Hidden Garden, Vigan

“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria's mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once.” 
― Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly


after our short stop at the Pagburnayan pottery, we had our lunch at the Hidden Garden Vigan. when we arrived, we were welcomed and i can't wait to order. i thought at first it was just some ordinary marriage of karenderiya and garden but i was wrong. its plants/flowers on display(also for sell) are beauties on their own right. they have an altar, a lover's corner, swing, birds on display, some animals and their powder room that amazes me.

Ilocos Trip in Pictures pt. 4

“The farther you go, however, the harder it is to return. The world has many edges, and it's easy to fall off.” 
― Anderson Cooper

we sleep like a babe the whole night. our feet may hurt a bit, sunburns on the side however we all knew that we are not like we are before. we have few stories to share now to the world and how good travelling is for everyone. big travels. small travels. does.not.matter. 

like what we did on our second day, we rose early to check on the rising sun. its as if catching the last train to nowhere. how could you afford missing this?

Ilocos Trip in Pictures pt. 3

our second day officially started by waking up early hoping to take a glimpse of the rising sun in the east. we hurriedly went down, trailing on rice paddies and marvel at the vastness of the fields which the community have cultivated for maybe good years.

after having a hearty breakfast and some last minute preparations, we're all set to start our day and we know its gonna be a long one. we made a short stop at the community's parish with its bell tower proudly standing and braved an earthquake in the 80's as told by our tour guide/driver. So strong that some of its tip made its way to the ground.

we then proceeded to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. a couple of tourists were already there when we arrived. from the top, you will be treated with a breathtaking view. lush greens as a  backdrop and the stone wonder fronting south china sea.

Movie Feature: The Impossible

do you watch shows like Wish Ko Lang or The Locator? i do. my eyes well-up in tears whenever a big reunion is happening. who doesn't? one reunion for instance, makes it to news headlines last year when a facebook photo attracts netizens and even local media to help find lolo Luis Matias.

what are the odds?

that's the same question i had last night after watching "The Impossible". Watch the trailer here.

Of Diet and Boodle fight

i had a very tough week of late. i don't know if its because i'm being too hard on my self especially when it comes to eating. "Ang hirap magpapayat!" are complaints we always hear from a friend, colleague or from a family member who wants to stay fit but resisting "temptations" never comes to play. i guess i am guilty hence this post.  

i've been on a personalized diet for over a year now. being a self-confessed carbo maniac, i find it very tedious at first. your normal breakfast-merienda-lunch-merienda-dinner and not-so-late night merienda chain is broken. like.definitely.for.real! blame it to the physician's advise i got over a year ago for being a stage 1 obese! i know, right?! i was told to stick on low-calorie diet program which i have maintained a good relationship right now. heheh! I guess love then is just about patience,no?

but allow me to share photos taken on my "cheat days" where my couple of friends and I decided to do a not-so-fancy boodle fight.

we headed to plaridel, bulacan to meet up with our friend who's gonna be our host for the day and decided to make a quick stop at the Barasoain church to hear mass have our pictures taken! lols for the turista shot.