I Need A Vacation From My Vacation Pt. 3

So I've been pretty busy lately, which is a good thing ☺ June is almost here and June signals the start of preparing for bazaar season. I plan on starting early this year and I swear I am not going to procrastinate. Wish me luck.

Sooooo.... back to chronicling my time with the family. Next in our itinerary was the family trip to Baguio which was originally scheduled the 7th of May, but was moved to the 8th because we remembered AD had tickets to Katy Perry's concert. Singit lang- the concert was awesome. It started late, but it was worth the wait. We hurried out of the venue even before Katy finished singing "Fireworks" because we wouldn't want to get stuck in hellish traffic going out Philippine Arena compound. Our original foiled because we couldn't find AD's car and we got delayed for about another 10 to 15 minutes and Waze led us to the wrong route. We got out of the compound after 30 to 45 minutes. Which is actually a good thing... because it took others three hours just to get out of the Philippine Arena compound. 

Got home 1 am and I wasn't prepared for our Baguio trip yet. 

Binagyo sa Baguio

A typhoon was brewing over the Pacific Ocean and it was set to hit the northern part of Luzon on the dates we were set to go to Baguio. We still proceeded as planned and prayed and hoped for the best.

To date, our trip going up north was the longest road trip I've taken. We left at 8 in the morning and after hours on the road and after paying what seemed like a bajillion toll fees, we stopped over at a restaurant in La Union which I already forgot the name of because I wasn't really paying attention, but here's a picture taken inside the place.

Food was okay, lutong-bahay type. It took quite a while before our food was served but I think they only cook your food upon order. 

After lunch, we headed to the church of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. Heard mass, prayed a little then we continued our very lengthy journey up to the highlands. 

We reached Baguio city proper around 5 pm and around that time, it was raining really, really hard. I remember the first time I went to Baguio- it was 12 to 13 years ago, it was my sisters and we took the bus going there- I vowed to never return to Baguio. Why, you ask? Nag-panic ako sa lalim ng mga bangin. And these buses were running in speeds, I reckon, not suitable for one-lane, relatively narrow and bangin-na-sa-gilid roads. Well, kinain ko yung sinabi ko kasi 12 years after, I went back. So there, more than a decade later and I'm still scared of going there and this time, there was a typhoon, to boot. We finally reached our home for three days and albeit it was still early, everyone called it a day- pagod na sa biyahe. 

All activities resumed the next day. Mommy wasn't feeling well, so she and dad stayed in the condo. The rest of us had breakfast at Café by the Ruins.

We must have waited more than 30 minutes to be seated and if one has to wait that long to get a seat, I assume the food's great. Eh di lalong tumaas expectations ko nung nakita ko yung menu- muy caro! I ended up just ordering hot chocolate (since I already ate bread at the condo) and AB shared her meal with me. 

Food was okay. Not that crazy over their hot chocolate, too. Casino Español has better hot chocolate  (but of course). 

After breakfast, next stop was Wright Park where the boys went horseback riding. 

The boys enjoyed the horse ride, most especially because they heard the horses fart. Boys and farts.. tsk.. tsk.. It was a good thing that it was sunny that morning in spite of the weather depression. After Wright Park, we headed off to Mines View Park, to do what? I absolutely have no idea. Ha. 

Umm.. so there was a St. Bernard there with whom you can have your picture taken, for a fee. And aside from the St. Bernard, there were a bajillion merchants selling plants and other stuff. I already forgot what we did in Baguio 12 years ago but I remember there weren't this many people back then. It was a challenge getting a decent shot- without strangers "photobombing" our photos. 

Breathtaking view but overshadowed by how congested the area was. However, I get why Baguio's congested at this time of the year but what I don't get was how dirty park was. Just outside the park, right there under the sign "Mines View Park," was a hill of trash. Sad.

