Tag Archives: traveling

Business Trip, Cities, Food, Provinces

Home Avenue Cake Galerie: My sweetest spot in Davao

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Before heading to TP’s house for Lutz’ surprise birthday party, Jed and I picked up Christian from his house at Matina (luckily they weren’t among those who got flooded). Just beside their house (actually I think it’s attached), is the cute and cozy Home Avenue Cake Galerie, a cake and pastry shop which is among one of my favorite spots in Davao. Christian, upon my asking, realized that it has been a year already since they opened the shop in June 2010.

Welcome to Cake Galerie!

I first went to Cake Galerie on October 2010 for my 4-day vacation and has been bugging Jed to take me back there every time I visit Davao, whether for business or leisure. If my stay for work is very short, he just brings me something from the shop and then I’d feel like I’m right back. I like it here coz, well, it’s food! And sweets at that!

It also has a great atmosphere. You know, like, chill and relax and just chat the day away while enjoying cakes, cupcakes, cookies, coffee, smoothies, and recently, even pasta! Yet to try their pasta though but I think it’s quite promising!

Cute, isn’t it?!

Cake Galerie is ran by Christian’s sister Charisse, who’s also the chef. Naks! I like the sound of that. I bet she does too. Hehe. 🙂 The decorations and designs were created by (I think ) Christian and his brother, who are both artists. Their designs are really colorful, and cool. They also use colored chalks for the menu board, with the tiny artistic details around. I think it will make you feel like a little one, like a child who can eat all the cakes you want without your Mom saying no coz you’ll have sugar rush.

The chairs and tables are quite small for me though–maybe because I like my chairs a bit higher and wider. Which is why I like the two-seater type, coz I can do an Indian sitting position. Like a real child. Hehe. 😀 The chairs and tables are set-up quite close to each other but still comfortably apart. And, whenever we go there, it’s not really very full. Maybe because we always go just before closing time, which is around 7pm. Continue reading Home Avenue Cake Galerie: My sweetest spot in Davao →

Accommodation, Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, Budget, Cities, Countries, Food, Transportation

How much money must I save for a month in SEA?!

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I think the definite answer would be a lot. And with it comes certain sacrifices as well. Hmmm, maybe sacrifice is too harsh a word. How about deprivation? Do you think this works better? haha. Anyway, I guess it just means the same thing no matter which way I put it: Something’s gotta give.

Earn more = Spend less.

Live simply and frugally now = Have a freaking awesome time later.

Deprive myself of some luxuries and caprices for three months = Live an adventure of a lifetime for one.

Seems like my equations are correct. If and only if I can make it work that is. So, the first thing I would have to do now is to set my target.

HOW MUCH MONEY MUST I SAVE?!

My Passport and SEA currencies (PHP, SGD, RM, VND, KHR) plus USD in bills and coins

The guy from Flipnomad (sorry, I don’t know your name Sir!) told me that I can survive comfortably with just USD10-15 a day. Continue reading How much money must I save for a month in SEA?! →

Activities and Itineraries, Leisure Trip, Provinces

Bonding with Butanding (teaser!)

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I am writing this quick post (as I have to do my freelance writing gig, ASAP!) to have a break on the airport series coz I’m about to do another one on arriving at NAIA Terminal 2 (which will make this blog a Philippine Airports promotion page). So this one now is on my 2-hour bonding with the Butandings (local name for Whale Shark) of Donsol, Sorsogon during my solo trip to explore Bicol and the rest of Region V in March 29 to April 2 (more on this next time, ok?!).

The Butanding says Hello! (sorry for the bad pic or light or whatever. but imagine how close I was to actually accidentally (since I can't see what's in the display screen) get this one. well, at this distance, CRAZY CLOSE I dare say!

I needed to consume my vacation leaves since they are not convertible by the end of the Japanese Fiscal Year (March 31). I initially wanted to conquer Sagada. But I had a field work just the week before to Banaue. Ok, I know these are two totally different places. But hey! It’s both cold. So I wanted to try something different. And well, the whale sharks or also referred to as gentle giants (the ones I saw were like two jeepneys long or something; and they’re like just passing through, seemingly mindless of you messing with their turf!). Continue reading Bonding with Butanding (teaser!) →

Business Trip, Cities, Provinces, Transportation

Iloilo International Airport (departure)

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Right side when you are headed for the airport

Let’s just say this is the part 2 of my earlier blog on arriving at Iloilo International Airport. As mentioned, we went to Iloilo on the 13th and left for Manila on the 17th. It wasn’t rainy when we went there but it was raining like crazy when we headed back to Manila. As I explained earlier, Iloilo is a Climate Type III area with prolonged rainy season (actually, almost throughout the year!) so don’t forget your umbrellas! Continue reading Iloilo International Airport (departure) →

Business Trip, Cities, Provinces, Transportation

Iloilo International Airport (arrival)

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The first time I went to Iloilo was for my work at H&L magazine way back in September 2008. I think this was my first work-related travel (if I would not count the planning in Puerto Galera and the company outing in Subic).

Iloilo International Airport in 2008

Anyway, we arrived at the airport after a life-threatening stormy cruise at more than 20,000 feet in the clouds. It was so scary that Ms. Elna, the sales manager who made the trip happen, had to open her phone just so she can send a text message to her mom who is with her daughter.

First-timer!

We thought that this only happened to us because we took a Cebu Pacific (Cebu Pac) flight but Doc Michael (the endocrinologist giving the day’s lecture series) said the same thing happened during his Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight. So, it’s really the bad weather. (More on this in another post as this one is supposedly for the airport itself.)

Since it’s only the second time I flew (the first being in HS for the national press conference competition in General Santos), I can barely remember what an airport looks like (except for the NAIA Terminal 3 where we took off from Manila). The Iloilo International Airport, which started operations in June 2007, is by all means a modern-looking one–at least for the Philippine standard. It ranks first on my regional airports ranking, with the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao) in a close second. Continue reading Iloilo International Airport (arrival) →