EL NIDO BOUND 2017 - TOUR A PACKAGE

After 34 years and it's been like forever waiting for this time to finally arrived, gradually, I am no tourist anymore in my own backyard. El Nido dubbed as one of the best beaches in the world is down from the checklist. Quick history guys, "Bacuit" is the former name of El Nido since the 1890's branded by the Spaniards during the colonization and in 1954 it was officially changed to El Nido which is the spanish word for "The Nest". Why The Nest? because it became famous for the edible nests of swiftlets found in the limestone cliffs. These nests are the main ingredient for the gourmet nido soup which are being sold for an approximately whopping price of Php145,000 (US$ 3000) per kilogram. You will probably hear these backgrounds from your lively and fun tour guide. I think they were trained to crack some routine jokes to give the tour some added delights. Most of the tourists from different boats had only good words about them.

Back to the main subject, Tour A consist of these 5 island destinations - (1) Shimizu Island, (2) 7 Commando Beach, (3) Small Lagoon, (4) Big Lagoon, (5) Secret Lagoon and Ilok Lagum (sorry, pun intended for the last one- not in the list). The tour package is priced at Php1200.00 (25 US$) as of this writing and is inclusive of lunch buffet and free use of life jacket, mask and snorkel. Assembly time to get on board in the boat is 9:00 - 9:30am and the tour covers about 8 hours of duration. So, probably by 5pm you'll be back at the docking point.

Tour A and Tour C are the best recommendations in the islands even in blogs and the likes in social media. Unfortunately, Tour C is unavailable during our whole stay because of strong winds and waves condition. During the day of tour, the Coast Guards will confirm if a particular tour is being restricted. Usually, Tour C is delicate to these conditions and oftentimes being cancelled for prohibitions. See also El Nido Tour B Package blog.

Docking Area.

HOW TO SIMPLY AND QUICKLY STOP A HICCUP?

I promise myself to be dynamic and occupied this year, but really, I just want to hit the S$150 Adsense quota if it's really taken to serious business.  By the way, Adsense is like a commercial on tv where it pays the platform it appears and that is the Ad displays here in blogging and clicking it is the way it works for the money. The more browse traffic, the better. Expect more post from me and I swear I will try to make it informative, fun and helpful! I'll "refrain" from mema- memapost lang!

BALI BALI BEACH RESORT, SAMAL ISLAND

Ending the year like a BUM! It was an invigorating year-end for me as I have some chain of recreation lining up till the start of 2017. Together with my pack, we started the escapes first with a staycation in SEDA Hotel Davao as an additional leisure for the holidays and more importantly to be more relaxed when traveling the next day to this resort 'coz we're from Tagum City. Bali Bali Beach resort felt like a remote place because it's not guest congested neither infested even though it's not quite far from the town proper. Maybe because it's a pre-arranged or pre-booked accommodation where walk-ins are discouraged by the resort. Despite that, it is but a perfect place to be if you're looking for tranquility. 

"Bali bali" is Pangasinense's word for beautiful, a name everybody could think of to name a stunning resort. There are 6 villas to choose from when you opt for an overnight stay. Room rates ranges from Php5000-10,000 a night for a 45sq.m - 60sq.m. room areas. All bookings are inclusive of breakfast and can be upgraded into a full day's meal which comes with a price also. See Agoda for more info.

HOW TO GET THERE: ( 1 ) via Davao-Samal barge transfers using your own vehicle (Php250 toll fee) at Sasa wharf followed by a 20-minute drive (11km past Paradise Island Resort) along Samal's coastal road to your right when going out of the docking station. ( 2 ) via boat transfers from Davao Boat Club Marina, Lanang Aplaya to this beach resort arranged by the resort (additional fees will be charged). 

*Boat Schedule Departure Time at the Davao Boat Club in Marina, Lanang Aplaya are as follows:

Morning Transfers:  from Bali Bali to Marina - 8:00 AM and Marina to Bali Bali - 8:30 AM

Afternoon Transfers:  Bali Bali to Marina - 4:00 PM and Marina to Bali Bali - 4:30 PM

I heard they cater special trips for a separate fee.

CAMP SABROS MOUNTAIN RESORT, DIGOS CITY

It's my second time around here and I know very well what to expect. I don't have the blog yet when I first set foot on this mountain resort with my high school classmates but I have my poor photos bunked together in facebook. All but some fun-filled memories. We have tried all what we wanted to exhaust from this elevated plain from cable lift to zip line to horseback riding the horses with no names. We did all those without a sweat because Camp Sabros just like Eden Nature's Park in Davao City has a relatively cold weather all through out the day. This time, the intention of revisit is to shoot our prenup. During the negotiation stage, we suggested to our chartered photographer to have that vibe of nestling in a tree shrubs; be in a place that is unwinding, easy-going and breezy which led him to plug this place to seal the deal.

Camp Sabros boasts its zip line facilities with the highest elevation in the region and the perfect spot to view the country's highest peak - Mt. Apo. It is about 2 hours away from Davao City. It is best to arrive at the Camp as early as 8:00 in the morning to enjoy the captivating view of Mt. Apo and the more chilling weather. It is open daily even during holidays and the cottage standard check-in is 1:00 pm and 11:00 am check-out.

