The Beginning of a Perfect Trip

The afternoon of Saturday, June 21--the day Paula and I arrived at Casa Consuelo in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte--was spent settling down at the resort and swimming at Hannah's Beach Resort. After a hearty lunch of bagnet and poqui-poqui, Paula and I walked to Hannah's, because Casa Consuelo is an island reef resort, and fronting it are protected coral reefs. The beach area at Hannah's, on the other hand, is open to the public, so off we went.

I've always loved going to the beach, even if I can't really swim (what I do is more of floating, hehehe). On that sunny afternoon in Pagudpud, the tide was high, so Paula and I didn't have to swim far from the shore. I loved the water. It was pristine blue, so peaceful, close to being magical. I wanted to drown out all the sounds around me and just stare at the sea and take in its enchanting beauty.

I love that boat, painted in primary colors. 

A bunch of people enjoying the sea at Hannah's

After three hours of swimming at Hannah's, Paula and I headed back to Casa Consuelo. And then, it started to rain! Good thing we were already close to Casa Consuelo, or else we'd become soaked in the rain (not that it would matter, since we were already drenched in seawater). 

We stayed in our room, showered, fixed our things, and rested. And then, the exhaustion from the 13-hour bus ride kicked off. Paula and I fell asleep, while it rained outside. 

I was then awakened by Paula because the rain had stopped, and two rainbows appeared in the sky. Not just one, but two! Still half asleep, I got my camera and stepped out of my room. Maybe I was already too late, because one of the rainbows had almost faded from the sky. But the other one was still visible, and I tried to capture it in my camera. 

I believe God sent this rainbow to bless Paula and I on this trip. It was as if He's telling us, "I'm going to make your trip perfect." And He sure did. 

For dinner, Paula and I ate grilled stuffed squid and dinengdeng. I must confess that those two are my favorites among the dishes we ate in this entire trip. And being the vocal and appreciative people that we are, Paula and I ate every spoonful with compliments said out loud. Haha! We couldn't help it. We kept on saying, "Mmmm, ang sarap!" (Mmmm, this is so delicious!), while stuffing our mouths with squid and vegetables. 

We capped the night by having tea on the porch (yes, our room has a porch!) and talking. And then, we saw paper lanterns being flown at the beach. Yes, paper lanterns, like those in the movie Tangled. And just when we thought the rainbow was enough bonus on this trip, paper lanterns came into the picture. It was just... wow! No wonder Paula and I went to bed last night with smiles on our faces. 

Missing Pagudpud

It has been two weeks since my trip to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte with Paula, my officemate. When I catch my mind blank, I find myself reminiscing the three days and two nights we spent there, the sights we saw, and the short respite from the daily city grind that we got traveling up north.

To say that the 13-hour bus ride from Manila to Pagudpud was long is an understatement. I thought I could easily handle it since I was planning to just sleep through the bus ride. Yes, I did get some sleep, but I kept on waking up every time the bus would have its stopovers and the conductor would turn on the lights. But it was fine with me. After all, who wouldn't want to take a bathroom break, knowing that you were traveling in the middle of the night, and that your destination was still hours and hours away?

We left the Partas Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City a little past 10 p.m. of July 20. By 6:30 a.m. of the next day, we were already in Ilocos Sur. Or should I say we were still in Ilocos Sur? We would reach Laoag, Ilocos Norte in two to three hours, and it would take us another two hours to get to Pagudpud.

During long hours on the road, I enjoy looking out the window. In Ilocos Norte, what I saw was a pretty good sight: a few houses here and there, green fields, and mountains that still have trees. Oh what a joy to see! The skies were clear and the sun was brightly shining as if welcoming us to the province.

When I saw a view of the sea from the bus window, I got excited and I no longer felt sleepy despite the long bus ride. I tugged at Paula's arm and showed her the view. We both marveled at the blue sea like it was a precious gem.

View from the bus window. The boats are so charming. 

When we got to Pagudpud, the bus dropped us off at one corner, where the conductor hailed a tricycle for us. The tricycle would take us to Casa Consuelo, Brgy. Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, where Paula and I booked a room to stay at for three days and two nights. 

I couldn't remember how many minutes it took us to get to Casa Consuelo. It was probably more than 30 minutes. No surprise there, because Casa Consuelo, when I looked at it on the map days before our trip, is located at the northwestern tip of the archipelago. It was that far, and traveling on land for already 13 hours was exhausting. 

But when we got to Casa Consuelo, Paula and I both felt that the grueling land trip was so worth it. Casa Consuelo was a paradise. A paradise at the tip of the archipelago. It is more of an island reef resort than a beachside made for swimming. Therefore, when we got there, it was quiet and peaceful. Nothing greeted us except for the sound of the waves splashing on the seashore, the warm sea breeze, and the welcoming smile of Richard Tamayo, who runs Casa Consuelo together with his mom Armie. 

