Summer Escapades 3: Breaking Free from Summer Heat ( A trip and dip to Lobo)

At laaast, I finally finished some things that made me so busy..  and because I have forgotten to include my last summer sprees, here it goes... The last day of the month of May were the targeted date for our department outing. It still was freakin' hot so it was alright to still schedule outings and last minute adventures (.. and because it was the only available date that we could all go out.. lolz).
 

Playing with silhouettes (My  favorite group shots)

     

The only available choice that we could go to were in Lobo, Batangas ( place where I experienced my first outing with the team almost a decade ago... and also where I've gotten pricked by sea urchin --- 21 spines to be exact he he). Choosing the place for our summer end frolic was worth the while nevertheless.  After-not so many- years, it was somewhat developed. ( now less sea urchins ha ha). Water was really clear you can see plenty of small fish when you take a dip, ...also big ones and sea urchins on deeper part. Small crabs are also visible on sand. When you try boat trips along the beautiful coast of Lobo, you'll get to see the beautiful underwater sea creatures... (I wasn't able to get my camera for this scene since I'm all wet) and of course the cute new rest houses at the edge of the mountain.( wish I could have one of those .lolz)

Clear water of Lobo

The Stationary Balsa

Shore side

There weren't much recreation areas for amusements, just the videoke... and the long walk to the old lighthouse or Parola of Malabrigo. Along the way were isles of small stones and sea shells ( worth the walk by the way), and the photo sprees of 'kulitan' and crazy moments with workmates.

a walk to the  lighthouse

isle of stones

seashells

some view of the resort

Its where we gather

our driver's getting ready to videoke

group shot

getting wacky

mermaids and mermans without the tail

I love the serenity of the place.I enjoyed the bonding, fun, and food prepared by our hired 'kusineras'.  I won't give an A to the rooms we stayed at because of the weak air-conditioning unit (one room has aircon, and the other one had only stand fan) and the bathroom is kind of cramped, but then, we were there to relax and have fun so it was just okay. Sometimes, one gotta be  'koboy' ( adaptable) to enjoy.---pag maarte, never nag eenjoy. we're all wacky anyway.

Getting to the lighthouse of  Malabrigo, or the Parola was such a bone stretch. Aside from the nice views and the clean air, you'll be amazed at how you'll gonna have a dose of  little exercise by just walking a few kilometers. lol  and thats also a chance for photo sprees and seashell/stone collection. . It is said that the lighthouse is kinda haunted,--thanks goodness, I dont have a 3rd eye.lolz. You'll just feel a little uncomfortable since the place was toooo quiet.--we were just the noisy ones.  The thing that I miss was the dead trees (nice view for visitors and tourists) and it was all gone. well, all things changed (..and those trees were removed).

great walk to the lighthouse

going up...

and up.... whew

wacky shots..

at the lighthouse at last...

its getting dark

going back to resort

..kind of hard going downhill

the sun sets in

After the Lobo experience, we took a sidetrack to Tagaytay. We tried the Skyranch rides-- we liked the zipline but opt for the super viking instead ( Php 100 ) ( aside from being pricey, most of my workmates aren't into zipline thing).. and yes, I'm an adventurer...kind of a thrilll seeker.. but when Ive tried the Super Viking thing, Ive gotten struck by jelly feeling--- knees turned into super jelly hehe. All I did was tremble and hold my breath. .. and held on to my workmate beside me ( face buried on her shoulder, too scared haha). After that, tried the Ferris wheel or the Sky eye ( Php 150) .. Im okay here.. Im not too afraid of heights..just the super viking feeling.( rawr)

wohoo... to tagaytay

Taal lake background

lets try the zipline...

The sky eye.... with us

Summer Escapades 2: Family Time @ Sofitel

My second summer frolic... bonding with my family at Sofitel, the hotel where US Pres. Obama stayed  during his Philippine visit. woot woot .

At the Lounge

 It's not everyday that my family  members get to see each other... Especially when my other siblings already have their own family, based at the other part of  the world, and lives in faraway cities in Metro Manila. But on special occasions, reunions becomes a must , and that's how we gather.

