It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 1 at the Westnuk Beach Cove

Westnuk Beach Cove on a stormy afternoon.

     Our accommodations at the NPC Village includes a free day pass to the Westnuk Beach Cove.  It is located inside the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong.  Before, you cannot go to the Westnuk Beach unless you know someone from the National Power Corporation who could accommodate you as a guest.  But not anymore!  It is now open to the public, but for a minimal fee.  If I'm not mistaken, entrance for day-trippers is around Php 130.00 per person, more or less, with discount for government employees..

     Now that it is accessible to the general public, the secret of its beauty is now out!  And it says so in its website:

Hidden away in the heart of Morong, Bataan, Westnuk Beach Resort is the perfect getaway for weary travelers looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our resort is only a two and a half hour drive from Manila. Getting there is an experience in itself as the roads you travel are filled with scenic views of where the mountains and the sea meet.

Even in its simplicity, Westnuk Beach Resort features comfortable accommodations with scenic ocean views. We cater to friends, families, and even companies seeking to have fun under the sun. For larger groups and company outings we can accommodate over five hundred people at our hotel at NPC Resort Village, a twenty minute ride via our shuttle service. That’s two venues to experience in one convenient package.

Be surrounded by nature unspoiled by man. When you’re not swimming, facilities for basketball, beach volleyball and karaoke are available for you to enjoy. Come and enjoy one of the Philippines most beautiful and unspoiled beaches for a holiday you’ll never forget.

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 1 at the NPC Nuclear Power Village

     Since I am just a short post away from wrapping up my Macau travel adventures, I'm going to blog about my Bataan adventures since I've been itching to do it for a long time already.

     If you remember, last August 2011, the Philippines had a rather extra long weekend because of several holidays.  So, I was so flustered thinking about being stuck at home.  I wanted to go to Baguio but my reservation was put on-hold and when it was finally okay, it was already too late to go.  Anyway, my family and I ended up staying at the National Power Corporation's Nuclear Power Village in Bagac, Bataan.

It's More Fun in the Philippines - Blog Series

Cagsawa Ruins and Mt. Mayon, Bicol

     Although I have reservations about the Philippines' tourism slogan, I can do nothing about it.  Might as well find something useful about it.  So, I've entitled my Philippine travel adventure series, "It's More Fun in the Philippines."  

     Lately, I've been going around the country one tourist destination at a time.  I'll start blogging my adventures after wrapping up my Hong Kong and Macau adventures, but here's a sneak peek:

West Nuk Beach, Bataan

Boracay, Aklan

Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas

Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas

Manila Chronicles: Winter Clothes Shopping at Promod

     You may want to ask me how I know about store sales.  Let me be quite honest about it.  I work 5 minutes away on foot from a mall.  There.  And yes, the store clerks of the shops I frequent know me already because I am always present when there's a sale.

     Anyway, as with Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Topman, and other foreign clothes stores, Promod has been on sale since mid-January 2012 or thereabout for its year-end sale.  And, what's great about Promod?  Their winter accessories.

     Yes, if you're looking for a scarf that does not look a dime-a-dozen, then Promod is your answer.  Their scarf collection is great, although a little on the higher price range.  But, don't fret, they're having a 70% off sale and their sale items will remain until stocks last.

     Also, Promod's faux fur winter stoles are to die for.  Perhaps, you're a fan of Downton Abbey and you've probably seen Lady Mary Crawley with a fur winter wrap.  And your best bet at coveting that winter stole: Promod.

   


      I've seen this one, too, at the store.  So cute!  It's quite heavy, though.

     This one, too, in different colors.  It looks better in person.

     Well, there's this cape, too, but I am not sure if it's on sale, too.  Probably.  Who'll wear it in spring?

 

     Oh, and I should not forget about this one.  This is simply divine, but a little heavy.  You have to put it on when you check-in at the airport.  Putting it on your luggage will just add a lot to your allowable weight limit.

     And, I've bought these pieces for my Hong Kong trip this February, where the weather's a bit cold this time of the year.  Around 14C to 20C.  I'll put on a cardigan over the sheer one, and perhaps, I'll slip the black one on top of a long-sleeved fitted shirt in white, beige or gray.  What do you think?

     Before I forget, I've seen two winter boots over at Promod.  The first one looks more like a rain boot because of its style, or perhaps, a shorter go-go boots (Promod's style last season was mod-like), and a riding boot of some sorts.

Manila Chronicles: Winter Clothes Shopping at Topshop

     Oh yes.  I know.  One of the most read articles on my blog is about winter clothes shopping.  So, I am trying my best to share where one could buy outfits for winter.

