For so many years I’ve been bluffed by my elementary teachers that our Banaue Rice Terraces is officially one of the wonders of the world. Until someone burst-ed my bubble and said “it’s the 8th” … WHAT? we only got SEVEN right?!
Then we got a chance to change history in 2007, we got nominated. However, our very own Pinoy Rice Paddies didn’t make it to the New 7 wonders of the World. Whereas the whole world voted and it was announced two years ago.
BUT IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
We can still …

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be taken seriously, although I can’t say I follow this rule religiously. But because of a memory long forgotten, I begged my aunt to take me to the market to get congee, fried noodles and deep fried bread to kick our day off. I was telling Ron about the breakfast I had six years ago when I last visited Hong Kong. The taste of the food haunted me. And now that I am back, there is no way I …

DISCLAIMER: There will be no sightings, whatsoever, of a giant dancing  mouse in a tux in this entry. Please refrain from any form of regression or retardation.
Lantau Island is one of the recently re-promoted destinations in Hong Kong, one of the most popular spot in this island is (of course) Disney Land, which I missed during this trip. We opted going to the Tian Tan also known as the Big Buddha in Ngong Ping instead, the original pre-Disney attraction in this part of the country.

The cheaper way to go there …

OK.. KAPALAN NA NG MUKHA!
Monette and I are both dying to buy this fabulously glorious  bag that we want need to use as our official backpack for all our travels going forward.
*queue choir of angels

THE CHARCOAL GRAY NORTH FACE TERRA 45 & 60!
(45 for Monette and 60 for me!)
Every time we pass by the malls, we are like kids in front of a candy store, pressing our noses against the glass window, mouth open, teary eyed, with a solo violin playing in the back ground! Dreamily looking at those 77 …

Getting in Hong Kong from Macau is as breezy as it gets. Regular ferry trips are available from Macau pier to Hong Kong central which cost about 100 – 150 MOP. Flights to Hong Kong from any origin shouldn’t be a hassle since Chek Lap Kok Airport is an international central hub.  From this point on, the efficiency of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) would guide any traveler to their point of destination.
MTR has seven lines including the Airport Express Line and the Disneyland Resort Line. This means that you can take the …

Hong Kong is the first destination for budding wanderlusts. Other than the fact that it’s less than 2 hours away from Manila, the city is tourist friendly and the destinations are so familiar among Filipinos that research and itinerary planning isn’t necessary. We technically played it by ear.

The first destination (and the most popular one), where tourists flock from all over the world, is the Tsim Sha Tsui East Harbor also known as the Victoria Harbor. It’s a long stretch park area where you can hang around while enjoying the …

If you happen to be in Clark or in that part of Pampanga, you may want to check-out the famous steak house Rumpa. Monette mentioned this to me long before we actually decided to drive all the way to Angeles to try their mouth watering barbecue steak.

Opened in 1968 at Clark, Pampaga. A.C. Rumpa (which stands for Angeles City Retired US Military Personnel Association) is owned by a group of United States servicemen stationed at the base within this city.
Based on Monette’s description, it’s really good. She’s been repeatedly describing …

From the Tourist Police Station in Banaue, I waited for the bus going to Bontoc. I had to sit there for almost two hours till a van arrived going to the same destination. The trip took 2 hours on the roughest road you can imagine. One thing is for sure, I won’t be able to explore Bontoc. It was a good thing we had a stop over to take some pictures of Bontoc’s version of rice terraces. Instead of mud used in Banaue, this part of the province used stones.

Bontoc …

While the aircraft’s tilting to make a 90 deg turn to the reclaimed runway, we saw lights beaming from the ground–alas, the sin city of the orient.
We arrived at the Macau International Airport past 9pm. Even though the casinos are kilometers away, I can feel the Las Vegas ambiance by merely looking at the uniformed chauffeur in the airport.
We wasted no time, after throwing our luggage randomly on our beds, we ran-off the street to search for our perfect Macanese dinner. The streets are narrow and rustic (reminiscent of Venice …

10 things you may (or may not) want to know about Monette:
1.    She got a huge tendency to acquire Alzheimer’s. Her sporadic episodes of Dementia, family history and my personal testimonies can attest to that.
2.    Her greatest fear to this point is not getting married at age 30
3.    Her standards in terms of men would only shortlist, Michael Phelps, Albert Einstein, Paul Gilbert and the Pope
4.    She loves cupcakes, but ONLY when we’re out of the country… don’t ask!
5.    She can be very spontaneous and ridiculously clueless at the same …