Finding the Perfect Campsite for this Summer!

Funny but I went to Moalboal for the first time last Sunday.  Moalboal is a town in the south Cebu province, three hours away from Cebu City.  Many of the people I know have been to this place many times but I hadn't been there until yesterday. It's a place known for its white sand beaches.  Because I'm not much of a beach lover, I never really dreamed of visiting the place.  A group of friends, however, planned for an excursion there and just to get away for a day from the city, I joined in.  And I would have been a pool of regrets  if I didn't.  The location is very accessible (no need to take boats), very cheap cottages, fantastic view, free beaches, and perfect for camping! Yes, it's been like more than a year since I wanted to go camping.  And camping at the beach, over night, is  very very appealing.  And I'm so glad I went to Basdako---the beautiful public beach in Moalboal.  Right now, I'm all about looking forward to an overnight on its white beach and shallow clear waters.   February is the date.  See you once more Moalboal...soon. ♥

TO THE SUMMER CAPITAL: BAGUIO CITY!

While almost everybody was rushing to Cebu for its Sinulug Festival, I and some friends went away from the city for a weekend and a day to avoid the crowd of the festival and headed for the mountain city instead.  Much has been said and much have  I heard of the Philippines' summer capital.  And that short trip has given me enough idea what it's like there.  Lazy as usual, I would have the pictures say more about it.  ^^  Of course, with a little help from some captions.

The Lion's Head welcomes anyone entering Baguio

There are a lot of transient houses in Baguio that are of reasonable prices---perfect for short-trip travelers. This is a picture of of our accommodation there, where we stayed one night for P300/person.  Cheap, isn't it? ^^

This is a shot from our van's window taken by my friend.  It's a marvelous sight.  A mountain of buildings and houses! Though I believe it's just marvelous to look at.  Still, I wouldn't want this to happen in our mountains and hills back home. 

This is a typical residential area's landscape.   It amazes me to see people daring to build their nests here; it shudders me to think about the possibilities of earthquakes, though.

We didn't miss to visit the strawberry fields in La Trinidad, Benguet and  I just have to take a pose with  one of the local farmers there.  Really trying  hard to immerse myself  here despite the scarcity of time

The Botanical Garden is one place of the several parks to unwind in this city.  Just outside the garden is a large signage  for a memorable pose like this.  And you can do that with the natives.  But then, it's worth 10 pesos per native.  Their senior citizens won't have to worry about making a living. ^^

The native by-standers just outside the Botanical Garden

So we had a joke that if ever we decide to live in this city, a good business would be to build a public  toilet.  People can't help but find a rest room from time to time due to the cold weather.  It's really a good source of income for P6.00/person.  No wonder there are a lot of CLEAN COMFORT ROOM from corner to corner of the city.

It seems that  Baguio is a city of parks.  There are so many parks here.    Or maybe I just felt this because there aren't many parks in Cebu.

This is one of the attractions in Mines View Park. And there are more, mostly for pictorial purposes like  dressing up like the natives or riding a pink horse.  There are a lot of stalls here as well that sell souvenir items at a very affordable price.

This is no ordinary Taho. It's strawberry Taho and the taste is way better than  Tahos with ordinary syrup.

Boating in the chill can only be experienced here.  This place is so ideal for  couples to date.  

This park is right across the historical site called The Mansion, posted below.

The venue of the special session of the of the second Philippine Legislator  in 1910, destroyed during the war in 1945, restored in 1947, became the Baguio Conference of 1950, and was eventually used as summer residence of Philippine presidents.

It seems that there are all sorts of adventure parks in the Philippines.  Baguio has it, too.

The house that made great soldiers

with the soldiers in the making

These are some of the things to see and know about Baguio.   A few days of simple discoveries.  And hey, one must not forget to grab even just a jar of Ube Jam in going back home.  It's the best pasalubong (more than strawberry jam)!

Remembering Our Camotes Getaway

Camotes is a not-so-near island of Cebu.  From Danao Port, it will take more or less two hours to get there by Ro-Ro (the kind of sea transport there).  That duration was like that of going to my hometown, Bohol.  Not very near.  And when you are unlucky, your ship will dock at the port an hour away from your destination--just like what happened to us.  But the first sight of their beach will erase all the tiredness, especially when you are heading for Santiago.

Santiago has the widest shoreline in Camotes.  Its white sand  is as soft as cake flour. And the accommodations are very affordable.  Its laid back environment is very relaxing, perfect for an escape from the city.  And you get to tour the island also for a very minimal amount.  Especially when you're a big group, you can save for the rent of the multicab/jeepney you will use.  You can visit caves during your tour because Camotes has quite a few of them.  The cool water of the caves can ease the heat of the day's tour.  Below are some of my memories from Camotes.

the shoreline and coast of Santiago

Chilling at the Lake Danao Park

posing and just enjoying at the Baywalk

Playing at Camotes dusk

drinking the night away

in the cool water of Timubu Cave

Maya in Camotes!

Imperial Palace Visitation

the Imperial Palace in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City

Imperial Palace is one of the latest hotel/resort in Mactan.  New spot for another getaway.  So here's something from a visitation I had there with friends .  For this entry, I'll just let the pictures do the job, of course with the help of a few words.

WHAT'S THERE TO SEE and DO?

take a plunge at its deep pool

play at its shallow pool

go for a saunter around its clean surroundings and cottages

sing and dance with their crew

slither at the varied slides of its water park 

closer look of the three varying slides: ivory (normal), green (enclosed),
and red (funnel effect)

there goes one slider

dip in its beach water 

take advantage of the view

have a bountiful buffet lunch

splurge in assorted desserts

walk on its carpeted corridors 

and chill inside their cozy suites

Introducing: Bonbon, Cebu City

There's this place at the core of Cebu City that not many people know but deserves to be known.  It's Bonbon!

This is the hometown of my friend Jerushea and that little jaunt we had there was filled with excitement I never anticipated.  So they say adventures are created.  That's exactly what our host did.  We could have just taken the normal route and  have a good view of the rest of these flower farms along the main road.

 

But our host had a different thought in mind and took us to the road less traveled.  And if you're up for this kind of adventure, be ready to climb up its uneven hills..

.                        

I wasn't prepared for this!

cross brooks and streams...

walk its rugged terrain...

pass through its forest...

then have a refreshing splash at the cold water of this waterfalls...

maybe even have the chance to re-live your innocence with these kids...

the children of Bonbon

And because we missed the view of the flower farms along the highway by going through the other way, we delighted ourselves with the ones in Bonbon's soil.

You can be charmed as well with Bonbon. It's just minutes away from Tops and the motorcycle ride can be a thrilling introduction.