Misadventure Moments: CDO Project Happiness

Happiness does not come easy.

Let's say, for the sake of this blog, that I needed to push through with my CDO trip this May despite the "bumps" I had with someone. Just before the flight I borrowed from an office mate the book "The Happiness Project" which was an apt name for that trip. I needed to get some happiness back.

Sometimes, the universe conspires to make everything go according to plan. This was not that time. It rained on my way back to the apartment to pick up my packed pink bag. The taxi I took decided to pass by every single heavy traffic road going to Terminal 4. Oh, he also did not bring me to Terminal 4. The problem with riding with Cebu Pacific for so long is that I have lost track of which airline goes into which terminal. My last flight in the old Manila Domestic Terminal was in 2007 so I had no idea it was still operational. Taxi driver decided to bring me to Terminal 1 which only carried PAL flights. It was 3:30pm and my flight leaves at 4:45pm. I hate not being early during check-in.

With just 300php left in my pocket, I had to hail a cab to Teminal 4 to catch my flight. Upon lining-up, I realized I do not have my driver's license anywhere in sight. It's a given fact that you have to present one valid ID upon check-in. That was my only valid ID since I changed companies. Initial thought in my head: maybe this trip isn't worth it.

I tried my luck. I handed my ticket printout and waited for my boarding pass. The zesty crew was chatting with her fellow workers while printing my boarding pass. She never noticed I had no valid ID. I did have an alternative plan which was handing the credit card I used for booking. No need for my alternative plan. I got my boarding pass by 4:10pm.

I paid my 200php terminal fee and waited just a couple of minutes before boarding. I was on my way for Project Happiness. I thought it was not meant to be. But, I actually never believed in destiny.

Thirty-six hours later and I am back in Manila. I went with alternative plan when I checked-in on my flight back and it worked. As for Project Happiness, let's say it was a success. 

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Charming Coron: The Mt. Tapyas Climb

We were chasing the sunset. 



Our plane arrived past noon and by 3pm we were lazily lying on our beds to get our much needed rest. It was a Saturday and we were in my idea of paradise - Coron, Palawan.

At 4pm, we got a knock on our door telling us that we should prepare for the climb. It would be 700 steps to what would be a spectacular view of Coron and the sunset.

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Year Starter

One empty backpack. That's something new considering my flight leaves tomorrow at 12 noon. Usually I've packed my bag a week before my flight. I was under the impression that our flight leaves at 10am and would therefore be coming to the airport at 7am. I was wrong. Reminds me to always check and double-check my itinerary receipt.

One cancelled trip. You can never really tell the future. My Sablayan trip became a Talipanan trip this March. No flying in the air. But it has been replaced by Samal Island on November. That's a good trade-off in my dictionary.

New job by February. This means new income for my travel fund. Although it means less vacation leaves.

via timeanddate.com

Hello, 2012. Surprise me with more adventures!

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Lakawon Love: One of those Moments

The day started out bright and early. We were having our breakfast at Jollibee Lacson before going to the bus station. I had my usual well-done tapsilog while J had a hash brown burger and sausage. We caught the regular bus heading to Cadiz City. We saw two rainbows in between the rains and towns. At one time it was raining then after a few sugar canes everything was bright. I had no qualms riding a non-aircon bus as there was no hint of pollution around. I missed smelling fresh air.

One bus ride, one wrong terminal, one tricycle ride and a 15-minute boat ride composed our travel to Lakawon Island. The bus ride was your usual ride wherein I fell asleep half of the time. The tricycle ride will make you love sugar canes. I wanted to go down and take a photo just to show how small I am compared to the sugar canes. The 15-minute boat ride was different.

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Bacolod Bliss: Yesterday Ruins of Talisay

It was a long ride to what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. My heart was pounding because this place is exactly the reason I wanted to go to Bacolod. Forgive me, my love, for being such an old soul. Old buildings, houses and ruins will always be my guilty travel pleasure.

After endless sugar canes and tall grasses emerged big trees covering what is popularly known as The Ruins. Our tricycle driver offered to pick us up two hours after.

We walked and an Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns welcomed us. It is said that the columns resemble the facade of Carnegie Hall in New York City. That perhaps would be the closest I can get to New York.

This beautiful architecture was built in early 1900's by the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson.  The 4-tiered fountain in the garden is also a charm.

Imagine living in the largest residential structure during its time. It was also the house of finest furniture, chinaware, and decorative items. Maria Braga, Don Mariano's wife, was the daughter of a captain whose ship sailed across Europe and Asia. Perhaps someday we can have our own beautiful architecture with a vast garden. We will fill it with our own treasures - hundreds books and souvenirs from our travels.

