Batangas Escapade

Last 26th of march 2011, Saturday, at around 11 in the morning, we decided to visit Batangas, right after our work. 

On our way to Batangas, I surprised my friends for a quick stop over at Bag of Beans in Tagaytay. being here the 2nd time around gave me a privilege to introduce to them this famous coffee shop.

  It’s a coffee shop and restaurant that also sells ground coffee and coffee beans, pies and bread to take home with you. Bag of Beans is the best alternative of changing your coffee-craving pallets instead of the usual Starbucks.

This place is known for its coffee, Coffee Alamid is a blend of the Philippine’s finest Arabica, Liberica and Exelsa beans. When roasted, it exudes an almost musical, fruity aroma. It has a strong, sweet, dark chocolatey taste. It also serves English pies and bread.

Cookies N' Cream frappe

 This is what i ordered, Grilled Cheese Sandwich served with fries.

After the quick stop over we headed to MaryLand Beach Resort, Nasugbu Batangas.

 Riding a boat with friends was so fun.

We went to the "Unknown Island" to experience tenting, It was our first time doing that. Setting up tents, building fire, preparing our meals using fire wood and dried leaves was no joke as we battle the strong wind. 

 from the left, Kay, Apple, Karen and Justine

first time to see those huge ants.

 Aside from the beach you can also find a river on this unknown island.

the island trip was a great learning experience to us!

before the Sun sets we headed back to the city, to watch Regine Velasquez Mall tour, with her new album "FANTASY".

Before we separated our ways, since we cannot get over with Bag of Beans, Starbucks became our remedy.

thanks to Apple, Kay, Zoe, karen and Ian for joining our trip - JUSTINE & PAU

Corregidor Tour

              On March 19, 2011, Saturday at exactly 8:00 in the morning, we planned to visit the beauty of Corregidor right after our work even though we were so attenuated. We took MV Sun Cruiser II again for the 2nd time around and travelled for an hour and a half and kind of mulling over how corregidor really looks like.

After an hour and a half of traveling from Manila Bay to Corregidor, at last! we have seen the beauty of corregidor and so excited to know the history behind it. So, when we got there we took a Tram, usually lighter and shorter than conventional trains and rapid transit trains. However, the differences between these modes of public transportation are confusing.

           

While we were on our tour around the place we found out what really corregidor is according to our tour guide, that Corregidor Island was named from the Spanish word “Corregir” which means “to correct”- all ships that sailed into the Philippine capital city of Manila had to pass through Corregidor for the required check and correction of papers, the island was also used to signal the Manila government of the coming of hostile ships (although another version claims that the island was used as a penitentiary and corrections institution- which probably explains another affectionate nickname for the island- the Rock- reminiscent of the notorious Alcatraz), thus, the Spaniards called the biggest island of the five islands straddling the bay between the shores of the provinces of Bataan in the north and Cavite in the south – Isla del Corregidor which means Island of Corrections.

  

The Rock was a key bastion of the Allied Forces during the war. When the Japanese Imperial Army descended upon the Philippines in December 1941 immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan and the island became the operations center of the Allies as well as the de-facto seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from the island that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur fled for Australia in February 1942 with Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright left in command.

We have also seen the Flame of Freedom, a tall steel structure erected to commemorate the hopes, struggles, sacrifices and aspirations of the Philippines and the United States.

After almost 3 hours of tour, first set of our tour, we ate at Corregidor Inn, The meals at Corregidor Hotel are included with the tour package (php1,999.00, day tour) so you dont need to pay extra for meals and it was a buffet. Some people though, especially those on a tight budget can opt budget or on school tours usually bring food with them or if the meals are to be taken with another place aside from the Corregidor Hotel it has to be arranged with the tour agent in advance. For convenience sake, Coregidor Tour plus meals, which almost always end up at the Corregidor is the best way to go, and it was our first time to drink PANDAN JUICE, awesome!

We also went to Malinta tunnel and to the bottomeside, where the docks are located, including the Lorcha Dock where MacArthur uttered his famous message “I Shall Return”. Whether MacArthur indeed meant to return is the stuff of debates between war historians. One thing was for sure, MacArthur would have wanted to return to Manila since it was an open secret that he kept a mistress at the Manila Hotel.

We really enjoyed having that day tour at corregidor and we just want to say to everyone that You should be a history buff with a huge interest in the events of World War 2 in the Pacific. For sons and daughters of the war veterans, it is an emotional and learning experience. For the young, it serves as a painful reminder of what a war can bring to humankind.

Justine and I would like to thank also to ZOE, CARL and KETCHUP for joining us on that wonderful tour!!!!!!

Manila Bay Cruise

It was March 13, 2011, Saturday in the afternoon, first day of our BIGLAANG LAKAD.  Justine and I (Paulo)  decided to take a cruise at SUN Cruises. Company who is committed to be the leading provider of quality leisure travel experiences that are fun, educational, cultural, which respects people and the environment.

 Sun Cruises delivers an extraordinary experience with its cruise.

 

We got on board at 6:15 in the afternoon on Sun Cruises' M/V Spirit of manila, docked beside Jumbo Palace, just after Folks Arts Theater, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City and spent only 550.00 pesos/ per head net for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Sun Cruises aims to provide world-class dinner cruise service to Filipinos and tourists alike. Sun Cruises provides international cuisine that will surely satisfy anyone’s palate. The dinner cruise also includes live entertainment from an acoustic band that adds to a more relaxing and romantic atmosphere.