The Traveler In Me

4N & 5D Guduari and Tbilisi: Half Day Walking Tour Itinerary in Tbilisi

2019-07-27T02:13:00.001-07:00

We went to Tbilisi on the 3rd day traveling all the way from Gudauri. The transfers from our hotel in Gudauri to our hotel in Tbilisi is included on the voucher that we purchased from Holiday Factory. If you are traveling to Tbilisi for the first time and you are on the process of planning your trip, here are tips and guide for first time travelers in Tbilisi.

We arrived in Tbilisi at 12 noon and checked in at GTM Plaza Hotel, 10 - 15 minute walk from the Isani Metro Station and a 5 -7 minute walk from Carrefour and KFC.

After settling down with our stuff at the hotel, we walked our way to the metro, purchased one Metromoney card for the both of us and alighted at Avlabari Station.

Escalator Going To The Underground Metro

Note that you can use one card for two persons. The card costs 2 GEL and 0.50 per trip. You only need to tap once upon entering and don't need to tap out upon exit.

Metromoney Card

With the use of Google Maps, we reached our first destination - Europe Square. A few walks from Europe Square is the Rike Park, Aerial Tram Terminus going to Narikala Fortress, the Bridge of Peace.

Rike Park

We went to Narikala Fortress and used the Metromoney card for the ride. The ride costs 2.50 GEL per way so make sure to at least top up your card with 15 GEL if you're using the card for two persons.

View from Inside the Cable Car

This place gives you a 360 view of Tbilisi and is a great spot to take a lot of pictures.

Before reaching the top of Narikala Fortress, you get to pass by the Saint Nicholas Church.

We tried to climb all the way to the Fortress but I was scared along the way and changed my mind because the pathway was quite steep and slippery and there were no railings you can hold on to. It was also raining the previous day. Definitely not for the faint-hearted like me who's very much afraid of heights. So instead, we took a lot of great shots for memories.

Along the path going to Kartlis Deda, Mother of Georgia you can purchase souvenirs such as ref magnets for 5 GEL. Going back was another 2.50 GEL ride on the cable car.

Kartlis Deda on the background

Our next destination was at the Rike Park. It's quite small actually where kids and some musicians would play.

Just right next to the Rike Park, is the Bridge of Peace. A bow-shaped pedestrian bridge made of glass and steel that was built over the Kura river. It lights up at night but unfortunately we didn't witness the lights because wanted to visit the place on daylight to get better pictures.

Our next destination was my favorite part of the day, lunch. We had our late lunch at Cafe Kala which was a 3 minute walk from the Bridge of Peace.

Restaurant strip going to Cafe Kala

At Cafe Kala

We ordered the famous Khachapuri and Pork Kebab. Here's a list of Georgian Food You Must Try and where to try them. After a sumptuous lunch, we resumed our walking tour by passing by Sioni Church and I Love Tbilisi Sign. You can find a lot of cafe's here as well.

Sioni Church in the background

I love Tibilisi Sign

Our next stop was at the Saint George Armenia Cathedral and the Abanotubani Sulfur Baths.

Saint George Armenia Cathedral

Abanotubani Sulfur Baths

On our way back, we passed by the Meteki Church and Statue of King Vakhtang.

We just passed by the churches, took shots and admire their structure from the outside because we weren't sure that they would allow tourists inside a holy place just to look around.

We passed by the Bridge of Peace on our way back and walked towards the Avlabari station to get back to our hotel.

To sum it all up, here's our half day itinerary in Tbilisi for Day 1.

Europe Square
Narikala Fortress
Saint Nicholas Church
Kartlis Deda, Mother of Georgia
Rike Park
Bridge of Peace
Dine at Cafe Kala
Sioni Church
I Love Tbili Sign
Saint George Armenia Cathedral
Abanotubani Sulfur Baths
Meketi Church and Statue of King Vakhtang

If you have one day more to tour Tbilisi, here's a 1 Day walking tour itinerary in Tbilisi.

xoxo,

Lheyvens

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4 Nights & 5 Days Gudauri and Tbilisi: 1 Day Walking Tour Itinerary in Tbilisi

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Tips and Guide for First Time Travelers

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Must Try Georgian Food And Where To Try Them

4N & 5D Guduari and Tbilisi: 1 Day Walking Tour Itinerary in Tbilisi

2019-07-23T03:37:00.000-07:00

Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia and has 4 seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. For me, the best time to go to Tbilisi would be during the start of Winter when the sun is out to give you warmth but the weather is also cold enough for you to wear a jacket. It also gets really cold in the evening and could go down to 6 degrees making you want to snuggle in bed the whole night. Here's a guide to Tbilisi's seasonal weather.

Spring (March - May)
Summer (June - August)
Autumn (September - November)
Winter (December - February)

If it's your first time traveling to Georgia, you might find this article helpful in planning your trip - Tips and Guide For First Time Travelers in Tbilisi Georgia.

If you’re one of those travelers who only have a day to tour Tbilisi and you want to experience the place walking around, commuting like the locals, and trying local Georgian food then this DIY walking itinerary will be your best friend and with the help of Google Maps. However if you only have half a day to tour Tbilisi, here's a half day Tbilisi walking tour itinerary you can follow.

Disclaimer: There will be a lot of walking on this tour so better wear the comfiest shoes that you have.

Start your day by getting a full breakfast from your hotel because you will definitely need it from all the walking you'll have to do for the rest of the day. Look for the nearest Metro station in your area and alight at Liberty Square Station.

Here's a full map of Tbilisi's Metro station.

Photo from MetroEasy.com

You can purchase their Metromoney card from the station and you can use one card for two passengers. The metromoney card costs 2 GEL and you can top it up with any amount. Each trip cost 0.50 tetri.

We stayed at the GTM Plaza Hotel and the nearest metro station is the Isani Station. However if your hotel is not accessible to any metro stations nearby, you can opt for a taxi but make sure to ask first how much you'll be paying for the destination before actually getting in the cab. They don't use meters in Tbilisi so make sure to set the price first.

1 Day Walking Tour in Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi Clock Tower
Bridge of Peace
Rike Park, Europe Square
Narkila Fortress, Saint Nicholas Church, Kartlis Deda
Cafe Kala
I Love Tbilisi Sign
Abanotubani Sulfur Baths
Liberty Square
Old Tibilisi
Funicular Lower Station, Mtatsminda Park
Georgian National Museum
Sakachapure No1
Opera House Shota Rustaveli Road
Khinkali House of Iverion
Carrefour

After alighting from the Liberty Metro station, go to the exit and walk your way to the street then turn left and go through the underpass in order for you to cross the street. The church you'd find there is Kashueti Church.

With the help of Google Maps, follow the walking directions that will take you to the Tbilisi Clock Tower. You know that you're on the right path when you pass by the Tbilisi Wall of Ruins. From the Tbilisi Clock Tower, set your Google Maps for walking directions to the Bridge of Peace.

Walking Directions from Liberty Square Metro station to Tbilisi Wall of Ruins to Bridge of Peace

Tbilisi Clock Tower

Bridge of Peace

Right across the bridge is the Rike Park and the Aerial Tramway that will take you to the Narikala Fortress. If you already purchased a Metromoney card, you can use this to ride the cable car to and from the Narikala Fortress. Each way cost 2.50 Gel.

The view inside the cable car

In Narikala Fortress you can go to the very top of the fortress if you're not afraid of heights or you can just roam around and appreciate the panoramic view of Tbilisi.

You can also find here Kartlis Deda and the Saint Nicholas Church.

Kartlis Deda

Saint Nicholas Church in the Background

Narikala Fortress in the background

There are also mini stalls in the area where you can purchase ref magnets and other souvenirs. Don't forget to haggle. :)

You might be famished after all that walking, it's time to get your stomachs full and try some Georgian food in one of their local restaurants. Go back down to the Aerial tramway thru the cable car and cross the Bridge of Peace. You'd find there a restaurant strip and look for Cafe Kala.

They're well known for having the best Khachapuri in town but you can also try other restaurants if you like.

If you're not sure what to order, then this article might help you choose which Georgian food to try: what Georgian food to try and where to try them. Take your much needed rest and it's also the best time to go to the rest room.

Just a few minutes walk from Cafe Kala you'd find Jvaris Mama Church to the right and Sioni Church right ahead. Set your Google Maps for walking directions to the I Love Tbilisi Sign.

There are also restaurants near the I Love Tbilisi sign in case you're still up for more food trip. The Saint George Armenia Cathedral is also near this place. Next, set your Google Maps for walking directions to Abanotubani Sulfur Baths. These are historical sulphur springs that have an option for a public or private bath with massage.

Abanotubani Sulfar Baths in the Background

You can stop your tour here in case you want to try the sulfur baths. The nearest metro station here is the Avlabari Metro station. Just set your maps for walking directions for it to guide you on the way.

However, if you're still up for a long walk. Let's continue and set your map for walking directions to Liberty Square. It's actually just the way back but you will follow the same long street where Jvaris Mama is.

Walking Directions from I Love Tbilisi Sign to Liberty Square

In Liberty Square, you'd find stores of high end brands. If you're in the look out for some shopping, you might want to check it out and roam around the area.

