Revisiting Club Laiya.

It's been years since I last visited Laiya. If I remember correctly, my last trip to the beach was in the summer of 2015. And that's because all the succeeding (Philippine) summer seasons until before the pandemic, we were enjoying spring in South Korea. That's approximately seven years of not being able to visit the beach!

So much has changed in Playa Laiya since my last visit, hence, this blog post update. For starters, the entire resort community is now known as Club Laiya, which encompasses not just the beach park, but also the pool deck, club house, and all the amenities, walkways, and forest trails within the area. 

Speaking of amenities, they now have Cocoons, which are perfect for overnight stays. These cute and quirky cylindrical pods are fully airconditioned and come with a queen-sized bed, a flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, and a safety deposit box. 

Back in Laiya after almost seven years!

Aside from being cozy, this accommodation is also Instagram-worthy with its beach-themed mural paintings on the exterior, and starry night-themed interior. However, there are no bathrooms inside the pods. No worries though, since the clubhouse's bathrooms and shower rooms are just within an arm's reach. In addition, the pods also have a nice view of the pool and the beach, both of which are just a few feet away. 

Cocoons at Club Laiya. Rates start at Php 5000.

Eye-catching murals.

More of our Club Laiya experience after the jump!

A Complete Guide to El Nido.

Hundreds and thousands of tourists head for El Nido every year. And why not? After all, it is the primary base for exploring the stunning Bacuit Archipelago. El Nido is world famous for its impressive limestone formations, the clear turquoise waters, and those absolutely astonishing beaches. What adds to its lure is the emerging restaurant and bar scene.

One can reach El Nido by air, boat, or land and the most popular way is by air. This is the easiest and fastest way to reach El Nido and there are plenty of daily direct flights to El Nido from Manila and Cebu. Get ready to explore the beautiful northern coastline, the fantastic beaches, and the coastal villages.

Here is a brief but complete guide to El Nido to help you plan your next island vacation.

Photo credit: The Backpack Adventure.

The best time to go
The best time to enjoy and explore El Nido is between November and May. One should avoid the rainy and cyclonic season. Still, the average temperatures in El Nido remain the same. If you want to avoid the crowd’s, avoid April which is the busiest month. Take advantage of cheap pal promos and codes to make the most of your trip.

Where to stay
El Nido offers accommodations for almost every kind of tourist. You can stay at highest-rated places for a luxurious treatment or you can look for budgeted options. The luxurious hotels include names like El Nido Resorts, El Nido Resorts Lagen Island, El Nido Cove Resort, Vellago Resort and more. If you are looking for a place to stay in El Nido on a budget, then you will find plenty of options in El Nido town that offer a wide selection of cost-conscious accommodations.

Photo credit: Tabanka Divers.

Top things to enjoy
El Nido is a cluster of 45 small islands, and there is plenty to do and see here. You will come across the most beautiful and enchanting islands in the entire world. Some of the most sought-after beaches are the Duli Beach, Maremegmeg Beach, and Lio Beach. Find yourself surrounded by large limestone cliffs and rock formations. Dive in the Dilumacad Underwater Tunnel and swim through the sea life, or head for the small lag on the northern end of Miniloc Island, which looks like an alien landscape. Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls and Balay Cuyonon are also some of the island's major attractions.

Where to eat
While Filipino food can be greasy, you will not remain short of options. However, it is a must to try the breakfast of sweet cured pork with garlic rice at least once before you leave. Some of the top restaurants in El Nido are Republica Sunset Bar that offers fairly large portions. It is the right place to enjoy your meal, and the sunset as well. Bella Vita El Nido is a beachfront restaurant that serves delicious pizzas, and you can dine on shakshuka and hummus at Happiness Beach Bar. Altrove is far less crowded and serves the best pizza in all of El Nido.

Bounty from the sea.

Where to shop
El Nido has a reputation for not just being a picturesque location in the Philippines; it also boasts of many shops and stores that are just perfect for any shopaholic. Visit the Traditional Souvenir Shop where you can purchase little gifts and souvenirs. There is a variety of items sold here like bags, scarves, hats, keychains, shawls, bracelets, and desk decorations. El Nido Boutique & Artcafe is another favorite among shoppers. While you can shop for swimwear, sunblock, snorkeling gear at the Boutique, the Artcafe sells typical souvenir items like t-shirts, postcards, and other local items.

