Travel

Roadtrip: To Fishville We Go!

January 19, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 7 Comments

When you say “beach house”, the first thing that comes to my mind is a nice villa overlooking the ocean. Kind of like the Boracay resort we stayed in during our trip last year, but not exactly, since it’s a beach house and not a hotel.

You see, we now have a beach house, but trust me when I tell you that it’s not your typical beach house. It isn’t on your typical beach either. My dad lovingly calls it Fishville, and it stands in the middle of a fishing village in Maragondon, Cavite called Patungan. Patungan is a fishing Community in Barangay Sta. Mercedes at the farthest point of Maragondon, Cavite. The name Maragondon was derived from Tagalog word madagundong or maugong, meaning much sound.You can learn more about the place by liking its Facebook page, which my dad setup and manages.

Our first family trip for 2013 was a quick day visit to Patungan, which is my dad’s new playground. This was my first ever visit to the place. Mr C and I were the last of the family members to experience Fishville. Even little boy T was able to go there twice before with my parents. Because I’m so smart, I forgot to take a photo of the house from the outside. This is the best I can do to show you the exterior – a photo from my dad’s Facebook page. This is the portion of the house facing the ocean. That’s my mom and me cooking inihaw na liempo (grilled pork) for lunch. I am standing next to the rear entrance of the house.

Inside the bamboo fence is our beachfront dining area. — The space inside the bamboo fence is our beachfront dining area complete with bamboo tables.

5 Places I’m Excited To Visit This Year

January 17, 2013 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

Wouldn’t you love to go on vacation at least once a month? I know I would. I think if I had unlimited resources I would plan a getaway for our little family once every two weeks. Of course, I have to be realistic and practical. But that doesn’t mean that I should stop dreaming.

I’m the type of person who dreams about travelling almost every day. I love making plans to go out of town, explore a new place and visit old favorites. Or, our schedules are tight, a quick staycation is more than enough to satisfy my urge to go out there and get away for a while. Of course, I like to do these things with Tristan and Mr C. Ever since they came into my life, travelling alone has become lonely and quite boring.

We have quite a few vacations planned for this year, all of them within the Philippines. I’ve actually already booked a few trips in advance just to make sure that they push through, and of course because it’s cheaper to book early. Here are the five trips we’ve planned for the year that I am most excited about. [Read more…] about 5 Places I’m Excited To Visit This Year

Real Coffee Boracay’s Famous Calamansi Muffins

December 10, 2012 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan 2 Comments

One of my friends told me not to leave Boracay without trying Real Coffee’s calamansi muffin. So on our last day on the island, Mr C and I went in search of the coffee shop after an early morning mass in Bisaya. It took us a while, but we finally found the quaint little place in one of the alleys off the beach area.

The first thing I noticed when we entered was how wonderful the whole place smelled. The aroma of all the goodies baking in their ovens made my tummy grumble and my mouth water! Mr C, of course, was more interested in the coffee than the pastries.

The menu. I knew right away what I wanted. That’s a first!

While waiting for our orders to arrive, I took a quick look around the place. It has a very homey, provincial feel to it, with photos and sayings on each of the tables. The area where they prepare and pack their backed goods can be seen from the dining area, and the people who work there are really nice, and smile at customers as they come in or leave.

Words of wisdom scribbled on paper and displayed at our table.

That’s where the yummy smells were coming from.

I just had to get up at take a closer look. Here are some oatmeal cookies and calamansi muffins waiting for their turn to bake.

I have a super sweet tooth, and so I was initially disappointed when I saw that the servings were kinda small. But after having a few bites of the pastries, I realized that they were so rich, and the servings were just right! I had an Iced Coffee because it was so hot and humid that morning, while Mr C decided to try the Real Coffee.

Real Coffee (PHP 100.00)
Brewed coffee plus a shot of espresso

Iced coffee (PHP 80.00)
Brewed coffee over ice

Brownies for Sweet Lovers (PHP 80.00)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

Our visit to Real Coffee was a good way to start our last day in Boracay. The next time we’re in the area, I’d like to try their breakfast meals and other pastries. Can’t wait to bring the little guy there too. I’m sure he would love it. In the meantime, I’m curious to try Pepper.ph’s Calamansi Muffin Food Hack. If it’s as good as the real thing, then it’s a definite win!

REAL COFFEE AND TEA CAFE

Station 2 (Above Sea World)

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan

(+63 36) 288-5340

PS Don’t you think my holiday watermarks on these photos are so cute? Haha! Just sayin’!

Much love and happiness,

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Dinner On the Beach at Kasbah Boracay

November 13, 2012 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

We had one last chance to catch the Boracay sunset, but unfortunately the rain clouds rolled back in just like they did on our first day on the island. Oh well. That didn’t stop us from taking another walk, shorter this time, and going the opposite direction from our morning walk, towards the far end of Station 1.

