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Manila: Intramuros & Luneta.

Visited the old city again as I played tourist guide to my niece, Phoebe.  Each visit makes me appreciate the history of this great country.  I was proud to show my niece bits and pieces of the old manila. 

After spending time at Intramuros, we went to Luneta for more history tour.  The place was swarming with people and buzzing with activities — families having picnics, friends laughing and talking, children flying kites, etc.  It was one happy summer afternoon in this amazing city.

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How to get there:  To go to Luneta and Intramuros, heck, just take the cab.  haha.  Really, you can take the Roxas Boulevard route. 

Accomodations in Manila:  You may want to stay in any hotel at Roxas Boulevard and be enchanted by the famous Manila Bay sunset.  Check this for hotel list.

You may, of course, also stay in Makati, which is just about ten minutes to Manila.  List of Makati Hotels.

Transportation:  Try the LRT, the jeepneys, buses, and cabs.  Every driver in the metro knows where Intramuros and Luneta are. 

Things to do:  Walk back to history.  Enjoy every charming little corners, secret passages, and beautiful old buildings.  Drop by the by chapel of the Lady of Guadalupe, Rizal Shrine, and museums around the area.  Take lots of pictures.  Make a quick stop at the Manila Cathedral and then make your way to Luneta.

Buy dirty ice cream, enjoy the gardens, watch the changing of guards at the Rizal Monument, fly a kite, people-watch.  Just linger in Luneta.  As my friend Imee would say: “If you want a glimpse of life, this is the place to be.”  

One more thing:  Take lots of water with you!  And oh, the best person (and I mean, BEST) who could show you Manila is Carlos Celdran.  Go ahead, contact him for your Manila tour.

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Manila.  April 2008.

Dumaguete.

Dumaguete was our home base as my friends Angela, Imee, and I visited Sumilon, Dauin, and Apo to dive.  We fell in love with Dumaguete.  It is charming and it speaks of simplicity and gentleness. 

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How to get there:  Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly from Manila to Dumaguete daily.  Weesam Express and Ocean Jet travels to Dumaguete from Bohol and Cebu.

Accomodations in Dumaguete:  My friends and I stayed at Hotel Palwa, a charming little hotel in the middle of the city.  It is very clean and the service is quite efficient.   The rate is reasonable.  Check this SITE for more hotel listings.

Transportation:  Traveling around the city is easy.  Just hail a tricycle!  You can rent motorycles, too.  

Things to do:  Take a walk at the Boulevard, visit the Cathedral and the bell tower, explore Silliman University, try local cuisine, and spend time with friends over silvannas at Sans Rival.  Dive, dive, dive at nearby Dauin, Sumilon, and the famous Apo Island.  Contact Dive Worx for your diving needs!

One more thing:  Sans Rival serves lunch and dinner, too.  Yummy food, affordable price.  =)

More information on Negros Oriental.

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Dumaguete.  March 2008. 

 

Singapore.

I needed a breather and my friend Joy just transferred to Singapore from Switzerland.  Perfect.  So I visited, spent time with friends, and enjoyed this amazing country.  I did the usual tourist-y stuff and took lots of pictures. 

I was impressed.  Singapore is clean and efficient.  Service almost everywhere is excellent.  It is a melting pot of cultures.  It is the place to try delectable asian cuisine.

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How to get there:  Visit Philippine Airlines for flight schedules to Singapore.  

Accomodations in Singapore:  I stayed at Joy’s three-bedroom condominium while in Singapore.  But this country has a wonderful selection of hotels.  There’s the Raffles Hotel which I found very charming.  Visit this site for a comprehensive list of Hotels in Singapore. 

Transportation:  It’s quite easy to go around the city.  Cabs abound.  They’re clean and cab drivers are courteous and friendly.  There are also buses, an MRT, and shuttle service from the airport.  You may want to get the Singapore Tourist Pass for a hassle-free trip.  