Liberty Square

From the Liberty Square, the Georgian National Museum is just a few minutes walk away as well as the Sakhachapure No1 restaurant that serves all types of Kachapuri. If you need to rest down for a bit, take the rest room and try the other types of Kachapuri, this is the best place to try them. If you want to call it a day, the nearest station from here is the Liberty Square Station (where you started). It's right across the street, you just need to cross thru the underpass. However, if you're still in the mood to walk, you can skip this and reserve your appetite to dine later.

Sakhachapure No1

The long road along the Georgian National Museum is called the Shota Rustaveli Road, if you walk further you'd find here a lot of shops and restaurants where you can shop and dine.

Along Shota Rustaveli Road

Walking Directions from Sakhachapure No1 to Rustaveli Station Passing by Opera House and Khinkali House of Iveroni

Also, you get to pass by the Opera House. This road leads to the Rustaveli station and if you're still up for some food trip, you can try the Khinkali from the Khinkali House of Iveroni.

Opera House

Khinkali House of Iveroni

And this ends the 1 day walking tour in Tbilisi. I hope you'll have a memorable trip just like how it was with ours.

xoxo,

Lheyvens

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4N & 5D Gudauri and Tbilisi: Half day Walking Tour in Tbilisi

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Tips and Guide for First Time Travelers

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Must Try Georgian Food And Where To Try Them

2019-07-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

Georgia has a lot to offer when it comes to Georgian Food. Everything is just as tasty and mouthwatering. If you are traveling for the first time to Tbilisi, Georgia, you might be interested to read this first, Tips and Guide for First Time Travelers.

So without further adieu, here are some Georgian food you must try and where to try them:

1. Kachapuri
There are 3 types of Kachapuri but I only like two of them.

The most famous type is the Adjarian Kachapuri in which the dough is shaped into a boat and topped with raw egg and butter at the center. This usually costs around 7 GEL - 12 GEL ($2 - $4).

There's a specific way to eat this dish which is illustrated on the photo below. This kachapuri is served hot so be careful when eating it.

The Megrelian Kachapuri on the other hand is like a cheese pizza but has a softer crust.

The following cafe's are known for their best Kachapuri.

2. Lobiani
A Georgian dish with a bean-filled bread. The is one costs 5.50 GEL ($2).

You can try this dish at any Georgian restaurants but we tried them at Sakhachapure №1.

3. Khinkali
The famous Georgian dumplings are a must try. To eat this, you must hold it upside down, suck the soup, eat the meat and throw away the top part. The Khinkali is the one that looks like a dumpling on this photo.

You can try this dish at Khinkali House Iverion located at Shota Rustaveli street.

4. Mushrooms with Sulguni Cheese
Baked mushroom stuffed with sulguni cheese.

5. Eggplants with Walnuts
Eggplant rolls with walnuts-garlic filling. This one's definitely one of my favorite.

6. Pork Ojakhuri
Ojakhuri which means Family Meal is a Georgian dish with roasted pork cuts, onions and potatoes.

We tried this dish when we were in Hotel Alpina in Guduari.

7. Pork BBQ
Large cuts of fresh pork bbq topped with onions.

We tried this dish at Cafe Kala in Tbilisi just a few minute walk from the Bridge on Peace.

All the Georgian dishes are served on any Georgian Restaurants but mostly we tried them at Khinkali House Iverion in Shota Rustaveli and in Alpina Hotel Restaurant in Gudauri.

In terms of prices, most of these meals cost between 6 GEL - 18 GEL ($2 - $6). At 30 GEL - 40 GEL ($10 - $14) you already get a big meal for two persons.

I hope this helps you plan what Georgian food to try during your travel in Tbilisi, Georgia.

xoxo,

Lheyvens

4N & 5D Gudauri and Tbilisi: Half day Walking Tour in Tbilisi

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Tips and Guide for First Time Travelers

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: 1 day Walking Tour Itinerary in Tbilisi

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Tips and Guide for First Time Travelers

2019-07-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

Our plan to travel to Georgia started when we became official residents in UAE. With UAE being hot almost all year round, we wanted to experience winter and snow all at the same time. To be honest, Georgia was not quite known to be a travel destination back in the Philippines.

As frequent travelers, my husband and I always go for a DIY trip as it gives us ample time to explore the place, we have full control of our time to take pictures, or stop when we're tired, and eat when we're hungry. We also like to blend in with the locals, ride the metro, walk in subways and eat at local restaurants.

If you are traveling to Georgia any time soon or if you are planning to go, here are some tips that you might find helpful in planning your trip.

1. Purchase Vouchers for Airfare, Hotel and Transfers
I know I mentioned that this was a DIY trip but when we were comparing the prices for booking everything on our own, it was more pricey than getting the voucher that already includes the airfare, hotel and transfers good for a 4 night and 5 days stay in Georgia. The voucher we purchased was at AED 1,100 for a Snow Mountain Experience, a 3 star hotel that already included breakfast for a 2-night stay in Gudauri and 2-night stay in Tbilisi. You can find a lot of travel agencies online that offer these vouchers at a discounted price so watch out for them. We purchased ours from Holiday Factory.

2. Choosing Flights
We wanted to make most of our time while we were in Georgia so we opted for a morning flight to Georgia on December 4 and an afternoon flight back to Dubai on December 8.

Photo from Unsplash

However, since the first flight to Georgia is at 12 MN, we arrived in Tbilisi at 4am and arrived in Gudauri at 7am which meant we had to check-in early at the hotel. We have to pay for an early check-in based on a per hour rate which was alright because we were already too tired from the trip and it already included free breakfast.

3. Check the weather
Georgia has 4 seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn). Spring is in between March - May, Summer is between June - August, Autumn is between September - November and Winter is in between December - February.

Knowing the weather during your travel dates will help you determine what types of clothes you need to bring during your travel. Since we went there at the start of winter, we packed sweaters, warmers, thermals, bonnets, gloves and boots. It definitely helped us with the cold. The temperature could go as -1 when you're in the mountain areas of Gudauri.

4. Visa
If you're a Filipino and a resident of UAE, you don't need to apply for a visa online. You can obtain a visa on arrival and all you need to do is present your residence visa and/or Emirates ID. As for our case, we just presented our residence visa. As for our other nationalities, it would be best to check with Georgia's e-Visa Portal if you need to apply and how you can process your visa online.

Photo from Unsplash

5. Bring USD Currency
When traveling to Georgia, it is best to bring USD. You can have them exchanged at the currency exchange counters at the airport or in Tbilisi 's city proper. One thing to remember when choosing where to exchange your money is to ensure they have a 0% commission sign and to always ask first the total amount of the money you'll be getting after asking for the conversion rate.

Photo from Unsplash

As for our experience, we had all our USD money exchanged at the airport so we don't need to worry that we'd ran out of cash and spend time looking for a currency exchange.

6. Free SIM Cards at the Airport
SIM cards in Tbilisi are free. Yes it's free and all you need to purchase is the Internet data package or recharge for text and calls. You can select between Beeline, MagtiCom and Geocell. We chose MagtiCom as I read online that they have better data service in the mountain areas. We purchased the 15GEL data package with 5GB data and free domestic SMS/MMS good for 15 days.

Photo from Unsplash

7. Metromoney Card
Tbilisi's mode of public transport includes underground metro, buses and taxi's. If you're on a budget and want to experience how the locals commute on a daily basis, I advise that you take the metro. The metromoney card costs 2 GEL and you can top it up with any amount. Each trip cost 0.50 tetri and you can use one card for 2 persons. Aside from the metro, you can use this card to pay for the bus and the cable car ride to Narikala Fortress.

If you must take the taxi, negotiate the total cost of the trip first before getting in to the taxi to avoid getting scammed. They don't use meters for their taxi's.

8. Do a walking tour when you're in Tbilisi
If you have a day or two to spare for a whole day tour in Tbilisi, I suggest to take a DIY walking tour rather than availing for a guided trip. You'd be surprise how beautiful Tbilisi is by exploring it on foot, taking photos at the side and dining in Georgian Restaurants. You can find here our DIY walking tour in Tbilisi.

9. Try Georgian Food
Georgia has a lot to offer when it comes to their local food. Everything is just delicious, well at least for me. It's one of the things I miss about Georgia. Here's a list of Georgian food that you must try and where to try them.

10. Bring a Tripod and Remote for your camera and phone
If you're a photo junkie like me, then definitely a tripod is your best friend. We were shy to ask people to take our couple photos, so we got a tripod and a remote for both our DSLR camera and iPhone and took unlimited shots until we got the perfect one.

11. Beware of people asking to take their photo with you or a photo holding a pet
Because most likely and surely they will ask for a payment for having taken their picture. I experienced it first hand, an old guy all dressed up lured me to a photo spot and asked my husband to take our picture, lots of them. After taking the photos, he asked for 10 GEL. I told him I don't have cash, he was angry. To cut the story short, I gave him 4 GEL so we can move on to our next destination.

