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At the beginning of January 2018, I eagerly opened the DFA Online Appointment System website to begin the process for the renewal of my passport. It expired last October 2017 but I did not mind it then due to studies and other things.
To my surprise, I found that all appointment slots were booked up to March 2017 in both Bacolod and Dumaguete branches! It did not bother me because I thought that…
Vikings SM Bacolod was a much-awaited establishment. It had been the talk of the town when they began construction of it in the new wing. When it did open, throngs of people flocked to it for weeks that it was always full for lunch and dinner every time.
It was not until a few months since its opening that I managed to eat there and it was only by the good graces of my best friend that I did. It…
I was blessed to have gotten a complimentary stay at The Airport Hotel at the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. It was courtesy of Qatar Airways with whom I flew from Manila, Philippines and who was to transport me to the second to the last stop before my destination, Copenhagen, Denmark.
When I arrived at the airport, I was afraid that I was going to have to stay wide awake for nine…
The Murcia Hilltop Resto & Bar is a quaint little place one can stop by on the way to or from Mambukal Mountain Resort. It is located along the Negros Occidental Eco-Tourism Highway and is impossible to miss since it has a street sign that calls to motorists.
Murcia Hilltop Resto & Bar road sign. Photo from Google.
As its name suggests, Murcia Hilltop Restobar is situated on top of a hill. When I first heard the name of the place, I expected it to offer an expansive and scenic view. However, on my first visit there I was already disappointed. It was charming because the sun dappled through the leaves and into the ground and cast the area with a fantastical feel.
View from the Hilltop.
A tree at the back of the restaurant and bar.
The place was relaxing in a way but the scenery was sub-par. And so was the food.
I went there for the first time with a companion and that companion’s family. We ordered different kinds of food. I remember chicharon bulaklak for the boys and hot and cold beverages and ice cream for the ladies. We found the bulaklak to be too expensive for the amount and taste of it. Meanwhile, their homemade ice cream was certified delicious and their milkshake just okay. As for the tea, it was just hot water and a tea bag offering.
Despite those things, I returned to Murcia Hilltop Restobar again with a companion. This time we only ordered drinks (beer and avocado shake). It was about 4 pm and so the sun was high and the brightness unbearable. The establishment certainly put itself in a bad place–the only seating are free from the glaring sun was behind the kitchen and the rest was at the mercy of the sun.
Also, I saw that they had cheesecakes on the menu. Since cheesecakes are my most loved cakes, I traipsed into their airconditioned seating room where a chiller was located to look at their offerings. It was an instant letdown–all they had was a cheesecake with no topping and the flavor (blueberry or strawberry) would be added to the top only once someone places an order. To top it off, their cheesecakes and other cakes did not look all too palatable.
The avocado shake from the second visit. It was thick and creamy, so much so it was almost difficult to drink.
I guess that would be the last time I ever go there unless we take a badly-needed pitstop from either Mambukal or Don Salvador Benedicto.
The Not-so-Scenic Murcia Hilltop Resto & Bar The Murcia Hilltop Resto & Bar is a quaint little place one can stop by on the way to or from…
It was a long and harrowing decision to be made. Should I go with Qatar Airways or pick Emirates instead? Or maybe even Swiss Air or Turkish Airlines? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
At first, I settled for Emirates, as their airfare was the least expensive among the world’s most trusted airlines. And from what I’ve seen, they have a stellar reputation in the customer service arena.
Unfortunatel…
Mambukal Mountain Resort, or simply Mambukal, is a provincial government-owned mountain resort located in the Municipality of Murcia. It is only an hour and a half ride away from Libertad, Bacolod City where one can hop on a mini-bus to there.
The concept for the resort is almost a hundred years old now, although it was established and opened to the public as a recreation and relaxation spot 60…
5 February 2016. All that I had planned with someone was watch videos the whole day, particularly Battlebots. We just started watching it early in the day and were in the second episode when we received a call. It was from our British neighbour who’s leaving Dumaguete on the morrow. He wanted to see Valencia since he’s never been there and invited us to go with him.
We said, “Why not?” After all,…
Just like with several other restaurants, my first time at Kafé Kaspar was with my host family. It was just another rainy day with a twist, instead of eating in, everyone ate out. Even though it was my day off my au pair duties, I was invited to go with. So of course, I tagged along!
Several times I’ve passed by Kafé Kaspar, wondering what foods and drinks they have to offer. But I never had the…
Security check at the Copenhagen (Kastrup) Airport is fairly strict. Especially when one has a ton of electronic devices, one will be required to take those out for x-ray scanning.
