Scuba Diving 101: A Newbie Diver's Guide to Staying Alive Underwater

Tanks are ready!

Jeff and I, together with our newly engaged friends Lora and Jump, went to an impromptu trip to Davao last weekend. Jeff was sent there for work and he suggested that I go there to spend the second long weekend of August with him. Few weeks back, Lora and I were talking about our plans to go to Baguio, so when our plan changed, I immediately told her. Lora told me that she might need to file something to Kidapawan which is a few hours from Davao. I told her to come with us and she agreed. Jeff flew to Davao two days before us. Lora was there Friday morning, and Jump and I arrived Friday evening. 

The Mind Museum

After months and months of asking, Jeff finally took me to The Mind Museum. We didn't bring our camera because we know that our ever dependable Galaxy Nexus will do the job. Here are some of the photos. Still figuring out how to edit the video we took.

The Mind Museum is in JY Campos Park,3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort

The day after our wedding, we flew to Cebu for our honeymoon. Jeff and I were excited that finally, all the stress is gone and we can now relax. We bought this trip from Deal Grocer in December 2011 for Php 15,500.00 for 3 days and 2 nights accommodation. We later discovered that the regular price is Php17,000 per head per night. Wow!

We stayed in Sarrosa International Hotel in Mandaue City on the first night and we were picked up the next day. Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is in Oslob and it was a three hour drive from Cebu. It was a long trip! We later learned that it was easier if we landed in Dumaguete because it was just an hour away from Oslob. At least I was able to see Cebu City.

Here are a few pictures that we took. The island was awesome. I told Jeff that we should come back.

Sumilon Island from afar.

Moon Garden Tagaytay

I needed a break.

Work and wedding preps have taken it's toll on me and I felt so stressed out the past few weeks. No, make that burned out. So Jeff took me to a quick trip to Tagaytay. I started browsing for places to stay in Tagaytay and I suddenly remembered Moon Garden Tagaytay. My former coworker, Leslie told me about this a few months ago.

They charge Php3,000.00 for an overnight stay for two plus breakfast. By the way, this officially became our last trip as a couple because we are getting married next month. :)

Blue moon somewhere in the garden.

Balay Indang

Sorry for the late post. I know I should've posted this a week ago but I don't have the pictures. Yep, Jeff and I went on a trip without my loving camera. The morning we're leaving for Eumir and Sef's wedding, I just picked whichever I thought I'd need, realizing that I totally forgot my camera. So there, a pictureless trip.

Good thing Jeff borrowed his dad's camera. :D

We were late for the wedding. Sorry Eums and Sef! But we were able to see the you-may-now-kiss-the-bride part. Few minutes after the wedding, everyone headed to the reception at Balay Indang.

The J's Top 11 for 2011

A great year has passed. Whew that was quick! So many great things and great food and great trips that we had. We thought of sharing our Top 11 for 2011. I hope you enjoy our picks!

Our first and last picture in 2011. What a great year it was!

Tootsie's Tagaytay: My Birthday Lunch

I'm turning twenty seven in a few hours. Jeff took me to Enchanted Kingdom. Yay for another surprise trip! Before going to EK, I asked him if he wants to have lunch in Tagaytay. Our friend, Jel suggested we check out Tootsie's. It is along the highway just before Yellow Cab and Leslie's area. We arrived around 1PM. We were asked to sit outside because there are a lot of people inside the restaurant. It was not a problem for me. I wanted to feel the Tagaytay breeze, though it wasn't very cold that day.

We ordered two of their specialties: Kansi Bulalo and Roasted Lamb with Potatoes. Both were priced at less than Php500 which is good for 2-3 pax. Not bad, yeah?

Candlelit lunch. <3

The Tanay Getaway

For our anniversary, Jeff took me to Tanay. I've been telling him about this Baguio-ish place in like forever and he thought of going all ninja and surprised me with a trip. I didn't know we're going here until we were about to leave. We left their house around 3:30PM and arrived in Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort before 6PM. It's already dark when we came.

View from our room. Pretty, isn't it?

The Sun Village - Boracay

On our last night in Boracay, Jeff asked me if I want to try the Mongolian buffet. I was kinda apprehensive but I said yes afterwards. We again walked to Station 2 to find The Sun Village. Just like the normal buffet, you get what you want from the table. But here, you get it raw and then you ask them to stir fry them. I didn't know what to get so I just took whichever I think is edible. I put some teriyaki and chili sauce too.

Candlelit dinner? Sort of. BTW, those are frozen iced tea. 

Epic Boracay

For dinner, Jeff insisted we eat at Epic. He later explained that his friend works for this company though she is not stationed in Boracay. I think she's on the marketing department or something.

Epic Boracay. Station 2. It's near Lonely Planet. 

Real Coffee - Boracay

We've been hearing rave reviews about Real Coffee so we had to visit. My friend, Darleen, told me they have the best omelet. What's bad about it is that we also had omelet as our breakfast at the hotel. Anyway, this coffee shop was in Station 2. You have to ask around because you need to pass a small alley to find it.

