Punta Fuego 2016

Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas. October 30 to 31, 2016. 

The view from one of the houses we rented. 

This vacation was really exciting for me and for my family. It's the first time we're going out of town with all of my relatives on my mother's side (except for one family who was based in Iloilo). And where did we decide it to be? At Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas, for its beaches, pools, and yacht club.

To get everyone there (we're a big extended family), we rented a coaster and left early in the morning, stopping only at a commercial area for lunch before resuming with our journey. The coaster drove us through the winding paths until we finally reached our destination by early afternoon. We unloaded all our luggage into the houses we rented and enjoyed the view and the fresh air: 

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Ueno (Part 12)

Day 5 (1st stop): 

Ueno. May 15, 2015. 

It's the fifth day of our jam-packed Tokyo tour! We're getting accustomed to the area and what better way to spend the morning than to explore Ueno to the max for its affordable markets? I swear, this place has a traditional touch with temples and traditional shops along the street. 

It houses four main temples and shrines, namely, Kaneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, Toshogu Shrine, and Bentendo and five museums, namely, the Tokyo National Museum, the National Science Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Shitamachi Museum, making it a must-go if you're into culture. Not to mention Ueno Park and Zoo.

Aside from the cultural aspect, Ueno is also a top commercial area which showcases a slightly less modern shopping district than central Tokyo called Okachimachi and Ameyayokocho. 

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Minato (Part 8)

Day 3 (3rd stop): 

Minato Observation Deck. May 13, 2015.

This is my favourite stop out of our entire six-day trip. 

It felt as if I had all of Tokyo in arm's length. 

From the street market, Ameyayokocho, we took some time to go back to the hotel to rest and freshen up for our sunset to evening tour of Minato-Ku and Shibuya (to be posted). I never expected that the view of the city could be so mesmerising! We stayed at an observation deck for a good two hours or so and I still didn't want to leave. 

The observation deck is located at Minato-Ku, which houses several embassies and domestic companies such as Honda and Fujitsu. Although Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are the most famous observation decks in Tokyo, this one is lesser known, but provides the same magnificent overlooking view of the city with less crowds. 

From its 360 view, you can see the romantic red tower as it lights up at night and on a clear, sunny day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from there! 

Tokyo Skytree is farther from the deck than the Tower, but you can also see it. I was just unable to get a good shot of it because I was only equipped with a cellphone for all the documentation I did haha!

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Tokyo Skytree (Part 4)

Day 2 (3rd stop):

Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa. May 12, 2015. 

From Sensoji Temple earlier that day, we can see the iconic Tokyo Skytree looming in the background. Plus, that's my mom, dad, and bro in the pic below too. 

And that's where we're headed next. 

For Day 1 (Arrival) click here

For Day 2 (Ueno Zoo & Park) click here

For Day 2 (Sensoji Temple) click here

The Tokyo Skytree, along with Tokyo Tower, the red tower similar to France's Eiffel, are the two most famous viewing decks in Tokyo, although there are dozens of other lesser known buildings scattered around which all offer a magnificent view of Tokyo city from above. 

Cardona, Rizal Facing Laguna de Bay (Summer 2015)

Laguna de Bay, May 2, 2015 (Click the photos)

Church Summer Conference 2015, granted me this view for three days from a balcony. 

We stayed at Cardona, Rizal, and later learned we were overlooking Laguna de Bay. During the first day, a friend, my brother, and I were debating whether it connects to the sea or a lake, and specifically, which sea or lake this was. She insisted it was the sea while my brother said it was a lake. We then brought up the name of the resort to help shed some light on the water's identity. It was a "bay resort". As I listened, "Laguna Bay" first came to mind, but we weren't sure. The next day, I got my hands briefly on a fellow camper's internet connection and alas, Google Maps finally cleared things up. It was actually Laguna de Bay.

Flower Power

Gosh, midterms week is coming! But rather than studying, why not take some time off and look at these photos of flowers I took during a recent trip to Tagaytay? Aren't they just lovely? (P.S. I'm semi-proud of these photos especially this one up here ^ teehee)