For lunch, we just bought Andok's so we could eat with mommy and daddy at the condo. We were supposed to go to Burnham after lunch but the rain started pouring again and everyone was in hibernation mode. AD and D and I went to Baguio Techno Hub in Camp John Hay to buy strawberry shortcake and also to have merienda na din. Dinner was at O Mai Khan with mommy, daddy, AB, AD and D and C. So I was totally clueless when they said that it was a Mongolian bbq buffet. Sorry naman kung igno. I was expecting, you know, barbecued anything so just imagine my confusion when what I saw were raw vegetables and meat. At least, now I know. Haha. 

Day 3 in Baguio, I was already feeling a little bit under the weather. AB and all the others had the flu so I guess I knew I'd catch the virus eventually. This was also the day we went strawberry picking ☺

strawberry picking attire

This was in La Trinidad and not La Presa. The trip going to La Trinidad was stressful enough (takot talaga ako sa bangin- natural na duwag lang talaga), I can't imagine what more the road going to La Presa. Hindi kaya ng puso ko, I swear. 

strawberries!!!

Strawberry-picking costs P500 per 1 kilo, no matter how many people picked basta the total weight of strawberries in your basket's one kilo. We don't know if in the other areas (yung mas malapit pa!) a kilo costs P350 daw. Whatever. Ayaw na namin magtanong, sasama lang loob namin. Isipin na lang namin we're helping the locals and we're paying for the strawberry-picking-experience. Hahaha. 

i really should stop playing too much farm heroes
unang pumasok sa isip ko farm heroes saga nung nakita ko to

yak bakit ang itim ng siko ko ngayon?

Frakkit. If there's one thing I learned this summer, it's how big I am these days. Ang lakas pa ng loob ko mag-horizontal stripes. Pwe. 

yummy and very creamy strawberry ice cream with real strawberry bits

Even if my throat's a little sore, I still ate ice cream because hey, it's not everyday you get to eat ice cream with real strawberry bits! And oh, I didn't drink water after eating ice cream so ayan, natuluyan. 

Just as we were done with our strawberry-picking experience, it began to drizzle. Just in time ☺ But then again, we can't do any pasyal again because of the weather. We stayed at the condo and had an Asia's Got Talent marathon. No PMA and Burnham Park for us. Boo!

If there's anything I liked about Baguio, it's the weather. Ang lamig ☺ No need for electric fans, lalo na aircon. Hindi nagdidilim ang paningin mo tuwing makikita mo ang bill sa Meralco. Aside from that, being in Baguio stressed me a lot. We brought our own van so medyo makapigil-hininga every time we'd go up a very steep street

hindi ko keri ito

Hindi ako puede mag-drive sa Baguio. Ikamamatay ko. 

this scene is very common in Baguio
reminds me of the chabolas in Brazil

brave doggy

babayaran daw ako ni ate ng P500 matulog dito overnight

Just looking at these pictures stressed me out. Buwis-buhay tumira sa Baguio. 

We headed back to Manila Monday morning but first, breakfast at Good Taste Restaurant. Full-blown na ang flu ko so I just wanted to sleep and not feel how sore my throat was at that time. I ordered chicken mami. Masarap naman and at P75, super sulit. 

C's funny cos when he entered the restaurant, he told his mom, "Mommy, it's dirty." To which AD answered, "No, it's just old." And C answered, "it's old and dirty." Hahahaha! Funny kid. Although I think Good Taste is already renovating, so good for them.

I enjoyed our little Baguio adventure with the family but it would've been more enjoyable if the sun was out most of the time and everyone's in good health. Looking forward to the next family adventure (aka production number) ☺

I Need A Vacation From My Vacation Pt. 2

Palawan Express

Our flight was 9am in the morning. I think I was able to go sleep around 2am in the morning which left me with three hours sleep. Again, I just strewed everything into my bag, wishing myself luck that my clothes will last me until our last day in Palawan. We landed just in time for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight which meant the Underground River office was closed. Technically, they should be open even if it was lunch time but we didn't want to be kontra-bulates, ya?

this was the plane we rode going to palawan. go manny!

watching the fight at the coliseum

We watched the Pacquiao fight in Shakey's where we had lunch. It was disappointing that Manny lost. I really believe he should have won but of course I will say that because I am biased. After the fight, everybody's back to regular programming only people were wearing long faces.

