In One Month...

... I will be traveling to Cebu and Bohol with my mom and some of her colleagues.

Sometime ago, I received a call from my mom saying one of her colleagues backed out on their trip and she wanted to transfer her tickets, something that made mom think that I might appreciate it, hence the call. I told mom I am very much willing to grab the tickets, but even before I could jump up in joy, I found out that the tickets weren't transferable as they purchased it during the promo period.

Another blow came my way when I found out my Paypal account was hacked, and because the bank card I used in my Paypal account recently expired, Paypal wasn't accepting any number combination I gave whenever it would ask me to supply the bank card I used because they blocked my account until I could give the information they needed. I was ready to forget this trip, but my mom was such a supportive parent that she still wanted me to come, even if it would mean her paying for the air fare.

When a door closes, another opens. I am a firm believer of that. I was able to find some airline promos, but another problem came when I realized online ticket purchases needed credit card, something I don't have. Again, a new door opened for me, as when I put up a message on my Facebook asking if there would be someone willing to book a flight for me (and I will just pay in cash), my uncle quickly sent me a message asking for the flight details. In less than an hour, I already have my tickets, and... I don't have to pay anything. Thank you Lord, thank you, Uncle Pete!

I have been to Cebu and Bohol, but I still am very much excited for this trip as I want to see both places with a new pair of eyes. I am more excited to see Bohol as when I lost my first travel blog, I lost all the articles I have written about Bohol, and I really want this place to be a part of my current travel blog. My mom told me we are pretty much followers of this trip, and we would just go with the flow of the group, so even if I want to plan out things, everything seemed to be hazy for me.

Still, I have my wish list for this trip. Of course, I want the universe to work on my advantage, so I am writing this one.

Cebu:

• Do the Skywalk at the Crown Regency Hotel.
• Take a picture of the "Heritage of Cebu," because I wasn't able to photograph it when I travel there in 2009.
• Eat lechon Cebu.
• Buy at least 5 Cebu food items (for my food blog).
• Do at least one Cebu food trip, not including the one at Larsian.
• Visit the IT Park.

Bohol:

• See the dolphins.
• Do a much more extensive photo-coverage of each of the tourist spots, including the churches.
• Take more tarsier pictures.
• Cross the hanging bamboo bridge in Loboc. How to get there, I still don't know yet.
• Buy at least 5 Bohol food items (for my food blog).

In Cebu, we will be staying at a house (maybe a relative of one of mom's colleagues), so I cannot do a hotel post, but in Bohol, mom said we would be staying at Dumaluan Beach Resort... something really surprising because it was where K and I stayed in 2008. Well, I found out there's another cute resort nearby, maybe I could make a little side trip there to take pictures. :)

I am very, very excited about this trip, but yes, one big thing I need to do: lose weight. How much can 1 month do for me? Let's find out.

*** Jenn ***

Samar: A Place To Retire To

When one speaks of Leyte or Samar, the very first thing that will come to mind would be the San Juanico Bridge. I haven't visited both provinces yet (this picture was taken by my brother), but thanks to my brother's story and this one particular episode of a TV magazine show, I now dream of traveling to Samar, to see not just the bridge, but also the many beautiful places in the province.

Filipinos aren't the only ones who wanted to travel and explore the province, foreigners, too. In fact, many foreigners considered Samar as the place to retire to, which is why social entrepreneur Chris Bech decided to help other foreigners in buying a vacation home in the province. Well, what's not to love in the Philippines anyway? Cost of living is very much cheaper here, and provinces like Samar (and Romblon) provide that tranquil, laid back atmosphere the foreigners wanted. Of course, he is not only doing this for foreigners, his projects also help Overseas Filipino Workers have their own place should they decide to come back to the Philippines to retire. Now that's a good way for our dear Overseas Filipino Workers to spend their hard earned money - enjoying the life they so fully deserve.

I am a country girl by heart. I love the peace and tranquility and simple ways of living, which is why I love visiting different provinces in the Philippines whenever I can get my chance. Samar, (and it's neighboring province Leyte) is part of my Top 10 places I want to visit, and if ever I get the chance to visit the province, I do hope to get in touch with Chris Bech so I could learn more about his projects, because I have and uncle and an aunt who is currently working abroad, and I think they, too, are thinking of having a quality retirement or perhaps a vacation home once they decide to stay here for good.

*** Jenn ***

June 2010 Food Trips

A collection of Food Trips done in June 2010. Please click the link if you want to know more about each of the stories.




Fazoli's - Eastwood City, Libis
05 June 2010

It's been ages since I last visited Eastwood City, and thankful to my dear friend Nathalie who suggested we visit the place, I wasn't only able to see awesome changes, take lots of pictures... I also was able to eat there, too. Our choice of restaurant was Fazoli's, and I loved how delicious their foods were.

Buckaroo's - SM City Fairview
12 June 2010

It may be the Philippines' Independence Day, but it was also the Fil-Am Friendship Day; and since we were at the mall, we decided to dine at Buckaroo's, which was an American (Wild West) themed restaurant. I wasn't fully impressed with their foods, but the Chuckwagon Burger I had was good enough to fill the tummy.

Reyes Barbecue - UP Ayala Land TechnoHub
13 June 2010

Tight budgets caused Nathalie and I to eat at Reyes Barbecue when we went to the UP Ayala Land TechnoHub, but even if the foods here were cheap, the quality of foods were really exceptional. It was my first time to try their grilled bangus (milkfish), and I did like it.