...ayaw magsi drive ..waiting for Taxi haha

 My eldest brother celebrated his birthday at Sofitel and all siblings ( those who were available) and a nephew's close friend were invited ( So kind and generous of my Sis-in-law).. and   we all had a great time . Aside from having to sleep there and have a good bonding time with ates, kuyas, and pamangkins for a couple of nights, we enjoyed the swimming and pictorial sprees ... and food in Dampa and Hap Chan uhumn. Instead of eating at Spiral buffet Restaurant in Sofitel,We decided to just eat out -  imagine 15 people having to pay 2k plus each. Magi-spiral ang bulsa ng kahit na sino sa laki ng babayaran.hehe (except of course to riiich people lolz)

at Dampa--while waiting for our order

 My sis-in-law is a club member, that's why she got discounts and perks. For regular rates, one has to pay 5k plus--or close to 6k per day, depends on the room and days one has to check in. Ate paid 16k plus for 2 nights ( 3 rooms for 15 people)... and best of all the perks..yeah swimming. Weather's hot..so you might want to just stay on the water and have fun.

Jumpshot... sa tubig?

Sofitel (former  Westin Philippine Plaza )got superb rooms and ambiance. Its indeed a Hotel for anyone who wanted relaxation even when they're inside Metropolis--a place to stay at ,and a quality service one can enjoy.
 

The grandchildren of Samson haha

My sister...making a splash while I'm waiting for my turn                                      ..at last I'm relieved  

                                          

sutiilll look .. walang takot  haha..

Swimming like Dyesebel... haha

My nephews... doing the Miley Cyrus look? uh  Pagod ng Magsilangoy

woot woot... maskols ba yan? haha

Its fun..when family is around

Thanks for my bros another blessed year , ates generosity,
It was Indeed a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious family get-together. heehee Thanks goodness...  
 thanks to my nephew-Jan Raphael for another batch of pictures.. it keeps the memories alive.

Nilupak na Kamoteng Kahoy or Balinghoy ( Mashed Cassava)

Whoaa.. After the Calauag escapade, I've learned another recipe That I could try at home.. to readers out there, try this one if you've got extra time. Nilupak recipes are mostly popular in provinces, esp in Quezon Part. One of them is the Mashed Cassava or known as Nilupak na Kamoteng Kahoy or Balinghoy. 

Some use  raw banana ( saba/ cardaba) as substitute to cassava.. well, whatever is available, one can make a delicious Nilupak for snacks.   This one is prepared by grinding the main ingredients plus mixing the other ingredients by using mortar and pestle. One can do it manually but one can also use machine if they aren't in the mood to mash and mix. haha.

Mashed cassava

Ingredients:

10 pcs medium size Cassava
1 cup sugar ( add more according to taste)
1  coconut; grated (optional)
Margarine or butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla( optional)

Procedure:

• Peel and Boil kamote/ balinghoy/cassava  for 30 minutes or until tender. 
•  pound/grind the cassava
• mix the other ingredients and continue pounding until well blended
• add more sugar and butter  according to taste.
• serve and enjoy.

.... its how we do it ( mash and learn lolz)

....another way to exercise hehe

Summer Escapades I : Calauag, Quezon

OMG! Time moves really fast and  after a couple of  weeks--err months...only now that I get to post my 'not-so-late' summer adventures.hehe.. my first summer frolic started before Holy Week. I tagged along with friends  at work in  Kinamaligan Calauag, Quezon.--uhm, from 8 people na dapat pumunta, nareduce kami sa apat haha.  We rode a bus from work at 5pm--yeah nag commute lang kami--get to the station  at 6pm because of traffic in EDSA.The bus has finally left at 7pm and because of heavy traffic, we hit  and gotten off Magallanes at 9 pm.iiighz. We arrived in Calauag at 4 in the morning at ate Luz's house --my pals sister--and after some coffee ,we're off to the island.

The  island we went to were  a little secluded--uhm remote since we had to travel by boat for an hour and a half to get there. I can say that there weren't too many places in the  island  to go to since it's not yet developed. Its inhabited by not so big community.  I enjoyed the sea foods and the coconut drinks though--and I get to learn how to do the nilupak.lolz

When we get to the Island, my eyes laid on this tree...  the big bakawan tree

Sipping a cup of soup.. ginaw eh

                                                                     A staple during outing..

Off to buy  fresh fish...

at the outback, ha... we're gonna get cassava for Nilupak..

The Cassava turned Nilupak

try ko lang.... iiiighz                                                             Heeeelp...

8 minus 4 equals to apat na layas..haha