Freeze My Thoughts

2012

2012-01-01T23:40:00.001+08:00

If 2010 was a roller coaster ride, I welcomed 2011 with new hope and bigger smile. 2011 just passed by too fast. It was a year that was full of unexpected pleasant and unpleasant surprises. Just as I thought I'd be grounded most of time (well, I was), I still managed to sneak out and give in to that wanderlust: Quick trip to see Mt. Mayon once again as we shrugged off backpacking tours and gave

South of Cebu Dive Log: Diving with Whalesharks

2011-11-19T18:25:00.001+08:00

I have a never ending affair with whalesharks. I don't know what's up with these gentle giants, but they just simply amaze me. A few weeks ago, I spent four days out at sea, in Leyte in search of whaleshark, seen none but instead saw pilot whales, dolphins, seahorses, turtlessss.... (read my Leyte Dive Log). Sometime last year, we also ventured in Pescador Island, Moalboal, Cebu to see

Leyte Dive Log

2011-11-19T16:57:00.002+08:00

It has been a year since I last had a good dive, that was an out of this world encounter with thresher sharks at Moalboal, Cebu. This time, I got an invite from Aquadive Inc, to go on a south safari to Leyte, in anticipation of diving with whalesharks. With the president's short notice to declare a long holiday, I was lucky to still be able to confirm. Aboard an outrigger boat, fourteen of us

Gilutungan Fish and Olango Bird Sanctuary, Mactan, Cebu

2011-11-10T23:02:00.000+08:00

It's not so bad after being grounded in Cebu. Nine of us was determined to get stoked one Sunday, the wanderlass was determined to go somewhere, anywhere! With last minute arrangements the night before, we hired an outrigger boat through Aquadive Inc. since their own boat wasn't available, the owner helped us find another one, "Super Lucy", it was big enough to comfortably fit like 30 people.

Looking for stuff to import? Join the Canton Fair 2011

2011-10-10T23:01:00.003+08:00

It's time to get into business. The China Import and Export Fair, otherwise known as the Canton Fair will be on October 15 to November 4, 2011. The fair will open by industry in three phases. Here is the schedule:  Phase 1:

No Other Woman Quotable Quotes

2011-10-08T00:22:00.004+08:00

After seeing quite a number of posts on facebook (yeah, that's where I get updated with latest buzz) I was intrigued by the movie "No Other Woman" produced by Star Cinema starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsey and Cristine Reyes. I'm not an avid fan of either of the three and watching Tagalog movie isn't my usual treat but whenever I hear good reviews, I find myself in the movie sobbing on the

Steve Jobs Dies at 56

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I woke with my facebook feeds flooded with disappointment about the ipone4s. Today, was even more disappointed by news about Steve Jobs death. I am priviledged to have use one of the first apple computer in the early 80s. Only a few months ago was I convinced to get my hands on an apple gadget - an ipad2. Since then, a day isn't complete without me checking on it, and it's the

Explore Central Vietnam: Old Town of Hoi An

2011-10-03T23:47:00.001+08:00

Previous: Ho Chi Minh and Hue to Danang Hoi An appealed to me simply because it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We did not make plans for Hoi An except for hotel reservations and scanned through trip advisor on where to eat. Our flight out of Hoi An was moved 10 hours later, to our advantage, we have more time to spare. A day and a half to spend in Hoi An was just right. Although

Free Tours Across England: London, Bath, Stonehenge, Cotswold, Windsor

2011-10-02T01:04:00.005+08:00

Looks like I've becoming a walking trip advisor. Shall I be flattered or it's a wake-up call that I've been wandering too much. I just got back from a quick trip to England and there are quite a lot of good bargains and freebies, all things to be grateful for on this trip, for ten days, 500 pounds was more than enough to live by and even took home four long champ bags. Thanks to HSBC for

Tonight's the Night

2011-08-21T00:37:00.000+08:00

Tonight has been the night I've been expecting to happen, hoping that it happens at the right time, at the right place. Bumped into my so called pseudo ex, it has been six years since the last time. Although I got a glimpse of him earlier this year with his pregnant wife, I don't think it was appropriate to approach him at that time. Tonight was different, he was with unfamiliar peers; he came

US Visa Reissuance Program: No Interview Required for Renewal

2011-07-27T23:31:00.002+08:00

Good news to those who needs to renew their US visa. As of July 25, 2011, the US Embassy in the Philippines announced the Visa Reissuance Program (VRP) for qualified applicants. This means that if you're qualified, you need not undergo for an interview with the consul but personal appearance is still required for ten printing (fingerprint scanning). This is pretty much the same as their

Things To Do at Misibis Bay

2011-07-01T23:15:00.000+08:00

THINGS TO DO AT MISIBIS BAY: If you come to Misibis Bay Resort, you come to make the most out of it as a luxury island playground. It was well worth it to get the package that includes unlimited use of non-motorized sports and limited use of selected motorized activities like we did. For three days, two nights, these were the activities in lined for us: 1. 30-minute ATV at Eco-energy

Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island: Luxury Island Playground

2011-06-28T22:07:00.000+08:00

Unexpected weekend getaway at Misibis Bay with best travel buds (thanks for the company, even with such short notice). This is such a welcome break after all the cluttered thoughts. Misibis Bay is a luxury playground, tucked away on one side of Cagraray island. I had reservations on planning a trip to this side of the country in June, the height of typhoon season in the Philippines.