     Last week, I've blogged about the sale at the Terranova, and now, I have something even better.  Topshop, which has been on its year-end sale since mid-January 2012, has just offered BUY ONE, TAKE ONE promo on ALL their SALE ITEMS starting yesterday.  Yes, you read it right.  On top of the 50% price slash, Topshop makes further reduction with their Buy One, Take One scheme: you pay for the higher priced item and the lower priced one is free.  For example, those oh-so-cute over-sized winter knitwears and sweaters, which range about Php 1,600 to 1,900 per piece (already with a 50% discount) can  now be yours for half the price, that is, if you buy any sale item within the same price range.  Yes, you can combine any items on sale for the Buy One, Take One promo.  So, you can have a winter sweater and a winter jacket, too.  Or a winter scarf and a winter sweater. 

     Just some of the winter outfits I've been raving about from Topshop (although I couldn't find photos of their oversized sweaters with thick stripes):

     Me, on the other hand, got a little shopping-crazy for their cute shoulder bags, and shoes, too.  

     Happy winter clothes shopping!

Manila Chronicles: Winter Clothes Shopping at Terranova

N.B.
I do not own these photos.  I just screencapped them for reference.  Head to http://www.terranovastyle.com/ to see the originals.

     It's still winter in other parts of the world and you might be headed to Europe, Canada, the US, China, Japan or South Korea. So, you'd probably need winter clothes, right? Well, you're lucky since there are a lot of stores selling winter clothes at a discount, including Terranova this January. I've been to Terranova today and yet again, I bought a couple of light sweaters and some warmer cardigans. I am going to someplace cold, but not that cold; only Baguio cold, but usually, I love wearing light pullovers with skirts and jeans even in Manila. I mean, they're good for the office, too since it's usually cold because of air conditioning.

Tagaytay Adventures - Overnight Stay

I took this photo using my iPhone.  Guess having an iPhone is not so bad after all.

     Today, my family and I are in Tagaytay, and we're going to stay here overnight, the best accommodation I could find in Tagaytay, at a friend's vacation home!  Yipee!

     My cousins told me we're going to Calaruega church later.  So, I better prepare now. 

     Till then!

     EDT:

We passed by a number of cyclists going to Tagaytay.  We took the Cavite route, the one which passes by Gen. Trias and Amadeo, but I was not so happy about it.  I am more comfortable taking the usual route, SLEX to Tagaytay.  But when I saw those cyclists, I thanked the heavens and almost went down the road to kiss the ground.  I mean, those cyclists are all handsome, trim, tall and fit!  Well, save for a few who look like regular joes.  But the pretty ones are real eye candies; they look like celebrities.  There were some foreigners, too. Gosh.  I wish I was holding my camera then.  Oh well.    

Baguio Travel Adventures: June 2010 - Pink Sisters, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club and PMA

     Every year, we go to Baguio; it's an official stay.  I've been there for 2 straight years but I forgot to finish my Baguio adventures last year, so I'll start, again, for the year 2010.

     My memory's quite bad, but I can still remember what we did because of the photos I took.

     We went to the Pink Sisters, prayed inside where we could see the pink sisters praying, too.  I think they take turns and the sisters pray 24 hours.  We also wrote our petitions on a piece of parchment.

Pink Sisters

     Not surprisingly, I saw a taho vendor selling strawberry-flavored taho and not just the regular one.  It was so sweet but you do get strawberry pieces.

     We tried walking inwards the street where the Pink Sister's convent is located and we passed by some great looking condominiums.  Apparently, Brent School (International) is located there.

     As I have previously blogged, we stayed at the Manor in Camp John Hay.  Since we're staying there, we went to the Bell House and paid a minimal fee to get inside the premises.  According to the Camp John Hay website, he Bell House used to be the vacation quarters of the Commanding General of the Philippines.  It now serves as a modern museum of colonial architecture and lifestyle.  

     

     There's something weird, though, at the Bell House Compound: this totem pole made by  Ernesto Dul-ang.  Kinda creepy.

     In the Bell House compound, another interesting structure lies: the Bell Amphitheater.  Apparently, this structure was designed by and named in honor of General J. Franklin Bell.  Moreover, according to the Camp John Hay website, the Amphitheater serves as an engineering marvel, allowing for good acoustics and is an excellent venue for concerts and other performances.

     If you're at the Bell House, don't forget to stop by at the Cemetery of Negativism, the symbolic burial place of negativism, said to be man's greatest self-imposed infliction, his most limiting factor, and his heaviest burden.

