April 2012 Road Trip : First Stop, Mt. Samat

If you have been following my blog, I’m sure you already know that my husband and I love to travel — and that includes traveling and exploring the Philippines

Last April 28 (Saturday), we packed our bags and decided to go on a road trip to Bataan.

First stop, Mt. Samat!

Facts: Mount Samat is found in Pilar, Bataan. At the summit of the mountain, you’ll see Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valour) which was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during the WWII (read more via Wikipedia).

How long did it take us?

The trip from Manila to Mt. Samat took us around 2.5 hours (We left Manila at 6am, had 30 minute breakfast in San Fernando, Pampanga by 730am. Got to Mt. Samat main entrance by 9am). The roads were well maintained which made the trip really relaxing and hassle-free.

What to see?

When we got to the entrance of Mt. Samat, we paid a total of P60 (P20/pax for locals for museum entrance and P20 for parking — make sure you don’t lose the tickets for the museum!) to get in. We took our car straight to the foot of the cross (you can also choose to walk up via the museum) as it was scorching hot (temperature was at 36 degrees, if I’m not mistaken) last Saturday.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was in A-W-E at the sight of the cross. It was huuuuuge (insert duh-ness here!) According to the security guard we talked to, it has 36 floors and around 460+ steps to get up to the wing of the cross. You need not worry as you can take a smooth ride up using the elevator

Warning tho on the trip up… the elevator is kinda small (it can only carry around 6pax at a time). So it may not be for someone who’s claustrophobic (I have minor claustrophobia but I surprisingly survived) or someone who’s afraid of heights.

We paid another P20 (P10/pax) for us to go up to the cross. Once you’re up on the wing of the cross, you’ll see a good view of nearby provinces (and they say, you can also see Metro Manila on a clear day). I definitely enjoyed the view and the cool breeze on top! Breathtaking and ahhhh-mazing! I couldn’t stop myself from taking lots and lots of photos (include day-off shots here, haha!)

After spending some time on top, we decided that it was time for us to visit the altar hall and the museum. You can either walk down from the foot of the cross or just take your car back down. For us, it was the latter

Once you get down, you’ll see the altar hall with huuuuge granite walls and pillars which speaks of the Battle of Bataan. Everything looked so grand! I love the artwork on the ground and how well maintained the whole area was! Impressive!

Look how tiny I looked beside the giant pillars. Again, ahhhh-mazing!

Then don’t forget to visit the museum. The entrance is by a small door to your left when you’re facing the cross. No photos are allowed in there so take time to look at the photos and appreciate the war artifacts found inside. Once more, it’s ahhhh-mazing!

It’s always nice to learn and be reminded about your own country’s rich history. <3 <3 <3

We ended our visit to Mt. Samat at around 11:30am. Next stop, Pawikan Conservation Center

To read more about Mt. Samat and other details, you can visit VisitPinas.com

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unfocused

Unfocused.  I love taking photos of my little one, Lexi.  Each time I do, I try my best not to use my camera flash as I don’t want to startle her with the bright light.  So here’s an unfocused shot of her when she celebrated her 3rd birthday last April 27 (read post here).

She is definitely keeping an eye on the pupcake which I have baked for her

Unfocused photo of a Yorkie who is fully focused on her birthday treat ;)

See my past Weekly Photo Challenge entries

Weekly Photo Challenge : Together

Weekly Photo Challenge : Sun

Weekly Photo Challenge : Two Subjects

Weekly Photo Challenge : Journey

To join in on the fun, visit WordPress Daily Post!

 

Lexi Just Turned 3 :D

Last April 27, 2012 — Our Little One turned 3. *Happiness*

Same as last year, I baked some pupcakes for her (and her sister, Chicklet). If last year’s pupcakes were made of peanut butter, this year, it was made of apples! Yummmmm (Yes, I tasted them as all of the ingredients I used were edible for humans and safe for dogs, hihi…).

