Summer Getaway Wishlist

It's official - summer is here!

With the scorching heat increasing by the day, exploring a new place is in the topmost list of everyone I know, aside from eating halo-halo. Lucky me, I was able to taste Pagsanjan's halo-halo with preserved kundol yesterday. It was heaven amidst the frustration after spending a boring day at The Lodge and Pagsanjan Falls and the long 5-hour drive back and forth.

Elephant Island in Marinduque also known as Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is the place I want to visit though challenging. A 5-minute boat ride across the island is necessary to experience an expensive, luxurious vacation!

Adventure, adventure here I come! The thought of the sky walk extreme and edge coaster thrills and excites me. Crown Regency in Cebu offers this kind of unique expedition on the 37th floor.

A room with floor-to-ceiling salt water aquarium is a sight to behold and this can be witnessed and experienced at Hotel H2o. What would be like sleeping with fishes by your bed or bathing amongst them?

With the numerous promos in the net, the best I've seen is the luxury getaway for four persons and breakfasts for P1500/night at the prestigious Mabini Mansion instead of P3370/Night. Great deal, right? So plan ahead and enjoy a summer filled with experience and memories!

Photos from the web

Cirque du Soleil - Varekai Trailer

Show Dates
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Almonds

A tour bus driver drives with a bus full of seniors down a highway, when a little old lady taps him on his shoulder. She offers him a handful of almonds, which he gratefully munches up. After approximately 15 minutes, she taps him on his shoulder again and she hands him another handful of almonds.

She repeats this gesture about eight times. At the ninth time he asks the little old lady why they do not eat the almonds themselves, whereupon she replies that it is not possible because of their old teeth. They are not able to chew them.

"Why do you buy them then?" he asks puzzled. Whereupon the old lady answers, "We just love the chocolate around them.

Addendum:
"I love my past. I love my present. I’m not ashamed of what I’ve had, and I’m not sad because I have it no longer." Not quite until I hear the verdict.

The above article was sent by a previous co-trainee, Miranda. I hope it made you smile like I do every time I read it.

Braving Baguio

I was groggy and still half asleep. With all my might, I got up from bed at the sound of the alarm clock but failed.

Day One

We were on the road going to Baguio at exactly 1:15 in the afternoon on March 17th. The last time I set foot on that hilly, chilly place was on May 1996 when things were starkly different. Why? Because back then, I could still walk and run and jump and move my legs!

Being on the wheelchair does not and will never impede me from doing the things I want like visiting this beautiful, nature filled place with my wheelchair together with a strong and wise companion. Why wise you might ask? Because one must have common sense to move me, including my  wheelchair around especially when there are obstacles such as steps or bumps and when the place seems unfriendly!

I was asleep most of the time during the 5-hour trip aboard Victory Liner's deluxe bus. After settling our things at Microtel Inn & Suites which was located close to the bus terminal with a bridge joining the two establishments, we decided to visit SM Baguio for a bite. With no map in hand, a good hotel location to start with, we treaded the roads and asked around for directions. Luckily, it was just around the corner and we made it by foot! We had a hearty meal at Savory Chicken, went around and went back to the hotel. The breeze was cooler on our way home, despite my hooded woolen jacket. Good thing the hotel was so close because I was getting excited to rest my weary body.

Day Two

With the morning countryside tour in our itinerary on a sunny Friday morning, waking up early was still difficult for me due to my shift schedule. But I managed to get up only feeling sick. I could not explain how I felt but I knew something was wrong. After having diarrhea and several episodes of vomiting, we decided to cancel the trip and do it in the afternoon.

Equipped with a comfortable and clean Mitsubishi Adventure, a local driver, confident tourist guide and cash; off we went for the expedition. First stop: Philippine Military Academy. Nothing much to see really except the vibrant and beautiful flowers that were landscaped all over the place and the clean surroundings. Then we went down to the Kennon Road viewing deck which I found breathtaking. One will have a clearer picture of the zigzag roads strategically constructed, the vegetable plots on valleys filled with greens and houses atop the hills. Next stop was at the Easter Weaving School where one can find many things to bring home to. There were key chains, woven cloths, scarves, wooden dishes, etc. Visitors were also welcome to check how weaving is done in their production area. Then off we went to Tam-awan Village where authentic Igorot huts were situated in exactly the same environment. Guests were allowed to sleep in this place with a minimum charge. The last place we visited was the much awaited Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet.

We ended the day with a box of Yellow Cab's pizza and drinking 2 paracetamols to dissipate the brewing flu I was having.

Day Three

We spent most of the hours in SM Baguio going to every store there was. Before sunset, we decided to take a quick city tour with a contracted cab driver who brought us around town for P250 for less than an hour! We found out that the hotel was at the prime location, situated on the upper Session Road where everything was accessible. We viewed Burnham Park, The Mansion, Wright Park, Session Road and went around Camp John Hay. Also, we were able to get more pasalubongs aside from La Trinidad, Benguet.

Breakfast was free in Microtel. It usually consisted of either garlic or boiled rice, three other dishes popular for breakfast, overflowing coffee, green salad and toasts.

Day Four

At 10:15 in the morning, we went back to Manila with a heavier luggage filled with goodies made in Baguio, a new pair of yellow closed shoes from Mendrez and lots of memories about the place. The weather was beautiful! Though the sun was at it's highest in the noon, it was still cool!

Baguio was worth revisiting and I would love to go back and spend more time in Camp John Hay! I wish their airport will be open by then.