Budapest is Love!

I was in Budapest last spring and it's one city I'm coming back to! It's got the charm of an old city, yet despite its faded imperial glory, is just about to make it happen in the 21st century!

I love Baguio!

I've been to Baguio several times before but my recent trip impressed upon me an I-love-Baguio-I-want-to-keep-coming-back-to-Baguio" type of feeling.

Perhaps it was being with family and friends. I was there with the B. family and all they did was reminisce about their childhood and visit all the places they frequented then.

We had lunch at the Baguio Country Club where I enjoyed some freshly made caesar salad and bought some banana bread. Now I know why the banana bread is a country club specialty- it's best for banana-haters who can only tolerate a hint of banana with the right sweetness and perfect moist. I'm now a banana convert.

Visiting the Baguio market just made me want to fast forward to retirement where I won't do anything but cook! Gosh, the freshest vegetables at bargain prices! Probably a dozen lettuce bulbs for only PhP50! Everthing was there, even crabs. And strawberries, oh strawberries!





I also met up with R. and at my request, took me to the Tam-awan Village. Since I've been to Ifugao before, I wan't impressed. The funny thing is, there was an artist in front creating a steel monument for the Baguio centennial celebrations come September. Well, we thought he was the artist. Maybe just a welder. Hahaha!

R. and I bid farewell when I met up with E. at the U.P. Baguio campus, and off we went to Camp John Hay.







I haven't been there before and just had to see it. After some photos, and laughing at the graves at the lost cemetery, we were off to Cafe Wills for some food and drinks. One thing I love about Baguio, is it's cafe culture. I like it that I can have great food and alcoholic drinks, practically anywhere, and anytime. Need not be at a bar late at night with loud music or our local version of a biergarten.

Time was running out and E. dropped me off at Rosebowl to have dinner with my family. Apparently, Rosebowl is another institution where oldtimers go.

I just love Baguio! Each place seems like a short ride away and there's so many places to see. And at some point, you can even view the South China Sea beyond the mountains.

I can't wait to come back!

Crabs and Mojitos

Over a weekend ago, I spent Friday night with E. and M. for some Vietnamese heaven at Aquaknox. Think Arzenal with velvet chairs and nuvo lounge music in the background. I was too hungry, I only took a photo of the crab. It was so good, it beats my fond memories of than long crabs from SFO. And yes, it's the best mojitos I've had so far. Aquaknox does not scrimp on ingredients. I'm definitely coming back. And bring more friends.

Taal Heritage Tour

On Labor Day, I joined my mom, together with the Philippine Italian Association, to a day trip to Taal, Batangas. It's not really a municipality by the lake where the volcano is located but somewhere near Calatagan. At least that's what the signs stated. I just road the bus, listened to the guides, visisted churches, old houses, sampled local food and heard mass officiated by Fr. Suarez.

Inside the Villavicencio Residence

Exteriors of Marcella Agoncillo's home, the lady who made the first Philippine flag.

Several versions of our flag

Paradise, At Last

I finally got a taste of summer thanks to a day trip to Sepoc Island through Eaglepoint Resort in Mabini, Batangas. It's a 20-minute boat ride and the slow ride sets the mood for a relaxing stay on a private island.

And this little paradise, awaits...

And this view from the top:

I can't wait to come back! Got to love the Philippines!!!

Happy Easter!

I brought some easter chocolates home from Germany, and here's a photo my dear sister took last Sunday.

The bunny, eggs, empty yellow-dotted pitcher, and an unripe pineapple.

Back Home

It's Easter Sunday and it's only now that I've been able to get my bearings. I was away for a few weeks last month for a short stay in Germany, the Czech Republic and Budapest.

Oh Budapest! I love Budapest and would love to return for a longer stay. And as for the Czech Republic, it will always be my home away from home. But Germany, now I see it in a different way. Almost five years ago, I was in Berlin for the EU accession of the ten new members. Berlin was old, yet modern- very, very cosmopolitan. This time, I stayed in the west, in a small town called Gummersbach and travelled all the way east to Dresden.

There's so many pictures from that trip, it's taking awhile to sort it. For now, I leave you with some photos from a tour in Pampanga I joined in February, thanks to the expert guiding skills of Ivan Dy, Anton Diaz, and Ivan Henares of Ultimate Philippines.

