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‘Road Adventures’ Category

  1. BergBlick Deutsches Restaurant: our best food in Pagudpud

    November 2, 2010 by ajay

    Perhaps, interracial marriages aren’t a bad thing. Especially when a hotel executive chef falls in love with a Filipina, decides to settle here and put up a restaurant … never mind if it’s in a remote place. It can only be good for local cuisine! :D

    Such is the story of the BergBlick Restaurant in faraway Pagudpud… a venture of the husband and wife team of Detlev and Tess Cotte. They met and fell in love while working at a luxury resort in Maldives and soon relished the idea of living in the Philippines. In one of their travels, Detlev found his perfect spot (and we think so too!) … a cozy nook in the coastal town of Pagudpud that’s NOT quite near the beach, but faces the imposing Cordillera mountains (hence the name BergBlick, German for mountain view)

    View from BergBlick restaurant, Pagudpud

    BergBlick restaurant, Pagudpud

    We arrive in BergBlick hankering for food that wasn’t quite like the home cooking they offered at our resort. We were surprised to learn that the place opened for just nearly a month, but we liked what we saw in their menu and sat down to excitedly await our meal. Let me tell you first about the best thing I’ve had here …. the desserts!

    It’s a pity that the resto only offers two of the sweets, but I’ll happily come back for them anytime.

    Creme brulee with fresh fruits (P120). I liked the fact that it wasn’t too sweet, the caramelized sugar on top adding a crunch to the tenderness of the flan. You can even see the chef blowtorching the top to come up with the sugar glaze, much to his diners’ amusement.

    BergBlick Restaurant, Pagudpud

    The butter scotch cake with apple sauce gave me a good reason to forego my diet. Dang! Why do I have to go so far out of town to have a meal-ender this good, for only P90 a serving?? It wasn’t simply butter scotch … Chef added the bonus of melted white chocolates on top.

    BergBlick Restaurant, Pagudpud

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    Category Munchin', Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,, | 4 Comments

  2. Bell Tower in Bantay, Paoay Church + Herencia Cafe

    November 1, 2010 by ajay

    Paoay Church

    Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte was beautiful. It was a breath of fresh air in our rugged trip through Ilocandia. Though I have seen majestic churches like Cologne Cathedral in Germany, Westminster Abbey in England and others through Europe and America, I am also proud of our churches here in the Philippines like this one in Paoay which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They never fail to remind us of our rich heritage and the strength of the Roman Catholic religion.

    What added to the beauty of the church was the well-manicured park beside it. The loveliness of the place makes it very ideal for weddings, don’t you think? I kidded the hubby that I like to walk down the aisle again here, after which he said we couldn’t possibly exchange vows every two years, hehe. Kudos to the people in this town for keeping the church clean and pretty.

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    It is worth reading the history of Paoay Church (formally known as the St. Augustine Church) which combines Gothic, Baroque and Oriental elements in its design. According to the marker in the Church, its foundation was laid out in 1704, and it was damaged by the earthquakes of 1706 and 1927. An interesting fact is that the tower of the church was used as an observation post during the revolution of 1896 and also during the Japanese Occupation.

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    Category Road Adventures, Travel | Tags: ,,,,,, | No Comments

  3. Travel in Pagudpud: Blue Lagoon in Maira-ira Point & Polaris Beach House in Saud

    October 31, 2010 by ajay

    We spent Day Two of our road trip hanging out in the famed Blue Lagoon beach at Maira-Ira Point. This is considered the best beach in the coastal town of Pagudpud, and is so named because of its clear blue waters. The sand may not be as white as the beaches in the Visayas, but I liked that it wasn’t so crowded and the surroundings were kept clean. We sure hope it stays this way!

    Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud

    Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud

    (Note: all rights reserved. Pictures and content cannot be reprinted or syndicated without permission from annalyn.net)

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    Category Road Adventures, Travel | Tags: ,,,,,, | 1 Comment

  4. Zapata’s: great Mexican resto in Angeles City, Pampanga

    October 17, 2010 by ajay

    It has been four years since I last visited Zapata’s, the great Mexican resto just outside the perimeter gate of the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga. Going to Clark usually means “food trip!” and during this weekend holiday, I showed the family usual haunts like the VFW Post 2845 and Holiday Inn (their Mequeni Cafe had a great breakfast buffet, btw). I especially warned the hubby to save some room for Zapata’s, especially as he loves his Mexican food.

    The interiors are very colorful and remains one of my favorites. There is always something here which catches the eye, especially if you’re a first timer. Seems the new location on the same road is more spacious than the old one, and that’s good.

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    Zapata's, Angeles City, Pampanga

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    Category Munchin', Road Adventures | Tags: ,,, | 1 Comment

  5. Share your Bonifacio Global City story and win P3,000 electronic GC

    July 19, 2010 by ajay

    It’s a sunny Monday in Manila! And to welcome the sunshine (after the pesky storm, Basyang :D ) this blog, annalyn.net, is pleased to announce our new promo, the Share Your Bonifacio Global City Story contest.

