Mar 26 2010

because my idea of heaven consists of free-flowing cigs and champagne…

Category: Food, TravelMinay @ 4:19 pm

Sunday Champagne Brunch

Because this is in danger of looking like an advertorial I want to point out it’s not. I wish it was because that would mean I have money, but I don’t. Money just comes out of my wallet on the rare days I want to enjoy the finer things in life such as Marriott Hotel Manila’s Sunday Champagne Brunch!

I mean come on, an international buffet and free-flowing, I repeat FREE-FLOWING champagne and sparkling wines… how can I say no to that?

Anyway, I’m gonna get myself one of those portable broadband thingies, except I can’t decide between Smart and Sun. Which is better? the point being so that I can post more on a regular basis now without being under the mercy of cafes who are too cheap to provide free wi-fi when their coffee alone is enough for a cab ride home.

That’s it for now, I just had to share this because if mytastebuds weren’t so picky with liquor (it prefers expensive, we have a term for that in the Philippines KAPAL NG MUKHA. The gravity of the pinoy term is much heavier, but I guess if you translate it into english in the context of this post, it means you want something you can’t even afford), I would probably be in a downward spiral. Who knew that my minutiae salary had it’s blessings?

Till my next post meh dears, I hope the broadband thingie won’t cost much. Have a great weekend! If you can’t be good, be safe, if you can’t be good, and you can’t be safe, have fun along the way! :)

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Jan 08 2010

If you’re a pinoy blogger, chances are you’ve written about Boracay and I’m following suit

Category: TravelMinay @ 4:58 pm

I know, I’ve been one b-a-a-a-d blogger. Haven’t posted anything in nearly two months (!).

Anyhoo, I know that my previous post was a bit gloomy. I blame them hormones. thankfully, there’s work, and lots of travel to keep me busy. One of which was an event held at our famed island (If you’re not Filipino and you’re reading this, do visit the place I’m about to mention)…

…Boracay.

Boracay sunset @ White Beach

Boracay sunset @ White Beach

Sucks though because it was a bit rainy and windy when I was there.  Although, I did get to go just to have dinner, similar to my El Nido, Palawan sojourn. Hahaha.

I found myself at the island for the Flavors of Spain; this is Fuego Hotels & Properties’ annual celebration of Spanish cuisine. It was the perfect setting, luxurious surroundings, powdery sand, wine in hand… bliss… AND one of the reasons it was held in Boracay was to launch Fuego’s newest addition to their roster of luxury properties, the 7Stones Boracay Suites.

I love hotels, really, they are my natural habitat. It’s like you get to start over again, even for a trivial while. But what I like best about 7Stones was not my condolike room (fab! fab!):

The living room

The living room

my bedroom

my bedroom

7Stones Boracay Suites

7Stones Boracay Suites

…what I liked best was its location. The party place in Boracay is definitely White Beach. Yes, White Beach may be nicer because the beach area is bigger and the sand is powder-perfect; but Bulabog Beach, where 7stones is located has its own charm due to the sense of isolation it gives. Kiteboarders frequent the place since it’s less populated than White Beach and they can zoom around to their heart’s content.

Bulabog Beach

Bulabog Beach

See the kites of kiteboarders billowing lazily in the distance? :)

kiteboarding gear

kiteboarding gear

Anyway, that’s all for today. For more information on 7Stones, visit http://www.7stonesboracay.com/ .

Here’s a parting shot:

Squid ink tempura! yummy! (calamari in the background :D)

Squid ink tempura! yummy! (calamari in the background :D )

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Oct 28 2009

El Nido escape

Category: TravelMinay @ 5:50 pm

Sorry for the lack of updates. I went on a starch- sugar- cholesterol – fat- fused trip to Iloilo, and it took some time to burn it off my system.

Before I post the reason why I waddle now, I want to continue on to my El Nido entry to burn off the remaining calories. :)

Miniloc Island is the recond resort under El Nido Resort’s belt. It’s more laidback, with a sleepy-like quality to it.

Miniloc Island

Miniloc Island

Below that shallow pier, is a fantastic world composed of Nemos, Dorys, Jackfishes, and assorted coral fish! A few flippers away is a diving spot which enables its visitors to get up close with walls composed of shimmering silver fishes, and huge bored-looking fish, and scaly whatnots.

Miniloc's snorkeling area

Miniloc's snorkeling area

I’ve discovered I’m no water baby though, as I panicked before I reached the planned 20-feet descent. :(

Lunch was held at Entalula Island. I can see why our hosts brought us there. The sand was powdery white, and it felt like a completely different world.

Entalula Island

Entalula Island

I had the chance to try the Hobie Cat here. If you’ve tried windsurfing before, the idea is similar, except multiply that ten times over. It’s an exhilirating sport, not for the faint of heart, or for those without a sense of humor. Point taken:

Me to Instructor: (uneasily) kuya, may tumaob na ba dito?

Instructor: oo naman, madalas (of course, most of the time)

Me: *gulp*

Instructor: Pag hindi nakikinig ang turista, o mali ang pagdistribute ng weight talagang tataob (If the tourist doesn’t follow instructions, or we don’t distribute the weight correctly, then yeah, we’ll capsize)

Me: *dutifully follows instructor*

hehe.

Lunch was delicious, not just because of the food, but come on, a picnic lunch in a semi-private island?!

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch was composed of grilled squid, tuna, beef, pasta, salad, and cookies we couldn’t get enough of.

PARTING SHOT:

Charlie!

Charlie!

Meet Charlie! The adorable son of one of our companions. He took a tumble later in the sand, and he didn’t even cry out even though his whole face was covered with sand!

Anyhoo, El Nido is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places you can ever visit in the Philippines! It exceeds all expectations of a paradise. I would have to point out though, that this isn’t a place for those who’s looking for a bit of nightlife. There’s Boracay for that. But if you want to enjoy nature in luxury, then this is the place to go to. :)

Must-visits and activities in El Nido:

1) Lounging in Lagen Island

2)Diving in Miniloc

3)Lunching in Entalula Island

4)Going for a dip at the sandbar of Snake Island

5)Visiting the Lagoons

6)Caving

And much much more!

For more information on El Nido Resorts, visit www.elnidoresorts.com.


Oct 22 2009

Snake Trip

Category: TravelMinay @ 11:06 am

One of our stops in El Nido was Vigan Island a.k.a. Snake Island because of its shape, with the island as its body and the winding sandbar as its tail.

Snake Island's Sandbar

Snake Island's Sandbar

The guys look as if they’re walking on water noh? The tide was kind of high when we went there but you can see the faint outline of the sandbar here. The swimming area near the sandbar were shallow so me and another girl took a short dip even though it was cold as hell because of the rainy weather. After taking a few pics, our guide took us on a short hike of the island.

Vigan Island's hiking trail

Vigan Island's hiking trail

pretty pebbles pave the trail

pretty pebbles pave the trail

A clump of pitcher plants

A clump of pitcher plants

The hike was short and uneventful. My favorite part of the hike though, was the view it gave us when we reached the end of the trail.

A view of the snake's "tail"

A view of the snake's "tail"

If you look really close, you’d see the boat we took to get to the island.

I don’t have a parting shot now. Life has been really hectic. Tomorrow I’m off for a media familiarization trip of Iloilo City, Iloilo province and Guimaras Islands. I was invited to Lee’s, as well as Crissa’s presentation on fashion week, and I’m torn whether to go or not. I want to but I haven’t packed yet. :(

I don’t want to end an entry on a frustrated note though. TGIF tomorrow! Woohoo! :D

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