A Visit at Cagsawa Ruins

Another part of our tour in Albay was to visit Cagsawa Ruins. 

Its definitely a MUST. 

But I do have to tell you that its best to visit Cagsawa Ruins before noon to at least get a glimpse of Mayon Volcano to add to your pictures. We weren't so lucky though since it was about noon time when we got there so there were cloud formations so yeah. Not really something I will suggest if you want that post card picture effect. 

You can also go around the ruins and just explore but since there were a lot of people when we got there, peace and serenity wasn't really present. 

I still loved it though because FINALLY I SAW THIS PLACE IRL. 

I still have a bunch of posts about Albay so make sure to check back for more! 

Much Love!

xx Alice

Perfect Destination: Visiting Sumlang Lake in Albay

Hey guys! 

I am back with another travel blogpost. I recently went to Albay to see the Magayon Festival celebration and along with that we were showed different places in Albay as well! 

I will be making a whole series about the places that we went and also the food that we ate so don't expect that I will over load you with pictures from the whole trip in this post okay? 

Let's get started! 

When we first arrived in Albay, we actually checked into The Pepperland Hotel. 

The last time I was in Albay I was about 12 years old and I remember we only picked up someone in Albay then went back to Naga so the Albay I remembered was so different then to now. 

On our first day the itinerary consisted of visiting Sumlang Lake. 

Sumlang Lake is one of the newest places the tourism office of Albay has opened to the public and it has only been open for a couple of years. 

When we first arrived we were welcomed by the souvenir shop which showcased so many locally made products of Albay like Pili and Abaca and also cool furniture that were also locally made.

 

When you go to Sumlang Lake there is an entrance fee of about 10-20 pesos and that includes gazing at the wonder of Mayon Volcano in its background. 

You can also go on a short cruise along the lake  and take pictures! 

I was wearing ballet flats and jeans so I wasn't ready to get wet in these jeans but maybe next time I will try the lake cruise. 

One of the things I am so amazed with this is that they have cabanas and swings that invites you to just rest and feel at ease with mother nature. 

It was quite early on our itinerary so I was able to take lots of pictures and also just enjoy the view.

Mayon wasn't really giving us a great view though which was a bummer but there were more things to discover in Albay so I am so excited! 

That's it for this part of the series because I don't want to bore you guys too much. 

Make sure to check back for more! 

Much Love! 

xx ALice

Say Hello Again to the Chef Next Door!

I am a big fan of food related shows, I can spend a whole day just watching them because I learn a lot from the hosts and also their adventures and I am so glad to see a one of a kind television show on its 2nd season!

The Group Entertainment together with Lifestyle Network channel welcomes another feisty, hot character on the block this July with Chef Next Door and its host Chef Jonas Ng. 

Being the head chef and owner of Huat Pot Hotpot restaurant in Greenhills and Le Jardin in Bonifacio Global City, Chef Jonas will take us on a whole new culinary journey to the intricate food industry not just by the food but also showing us the faces, places and stories behind the food we love and enjoy.

Just like any other culinary shows, Chef Jonas shares his tips on how to prepare food the easiest and most practical ways. There are also some chef hacks that he has learned over ten years of working inside the kitchen.

The whole media launch was held in Le Jardin in BGC last week. We were served a lot of delicious food from different establishments that Chef Jonas also loves that honestly if you ask me to prepare them, I might just say please help me chef! 

If you are like me - which has a bit knowledge but still does not know if I have the skills to be like the experts watching Chef Next door is possibly the best show I can recommend since each episode teaches us how to come up with restaurant quality output from modern urban limitation because lets face it - with the limitation of space, budget and materials some of us would break down in tears in recreating that restaurant favorites in the comfort of our home...or maybe that is just me.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Chef Jonas along with some bloggers during the press launch and I asked him what can he suggest for that ultimate comfort food for the brokenhearted ones - yes humuhugot ako guys pagbigyan nyo na! 

And it might be something you guys have to check out on the next episodes of Chef Next Door. 

Something that I can also say you need to check out is Chef Jonas' #ChefNinjaMoves as he is also known as the "MacGyver" (PS Google what that word means to the younger millenials *wink*) for his ways to come up with creative and informative solutions in every kitchen crisis that is thrown to him that we can also use when the time come. 

