El Nido: Effective In Playing Hard To Get

Posted on November 26, 2015 by heavenliner

believe it or not… i took this shot…

One romance theory that has been backed up by empirical study shows that playing hard to get is a good way to build desire and romantic attraction. Case in point for this theory is the hardships that one would have to encounter and endure before reaching the most beautiful tropical vacation place on earth known as El Nido in Palawan.

Unless you have heaps of wealth, getting to El Nido is an exhausting challenge. Like the theory of playing hard to get, reaching El Nido can be like investing into some emotional and physical investments.

el nido port

going inside the big lagoon…

inside the “secret lagoon”

super nice…. at the yet to be spoiled, nacpan beach

beauty…

One would have to encounter the dangers-that-be lurking at the Manila airport, one would have to endure the often-delayed flights of airlines, one would have to suffer the butt-aches and bladder-control agonies of land travel for five to six hours, one would have to bear with the bumpy boat rides when touring the paradise-like destinations, one would have to endure the stings and soreness of a sunburn.

But all these hardships would definitely be worth it! All these pains and stressors would simply be erased as soon as you see, smell and experience the desirable and attractive paradise known as El Nido.

Kakamangha!

Spine Tingling Toilet View

Posted on November 19, 2015 by heavenliner

According to the World Toilet Organization, approximately 2.4 billion people lacks access to a basic toilet. I know this is a serious global matter, but in celebration of the World Toilet Day today, let me feature one unique toilet I found, used and amazed about when I visited Osaka this February 2015.

It is the public toilet found at Harukas 3000 Observatory, the top most floor of the highest building in Japan known as Harukas Abeno Tower in Tennoji, Osaka.

Japan I suppose has the most technologically advanced toilets. But the one I found in Harukas 3000 Observatory is not about the toilet fixtures and facilities. It is actually the breathtaking view inside the washroom.

don’t be fooled by the minimalist look of the entrance…

one rare view for a toilet!

picture muna. the reflection of the view on the mirror makes me dizzy…

you know the toilet is clean in you are willing to sleep in it. up at the end are the cubicles...

you know a toilet is clean if you are willing to sleep in it. up at the end are the cubicles…

this is the spine-chilling view as soon as you open the door of the toilet cubicle after you relieved yourself

This toilet I guess is not for the faint at heart. Acrophobic attacks would definitely starts to set in as soon as you enter it. The walls of the toilet are thick clear glass in which toilet users would not have the choice but to look at the chilling panoramic view of the buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructures of Kansai area.

Mapapa-tae ka sa lula!

Holy Koyasan Makes Me Wanna Pray

Posted on November 8, 2015 by heavenliner

I would like to believe that I must have done something beautiful in my past life that my present one has been so blessed. One particular blessing is the opportunity to go and visit the beautiful and mystifying Koyasan, a unique Buddhist town nestled high in the peaks of Mt. Koya in Wakayama, Japan.

But what is so amazing by such a blessing is that I did not only visited this UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the holiest places in Japan once. I was given by the heavens the generous chance to visit Koyasan twice. First was during the springtime of 2014 while the second was this year’s richly colored autumn season.

Selected 2014 Photos

with nengkoy and the gang…

at my back is the massive kongobuji temple

breathtaking…

feeling blessed…

right at the heart of okunoin

Selected 2015 Photos

taglagas…

strike a pose…

mesmerized by the chanting of these monks…

hugging a massive tree at okunoin…

same alley, same person, different season

colors of autumn…

What captivates me most about Koyasan is the peaceful aura and zen-like atmosphere it emits. Visitors will truly feel the positive serenity and explicit spiritual side of Japan. I am not religious, but each of the visit I did in this holy place made me feel so moved, it makes me wanna pray!

Koyasan is one great travel destination, no way will I hesitate if in this lifetime, I would be given the chance again of visiting this holy place for the third time.

Mapapa-Eymen ka sa ganda!

Halloween in Osaka: I got to be The Riddler!

