Classic junkie

Admittedly, I'm in love with everything that's old. Be it songs, movies, books, places, I get fascinated by all that’s ancient... (just not antique furniture, that's just plain creepy =P)

I was channel surfing the other day when I found a lady singing a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I didn't recognize her, but it turned out to be Jewel performing in Jimmy Kimmel Live when I searched in YouTube. Note that I don't have any idea on what the show is about but my jaw just dropped when I saw this performance.



It looked a little bit cabaret-ish to me too, I know, but the quality of her voice is just really really good.

After that, I was re-watching an episode of Sex and the City when I heard an instrumental version of Moon River. The song always gets me to want to curl-up-in-a-sofa-with-someone mood. Don’t say anything about it, I’m a hopeless romantic like that.



Anyway, this is in Italian, but my point is the song, and I can’t find any other video. Just a back story: Big was on his way to stay in Napa for good and leave Carrie in NYC. They were not together anymore here. This was the day he left.

By the way, I think I’m one of the biggest fans of Carrie-Big love affair. So I had to post this.



So you ask me, how is this related to travel (or food)? Except for a lame excuse that it sounds good to be playing these classics during a trip, I have nothing else. =P

Surfing in La Union

La Union is located at the northern part of Luzon. We travel by land (5 to 6 hours away from Manila). I have been to the province several times, surfing at all instances no matter how deadly the waves were (thankfully, I'm still alive).

I'm not much of a swimmer, so big (HUGE) waves intimidate me so much. I first went surfing back in summer of 2006 with my college friends. It was a first for all of us. It took me around 4 times to garner enough courage to even attempt to stand up. I remember Lemon (Philemon) being my instructor. He was awesome by the way, but I haven't seen him since. He was strict, he would always tell me how my board seemed to be flipping because I was way at the tail of the board or otherwise. The moment I was able to stand up, it was pure bliss. It's amazing how therapeutic a few seconds felt. It was such an adrenalin rush.

Three years fast forward and I finally went back to La Union. That was a bit traumatizing because the waves were really huge. Even the instructors told me that the waves were for advanced surfers. Great, just my luck, I thought. Despite that, we braved the waves and I managed to have a few but short rides. That was when I concluded that in order for a person to be a surfer, one must really be a great swimmer. We were lined up at the part of the sea where it was around 2 people deep, and I needed to get off the board at around 6 feet deep (without the waves breaking yet, mind you). Going back to the line up was such a chore, that experience really worked my body up. I gave up when my right foot was about to cramp.

Then just early this month, I came back again with a bunch of friends from office. I didn't know it would be possible because days before the trip, the forecast was saying the water is going to be... dare I say it? PLACID. We still pushed through with the trip and luckily, there were baby waves during Saturday afternoon and 4-5 feet waves the morning after. So, we enjoyed ourselves and did not fear that we might get ourselves killed (excuse the morbidness).

As usual, it is still the best feeling ever. Even with sore arms, bruised elbows and knees, I'm willing to go through that over and over again in exchange for such a heavenly feeling. Nothing like an experience which takes your mind off everything else (your work, your life, your future) and be one with the sea. Nothing like focusing on how you will revive your strength to go back to the line up in order to be able to ride another wave after a few seconds. Nothing like the adrenalin you get when you finally hear the waves rushing towards you. BLISS is an understatement.

In San Juan La Union, I have not experienced staying overnight anywhere but in San Juan Surf Resort (+63-72-7200340). It's a good enough place to sleep at after a day's work-out and beach bumming. Nothing fancy, just your basic, beds, small TV, and bathroom (w/o hot water, wah!). Though it's fine because the rates are so cheap (we got the room for 6 at around Php 2,300). The best thing about the resort though is that there's free wi-fi, so you can get an update on the city life.

Craving for some good food? While in San Juan, Midway Grill is your best bet. Coming from San Juan, head towards the direction going back to Manila and in around 7 minutes, you're there. It is located at Anez Building, San Fernando La Union, right before a Shell Gasoline Station. There are a lot of choices all in reasonable prices. The best thing to order? BABYBACK RIBS! At Php 199 only, this good-for-two dish (one, if you're a carnivore at heart) is oozing with soft meat and strong barbecue flavour. I don't get tired of this dish and I always ask for more barbecue sauce. Add in a bottomless lemonade (or iced tea for Php 35!) and you're good to go.

