Been There! Done That!

Sailing Trip @ Taal Lake Yacht Club, Batangas, Philippines

2011-03-06T05:35:00.000-08:00

My dear blog,

I gravely apologize for not updating you for a long long time. I've been busy doing so many other things, which includes traveling here there and everywhere that I've neglected you already. I am really sorry. I will try to make it up to you by telling you the story about my sailing trip at Taal Lake Yacht Club in Bario Sta. Maria Talisay Batangas.

The Yacht Club is around 30-45 minutes away from Tagaytay City proper and you would need to have your own vehicle to reach it or rent from the tourist 'peddlers' around the area. They are the ones flashing those 'boat for hire' thingies when you drive around Tagaytay overlooking the Taal Volcano.

I was taken there by AboitizPower to show us how we can enjoy natural energy by sailing. I was apprehensive at first but then after some interview with the sail guide I gave in. You know me, I will try everything once as long as it won't hurt or kill me.

The Yacht Club is open for public but you have to call to schedule your visit to make sure they can accommodate you. They have the beach houses in the club for rent and they have boats, kayak, sailing, water sports you can think of, ask and they have it. They even do Volcano tours! But I've been there and done that before!

We were told that a sailboat can be rented for Php3,500 the whole day already, I just don't know how much you need to pay the guide because our host was worried a bit about him after three rounds with us.

We sailed for 10 minutes to the center of the Taal Lake almost reaching the edge of the foot of the crater, it was an awesome experience. I'm glad I tried it. I enjoyed it so much I went for two rounds. First one was aboard a passenger sail boat, the second round was aboard a racing sail boat.

The wind was so powerful it was able to take us at the center of the lake without need to paddle or any motor at all. Amazing! It was actually very windy and the waves were kinda rough but we got through.

I'll go sailing again in a heartbeat.

Sailing! Explored! Yay!

Win a Free Boracay Package from WOW Philippines Travel Agency

2010-09-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is one of the most respected and trusted names in Philippines Travel, arranging short trips and family vacations to any of the 7,100 Philippines Islands. We have been specializing in all inclusive packages since 2005 to top destinations like, Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Baguio, Tagaytay, and Manila as-well-as other island destinations.

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is the 1st travel agency in the Philippines to offer FREE VACATION PACKAGES to BORACAY ISLAND, the number #1 Philippines Tourist Destination. Now everyone has a chance to WIN a FREE all expenses paid vacation to Boracay, and all you have to do is to enter the contest is to CREATE a BLOG and paste this info into it, that’s it, it’s just that easy.

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3 Days / 2 Nights - Asya Boracay Premier Suites

Enjoy this luxury resort in Boracay located in station 3, and set just above Boracay beach, where you will enjoy beautiful Boracay sunsets. Asya Boracay Premier Suites is truly a RESORT, specializing in pampering their guest with beautiful rooms, delicious food, and excellent service from their professional staff.

Flights to Boracay - Manila to Kalibo Airport via Philippine Airlines

No true vacation package is complete without having the air-fare included. WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. will be including ROUNDTRIP AIR-FARE from Manila to Kalibo and back to Manila. Once you arrive at the Kalibo airport you will be greeted by SOUTHWEST Travel & Tours, and transported to Boracay Island via a tour bus.

Boracay Island Transfers - Kalibo Airport to Boracay (roundtrip)

SOUTHWEST Travel & Tours is the OFFICIAL transport company of WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. SouthWest Travel & Tours has been in business for over 15 years, and is considered one of the safest carriers in the Philippines.

Daily Breakfast – Buffet Style

The winners to this Free Boracay Package will also have included a daily breakfast, served buffet style at the PALAY RESTAURANT, located at the beachfront of Asya Boracay Premier Suites.

Boracay Activities - Island Hopping Tour

For one full day our winners will enjoy a tour around Boracay Island that includes snorkeling, as-well as visiting surrounding beaches. (does not include entrance fee into Crystal Cove)

Been Busy Doing This And That

2010-03-07T04:51:00.001-08:00

My dear blog,

I am so sorry for neglecting you for so long. I've been to many places and done so many amazing things that I wish I was able to share with you but lack the time to visit here and share my adventures.

I've been to Boracay again and Hong Kong for the Third Time, been to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Angeles Pampangga too and captured so many memories and photographs along the way.

There's so many stories I wanna share with you. There are good and bad experiences but all of them are worth the trip.

Bear with me my deary because I'll be doing more of this and that and will able to tell you I have been there and done that!

Have Money Will Travel

2009-08-31T04:04:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I updated this blog I am so sorry. I have so many adventures and travels I want to share to you but right now I want to invite you to join me and make money with your websites by joining Link From Blog.

Link from Blog is one of the newest blog advertising sites that any website owner can earn money from. All you have to do is sign-up, under me would be great, and wait for a couple of hours if not a day to have your blog approved.

As soon as you have your blog approved you get a bonus by writing a short post link this about this site. It's that simple. If you want to get more income then bid on the campaigns available that you see.

