mY tRaVeL tALeS

Lady Liberty - Enlightenment or Welcome?

2006-09-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

A gift from France to celebrate the American Centennial, the Statue is one of America's most visited and enduring symbols... and definitely the most recognizable!

We visited the Statue of Liberty last Monday, September 4th, Labor Day.It was a picture perfect day! The view of the NYC skyline was great and seeing Lady Liberty as the immigrants saw her was amazing!

We're from NJ so there no rush at all. Just some tips for visitors, it's better to get tickets on line for the first boat. Arrive early, do not bring anything with you except personnel items and cameras( saves time) and go up into the statue, that's where you can get a real feel of it.

It was great! Truly, a symbol of welcome and enlightenment.

Ellis Island

2006-09-07T08:25:00.000-05:00

The Flag at Ellis Island

At the Registry Room that was used as a federal immigration station opened on January 1, 1892. It was closed in November 1954 but not before processing more than 12 million immigrants.

MUST DO IN TORONTO!

2006-09-01T08:18:00.000-05:00

On our recent trip from New Jersey to Toronto, one of the "must do" items on our list was the C.N. Tower. The CN Tower is definitely worth seeing! Oh yeah, it is a little pricey especially if you do everything there. Things are not labeled well so you will have to ask before you do things. Haha!

Inside is the usual array of shops before going up in the lifts, which is a bit scary. Once up there you feel very safe, and strangely don’t really feel the height. The glass floor is fun and there is a bar at the top. I literally rolled over and over to get the best picture possible. Well, I’m not alone… just so you know.

We didn’t eat in the 360 restaurant due to other reports saying the food was expensive and not very good - and true the food was expensive - the cheapest main course was $39 excluding tax - whereas on the street you could expect to pay anything upwards of $8 excl tax for a main meal. The King St. area (with bars and different cuisines) is a good destination for eating out.

Some facts: From Wikipedia The CN Tower, at 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches) tall, is the world's tallest freestanding structure on land. It is located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is considered the signature icon of the city; more than two million international visitors are attracted annually to the tower[1]. Guinness World Records, which broadly defines 'building', has listed the CN Tower as the world's tallest for 30 years[2]. CN originally referred to the Canadian National Railway, but following the railway's decision to divest non-core freight railway assets, prior to the company's privatization in 1995, the CN Tower was transferred to the Canada Lands Company (CLC), a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development. Since the citizens of Toronto wished to retain the name CN Tower, the abbreviation CN now officially stands for Canada's National rather than the original Canadian National.

july 2006 posts...

2006-08-31T08:11:00.000-05:00

the lake, the mountains and the snow... (Summertime in Lake Tahoe from Heavenly Ski Resort)

haha... i just realized that i did not post the blogs i made last july... how awful! am i getting old or something?! i guess it's something! OH WELL, HERE IT GOES...

GO LAKE TAHOE!

I'm not sure if I can ever go to Lake Tahoe during the winter... and there are many reason. Number one, I can't ski! It's going to be shameful to go there just to walk on the snow... haha! Well, seriously, I can't stay in the cold just yet. I'll get really sick... so summertime is just perfect!

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

The Golden Gate Bridge is arguably the most recognizable bridge in the world. When you see it for the first time on a clear day the colors from not only the bridge but from the surrounding landscapes is staggering. You'll never look at another bridge with such wonder, amazement, and appreciation. There are numerous vantage points throughout the city to photograph the bridge that are great, but the spots in the immediate vicinity are the best.

In one word "stunning". We did the city tour which drove us over it. Although when we were there the weather was cool and foggy and the biggest part of the time the bridge was covered in cloud but it was wonderful when you got clear views. Of course, it is good to see in real life what you mostly see in films... a moving experience... truly charming!

soarin' at EPCOT

2006-01-12T09:43:00.000-06:00

Do you love flying? Take a free-flying adventure across the natural wonders of the Golden State aboard this thrilling Disney's California Adventure™ park attraction. With the wind in your hair, glide 40 feet in the air as you look down upon the breathtaking vistas of Yosemite and redwood forests. Soar as high as your imagination over a world of wonders...