Roof Top

2011-06-26T15:49:00.003+08:00

If there is one place to enjoy a panoramic view of Cebu's nightscape, it should be a visit to Tops, Busay. It's a long steep winding road to get there on your private vehicle. You may charter a taxi cab for about P600 or hire motorbikes at the foot of the hill of Nivel near JY Square. It can be chilly at night especially during Ber months. Entrance fee is now pegged at P100 or 50% off if you

Confessions of a Wanderlust

2011-06-26T10:46:00.003+08:00

With considerable travel journals I have written over the past years, I'm making a new blog dedicated to all my travels. Come visit and enjoy the site. See ya there :) http://bitten-by-travelbug.blogspot.com I just earned my first paycheck on google adsense. Hope to get it soon, how soon? I'm not sure, google help wasn't so helpful.

Escape

2011-06-20T23:17:00.004+08:00

I'm writing in the comforts of my bed, overlooking the sea. (Our room overlooks the sea!) I'm on vacation (I'll be writing about my destination soon). This is such a welcome break from all the fuzz over the past months. The silence is deafening (my roommate is playing plants and zombies for hours today). The sounds of the waves outside are playing on my head. My thoughts remained cluttered.

Visa Application to United Kingdom from the Philippines

2011-06-16T23:54:00.001+08:00

I just learned that my HSBC card have been approved and I'll get my hands on it tomorrow. I cannot believe what I was upto this evening... I scheduled an appointment and I'm filing up a visa application to United Kingdom (UK). I don't know when exactly I'd be free to go, but I'm pushing my luck to squeeze a short trip very soon. A. Online Application: To apply for tourist Visa to UK from the

Perception

2011-06-15T00:18:00.000+08:00

Countless forwarded quotes are exchanged. It could be a message that cannot be expressed directly to the other party, and can be construed as half meant. Or it could simply be just a forwarded message, for the sake of forwarding. A simple message can bring too many conclusions. A guy who receives sms regularly, assumes that a girl is interested in him, not knowing it was a mass sms. I heard

Investing in Diamonds: Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut

2011-06-12T23:55:00.000+08:00

I'm quite clueless how to tell a good quality stone. I don't have the eye to tell the difference and totally rely on the seller's words. If you don't have the eye like me, it is important to buy from reputable sellers and here are basic facts you need to consider when buying diamonds: 1. Carat Hint: A bigger cut diamond per carat is more valuable. The carat is a unit of mass equal to 200

Romancing with the Taxmen

2011-06-11T23:33:00.001+08:00

As a student, I was curious to know the tricks and the trade inside; but I was discouraged by a classmate whose mother was holding a position in the bureau (and he ended up working there). It's an open secret, that graft and corruption is rampant... unfortunately, it has become a norm rather than an exception. There were attempts to revamp the bureau; but I guess it's a hard habit to

Fine Dining in Cebu: Olio, Corner Table, Anzani, Maya

2011-06-09T01:42:00.004+08:00

Knowing my grandfather's struggle from rags to riches and my mom's patriarchal family upbringing, I've been raised to live a frugal life. Amongst my childhood friends, they knew me as someone who's very frugal and some mistake me for being a miser. The truth is, as school kids, we were not given monetary allowances. On better days, my aunt offered to give a few bucks, ten pesos perhaps.

Twilight Breaking Dawn Movie Trailer

2011-06-06T20:32:00.001+08:00

The Twilight saga has been one of the very few novels that I've read. I haven't read the Breaking Dawn but watching this trailer makes me want to pick up the book now, if only I have the luxury of time to do so. Even before it will be officially released at the MTV awards, the trailer leaked... watch it before it gets banned. My heart goes to Jacob...

Northern Vietnam: Hanoi

2011-06-02T13:32:00.002+08:00

After a chaotic experience with the locals, we arrived Hanoi with much angst. We shall never get fooled by any locals was our game. Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, we were met by soliciting taxi drivers for a fixed taxi fare. We walked past them and found a seemingly nice taxi driver who was willing to take us to the city on a meter. We took the risk and thought, we cannot forgive ourselves

Confessions of a Shopaholic Two

2011-06-02T01:08:00.002+08:00

With a stressful life these days, retail therapy has never been this therapeutic and pampering thyself have been guiltless. I seemed to not leave Promod without a shopping bag in tow; I now have three pairs of fitflops; I just bought a long champ bag and ate my words when I said, I'll never get one; I bought cosmetics, I know I will rarely use.; I just got a new i5 laptop, and this one was for

PAL Grants Cancellation of Redeemed Miles for Japan

2011-06-02T00:39:00.002+08:00

I was able to redeem free round trip ticket to Tokyo, Japan on Philippines Airlines (PAL) with Mabuhay Miles. But after the nuclear crisis, my plans foiled. When I called PAL's hotline, it was not possible to reroute the flight. I was only given two options:Rebook to a later date, within one year from ticket issuance date. The first rebooking is free of charge. Each subsequent rebooking will