Plato D' Boracay

The next day, I had to drag (and threaten) Jeff out of bed. He wouldn't stop sleeping so I had to tell him I'm going out and he can spend the whole day hugging the bed. When I went out of the shower, he was up and smiling at me. Girls, threat works well early in the morning. Apparently, Rocky also did the same thing to Carlo. Hahaha!

Carlo, Rocky, Jeff and I agreed to try ATV this morning. We had breakfast and off we went to Station 2 for a good ATV deal. So we got it for Php350 + entrances to the aviary and to Mt. Pulo. I think we paid Php410 each. Or more. But less than Php500.

Photo courtesy of Carlo. He was missing at the moment as his ATV stopped in some uphill part of the street. You can see Rocky was super worried here. The guide went to find him and they we're back after five minutes. That was crazy. 

Jonah's Milkshake - Boracay

Our friends from Twitter has been telling me to try Jonah's Milkshakes. 'Drinking' ice cream was not really my favorite thing. Then again after lunch, they all said we must go to Jonah's. Being the first timer, I didn't say no.

Jonah's Milkshake is located at Station 1. 

I Heart Backyard BBQ - Boracay

So after walking for some fifteen to twenty minutes, we reached Station 2.  I was so hungry, I will totally eat anything. Carlo and Rocky doesn't have anything in mind. Jeff was thinking of steak or anything grilled. And then we found this place.

Jeff and Joy go to Boracay

We're finally going to Boracay! Woot woot! Yeah, I'm like a kid because it's my first time. I'm really happy Jeff is taking me to places I've never been to. I've always wanted to travel but I don't have the time, the money and the right person to go with. Jeff is the best partner to travel. Besides the snoring, everyday is heaven with him. Hahaha.

Really the best summer of my life. Photo taken by the driver of the Paraw we rented. 

Pancit Habhab

Aside for the longganisa, Lucban is also famous for Pancit Habhab. To me, it looked the same to Pancit Bato from Bicol. You know what's different? They way they eat it. They say the proper way to eat it is just straight from the banana leaf. No fork, no plate. Just you and your lips vs. the noodles. Awesome right?

So yeah, this is the staple snack here in Lucban. Always available. Everywhere. I was able to try it this time. Straight from the banana leaf, sprinkled with spicy vinegar, utensil-less, I nom-med the noodles. So proud of myself. I also got to meet the most famous cook of Pancit Habhab in town. She shouts "Panciiiittttt!" in a every high soprano tone to attract customers. Cool eh?

Kiping

Nope, it doesn't mean putting things away for safety. Haha. Kiping is made of rice paste and shaped like a leaf. It also has bright colors and comes in different sizes. Lucban residents use it to decorate their houses during Pahiyas Festival. What's the best thing about it? You can actually eat it.

Lucban Longganisa

My mom is from Tarlac. And us having Kapampangan blood, we were all used to eating sweet, garlicky and peppery longganisa. So the first time I ate Lucban longganisa, it kinda felt weird. It's not sweet, just garlicky. On my first trip here, I took some home and they felt weird eating it too. I later learned that this longganisa was supposed to be eaten with Lucban vinegar. So that's the catch. The vinegar and garlic tastes good together. Anyway, I don't know how to explain the taste, what I know it that I love this longganisa now. Haha.

Last December, a dozen of longganisa was being sold for Php65.00. This time, prices went up and they are now selling it for Php70.00. Five pesos isn't so bad. We went to their neighbor (Jeff said it's the most famous longganisa maker in town) and bought twenty dozens. Hahaha.

Salud's Halo-halo

Lucban is just at the foot of Mt. Banahaw which gives them the always cool weather, plus the often rain showers. But it's summer. Who can ever deny that? Jeff said it's warmer now in Lucban than when he was younger. Oh well, it's still cooler than Manila, and take note, even cooler than Antipolo. So I'd take anything I can.

Back in Manila, he told me that he'll take me to Salud's. It's an old halo-halo stand that every Lucban resident knows. What's surprising is that visitors from other places go here too to have a taste of the famous halo halo. Again, I do not know the exact address. So when you get to Lucban, find the church and asked for directions. I'm pretty sure you'll find it.

The Original Buddy's

Before I met Jeff, I only ate at Buddy's once. It's because one time, McDonald's and Jollibee in my office are so full and it left me with no choice but eat at Buddy's. Haha. I used to work in Tycoon Center in Ortigas. It's the first branch of Buddy's in Manila. Later in our trip, I learned that the owner of the famous Lucban restaurant was Tita Letty's high school classmate. I told Jeff to get her as one of the ninangs on our wedding next year. LOLS.

Last time we were in Lucban, which was December 2010, we also had breakfast here. That time I still don't eat pork so I had to order some bangus dish. Now, for our first breakfast in Lucban, we went here again. And this time, I get to eat pork. And Lucban longganisa! Yay!