Doméino: Dome Suites (A Memoir)

 

This year, today marks the 2nd anniversary of a small glamping resort that my family, friends, and I built. This was one of those farfetched dreams I had as a kid. One of those that crossed my mind many times, yet at the back of those thoughts I have accepted that it wasn't possible for many reasons. I'd of overhear my aunts conversing that if they own a resort they'd be set for life...which I can now attest that's not necessarily true. Over twenty five years later an offer fell upon my lap, and it was one of those that took me a few days to think over before going all in. When the project finally started, I was in disbelief at how this vaguely haphazard dream I had with a 0.3% chance of ever happening had manifested itself to me. The moment I said "GAME!" things began to unfurl and there was no turning back. This was a childhood "what if" that miraculously presented itself at the right time. In principle, I believe that timing is everything when it comes to making major life decisions as it dictates how easily things fall into place. This amazingly fitted into my life as if this was the natural course of how I'd latch onto the business of tourism and hospitality.

Atok Flower Farm in Benguet

 

Last April I had the luxury of going on a mini-adventure with my friends to Atok's Northern Blossom Flower Farm. What was supposed to be a beach trip to Zambales to accommodate our friend who arrived from Australia ended up an instant trip to the mountains of Cordillera...leaving our balikbayan friend in the process. It was one of the best decisions we made.  

To get to Atok, we left Baguio at 5am to reach the Northern Blossom Farm before 7am. The road was pretty fun to drive through the zigzag, so fun that I was holding myself from throwing up as I was driving. Getting to the farm is easy as it's situated right next to the highway. The only hard part would probably be the parking as the road is tight and not a lot of space to navigate with. 

As soon as you arrive, you'll have to go down a steep driveway and register your names at their center. You'll pay the entrance fee of Php250 per adult; Php200 per senior or PWD; Php50 per kid between 6-10 years old, this will include a snack and unlimited brewed coffee at the end of the walking tour. They also charge an additional Php20 for the environmental fee.  

Mandayao Panorama Park at La Castellana

Marked as K73 L11, Mandayao Panorama Park is a fast-developing destination for bike riders and those on short weekend getaways. Located at Barangay Mansalanao in the municipality of La Castellana, it sits out at the highest point of Mandayao Legacy Park. With an elevation that is sandwiched between two spectacular views: the south-west face of Mt. Kanlaon at one side, then parts of the sloping plains of La Castellana, hill ranges of Central Negros, parts of Moises Padilla, the coast of Hinigaran and Binalbagan right down to the Strait of Guimaras on the other. On clear days you should spot the islands of Guimaras and Iloilo where you can witness spectacular sunsets. 

There you will find an array of affordable restaurants that serves a variety of dishes, from the classic Pinoy favorites like batchoy, silog, pancit, inihaw, crispy pata, kare-kare, and even boodle fight meals. If you want to try foreign-inspired dishes some restaurants also serve localized versions of Japanese maki, Taiwanese hot pots, American burgers, Italian pizzas, and gyros. Each restaurant has its own edge, be it from the food that they serve or the ambiance that they set. Almost all of the restaurants are managed and manned by their respective owners, thus making your experience a little better. The laid-back setting tends to match with their service as waiting time can get apparent once their places reach a certain capacity. There will be days when a couple of their menu items won't be available, especially on weekdays...but for the most part, people do tend to go there to unwind more than go on a gastronomical journey. Get a cup of native coffee or open a bottle of beer, then take your time to sip them while gazing at the unobstructed landscape. 

Snippets: Asakusa, Tokyo

Taken September 2, 2017 along one of the alleys in Asakusa area in Tokyo. 

You know that feeling when you thought that all is set, then you go do a final run-through only to realize that you missed to include something really special? Well, this was the photo that I had to include in the picture book I was making. For sixty pages plus a cover and back, it took me three days to scan through thousands of photos (1964 photos, excluding the ones I had deleted) I took in Japan almost two years ago, and lay them out in an eye-pleasing fashion. I edited hundreds of photos, mix and matched the ones that looked good side-by-side, and redo a couple of pages before submitting it to the printer. It was on my third day, I just finished 60 pages of layout, and I was scanning the gallery to look for the perfect shot for my front and back covers when I came across this image. I loved it so much, with the lighting, colors, symmetry, candidness, and especially the Japanese dude staring directly into the camera right where the draw lines are in perspective...it was a perfect accent piece that I wanted to include for my inner pages. With this one photo, I ended up rearranging probably six pages just to accommodate the proper sequence and space for this photo. No regrets, even if it meant deleting one page in exchange of this. I actually deleted the only image of Tokyo tower I had in the album for this one. Why? Well Tokyo tower is probably present in every photo of every other person who traveled to Japan, but this one is a moment that no one else has captured, and it's beautiful because of that. This was the side of Japan that I enjoyed seeing most.