Vacationing in Asia | What Are the Best Kept Secrets?

When it comes to the age of the internet it is easy to say that there are no longer any secrets, especially when it comes to traveling. However, this is really not the case when it comes to traveling through Asia. While you can now find five star hotels almost anywhere in the country and get pizza just about anywhere you are, there are still many great places where people who are looking to ramble can go. Here are some of the best places to go in Asia if you are looking for a fun adventure.

Cambodian sunset.
Photo credit: Jurk Turtle.

Kep, Cambodia
Kep offers one of the last slow and sleepy towns in Asia. You can enjoy the breathtaking sunsets while surrounded by old architecture. There is no hustle and bustle along these shores. This is truly a place to go if you are looking for peace and relaxation. One thing that you absolutely must do while you are there is to go to the crab market where the fishermen hawk the catch of the day from traps and tubs. You can pay to have it boiled and eat it right there.

Caves of history.
Photo credit: Travelfishery.

Vieng Xai, Laos
When visiting Laos, Vieng Xai is often overlooked as most people choose to go to Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang. However, if you are looking to get a taste of the modern history of the country, Vieng Xai is the place to go. When you are visiting make sure to take a guided tour through the caves that were once used as hospitals, barracks, and bomb shelters and even the former home of the Red Prince.

Chillin' in Gili Meno.
Photo credit: Enchanting Travels.

Gili Meno, Indonesia
Of the three Gili Islands, Gili Meno is the most primitive and laid back. This island gets you close to seeing what life is like on a desert island. Electricity and fresh water are supplied by Lombok, but the amounts are finite. The real charm of this island is the horse drawn carriages and the coconut plantations. While you are there make sure that you take the time to get in the water. The snorkeling and diving are excellent.

Sabah State Mosque.

Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
One of the main reasons to visit Sabah, Malaysian Borneo is because it is a total mixed bag. No two people will ever have the same experience when they visit this area. From great and grueling mountain hikes to fantastic deep sea diving, you are going to be in awe of all of the wildlife, fauna and flora that this area has to offer. In addition, Sabah is one of the most culturally diverse states of Malaysia, offering many indigenous traditions, great food, and a number of local dialects.

Golden Temple.
Photo credit: Am I Psyche.

Punjab, India
If you are a foodie, this is one place in Asia that you absolutely have to go. Many of the most popular Indian dishes come from this area. Even though the area is famous for its food, travelers tend to avoid it as it lies on the northern border. Aside from eating, Punjab offers a rich history in Hinduism and Sikhism. The Golden Temple and the Mata Temple are definitely worth checking out while you are in the area.

When it comes to traveling throughout Asia, there are still some wonderful locations that have not been overtaken by tourists. These locations are some of the best places to go if you truly want to experience the Asian culture. We can help you find the right gear for your adventures throughout Asia.

Wordless Wednesday #136 | You Know What I Did Last Summer.

Just some of the things I did while I was on blog break. :)

Hanging out with the sibs.

Wine and dine with the family.

Hitting the beach!

Re-reading some of my favorite literary works of all time.

Partying with the kids.

Yue's Karate Training.

Traveling with these cuties.

And driving! :)

How about you? How was your summer? :)

Weekend Fun at Playa Laiya.

Whenever my Mum is home for her now bi-annual vacation (because it's her second time to fly home this year), we make it a point to spend a weekend at the beach. Because swimming is our favorite family activity, and beach trips are just awesome. :)

A few weeks back, we spent a weekend at Playa Laiya, an exclusive, 'members only' beach park located in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. Developed by Landco Pacific Corporation, this seaside 'residential community' boasts of an extensive beach front and pristine white sand.

Welcome to Playa Laiya!

Pretty little things displayed at the lobby.

More of Playa Laiya after the jump! :)

For the Kdrama Addict | Places to Visit in Korea.

Now that more and more Korean dramas (Kdramas) have achieved international success, Korean film tours are gaining popularity as well. Through these film tours, fans get to see the filming locations of their favorite TV shows, and allow them to relive the scenes in their favorite Kdramas.

If you're visiting Korea and planning to go on a film tour, here are some places that you might want to add to your itinerary.

