Sabang X Zipline

Date: Nov 9, 2014 (last of my 3 days in Palawan for work)

Travel Buddies: IFC Phils SEF Team + some BPI staff

I was in Palawan for this.Training bankers how to finance sustainable energy investments. (#shamelessplug)

At the jump off point for the Puerto Princesa Underground River lies the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa. A lot has been written about them (even my own blog entry here). Since the resort boasts about its energy efficient design and facilities, complemented by its renewable energy technologies (harnessing solar and wind power), BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) uses it as a "laboratory" for its staff to learn all about sustainable energy. My team at work facilitates what we call the Sustainable Energy Bootcamp, which is really fun and educational. Ahem. But that's another story.

I have been to Sheridan about 3-4 times already and rarely have time to explore the island. So when I found a few hours to kill before we had to leave the resort, I decided to go try the Sabang X Zipline - Zipping over the sea appealed to me so much! Nobody wanted to go with me, so what the heck, I had no problems going solo.

I checked in at the small Sabang Zipline kiosk near the Sabang Beach Pier (they open at 8:30 am) , and was lucky to be the first customer for the day - so I decided to just hitch a ride with the crew's 4x4. In less than 20 minutes we were along the banks of a wide swamp, where we boarded a raft to take us to the other side.

There was an AMAZING stretch of white beach, before one plunges into the woods again for a very short, but quite steep, hike.

The zipline is 800 meters long and carries you for a little over a minute across the blue sea - giving you an awesome view of the Palawan mountains, surf, and sand. I'll let the video tell the story :) Excuse my basic editing skills. Shot with a Sony Action Cam.

At Php 500.00, I think the zip was worth it for the view that it offers. It is tame enough for the non-adventurer. For those who are expecting extreme thrills, you might find it slow and boring. But do try it for the view !



SabangZipLineFree from Hanna Fernando-Pacua on Vimeo.

iBelieve iCan iFly - Indoor Skydiving

Where: Siloso Beachwalk, Sentosa, Singapore
Website: http://www.iflysingapore.com/main.html
When: August 31, 2014

My two minutes of weightlessness... weeeee!

(1) Dealing with a hotel and a flight booking misunderstanding, (2) taking the long train route by mistake, and (3) running ala-Amazing Race (there was a loong line for Sentosa Express) from Vivo City Mall to Sentosa Island to meet my flight slot, all contributed to an exhilarating adventure day. They said bad things come in threes so I was just convinced that there was no where else to go but up.

So up I went for my first Singapore iFly experience! iFly Singapore is the world's first and largest themed indoor skydiving facility. The website promises flyers, "Experience the thrill of a lifetime without any danger... no jumping, no plunging, no bad weather, and no airplanes - just sheer exhilaration and an adrenalin rush like no other." 

I've been curious about iFly since I first visited Sentosa about 3 years ago. You can watch the flight instructors make stunts from outside the wind tunnel. This year, I decided to try it. (DON'T expect to do the somersaults on your first flight!) 


The iFly concept is pretty simple. There is a huge wind tunnel, simulating wind speed, climate, and mimics a person's "freefall" from 12,000 feet to 3,000 feet. Each basic package with iFly buys two chances of flying through the wind tunnel. Each "flight" lasts around a minute each.

At SGD 99 (around PHP 3,500) every two flights, flying IS a bit pricey. For the cost of a 2 minute-adrenaline rush, you could've gone to Universal Studios and enjoyed for one whole day (SGD 68.00 day pass!), with some cash left over for a good snack. Well... I guess, flying intrigued me more. I was able to get a Groupon deal for iFly tickets at PHP 3,000 with a free DVD of your flight. Doing all that math, I effectively got around Php 1,000.00 discount. (Lol, not much, specially since I missed our 10am iFly flight time, I had to pay an additional SGD 20.00!)

Flyers can either book on line or book on-site. They recommend booking online because I think it is cheaper, plus I think it is more convenient so you can plan your visit around a longer day in Sentosa. Flyers are requested to check in at least 30 minutes before the scheduled flight (emphasizing this! they are strict about it so don't get charged an additional 20 bucks to move your flight!) .
 

With our flight instructor,  Fabian.

At 10 minutes before, flyers are given an orientation by batch. There's an introduction video, and then a flight instructor comes to show you the proper flight posture and the hand signals. These are really important so you can make the most out of your simulated free fall! The wind tunnel is pretty loud so flyers have to rely on the hand signals to correct their posture.