CAMP SABROS MOUNTAIN RESORT. Location: Sitio Barras, Barangay Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Distance from Davao City is approximately 75Km (will take 2 hours of travel, depending on traffic)

KITCHEN MODEL INSPIRATIONS

It's every mother's, wife's and food lover's sanctuary- the kitchen! I browse around Pinterest and I took a lot of favorites for an inspiration. I always envision kitchen since a kid as a breakfast haven, it always associate the thought of waking up in the morning and seeing your mom preparing food while you are waiting to be fed on the sides. Having a countertop adjacent to a counter table is the best way to represent these thoughts. Check below if you agree with me. See also Bathroom Inspirations.

Item1

BATHROOM INSPIRATIONS

In connection to my living room concept post, I gathered all the design ideas that I wanted from Pinterest and will create a hybrid of a concept from these inspirations. My kind of bathroom is something that is modern, minimalist and sleek that brings a relaxing or therapeutic vibe when you engage yourself in. I really don't accommodate the thought of rustic as a theme because it reminds me of the algae and bacteria infestations in the corners. Checking at the area I allotted to the bathrooms in my house plan, it definitely is considered a small bathroom. Thus, I am very keen in studying the orientation of the toilet bowl, shower, lavatory and storages in harmony with the open space feel. The below pictures are my insights when speaking of tile choices, paint color and the accents in between.

Item 1

SCANDINAVIAN LIVING ROOM DESIGN CONCEPTS

To begin with, Scandinavian is the term used to associate people and historical attributes of the mainlands consisting parts of Northern Europe which are Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Sometimes Danish Faroe Islands, Finland and Iceland are included because they got huge influence from Scandinavian culture. Not that I know about this, this post just pressed me to get to know the term more clearer by research!

Moreover, this is the time of my life when I can say I got to have build my own house sooner not later before my family becomes bigger. I'm referring to my new immediate family now - me, my wife and son Caleb. They say prioritizing a house over business endeavor is not a good move because it's a dead investment. True to most people but not for me because it's my motivation pill to keep me intact from holding on to my day job. That's how I keep my sanity from wanting so badly to quit an employed life, something concrete that could justify my hardwork. It could be my stimulation too to strive hard in getting my way to the business platform to sustain the luxuries we want in the house. I mean if you don't have a confident choice for a business idea for the time being then just don't give it a go, be diligent and save yourself from the risk of losing funds by using it to a more tangible gain or property. Then, work on it later. 

Moving on, I have started looking for design concepts and I have stumbled upon some good designs. (Photos courtesy of Renopedia)

Item 1

THE RIGHT TIME TO EAT STAPLE FOODS

Few weeks away to my big day and I am trying different and wrong ways to eliminate my bulging stomach. I stumbled upon a post from a friend in facebook and I believe this is a blog worthy information to fill in my health category compilation. I know it may be too late for me to yield some results from the approaching wedding but being healthy is not only best when there are special occasions; it should happen everyday. Here are some useful tips on how to be wise on the food we eat: 

*Excerpts courtesy of Happy & Healthy

HOW TO DOWNLOAD FACEBOOK VIDEOS USING ONLINE DOWNLOADER

Have you been itchin' out of urgency when you spotted someone posting in facebook of a movie currently showing in the cinemas and wanted to download it as soon as that righteous man reported the video? Clueless no more because this got you covered. Make sure you are 'wifi' connected to better support the download.

STEP 1. Copy the URL in the web address section.

EXCHANGED CONVO

THE HILL RESORT OF MALAYSIA - THE GENTING HIGHLANDS

What better way to spend the couple of days from Hari Raya holidays than visiting places you've never been. For me, getting here is the very highlight of our KL trip just recently mainly because of the stunning infrastructures on top of the mountains. Also known as Resorts World Genting, it is a hill resort elevated at 5710 ft and is accessible by car from KL for an hour or by cable car called Genting Skyway from Genting Bus Terminal. 

Chin Swee Temple

BATU CAVES: TEMPLE OF HINDU DEITIES

Leaving KL without visiting Batu Caves is like a void in your heart that you are longing to fill in with pleasure and contentment. (melodramatic huh?!) What I meant was you are far from satisfying your touring if you haven't been in this monumental place. Me in particular have been to that road since the beginning of time from working in Singapore as I visited KL several times but haven't got the chance to meet it in the flesh, that is why, I needed not to miss out this limestone caves in my fourth time. 

HOW TO GET THERE. I recommend BY TRAIN. KTM Komuter train takes you to the caves on the Batu Caves classified as Port Klang line. Fare is around RM2.00 from KL Sentral to Batu Caves. The travel time from KL Sentral to Batu Caves takes about 30 minutes. (cheapest way). BY TAXI. Normal rates from city centre will cost around RM20.00 - 25.00 but this will always depend on your gullibility or street smarts. (always ask from your hotel or use taxi fare calculator online for approximate value).  Most importantly, always ask if it's metered taxi before jumping in. BY BUS. There are two bus routes you can choose from, U6 and U10.