We were given a May 5 schedule for the UR tour which means we can only go that and the island hopping, no more El Nido as our schedule wouldn't allow us to do so anymore. After getting our permits, we headed to where we're staying for the first day-

We stayed at Orange Mangrove on the first night. Since AC booked the hotel via Agoda, she didn't really know as to how big the room area would be. I reckon it's more for backpacker travelers working within a budget. We aren't exactly backpackers but we're certainly working within a budget s so epek na din. But that room was a tad too small for the three of us. Ang laki ko pa naman.

The room also didn't have cable; Good thing they have wi-fi. The bathroom has no door, only a fabric curtain separating it from the room. I'm going to stay here in this inn if I'm traveling with people I'm verrrrry close to, like my sisters. Even if I'm close to my friends, I don't think I can stay with them in that size of a room and a bathroom with only a curtain for a door- I won't want to subject them to any stench, y'know. Haha.

Honda Bay Island-Hopping 

First activity in Palawan was island-hopping. We were to go to three islands- Starfish, Luli and Cowrie Island. Before I go any further, I want you to meet the cast

Very international ang cast. Not very friendly, imho. We all kept to our own groups. Only Japanese Guy and Rush sort of interacted with each other, while all the others were dedma.

First stop- Starfish Island 

stressed starfish

So I braved swimming only because this is the beach and I was allowed to wear shorts and a shirt on top of my swimsuit plus a life vest. I knoooow, very Juday circa Mara Clara days. AB didn't swim, so only AC and I snorkeled and fed the fish yummy bread.

welcome to the philippines ☺

I saw a bunch of corals which weren't very colorful and a few fish that swam our way when we crumbled the bread underwater. Snorkeling in Boracay was more awesome but that was ten years ago. Maybe the view underwater here in Palawan was more beautiful a few years ago, before global warming, before boatloads of tourists. When we went further to the tip of the sandbar, we saw plenty of starfish underwater. Para kay AC na nagreklamo na bakit Starfish Island ang tawag kung isang starfish lang naman ang naandun, nakuha niya ang sagot niya. We also encountered a stonefish and a teeny tiny jellyfish with brown tentacles and both were actually poisonous; Good thing we were listening to our tour guide so we knew we had to avoid them.

starfish island

I brought my phone along because the place was just begging to have its picture taken and of course, I thought, very Instagram-worthy. Haha.

because I really wanted to take a picture of this log
I went back all the way to where we left our things and got my phone

Buwis-buhay for my phone. I really wanted to take a shot of my feet in the water then there was a pretty strong wave which made a big splash on shore which splashed a little water on to my phone. I think the water got inside the slot where you put in the charger. I didn't know it affected my phone until the very next day when my phone wouldn't charge. I don't know if I mentioned anywhere in this blog that I like not having a phone- AB said I just got my wish when my phone conked out on me.

Lunch on the island with the snobby, international group. Yummy lunch but I'm not really into "roughing it." I therefore conclude, mahihirapan ako pag nagka-zombie apocalypse.

Next stop- Luli Island

A little tired and lethargic from just having lunch, AB and I just walked on the sandbar. We didn't snorkel anymore. And we didn't "dive" into the water. Nag-photo-op lang kami ng bongga- jump shots, cartwheels and more jump shots.

bad form. ang chaka.

Time's up at Luli Island. Time to go to the next island.

Third and last stop- Cowrie Island

We were very, very tired at this point. What I love about beaches, you don't have to change after bathing. You could walk around, still dripping wet and it's totally fine to let your clothes air-dry while still wearing it. Gawain ng tamad. Haha. At Cowrie Island, we just found ourselves a picnic table and benches, whipped out Kendall the Kindle and caught up on my reading.

