Once on this Island

My good friend K, a single mom, had her first out-of-town trip (involving a plane ride) with her daughter earlier this year. But during one of our lunches, she confided that she hoped to go on a "girlfriend trip" with no kid in tow--just good, plain girlish fun with friends. So of course, being the wanderlust that I am, I volunteered to accompany her.

She wanted to go to Cebu but since the city proper reminded me so much of Manila with the speeding vehicles, pollution and grimy buildings, I struck a bargain: aside from the city tour, we'd go to Bantayan Island, dubbed as the country's next Boracay. My best bud M (do check out her wonderful blog) went there last year, and we could just copy her itinerary, including the best-value-for-money resort and which public transport to take to get there.

But 3 days before our trip, K backed out. And that got me down because I had already made arrangements for the trip (saying no to a project, hiring my substitute for my weekly writing gig, etc.). Thankfully, someone came to the rescue--my hubby Spanky. There was a teeny conflict with his work sched though, which K volunteered to resolve.

The trip became our pre-anniversary date.




I already knew beforehand that getting to Bantayan would involve a half-day of travel, but it didn't actually occur to me that this computation was based on Cebu City as the starting point. From Manila, it meant leaving at 4 am for that 45-minute cab ride to the airport. Then the hour-long plane ride to Cebu. Immediately after landing, we shoved our still-drowsy selves and backpacks into a cab to get to the North Terminal Bus Station (40 minutes). Then for 3 and a half hours, while Spanky dozed off beside me (he hadn't had any sleep because of work), I had my fill of zigzags and spectacular views in our cramped, non-aircon bus.

When we got to the Hagnaya port, we had a 30-minute lunch before boarding the ferry that will finally take us to the Island. But typhoon Chedeng was displaying her windy self, and the ferry rocked like a cradle during the entire trip. What was supposed to be a 1-hour trip became 2 hours because of the choppy waves.

When our feet finally touched solid ground, droves of pedicab drivers started harassing us. There was one in particular who kept hounding us, and I just pleaded, "Kuya, napre-pressure kami sa inyo!" And that shut him up for a while. In the end, we rode his pedicab (after a bit of haggling) while drinking in the fresh island air and greens, and those cozy roadside restos and pubs put up by foreigners.

We stayed in the island for 2 nights before heading back to Cebu City via the same route. But the return trip was more bearable, probably because we were well-rested, and we knew what to expect.

Here are our top Bantayan memories:
1) Dead Dog Floating
When we got to our resort, we dropped off our backpacks, and immediately explored the beachfront. Too bad we couldn't see the sunset; it was too cloudy, thanks to Chedeng. And it was extremely windy so the waves were rolling in gusto, much to the delight of surfers.

But we chanced upon one particular surfer who was shouting and pushing away the water (kinda like splashing someone, but in reverse)...trying to push this...thing away from him. Spanky and I were squinting our eyes, trying to make out the cause of his horror--was it a tree branch? But then, we realized it was a DEAD DOG.

Poor bloated DD was floating on its back, stiff legs up in the air! Before we could observe it more closely, the strong current swept it away into the horizon (it would have looked more dramatic if there were a sunset). Surfer boy got out of the water, and any attempt to strike up a conversation (Agay: "Dead Dog, huh?" Spanky: Maybe it fell off a boat, huh?") was met with his furrowed brows. Clearly, he was too "bad trip" to respond.

2) Motorbike Exploration


Methinks this was THE highlight of the Bantayan adventure. I was thinking of hiring 2 motorbikes and drivers--one for each of us but it turned out that Spanky knew how to drive a motorbike! It was fun touring the island on mean, motor wheels--the wind on your face, balancing your butt on the teeny seat, the exhilarating immediacy of the surroundings--I felt like I was in the setting,way better than just observing it from a window.

We visited a 17th century church, bought danggit and dried pusit in the market, passed by emerald ricefields and had lunch at an uppity resort, whose owner toured us in one of the honeymoon villas, equipped with a to-die-for bathroom. ( I do love a good-sized bathroom.)

3) Beach Bumming

My fave beach activity is swimming. So while I treaded water, Spanky practiced on his rented skimboard. We built a sandcastle, exchanged smiles with fellow tourists, and thankfully, we were spared from another DD sighting.

4) Cheap Eats
Aside from being the danggit capital of Cebu, it turned out that Bantayan was also its "Egg Basket." With poultry as one of its main livelihoods, chicken was in abundance here. So everyday, we visited the carinderia to eat our ulam of choice--chicken barbecue dipped in suka't toyo--very tasty... and cheap, too!

5) The Journey is the Destination
I guess the point to any travel adventure is not only the destination, but also the in-between journeys. I was thankful that Spanky was my travel buddy, and as usual, we learned a little more about being married, about our selves, and life in general.

On our second night on the island, we learned, too, that our apartment was broken into--the intruder having gone off with Spanky's laptop. It was a definite blow to our paradise days, but we managed to enjoy the rest of the trip, and learned our lesson on the advantages of double-locking.

2 weeks after the trip, I still have my bikini tan. We're planning to buy a replacement desktop, install more locks, and basically just look forward to other adventures the universe has in store for us.

Back to Davao and then some

Last March, Spanky and I returned to Davao with the Llanera gang for my mom's post-birthday celebration. As usual, the 3 days went by so fast, but I especially enjoyed this trip because we stayed a night at the Eden Nature Park and Resort.

On our last visit, Spanky and I just took the day trip to tour the whole park and go zipping. This time, we were able to fish--I caught about four tilapias :-)

But my most favorite part of Eden was our cottage. There was no need for airconditioning since the resort was built on the slope of Mount Apo. So the room extended to a screened terrace with a view of the forest. I want our future home to have something like this!

