I'll be leaving for Bohol today to join Edwin and his family for a short vacation. Edwin and his parents flew to Bohol ahead of me. We don't have a hefty itinerary this time, just a visit to the beach. Which particular beach I don't know yet. It could be the one at Virgin Island or the one at Balicasag Island. Whichever it will be, I'm excited.

This is my first out-of-town trip this rainy season. I hope it won't rain when we go the beach. Haha. Also, I hope I won't have problem working freelance while in Bohol. Edwin said Globe's signal isn't so strong there (he's using a Globe Visibility), but still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Have a great weekend, friends! Till our next meeting! :)

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Last year, I won five ride-all-you-can tickets to Enchanted Kingdom (EK) thru Byahilo.com's My Most Memorable Christmas Experience contest. I was finally able to use them during Albie's post birthday celebration held at EK in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna last Sunday. We were a group of 10 (eight are first-timers to EK!) and we sure had lots of fun inside the first and only world-class themed park in the Philippines.

EK is a huge amusement complex divided into seven park zones. Each park zone boasts of various rides and comes complete with basic amenities and food stalls. Wikipedia has this to say about the park zones:

Spaceport - a zone inspired by sci-fi films and the NASA space program of the 1960s.


Portabello - a replica of Portabello, a place in Panama in the Caribbean Sea where the riches of the Incas were shipped by the Spaniards.

Brooklyn Place - a theater and shopping zone designed after 1940s Brooklyn, New York.


Victoria Park - inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule

Boulderville - a prehistoric cartoon zone designed to capture every child's imagination.


Midway Boardwalk - inspired by Coney Island.

Jungle Outpost - designed after the Amazon jungle.

Sunday is definitely a busy day at EK. As early as 10:30 a.m., people had started filling the lines to the cashiers. The scorching heat of the sun at the entrance gates was unbearable, though. Good thing we went directly to the air-conditioned Guest Relations Office to claim my 5  ride-all-you-can passes which I happily shared with Nice and my three siblings.


group pic in front of EK


inside the Guest Relations Office while waiting for our passes

Map is your best friend when it comes to exploring the entire EK complex by foot. We got ours at the Guest Relations Office. Actually, it's not just a map. It also contains valuable information to make your stay at EK more fun and satisfying.


ready to experience EK for the first time!


let's volt in!

We tried most of the rides except for the water rides. But we brought extra clothes, just in case. Our first ride was Grand Carousel. The twin kids liked it a lot.




As for me, I enjoyed Anchors Away, Flying Fiesta and Dudgem immensely. And I found the ride called Wheel of Fate very relaxing as it gives a great view of the nearby communities as well as the SLEX.


Anchor's Away flying high away


our seats at Flying Fiesta


up in the air on Wheel of Fate
Of course, we tried 4D Theater featuring Dora the Explorer. We also watched Rialto (a 3D cinema) playing a scene from Speed Racer. We were one in conclusion that 4D Theater was the winner between the two.


lining up to experience what 4D had to offer


4D Theater required us to wear these special shades


the long line to Rialto

EK was unbelievably clean and well-maintained during our visit. The restrooms were spotless, with running water and tissue paper to boot. The trees and the benches under them provided shade and rest for the guests that were composed mostly of families and groups of friends.

There are new attractions at EK such as Bungee Fun and Kart Trak but you have to pay additional fees to experience them. We weren't able to try any of them, though.

We're proud to say that we survived the only-for-the-brave ride called Space Shuttle Max! Here's a video Edwin took:




Food at EK, on the other hand, was reasonably priced. The presence of Dairy Queen at Space Port was well-appreciated on my part. When afternoon snack time arrived, I literally flew to Dairy Queen and got myself a refreshing Strawberry Milk Shake (my favorite!). For our group, the popular food stall choices were Karate Kid, Pizza Hut and Hotshots Burgers. Our early lunch was at McDonalds-Waltermart, just before we went to EK.

More Photos:











twins on air






If you're commuting and coming from Manila, EK is accessible via public buses bound for Balibago. Terminals are found at Buendia on Taft Avenue. Get off at Waltermart-Sta. Rosa and ride a tricycle going to EK. Tickets range from P150 (limited ride access) to P500 (ride-all-you-can). Senior citizens, students and children are entitled to discounts. EK opens at 11:00 am and closes at 9:00 p.m.

