_EfQ3LqRI9rxLfl0fBDhAAHBHqqXN1KJrBOiUWhCiO17rDyBzP0TphWKfqNHUhxum5u2S_qr-MnhQBHazG7H3mwiw3XEjdx9SoIETxWM9pSw/s400/botanic+garden+%252842%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602807545193133666" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-14852313704178699242011-05-02T15:32:00.010+08:002011-05-02T17:43:04.560+08:00Singapore on A Budget -Irvin's Cze Char Seafood RestaurantHere's another place that we liked in Singapore. Irvin's Seafood Restaurant is a stone's throw away from our hosts' home so naturally we tried to eat there. They have a live crab aquarium (or is it a terrarium) from where they harvest the crustacean they will serve you. Naturally, we ordered salted egg crab again as this has become my favorite dish in Singapore. Who wouldn't? It's served freshly harvested and cooked just after you order. Ooohlala!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/01/3099645_Salted-Egg-Yolk-Crab_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/01/3099645_Salted-Egg-Yolk-Crab_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Fried Calamari aka squid rings is cooked the usual way but with some chilli in it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/02/3104543_Squid-Rings_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/02/3104543_Squid-Rings_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here are the others. Sorry I don't know what you call them but I assure you from the bottom of my belly that they are all yummy. hahaha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/01/3099631_Singaporean-Vegetable-Dish_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/01/3099631_Singaporean-Vegetable-Dish_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> This dishy has a nutty flavor. <br /><br />Mantou bread (pronounced "mun taw")<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/02/3104551_Mantou_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2011/05/02/3104551_Mantou_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />By the way, because this is a blog on Singapore on a budget, did I say it's cheap there too?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-79358128783851883272011-04-30T01:34:00.007+08:002011-04-30T02:03:05.102+08:00Singapore on A Budget - Hawker Centers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid097zY69tjzMbjhJvoIt1IauIZpIckluW63LfTOSHuD8ogFYhfp4uXxiY5XKfES8FE-sQEaNNmf4z5FvMBu7-pU2pRb-psyZICl3HrGAjIA9iVvd_Ton6vVzXYu9-tXLbeCbDVA/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid097zY69tjzMbjhJvoIt1IauIZpIckluW63LfTOSHuD8ogFYhfp4uXxiY5XKfES8FE-sQEaNNmf4z5FvMBu7-pU2pRb-psyZICl3HrGAjIA9iVvd_Ton6vVzXYu9-tXLbeCbDVA/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601066110650880962" /></a><br />When visiting a foreign land, we wanna try to get immersed in their culture. That's how we make our trip fun, exciting and cheap. During this trip to Singapore, we finally got the chance to go to a hawker center. A Hawker center is a cluster of food stalls that serve mostly local food at low prices. <br /><br />One such is Newton Circus Hawker Centre at Clemenceau Singapore. It is about 10 minutes drive from Orchard Road and there is an abundance of cabs and buses. One can find a table in the al fresco part of the complex or by the food stalls. There's not much of an ambiance there. The prices at the stall we ordered from are so cheap that a meal that would have normally cost us more than 200 SGP only cost about 85 for 6 adults and a 4-year old kid. Amazingly cheap eh? not just that, the food was great! Cheap prices, good flavors - what more can you ask for? <br /><br />We had Grilled Sting Ray with chilli sauce, Kangkong with Belachan, Cereal Prawn, Satay, and Honeyed chicken. I like the food but not as much as I loved those at Forture Seafood Steamboat. However, Newton is closer to the center of the city. Both are worth a try. <br /><br />Address:<br />Newton Circus Hawker Centre<br />500 Clemenceau Avenue North 229492<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-22996174586779242392011-04-27T20:58:00.014+08:002011-04-27T23:22:28.201+08:00Singapore on a Budget - April 2011 trip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRgY1hh1ktcTtPgzImq0Cw88ErEIXJJuIL1F0aa_Fn_pDSG_rVHlD66a2PmObCE8f2IgY4pv1Cqij5GV41ft5mEooz1wsJY0t24EUmXVRAw__0HHKR-5G9P6lCWyeDDrCOs5v8g/s1600/forture+resto.