Vigan
Originally uploaded by Carambs!.

Jovan and I went on (yet another) roadtrip for the long weekend of August 25-27. We were supposed to go there last year but I got sick, and we passed it on our way to Pagudpud. So we've been talking about it, and decided to just go during the long weekend. It was perfect timing - I believe that you need at least 3 days to enjoy the place.

We left August 25, a saturday, at around 4AM, and got there at around 11:30AM. We only had 2 major stops - 1 in the North Expressway to have breakfast, and 1 in the Shell station before the right to Baguio. The trip was okay, except for the really bad traffic in Candon, because only 1 lane was functional.

For our accomodations, we chose the Vigan Heritage Mansion because it wasn't "creepy", based on the online reviews I encountered. Plus, it was right beside Calle Crisologo, which is a must-visit in Vigan. We checked in, dropped off our bags, and headed to Cafe Leona, which was supposed to be a popular restaurant there according to our (very worn out) Lonely Planet Guide.

There were a lot of people in Cafe Leona, which I thought was a good sign. Our guidebook did not fail us! First we had to go to the 'display' area where almost all of the available food was displayed, and we picked what we wanted. Be warned - orders were good for 1-3 people - I made a mistake of ordering embutido thinking that I could order 2-3 pieces, and was surprised when they served the whole thing! The food was good - they actually tasted like "home-cooked" food, and not commercialized food. We ordered embutido, chicken in pineapple sauce, fish fillet (which Jovan didn't enjoy as much), and other viands which I forgot already. Obviously, we didn't finish, so we had the food wrapped.

These were the Vigan destinations/activities that we were able to visit/do:

Calle Crisologo - A cobbled street where cars are banned, this street has small stores left and right where you can buy products of Vigan such as woven napkins, handtowels, blankets and bags

Padre Burgos Museum - The birthplace of Padre Burgos which showcases antique furniture, old photos of famous people from the Ilocos Province, paintings of the story of GomBurZa

Kalesa Ride - Not a lot of places offer kalesa rides anymore. But in Vigan, it's one of the major modes of transportation.

The empanada from the plaza is *supposed to be* a specialty, but Jovan got a very upset stomach on the second day. We suspect it was because of the empanada. I heard that Jovan's friend suffered the same fate. I took a bite and nothing happened to me, so we're not a hundred percent sure. Just be warned.

Before we headed to Manila on the third day, we passed by the palengke (wet market) to buy the famous Vigan longganisa and bagnet. It was a different experience for me, but I truly enjoyed it!

We left Vigan at around 9:30AM. We visited the Church in Sta. Maria, the town after Vigan, because it was a Unesco World Heritage site. It was beautiful!

More pictures of our roadtrip here:

For the complete Vigan album, click here.

Pollen
Originally uploaded by Carambs!.

I have recently joined again Photoworks, a 6-session photography class given by Leo Castillo. I was inspired to take it again because Cookie, a friend from work, wanted to take classes. Plus, this was supposed to be our therapy together, to deal with stress and other stuff. (Notice I'm trying to be vague?)

I took Photoworks for the first time in March 2003, but I was still using film at that time. I really wasn't able to follow through because it was too expensive. But now I have a digital SLR, so I can practice what I'm learning.

I submitted the photo above for my first homework - we call these Photo Projects. The homework was to take a photo with a clear theme.

Today is our last day, and I'm not even sure if I can attend. Been at home the past 2 days trying to recover.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Pink Cream Cheese Frosting
Originally uploaded by Miss Bexxie.

Look at that. It looks so yummy! I've been looking at cupcake photos in Flickr for the past 3 days. I think this is a result of my diet. If I can't eat and savor the food, then I'll just look at them and admire them. And because of this, I was inspired to take up baking lessons. I just wanna learn how to bake again - we did a lot of baking in high school, and that was it. After high school I would bake one in a blue moon - maybe a total of 5 times from then til now.

Can you suggest a course/workshop/class that I can take? Baking only, and I'm really only interested in cakes. :)

Philippines Photobook in Lonely Planet's Flickr Account


The moderators of one of the Lonely Planet Publications Flickr accounts asked for suggestions on Photobook topics. They already have several Photobook threads - on Egypt, London, Norway, etc. Of course I suggested the Philippines! I wrote that it's sad that people think this is a dreadful country when there are in fact many many beautiful places here! The moderator loved the idea of helping destroy the stereotype and he started a thread on the Philippines!