Casa Consuelo: A Paradise Up North

As we settled into our room, fixed our things, and ordered lunch, I felt that our trip was bound to be perfect. It was just our first day in Ilocos Norte, and I had already fallen in love with the province, thanks to what I saw, no matter how few they still were. And as the staff of Casa Consuelo prepared our lunch of Bagnet and Poqui-poqui, I looked around and felt at ease with the place. It was far, but it felt like home. 

And that's what I miss in Manila now that the rains are starting to fall. 

Taylor Swift's Red Tour: Live in Manila

Last Friday night was the highlight of my week: Taylor Swift's Red Tour!

This time, we were lucky enough to have bought tickets, unlike in her Speak Now Tour in 2011. A friend of mine, who is also a Taylor Swift fan, was able to watch Tay Tay's concert in 2011. When news of the Red Tour in Manila came up, my friend told me that I have to see it."It's magical," she said of the Speak Now Tour. Therefore, the same can be expected of her Red Tour.

And she was right. The experience of watching Taylor perform onstage was magical. Her performance was full of energy, and the whole arena was drawn to her. She interacted well with the crowd through her spiels on stage, gestures, and her songs. It was as if everyone who was present in the concert venue was close to her.

I really couldn't find the words to sum up the entire experience of watching Taylor Swift perform live. My sister and I loved the concert, and we had a great time. And seeing the crowd cheer and sing with Taylor showed that we weren't the only ones who had a blast.

People lining up outside the concert venue. Taylor, you have LOTS of fans here. 

Selfie before the concert. Of course, I had to wear a red hat. 

And red lipstick, too!

The concert began with Taylor's silhouette being projected on a stage curtain. 

The crowd went wild when the lights went off, and the cheers grew louder when her silhouette appeared. 

Taylor Swift performing "All Too Well." One of my favorites.

And here are a few more concert photos:

So Taylor, when are you coming back? :D

My Third Time in Hong Kong: Last Day

On our last day in Hong Kong, we went by with our morning routines as unhurried as possible. We didn't have a specific itinerary for the day. We were no longer planning to visit any tourist spot or go sightseeing. We just wanted to go... drumroll please... SHOPPING!

Now, before you think that I'm a shopaholic or a spoiled mall rat, let me tell you that I'm not. Hong Kong is also known as a great shopping destination, so I was pretty sure I was going to score some good buys from our trip. Our first shopping stop for the day was IKEA in Causeway Bay.

This way to IKEA. 

IKEA was heaven. I bought a pack of hangers, cutlery, rubber coverings for cabinets, paper napkin holder, among others. Had there been more space in my luggage, I would've bought more. Maybe I would just reserve that for my next trip. *wink wink*

Next, we stopped by Forever 21 in Causeway Bay, and I bought a skirt and some bracelets. Then, for our last stop, we went back to Olympian mall where I bought Avene beauty products at Sasa and a pair of shorts at H&M. After that, we went back to the hotel. We had already checked out that morning before going shopping, so I had no choice but to shamelessly fix my suitcase IN THE HOTEL LOBBY. Well, we did pick a spot that's quite concealed, but still, a couple of guests checking in couldn't resist taking a peek at the goods I was putting inside my suitcase. I didn't really mind. All I was thinking at that time was to fix everything as fast as I could so we could already go to the airport and settle down while waiting for our flight. 

Overall, my third time in Hong Kong is awesome, if not better than my previous visits. However, I still feel I haven't explored much of it. I'll definitely go back; I'm just not sure when. But when I do, I'll most likely explore the less tourist-y areas, take pictures again, and capture as much memories as I can. 

Yeah! I had so much fun in Hong Kong! 

My Third Time in Hong Kong: Off to Macau

On our third day in Hong Kong, my dearest and I went to Macau, which is a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. His sister works at The Venetian, and we would meet her there for lunch. I was excited to see Macau because this was my first time to visit the former Portuguese colony, and seeing it with my dearest by my side made it extra special.

I was worried that I would get sea-sick during the ferry ride, so I took an anti-nausea tablet an hour before boarding. Thankfully, I didn't get dizzy or whatever during the ride, as I just slept through half of it. At around 11:30 a.m., we arrived at the port of Macau, where the different signs are written in Portuguese, English, and Chinese. After having our documents checked by the Macau immigration officials, my dearest and I boarded the bus going The Venetian.

We were to meet my dearest's sister, Ate Roanne, at Portofino, an Italian restaurant.