1. The First Shop of Coffee Prince. (Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul.)
Aired in 2007, The First Shop of Coffee Prince is perhaps one of the most popular Kdramas as far as gender bender plots are concerned. The set of The First Shop of Coffee Prince was an actual cafe in Hongdae that had been remodeled as a set for the drama. Both the exterior and interior of the cafe have been completely overhauled to recreate the scenes in the drama, and was reopened as soon as the drama ended.

The First Shop of Coffee Prince.

2. Bukchon Hanok Village. (Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.)
The Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul is the city's last neighborhood with a high concentration of traditional homes, called hanok. I read an article that traditional houses often need a lot of upkeep. Hanoks are no exception being dedicated to preserving traditional Korean architecture. Made of clay, wood, and stone, hanoks are typically single-story structures that have heated floors and curved tile roofs. Popular dramas that have been filmed in Bukchon include Winter Sonata (2002), My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005), Personal Taste (2010), and Heartstrings (2011).

Bukchon Hanok Village.

3. Petit France. (Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.)
I first saw this place in the variety show 'Running Man', but it was actually the hit drama 'My Love from the Star' that made this French cultural village even more popular. Located in the province of Gyeonggi-do - about one hour away from Seoul - the village consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge, enjoy French food, and experience French culture. Also featured in the village is a memorial hall dedicated to Antoine Saint-Exupery, author of the world-famous French novel Le Petit Prince.

Petit France.

4. Hwajinpo Beach. (Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do.)
The most northern beach in South Korea, Hwajinpo Beach was the site of the last scene in Autumn in My Heart (2000), where the two lovers portrayed by Song Hye Kyo and Song Seung Heon spent their last moments together. This heartbreaking and unforgettable scene invites a trail of visitors with its clean, shallow water, and a majestic view of the mountains and the East Sea.

Hwajinpo Beach.

5. Korean Folk Village. (Yong-in, Gyeonggi-do.)
The mecca of historical drama (think Dae Jang Geum, Jumong, Sungkyunkwan Scandal)  and the epicenter of Korean wave, the Korean Folk Village has over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon dynasty. Visitors get to experience the customs and lifestyle of Korea's past generations, and gain a broad understanding of Korean food, clothing, and home life from the past.

Korean Folk Village.

The list goes on, actually. But for now I'm narrowing them to five. Korea reels with film locations, and you may even chance upon them without even knowing it! When in Korea, keep your eyes peeled for banners and tarpaulins with photos of your favorite stars. Who knows, the restaurant you might be dining in right now was actually a film location. :)

Have an Epic Labor Day Weekend at #LaBoracay!

Happy Labor Day, everyone! Hope you're all enjoying today's non-working holiday.

Now if you're heading to Boracay this weekend, you're in for a treat as Globe Telecom gears up for an epic Labor Day Weekend. Hosted by Republiq, celebrate that well-deserved break with exceptional and exhilarating parties amid the sun, sand, and surf in beautiful Boracay!

Tattoo Labor Day Weekend 2014!

The party happens at the Epic Beach Front, with spin-master Cedric Gervais taking the stage on May 3. While on May 4, Grammy-nominated producer and DJ Steve Aoki is set to bring the house down.

And while you're there, make your Labor Day weekend one for the books - share anything and everything exciting that happens right on your tablet as Tattoo makes sure you stay connected with the best-value prepaid and postpaid tablet bundles!

Upon purchase of these Tattoo products at the Globe store in Boracay, customers may receive up to 3 tickets for free, to the most happening weekend!

- Tattoo Prepaid Mobile WiFi = 1 free ticket

- Tattoo Postpaid Mobile WiFi = 2 free tickets

- Tattoo Prepaid Mobile WiFi + Skyworth S73 or Cloudpad 705W

= 2 free tickets

Free tickets can be claimed at the Tattoo Booth in Epic on May 3 and 4, from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Don't forget to present your proof of purchase! No receipts, no free tickets!

A Weekend in Paradise.

Whenever Mum comes home for her annual vacation, we make it a point to spend a day or two at the beach. You see, we're a family of beach bums, and my Mum, who spent most of her childhood and teenage years in Subic, practically grew up by the sea.

For this particular beach trip (which happened about two weeks ago), we decided to go somewhere close by since my grandmother will be travelling with us. That means Subic, Bataan, and most definitely Pagudpud were out of the picture. And so we ended up choosing Sariaya, which is about an hour and a half away from where we live. My sister, who acts as the family's travel planner, chose Paraiso Beach Resort for our weekend getaway.