Walking Around Yongkang Street, Taipei

Yongkang Street has a special place in my adventure's list as this is the first place I explored on my solo trip around Taipei. I stayed in the area for three days, getting a chance to go walk around at a leisurely pace for hours. The easiest way to get to Yongkang Street is by train. The train station closest to it is Dongmen Station. It helps that it's an interchange station, meaning two rail lines pass by here, the MRT Red Line and Xinzhuang Line. It won't take many steps from the station to reach Yongkang. There are also bus stops in the area, but I was too afraid to ride and miss my stop on buses here, considering I know zero Mandarin.

The street at first glace is this busy mix of tourists and locals, thanks to the popularity of some restaurants in the area, including the michelin star restaurant Din Tai Fung down at Xinyi Road. They're known for their dimsums and xiao long bao. The vibe of the area is more of this artsy back alley that has a mix of popularly staple restaurants with small independent cafes and shops. It's a hip residential area with price ranging at roughly mid-to-high price points with a meal that can cost for around 100TWD for up to over 700TWD per person. The best time to be in the area is either before lunch or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. As early as 9pm though, you'll find yourself almost alone as tourists tend to disperse right after dinner, leaving a couple of young locals just chilling within the area.

I'll walk you through briefly with some of the photos I took along the way. And fyi, I travel to eat...so the ratio of images of restos to other shops is 3:1 in this post. 

Snippets: Rainy Night at Dotonbori, Osaka

Taken last September 6, 2017 along Dotonbori street in Osaka. I had initially meant for this photo to be posted last year as a sort of reflective piece on a rainy night. This image stood dormant on my desktop page for many months to the point that I am now reflecting on how much I miss the rain. 

Petrichor...a poetic word that defines the scent the earth emits after it's been doused in rain. I love that smell. I miss those moments when I can just sit still and watch as the world is being cleansed off its dust. One of my most favorite sights of nature, a kind of simple pleasure you get no matter where you stand. Even in the middle of a concrete metropolis. Rain, the soft patter of water down metal roofs and the hazing sight of the falling raindrops...I miss them all.

As for the image, I remember leaving my family at Don Quijote just so I can walk along the street of Dotonbori on my own. A short breather from the chaos of merchandise, and out into the open chaos of vividly animated shops around. It started raining midway, and I'm glad a had an umbrella with me that time. It was liberating to be walking alone that moment, yet I totally felt secured knowing that I had my family with me to go home with at the end of the night.

I miss Japan. I miss the rain.

Day Trip to Molocaboc Island in Sagay

After my friend saw me swimming in Manjuyod for the third consecutive year; envious, she made plans for another beach trip a day after. Our conversation went something like:

Her: "Let's go to the beach!"
Me: "My schedule's packed, I can't do another overnight trip."
Her: "Just a day-trip to the beach then."
Me: "Where? Lakawon again? I don't feel like going there."
Her: "Sagay?"
Me: "Carbin Reef?"
Her: "No, they're suggesting Molocaboc."
Me: "Never heard of it. Game!"

And so after a very short conversation of planning to go there, the date was set. We didn't think much about it since it was just 2 hours away from the city. We got to the dock and started asking how to get to the island. People were saying that we should charter a boat because boats going there are on a one-way trip daily, and the only way we can get back is that if we rent a boat. It took some going back-and-forth as to who can possibly accommodate us with our request since they don't seem to get a lot of tourists there, on top of us arriving on a weekday mid-morning. After some talks with random people at the dock a middle-aged lady finally came riding on a tricycle and pointed to one of the boats that can take us there. Php1500 for a whole day tour of the island for the four of us.