Things to do:  There are many things and lovely places to discover in Singapore.  Visit the Raffles Hotel, the Esplanade, and the museums.  Do not miss Orchard Road and Bugis street, just so you could say you’ve been there (haha) and do some extreme shopping.  Try their amazing selection of asian cuisine.  Go for a river cruise.  And if you are up to it, go for a night safari. 

You may also want to Discover Singapore on Foot (this is a book that provides maps of places to go on foot around the city, and descriptions of lovely little corners and wonderful places.  We got a copy of this books at Harris).  Joy and I tried the Kampong Glam route that started in Victoria street, we passed by quaint little stores and beautiful windows lined with palm trees in Bussorah street.  If you ever go this way, visit Sleepy Sam Cafe.  Absolutely charming.

One more thing:  Send a postcard to your friends and loved ones.  The lady at the post office was very helpful.  =)

Here’s more information about Singapore.

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Singapore.  August 2007. 

Cebu! Cebu!

Cebu is my hometown but I always see it with new eyes each time I visit.  Cebu is never out of surprises.  There’s always something new, something yummy, something different. 

I was in Cebu recently for the Sinulog Festival.  It was fun, colorful, and quite inspiring.  I found new wonderful places to eat and visited old favorites.  What makes Cebu really special, for me, is spending time with family and friends.

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How to get there:  Philippine Airlines travels daily from Manila and from other major cities in the Country.  There are direct flights from HongKong and the US, too.  

Accomodations in Cebu:  Hotels abound in Cebu. 

If you want a holiday at the beach, try

• Shangrila Mactan
• Maribago Blue Waters 
• Plantation Bay 
• Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa

These hotels are ony about 30 minutes away from the City center. 

But if you wish to stay in the city, try

• Marco Polo Hotel 
• Marriott Hotel 
• Park Lane International Hotel 
• Waterfront Hotel and Casino

For a more comprehensive hotel list, please visit this site. 

Transportation:  It’s not a problem going around Cebu.  There are cabs, jeepneys, tricycles, cars for rent, and buses. 

Things to do:  Dive.  Snorkel.  Dine.  Meet friends.  Go bar-hopping.  Shop.  And when you visit Cebu during the Sinulog festival, do not miss the street parade!  Visit Magellan’s Cross, TOPs (and enjoy the view), and white-sand beaches in Mactan.

Diving in Cebu:  There are many dive spots in Cebu.  Here’s a list!

• Hilutungan Island.  It is a marine and fish sanctuary, so fin softly.
• Malapascua.  If you want to see thresher sharks and ship wrecks, this is the place to dive.      
• Moalboal.  It is here in Moalboal where the Sunken Island could be found.  Be prepared to meet big schools of jacks, tuna, and if you get lucky, you get to see sharks, too.
• Santander.  If you are an experienced diver, visit the Wall of Death.  Now, that doesn’t sound so inviting, right?  =D  Between March and June, you may find whalesharks and manta rays.

Cebu is a jump off point to nearby islands with amazing diving sites.  Bohol and Dumaguete is just about an hour away through fast craft.  For diving information and other inquiries, please contact Daniel.

Places and food to try:  These are places I’ve visited and I was pleased.

• Harbour City. (Ayala Center, Cebu):  For yummy dimsum and chinese cuisine. 
• Kuya J’s.  (Capitol Site):  For the freshest sea food and the yummiest soups!
• Krua Thai.  (Crossroads and Banilad Town Center):  For authentic thai cuisine.
• Cafe Laguna. (Ayala Center, Cebu):  For filipino dishes like no other.
• Lemon Grass.  (Ayala Entertainment Center):  Asian cuisine fusion.
• Zao and Mooon Cafe (Guadalupe):  More filipino food.
• La Marea. (Crossroads, Banilad and Paseo Arcenas, Banawa):  They’ve got the best desserts in town. 
• CNT lechon (right across SM City):  For your parties and gatherings, order the best cebu lechon here.
• Larsian, JunJun and Malou’s, and AA’s. (Banilad):  Of course, Cebu has the best barbeque in the country!  =D
• Danggit, Fish Tocino, Dried squid, and other dried fish (Tabuan):  Go to tabuan to buy these yummy dried products.  My personal favorite:  fish tocino and dried squid.
• Philippine Dried Mangoes, Lola Pureza’s Peanut Broas, Titay’s Masi and Rosquillos.  All these are already available in supermarkets.  Yummy pasalubong treats.
• Ripe Yellow Mangoes.  They’re the sweetest.

