Mar
19

The Beautiful Lemlunay Experience Part 2

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align boxBlog Owner and Post Author: Lainybelle


I previously published how our first day went when we’ve had our Beautiful Lemlunay Experience. We all had a relaxing night.

The next day, everyone wanted to sleep in despite the fact that we all agreed to wake up early before sunrise. Geez! Such sleepyheads and lazy bums. LOL!

What a gloomy day it was!

It was a gloomy day and we weren’t too lucky to catch the sunrise. Mr. Sunrise was hiding most part of the morning and it was raining cats and dogs practically most part of the day. It sucks when all you wanted to do was soak in under the lovely rays of the sun by the beach or by the pool.

Oh well! Did you ever think that we can be stopped from exploring the resort despite the weather not very cooperative? Your guess is just as good as mine! Of course, we won’t let the weather spoil the fun :-)

After we’ve had the lovely breakfast, we explored every nook and cranny of the resort.

Just all set to take a tour of the resort

We had a really nice dip at the inviting pool. It wasn’t as cold as I have imagined given the weather conditions at the time but I tell you, it was wonderfully warm!

Infinity pool

And you think we stopped right at the pool? Of course NOT! Hahaha!We went to further explore the resort by the beach. To do that, we had to go down the cliff which was developed by the resort owner, thus the journey going down was made easier through the man-made stairs.

The girls

We initially planned of going scubadiving. When I went to the frontdesk to arrange things, it was badly timed once more- the trainer was not around and the underwater camera was not working properly. My mind was all set for that adventure. It was disappointing!

Oh well! You’d thought that would have stopped us again from our tracks. But the two girls I was with were very brave to have gone down the cliff. When they reached the waters, they were screaming from the top of their lungs that it was a low tide. I wouldn’t have the guts to go down there myself had it not been the case.

So there, I went down with them and walked towards the cave just below the cliff.

That’s us just at the mouth of the cave

It was somewhat unbelievable that the water was hardly waist level but it’s supposed to be a diving spot just where I was standing at.

Peace out!

We didn’t had a fairly good digicam that could possibly capture good photos despite the gloomy weather so the photos here were not of good quality. We had to make do with what we’ve had at the time.

Tres Marias

We then proceeded to explore the playground where we ran around and played like little kids.

Young at heart!

We were young once. LOL!

:-)

While we were out and having the time of our lives, my Mom contented herself, by default (LOL!), to babysit for my nephew, Morning Dew.

My Mom with my then 2-month old nephew

My youngest brother kept her company :-)

There he is!

It’s noteworthy to mention though that Morning Dew’s Dad had to leave very early that morning because he had to be present at the Final Rehearsals for a Musical Show at Church. He’s the Floor Director and his presence was deemed very important.

It was almost midday when we realized most people who checked-in at the resort had left and there were only a few of us loitering around the vicinity of the resort. It was then that we decided to go back at the infinity pool and later just killed the time at the lounge area.

The infinity pool

My brother feeding the little darling

MY SIL with Tita Cha taking turns to feed my Morning Dew

At the lounge area, we’ve spoken to a group of foreigners who were there for a tour. If I can recall it right, they were in the area to do some kind of research. Obviously, they mixed business with some leisure when they took some time off to explore some of Philippine’s natural beauty.

The foreigners that my Mom had spoken with

Group pose for posterity sake

We knew we had to get ready for check out when I saw my Mom coming out of the room and carrying some of her personal belongings.

My Mom bugging us to get ourselves and our stuff ready for check-out :-/

We had to pose one last time before we finally bid goodbye to this December escapade :-)

All smiles after the glorious time with nature

My Morning Dew was oblivious of the beautiful world around him

Overall, the decision to book an overnight get-away with my family was not perfectly timed because of the conflict of schedule with that of my brother. But it was something inevitable because it came up only at the last minute. Good thing we were able to strongly bond the night before and was able to exchange gifts before he fled to his own commitments. It always feels wonderful to spend time with the most important people in our lives.

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align boxBlog Owner and Post Author: Lainybelle


Australia is a wonderful country to visit at any time of the year. However, certain locations are better to visit at specific times of the year. The following list should give you some good ideas of places to visit during April:

1. Sydney Harbour

A trip to Australia would not be complete without a visit to this location. The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are just a few of the sights that will greet you. The area has many excellent restaurants surrounding it, so you are sure to find whatever type of cuisine that you are looking for. This is a photogenic area, so don’t forget to bring your camera.

