Category Archives: Philippines

The Peninsula Manila Hotel

Posted on June 3, 2011 by SF| 3 Comments

My mom would claim that my love affair with hotels began with the The Peninsula Manila Hotel. While she was pregnant with me then very shortly after I was born and all through my early years, getaways to this five star hotel was a regular weekend occurrence.

I remember being very young, my yaya keeping a watchful eye on me to ensure I didn’t get into any mischief as I childishly explored the marbled halls. I remember gazing at a fantastic ice sculpture of a swan in the middle of the buffet table. And I remember the Swiss / German / Italian chefs taking pity on my suffering parents, allowing them to have a romantic dinner in peace, while they took me on a culinary tour of the hotel kitchens for the umpteenth time!

Now I’m 27 and back for more. No more toddling around after the head chefs. More like partying it out in Makati with friends before crawling back to the lobby past midnight, being pleasantly surprised to find the orchestra still playing for guests. Couldn’t let the perfect end to the night slip away, so we grabbed a table in the lobby, had a few snacks, sobered up with an amazing cup of hot chocolate and listened to the live classical music play on until 4 am.

What can I say? This love affair just keeps on growing.

The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues,
Makati, Manila,
Philippines 1226

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Manila Pavillon Hotel

Posted on June 2, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

So my mom booked us into the Manila Pavillon Hotel accidentally, thinking she was booking us into -the- Manila Hotel. Different leagues really, but a chance for a random experience. Not a good one, but an experience nonetheless. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

After I just mention that the hotel room book was a re-used Holiday Inn Hotel Room book…now you know what you’ll be in for:

Restaurant looks modern, but the food is poor and buffet not well taken cared of. While having dinner I overheard another customer complain about flies around the sushi bar.

Looks pretty. Pity it tasted like cardboard. No substance. The results of the restaurant gave me the impression it was a a training ground for very inexperienced chefs.

View of Manila Hotel from Manila Pavillon Hotel. So near yet so far. Dear mom, please book me in the correct hotel next time. OKthnxloveyoubaibai!

Manila Pavillon Hotel More like Motel!
United Nations Avenue,
Corner Ma. Orosa Str.,
Ermita, Manila,
Luzon 1000, Philippines

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Anawangin Cove, Zambales

Posted on May 29, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

Anawangin Cove. Done as a road trip with friends, via Subic from Manila. The Bangka ride is a must. Amazing rock formations by the sea. We went on a slightly stormy day, so the wave swells were massive and so much fun!

Wiki:

It is a crescent shaped cove with a pristine white sand beach. What makes the place unique is the unusual riddle of tall pine trees flourishing round its vicinity. There are no roads leading to Anawangin. It is only accessible by a 30 minute boat ride from Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales or by a six-hour trek through hot, open trails thru the Pundaquit range. The cove’s relative isolation has kept it free from development…

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Kwebang Lampas, Pagbilao

Posted on May 24, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

I’ve got a little secret…don’t tell too many people. Kwebang Lampas, Pagbilao, Quezon, Philippines.

Remember, it’s a secret. Sssshhh…

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Sariaya, Quezon 2011

Posted on May 20, 2011 by SF| Comments Off

Quezon, a beautiful province with a warm wholesome heart. An important agricultural center of the Philippines next to some beautiful volcano black beaches. Good food and surf, you can’t go wrong. Home sweet home.

Forget sunrises, what a moon rise!

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Blue Bay Waters Beach Resort

Posted on October 6, 2010 by SF| 14 Comments

The trip back to the Philippines this year has definitely had some impact on the direction of my life. It was over a telephone conversation to Mr H back in the UK that I realised that I was really happy here. I mean, really really happy. When people say you should do what makes you happy, being by the beach definitely trips that switch.

This is where my dad put me (at two weeks old!) into the sea (I like to think that was my baptism). This is where I grew up. And this is where I got married.

I am so glad that when my brother and I left the nest my mom went home to the Philippines to start up her beach resort, Blue Bay Waters in Sariaya, Quezon. Not only is she doing what she loves, but she has created a home not only for us, but for weary travellers looking for some peace while exploring the beautiful provinces of the Philippines.

A totally family run business, we enjoy experimenting with the possibilities :) Some of us spent some time fooling about with the internet connections and Wifi. Bundok style! Of course, we had to. Our generation are all techies and can’t be that far from the internet. Glad to say there’s Wifi everywhere now, in the cottages and by the beach! Yar! *geeky pleasure*

Our beautiful beach at low tide and the gorgeous views. It’s so sweet to watch the guests’ children run around the dunes, picking up seashells and squealing in delight when they see a tiny fish or sand crab skittering about. Reminds me of me when I was a kid ^_^

It was great to see our family and friends again. We caught up with the happenings of each others lives while swimming and over good food, drinks, karaoke and even amazing lightning over the sea.

