One of the perks of living here in the province is the inexpensive access to nearby island paradises. I repeat, PARADISES. Plural. I have yet to visit the many neighboring islands of Leyte. There's still a lot out there near Biliran which I'll definitely feature in future blog posts. Again, I cannot stress this enough, how much I love living life out here! I am so not fit to live in some urban and concrete jungle. I count myself blessed at being able to explore and escape anytime I want to and arrive at a dream destination in an hour or so and not just during the summer season when it's crowded. It's like summer all year-round.


Speaking of summer, it is in fact almost over and so together with my high school friends, the Jurassics '99, we hopped on a 45-minute pumpboat ride out to Cuatro Islas specifically to Digyo Island then to Mahaba Island jumping off from Inopacan, Leyte. It's the town before the Hindang Caves & wild monkeys we visited and  the 600-meter zip line we conquered last year.


A lot of my friends have been to Digyo Island but I haven't really had the chance to. Thank God for Memorial Day (Holiday for me!) I was able to spend a day off work and soak up the sun at Digyo. It was actually drizzling on our way there but then the sun came out and the weather was once again perfect.

Digyo - the little island with pristine white sand and a healthy marine ecosystem. Check out the mini sand bar.

We went there on a Tuesday so we basically had the island to ourselves, save for a quick trip by a group of DENR people. The pumpboat ride back and forth costs PHP3,500 plus PhP20 entrance per pax to Digyo. We also paid Php200 for the small cottage to give us shade. An overnight stay would cost PhP350 according to the person in charge of the collection fees. I think it'd be great to spend overnight during a full moon then watch the glorious sunrise the next morning.


I'm glad people are really taking care of the island to maintain its cleanliness. In my years of endless summers, I've been to islands that were initially so beautiful but ultimately ruined by people who don't care about the environment. Tsk tsk tsk. I was pretty touched by a foreigner that came with the DENR team who was surveying the island and she picked up bits and pieces of trash and plastic that she found on the beach. As tourists and visitors, I think we all should do little acts like that and do our part to preserve the environment. If you love summer, then you should love the environment as well. Else there won't be beautiful places to spend your memorable summers!

"I-Dawn Zulueta mo ako!!!"

Love isn't always hugs & kisses. It's knowing that you can fight and argue, try Vader's force choke or Dragon Ball's kamehameha, but sooner or later, say I LOVE YOU and forgive each other. ♥ -Ramen Girl & Noodle Boy

Our next stop was Mahaba Island which serves as a marine sanctuary and there we got a chance to frolic at a secret cove. It was like a scene from the Blue Lagoon, but better because there's network service and you could Instagram your location for the whole world to see!

Fun in the sun at Mahaba Island Marine Sanctuary.

We also went ahead and explored the interior of the island where we sought a unique crustacean specie, the elusive red shrimp! Live ones! Shrimps are only red when they're cooked but the ones we saw were fire red and swimming about like it was nobody's business.

A means of livelihood - copras from coconuts (where coconut oil comes from) - and the way to the hidden lagoon in the island where we discovered a new kind of shrimp species.

I don't know what these are called (locally or scientifically) and we weren't informed by our guide. :( All we know is that they won't come out unless you ask for "their" permission. The way it was said, I was assuming, the "others" that guard the lagoon and the spirits that dwell in that part of the island.


Okay, I admit it was kinda creepy out there and I felt shivers down my spine recalling the many suspense movies I've watched where a group gets killed off one by one during an expedition. (I know you guys have seen some of them typically-themed flicks, too!) Plus climbing those sharp rocks (corals?) really made my knees all wobbly and weak. Perhaps if I had worn Native Shoes, it would have been more comfortable and I wouldn't feel so freaked out. You know, keep it lite!

These Native shoes worn by Kryz Uy are so perfect for island getaways! Photo from http://www.kryzuy.com

Which reminds me...


Anyways, since it was getting late and we had to drive for home, we skipped Himokilan Island and Apid Island. We ought to have stopped over for a bit and bought their infamous yummy dried fish that people say is better than Cebu's danggit. Well, maybe next time. I just know I'm going back soon because it's now definitely one of my favorite cheap and affordable island getaways in the Philippines. And it's more than awesome that it's not so far from home.

Hipstamatic shot taken by my Noodle Boy

So where's your favorite island getaway during the summer? Any suggestions where we should head off to next?




