Lunch Date with our Kids at Lau Chan Shabu Shabu and Fastood in Malate, Manila

It’s Chinese New Year today and since it is a holiday, we will head off to Sta. Mesa, Manila to buy an electric acoustic guitar for our son Paolo. He was so excited to spend the money he received as a Christmas gift from his lola, aunties, uncle, and from us. But before we proceed, we will surprise our kids by having our lunch at Lau Chan Shabu Shabu and Fastfood along Mabini Street in Malate.

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the hot pot with plain and the yummy sate soups

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Davao Series-Day Two: Into the Giant Clam Sanctuary

Our morning walk in Kaputian Beach Resort and swimming in Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn’s clear water were the initial activities done for the day. Fortunately, Barney’s family was so generous for bringing us all to the Giant Clam Sanctuary, a fishing village across Barangay Adecor. We were told that it was one of the exciting spots in the Island Garden City of Samal to explore. Getting aboard in our hired boat hit the adrenalin rush.

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Davao Series-Day Two: Hagimit Falls

Our two-day stay in Captain Hook Red Parrot Inn in Kaputian Beach was indeed one of our best beach getaways ever. My family especially our kids still wanted to stay but we have to move on for another refreshing treat. Yes, another nature tripping to Hagimit Falls which is located in Poblacion Peñaplata, still in the Island Garden City of Samal. We were so thankful to Barney and his family for making our Davao vacation so fulfilling. Continue reading

Davao Series-Day Two: A Morning Walk at Kaputian Beach Resort

My excitement in our snorkeling today in Giant Clam Sanctuary at 9 a.m. woke me up so early.  I rushed into the window and hailed the curtain. Oh my, it was gloomy!  But rain or shine, we got out from Captain Hook’s Red Parrot Inn and started the day taking a morning walk in a nearby Kaputian Beach Resort to see the humble community of Kaputian.

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the wide stretch of Kaputian Beach Resort

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Davao Series-Day Two: Samal Island

Setting foot at Samal Island or the Island Garden City of Samal in the province of Davao del Norte is the most exciting part of our Davao City tour. The island which has been said the largest resort city in the Philippines boasts of the famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, pristine white sand, rich marine life, waterfalls, and other exciting tourist spots that will surely make your stay so memorable.

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the stunning view from the veranda of Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn

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Davao Series-Day One: At Drifters British Pub and Apartelle

After a hearty dinner at Penong’s Seafoods and Grills, we boarded a taxi going to Drifters British Pub and Apartelle located inside Nova Tierra Subdivision in Lanang. The apartelle with its affordable price and cozy ambiance is a nice place to stay for the weekend.

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so inviting to swim

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Camp Tipolo Adventureland, Here We Come!

Once a year, it is a must for employees (like me) to get out of the four-corner room and have fun in outdoor activities. One of the best activities to indulge in is team-building.  This motivates everyone to interact, communicate and give their best in every challenge to be done. I was thankful that the company chose Camp Tipolo Adventureland because it was teeming with exciting outdoor games and is surrounded by verdant landscape and tranquil surroundings.

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going down was quite tiring but the verdant landscape will whisk off everything

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Paguriran Lake: In My Little Conquer

The nestled lagoon in the middle of an island, a natural sanctuary for giant seafaring turtles, fills with saltwater during high tide.

This was the caption of the March to April 2007 page of PNOC’s (Philippine National Oil Company) calendar with their theme, “Our Undiscovered Country” with the stunning picture of Paguriran Lake in Bacon, Sorsogon. Imagine an enclosed lagoon in the middle of an island? I jotted it down in my brown notebook and vowed to visit it in the future. Below the main picture were small pictures of Vera Falls which I visited last year (so thankful) and the other was Naghaso Boiling Lake (next target to explore), both are found in my humble hometown Albay.

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The scenic view atop the jagged rocks

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Agoho Beach in Jonop: What a Nice Discovery

Election day was over. Part of our one-week vacation in our hometown in Albay is the exciting sun and sand getaway. My relatives mentioned a secluded beach in Baryo Jonop in the municipality of Albay. I was puzzled for I knew there’s no beach resort in this town. Out of curiosity, we contacted a van for hire, hastily cooked for our lunch, and off we go for another water adventure.

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the elusive Mayon Volcano

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Cagsawa Ruins: Picture Perfect Moment

Part of our Caramoan tour with my former office mates is to visit Albay’s primary tourist attractions with Cagsawa Ruins topping the list. This sojourn is for Sir Alex and Alma who will capture memories as they will set foot in my beloved hometown for the first time. I was a tour guide on this exciting getaway.

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seize the moment

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