       There's also the History trail and the Secret Garden but we didn't go there.

     

     We stayed in Baguio for 3 days and 2 nights, so we had ample time to visit the Philippine Military Academy which is a little far from the city center.  We saw a lot of cadets making their daily run at the PMA.

  

   

     We also dropped by the Mansion, the President's official summer house.

     For pasalubong, we bought the famed raisin bread from our next-door neighbor, the Baguio Country Club.

  

     Of course, we didn't forget to buy goodies like ube jam, strawberry jam and brittle nut from the Good Shepherd convent. Their garden's full of pretty flowers!

     

Baguio Travel Adventures - Sunrise at The Manor, Camp John Hay

     I'm at The Manor in Camp John Hay, a neighbor of the Baguio Country Club.  We came here yesterday and we'll be staying until tomorrow.

     I woke up early today; I don't know why my mind told me to get out of bed.  When I opened my eyes, dawn was here!  I got excited and took out my camera and took pictures outside our room's balcony.  I waited for the sunrise and it did not disappoint me.  Sunrise and morning light are awesome!

Thoughts: Caught on Cam - Foreigners Having Sex on Boracay Shores

    

     Last night, a local news show in the Philippines revealed an exclusive video of a couple who were having sex on the white, sandy shores of Boracay, a highly popular tourist destination in the country.  Of course, nothing offensive was shown; just bits and pieces of a couple making out near a huge rock (the lady was topless) and another couple putting back their dresses on after a midnight hump.  These two couples are apparently foreigners.  Don’t worry, the naked parts were blurred and there was not even a shadow of humping in the video clip.

     I don’t know.  I’m not a prude, and if they want to do it on the beach, so be it; if they can’t fight the temptation to frolic in the sands of Boracay, that is.  To each his own; really, whatever floats your boat. 

     However, may I inform our travellers that having sex in public here in the Philippines is an act punishable by law.   You may very well be charged with grave scandal (imposed upon any person who shall offend against decency or good customs by any highly scandalous conduct), the penalty of which is arresto mayor, or imprisonment from one day to thirty days, and public censure. 

     Today, the Department of Tourism expressed concern about the incident.  The Tourism Secretary said that hotel owners and other establishments on the beach should post signs or warnings that say it is okay to be happy and enjoy while on the island but there are things that should be done privately, preferably in their hotel rooms. He apparently added that it was a good thing that the sex incident happened at a time when kids are already asleep, and that the act was between a couple that seem to be married and it was not done with a Filipina.  Really?  As if doing it with your spouse who is not a local will make public sex more acceptable.  Lol!

     You can view the news clip HERE.

A Future Trip to Boracay

     I'm probably one of the few local tourists who haven't been to Boracay, ever.  As you may well know, Boracay is a top tourist destination, for local and international travelers alike.  White, sandy beaches, varying hues of blue waters, beautiful sunset, and relentless partying come summer.  I love the beach, even though I cannot swim, but I do like to frolic in the sand, dip in the cool sea, and just stare at the beauty of nature.  However, I find going to Boracay a tedious process.  You must board a plane to Caticlan, and then ride a boat or something going to the beach.  Also, it's [overly] crowded during the summer and I'm not a party-person.  I'd love to have a more serene atmosphere you see.

     By a stroke of luck, I won a trip to Boracay, all expenses paid, during our Christmas party.  Now, I don't have a reason not to go to Boracay.  I think I'd like to go there in February, but not during March and April.  Let's see if I get the time to go there.  I'll have something to blog about if my Boracay trip pushes through .     

     Wish me luck!

Baguio Adventure: Day 1 - The Manor at Camp John Hay, SM Baguio and Cafe by the Ruins [May 2010]

     We went to Baguio last May.  Suffice it to say that it was work-related, although it was more like a yearly Baguio vacation than work.  Still, our presence was required; we just needed to make sure that we're seen and afterward, we're off to enjoy Baguio on our own.

     For accommodation, we were billeted at the Manor in Camp John Hay because nobody wanted to stay at the old, service house that was provided for us.  For one, it was creepy.  Who knows if ghosts abound.  Ha!  Anyway, it was my second time to stay at the Manor and I was glad to see that it was undergoing a face lift and that the garden at the back was revamped. Besides, if I wanted to "scout" for ghosts, then I'd better do it in style. Heh.  The downside to staying at the Manor, aside from the cost, is its seclusion.  If you don't have a car, then good luck to you.  The good thing?  The Manor promises both rest, relaxation and community with nature.  Plus, if you know how to play golf, you're in luck.  There's a golf course at Camp John Hay.