I was a little worried that the birthday girl wouldn’t like the apple pupcakes as much as she enjoyed her peanut butter (dogs looooove peanut butter) pupcakes last year. To my surprise, both of them gulped down their share of pupcakes in a matter of seconds! Whoa! I had to ask them to slow down! Maybe the cottage cheese (which I used as ‘frosting’) and carrots made it yummier!

Of course, birthdays wouldn’t be complete without gifts — her favorite squeaky toys and healthy treats! She’s so spoiled, I know! :*)

Happy Happy Birthday, Our Little One! Here’s to more years of bringing joy into our lives

PSss:

1. I love the silicone cupcake trays I got from Gourdo’s last year. They’re sooo easy and convenient to use!

2. For healthy treats like Natural Balance, you can get them from Bow and Wow.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Together

Together. This week’s challenge was quite easy for me and I think the timing is just perfect

I always say this and I’ll say it again… time goes by really fast when you’re having fun   And that’s just how my life feels right now.  In a few weeks, my husband and I will be celebrating our 6th year together as husband and wife — and honestly speaking, it doesn’t feel like it has been 6 years.

I can still clearly remember the day we first met, the day we became the best of friends, the day we became a couple, the day we decided to say our I DOs, the days when we’d laugh together, cry together, become silly and crazy together…  Cheesy as it may sound, it really does feel like everything just happened yesterday.

I really think I must have done something really really good for God to give me the best of what life has to offer…  my husband and best friend… this life… our life together.

Thanks Hon, for everything!  Life has been so great ever since you came into my life.

Happy 6th year anniversary!  Here’s looking into eternity with you  

* This photo was taken in Sisiman Bay, Mariveles, Bataan last Saturday, April 28, 2012, when my husband and I decided to go on a road trip and further explore the Philippines.  Read more about it on my blog entry in the next few days

See my past Weekly Photo Challenge entries

Weekly Photo Challenge : Sun

Weekly Photo Challenge : Two Subjects

Weekly Photo Challenge Journey

To join in on the fun, visit WordPress Daily Post!

 

And The Princess Got Her Crown

Some of my close officemates fondly call me PRINSESA (tagalog for Princess) in the office.  So when I saw this on my office desk when I got back from my long Holy Week holiday, I was sooo happy! 

My dear friend, Agnes (from the Happy Gang), got it for me when she went to Korea a couple of weeks back. She said it reminded her of me when she saw it… Totally sweet <3

It is soooo cute!  Love you Agy!

Now, the Princess (That’s me!) has her crown

Ps.  For people wondering what it is or what it is for, it’s just a cellphone accessory which you plug in to your earphone jack.   That’s it.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sun

Sun. How often do we ignore how beautiful the sun is? Living in a tropical country like the Philippines, people usually end up complaining about how hot it is and how one would rather stay indoors in the comfort of an airconditioned room.

I’m sometimes guilty of that — not unless I’m in the beach, worshiping the sun while getting a good tan

This is one thing which we usually take for granted and when it’s gone, we look for it and wish that it had stayed longer…

* Photo taken when we climbed/hiked Mt. Pulag. Mt. Pulag is the second highest mountain (some say third) in the Philippines and Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level (you can find more information via Wikipedia) If you’re up for an adventure, you defiinitely have to include this in your bucket list Reaching the top and being above clouds is so worth it! See another photo which I took here.

See my past Weekly Photo Challenge entries

Weekly Photo Challenge : Two Subjects

Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey

To join in on the fun, visit WordPress Daily Post!

 

Let’s Accessorize!

I love accessories! My husband would always tell me that if I get to sell back all the accessories I have, I would have enough money to buy myself a good carat diamond jewelry — yes, I think I have that much Eeeps!

Nonetheless, I’m happy with them. I just want to make sure I have the right accessory whenever I need it. As they all say, girls can’t have enough shoes or clothes… same thing goes with accessories! Agree? AGREE!