After our orientation, it was time to gear up! I thought it was pretty cool. You get to wear a flight suit, a helmet, goggles, and ear plugs. The photo-op in uniform is part of what you pay for, I guess. Lockers are available for personal items (another 2 SGD expense!) because you cannot bring anything with you in the wind tunnel.

As promised, the flight experience was fun. My first try was a bit "floppy" , and my 2nd was a bit better. I was worried that I will get super "bitin" with the short flight times, but I think they were just right. However, after your flights - you will definitely feel the urge to try again (since you will be more familiar with the posture and hand signals already!). And iFly takes advantage of this urge by offering additional turns in the wind tunnel for extra SGD 30! With a better posture, your instructor can also bring you all the way up to the top of the wind tunnel!

Four people in our group of 7 did this, and I had to exercise a lot of self control to say no to the additional expense :) I already got what I came for, anyway! We all got our flight certificates after, and a chance to look through photos and pick which ones we want to have printed or saved in USB (again, additional cost!). I also got my free DVD from the Groupon, which was a nice touch since you don't really get to see yourself while flying!

iFly is definitely not for people on budget travel. Do I recommend it? It is worth a try , but I won't put it on my list of "MUST TRY" in Singapore.

Will I do it again? Maybe not.. primarily because of the cost, and I have no plans of perfecting my flying skills either!

Thinking of flying with iFly? Here are some of my tips:

- DON'T miss the 30 minutes before flight time schedule if you don't want to lose your booking
- DO wear snugly fit closed shoes. They have shoes for rent and socks for sale, but then again, these will cost you!
- NO skirts allowed. Dress appropriately with shorts or pants. 
- DO have someone with you to take care of your stuff (less locker fees) and to take photos! There is a viewing area for spectators with a clear view of the wind tunnel and the people in it. (However, the photos taken inside the wind tunnel are much clearer and faces are more visible. But remember, those are SGD 20-30 each!) 
- BEWARE of that super ugly windblown faces (wobbly gooey face look) when looking at your photos! The wind speed makes your face fat go in all directions - haha. 
- BUT , DO get at least one photo and a DVD if you have the means :) At least you can relive the flight again and again.

Have you tried iFly? Tell me about your experience!

- hanna

Bags that Travel Well

I am not a good packer. I always over-pack. (Thankful for the packing cubes, I manage the space in my suitcase nicely...). And, more often than not, I have trouble stuffing everything back into my suitcase when it's time to go home. Or, during my uncontrollable days... I over shop and need extra storage space.

And this is why I always carry these chums with me, behold: bags that travel well.

1. Longchamp Le Pliage bag, Large

cost depends on where you buy! I got mine through Power Retail (search for her on Facebook) 

 

It's not that trendy anymore, but I love, love bringing my Longchamp for travel. It can be casual for a stroll around the city, and can be a bit serious for a client meeting or a business conference. Since I hand-carry a backpack or a laptop bag when I travel, my Longchamp stays folded and flat in my suitcase. Out it goes to serve me when I reach my destination.

It's big, spacious, has a zipper, slightly water-resistant, and oh so portable. I recommend using a bag organizer with it, if you don't want to go crazy when looking for something inside. 

Can fit: Usual ladies' stuff like wallet, mobile phone, kikay kit. Can even fit an iPad and a small laptop.  When fully loaded, mine can function as a deadly weapon as well :D

I own two large long handles (in dark purple/ "bilberry" and brown) and a medium-long handle one in blue that I use on weekends. Longchamp calls their colors something else, and you have to know what to get because they come in a variety of size and handle length combinations. I personally think these bags are expensive, but worth it. I've had mine for ages.

2. Foldable Grocery Bag

 free from La Farge :)

Expands to about 12" x 15"

Made of nylon, carrying an ultra-light grocery bag is a must during travel. It prevents you from accumulating tons of plastic and paper shopping bags, especially if you get carried away with shopping. It is eco-friendlier, too! These can be bought from different places as well. (Recently, these are favorite giveaways in conferences or events!) I prefer the ones made of nylon (same material for umbrellas) because they are more compact. But you can find eco-bags made from canvas or non-woven cloth (paper-like cloth).

3. Herschel Convertible Backpack

Php 1,400 from Flight 001, Bonifacio High Street

 

Big things come in small packages.