We toured the ruins. I could just imagine it during its Golden age. Parties would have been hosted for the upper class. Afternoons would have been spent watching the sunset at the Belvedere. One can still admire the sunset even after the Filipino guerilla fighters have torched down the place back in early World War II. It had been burned down to avoid being used as a headquarters by the Japanese. The mansion burned for three days.

We sat down to have coffee, chicken ala king pasta and a tuna sandwich. The meal was a bit pricey but the ambiance made up for it. We were like dining in a different time. The sandwich was good for someone who's not a fan of tuna sandwiches.

 

The sun sets and the ruins glowed in its golden color. We were both in awe in the transformation in front of us.
We stayed a couple more minutes to sit at the fountain wrapped in lights. We left the ruins by the nineteenth hour. Maybe someday we can visit it again.

Notes:
Operating hours: 8:30 am to 8:30pm, Mondays through Sundays including holidays
Restaurant operating hours: 11:00am to 8:00pm
18-hole Mini-Golf course available

How to get there:
Ride a jeepney to Bata. Get off at the Pepsi Plant. Ride a tricycle to the Ruins. You can ask your driver to wait for you or fetch you at a specific time.

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Bacolod Bliss: L'Sea Restaurant

Home to surprisingly cheap but delicious Filipino-Chinese taste.
It was Sunday morning and we woke too late because we were tired from our Lakawon trip. We were hungry but have just checked out of Bascon Hotel and checked-in at L'Fisher Hotel. We plopped our bags on the hotel bed and tried AroundMe app just to see where we can have our brunch. We narrowed down our choices to two: L'Sea Restaurant just beside L'Fisher and Cuayx right across L'Fisher.

We were on a budget so we tried L'Sea. It was already 11am but the waiter said they were still closed. My heart sank. Then there was a second voice telling us we can already dine. Thank you, kind manager.

Everything below 200php

We looked at the menu and surprised on how everything was cheap. Each one was said to be good for 2-3. I am used to restaurants in Manila selling these kinds of dishes for above 200php. It took me more than 10 minutes to choose what to order. I wanted to try everything (and I do mean everything) but we settled for shrimp balls, chao fan and supposedly bacon rolls. Since they just opened, our waiter forgot the bacon rolls but it was okay as we were full from the shrimp balls and generous serving of chao fan. I wish I knew how to make those steaming, tasty shrimp balls!

Too bad we only ate here once but I feel we'll be back in Bacolod just to eat again.

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Bacolod Bliss: L'Fisher Hotel

It's nice to spoil yourself sometimes. After a hard day's work, you would love to just go sleep in a comfy bed. So after two days of staying at Bascon Hotel, we checked out and moved our temporary stay to L'Fisher Hotel. L'Fisher continues to be one of the most famous hotels for tourists and businessmen in Bacolod. We opted for the original L'Fisher Hotel although J's friend informed us the new wing is cheaper and nicer. I would agree on it being nicer mainly because of the infinity pool it houses.

What is it with water and me? Is it because I'm a water sign? I have always loved being the water, whether be in the sea or just your average swimming pool. I fell in love with L'Fisher's pool. You take the elevator from the new wing to go to the rooftop. Elevator door opens and you see a view of Bacolod. At your right is a pool that screams relaxation, a bar that entails escape and a restaurant that offers comfort. I marveled at the infinity pool with a bar in the middle. The pool is only 4 feet. This is happiness for a 4’11” girl who sucks at threading but swims occasionally.  

Drinks are moderately priced having your shots between 100php to 200php. The experience adds to it as you get to sit in the stools submerged in the water. Or you can take your long island iced tea on the submerged pool lounge chairs. You can sip your drink quietly while looking at the stars.

As for the room, we stayed at the original L'Fisher Hotel. We got a double bed and one single bed. Bathroom was okay complete with amenities. It has a bath tub which we took advantage the whole Monday morning. 

The room was moderately big. Three people can fit and enjoy the room although if based on my size, five of me will fit. We had brunch on Sunday then had our dessert at Calea. We then spent lunch time just lying in bed and watching cable television.

For our breakfast buffet, I got angus beef tapa although it did not blow my mind. It was actually a bit hard to chew. It's your average breakfast buffet and remember: no sharing and no leftovers allowed. I did enjoy their congee because I got to mix the toppings myself.

I love lounging in hotels especially if the bed is comfy, the food is good and the pool is perfect. L'Fisher won my heart mainly because of the bar and pool. Don't expect too much with food but Bacolod is filled with good restaurants so no worries. Just hop to L'Sea Restaurant at the side of the hotel to satisfy your hunger. I recommend you do stay at the cheaper, newer wing of L'Fisher since there's nothing too special about the original wing.

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