And whenever I travel, I plan out my clothes, shoes and yes, even my accessories. I make sure I bring all of them with me and I match it based on what I plan to wear for the day

So during the last Holy Week long weekend, here were the accessories I brought with me and ended up wearing… I’m sure you have noticed that these are my favorite pieces right now

Top (L-R) Cotton On Beaded bracelets with charms (charms not seen on the photo, ooops!), My favorite reminder bracelets.

Bottom (L-R) ASOS Brown Satchel, mix and match reminder bracelets, Promod brown fedora hat, my favorite neon orange/zebra Swatch.

I really have to stop buying accessories… Good luck to me!  Eeeps!

 

What I Wore : Biking in Subic

People Are People green chiffon top, H&M black bodysuit (inner), Levi’s denim shorts, Silver Glitter TOMS, Swatch Zebra watch and my reminder bracelets <3

Okay. This is not what I normally wear when I go biking with my husband but this is my preferred ‘look’ I like it better than my usual biking attire made up of a dry fit shirt, a pair of bootleg yoga pants and rubber shoes (I’m not really a ‘rubber shoes’ type of person, but I want to be one)!

Biking is more fun if you’re “dressed” up for it

Ps. If only I could exchange my helmet for a fedora hat… :p

 

Let’s All Wiggle Our Toes!

This was my ‘happy purchase’ during our last visit to Subic. Get ready to be surprised!!!

FILA Skele-toes (Model : Bay Runner)! Yes, they’re quite similar with Vibram FiveFingers but the Skele-toes only has 4 toes (and they still fit and feel right for my tiny toes) and they’re a bit cheaper (Yey for cheaper alternatives!)

Okay. Honestly, they’re not my type of shoes and I don’t think they’ll ever be my type… but for the love of my husband, I gave in and agreed to get a pair for myself. My husband, being the adventurous person that he is (I tag along as long as I love what I’m wearing, HAHA), said that this pair would be the perfect shoes for me to wear when we finally go sailing (which I’m honestly really excited for).

They really look funny BUT THEY ARE SOOOO COMFORTABLE! Soft, light and comfy! Perfect for long walks — but when it comes to the fashion department, it’s a big, big FAIL for me. Teehee!

I won’t be wearing them with my normal clothes anyway, so it’s all good. It’s also a good thing that it came in a nice grey and bright pink color So I think I can live with it

If you’re the sporty type, don’t ditch it until you’ve tried it What do you think of it?

 

040712 Fun-filled Long Weekend (Day 3)

Okay. Okay. Day 3. What to do… What to do… What to do…??? (Read Day 1 and Day 2 posts)

Of course, we still had an activity packed day We visited the Logos Hope (The Floating Library/Book Fair) which was docked in Subic at that time As you may already know, I love reading books, visiting libraries and bookstores (geek talking here…). So when I learned that Logos Hope was in Subic, I was eggzited!

I was expecting it to be bigger and would come in multiple levels (as ships are big, right?!?) but the library itself only filled up one level of the ship. Nonetheless, it was still a fun experience. They carried more books for kids so it was definitely a place where you would want to bring your kids to. Did I mention that the books they sell are super cheap?!? Definitely worth checking out

After going thru the library/bookstore part, you’ll end up in the ship’s cafe/ snack bar where you can just lounge around. I totally love their vanilla/chocolate soft serve ice cream Yummmm!

So what’s next after visiting Logos Hope? It was going thru the different outlet shops found in Subic! Yehey! How can I say no to shopping???

Shopping wouldn’t be complete without actually buying something, right? So can you guess what my happy (for the love of my husband) purchase was for this trip? Find out in my next post

Random Thoughts:

1. Want to catch/visit Logos Hope? Here’s their schedule.

2. New discovery — Gourmet Garage. We’ll definitely try this restaurant out on our next visit I’m not sure if this is the same Gourmet Garage found in NYC tho…

3. Been wanting to try — Rama Mahal. I heard it’s good. Hopefully we’ll get to try it out in our next visit as well