As I have seen the first and second episode I can describe the show in 3 words: Comical, Adventurous and Passionate. 

So make sure to check out Chef Next Door and be prepared to fall in love (sige na nga pa-friendzoned nalang ) with Chef Jonas' adventures! 

Chef Next Door Season 2 will air regularly on Lifestyle every Wednesdays at 9:30pm, Thursdays at 1:00AM, Saturdays 6:00PM, Sundays 10:00AM, Mondays at 3:30PM, Tuesdays at 12:00MN. The show is a joint production venture by the Group Entertainment and iSnap Creatives. 

So make sure to check out Chef Next Door on Lifestyle! 

Much Love! 

xx Alice

Enjoy the weekend with your family at Amber Trail Water Park!

I remember when I was younger, the last week of Summer is something that I dread because after that week I can't go out of town anymore with my family. If only I was able to discover this sooner all those last week of Summer would not be dreadful. I'm talking about Amber Trail Water Park in Pampanga! 

Just located along San Pablo, Mexico, Pampanga Amber Trail Water Park is just 15 minutes away from SM San Fernando. 

This water park is not just perfect for family outings but also team outings because it has a water basketball court, water volleyball court and 5 pools which everyone can use to what activity they want to do.

The whole water park has a pre-historic / jungle theme to it that would appeal to kids a lot.

One of the things I do love about this water park is their giant slide. I will admit that although I am terrified of heights I won't say no to some slide action. It was really fun but it almost killed me - due to my inexperienced nature with using tubes.



And if you look closely, the slides look like snakes which actually looks creepy at night haha!

There are units you can rent out which is great because you don't have to worry about leaving your stuff near the pool area.

One of the things that is needed to be checked on the room is if possible there can be 2 bathroom so when you are washing up there won't be a queue. The design of the villa is fit for families but its somewhere you can drop off your stuff then go swimming.



We also had a special treat when we were taught how to cook tocino the Pampanga way. I never really thought there was a better way than what I knew.







Overall my experience was great and I was also able to spend time with my new friends and learn also from them. Definitely check out Amber Trail Water Park!





Much Love!

xx Alice 

May the Be Ever in Your Favor at Jest Camp

If you are a fan of Katniss or Peeta and experience how it is to be a tribute this can be your chance with your friends!

Jungle Environment Survival (JEST) Camp Subic gives you the chance to participate in an ALL NEW OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE! 

Jest Hunger Games  a non-combat course that is both safe and held, and yet also an exciting adventure where participants learn to survive in the wild like the characters in the Hunger Games books and films.

 A unique and powerful experience of nature, far from the world of traffic, computer screens and mobile phones, participants will be taught jungle survival skills to make and cook over fires, build shelters, sneak/stalk and finally to try and win the Games and become “the Victors” . New skills, adventure, immersion in the jungle, intensive teamwork and a whole lot of mischief means this promises to be a truly unforgettable experience. 

The #JestHungerGames will be a two part session. Each participants has to go through an intensive training at the  Training Camp.

Just like in the real Hunger Games, you arrive at our 'Capitol' and train for half a day in our 'Training Camp'. Skills include learning how to make fire, using bow and arrow, sneaking/stalking your opponents, camouflaging yourself and even winning sponsors to get extra lives in the 'Arena'!

In the afternoon, get blindfolded as we lead you to the arena (yes, you won't have any idea what it will look like just like in the Hunger Games!) and only remove them as we start the 10-second countdown and get first hand experience of getting your survival tools from the Cornucopia (filled with water guns, water bombs, food, water and other surprise supplies)! Fight to the 'death' by grabbing the 'lives' of your opponents. The last man standing will be crowned VICTOR! 

You can experience Jest Hunger Games for only P999 each, with a minimum participants of 10. This is open to ages 13 years old and above. 

Will you be willing to take the challenge? Who knows you might be crowned to be the Victor! 