Then two weeks after, Spanky got this crazy idea to bike all the way to Pundakit in Zambales. Good thing he had a biking buddy, Randall.

I was supposed to take a bus to meet him there, but my dad took pity and drove me there. He bought the van so the crazy bikers could board their bikes on it going home.

We stayed their for 2 nights, and the boys cooked up a feast with grilled oysters, sinigang na isda sa miso and liempo.

On our way home, we stopped by the church (forgot the name) buried in lahar. The former front window was now the entrance door to the church. It was a great lesson on resilience.

After three months

We haven't blogged for so long because we've been busy, hurdling some challenges. But we did come out okay, and we're pretty sure that from now on, 2011 holds pleasant surprises for us to make up for those booboos.

And we did manage to squeeze in some travel time, hieing off to Baguio in the thick of December, along with other city slickers. Though the weather was terrific, queuing in restaurants, finding an unoccupied cab, and settling on a dingy yet overpriced hotel weren't. We vowed never to set foot in the Summer Capital again during peak season.

Then we returned to Pundaquit for a sort of retreat--just to get away from the urban noise and grime. 5 days of living by the beach, breathing in the sea breeze, watching movies on the laptop, cooking meals, Spanky editing an AVP and making his first grilled pizzas. The pizzas were delish, by the way.

And so, for now, I leave with you with images of such deliciousness.

Davao (still) Delights!

I've been going to Davao ever since I was about 9 years old because my grandma (my mom's ma) used to live there.

My late Tito Ben was based there with his Davaoena wife and they took on the task of taking care of my lola (who used to live with us) after she had her hipbone replaced due to a bathroom accident.

I'd always thought I'd relocate to Davao when I got older. I always gathered good memories after each visit.

But for now, I'm thankful for the recent trip with Spanks, using discounted tickets I had booked while we were honeymooning in Palawan.







My cousin (whom I consider to be the one I'm closest to) treated us to an overnight at Pearl Farm, and hosted us during our entire stay. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Substitute for Sagada

And so because Spanky's biking competition in Benguet didn't push through due to Typhoon Juan, our Sagada trip was also postponed.

We were both getting antsy at home, making a fuss over the littlest things, when one day, Spanky said, "Punta na lang tayong Pundaquit!" After an impromptu call to my dad, we were on a road trip (at last!) the following day.

I'd been to Zambales countless times, of course, owing to the fact that it's my dad's home province. And on the way there, in Olongapo, I would always see this roadside cafe boasting of jumbo tacos. Spanky had eaten here before and I was happy to have a nice, crunchy one for breakfast.


Then finally, the beach! The sand's not crystal white or powdery, and it could do with a bit of cleaning up, but for me, Pundaks will always be home. For the first time, we weren't traveling with the whole clan and we weren't used to the peace and quiet. But soon, we were reveling in the view, away from the internet and the traffic, talking about this and that. It couldn't get better than that.

The waves were so huge and surfers came out to play. Spanky and I tried our hand in body-boarding, and we were panting mad from fighting the waves.

The following day, we went back to the beach with our boards and before we knew it, we were swept farther and farther away from the shore. No matter how hard we kicked our way back,we made little (while I made none at all) progress. Spanky waved to the fishermen on the shore (had my foolish pride and I didn't want to ask for help), and they gamely donned fins and pulled us back to safety.

It was the first time it had ever happened to me though I had always been aware of Pundaks' traitor of an undertow. Must be more careful next time.


Then we started our journey back to Manila, not before stopping by this small carinderia in Subic, offering Bicolano dishes. As Spanky wrote, they had the "Best Laing. Evarrrr."

We stopped by at the SM mall in San Fernando, Pampanga, and shared a Razon's halo-halo. Then we met up with our friend Alain and finally watched The Social Network over huge tubs of popcorn and soda.

We were still full when the flick ended, but we couldn't leave Pampanga without a last food hurrah. So we headed to Jun Jun's Bibingka and Barbecue for some charred meat goodness and brown-colored rice.

And oh, we caught a glimpse of Marian and Dingdong exiting the resto.

Birthdays and Sick Days

Last month, Spanky and I celebrated my birthday with a lunch buffet at Yakkimix.

It was fun to load up our plates with jap food and grill-ables such as salmon, salted beef, mushrooms, and other yummies.

And of course, we didn't forget dessert.


Then we went to UP to digest the meal.

The Chucks were Spanky's Christmas gift 5 or 6 years ago. The brown Vans were his wedding shoes.

Ended the day with a nightcap at home with a few friends.


* * *

Fast forward to today--me, down with ze snifflez. I don't know why but the common cold renders me weak and useless. I feel debilitated.

I didn't have the energy to do the groceries so I settled with what we had in the ref. I surfed the net and found this Spanish Potato Omelet recipe, which I tried with carrots, basil and dried malunggay.

Then I made some instant crab and corn soup.

When Spanky woke up, he found out I was feeling under the weather and took over the kitchen.

He made me the ultimate comfort food--arroz caldo from scratch.

Plus a thermos of calamansi juice to wash it all down.

Kitchen Experiments

Spanky and I recently attended a wedding reception, which served yummy ham and cheese croquettes. So one day, Spanky decided to make a ouido recipe that involved tuna and cheese.

It was difficult shaping the mixture into croquettes so instead, we formed it into patties...

And topped it with parmesan. It was gooood.

Next, Spanky roasted some marshmallows in the oven.


Until they were burnt and puffy.


Blended them in cream, milk and vanilla ice cream.


And voila! Roasted marshmallow shake!


(Taste Tidbit: We found out later that marshmallows were tastier when roasted in fire, instead of in the oven.)