BAGUIO: Café in the Sky

Want to have a hot cup of brewed coffee while seeing a panoramic view of Baguio with your loved ones? Perfect side trip when you are going to Baguio 😍☁️   

CAFÉ IN THE SKY ☁️ 

Located in Sto Tomas- Mt. Cabuyao in Tuba, Benguet near famous La Presa.

It is 30 minutes away from Baguio City. Going here is really hard due to strict regulations for conserving the environment. Only locals are allowed to go in and out of the said place. 

Tips: 

- There’s an FX vehicle near at the checkpoint. Our contact is Kuya Edgar ( +63 9182725425 ) Php 600 roundtrip.

- You can parked your car in Petron Gas Station (It’s much safer than the road) Php 50 Parking fee.

- Eat your breakfast here plus coffee. It’s really fulfilling and a great start of the day.

- Best time to go is before sunrise or sunset to witness majestic golden hour of Baguio and city lights. If you want to experience sea of clouds. This sight is usually occurs during noon but it is still depends on the weather. Contact staff (+ 63 9060376002 ) before visiting to be sure if the clouds are already setting in. 

Open everyday 6AM-7PM 

EXPENSES

TRANSPORTATION -  PHP 600 roundtrip (120 each for 5 pax)

FOODS - 550 for 2 pax ( 275 ea)

TOTAL PHP 395 / pax

For the camera, We used IPHONE X only.

METRO BACOLOD: The Ruins and Campuestohan Highland Resort in 1 DAY

It’s been 3 years since I posted my last blog. I just miss it and many of my friends asking for it. So now, I’m writing my comeback blog with our day tour trip in The Ruins and Campuestohan Highland Resort. All in one day!

METRO BACOLOD consists of Bacolod, Silay, and Talisay. All these three cities are located in the province of Negros Occidental. BACOLOD also known as City of Smiles, is the capital of Negros Occidental. It is known for its Maskara Festival held during the third week of October. The locals here are known to be very friendly so that is why it is called City of Smiles. This city is also famous for its Chicken Inasal. Have you tried it, too? I highly recommend it and you won’t regret it. 

HOW TO GET HERE

There are direct flights to Bacolod from Manila, Butuan, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Puerto Princesa via Cebu Paciyfic, Philippine Airlines or Air Asia. The airport is situated at Silay. Upon arrival, you may opt to ride a van, shuttle service, taxi or public transportation going to Bacolod City. We tried Van, which located at the airport’s parking area. FARE is 150/pax.

WHERE TO STAY

ONG BUN PENSION HOUSE BACOLOD

We booked thru Traveloka App. It’s very convenient and also cheap because they have coupons/voucher which offers discounted flight and accommodation.  We only paid PHP 1,218 (2 pax) good for two nights. It is a perfect location, near in the malls, banks, market, and port. Very accessible to all the transporation.

The room is simple and spacious. If you look forward to more adventures, this simple house is for you. But if you prefer to have a staycation and just want to relax more, it’s up to you to choose the best hotel or airbnb you can afford. 

The Ruins

Woke up early around 7am to start the day trip. Let me start with The Ruins. To get here from Bacolod City Proper, take a jeepney en route to Bata. Drop off at the tricycle terminal near Pepsi factory. Ride a tricycle going to The Ruins. Fare is 50/pax. NOTE: There is a limited tricycle going back to the main road so it is best to ask the driver to wait for you. The Ruins also known as “Taj Mahal of the Philippines” is located at Talisay. It is the remains of the ancestral home mansion of the family Lacson that turned into ruins. It is one of the most famous heritage landmarks in the Philippine

The Ruins welcomes visitors from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Entrance Fees: Adult PHP 100

                         Kids  PHP   20

                         Senior Citizen/ PWD PHP 70

                         Student PHP 60

After enjoying The Ruins, you may roam around, chill and take pictures at the park outside.

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Next is Campuestohan Highland Resort, from The Ruins, ride a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at terminal going to IMART Convenience Store near Caltex and ride in Campuestohan Shuttle Service. Trips go daily on hourly basis from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM  (except 12:00-1:00 PM). Fare is PHP 70 per pax.