12. Relax and Enjoy the Journey
Even with a lot of detailed planning for your trip, there can be mishaps along the way. Be ready to improvise, have an open mind and just enjoy the journey. We learn and grow better as a person as we travel.

I hope this helps you prepare for your upcoming trip to Georgia.

Live life to the fullest!

xoxo,

Lheyvens

4N & 5D Gudauri and Tbilisi: Half day Walking Tour in Tbilisi

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: Must Try Georgian Food And Where To Try Them

4 Nights & 5 Days Guduari and Tbilisi: 1 day Walking Tour Itinerary in Tbilisi

The Color Run UAE Experience

2018-02-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Another bucker list I can tick off my list is when we join The Color Run UAE #Happiest5K last November. It has been in my list to join an International Color Fun Run event like this. So when the opportunity presented itself via Facebook, I made sure I get to join it.

The Color Run UAE 2017 was held in Dubai Autodrome last November 11, 2017. It was indeed the #Happiest5k for all size and ages.

The event was concluded with an after party where everyone got to enjoy music from famous DJ's.

It was one unforgettable event that Boo and I enjoyed. Here are some of the photos we took during The Color Run UAE.

Dubai Miracle Garden

2018-02-16T11:22:00.001-08:00

The Dubai Miracle Garden opens every winter and is a must-see for tourists and residents in Dubai. It’s located in Al Barsha South 3, Barsha, Dubailand. It won the Guiness World of Records for the largest flower arrangement / structure in December 2016.

The best time to go there would be during the afternoon until sunset so it isn't too hot and you get better pictures during daylight. To get to the Dubai Miracle Garden, alight from the Mall of the Emirates metro station and ride bus 105 that will take you there. The fare costs 5aed that will be deducted from your Nol card and the travel time takes 30 minutes or so. To get back to the Mall of the Emirates, ride the same bus from the Miracle Garden.

You can find more information here about their opening times and rates as well as park rules and dress code. Here's a list of things you might want to bring with you during your visit:

Nol card (for bus fare)
Money for entrance fee and food
Sunglasses
Jacket
Camera
Selfie stick

We went there during the weekend and as expected it was fully packed with visitors. It was quite hard getting a solo shot but all corners of this beautiful garden is worth taking pictures of and is Instagram-worthy.

It would take around 2 - 4 hours to be able to roam around the garden and take pictures at the same time. It would be best to plan ahead when and what time for your visit as this place gets jampacked during the weekends. You will not be able to get that Instagram photo you've been planning for without getting a photobomber or 2 in the picture.

If you're looking for a place to spend your afternoons this winter or if you're planning to go to Dubai anytime between November - March, then the Dubai Miracle Garden should be on top of your list.

xoxo,

Lheyvens

The Global Village in Dubai

2018-02-06T23:53:00.001-08:00

Another must-see tourist destination during the winter months in Dubai is The Global Village which usually opens at the first week of November and closes around April the next year. They have a different theme every year and what's great about visiting this place is that you get to experience different countries all over the world in just one place. You get to taste their food delicacy, buy local products and experience their culture through their performances.

There are a lot of ways on how to get to The Global Village without spending too much on fare. The RTA has ensured that the tourist attraction is easily accessible to everyone living in Dubai. The fare cost 10dhs per way that will be deducted from your Nol card.

Bus 102 from Rashidiya Metro station
Bus 103 from Ittihad station (outside the Union Metro station)
Bus 106 from Mall of the Emirates Metro station
Bus 104 from Al Ghubaiba Station

The entrance fee costs 15dhs per person. You can find more information here for their park timings, online tickets, and park rules. Here's a list of things you might want to bring before getting there:

Nol card (for bus fare)
Money (for entrance fee, food and shopping)
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Camera
Selfie stick
Water

Also, don't forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the heat of the sun and your favorite lipstick so you'll look good on your pictures. 😉

We went there twice. The first time was last March and the second time was a day before my birthday and it took us 4 hours to tour the whole village which already includes picture taking and some light snacks. And oh you don't need to worry about food because the village got you covered. They have a wide variety of food stalls and restaurants for you to dine with your friends.

Here are some of the photos we took during our visit. Definitely everything and every corner of this village is Instagram-worthy, so fellow bloggers get your blogger pose on. 💁🏼

Photos from last March:

Photos in November:

xoxo,

Sinulog 2017 Photo Diary

2018-02-06T23:27:00.001-08:00

It has become a family tradition to celebrate my dad's birthday week in Cebu and attend the Sinulog festival. It's the trip that we always look forward to every January as it's a wonderful chance for the family to bond and unwind. We don't really go there to party the streets but to join the Novena mass since my father is a devotee of the Senyor Sto. Nino. The Sinulog festival always gives us an overwhelming experience to be with the rest of the devotees attending the Novena mass, praying for their individual petitions and singing songs to the Senyor Sto. Nino.

Viva Pit Senyor! Viva Senyor Sto. Nino!

Here are some of the photos we took during our trip: We are definitely feeling the Sinulog vibe with our Sinulog shirts. :)

Happy Birthday Papa! <3 p="">

And that ends our Sinulog trip, looking forward to it again next year. Until our next travel!

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

2018-02-06T22:55:00.004-08:00

So starts our day 2 for our short vacation in Ho Chi Minh. Our first agenda for the day was breakfast as we were already famished from yesterday's walking around the city. We had breakfast at Huong Vy and ordered Omelettes to give us that needed energy for the day.

Our itinerary for the day were the following:

Notre-dame Cathedral
Saigon Central Office
Independe Palace
War Remnants Museum
Tao Dan Park

We were supposed to ride Bus 19 to our first destination for our city tour but when we checked walking directions to Notre-Dame Cathedral it was just a 15-20 minute walk from the restaurant. So we decided to walk on foot and used the map we screenshot on Google maps to guide to our first destination.

And since we were going to our destination on foot, mandatory selfies and street photography are in order.

After a 20 - 30 min walk, we finally arrived on our first stop - the Notre-dame Cathedral of Saigon.

With just a 3 min walk from the Cathedral is the Saigon Central Post Office. It's located at the right side right across the Cathedral.

Here are some of our pics we took at the Saigon Central Post Office.

Our next stop was the Independence Palace which was another 10 minute walk. But actually if you walk towards the right from Saigon Central Post Office you'd see the Independence Palace at the back of the cathedral.

Entrance fee to the Independence Palace is at 30,000 VND per person. When you get inside, you'd see conference halls for viewing purposes only. And the 2nd level was off limits. I'd say that 30,000 VND is quite expensive for just viewing the place.

We were supposed to go to the War Remnants Museum and the Tao Dan Park but I was already exhausted from walking all day and felt like I was about to catch a cold. We decided to go back home to rest.

The next day we just spent roaming around Pham Ngu Lao road and did some shopping at the Saigon Square and Cho Ben Than.

And that ends our short trip in Ho Chi Min City. It was short and bittersweet but we are definitely coming back soon. Until our next travel. :)

What we ate in Ho Chi Minh?

2017-12-10T02:53:00.000-08:00

Our stay in Ho Chi Minh was not complete without trying their local food. Here were the type of Vietnamese food that we got to try:

Pho Bo (Beef brisket soup)

Grilled Sandwhich

Fried Rice with Grilled Pork Chop

Pho Bo Tai Chin (Pho with rare beef and beef brisket)

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Pancit with omelette

Our favorite was the Pho and the Grilled Sandwhich. Definitely a must-try when you're in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Trip 2016

2016-05-13T01:21:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Ho Chi Minh a 3 night 4 day stay and is the 3rd country in Asia that we travelled for the year. We did not have much of itinerary for this trip, we just wanted to explore Saigon or widely known as Ho Chi Minh City and get a taste of their culture, local food and some tourist spots within the city.

We boarded Jet Airways from the Changi International Airport and arrived at the Tan Son Nhat International airport around noon time. They're one hour behind Philippine time just like Bangkok, Thailand.

Here are some snaps at the Changi airport and inside the plane. We only have one carry on as we were only staying for a few days and just packed shorts as the weather in Ho Chi Minh is really hot.

Snaps at the plane:

Aerial view of Ho Chi Minh City:

As soon as we landed, we grabbed a quick lunch at Burger King as we were already starving. It's located at the right most side when you exit out of the airport. We also wanted to get change for our 200K VND so we have change for our fare.

As per our research, the cheapest way getting to the city is through airport bus 152 for only 5000 VND per person and per luggage. The bus stop is located just across Burger King outside the arrival exit.

The trip took 30 minutes to get to Ben Thanh Market in District 1. There were no signs where to stop as everything was in vietnamese language. So to be sure not to get lost, we told the driver to drop us off at Ben Thanh Market. Aside from that, I've also researched a photo of Ben Thanh Market beforehand to know that we're on the right place.

