Coffee at Vietnam

Vietnam is pretty famous for its coffee. When I was making our itinerary for our trip, I made sure that there will be free time for coffee.

We were going to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Located north of the country, Hanoi is known as the city between the rivers and the second largest city in Vietnam. Since we purchased out tickets during an airline sale, choice of dates was limited. Nite to self, check the yearly forecast o the country first prior to booking. September is the time where the season changes in Hanoi, from summer to fall. Summer seems to be also a rainy season for Hanoi, and since I was planning on going to Halong Bay, I was praying it doesn't rain so the view won't be ruined.

And finally, it was time for our flight. Since the airline only has a few flights going to Hanoi, our trip was set Saturday (late night) to Wednesday (early morning). And since this is the most ideal schedule, almost everyone that we rode with going to Hanoi were also the same as the ones we went home with.

Our flight arrived early Sunday midnight, just enough time to let us rest for a whole day of city tour for the rest of the day.

Suggested places to go is the Ho Chi Minh museum, followed by the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential palace, the Flag tower, the the Temple of Literature which are actually walking distance from each other if you are up for it. It is important to note that the mausoleum is only open in the morning from 8:00 am to 11:00, and is closed Mondays and Fridays so it is best to start early and wear long pants rather than shorts.

Clockwise from the top: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Flag Tower

After a tiring but fun stroll along the area, you can head off to Old Quarter for lunch. After lunch, you can head off to Hoan Kiem Lake
Were the Turtle, the Huc bridge and Ngoc Son Temple can be found. The lake is also next to the water puppet show.

The Hub Bridge
If you are interested, you can visit St. Joseph's cathedral. The church was built in 1886 in the neo-gothic style. Near the church are coffee shops which are fillef with people sitting down on small stools placed on pavements around the street, which is the common site to see through out Hanoi.

St. Joseph's Cathedral

We decided to stop by for some coffee after attending mass. We chose a place that wasn't so crowded and order iced coffee and iced tea to cool down. We were curious at what the people were eating while drinking coffee and we realized that they were sunflower seeds, it seems that the snack is abundant in the place.




After coffee, it was finally time to head back to the hotel to rest our tired feet. After a quick rest, we headed off to old quarter to check out the night market, nothing really much to see though. Since all our energy was used up, we just ate dinner at the restaurant next to the hotel. Aside from coffee, your Hanoi trip will not be complete without trying their Pho noodles (both dry noodles and with soup) and rolls.




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Lime Stones and Lakes

Last week, I was able to finally able to go to Coron with my mom's friends. It was a spontaneous trip for me bacause I was originally not included in the trip, but since I really wanted to go, I was able to get my way and book a ticket. Airphil has only two flights to Busuanga and we chose the later flight, which was adjusted to 2:20 from it's original schedule of 1:50 and was delayed a few minutes.We finally boarded the Bombardier and was headed for Busuanga.

I did our last minute booking at the hotel 2 days before our flight and also scheduled a pick up from the airport to Ralph's Pension house in Coron. Once we arrived at the pension house, we were grated by the owner Jun, who was hands on with welcoming guests. Our accommodation was in the center of the town, near the market place and just at the foot of Mt. Tapyas, plus near the port for island hopping.

After Jun's orientation, we headed for dinner at went to Maquinit Hot Springs. The hot spring they claim is the only salt water hot spring in the Philippines as per the locals. From the main town, it costs P 300.00 per tricycle with a capacity of 7 persons, but due to the rough road, it is advisable for 4 people to ride a tricycle.

The hot spring is really hot and is best to be visited during night. They accept people up to 8:00 PM but is open until 10:00 PM. Most people visit the hot spring after climbing the tiring yet refreshing Mt. Tapyas which consists of 700 plus steps. But since we arrived late, we decided to climb the mountain on another day.

After an hour or so of soaking in the hot spring, we decided to call it a day. The following day, we went island hoping and visited some of the main attractions of Coron including the Kayangan Lake which is considered the cleanest lake in the Philippines. The lake is like a big swimming pool that is very deep but the water is very clear and you can actually see the reflection of the suns rays underneath.

There are several tour packages available in Coron for island hopping. You can opt to rent a boat, buy food for lunch, and pay for entrances or buy the complete package at $ 650-750 that is already inclusive of lunch and entrance fees. The island hopping usually starts from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM where you get to visit Kayangan Lake, Banol Beach, Barracuda Lake, and the Twin Lagoon among others.

Coron is rich in lakes and rock formations, and there are also several dive sites with several ship wrecks. There are sites that you can see easily see the sunken ships with having to go very deep. The nearest is 5 meters deep. But if you are a licensed diver, you can check out one of the many dive sites in the area.

Since the island hoping is an all day event, do not forget to put on sun screen because you will surely get a sunburn.

Our last activity before we went home on our third day was to finally climb Mt. Tapyas to get an overlooking view of the whole town of Coron. We started climbing the mountain 6:00 AM to be able to get a view of the sunrise. After an hour climb and 30 minutes of rest on top to marvel at the view, we came down and arrived at the bottom of the mountain at 8:00 AM.