Made of rip-stop nylon, this Herschel backpack is as handy as it is cool! The small pouch opens up to a 1.2 liter backpack with a durable zipper and an outer pocket. I first saw this advertised in a Cebu Pacific magazine, and then chanced upon it while window shopping at Flight 001 in Bonifacio High Street. 

I like this because I can just stuff it in a suitcase without it taking too much space... then whip it out if I need an extra carry-on bag. Again, for last minute shopping, or when you over pack and need to move some weight from your checked in luggage to your carry-on. It's also good as a "going around" bag, when you need to bring a backpack (a day-hike? Island hopping?) but don't want to carry around your whole gear. In my recent Mindoro trip, I kept my big backpack stowed in the van, and carried this with my jacket, water, snacks, other personal effects, with me at the "people" section of the RoRo.

The material of this Herschel looks flimsy, but based from experience, it's really durable. I once bought a bag like this from Divi(Soria) for Php 100.00, but it was a pain to roll up , and the zipper broke after one use. This Herschel sports a nice design, super flexible fabric that's easy to compress, and is obviously made from quality materials.  I've tried carrying my laptop with it, and it still felt safe (the bag is not padded, so if you want to do that, make sure you have a laptop sleeve to protect your computer.) 

Happy Travels!

Budget Hotel in Singapore: Hotel Fragrance - Selegie

View from across the street. 7-11 right below the hotel!

Hotel Fragrance - Selegie
183 Selegie Rd, Singapore 188329
+65 6337 7888


At P3,000.00 (around $70 USD) I wouldn't consider Fragrance Hotel - Selegie a budget hotel. But since I was in Singapore, that may be as good as it can get! At this price, one can get a bigger and better room in Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines.

Reception Desk

Fragrance is a budget hotel chain in Singapore (http://www.fragrancehotel.com), the one in Selegie is just one of many Fragrance Hotels. I found this hotel through TripAdvisor, and by filtering the search results from cheapest to highest! Selegie was one of the cheaper hotels with a convenient location, since I had to transfer to a nearby hotel for business. 

I booked the hotel through www.booking.com, where I had to pay in advance. The site said no refunds for cancellation. Unfortunately, I had to reschedule my trip and was ready to face the consequences of forfeiting my payment .. but the Fragrance Hotel management and the Booking.com staff were kind enough to reschedule my stay, without additional charges! :-) Good job guys!

Getting to Hotel Selegie from the airport was easy enough. As it was my 3rd time in Singapore, I didn't have any qualms about public transportation. Two MRT stops and one bus ride later, I thanked the bus driver for bringing me to Selegie Road. What a surprise ... the bus stop was right smack in front of the hotel!

Bed and then Door

The room was small but clean. In Singapore, you will be out exploring anyway, so a bed and bath is all you need :) There's cable TV, free WiFi, basic toiletries, coffee, and a hair dryer! The lobby was good enough to accommodate a steady stream of visitors, who looked to be mostly tour groups.

My favorite part about the hotel is the location. Aside from being right at the bus stop, there are several restaurants around the area, and a 7-11 below the hotel. It is also just a block (or two?) from the busy part of Little India. You can also walk from the hotel to Sim Lim Square, a gadget-lover's paradise.

I definitely recommend this hotel for budget travelers. The area is not what you see in promotional ads about Singapore (it is far from the touristy places), but I am confident about the overall safety in all of Singapore so I didn't mind :). I will definitely stay again at Hotel Fragrance - Selegie, and won't hesitate to bring the rest of the Pacuanderers next time!

Chicken Rice Lunch for SGD 4.00 at a nearby roadside eatery.

The colors of Little India. Just a few blocks away from the hotel.

The Joy of Packing Cubes

I've tried it all. All those "packing tips."

I've rolled shirts to save space. I've laid them flat. I never preferred one over the other. Probably rolled them when I use backpacks, and lay them flat whenever I had to pack something dressy or when I used suitcases.

The packing cubes changed my life :) It was introduced to me by Sam and I was hooked. He showed me how he can fit in 10 shirts in one cube, and 3 cubes in one backpack. He showed me how they keep your bag organized and your gear grouped together as needed!

Pink and Black from Daiso. Khaki at the bottom from SM Makati.

They're is particularly helpful when you are traveling to different destinations with one suitcase, since you can just pull out what you need without messing up the whole bag. I hate having to fix to dig through a full suitcase to get what I need. Or pulling something out of a backpack and having 3 other shirts fall out too!

