Four Years of Love

When years are passing by like days,
and in my hand your hand is placed,
a knowing smile crosses your face,
a simple touch can still make my heart race.

When I can see my soul in your eyes,
and you see your soul in mine we realize,
that a love so deep can harbor no lies,
where our only tears shed were happy tears we've cried.

I love you as much now as I ever did before,
  and as time pass by, I may even love you more,
all starting from a feeling we did not ignore,
a feeling of connection we chose to explore.

I don't know what it is that you saw in me,
what I saw in you was the utmost happiness
that can ever be,
I can still smile and say with love and
truth Luv, I looove you sooo much...Happy 4th Anniversary! ♥

Churros Con Chocolate!

Churros are a Spanish pastry that is like long donuts and commonly dipped in thick chocolate, that’s why it is known as “Churros con Chocolate”. It is our favorite treat at Dulcinea. For only Php 98 you can indulge yourself on 5 pieces of golden looped strips of batter. Dulcinea’s churros are crisp then slowly turns chewy as you eat them. It also comes with a demitasse of hot and dark semi-sweet chocolate that’s sooooo rich and heavenly!

 

The way it was arranged made it look classy and tempting.

 

It has almost no taste, not even sweet enough but when you dip it into the chocolate sauce, it becomes a perfect combination! The more you dip it into the chocolate the more it becomes delicious.

Churros Fast Facts:

• originated in Spain; referred to as Spanish doughnuts
• got its name from its shape, which resembles the horns of the Churro breed of sheep reared in the Spanish grasslands of Castile
• are typically fried until they become crunchy
• normally eaten for breakfast or as a snack dipped in hot chocolate or sprinkled in sugar and cinnamon
  
• has a ridged surface due to having been piped from a churrera, a syringe with a star-shaped nozzle
• are often sold by street vendors, who often will fry them freshly on the street stand and sell them hot

 

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1.03.01

Bohol Escapade: Day 3-4

On our 3rd day in Bohol, we started out early for our boat tour. We woke up at around 4:30  am to have our breakfast before heading out to the motorized boat at around 5:30 am. A typical boat tour package includes dolphin watching early in the morning followed by island hopping in Balicasag and Virgin Island.

Ready for the Dolphin Watching

It took us around 30 minutes to reach the site where the dolphins are. It is in the middle of Panglao and Balicasag island. Our guide said  that dolphin numbers start to dwindle at around 6:00 - 8:00 am, so don't be late. There are already plenty of motorized boats in the vicinity chasing dolphins but luckily, there are still lots of dolphins around. We were so entertained on the dolphins show that's why we're not able to take their pictures. We didn’t spend a lot of time watching the dolphins and after about 30 minutes we headed out to Balicasag Island which is a 20-minute ride.

 

Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island is marine sanctuary and offers plenty of dive spots around it. It was about 9:00 am when we reached the beach near the fish sanctuary and dropped our things in one of the cottages. The beach is not that impressive with its rough sands and small rocks but you will definitely love the sanctuary. We just rested for a while and started our snorkeling experience.

Snorkeling Experience

We really wished that we brought an underwater camera with us here because the sights are really mind-blowing.  It is difficult to describe the feeling when you are surrounded by so many fish and seeing the play of beautiful colors of the reefs. There are instances when you will be greeted by big fish and there is even fish, the colorful one, which simply pick on you and wont let up. After almost an hour, we got tired from snorkeling and asked to be brought back to the beach. We just rested again for a while and ready to go to Virgin Island! ♥

The Virgin Island

From Balicasag Island, Virgin Island is a 40-minute boat ride. It is an uninhabited boomerang-shaped island. It is just, by far the most breathtaking beach on earth. Pristine waters and that long curved stretch of powder-like white sand connecting the island, it's simply the best!

We can't help but Jump for Joy!

The place was like a paradise!

Smile! ♥

Not much to do in the island other than enjoy walking on the fine sand and taking pictures. After taking pictures we decided to have our lunch at the island. The water here is full of sea grass so it’s not really ideal for swimming. There are also sea urchin vendors because you can catch a lot of it near the island. 

At around 1:00 pm it’s time for us to head back to our resort and spend the rest of the afternoon swimming at the pool.

Back at Alona Land Resort

The next morning, on our 4th day, we again enjoyed swimming and eating. Our flight back home was scheduled at 3:00pm but we will be picked up by our van service at 2:00 pm so we spent our last few hours taking pictures at the resort.

