Whale Watching in Donsol, Sorsogon

Cagsawa Ruins view of Mayon Volcano

This is experience is one of the best I've had adventurously.

We took a flight to Legaspi Albay and took a 3 hour drive to Donsol, Sorsogon for the whale watching. Make sure to stop by the ruins to take photos of the perfect cone shaped Mayon Volcano. You can find buses, or rent a van to Donsol in the terminal of Legaspi.


Also try small talk restaurant but make sure you have a reservation before you go. Tricycles is the means of transportation, so basically they know important landmarks within Legaspi. Famous bicolano dishes such as pinangat, laing, and bicol express should really be on your list. But be careful, they have a palate armored for spice. They even made a sili ("chili") ice cream. It's worth a try! Lastly don't forget to try local best restaurant, the sibid sibid.

Sibid Sibid Restaurant in Legaspi

Vitton Donsol Resort facade

When we arrived in Donsol, we checked in a not so pricey resort called Vitton & Woodland. One good thing is that, the resort is about 300m away from the Butanding (whale) registration site.


You have to register and pay an amount for the participation. You also need to rent a boat, which you will ride to dive in to the water to swim with the butanding. Also you have to rent (if you don't own) a snorkeling and fins gear.


One of the best things when you're in a province is that the price of food are really cheaper compared to the metro. Especially if the province is near an ocean / fishing village, the seafood is really a treat. It's fresh and it's more affordable. Indulge.

Super affordable kilos of crab

Of course the highlight of the trip is the whale watching. Butanding is the local term for the whale shark. Whale shark is a harmless plankton eating fish.

Swimming with butanding in Donsol

Dutch Couple we befriended

The first time we did dive, adrenalin rushes thru your body and would make you scream even when your on your snorkels under the water. This thing is huge, but it's hard to notice at first in the murky waters of Donsol. But as soon as it approaches in in meters, you will be amazed by the graceful flap of its tail. We were lucky to have a siting of at least 5 butandings on that day. We just didn't enjoy swimming with the butanding, but also made friends with a dutch couple where we shared our boat with. But the fun did not stop there, we also did firefly watching about 5kms away from the resort into a river. This one is magical for thousands of fireflies light up like green sparkling stars making the ever romantic vibe.

Firefly watching in Donsol

I'm willing to do this again next summer. I won't miss it in a heartbeat.

Watch the video I created -> Donsol Travelogue

A glimpse of heaven in Tagaytay

"A glimpse of heaven in Tagaytay"

Sunrise in Taal Lake Tagaytay

If you're looking for a place to stay in, and away from Manila and for just 3 hours drive. Try considering Monte Casa Erlinda in Alfonso Tagaytay. It is located  in Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, Brgy. Amuyong, Alfonso Cavite

Taal Lake on first light of day

You can contact Romeo at 09236008553 for details and reservations.

This a 2 bedroom house with kitchen and 1 bathroom. It has a garden with hammock and a gazebo. 

I must say that this place really took my mind off work, stress and problems. The cool breeze surely did 

added to the total ambiance of this place.

Stars over Gazebo

When I woke up at around 5am to see the spectacular sunrise, what came in my mind is that I can 

humbly say that this sunrise more amazing than the one I saw in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I was in awe

in the beauty of the landscape display. I almost forgot to bring out my camera and capture the

beauty of golden light graciously rising over the lake of Taal. It was grand, and majestic that left me 

really speechless. The cold breeze didn't bother me for I cannot let this one pass. 

How I really wish you could see what I saw during that one Saturday morning in Tagaytay. It felt like God

was physically beside me showing me a tiny glimpse of heaven. 

Tagaytay Sunrise

Angono Rizal : Art and Food

Nemiranda's House

Angono Rizal is home to a number of artists, great food, and festivities. It also was a home to me when I was a kid. It was just on the recent years that I have appreciated my hometown. I would talk about my recent trip here to the famous, talk of the town art gallery and restaurant, Balaw Balaw.

Balaw Balaw Facade

Balaw Balaw is known as a specialty restaurant and an art gallery as well. The place is rustic, cozy, air-cooled and very antique. Many forms of art decorate the whole place. Colorful masks made from paper mache, large  sculptures of various religious personalities and different concepts and styles of paintings creates an artistic atmosphere where you may say that Filipino artists especially in Angono are undeniably talented.

Sculpture in Balaw Balaw

Sculpture in Balaw Balaw

Balaw Balaw Menu

Not to forget that Balaw Balaw is a specialty restaurant not just an art place or simply a work of art. Balaw Balaw is known for its exotic Filipino dishes. There are food made from frog legs, bayawak (monitor lizard), and snake. If you're not into these kinds of dishes, normal Filipino foods are also being served. Food are served w/ true Filipino ambiance, on banana leaves, and palayoks (clay pots). My recommendations are sinampalukang manok (chicken in a tamarind soup), Halabos (buttered shrimps), and bicol express (pork with extracts of coconut milk spiced with red and green hot pepper). Taste surpasses and justifies the price, normal dishes costs at an average of Php250.

Ensaladang Mangga & Halabos

Nemiranda's Gallery & Restaurant

Right around the corner, another famous art gallery / house now converted to a restaurant owned by Nemiranda greets us with the higantes (giants) on their front gate. These higantes are used during the higante festival on the 3rd week of November. I admire how Nemiranda designed his house/place thru his art. Walls and posts screams his artistic sculptures. He has his own gallery which displays his craft in painting. The entrance is converted to a restaurant called the Atelier Cafe. Food served are also somewhat exotic. Price and ambiance are no different with Balaw Balaw. It's a just a matter of choice on where to eat in these "artistic" restaurants.

