Sta. Maria’s Hidden Paradise: Little Boracay

After of long and hearty pitstop lunch in Digos City proper, we headed our way to our resort destination in Brgy. Sto Nino in Sta. Maria where a wonderful stretch of white sand beach awaited us. To be honest, as we are en route to Little Boracay, I was a little curious whether or not I misheard people saying that is a white sand beach—the seashore we pass by are all black sands! And to my analysis, Davao del Sur is very near Mt. Apo which only means that seashore should be indeed covered in dark-colored sands.

A few minutes after, we saw this haven of calm beachline of white sands!  According to Ms. Joyce Mariscal, our most wonderful host, Little Boracay has been like this ever since and not an inch of its sands were artificial as if a hidden paradise was made at the end of the coastal area. So they developed a resort that tourists can enjoy both for day tours or overnight stay.

Of course, we get to try the seafood that are freshly cooked in their specialty—sinugba (grilled), kinilaw (ceviche) and sinabawan (soup). Thanks, Glen Santillan of EscapeManila for the food photos!

A Relaxing Stay at the Hotel Centro Palawan

Right in the heart of Puerto Princesa, Palawan is a place where you can stay and enjoy a very convenient location for all your business or leisurely trip. As its name would suggest, Hotel Centro is only a few minutes away from the airport, restaurants, malls and some attraction within the town-proper.

My sisters and I arrived at the airport and were welcomed by the warm smiles of the many drivers from different travel agency lining up outside the arrival area to offer tours or transportation to arriving tourists. Light rain was pouring from the skies that time although it was far from the rough plane ride that we experience due to some heavy clouds within the perimeter of Palawan (a tropical storm just passed by a couple of days then). Hotel Centro’s airport representative welcomed us and gave a brief overview about Palawan and how to go around the city (talk about being tourist-ready). You can easily feel that the locals are prepared to welcome guests and help them during their stay even though it may not directly benefit them.

Panda meets Elephant: Thailand 2012

I know! Its a few months delayed. Please excuse my almost-dying laptop and its been a long agony to simple-edit photos but nevertheless, here it is!

It's the annual travelogy with my sisters again. I'll fill you in with the details in the other post coz it was way back B.B. (Before Blogging). This year, my shopping list was so full and I went home with zero bank account and bags full of clothes (we almost had excess baggage!) for this trip. Guess where?

I was running like crazy to catch the shutter in 10-sec timer. Had to go around the pool and boy, that was insane!

Traveling to our first destination took a long way--four international airports, too many scanners and x-rays, two-hour search for wifi connection, two bowls of pad thai, and finally, touchdown, Phuket! We arrived in Phuket around 10 in the morning but we traveled to Khao Lak for another 45 minutes. My sister booked us (thank you, again) in one of Phuket's exclusive resort which is located in front of Pakarang Cape (in Andaman Sea). Phuket is a place to fall in love and Takolaburi has probably witnessed a lot of love already.

Spell paradise! (or perhaps picture it?)

Takolaburi is a 'cultural and spa resort' and the entire location was surrounded with beautiful gardens and villas (more like a huge stilt houses). I felt like I was in the set of the movie 'Anna and the King' that day--think royal treatment, ancient pillars and yummy-licious food. The pool is just right in your doorstep! And at the heart of the resort is the spa where I personally experienced probably one of the best Thai Massage I could ever have. The place was almost exclusive to us as it was a lean season for the resort. (There were honeymooners but you really wouldn't expect we'd see them around.)

I was complaining half the time because it was raining when we get there (my Boracay trip was also "blessed" with a typhoon..huhuhu) as if the monsoon was after me. And like Boracay in 2011, the sun shone when we were about to leave. You would probably complain like I did as you would take a look at the photos in the later part of this post.

The usual pristine beach line...but monsoon!

  

No fancy gates. This is what welcomed us in that rainy morning.

That is one super comfy bed. I can sleep the entire day with the bed weather that time.

 

 

Good morning dew. It was nice waking up to the glory of nature peeking right into your window.

We went on an elephant riding (thanks again to my Ate :p). Five minutes away from Takolaburi is a place that accommodates elephant riding, whitewater rafting and some zoo-activities. It was wonderful knowing that the entire village not only takes care of the elephants but actually lives with them as if it was part of their household. More appropriately, it was not the elephants living with them, its them living with the elephants. 

We went on a long trek with two elephants who loved eating! We also passed by a small river where they dipped and cooled down for a minute (and took photos with them for souvenirs, too). They were such gentle giants, so wonderful!

Half of the trek was spent on eating! So adorable!