Thank you so much to Eric Dee of Byahilo.com and EK-Sta. Rosa for everything! Special thanks go to Mike Bolanos of the Guest Relations Office for the kind assistance extended to us. :)

Enchanted Kingdom
(Sta.Rosa Main Office)
San Lorenzo South, Santa Rosa City
Laguna
(+632)584-3535 and (+632) 584-4326 to 29 DL
(+632) 584-4332 FL

(Makati Sales Office)
Unit 1B G/F The Biltmore Condominium
102 Aguirre St.
Legaspi Village, Makati
(+632) 830-3535 and (+632) 830-2112 to 16 DL
(+632) 812-7118 FL

Website: http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph

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This 2010, my first summer adventure took place in a lovely beach resort called Phi-Phi nestled in the heart of Morong, Bataan. Here, one can savor the sun and the sea (South China Sea to be specific) at the same time. It has a laid back atmosphere and the staff are extra friendly and attentive to your needs. I just have to agree with the resort's claim that it's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Actually, I think it's not just appealing during summer but all year round.

Through the invite of my Superfriend Nice, Edwin and I was able to experience a fun weekend getaway. It was their office outing and I cannot be more grateful to her for making us her 'guests.' Her officemates (most of them I am friends with) were all accommodating to us. Nothing beats being with people with whom you are comfortable.

Phi-Phi Beach Resort has just opened recently. If I'm not mistaken, we were one of its first customers. During our stay, the owner was there checking on us regularly, making sure we were well-taken care of and all. We stayed in air-conditioned rooms and dined buffet style. The staff were all eager to serve us and we appreciated it.

Here are some photos of our fun outing:












For my review of the beach resort itself (accommodation, rates, etc.), click My Phi Phi Beach Resort Review.


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Tomorrow marks the start of my 2010 Summer Adventures. We're going to Bataan! Superf Nice of IamNicely.com invited Edwin and I for an overnight stay at some resort in Bataan with the rest of her officemates. It's their office outing! I used to work for this office so being out-of-place with them is out of the question. Actually, I miss their company already and this outing is a great way to bond with them. I can't wait. Excited, I really am.

If you wanna know how I spent the past summers in this beautiful, tropical country, read my Summer Adventures in the Philippines.

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My 11-day vacation in Bohol and Cebu was awesome. I think that's the best term to describe it. I had fun and felt carefree for 11 days. It helped that my office didn't bother me about work during that short vacation. I consider it one of my best vacations ever, mainly because I was with my mother, my younger sister and my second family, the Techos. I really can't ask for more with a vacation like that. Now, on with the details...

I've been to Cebu City several times already. Now I realize that every time I go there, I never run out of things to do and places to dine in. It's sad though that this time, I only stayed in Cebu for three days. It was at Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, currently my most favorite hotel in Cebu. (Never mind Edel, you'll be back to Cebu this August for a friend's wedding!)

On our brief stay in Cebu, Edwin, Albie and I met with our Cebu-based friends and we strolled around the city. We also dined at three restaurants that were both old and new to me. They were Casa Verde (they serve great-tasting baby back ribs!), Port Seafood Restaurant (they have very affordable, yummy and extensive lunch and dinner buffets!) and Sunburst (they serve fried chickens that are nothing special...oooopps!).

The Bohol part of my vacation, which was eight days in total, had many highlights but the most memorable of which were these three: the San Isidro, Bohol Town Fiesta, a tour of Bohol (they call it "Round Bohol" there, this tour was my second time) and an overnight stay at Whites and Greens Beach Resort in Panglao, Island.

During the town fiesta (feast day of St. Isidore the Farmer), we woke up early and attended the morning mass. After that, we hopped from one house to another to do the traditional pamimiyesta. It was so fun, I tell you. All the houses that we visited were relatives of the Techos. These people were very accommodating. They fed us like there's no tomorrow. I just concentrated on desserts as I was already having goosebumps at the sight of lechons. Every house we went to had lechon on the table. Even at the Techo ancestral house, we had been eating pork almost everyday since the Day 1 of our vacation. I thought I had to take some control.



My moments with my mother and my younger sister were priceless. We spent each night we were together chatting, giggling and hugging. We caught up on each other's life, updates on school, work, crushes, beauty regimens and other shallow matters were brought up candidly. I cherish those times and I'm thankful God gave me the chance to be with them, even just for a while. And I can't wait for next year to come because it'll be the time when we will all be together as family, here in Manila.



The tour of Bohol that we did on the eight day of my vacation was actually my second time. The places we visited are listed as follows:

1. Sagbayan Peak.Aside from the good view of Chocolate Hills that it offers, Sagbayan Peak is both a themed park and a rented venue for various functions.



2. Man-made Forest.In Bohol, there's this what they call a man-made forest. It is actually a joint environmental project of a local government unit and a school. When you pass through this side of the road going to Carmen, Bohol, take a halt, breath deep and appreciate the beauty of nature.



