Destination Diary: Cagayan de Oro

We sort of have a hangover from CDO. We’re even talking about going back before the year ends. I mean, CDO is always there but still seems so far away. CDO is always our second home, because there’s family left and right, it’s safe and I know the city very well. There are always grandmothers, aunts, cousins and uncles happy to see us, sometimes invitations for lunch, dinner and whatnot never end.

I don’t kid when I say that the City of Golden Friendship can take pride in food (hello, cowboy country), sweet smiles and courteous people. Besides, CDO is like a touchdown for steak, ham, baby back ribs, scrumptious desserts and salads.

When we were kids there were always places to roam around in; my childhood had so many stories involving being chased by geese in some uncle’s farm, mishaps on a relative’s lawn, being peed on by an orangutan while seeing the circus, and so on. Every single time we’re in town, something funny is bound to happen. But we keep coming back, for as long as there’s family and food involved. 

 

If On A Road Trip, Enjoy Lechon By The Seaside In Timoga, Iligan

One advantage of going on a road trip is having full control of time and deciding which stops to take. By the long stretch of Iligan’s seaside in Timoga, there are restaurants selling lechon by the kilo, fish and stews. Here’s where we pull up in time for lunch, dig into grilled fish and puso (steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaves) and eat with our hands. If only one can indulge in a siesta after such a hearty lunch by the seaside, but there’s still miles to cover before finally arriving in….

…S&R, Where Else?

Because my parents have a membership card and the giant pizza is not to be missed, the shopping can be either the first order of business or not. You know I’m always into ice cream but I’m very much aware that I can’t take the freezer home.

Mommy strikes a pose but my Dad's thoughts are obviously elsewhere

Seven Seas Waterpark

Just passing by the parking lot, we already heard screams coming from the park and C and I glanced at each other. But we were there to enjoy the place, so we went on to see what it’s like to experience Seven Seas Waterpark with a splash.

C had stories to tell after trying out that insane capsule drop and the four-story slide. Yes, let me repeat that: four stories. I can personally only tolerate the kiddie pool but for the braver ones, you can go on ahead and jump off. The park has a café, restaurant and lots of picnic tables surrounding the pools and slides, the environment is clean. It’s best to be early and to maximize the time in Seven Seas.

High Ridge Restaurant

It takes guts to get to high ridge in a car, I’ll tell you that. Because the road is steep and there's no concrete yet!

But one can be rewarded with good food and a view of the city at sunset in High Ridge Restaurant. It’s a place to enjoy some quiet family time, have some blueberry cheesecake (C’s all-time favorite) and then look through the coin-operated binoculars with a 5-peso coin.

Don't mind these guys, they aren't even drunk.... 

Bigby’s Baby Back Ribs

I can say that C has good eyesight because he spotted Bigby’s from a distance, and we’ve gone back to Bigby’s for lunch ever since. I have to admit that it’s love at first sight for me with baby back ribs and make it a point to enjoy it every time we’re in CDO. It’s like an unwritten obligation to allow yourself to indulge in this helping of baby back ribs, and it feels like a holiday.

Divine Mercy Hills

Fresh from the island paradise of Camiguin, we headed on to Divine Mercy Hills and to join the many Catholic devotees in prayer of the huge Sacred Heart of Jesus in El Salvador. There were processions left and right, and it was a solemn afternoon for all.

Looking back, it seems like all we did in CDO was eat.

But I have no regrets. We caught up with family, took a break from work and then went on to experience Camiguin.

Right now, CDO is still in our subconscious, we’re thinking of going back but trying to find the right time because despite all of the things that we did the last time we were there, I still want C to experience the adrenaline-rush side of CDO and to visit Bukidnon. 

Well, knowing my family, we’re a bunch of indecisive people who just might be enabled one way or the other. Ciao! 

Destination Diary: Shanghai, China

To complete our cultural experience in China, we headed on to the last part of our tour: Shanghai.

Arriving in the evening, Shanghai is the more metropolitan, modern version of the cities we visited. Shanghai is also a popular tourist destination because of the attractions that blend with both heritage sites and modern ones. 