How about driving really fast? Enter the hair-raising world of auto testing on one of the longest, fastest rides in Disney history! Strap yourself in to race up bumpy terrain, roar through hair-pin turns, speed into freezing cold chambers, and rush on to 50-degree banked curves at 60 miles an hour. At just under 5-minutes and with a top speed of 65 mph this is the longest and fastest ride at Walt Disney World. While waiting for the thrill you will have a rare sneek peek inside the world of automobile testing and get a first hand look at how cars and trucks are tested...

Wanna be an astronaut? This ultimate interactive thrill-packed adventure is as close as you can get to blasting off into space without leaving Earth. Each member of your astronaut team has a challenging role in a dynamic and daring cosmic mission dodging meteors and navigating nebula. Feel the force of lift-off and have an exhilarating, mystical rendezvous on another planet. It's out of this world! Oh yeah! I was really dizzy after but I don't regret trying!

Obviously, my love for out-of-this-world stuff made EPCOT my favorite at WDW. It's a wonderful combination of a science exploratorium and a world's fair sprinkled with thrills throughout. Epcot looks at the future and celebrates the world's cultural diversity.

Truly magical! ;-)

MAGICAL WORLD OF WDW

2006-01-12T09:24:00.000-06:00

Sneakers? Check.
Sunscreen? Check.
Sunglasses? Check.
Hat, backpack, park-hopper tickets? Check.
We're all set! Good to go!

A century ago, oranges and cows were the main attractions in Orlando. Now, a daunting array of water parks and entertainment centers, led by Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, draw millions of visitors each year. Even the most jaded adult can find something wondrous in this eye-popping land of marvels—with or without the kids. And if you need an escape from animated characters and crowds, head to one of Orlando’s many well-respected spas.

...and once you choose to vacation in Neverland, it's never too soon to begin strategizing. Because no one truly "escapes" to the magical worlds of Disney and other parks without fine-tuning a game plan. Armed with your map and provisions -- snacks, water bottles, sport drinks -- you're ready to outmaneuver the pixie-dusted millions who visit the area each year.
Once you're prepared with a realistic vision of your vacation, you'll be more than ready to let the fantasy sweep you away to the golden-spired Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Then forward march to the lush jungles and sweeping savanna of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Discover Epcot and its hodgepodge of culture and technology. Finally, rewind to a Hollywood heyday that never was at the star-studded Disney-MGM studios.

iNtro...to the MAGIC...
The sheer enormity of the property -- 30,000 acres near Kissimmee, Florida -- suggests that WDW is more than a single theme park with a fabulous castle in the center. The property's acreage translates to 47 square mi -- twice the size of Manhattan or Bermuda, and about the same size as San Francisco. On a tract that size, 107 acres is a mere speck, yet that's the size of the Magic Kingdom. When most people imagine Walt Disney World, they think only of those 107 acres, but there's much, much more.
More than 2,800 acres of the property are occupied by hotels and villa complexes, each with its own theme and swimming pools and other recreational facilities. Epcot, a little more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom, is the second major theme park. A combination of a science exploratorium and a world's fair sprinkled with thrills throughout, Epcot looks at the future and celebrates the world's cultural diversity. Disney-MGM Studios, devoted to the film business and also known familiarly as the "Studios," is nearby.
In the past several years, Disney has introduced and expanded a way to experience the most popular attractions with little or no wait. FASTPASS allows you to schedule appointments and avoid the long lines that are so commonplace. Going by a Disney survey, FASTPASS may save as much as two hours of line-standing time. Just step up to the front of the line and book your reservation time by feeding your theme-park admission ticket into a machine. PHOTOPASS is also so amazing. My husband and I had so many pictures together... thanks to Disney's PHOTOPASS .

And you may not be finished yet, since the flashier colors and thrills of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure await beyond Disney World's gates. Don't forget to give Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and Cypress Gardens their due, either.

Wherever you decide to wander, stick to your plan and hang on to your hat, because it's going to be a wonderful (sometimes scary!) joyride.

Universal Studios, Florida

2005-12-30T19:05:00.000-06:00

Universal Studios...

I've read somewhere that a century ago, oranges and cows were the main attractions in Orlando. Oh well, too bad!