Here's how Ben Thanh Market looked like:

At the bus stop in Ben Thanh market, we couldn't figure out where to board bus 45 and so we asked around. Unfortunately, none of the locals knew how to converse and understand English. So we asked a policeman which bus to take and showed him the address of our hotel. He told us to go straight ahead the Pham Ngu Lao road. So instead of taking the bus, we walked on foot under the heat of the sun and walked towards the Pham Ngu Lao road. We would ask police officers every once in a while and were told to just to walk straight ahead. The sun was up and it was blazing hot. We felt lost and thought we were getting farther to nowhere, we decided to get a taxi instead. We took the Vinasun taxi as they were known to be legit and wouldn't scam tourists. The driver was kind enough to give us tips on being careful of our belongings and mobile phones. The taxi fare costs 40,000 VND including tip.

It was only later that we found out from the hotel's receptionists that we were already on the right track earlier and were only a few blocks more to the hotel. Also, that we could have taken airport bus 109 (yellow bus) getting to Thuy Tien Hotel since the bus terminal was located right out front. We could have saved the 40,000 VND we paid for the taxi. Well, we'll charge it to experience as what they say.

Here's a detailed info on how get to Thuy Tien Hotel.

So on our first day, we walked around to find restaurants as we were starving again. When we turned to the left side of the hotel, we only found a flea market and tons of coffee shops and grocery stores. We bought drinks and toiletries and went back to our hotel.

In the afternoon, we turned right this time and found a lot of restaurants we could dine in and massage spa's along the way. There's Burger King, Subway and more. We just walked through out the stretch of Pham Ngu Lao road until we reached McDonalds, cross the road, walked past Cho Ben Thanh market and went ahead Saigon Square.

It was only then that we found out that we could reach Cho Ben Thanh and Saigon Square on foot from Thuy Tien Hotel.

Here's a map to help you out:

To Cho Ben Thanh:

To Saigon Square:
You will be able to pass by Cho Ben Thanh when going to Saigon Square.

I think that's a good thing about walking around your hotel on the first day. You'd get to know the place better and you'd be surprised on what you'll find.

The one thing you got to be careful though is crossing the street. It can be very pretty scary during your first time as most vehicles don't follow their traffic rules.

Also, be watchful of your belongings like your phone and wallet for snatchers and make sure your bag should always be placed in front of your body.

Here's how Saigon Square at night:

After checking out Saigon Square, we had a quick bite at McDonalds before heading back to the hotel.

Here's Ben Thanh Market at night:

The trip definitely got us exhausted from getting lost and walking around under the heat of the sun. All we wanted to do was rest and go into deep slumber to regain our energy for the next day's set of activities.

So when you're traveling to Ho Chi Minh, make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the blazing heat of the sun, bring your sunglasses, umbrella and keep a bottled water in handy to keep yourself hydrated.

Up next, check our city tour in Ho Chi Minh.

Ho Chi Minh Accommodation (for Backpackers)

2016-05-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Pham Ngu Lao road is known as the "backpackers area" of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. It's a wide stretch that can be toured on foot. If your hotel's address says Pham Ngu Lao then it is definitely easy to find and is accessible to a lot of food chains, bars, spas and travel agencies. It is a few walks away Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square.

We booked a 3-days-and-4-nights stay at Thuy Tien Hotel located at 359 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Our whole stay costs around 1,200,000 VND. It rated 4 out of 5 stars in Tripadvisor. The staff was helpful and friendly. The room we got had AC with a Queen-size bed, mini ref, flat screen Cable TV and a hot and cold shower. It was a small room that is good for two. It was clean but a little dusty. But I'd have to say that the hotel needs a lot of improvement. The cabinet was definitely not in good condition and the beddings felt dusty and used. Anyhow, it's a budget hotel and you get what you paid for.

There were no clear instructions on how to get there and as per our research, the available airport bus to get to Ben Thanh market is via Bus 152. It was later that we found out that the city launched a new bus route which is Airport Bus 109 (yellow bus).

Here's how to get to Thuy Tien Hotel or the Pham Ngu Lao road via Bus 152:

Bus fare costs 5000 VND per person and per luggage.

The bus stop can easily be spotted as soon as you walked out of the arrival exit. It is just across the Burger King stall at the right-most side when you exit from the airport. The bus color is usually green or white and has a 152 mark on it.

Alight at Ben Thanh Market bus stop and walk your way towards the Pham Ngu Lao road. To get there, you may need to cross the street and follow the road towards McDonalds. From McDonalds and further is the Pham Ngu Lao road. Walk further until you reach the bus terminal. Right across it is the Thuy Tien Hotel.

Here's how to get to Thuy Tien Hotel or the Pham Ngu Lao road via Bus 109:

Bus fare costs 20,000 VND per person. There is no additional payment for luggage. You can easily spot the bus as soon as you get out from the arrival exit. It is the only yellow bus you see across the street.

Alight at the bus terminal, right across it is Thuy Tien Hotel. The whole stretch is called Pham Ngu Lao road.

If you ask me, I would take Bus 109 instead as the staff knows how to speak English and you won't have a hard time conversing and asking questions if you're not familiar with the place. Also there's an English translation on the voice-over for every bus stop.

I wouldn't advise taking the taxi though as some drivers may scam you, charge you more than 200,000 VND and ask for a very high tip. But if you should really take one, be sure to ride Vinasun and Mailinh taxi's as these are the metered ones.

Day 3 & 4: Bangkok Trip 2016

2016-04-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

We went back to Pratunam the next day to explore and shop for more goods. We got the right location this time and it is right accross the Platinum Shopping Mall.

I got 3 shirts for 50 baht each and another one for 100 baht. Then I also got a hat for 130 baht and an LV wallet for 99 baht. On the other hand, Boo got 3 shirts for 80 baht each and 3 shorts for 50 baht each.

We also went back to Platinum Shopping Mall to shop for Passport Jackets from Pok Pok. We went home early that day since Pratunam was our only itinerary. Slept the whole afternoon and went back to the flea market beside MBK to get BBQ for dinner. Yum!

The next day (our last day in Bangkok), we waited for check out before we went to MBK center to stroll around. Boo got a new Thailand shirt for 99 baht only. We also had lunch at Bon Chon and roamed around the 7th floor for the remainder of the afternoon.

We went back to Wendy House to collect our luggage and took the BTS to Mo Chit from where we boarded bus A1 going to the airport.

Our Bangkok trip was a quick one but we definitely enjoyed shopping around and most importantly gained a few pounds from our food trip. Our total expense was around 800 SGD including air fare, accommodation and pocket money for 2 persons. Until my next travel!

Day 2: Bangkok Trip 2016

2016-04-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

Good morning from Bangkok!

Our breakfast buffet was not the usual heavy menu. Food served were mostly salads, bread and cereal. Fried rice, vegetable noodles and eggs were the only legit breakfast from the menu to me.

Anyway, as I've said on my previous post, our Bangkok trip will be mostly be about shopping and lots of food trip. So for our first agenda for the day, we went to Terminal 21 to go window shopping and explore the mall's unique interior design. Each floor represents a different country and is designed accordingly.

Unlimited BTS ride for a day.

To get to Terminal 21, board the National Stadium and alight at Asok then take the exit towards Terminal 21.

Here are our pictures:

Tokyo Floor

London Floor

Rome Floor

We basically just toured around the mall and took pictures. We were saving our budget for the wholesale shopping at Pratunam which was our next stop for the day.

From Asok (E4), we boarded the skytrain to Mo Chit and alighted at Ratchathewi (N1) and took the exit to Pratunam. Going to Pratunam was a 10-15 minute walk from the BTS exit. You just need to keep walking until you reach the Platinum Shopping Mall. Right infront of the mall is Pratunam (which we didn't know yet until we got home and searched the Internet).

The Platinum Shopping Mall also sells items in wholesale and gives you a wide variety of the latest fashion style and clothing. If you want a cheaper and wholesale price, you can go to Pratunam instead which is located just across the street.

Passport holder by PokPok

We spent the remainder of the day at Platinum Shopping Mall to shop for just anything. Tired from all the shopping, we went home early to get some rest.

At night, we went to the flea market right beside the MBK center where we discovered food stalls that sells affordable Thai food. Food costs ranged from 10 - 50 baht. We found out that this is where most of the foreigners dine.

Exotic Food

Before we called it a night, Arian and I went for a massage at Kaseman Thai Massage located just across Wendy House. The Thai massage was good for one hour for only 300 baht. It was rejuvenating and I would say that it's another must try when in BKK.

Up next, more shopping at Pratunam.

Day 1: Bangkok Trip 2016

2016-04-07T02:47:00.001-07:00

With just a few days notice, Boo, Arian and myself booked a flight to Bangkok to officially start our summer. One of the very highlights of this trip was the shopping and food tripping and we we're all quite excited about it.

We left Singapore at 6am in the morning via Scoot airlines and safely arrived in DMK airport in Bangkok at 8am. Bangkok is 1 hour behind Singapore time.

The only struggle arriving in DMK airport is that the only means of transportation to Bangkok's city proper is either thru bus or taxi. The MRT is only available in their new airport in Suvarnabhumi. Even though we went to Bangkok for shopping and food trip, it was also a budget travel at the same time. So we opted to take the bus to the city instead of taking a taxi that would costs us around 200-300 baht.

To get to the city, you can ride the A2 bus line just right outside the arrival exit of the airport. The fare costs 30 baht per person and travel time is around 45 min to the city.