You want something else other than the ribs? There's also a lot of breakfast meals, chicken fingers, sinigang, pork binagoongan (which doesn't taste like it, but it is yummy anyway). The atmosphere is laid back, like a 50s diner. The waitresses are warm and they are quick in serving the food.

So as of the last trip I've had, here's a breakdown of the expenses for your reference, just bring Php 2,300 just to be on the safe side if you are travelling with a group:
Gas (Php 1,800/ 6 people) = 300
Toll (Php 486 / 6 people) = 81
Room (Php 2,290 / 6 people) = 382
Board and surfing instructor (Php 200/hr – board; P200/hr – instructor) = 800
Breakfast at McDo = 80
Lunch at Patubos (few steps away from Surf Camp) = 55
Dinner at Midway Grill (shared the ribs) = 180
Brunch at Patubos = 70
Water from 7-11 (for the entire trip) = 50
Total: 1997.68

P.S. Thanks to flaircandy, lushangel and cariz francisco for the photos. :)

Boracay - I'd go back to, over and over again

I declare Boracay as my province (is that even a valid province place?!). Nope, I was surely born in the metro so technically, I have no province to call my own. Thus, the declaration. Hehe.

I have been to the island around 5 times or so. Each and every time I go, I have loved every moment of it. There is really something about the place that makes me want to live by the beach all my life.

Imagine this, reggae and house music everywhere, the sound of the sea as your background, while sipping a fruit shake under the hot summer sun as the cool breeze swifts in. Sweet, isn't it? ;)

This summer, I got to spend my Boracay vacation with a bunch of cool people... my officemates, some were Boracay virgins. It was one heck of a trip. 9 people in 4 flights. All for the hope to escape reality, even for just a while.

I flew via Zest Air. I got the tickets for around P3,500 roundtrip, which was pretty decent I think, considering it was late March. Problem though was that our flight was delayed for several hours and it really made us exhausted just sitting around the airport doing nothing.

Even if I have been to the place several times, I am glad that I experienced something new. I have tried several activities. I rode a banana boat, went fly fishing, rode a jet ski, went para sailing, did island hopping, Below are the activities that I get to try this time around:

Helmet diving - a.k.a. reef walking. You get to submerge yourself in the water around 10 feet deep. Imagine how an astronaut would be on the moon, that is how it would look like, only you are in the water. The spot we've seen however had dead corals though there were many fishes around. For P500, you get to be underwater for 30 minutes, which felt pretty long that I had to go back up the surface before my time elapsed.

Paraw sailing - though I did this before, I went with the group because it is just the most relaxing thing to do. Feeling the boat speeding as the wind blows against you and hearing the splash of the water everywhere bring just the most amazing feeling. We went before sunset and so we saw the sun setting while in the middle of the sea (which I suggest you guys do because that's when the skies have wonderful colors). For P900/hour, all 9 of us willingly succumbed ourselves to this experience which was well worth the price.

If we didn't do any of the activities, I would have been happy just the same. I'm contented strolling by the shore, touching the powdery white sand with my feet. I don't mind walking from Station 3 to 1 or vice versa because there were just too many things to see along the way. For this trip however, since I'm done trying almost all the activities Boracay can offer, I concentrated on that one thing that is always changing on the island. FOOD.

Food to eat and where to go:

Topping my list would be Zuzuni's Chocolate Sin (went straight to dessert, hehe). I have no objections with the name because, it is in fact, a sin to be eating that good of a cake. Located at the beach front in between Stations 1 and 2, this restaurant offers Greek dishes that are just too impossible to resist.

Villa de Oro's Mongolian Buffet (P200 eat-all-you-can plus inclusive of bottomless iced tea) - this restaurant is located at Station 3 (beside La Carmela de Boracay). We had our first dinner there and since everybody was really hungry, I think for the price, it was worth eating here.

Breakfast in Real Coffee - I ate here once before prior to this trip but this was the first time I tasted the Calamansi Muffin (P45) which sounds odd. With every bite, the sourness and sweetness all wrapped into one very moist muffin felt like little piece of heaven. Situated in between Stations 1 and 2 (this isn't in the main strip, but turn once you see Hawaiian Barbecue), the restaurant has been featured in several movies shot in Boracay. Also, order Tuna Melt (P200) for something heavier because trust me, a piece of muffin will only go as far as your throat and won't make it to your stomach. :P

Jonah's Shake - ah, this one surely is a classic. No trip is complete without getting to experience the smooth creamy velvety shake from Jonah's. I've tried all the mainstream varieties but my favorite remains to be the Mango Shake. Iced Tea Shake comes in a close second. The shakes had gotten quite expensive from last year. Minimum cost would be around P85 plus 10% service charge. The establishment is located beach front of Station 1.

