An adventure in Cebu wouldn't be EXTREME without Crown Regency Cebu's Skywalk Adventure. At Php 1,000 package price, we enjoyed three thrilling rides:

• Skywalk
• Edge Coaster
• Urban Zipline

Photography is not allowed while up in the sky so we bought separate package for this. It's a must for a city adventure such as this!

SKYWALK- it might look like an ordinary walk in the park, but no-no. It still requires a great deal of strength! I don't even have the courage to peek on the edge. I was able to peek only in areas where the flooring's clear. Thirty-six stories? With only the harness and the flooring keeping us afloat? Whoah!

Aside from the 'walk', another plus was also the 360-degree view of the Queen City of the South. So breathtaking! 

The guides added the fun in the walk, too. 

EDGE COASTER- just sitting pretty? Oh, no. This was scarier for me. Imagine, at the first few seconds, the coaster was titled! And it's only the lock that's keeping us. Though we had the option to tilt it in a sitting position so as not to see what's under us, the chance was too rare. Might as well enjoy the ride!

Look at my fez in the first photo, below. HAHAHA. 

URBAN ZIPLINE- the first of its kind. An exhilarating 8 seconds going down! Going back to Crown tower was much slower. Perfect view of the city lights.

 Had sooo much fun! Obviously, right? 

Cebu City city tour Crown Regency edge coaster extreme adventure Philippines price skywalk Skywalk Adventure travel travel blog urban zipline wanderlust what to do in Cebu

Friday, February 27, 2015

Once heard my friend all praise for Mooon Cafe when she was in Cebu. One chilly Friday night, when in Abreeza Mall in Davao, found myself ecstatic to try that went straight to Mooon cafe.

The mooon and the stars

So what exactly do they serve in the Mooon? Pizzas. Quesadillas. Pastas. Roast beef. Baby Back Ribs. Something in between Italian and Mexican.

Quesadilla Uno

Toasted flour tortilla stuffed with onion and cheese served with salsa rojo and sour cream.

6 pcs to share

For cheese lovers, this will surely be a hit. I love the portion, though of the peak of the triangle. It balances the cheese, beef and tomato flavors. The presentation is cute, too.

Bacon and Mushroom Pizza. 

A duet of bacon and button mushroom combined with mozarella. 

Cheesy and yummy

Soft and cheesy. Their pizzas are baked to perfection. Well, I don't know. I'm just a plain fan of pizzas.

Spaghetti Ala Gambas. 

Shrimps sauteed in butter, garlic, cayenne and paprika.

Served with toasted bread

Quite garlicky. With considerable amount of gambas. Those who love lighter pastas might love this. But I'm a saucy lover.

Mexican Baby Back Ribs.

Grilled pork ribs marinated in herbs. With Buttered vegetable sidings.

Sarap to the bones 'din naman :)

It was tender, yes but not the best out there. But I like this better than the Mooon Steak. 

Mooon Steak

Sizzling pork with gravy sauce, served with garlic rice and vegetable sidings. 

Hello, genie. Make this yummy.

This is the only dish that I didn't quite enjoy. It wasn't tender enough. With sauce or as is, it didn't make that much difference to me.

All in all, it was an average treat. Again, I value more the experience in dining here. Did I forget that the attendants wore cute Mexican skirts?

Mooon Cafe has a branch in:

Zone 1, 2nd Level Abreeza Ayala Mall, 
J.P. Laurel, Bajada, 
Davao City, Davao del Sur

Abreeza Mall Davao City Davao food trip food blog Mexican-inspired restaurant Mooon Cafe travel When in Davao

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

So what about the title?

First of, several series of Survivor of many countries were shot in this idyllic place.

Second, it's almost unreachable and so far away you have to survive the travel hours. But then again, those hard-to-find, best-kept-secrets were sure to blow the mind away.

Agree? If not, then maybe this post-card-from-us will drive the point.

I wouldn't mention that by bus or by private car, the province of Naga, Camarines Sur was 10-12 hours away. In Naga, in the all-known SM, vans can be found bound to Sabang Port, town of San Jose at Php 100/person. From there it takes about 1.5-2 hours to the port.

In Sabang Port, 2 more hours of nature-tripping to reach Guijalo Port, Caramoan. The boat ride from Sabang is operational at 6am, with an hour interval until 11am. Since we went there during the Holy Week, we were able to depart before that. Individual fare is at Php 120.

Unlike in Batangas, the sea was calm here. I was able to enjoy the feast of nature. It was reassuring too that we were somehow just rounding the island.

For an overnight stay in Caramoan, it's a must to rise early

In Guijalo, we were asked Php 30 for the environmental fee. 

Caramoan's truly a blessed island. It was a good feeling seeing stretch of rolling hills, sprawling rice fields and pristine rivers. The town is far from developed yet. So it's really wise to go for package tours. In the long-run, it will save you more. (Think, per person in a trike was Php 50)

It's not only the beaches and islands to enjoy, this <3

The adventure starts 30-minutes from the port- in Paniman Beach. Rates for boat rental range from Php 2,500-3,000, but we didn't feel it much because we were on package.