Stop points of the A2 bus are the following:

1. Don Muang Airport

2. Kasetsart University (Viphawadi Rangsit Rd)

3. Chatuchak Park

4. Mo Chit

5. Saphan Kwai

6. Ari

7. Sanam Pao

8. Victory Monument

Since our accommodation, Wendy House is located in Siam, we alighted at the last stop (Victory Monument) and walked up to the overpass to get to their BTS Skytrain. Here's how to get to Wendy House from the DMK airport.

Check in time was at 12 noon in which we were 2 hours early. We were exhausted from getting lost twice on our way to Wendy House, we decided to leave our luggage and proceed to MBK Center for lunch.

The price range of the food stalls right outside MBK Center were around 80 -100 baht. A bottle of water costs 10 baht and 20 baht for Coke.

Lunch is served!

And we are enjoying our lunch.

So finally able to checkin at 12noon, we all rested for a bit, woke up at 4pm and went to our first destination, Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha).

We took the BTS Skytrain to get to Wat Pho. From the National Stadium (W1), we alighted at Saphan Taksin (S6). The fare costs 25 baht. We walked to the Pier and boarded the riverboat to Tha Tien Pier (Pier 8). The fare costs 14 baht. It was already 5:30 pm when we arrived at Tha Tien Pier with which was also the last trip of the riverboat going back to Saphan Taksin.

Wat Pho is just a few minutes walk from the Pier. You would recognize it immediately from the outside of its gates due to the huge temples inside it. Entrance fee costs 100 baht each.

Here are our pictures:

Inside the temple of the Reclining Buddha:

Food trip on one of their BBQ stalls outside Wat Pho. BBQ in special chili sauce and sticky rice in Bangkok is definitely a must try!

Mode of transportation aside from Bus and Skytrains.

While waiting for the Riverboat:

Going back to Wendy House was another challenge as there were no longer trips going back to Saphan Taksin. It was already too late for us to know that. So the conductor suggested to stop at a random pier and take a taxi or tuktuk instead. We got lost along the way and walked around to ask for directions. You see not everyone in Bangkok understands and knows how to speak English so it was never easy asking around at 8pm. Getting lost was hard especially when no one seems to know how to help due to language barrier. Locals would always suggest to take the taxi or tuktuk instead. But since this is a budget travel, riding one would be too costly for us. Luckily a food vendor told us to take Bus 53 and alight at the MRT station in Hua Lampong. From Hua Lampong MRT station, we alighted at the Silom interchange and went to the Green Line Sala Deng, interchanged at Siam to the National Stadium.

We arrived at Wendy House safely around 10pm, rested for a bit, walked around Siam square and then had pizza for dinner.

It was a long and tiring day getting lost a lot of times but it's all part of the adventure. And from getting lost, we learn to find our way.

Up next, day 2 of our Bangkok trip.

Affordable Accommodation in Bangkok

2016-04-07T00:55:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a good place to stay when in Bangkok, Wendy House would be a good choice. This guest house is located in Siam, a 5 minute walk to the BTS Skytrain and just a few walks away to the MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Madame Tussauds.

To get to Wendy House via the Suvarnabhumi airport, exit to the MRT station and alight at the National Stadium (W1) and exit at either Exit 1 or 3.

To get to Wendy House via the DMK airport (Don Mueang), you can ride the A2 bus line just right outside the arrival exit of the airport and alight at the last stop (Victory Monument). The fare costs 30 baht per person and travel time is around 45 min to the city. Then walk up to the overpass to get to their BTS Skytrain. It's quite a long walk so just follow the BTS signs.

Image Source: http://www.bangkok.com/airport-rail-link.htm

From the Victory Monument BTS (N3), we purchased tickets to the National Stadium BTS (W1). Fare costs 25 baht. Once boarded the skytrain, alight at Siam Interchange and board the BTS to the National Stadium (W1), alight and exit at Exit 3 or Exit 1. If you exited at Exit 3, go down the stairs and walk up to the next block, turn to your right and walk further until you reach Wendy House. If you exited at Exit 1, go to the next block after 7-eleven and turn to your left and walk further until you reach Wendy House.

Here's a map from Wendy House's website for you to get a clear picture.

Visita Iglesia in Singapore

2016-03-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Our Visita Iglesia this year seemed like an amazing race to me, continuous walking/running alighting from one bus stop to another with each archdiocese location one city away from each other. But what's a little sacrifice compared to the bountiful blessings that God has showered upon me and my family? Definitely a sacrifice I would be willing to take.

Unlike in the Philippines, Visita Iglesia was kind of a breeze for me. Aside from the churches not far from each other, we had our own car to take us on each location - which meant less walking and more comfort.

This year would be a different experience as we will be doing Visita Iglesia in Singapore. Deciding where to go first was not that hard as we were able to research a route that's easy for us to follow. You may check the article here.

As for the prayer guide we followed for each stop, we got it from this site.

So here's how we spent our first Visita Iglesia in Singapore. Please excuse the haggard faces on the pictures. ;) Do note that it would be best to use the MRT Bus Route app when doing this as Bus numbers may vary from your starting point.

First Church: Christ the King
Location: Ang Mo Kioh
Bus 159, alight on 54319

The church was not open for Visita Iglesia so we prayed at the Adoration Chapel instead.

Second Church: Church of the Risen Christ
Location: Toa Payoh
Bus 88, alight on 52269

Third Church: Church of St. Alphonsus (Novena Church)
Location: 300 Thompson Road
From 52269, take bus 88, alight on Toa Payoh MRT Station
Ride the MRT to Novena station and take Exit B
When you get outside of the mall, it's 2 blocks to the right

Unfortunately the church is currently under construction but we still prayed and considered it as our third stop.

Fourth Church: Church of our Lady of Lourdes
Location: Ophir Road
From 50038, take bus 57, alight on 07589
The church is at the left side of the bus stop.

Fifth Church: St. Joseph's Church
Location: 143 Victoria Street
From 07589, take bus 130 and alight 3 stops later.
You would need to cross the street, turn right and walk towards the church.

Sixth Church: Church of Sts. Peter and Paul
Location: 225A Queen Street
Exit from St. Joseph's church and turn left to Queens Road.
You'll find the next church across it.

Seventh Church: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Location: Corner Queen Street and Bras Basah Road
This church was also under construction but we still considered it as our 7th and last stop for the Visita Iglesia and prayed just outside the gate.

And that ends our Visita Iglesia for the Holy Week.

Since there were two churches that were under construction, you may want to consider going to Parish of the Christ Church through Bus 57 or  St. Vincent de Paul through Bus 854.

It would be best to keep the MTR Bus Route app or check gothere.sg from time to time for the location to ensure that you won't get lost if you are not quite familiar with the locations mentioned above.

Here's the prayer guide we followed throughout the Visita Iglesia. It's the same one we used last year.

Prayer Guide for Visita Iglesia
(FOR PERSONAL USE)

FIRST CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:

L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (14, 1-7)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you truly are the Way, which leads us to the Father. You are the Truth, where we find all knowledge and wisdom we need to face everyday’s struggles. You are the Life, for without you we are nothing. We praise you this night and thank you for the gift of your Eucharistic Presence.

You never leave us alone. You shared with us this sacred meal for us to partake, and share with others, for our salvation. Transform us to your image, and help us to live continually according to your law. May we continuously show our love for the holy Eucharist, which is our way, truth and life in our daily struggles until we come to see you in eternal glory. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

Our Father,,, Hail Mary,,, Glory Be,,,

===========================

SECOND CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (15, 1-8)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

We are truly connected to you, Lord Jesus. Like the vine and its branches, we continually receive the grace and life from you alone. We especially remember this in the Holy Eucharist. Your body is the food which nourishes our spirit and makes us live more according to your will.

We pray, Jesus! Continue to nourish us in body and spirit through the Bread of Life which you provide us in every Mass we attend. Enliven in us the sacredness of this Sacrament that we may continuously live as what you will. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

  ===========================

THIRD CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (15, 9-17)

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. “

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

You loved us, Lord Jesus. You loved us until your death. You loved us as friends. You loved us with an ultimate love. This is far greater than anything we can feel or imagine! You commanded us to extend the same love to others, without anything in reserve. Your love remains with us in the Eucharist, this love we receive in every Communion when we eat your precious Body and drink your sacred Blood. This is the great manifesto of your love for us.

Teach us to show greater love for you in the Holy Sacrifice. Make us receive you in a greater disposition, prepared and in the state of grace. Everytime we sin against you, help us to be sorry first for our iniquities before we accept you in Communion. Make every moment a loving one with your divine presence in us. And when the priest tells us, Ite, Missa Est, guide us as we become a living Eucharist of love to our brothers and sisters, even to the point of offering our lives for you and for them. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

===========================

FOURTH CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (15, 18-27)

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

Throughout the years, Lord Jesus, a lot of people showed their hatred towards your Eucharistic presence. Sacrileges done inside and outside the Church offended you so much. Many were led astray due to their false interpretations of the Sacrament which you alone provide. This gave much offense to your Eucharistic Presence, dear Lord.

