Asia – Page 8 – soloflighted.com

Sagada Trip: Side Trip to Banaue NO Rice Terraces

After killing time in SM Mall of Asia, we proceeded to the Florida Bus Terminal in Sampaloc, Manila, so we could be seated. We were heading to Banaue en route to Sagada. Strategically, we bought our tickets in the morning for the 10:45pm schedule so that we could reserve seats ahead of time. We met … Read more

Travelling with Wandering Feet in Cebu

I don’t often go out when I’m at home. I use the time to catch up on backlogs and online tasks as well as get some rest and relaxation in the process. At times, Pinoy Travel Bloggers would drop by and I’d get to hang out with them only for meet-ups. Then there are moments … Read more

Sagada Trip: Never Too Old for a Cave Connection Adventure

Meet Tita Myrna and Tito Raul, she’s 52, he’s 53. A social worker in Bulacan and a tennis instructor in Abu Dhabi. They’re two of the most adventurous couples that I met during a trip in Sagada last March. They joined us in surviving the Cave Connection activity in this part of the Mountain Province. … Read more

A Lesson on Responsible Tourism

A lot of people in this blog can see how ‘crazy’ I can get for the sake of having a unique photo taken. I slipped and hit my head on a rock in Bomod-ok falls in Sagada, I stood on top of the lighthouse in Capones Island in Zambales, I jumped off a cliff in … Read more

Tips and Things to Know about Anawangin, Nagsasa and Capones in Zambales

At the end of every travel series, I usually write an article about tips and things to know about that particular destination. The same goes true for my trip in Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove and Capones Island in Zambales. It’s been two years since I waited for this trip to happen. One feature that enticed … Read more

Total Budget Expense in Anawangin, Nagsasa and Capones in Zambales

Pundaquit Zambales Trip: Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove and Capones Island
February 18-21, 2011

So how much did I spend in our trip to Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove and Capones Island in Zambales? Around 2556.50 Php. Air Fare is NOT included though as it varies on the promo. But just to let you know, our fare only cost only 250 Pesos each… roundtrip.

The amount is composed of expenses from Cebu to Clark and going back to Cebu (including airport terminal fees).

It helped a lot that we were able to travel as a group (there were 4 of us) so we were able to divide our expenses. We made sure to stick on a budget on this trip and discussed our itinerary over a conference call in Skype to make sure that we stayed on track.

Zambales Trip: An Afternoon Nap Under Pine Trees in Anawangin Cove
Zambales Trip: Exploring Anawangin Cove

Zambales Trip: Cooking and Camping in Nagsasa Cove
Zambales Trip: Morning Jog in Nagsasa Cove

Zambales Trip: Golden Cogon Grasses in the Island of Capones
Zambales Trip: Standing on Top of the Lighthouse in Capones Island

I hurriedly clocked out from work in order to head home and pack my things. At 3:30 in the morning, I was still figuring out what to bring for a 6-day retreat abroad. I was invited to a free trip from Cebu to Hong Kong by Airphil Express (formerly known as Air Philippines). This airline … Read more

Zambales Trip: Morning Jog in Nagsasa Cove

Despite sleeping early after our cookout and campout in Nagsasa Cove, I still woke up late. I must’ve been exhausted at the time because my mind aimlessly wandered on trivial things I could’ve just worried about later on – going back to the office in a couple of days and thinking about my pending freelance tasks that were way overdue.

My eyes were fixated on the view from inside the tent and I didn’t want to get up. But the sun motioned me to step out.

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales
February 20, 2011

who wouldn’t want a sight like this when jogging?
photo by Doi

I got out and saw my companions already taking photos of the beautiful Nagsasa scenery. Footprints were already present indicating how people have also awoken from slumber, taking advantage of the sand that was washed away by the previous night’s tide.

I used to wake up early even without an alarm to remind me. But it was too late to whine; besides, Nagsasa still holds its charm due to its stillness.

footprints

wallpaper

So I just got back home from my Cebu to Hong Kong flight courtesy of Airphil Express. I was planning to write random stories between the six-day vacation but whenever I got back to the place we stayed for the night, I’d usually doze off, tired from the daily activities. So in true blue backlog … Read more

Cebu to Hong Kong Flight Courtesy of Airphil Express

Note: This post was drafted and the blog owner is already in Hong Kong for the second time around. In an unexpected turn of events, I suddenly had to go through a pile of maps inside a brown envelope I kept and familiarize myself with the MTR. I’ll be going on a sponsored trip for … Read more

Zambales Trip: Cooking and Camping in Nagsasa Cove

After taking our last dip in the waters of Anawangin Cove, we proceeded to another cove called Nagsasa. As described by others who’ve been here, Nagsasa Cove is a bigger and more secluded version of Anawangin. There aren’t as many people but it’s not as deserted anymore. Travelers who have more time to spare head … Read more

My 7 Links: Revisiting Old Blog Entries

Passing off a chain that came from word slayer blogger, AJ Poliquit, whose writing leaves me looking for tissues to wipe my nose. My 7 Links – This is a project by Tripbase “to unite bloggers from all sectors to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that … Read more

The Lost Bag of Oatiekin Bars from Tsokolat Bakeshop in Dumaguete City

UPDATE: The Tsokolat store sign might not be there, but you can still get these oatiekin bars. It’s not on display anymore but just ask the employee in the shop if you want some. For orders, contact Francine at 09178639443.

November of 2009, I spent a week in Dumaguete City in order to learn online jobs. It was a nice break since I never really had a long vacation from work. My leaves were usually spent as added days off from my normal rest days. While in the City of Gentle People, I was advised by a friend to check out oatiekin cookie bars from Tsoklat Bakeshop along Hibbard Avenue.

Tsokolat Bakeshop
Dumaguete City

Oatiekin Chocolate Fudgy Bars
photo credit: michellephilippines.blogspot.com

Oatiekin Chocolate Bars – fudgy chocolate cream bars wrapped between oatmeal blankets.

I couldn’t remember the actual note posted in a red cutout paper. But it sounded something like the description above. This was recommended to me on Facebook and a few people at the office requested me to buy these rich choco bars for them. Below is a conversation on my Facebook wall.

Great how technology works, no?

Prior to our online chat, I had to visit the place in order to see how their pastries tasted. The bakeshop wasn’t hard to find as it was located near a house where we lived when we were still staying in Dumaguete. Besides, the city is small so everything is easily accessible.

I arrived after lunch time and was welcomed with a quaint store between a water station and a laundry shop – really multifunctional. The bakeshop sold a number of desserts with peculiar names such as chizmosa, lanky chews, mango tango, kalamanji, hooters and so much . Pretty odd labels but still looked interesting.

Tsokolat Bakeshop Bread and Pastries
Where Sweet Dreams Come True

I woke up from an afternoon nap under pine trees in Anawangin cove when I decided to go to the beach. The white sand turned black with a simple sweep of its layer. It wasn’t actually white in the first place; more of greyish – its shade depended on the sun’s brightness. Black or white, … Read more