Get ready for adventure at Paniman!

So all aboard!

We first went to the famous Matukad Island. If you've seen postcards of Caramoan, you've probably seen it. The water here's so clear. Wading with water, it makes it a milky combination. The sand was so fine it reminds me of polvoron.

Zoom-out of Matukad Island

Next we found ourselves in Lahos Island. Lahos was like a stumpy sand bar. When the sun strikes the sand, it sparkles! That it's like a sand bar, you get to experience two sides of it. Both were equally stunning!

Hello Lahos! Here we come!

And so we're coming clooooose!

We hopped on next to Manlahos Island. It's quite a small island. We found refuge under the limestone rocks. Again, the waters' just so clear!

Manlahos from afar

We were supposed to go to Sabitang Laya, but we weren't able to so we headed to an island across Manlahos. (Will insert name here once I remember the name :P). It wasn't white but it was fine and perfect as mudpack. Birds keep on chirping it wasn't that quiet.

I will remember your name :)

Would I want to survive Caramoan again in the future? I'd say yes! There are still so many islands to explore that we cannot squeeze in an overnight stay like the stretches of Sabitang Laya or the saaaaandbaaaar!

I shall return!

blog Camarines Sur Caramoan DIY trip explore Guijalo Port Matukad Island Naga paradise Philippines reviews Sabang Port Survivor travel

Sunday, June 01, 2014

Puerto Galera is the place to be for an affordable long weekend get-away!

Going to Galera is just pretty quick. We rode a bus to Batangas Port from Alabang (less Php 150) for about 1.5 hours. From there, we jumped on a ferry ride (Php 500 2-way, plus an environmental fee) for approximately 45-50 minutes. Arriving at the port, our boat fee in Minolo Shipping lines included a van transfer to White Beach.

There are various three entry points in Galera namely Sabang Pier, Muelle Pier and White Beach and luckily, we got a discounted accommodation for the latter.

In White Beach itself, we didn’t really get to enjoy swimming because the current was too strong (not good for a non-beach-swimmer for me though). So we hired Kuya Fhel and his own banca to set forth an adventure for the next day. Meanwhile, we made sandcastles, watched the sun set, laughed at free gay shows and drooled at fire dancers.

Early even before sunrise, we were already up for an island tour. At Php 1,000 we got to island hop, snorkel, see the Coral Garden and have free ride by the outrigger! Memorable! Equally memorable are also these ticks on my bucket list:

• Basked in the golden sunset

•  Watched fire-dancers

• Woke up just before dawn to explore para-paradise!

Papapapapa...

• Meditate by the beach!

Feeling Balinese in Puerto Galera

• Sand in my hair! Slept by the beach!

I hope you see why ;)

• Boat ride but not in the boat! (Just imagine we were holding onto the outrigger! Clue: 3rd photo)
• Threw out-of-this-world questions to the world!

Because it was this conducive

• Be lost in an island

Rock of Ages again

I wouldn't also forget that almost minutes off the shore going home where the ferry just conked-out. Although just thinking about it, even without that, I wouldn't dream to be offshore for 45 minutes in an open sea! This might be the only factor that will make me say ‘yes’ again to Puerto Galera. 

Batangas Port blog Coral Garden Minolo Shipping Lines Outrigger boat paradise Philippines Puerto Galera reviews travel verdict

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Status: INVADED!

What I haven’t invaded? My blow-by-blow account of the invasion with the Difficults! 

Malaysia, here we go!

Our Malaysian tour was a product of excel and research, in short D.I.Y. Maybe that’s one focal ingredient that made it 1forgetable.

The game plan was to start the tour in Legoland, Johor Bahru (but this is for another roll) and enjoy the succeeding in Kuala Lumpur. After our LEGOxiting and LEGOtastic day in Johor Bahru, we braced ourselves for a truly Asian treat!

Last 24 hours

We started our day with a hefty breakfast in Areena Diner. Our plateful (of thick and stuffy pancakes, tasty patty and eggs) was all we need for a 272 step-climb in Batu Caves.

 

One Malaysian energizer at Areena Diner.

Instead of going by train to Batu Caves, we commissioned a taxi in KL Sentral which costs RM 110 (Malaysian Ringgit). From the city, Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away.

The steps seemed unassuming; we were enthralled by the golden Hindu (or maybe our tummies were yet full) that we thought it’s going to be an average walk in the park. But of course, 272 is 272. Along the way, monkeys play, eat or pester guests that nonetheless, added to the thrill. I kept on looking at how far we've gone; how in the middle of the city, there’s something as breathtaking as Batu Caves. When we reached the summit, our friend Grace bought flavored water and to her surprise she saw a snake meddling with business affairs, nice.

Upstairs was a vast temple, we walked through it and found (to our surprise and dismay) another staircase with more statues. What’s remarkable about it was the open-air ceiling, like this inside the cave:

As I don’t know how to describe this nature’s feast.

 It was easier going down, of course and only then did we appreciate the birds owning the ground.