Now, a daunting array of water parks and entertainment centers, led by Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, draw millions of visitors each year. Even the most jaded adult can find something wondrous in this eye-popping land of marvels—with or without the kids.

If you are looking to spend a day away from the Disney theme parks, there are many things that you can spend a day doing within a short drive from anywhere you are staying in the Orlando area. One of my favorites is Universal Orlando... you'll feel like a star as you ride your favorite movies such as ET, The Mummy, MIB, etc...

SEAWORLD Orlando

2005-12-30T18:53:00.000-06:00

Yehey!!!
Just got from a fantastic Orlando Trip, the fun capital of the world.
Aside from the ever-popular WDW,
Orlando is also home to Shamu and his friends at Seaworld. It is owned by the Anheuser-Busch people, who also make the beer. Nothing excites kids or the kid in all of us more than watching a great big killer whale leap about gracefully and effortlessly through the air. You can also enjoy dolphins, sharks, sting rays, shows, and concerts.

They also have cool rides too... and I mean cool!

lovin' the colors

2005-11-09T14:11:00.000-06:00

taipei airport w/ my honey

2005-11-09T14:08:00.000-06:00

taipei airport w/ my honey, nov 4, 2005

oN mY tRaveL tALeS

2005-06-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

hmmm...i'm not really well travelled you see... I've memorized the fifty states of the U.S. because it's "part of the job" not because I've been there. I can tell you the European countries with their capital cities...memorized it from the atlas my mom got me during my 5th grade. Haven't been there too but someday I will. travel tales... I haven't really travelled yet, but you know what? someday I will and I want to write cool stories and web logs about it. Nah! Not really to share but for me to look back after several years. Picture essays will be real cool too!

aNtOnIo'S tAGaYtAy

2005-05-31T23:37:00.000-05:00

Here I go again...

As always, Tagaytay is my favorite place. Not only because it's near the metropolis but because it is now a home to so many famous nice dining places frequented by people who are not only looking for great food but great ambiance too!

A trip to Tagaytay is always a welcome respite from the day to day activities of one who lives and works in the city. Even when it's drizzling in Metro Manila, Tagaytay and its environs are literally a breath of fresh air. Oh yeah!

If the trip includes a dinner at Antonio's? ITS MAGIC.

I love the salad and the tomato soup. The juice reminds me of the dalandan juice at Sonya's too. I ordered lamb cutlets for the entree and finished it off with the flourless chocolate cake. Hmmmm... yummy!

romantic cottage

2005-02-22T00:52:00.000-06:00

in my honey's cottage...during the second visit (feb 21, 2005).

cOLoRfuL iMagEs iN SiNgApOrE

2005-02-14T01:51:00.000-06:00

cOLoRfuL iMagEs iN SiNgApOrE

5 Things I Love About My Uniquely Wonderful Trip (Singapore, Feb 2005)

2005-02-13T14:13:00.000-06:00

1. Sentosa Beaches - Beach lovers can enjoy exciting games and sea sports along the 3.2-km long sandy beaches stretching across Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. I can’t help but admire the beauty and cleanliness of Sentosa Beach. I could be really great to frolic under the Sentosa sun! However, we will be staying for 3 peaceful days in a resort in Langkawi, Malaysia after the Singapore trip so even though I’m a beach bum, I have to let this opportunity pass.
2. The Merlion - Singapore’s tourism icon in the shape of a lion’s head and the body of a fish. Guests can glimpse into the mystical aquatic realm of legendary sea creatures when they enter into Singapore's tallest Merlion. And get a share of Merlion's good fortune when they interact with the Mercubs. We took an elevator to go up the giant Merlion and it took us to the Merlion’s Crown that gave us the panoramic view of the city!
3. Magical Sentosa Show at the Musical Fountain – This laser lights and sounds show offers a spectacular light and sound experience to visitors. They said that it’s a very popular attraction using the latest laser technology, a dazzling multi-sensory light and sound show combining motion pictures with 3-D animated images are choreographed to a ballet of dancing water fountains, music and lights. The show started around 7pm but 1 hours before the show, the area is already full of spectators. Good thing we arrived early and had a great time eating ice-cream and junk food as we wait for the show to start. The wait was really worth it, the show is truly spectacular!
4. Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon – Its an an up close encounter with Mother Nature’s other creations. It was exhilarating to see unique pink dolphins and other exciting ocean life such as the mermaid-lookalike dugong, sea dragons and many more. There’s also a tunnel-like viewing area that will make you feel like a scuba diver for a few breathtaking minutes underwater… oh, I mean, inside the tunnel!
5. Cable Car - . We went on the Cable car going to the resort island of Sentosa. It was genuinely thrilling! The panorama of Singapore from the cars are exhilarating and picturesque. My mom closed her eyes all throughout the ride like it was the scariest experience. Well, too bad, she missed the stunning landscape.