I also like re-organizing contents in the middle of a travel period, when I classify used clothes vs clean ones. And.. packing cubes come real handy when you exceed your luggage weight limit. You can just transfer one cube from your checked in bag to your carry-on!

Some packing cubes are better than others. We like the really thin and flexible ones made of thin nylon or mesh. They are extremely lightweight and can be stuffed together to fill in "empty spaces." They make your suitcase organized and keep personal effects in wraps, just in case they inspect your luggage for everyone to see (underwear popping out during inspection!).

With backpacks, the cubes keep your clothes from getting all jumbled together.

When traveling as a family, I allocate cubes for each person. 

"This is the way we pack away" - prevent embarrassing surprises when customs inspects your luggage. Or when your kid decides to "help" you pack :-/ 

There are also foam padded options (can be used to store more fragile items like toiletries - like the striped one you see in the photo), or the ones made of thicker fabric. Though we veer away from these ones because they can get bulky and take up space.

They can also come in different sizes, though we like the 9" / 10" the best since they fit folded shirts perfectly. I once bought a large one meant for jeans, but it was pretty useless (since I don't usually bring bulky stuff for travel, the large packing cube just went topsy turvy inside my suitcase and was just an extra thing to open). Better to just lay down your jeans flat in between smaller packing cubes :-)

Where to buy:

Cheaper Options
SM Department Stores (less than Php 100  - says Sam, though difficult to find them lately)
Japan Home or DAISO stores - between Php 66- Php 88, several sizes - available in pink / black the last time I checked. They also have flat "envelope" mesh bags good for shirts / towels.

Pricier Options
Powerbooks (that travel brand that they have) - available in 3-size sets, made of 'Jansport-like' fabric+mesh (a bit bulky for my needs)
Beabi - Php 200 ++
Muji - Php 400 ++

"Poke" at Patricio's Cevicheria, Fort Bonifacio

Where: Patricio's along Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio
When: June 5, 2014, Dinner
Who: Hanna and Lolo Ross

The warm glow of Patricio's Cevicheria along Bayani Road (as well as the "LECHON" sign) called on us to stop and check it out. I remember that this place used to be a to-go stall only, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a new, cozy dine-in place with a nice, no-frills atmosphere. I loved the terra-cotta and yellow interiors, multi-colored mosaic tiles, and creative lettering :-) The feel of the place is what I would want to have for my own kitchen.

Loved that lamp.

The food looked promising, too. According to the menu, "Ceviche" meant "to prepare seafood, fish, or meats by using citrus juices spiced with peppers." It did sound like our local "Kinilaw." Sure enough, the menu had a lot of kinilaw variations. It was a bit difficult to choose, since everything sounded new and interesting, so we relied on the ones that were featured quite prominently on the menu.

Poh-Key "to slice" in Hawaiian. It was like sashimi with a twist.
 

Dad ordered the Tune Poke, pronounced "Poh-Key." It was fresh tuna with sesame soy dressing, nory flakes, and what I believed to be caramelized onions. It could use a bit more dressing/ flavor, but it was nice. Dad liked it, too. One order is okay at Php 220, rice not included, since it was meant to be an appetizer or as "pulutan" (i'm guessing here).

Lechon Flakes and Black Bean Rice

We were supposed to share the Tuna Poke (one order is good enough for two people!), but at the last minute, I decided to try the tempting lechon flakes. Patricio's lechon flakes were served on top of black bean rice, which was tasty. I think they complemented each other well. The meal cost Php 125.00 and served with liver sauce and spiced vinegar on the side. You can also buy a bottle of their spiced vinegar separately.

We cleaned out our plates and will definitely go back to try out their other stuff :-). The place is really small and has limited parking space (you will park along the road). They also offer imported beers (caught a glimpse of Stella Artois, Heineken, and other things my beer drinking friends usually order abroad... sorry, not a beer drinker here!), which will probably go well with your lechon/ kinilaw, ceviche!)

Party and Play at Active Fun, BGC

Date of Visit: Saturday May 17, 2014 (cousin Jake Almeda's First Birthday Party)

Weekend wanderers: Mom, Tonyo, Wowo Ross, Wowa Nenet

Website:
http://www.activefun.ph/

Location:
It's at 9th Street corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City. If you are coming from Bonifacio High Street, it's the colorful building behind the Krispy Kreme.

Tonyo's Day Out @ Active Fun, BGC from Hanna Fernando-Pacua on Vimeo.

