Travel Chronicles 2011

2011, another year for me according the Chinese Calendar and I have thought this would be my lucky year, and yet it was! I received numerous recognition and awards at work that were beyond of what I thought of. And to add up with the good vibes, I had series of travels this year locally and I had two international travels, how good was that! :)

Since I've been back tracking all of my travels last year and I cannot do it in one snap, so I decided to come up of a list of it with a little history of what the travel was all about and photos as well. So, let's start!

1. Baguio City - February 26-28, 2011
This was the first ever out-of-town trip I've had since I started working. It was only decided in a short span of time and I've spent it with my college friends and my other half. It was somewhat very tiring and exhausting that time as we never thought it was actually the Panagbenga Festival, I swear! We had difficulty in searching of a place to stay and riding public vehicles here and there as there were a lot of people but nevertheless, we really had so much fun. A DIY trip. Such an adventure! This was probably the main point that I have decided to gear up for more travels. :)

Mines View Park, Victory Liner Bus Station(Pasay) and PMA 

The Mansion, Intersection at Session Rd, Float of Flowers and Burnham Park

2. Daraga and Legazpi City, Albay - April 21-24, 2012
Second local trip for the year and we have not booked any hotel reservation as we stayed on my friend's house in Daraga. We have reserved our bus ticket though as that time was the Holy Week, it won't be easy to be a chance passenger as people are flocking the bus stations during that time. No itinerary was done but we managed to go on several tourist spots there. I've spent this vacation with my office friends. I had some of my firsts here: Riding the Zipline and Spelunking. Another DIY trip and great adventure indeed! :)

Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church and some souvenir shops at Cagsawa Ruins

Swimming at Sto. Domingo, Kart Driving at Albay Park & Wildlife

Mayon Volcano and Zipline

3. Bangkok, Thailand - May 12-17, 2011
This one is the best. This trip gave me my greatest firsts: My first ride on an airplane and my first ever trip abroad! So how's that for a first? Haha. This trip also gave me the chance to get to know Thailand's rich culture, especially Bangkok. This trip was a combination of agency-booked and a DIY trip (since its my first time abroad). Since the 2nd and last day we've done DIY's, I've managed to do some research of tourist spots and do's and don'ts, hence creating my very own itinerary! And from this time I'm beginning to love it! Oh I just love Thailand! :)

The Reclining Buddha, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Wat Po

Airport Link, Wat Benchamabophit(Marble Temple), Anantasamakhom Throne Palace and Tuktuk

Dusit Zoo, Rama VIII Bridge and Chatuchak Market

Siam Paragon, Platinum Fashion Mall and Lumpini Park

MBK Center, Swesen, Suvarnabhumi Airport and my bed at the Patra Place

4. Boracay - July 30-31, 2011
My birthday getaway! I really had fun here though our stay was short and unfortunately we experienced some kind of bad weather. We weren't able to see the true beauty of Boracay as the tide was so high and the water was not clean that time, due to the storm. Anyway, before heading back to Manila, I met my boy's whole family, another plus! :) Another DIY trip.

Boracay Island and Local Delicacies in Kalibo

5. Coron, Palawan - September 16-19, 2011
Another best ever trip for me. One of the smooth sailing and hassle free trip as I booked the whole trip with the help of the Hotel we stayed in, so that whole trip was a breeze (No agency help here). This place is a true paradise on its own right. I think I liked it better than Boracay. The place is much serene and unspoiled. If ever I am going to have my own honeymoon someday, this will be one of my options. :)

The White Cross and 700+ steps of Mt. Tapyas and The Sleeping Giant

Siete Picados, Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon

Malcapuya Island, Banana Island and Coron Town Proper

6. Bohol - October 21-24, 2011
Another smooth sailing and hassle free trip (Contacted the hotel and booked the whole trip. Again, no agency help here). Our first day here was spent in mall hopping and strolling around the town. We even met a cousin of my friend who happens to be a bank employee that given us the experience of riding an armored van! How's that for the first day? :) We indulged the life in Bohol, so quiet and peaceful. Way different from the noisy Manila, you can even walk there with all your gadgets out and never worrying about snatchers and thieves. Laid-back life in Bohol!