German Unson Heritage House B&B, Silay

Transforming heritage houses around Silay into Bed & Breakfasts, a cafe, restaurant, museum, or events place is the direction I'm rooting for Negros when it comes to tourism. Personally, as someone who grew up in Negros and has explored other areas with a similar vibe as a tourist, coming home I can see a different perspective, and its greatest draw is striking that beautiful balance of being a quaint city yet has substantial facilities for comfort. Having a character that can make you say you're in a completely different place, yet your longing for the familiar is readily available within reach...like an internet connection or western dishes. The German Unson Heritage House is one of the pioneers when it comes to making use of their ancestral house as a usable public space. Slowly, other heritage houses are following their footsteps, and hopefully this will spring forth a tourism industry that can reach an international market because there is undeniable potential to make it happen.  

A family-owned business, they add a personal touch as the host and cook are the granddaughters of German Unson. Chell, one of the granddaughters and proprietress of the B&B, explained that the last relative who lived in the house passed away in 2009, and for a time the old house was abandoned until they decided to restore and repurpose the house to avoid dilapidation...since the National Historical Commission basically provides no financial aid whatsoever after slapping their plaques on the walls. Her sister, being an interior designer and with the help of family funding, slowly took in the task and made the space into a B&B that can accommodate an intimate amount of guests. There are four rooms that can be rented in total, each with its own distinct character and named after those who resided in those rooms, living or otherwise. Prices range between 2000-2500 per room that's good for two, but can accommodate up to four with an additional 300-500/pax with breakfast. If you're keen on detail, one thing you should look at are the ceiling of each room as they present different patterns, as well as the tiles and windows. The furniture used are also the original ones, save for some furbishing that needed update for use.

Rushing Through Kyoto and Arashiyama

What can I say about Kyoto the city? Well, I have not seen enough of it to give a real impression except of a few firsts. The memory that really stood out was the regret of not staying long enough to take in the sights. We arrived in Kyoto late in the afternoon via Shinkasnen from Tokyo, and we went directly to Tofukuji Station in hopes of checking in our Airbnb so that by 3pm we could start exploring the city. That was the tricky part─finding the exact place in a location that's not that easily locatable with a GPS. For almost an hour we were going in circles. We were got close to the pinned location, but then we were either standing on the opposite street that we cannot cross because of a wall or we kept walking to a direction that looked completely different on the map; it was so frustrating that at some point we told the rest of our family to wait in one spot and we'd come fetch them the moment we find the house. Because really, it was sad to watch us haul our huge bags on the streets back and forth.  This led us to ask a few locals and experience what a lot of tourists had been claiming─how willing people are, to go out of their way and help lost-clueless tourists like ourselves. A girl walked us all the way to the police station and talk to the officer when she didn't know where it was. Surprisingly the police also didn't know where that street was because he was using this old area map...and so the girl assisted us to asking around and never left us until we stood at the door of our Airbnb. The whole thing must've took more than thirty minutes...precious time and effort that I'm sure not everyone is willing to do for strangers. I truly appreciated us getting lost even if that incident caused my mother to complain about how scared she got the whole time we stayed in Kyoto, because that gave me a first-hand experience of how well-meaning and valued courtesy is to the Japanese.  

Snippets: Arashiyama's Bamboo Grove at Kyoto, Japan

Taken last September 6, 2017 at Arashiyama's infamous Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, Japan. The trip was actually one major cause of my absence from ever updating the blog for the month of August. Other than the fact that it was my birthday month, having to work long hours five days a week and juggling pending activities, I was the one organizing our first official family trip to Japan. I've never been to Japan, and I never been out of the country with my whole family before; having to put two and two together stressed me out so much that I never had enough free time from the end of July up through mid-September.

But at the end of the day, nothing compares to the feeling of making a long-time dream happen. I worked hard for this, and I cannot clearly describe the feeling of finally being able to stand on the very spot where I used to only see in pictures, aspiring and wondering whether I can ever make it happen. More than just appreciating the actual beauty of the place, it's that sense of surreal elation that got me saying to myself, "Wow, I'm here." 

The bamboo grove isn't exactly extensive, it's just long enough to look good in pictures, but does not stretch as far as the eyes could see. But walking through it gets you in a meditative state, wherein you feel nature touching you to your soul. Even at a supposed hot day, passing through in between the bamboo path gave out a cool breeze that wafted at my skin like a perfectly blended air to soothe down my tired limbs. This is one for the books, and as I've mentioned in my Instagram post that day, it was "An exceptionally tiring yet amazing day."