Our memento in Batu Caves

We didn’t have a hard time going to our next stop, Genting Highlands, because our taxi was waiting for us. The ride going to the Highlands was thrilling. We were literally scraping the mountain. From Batu Caves, it’s about an hour's ride.

We were dropped of at Highlands Station. From there, we took a cable car to the peak (2-way, RM 12). Forgive me for repeating but the cable car ride was so thrilling! Naïve to it, we screamed our up up and away. We had 15-minutes of 360 bird’s eye-view feast of Genting tropical forest.

Although at the top, we were kind of at the loss where to go but we did wandered in Resorts World (too bad most of us donned shorts, we weren't allowed to look inside the casino) and Genting Theme Park. We quite spent a considerable amount in Legoland that, it might have broken the heart of my friends, but they have to let pass this ride:

According to Cha: the ride that got away

As consolation (not me, never mind the ride), we bought ourselves sweets from Baskin Robbins because it's not yet in Manila. Yum yum!

I screeeeeeeeeam!

We didn't stay long in Genting Highlands because we already booked a 1:30pm trip back to the city. (Next time, I’ll make sure to see the Chinese temple and strawberry farm).

WHOAH!

We only had drinks and sweets in Genting that famished, we went back to the city. We had our super late lunch in a Chinese Restaurant (I forgot to mentally take note of the name of the resto and foods) near Petaling Street. We rate the yummy foods three thumbs up!

We had:

The best noodles ever! It’s served as a pancit but it’s the tastiest. It was stir-fried to perfection I hope I get to eat this again soon. So yummy I'll never forget how so taken I was!

This is Squid with salted egg. The ingredients sound ordinary but what a calamari this is! This made us conclude that dishes in this part of the globe are fusing with flavor.

 

What is Malaysia without a curry? This is just way hot for my taste buds, but definitely for the spicy goers, this is a good dish.

Our tummies were once again full. Since it’s still early to rest, we tried a tour-around the city via a hop-on hop-off concept. We started our course in Petaling Street since we were already there:

Our KL Hop-on-Hop Off map

This bus takes anyone to 23 major tourist spots in the city. That we started late, some parks were already closed by 6pm (but the ticket is good for 24 hours & can be used again the next day).

We found this bigger than life I <3 KL in Kuala Lumpur City Gallery when we went down for Merdeka Square and so this cute back-drop where we posed:

Mik & I in Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

The tour ended in the famous Petronas Twin Towers. And at night, it's truly a sight to behold.

 

My favorite shot of the twin towers

At the back of Petronas was Suria KLCC. We had our dinner in the peri-famous for peri-hot meals, Nando’s.

 

Choose your own adventure in Nando’s

Since not all of us are hot & spicy fans, we opted for the safe level: Lemon & Herb. We enjoyed the meal, but we were bashed for being cowards. :D 

  Notes from our meal: Not so brave!

But we braved our adventures and misadventures in Malaysia. Especially our Amazing Race going back to the Philippines. In hindsight, we laugh about it now and we banked it already on experience but for those giddy-travelers like us, a piece of advice: tickets are in military time. 1:25 H is not after lunch, but before dawn or else the plane will take off without you :P 

Areena Diner Baskin Robbins Batu Caves blog Genting Highlands Johor Bahru Kuala Lumpur Legoland Malaysia Nando's Petronas Twin Towers reviews Suria KLCC travel travel blog verdict wanderlust

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

It's a moot point to go overseas looking for fine beaches. Because even if I haven't gone Magellan-like searching, I am convinced, blindfolded, that the best paradise is just next door- well, actually an island next.

Hello Coron and I got my waterproof yet summery wear to enjoy you by!

Coron is a feast for the nature trippers. It can quench thirsty yearnings for greens and blues in an enchanting backdrop. To explore the many wonders of Coron, a 3-day tour might not be enough. Anyhow, this chunk of the pie is already delectable!

Of what I love in Coron:

1. Kayangan Lake! I don't have a waterproof cam and I regret not able to take a snapshot of Kayangan atop the hills. But what nailed it was the lake where we swam. It is just so breath-taking!
2. Banol Beach- Of the vast, sparkling expanse. WOW!

I only have a point-and-shoot camera yet see how the water reflect light.

Your 'red carpet' in Banol.

       3. Siete Pecados. Seven Peaks! Great place to see 'Nemo' and the gang. Perfect!

I'll be getting my point though with an underwater cam. 

          4. Off-road travel to Maquinit hotspring.

Been wondering why the soil is red? Because it's made of silica and dolomite, materials to make a ceramic.

        5. Jogging to reach the peak of Mt. Tapyas

So far yet so near!

        6. Fruit Shakkkkkeeees!- choose what suits your budget, from 5 pesos to grande 35!

    

Watcha:

• Island hopping is requires your one whole, undivided day, so make sure that you take in with you several 'whole-days'
• Souvenirs are much expensive in Coron than in Puerto Princesa. 
• Transportation is easy too, you can just take a trike, or better yet, walk. :)
• The locals are so used to non-locals. Left and right, tourists are everywhere! So this is the place to go find an Afam! :))
• Be careful where you go sing-along. It might get burned, for all you know. 

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Wednesday, December 26, 2012