Be the judge! Boracay after its 6-month long rehabilitation

After 6 months of rehabilitation, the island of Boracay is now open to tourists. With few but strict ordinances from the local government, it is apparent that the place is gearing up to light the fire and bring back its golden days.

Boracay is gaining momentum just as tourists are beginning to return to the place. Truly the place is majestic if only people learn to take care of it.

According to the locals, when the island re opened on October 26, 2018, only 4,000+ from the original 15,000+ rooms were available to tourists. Boracay hotels' compliance with the new environmental rules took a toll on the surge of tourists.

Bamboo Hotel and Restaurant

The Bamboo Beach Resort and Restaurant is a 3-star hotel located at Boracay, Station 3. Currently, the hotel offers a very affordable rate per night ranging from Php 2,000 - Php 3,800.

The Bamboo Beach Resort's massage area

For those who wish to get a massage after a long day at the beach, the hotel also offers different types of massages though they don't come in cheap. The price is a bit steep for my approval; of course, it's up to you to decide. ;)

Boracay partly hid its beauty on our first day. The typhoon that affected the northern part of the Philippines slightly affected the island hence the windy profile and the "not so calm' waters. Despite that, its beauty did not disappoint and the clear water is just as inviting.

The second day promised a beautiful adventure in the island. Because most of the structures and establishments were under construction, we spent most of our time at the beach; every now and then visiting the few stalls and souvenir shops at the D Mall area. 

Sunrise in Boracay

Sunrise in Boracay

Boracay's Station 1: Yes! There's the difference :D

Low tide profiles Boracay with wider, more scenic beach

Boracay's Grotto during low tide

Signing out! 😉

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 3: Conquering the beautiful Bomod-ok Falls

Sagada has three main waterfalls attractions and they consist of the Bomod-Ok Falls, Pongas Falls, and Bokong Falls. Our limited time on the other hand only allowed us to visit Bomod-ok, which is two kilometers away from the primary assembly place.

We were told that going to Bomod-ok Falls is very easy, but this is also accompanied by a fair warning that returning will be quite the challenge. As it turns out, going to Bomod-ok is literally all downhill; of course, expect to take the same route going back, which is all... uphill (you got that right 😀)

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

[BELOW] Our tour guide explained that this rustic bridge is not just there to cross the river. It's actually an access to another small community on the otherside of the mountain. 

Most of the hills and mountains in Sagada are utilized as agricultural land, hence the cultivation of crops in its rice terraces.

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Healthy suggestion:

No matter how hot the temperature is during your hike to Bomod-ok waterfalls, DO NOT immediately soak on the cold, chilly water. Allow yourself to cool down before taking the dip.

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Even at high noon, the water's temperature is ridiculously cold. It's recommended to "test the waters" before indulging. (Don't say we didn't warn you). 

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 2: Kiltepan Peak

God's creation will always awe us humans. 

Appreciating the scenic rupture of sunrise in Sagada. What can I say? I'm speechless.

It wasn't love at first sight, but I fell in love as it starts to slowly impress with its soft, vibrant colors. The morning's relentless cold weather is a challenge we have to overcome in order to experience the sun rising over Sagada's sea of clouds. 

We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender. Each morning, we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world of time; each night, we surrender to the dark to be taken to play in the world of dreams where time is no more. - John O'Donohue

There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them. - Jo Walton

I love nature, I love watching the sun rise. I love my companions and I'm glad I get to share this experience with them.

Experience this majestic view at Sagada's Kiltepan Peak

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 1: Spelunking at Lumiang-Sumaguing Caves

Photos courtesy of Monette Anda, Jesz Dayapera, Owen Doctor

Visit 'The Papier Tole Shop' in Intramuros and see why people keep on coming back

I don't know where my fascination for thrift shops started, but I do know, my youngest sister and I share the same interest. We are bound by our crazy interest on small bookstores like really small ones packed with maybe second hand books ranging from romance to travel and even DIYs. While we can spend hours on bigger bookstores like National and Powerbooks, it's different when we're at "Booksale," say... double the amount of time we spend on it.

Needless to say, we're both enchanted by stores that are more personalized (handcrafted items, old novels that has seen the times, journals etc...). I personally collect organizers and yes! pens! but on this particular day, I was greeted by a thrift shop with an impeccable feature.

The Papier Tole Shop
Address: General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila

Handmade crafts from post-its to small journals, pens, table top notepad, notebooks that can be counted as collectibles and the list could go on. A locally made wrapping paper is also available and hundred more paper products that if you compare it to food, it's gastronomic as it is pleasing to the eyes. WOW the description :D

Inventory? yup! I wonder too... The knickknacks are endless and the variety of items were too many; it actually makes the place very interesting.

The store keeper was kind enough to offer me to take a look at the backyard. This is the path within the store leading to the back where the view is equally enchanting.

The one time I really paid attention to Intramuros

On Sunday, my sister made a rare request of attending mass at the Manila Cathedral. I said ok, despite thinking the amount of gas I have left in my car ☺. It's the second time I attended mass in the church, aside from two prior visits that resulted to watching two weddings ☺. So, yes! visiting the place gave me renewed experience towards the historic stance of Intramuros in the Philippine history books. Good thing I was accompanied by some willing people that eagerly walked the narrow streets of Intramuros, under the scorching sun.
I apologize for the limited photos, but they are just the places we encounter on plain sight. I know, Intramuros has a lot more to offer so, maybe next time? :)

After attending the mass, these are the few places we were able to visit before we head home.

Manila Cathedral
Address: Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Mass Schedule:

• Monday - Friday
• 7:30 am and 12:15 nn
• Saturday
• 7:30 am
• Sunday
• 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 6:00 pm
• BAPTISM
• Monday - Saturday by appointment
• COMMUNAL
• Sunday 9:30 am and 11:00 am
• CONFESSIONS
• Monday to Friday at 7:00 am and 11:30 am
• Saturday 7:00 am
• Sunday 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am and 11:30 am
• WEDDINGS
• By appointment

Palacio Del Gobernador
Address: Gen. Luna St. Cor. Postigo Cor. Soriano St., Intramuros 658 Zone 70, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Bureau of the Treasury
Address: Soriano Ave, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila

Aduana Building
Address: Magallanes Drive Cor. Muralla St. Intramuros, 654 Zone 69, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

I was told, this was a former prison but history says it's the Aduana building also known as the Intendencia; a Spanish Colonial structure that is home to many government offices centuries ago.

Casa Sto. Nino
Address: 400 Solana St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Mercantile Insurance Building
Beaterio St, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila

...and we discover history like we never had before. as chilling as it may sound, it's interesting to discover more about the past. So yes, if you're up to experience some sort of "spiritual" intervention, then you might want to visit the places mentioned. In fact at that time, I was standing on a place where a mass massacre once transpired.

The path going to San Agustin church

St. Augustine Church (Our Lady of Correa)
Address: General Luna St, Manila, Metro Manila

 Mass Schedule:

• Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM 
• Saturday at 5:30 PM 
• Monday to Friday at 6:30 AM and 5:30 AM
• Saturday at 7:30 AM

Intramuros has an eerie past and it's undeniable how often it made us look at Philippine history in a more compelling way.