In Photos: Puerto Galera

A peek at our vacation.

The Club Millesime Room at Sofitel

In Sofitel, my favorite spot in the room. This was where I took that mini-break I talked about last time.

Getaway at Playa Laiya

Photo by JC Villalva.

As mentioned in the previous post, I had a lovely day on the beach with friends last week.

Imperial Ice Bar and Lounge at the Fort Strip

As mentioned in my previous look post, we visited the country's very first ice bar which is at par with world class standards.

Read more about the Imperial Ice Bar on WhenInManila HERE.

When In Manila Meetup at the Scarlet Wine Lounge

When in Manila, our community is expanding! Vince of WIM arranged a get together for all the writers, would be writers, and friends of the website.

Gunslinging at the Commander Shooting Range

Hold the stance, hold the gun tightly, anxious and unsure. Aim and concentrate, wonder if you’ll hit the center of the target. Wonder if you’ll hit the target paper at all. Hope that you don’t shoot anybody. Hold your breath as you squeeze that trigger. A big bang. It all happens so fast. A hole on the target and the smell of gun powder in the room. Aim again, be more relaxed. Taste the gunpowder. Hold the gun confidently now. Pull the trigger. And again, and again.

Want more. Decide to hang the target paper in your room. Decide you want to be a sniper when you grow up. Shoot anyone who laughs at the dream.

Visited the Commander Shooting Center last Saturday. Read more on that here.

"Pabili po"

Bri, Jayce, Ian, and I visited the shooting range today. Such a cool experience, but that's for another time.

After shooting, Ian wanted to buy something to drink. He got us Cokes from a small store across the street.

Said store had very interesting personnel.

Red Pirates Bar, Boracay

Boracay is a very fun place– parties and events here and there, something you definitely have to experience when you visit.

There are, however, times when you just want to relax by the beach with only the sound of the wind and the waves in the background. The busy island life in the island's tourist center can be too much traffic for a vacationer craving peace and quiet.

Sights from Boracay

As continuation of that previous Boracay post (Today we left the island), here are a few other photographs of the vacation we had. 

We flew to Aklan and spent the night there. A bus ride about an hour and 45 minutes long gets you to Caticlan. We were brought to this lovely waiting area before we took the speedboat to Boracay. 

On the speedboat, I took this photo of other ships docked on the beach. We were nearing paradise. 

Walking around the d'Mall/ d'Talipapa area, we spotted the most amusing thing. Ahh, I can only imagine the trademark violations.

A spacious Boracay tricycle. Fit my whole family of 5, Nanay and Tatay already on in this photo.

Interesting finds from a store we passed on the beach side. They had croc skulls and monkey skulls, and that crazy witch doctor staff Bri wanted. Their Facebook page here: MariItArtworks

And more colorful souvenir shops! I think my mom got one of these colorful masks.

The view from Station 3's Calypso Dive Center.

A quiet spot in Station 2, Mango Ray's beachfront bar.

Artwork in Red Pirates, a secluded bar in Station 3. Away from the hustle bustle of the island. Such a nice spot to relax in. Will be posting more photos on this place later.

The view from our hotel's pool side. Boracay Gardens took care of everything for us, from the Kalibo transfers to our breakfast and dinner buffets. Though not a beachfront hotel, Gardens was as good as that– there was a walkway from the hotel that leads directly to the beach, a mere 5 minute walk. 

I regret not having taken photos of the hotel room. This was because I was too busy lying on their really comfy hotel bed.

Of course, the white sands of Boracay. 

And, here I am underwater and scared out of my mind.

Today we left the island

In the first real break in this year's summer vacation, we left for Boracay. A few days on the island and that wonderful hotel bed has left me in a daze.

Will be posting more about this adventure later as I am now on another hotel bed in Aklan, bound for home tomorrow, and I need my sleep.

I leave you with a photo of this cute dog frolicking in the water among other things.

Malate Church

Took a short tour around the city with family today. After a quick lunch at a nearby restaurant, we visited the Malate Church. It's amazing the beauty you see when you're actually looking.

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012 at Clark, Pampanga

Visited the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark yesterday. Interesting day, it was. There were so many cool stuff to see but we got so tired we ended up in a place called Coffee Academy and continued on in our fabulous ways (inside joke).

I literally cried for these photos as I lost them when my iPhoto force closed (ugh, don't ask). After a lot of trying to cheer up, I finally found a way to get them back through a program I downloaded. Things work out. Yay!

Manila Seedling Bank Compound

As if that seven days in Mindoro was not enough nature for me, I found myself at the Manila Seedling Bank Compound in Quezon City today.

My mom loves these places. I usually don't like them, but today wasn't bad at all (a lesson learned from the immersion, perhaps?)

Anything and everything from orchids, flowering plants, herbs, cacti, ornamental plants, pottery, gardening needs, etc... you can find here. Certainly a haven for those with the green thumb.

Learn about this place here: Manila Seedling Bank Compound