3. Chocolate Hills Park. Here, you get a commanding view of the famous hills. To get to the top where the view becomes breathtakingly awesome, you need to ascend through a more than 200-step staircase. Patience is a virtue.



4. A Tarsier Stop. This was where we saw several Philippine tarsiers in captivity. These cute creatures were very kind and quiet. Anyway, there's no fee to get into the place. It must be because it's mainly a pasalubong store and the tarsiers found here are designed only to attract a crowd. I can say it's effective.



5. Loboc River.Still magnificent with its greenish waters, this river continues to attract both domestic and foreign tourists to this day. It seems to me that the Loboc River Cruise is making the government huge money as evident with its new terminal and improved facilities. Each floating restaurant charges P300 per head for a lunch or dinner buffet with free 1-hour cruise of the river.



6. Baclayon Church.Authentic and charming, the walls of Baclayon church never fails to remind me of Bohol's historic past.



Our overnight stay at Whites and Greens Beach Resort was fun and relaxing. We swam from 4:00 p.m. until dusk. The next day, we took tons of photos around the resort and by the beach.

Edwin and I even had a side trip one sunny day using an ever-dependable motorcycle. We visited Antequera Church and Mag-aso Falls, both are located in Antequera, Bohol, a few kilometers away from where we stayed.



So, there goes my summer adventure in Bohol and Cebu. Happy summer again! :)

If there is one thing Pangasinenses (the people of Pangasinan) are raving about aside from their awesome food (boneless daing na bangus, puto Calasiao, bagoong Pangasinan, etc.), that would be their very own Hundred Islands. I was very fortunate to have experienced what Hundred Islands has to offer. I have my Superfriend to thank for inviting me to join their office outing. If not for her, I wouldn't have had a super fun weekend. If you're planning to go to Hundred Islands in Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan, here are some of the activities worth trying:


1.Island Hopping. This should be a "must" in your list of activities. After all, you have over a hundred islands to visit. (Actually, Hundred Islands has a total of 123 islands.) At present though, only three islands (Quezon, Governor and Children) have been developed for tourists to explore and enjoy.


boats sitting by the shore of Quezon Island





guest house at Governor's Island with the Pinoy Big Brother logo


the beach at Children Island below us
Day 1 of our trip was spent on the beach. Our group of more than 20 people was able to island hop using the three small boats we rented at Lucap, the mainland that serves as entry point handling the flow of visitors to the islands.

2. Picnic.The three islands I mentioned above have cottages ideal for picnic. Fees are at a minimum. Governor's Island (adopted by the Lopezes of ABS-CBN) even have a guest house which can be used by a family or two for an overnight stay. However, most of the visitors spend the night at Lucap Point for convenience. They have rooms for rent all over the place whose prices range from P800 to P1,500.




We stayed mostly at Quezon Island where we had our lunch and swam for a couple of hours.

3. Snorkeling. Marine resources abound in Pangasinan though it's not as numerous and diverse as in Bohol or Palawan. What's a better way to enjoy the wonderful sights of marine species than by snorkeling? You could ask the boatman to take you to the deeper part of the sea for a better spot.




We snorkeled at Quezon Island and had a great time. Just be cautious enough as there are some parts of the beach where rock formations beneath are sharp which can cause bruises and injury.

4. Kayaking. There are kayaks for rent at Quezon Island for those who want to flex their muscles while enjoying the beach, aside from swimming.

Our group contented ourselves with sun bathing and swimming. The adults played around the waters while the kids used their creativity and wild imagination in building sand castles.

5. Trekking. At Governor's Island, there's this ascending path way. When you reach the top, you'll get a spectacular view of Hundred Islands. It's never been this awesome.




Curious at the sight of the ascending path way, we braced ourselves and went up to see what was in store for us. The view was breathtaking. We took a lot of pictures.




6. Camping. If you're on the adventurous side, you may want to try camping at Quezon Island or to the other islands with appropriate facilities.

Camping was not on our list of itineraries, though. Like I said, we stayed at Lucap where we spent the late hours videoke-ing amidst chips and booze. I even won some bucks for my golden voice.


the place where we stayed for the night


boat terminal at Lucap Point
Actually, you won't run out of things to do while in Hundred Islands. You can just sit by the shore reading a nice book, sip a drink while chatting with friends, take a photo of your surroundings, or simply walk by the beach to breathe some fresh air.

And before you bid Hundred Islands goodbye, make sure you take home some pasalubong like the food I mentioned at the start of this post. We bought ours from the public market of Alaminos.

Summer is all about spending the day out in the sun. No matter what you do, as long as you have the "summer vibe," you're in for something special and fun.

Watch out for my third summer adventure! :)