Boracay (teaser)

Glimpses of Boracay from my galaxy tab.

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Bora Beckons

In a few hours, our feet shall touch your pristine white sand.

See you tomorrow!

Can't Wait!

The famous shifting sandbar.

Do you know where this is?

The clue is on the pic-- it is in Region 8.

Can't wait to explore this beautiful island!

The blue waters are enticing, don't you think? 

Manila Ocean Park (April 2009)

I went to Manila Ocean Park twice in a span of one week when I had my oath-taking last April 2009. It was still relatively new then as only a few restaurants and specialty shops were operating. Now, they have a hotel-- Hotel H20 Manila and a marine-themed mall.

Trivia: Did you know that our 8,000 sq. m. Manila Ocean Park is larger than the Sentosa Underwater World oceanarium in Singapore?

This dome-like structure will greet you upon entering the park's entrance. This is also where you will purchase the tickets to the Oceanarium. You may opt to kill the time here while waiting for your companions or you treat yourself with some snacks from the different restaurants sprawling nearby.

The Oceanarium is divided into sections according to the different levels (or the more appropriate term, depth) of the ocean world, featuring the different species thriving in it.

I am not exactly a fan of animals. While I gawk at some of the beautiful creatures in the animal kingdom, most of them remain "for my eyes only". I am not that ecstatic to hold--or at least touch--them, including this harmless starfish.

Manila Ocean Park hosts a wide array of activities to choose from:

This is the main attraction of the park. 

Watch the American Sea Lions as they
charm you in an entertaining live show. 

Fall in love with these sea fairies as they
dance and flutter elegantly in the water.

Get up close and personal with the marine
species and dive your way to interact with them.

Relax your tired feet as doctorfishes nibble
away the dead skin.

Swim in sparkling blue water with running
jets in one of the bay area's largest
swimming pool.

The country's first and grandest musical
fountain showcasing a mind-blowing display
of fire, music and laser lights backed by
animated marine characters flashing on a
water screen.

Gives you the best view of the fishes
without going underwater.

For more details on the rates of each attraction, click HERE.

Unfortunately for us, only the Oceanarium, Fish Spa and Glass Bottom boat ride were available (or shall i say, offered) during the time of our visit. All the other attractions were either under construction or still brewing in the minds of the management.

I was hesitant at first to try the Fish Spa. Silly me, but I got scared that the fishes might bite me. Taking a second look at the tiny fishes, I thought that hey, I am the Goliath here. What harm can these little creatures do! So I dipped my feet, slowly and--- one at a time. Lol.

The moment your feet touches the water, the fishes would swarm around it. I can feel their tiny mouths sucking every microscopic germ or bacteria. I felt an iota of pain, very negligible. Probably borne out of my imagined fear. Then I felt ticklish, until such time that I got used to their sucking motion. If my memory serves me well, it lasted for about 15 minutes. 

Manila Ocean Park is a good place for the family to bond and explore together the colorful marine life. The park also welcomes educational tour, parties and other events. They even cater to corporate functions. The District Convention of Toastmasters last April 2010 was held at Manila Ocean Park. Too bad, we weren't able to join the said event.

For more info, check out their website: http://www.manilaoceanpark.com

For bookings & reservations:

567-7777 loc. 118 & 119
reservations@manilaoceanpark.com

Sources:
1. http://www.manilaoceanpark.com/
2. Wikipedia

Meet the New Plaza

I am talking about Plaza Independencia.

Yes, it underwent a major, as in major major, renovation and beautification the past few years.

I pass by it almost everyday, as it sits exquisitely in front of our office building.

I love that it is cleaner, brighter (at night) and it boasts of a well-maintained landscape.

Facts about the Plaza:

• in the early 1600s, it was called Plaza de Armas, then became Plaza Mayor
• during the Spanish era, it was named as Plaza Maria Cristina, in honor of the queen
• when the Americans came, it was changed to Plaza Libertad until we now call it as Plaza Independencia
• some artifacts were unearthed at the Plaza when the tunnel project was undergoing

Sources: everythingcebu.com, cebuheritage.com

There is more to the plaza than the pictures I have shown.

I was only able to take pics from one area.

I would have wanted to walk around but I was still in a half-awake state

in heels, mind you! We were doing a pictorial for Toastmasters.

Fort San Pedro

Location:

Roadtrip: Ilocos Norte (October 2008)

Yes, our post-bar vacation is not yet over. This is our last adventure-- emphasis on the last. (You will know why at the end of this post. So read on!)

After Vigan, we decided to explore Ilocos Norte. We reached as far as Pagudpud. But we had a handful of pitstops. And I will show you through the pics:

Juan Luna's Birthplace

Paoay Church

Malacañan of the North



Sand Dunes

Lighthouse of Cape Bojeador

Bangui Windmills

Pagudpud

All these we went to in just a day's trip. We left Vigan early in the morning, I think before 6:00am. Then we started driving to Ilocos Norte. By the time we reached Pagudpud, it was already late in the afternoon.

We left Pagudpud after dinner. We had to drive back to Manila because we (Jerome & I) were set to fly to Cebu the next day. The drive from Pagudpud to Manila is around 8-10 hours. Yes, that long. And that was our mistake. We met an accident at Gerona, Tarlac because our driver fell asleep for a few seconds.

Lesson? DON'T TAKE LONG HOURS DRIVE AT NIGHT. Get some good sleep before driving for that long. Thank God, everyone survived. But some of my friends suffered some serious injuries. My left clavicle was broken. So there, it's important to plot your trip well and as much as possible take the necessary precaution. Better to be safe than sorry.