Posted on November 7, 2015 by heavenliner

Thanks to Halloween and the tradition of dressing up to be someone else on this day. It is because it is one day in a year when the young ones and young at hearts got to exercise their wonderful sense of magical imagination.

I have always been the “I don’t care about Halloween” type of a person. But my Halloween this year is totally different! I spent this year’s Halloween in Osaka, Japan. And I had a blast!

i got to be The Riddler

It was the night I got to be someone I was not. I got to be The Riddler! It was the night that no soul stopped me from looking weird and acting strangely. It was one night that I just took all my cares away. And the best part of it is that I got to party with some of my monster pamangkins (nieces & nephews)!

What is so awesome about the Halloween in Osaka is that herds of people wear costumes for the occasion. The array of costumes are just unbelievable! And they would walk the streets of Osaka in a very cheery mood creating an awesome street-party-like atmosphere!

aylavet!

super fun!

amazing!

one with the osaka halloween

Me and my pamangkins, in our respective costumes, walked and went to the Triangle Park known as Sankaku Koen where people in their amazing costumes converge to see and be seen. A lot of people say that walking the streets of Osaka in costume during Halloween will be incomplete if you won’t pass by Sankaku Koen.

One extra ordinary thing about this Halloween tradition in this park is that there seem to be no planning, no advertisement, no organization nor program being followed. But everyone just turns up to this park in their costume so as to amaze and be amazed!

nemesis galore…

bongga!

the queen of hearts and the joker

the riddler and the stormtrooper

party! party! we owned the dancefloor at balabushka!

After witnessing the colorful, amazing and unbelievable costumes in Sankaku Koen, me and my pamangkins went to Balabushka – a dance club – where we all danced our Halloween cares away!

Kakaibang gemba! Kakamangha!

Ditumabo Falls After The Rain

Posted on October 12, 2015 by heavenliner

Mountain trekkers know that waterfalls are at their scenic best when there has been rainfall. That is absolutely what I saw and experienced in Aurora Province on the day I conquered the exhilarating green forest of barrio San Luis which nestles the beautiful Ditumabo Falls.

my first waterfall trek

pahinga muna

wow!

The first gait I made to accomplish this adventure, I simply let my cares drop like fallen trees. I did not expect anything to gain with this specific venture. I was merely trying to endure what needs to be endured during the whole time I was walking up the mountain. Nevertheless, while pacing my initial strides, I was already feeling the freshness of the air kissing my cheeks, similar to how the cool streams of water kiss the thirsty lips of earth.

love handles galore! hahaha!

the authentic “cool waters”

But as I further my trekking, I eventually felt the flowing of nature’s peace inside my being just like how sunshine flows into the leaves and branches of a tree. And as I further went up the trail, I was feeling the fresh energy of the whole forest. I felt no pain, I felt no fatigue. It was sheer delight and pleasantness.

breathtaking!

joyous…

And when we reached our destination, the sight of the dream-like forest mist, the look of the inviting jade-colored pool and the magnificent appearance of the robust stream of the waterfall, resulted to a total feeling of intense joy and happiness!

Ditumabo Falls after the rain is indeed magical!

Wan wid da neychur ang peg…

Perfect Imperfections of Costa Pacifica

Posted on October 10, 2015 by heavenliner

Costa Pacifica is a high end resort/hotel place in Baler, Aurora Province. If I am to describe this stunningly relaxing resort in one word, the word would be “imperfect”.

first shot! the sun has yet to rise when we arrived

picture muna

Though ranked as the number 1 resort in whole of Aurora province, the soft, fine and sandy beach offering of Costa Pacifica (which is literally few steps away) is not the soft white variety that you would typically find in a high end resort in the Philippines. But you will totally forget about the color of the sand as soon as you would see the awesome color of the sunrise, hear the calming sound of the beach and experience the exhilarating swells of its waves.

aylavet!

relaxing…

amazing view

Though the very nice facilities and ambience of this resort can already be considered perfect, the reason for its imperfection is their overwhelming customer service flexibility. It’s more than perfect that is why I consider it ridiculously imperfect.