My Tagaytay

2005-01-02T00:53:00.000-06:00

An hour-and-a-half away from Manila, scenic Tagaytay continues to draw urbanites who want to seek respite from the stress of daily living. From our home in Laguna its just a mere 30-minute drive…
This town called Tagaytay, has been renowned for its numerous qualities -- friendly geographical setting (an easy and very scenic one-and-a-half hour drive), dewy fresh air, and landscape, gracing each soul (and stomach) with a new trend in an out-of-town al fresco dining experience!
Growing up and living in San Pedro, Laguna has so many advantages than I admit. Well, first and foremost, to live in a place away from the polluted city is truly a welcome retreat. To be able to enjoy quiet days and night are blessing that I have to thanks my parents for. It is also near the famous hotsprings of Calamba and Los Banos.
A mere 30-minute drive is Tagaytay - a family getaway, a romantic sojourn, a scenic dwelling.

A Family Getaway -- Tagaytay Picnic Grove
This "Special Interest Resort" is overlooking the Taal Volcano Lake and coastal towns of Batangas. It wonderfully offers various facilities such as cottage accommodations, dining, function hall, picnic areas, viewdecks. Recent additions to its facilities is the Eco-Adventure Trail. Climate is generally cool. It is ideal for picnickers and budget travelers.
My recent visit to Tagaytay showed to me the new TPG Eco-Adventure Trail. It is a 404 meter Eco-Adventure Trail, contructed amid a natural park overlooking the famous Taal Volcano located within Tagaytay Picnic Grove. The scenic walkway, which hugs the rugged terrain of the picnic grove, give Tagaytay visitors a number of spectacular views of the island-volcano of Taal. It's winding and rolling pathways provide tourists a challenging stroll or a leisurely walk. A scenic walkway for eco-tourist and nature lovers.
Be it a picnic, boating, picture-taking or horse back-riding Tagaytay is the place to go. With the cool climate.
Now then, Tagaytay or Baguio?
Seems like a rivalry has been going on for some time now between Baguio and Tagaytay over which should be called the summer capital of the Philippines. These two places are very close to my heart even as a young child. But going up to Baguio takes planning, while a trip to Tagaytay is a spontaneous quickie with the weather that is almost always pleasant, the view is enchanting and the landscape a composition of rolling hills and quiet waters.