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If you think about college, what is it that you remember most? For me, I think it was the endless summers and beach bumming, when I wore size 23 jeans and had skin so tanned like I lived on a beach. I posted pictures and even a blog entry about Plantation Bay Resort and Spa back during the days of Friendster. It was, after all, the most popular social sharing site in 2003-2004 (pre-Facebook era). More popular than MySpace here in the Philippines, in my opinion. But sadly, the site shut down and along with it disappeared the fond memories of a timeless place I just had to visit not just once but twice during my carefree college days.

But that's not the end of this story, because 9 years later, I found a treasure trove. No coins or any precious metals like gold or silver in it but I found what is more precious to me than any of those even in crates. I FOUND MY MEMORIES... in several compact discs. Some pictures were scanned from prints and others were taken by low megapixel camera phones and digital cameras. Please excuse the quality. :)


My husband Noodle Boy and I were just discussing about going to Plantation Bay for our next summer vacation and incidentally, I found a folder in one of my files containing all my old photos from days spent at the resort. Check out all these "vintage" photos of yours truly and see if you can recognize me.


When we arrived at Plantation Bay, the first thing I noticed back then was the NO TIPPING policy. It's a perfectly clear sign you won't fail to notice when you ride the service/golf carts. It was the first time I've encountered such policy and the staff were extremely courteous and pleasant that you can't help but want to tip them; of course, they'd just flat out refuse so I'd just thank them profusely for doing any service. The servers are also nice because you can actually engage them in chitchat. Not a lot of waiters and waitresses do that but the one assigned to us during a meal was articulate. I really liked that!

Nevertheless, that was back in 2003 when I went there with a dear friend of the family, Melanie, together with her mom and friends. She was visiting the islands for the summer and what better opportunity to cool off than go swimming at Plantation Bay. As you can see, we were all laughter and cheers then. I believe it was like a girls day out as we sipped cocktails at Savannah Pool and relaxed at Mogambo Springs. We tried the warm water pools, cool freshwater pools, and the saltwater pools!

Thanks Mel and Mommy Ging for the getaway!

Breakfast at Kilimanjaro Kafe is absolutely amazing. It's got everything my Filipino palate wanted to eat and then some. I went there pre-high-tech-digital-camera/smartphone era so forgive me if I don't have Instagram photos of food to make you salivate. Also there's a variety of international dishes there and supposedly a different culinary theme each day. Here's a little F&B insider tip: I heard that there was a tremendous amount of effort made to pick just the right kind of bacon to serve. More than 10 kinds of bacon were tried/tested. Wow! For someone who loves bacon like I love the feel of summer breeze on my skin, that's just really awesome!

Apparently, my first time at Plantation Bay definitely blew me away. I just had to come back and this time it was with my family. It was right after my mom and I arrived from our US trip in 2004. My dad who we miss so much already didn't wait for us at home but met us in Cebu. So then we stayed overnight at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan because I insisted. Tee hee! I mean, come on, the place is marvelous! All 11.4 hectares of the place is a sight to behold. We biked around the resort and it was a fun way to break a sweat. Can you believe this place is actually man-made!?!?! WOW! By the way, I gotta hand it to the architect, Joy Onozawa, for the great job with the environmental designs!


Anyway, my mom and dad were very impressed with the place, too, as I hoped. They particularly gave remarks to the water's edge and the lagoon side rooms. It's only in this resort where one can feel absolutely loved and cherished because of the basket of Philippine delicacies (gotta love those dried mangoes and yes, it was the first time I tried the mango-tamarind treats which until now we regularly buy from the grocery whenever we have the chance to!) that you'll find in the room upon check-in and the 1L of mineral water that they replenish daily. It's also amazing how Plantation Bay makes their guests feel like they have their own beach houses. My dad is really a beach bum (I must have gotten that from him!) and he still actually goes to our dilapidated beach house every weekend. There are times he would go there up to thrice a week! I think it reminds him of the times he had growing up after he lost his parents and he had to fish for food just to be able to eat lunch. But, yeah, that's a different story. He loves the water and enjoys swimming.

This is my dad. My source of strength, the greatest provider, and the most understanding man I know.

Our summer escapade at Plantation Bay gave us a chance to bond as a family. I'm an only kid, you see, and as an adolescent I was sort of rebellious and didn't communicate well with my folks. I wrote them A LOT of letters though. My mom has kept each one of them in her drawer. But that was before because now my relationship with my parents is pure delight, and they're both wonderful grandparents to my son. Before I got married, summer outings and vacations were ways for my parents and I to be able to sit down and talk and just enjoy being a family. Plantation Bay provided quite the peaceful and tranquil setting for that.