Welcome to Paradise!

'Paraiso', by the way, is the Filipino word for 'paradise'. And I guess there's no better word to describe a scenery such as this.

Ahhh, the beach! :)

More of Paraiso after the jump! :)

Summer Fun at the 2014 Globe Adventure!

Heading to Boracay for the Holy Week? Then be sure to check out Globe's fun summer activities while you're there!

This week, Globe Telecom will be launching the 2014 Globe Adventure on Boracay Island. This exciting and fun-filled race-like activity happens on April 17 until April 20, and will start from 11:00 AM until  9:00 PM. In this event, participants can secure stamps from finishing tasks in each of the stations around the island, with a chance to take home Globe freebies upon completion of the activities.

The Globe Store in Boracay.

Participants who complete the stamps will automatically get exclusive VIP passes to the Globe Wave Party. on April 17 and 19 at the Wave Bar. The passes include free drinks, plus a chance to win handsets from partner brands.

On top of the wonderful summer adventure, Globe subscribers are also entitled to a free multi-cab ride from Cagban Port to Budget Mart. Non-Globe subscribers can still take advantage of the free boat ride by purchasing a Globe prepaid SIM or activating a new Globe postpaid line.

Apart from a more intensified network complete with Long Term Evolution (LTE) coverage, Globe also presents the Globe Store located at D-Mall in Station 2. Opened last March 2013, the store offers live demo units of the latest and top-of-the-line gadgets and accessories, as well as superior customer service and after-sales support.

Foodie Goodie | Chicken Barbecue.

I was at the beach last weekend, where my entire family spent some quality time together. Basking in the sun, frolicking in the sea, and enjoying good food - it was definitely a weekend well-spent. (Will share the experience in a separate post; please look forward to it.)

I didn't bring my laptop to the beach, as I had no plans of working while I was there. But I did post snippets of our vacation on my social media pages, just so my readers and followers would have an idea what I was up to. And because of this food photo, I received recipe requests for the chicken barbecue, which we had for lunch on our first day at the beach. My sister prepared it, my brother-in-law grilled it, while the rest of us just devoured it. Haha! :)

Chicken Barbecue

Ingredients:
4 pieces chicken leg quarters, cleaned
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 piece lemon or 4 pieces calamansi
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup banana ketchup

Procedure:
1. For the marinade, combine the soy sauce, juice of 1 lemon, banana ketchup, salt, and ground black pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
2. Place the chicken leg quarters inside a large freezer bag, and then pour-in the marinade.
3. Shake the bag gently to coat the chicken with marinade. Remove the air inside the bag, seal it, and refrigerate overnight.
4. Remove the chicken from the bag and transfer the remaining marinade to a bowl.
5. Heat-up your grill and start grilling the chicken under medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes per side or until the chicken is completely cooked. Remember to baste the chicken using the remaining marinade mixture. Also, keep in mind that chicken takes a long time to cook. Grilling it in high heat will cause the outer part of the chicken to become charred, with the inside still raw.
6. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving plate.
7. Serve with steamed or fried rice.

Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday.

Wordless Wednesday #78 | Sun, Sand, Surf!

Spent an entire weekend at the beach with my family.

The little rascals making most out of the sun, sand, and surf.

Summer - more fun, and definitely hotter in the Philippines! :)

Wordless Wednesday #41 | Beach Bum.

Summer | More Fun in the Philippines.

It's summer once again here in the Philippines, and much as I love beach trips and swimming parties, this is actually the season that I detest the most. The heat has been unforgiving lately, and the temperature outside has even peaked to 36 degrees Celsius as of late.

And as if 36 degrees isn't hot enough for us to handle, the social weather station tells us that the temperature is expected to rise even higher in the coming days. This kind of weather is not a joke, and definitely not for the faint of heart. I bathe thrice a day just to relieve the heat, and chug down at least fifteen glasses a day, lest I die of dehydration or heat stroke. This summer is crazy, I tell you. Crazy!

Which is why my siblings and I are planning to go swimming again this weekend. Not the beach this time, though. We're currently looking into private resorts equipped with proper pool supply. We're bringing the kids along (my three-year old son and my seven-month old niece), and we're not taking any risks when it comes to the safety of our little ones.

Yue loves the water!

Swimming parties are only more fun when you are free of worries, and rest assured that the pool and its surroundings are tragedy-free.