If you're a Flickr member, post your best photos of the Philippines here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/lonelyplaneteurope/discuss/72157601895429747/

Game!!!

Was able to update my blog but still behind! I have yet to post about our Singapore Trip, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the movies I've watched, my vertigo, Sebastien's Ice Cream, and Shopwise going green...

Baguio Once Again

Jovan and I went to Baguio last July 28-29 for Tour de Baguio, this time. It was my first trip to Baguio for the year and Jovan's second. It was a nice trip because Mom and Dad joined us. We didn't stay at our usual hotel, Hotel Veniz, mainly because they didn't have broadband wifi in the rooms. We stayed at El Cielito Inn instead. We left Manila at 4AM, made 2 stops - 1 for gas and the other for a bathroom break - and arrived in Baguio at around 10AM. El Cielito is a pretty decent hotel, but not as good as Hotel Veniz. There were no elevators, the carpet in the hallway was old, and the doors to the rooms were old as well. The bathroom was really nice though.

After a short nap we headed to Camp John Hay, for our usual strawberry juice from Strawberries and Ice Cream at the Filling Station. We had lunch at Little John's - can't seem to let go of that place, even if their food is getting greasier and greasier. Maybe it's the ambience? We decided to do all the touristy stuff (mainly for my parents) on Saturday so Sunday can be a relaxing day. After lunch we shopped at Mines View Park and Good Shepherd, then went to mass at St. Joseph's. By that time we were so tired so we decided to have an early dinner at Oh My Khan. The food was okay, they offered an above-average mongolian buffet and lots of desserts to choose from.

Of course at night we watched the Tour. We couldn't afford to miss it because it was the final time trial. The wifi didn't work at first, because the connection was down. But we were able to make it work after a while, just in time to watch the favorites.

The next day, Mom and Dad went around Baguio once more without us, as we decided to sleep in (which is what we usually do when we go out of town). We had breakfast, lunch at The Filling Station, excuse for another round of strawberry juice. Then we went home.

Here are some photos:


Best. Strawberry. Juice. Ever.







Click here for my complete Baguio photo album.

Tour de Iba (Iba, Zambales)



Determined to get higher marks in Lakbayan, Jovan and I headed to Iba, Zambales last July 21-22. It was the height of the Tour de France, but we went anyway, and were very lucky that our chosen resort, Palmera Garden, had wifi broadband. Coolness!

Aside from getting a higher mark at Lakbayan, I also wanted to take photos, so I brought my camera (which I have yet to learn, by the way). Here are some photos:









Click here for the complete album.

Jovan and I left Manila at around 8AM. I was thinking of passing by Powerplant to get the Harry Potter book but decided against it. We arrived at Iba, Zambales at around 1PM. We had 2 stops - 1 at Total NLEX to have breakfast at Andok's, and 1 at Luisita for a bathroom break. Palmera Garden is a nice, decent resort to stay at if you just want to get away from Manila. The rooms and the bathrooms are okay, and the food is better than average, though a bit expensive. The resort has a nice pool, and the beach at the back is good enough for sunbathing and swimming.

In the afternoon we slept, and went to the beach to take pictures of the sunset. We overestimated the time - sunset came way after 6PM. We couldn't wait for the actual sunset because of hunger so we left. We went to the town proper to buy water and chips, and bought dinner from Jollibee, to save a bit. The whole night we watched the first time trial of the Tour de France, which Vino won.

We left at 11:30AM after having breakfast. Tour de Iba was officially over. We arrived in Manila after only 3 hours and went straight to Powerplant to get the Harry Potter book.

Crazy Tour

Yes, Tour de France 2007 is over. It was a weird tour - really exciting, disappointing, shocking - definitely a roller coaster ride for the fans. After my last Tour post, all the excitement and shocking news happened, from the Alps to the Pyrenees to the last time trial and to Paris.