     Looking back, I realized that we hardly did anything on our first day in Baguio.  We spent the morning resting because we were tired from the four or so hours trip up north.  We had lunch a restaurant a few steps from the Manor, and then we rested, again.  Yup, that happens when you're traveling with a large group.  You end up resting over and over again.

     We had nothing else to do so we decided to go to SM Baguio.  How weird is that?  It's not a tourist spot but we went there.  Funny, really.  That's what happens when girls travel together: they end up in the malls.

     Good thing that one of our peers suggested that we go to a coffee shop called Cafe by the Ruins.  We didn't know where it was, only that it was near Burnham Park but we asked some locals around, including some officers in uniform, for directions. By the time we found the Cafe, it was already dark.  I didn't buy anything from there but I just took pictures inside.  It was quaint, sort of like a cafe with an enclosed outdoor dining area.  According to my companions, the pastries they bought were delicious.  

     Of course, we had to end our day early because we had nothing else to do.  I managed to get out of our room and take pictures at the Manor's back garden.  It was really beautiful and enchanting at night.  It was nice to walk around the garden at night while wistfully hoping for some cute guy to keep me company.  Lol!

Our room:

Manila Chronicles: Driving to and From Tagaytay at Night

 

      Tagaytay is a city some 1 to 1 1/2 hours away from Manila.  It is on an elevation so it's cold in Tagaytay.  There are always mists and fogs,  and it's really beautiful as it overlooks the famous Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.  The volcano, an active one, as you may know, is reputedly the world's smallest volcano: a volcano on a lake within volcano with a lake.  Or, the Taal Lake as the largest lake within an island in a lake on an island.  Phew!  Did I get that right?

     Anyway, a week ago, my cousins with my nieces and nephews went for a drive going to Tagaytay.  We took my cousin's old Isuzu pick-up because my 7 yr old nephew wanted to ride at the back of the truck; he was accompanied by her mother and my other nephew while and I stayed inside the pick-up with my sister and nieces.

     Considering that my relatives just decided on a whim to go to Tagaytay, I rushed dressing up, and I used some of my autumn clothes I bought for travel to Beijing.  Well, it wasn't so cold, just in the 20s C, I suppose, but we were there at midnight. It was not chilly, though.

     So, what did we do there?  We just bought coffee from Starbucks and ate a local rice porridge.  That was all.  Of course, we saw no view.  It was so dark, although a saw pantomime in front of Starbucks in Tagaytay.  He was a hoot!

     After consuming our coffees in like, less ten minutes for a grande cup (it was cold outside and the hot coffee got cold way too fast), I climbed up at the back of the truck with everybody else, except for my cousin who was driving, and had a thrill riding in the city.  My cousin would make the pick-up swerve every now and then to scare my nephews and nieces, including his own kids. Well, the older ones in their 20s were freaking out.  They're such a wuss.  They were specially scared when we went up to the Palace in the Sky, apparently, the highest point in Tagaytay.  The fog was so damn thick in there; zero visibility.  But my cousin stopped the car roadside, on a place where there were no lamp posts, turned off the engines and cue in screams by my younger relatives.  Hahaha!  Anyway, the place was just so damn eerily beautiful; haunting but romantic at 2 in the morning.  You could only barely see the road because of the fog but the yellow cast from the lamp post was just so pretty.  Or, maybe because I left my eyeglasses at home and I could barely see (I can only see lights from cars and lamp posts far ahead, but they all look like christmas lanters/lights to me).

     We went back because of the thick fog; I think, we weren't able to reach the peak.  Going down, we drove by a row of flower shops along the road.  I bought a large sunflower, which wasn't cheap at Php 100.00 a piece.  My little nephew wanted a gerbera, so bought him an orange one.  Oh, yes, the flower stalls are open in the wee hours of the night.  We were there around 2:30 a.m.    

     Finally, we drove down back to Manila.  We remained at the back of the truck, with the little kids safety stowed inside, until we reached home.

      I learned one thing about myself while I was riding at the back.  When we got to the flower shop, my little niece told me that my skin looked so pretty; apparently, my face was so white.  Perhaps, due to the cold.  However, I was not even cold, only that cold air was blasting directly on my face (my cousin was driving really fast).  Whenever I'm outdoors, even if it's cloudy, but if it's humid, I'll definitely have rosy cheeks.  That is the reason why I barely use blush-ons.  So now, I know that whenever the cold air blasts, I'll have a paler and whiter skin.