COLLIN's: a tiny piece of heaven

i dont know what this lil candy have yet it really put a smile in anyones face, believe me.. ITS PROVEN!

Collin's Butter Nut, a tiny piece of heaven fallen in the face of the earth. :P

Well it was introduce to me by some Indonesian girls which works as production operator in our plant (ok! im guilty of chewing and eating candies while at work..). and after that, i tried to look for it in our canteen. Cant get enough of its heavenly peanut taste (yes, im a huge peanuts and peanut butter fan). And since it easily shatter to pieces even with a simple teeth bite and eventually melts, you will surely need to have 3 to 5 pieces of it before you start putting one in your mouth.

After havin' some conversations with other Filipinos in the plant, i found our that this candy originally came from Indonesia. Well its cheap as other candies being sold here in Penang Malaysia yet a piece or three will not be enough for you.

Guess this thing have a Filipino thing on it which makes me an instant fan.
Or probably, its just me..

MAMBUKAL Mountain Resort

Going back to Pulopandan is a similar story as when we went to Guimaras. Big waves and rain showers, a truly rough yet exciting adventure (the trip is an adventure itself).

From Pulopandan, we rode a jeepney going to Libertad. While on the trip, the group had a long chat, story sharing and crack some jokes. Then we also decided to check Mambukal Mountain Resort.
Once in Liberatd, one can ride a mini bus going to Mambukal which will pass the town of Murcia. The fare is Php30 per person.

Mambukal Mountain Resort is famous for it's 7 falls, Sulfur Dipping pool, picnik field and its Mudpack Festival.

We reached the place past 8pm and made some arrangement with the front desk (or should I say security guard office at the gate). Ok, we didn't pay for anything, and it was all Marbs fault. One of the security guard who is luckily on duty that night is Marbs relatives hence our entrance and other fees are free of charge.

A guide pointed where we can place our tent and set our camp that night. After setting up our tent, fixin our things and taking our light dinner which is composed of monay, canned beans and salted egg, we decided to scout the area. LJ was not able to join since she wants to take an early rest and fix her things too.

As for me and Marbs, we just strolled the area and returned to our camp. Guess we will just wake up early to enjoy the place more.

We woke up at around 5:30am, immedietely fix ourselves up, went out  and check for the location of the 7 falls. as we walked around and asked almost all the people whom we see along the way, finally we have our clue. We need to get out of the mountain resort first and check the Park Mahogany which is according to the locals is nearer to our destination. Good thing a young boy asked us if we're going to the 7 falls and if we needed a guide. Since Marbs do not have any idea on how to go to the place, we hire the kids as our guide. It appears to be a good idea coz the falls are not that easy to find and the distance, probably a 3 to 5km (whew!).

on our way on finding Mambukal's pride

nagtatanong ka ba LJ or nagagalit? :P

According to our guides, the route that we took is different from what the resort is offering (ok, indi nmin alam n meron ganun sa resort). we will be going 1st to the top falls then will be going down which is unlike to the resort's down going up and going down again (talking about redundancy). And the rest was history, it was 7 falls indeed and i lost track which is which on the pictures, anyway at least we know we saw one of Mambukal's jewels.

one of Mambukals' 7 falls



One of the guide told us that visitors are only allowed to take a dip or swim on the 1st and 7th falls.

kapuy gid! Resting in one of the falls. 

Before reaching the entrance of the resort, our guides told us that they can no longer escort us since they are not offical guides from the resort. well its true, they're just locals yet they know how to handle their guest and i hope the resort will educate them on how to be more effective guides then hire them eventually (its a big factor to have an educated kid as a guide). LJ hand over a hundred and some bills (probably a 20 or 50) to our guide and we all thank them, they deserve it since they made our trip easy and even carry all of our things which we are not used to (sanay kaming may dalang mabibigat n bagay ^_^).

with our guide TOTO

As we walk towards our camp, LJ asked us if we want to join her to Aklan. Ok, Marbs and I was surprised yet we decline the offer. we do not have any plan on checking the island of Panay at that time. with that, we helped LJ packed her things and get a ride going back to Bacolod.

Marbs and I spend the whole day checking the place, dipping on the resort's Sulfur and regular pool. I would really recommend their sulfur pool its the best (and the hotest hahah).

Mambukal's Sulfur Dipping Pool

BABALA: MAINET!

After that, we packing our things, cleaned ourselves and head back to Bacolod. And during our trip back, a thought just popped out and suddenly told Marbs "pre.. ang lufet naman nang first 2 days ko dito ah.". ^__^

Guimaras in a Gloomy December

Upon reaching the port of Guimaras, we took a jeepney that brought us to KELAPA GADING Beach Resort. It was LJ who checked the place and made some calls for our booking (galing galing ni LJ!).

GUIMARAS! yehey!