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRgY1hh1ktcTtPgzImq0Cw88ErEIXJJuIL1F0aa_Fn_pDSG_rVHlD66a2PmObCE8f2IgY4pv1Cqij5GV41ft5mEooz1wsJY0t24EUmXVRAw__0HHKR-5G9P6lCWyeDDrCOs5v8g/s400/forture+resto.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600278693835652146" /></a><br /><br />This summer is something my family and I would definitely have to remember. It is the summer before my "unica hija" enters college. It could probably be the start of our "infrequent" (hopefully not!) family vacations what with the belt tightening to pay for her university fees and it could be because Ikee will not have much time to spend with us. <br /><br />The choice for this year's vacation was made because she had been gifted with a round trip ticket to the Lion City - Singapore. I would have opted to go elsewhere but we had to be with her during the trip. Spending our summer separately was not my idea of a vacation - yet. Thus, we were on a "Singapore on a budget" trip. However, Singapore was not one would consider going to on a budget. Well, here's our attempt at it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsfF-z2BURWeFpUB0eP4LFb-PkYgGpjRxqQDtrc_4FIJjcEIfJ5FzaEcM5z0u_-iOWzx30FylyU9DEyI-TMMD8Pu5FXLFNbk1rJ4v7dhcSV-CcOUc97oOTlBgIrvutFSeUJ0YqQ/s1600/forture+resto+%25285%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsfF-z2BURWeFpUB0eP4LFb-PkYgGpjRxqQDtrc_4FIJjcEIfJ5FzaEcM5z0u_-iOWzx30FylyU9DEyI-TMMD8Pu5FXLFNbk1rJ4v7dhcSV-CcOUc97oOTlBgIrvutFSeUJ0YqQ/s400/forture+resto+%25285%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600280428543748674" /></a><br /><br /><br />The day we got there we were treated to a Zhi Char resto called Forture Seafood Steamboat. Yes, you read it right. Our destination was Forture and not Fortune. For a while I too thought it was a typo. Larry, our host for dinner, offered us choices - food or ambiance. I naturally chose food over ambiance. It was late and it was a good chance to get some real Singaporean dishes. At 9:30 pm, we were hungry. But the wait was well worth it. So far, for me, this restaurant is the best in Hongkong in terms of its food and price. A few days after, I tried calling them and found that the prices were so low that the whole meal would have cost us twice or even thrice that of the other restos in the City. It definitely a place for the budget conscious. Here are some pictures of what we had:<br /><br />First we had broccoli in garlic sauce.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JPnD2tpgiYmUfiJUoH1cVpwvYIEQZILNvmnuHvKLzbI61NEErvsiroai60X7wT5vdjRMaSzPXYCC14NRj1YoNMwWf-i7QwbSXNNuaZVnxo4DhbVIj6DZS0bkN5OBUZHJKJEwTw/s1600/forture+resto+%252812%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JPnD2tpgiYmUfiJUoH1cVpwvYIEQZILNvmnuHvKLzbI61NEErvsiroai60X7wT5vdjRMaSzPXYCC14NRj1YoNMwWf-i7QwbSXNNuaZVnxo4DhbVIj6DZS0bkN5OBUZHJKJEwTw/s400/forture+resto+%252812%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600280417820362626" /></a><br /><br />The Hongkong style noodles.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1DWH73aGXdpCFmZAEPuvRh_OJ-12jSprDhhwHMYl718Z_6p9XxYrUahyphenhyphenyW4KEoKvfu4PBfHYgK7fl_kxtnatoJo8U-pSF6-5Cad3F7d_XvQ468zQQUxGjciWz1l50xOoB0111A/s1600/forture+resto+%25287%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1DWH73aGXdpCFmZAEPuvRh_OJ-12jSprDhhwHMYl718Z_6p9XxYrUahyphenhyphenyW4KEoKvfu4PBfHYgK7fl_kxtnatoJo8U-pSF6-5Cad3F7d_XvQ468zQQUxGjciWz1l50xOoB0111A/s400/forture+resto+%25287%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600280421546851666" /></a><br /><br />Next, was the curry fish head.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl_gurE9qQ6pN2sRAdKRYAhZg60LOxJLjj1OligEWIQaWFSH_Q5ftXI-yIJFpwFyd8csuhd-TKXB0gWYU-KWehaEGECipogpBqL5G9rshItL-dvtKvdP7AU48bL2v-c-yl-0ZPA/s1600/forture+resto+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgl_gurE9qQ6pN2sRAdKRYAhZg60LOxJLjj1OligEWIQaWFSH_Q5ftXI-yIJFpwFyd8csuhd-TKXB0gWYU-KWehaEGECipogpBqL5G9rshItL-dvtKvdP7AU48bL2v-c-yl-0ZPA/s400/forture+resto+%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600280440870663346" /></a><br /><br />Larry ordered the cereal prawn but I wasn't able to take a picture of it.