Jest Camp also offers School & Corporate Team Building Activities. For details & bookings, call Jest Camp’s Manila Office at 218 9023 / 0922 3844227 / 0917 9048777 or email : manila@jestcamp.com

JEST CAMP is located at Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. 

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

AND MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOUR

xx Alice

Let's Visit Bohol This 2015!

Personally, I haven't been in Bohol but I have heard so much good things about it. I heard that the natural wonders like the Chocolate Hills, seeing the tarsiers and also the food in Bohol is really a must try. I am really honored to be part of this event and for sure this 2015 I will have my own adventure in Bohol!

Makati City, Philippines - The province of Bohol shows how it defiantly rose from the rubble as it introduces "Visit Bohol 2015," a year-round tourism campaign that aims to revitalize its image and entice more visitors to come to Bohol. 

Under the leadership of Gov. Edgar Chatto, this event seeks to position Bohol as a top-notch tourist destination with its amazing natural attractions and also its friendly and honest people.

The tourism campaign kicked off via a three-day Bohol Travel Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City last January 11 to 13 2015. Organized by the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council Inc. under Atty. Lucas Nunag, the travel fair gathered together all major players in the Bohol tourism sector with an objective of providing a strong boost to Bohol's tourism industry. 

"For years, Bohol has always been in the hearts of every Filipino, not only as an eco-cultural tourism landmark but as a home to a number of our country's pride. As we felt how out kababayans share our grief during the devastating catastrophe that hit out provice, we now feel the surge of support as we pave the road to recovery to come back in the tourism map. With Visit Bohol 2015, expect a much better and bolder Bohol - ready to welcome all of you to our beautiful province. We invite you to visit and we awed bot just by the wonderful sited Bohol has to offer, but also by the endearing graciousness, hospitality and trustworthiness of Boholanos," says Governor Chatto during the opening ceremonies of the event. 

Other partners for "Visit Bohol 2015" include the United States Agency for International Development through its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project (USAID-COMPETE), The Department of Tourism (DOT), The United Nations-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), plus local tourism businesses, Ms. Gloria Steele, USAID Mission Director for the Philippines, and DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., who is also one of the keynote speakers, are among the many dignitaries at the event. 

Bohol also partnered with AirAsia for a year-round low fares for its Manila-Tagbilaran and Manila-Cabu flights to attract more visitors to the province. Also up for grabs at the expo is at least 60% discount on accommodations, tour packages and other travel essentials and various Boholano products. 

For entertainment at the event, the travel fair visitors were serenaded by the heavenly voices of the world- famous Loboc Children's choir, who sang popular and classic music for everyone to enjoy.

See you in Bohol this 2015! I will surely put this on my bucket list for 2015! 

Much Love! 

xx Alice

Gardenia Plant Tour

You know when you were in elementary and you go on school field trips to museums or pencil factory? 

I remember that all too well because that usually happens when I was in elementary. 

Wendy's Salad Bar is Back!

I remember my mm would bring me to Wendy's just to have salad. 

I know. She's weird - now you know who to blame for what I became LOL.

Wendy's salad is something different because 

1. It really fresh

2. You wouldn't get enough of it. 

 

One particular branch I like is at SM North Edsa Annex who just had a renovation with a more clean and fresh look in their store! And also due to popular demand they brought back the Wendy's Salad bar! 

For 199php you get to have a big serving of your greens! and other good stuff of course.

There are some rules of course: 

1. Available for Dine in only. 

2. One trip only. 

3. No left overs

4. One ingredient for ingredients and also dressings. 

5. Last salad bar refill is two hours before closing. 

The rules actually are very easy and beneficial because their salad bar runs out quite fast so its really best to be there early to get the freshest ingredients. 

There are three dressings to choose from: Thousand Island, Ceasar's salad dressing, and strawberry vinaigrette. I would recommend the strawberry dressing since it has a tangy flavor and gives the salad a more fresh taste in my opinion.

Here's my creation! 

Its small and quaint but has a pack of flavor. You can go crazy with how much salad you can put in  your plate and you can share them with your friends and family if you dine in. 

Check out Wendy's Salad bar for a filling and wonderful experience because of course we deserve this. 

Like Wendy's Facebook page for more updates! 

Much Love! 

xx Alice