2. Great Barrier Reef

Located off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef on the planet. It encompasses 2,600 kilometers and 900 islands. To give you an idea of how big it really is, the reef is visible from space. If you are a lover of marine life, this is the place you want to be. It is currently home to saltwater crocodiles, sharks, stingrays, sea snakes, turtles, porpoises, dolphins, whales and many other animals.

3. Uluru

Uluru used to be called Ayres Rock. This is one of Australia’s top tourist attractions. It is located in Northern Australia in the Red Centre. It is a total of 350 metres tall, with a 9.5 km circumference. There is also a part of Uluru that goes 1.5 miles below the surface. This area is sacred to the Aborigines. This is because they believe that the spirits of the relatives are contained in this area. It should be noted that visitors are not allowed to climb the large rock, so do not plan on doing so. However, you are allowed to walk around the base.

4. Fraser Island

Fraser Island is famous for being the largest island made of sand on the planet. It is considered to be an important part of the cultural heritage of Australia. The island is a total of 125 km long. It consists of stunning sand cliffs, lush rainforests, beautiful blue lakes and long stretches of white beaches. Rare and endangered plant and animal species live here including mangrove colonies, ferns, curlews, turtles and dugongs. It is also a good place to catch a glimpse of a tiger shark or a humpback whale. You can also rent a vehicle so you are able to explore the island more easily.

5. Kakadu National Park

This is Australia’s biggest national park. It is located in the Northern Territory’s north east corner. The park is home to 2,000 types of plants, 200 species of birds, 10,000 species of insects, 25 species of frogs, 130 reptiles and 70 species of mammals. You will also be able to see water buffalo, pigs, feral horses and herons. Keep an eye out for the sneaky saltwater crocodiles, too. This breathtaking area will make you feel like you have traveled back in time to a prehistoric world.

A good place to stop off, if it’s on your way, is Hunter Valley. Lost in Australia Hunter Valley tours are available so you don’t have to plan anything when you get there and also allows you to experience the most in a short amount of time.

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Feb
24

The Side Trip to Camiguin Island

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align boxBlog Owner and Post Author: Lainybelle


Alright! It’s been almost two years since we’ve had our trip to Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte. Pardon my indolence but this trip is worth every space in this blog. I believe it’s better late than never :-)

It was the longest and the most exhausting trip I’ve ever had thus far. The opening night where we’ve had the Bienvenida A Zamboanga show was somehow worth the long trip.

After the unforgettable and enjoyable experience at the event, the thought of going to Camiguin on our way home was a very welcoming and exciting idea.

… and the island hopping began!

From Dapitan City to Camiguin, we took a ferry boat from Ozamis City going to Cagayan De Oro City and from there, we had to trek our way to the most anticipated visit to Camiguin Island.

The group’s departure from Dapitan City to Gingoog City, Ozamis

Ozamis Port

It was a lengthy trip for us but it was well worth it. We almost were not able to catch the last ferry trip going to the island but God made all things possible :-)

Excited to hop off of the ferry and enjoy Camiguin Island’s raw beauty

Camiguin lies in the island province of the Philippines in the Bohol Sea about 10 kilometers off the northern coast of Mindanao.

The Island of Camiguin

It was actually a clever decision to have passed through the island on our way home. It was nightfall when we finally reached the island and so we immediately looked for a place where we could have a satisfying dinner after the long and taxing trip that we’ve had to hurdle.

It took quite a while for the foodies to be served. The group killed the time for another photoshoot ;-) What could life be like without the cameras? Hahaha! (Dinner post H E R E).

Camwhoring at its best! Hahaha!

Camiguin is famous for their fresh seafoods. We couldn’t let the rare opportunity pass. The Boss gave us a very sumptuous treat. Thanks to him! :-)

The long table

The people of Camiguin are very friendly. They lead a very simple and laid back lifestyle. If you want to temporarily forego the hustle and bustle in the city, Camiguin is definitely one of the places to go. The island is pretty much secluded and it is not too commercialized. You will definitely enjoy the beauty of nature at its best.

The beaches are pristine and the never-ending destinations made us enjoy hiking/ trekking, swimming, scuba diving, etc. Camiguin is precisely your paradise on earth- just the perfect place for fun and adventure. You won’t have to pay a hefty price for all the things that you’d like to do and enjoy.