Feeling princess Sarah (lol)

Good thing it was Ate who was with me..otherwise, I would have left Ayah in the other elephant (she kept on screaming the entire tour)

 

 

I had only two clear photos showing my face that day (the downside of being a photographer)

Eat all day! There were a few more elephants in that village whose past time is, yes, eating!

We have to leave Phuket and off to our next destination: shopping! We left the airport around 1 in the afternoon and arrived in Bangkok around 3. In case you are unaware, Thailand is a country that seemed not to ran out of flowers supply. Even the Suvarnabhumi International Ariport in Bangkok is packed with flowers and plants everywhere. On top of that, in the entire city--clothes and endless supply of super affordable things to buy. I consumed the entire morning in just a floor of mall! By the end of the day, my legs were swelling and the airport is so cold (*tagam*).

Thanks again to my sister (hahaha...yes, you should envy me!) we stayed in Holiday Inn Express (Siam) which is also just across MTB mall, overlooking the stadium at the other side and a walking distance to the night market and the fashion district. We didn't get to tour around Bangkok because it was raining and it became more possible to go shopping instead. After an overnight stay, we board our trip back to Manila and then home sweet home in Davao.

Here is the lame excuse: I got too busy shopping, I forgot that I needed to take photos! Seriously, being a lady took over being ms.photographer (LOL) but I intend to go back to Bangkok to get a city tour and less shopping which will leave me, I guess, with no more excuse for no-photos. Till the next Thailand trip! :) 

Room at the Holiday Inn

Of course, wouldn't miss the Tuk-Tuk experience.

By the way...you may check the website of our accommodations here:
Takolaburi Cultural and Spa Resort link
Holiday Inn Express Siam link

End of Mourning in Ilocos

There is a dramatic story behind this trip but let us leave that behind together with the past months of my life. I was in my solo travel again making sure of several things to accomplish: take photos, meet people and eat!!!

This adventure brought me to Ilocos Norte, the northern part of Philippines. It is known for several tourist destinations including the Malacanang of the North, Balwarte, Vigan and the Heritage Village aside from being the hometown of the President Dictator Ferdinand Marcos who ruled over Philippines for over 23 years.

The touchdown from Manila was really beautiful. Ilocos probably has the most beautiful sunset I have seen and the airport provided a wonderful place to appreciate the glory of the sun setting down. Luckily, there is a free bus service from the airport going downtown.I was able to reach Balay da Blas, settled to my room,  got some dinner, worked for a few hours in my laptop and prepared for the next day.

The heights. I was on top of the Kapurpurawan Rocks. My legs were shaking.

My initial plan was to go Vigan at the evening then head to Pagudpud. The plan did not exactly work so I was able to visit Cape Bojeador in Burgos, the sedimentary rock formation Kapurpurawan Rocks and my favorite, Bangui Windmills.

Overall, traveling in Ilocos was really fun considering I was there for a short two-day vacation only. The people are very friendly and accommodating especially the staff of Balay da Blas. The food is very affordable although I wasn't able to eat some of their specialties.Pasalubong can be bought in every tourist spot. I left Ilocos with a warm heart and a happy soul which marked the end of my mourning. I'd like to visit it again to get to some of the tourist destination that I failed to visit. 

For now, I'll check off traveling to Ilocos in my bucket list!

Photos. Enjoy!

Cape Bojeador (in film)

The lighthouse. And it was closed for public viewing due to some repairs needed to be done. Taken in film camera.

From above. Overlooking a film set made in Kapurpurawan Rocks. Also taken with a film camera.

All White and Gorgeous. The view of the Kapurpurawan Rocks formed by nature.

From the deck, my driver laughed at me when i jumped like a little kid at the sight of the Bangui Windmills.

 

The future of renewable energy and a landscape of pride.

Bangui in film. Shooting with Nikon FE, 35mm and ASA 200 film.

Native ride. Ilocos particularly in Laoag City still allows Kalesa around the city. Kalesa is the mode or transport in the Spanish era which uses cart with big wheels being pulled by a horse.

It's More Fun in the Philippines AVP

I couldn't agree more..

Watch and enjoy.

the queen

My friend Usagi and I demanded for a vacation so we booked a flight to the Queen City of the South for our 22-hour Cebu shopping trip.

In the airport, we were greeted with this little warning from our Airport Security. You judge if I laughed of not.

Then our shopping adventure slopped into a food trip. Well, you shouldn't be surprised. :) Started with Don Henrico's in Ayala Cebu.

Then dinner follow in a Japanese supposedly traditional store in midmetro Cebu. :) Choosing from a range of menu that we have no idea what is it really was the cherry on top of the cake.

And a few hours later, we were in the airport enjoying Bo's Coffee and Tea then back to motherland Davao City.

So here's to my good company and enjoying Cebu for less than a day--Usagi and Ami. Thank you for the little adventure!