Palawan Revisited

Finally had time to post after our fateful palawan trip...
Scrap the Itinerary... We followed it until we got to El Nido...
Blame Typhoon Nina... It was windy and there was an on and off Drizzle of Rain...
We slept at at the resort... Non-Stop prayers for good weather the next day...
But... Still wind and rain and Big Waves... We asked for the weather back in Puerto Princesa, they said it was ok, so we decided to just go back...

A glimpse of El Nido

After 8 long long hours of rough road travel, were back at Puerto Princesa, 30 minutes late for our reservations at Ka Lui, good thing there was a vacant table for us... Another sumptuous dinner for my Birthday! (Last year we had my Birthday Dinner at a Cruise at Chao Praya River, Bangkok)

Birthday Dinner at Ka Lui

The next Day we woke up with smiling faces because finally saw the sun! We were all eager to Island Hopping at Honda Bay. But first we went to the Market to buy seafoods for lunch. With a budget of Php 600 we were able to buy, 1/2 kilo of prawns, 3 pcs Tanigue Steak, 4 pcs Squid, a Big Parrot fish, half kilo Rice, Calamansi, Toyo, Tomatoes, Bananas and Green Mangoes, Mineral Water, Softdrinks, Ice and Charcoal... All Set to go!



After Island Hopping, we went to the New Market to Buy Dried Fish and Kasoy (Cashew Nuts) for Pasalubong. Then had late Meryenda/early dinner at Baker's Hill.
The next day we woke up real early (4:30 a.m.) for our Underground River Tour.




We may not have been able to enjoy El Nido at its best (but we swear we'll be back with a vengeance next year summer), Thank God there was good weather at Puerto Princesa.
Palawan is always worth coming back to... Clean, Green, Fresh Air, Fresh Seafoods, Warm and friendly People!
Palawan again next Year!

Pacquing and Stefi 's Day at The Groomers

We took Pacquing and Stefi to a Pet Grooming Shop Yesterday. It's the First time for both of them to have their hair cut by a professional groomer. My mom usually cuts their hair.
Here are some photos taken yesterday...

Pacquing looking anxious to have his hair cut

Bath Time!

Stefi's Turn

Snip! Snip!



Pacquing and me after the haircut

If you want to have your pet dog/cat groomed visit

PET GROOMING HOUSE
9-26A Sampaguita Ave., Timog Park Homes, A.C.
Alex Martinez, owner
Tel. # (045) 889 9299 , Cel. # 0915 792 2424
It's best to call for an appointment before going there

El Nido Itinerary

We are all super excited on our upcoming El Nido Trip! My friends and I are planning a yearly vacation before the toxic months (since we're all business persons) begins and we usually make it fall on my birthday(Sept. 22). Travel freak that I am had made most of the arrangements (except for the plane tickets, thanks, lek). Thank God for the Internet, it was easier to contact and make reservations at the resort and the van rental.


Here's my proposed Itinerary for our 4 days 3 nights (No rains allowed!)


Day 1 (Sept. 21)

5:00 a.m. - Leave Angeles City
7:00 a.m. - Check in Airport (NAIA 3)
8:20 a.m. - Flight to Puerto Princesa
9:35 a.m. - Arrive Puerto Princesa Airport
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m - Travel to El Nido with the ff. stop overs
Early Lunch at Vietville Restaurant
Stop Over at Puerto de Sta. Isabel, Taytay, Palawan
6:00 p.m. - Check in Marina Garden Resort
8:00 p.m. - Dinner

Day 2 (Sept. 22 - My Birthday! :))

7:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tour A (Kayak Adventure)
Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon & Simizu Island)
6:00 p.m. - dinner
8:00 - 12 mn - gimik

Day 3 (Sept. 23)

7:00 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Tour C (Matinloc Island, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach)
6:00 p.m. - dinner

Day 4 (Sept. 24)

3:00 a.m. - depart for Sabang
8:00 a.m. - Underground River Tour
12 nn - return to Puerto Princesa
4:15 p.m. - Flight Back to Manila :(