Vino, the number one fave (supposedly - he definitely wasn't MY favorite) screwed up so much in the Alps that everyone was sure he was out of contention. But in true Vino fashion, he came back - and boy he came back HARD - during the first time trial. He was probably humiliated in the mountains that he made sure he was going to win the time trial. HE FLEW. He beat Cadel Evans, who came in second, by more than a minute. People were amazed, people thought he still had a slight chance, depending on his performance in the Pyrenees - but they thought WRONG. Vino was tested positive for blood doping which resulted in Astana pulling out of the race. How sad for the team who was doing so well overall. I was especially sad for Kloden - he worked so hard for Astana, for Vino, all for nothing. I kinda like the guy.

Rasmussen, the number one fave for the King of the Mountains jersey, delivered indeed. He attacked in one of the first major mountain stages (forgot which one), got the yellow jersey, and held on to it for more than a week. Everyone thought he was going to screw up the time trial, but he surprised everyone with a strong finish. He and Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel made the Tour so exciting in the Pyrenees, with their maneuverings and attacks and all, that it became doubly disappointing when Rabobank, his own team, withdrew him from the Tour. He was withdrawn right after he beat Contador in the last Pyrenean stage. The reason was because the team found out he missed doping tests during the training, and because he lied about his whereabouts. Now, see, here's the thing. If he missed the doping tests, why was he allowed to join the Tour? UCI also needs some cleaning up, in my opinion.

Alberto Contador - bless him - gave us something to be excited about. He attacked like hell in the mountains, until he cracked in the last Pyrenean stage. Then he won the yellow jersey, and defended it with all his might during the last time trial. Levi Leipheimer was the leader of Discovery Channel at the start, but along the way the team realized it was Contador who really had a shot at winning. And just like in the movies (okay, fine, I'm exaggerating 'cause there are not a lot of bike movies out there), Leipheimer ended up being a domestique and brought Contador to the finish line during the last mountain stage.

I need to talk about Popovych too, because HE WAS THE MAN! He worked so hard in the mountain stages and his work helped the team and Contador. His work cracked the leaders, until there was no one left with Contador except Rasmussen, Leipheimer, and Evans. I love Popo! After Georgie, he's my next fave from Discovery Channel.

I never paid attention to Cadel Evans in the past, but after this year's Tour, he gained my respect. HE. DIDN'T. GIVE. UP. He was dropped so many times but he kept coming back! And he's an awesome time trialist. I wonder if he'll ever win the Tour. Next year, maybe?

The Tour was so exciting and the final time gaps of the Top 3 riders are evidence - they were all within 30 seconds of each other. How cool is that?!

But it's over now. Time for the teams to look for new sponsors, because there have been a number of sponsors who pulled out already. Again, damn you doping riders! You are destroying the sport that is feeding you!

Yes, it's over. Time for riders to defend themselves against doping accusations. Damn you doping fools, you are destroying the sport! I admit, I now doubt all winners, all great rides, all comebacks, because of everything that has been happening. And I find that sad, because I am a fan. I can only find solace in the fact that they are stricter now with the controls, and slowly but surely, it seems like the controls are working.

Britain's Got Talent

Thanks to YouTube, I found out about Connie Talbot and Paul Potts. These two are awesome talents from Britain's Got Talent, a British talent show. I was amazed at Connie's rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. She wasn't the best of singers, but her voice was so heavenly - it was like hearing an angel sing. Paul Potts, on the other hand, had a very powerful voice. His version of Nessun Dorma was AWESOME! He truly deserved his win. These two got me so interested that I followed the show via YouTube.

There were actually a lot of talented kids in the show. Another favorite of mine was Bessie Cursons, who sang "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady during the auditions. I grew up with My Fair Lady, primarily because we had a betamax tape of it, so I watched it a lot. I love that movie! "All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair oh wouldn't it be loverly..."

Simon was so much nicer in Britain's Got Talent than in American Idol. He smiled a lot, he gave a lot of compliments... it was weird! But it was nice to watch.


Connie Talbot


Paul Potts

So many things to blog about, so little time. It has almost been a month since I last blogged, a mortal sin for someone who has vowed to update her blog more often. Seems that I should be thankful for this vertigo I have because it gave me time to blog. (Or maybe not. Vertigo sucks.)

Things to blog about that I listed down: Britain's Got Talent, Being a Nerd, Tour de France, Iba Zambales Trip, Baguio Trip, Singapore Trip, and Vertigo. Long list, huh? Well, here goes...