Flavours of China - SM City Fairview
30 June 2010

Another trip to the mall for some grocery shopping, but before we went to the supermarket, the family ate lunch first at the Flavours of China, and among the three main dishes we had, the one I liked the most was their Broccoli with Scallops.

Four food trips in one month... not bad!

*** Jenn ***

How We Welcomed a New Day in Iloilo

*** pausing my blog posts to make way for this one ***

When my dear K told me he is coming back to the Philippines and we will have two weeks of holiday checking different places, I asked him if we could travel to Iloilo, too, because both of us haven't been there yet. In our early stages of planning this holiday, we tried looking for affordable places to stay at and decided to stay at the Urban Inn in La Paz.

Reading blogs, magazine articles as well as asking questions to different people from Iloilo, I learned about Madge Cafe, thanks to an article published in FOOD Magazine. Before K traveled to the Philippines from his native land of England, he asked if I am already decided on Urban Inn, and I told him I am more than 100% decided on Urban Inn mainly because of this.


On our first morning in Iloilo, we went out to find this cafe, but most of the locals didn't seem to know the place, until one vendor at the La Paz Market told us the directions going there. Tucked inside the market is one awesome gem that quickly captured our hearts.

Upon entering the cafe, a familiar face greeted us (I first saw her picture at the magazine). She asked us our coffee preferences and provided us with choices: Strong or Mild, with or without milk. We told them our choice, and quickly, she worked her wonders. With the advent of instant coffees, coffee makers, and coffee shops here and there, it was really nice to see coffee being prepared this way.

I went for the mild coffee with milk and I also ordered a pack of their puto.

K went for the strong coffee with no milk as well as an order of Pandeciosa, which they toasted with margarine. This bread tasted a lot like pizza crust... so delicious!

A cup of coffee cost us only p20 each. The taste? Well, I can say it has its own flavor - somewhat in between brewed and instant coffee. Each table has a container of white and muscovado sugar, and adding muscovado sugar in my cup, it made my coffee much better.


Drinking a hot cup of coffee at Madge Cafe has been our morning ritual in the three days that we stayed in Iloilo. Aside from the good coffee, K and I were both amazed because the second and third time we entered the cafe, they need not ask what our order would be... they already knew what we wanted. With so many people coming in to get their morning coffee fix, it was so amazing for them to remember our coffee preference.

The place was noisy, yes, but it's the kind of noise that we welcomed; even if we weren't able to understand what the people were talking about, we loved the feel of the place, and it made us really enjoy our stay in Iloilo. Actually, both of us loved our stay in Iloilo that we are now planning to travel back there next year, and yes, we would stay at the Urban Inn again, so we can open our day having coffee at Madge Cafe.

I may have known about the place before coming here, but the discovery of tasting something new was one of the reasons why I love traveling. Truly, one can buy all the magazines and books, read all travel blogs, and watch all travel shows, but nothing compares to experiencing it first hand.

*** Jenn ***

This post is my entry for Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for July 2011 with the theme "Awesome Food Experience While Traveling In The Philippines" hosted by Anton Diaz.

UP Ayala Land Techno Hub

U.P. - Ayala Land TechnoHub

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

13 June 2010

Spending the whole afternoon in La Mesa Ecopark, my friend Nathalie realized I haven't eaten yet. My back pain was enough to divert my mind that I wasn't really feeling hungry, but when she suggested if was up to check the TechnoHub and maybe grab something to eat, I thought it would be a good idea.

I live in this side of the metro. Well, not really, but because I pass by here whenever I go to Quezon City and other cities in the metro, I found it quite amusing that I still haven't visited the area. All I could do prior to this visit was to stare at the window and be amazed at how pretty it was.

Rewind to many years back... my memory of this place was a long row of steel fences with the "No Trespassing: Private Property" signs. It was a place where jeepneys and buses would speed up because no one would really get on and off the bus. It was a place that only breathes life near Christmastime because of a theme park.

Obviously, that isn't what it is now. In 2006, Ayala Land announced it would invest to develop that part of Commonwealth Avenue, and despite protests from people - including U. P. (University of the Philippines) students, first batch of tenants moved in to the technology park. With an area of 20 hectares, the TechnoHub is now home to different companies, and became a much nearer work place for people living this side of the metro.


With buildings having good architecture, Nathalie and I just couldn't help but take pictures, but one of the guards was quick to stop us. He said, while taking pictures was generally allowed, no one was allowed to directly take pictures of the buildings. Reasons? We never dared to ask. However... since taking pictures was allowed, it was just then a matter of taking pictures of the buildings in the discreet manner. Well, coming from my view point, I just admire the architecture and that I wanted to showcase it as part of the whole image.

At the heart of the hub was the floor fountains, which was really something that draws crowds, that even if I am in my early 30s, I still took the time to go at the center and hoped not to get wet.

It may be an industrial center, but because of the fountain as an attraction, plus the different restaurants, students from nearby schools and universities, as well as "normal" people come to the hub to dine and enjoy the view. As for Nathalie and I, we went to eat our late snacks / early dinner at Reyes Barbecue. Other food establishments include: Seafood Island, Kanin Club, Flapjacks, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks Coffee. The place also had different shops selling different things.

Come night time, the balls around the fountain light up and changes in color that really added beauty to the park. Sadly, it started to rain, and because neither one of us brought umbrellas, we figured it would be best to leave the area and go home. It was a short visit, but really worth it.

Maybe next time we can try eating foods at the other establishments. :)

*** Jenn ***