Marina Garden Resort : 048-723-0876 / 0926-684-0691
http://marinagardenelnido.multiply.com/
JB Van Rental - 0921-757-6052 / 0920-873-6238
For the Tours:
El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe - 0920-902-6317 / 0918-328-7487
www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com

My Birthday Wish List 2008

It's my Birthday Month and I'll be spending "The Day" in beautiful PALAWAN!
My friends and I booked with Cebu Pacific's (Piso) Php 1.00 fare promo.
We're praying for good weather and planning to go backpacking to El Nido (Super Adventure!).
Last year we were in Bangkok for my Birthday and had a grand time shopping and Food Tripping!
This year I'm sure we'll have lots of fun in the sun! (wag po sana umulan!)
I reviewed my Birthday wish list last year (http://tinsj.multiply.com/journal/item/3) and I found out that I got most of my wish list, (mom,dad & my siblings for the shopping money, my bestfriend Irina for the book (living to tell the tale) and an old friend for my Audrey Hepburn DVD)
This year here's my list!

1) Cash - to spend at Palawan

2) New Bathing Suit / Bikini

3) Snorkelling Set

4) Books (to add to my collection)

5) A new Cell Phone (i really wish! hehe)

Advance thank you to those who will grant my wishes!

My Unforgettable Travel Moments....

* Swimming with a school of Jacks at Snake Island, Honda Bay, Palawan.

* Riding on the roof of a Jeepney at Puerto Galera, Mindoro.

* Dolphin Sighting on the way back to Batangas Pier from Puerto Galera.

*Riding the Space Mountain with Xianelle at Hongkong, Disneyland.

*Looking for my supposedly "lost" Dad at the Hongkong Airport.

* Non-Stop Food Trip at Bangkok, Thailand.

*Music / Kwentuhan Trip with my bestfriend Apols (and that white fish that kept pecking at my red nails) at Boracay (2001)

*Waking up at 5:30 a.m. to take a long walk alone at the beach in Boracay (2006)
Station 2 to Station 1, then back Station 1 to Station 3 and Back to Station 2

* The longest walk of my life at Mt. Pinatubo Trek.

My Favorite Paulo Coelho Quotes

I am a certified Paulo Coelho Fan. It all started with "By the River Piedra, I sat down and wept" and as of now I have a total of 10 Paulo Coelho books.
Here are some of my favorite qoutes taken from his books...


"'Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is - love simply is. ...'"
— Paulo Coelho

"One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving."
— Paulo Coelho

""Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.""
— Paulo Coelho (Eleven Minutes: A Novel (P.S.))

"If I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day."
— Coelho, Paulo (The Alchemist)

"It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary."
— Paulo Coelho

"In real life, love has to be possible. Even if it is not returned right away, love can only survive when the hope exists that you will be able to win over the person you desire"
— Paulo Coelho (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept: A Novel of Forgiveness (P.S.))

"Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day
"
— Paulo Coelho (Brida)

A Very Special Love - A Surprisingly Good Movie

A movie is a good one for me if it successfully entertained me. I love watching feel-good, Romantic Comedies. I love it when I leave the movie house with a smile on my face. That's exactly what the movie "A very special Love" did last Sunday.
I was curious if the John Lloyd - Sarah Geronimo tandem would click, and surprisingly it did. Sarah was quite a natural comic, she was so cute and funny, and not OA (Over Acting). My mom can't stop gushing how "pogi" (good-looking) John Lloyd was. This is one of the few Filipino Rom-Com flicks that I will recommend people to watch :) :) :)

pics, pics and more pics

Family Dinner at Privado's

We had a Family Thanksgiving Dinner / Despedida Dinner for my Brother and His Family at Privado's last Thursday. Privado's is our Favorite Italian Restaurant. They have the best Pasta ever, always Al Dente. My Favorite Pasta Dish is their Arrabiatta and Ravioli (either the one with cream sauce or the tomato based sauce). I also love their Eggplant Parmigiana and Roastbeef Parmigiana. My mom loves their pizza. My dad, the Osso Bucco. We always go there for special occasions, very good ambiance and a very private location. The restaurant is located at Angeles Citicenter Phase 2 at Pandan, Angeles City. For reservations call 045 - 8886127.