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, which I'm sure have lots of spectacular photos online.

The best breakfast I've ever had, I had at C's Italian restaurant! Steak in the morning, smoked salmon, stewed mushrooms, sausages, ham, omelettes, fresh yogurt, fruits and juices just to name a few!

Just a sample of what I had for lunch at Abe's Farm
To cap the day, birdwatching in Candaba.

Overall, it was an enjoyable yet tiring day. Although breakfast at C's was truly memorable, after breakfasts at the Akademie in Gummersbach and the hotel in Dresden, I've changed my mind.

Old town in the city!

Welcome to San Juan!

I attended the wedding of a dear friend of mine last month, and the marriage rites were held at the Church of the Holy Cross - right next to Angelicum and Dominican College built in the 1600s.

I was just amused that it had the old town charm yet surrounded by contemporary city structures and modern malls, just a few kilometers away.

Such a pity I don't have pictures of the church facade. Either way, it was just such a darling wedding. It made me feel I was in the province for a traditional wedding in the afternoon.

On beer, Dvorak and Mt. Pinatubo

Finally, I found a day off and have the chance to upload. It's been awhile. The past few weeks, I've been craving for pub grub. I've been in the mood for dark beer and sausages. I did get to visit Donau something (haha! I forget, as usual) and got myself some currywurst and kielbasa - still not as tasty as the real thing.

Yesterday, I was also able to watch Ruggero Barbieri conduct the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz as pianist at the CCP. Cruz was just brilliant! I hear he will have another performance sometime in September at Insular in Alabang. The performance, entitled "Glimpses of Europe" was at the occasion of the Czech Republic currently holding the EU Presidency.

Either way, it was soothing to hear Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9. I still feel strangely connected to that country - especially after having been to Dvorak's hometown three years ago. Such a pity. His home was such a shack - regardless of whether it was next to the Nelahozeves Castle or not, it needs major renovation and maintenance. Reception followed. Chit-chat with old and new acquaintances.

Now on to my first adventure of the year: treking to Mt. Pinatubo!

Believe it or not, I saw an advert on Facebook, texted the number, got the details and booked myself and Diane. It was so much fun!

We rode a van with other tour participants and were in Capas, Tarlac in an hour and a half. After breakfast, it was a quick drive to the spa barangay of Sta. Juliana where we boarded the 4x4s. It was another hour and a half on bumpy and dusty road and clear waters before we trekked for over an hour to reach the crater.


The crater is just breathtaking! It felt surreal being inside a volcanic crater, Mt. Pinatubo at that! Its ashes even reached Manila when it erupted in 1991. Anyway, the water was sulfuric blue. As it was windy and nippy, the water was just as cold when we took a dip! Thank God for floaters, I wouldn't have felt secure to try the lake. It was so worth it! Except that it would really dry your hair until you wash it properly.

Crystal Beach and Beads

Hola!

I have been neglecting this blog for awhile. Blame it on barely having free time. Much of that time has been spent well though, including a surfing trip in San Narciso, Zambales and a day trip to Imus, Cavite.

I've got no interesting pictures to post from the surfing trip although I could say it is a very convenient place to go to. We took a Victory Liner bus (choose from their many stations in Manila) headed for Sta. Cruz, Zambales. As soon as we were on board, we told the conductor we were getting off in San Narciso. When we got there, we hired a tricycle, Php 15 per head to take us to Crystal Beach.


Crystal Beach is quite complete. It's got huts (optional with A/C), real meals and snacks, surf boards, instructors, bonfire, and of course the beach. The downside though is that they don't sell alcohol or encourage smoking. Not that I mind at all. But that could be such a bummer for most people on holiday.

I know Cavite is right next to Manila, and lots of people from Cavite work in Manila too. But it still seems like a world away despite all the shopping malls present at every town. I was stuck with E. on the coastal road for what seemed like 2 hours because of traffic. We eventually got to Imus to attend a friend's father's wake and met up with other friends.

We were quite surprised to see that the funeral home was quite grand, decent and classy given that it was along an internal service road in Imus. Each room had chandeliers and they were all made of Czech crystals! If only pictures could be taken during wakes but superstitious beliefs dictate otherwise.

Other than that, Christmas is underway with all the get-togethers with family and friends. With everything settled, it's nice to be finally home.