<br /><br />Last, but the best one of all, was the Salted eggyolk crab,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gPMWZBJYnRZeDiWC0Zz9utyTF9l6ndT3mTCP6fB2PwQHsI6fEpFH5LzDHSz0Gyb4kFcAdaFIP5tDnhYWuIhGizKgUkGcRDFcG9mVeK9W4IglDZm-SK8DkJGNfl8T34y1xSMHlg/s1600/forture+resto+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gPMWZBJYnRZeDiWC0Zz9utyTF9l6ndT3mTCP6fB2PwQHsI6fEpFH5LzDHSz0Gyb4kFcAdaFIP5tDnhYWuIhGizKgUkGcRDFcG9mVeK9W4IglDZm-SK8DkJGNfl8T34y1xSMHlg/s400/forture+resto+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600280431976354210" /></a><br /><br />If you want to check the place out, it's at the corner of Bukit Timah and Old Holland Road. Just don't look for a classy resto as you won't find it there. <br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jane<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-62582498337770762832011-01-20T20:02:00.009+08:002011-01-20T21:29:49.734+08:00A Chilly Sagada Vacation (Dec. 2010)Last Christmas, we went up to the mountains to experience the cold weather in Sagada. Usually, we'd be in Baguio before 6 am whether to catch the first Lizardo bus leaving for the mountain province or not. That time though, for some reason, we were late. After we had parked the car at Camp John Hay, we proceeded to the Bus station only to be told that the first bus had left, the 2nd bus was full and the 3rd was leaving at 10 am. Naturally, we didn't like leaving at 10 am. So, I suggested we take the GL trip to Bontoc. I had read about some people taking the detour without any problems because it only took 1 jeepney ride to Sagada anyway. My family, having had no other choice, hesitantly agreed.<br /><br />It was our first time at Bontoc. We reached the place around 2 pm and asked some people a place where we could have lunch. There wasn't any decent place to take lunch at during the whole 6 hour trip from Baguio. The old guys we inquired from directed us to this resto located by the market which name eludes me as of the moment. Tired and hungry, we trotted to the place which we thought was the nearest recommendable dining spot. However, much to our disappointment, the resto was not just beside the market, the food was not good at all - the chicken smelled and tasted like it had been dead hours before it was frozen, the pork didn't smell fresh and the fish smelled of moss. The vegetables though, just as is probably traditional of the Mountain Province, was at good. <br /><br />Of course I knew there were a few spots we should have checked at Bontoc such as their museum. But, we were too exhausted to even give it a shot.So, after our not-so-horrendous meal, we were off to the jeepney station and boarded the first available vehicle to Sagada.<br /><br />At Sagada, we were met by an old smiling and familiar face - Tita Mary. My husband didn't want to go and try out another lodge. To him and the rest of us, Tita Mary and her staff were like family. This time, we were given a room at the basement and by this I do mean the lowest part of the building. If you must know, The Residential Lodge has two basements - an upper and a lower one. Although we still love the hospitality, we didn't quite like the place assigned to us. <br /><br />There were just 2 rooms at the lower basement - ours and the one beside it. The thing is that the area had 2 breakers which were both inside our room. One of it tripped the whole time we were there. It was irritating to be awakened in the middle of a restful sleep because there was no electricity and they had to switch it back on. this happened on the first night we were there. What was more disgusting was that it happened again. This time I told the caretakers I didn't want to be bothered any longer because when they went to switch the thing back on, that was the fifth time anyone had to do so. The other 4 we had done ourselves. I guess