Archives for February 2016

Bataan Day Trip: Mount Samat and Dunsulan Falls

February 27, 2016

This year, I decided that I will climb as many Philippine mountains as my weak and physically inactive body can. When Ate Marco suggested we go to Bataan for a day trip to climb Mount Samat and visit Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) in Pilar, Bataan, I immediately said yes.

We originally planned to go last month, but our plan didn’t push through. It almost didn’t materialize again when Ate Marco couldn’t make it, but Kimpee, Ayessa, and I decided that we have to go no matter what! So without our trip organizer, off we went to Bataan.

Last Saturday, we met up early in Pasay to board the bus going to Balanga, Bataan. After misunderstood landmarks and missing each other, we ended up leaving Manila at around 7 in the morning. We were an hour late in the itinerary, but it was okay. [Read more…]

Taiwan 4-Day Itinerary: Exploring Taipei, Tamsui, and Xinbei

February 13, 2016

Our trip to Taiwan was short, too short. Even though it almost didn’t push through due to unexpected events weeks prior to the trip (we got our Visas two days before the trip!), good thing we decided that the trip must go on no matter what! And we were so glad we did, because Taipei has only amazing things to offer and we definitely enjoyed the trip down to our last hour.

At the start of the trip, our planned Taiwan itinerary was jam-packed from 8:00 AM till late at night. It was far from what really happened, heh. This is indeed a leisurely trip, and looking back, there’s really no way I’d change any of it. From riding the wrong bus to losing and finding our way in the city, this is how traveling should be like. It’s the little detours and the events outside the itinerary that make it all worthwhile.

I really enjoyed Taiwain, and now that a whole month has passed, I can’t wait to go back. My friends and I are already planning a yearly visit because there are still so many places to go and so many food to eat. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but I want to give it a try.

Here’s our Taiwan 4-day itinerary. It covers not just Taipei but nearby cities, too, like Tamsui, Xinbei and Ruifang. [Read more…]

BLK 513’s Dark & Yummy Charcoal Activated FroYo

February 10, 2016

FroYo isn’t my thing.

When the frozen yogurt craze exploded a couple years back, I wrinkled my nose at the mere mention of it. Everytime someone invited me to eat FroYo, I’d quickly say, “No, thank you!” I just don’t like the taste and feel of yogurt, and having it frozen doesn’t make it any better. So it’s a surprise that I greatly enjoy BLK 513’s Charcoal Activated Frozen Yogurt.

BLK 513 uses Greek yogurt and activated charcoal to reach the delicious end result. It’s rare for a food that’s gray in color to look so good, but their gluten-free FroYo, mixed with fruits and sauces, easily achieved it. [Read more…]

Xiao Long Bao Madness at Din Tai Fung Megamall

February 9, 2016

“Din Tai Fung is finally in Manila!”

Well, when I first learned that, I had no reaction whatsoever, because I didn’t know what Din Tai Fun is. When I visited Taiwan last month, we didn’t even include it in our itinerary. I’m not big on Chinese food, so forgive me when I only got to try xiao long bao for the first time last month.

Thankfully, the good reviews of Din Tai Fung in Megamall convinced my friends and I to try it. It’s been a long time since our last get-together. We met in my old company back in 2010-2011, and even though we’ve all moved on to different jobs, we still keep in touch. In fact, I still talk them everyday! However, getting the gang together can be really difficult. So I was really happy last Saturday to meet with them, even though some still couldn’t come.

We arrived at Din Tai Fung past 11:00 A.M., and suffice to say, we were already famished. Good thing even though it’s lunch time on a weekend, we didn’t have to wait long for our turn. They were very systematic, and guests can look at the menu while waiting. [Read more…]

Taiwan Budget Accommodation: Sunny Hostel in Taipei

February 2, 2016

Some travel stories start on the first day of exploring the city. But let me begin my Taipei travelogue with a post about our lovely little hostel. Sunny Hostel may look simple from the outside, but from the moment we stepped inside the hostel, we knew that we’d love our stay. Some hostels meet expectations, and then there’s our accommodation that exceeded all of it.

We booked quite late, and we were already panicking a little because looking for an affordable hostel in Taipei wasn’t an easy feat. Rare are those that offer free breakfast, and we had little idea about the locations of the accommodation. So you can say that we chose Sunny Hostel just based on the photos on Airbnb. And I’m so glad that we judged it by its cover. [Read more…]