Aria at D' Mall is where you go to for some Italian fix. This restaurant creates just the most delicious pizza and pasta on the island. For around P400/person budget, you guys will go a long way (make sure to order their Four Cheese Pizza, yum!).

Ole's Chicken Barbecue - now if it wasn't for the not so good service (food took a long while to be served and when it finally did, we were served with the chicken still quite bloody, we had to send it back) me and my friends had, the experience would've been perfect. There was the perfect blend of the sweet and salty flavor in the barbecue sauce which I really loved. This meal, at P95 classified under Pinoy Favorites menu, is really value for money.

Hediland Deli has just enough collection of cheeses and meat on the island. Located just beside The Tides in D' Mall, a cheese lover wouldn't be able to resist going inside the store. I grabbed their ham and cheese sandwich before going to the airport. Customized sandwich at its best, you choose your ham (mine was farmer's ham) and cheese (emmental or cheddar), the baguette plus P60 for them to garnish it with vegetables and sauces (a.k.a. mustard!). Quite pricey for a sandwich if you ask me (I think mine was around P230) but since it was so delicious, I will not think twice to give this a visit next time around.

Chori-burger (chorizo burger) stand right outside of D'Mall around late afternoon serves just the yummiest Chori-burger on the island. It costs P50 but their Chori-burger is way more delicious (tender and hot) than the others I have tasted.

Places to drink:

Happy hour at the Tides (Station 2, inside D' Mall) - go to the roof deck of this fabulous hotel and be amazed by the view of the sea. There's also a pool where you can take a dip in and the most exciting part, cocktails are buy-1-take-1. The lounge place was really cozy as you enjoy the house music at the background. Make sure to taste their refreshing Mojito!

Juice Bar - I call this the Embassy of Boracay because when I was there, the place was really happening. Up-to-date R&B songs are being played up to the wee hours of the morning. Try their cocktails especially the one called Angela, Lush Angel says it's pretty awesome.

See the places I've eaten in? This was the only time I went to Boracay that I actually gained weight. No thanks to all the delicious food on the island. Hehe.

For this vacation, we stayed at Island Nook located at the back of D' Mall. They offer very cozy rooms at very reasonable rates. Total cost for this trip was less than Php 10,000. All in. :-)

I miss lazing by the beach under an umbrella sipping a refreshing mojito while observing people or finishing a book. Ah, the ambiance I so miss. How I wish the island is just a drive away.

'Til my next beach trip. :)

P.S. When I come back, I'll make sure to try Shangri-la Boracay's Dinner Buffet (around P2,000). If I'm lucky, I'll try to stay there for at least a night. Dreaming, aren't I?

Triple Threat

Just another bunch of feel good roadtrip songs. It sure feels refreshing to be having an escape from the city ever so often. Thanks to a bunch of people for last week :)

Just click the play button. ;)

Spiral addict!

Just passing on the good news! For all you buffet aficionados out there, Spiral is 50% off every Mondays and Tuesdays (lunch or dinner) until July 28! Do I hear people planning a get together?

See photo below for more details! ;)

P.S. Got the info and photo from chuvaness.com

Good books, great trips

Depending on you destination, there seems to be an appropriate book to read to get to know and understand the place that you are going to better.

I like reading books when on a trip. It's a great way to pass the time. It's also the only opportunity for me to actually finish a book. After a while, I realize, I should be reading books that at least mention the name of the place of my destination instead of finishing a lot of the chick lit books that I so love buying. =P

Thanks to National Geographic's recommendations, I am now eyeing on too many books to purchase. Good luck to me.

Check it out. Their 50 Books of Summer list.

Leighton Meester's Good Girls Go Bad

I am such a Blair fan. The character's role is just amazing. Sophistication combined with insecurity all wrapped in one spoiled upper-east sider teenager. Something I wish I had been (kidding =P).

I'm not used seeing Leighton singing so I gladly watched this video when she posted it on twitter. Here it is for everyone to enjoy. Toodles.

Cobra Starship - New Music - More Music Videos

P.S. She looks great. The song fits very well for partying. Love it :)