David Cook's January 2009 Concert in P.I.

Got an early morning text from my Bestfriend announcing that David Cook will have a Concert here in the Philippines next year January. She's been going gaga over David Cook since American Idol 7 started. Of course I promised to go with her to the Concert. What are bestfriends for? hehe!

The Best in Angeles

We Kapampangans are well known to be good cooks. We love good food and eating out and trying new restaurants. Maybe that's why we tend to be meticulous when it comes to the taste and flavors of the food we eat. My friends have been telling me to write a book about the best food finds here in Angeles City.
Here's my list... Try them out and tell me if I'm right hehe!

The Best...

Barbeque - Jun Jun's Barbeque

Sisig - This one is debatable but

Baby Back Ribs - RQS

Blueberry Cheesecake - Northern Brew

Carrot Cake - Northern Brew

Salads - Herbs and Greens

Bulalo - Cely's Carinderia

Sandwiches - Bretto's

Pancit Palabok - Perfect Loaf

Baked Macaroni / Lasagna - Toll House

Pasta - Privado's

Ice Cream - FIC

Halo-Halo - Corazon's

Tapsilog - Rumpa

Japanese Food - Zen

Tagaytay Finds

The whole Family just got back from Tagaytay. We were supposed to go to beach first at Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, but we got lost and ended up in Anilao. But then we need to ride a boat to get to the beach. The weather was quite bad and the waves were strong,so, we didn't risk ourselves. We went back and just headed to Tagaytay. We stopped by Sonya's Garden and bought yummy chocolate muffins, Pan de Coco, Hispanish Bread, Otap and Ogoy-Ogoy. Of course, a trip to Sonya's Garden won't be complete without having a pictorial at their beautiful Garden.
We stayed at Casa de Carlos and spent the whole day there since it was raining and Xianelle got sick. We had dinner at their restaurant (Ristorante de Carlo)and had a taste of their sumptuous Spanish Cuisine whipped up by the owner himself.
Although were not able to follow our supposed plans, we all enjoyed the trip. Just being together, made the trip a whole lot of fun!

My Lakbayan Grade!

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Palawan - Philippines' Last Frontier

Let me share with you pictures taken at our Trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan last June 29-July.... Saya!

Pusoy Dos Fever!

Pusoy Dos- a very popular poker-like card game played in the Philippines. I remember learning the game at the UP Aguman Tambayan in UP Diliman when I was in college, playing the game during breaks before getting to our next class. At home, we've been having Pusoy Dos Fever eversince Christian (my brother) and his Family started their annual vacation. Our nights in Palawan (July 29-July 2) were spent playing the game. Last Sunday, we checked in at a villa in Mimosa, we ended up playing the game until 3:00 a.m.! Too much Pusoy, too little sleep... hehe!

My Baby Pacquing!

My Baby Pacquing was named after, obviously, Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao. I got him, November 30, 2006, the day my Baby BATA (named after Efren "Bata" Reyes) died. He's a Yorkshire Terrier just like Bata and My dad & mom bought him from Mrs. Mananquil at Villa Teresa. I was so heartbroken over the death Bata that i decided to not have a pet for a while. But then my Family knew that buying me another would make it easier for me to move on after the death of Bata. Even Bata's Vet, Dra. Lani, volunteered to give me her Chihuahua, Squishy, who ended up with my ate.
I knew that no other dog would ever replace Bata, but the moment i saw Pacquing, I was so excited to take care of him. He was so cute and so fragile. He's so sweet, he loves putting his chin on my lap and sleep. Having him makes me happy. He brings so much joy to my life... My Baby...

Welcome to my world!

My First Post... I'm not really good at telling stories esp. about myself, but I'm going to try hehe!
I will be sharing most of my out of town (and out of the country (cross your fingers!)) trips, reviews of restaurants/coffee shops in Angeles City, books, movies, tv shows etc. here. I hope I'd find time and not run out of ideas... Welcome!