Higante

Atelier Cafe

Atelier Cafe's K Shop

Nemiranda exhibit

Inside Nemiranda exhibit

"Small" Higantes

I bet that there are a dozen or more places to see aside from these art galleries in Angono. The well known Thunderbird resort is also found in the area. The place itself is very rural. Weather is humid but the winds are fresh and the whole atmosphere is very laid back. This place will always be a part of me. The place known as "Arts capital of the Philippines".

Hongkong Getaway

Bell Tower

Marco Polo Gateway Room

I was very fortunate to be rewarded with an all expense paid trip to Hongkong. It was a four day trip, and when we were looking at the itinerary we thought that it wasn’t going to be as fun as we thought but we were proved wrong. We were in a group of 15 people coming from mixed groups. We were able to mingle with them and eventually enjoyed ourselves in the tours and especially the meals and night life. Call it the rich and famous life, we were in a luxurious hotel Marco Polo in Kowloon and we did not eat in your average Chinese restaurant. We enjoyed the meals from day 1 to day 4 and the eating experience is close to fine dining. Much fun ensues during the night life, as we went fine clubbing. Of course, it will not be complete without the shopping. Shops were actually everywhere you turn your head, from the cheapest unbranded store to most lavish designer brands.

Outside Marco Polo Gateway

Marco Polo in Kowloon if I would say, is the most convenient place / island in Hongkong. Most of the sought after shops / brands are located within the area. Food or restaurants are also found almost everywhere. These stores and restaurant are found inside and as well as outside the malls. Though, some say that stores and food here are pricier compared to Hongkong island. Transportation is also not a problem. There are 3 main transportation system I know of in Hongkong. First is the MTR (Train) which is the 

Citygate outlet mall

cheapest and fastest means of transpo if you're going island hopping. Ready your, Hongkong dollars, your change and your coins for most payments here are in absolute monetary value. Though money changers and "bill breakers" are located mostly inside the train stations. The two transportation are taxi and bus ride. I suggest you try the double decker bus and the trams just for the experience and fun. 

Ngong Ping Mountain Top

On our first day of arrival, we went straight to Citygate Outlet store to eat in Federal Place. It was lunch time, and the weather is very hot and sticky, though I believe Philippines is more humid. We ate peking duck, some dumplings and shanghai lumpia as called in the Philippines. After the lunch, we window shopped in the area and planned to go to Ngong Ping cable car. This is the cable car that will bring you to the big buddha located in the mountains. The view is spectacular. You will see the gigantic Hongkong aiport from above while the cool winds breezes you inside the cable car. 

Below the steps to Budhha

Buddha with Swastika Symbol

After the very tiring walks and steps, we chilled down and was brought down back to citygate outlet mall. We went to the hotel to refresh and prepare for our sumptuous eat-all-you can japanese food. I forgot to take the name of the restaurant but I can still remember the food it offered us, from it's fresh seafoods to the aromatic grilled beef and chicken. The place is very small, but is filled with locals and foreigners such as us. It was located in a building that you'll ride an narrow elevator to reach the restaurant. You will be choose from a number of menus with categories. Food will be brought to you one after another. I can't forget the experience. It was a pleasure. It was delightful. It was satisfying. 

Seafood platter

Ladies Market

We went to shop in the ladies market. It was like the ukay-ukay in Baguio or in Divisoria but has more branded shops. Shops were opened until 12midnight. People are literally found everywhere in the streets, it was really busy. There are street performers; stalls selling magazines, shirts, bags to souvenirs; restaurants and many more. If you're a shopaholic, you will definitely enjoy this place. Designer and branded clothes have big discounts on them. Bulk buying is also encourage to have more discounts. This place is a treasure. A haven for shopping addicts and people like me who is on a budget. 

The second morning comes and we just went around kowloon and enjoy the Hongkong diverse culture. We were told that we'll be having lunch in one of the most recognized chinese restaurants in Hongkong. Yung kee greeted us with delicious chinese dishes. I just found it weird, water in Hongkong seems to be an expensive necessity. They don't offer tap water, you have to buy water from them. We ordered evian as our drink, tried it for experience and found out that it no differs with any bottled water except for the elegant premium glass bottle packaging. 

Painted Street Signs

We rode the MTR going back to the hotel and went to the Avenue of stars in Kowloon. The area is filled with street performers, people who want to ride the star ferry and all the rest who just want to enjoy the scenic urban landscape of Hongkong. 

Fine clubbing @ SOSO

We rested and dressed up for our fine dining and fine clubbing experience. We had our dinner in Le Fauchon near the hotel. We had steak that oozes tenderness and juiciness and fine wines from france. We went straight to SOSO club, and got drunk and partied our night away.

Ocean Adventure

We spent our last day of stay in ocean park adventure. I love rides. If I would compare this to our Enchanted Kingdon or our very own star city; ours will be minuscule. Ocean adventure is huge and even requires you to ride a cable car or a train to go to the other side of the island. I recommend that you participate on all the rides, but be mindful if you have heart ailments and the likes.

The flash in Ocean Adventure

Busy street of Kowloon

We had the time of our lives. We got a chance to live a life of the Rich and Famous. We worked hard, but played harder. It won’t stop there. Success will find its way for the dreamers, but will always be given to those who work hard on it.

Bye Hongkong - Outside Marco Polo Gateway