I know that check-in time for any resort or hotel is at 2:00 PM and request for early check-in would usually be granted starting at 10 in the morning depending on room availability. But what is insanely surprising is that we were granted a 6:00 AM early check-in even though we did not actually insisted or demanded for it.

Upon arriving in Baler super early in the morning, we went straight to this beautiful resort just to request on the possibility of our luggage to be kept in their storage area. And that we would just return at 2:00PM in time for our check-in. But surprisingly, we were already offered to check-in in our room right at that very moment!

super nice!

nice loots for nengkoy… she would hate me if i will just leave those…

fit for a king…

To prove and push further their incredible customer service flexibility, they allowed us to avail our breakfast – which by the way was a delightful buffet – on the day we arrived. When in fact, the breakfast should only be availed the following day after we have spent overnight in that beautiful resort.

These two rare more-than-perfect experiences made me incredibly so impressed by the customer service orientation of the whole resort! It shut off my usual petulant morning crankiness making my whole throughout stay in Baler very pleasing and relaxing. I have been to lots of expensive hotels and resorts, but never was I granted this amazing level of generosity and flexibility.

one happy & satisfied guest…

Walang kadamot-damot… Kakaiba ka Kosta Pasipika!

The Peanut Butter That Will Tantalize Your Tastebuds

Posted on October 8, 2015 by heavenliner

nanay pacing, i was surprised that she was the one manning the store...

the lady on the label. i was surprised that she was the one manning the store…

In some recent past, Philippine society got so crazed up by a food paste known as Speculoos Cookie Butter. We were so wildly insane about it, it seem like a status symbol to own at least one jar. As if possessing one jar is to have an insane bragging right. Filipinos then would even post a photo of their cookie butter jar on their Facebook page!

Now that the hype has calmed down and that Trader Joe’s in California (where this spread is sold) are no longer infested with Filipinos lining up to buy jars of it, there has yet to have another food paste that Pinoy society would have to be crazy about.

While waiting for the re-emergence of such phenomenon, let me introduce you to a locally-made food spread that will tantalize your tastebuds. It’s the Nanay Pacing’s Peanut Butter!

Buying two jars of this spread was the best purchase I made when I recently been to Baler in Aurora Province. This peanut butter, my goodness, is evil!

one rare source of gastronomic happiness

warning! highly addictive…

glad to have discovered it in baler

In case you got hold of this creamy peanut butter and tried it for yourself, and you think you did not like it, then perhaps there must be no joy in your life and I hope things would get better soon.

There are few things in this world that deserves some great recognition, Nanay Pacing’s Peanut Butter is one of them! And because of its magical taste which emanates the secretion of happy chemical compounds in the brain, I will then submit a formal nomination of Nanay Pacing to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Chemistry and Physiology.

Maning may mantikilya o mantikilyang may mani? Basta yami!

First Time Surfer

Posted on October 7, 2015 by heavenliner

Not in my wildest dreams that I would be one with the waves. The thrilling waves of Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora Province is the site where I first learned and experience gliding on water.

While learning the basics on how to position my body and the technique on how to stand on top of the surfboard, I pity my tutor because he will have to squander tons of patience, immeasurable strength and lots of miserable time before I can finally learn to stand and ride a thrilling wave.

trip to baler is incomplete if without surfing…

move over Mick Fanning… the future surfer of the year is here…

At my present age, in which my body is two steps behind my brain, I know that being a beginner sucks! And I have always accepted the fact that the whole Pacific Ocean would first have to dry up before I’d be able to learn how to surf.

And while acting out the necessary moves being taught to me by my tutor, I was also thinking that since it would be impossible for me to attain balance and be able to stand on a moving surf, I might as well enjoy the thrill and the feeling of my body crashing and splashing down the ocean!