While waiting for the van

We will surely miss Bohol’s peaceful and serene environment, it’s friendly people, beautiful white beaches and mouth watering food! We’ll be back! :D

 

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1.03.01

Bohol Escapade: Day 1-2

One of the most popular destinations in the Philippines is the island of Bohol. It takes pride of its abundant natural resources, rich culture and history, and warmth of its people, the Boholanos.  It is known for its natural wonder, the Chocolate Hills. With the development of its tourism industry,  Bohol has several tourist destinations these days.  Among these are the Tarsier and Loboc River , Baclayon Old Church , the hanging bridge in Sevilla, the man-made forest in Loboc, Butterfly Garden, Prony the python, Blood Compact, and activities such as dolphin watching, island hopping and snorkeling. We spent 4 joyful and relaxing days in this incomparable island and we do not have any second thoughts to visit it again. :)

The Famous Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills is considered as one of the natural wonders of the world. Chocolate Hills is a spot in Carmen, Bohol characterized by dome-land formations (hills) which turns brown during  the summer season. On rainy seasons, the hills are covered with green color as vegetation replaces the dry land of summer. The view of more than a thousand chocolate hills, which look like chocolate kisses, in one setting, is simply breathtaking.

tingin sa taas!

im sleeepppyyy..

largest tarsier. :)

Another highlight during a Bohol tour is a visit to Bohol’s tarsiers. These endangered small creatures can be seen live as tourists can also take pictures of it. They are so cute but very sensitive creatures. We must say – a trip to Bohol will not be complete without an encounter with the tarsiers. 

Loboc River Cruise

Another popular tourist destination in Bohol is its Loboc River Cruise where floating restaurants offer buffet lunch and dinner with musical entertainment during the 45-minute trip. Motor bancas, with a capacity of 60-100 persons, are used in the river cruise. We experience the tranquil, relaxing and clean  ambiance of Loboc River with its rich vegetations around it.  During the trip, the cruise makes a stopover on one part of the river bank where  the "ATI" tribe performs some tricks to entertain the guests, showing their culture and daily life as a tribe. 

 

The Bohol Forest is a man-made mahogany forest stretching in a two-kilometer area of densely planted Mahogany trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. The man-made forest stands out because of the uniformity in height of the big trees, the spread of its branches, thickness and design of leaves. Seedlings abound around the older trees. Trunks, some thick and others just a few months old, grow resplendently straight up towards the sky which is obscured by the branches and the thick leaves. It's a work of art!

Smile!♥

supposed to be jump shot!

The Hanging Bridge

Another famous tourist destination in Bohol is the Hanging Bridge. It is located in the Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol. The bridge is more or less 4o meters long which crosses the Sipatan River. Its real name is Sipatan Hanging brigde. There’s a P10.00 entrance fee.

Beautiful Butterfly

The Butterfly Conservation Center has both a Butterfly garden and a Butterfly enclosure. The garden is in an open landscape with flower garden that attracts butterfly to feed on them. The place is visited by different species of local butterflies naturally. There are seats, pagoda and a hammock where one can relax under the shade and watch the butterflies flutter by.

Up close and personal with Prony the Python

The python named Prony is Albur's star and has known to the people as "Live Anaconda of Bohol."  The longest (23 feet or 7 meters as of 2005) and heaviest (300 kg or 660 lbs) python in captivity. Prony is harmless but once we entered in her steel cage we can't still avoid this "scary feeling". hehe.. There's a P10.00 entrance fee to help in the cost of feeding the animals specially Prony. They have added a black crow, a pair of owls, king fishers, herons and a wild cat to their growing collection.

Baclayon Church Altar

Baclayon Church is the oldest church in Bohol. The term "baclay" means to walk - as the church is located a short distance from the coast. Its patroness is the Immaculate Conception and it is a coral stone church. Some parts of structure are made up of hard wood - like the molave, narra, kamagong - and not even termites can destroy the wood.

The Blood Compact

Bohol Blood Compact Site is located in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. This particular site was made in honor of a very important event in the Philippine history done between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol. This Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between two different races, religions, cultures and civilizations. It was a treaty of friendship based on respect and equality. This event is commonly known as “Sandugo”. This is our last destination that day. We all had FUN!♥

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1.03.01

Vigan

Ilocos Adventure - Vigan

It was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience exploring Ilocos. It was our first time to visit this historical and beautiful province! Ilocos is located in the northwestern region portion of Luzon. It is bounded by the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to the east, Central Luzon to the south and by the South China Sea to the west.