We've been to Active Fun in Bonifacio Global City before, when Tonyo was about 2 years old. He had loads of fun, so we were happy to be back again for Jake's birthday party. Thanks to dad Raygan and mom Kristine Almeda for inviting us! Reagan is my 2nd cousin, mom side.

This party at Active Fun was probably one of the best kids parties we've been to. It was fun and very entertaining. Tonyo really enjoyed the party thanks to "Amazing Arnold," the magician. He was really good with kids, and spoke very well. He even told some Bible stories while he did his magic tricks!

Amazing Arnold and the 2F Party Area at Active Fun

Mom and Tonyo had a goofy time at the photo booth :-)

The highlight of the day was the play time at the Play Area. Active Fun has a three-story play area with nooks and crannies, tunnels and trampolines, ball pools,  places to squeeze into, to climb, and jump! It is what every active kid should experience, especially if you need to woo them away from their gadgets.

Sharing with you the Admission Rates from their website. Be sure to bring socks for the kids, and for the adults who will accompany them in the play area. I highly recommend accompanying kids below 4 years old. The play area itself is safe, but the older kids can get rowdy and careless, and might trample the smaller ones!

Weekdays/ Weekends & Holidays

30 minutes - Php 175/ child

1 hour - Php 225 

Each 30 minute extension - Php 115

Unlimited Play - Php 395

Adult Pass - Php 125

Play Area Operating Hours

(Monday – Thursday) – 10:00 am – 9:00pm
(Friday – Saturday) 10:00am – 10:00pm
(Sunday) – 10:00am – 9:00pm

And... as a pahabol, during our day at Active Fun, we saw a poster for the Mom and Kid Photo Caption contest! And since I am an avid contest-joiner, we were able to beat the deadline and our photo was chosen to be one of 20 photos for on-line voting !

Please help Tonyo and Mommy win more Active Fun Days by liking the Active Fun Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Active-Fun/82238015269 AND then looking for our photo in the Mom and Kid Photo Caption Contest Album (Hanna Fernando) and liking that as well! (Yes, 2 Likes please -- one for the Active Fun Page, and one for our Photo!)

Post by Active Fun.

The Bellevue Resort, Bohol

Travel Dates: April 24-25, 2014

Travel Buddies: BPI Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) team and SEF award winners

Trabaho muna!

As an incentive for booking the most "green loans," BPI treated some of their account officers to a work/ leisure trip to Bohol. I came for the "work" part, as a guest speaker to help them evaluate their existing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, learn from previous lessons, and to replicate their success. The bankers also visited a hydropower plant in Loboc. (I didn't join them to give them time to bond as a team!)

We stayed at the posh Bellevue Resort, situated in Brgy. Doljo, Panglao Island, Bohol. Its location was a bit surprising - right smack in the middle of a residential area. Imagine a small barrio road with houses and sari-sari stores - then you turn towards a short driveway, and voila: a luxury resort!


I was a bit taken aback by the size of the Bellevue. The lobby was massive! I imagine that it is a good venue for large groups, like conventions or big weddings or family reunions (though all the noise and activities will disturb the people who would want to relax. The architecture and the detail of the Bellevue reminded me of Balinese or Thai art.

The room was huge as well. I had two beds in mine, and couldn't help but wish I brought the rest of the Pacuanderers with me.  :o) This always happens to me whenever I travel for work.

My room

I didn't have much time to enjoy the facilities, because I only stayed overnight. But I did have time to walk by the beach, and to take a dip in the infinity pool.

Bellevue Hotel, the facade by the beach

At Bellevue, you get honest pictures. There are other places that look good in photos, but :blah: in real life. In this case, I can probably say that the real thing is better than the photos, because pictures couldn't capture the relaxing atmosphere and the smell and sound of the sea.

One of the 3 restaurants in Bellevue, the Marea

The hotel is not for budget travelers. The brochure they gave me said Php 18,000.00/ night! However, the concierge told me they always have online promos. This site has 2014 rates, and lists Php 7,700/ night for off-peak (Chinese New Year and Holy Week, which are all done for the year, so do check!).

#YogaAnywhere #FormaEverywhere at the Infinity Pool

If you have the budget for it, (and be sure to spend at least 2 nights to enjoy the place), the Bellevue Resort is a sweet destination. It is away from the more popular Alona Beach, and the water is good for kids - smooth, clean, no rocks, calm water, and lots of starfish ! The resort staff can also help you book island tours or snorkeling excursions (premium prices, of course.)

