Simple Thoughts of Mine

Archive for the ‘philippines’ Category

Most of the time we are thinking of visiting places out of town. We often neglect the place near us which is worth a visit too. I admit I am one of these people. But not this time because me me and Sean together with friends and family went to Manila on April 12, 2012. We left the house at 7:30 am and our first destiantion… Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.   We took some shots and roamed around Intramuros.   Unluckily we didn’t able to watch the Light and Sound due to some technical problem.

After that we headed to Manila Ocean Park but before we entered the park we had our picnic lunch. We had pork adobo and fried chicken with my own version of gravy.  We started watching the four fantastic show of Marine Life Show, Penguin Talk Show, All Star Bird Show and the Musical Fountain Show which is their main event.  By the way I purchased our tickets via metrodeal.com for the amount of Php 399.00 each instead of Php 700.00. Nice deal huh?

We also went to Luneta Park as an interval to those shows. It’s nice to show the kids what they are taught in school. Our trip is just like a field trip in school.  And surely it was fun!!! and informative too!!! Nice bonding with my family, friends and my Sean.  Care to try?

Underground River or what we called Subterranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is now officially declared as one of the New 7 Wonders of  Nature. It an 8-kilometer stretch and was discovered in 1992.

I booked our flight 3 months before the date for all of  us (13 pax). It costs us 3,300k for each of the ticket (round trip) via Cebu Pacific. I searched the internet for the accomodation and I found Niko’s Cabanas, which is also located in Puerto Prinsesa (about an hour and a half travel to the park). Too bad Sean didn’t able to go with us because he got mumps just three days before the trip!!! We were picked up from the airport which is included in the accomodation. The resort looks nice and comfy and yet the price is affordable. Each room costs 2,500 per night good for 2 pax with free set breakfast.  Additional 600 for extra person. The food were good but little pricey. I also arranged the tour to the Underground River which cost 1,500.00 each with buffet lunch.

We went to the park the next day we arrived. It is a whole day trip. And I swear it was a good one. Halfway to the park we stopped over a souvenir shop. Just bought couple of a magnetic stuff for our fridge and a hat. We reached Sabang point where we will ride a banca going to the river. It took us about 20 to 30 minutes to reached the place… we registered and took a 5-minute walk along the wooden path and waited for about an hour for our turn to the cave. I can say that the cave is really a wonder of nature. Different shapes of stalactites and stalagmites were seen.  And also there are lots of monkeys mingling with people at the waiting area but beware… they snatch foods and drinks.  Don’t let them hear you’re handling plastic… they will grab it drastically.. Hehehehe… It is really marvelous!!!

The trip inside the dark cave took about 45 minutes and traveled only upto 1.8 kilometers only. The boatman said it requires a special permit to penetrate more inside the cave where there is shallow area where one can waddle and where the oxygen is thinner. The whole day trip was really fun and adventurous.

I regret when we didn’t able to visit Honda Bay Island Hopping (one of the main attraction in Puerto Princesa) where we can snorkel and swim with different kinds of fishes and take some steps on a white sand. It costs 1,100 pesos and only 30 minutes drive from Niko’s.
Anyway it’s ok… I still have plan of visiting back and this time with Sean. Who would like to come?

Since last year I promised myself to take a trip every first day of the year to treat myself and Sean for the whole year of hard work.  Last year we took a dip in the warm and refreshing water of Pagsanjan Lodge’s pools with my brother’s family.  This time, since my mom didn’t allow us to spend New Year in Baguio City, me and Sean went to Tagaytay City instead.

We left the house at 11 in the morning on the first day of 2012.  We took the shuttle service at Star Mall in Mandaluyong.  We reached Tagaytay at exactly 3 pm.  I decided to go to Tagaytay Zoo first since we don’t have the hotel/inn yet.  We left the zoo at 5 pm and waited for a jeepney to Olivares where I saw few hotels.

Before reaching Olivares (Rotonda) we hopped out the jeepney and started querying for a cheap hotel.   Ok, my budget is just around 1 thousand pesos and hotels in the area costs almost 3k.  We ate at Burger Machine to fill Sean’s tummy.  I had a chat with a tricycle driver and he told me he know some cheap inns in Picnic Grove area.  It sounds good to me since our next destination is Picnic grove.  We found Amora’s House which costs us 1,800 per night.  We had a wonderful dinner (the most delicious tinola I’ve ever tasted) and slept soundly.

We woke up at 7, had our breakfast and headed the Picnic Grove.  I discovered that there’s a hostel in the area.  I inquired for the fee and it is the same with Amora’s.  I did horseback riding  and it’s my first time and first time to undergo fish spa. I’ve been seeing this for some time but never thought of trying it.  But because of Sean I did it!

As we arrived at The Highlands, the venue of the camping, I noticed that it was perfectly organized.  And it’s amazing because we are about a thousand participants.  We were divided into 4 groups, the Countless, Ceaseless, Boundless and Endless teams.  I belonged to Endless Team which won the second place.  There were singing, talk, games and play (dramatization) in every sessions.  It was fun, informative and glorious.  It’s really different from the other camping I’ve been.  The host of the program was really witty and entertaining.  I like him.:)

One more lucky thing is that there were missionaries who gave free medical and dental services to some of us.  They served to 50  medical patients and 10 dental patients.  I salute them for their noble doings.

The games are really physical, bad thing that I wasn’t able to join because I have …  There’s only thing I didn’t like… it’s the bed… yes… I have to climb at the top of the triple deck bed!  But generally I liked it and I find it magnificent.  Kudos to Mega City Ministries, Inc.  More power to you and I wish that you continue to touch people’s lives.

Philippine National Football Team has been formed long time ago since early 19th century and it is being controlled by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).  But we hardly know them because they never get qualified for Asian Cup or the World Cup. However in year 2000, the team qualified in 2007 Football championship.

Today, the team are so popular all over the country.  People begin to love them, especially girls because of the good-looking members of the team.:)  Azkals are undergoing extensive training everyday for their preparation of their Kuwait game after winning over the Sri Lankan team.  Having an injury is part of the game and learning proper defense is also part of the training.  And if ever they had one, donjoy hinged knee brace is the answer.

The most famous member in the team is Phil Younghusband.  Maybe because he has been so vocal of his feelings towards Angel Locsin.  And I think it works!!! It is obvious that they already having an affair.  Well, they’re both single.. so no problem at all.