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.

Manila is more than just a city

Are you looking for a place within the city where you can still enjoy the true blessing of nature?
Unless you count Baywalk at the back of Mall of Asia (MOA), yes I've seen the captivating view of the less than clean waters of Manila Bay. But on Sunday, I was able to capture a different Baywalk when I purposely went there for these pictures. My apologies for the poor images, but it's the best my smartphone can do :D.

Except for the taint smell of the water, which I consider a big plus if it smelled tangy with "fresh" salt water; the place pretty much hosts early birds and those who wish to savor some moment of peace, stillness and being close to nature in the middle of the city.

Thanks to a chance encounter with the place while I was on my way to the Deaprtment of Foreign Affairs (DFA), I promised myself that I'll be back to take a closer look.

I wonder if she had breakfast already :) It would have been nice if we came there equipped with food enough for the rest of the wandering children.

Like any other place that takes pride on its bay side views, Manila's Baywalk is definitely NOT a let down. 

From a self confessed pluviophile here are 5 signs I think you could be one too

pluviophile  

(n) a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days

Even before I knew the meaning of pluviophile, I have always loved the rain. I don't know, but something tells me it's ok to love the rain. I delight on a rainy day and I love the sound of the windshield wiper during short travels. But what's most amazing about it is that I totally see myself as a different person when it rains (alright that's a bit creepy, but it's the truth). There are stages of being a pluviophile, but mine goes straight to the "person who can accomplish anything" when it's raining.

But I don't wish for it to rain every day because it defies its essence. Truly, the subtle feeling of being close to anything you want is just on the other side of your rain drenched window.
Emotions are high during the rainy season. But it's nothing near anger, hatred or violence. Rather, rain serves as a medium to draw me near my passion and understand and devote my time to something that means so much to me. It's weird, but I'm not scared of it. I embrace it like it's the only good thing left in this world.
That being said, here are the 10 things I think you're also a pluviophile.

1. You realize, you can be comforted by the rain. Regardless of how much you think the problem is, your inner self has a totally different approach to it on rainy days. And suddenly you realize, it isn't as much a burden as you think it is (was).
2. You love the smell of the rain. Maybe not the soaking asphalt, but have you ever smelled the minty, tangy smell of grass after the rain? It's heaven as well as refreshing.
3. You choose to be outside when it rains. Ever noticed how rain draws you near to a window? It's a subtle effect that is not known to us.
4. The sound of the rain calms you. I remember staring through the window of a taxi. From inside, I can hear the sound of the rain accompanied by the soft thudding of the wiper sends distinct calmness.
   
5. You don't mind getting soaked. Ever felt the cold rain water on your skin? or that time you ran through the rain and the nagging cold wind is also after you and when it finally catches up, you can't seem to control your chattering teeth? ahhh!

The many times I laid on the seat of my car and this the view

So this year and if I can help it, I will try to travel and reach farther destinations during the rainy season. Not that I'm inviting a perilous journey, but it will be a milestone (on the life of a pluviophile). 

Plan your trip this year and ditch your procrastinating issues!

Plan your trip this year and check these cool destinations this 2017.
I'm a cheapskate traveler and as much as I want to travel, I am also grounded by the fact that, funds are meager and I have to choose between traveling and paying bills. Once in while, great offers come and I have to close my eyes and just make that deposit, that way I'll have something to look forward to in a week or two.

I'm fortunate, I have friends who love to travel. That being said, I'm more of the "saling pusa" member. The one that is included after all slots are taken. When things are tight and there's really no more slot, then I can be very persuasive, "just give me a slot para wala nang gulo" type of person :D (kidding!)

If you haven't finalized any plans yet, these schedules may help you get going... :D

• January 14 - 15   
•  Fortune Island (Batangas)
• January 28 - 29  
•   Mt. Ulap (Benguet)
• February 17 - 19 
•  Sagada (Mountain Province)
• February 25 - 26  
• Mt. Kupapey / Banaue
• March 2 - 3          
• Mt. Pulag (Benguet)
• March 11 - 12     
•  Calaguas Island (Camarines Norte)
• March 18 OR 19  
• Pinatubo Adventure 
• March 25 - 26      
• Crystal Beach
• March 30 - 31     
•  Mt. Pulag
• April 7-9            
•  Jomalig Island (Quezon)
• April 14-16         
• Apo Reef Island
• May 10-15         
•  BATANES ISLAND

Not your chosen destination? Make sure to check us back for more summer trips this 2017. Ciao!