PULOPANDAN: Negros' gateway to Guimaras

we reached our jump-off to guimaras after an hour and a half of jeepney travel.
After looking around, we found many passengers waiting for the next boat which will be going to Guimaras. Marbs quickly check where we can buy our tickets and after a few minutes, PRESTO! we have our pass and started waiting for our ride.

our official bag carrier. Thanks LJ!

with my Prince Backpack and super reliable maong short!

Yet it seems we really have to wait for our ride. The bad weather is causing hardship for the boat to cross the sea. After an hour and a half (again), the boat arrives. Now we are just waiting for them to unload their passengers and cargos and call the passenger which will be going to Guimaras.

The captian is also checking how any passenger can the boat carries, He's very attentive to that things since we're having a bad weather at that time. Nice One Capt.!

Anyway, we boarded the boat and got a comportable seat (Marbs and LJ still manage to strike a pose as a proof) . Well it is true, our journey to the island was not that easy. Big waves started to get on our way. We enjoyed it at first yet after more than 30 minutes, it seems our stomach can not stand it anymore. first timer! hahahah, (even LJ is having a hard time with it).

As for me, though is it really challenging yet I enjoyed the boat ride.
Hindi nmn kasi araw araw kang makakaranas ng ganun eh. Enjoy lang!
We reached Guimaras after almost 2 hours ( mga 1 and a half siguro ung travel time, ulet!).

CASA RAP: San Juan's food garden

Along the national road of San Juan Batangas can be found a garden type restaurant called CASA RAP. Ok, my wife is bragging about this place and saying that we should try it.

So in a wednesday afternoon last January after finishing some paper things, we hit the road going to San Juan and check the said place.

There is a wooded signage of the place yet i dont think if one can distinguish if its a restaurant or what.

anyway, we know what the place is and as per my wife, they serve really good foods though there might be one catch. The place is a slow cook type restaurant hence one must wait probably 20~30mins in order to have his/her order. This is one of the special thing about CASA RAP and we suggest never come to the place if you have a rampaging stomach due to hunger. :P

as for the place, the ambiance is cozy and relaxing with all the shades, greens and handcraft displayed in the place. one will truly appreciate the place with all these aspects and might take your attention as you're waiting for your order.

as for some information, magazines and posted things, the place was established and opened to the public in 2003 and is owned by a nun named Sis. Emmy Alday which is an environment advocate (now that explain all the green stuff).

Ok, back to our main goal.
We are not really hungy at that time yet we want to try some of our favorites which they serve.

We ordered a pansit, tuna burger, tea and a halo-halo for dessert.

 

parang ung sa poster lng ng Jollibee at uu, wala kaming pic ng Ice tea.

 

As for the taste, nothing stands out.
The pansit and the tuna burger have the typical taste which we all knew (though maraming laman ang pansit hehehe), for the tea, it was nice.

The thing that surprised us was the HALO-HALO!

damn it was good, i'll give it a 6 stars from a barometer of 5!
its was creamy, have a nice ice texture and the flavour was awesome.
nothing fancy yet it was really good.

KUDOS for the halo-halo! yum yum!

it is one thing that you will surely brag and recommend to others.
a must try from CASA RAP.

 

mabilis n kamay sa paghalo ng halo-halo!

the price is quite reasonable for the taste and service the place offers.

it's surrounding is nicely maintained and an additional 1 star for a clean wash room they have. as I always say, a good food place should also have a clean and nice wash room and it seems CASA RAP passed that one. NAKS!

the place also serves variety of salads, desserts and other Filipino dishes.


"Thumbs up!"

Casa Rap

Km. 90 Brgy.Banay-Banay

San Juan, Batangas

Contact Number:  (043) 726-2873

Anilao at sunset.

ok im just taking a short pause on the Western Visayas series to share a sweet experience I had in a famous beach place in Batangas.
~~~~~~~~~~

As we reached my wife's place which is Bauan last January, my in-laws asked us if we want to join them in their quick trip to Anilao. Ok, I was surprised and without thinking, I said yes.

Well, why not!
I have never touched nor walked the soil (or should i say sand) of Anilao and the chance just came to me (though it will only be in a short period of time only. So there we go, hitting the road at tatay's tricycle. Can't help myself turning my head from time to time, well im new to the place and road. Everything is practically new to me.

Then, we made a quick stop in a roadside store.
I found out that my in-laws are buying some "tableas".

well tableas are locally made chocolate.
it naturally containe a strong chocolate flavor similar to black chocolates but having that roast aroma.

Then after the "buying thing", we again hit the road. We stopped at Anilao public market or its fish port i guess. And it was the perfect time to watch the sunset, well the place is also perfect for viewing it.


 truly a God's masterpiece and i just cant help myself being amazed.

I know that Anilao is famous being a great place for snorkling and diving yet those were not my stuff. Im perfectly satisfied with its sunset.

After that, I'm planned to have a much longer stay at Anilao soon to enjoy it more.
Not alone yet with my jowa.