Travel (In)Sanity: Tips and Etiquette

My (*hanna) recent trip experience to and from Cagayan de Oro did not go oh-so-well. I’d hate to rant about it in this new blog (keeping it positive for now ;-), so let’s try a different approach. Here are some tips and recommended etiquette while traveling! I hope it will make your life easier – and also make you a joy to travel with. 

Traveling can be stressful. Do yourself and others a favor by planning ahead and being considerate.

1. When in Manila… check your Terminal

We have three (or four?) airports in Manila. NAIA 1 (the old, rundown airport, with the ramp that sort of looks like the CCP), NAIA 2 (the Centennial airport, also known as the PAL hub), and Terminal 3 (the newest, controversial one in front of Resorts World Manila). I am really not sure if the Old Domestic is still in operation.

Keep in mind that Philippine Airlines’ domestic carrier, PAL Express, now also operates in Terminal 3. Some people learn that the hard way, especially when one is used to going straight to the Centennial Terminal for a PAL flight. So, check and double check!

There may also be cases of sudden airline and airport changes, when airline staff in your point of origin will tell you to call your pick-up because you will be arriving in a different Terminal (and not the one indicated on your ticket).

There would be fewer issues on Terminal confusion if our terminal system were closer together. But no, you have to navigate the Pasay traffic to get from one point to another.

2. Respect Lines

Do people really need to push ahead during boarding? The seats are numbered, and we have the boarding passes to prove it. Some even push ahead in the tube, or worse, along the plane’s aisles!

Well, maybe they push because the overhead stowage bins get filled up quickly, so you have to get a good spot. (So that’s one more thing to expect). Should you need to move stuff in order to get your hand luggage in, have the courtesy to ask the owners of the luggage. He/ she might have trouble finding it later.

Or, maybe people push because someone might be on their seat? Yes, with the same seat number on the boarding pass as well! I don’t know how this happens, but I’ve had two flights this year where the airline had to “bribe” one passenger to get off the plane to accommodate over-booking (?)

3. Respect Lines (again)

Backtrack a bit to the security checks. If you have a lot of luggage, or have a lot of personal effects you have to take off before the security X-ray, be courteous enough to allow people to pass through. Do not block lines.

This is the same concept when people stop on top or at the bottom of escalators , blocking everyone's path.

4. Get an aisle seat if you pee a lot

So you minimize having to wake up the person beside you.

5. Use headphones

It would be great to catch up with your Game of Thrones/ Living Dead/ favorite movie onboard. But please wear your headphones because this disturbs the people around you.

(Oh and get headphones for your kid, as well. Hindi ko madinig ang dialogue ng Living Dead mo kasi ang lakas ng sounds ng Despicable Me nya, eh)

6. Make sure your mobile phone's alarm is turned off

Alarms still go off even if your phone is turned off.

I was once in a long haul flight, finally just able to catch some sleep - when the Blackberry of the guy beside me started to vibrate and beep its annoying, increasing alarm. I think he was sitting on it and not hearing it, because he stayed fast asleep! It went on snooze and back on again for about three rounds before the flight attendant finally woke him up.

7. Please, Please, Please be careful when opening the overhead stowage bins!

You might kill the person below it. I was thankful that the guy just brought a box of Pastel (stuffed bread) as pasalubong. A pineapple would’ve been worse.

Takeaway: When traveling, always expect the unexpected – and bring loads of patience and consideration! I am not one to yell or pick fights, but I have seen people do this, and it is never a pretty sight.

Happy Wanderings!

Bohol Bee Farm: Revisited

Honeymoon Scrapbook, 2006

We honeymooned in Bohol. So this post qualifies as a #throwbacktravel post! My latest visit to Bohol this April was for work, but I couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic :o) So on my way to the airport, I chose to hire a tricycle (in place of the usual hotel car), so I can hop on and off for some photos and a quick tour of the countryside.

Panglao Church, then and now.

I checked out early from my hotel so I can have lunch at the Bohol Bee Farm. We fell in love with the place back in 2006, because of its "secret garden" vibe, much like Sonya's in Tagaytay. I heard it had improved and expanded throughout the years, and served really good food.