they had noticed my disgruntled tone such that they apologized for the trouble. Not that we expected much. After all, paying 250 pesos a night was not bad. But, having been at the Residential Lodge before, it would have been better. It's just one of those times when there are too many people and too little time to have things fixed. We would still be back at Tita Mary's. Like I said, they're not nearly perfect but they have a good place nonetheless. <br /><br />It was chilly in Sagada that time. So much that I even dreaded the thought of bathing daily but did so despite it. The funny thing was that we sort of had to push each one to go first unlike in Manila where I usually opted to go first. <br /><br />To be continued...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-19383087511309606512010-04-15T02:16:00.002+08:002010-04-15T02:18:30.589+08:00Too many grammatical and typos here... sorry. LOLI'm really sorry about the errors there are in these blogs. You see I am too excited to share the Coron Experience with you guys but was too busy to edit them. Anyway, I'll do my best to correct them tomorrow. But for now, let me get some sleep. So tired from today's activities for my store. <br /><br />Again, my apologies guys.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27560594.post-37631907992545050002010-04-14T09:07:00.018+08:002010-04-14T11:16:55.450+08:00Coron Day 3 - Kayaking at Kingfisher Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWpqdwpn6X7meccqvsdQ8IcdOYwmU92MWIuFlh2YnIFxxh5qcA9z4FuiMD3vwrI6kyLv24qktFtSDpRO0MK3qwDBVjec2Q4fjbLMhyphenhyphen868ZSRMY5mkNb62DN_l9LnngG0C2s4WeA/s1600/DSC_0933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWpqdwpn6X7meccqvsdQ8IcdOYwmU92MWIuFlh2YnIFxxh5qcA9z4FuiMD3vwrI6kyLv24qktFtSDpRO0MK3qwDBVjec2Q4fjbLMhyphenhyphen868ZSRMY5mkNb62DN_l9LnngG0C2s4WeA/s400/DSC_0933.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459826317248597346" /></a><br /><br />Continued from Coron Day 2<br /><br />We woke up late and thus left the lodge at almost the same time that we did the previous day. Although some of our snorkel stuff were left in the boat, we had much luggage to bring as we had checked out of the lodge already. We were going to stay with my dad on another island because he had arranged for our diving lessons. <br /><br />Like the previous day, Boyet and I had gone to the market to buy our stuff while Ria and Ikee were left at La Sirenneta to order our breakfast. I was so confused as to the fact that even on our 2nd day I couldn't find any other seafood at the market save for fish and squid. I was already craving for some shrimp or crabs but didn't get the opportunity to get any of those. I didn't want to get them from the resto because the prices were expensive. To me, it was silly to buy something priced as high as in Manila when I'm already at the source. <br /><br />Our boat was still docked there as it really is convenient for us. After breakfast, we headed for our first stop - the Kubo sa Dagat. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Kubo sa Dagat.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI60g1oQSPfKb3N_c-_xU2hqjCDA9q9L-Uq69Sc3osS-tt5Mynf_kL3W5T4soR0IE_LjQ82ivjdc0m1ST0c42Q-ZFdYtalL21rdLtJwLISqqk5PqEvR1KueqnZ7ApHXACqqck_w/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI60g1oQSPfKb3N_c-_xU2hqjCDA9q9L-Uq69Sc3osS-tt5Mynf_kL3W5T4soR0IE_LjQ82ivjdc0m1ST0c42Q-ZFdYtalL21rdLtJwLISqqk5PqEvR1KueqnZ7ApHXACqqck_w/s400/IMG_0265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459802890480962706" /></a><br /><br />I had read about Kubo sa Dagat during my research but had confused it with Kingfisher Park. Apparently, these are two different locations owned and operated by the same people - the Reyes'. Kubo sa Dagat is a lodging place in the waters of Malbato Bay while Kingfisher Park is on the island across it where the mangroves are. Most of the activities being offered at the Kubo sa Dagat are actually done at the King fisher park - kayaking, birdwatching, trekking, firefly tour, etc. <br /><br />When we got there, I crossed one boat to get to the front desk and asked about the rates. It was 500 pesos per person to kayak to the mangroves where will also do the birdwatching. But Borge and Nikko, the admin officers, gave us one person free and even gave us coffee. So, we took the chance. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/11/1779216_Kingfisher-Park_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/11/1779216_Kingfisher-Park_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />To get to the park, we had to bring our boat close to the island. But we were still about 500 meters from the boat to the entrance of the mangrove area and our boat couldn't get any closer because the water level was too shallow for it. Thus, we donned our life vests and paddled our way to the mangroves. The sea had started to get a little rough but we paddled along with the direction of the waves so it was not difficult to cross over to the other side. I and Boyet were together, Ikee was with Mang Godie (our guide) while Rhia chose to go alone. If I hadn't known that she was in the rowing team previously, I wouldn't have agreed for her to go solo. But then that would have entailed a debate. LOL<br /><br />Inside the mangrove plantation was a stream. We were asked to paddle gently and to stay quiet so that we didn't scare the birds. I brought my camera inside the Lock and Lock container which I bought to keep it waterproof. It is cheap but it served its purpose so well, I tell you. It was a great shock protector too. My "photographers" were to scared to bring their expensive equipment so I was the only one who had pictures. LOL<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/10/1779154_Kingfisher-Park_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 465px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/10/1779154_Kingfisher-Park_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />There were huge trees in the area. Birds seemed to be everywhere but we couldn't see them because they were hiding somewhere. I deduced that we needed more time there so we could see the creatures. I was able to spot one but Boyet had asked me to take some pics and the bird flew. It was kinda big and blue with a long bill. Later on, Borge told me that it was one of the Kingfishers. I regretted not being able to see it for a long time although I was slightly elated having spotted it there. There were 6 other species but of course we told we had to be there as early as 5 am to spot more. I guess this would be one of those things we need to do next time. LOL<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ8y_T8dnEVneOIABje-gC3hbx53TLBw1enKjecjnqv8_ib1yPrpQFeBQklbg8stcoOonaPZHn65eTzNbSJBiXQzWqrckumG0-u_aJwBi0DaZ7wrKZDZ-laNPZngz9ly1SkU29w/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ8y_T8dnEVneOIABje-gC3hbx53TLBw1enKjecjnqv8_ib1yPrpQFeBQklbg8stcoOonaPZHn65eTzNbSJBiXQzWqrckumG0-u_aJwBi0DaZ7wrKZDZ-laNPZngz9ly1SkU29w/s400/IMG_0293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459802881596698882" /></a><br /><br />After more than an hour, Mang Godie told us that we should leave already because the current was getting stronger. We were on our way out of the path when we saw some women harvesting some shells. Turned out to be capiz shells - the ones that you see in old spanish houses. Rhia took one and ate it when she learned they were edible. You see, adventure IS our middle name. hahaha<br /><br />From across the entrance I had seen the waves devouring the water underneath them. It got me a little scared because I thought about Ikee and that Rhia was alone. Also, that Boyet and I were no expert "kayakers". Could we make it? I was more sure of Ikee's safety than our own. She was with an expert. Boyet and I had each other but neither of us could be of more help to each other than we are to our own selves. Nonetheless, we had to try... and well, I'm writing this to you now so I guess I could say that we did a pretty good job back there. Thank God.<br /><br />Another nice thing that the Kubo sa Dagat guys did for us was they allowed us to cook our meal there. We didn't have time to go to a beach to have our meal cooked as originally planned. After we cooked, we paid our fees and were on our way to the Lusong Wreck.