March 31st 2010 at around 11 o'clock in the evening we embarked our journey to the province in the north... Ilocos. It was an 8-9hr bus ride from Manila to Vigan. We arrived at Vigan at around 8am, Thursday and then met up with our very jolly and friendly tour guide "Kuya Harold".

Vigan Cathedral

   

After we had breakfast, we began the tour starting with the Vigan Cathedral also known as St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral, it is an earthquake Baroque-styled church with a separate belltower.  We went inside and prayed. :)

Baluarte ni Chavit

Then we went to Gov. Chavit Singson's BALUARTE or "fortress", another popular tourist destination in Vigan. Chavit has a collection of exotic animal which include tigers and lions that are playful and bred in captivity, ostriches, deers, snakes, birds, horses, fishes, camels, and a butterly garden of over 500 varieties. It’s open to the public and there are no entrance fees. All you need do is to tip the guides generously for the time and trouble it takes to bring you around.

The Hidden Garden

Next is the Hidden Garden, a gorgeous haven owned by an architect famous for his landscaping projects. They actually sell the plants and garden settings there and offers landscaping.

One of the rooms of Syquia Mansion

Syquia Mansion of Former President Elpidio Quirino is next in the list, a historical ancestral house.

Bantay Belltower

Bantay Church

Bantay Belltower

  

Bantay Church also known as St. Augustine Church and Belltower, named after its Patron St. Augustine, one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur.

Calle Crisologo

Calle Crisologo is the most famous cobblestone street of Vigan and stepping on it is like being transported into the Philippines' past.

Front of Sinait Church

Lastly is the Sinait Church, home of the Miraculous Black Nazarene also known as Apo Lakay. Of course we didn't leave Vigan without trying their delicacies such as bagnet, biscocho, longganisa, chicha-corn, and rice cake (bibingka). Next stop -- Laoag City! :)

   

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1.03.01

Laoag

Ilocos Adventure - Laoag City

The Sinking Belltower in Laoag City

Laoag is a first class city in the province of Ilocos Norte. We arrived at Laoag on thursday afternoon. We went off to see the Sinking bell tower, it is one of the first things you may spot upon entering the city proper. It’s a massive 45-meter bell tower said to be one of the tallest bell towers in the Philippines and was built by the Augustinians in 1612. The tower has earned its “sinking” reputation because it is so heavy and it was build on sandy foundations that it has consistently sunk into the ground. 

Marcos Ancestral House

Then we visited the Marcos Ancestral House and Museum that is located in Batac.

Paoay Church

Paoay Church, the best known earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This uniquely beautiful church amazes tourists with its majestic structure of Oriental,Gothic and Baroque influences.

Sarrat Church

Sarrat Church is one of the most popular destinations in Ilocos Norte not just for its heritage and cultural significance but it was this same church that one of the most lavish weddings in the country happened (Imee Marcos and Greggy Araneta wedding). 

After a tiring but fun-filled tour, we proceed to the Grand Octagon Hotel wherein we chilled for a while and then took a dip at their pool to unwind before we take a rest. We stayed there for the night and we'll continue our journey the next day morning.

Burgos Lighthouse

After a very delightful breakfast at the hotel, we go on with our Ilocos Norte tour starting with the Burgos Lighthouse or Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, the most elevated lighthouse in the Philippines, you have to climb to the hill from the main road.

View from the top

Lighthouse Entrance

Burgos Lighthouse

But all those calorie-burning climb is well paid off with the view that awaits you at the foot of the lighthouse. It consits of 3 levels – the courtyard with the living quarters, the main pavilion and the tower. It is also made of kiln-baked bricks which adds to its appeal and charm. 

The Illustrious Bangui Windmills is our most favorite destination in Ilocos Norte during our trip. Looking at these windmills at far made us say “WOW.” They are huge, powerful, and modern-looking. This 20 white gigantic fans each at 70 feet high are considered to be the biggest in Southeast Asia and provides 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte.

Kabigan Falls

After visiting those beautiful structures, we trekked for a 1.8 km trail going to Kabigan Falls, it was an 80 ft waterfall that is surrounded by thick forest and well-known for its concaved basin. Next stop - Pagudpud!♥

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1.03.01