Take me to ♥️

Campuestohan Highland Resort is a rural theme park situated in the highlands of Mt. Makawili, 800 meters from above ground. They have swimming pools, King Kong, Restaurant Pavillion, coffee shop, children’s playground, Indian Villages, Dino Park, spa and many more. I really wish I stayed a lot of time here. Accommodation is also available here, you can choose between Bonita Hut, Log Cabin rooms, Teepee (or wigwam) and King Kong room. If you want some adventure rides, they have also 340-meter zipline, horseback riding, rope course, bungee trampoline, etc. Campuestohan has a lot to offer. This is really a perfect place if you want to swim, relax and unwind with adventurous vibes.  I promise to myself that I will bring my family here because this place is perfect for all ages.

ENTRANCE FEE: PHP 200  ONLY

Dino Park

Indian Village

Campuestohan Highland Resort and The Ruins are the two top destinations in Negros Occidental.

This city is really giving you big charming smiles. Put this on your travel list and I am sure you will like it. I hope this blog can help and please bear with me because I wrote here all I remember on our trip and all in my head.

Other parts of my Negros Island trip such as Lakawon and Sipalay on my next blog.

THANK YOU ♥️

EXPENSES

ENTRANCE FEES -  PHP 600

TRANSPORTATION -  PHP 528

FOODS

TOTAL PHP 1128 without FOOD 

For the camera, We used IPHONE X, FUJIFILM XA3  and GOPRO HERO 7 Black.

DISCLAIMER: These photos were taken by me and my boyfriend when using these photos, please use my domain name (thewanderchic.blogspot.com) for credit. Thank you! follow me on Instagram @thewanderchic_

SUMMER OUTING AT CALATAGAN BATANGAS

I know most of these days, many organizations or company/corporation planning to have a summer outing. Fresh air and sunshine are great ingredients for a team building.This is perfect for the organization which help employees to enhance their social relations with each other. They can relax, bond and build a good relationship.

This year, our branch outing held at Playa Calatagan, Batangas last March 12-13, 2016. It is a residential 3-storey grey house with a huge swimming pool near the Calatagan beach. We booked for two days and one night for PHP 20,000 max 20 persons. (Additional 500 for extra person max 30 persons can accommodate)

Check in time : 2:00 pm
Check out time : 12:00 pm

The owner named Ester not strict with the time as long as there is no guest before you and after you, you can come as early at 10:00 am and check out at 2:00 pm.

The pool

The House

How to get there: 

(Since we only rented car  from a friend of my workmate, I can only show you the direction via car)

This place is approximately 3-hour drive. From South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) you will exit to Sta. Rosa going to Tagaytay then right going to Nasugbu then left at Shell (dead end) to Lian St. to Calatagan then right at the church then left at 2nd corner (M. Apacible St) then follow sign to Playa Calatagan. It is 7 mins away to Playa Calatagan. You can see the white and blue colored church at the left then Voila! You will see the grey house at the right. (229 Apacible St,) I suggest you can use google map going to Playa Calatagan for easy direction lol. You can also call the owner for she can help with you.

That's me haha (Because no one will take me a picture, my boyfriend is not with me) Thank you Go pro, my love! 

So now, let me tour you with our home away from home. Let the picture speak for itself.

The Sala

Videoke and Inuman Area lol

The Kitchen

Great thing! Complete kitchen utensils in here.

The Dining Area + Family Picture

The Bedrooms

They have 3 bed rooms (upper left pic type) with the attic (lower left). I forgot to take picture of other rooms since it was occupied by others. But it was also same type with the upper left picture. Only two rooms have Cable TV. All rooms are with Aircon and bathroom.

View from the bed rooms

Let's go outside...

You can also eat outside. There is a long table perfect for boodle fight.

The Pool

The  Nipa Hut and Ihaw area lol

The Abandoned White House (Scaryyy)

The Beach

The girls enjoying the pool and photo ops at the beach :)

Meet my girls

As a first timer, I really enjoyed this place with great people. Aside from the thing that this was funded by the company, I got the chance to bond and relax with my workmates. Seeing them with no make up made me really comfortable with them. And also I did not feel away from my own home, because with them I feel at home with a great chef, loving and fun to be with ma'am and sir. :)

All in all, our summer outing are so worth it. I am looking forward for more with them.

I rate this place 4 out of 5. Not perfect because of the beach with a lot of moss.

Group pictures to treasure...

