Saturday, February 28, 2015

Love Desserts in Fairview


I have a confession to make.


I love sweets so much, too much that I can finish half gallon of ice cream in one seating. I can finish a roll of Chocolate Cake, when I say "I" just me.

Love Desserts opened a branch last Feb 14 at Pearl Drive. It's just 10 mins drive from home. I've wanted to try the one in Banawe but proximity wise and Slim not being a fan of sweets I can't get the right timing.

My Niece is going to celebrate her 15th Bday soon and I didn't know what to get her.

Our first Baby Niece



Being cheap I decided to treat her at this place, a perfect excuse to dine at the restaurant. Slim was hesitant to get the buffet. He wants to try the Halo-Halo but it's almost 199 which is the price per head so he got the buffet instead.
S-U-C-C-E-S-S 

I really like how the restaurant was set-up. It's like a scene in Alice in wonderland when they were having a tea party. It's so dainty. At 2p.m. the place is full of customers.





















The restaurant is really girly. I felt like a Bridal shower or Baby shower would be nice here. What I didn't like is although it's clean it can really be crowded.

I think I just got 3 slices of cake. Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea and Juice is refillable and included in the 199/head. I guess too much sweetness is bad. I tried different slices everything tastes the same. For the first time I gave up. I was feeling tingles on my spine when I was trying to finish a slice. I want to finish this because they charge you for left-over's.

They have Nachos and Lugaw that serves as your Dessert for the Desserts. 

It's like everyone is waiting for the Lugaw to come out. 




Best Seller

For 199/head I think it is sulit but I think they need to improve the taste or the variety. (It's just me I guess)

 But I will try this again.






Monday, February 16, 2015

Julian's Cafe/Casa Backstage Cafe


On our way home, I asked Slim if it is okay to check the Bed and Breakfast place in San Antonio, Zambales. I don't have a clue about the price range yet but if it's beyond our range we'll have to eat lunch in Subic.

We got there by 10:30.

Casa San Miguel

I was surprised that they have an entrance ticket of 100php. I skipped reading that part in some blogs I've read. But you can tour at the place (more selfies) and the ticket comes with an unlimited refill of Starbucks Roasted Coffee(I forgot the flavor). That 100php can go places too. The place I believe is music and arts school that supports children who can't afford education. So 100php is not bad. I mean you get coffee and it's not an ordinary coffee but Starbucks.
The place is dainty. It makes you sophisticated on how artistic the place is set-up.







We decided to eat lunch here since the price is okay. We ordered pizza which took an hour to prepare so we had enough time to look around and drink coffee. I'd like to say that I'll make this place as my retreat. Just looking at how the place is set-up makes me feel like I'm radiating rainbows! I have been to different restaurants, even hotels and this is nothing compared to those posh places. I feel like I'm in Italy or Rome. =P



We ordered Royale Rumble. Slim said this is the best pizza ever. Brick Oven bake and a combo of everything they have.

Mango Polvoron. Famous for being served during Obama's visit.

Casa San Miguel Bed and Breakfast is also a good jump point to Anawangin and Capones so if you're not a camper like me you can stay overnight here. The rates for 2 during low season I believe is 1500 but I didn't take note so I'm not really sure. I remember 2250 rate plus bfast but wasn't sure if it was for a high or low season.




The rooms

One of the rooms

I can only imagine how this looked last Vday.






An overnight getaway is just what we needed, but it felt like we have been out for 4 days!
Until our next  travel!




Breakdown of Expenses.

Ticket is 200php.
Pizza Lunch 600.
Dessert, Mango Polvoron 40php.
Museum Tour Free!
Gas plus Potipot Adventure 2000 Roundtrip


=====================================
Total of 7649. Plus Lunch in Potipot Adventure post. So I just added 40php.



Sunday, February 15, 2015

Road Trip to Potipot


After an Italian Dinner at City of Dreams Manila, we drove at 12mn en route to Potipot.


Still sleepy especially I since I came from the night shift and not a small amount of sleep, which is fine anything for Valentines and Hubs birthday. Slim hasn't slept yet but he works in the morning napped at NLEX gasoline station for almost 2 hours.

We didn't make a turn at Subic instead drove past SCTEX, TPLEX at 6am we are in Aguilar, Pangasinan we took the longer route but I think it made it better (I think) thanks Waze!






Aguilar Church


After an hour we had our breakfast in Alaminos. 



We have reached our destination by 9: 30am. 

The view




Since I don't like the idea of camping (not yet) I've read blogs about resorts where we can sleep and use the bathroom comfortably. Resorts in Candelaria are affordable.

Our first stop is Puerto Del Sol; this was also recommended by a friend. And coming from Pangasinan this is the first resort at our map. They charge 1500 for 2. We didn't take it because he felt unsafe with the place. Food package is fine, what is available is what they will cook 100 for 1 viand; unlimited rice and 150 for 2 viands, plus water or soft drinks. Then we checked Sunbloom this was really my target, 1400 for 2. The place is quaint the problem is the food. They don't store food during low season. Potipot Island is a camping place. Harvest Resort doesn't have any restaurants too. Dawal is nice but pricey so we chose Isla Vista. They have a pool, 1700 for 2, with cable TV, which we don't need. We took it because we were tired and settling down is what we want. The good thing about this is they have a resto! The catch? No hot shower. I think the room with shower is 1k more. We didn't complain, it's just a rip-off for hot water.

Our room

Funny sign. The owner of the resort is a Doctor so every Saturday he has a clinic at the resort.



We checked in at 10am, time was adjusted checkout time is 8am. We had our lunch prepared while we fix our island things. Lunch is fine; we ordered Lechon Kawali and Chopsuey.

Selfie before our boat ride.


Happy kid
5 minute boat ride.


Dried leaves at the sand.
Puyat


Almost powdery sand



We stayed at the Island from 12 until 4:30 pm, We were swimming, eating, drinking, swimming again and nap. I just have sarong as our mat. There are campers pitching tents, kids enjoying the place. Before leaving we strolled the Island, so many photo shoot perfect areas. The water is clean on the beach, I didn't get itchy, and again it's my indication of clean water. The only thing I don't like about the Island is on the island itself has garbage scattered and ants near the garbage area. If only travellers are responsible enough. They also have restrooms and shower areas. I didn't look at the restrooms, looking from a distance I can feel the filthiness sorry... don't have the guts to check it.

Sad




I am happy that my Birthday Celebrant enjoyed the trip. He is used to camping when he was a teen and had been to places in Visayas and Mindanao so I though this is not new to him. He told me before leaving that he left his heart at the Island. I guess this was a good stress reliever for him.

We planned to nap back at the resort then take dinner but I guess we were so tired that we woke up at 3am then sleep again.

We had breakfast and check out by 8am.
This is one adventure for me. I'm not really the camping type but am entertaining the idea.
 Next Stop San Antonio, Zambales.


Break Down of Expenses

Gas (Unleaded +93 Octane Rate) PHP 2000 Rountrip 

Plus Sidetrip to San Antonio
Hotel 1700

Toll Fees (TO Potipot) 45 Min Ave Toll
173 Nlex
79 Sctex
104 Tplex
Toll Fees (TO Manila) 168 Sctex
218 Nlex
22 Subic

Chips/Water/Snacks

300
Day 1 Bfast 200
Lunch 800 with 6 Bottles of Beer
Day 2 Bfast 400
Lunch 800
No dinner ****
BoatRide 400
Potipot Entrance 200
Total 7609


We exceeded our budget. It's usually 7000 for the two of us but it's okay, after Potipot we went to San Antonio to have lunch. Check my next blog entry.