Livin' High and Takin' it Easy

This is my life and these are my stories.

Browsing Date

October 2010

October 30th Last Year

Personal By angkulet October 31, 2010 Tags: anniversary, family, friends No Comments

I just remembered, as we were in the car, headed out to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for H’s surprise, which turned out to be a performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers with the special participation of the instrument ensembles from the Philippine Montessori Center and Temple Hill International School with PMCIE ’09 NY Tour Group, where we were exactly the same day last year.

We were at JMa and Nick’s joint birthday party at the now-non-existent 9 Mile Bar in Kalayaan Avenue. Unlike this year when I turned up with an all black ensemble, befitting of a patron-of-the-arts (according to Nick) hobnobbing with the elite members of the Manila society and the vice-president himself (eventually to end up in Cubao X for the Meiday event), I was in a flimsy little ecru dress in powdery blue wings, in my best attempt to be in costume-but-not-really so.

With the birthday girl, Janice and Ktin, who is now in U.K.

The Naga Cathedral (Camarines Sur)

Camarines Sur By angkulet October 31, 2010 Tags: Bicol, Camarines Sur, church, family, Naga Cathedral, Naga City, photography No Comments

The Naga Cathedral in Naga City, Camarines Sur was erected of Padia-an when the Diocese of Nueva Caceres was created by a Papal Bull of August 14, 1595. The cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1768. The construction of the present cathedral in Spanish-Romanesque style began in 1808, led by Bishop Bernardo dela Concepcion. It was finished and blessed by Mons. Tomas Ladron de Guevara in 1843. It was damaged by typhoon in October 1856 and restored by the very Rev. Fray Francisco Gainza in 1862-1879. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1887 and repaired by Obras Publicas under the direction of Bishop Arsenio Campo and Engineer Ricardo Ayuso in 1890.

Around my Birth Place – Naga City (Camarines Sur)

Camarines Sur By angkulet October 31, 2010 Tags: Avenue Square, Bicol, Camarines Sur, Camarines Sur National High School, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga Cathedral, Naga City, Naga City Hospital, SM Naga, tricycles, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, Wharf Galley Rock Cafe No Comments

I made a visit to my birthplace in February 2010 and took some time to go around the city, just to take photos here and there.

I took the bus from Pili, which is about 15 kilometers and 30-45 minutes away, and got off at the Central Bus Terminal – a short walk away from the recently opened SM City Naga.

Judging from the number of motorcycles in the parking lot, it seems that the motorcycle fever has hit the Nagueños.

4th Wedding Anniversary

Personal By angkulet October 30, 2010 Tags: anniversary, wedding No Comments

Photo by Edwin Tuyay

Today is H and I’s fourth wedding anniversary… We first got together in August 27th 2000 though we don’t celebrate that anymore. He says he has a surprise for me. I just actually want to go out and party. Hahahaha. Cubao X later we will come.. 😉

Our Batanes Trip Summary: Itinerary and Expenses

Batanes By angkulet October 29, 2010 Tags: Batanes, budget, detailed itinerary, summary, travel 18 Comments

At long last, I am done with all the photos and all the posts. It is time for a summary. This is basically for anyone who wants to go to Batanes and is wondering where to stay, where to eat, what to do and see, and how much will it actually cost. Here is our itinerary and expenses incurred in our 6D/5N stay in Batanes.

SCHEDULE:

Sept 27, 2010 (Day 1)
– arrival at the Basco Airport at 7:30 AM, picked up at the airport by the Novita House van and our tour guide, Ate Remy Santos
– rest and exploration of Abad and nearby streets
– Lunch at Novita House
– pick up at 1:00 pm for our half-day tour of the Northern part of Batan Island

Places to Eat in Basco, Batanes

Batanes By angkulet October 28, 2010 Tags: Batanes, Batanes Resort Restaurant, Batanes Seaside Lodge & Restaurant, Fratz Cafe, Hiro's Cafe, Lunchbox Restaurant, North Spirit Cafe, Places to Eat, Shandel's Inn and Cafe, travel 3 Comments

There aren’t a lot of places to eat in Basco. Some of the places listed in some travel blogs do not even exist anymore. While we were there, we had someone cook food for us at Novita House. In our six days and five nights in Batanes, we did manage to find places to hang out at.

1. Lunchbox Restaurant

Though we were informed the Lunchbox Restaurant is independent of DDD Habitat, they do share the same building. Food here is good enough for its price. Be prepared to wait though.

Accommodations in Batanes

Batanes By angkulet October 27, 2010 6 Comments

When we were looking for accommodations in Batanes, I found two other blog sites especially helpful – and because of that, I thought it would be also be nice if I helped out in return by posting more information. On our way back from biking from Mahatao, we also took a little bit of time checking out where the other accommodations in Basco are.

1. BATANES RESORT

About 3 kilometers outside of Basco town proper, this is a pretty and quiet place to stay at. Food is really, really good too. If you don’t mind staying too far out from where the stores and other places to eat are, this would be just fine. Rate: P1.800/day. Click here to read separate post.

Website: Batanes Resort
Contact: 02-922-9621 local 327 or 332 (Ivatan Center in Quezon City)

Eating at Batanes Resort

Batanes By angkulet October 26, 2010 1 Comment

Batanes Resort is about 3 kilometers away from the town proper of Basco and we passed by it on our way to the port in Ivana when we were on our way to Sabtang Island, and we passed by it again when we were doing the southern tour of Batan Island.

When we decided to ride our bikes to Mahatao, we passed by it again and decided it was a great place to have dinner. They have a P200 set meal that included rice, salad and two viands. The food was absolutely delicious and was well worth the price.

The lobby and reception area

Mahatao, Batanes – Places to See

Batanes By angkulet October 21, 2010 1 Comment

Mahatao town proper is 7 kilometers away from the town of Basco. We know because we biked it. One and a half times!

Though on our official Southern Batan Island tour, now with 13 adults, infant, tour guide and van driver, the first stops were in Mahatao, and so were the last.

CHAWA VIEW DECK

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