Palawan is known to be abundant in cashew nuts, but unlike Puerto Princessa, Coron does not have that many cashiews available and most of the cashews harvested in the area is taken to Antipolo for cracking. Please note also that it is prohibited to take home shells from the island and bags are manually checked at the airport due also to the lack of x-ray machines.

If you plan to stay in Coron, 3-4 days should be sufficient. Prepare a budget of P 3,500.00 that already includes accommodation, food at tours.

Review: Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, Cebu

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is located in Sumilon Island, Cebu. It is an island resort that could be reached from their port at Oslob, Cebu. The day tour is about Php 2000 inclusive of boat transfer, use of kayaks, snorkling gears, the pool and jacuzzi, a lunch buffet and a snack. If you plan to stay overnight, it would take about Php 7500 for two people and Php 1500 additional per head.

The Island is 3 hours south of Cebu City, you just need to follow the main road. On your way to the island, you could see many site and drop by many places such as the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Simala, were thousands of devotees visit everyday to ask for their wishes. You could also stop by the Municiplaity or Carcar that specializes on chicharon (deep fried pig skin). Once you reach Oslob, take Bluewater's boat to Sumilon Island.

The people are welcoming and accomodating, although I did not enjoy the food that much since some of them were hard to chew, but still was tasty. Lunch included about 4 viands, rice, noodles, fresh fruits and dessert. The buffet is set in the beachfront, just between the beach and the lagoon.

The island has basically two beachfronts that you could swim in, however, the white sandbar, which has the finer sand, is only accessible during low tides and the water is deeper compared to the eatern beach which is very rocky.

The inifinity pool is nice located just near the pavillion overlooking the ocean, the water falls in the bottom where jacuzzis are located. But during the time we visited, the motor was down so the jacuzzis were not running.

There are many other activies in the island that you could do, such as kayaking or canoeing, snorkling, trecking and many more. You could go to the lighthouse, visit caves and grottos when trekking.

Accomodation/Room: 8/10
Food Choices: 7/10
Food Taste: 7/10
Customer Service: 10/10
Overall: 8/10

(Sumilon Island from afar)

(Infinity Pool)

(Infinity Pool)

(Lagoon for Canoeing and Kayaking)

(Lagoon for Canoeing and Kayaking)

(Eastern Dock)

(Shifting White Sandbar)

(Eastern Beach)

(Sumilon Island Map)

MANILA SALES OFFICE				CEBU SALES OFFICE
	MS. MARGIE MUNSAYAC  Director of Sales				For Reservations call us at: Maribago Bluewater Resort
Address:				Address:
	Room 1120 Cityland/Herrara Towers 98 Herera Corner Valero Streets Salcedo Village, Makati City				Maribago, Buyong Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone:				Telephone:
	(63-32) 817-5751				(63-32) 492-0100 (63-32) 232-5411 (63-32) 232-5412 to 14
Fax:				Fax:
	(63-2) 845-0680				(63-32) 492-0128 (63-32) 492-0129 (63-32) 231-0437
Email:				Email:
	margie@bluewater.com.ph				sumilon@bluewater.com.ph
Resort Address:
	Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort Sumilon Island, Oslob Cebu 6025  Philippines Telefax No. (63) (32) 481-0801 Email Address: sumilonreservations@bluewater.com.ph URL: www.bluewater.com.ph

Rizal Park, Manila

It is the month of June, the month of Philippine Independence. One of the heroes of the Philippines that paved the way for the country's independence is Dr. Jose Rizal. Dr. Rizal died on the 30th of December, 1896 in Bagumbayan which is now called Rizal Park in memory of the Revolutionary hero.

A monument of Rizal stands in the park that could be easily seen when passing by Roxas Boulevard. The monument, which is guarded 24/7, is considered one of the famous landmarks of the country and most tourists stop by and take souvenir pictures in front of the monument.

(Rizal Monument)

The Park has several mini parks that includes a Chinese and Japanese Garden and a park that showcases the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal.

(The Execution of Dr. Jose Rizal)

You could also find kilometer zero in the park that measures the road distances in Luzon and the whole country.

(Kilometer Zero)

Malapascua Island, Cebu

Malapascua Island is located on the northern part of Cebu. The island is famous for its dive spots where you could see various kinds of fishes and some sunken vehicles. Some of the fishes only come out on certain times of the day, so if you want to see them, you can wait. Each spot around the island has its own different types of sights to see. The waters are really high during high tides and really low during low tides, and you would be able to spot starfishes and sea urchins. It is more enjoyable to swim during the high tides because the water is deeper and there is not a lot of sea urchins that you can step on, although the water is a bit wavy.