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lusong Ship Wreck.</span><br /><br />We spent 1 hour sailing from Kubo to the Lusong wreck. There was no beach there. It was above the wreck that we stopped at. Lunch was at our boat but we hadn't eaten much because everyone was too curious about the ship below. That, according to our boatman and guide, was a ship from the japanese time. It was there perhaps because there was a really strong current that time. We had noticed this and I suggested we do not go into the water anymore. But then curiousity still ruled that a few minutes later we were splashing our way to feed the fish with our bare hands. These little guys were so naive that you can actually kiss and hold them. That's me with a little fishy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrmXHt-fOCoogDfmtuyADK_itbqAJIHpYyAj5h74Tl4W20QL_BYAN-and74fbnPIt-U-2nWpYwwyoHB_CTlZtkBM2XrmKWfh5nryKdB3eCkD09Vehww8lEmSeOP6ZgRua8_Q_tw/s1600/DSC_1020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrmXHt-fOCoogDfmtuyADK_itbqAJIHpYyAj5h74Tl4W20QL_BYAN-and74fbnPIt-U-2nWpYwwyoHB_CTlZtkBM2XrmKWfh5nryKdB3eCkD09Vehww8lEmSeOP6ZgRua8_Q_tw/s400/DSC_1020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459824246683148146" /></a><br /><br />We were going to the Coral garden which was just a few minutes from us but decided not to go. Instead, we headed for Cullion Island.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cullion Island</span><br /><br />The last stop before we went to see dad was at Cullion Island. This was the former Leper Colony. I say former because you can hardly find any leper there now. As my uncle who is also a dermatologist would say, there is about less than 1 percent of the population who can get afflicted. Most likely, we weren't one of those. LOL<br /><br />First stop there was at the Museum. It was huge as the ones I had seen. But it surely was interesting. There was this video that told about the 100-year plight of the lepers and the colony - how it was a sin to be a leper in the olden days, how the lepers were shot or burned and how they had settled in this once-upon-a-time-God-Forlorned piece of land in the middle of nowhere. Yup, it was interesting and melodramatic at the same time. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfTN7QGckuNGlRb9_-ybw46L_3eK4RzIKPGp0YHfB1MFJySmZG75h4UxdRYGfRGTBSSlOmimZnc6QGilYSI8wW134OHjEJ2T3i7okAraByuRzKeGJHJf3jonfTANPXl2lZsotcg/s1600/DSC_1038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfTN7QGckuNGlRb9_-ybw46L_3eK4RzIKPGp0YHfB1MFJySmZG75h4UxdRYGfRGTBSSlOmimZnc6QGilYSI8wW134OHjEJ2T3i7okAraByuRzKeGJHJf3jonfTANPXl2lZsotcg/s400/DSC_1038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459824234170615938" /></a><br /><br />From the musueum, we went to take a few shots of the old church and we were off to see dad for our first scuba lesson with Chuck. We stayed with daddy for the remainder of our stay at Coron. For our the first night we went out to sea to fish and stargaze. As in Port Barton, I had seen 4 meteors while waiting for my fish to take the bait. Amazing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/12/1781156_Cullion-Church_620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 415px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/picable/2010/04/12/1781156_Cullion-Church_620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy25D3rs598MtN1C_xEJr8efSgYXhfzV6Sb-n9ooJ2XL-GRTutyU5v822K6zdOGKiSX7Z9RlCvyS1qLSSMOvaT761I4jc0sqlcRgU4wI2sX_D4CyIQ4xy92qsxqzftqo6qfpthyA/s1600/DSC_1057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy25D3rs598MtN1C_xEJr8efSgYXhfzV6Sb-n9ooJ2XL-GRTutyU5v822K6zdOGKiSX7Z9RlCvyS1qLSSMOvaT761I4jc0sqlcRgU4wI2sX_D4CyIQ4xy92qsxqzftqo6qfpthyA/s400/DSC_1057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459824223112579890" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Stay healthy. Visit http://www.yogurtstation.blogspot.com - your yogurt and kefir source.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08877059633506032016noreply@blogger.com0