Enchanting Dinner -- Sonya's Garden
Sure it's a little far-flung, but the drive, believe or not, is a precious experience!
This hidden gem of a restaurant is tucked away on a isolated windy road off the main road. It offers romantic dining in a garden setting. The dining cottages are impressive with a rustic feel and dreamy ambiance from its lace curtains to delicate china and silverware. Set menu includes fresh garden salad, pasta with choice sauces and refreshing orange juice- quite expensive at Php600 per person but worth it for the romatic ambiance. Of course, the lush vegetation of flowering plants in the garden is exquisite!
For PhP500-PhP600, you get your pocket's worth of a purist's sumptuous feast. Don't be deceived by it's meatless full-course. The serving is very generous and the dalandan juice is bottomless! I couldn't help but indulge in the herbivorial and pasta-riffic digging, after all, it is yummy minus the guilt. I am a pasta-lover too! Besides, Sonya's could always pick from its garden if I consume their supply.
The sweet and pleasant-smelling garden is unquestionably magnificent. Its landscaping is as natural as it can get. Ms. Sonya Garcia, ingeniously, was able to source-out old railroad tracks to accentuate the pebble-wash grounds of the landscape. Butterflies hover around the garden's colorful floral explosion. White linen covers the windows in the veranda rooms and the little cabana you can siesta on if you've had too much to eat. I just love the Filipino-Provincial ambiance of this place.
We left Laguna at past 3 in the afternoon. It took us more than 45 minutes to reach Tagaytay Picnic Grove. From there it took us about 45 more minutes to reach the place.
How would I describe the place? Well, with the ambience of the place and all, you might find yourself saying "yes," surprisingly…it is truly a romantic and memorable place for me!
Sonya's Garden is relaxing to say the least. To get to the restaurant, you follow a winding path lined with small, white pebbles. There are flowers all around. It's a garden, remember? Your eyes rest on light blue, bright fuschia, orange, violet and white blooms. Your ears hear the lulling sound of water from small fountains and rain tubes. As you walk around, there's a hammock that both kids and oldies can try. There are areas where people can sit or lie down to read a book, all framed by soft, white, flowing, curtain-like cloth.
The place is likewise interesting. There are small cottages for Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast with unique, colorful stained glass doors. Unique collectibles are scattered everywhere. Antique jars, masks, chairs, wind chimes. There are plenty of items to look over and talk about. The bathroom for women is also very spacious. It is likewise filled with antiques and flowers and you sort of ask yourself: "Should I really be using this bathroom?"
Anyway, on to the meal part. Food is served in a dining area which can seat 25 to 30 people. I am told there is another similarly-sized area. Given that the place is relatively small and that you have to travel a long distance from Manila to get there, it is prudent to make a reservation. Only one menu is served for lunch while there is a different menu for dinner. In other words, all customers for lunch or dinner eat the same food.
As to the food, you start with the salad, my personal favorite. The leafy greens are grown in the garden itself. The rich and tasty dressing is perfect with the delicious toppings of varied textures and tastes. The salad is followed by bread served with several different dips followed by pasta with two sauces. The pasta sauces are: tomato-based and white cream sauce. These can be mixed with shrimps, anchovies, and olives which are also provided separately.
For dessert, there is sweet turon thinly coated with caramelized sugar, and sprinked with sesame seeds all over. There is also sweet carioca. To end the meal, hot water with mint tea leaves is served.
What I’m writing is really making me hungry…yum yum!

pics of the first visit

2005-01-02T00:46:00.000-06:00

The first dinner at Sonya's Garden taken last January 1, 2005

more boracay pics!

2004-12-22T23:13:00.000-06:00

an adventure filled vacation...but all good things come to an end so we made a vow to return. Since promises are not meant to be broken, we vowed to re-visit the same resort, the same picturesque view of sailboats and hobie cats, the same immaculately white sand against the same backdrop of sparkling blue waters amid a glowing summer sky.

boracay pics ;-)

2004-12-22T21:32:00.000-06:00

some of the bora pics i love...

BORA - where nature and party lovers converge

2004-12-22T03:38:00.000-06:00

A paradise blessed with gorgeous waterscapes, the Philippines is never lacking in today’s liveliest water encounters.

The favorite "White Sand Beach" is what we call BORA... a paradise for young and old, pinoys and foreign tourists alike...

Our plane trip to Boracay full of sunshine despite a weather disturbance few days before the trip. It was mid-december and the tropical showers were quite a nuisance. Upon arrival at the airport, we unboarded the plan hurrily in the mini runway of Caticlan. My excitement was brewing as we boarded an outrigger bound for Boracay island. We were seated next to other tourist who booked with the Lorenzo Resorts where we were booked for 3 days and 2 nights. As our banca docked, we waded through cold waters and were met by Lorenzo Main's welcoming party with ice tea glasses on-hand. Shifting my attention now to the resort which we were fast approaching, I realized that we had just made reservations to paradise.

Boracay Island is off the northwestern tip of Panay Island in the Visayan Region and is about 300kms south of the Capitol of Manila. It has become the number one tourist destination of the Philippines. Travelers from all over the globe come to see the world's most beautiful beach-"White Sands Beach". The best part of the island is the four-kilometer White Beach hailed as the “finest beach in the world.” The surrounding water is shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago. White Beach is so, soooo fine, it feels like treading on miles of baby powder!