Church at the town proper, Blood Compact, Chocolate Hills and Butterfly Sanctuary

Man-made forest, Tarsier, Hanging Bridge and Loboc River Cruise 

Bohol Bee Farm, Panglao Beach, Hinagdanan Cave and Baclayon Church

7. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - November 11-14, 2011
Second international travel for this year. This time, we only booked for a hotel to stay in and the rest were all DIY. Luckily, we found a hotel that we only paid once we were already at the hotel, no down payment. We also tried some island hopping here and saw the island's own beauty (but I think Coron is much better though). This trip also challenged our budgeting skills and we were also surprised to see that there are many Filipinos living in Kota Kinabalu, maybe because this place is really close to the Philippines. Tip: Taking pictures on their airport is a big NO-NO (unload from the plane). :)

Atkinson Clock Tower and view from Signal Hill Observatory Tower

Jesselton Point, Petagas War Memorial, Tanjung Aru Banchetto and some delicacies at Gaya Market

Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Jesselton Point and Tanjung Aru Beach

8. Cebu - December 03-05, 2011
This trip was for my college friend's birthday celebration and luckily we were able book a sale ticket for Cebu. Since they want a hassle-free trip, I've contacted the hotel and booked the whole trip (Again, no agency help here). We had a nice time in Cebu but it doesn't look much different than Manila, but this city is much cleaner. I also learned some history from this city and finally cleared it up that it was not Lapu-Lapu who killed Magellan, it was one of his people, nice story. And what made this trip more memorable, we met a new friend! A Japanese! :)

Magellan and Lapu-Lapu Landmarks and Alegre Guitar Factory

Taoist Temple, Yap-Santiago Ancestral House, Magellan's Cross and Sto. Nino Church

Wow! Eight destinations in a year was not a big joke but I managed to get and do all the possible ways to lessen my travel expenses, making it all cheap and affordable as much as possible. Some of these were not that cheap but at least me and my travel buddies had a great time. Memories, experiences and learning are much more important than anything else.

Some tips from me, and I also believe tips from other travelers too: (1) Make use of airline ticket sales - it will take you to many places; and (2) As much as possible do a DIY trip - much cheaper and you are in control of your time and space. :)

So that's it for now. Will now continue, writing my other entries.

Ciao!

Dampa 101: Sis Seafood Palutuan at Sea Side SM Mall of Asia

July 21, 2012

It was one stormy afternoon but that didn't hindered our excitement for the much awaited bonding with one of our colleague that took a big leap on her career. Ahem! :)

It was not a planned and detailed event as it was only communicated to us in less than one week. In spite of that, we were still a bunch of enthusiastic people! Ready to rumble with fooood! :)

It was a sudden eat-out but we have already decided that we are going to eat at Dampa SM Mall of Asia. Dampa is a place wherein series of restaurants are offering paluto(cooking) of wide variety of fresh sea foods of your choice. The place also has a close by small wet market wherein you could actually choose all the sea food you wanted to eat, they way you wanted it to be cooked. But aside from sea foods they also offer variety of meat courses.

After getting quite exhausted by the convincing prowess of the waiter and waitresses of different restaurants, we finally managed to choose one of them and that is --- Sis Seafood Palutuan. Aside from food, we also wanted to have some videoke session and since the restaurant offers it, we chose them. So now, we have settled our selves and waited for the ordered food to come and while waiting --- picture-picture! :)

Mommy and daughter tandem! The girl who took the leap! :)

Some were so busy chit-chatting and catching up and some of us busy with the videoke. Unfortunately, since the weather was not really good that time having hard rain and series of thunders, I think the videoke set was struck by lightning and had some short circuit something making it not usable. We ended up not using the videoke at all! Darn! Anyway, the food already arrived so it made us busy, totally forgetting about the videoke and stuff. Haha! :)

Tuna Sinigang

Buttered Shrimp

Corn and Crab Soup (for the kid)

Liempo

Calamares

Thanks for the food, Pinky! :)

Baked Tahong w/ Cheese! Yum, yum!

We were so quiet the moment the food was served, enjoyed the festivity in front of us. I'm so full that time as I really love seafood! The Tuna Sinigang, Corn and Crab Soup, Liempo and Calamares tasted really good while the Buttered Shrimp was a little blunt but nevertheless, since I really love shrimps, I enjoyed it. The star of the night for me was the Baked Tahong! It has lots of cheese and it was cooked just right. I just loved it and I'm craving for more! Yum, yum! :)

After the "Storm". The red-circled plate was mine. Full of tahong shells! Haha! :)

After the mind-blowing and mouthful serving of different sea foods, still the rain drizzles a little and it is getting late already. Most us doesn't want to stay too long as they came from the north side of the metro and doesn't want to be stranded along the way. Of course, before going on our separate ways and doze off, photo mode on! :)

Fellow blogger Nelia Dy (Check her blog here)

MOA Eye

That was a great time full of laughter, stories and food. This bunch of people, every time they are together, never failed to have a good time. As for the Sis Seafood Palutuan, thanks for the good food and for the good service you gave us. Until then!

THANK YOU PINKY LEBRILLA-BUENAFE FOR THE TREAT! WE LOVE YOU! :)

Ciao!