Accept our sincere act of repentance for these and others wrongdoings of the world, Lord Jesus. We promise to express our deep concern and love for this memorial of your saving work for us. This might lead us to become the enemies of the world, but we know you’ll never leave us and that you’ll provide the Consoling Spirit that will make us energized and prepared to defend your precious Body in words and actions. Guide us, O Lord. We depend on your providence. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

===========================

FIFTH CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (17, 1-5)

Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

Jesus, we feel your great glory in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of “Thanksgiving”. In your death and resurrection, you gave new life to the world, and likewise you manifested your glory over all things. You never left us empty-handed for in the Holy Mass you continue to manifest this glorious wonder to all believers.

May we be continuously strengthened by this glory – the Glory of God in our midst through the Sacrament of Divine Love. May you continue to shine in glory in every Mass we attend, in every sacred host we receive. May we be glorified as well when we take you into ourselves. Transform our weak bodies into glorified bodies like yours. And when death comes, call us to be in total happiness with you in the Kingdom in Heaven where you live and reign forever. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

===========================

SIXTH CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (17, 6-19)

Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and prayed: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the eternal High Priest. In your sacrifice in Calvary, you gave a perfect sacrifice which is sufficient for every time and place. Through the hands of the priest, you continuously give yourself to us, and at the same time offer yourself to the Father.

We now pray and offer to you all your priests who tirelessly give us your Body and Blood in every Mass we attend. Unworthy as they may be, keep them pure and worthy in mind, word and deed for them to really celebrate the Sacrament of Love in persona Christi Capitis. Deliver them from every possible temptation, and may they and their ministry inspire others to live a holy and pure life as you did here on Earth. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.



===========================

SEVENTH CHURCH

(Kneel)

In the Name…

L: Let us praise the Lord,

A: and give him thanks!

LET US PRAY:
L: Holy Spirit, you who reveal Jesus to us, help us to discover him in his Eucharistic presence;

Beneath the veil of the Host, show us the powerful and generous Christ of the Gospels;

Let us see the Good Shepherd who knows each one of us, watches over us and calls us by name;

Allow us to listen to the incomparable Master who presents His doctrine and wishes to enlighten us in all things.

A: Let us touch the Savior whose contact heals, and transforms bodies and souls;

Let us recognize this friend, happy to live with us and share our human existence;

Allow us to recognize the victim of Calvary who spares nothing of the gift of Himself to obtain for us pardon and holiness.

Give us a profound attachment to Jesus in the Eucharist; that his ardent desire to remain among us be met by our readiness to welcome Him.

L: Holy Virgin, you who knew how to look at Jesus and penetrate the most profound depth of his person:

Teach us to look at Him, to look at him at length and quietly, in the tabernacle where he is present.

Teach us to listen in silence to the words which he speaks to us and establish an intimate dialogue with him.

A: Let us see the marvels which he desires to work in the depths of our souls.

Teach us to appreciate his closeness to us and the immeasurable friendship he shows us.

Help us to respond to his love with all the fire of our being, and like you, to immerse ourselves in a loving gaze on him.

L: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on the miracle of your precious Body and Blood, help us to revere this sacred mystery more in our daily life. May we reflect and ponder on your great love for us that made you offer yourself as a Holy and Living Sacrifice for all. Teach us to love you in every Altar at every Mass. May we recognize your sacred presence in Holy Communion. Most of all, help us to live in the spirit of the wondrous sacrament of love and sacrifice for all.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

A: AMEN.

(sit)

Reader: From the Gospel of John. (17, 6-19)

Jesus lifted his eyes to Heaven and prayed: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection…

(kneel)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are in the Father, just as he is in you. In the Holy Eucharist, you continuously manifest your total unity with us. This is one big grace that no mere mortal can understand, except for those enlightened by your Word and Grace.

We pray you, Lord! May we be one with you and the Father in every Mass we participate. May we feel that we are never alone when we receive you in Communion; that you dwell deep within us. Make us feel loved, strengthened, sanctified. Never leave us after which, and guide us that you may be manifested in us every time we communicate and work with others. May we be Eucharistic People, a people of glory chosen for your service and divine mission here in Earth. Amen.

We shall spend this time for our personal prayer.

All: Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Permit me not to be separated from Thee

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with thy Saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen.

Closing Prayers

Praises of God (By Saint Francis)

You are holy, Lord, the only God,

and Your deeds are wonderful.

You are strong.

You are great.

You are the Most High.

You are Almighty.

You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.

You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.

You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true.

You are love. You are wisdom.

You are humility. You are endurance.

You are rest. You are peace.

You are joy and gladness.

You are justice and moderation.

You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.

You are beauty.

You are gentleness.

You are our protector.

You are our guardian and defender.

You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope.

You are our faith, our great consolation.

You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord,

God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.

ADORATION
(For each invocation the response is:
*To you be praise and glory forever

Body of Christ conceived of the Blessed Virgin Mary*

Body of Christ, sacrificed on the cross*

Body of Christ, risen from the tomb*

Blood of Christ, price of our ransom*

Blood of Christ, the seal of new alliance*

Blood of Christ, drink of eternal life*

Heart of Christ, pierced through with the lance*

Heart of Christ, rich in mercy*

Heart of Christ, source of love*

(For each invocation the response is: *Give us your salvation )

Living Bread come down from heaven*

Living Word of the Father*

Giver of the Holy Spirit*

Bridegroom of Holy Church*

Redeemer of the world*

Friend of the young and the poor*

When You come on the last day*

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus Christ,

You gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death.

May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood

help us to experience the salvation you won for us

and the peace of the kingdom where you live

with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.

Amen.

L: Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.

A: Amen.

In the name…

Let's take this holy week as an opportunity to be closer with God. :D

Sources:
Visita Iglesia Route here.
Visita Iglesia Pray Guide on this site.

Disclaimer:
All photos are taken by me

Roadtrip Series: Iligan City

2015-09-07T02:51:00.001-07:00

Iligan was one of our favorite destinations when Boo and I were just in a relationship. Now that we're married, it's been years since we've been back. We've gone to Timoga and Tinago a lot of times. We even have our favorite BBQ stall near Jollibee.

And so our road trip series continues on a beautiful Saturday morning as we head to Iligan last August 29.

The trip took an hour and a half and we arrived in Iligan just before lunch.

Our first stop for the day was at Pater al Kuwait where you get to taste one of Iligan's famous food.

The Pater comes in three flavors: tuna, chicken and beef which costs Php25 each. The masala which costs Php25 as well is a perfect pair to the pater. Each meal comes with Palapa - a special chilli sauce.

I got to try the beef while Boo got beef and chicken pater.

Here are our photos:

With stomachs full, we headed next to our accommodation for the day - Famous Pension House where the overnight stay costs Php400.

After getting settled in, we went back to the road for our next destination, Ma. Christina Falls. My very first time to meet her and I was in awe to see her majestic beauty.

Entrance fee costs Php35 and you need to have your own vehicle to go up or you can avail of their shuttle services.

Here are more photos:

On to our next stop, Dela Mar Resort in Timoga where the entrance fee costs Php100 each and table for Php100. We decided not to get a table as we were only swimming for an hour.

I love coming back here because of their olympic size pool and the fact that only few people swims around the 4-5 feet area. Most people swim around at the 16 feet or if not, at the kid's pool.

It was indeed a great day for a quick swim at the cold spring.

Here are our photos:

After an hour of swim, we left Dela mar and took our lunch across the street to taste Iligan's pride lechon.

This is something I wouldn't miss when going to Iligan.

1/4 kilo costs Php100

Kinilaw costs Php110

We did not order rice as we packed one with us during the travel. Their utensils were free to use so that was a good thing. Here we are enjoying our inexpensive lunch:

Time to get back to our accommodation to freshen up and take rest.

At night, we tried the Madcow Pizza at Pizzarella.

I love the taste of cheddar, beef and the mix of spicyness.

The next day, we checked out early so we can attend the 10am mass at the Divine Mercy Hills in El Salvador. We were supposed to eat at Jollibee but saw this food station with newly cooked lechon.

So we ordered 1/4 kilo lechon and tadaa, another inexpensive and hearty meal for us.

And we're back on the road and glad to be able to join the 10am mass at Divine Mercy on time.

It's always a great experience attending the mass here especially when you get to ask the priest to bless you and pray over for you.

And this ends our road trip to Iligan. Talk to you again on our next road trip. 😁

xoxo,

Road Trip Series: Malaybalay City

2015-08-26T01:50:00.001-07:00

It's been 9 years since we've been to Malaybalay. The last time we were here was year 2006 which was our first travel together as a couple. Fast forward to August 2015 and we're back on a roadtrip with our own ride - Buggy (our Suzuki Swift). Thus, the title of this blog post - Road Trip Series.

This road trip did not have that much planning but with the help of the Internet and Google maps, we arrived in Malaybalay just fine.

We woke up late Saturday morning and left CDO at around 8am then had some stop overs at 7Eleven and Starbucks before heading to Malaybalay.

The trip took 2 hours with some stop overs along the way due to some areas on construction. We finally arrived in Malaybalay at 10am and our first destination was to take our brunch at Hi-way Bulalo.