So excited to eat pasta! Yum yum yum! :D

Because my dearest's sister was still at work, we decided to walk around The Venetian. My dearest had already been there a couple of times before, so I though he already knew the way. I was wrong. Haha! Well, the place is huge and it was really hard to memorize all the exits and hallways and what leads to where. But we still enjoyed walking around, checking out the different shops, and of course, taking pictures.

The Venetian's beautiful ceiling

One of the shops

A feel of Venice in Asia

Of course, I must  have a solo photo standing...

...and sitting, too. 

We went back to Portofino at 12:30 p.m.. Ate Roanne was waiting for us by the entrance of the restaurant. It was so great to see her.

Selfie/groupie while waiting for our food

(Photo courtesy of Ate Roanna)

We ate different types of bread, and then salad, and four different types of pasta. I forgot what exactly did we eat. All I remember is they were DELICIOUS! Yum! I love pasta! That was an awesome lunch. Sorry I didn't get to take a photo of the food. When they were served, we ate them right away. 

The Venetian's pool area. Can you see the construction site over there? 

That's the ongoing construction of The Parisian. Whoa! Seems like I'm going to have a taste of Paris without going to Paris, after all. But it would be lovely if I would be able to go 

to the City of Love someday.

After lunch, my dearest and I saw the Ice World Exhibition (thank you so much, Ate Roanne, for the VIP passes). It was sooooooooooo cold inside! The temperature was -8 degrees Celsius. I was freezing even if we were given thermal jackets. But still, we still enjoyed seeing the different ice sculptures. 

I even slid down the ice! 

I should have sung, "Let it go! Let it go!" Hahaha!

Then, my dearest and I went to San Malo. Sightseeing, here, sightseeing there. Pictures here, pictures there. 

The famous St. Paul Ruins in San Malo

Quaint buildings and cobblestone streets in San Malo

The fountain in San Malo

More shops

And tourists

Walking in the rain

My dearest and I in San Malo

Macau Public Park

My dearest trying the gym equipment at the Macau Public Park

Of course, I should try it, too!

When it was already dark, we went back to The Venetian, ate dinner with Ate Roanne, and walked around the hotel some more. 

I love all our pics together.

Ate Roanne taking a photo of us. 

My dearest and I got back to Hong Kong at already past midnight. The trains were already closed, so we just took a cab from the ferry terminal to our hotel at Tai Kok Tsui Road. When we got back, that's when I felt how tired I was. But it was soooo worth it. I would definitely go back to Macau with my dearest, especially when The Parisian is already built. But for now, I'll daydream and plan for when we're going to travel again together.  

Friends and Favors

Before I go on sharing with you the rest of my Hong Kong and Macau trip, let me detour a bit and share with you something that has been bothering me lately: friends, or so you think. How do you know if a friend is worth keeping in your life? How do you know if who you call "friend" really care about you? And the most important question of all: how do you know if you'd be better off without that "friend" in your life?

Don't you hate it when someone buzzes you on Facebook or whatever form of social media, asks how you are, but only to ask something from you? And when that person gets a negative answer from you, that person disappears from the conversation? Me--I absolutely hate it. I'm so close to posting an FB status that reads: If you're gonna ask something from me, just say it right away. Don't start with asking how I am--or worse, saying that you miss me--only to segue to your real purpose. And in the occasion that you start the conversation by an obligatory but fake "how are you," at least have the courtesy to end the conversation, instead of simply disappearing into cyberspace.

Forgive me if I'm assailing your ears (err... I mean eyes) with my rant. I just want to let my frustration (and fine, anger) with those people out. I'm so close to unfriending them on social media, but I think that's an immature thing to do. I'll just try to calmly receive their messages and turn them down. Or better yet, I'll probably just ignore them the next time they send me a message. Maybe then, they'll get the point.

I hope I don't get that type of message on Facebook anymore. I hope the next time someone sends me a PM, it's because of a genuine desire to catch up. Or else, I would have to perfect the art of "seen-zoning." I bet nothing could top how awful it is to be ignored.

My Third Time in Hong Kong: Going to The Peak and Hong Kong Museum of Art

When we headed out after eating breakfast in the hotel we were staying at, we were greeted by the cold--the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius. Oh my! I couldn't stand it. The wind blowing made it even colder. I was worried that I would have a migraine attack from the cold. Thank God I didn't.

Our first stop for the day was The Peak, and we were going to ride a tram. I was excited. A tram... how very charmingly old world! The tram used to be the main mode of transportation. Today, you can still go around Hong Kong riding a tram, as explained here. 

My dearest and I. He arrived in Hong Kong early in the evening the day before.