Marinduque Philippines

2009-04-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

Boac, Marinduque was our destination in Luzon. It is surrounded by the Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea an island located near Quezon, Mindoro, and Romblon.

We went to Marinduque on a Holy Week and it’s the perfect destination to visit because it’s a one stop destination for anyone who would like to go spiritual/ religious , nature tripping and hiking or just the usual fun at the beach.

For the religious/spiritual journey they have the Moriones Festival every Holy week

This is a week-long celebration that starts on a Holy Monday and culminates on Easter Sunday when the story of Longinus is reenacted. Longinus was one of the Roman soldiers during Jesus Christ cruxificion, if I remember it right he was the one who poked Jesus side to check if he is still alive.

Morion means “mask” or “visor,” a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus. This week-long celebration starts on Holy Monday and culminates on Easter Sunday when the story of Longinus is reenacted in pantomime. This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.

Nature tripping and trekking at the Bathala Cave

The Caves of Bathala are eight interconnected caves namely the Church Cave, Secret Cave, Python Cave, Cemetrey Cave, Lihim Cave, Underground Cave, River Cave and Kay Mendez Cave. It is located in a 19 hectares of land and is run by the locals. If you like to do climbing enjoy the views of different rock formations, stalagmites and stalctites this is the perfect place. The small karts contains more caves that are unnamed and unexplored. The biggest cave is called Kuweba ng Simbahan (Cave of the Church), as it was used for worship. It was believed to be the home of Amang Bathala, the Supreme God of the Tagalogs, the indigenous inhabitants of the Philippines. The cave is big enough for 100 people.

Beautiful waterfalls can be discovered all over the island just ask the locals and they will lead you to different waterfalls all worthy to visit.

Virgin White Beaches

When we visited the place there were no resort available just huts around the beach area made by the residents themselves. The sand was white but not as pure as Boracay. The water is very clear and not commercialized yet. It was fun to see the fishermen at nighttime too.

There were talks about developing the area into a top tourist destination. It’s been 7 years since I’ve been there I don’t know if the development pushed through since there were lots of natural calamities that hit the province after our trip. I heard until now they haven’t recovered. The Marcopper mining was also popular in the area before, but because of some chemical poisoning it was closed.

I went home invigorated and the post partum was gone, I am energized and ready to take any challenge of motherhood up to now. I am a firm believer of time-outs and time-alone. It’s not bad to take a time for yourself when you feel you are about to break down. It will not only be good for you but to your child and your family too.

Island Cove, Binakayan, Cawit Cavite, Philippines

2009-03-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

If you want a summer destination where you can do more thing than just swimming then this place is for you.

1) You can go fishing.
2) Have a videoke party.
3) Be a health buff at the gym.
4) Interact with animals like crocodiles, monkeys, ostrich and more.
5) Relax at the spa.
6) Play airsoft.
7) Go biking

Yes it's all here at Island Cove. We were there last March 5, 2009 and did everything I mentioned.

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

2009-03-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

Your travel to the Philippines won't be complete if you don't visit one of the major structures in Manila that was built in the 1950's.

But before this present structure the first cathedral, made of nipa and bamboos, was built in 1581. It was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583.

The new cathedral, which was made of stone, was made in 1592. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600.

The third cathedral, with three naves and seven chapels, was started in 1584 and blessed in 1614. It was toppled by another earthquake which shook Manila in 1645.

The magnificent fourth cathedral was constructed in 1654 to 1671 under Archbishop Miguel Poblete. It was severely damaged in 1863 by a very strong earthquake that even toppled the Palace of the Governor General of the Philippines. In 1880, another earthquake toppled its bell tower and since then until in 1959, the cathedral remained towerless.

The fifth cathedral was constructed in 1870–1879. It was solemnly blessed in December 1879. The center cross of the dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. The magnificent cathedral was toppled into ruins by bombing in 1945.

The pictures you are about to see were taken March 10, 2009. This is the present cathedral and was constructed in 1954 to 1958 under Archbishop Rufino Jiao Santos of Manila and under the supervision of National Artist for Architecture Awardee, Architect Fernando Ocampo. It was elevated into the rank of minor basilica in 1981 by Pope John Paul II.

Club Manila East (CME), Taytay, Rizal

2008-04-27T05:27:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a quick getaway on a weekend but not want to go far from Manila, this is the place to be. Club Manila East in Taytay, Rizal province is just 30 minutes away from Ortigas Center Pasig and Cubao. They have lots of pools to fit everyone's desire for a dip in the water. Price is very affordable too! But the best this resort has to offer is the BeachWave pool! For more info click here.

Take a quick look at our fun time in there:

Snippets of Tourist Spots (Bicol and Leyte)

2008-03-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

If you want to see history at it's finest look no further, the Visayas Region south of Manila offers a wide range of tourist destination to fit everyone's taste.