I'm now three books behind! Ack!

After all those boat rides, went back to Orange Mangrove to get our stuff and transfer to our next inn- We Traveler's. We Traveler's Inn was decent-sized and I got to poop in peace, perdóname. Hahaha! Dinner at Kinabuch's where we had sisig, sinigang and one other dish I already forgot. Food was okay. Service was sloooooow. There were a lot of people which explains the glacial pace our food was served to us.

Underground River

Early call-time for our Underground River tour. Our company this time were all-Filipino and I have to say was better. We're more friendly than the other nationalities. Although we were there early, we still had to wait for our number to be called. If I remember correctly, we were #54.

clear waters

while we were all seeked shade from the scorching heat of the sun, this foreigner opted to lay under the UV rays' mercy

After a bazillion light years, we finally boarded our boat going to the island where the Underground River was located. We were re-united with the family we shared the van with from the airport to the hostel, plus our new companions- the mayor from a town in Cavite and his balikbayan brother and daughter.

definitely not a boring boat ride

docked

bayawak in the house

pristine waters leading to the underground river

We had to wait a little more for our turn. More photo-ops for us, camwhores. Haha. The Underground River was declared one of the seven new wonders of the world. I was very excited to see stalactites and stalagmites "in the flesh."

going in

hmm.. i forget what that formation was called

the jellyfish

the only rock we were allowed to touch
apparently, the stalagmites/stalactites are very sensitive
our hands have acid and upon contact with these formations,
they stop growing, so to speak
tampuhin.

the black stuff on the cave walls are from the decayed plants. from what i remember
from the tour. but i'm not so sure. haha.

on our way out

It was fun and educational experience. We had a very good and very entertaining guide. The tour guide/boatman plays a huge part in this experience. We were lucky we got a good one. 

Ang galing how Palawan systematized tourism. Paglabas pa lang ng airport, meron na agad tour companies who will assist you and you don't get the feeling as if they're trying to rip you off. These tour companies also provide the transfers to your accommodation, fetch you from your hotel on the day of the tour then take you back there. Hindi ba masalimuot. Ahlavet!

Another thing I loved about Palawan is no matter how many tourists visit, it seems that they were able to maintain cleanliness in the tourist spots. The waters are still pristine, clean. This is in comparison with Boracay. Boracay's white sand is waaaay better than Palawan's, but at the rate that the business owners and the tourists are abusing the island, baka dumating ang panahon magmukhang burak na ang beach ng Boracay. I am lucky I have been to Boracay before it became highly developed. So hats off to Palawan's government officials for looking after the province. 

Last Day in the City

Our flight was at 7pm in the evening and we didn't have anything scheduled for the day. We checked out of our inn, left our bags with reception then had lunch at Gerry's Grill in Robinsons Mall. Still had a lot of time to kill so AB and I watched Unfriended. 

Still had four hours before check-in so we joined AC (who didn't want to watch a movie), who was having coffee at Palawan Cafe. 

Not bad ;) But you know naman my non-coffee-drinker heart still belongs to Starbucks' mocha frappe and on occasions, CBTL's morrocan mint latte. 

So there you go, our little Palawan vacation. We still haven't seen everything there is to see in Palawan- still haven't gone ziplining in Ugong Rock and still haven't gone to El Nido and Coron. Bilib naman talaga ako sa nanay at tatay ko na nagmula-Appari-hanggang-Jolo adventure sa Palawan in seven days. Three days lang and two major activities, pagod na ako. Eh silang mga senior citizens na, go go go pa din. Shameful. Very shameful. 

To be continued...

I Need A Vacation From My Vacation Pt.1

Hello there! It's been a while. I missed you, dear blog.

When AB arrived, I again assumed the role of her tail and followed her everywhere she went. I am not complaining, it's just that her schedule was exhausting. Walang pahinga! Day 1 we all went to Nuvali for a little staycation with the family.