Bullet Train from Beijing to Shanghai

Bullet Train to Shanghai

The weather in China is behind all the “normal” flight cancellations, but we had a schedule to keep. So our host arranged for us to leave for Shanghai no matter what. We were told the bad news that our flights were cancelled, but the good news was that we were to take the bullet train.

Speeding at 300 km/h, we got to see the countryside, train route and and wind-powered energy farms in wide view windows of the train, and just how wide the land is in this country. It took us six hours from Beijing to Shanghai, that’s how big China is, considering the speed the train travels in. The train stops for only a minute in each station, that’s just enough time to get in and out. Tickets are more expensive than airline fares, but train rides are rarely cancelled; whether it’s rain or shine, it’s a sure way of getting to one’s destination.

Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Yu Yuan Garden

We passed by a small alley that led to Yu Yuan Garden. It is a historic temple in Shanghai that is now surrounded with many artisan shops and is a popular shopping site among tourists. It’s really a temple inside with many artisans selling their wares all over the place, from a tea shop, to jewelry, souvenirs, metal goods, even food and department stores can be found in this tourist destination. 

Choose your wild, an assortment of tea in Yu Yuan Garden

Tea to hoard in Tins 

Tea of the day in Yu Yuan Garden Tea Shop

Shadow Theatre in Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai

Nanjing Road

This is for the person who cannot live without shopping and an unlimited amount of credit. Nanjing Road is a whole shopping strip consisting of a 5-KM stretch of shopping malls left and right. If you have a whole day for exploring the whole place, there’s so much to see. There’s an interesting vintage photo booth complete with props that can take your photo and process it Vintage Shanghai-style. There are also so many food stalls and souvenir stalls all over. There are so many brands and shops, hello 5-KM stretch.

Corner Entrance to Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Nanjing Road Alleys, Shanghai

A corner building in an intersection road in Nanjing, Shanghai

Sights and sounds, Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower and World Financial Center

Here’s a quick trivia, one building is privately called The Bottle Opener. By looking at the Shanghai skyline, one can guess which one. We went to the Bund Riverside Walkway at night to get a better view of the Pudong New Area and to get up close with the Shanghai skyline. One could see the mix of architecture from modern, to the renaissance style divided by the Bund Riverside separating the Pudong New Area and the Old District.

This was one of our last stops before heading on back to Tianjin for our closing ceremonies with TEDA and the Ministry of Commerce.

Oriental Pearl Tower

World Financial Tower and Jin Mao Tower

View from the Bund Riverside, Shanghai

In the Bund Riverside with our translator Grey

It has all been an amazing experience and we were all able to make friends and immerse in new cultural experiences in a different country. I’ll be keeping the official site visits private, but in the meantime, there will be more travel posts soon for the year.

China 2018 Series:

Tianjin

Beijing

Shanghai

Planning for a trip to China soon? Here are some things you may need beforehand. 

Disclaimer: All inputs are based on my experience while in China. A schedule was planned for our group beforehand given the limited amount of time.

Check out my video below and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Destination Diary: Beijing, China

There we were, all packed in a bus to Beijing after we were told that after the rigorous classes we had for our course, we were going to have time to relax. It took us two hours from Tianjin and we made it to Holiday Express Inn.

Formerly called Peking, Beijing is a must-visit for many tourists every year. Because of its cross between old and new, Beijing is still the seat of power and there are so many sights and sounds to savour. 

Memories made at one of the Wonders of the Ancient World

The Great Wall

No visit to Beijing is complete without seeing the Great Wall. The best time to visit is when the sun is up, so there will be good photos for you to take. There are souvenir shops so that you can purchase some memorabilia and also grab snacks after having explored the wall.

There’s actually a warning sign that says:

Advisory in Great Wall Beijing Station (nope that's not me pointing) 

But if you’re someone who can manage, the climb can give a beautiful view of the valley and other structures in it, like pagodas and the connecting moats. The bus took an hour and a half through the Great Wall Valley, so why not make the most of your time there? What you will need are a good pair of shoes, a cap and water. Once you get down from the top, some of the shops also sell ice cream to reward yourself after the climb.

