2025 Shangri-La Mactan

When I learned that we will be having convention in Shangri-La Mactan, I am ecstatic. First things first, its free, then I can go back there for the second time and enjoy the premium class service of a 5 star beach resort with my colleagues.

The food in shang is on my top choice. I savor every moment during buffet breakfast. Shang is also conducive for convention since the event venue is large and after long hours of listening to the speakers, you can unwind and enjoy beach fun activities or just by strolling in their vast garden. 

The swimming pool has a nice panoramic view and there are play area like billiards. If you want to just chill,you can soak in the seawater, play with the fishes near the shore or just drink you favorite shake.

The resort is relaxing with a minimum stay requirement of 2 nights. You can also go out of the resort and visit nearby tourist attractions or Cebu malls.

Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental

My mother hails from Lopez Jaena. This is a municipality in Misamis Occidental named after our hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

The last time I visited there was during grade school years. Our province is relaxing, simple life with fresh air and lots of fresh sea food. I can remember eating Swake (sea urchin) and I really loved this seafood! You can go to nearby beaches easily and there is a river where you can bathe outdoors.

                                                       

My late Lolo is a former Mayor of Lopez Jaena and we are a big clan in this province.

This time, I returned back after decades to attend family reunion. It is a well-planned 2 days reunion of 4 generations of Dolotallas Clan (my mother's great grand parents). I felt so loved that I have met my relatives convening together fun, thinking that we all have the same bloodline. I met again my childhood playmates, my 2nd degree cousins and it brings back good memories.

Farming is the main livelihood in Misamis Occidental. I love to binge on mangoes freshly harvested from the farm. Im excited to go back again on the coming years.

2024 Boracay Island

This is my vacation trip to boracay for the 4th time. This is a visit after the covid pandemic where things are already under normalcy. To make this trip memorable,  I intentionally book a flight during Laboracay (May 1) celebration to experience parties and fun at the island.

May is a busy month and Boracay is flooded with tourists as expected. For my previous trips, my arrival port is Kalibo hub since the planes are big and it is an international airport. For this trip, the port/hub I chosen is Caticlan to save time in land travel via van.

                   

I recommended Southwest travel and tours for the Caticlan Boracay transfers due to convenience. You can easily book even once you arrive at Caticlan. For Hennan hotels (where we stay), they also have affordable Boracay Caticlan transfers which we tried for our return trip in Manila.

Mactan, Cebu

 Cebu is special to my heart because of my colorful experience in this place:

• My vivid childhood memory of  a happy sea travel was with Princess of the Orient (before it sank in 1998). I enjoy sea travel, lounging inside the ship with play stations, view deck and double deck beds.You can bring large luggages without kilo limits as long as you can carry it.  Airplane fare are too costly those days. Now, everyone are on short haul flights.
• My previous work as junior researcher requires me to travel in Cebu and stay there alone like for 1-2 weeks (i became independent as young adult at age 22). I visited more than 30 corporate offices/businesses due to work, wheew
• My econgirls barkada escapade are beach getaways. Bantayan and Cebu are good memories to keep (see my previous write ups)
• We have relatives in Cebu☺️ my advantage is that i can understand bisaya.

My friend wants to go to Cebu this 2024  and considering that I had been travelling there for x times already and done in visiting Lapu Lapu City and Cebu City's tourist attractions I have to plan well the itinerary so I can still enjoy Cebu and its beautiful undiscovered sceneries

We tried Shangrila Mactan for an experience and we are delighted with the 5 star service. The beachwater is clear and you can play around with the fishes  by feeding them. When you swim at the pool, you will be provided with cold face towels to refresh. I love the breakfast buffet and their mango giveaway as way of welcoming their guests.

It was eventful on our Day 1 because it was the Battle of Mactan day. The president is also in Cebu for courtesy visit. Thus, we experience heavy traffic like 1 hr waiting in taxi just to go to Mactan newtown for the mercato.

Because of the local holiday,  we experience that the lechons in restaurants are sold out😂. Like we were only able to eat lechon at zubuchon which also has a branch in Manila.The next day,we tried the local lechon known in the Mactan area.

                                         

For this 2024 trip, we visited also Leah's temple, the Sirao garden, the Mactan Newtown Mercato, the hilltop and went to Magellans cross to have a picture souvenir as a couple. We also bought sto ninos  and leachon as pasalubong. 

Viansa Sonoma

The first time I went to Napa Valley in 2021 was at the height of covid pandemic. Stores are mostly closed and the wine tasting packages or gatherings are  limited. I promised to myself to visit again the wineries in the area of Napa and Sonoma valley to enjoy what is it like when things go back to normal. A day tour in this region is a must when you visit California.

Viansa Sonoma is just an hour drive from California. When you are in their vineyard, you will feel relax and peaceful, much more if there are varieties of wine to taste test. I love rose, sangria and red wine.  They have the best wine tasting menus and fine delicacies.