(Malapascua beachfront)

If you're not into diving, or not certified to do so, one of the activities you could do in the island is to tour the island via motorcycles or locally called habal-habals. The residents of the island are honest, friendly and welcoming people. The habal-habals would go through the neighborhood and you get to see how the residents of the island live. One site to go to is the island's solar powered lighthouse that operates automatically, no one mans the place and is rarely guarded by people thus the path to the top is mostly covered by plants but still passable. Other sights include a place the locals call small beach, Pilar Pilapil's beach house, and Bantigue Cove.

(Malapascua Lighthouse)

(Other beachfronts in the island)

(Sunset at Malapascua)

Malapascua is approximately 4 hours from Cebu City, give or take.  From Cebu city, you could hire a van/car (Php 2500-3500) to take you to Maya port in Daang Bantayan, or you could also take the public bus from Cebu city that costs about Php 100. Once you get to Maya Port, you would need to take a boat ride to Malapascua, that would normally cost Php 50 each, or Php 1200 on a special trip. There are many resorts i the island that you could stay in. Below are links of some of the resorts you could choose from.

Malapascua Island Exotic Dive Resort

http://www.malapascua.net/

Blue Water Malapascua Beach Resort

http://www.malapascuabeachresort.com/

Hippocampus Beach Resort 

http://www.hippocampus-online.com/

Cocobana Beach Resort

http://www.cocobana.ch/

Bantigue Cove Malapascua Beach Resort & Dive Shop

http://www.bantiguecove.com/

Bolinao, Pangasinan

Bolinao consists of 30 baranggays, the best beach is located in Patar. Patar is located in the further part of Bolinao and the travel time from Manila is about 5 to 6 hours. There are two routes that you could take, you could either take the Tarlac way wherein you pass by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) or via Zambales. You could also take a bus from Manila to Bolinao via 5 Star Bus Line.

Patar has one of the nicest beaches in the place and at the end part of the Baranggay is the white sand beach which is the finer beach front in the area. The water is wavey and mostly is shallow especially during the low tides. Most of the resorts are lcoated in the threshold of the place. Some of the known hotels and resorts their are Puerto del Sol and Treasures of Bolinao, however there are less costly options you could choose, mostly the ones not posted in the internet.


There is a small rock formation in the middle of the ocean that you could go to (picture is seen below). Bolinao is also known for sea urchins and if you are careful, you would be able to see them in the beach.

Bolinao, Pangasinan - What to see!

There are many things to see in Bolinao aside from the beaches and caves. You could also stop by the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. Built by the Americans in 1903 on a 300 feet (91 m) high promontory at the western part of Cape Bolinao, the lighthouse still sends signals to vessels passing by the area. Within the area of the lighthouse is a view deck wherein you would be able to see the blue ocean. The lighthouse is open for th epublic to visit but visitors are not allowed to enter inside the lighthouse. There is also an abandoned beside the foot of the lighthouse.

(Cape Bolinao Lighthouse)

You could also visit the falls in Bolinao, there are namely two falls, Tara Falls and Bolinao Falls. The two falls are near each other. Bolinao Falls are actually two falls, the people in the area calls them Bolinao Falls 1 and 2, the second being a more shallower water wherein kids could swim on. Bolinao Falls 2 is also better than Bolinao 1. The road to the area is rough and you would see mostly trees and mountains. Tara Falls is also a nice place to go to.

(Bolinao Falls 1)

The Saint James the Great Foitress Church in Bolinao is located in the main town of Bolinao, it celebrates it's 400th year on July 25, 2009.

(St. James Church)

One of the local delicacies in the place in Dinungoy which is rice cake cooked in bamboo mixed with coconut milk and salt. It tastes like suman, only is a bit sweeter and tastes good when eaten freshly cooked and still hot.

(Dinungoy)

Bolinao, Pangasinan - Caves in Bolinao

Bolinao, aside from the beautiful beach front, also has many caves. Patar actually has three caves that people could visit namely Enchanted Cave, Wonderful Cave and Cindy's Cave. Enchanted cave is the most famous among the three and the most commercialized. The cave has been modified. It is the deepest and the biggest of the three. Wonderful cave is newly discovered and has a more natural effect to it compared to the three caves. It is also the cleanest and the water is really nice although the steps down to the water is a bit steep. Last is Cindy's Cave, it is the shallowest of the three, there is a grotto placed in the area and a shower was also placed in the middle of the water and the water is not as clear as Wonderful Cave.

(Wonderful Cave)

(Way to Wonderful Cave, many trees are planted)

(Cindy's Cave)

(Entrance to Cindy's Cave)

Bolinao, Pangasinan - White Sand Beach

One of the more famous beaches in Pangasinan is the White Sand Beach in Patar, Bolinao. This is open to public and all you have to pay for is parking and a cottage. The Baranggay of Patar does have a long beach front, and you would be able to find the finer sand in the end part. The road to the area is still rough road, but some parts are already cemented. The only resort in the area is Treasures of Bolinao, which is a bit costly.

The area is packed with people from the area and tourists. Since the travel time is long, it is best to stay atleast one night, there are many resorts and houses that you could rent but they are minutes away from the finer beach.

(Road to Patar)

(Patar White Sand Beach)