Last January, I turned 28.  Six months later, I still don't feel like I'm 28. Sometimes, I forget how old I am, I have to manually calculate my age... 2015-1987= X. For real. I'm actually old enough to forget my own age. Does this happen to everyone? When I was a child, I felt 28 was legit adult age. The age of my titos and titas. The age my parents had their 3rd (I think) child. And yet here I am, at 28, not quite feeling the whole adult thing yet. Um, maybe in a couple more years? ;)

Anyway, as birthdays go, Eliel and I don't usually do gifts or fancy dinners. We prefer to just spend time together. Last year, on my birthday, we had a spontaneous trip to Baguio. This year, we were better prepared and booked ourselves tickets to Bali. (See the pattern? For two consecutive years, I've spent my birthdays in places that start with the letter B. Where to go next year?)

*****

Our itinerary
We intentionally kept our itinerary flexible. What we enjoy about traveling as a couple is that it's not as rigid as compared to traveling with a huge group. Because it's just the two of us, we can easily change plans as we go, and we can make spur of the moment decisions without worrying about how everyone feels.

We had 3 full days to explore Bali, so we made our plans as simple as possible, only going to the places we really wanted to visit. I think that it's way better to spend time in a few places you're particularly interested in, rather than hurriedly going from one place to another just to make sure you get a photo at each and every tourist spot. But that's just me. Others actually enjoy the "Amazing Race" feel. To each his own, right?

With our limited time, here's where we went:

Day 1:
Arrival at Bali
Tanah Lot
Kuta / Seminyak Beach

Day 2:
Ubud Tour: Monkey Forest, Royal Temple, Ibu Oka lunch, Tirta Empul, Coffee Plantation
Dinner at Jimbaran Bay

Day 3:
Balangan Beach
Uluwatu Temple

Day 4:
Early morning departure

After spending one of our company offsite events at Pico de Loro Cove, I immediately loved the place! I loved it so much that I told Yza I will have to bring her there someday. Fast forward to Feb 2015, with the help of a promo via a BDO-Expedia tie-up, we were able to book a room at Pico Sands Hotel to celebrate Valentines. Yay!

Living in Makati for a few years now, we had to build a roster of go-to places whenever we can’t decide where to eat (which is almost every time. hehe). Living independently, we seldom cook because it’s too much effort (aside from the fact that the only cooking I know is frying stuff. lol). So for dinner or during weekends, we eat out more often than not.
Here are the top 5 food stops we frequently visit for that comfort food fix:

XO Kitchen
Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati City



As of July 1, 2014, XO Kitchen closed down (to our dismay). We are still including this in our list as it deserves one last mention before we can let go. We are very much hoping they open up another branch somewhere so we can try their food again in the future.

XO Kitchen served Chinese dishes as rice meals (with iced tea or lemonade) for less than P150 or short orders (for sharing) for less than P250. They offered dimsum dishes as well if you fancy those at around P100. Our go-to dishes included Fish with Corn Sauce, Sweet and Sour Pork, Hakaw. I think we ate here too often that kuya server already memorized our usual orders.

They were also famous for their special buchi which they offered with a variety of fillings such as Ferrero, White Toblerone, Kitkat, Reeses, Andes Mint and so much more at P95 for 3 pieces.

I’m sure you’ve already experienced a rollercoaster. I’m sure you’ve also tried zipline. But a rollercoaster zipline? I don’t think so. :) Good thing, there’s one in Porac, Pampanga, just 1.5 hours away from Metro Manila.

Sandbox is an attraction within the Alviera compound in Pampanga which features different activities for adrenaline junkies. It houses the Avatar One, a rollercoaster zipline 180 meters long with the curves and dips of a regular rollercoaster but you go through it while strapped in a harness and your whole body dangling from the track -- zipline-style. Other activities include Wall Climbing, Free Fall, Rappelling, Aerial Walk and Giant Swing. They also have a mini golf course and an area for ATVs.

With still 10 months before the next Game of Thrones season, Mondays will never be the same again (at least, until then).

What did we do? We gave ourselves 'Game of Thrones' hoodies to remind us that Winter is [always] Coming. =)

If you like these, head to the nearest 'The Perfect White Shirt' branch near you or visit their FB page (https://www.facebook.com/theperfectwhiteshirt). They have other cool stuff, too.

*Disclaimer: We are not, in any way, affiliated with 'The Perfect White Shirt'. Just some happy customers. =)

Cheers,

While everyone else was in Boracay for Labor Day 2014, Yza and I spent the day in Calauan, Laguna to experience the Isdaan Floating Restaurant and the famous Tacsiyapo wall. #MayOneSaIsdaan

The place was around 2 hours away from Manila. You won’t miss the place with all the gigantic stone structures everywhere.

They say you go to Bacolod to eat. That's only 60% true. Yes, the food's really, really good (we have such good memories of the things we ate..) but Bacolod has some beautiful sights as well. We visited a few and had a great time. I mean, we had to do something in between meals, right? haha!

Last February, on Valentine's Day (also Eliel's birthday weekend!) Y&E flew to Bacolod to eat. Because what else do you do in Bacolod?