This was the view of the beach when I went out for some early morning surf. It was like the world was saying: Good morning!

Coming home is nothing without the amazing food. I ate so much seafood it was ridiculous. Even better than the seafood you get in some hotels in Manila. Lobsters, shrimps, squid, crab everywhere. And then all the filipino goodies like tocino, adobo, crispy pata…

I need to go back. Just waiting to find out what’s happening in the next 6-8 months before booking another ticket. And then hopefully one day, that ticket will be one way.

Read more about about BBW on the blog? Click here.

Booking Details:
Website: http://www.bluebaywaters.com
Chat on Yahoo Msger: bluebaywaters
Tel No: (042) 716-1450
Mobile: # 09089916526 and # 09083456300
Email: sales@bluebaywaters.com & bluebaywaters@yahoo.com

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Holiday Inn Galleria

Posted on September 25, 2010 by SF| 4 Comments

As stated on the previous post, I enjoy hotel living. When I’m Manila I tend to stay at Holiday Inn Galleria.

You should know that I love my hotels and I’m a loyal customer. When the head chef remembers you running around the breakfast buffet at 10 yrs old and has enjoyed watching you grow up… and remembers your grandmother when she sat with you.

Say hi to Chef Bien for me if you see him :) He’s always there, usually frying up omelette, sunny side ups or treating people to Taho at the breakfast buffet.

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila
1 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City 1655
Philippines
+63 2 633 7111

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Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza, Manila

Posted on September 23, 2010 by SF| 2 Comments

Growing up travelling to different countries, I have grown to feel at home in hotels. And if you are a regular reader, you will know how much I enjoy restaurants. So, finding an excellent hotel restaurant is something I can’t not blog about.

Seven Corners at Crowne Plaza, Manila was very impressive. After dining in their relaxed, but elegant atmosphere in the early days of my holiday I had to return before I flew back to the UK.

Their dinner buffet was a huge selection of dining experiences: a pasta station, fresh seafood, pizza / bread bakery and wonderful smelling curries. I could barely get half-way through the dishes (I really tried!). Including the best rib eye roast I have had in a long time.

The service was friendly, but not overly much, which is a plus. Last thing I need is someone standing nervously by my elbow waiting to top up my water glass. It’s happened before in other restaurants in the Philippines and is…awkward.

The only downside was I wasn’t too impressed with the wine selection. Maybe I’m not looking at the right places, but -really- good wine is hard to come by in Manila. Of course given the opportunity I would like to taste more of what they have in store to be proven wrong. ;)

The Cost: Well, pricey compared to other Philippine restaurants, but very reasonable compared to European fine dining. The selection and the quality of the food has beat any buffet I have had in years.

Hoping to dine there again next year!

Seven Corners
Ortigas Avenue Corner Adb Avenue,
Quezon City, Philippines
+63 2 633 7222

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Philippine Food Snapshots

Posted on September 21, 2010 by SF| 6 Comments

Sinigang

Crispy Pata & Rice

Sushi & Sashimi  Platter

Flying Fish Roe Sushi

Cute Wasabi drowning in Soy Sauce :D

Deep Fried Kang Kong

Grilled Squid

Infamous Chicharon Bulaklak

Cake :)

Taho <3

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Philippines 2010

Posted on September 19, 2010 by SF| 6 Comments

There’s nothing like a trip home to my favourite islands to give me a stronger perspective of life. The Philippines has a way of allowing me time to breathe, evaluate my life when at crossroads and decide on a direction.

So, quite a few upcoming posts will be dedicated to my trip to this beautiful country, but first a summary of my exploits and thoughts (all jumbled up together due to jetlag):

  • Nothing like home sweet home
  • I actually enjoy being a software developer / waitress / lifeguard / secretary so long it means I get to be in the sea at least three hours each day :D
  • Kape Barako can be bought in large quantities from the palenke
  • There is hope for my Tagalog :)
  • Good friends can pick up where we left off, even if you haven’t seen them in over 12 years!
  • Bawal ang alak – a sad state to be in. :(
  • More should be done for schools and medical clinics in Quezon
  • I will attempt to do more for the people in Quezon.
  • Chicharon bulaklak is ridiculously tasty. Especially when drunk on margarita / tequila.
  • Seafood in the province is better than seafood in Manila.
  • Gorging on food in the Philippines for three weeks equals to a loss of 2 lbs in Europe. WTF?! YAY!
  • Windsurfing is fun, but hard work! Before you can fly you need to learn to fall :)
  • Who needs TV when you’ve got lightning storms over the sea
  • Geese are not as scary as turkeys and not as stupid as guineafowls
  • Snakes come in extra large sizes. Their only fear is men with beer. :D
  • There will always be jellyfish in the sea. They won’t disappear just because you want them to.
  • I want to go home more often. How about in 6 months time?

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