First up upon arrival, we had lunch at Mama Lou's.

fried mozzarella sticks. pizza margherita. spaghetti con tuyo filleto.

Delicioso. But muy caro, as well. As the designated treasurer, I watched every peso get spent. Ang bilis bilis ng pera but I guess we work hard so we can enjoy the good things in life. That is what I need to come in to terms with- enjoying the fruits of my labor. Anyway, back to our family vacation.

home for the night

We stayed at Seda Hotel in Nuvali. I didn't bring any bathing suits because there's no way I am wearing a swimsuit in this state my body is in which is fat and usually swimming pools are strict with their "dress code." So pampang beauty ang drama ko.

perdon ze fugly feet with chipped polish

While the nephews enjoyed swimming, I enjoyed lounging around and when I got bored just watching them swim, I went up to our room and slept. Ang boring ko, no?

The next day, we took the kids to fish-feeding, still in Nuvali.

On our way home, we paid Auntie Madre a visit. Of course hindi kumpleto ang homecoming ni AB kung hindi magbibigay-pugay sa elders. I think we got lost on our way there- one of the few times na binigo kami ni Waze. Home at 8pm and we were all craving sleep on our own beds.

The next day, sabak na uli sa Meet & Greet ni AB. Lunch with our cousin at Balboa in Shangri-la.

now you see it...

now you don't *burp*

I wouldn't have tried Balboa on my own because I am not adventurous when it comes to trying out new restaurants and knowing that it's a little pricey, I wouldn't try it without any guarantee it'll be worth my moolah. Thanks to my cousin who suggested this place because their pizza was scrumptious ☺ Even their salad was yummy- anything with goat cheese, I looooove ♥

For dessert, we walked over to Megamall. Coffee and choco-cro at St. Marc Cafe.

Didn't like the texture of the croissant against the chocolate. I don't understand the fuss over it but to each his own, I guess. We ate again at this café with mommy and the other sisters and I ordered Egg Salsa that time and I loved it ☺ Now I have another favorite. Hooray to LDLs! Not.

After dessert with the cousin, we headed back to Shang for AB's Meet & Greet with her college friends. So it goes without saying, eating time again. Dinner was in Corazon and since I already posted about Corazon before, no more pictures and further che che boreche.

The next day I after a visit to the dentist (which left me disappointed because I had two cavities which had to filled in. But in fernez sa akin, five years after my legit visit to the dentist, I only had two cavities and my gums didn't bleed when I had my dental prophylaxis), accompanied AB to SM Aura for another Meet & Greet. Since it was a Friday, sweldo night, almost all restaurants were packed. We settled for Magnum Manila, which honestly, I didn't even know served real food apart from ice cream.  This was what they ordered-

I totally had no expectations so I was delighted and surprised when their food tasted yummeh! So yuuuuh, this is why I'm fat. Coffee afterwards at CBTL and after hitting jackpot the last time when I ordered Morrocan Mint Latte and they actually had it in stock, this time this particular branch didn't have it yet. I actually found it surprising that the whole time AB was here, we didn't go to Starbucks, not even once.

One of the reasons AB came home was Mommy's 70th birthday. We organized a small salu-salo for this milestone. We are very, very lucky that both our parents have reached this age and both are healthy ☺

Buti na lang they were very busy with entertaining her guests and with ballroom dancing, she forgot all about her "program." She wanted us to sing and dance and all that showing-off-of -talent stuff. I really hate standing before an audience, lalo na speaking and performing in front of an audience.

Food was yummy ☺ We also had lechon from Elar's- best lechon ever! I regret I did not make pamasaw as much as I wanted to but I guess that's a blessing in disguise na din since I do have fatty liver and I shouldn't be eating lechon actually. The party ended a little over 9pm. We have to go home and pack for our Palawan trip the next day.

I Need A Vacation From My Vacation to be continued...