After our walk, we decided to have dinner at Kasbah, which was just a few steps away from Sur. We didn’t want to go far since it looked like it was going to be another rainy evening. I went back to the room to freshen up a bit, while Mr C stayed on the beach.

I actually don’t have any good photos of the food at Kasbah. I was already pretty buzzed, and I only realized I’d forgotten to take photos when our plates were clean. All I have is this really bad picture of our appetizer.

Oh well.

We ordered hummus and pita bread, and Mr C and I also split an order of Chicken Brochette (PHP395.00) with long grain rice. Super yummy. I love Moroccan, Indian, Persian and Mediterranean food. The spicier, the better too. The exotic flavors are just divine! Just like with Aria, I’m excited to eat at the Fort branch of Kasbah so I can try their other dishes.

After dinner, we went back to Sur for one last round of drinks. As if I hadn’t already had enough!!

Happy hour at the resort is from 3PM-8PM, and it’s buy one take one on selected cocktails and beers. For our last hurrah, Mr C chose to order Screwdrivers. They were alright, but nothing extraordinary. Sur really isn’t a place for eating and drinking, if you ask me.

All of these are buy one take one during happy hour

Have you guys eaten at Kasbah? I’d love to try your fave dishes next time. And yes, there will be a next time so I can actually take photos!

KASBAH

Station One, White Beach,

Boracay, Aklan (next to Discovery Shores Hotel)

PHONE +6336 2884790

EMAIL kasbahboracay@gmail.com

#/pages/Kasbah-Boracay

www.KasbahBoracay.com

Pizza and Beer at Aria Cucina Italiana Boracay

November 12, 2012 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

As soon as the rain stopped on our first morning in Boracay, Mr C and I went off towards Station 2. The nice thing about our wedding anniversary being in September is it’s off season and so our travel expenses aren’t that deadly. However, we really need to hope for good weather. Luckily, the skies were on our side during this trip.

Still a gloomy morning, but at least there’s no more rain.

Like my pretty dress? I wear this every time I’m in Boracay.

Breakfast Buffet at Sur Boracay

November 11, 2012 by MrsC | Patricia Cuyugan Leave a Comment

Both of our Boracay mornings started off with breakfast at Sur Beach Resort, which came with the room we had booked. Since we chose to sleep early instead of party all night while we were there, we woke up early on both days and were one of the first at the restaurant for breakfast. They served the usual Pinoy breakfast on both days, plus there was toast, hotcakes and waffles, a salad station, and an omelette station.

The food was just average, as I’d expected based on our dinner experience on our first night there. One thing I didn’t like though was that on the first morning, the food was cold. And I mean cold. The fried rice was oily, cold and soggy, and I was pretty unhappy about it. Also, there was no bacon on both mornings, which isn’t really an issue for me, but I know a lot of people who believe that no breakfast buffet is complete without bacon, so there. Oh well, breakfast was free, so who am I to complain, right?

Mango Juice and Orange Juice

Bread, Hotcakes and Waffles

Salad and Fruit Station. I don’t know anyone who eats salad for breakfast.

Day 1 Danggit

On the first day, I had fried rice, danggit, chicken tocino, sausage and an omelette with everything. Like I said, everything was cold except for the omelette, which they cook onsite, and the coffee.

My breakfast on day two was much better than the first morning, particularly because the food was actually hot this time. Thank goodness. This time I had longganisa, corned beef, cream dory with cheese sauce, fried rice, assorted sushi, seafood chowder and a ham and cheese omelette.

I would definitely book a stay at Sur again, but I don’t think I’m going to be eating there anymore unless I absolutely have no choice. Our first morning in Boracay was rainy, and so we ended up waiting for the sun to come out while reading and doing the daily crossword at our veranda. I am super glad we chose to pay extra for a beachfront room with a view.

Gloomy morning

There’s Mr C!

And here I am

Free view of the pool at the White House

Glad I decided to bring my Kindle along for the trip

Thankfully, the skies cleared up after a few hours and we got to head out for a long walk on the beach. Our second morning was also wet and gloomy, but the rain eased up early enough to allow us to catch the Sunday mass at the Holy Rosary Parish. We were in for a surprise – the mass was celebrated in Bisaya!

I love mornings in Boracay because they are usually quiet and serene. So forgive me for being a grandma, but I’d choose to sleep early rather than party all night when I’m there. Thank goodness I married someone who feels the exact same way. 🙂

SUR BEACH RESORT

Station 1, Boracay Island

Phone: +63 36 288 6844

Fax: +63 36 288 6843

Mobile: +63 928 781 1233

Email: surboracay@gmail.com

http://www.surboracay.com

Much love and happiness,

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