This is Batanes...

Imagine the next time you need to park your..... "airplanes" ☺☺☺

These images were taken in the island of Batanes. The small airplanes travel from mainland to the island of Itbayat. Although you can reach Itbayat by ferry, another option is to ride these parked airplanes. Interesting isn't it?

These airplanes normally cater up to 8 passengers and it takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the island of Itbayat. Airfare cost around 2k per passenger so if you're not up to taking the boat and spend 4 hours in the water, this is your other option.

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.

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