That is why I advise any traveler who will be going to Denmark, to pack their electronics in a single backpack or any other carry-on luggage. In that manner, it will not take so long taking them out and putting them…
When I look out the windows of my host family’s home, there are several places I can see: Tórshavn, Runavík, and Nólsoy.
The one shown in the photo above is Nólsoy, a small island one can get to by boat in just 20 minutes. I do not know much about that place since I was not able to really explore it, but I read that there is a quaint cafe there people can visit when they are on the island. If…
The Selkie’s Note: I wrote this two months after I got to FO in 2015 but I never got to publish it. Here it is now, my wait for the last flight of my first intercontinental journey.
It’s been two months since I arrived in the Faroe Islands. It’s been a bumpy trip to here, but I’m happily settled now. Before I totally forget the things that transpired starting when I landed in Copenhagen until I set foot in Vágar, Faroe Islands let me recount them to you.
From the terminal where I alighted from my second to the last airplane, the directional signs directed me to a busy section of the airport. It was bustling with plenty of people lugging their baggage and talking in different languages. The activity was quite overwhelming as was my luggage that I hurried straight to the section where I was supposed to wait for my next flight.
It was not for another six hours so the wait was excruciating and I really did not know what to do. And I could not stop my biological impulses for food. Fortunately, there was a 7-11 close by the check-in counter for my next flight. I then decided to exchange some of my US dollars to Danish kroner just so I could satisfy my hunger. I got a sort of pasta (which I sadly was not able to finish) and a bottle of water. I forgot how much they cost me exactly but I remember saying “ouch” when I converted the total amount to Philippine pesos.
The purchase done, I sat on a chair in front of the 7-11 stall. I was there for quite a while just looking here and there. After a while, I got bored with the view and sat on a different bench. This happened all throughout my wait.
The outside was visible from my terminal too. I wanted to explore for a bit and sniff the Danish air but I was afraid. The Norwegian Embassy that issued my visa said that it was valid only for Faroe Islands and not for Denmark. I did not want to risk getting caught by the immigration police so I made myself contented just looking out. The view from the inside was quite interesting, though. I only wish I saw more of the outside.
I was pretty sure the Kastrup Airport had a shopping area. However, because I had a ton of baggage, I couldn’t move around freely as much as I wanted. Plus, check-in was still a long time away.
Luckily, they had free WiFi but I had to register for it. With the magical connection, I managed to amuse myself for a while using my laptop first and my phone after the former died.
The area where I was in did not have too much activity so at least it was peaceful. And close enough to some shops that I could have a look-see. Some brand names were visible from my sitting perch and those really made my eyes pop.
And after a long, long wait, check-in time came up and I was able to divest myself of my baggage. It should have been my cue to go explore but I was already too tired then. Plus, boarding was happening soon and I did not want to miss my flight (yes, I am paranoid).
Journey to the Faroe Islands - Last Leg (CPH-FOI) The Selkie's Note: I wrote this two months after I got to FO in 2015 but I never got to publish it.
I still find it disconcerting how, after more than a month in the Faroe Islands, the sun is still up even at quarter to eight in the evening. After the DST, the day has been longer and the night shorter. Even when the sun has set (usually thirty minutes before ten nowadays), it still takes a while for the surroundings to become completely dark. A view from the window of my room in my host…
I have not posted anything at all for 2016. I have been remiss in updating this blog although I have several drafts on here. Looking back, this year has been a roller coaster ride but I’m glad to say that I’m ending this on a sort of a high.
When I started this blog, I asked myself, “Can I keep this up?” Obviously, the answer is mostly “no.” But that doesn’t mean I have been on complete hiatus…
Mak Tamang
I need this dress like I need air
I cannot find out who Mak Tamang is (is that even a person’s name) but the shoulders of the dress make me think the designer is a Filipino, or has at least been exposed to Hispanic Filipino fashion.
So... my bf just complained that I don’t listen to him sometimes, that even when I hear him I don’t respond which makes him feel that his work/words have no meaning and that when he’s talking I sometimes butt in with something inconsequential.
Uh. Okay. For one, most days my mind is almost always foggy and things I hear take time to penetrate whatever part of the brain processes information.
Second, I don’t do it to make him feel unimportant. I do; I just listen but I don’t respond because I don’t know what the heck to say.
Third, I’m sorry I get distracted easily and am not as smart as you are, Mr. Genius.
It’s been a while, Tumblr.
But I really need a safe space now. Twitter ain’t it anymore.
Phew.