With the advent of technology and the rise of the social networks, getting in touch with Plantation Bay now is so easy. Recently, I was able to contact them through Facebook and got a reply promptly.


I've been wanting to go back to Plantation Bay for so long but this time I want to take my own family, Noodle Boy and the little Noodle Lito, and then create new memories. It's such a family-friendly resort and I'm excited to try the fun and exciting things to do at the resort with my husband and my little one. I remember the last time we were there it was possible to get some henna tattoo done in one of the kiosks. Also there are so many children's activities and rides to get involved with. I just found out that you can go fishing for real live garoupa, fish-feeding, boat-racing, sand-castle building, face and t-shirt painting, and there's a game room full of entertainment at your disposal as well as you can participate in outdoor activities like rock climbing and archery! My oh my! Furthermore, it's very nice to know that they have a nurse on duty 24/7 as well as a doctor on call. Obviously, there are still so much to see and experience at Plantation Bay that I just can't wait to go back!

So until then... I'll just reminisce with my memories of a summer that lasted forever.


Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
http://plantationbay.com





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Because of several reasons, Noodle Boy and I were not able to go on a proper honeymoon after our wedding last year. There were just too many things happening after the wedding and adjusting into married life was taking so much of our time and yes, we had a baby soon after! To say it was a whirlwind of a first year is an understatement. Try a HURRICANE! But it was wonderful. I would not change a thing. We both grew to be the persons we are right now -- parents... of a delightful little big boy!

Towards the end of last year I won GC from Crimson Resort & Spa and since work and the holidays ate all of our time, it was only during the summer of 2012 that we managed to steal some time away and go on our escapade. Our official honeymoon. And what a wonderful escapade it was!






Buffet breakfasts are the best part of any vacation I should say. I've been to many buffet breakfasts and Crimson is one of those that's got almost everything I want to eat for breakfast! Lunch and dinner buffets are priced at P1,800 per person and right now Crimson is having this awesome promo where they slash 50% off the dinner rates. You should check it out in their Facebook page.

We got complimentary 1 hour signature massages which was a big bonus! Vacation and RELAXATION! What more could we ask for? Thank you once more, Crimson! :)

There are so many things to do at Crimson Resort & Spa that I'm afraid our 3-day, 2-night stay was not enough. Boy, it really wasn't! We're sure to go back someday when Mikko's older and when they have those awesome promos again! You can be sure of that! Scroll down for more random pictures of our stay at Crimson Mactan.

Note: Due to Facebook changing their Photo URL, embedded pics aren't showing up so here's a link to our album instead. CLICK HERE!












We really had a great time as you can obviously see. We got to unwind and reminisce what it was like when it was just the two of us, only 30 lbs heavier now. HAHA! Summer 2012 is definitely another summer to remember.

No bikini pix. Maybe when I lose weight, I'll go back to some flaunting and daunting! Right now, I got the conservative mode ON.

Where did you guys spend your summer vacations? Tell me in the comments!




xoxo,

So the word is out that Cebu Pacific is at it again with their crazy promos... and by crazy I mean it both ways. Good because you can get flights... FOR FREE. But otherwise, you can drive yourself mad trying to book a seat or what. So here's something for everyone... my friends most especially.



Let's go to Coron, Busuanga! What do you say? But I need 150 of you guys to confirm and book a seat.



It's easy. You don't have to go through the website. All you need is your FACEBOOK account. If you don't have a Facebook (who doesn't?) then it's time you sign up for one!

Now go to my LINK after you've logged in.
Or click here: http://apps.facebook.com/fly_one/?ref=fbshw725032130

The traffic is crazy as expected... so...



Now when the page/app loads...



Be my guest. Literally.

Next, look for my plane. This is why we should be FRIENDS. :)



And then once you've located it, click it to view the plane and completely fill out the details of the form that comes up subsequently.



Alright. That's it.



To get to 150 confirmed passengers, you can ask your friends or your family and let me know so I can confirm their seats on the plane, too!

Now let's all cross our fingers and pray that we will ALL win this trip!



P.S.  Don't worry about where to stay in Coron, because there are plenty of deals such as the 3 Days / 2 Nights for as low as PhP 3,750.00 per head package or the 3Days 2Nights Package WITH EXCLUSIVE TOUR & DINNER @ Php5200/person package. Actually, there are many more promos and packages that can be found online, but first we need to get this plane so we can all fly to Coron for FREE!!!

Go!!! CLICK HERE NOW!


xoxo,