Bolinao, Pangasinan Sojourn

The ASEAN summit provided another week of holidays... of course our feet got itchy and we had to go somewhere. I really wanted to go to hundred islands but somehow got to find this eco resort in BOLINAO Pangasinan. I have never been to Pangasinan, so off we go..

The travel time was more of less 4.5 hours from Manila. (depending on driving speed). Good thing the hubby really liked long drives. The eco resort is called BIRDLAND. It took us awhile to look for it. (more or less got help from waze). Its operated by an expat couple, the guy is Filipino raised in the US and had a passion for woodworking (as evidenced by the birdhouses he builds)

They have choices of huts like the pic above... to be more in touch with nature... it really depends on what you would like to experience. Since I was with kids, I chose the aircon rooms. (lol)

The booking came with breakfast... which was pretty good. But I guess overall, I would say, the resort is ok, but a bit overpriced for what they had to offer. (no swimming pool). Even the basic huts were pricey. The view from the balsa (rubber boat we used to get a sunset ride was great)

BOLINAO- things to see

We chose to get the bamboo tricycle offered by the resort... but honestly, you can DRIVE and be more comfortable going to the sights.

We really enjoyed the bolinao falls, it's the best falls I have seen so far.. and I have trekked mountains to reach some of the falls I have seen... this one, you dont even have to trek... when you arrive, its already there. Entrance is 20 pesos and kids get in for free... what a bargain.

if you are daring enough... you can also jump from the falls. They rent out life vests to those who are not confident swimmers. the sides were walkable... only the middle part was a bit deep... and if you try to swim to the falls.. you will get a workout from the force of the water from the falls.The falls and water itself was so refreshing... you can get a natural massage if you walk under the falls itself. what an experience.

---ENCHANTED CAVE

This was quite interesting. The resort itself was well maintained and had several areas aside form the famous enchanted cave where you can relax. some families I saw were even picnicking. You can spend a whole day touring this resort but we decided to make a quick visit. The way down to the cave was a bit slippery (caution to elderly and small children) and you really have to watch your head.

We also went to see the bolinao lighthouse.. nothing much but a photo op place..

because basically, it's near Patar beach, the main stretch of white sand beach in the area. Our resort didn't have much of a beach, mostly rocky terrain. (talked with the owner that the rocks were sharp and wasn't very safe for kids.. another minus for me)

Patar beach was nice... reminded me of pagudpod. the food offerings around there were not as much as if you were in a more "commercial" beach. The halo halo we had was bleh..

Overall, we enjoyed the waterfalls (I think there were two of them but we got to see only 1), nature and adventure... but for accomodation, I think you can do better than the one we got. 

Venice Revisited

Forgive me for neglecting my blog for so long. I also realize this post is long long long overdue (special emphasis on the long part. )

breaking news first.

I'm pregnant.

Yes. I'm serious.

No. I'm not joking.

So folks, for the few who read my blog.... I was infanticipating the whole 4 months I was gone from blogging.

So, VENICE. I really love this city. You can't really take a bad picture here.

It's so far from the the "big" city. For one, there are no cars and the streets are really the side of alleyways. Which for me adds to it's charm. (you get trasport from the vaporetto or water taxis)--- which kind of reminds me of the movie "The Tourist"

You can also walk from Rialto to San Marco without getting lost. There are quite a lot of signs on the buildings the have arrows indicating (VIA RIALTO or VIA SAN MARCO)


During the day, San Marco could be a like a marketplace... full of tourists. I also got a sampling of the high tide flood. They set up raised platforms for the tourists to walk on. It was quite interesting to see them. (for one who is so used to floods in our country)

flooding during high tide

I  decided to catch a sunrise while I was there. Boy, I had all the place to myself - except for a smattering of tourists arriving from the airport, I was all alone (give or take 3 people)

sunrise at the grand canal. a cruise ship entering....

early hours of the morning... San marco all to myself

great view of the canal

I had a nice time taking pictures of the square without a lot of people messing up the view. I also had a nice time looking at the store windows and taking in the displays... ranging from mini masks, limoncello and some handmade venetian mini shoes

goodies!!!

I was planning to go the other side of the Rialto to visit the local market but I was pooped from walking for 2 whole days (plus waking up at 5:30 am) so I skipped the early morning wake up and just had a sunset stroll. If you walk enough around, you'll get to see some very interesting shops.

The side if the rialto is peppered with restaurants. You just have to ask if they charge an extra service fee if you eat at the tables. (which could add a bit more to your bill). I found the food in Venice quite excellent. Especially the seafood. We had the local sea bass which they actually prefer to serve grilled, and you can really taste the freshness. We also had a lobster pasta dish at some restaurant on one of the side streets. It was quite good really.

one of the cute "hole in the wall" rests you'll pass by

lobster pasta. yummy!

local seabass. very fresh!

If you're wondering if I did the gondola... the answer is no. (I was with my dad and it costs 100 euros. -- plus I already rode it once. so, that was enough for me)

I just took some nice pics of them and tourists on the various canals I passed by.

One of the things I saw was the amazing selection or glass pens (drool!!!) and the various stationary shops that riddled the city. It was so quaint to just buy these things because I know it will be a long time before I get a chance to but the "real thing" again. They also sell miniatures of the venetian houses (cute, but where do you put them?? unless you have a palace)

journals, paper and all those wonderful stuff..!

If you're wondering... bought myself some wax, stamping seals, some stationary and several glass pens.

Here's a wide view of the city (taken from the top of the cruise ship we were riding) Both of these are from the grand canal looking over Piazza San Marco (you can see the little people swarming all over the place)

For now, I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Ciao!

Screwed Over

I was on a work related trip the whole of last week.  The week before that, I was ELATED... no.. actually GUSHING to my friends on how I got to book an AMAZING place in Boracay. It was a house rental.

I contacted the administrator of the rental thru email if the house was available for OCT 31- NOV3. They confirmed that it was and I hurriedly booked my tickets (and that of my family) for a total 9 people. I confirmed my booking through email and told them I could send the deposit for the house the following monday (it was a saturday and there was no bank) since I was flying out on Monday and wont be back till saturday again. She affirmed that it was alright.

See here (for our conversation)--- I highlighted my reply...

here is her reply: ( which I assumed was a confirmation that everything was ok)

By her reply, I was confident that I could go on my business trip and pay her when I get back since she said it was ok. However, when I got back.. I was greeted by this email: ( she had such a nice tone to the email too.... and I assumed she was just checking if I could possibly change date)

I told her that I could not possible change dates since I already had tickets and rebooking would cost the same as if I had bought another set of tickets. She them emailed me a sort of "take it or Leave it " option.--- which had a firmer tone than the previous email. it was like saying..screw you... i have a bigger client and you family is no consequence

 I ask you guys..... isn't this being screwed over???? because she got a 16 day booking after I confirmed, that overlapped my booking, she essentially just leaving me out to dry!!!

I felt really angry and disappointed that someone could be so unprofessional. The 5000 pesos she offered did not cover the expense we have to make to move 9 roundtrip tickets at 3000 pesos per person AND I wouldn't have booked the trip if not for wanting to go see that HOUSE!!!

If that were done to you,  wouldn't you feel like someone was slapping you in the face? -- WOULD YOU DEAL with this kind of company? EVEN IF they have a wonderful place?

I am now trying to book other accomodations as my email (to complain at this kind of shabby treatment) is now being ignored.

WARNING TO THOSE WHO WANT TO BOOK HERE..... don't judge a book by it's modern exterior. Expecting to be treated like paying people only to be set aside when a BETTER offer comes along.....


UPDATE: See HERE on what happened next