The entrance to The Peak Tram is on the left side.

It took us a while to queue and get in the tram. A lot of tourists were going to The Peak, too, but not as many as those who would have gone on a Saturday or Sunday (we went there on a Monday). And since it was taking a tram a while to get back after transporting an earlier batch of tourists, I decided to take some pictures of what was displayed on the platform: 

The old ticketing system

A tram personnel's uniform

 Just some pictures that tell you I was there. Haha! 

When it was our turn to ride the tram, all the seats already got taken when I hopped in. I didn't mind standing throughout the duration of the ride. What bothered me, though, was the slope we were traversing on. At first, I kept my balance and composure. I even got to take a video, with one hand holding on to a hand rail and one hand holding my cellphone. But when the slope got steeper, I had to stop and hold on to a hand rail with both hands. I thought I was going to roll over, and I didn't want a video of me doing that. 

We got to The Peak past 12 noon, but we weren't hungry yet because we had a heavy breakfast from the hotel's breakfast buffet. We decided to see the Sky Terrace first. Too bad it was cloudy and foggy. We didn't see the view of Hong Kong. But we still went up for the experience, and the guides gave us a handheld device that looks like a PS2. The device showed videos of what we were supposed to see at the Sky Terrace, explaining the history of the different landmarks and buildings in Hong Kong. 

After maybe 20 or 30 minutes, I wanted to leave the Sky Terrace and go back inside. It was so cold, and the wind was blowing really hard. I was scared of getting blown away! Haha! I was holding on to my beanie and kept myself low so the wind wouldn't knock me over. I knew it wouldn't happen, but I was still scared. 

My mom, my sister, my dearest, and me. My dad took the photo.

We went Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum next. It was amazing! We saw the wax replicas of almost every famous person in the world--from Hollywood stars, Asian actors and actresses, artists, historical figures, singers, athletes, and even cartoon and movie characters. 

Let's take a picture, Nicole Kidman! 

How I wish we have more people who are like you, 

Princess Diana!

Careful, Spiderman!

You'r so hot, Wolverine! 

Selfie with Lady Gaga. Tried to match her expression. Hehe

Playing the piano with Lang Lang. 

Not really. That piano is programmed to play automatically. Hehehe.

Lee Min Ho! Didn't get to catch you last week in Manila, but at least, 

we got a picture together a month ago. :P

With Madame Tussaud, after whom this museum was named. 

Who says we can never be royals? :D

Fooling around with Doraemon, 

one of my favorite anime characters. 

Was giving Shakespeare some comments. 

I could see he was irritated. Haha!

My dearest and I with Albert Einstein. So great to meet this great genius. :D

After the trip to The Peak and the wax museum, my dearest and I went to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Last year, I visited the art museum too because I wanted to see the Andy Warhol exhibit. This time, I didn't know whose works were on special exhibit. What I knew was whoever the artist was, his or her works were bound to be interesting. I was right. 

Sculptor Ju Ming's "The Living World Series" was on special exhibit. The series shows his sculptures that capture everyday scenes that can be scene anywhere, like a woman on a park bench, children playing, etc. He didn't give a title to each piece because for him, the title limits the observer's interpretation. Here are some of the pieces in the series. 

We also visit the other areas of the museum. One of the artwork in the contemporary arts section struck me. It was this:

"Mini Ripped Rooms (Sub-divided Flats)" by Margaret Che Cheuk-Wai, 2012

It's a piece about living in small apartments in Hong Kong (where the metaphor of a rabbit's narrow intestines, heart, lungs, and other internal organs come in) in the face of high rents. I think it's meant to criticize this situation, because living in shoe-box homes is difficult, uncomfortable, and in a way, dehumanizing, especially if it's topped with ridiculously high rents. The same thing is also happening here in Manila. Condominiums have been sprouting like mushrooms all over the city in the last few years. Spaces get smaller and smaller and are sold at whopping, jaw-dropping prices. I think it's a phenomenon in a lot of cities in the world, and it's a price to pay to get close to opportunities. 

Anyway, enough of that serious stuff. Haha! 

I really enjoyed visiting the Hong Kong Museum of Art. I'm not gifted in the visual arts, but I do appreciate works of art, may they be paintings, sculptures, installation art, or even a well-crafted DIY project. I think they all have stories to tell and they reflect the experiences and personality of the artist. 

I love this art wall. :D

My dearest and I explored Langham Place and the Mong Kok night market after the museum visit. And then walked around some more before heading back to the hotel (although he was staying at a different hotel from where I and my family stayed, but it was just across ours). It was time to get some rest and sleep again, because the next day, my dearest and I would be headed to Macao. How exciting! I couldn't wait.