But lo and behold, after just few attempts and immeasurable metric tons of salty water that I drank everytime I fell off the moving surf, I was already standing atop a gliding surfboard! I was like floating on air!

ryan, my tutor was also my “taga-buhat”

I can say that the experience was indeed pure fun! It’s the ultimate feeling of joy out from accomplishing something that you never dreamed of in the first place.

I was so ecstatic, I even hugged my instructor when he approached me telling me “Good job!” It’s that happy feeling of accomplishment that gives me a reason to visit back this thrilling side of the Pacific Ocean.

Parang gusto ko na tuloy bumili ng tatlong piraso ng Surp Bord!

Old Majestic Tree in Aurora

Posted on October 6, 2015 by heavenliner

Trees are considered one of life-sources. Aside from being the great oxygen supplier, trees also makes the world a beautiful place to live in.

After seeing the majestic trees that grew from the ruins of Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap Cambodia, I thought I will never be again fascinated by any living tree on the planet.

But after being enchanted by the massive 600+ year old tree in the town of Maria Aurora in Aurora Province here in the Philippines, I knew I am mistaken. Hailed as the Millennium Tree, this breathtaking Balete type of a tree is considered to be the largest of its kind in the whole of Asia.

nature’s gigantic masterpiece; i’m like meters away standing from the tree…

Unlike the massive roots of the trees in Siem Reap, people can actually enter through the hoards of root shafts of this 200 feet tall tree.

super UGAT!
“inside” the massive tree

I’m pretty sure there are higher, older and more massive trees in some tucked away and untouched forest or mountainside on the planet. But what makes the Millennium Tree more meaningful and delightful is that people are actually allowed to climb up to a certain point so as to feel and further appreciate it firsthand.

Seeing thrilled tourists climbing up or passing through the narrow crevices of its roots were like little boys and girls being cradled by no less than the enchanting Mother Nature.

Bonggang puno…

The Best and Most Favorite Filipino Restaurant

Posted on August 29, 2015 by heavenliner

It is a common notion and a customary aspiration that if you are in a foreign land, you would want to taste the best and most favorite that such locale or country has to offer. Meaning, if you are in France you would normally want to dine in the best or most preferred French restaurant. Or if you are in Italy you would of course aspire to eat at the best or most popular Italian restaurant. But when in the Philippines, has it been determined which would be the restaurant where to taste the best and most preferred Filipino cuisine?

The Filipino cuisine is experiencing a renaissance in the world cuisine stage. The world is now discovering that the Filipino cuisine is not just the exotic “balut”. Thus, it is essential to determine in today’s generation which Filipino restaurant in the Philippines is the best and the most favorite. Here are two trusty basis for this. One for being the best while the other for being the most favorite.

One would be based on the selection made by MBKRS which is short for Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secret award. MBKRS is a biennial awarding body considered by a lot of Filipino foodies and food establishments as the most prestigious award that recognizes excellence in city dining scene.

Two would be based on the honor given by the recently concluded Choice Awards 2015. A new food-scene recognizing body which was established and organized by popular and “powerful” food bloggers in the Philippines. This award does not recognizes the best of the country’s food and food establishments but instead honors the most commonly preferred and most favorites.

These two recognizing bodies has bestowed honors to food establishments in various categories – best or most favorite: buffet, Italian resto, Spanish resto, burger joint, coffee shop, steakhouse, Chinese resto, and a lot more. But these recognizing bodies being based in the Philippines, I would personally consider their choice or their award for being the best and most favorite Filipino Restaurant would be the most prestigious. It’s like bestowing the Best Picture award during the Oscars or the Golden Globes of Philippine dining scene!

Few people I guess knows that there is one Filipino restaurant (in the Philippines) which has received and has been awarded by both these recognizing bodies. MBKRS in 2012 awarded it as the “Best Filipino Restaurant” while the first Choice Awards held this year (2015) chose it as the “Most Favorite Filipino Restaurant”.

That restaurant is Abe.

at the trinoma branch

at the serendra branch

Award wining!

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Tag Archives: travel