Similar to most resorts in Boracay, Lorenzo Main is set within sprawling pristine white sands where the hotel is just a few strides away from the beach. But unlike the adjoining resorts along the upper-end of the island, Lorenzo Main is nestled amidst a symmetry of coconut trees, small, open bamboo huts and a clutter of native lounging chairs.

Unsuspecting of our room accommodations, we were pleasantly surprised at the size of our not-so-simple abode. I was feeling a bit drowsy due to the boat ride so i took a quick nap. After about an hour we quickly changed to swimsuits. Despite the scary heat of the sun we frolicked in the beach while carefully absorbing every beauteous detail that our paradise offered. Boracay is brimming with sailboats and hobie cats and my boyfriend and I had several shots taken beside so many colorful sails.

The pretty Boracay pictures I saw from the internet were nothing compared to the pinks, yellows, baby blues, and purples all lined up and beckoning for a ride or two. I was talking about the colorful sailboats and hobie cats. We had a pleasure of taking a sailboat to watch the wonderous display of colors as the sun sets. It's truly a miracle that happens everyday. A sight that I'll never tired of looking at.

That night we walked all the way to the end of the island in front of Friday's. Hmmm... the sand here was whiter and finer.

It seemed that we had all the time in the world for all these as time in Boracay was slow and generous to our whims. We made a side-trip to Crystal Cove the following day and some friends went snorkelling to enjoy the underwaters in our own simple ways since we are not certified diver. :(

We went back to the island to pose by the boats and enjoy the sun. This time, the sun sparkled
in the sky and everywhere, foreigners were either loafing around the beach or relaxing on lounging chairs.

We went back to our cottages after that and took quick showers and relaxed in time for our massage... Hmmm... this is my idea of a great time!

Nights are romantic and inviting for long walks along the beach. We strolled all the way past the popular bars and resorts--Coco Manggas, Moondogs, Willy's and further down to Le Soleil, past the dive shops and the market then back to the cottages. Because the weather was cool at night, we'd sit back against the lounging chairs sipping drinks and re-telling the day's adventures.

Luckily, we had prepared well for this trip so we had the luxury of dining as we pleased, enjoying the resort facilities and shopping for souvenirs and tie-dyed house dresses to no end.

The palm-studded island of Boracay – with its white, talcum-fine beach, balmy weather, and warm, crystalline waters – is like a hypnotic magnet. In this tiny, butterfly-shaped island at the northwestern tip of Panay in Western Visayas, days can be spent simply lazing on the beach while nights are for indulging in the tropical party lifestyle.

Truly, this is a place where nature and party lovers can mingle.

Short ‘n Sweet!

2004-08-30T15:37:00.000-05:00

I found myself at the Domestic Airport about 4:15am as I prepare to board the Cebu Pacific flight by 5am. The airline claims to be 95% percent on time so I had to wake up early and prepare my stuff for my day trip to Cebu.
I visited Mactan Island in Cebu only once and my trip was very brief. But each time I hear place called Mactan, I cannot forget how delightful the place is. I think one of Mactan's charms is its location. Unlike some other resort destinations in the country, resorts in Mactan are not as far-flung or isolated. Guests in these resorts could easily enjoy a pulsating night life in the city after a relaxing and lazy day at the beach. Yes, Mactan Island, linked to Cebu Island by bridge, is just a 30-40 minute drive from the city of Cebu! Mactan Island is home to the Mactan International Airport and aside from the several beach resorts and dive shops, sights not to miss are the historical monuments of both Magellan and Lapu-lapu; the guitar factories, the souvenir shops that sell mango candies.
In Plantation Bay, I discover a resort in a class of its own. Set in hectares (sorry I can’t count) of secluded grounds yet only 40 minutes from downtown Cebu City, Plantation Bay offers one of the largest privately owned waterways in the world, with the clean elegance of colonial-plantation architecture. Decompress from life's pressures in the healing tranquility of another world. I’m glad I came and discovered a refreshingly different sight in this resort.
Like my trip and the title of my piece, what I have to say about Mactan is also short and sweet. Hopefully, the next visit will not be too far away!

pLaNtAtiOn bAy, cEbU

2004-08-30T02:58:00.000-05:00

fun in the sun at the pLaNtAtiOn bAy, cEbU