01/31/2013
Cebu was lovely. I was there for a week to celebrate Sinulog. But I’m not posting festival photos. I’m sure, with the hundreds of people present (and snapping photos) at the festival, you won’t miss out anything if I don’t post any. I’m posting photos of Colon instead. Colon is that market in Cebu where people are most scared to take their cellphones out because snatching was not theft but art. Don’t get me wrong. It is a lovely place to be however if you are one helluva-paranoid, I suggest you take your xanax before visiting the place.
People are not scared to get close (but HK people are winners in privacy invasion. They breathe in your neck without batting an eyelash–as if it’s the most natural thing to do) and vendors likes to engage in cheerful conversations.
Karen was supposed to take me somewhere to see the parade but I tugged her to go back to the market after we passed by it. I was skipping and singing–and yes, harassing people (they could always harass back) and even popped by the flower section of the market. I may be the more feminine looking between the two of us (with my b/w geometric dress versus karen’s shorts and rubber shoes) but it is Karen who likes to adore and sniff effin flowers. Note to everyone, if you send me flowers, I will tolerate it (I am, in many ways, polite) but I sure won’t be sending you a thank you note.
Send me broccoli instead (I can’t eat ice cream for now as I am in a rigid detox program –sucks right?) and I will scribble your name in my secret diary with an elephant drawing beside it.
11/4/2012
Source of the River Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse
is the biggest spring in France.
09/24/2012
In Mersailles right now– and yes enjoying every minute of it. I’m here for school. I am currently in an off-campus program here in Lacoste and will be in France till November. Afterwhich, I am free to backpack Europe till December 2.
Below are photos of the Apt market, the closest market we have in Lacoste. Apt market is located near Bonnieux — an hour ride away from us, and is the biggest of the Luberon Weekly Markets. The gig happening here has been happening for 900 years now. In Apt Market, you will see local perfumes fabric, herbs, toiletries, and other little things are just equally delightful. It is also a food haven featuring cheesses and nougats and other local treats.
Lavander harvest in Provence is from July to September. Lavander is also being used to deter scorpions from entering houses.
2 Euro for a kilo of grapes! yes, homayged!
They take soaps seriously here. Loads and loads of them being sold in the market in different scents, forms, and sizes.
and oh yes, cheese! cheese! cheese!
Fresh produce are everywhere as well as herbs and spices :)
and when my friends said food is just awesome in France, they weren’t kidding.
07/16/2012
The alarm didn’t go off as expected. I have to be up by 6:30am to get ready for the 7:30am call time, as set (and firmly he did) by our team leader. In case, you are wondering who, it is the travel teller that’s gonna lead our pack today. Like drugged sacrificial lambs, all participants for the Davao Bloggers’ Tour individually arrived at the already packed Matina Branch of McDonalds. People, grouped in shirts of the same colors (sky blue was the most dominant), was loudly preparing for cheers I could not remember being instructed. Turned out they were ADDU college students, and my group, instructed to wear a red shirt for the activity, seamlessly fitted in while the others (we are four different groups) were looking like high school misfits with their mix and match shirts. Oooh they would have rolled their eyes had I brought my sticks for our mini flags (chattee got her boards ready for it). Too bad, it would have been an overkill– and I meant that as a compliment. Anything fun and outrageous is forgivable this day.
Perked up (be it caffeine driven or not–doesn’t matter), we sped off to our first stop, the Japanese Tunnel. It’s along diversion road. I initially thought Japanese tunnel was located in Samal. Good thing nobody asked me. I would have confidently led them to a different place… Read the rest of this post »
07/16/2012
It was musky but not as stinky as you would enter a chicken house. The goats have a relatively cleaner, less stinky, well defined, round pellet poop (that doesn’t splat itself upon hitting the ground– gross). And in the goat house, the ground is more than 10 feet below. Read the rest of this post »
07/10/2012
It was a gloomy day. Turbulence welcomed me while I was still in the plane. Wet pavements was the city’s red carpet and I, despite the dark and eerie weather, felt light and happy. I was wearing my new havas (thanks to Girlieanne)–white and gold, too pure to step on muddy streets. But slippers are slippers, and they are meant for the feet. And when they are for a pair owned by someone like me, the flops, cherished and loved, will be contested to endless wanderings. Read the rest of this post »
02/27/2012
Guess who dropped by Hong Kong for a visit? Yep, my ever partner in crime, Girlieanne! It’s nice to see a familiar face again. Living in Hong Kong is great and the people I meet everyday is very interesting…but old friends from the place you grew up in can bring this type of warmth and comfort that new experiences, no matter how great they are, cannot give.
She stayed for five days. We decided to visit Macau as it’s only a 1 hour or so boat ride away from Hong Kong.
Read the rest of this post »
11/17/2011
Pearl Farm Resort has 73 Deluxe rooms, suites, and cottages. It is perched above a hillside overlooking the waters of Island Garden of Samal. It is located near the island of Malipano making it quite exclusive. Told girlie that the boat ride made me think of Malapascua.
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11/9/2011
Never heard of River Pangi till DTI-Socksargen took us for a Saranggani Adventure last year. And I still love the experience. During the S3x Tour Tres, water tubing was also part of the itinerary…the damn thing is getting famous!
So if you are still unconvinced as to why you should go water tubing in Pangi River, here are the reasons why:
1.) You’ll be fulfilling your childhood dream of being in the washing machine!
Remember when you used to imagine what it feels like to be inside the washer as it whirls the clothes clean? well! imagine no more! Read the rest of this post »
09/29/2011
The Chocolate hills is probably the most popular destination to go to when in Bohol. A warning to the faint of heart, although the steps have been paved and cemented for tourists to climb, it still is a steep and long climb. The stair is quite narrow and annoying tourists who takes photos while climbing slows your ascend. Read the rest of this post »
