Travel: Costa Rica - August 2008

First of all, before I start, this is not a trip on my expense. This is actually a biz trip to train a colleague for TWO whole weeks! And so with that, let's get it on with the stories =) !


Of course, as with any other travel stories, not everything went right! From the very first time I booked my plane tickets, I knew instantly it's not gonna be easy. Imagine my shock when I saw how many stopovers I will have to go through =(. It's like this, Manila-->Hongkong-->Los Angeles-->Texas-->Costa Rica. It was a loooooooong way to go before I set my foot for the first time in Central America. That is, not including the delays I encountered all through out the trip. My body was actually giving up with all the exhaustion coz I'm your traveller who doesn't sleep much on airplane rides.


Ok, so after forever in the airport, in the planes and after a LOOONGG line in Costa Rica's immigration desks, I finally went out of Costa Rica's airport. There, my colleague and a good friend, Mauro, was already waiting for me. It was really very refreshing seeing a familiar face amidst the crowd of vacationers around me. It was actually very kind of him to welcome me instead of letting me get a cab to bring me to the hotel. Hahaha! Well, he insisted on fetching me telling me that cab drivers tend to take advantage of tourists and considering it's my first time so.... :P I'm just trying to say that I AM NOT a spoiled brat! =) Anyway,the first words I uttered him were "Next time you want training, please, let's do it in the Phils!". Hahaha!


So, after loading my luggage in his 4x4, we went to McDo's drive thru for food and then proceeded to drop me to the hotel and later on, said our goodbyes. After checking in, I immediately took a shower and slept fitfully for hours.


The following day, a Saturday, he fetched me again and together with his family, we went to visit Volcan Poas National Park. It was really an experience to remember! 'Twas my first time to see an actual crater of a volcano and with smoke coming out of it to boot! We did a little hiking and then afterwards, went to their family-owned restaurant, the ever-famous Chicharronera Cacique Acseri which until now makes my mouth water. I was actually kidding him the other day to send me some over here coz I'm craving for it =).


On a Sunday, we were supposed to go to the beach which is ~3 hours away. I actually begged off considering how long the drive is plus the weather is uncooperative. So, I just spent the rest of the day.. well.. resting inside the hotel room. I didn't feel like going out since not all Ticas and Ticos can speak English so conversation will be really hard. Although admittedly, I can understand some of their language coz it's Spanish =). I have this thing in me that always makes me afraid of places where language is a barrier........................ I know, what a stupid excuse! Hahaha! The real reason is that I am just lazy and besides, my bed is inviting me to sleep! =D


We spent the two weeks there, training, mostly at their house where I am met with open arms by the whole family and at the restaurant (think WI-FI=) ) where I get a free refill of Chicharones!!! =) We did have some time spent souvenir shopping and having dinner with other colleagues. Speaking of souvenirs, I can't get enough of their products. It's mostly wood and to all those who know me, i really LOVE wood products =).

After two weeks were up, it was time for me to go. The following week will now be spent over at my Aunt's place in Fresno. I was SAD considering that it maybe the last time I will be meeting friends from Costa Rica personally due to the pending factory shutdown of the Big Blue here in the Phils, hence, no more biz travels. And most likely, I will not be able to go there on my account since it is really expensive =(. But I did have a very WONDERFUL experience over there, oh ok, enough to compensate the travel nightmares I encountered =P. I guess, it was part of my highlights at my career in the Big Blue. An experience I will never forget =).

Oh btw! I did expect Costa Rica to be a tropical hot country but it did have a Baguio-like weather when I was there. It was actually pretty cold and I was not expecting that. As for the food, except for the Chicharronera Cacique Acseri , which was A-W-E-S-O-M-E, the rest are actually pretty ok. They are fond of using wansuy (cilantro) in many of their dishes which a herb I dislike coz of the after taste. I usually request my food to be wansuy-free =).

Anyway, enough with this novel, let my pictures do the talking =).

Travel: Coron, Palawan - Nov 2008

I KNOW this almost a year overdue!!!!!! But better late than never! =)

We had a fun-filled vacation at Coron, Palawan Nov 23-27!! :) Here’s some sharing for those planning to visit Coron (Northern Palawan).