Some of my photos took during the trip:

My bikini from @toughshopswimwear (IG)

YES! My OOTD .. Coords from @shortcutsapparel (IG)

So here's some of additional things you should know if your planning on going here:

•  Before going straight to the house, you should buy all the things you need because market is really far from this place.
• According to the owner, there is a white-sand beach near the place, you can rented a boat going there for PHP 100 per pax. (We did not try this one because the waves were so strong that time.)
• Beside the pool there is an abandoned pool (Maybe because of the water consumption)
• There's a Videoke for rent
• NO WIFI

For booking/reservation:

Contact Estelita Azcarate 

09175862060

EXPENSES

HOUSE - PHP 20,000 max 20 persons

2 CROSSWIND CAR - PHP 7,000

VIDEOKE - PHP 1,000

FOODS

No other charges.

Highly recommended for your next summer outing.

For the camera, I used SAMSUNG CAMERA NX2000 and GOPRO HERO 4 Black.

DISCLAIMER: These photos were taken by me and when using these photos, please use my domain name (thewanderchic.blogspot.com) for credit. Thankyou! follow me on instagram @thewanderchic_

Amazing Restaurant in Laguna

After seeing a Facebook post regarding Isdaan Floating Restaurant, I am amazed by the concept so I googled it and made a plan to go here with my family.

Isdaan is a Floating restaurant and Fun Park located in Calauan, Laguna and they opened 10-10-10. Other branch is located in Gerona, Tarlac. Isdaan is approximately 2-hour drive from Cavite. We took MCX - SLEX then exit to Sto. Tomas merge onto Pan-Philippine Highway then turn left to Bucal Bypass Road and turn right onto Manila S Road. Anyway, we only followed my bestest friend-google map for this to find. Lol Don’t worry it is easy because the place is along the way and you cannot miss the giant Mermaid Buddhas located in the entrance of the restaurant.

As we reached the restaurant, we were instantly awe with the place and it was like being transported into a different country, specifically Thailand. There is no entrance fee in here as long as you are dining inside. You are not allowed if you just want to roam around the place and not to eat.

Amazing structure
Since we arrived late lunch, we waited for about 20mins and we were then directed to our hut, it is big hut near the Giant Gorillas. We had a hard time picking what food to eat because there were a lot to choose from. Foods were a bit pricey because Isdaan is owned and operated by the Barrio Fiesta Group, which known for great-tasting Filipino Foods. They also offer Japanese foods.

meet my parents :)
While we were waiting for our food to arrived, we took the chance to roam around the place. There’s a lot of photo opportunities, started with the statues of Disney characters, DC/Marvel characters, monkeys, gorillas, elephants, Gigantic Buddhas and mermaids.

Say HI to Mickey Mouse (payat version lol)
DC/Marvel Character....

After enjoying the place, we went back to our hut for our food to start.

One of our orders was Mama Chit’s Bilao, it was worth it for the five of us. It includes crabs, fish, lumpia, lechon-kawali, fried chicken and many more. Must try!

Mama Chit's Bilao

Kanin sa Kaldero
Aside from the Thailand-ish and Disney theme of the place, there are tribes that will dance exactly 6 in the afternoon. They also have magic show, acrobats and many more performances.

In the other side, if you need some place that will lessen your anger or depression, there is a famous wall in Isdaan called “Tacsiyapo”. You can throw a plate, cup or TV (yeah! It is working). It depends on how angry you are.

There’s a lot of things Isdaan can offer, you can try free boat ride around the place (just 20php tip for the bangkero) and also you can try to cross the concrete bridge called “Sang Kilo Bridge” about 20 centimeters wide and 30 meters long, laden with sea shells as obstacles, and get 1 free kilo of fish cooked to your preferred way if you survived. The fishpond is about 6 ft to 9 ft so prepare to get wet when you fall.

And here's the pasalubong of Aling Nene ...

View at night...

Overall, our trip was full of fun and photo ops. I just want to thanks my boy friend for taking my family and I here.

For the camera, we used SAMSUNG CAMERA NX2000 and GOPRO HERO 4 Black.

DISCLAIMER: These photos were taken by my baby and I and when using these photos, please use my domain name (thewanderchic.blogspot.com) for credit. Thankyou! follow me on instagram @thewanderchic_