One more thing:  Cebu is quite humid.  Bring light clothing.  Bring swimsuits, too, because there are a lot of beautiful beaches there.   Take lots of pictures especially when you visit during the Sinulog festival.   Enjoy the queen city of the south!

For more information about Cebu, visit their official website.

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Cebu.  September 2006.  January 2008.

 

Bawai’s.

On my birthday, my friends brought me to this lovely place in Tagaytay called Bawai’s.  The place feels very homey and welcoming.  The decors are tastefully done.  The garden, filled with wild flowers, bamboos, and trees. 

Bawai’s serves authentic vietnamese food you’ll absolutely love.  So yummy, obviously cooked and sprinkled with lots of love.  

When we arrived, the owners personally welcomed us and made sure we had everything we needed.  Bawai’s is definitely worth-visiting.

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How to get there:  To find your way to Bawai’s, please go to this LINK.  You may also call or text Paul at 0920 9722924 for reservations, orders, and/or instructions on how to go there.  You may email them, too, at bawais_tagaytay@yahoo.com

Things to do:  Eat!  Have wonderful conversations with friends and family.  Eat!  Take lots of pictures.  Eat!  Enjoy peace and quiet and fresh air.  Eat!  And oh, have vietnamese coffee, too!  Eat!  =D  Here’s the MENU.

One more thing:  The owners of Bawai’s are very nice people.  Bawai’s is their home, so enter with utmost respect, like you are entering your own home.  I assure you, you’ll love it there.  =)  Make reservations ahead of time and pre-order your food.  It’s nicer that way. =)

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Bawai’s.  October 2007.

 

Boracay.

There is something about Boracay that keeps people coming back.  Maybe, it’s the long stretch of sugary white sand.  Or the beautiful sunsets that fill the sky with warm orange colors.  Or maybe, it’s the parties that keep everyone dancing all night.  Whatever the reasons are, Boracay remains everyone’s favorite summer destination.  It is a tropical paradise.

My friends and I visited the island in February 2006 (it wasn’t our first time though) to celebrate Kiko’s birthday.  We all stayed at The Panoly.  We went snorkeling, sunbathing, and had water adventures (the banana boat was fun).  We spent most of the time just relaxing, listening to music under the stars, shopping, and talking and laughing our lungs out.  It was a fun vacation, albeit short.  We will definitely be visiting the island again.  Soon.

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How to get there:  Philippine Airlines travels daily from Manila to Kalibo.  Asian Spirit and Sea Air travels from Manila to Caticlan daily.  

Accomodations in Boracay:  There are so many hotels, villas, inns to choose from in Boracay.  They are all charming, comfy, and some are affordable than the others.  Here’s a directory of hotels in Boracay.  Enjoy!

Transportation:  To go around the island, you can hire single motorcycles.  Or you may want to hire bancas to go island-hopping.  Each station has boatmen who could assist you.  But the best is to discover the island on foot.

Things to do:  Snorkel.  Dive.  Ride banana boats.  Shop.  Dine.  Island hop.  Beach hop.  Dance.  Listen to music and bands under the sun.  Grab some fruit shake.  Go to the spa.  Get a massage.  Sunbathe.  Wait for the sunset.  Kiss under the moonlight.  Talk.  Laugh.  Have sand between your toes.  Take lots of amazing pictures!  Did I say shop already?  =D  

One more thing:  Don your skimpiest swimsuit!  Boracay is the place to flaunt that summer body of yours!  =)  Get a henna tattoo!  Buy fabulous trinkets! 

For more information about Boracay, visit this website.

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Photos by Aileen Siroy.  All rights reserved.
Boracay.  February 2006.