Sometimes, My Comfort Zone is McDonalds :D

If you can guess this McDonald's place, I'll be happy to treat you there on a weekend. (Or any McDonald's) you wish to enjoy your price :D

Calaguas Escapade: Dream of it and You Will Be There!

Writing online is a demanding job... that's if you tend to procrastinate big time. Like this entry, when it should have been posted nine months ago. A spur of the moment offer led me and my friend to pack our bags and just hop in to the van.

Calaguas for the First Time

What you need when travelling to Calaguas? It's my first time so I'm going to share the things I learned from the trip, but feel free to comment and add more for the sake of whoever comes across this blog :D

• Make sure that your things (the whole backpack is inside a large plastic bag). While the locals at the port have available plastic bags (for sale), it's best to bring your own for less expenses.
• Boat ride from the port is approximately 2 hours to your destination, depending on the weather.

• There is no electricity in the island; it's best to bring your fully charged power banks. If I'm not mistaken, a generator is used for the first few hours of the night. Some of the small stores used it, but is eventually switched off during the night.
• Shower and comfort rooms are available, but no running water. Locals will fetch the water from a deep well and you pay P5 to P10 depending on the size of the pail.

• There's a local "restaurant" but I'm not sure about the rates. Our budget for Calaguas include the food already.
• Cottages are available, but the real adventure begins with pitching your own tent, which of course I didn't do mind because I didn't have the slightest idea how to pitch one.

• During the day, if you visit during summer time; it's impossible to stay inside your tents. But who stays in when you have the rest of the Calaguas place to explore?
• Small stores are limited and they only sell the basics. But most importantly, they offer hot water for your morning coffee.

This is Kalila, my little helper.. So i asked her to help me with my things, and while she obliged; I still heard her say "ah man!" 

It's a magical place, where you can commune with nature, where your creative self is nurtured and where all your worries are instantly forgotten.

It's the team work that made the experience memorable. 

Photo courtesy of my brother..

Yeah bah!

360?

The "sandy beach"

Rocks contradict the serene sandy beaches of Calaguas

Who wouldn't?

Tita Bang and Kalila :D

The Other Island (Part of the Tour)

It's a beautiful morning. Don't waste it with a bad coffee.

For more information about our host/tour organizer, contact this blog. Ciao!

Why Baguio Remains To Be One of The Most Sought Local Destinations

I first went to Baguio when I was 16 years old. Back then, I didn't know where I want to go or what I want to do in the place. Nevertheless, the experience was delightful. But recently, in a spur of the moment invitation, my friend and I found ourselves taking the night trip to Baguio with no concrete plans on what to do next. Once we stepped out of the bus at 4 am, we realized there's really no need for some planning, everything else just fell into place.

Going back to the place, I felt like I was a first timer. Technically that was the case. That being said, I pretty much wanted to experience everything and that includes walking from point to point whenever possible. It was exhausting but the breezy and fairly cold weather make it tolerable. 

The basin structure of Baguio makes walking around town basically challenging, but if you're resourceful enough to ask for alternative routes, people are more than willing to help you.

You can opt to take the public transportation or have your own rented car when going around Baguio city. An offer to visit all the tourist spots within the day including private transportation will probably cost around Php 3,000 give or take.

Regardless of the season you choose to visit Baguio, there will always be tourists visiting the place and you won't have to be the only one amazed with the scenery.

Food is incredible! small restaurants up the  Mine's View Park is the only one I tried while I was there and the veggies couldn't get 'fresher!' Cool climate, hot food, wide selection on the menu and what I think is a reasonable price? LET'S CHOW DOWN!

Probably the nearest I can get to the San Francisco bridge :D

Nature Stroll..

Some parts of the Botanical Garden. If you visit the place on a regular day, you may find it very peaceful and subtly endearing. 

Another "nearest that I can get to" thing. I don't think I'll ever step to a mansion house of any kind.