Coron: Day 4

On Day 4, we toured the Coron town proper. 

We had lunch at Kawayanan Grill Station. 

We visited a Cashew Nut Factory and the Maquinit Hot Spring.

We also dropped by the San Agustin Church.

This was the view from our hotel window.

Nearing sunset, we went up Mt. Tapyas.

Beautiful sunset.

Coron: Day 3

On Day 3, we continued our island hopping adventure! 

This is the amazing Twin Lagoon.

On our way to the scenic Kayangan Lake.

We had to climb 200 stairs up and another 200 stairs down just to get to the lake.

Our picturesque view from the top.

Finally at Kayangan Lake.

Hefty lunch at a random island.

Chilling after our swim.

The amazing sunset on our way back to the main island.

Coron: Day 2

On Day 2, we started our island hopping adventure!

We happily snorkeled in Siete Pecados.

We stopped by Beach 91 for lunch.

We had the island to ourselves.

Yummy grilled chicken and fresh crabs for lunch.

I am so loving Coron!

The breathtaking Barracuda Lake.

I couldn't believe my eyes!

Before we went back to the main island, we snorkeled one last time. 

Crazy about Coron

Last November 26, my relatives and I took Air Philippines to Busuanga, Coron. I was pretty scared to ride a propeller plane since it was my first time and it didn't seem as stable as the bigger aircrafts I've ridden before. We landed at the Francisco B. Reyes Airport around 10:00am. From the airport, we rode a shuttle van to the town proper for 40 minutes.

After checking in at Coron Gateway Hotel, we had lunch at Bistro Coron.

We just chilled the entire afternoon. 

Cable Car

My good friend, Justine, celebrated her 26th birthday at the San Francisco-inspired bar called Cable Car. She invited our fellow Aiesecers as well as her high school friends from Cebu. We bonded over pizza, some cocktail drinks and of course, karaoke!   

Cable Car is located at 2/F Paseo Tesoro Building Pasay Road Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City.

Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is my all-time favorite movie so when I heard that Resorts World Manila is producing a Broadway musical for the said movie at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, I dragged my sister to come watch the musical with me. I just can't miss this!

The Newport Performing Arts Theater is truly world-class. I even like it better than Opheum Theater in San Francisco where we watched the musical, Wicked. 

The stage production was impressive. I particularly loved how they recreated the Von Trapp mansion complete with a grand chandelier, winding staircase and classy drapings.

This was during the finale when the entire cast made their final bow.

After the show, my sister and I strolled around the mall. It was my first time in Resorts World Manila and I loved it! 

Rue Bourbon

My sister and I always bond over good food. Tonight, we went to Rue Bourbon Bar & Restaurant in Salcedo Village in Makati City. Rue in French means street while Bourbon is a famous street in New Orleans with lots of bars and other establishments.

We ordered their Creamy Mushroom Soup with Bacon Bits, Bourbon Barbecue Ribs, and of course the enormous Rue Nachos consisting of multi-colored tortilla chips, jalapeños, ground beef, and cheese.

The chill ambiance is so ideal for barkadas. I would love to come back with my friends next time! Rue Bourbon Bar & Restaurant also has another branch in Forbeswood Heights in Taguig City.

Omakase is Love

One of my favorite Japanese restaurants here in Metro Manila is Omakase. In my opinion, this is better than the other renowned restaurants serving the same cuisine like Tokyo Tokyo and Teriyaki Boy because Omakase's dishes are not as commercialized as the latter two. 

My sister and I had dinner here tonight. Tired of the usual things we always order in Japanese restaurants like Ebi Tempura and Gyoza, this time we decided to order a platter of maki! This is the BDR Platter consisting of the Boston Roll, Dynamite Maki and Rising Sun Maki. Yum!

You can visit Omakase's several branches all over Metro Manila: Alabang Town Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Libis and Il Terrazzo.

Ayala Triangle

The Ayala Triangle is located between Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. The place is really a welcome breather in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Makati business district. There is ample space to go jogging or simply do people-watching. There is also a wide array of restaurants to choose from.

Just tonight, my sister and I were able to catch the Symphony of Lights and Sounds show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. The show will run until December 30, 2011.

High School Reunion

Over the course of an average lifetime, you meet a lot of people. 

Some of them stick with you through thick and thin. 

Some weave their way through your life and disappear forever. 

But every once and awhile someone comes along who earns a permanent spot in your heart.

Bulgogi Brothers

My cousins and I had dinner tonight at Bulgogi Brothers located at the 3/F of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. This classy Korean restaurant, originally from Seoul, specializes in Korean barbeque. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with a wide selection of wine and Sojus. The ambiance was very modern and cozy unlike most traditional Korean restaurants in various parts of Metro Manila.

They gave us a free platter of appetizer consisting of sweet corn, sweet potato and quail eggs. We then ordered the traditional Korean favorite, the one and only Bibimbap. We were served with free Oksusu Cha or Corn Tea the entire night.

This is the Bulgogi Brothers Special. The waitress willingly assisted us in cooking the special Un-yang and Gwang-yang style Bulgogi. Look how cute the shape is!

LSS: The One That Got Away

November Photoblog

 *** Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany ***

Somerset Salcedo

Since July this year, my sister has been living in Somerset Salcedo in Makati City. I like the fact that their rooms are spacious enough to roam around but I really hate their furniture and interior design. It's so outdated. I hope the management would start renovating their rooms soon.

Focaccia Italian Restaurant

Buying discounted vouchers online is my sister's latest addiction. She has bought a lot of travel vouchers as well as food vouchers from a number of establishments here in Metro Manila. We redeemed one of her discounted vouchers over dinner last night from Focaccia Italian Restaurant located at the G/F of A. Venue Mall, Antonio Luna Street, corner Makati Avenue Makati City.

It was a culinary delight to try out their signature Pazzo Rollio. We ordered the Margherita pizza roll, which came with some arugula leaves and alfalfa sprouts. We likewise ordered beef lasagna and a certain appetizer. I wonder what the waiter was thinking while taking our orders. I'm sure he was stunned that two girls could eat this much. Haha! 

For drinks, we ordered our favorite Wintermelon Milk Tea from the nearby Teaberi.

Hanoi: Day 4

Another hearty breakfast at Calypso Boutique Hotel: Clubhouse Sandwich with Fries.

I love the French colonial architecture of the Hanoi Opera House. In my opinion, this is one of the neatest neighborhoods in the city.

Sidewalk eatery. Nón lá (traditional Vietnamese conical hat). Postcard hunting. 

Hoan Kiem Lake is often referred to as the Lake of the Restored Sword. This is one of the most picturesque places I've ever seen!

Scenes from downtown Hanoi. 

The Sunlight Bridge in Hoan Kiem Lake leads to the Jade Mountain Temple.

These are the numerous pagodas at the Jade Mountain Temple that are frequently visited by tourists.