Maligcong Rice Terraces and Mt. Kupapey

I wrote somewhere at the back of my head as part of my 2017 bucket list, I should make it to the rice terraces this year, but as some cases go, I did not only reach it, I went above and beyond it. I reached for the clouds and conquered Mt. Kupapey. Going to Maligcong was the highlight of my Cordillera trip. As seen in the photo, standing up there and staring down at the terraces at the break of dawn will give you a feeling that's hard to describe. Breathtaking? Yes. As for the other words, it doesn't matter, the only thing I can say is that it was euphoria to be in that state of present. 

Bontoc Day Trip

My first encounter with Bontoc was through Google maps. Our intention of going to the area was for Sagada and Maligcong, Bontoc was the entry point to our destinations. I didn't know what to make of it then except that it's small and has a huge river in between. Arriving, I was half-asleep that I didn't see the bus enter the city until the driver stopped and said we had arrived. It was only when we got to walk around a bit did I get an air of nostalgia. It was was as if I was walking in the streets of Luang Prabang, Laos. The city is situated in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountain ranges with a wide river passing through its center, dividing the city into two. The low and laid-back population gave it a charm, but their habit of spitting chewed up betel nuts made the streets look unhygienic as blots of red are stained all over the city. It sort-of became our game, to spot the biggest spits and just laugh at figuring out how huge some got. Two main streets cut through the heart of the city, and at its center is the plaza. At most, it's a walking distance to everything you need to see within the city center (just a lot of incline walks though,) and just beyond are smaller barangays that possess a quaintness of their own. 

Trekking Up Mt. Pinatubo

Over a year after the trek, and months of promise that I'll be posting about that trek to the summit of Mt. Pinatubo, I finally found the motivation to edit photos and write about it. Actually, it took that long before my friend decided to post the photos of the trek that I'm now using for this entry...because we're very up-to-date and strive for ATM feed updates like that. 😒 For a lack of proper excuse, I didn't bring a camera that day─and they did─so I was at their mercy to use their photos for this...which they gladly complied with one-and-a-half years after.

For this trek we joined in the Travel Factor group to make the arrangements for us. We decided to go because friend offered to pay the trip as a Christmas gift...plus we needed a new environment to celebrate our annual Christmas party. We did the hike December 19, 2015. As for the entirety of the trip, I remember like it was just yesterday─not!─I've forgotten certain details save for the immense bad luck I had that day. To begin with, we left Manila a little late because of some misunderstanding with the Travel Factor group and the bus they had reserved. We left Ortigas dark and arrived in Porac Pampanga at around 7am. After a short brief, we signed the waivers, and off we went to our respective 4x4's. 

Day Trip to Manjuyod, Bais

A couple of months ago I saw a video of what they're claiming as "The Maldives of the Philippines" with a sandbar stretching as far as the eyes could see. It was a promotional video, others were posted by video bloggers with the caption "Choose Philippines" or something like "Breathtaking Areal View of the Philippines." The drone shots were stunning. I HAD to go there, and it didn't matter who I went with as long as I make it. From the initial idea of coming in with a bunch of friends, around 15...four of us pushed through, and that did not stop the experience of being there become less breathtakingly memorable. It. Was. Magnificent. 

We didn't have a drone to hover and see what it looked like from above, but just from the focal point of where we were standing, glorious hues of varied blues reflected all over. It was enough to make us gawk on the pump boat. At one point I remember my brother declaring about not wanting to swim when we left the port, but when he saw how beautiful the water was, he was the first to jump in.

Here's a quick 360° view of what it was like to be on the water.

The Ruins at Talisay

The Ruins, through the years, has been slowly developing from this old mansion born out of a man's love for his wife to this tourist destination/events place. The skeletal concrete rose out of the ashes of the mansion after being set on fire, for three consecutive days it burnt everything to the ground save for what is now being called as "The Taj Mahal of the Philippines." Through the years the management has been building structures around it, trees topping as high as the ruin, adding commercial value to the gem that once was, and ultimately diminishing its charm. 

A before and after pic. Goes to show how bad my photography has gotten.

Catanduanes Escape 2016

In line with my 2016 Roundup post, claiming the Catanduanes trip as my "Most Fun 2016 Memory" and as part of my 2017 bucketlist of posting more entries on my blog, I find it a bit necessary to share my experience on that trip...even if it's been a while back.