Their Bulalo costs Php150 which is already good for 2-3 persons.

Then with the help of Google maps, we visited Kaamulan Grounds. We walk around the circle just enjoying the scenery and watching kids play softball.

Here are some of our photos:

Next, we visited the Kaamulan Park and to our dismay the place was in construction. The kubo's were filled with people so we could not check it out to and take pictures nor even get a decent picture of it. This is the only decent picture that we have inside the park.

It was almost lunch time when we decided to checked-in at 1st Avenue Apartelle where we reserved accommodations for the night. The room we reserved was airconditioned with a matrimonial bed that is good for two, hot and cold shower, Cable TV, and a dining table. It was a good place to stay for only Php600. You also have your own parking space just in front of your room.

During dinner, we decided to try Amadeo's

as suggested by netizens but our dining experience was not that good. The food was okay but I can get a lechon kawali at a cheaper price than Php190 and it can be more delicious.

We haven't tried their steaks though as it was a bit pricey. According to a review I read from Tripadvisor, the taste was nothing special so we didn't try it out.

Here are more pictures:

The interior is very homey though.

We drove around Malaybalay after dinner, roamed around Gaisano and just as we were driving past the Cathedral we saw this BBQ stall with a lot of people.

We stopped by and ordered for take out.

We wished we could have dined here instead as Php150 was already a hearty meal for us.

Here we are with our dinner part 2:

We woke up the next morning to prepare for our trip to the Monastery of the Transfiguration to attend the 8am mass. This was actually the main reason why we wanted to go back to Malaybalay. We wanted to visit the monastery again and get to experience the mass there.

The trip from the apartelle to the monastery took around 20-30 minutes. We arrived an hour before the mass and thus we took advantage to take pictures while there were still a few people around.

The mass was solemn and I personally love how the priest conveyed his homily - specific and precise. The mass was officiated by three priests. They say that every 2nd Sunday of the month, the monks would serve free breakfast to share to the people their good harvest. We attended the 3rd Sunday mass of the month so there were no free breakfast at the time.

Here are more photos after the mass:

Saw my good friend Cara after the mass:

We headed back to the city to take our breakfast ar Jollibee and finally headed to the last leg of our road trip adventure.

The trip to Del Monte Golf Course and Country Club in Kawayanon took an hour. It was already past 11am when we arrived there. Well just in time for lunch. We ordered their cheese sandwhich

and roast beef. Yum!

Here are more of our photos:

Our road trip to Malaybalay was definitely a adventure to remember. Another first long travel with buggy with just the two of us.

See you on our next road trip!

Here's our expenses:

Brunch at Hi-way Bulalo - Php260

1st Avenue Apartelle - Php600

Dinner at Amadeos - Php240

Dinner at Gina's Eatery - Php150

Breakfast at Jollibee - Php200

Lunch at Del Monte - Php545

xoxo,

lheyvens <3

Cebu Anniversary Getaway

2015-08-24T20:04:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile that Boo and I have travelled alone (just the two of us) as lately we have been travelling with friends and family.

In celebration to our 7th year wedding anniversary, Boo and I decided to spend it Cebu and visit the Miraculuous Mama Mary in Simala.

Full story of our visit to Mama Mary here.

http://lheyvenstravel.blogspot.com/2015/08/visit-to-mama-mary-shrine-in-simala.html?m=1

August 7 - we took the first flight to Cebu and arrived at around 10am where we immediately headed to the South Bus Terminal to board the bus that will take us to Simala. The trip took us 2 hours to get there. Bus fare costs Php70 each.

Here are some photos during our visit to Simala:

And, here's my travel #OOTD for the day:

We headed back to Cebu around 2pm and arrived in Sampaguita Suites Plaza Garcia at around 6pm.

Our first stop after our arrival at the hotel was to visit Sto. Nino which by the way was just across the street to where we were staying for 2 days. We love staying at Sampaguita suites because aside from it's a budget hotel, and is located right across the Sto. Nino church, it is also accessible to a lot of food chains.

Next we took the cab that would take us to Ayala Cebu so we could take dinner. The taxi far costs around Php96.

Unfortunately, Casa Verde was full at the time so we opted for Burger King instead and ordered whopper burger meals. We were not that satisfied with the meal but nevertheless it made our stomach's full.

We strolled for a while and I got this cute hot pink iTouch 5th Gen case from Daiso for only Php88. How cute is that?

Here's my #OOTN:

We then headed to Starbucks to chill for a while and then headed back to the hotel as I was already dead tired from our long travel back and forth to Simala.

Getting a cab from Ayala was quite a challenge especially when you need to line up from the Taxi stand. It was a good thing that taxi's were available just right outside Starbucks where we replaced passengers who took the cab to reach Ayala. The trip back costs Php130 due to the heavy traffic.

The next day was our anniversary. As usual, our first stop was to visit Sto. Nino to pray and say good morning.

We took a lot of pictures this time. Here are some photos:

And my #OOTD:

We took our lunch at Casa Verde this time and Oh boy don't I just love their Brian's ribs. We also ordered dessert -death by chocolate which was a cake and ice cream in one. Our meal costs around Php600.

We strolled a few more hours, got tired and went to SM Cebu to watch Fantastic 4 in IMAX. Too bad it was not available in IMAX. The taxi fare from Ayala to SM costs around Php86.

So we just strolled around and look what I got from Forever 21, ain't they the cutest sunglasses? As for the pink sunnies case, I got it from Daiso for Php88. Another great find!

We got hungry when he headed back to the hotel and so we stopped over 7 Eleven for some snacks. 7 Eleven was just a few minutes walk from where we were staying in Cebu.

That night we took our dinner at McDonalds which was just right accross the hotel. It was already late to go around Cebu plus it was raining.

Our Sunday would not be complete without hearing mass and visiting Sto. Nino once again before we headed to the airport for our fligt back to CDO.

Here's my travel #OOTD:

Our short trip to Cebu was indeed memorable. As they would say, it doesn't matter where you are travelling, what matter's most is who you're travelling with that makes the travel memorable.

Until our next travel!

xoxo,

Lheyvens <3

Cebu Destination: La Vie Parisienne

2015-08-15T09:48:00.001-07:00

I've seen a lot of my Cebu friends posting about La Vie Parisienne on FB and seeing the photos they've posted got me really curious as the place looked instagram-worthy. So when we went back to Cebu after our Boracay trip, we decided to drop by and try out the place.

The place is famous for their wine cellar and the "Japan/Paris" like ambiance where you get to drink wine with your friends under a Sakura tree. Also it's a nice place to socialize, catch up with friends and most of all a great venue for a lot of photo op.

We ordered pizza and a bottle of wine while catching up with our relatives. The pizza costs around Php500 and the wine around Php300.

The place looks lovelier at night especially when they start to turn on the Sakura lights and the colorful chairs. No wonder the place is always full at night.

Here are more photos:

It was a wonderful afternoon spending time with our relatives. They've always been very accommodating whenever we are in the area. Definitely another memorable trip in Cebu.

We ended the day with dinner at the famous Rico's Lechon which was delicious by the way.

Until next time :)

xoxo,

Lheyvens <3

Cebu Destination: Simala Shrine, The Miraculous Mama Mary

2015-08-07T02:13:00.001-07:00

The Simala Shrine in Sibonga also known as Cebu's Castle Church is one of the famous destinations for Mama Mary's devotees in the Visayas region. The miraculous Mama Mary was known to grant prayers from devotees who visited and prayed to her.

I've been there once with my family last January but hubby was not there with me to witness how amazing this place was. So when we got the chance to get low fares from Cebu Pacific, hubby and I planned our trip to Simala just in time for our wedding anniversary in August.

We left CDO early to take the first flight to Cebu.

We brought with us snacks and prepared packed lunch earlier that day since we'll be heading straight to Simala. We won't have time for any stop overs to take our lunch on the way.

We reached Cebu at 9:50 am and got on a taxi heading to the South Bus Terminal.

The taxi fare from the Mactan International airport to the terminal costs us Php230 and took around 30-45 min of travel (including traffic). We were supposed to look for VHires that will bring us to Simala but to our dismay, VHires were no longer available at the terminal. So we opted for the airconditioned bus going to Oslob located at DOOR 8 of the terminal. The fare costs Php70 per head and the travel took 2 hours.

Upon reaching the bus stop at Simala's crossing, we took another 15-30 min ride via a habal2x for Php20 each.

We finally reached the Simala shrine at around 2pm.

Our first stop was to line up for Mama Mary's veil and then to Mama Mary's Miraculous shrine.

Compared to our visit last January, the line today was pretty fast as there were only a few people.

Walking to the miraculuos Mama Mary you'd see numerous displays of granted prayers from all walks of life.

It is amazing to see how Mama Mary have heard and granted a lot of prayers and favors.

Mama Mary's miraculous shrine:

Next, we went inside the church to say our prayers. The church itself is small and really looked amazing with all of its sculptures.