    Does your family spend quality bonding time in Bonifacio Global City? What culinary memories and discoveries have you had here? If hanging out in Bonifacio Global City has become a big part of your life (like we do!) time to write down your best BGC family and food stories for a chance to win prizes. We will run the promo for three weeks until the second/third week of August and the weekly winners will each receive a P3,000 electronic gift card from the Ayala Malls. Please read the end of this post for the simple mechanics.

    Bonifacio High Street

    Bonifacio High Street is one of our fave spots in the metro. Love the fact that it’s pet- and family-friendly. It was designed in such a way that people, especially children, can freely roam and play in its open spaces. Manila is crowded with too many vehicles and high-rises as it is. We go to BHS to recharge, smell the breeze or just look around any of their specialty boutiques.

    The kids love building Lego blocks at Hobbes & Landes, playing the sandbox at ROX, reading children’s books at Fully Booked or simply whiling the hours away at Time Zone!

    At Hobbes & Landes

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    Category My Manila, Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,, | 24 Comments

  6. Amoroma : best Italian resto in Tagaytay

    July 8, 2010 by ajay

    I was never able to visit the much-acclaimed Italian resto Amoroma all the time it was in Alabang. That old place is closed, and now am glad this “best-kept secret resto” has permanently settled in Tagaytay. You’ll see it if you use the Sta. Rosa Road. It now even boasts of a bed and breakfast!

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    P1010946
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    Category Munchin', Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,, | 8 Comments

  7. Summit Ridge Hotel & Promenade, Tagaytay City

    July 8, 2010 by ajay

    I sorely missed travelling the whole time I was pregnant. That is why our short trip to Tagaytay City last weekend was memorable. It was also our first time to tag along our barely two month-old baby Lucia. We stayed at the Summit Ridge Hotel which was kind enough to invite us for an overnight stay to try their facilities and amenities.

    Summit Ridge Hotel Tagaytay

    Summit Ridge, owned by the Robinsons Group, is the newest luxury hotel to rise in the city. I must say its direct competition is the Taal Vista Hotel controlled by taipan Henry Sy of SM. In fact, the SM and Robinsons malls will soon slug it out in the city, with SM Supercenter slated to open in 2011.

    In the hotel category, Taal Vista remains an institution and projects more elegance. Its location with a nearer view of Taal Lake and the volcano is unequalled at present. But I must say Summit Ridge is catching up fast. More affordable room rates and the advantage of having a mini mall – the Promenade – beside it, with its array of coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, hardware store, gaming arcade and even a Robinsons supermarket. I like the whole idea because it can be a hassle driving around Tagaytay, or commuting here.

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    Category Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,, | 3 Comments

  8. Ortigas skyline at night

    June 23, 2010 by ajay

    Ortigas skyline

    Am not a big fan of flying, or of heights and tall buildings but I just have to say the view from the 42nd floor of this hotel in Ortigas Center is quite breathtaking. This manic Tuesday happened to find me in the middle of Ortigas, first: to visit the 34th floor office of Robinsons Land, and then then the penthouse (42nd floor) of another. I didn’t quite realize the area is full of skyscrapers. I guess riding high-speed elevators would be like routine if you work here. It isn’t really the norm in the heart of Manila (where am based) with buildings there only ten to 20 storeys high at the most.
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    Category Blah-blahs, Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,, | No Comments

  9. Enchanted Kingdom & places to see in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

    April 9, 2010 by ajay

    Since it’s summer, a visit to the Enchanted Kingdom theme park in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna is a treat my kids can’t refuse. Thankfully, there was an invitation from the park management for the family to enjoy their rides. Specifically, it was the Easter Day launch of their new attractions like Zoori’s Adventure, Tweeter and Bungee Fun.

    Luckily, South Luzon Expressway had very light traffic that day and our drive from Paranaque was only 45 minutes or so. Enchanted Kingdom was also not crowded and the only thing bearing down on us was the summer heat. It was also hubby’s first time to see the park which is the Philippines’ own version of Hong Kong Disneyland. He only had positive things to say ;)

    New EK attraction: Zoori's Adventure

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    Category Places Etc., Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,, | 3 Comments

  10. To Tagaytay City, after a long time

    January 18, 2010 by ajay

    Post New Year, the whole family motored down to Tagaytay City. Excitement was in the air because the kids and I haven’t been here for a long time and it was also the hubby’s first time to see the place.

    Due to the notorious traffic along the South Expressway, I’ve mercilessly given up going to Tagaytay through the years in favor of other itineraries in the North. But I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder….

    On the way there, we first make a lunch stop at Kanin Club in Paseo de Sta. Rosa. As expected of this in-demand resto, we had to wait for a few minutes to get a table and a longer time for our food. Even though a part of me wanted to try their crispy dinuguan again, I was craving for the paksiw na bangus but it fell short of expectations. The sauce of the paksiw had the consistency of soup :D

    Arriving in our destination, we checked in at Hotel Dominique which was quite near the rotonda. We chose this hotel because we were able to get a good rate here: P4,500 or approximately $100 for a two bedroom, two bathroom casita with attic (and own parking space.) The Spanish-inspired hotel looked small from the highway, but it was spacious inside. It even had a swimming pool.

    Hotel Dominique
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    Category Road Adventures | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,, | 3 Comments

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