My ignorance resulted to a baffled expression when I was told that we had to take the roro to reach Catanduanes. I have always imagined it to be just another one of those coastal towns somewhere along the edge of Luzon. Nope, it took us 3 hours of roro from the city of Tabaco to get to the port of San Andres, Catanduanes. One thing you must consider when planning the trip is the time because the roro schedules are only between 7am-1pm, with about two hours in between trips, if I remember correctly. And if you miss that last trip back, consider yourself stranded on the island until the next roro arrives the next morning. The land trip will also roughly take you 10-12 hours from Metro Manila to the port of Tabaco, plus the 3-hour boat ride. A real pain on the butt, literally. 

Is it worth the trouble? 

2016 Birthday Series

My birthday celebration marathon started a few days before my actual birthday. It started with a series of unfortunate events on our supposed eventful trip to Legazpi City. How badly did it go? It began with a cancelled flight a few hours before the trip. The rest of the story will be told on another post though because I want to focus on my getting-a-year-older-day rather than the trip.

My birthday was on a Wednesday, so the weekend before we left for Legazpi, Albay where me and a couple of friends went out on the ATV trail up Mt. Mayon. We left Saturday then went home by Sunday. I remember sleeping practically most hours of Monday, while on Tuesday I went out with college friends for a 3-hour Videoke/Karaoke/KTV/Singalong night at Song Hits in Metrowalk, Ortigas. Prior to our rendezvous I watched the movie Kingslave: Final Fantasy XV because I miss playing the series so much, but I have no choice but to settle for video clips and the movie due to poverty. The movie was far better than the FF: Spirits Within, but seemed more like an extended prologue for the game than a stand alone story. Urrrrghhh! It made me want to play the game and explore the world and get my hands to bringing down those Behemoths. My last FF game was Final Fantasy XII...so...so...long ago.

Trekking Up Masungi Georeserve

I was planning on a long vacation to Bacolod when a friend said, "We have a hike up Masungi on the 26th! We've waited four months for this reservation to happen!" That's when I had to book a flight back earlier than should. Apparently all of us forgot about the reservation save for that one friend...who was also responsible for booking us all. Haha! She must've reminded us a couple dozen times not to make any plans on that day, but because of months of idle wait we constantly strayed from the thought. I mean, seriously, we booked February for a June slot. Although there is a higher chance for you to experience Masungi sooner if you book for a trek on a weekday, it's the weekends that are fully booked for months on end. They limit the tours to eighteen a day, which is why it took forever, considering the popularity of the place and the weekend-adventure trend going on.

I'll give a brief walk-through of the hike. To begin with, expect a lot of steps to be made. My friend recorded a total of 14,100+ steps after the trail, which took us five hours to complete because we weren't exactly built nor made any preparations for this endurance test. They say three hours should be ample time to finish the course, but having to wait for so long it'd be a shame to take the view and photo opportunities for granted. Also, what I meant with course is that the trek is in a loop, so once you begin the only way to exit is to go through all of the point-of-interests. It's not a linear trail that once you reach the end point you have to about-face and retrace your steps back in order to make your way out. And as the guide said, "Take your time to enjoy the view." 

Three-Day Nostalgia at Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang, more than anything, feels a lot like home. It was strange that the city felt so familiar despite me being there for the first time. No, it wasn't deja vu, rather, the atmosphere almost completely resembled that of the city I grew in. Low land-to-human population, lots of trees, fresh air, having a small town feel despite being called a city, residents practicing a narrowed down lifestyle, good food, and the slow-laid-back pace is how I would sum up my observation after staying there for three days...or was it four? 

Although the view is without doubt miles better than my hometown; but if I closed my eyes, breathed the air and heard the gecko in the background, I could mistake the moment as being back home, aimlessly waiting for dinner to be served. Yep, it's the perfect contrast of a metropolitan life─the haven of those wanting to sit back and respite from any stress-related thoughts. Because how can you possibly think of work when you're hugged by sloping mountains and serenaded by happy chirps!? In a city two thousand kilometers away from home, I found my sanctuary. 

Phoenix Cruise at Halong Bay

A little over two years back I went on a Halong Bay cruise, two years later the memory that stood out the most is not the view, it's the food.

For a little over a hundred dollars to experience all that I did, it felt a more than a bargain. It was worth more than what I had assumed. We paid $155.00 for a 2D-1N stay on a small cruise ship around Halong Bay; this included hotel pick-up, accommodation, a tour, kayaking across one island to another, and food─THE FOOD─urgh, so so good. T-T It was one of the few occasions that I totally enjoyed eating more vegetables than meat.