After saying our prayers, we headed next to buy candles and dropped our letter asking for favor from Mama Mary in the petition boxes. We prepared the letter ahead of time as we anticipated that there could be a lot of people and that we can't stay long. Writing the letter ahead of time gives us more time to reflect on what favor we'd like to ask from Mama Mary.

Hubby bought blue, pink, gold and violet candles while I got pink and green. The candle costs Php35 each and here are the meanings for each colors:

Source: choosephillipines.com

It was raining when we decided to head out to eat. Thus, the following failed photos.

Nevertheless, we went back after eating our lunch so we could get better photos.

There are a lot of food stalls outside the gates and per serving costs Php50 which is quite pricey. Also outside food is not allowed unless you pay Php50 corkage fee but the owner waived the fee since there were only two of us dining at the moment.

And as I've said, we took better photos after lunch.

We then called Kuya Ramon to fetch us back wherein he dropped us at the VHire terminal.

The fare costs Php100 each and has two stops: Sto Nino Church and SM. This was a good thing since the hotel we're staying at is a street across the Sto. Nino church. Saves us the taxi fare from the South Bus terminal to Sampaguita Plaza Garcia.

It was a day well spent even though it took us time to get there. Still, we both feel very fulfilled going back to our hotel. Mission accomplished as they say.

We will definitely be back soon.

xoxo,

Lheyvens <3

Family Trip in Boracay

2015-07-15T06:37:00.001-07:00

My parents have become fond of family trips right after our Hongkong-Macau last October that this year that they want to go to Boracay. So when the seat sale opportunity came last June, we booked a roundtrip ticket to Boracay which costs Php1800 per head (cdo-cebu-caticlan and vice versa).

So last July 8, we took the last flight to Cebu and waited overnight at the airport for our flight to Caticlan the next day. Waiting at the airport for more than 10 hours was very tiring but the good thing was that there were benches on the waiting area where we could lie down. Also, stores were nearby should we need to eat but sold at a higher price. Since we did not want to spend that much, we packed our own dinner and ate it at the airport.

The scenario at the airport while waiting for our flight.

Benches were not that comfortable but they'll suffice.

The flight to Boracay the next day was quite scary due to heavy turbulence. It was windy when we arrived and the skies looked gloomy like it's going to cry a thousand tears.

Since it's windy during the off peak months, the Caticlan Jetty Port is not available for passengers. Passengers must drive to Tabon Port via tricyle to board the boat to Boracay. We took the tricycle ride to Tabon port just outside the airport gates. Fare costs Php80 for the tricycle and Php25 for the boat.

The travel to Tabon port only took 15-20 minutes. Upon reaching the port, you have to pay another Php75 for the environmental fee and Php35 for the terminal fee.

It rained hard when we arrived at the port and we had to wait for another 15-20 minutes to board the boat. When finally boarded, the boat ride only took 15 minutes or so and it rained again when we arrived at the Boracay shores. We got soaked in the rain while trying to get a tricyle as it was a 3 minute walk from the shore. The tricycle fare to any station costs Php20 each.

It was still drizzling when we arrived at La Carmela de Boracay and some parts of Station 2 and 3 were flooded. This includes the pathway to where we were staying at - Travelodge Boracay in Station 2. We have no choice but to soak our feet into the flood (ankle length) to get to Travelodge. It may be not a good time to go to Boracay but I guess it's all part of the adventure. We were all up for it, even my parents didn't complain.

We were not able to check-in until 2pm so we left our stuff at their baggage area and had brunch at Andoks near D' Talipapa. We finally got checked-in when we went back to Travelodge.

The room that we got had 2 queen sized bed, a vanity, small TV and a spacious bathroom. Airconditioning is quite okay. A good place to stay in Boracay when you're on a budget.

We rested for a few hours and waited for the rain to stop before we went out around 4pm to take a swim.

The waves were too strong but we still enjoyed just meeting the waves as they come. It would rain from time to time and then it would stop again.

Here are photos on our first day:

My apologies for some photos with low quality. We didn't get to use our DSLR since it was raining. We used our iphones, sony underwater camera and xiaomi yi for groupies.

We won't miss going to Station 1 to try Jonah's shake but didn't stay for long as it started to get dark and it started to rain again.

It was impossible to roam at night as it was raining hard. We also thought buying raincoats were too much as they were overpriced and were just disposable. We managed to buy dinner at Mang Inasal in D'mall and opted for take out instead.

That night, I was praying really hard that the rain would stop the next day and my family could get to experience a sunny day in Boracay. This was already my 4th time here and I have already experienced the best and worst days in it.

God answered my prayer the next day as it was a beautiful sunny morning in Boracay.

Here are pictures on our second day:

Our lunch was one of the highlights for the day. We went to D'Talipapa to buy fish and shrimps from the market, got it cooked nearby and voila fresh sea foods for lunch!

YUMMY!

It costs cheaper than actually going to the restaurants in Station 2. Php1000 could be just for one person when dining on one of the restaurants. Back there at D'Talipapa, your Php 1000 is already good for 5 persons.

We bought pasalubongs at D'Talipapa and went back to our room to change and rest from our morning activities.

It was drizzling again in the afternoon but that didn't stop from us getting into the beach.

Here are more photos on our second day:

Also, this time we toured Station 1 & 2 at night and got to try Crazy Crepes and watched a few fire dancers present along the beach.

And this ends our Boracay adventure. Though we didn't try the outdoor activities on the other island we got the chance to just to enjoy the place which was our main goal. My sister did want to try them but I'm sure this won't be the last time she goes to Boracay. She will have her time to travel and get to try those activities next time.

It was indeed a short and sweet trip in Boracay. Even though it was not as what we have expected, the trip turned out well. What matters most is amidst the rain, flood and all, my family and I got to share new memories together. Memories that we will treasure and bring with us when we get back.

It is never truly good bye Boracay but until we meet again. xoxo <3

Here's our expenses in Boracay:

Fare to Tabon Port: Php 80

Environmental Fee: Php 75

Terminal Fee: Php 35

Boat Fare: Php 25

Tricycle Fare to La Carmela: Php 20

Travelodge Boracay (3D2N): Php 3246

Food Allowance: Php 5,500

Jonah's Shake: Php120

Tricycle back to Tabon Port: Php100 (1 tricycle that fits 5 pax)

Boat Fare: Php 25

Terminal Fee: Php 30

Tricycle ride back to airport: Php 80 per tricycle. We got 2 tricycles - Php160

Our Luxe Staycation

2015-04-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a long and tiring week for Boo and I. So to reward ourselves for a much needed break, we reserved the weekend stay at Limketkai Luxe Hotel. A luxurious overnight stay that we have been looking forward to having the whole week. I guess this is one of the highlights of our summer this year aside from the Boracay post-summer trip we will be having this coming July.

Limketkai Luxe Hotel offers cheaper room rates this summer so the Cagayanon's get to experience a luxurious overnight stay which was something we availed during the weekend.

Check in time was 2:00pm and check out time was 12:00 noon the next day. Accommodation was Php2,750 good for 2 persons which includes breakfast buffet, unlimited use of swimming pool and gym during your entire stay.

What we love about our whole stay was the great customer service. We felt like we were in Sheraton Hotel in Macau. The customer service was comparable. Like when you need assistance, they get back to you immediately. When we had problems with the hot and cold shower, they were able to resolve it immediately. And when we didn't get any wifi signal inside our room, their engineering came to install a signal booster. They want to ensure that you are satisfied with your stay and the money you spent on your stay was worth it. To sum it all up, we enjoyed our whole stay in Limketkai Luxe and here are our pictures:

Our room:

Complimentary slippers

Free to use robes:

Our view from the room - nothing much really.

The obligatory elevator selfie

and room selfie

We went swimming at night which was very cold by the way but at the same time very relaxing.

And went swimming again in the morning to get better and clearer photos.

The breakfast buffet was sumptuous.

Too bad we didn't get the chance to try the gym. I forgot to bring my workout shoes. 😔 We will definitely try next time.

I hope you all are having a great time this summer because Boo and I did. Looking forward to more escapades.

xoxo,

lheyvens

Easter Beach Bums

2015-04-15T03:13:00.001-07:00

Summer is here and what a good way to start our summer is to spend it at the beach. We didn't get to travel during the holy week since work was always upon us. We'd rather spend the day sleeping than going out. It was a good thing that our extended family planned for an Easter celebration in Midway. Just the perfect time for a summer kick-off.

As expected, the beach was packed with people but that didn't worry us because we reserved their Cogon cottage the night before. Parking was also quite a challenge so to ensure we have space when we arrive, we left early from home.

The cogon cottage costs Php1000 while entrance fee was Php25. You'd also get to see a lot of improvement in their restroom and bathroom areas. It was renovated and much cleaner this time.

As we all know, Midway is a white sand beach but also has a lot of sea weeds floating around. You got to find yourself a spot where the water is clear, no rocks on the sea bed and of course away from the sea weeds. And that is what we did that's why we very much enjoyed our swim.

So here are our pictures and the fun that we had that day:

Excited for the day. Brought Buggy with us to Midway:

All set and ready for a swim:

Our own spot at the beach:

Underwater shots:

Group shot with extended family

xoxo,

Lheyvens <3