Beijing Olympic Park

Beijing Olympic Park

In 2008, China was at the center of the world’s attention because of the Beijing Olympics. The Olympic Park was constructed solely for hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. China was intent on putting on a good show, being the first time that the country hosted the Olympic Games. The park is vast, so again, walking from the entrance gate up to the main arenas will take patience, as I sat on the grass as soon as I got the chance in front of the Bird’s Nest stadium, and because it was afternoon that we arrived, must also be because of the heat that I thought of staying put for a moment.
 

There are benches and shops all over the place, but it looks like it’s a recreation park after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. It’s also surprisingly a quiet place to spend the afternoon in. How timely it is that I’m writing about the Beijing Olympic Park on the 10^th Anniversary of the Beijing Olympics.

Tiananmen Square in Beijing

Tiananmen Square

Known as the seat of power, Tiananmen Square has quite an extensive history, and with many structures around it, it’s no question why. To its north is the gate to the Forbidden City, to the left is the Great Hall of the People, and nearby is the Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum. In the center of the square is the People’s Heroes’ Monument, a silent spectator.

It’s the site of many historic events in China, and is one of the largest squares in the world. Our bus parked a distance away, and we took the underpass by foot and walked to the square mid-morning.

Rickshaw in a side street in Beijing, China

Statue in a side street cafe in Beijing

Side street in Beijing

The Pearl Market

To end our tour around Beijing, we had shabu-shabu lunch and had the chance to visit the Pearl Market for some souvenir shopping and of course, who’s not familiar with the term pasalubong? It’s fun to go around the Pearl Market, and the name of the game is to haggle, haggle, haggle. There are so many stalls and goods in the Pearl Market, but my personal favorites are the stamp engraver and the stall selling masks from the Peking Opera House. But my baggage allowance won’t allow it though, as after Beijing we were heading straight to Shanghai via bullet train. 

Shabu Shabu Lunch, Pearl Market, Beijing

Stamp Engraver in Pearl Market, Beijing

Masks of the Peking Opera House, Pearl Market, Beijing, China

Because of time constraints, our group didn’t have the time to visit the other attractions. I’d love to go back someday and visit the Silk Market, Forbidden City and The Temple of Heaven, but perhaps with family next time.

China 2018 Series:

Tianjin

Beijing

Shanghai

Planning for a trip to China soon? Here are some things you may need beforehand. 

Disclaimer: All inputs are based on my experience while in China. A schedule was planned for our group beforehand given the limited amount of time. 

Check out my video below and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

My Summer Picks for May 2014

To tell you the truth, I'm preparing myself for something big next month. This week alone, I've been blogging less and helping more clients with writing needs. I've also had to go to meetings to gather details and facts for my reports. But when I am sitting in front of the laptop and pushing keys one by one, I feel accomplished and closer to my goals. May is a very special month for me, and I can definitely feel change coming. 

Stalking online shops just made me realize that there are two things that have been constant on my wishlist, and that's shoes and bags.

OMOSHI Carry Label Messenger Bag from Okay Okay.com Php 699

I feel like this messenger bag will be useful for a personal birthday gift that will be arriving this month. I can easily throw in books, notebooks, pens and other necessary gadgets in here. 

Venice Never Full Bag from Paris Dreams Shoppe Php 650

I certainly like quilted tote bags in neutral colours and the Venice Never Full Bag sure can match my neutral flats. I like to use bags that can carry my wallet, phone, pocket Wi-Fi and other personal stuff. The thing about bags is that I stick to only one whenever I have errands to do in town.

Suelas Puntera Basic in Grey Php 500

Suelas Couro in White-Black Php 700

I've been searching for comfortable footwear and found these from Suelas. I like everything classic and minimalist so I guess it shows in my selection. I've already submitted a form and am currently waiting for a reply.

So what does that say about my style? I think it's all about clean lines, functional neutrals and comfort. I do have a weakness for florals but that can come at another time because I've used and abused them enough I think. I don't also want to bore you with my choices of makeup and tools. I'm a die-hard fan of Urban Decay so you pretty know where this is heading. =)

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