The guys at the Bellevue Hotel in Panglao helped me hire a tricycle to take me to the Bohol Bee Farm (which was nice of them for not forcing me to take the hotel car!). Getting the trike was fast, and the driver and I agreed on a Php 500.00 fee from Bellevue - Bee Farm (where he will wait for me) - picture stops along the way - Tagbilaran Airport. The air in Bohol is still fresh and clean so I didn't mind the long tricycle ride :-)

#ThrowbackTravel - Discovering Bohol Bee Farm in 2006

Revisited in 2014. I guess I like my stripes :)

Bohol Bee Farm has indeed grown! Back then, they had the farm, a few rooms, and the shop (I don't recall the resto and the spa, but they must have had them before, but smaller). This time, they have more rooms, a bigger restaurant, a cafe, a bigger spa, and a really cool indoor pool.

What's there: a Spa, a Cafe & Resto, Veggies and Herbs for Sale, Homemade Ice Cream, and the really nice pool

I ordered the Grilled Tanguigue Lunch, which came with an organic salad with honey mustard dressing and red organic rice (around Php300.00). Big serving and could probably feed 2 people! All meals come with some Bohol Bee Farm honey bread with a selection of spreads: their famous Honey Spread and Pesto Spread. I enjoyed a relaxing solo meal while enjoying the view from the cliff side restaurant.

My view, my meal, my dessert

I forgot to leave room for dessert, so I explored the area on my own to digest my lunch a bit :) . If you are interested to learn about the plants and their products, there is also a guided farm tour for Php 30.00.



I couldn't leave the Bee Farm without trying their homemade ice cream! It was delicious and they use cassava sheets for the cone. They had flavors like durian, tomato, and malunggay. I wasn't feeling adventurous and opted for the avocado.



Bohol Bee Farm is a relaxing stopover in Bohol. The downside is that they don't have a "swimmable" coastline (right along the cliff and the rocks), but they can arrange a shuttle for you to go to the beach. Should be okay if you are not there for the water. I imagine staying there to reflect and maybe get a lot of writing done.

Don't forget to grab a jar of Bohol Bee Farm Honey Spread to enjoy at home!

Cia Italia, White Beach

Date of visit: April 6, 2014

We had dinner here a few years back when we visited Puerto Galera with my Mom and Dad (pre-Tonyo days). We saw the sign board again while exploring White Beach during our April 2014 trip. Since it was my birthday, and we like Italian - it was easy to convince the boys to eat there!

Cia Italia is located at the edge of White Beach, towards the rocks that can lead you to the Tamaraw Beach Resort. (If you're coming in from the sea towards White Beach, it should be on your right). There seems to be two Italian restaurants there, Cia Italia is the one that's higher up and closer to the rocks!

Pizza!

We ordered ham (prosciutto), mushroom, and tomato pizza, tomato soup, and seafood pasta. I am no food connoisseur, but I can honestly say that the food was good. I've been to Italy and have tasted pizza with authentic Italian ingredients, and this was as close as my taste memory can take me. Yum! The price was reasonable, too (we paid around Php 700 for all). Less than what you would pay for a so-so Italian meal in Manila.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was far from Italian, and more of a Pinoy bar-on-the-beach :-) That didn't bother me :-) It was cozy and quiet. A far cry from the noisy and thumping restos along White Beach. Cia Italia is a good, laid-back, no frills restaurant that serves good food. Can be a good venue for a date, too.

We can definitely eat here again. Ciao!

Tonyo with the Italian chef and owner of Cia Italia.

Puerto Galera: Still Has Spunk

Travel dates: April 5 - 7, 2014 (Saturday - Monday)
Travel buddies: Sam, Hanna, Tonyo, and Lolo Ross (Hanna's dad)

I (*hanna) wanted to go to the beach for my 32nd birthday, and my first choice was Laiya, Batangas. Sam suggested Puerto Galera because he liked the experience we had there a few years back. We also liked the idea of putting Tonyo on a boat, so PG eventually won :).

Puerto Galera was one of the "it" destinations of my youth. For a young college student, with limited allowance (and parental consent), Puerto Galera was already a big leap. I've been back to PG twice since college. One trip as part of Ayala Foundation, where we brought books and organized a storytelling day for the Iraya Mangyan community in Talipanan. The last trip was with my Mom, Dad, and Sam (this was pre-Tonyo).

Going to Puerto Galera gives the illusion of going "off-the-grid," while still staying close to home - mainly because of the 45-minute boat ride from the Batangas City pier. It is a good weekend escape, because you won't have to worry about missing flights. Also, as my Sri Lankan colleague describes it, "Puerto Galera is perfect because you get the best of both worlds, the beach on one side, and turn a little bit and you can already hike the mountains"

White Beach.