What's in here:

Two active volcanoes

1) Mayon Volcano, popularly known as the Perfect Cone. Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in the Philippines on the island of Luzon, in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region. Its almost perfectly-shaped cone is considered by some to be the Philippine equivalent of Mount Fuji in Japan. 15 kilometres to the southeast of the volcano is Legazpi City. Mayon is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano.

2) Mount Bulusan, or Bulusan Volcano, is the southernmost volcano on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It is found in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol region (12°46.2'N, 124°03'E), 70 km southeast of Mayon Volcano and approximately 250 km southeast of the Philippine capital of Manila.

3) The Leyte Landing or McArthur Landing. This is the place where General Doughlas McArthur promised the Filipino people during the World War 2 his return, ergo the popular phrase "I shall return".

4) The Cagsawa Ruins overlooking Mayon Volcano. In 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted and sent lava flows cascading down its sides. The townspeople of Cagsawa fled to the church where they perished when it was engulfed in the fiery flows. Today, only the church tower remains as a memorial.

5) San Juanico Bridge. The country’s longest bridge and considered one of Asia's, spanning the San Juanico Strait to connect Tacloban City in Leyte to the municipality of Sta. Rita, Samar. The 2.16-kilometer bridge was built in 1973 and contains 43 spans raising the roadway 41 meters above the water. A large arch under the bridge (along the straight portion) permits boats to pass underneath.

For more info on tourist destination in the Bicol Region go to this website: http://www.wowbicol.com/tourist_attractions/tourist_main.htm . This province needs a boost and a lot!

Fun in the Sun at Subic

2008-03-15T17:47:00.001-07:00

If you want a quick get-away from the busy Manila for a week-end go no further, Olonggapo, Subic in Zambales is just a two hour (ooops make it 40 minutes, with the new Subic, Pampanga Expressway!) drive and there are a wide-range of beaches and resorts you can choose from to relax.

We were suppose to go to White Rock, but we arrived at a peak time it seems because a three bus full loads of people just checked-in when we went there. But for other resort options you can go at this site: http://www.asiatravel.com/manila/subic.html

So we had not choice but go somewhere else where we will be accomodated and the beachfront is nice. Welcome to Ocean View Park, its closer than White Rock and just a couple minutes after you leaving the Subic, Clark Freezone property.

Solo Trip in Hong Kong

2008-01-24T23:49:00.001-08:00

My first out-of-the-country trip ALONE and Hong Kong is the perfect place to be!

No smoking is imposed strictly in this country!
A diverse but dynamic environment, mountainside on the left and highrise building on the right. Amazing!
Very safe and clean city streets to walk alone.
Great place for sight-seeing, shopping and relax!

Experience Paradise at Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

2008-01-22T23:41:00.001-08:00

If you want to experience Paradise don't think twice this is the perfect destination for you. I fell inlove with this place I love every second I spent in there.

Reason to come here:

1) It's the epitomy of Paradise
2) Experience an underground river and marvel inside the long strech of the cave on a boat on a river.
3) If you want to meet Nemo (clownfish) Dory (angelfish) , watch starfish race each other, zebra fish, play with live jellyfish, and face to face with the most dangerous poisonous fish in the world the stonefish and see a giant clam come to this place!
4) Many more reasons to go there just take a peek at those pics and you know I'm not kidding!

There are lots of places that you can visit in Palawan and this is just one stop. If you have a week to spare for a vacation galore, explore Palawan, they have to most wonderful marine life great for scubba diving. Make sure to bring an underwater camera. I wish I had one, even here in Puerto Princesa and the little snorkeling we did in some island we saw enough marine life I have never seen before and it's wonderful! (Pics taken June 2007)

A Virgin Resort in Easter Samar, Philippines

2008-01-21T23:45:00.001-08:00

Get a plane from Manila to Tacloban and hire a van that will take you to Eastern Samar from the airport. There is no airport in Samar. Vans are reasonably priced just tell them if you want to hire them for drop-off and pick-up only or for a couple of days. A reasonable price is P2,000 a day, the tip is up to you.

You need your own automobile to go in this resort and any other resort here in Samar you want to go to, there are no cabs and you don't want to squeeze yourself in the public transport.

There are lots of things you can do and enjoy in this beautiful resort (I wish I didn't have memory gap so I could remember the name, but you can ask for the Samar tourist authority, they know it so well!) you can go kayaking, jetski (yes they have jetski!), boating, swim, etc. anything you can think of to do in a beach resort. They have nice rooms and villas too!

Trip To Taal Volcano, Philippines

2008-01-21T18:57:00.001-08:00

Why go to Taal Volcano?
1) If you want to be in an island on a lake on an island in a lake on an island on an ocean (Pacific Ocean)?
2) If you want to see the smallest active volcano in the world?
3) If you want to get up close to one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes in the world?

Taal is located at Talisay, Batangas just 2 hours away from the busy Manila so you can go there for a weekend get-away and stay in one of the cozy hotels and lodges in Tagaytay overlooking the beautiful volcano.

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