DAY 1:
- Flew over to Busuanga Island via PAL express. Total flight time is ~30-45 mins and had another ~60mins to get to Darayonan Lodge in Coron town proper.
- Didn’t do much except rest and loiter around Coron town =)
- Climbed Mt Tapyas (700-720 steps) to see this:

- Definitely worth the sore leg muscles after. =)

DAY 2:
- Day 1 of Coron Island Hopping
- Started the day off by climbing this:

to get to see this:

Probably, one of the most photographed spot in Coron

And this:

Photos of Kayangan Lake – one of the world’s cleanest lake; I just noticed the lake has an eerie glow in pictures.

- Afterwards, we visited Twin Lagoon where cold and warm water mixes.

- Only picture we got since we don’t have any waterproof camera. You have to swim under a tunnel/cave-like passage to get to the 2nd lagoon. Good thing it was low-tide when we got there so you don’t have to swim under water. All you have to do is float and try to be careful so as not to bump your head on the cave ceiling.

- Then, had lunch at Sunset Beach

.

- The sand was SOOOO powdery white. I think can be compared to Boracay’s athough, I haven’t been to Boracay so I’m not too sure.

- And then, ended the day of by dipping in Maquinit Hot Springs (40 deg Celcius). The 2 pools above are even hotter.

DAY 3:
- Day 2 of Coron Island Hopping
- Again, another climb to get to the Barracuda Lake:

- This lake is a diving site too. I haven’t seen any barracudas though.

- We spent around 3 hrs in the lake. We had the lake for ourselves only. =)

- After snorkeling in the lake, off we went to have lunch at Banol Beach.

Banol Beach – another place where you can laze around

- After resting at Banol Beach, off we went to do some snorkeling at one of the Japanese WWII shipwrecks, the Skeleton Wreck.

- And snorkeling again at Siete Pecados, Marine Sanctuary Park and Kalachuchi Coral Garden.

DAY 4:

- We had Calumbayan Island all to ourselves again. =)

This island is full of marble stones. We had a fun time collecting some of them.

- Another round of snorkeling at the Gunboat Wreck.

- We were able to get to Coral Garden and Lusong Wreck also but forgot to take pictures =(. However, we weren’t able to do snorkeling coz of the strong underwater current.

DAY 5:
- Went home via PAL express again tanned, relaxed and happy. =)

HOW TO GET THERE:
- VIA AIR: PAL express, SEAIR, ZEST AIR (previously known as Asian Spirit), CEBU pacific
o Travel Time: 30-45 mins
- VIA SEA: Negros Navigation, Super Ferry
o Travel Time: 12 hours

THINGS TO DO:
- Major activities are snorkeling and diving. Coron is famous for its WWII Japanese shipwrecks and coral gardens.
- You can also bum and laze around in their beaches (Banol Beach, Sunset Beach and Banana Island).
- Climb Mt Tapyas
- Rent a motorcycle and explore Coron town and nearby Busuanga Island.
- Go visit Calauit island for an African adventure.

PLACES TO STAY:
- from Class A resorts (in a secluded island) to tourists’ inns and lodges in Coron town. Search the internet for details.

What happened last May?

Ok, I know this is an overdue post, however, as the saying goes, it's better late than never! =)

Again, as mentioned in my previous posts, hubby went on a 3-week vacation here last month. This is his 2nd time to go on a vacation and as per our new custom =), we need to go somewhere to spend quality time together. So, for this round, hubby wanted to go to the famous beach of Boracay. Yes, I know what's on your mind, we haven't been there. It was actually our first time last May =). As part of our side trip, we also included Cebu mainly to try the Sky Walk Adventure at the Crown Regency Plaza. And now! the best part, FOOD TRIP!!!! =) Oh! And I have to go on a 3-week hiatus from the gym. =P

Pictures below are all food trip photos.. =) O di ba takaw ko? Nyahahahaha! =)

Pink Pepper, Mother's Day, MOA - May 2009

Thai Resto at MOA, Pasay - May 2009

Boracay Regency, Aklan - May 2009

Tony Romas, ATC, Alabang - May 2009

Boracay Food Stalls, Aklan - May 2009

Marriot Cebu - May 2009

Halo-Halo, SM City Cebu - May 2009

Fish & Co, ATC, Alabang - May 2009

Outback Steakhouse, ATC, Alabang - May 2009