A quick text message to Ms Paz (of Ayala Foundation, she handles the Iraya Mangyan project in PG) gave me access to Tamaraw Beach Resort. This is a resort beside the famous White Beach (albeit separated by a rocky walk). Since we were traveling with Tonyo, and not really crowd-lovers, we always choose the quieter path.

Getting There

We came from Laguna, so driving to Batangas City Pier was a breeze through the Star Tollway. You can easily bring your vehicle and park at the Park & Sail by the terminals. Just be sure to be early! We arrived past 10 AM and it was packed! Cars were parked on sidewalks, pavements, etc - utilizing every bit of available space. We were told to go find parking outside the port area and just ride a tricycle going back.

Good thing Sam practiced his PR skills with the Coast Guard base, and we were able to park near the headquarters. Yay!

There are two main operators going to PG, Father & Son and Minolo. We bought a round-trip ticket (around Php 420 each, including terminal fees. Tonyo still traveled for free!) from Father and Son Shipping Lines, just because they had the earlier departure time.

PG has 4 major ports of entry (Sabang, White Beach, Muelle, Balatero), so make sure you pick the one that's best for your destination. We were advised by Tamaraw Beach Resort to get off at Muelle Pier.

Our hotel: Tamaraw Beach Resort, Aninuan Beach
http://www.tamarawbeachresort.com/

It's a weirdly shaped pool. This was the view from our room on the 4th floor.

How it has grown! A few years back, Tamaraw Beach Resort only had one hotel building, and a native hut-style restaurant. Today, it has expanded and has a massive lobby, conference halls, cottages, tennis courts, a basketball court and an infinity pool! As far as beaches go, I am a lover of quaint and simple, so I couldn't help but wish that they didn't grow that much. But hey, must be good business!

The crowd was a mixture of weekenders (Filipinos) and a few foreigners who looked like they've been there for quite a while. I believe it's good value for money. Our room was huge, with 2 double beds + 2 extra trundle beds - all for Php 3,000.00 + free breakfast for 3.

It has a TV, a small fridge, a spacious bathroom, a dresser, and a closet. Basic, clean, bright (yellow walls), and you spend most of the time outside anyway! The hotel has 4 stories (no elevator!) , and has a hot and cold water dispenser on the 2nd floor (almost always empty because of the volume of visitors).

Food was okay and servings were big. One order of sinigang for less than Php 300 could easily feed three adults. For the money you pay, the buffet breakfast is okay - but don't expect a wide range of choices. I just wish they opened the buffet earlier than 7:30 am, so people can get a head start for any other activity they have planned.

Tip: If you want the crowd and nightlife, find lodging in White Beach! There are more lodging choices there, as well as food and music places. Crossing the rocks from Tamaraw to White Beach can be quite challenging, and can be dangerous at night. Tricycle fare is expensive, Tamaraw-White Beach is Php 100.00 , one way! So plan well.


Up and About

We pretty much stayed close to the water during our stay, but PG also offers hiking opportunities, and I read about ATV rides, too! So check those out if those are your interests :)

For water fun, aside from the beach -- you can also experience the banana boat, jetski, fly fish, beach hopping, and snorkeling. Tamaraw Beach Resort has a glass bottomed boat that will go around the island for about 3 hours for Php 350.00 / person. I guess this was the best option for kids who are still too small for snorkeling. Plus, Tonyo still rode for free!

The scheduled departure of the boat was 8AM. I am guessing due to the late breakfast at Tamaraw, and lack of passengers, we had to wait until 9AM when the boatmen decided to release us. We were only 7 passengers in a boat that could fit around 18 people. The delay was just fine with us since we also wanted the boatmen to have good business. Lugi naman sila sa fuel!

It was the perfect party boat! The two story craft was rigged with a good audio system that blared out reggae music. Never mind the glass bottom (quite difficult to see because of the sea foam, but good enough)... the highlight of the ride was chilling out on the boat's 2nd level (with the music!).

The sea breeze ruffling through your hair, the sun kissing your skin, and the beautiful view all coming together to make a music video-ish feeling! Life is good. Haha.

Music videos are not complete without the pretty girls. Here's my dad missing my Mom who was in the US at that time :-)

Puerto Galera gave us a great weekend. The island is still worth visiting! For hassle free travel, just make sure you plan ahead so you can pick the lodging and activities that would suit your holiday preferences.