I can only wish we’ve had a longer stay in the island but like they say, “Nothing lasts forever.”

Our trek to the different destinations in Camiguin will be featured in my upcoming posts. The Camiguin adventure has just begun! ;-)

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Dec
08

Marco Polo Hotel Booking Confirmed

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align boxBlog Owner and Post Author: Lainybelle


As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, I am not gonna give up easily. Though my hunt for a beach resort in Samal Island was disappointing and turned out to be futile, I can’t back down and just simply let the opportunity of a one-of-a-kind family bonding slip through my fingers. I want something different; an experience that’s worth the while for all of us.

After painstakingly going through careful ruminations, my Mom and I finally decided to book a superior room at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City.

A glimpse of the hotel’s superior room (Photo grabbed)

I actually gave the hotel cost exceptional consideration because it’s a five- star hotel and booking a room or two would sure cost me a bomb. However, upon recalculating all the costs if we’ve opted to book a room at one of the resorts in Samal Island, it turned out that I’d be paying for more or less the same amount.

Booking details

I did not think twice in confirming the booking.

Booking finally confirmed!

One essential hotel feature is the restaurant wherein we plan of spending family dinner on the 31st. The hotel got five restaurants and bars to boost: Cafe Marco for International buffet, Lotus Court for delightful seafood menus, Eagles Bar for the classic bar ambiance, Polo Bistro for Intenational Ala Carte, and Lobby Lounge for signature high tea.

Cafe Marco (Photo grabbed)

Lotus Court(Photo Grabbed)

Eagle’s Bar(Photo Grabbed)

Polo Bistro (Photo Grabbed)

Lobby Lounge (Photo Grabbed)

With the hotel’s grand amenities, there’s no shadow of a doubt that my family and I will absolutely have a blast on this family get-away.

Swimming pool (Photo Grabbed)

The second day will be tentatively spent in touring around Davao’s popular attractions. I have yet to plan out our itinerary that’s only within city limits. We won’t be going far because of Morning Dew’s presence.

Do wish us a happy and fun-filled holiday, folks! ;-)


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Dec
02

The Jewel Cable Car Ride In Singapore

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align boxBlog Owner and Post Author: Lainybelle


We took the rare chance of further exploring Singapore’s city skyline, harbor and Sentosa Island itself by choosing the iconic cable car.

A replica of the SG Cable Car at Mt. Faber

It provided an aerial link from Mount Faber on the main island of Singapore to the resort island of Sentosa across the Keppel Harbor. We took a coach going to Jewel Box, Mt. Faber at Mt. Faber Road, Sentosa.

I was so enthralled with the experience not only because it was my first time but more so because the ride unfolded a picturesque Singapore landscape with Singapore Jewel Cable Car offering a stunning 360-degree view of the Southern precinct with its transparent enclosure.

All set for the ride of my life :-)

The cable cars going to and fro Mt. Faber and SG Harborfront

The journey was rather short but I had a blast enjoying the amazing views from the sky despite the downpour though it would have been glorious had it been sunny with clear blue sky. I felt the butterflies in my stomach when I saw the ocean from above. When we got closer to Sentosa Island, there were quite a handful of big cruise ships docked down from below. One particular ship caught my fancy.

The white cruise ship

The SG skyline

It’s interesting to note that the Singapore Cable Car was the first aerial ropeway system in the world to span a harbor. However, it is not the first aerial ropeway system to span the sea (Wikipedia).

The SG Harbor

Picturesque view from above

Singapore Cable Car cabins features the following (Mt. Faber):

  • 8 – seater
  • Stylish metallic black and chrome design
  • Large panoramic windows
  • Flip-up seats
  • Level walk-in concept for easy access for wheelchairs and baby prams
  • Interior and exterior ambient lights
  • Removable table with cup-holder for Sky-Dining™
  • I failed to capture captivating photos of the ride due to the heavy downpour. In fact, I can hardly believe I was able to take a few snaps because there’s obviously little much to see from the cable glass that’s dripping wet from the rain. But my companion and I truly enjoyed the fantastic view of Singapore City skyline across the Keppel Harbor. It was an attraction in itself which gave a bird’s eye view of Sentosa Island, SG’s cityscape and the SG Harbor.

    Star and I


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