Dreaming of Palawan

Everyone has many dreams and I'm not exempted. I do have so many dreams yet to come. One of my dreams is to travel all over Philippines before dreaming going to other countries.

During idle time at work, I've come across on so many travel blogs and was drooling to come and visit those places featured.

As they said, it's free to dream. One of the travel destinations I crazily long to visit is the one and only PALAWAN.

Oh la la these pictures I've seen are oh so tempting and inviting. No words can express how I like the place. If only I have the luxury of time and money!!!!

 

Calauit Island

 

El Nido Marine Reserve

 Ursula Island

 

 St. Paul Subterranean River National Park

Club Paradise Beach, Coron, Palawan

Amanpulo is a secluded island in Palawan. This place  never fails to WOW me. Not convinced? Just look at the pictures below  to know what I mean.

Amanpulo is DIVINE.  Oh boy, how I  love to spend even for a night here. More wow pictures here.

Palawan is indeed a must visit place.  By just looking at those pictures gives me goosebumps, how much more when I'm there in flesh. The place is beyond amazing.

I will serve this post as my inspiration to have my baby steps to realize this simple yet costly dream. I'm a believer of  the saying that DREAMS DO COME TRUE. Who knows one day this dream will be realized.

P.S.

Credits given to the owner of these pictures. All pics were  grabbed from these sites about Palawan;  Travel Asia, Our Awesome Planet, Travel Smart, and EtravelPilipinas.  Might as well check it to see more pictures and narratives about the place.

Plazuela de Ilo-Ilo

Right beside SM we saw this 2 storey building.  We were curious so we brought our newly relaxed feet there. The place is named Plazuela de Ilo-ilo.

The place  boasts  a fantastic line-up of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes to suit everyone's delight. Think of Greenbelt in Makati, this place can be compared to it.

A fountain greeted us upon entering the commercial complex .

This staircase is simply lovely and the presence of Mother Mary's statue above made it even more a sight to behold.

The place features long  hallways and pedestrian promenades that will cater everyone's penchant for leisure and recreation.

At the back of the building is a wide plaza, a perfect place for leisurely  stroll.

Pet lovers also brought their cutest puppies there.

We stayed for a while sitting on the benches. With music playing in the background the place is just the right one for chill out. The place is clean, not a sore in the eye.

Will definitely go back to this place one day and visit their beaches too.

To get away from one's working environment is in a way to get away from your usual routine. This is often the chief advantage of travel and that's why I love doing this.

Tibiao Fish Spa, SM Ilo-ilo City

During our visit last March 18, 2012, SM Ilo-ilo was jam packed with shoppers. We roamed around the mall after lunch and something caught our attention - it's Tibiao Fish Spa. The spa is located at the lower ground floor of the mall.

This fish spa experience is not new to me. I've tried it at Manila Ocean Park for the first time, check my blog post here. Even if it's my second time I still wanted to try Ilo-ilo's Tibiao Fish Spa.

I agreed on everything that's written on this poster. It's actually what I've felt when I tried Manila Ocean Park's fish spa.  I was the one who convinced my companions to really go for it.

Tibiao Fish Spa  is consist of 4 tubs for different levels of tickling experience.

The first tub has the smaller fishes giving you a  timid tickling adventure.

The next tub houses largest type of fishes.  The 2 other tanks are for the VIP section.

Kids can also enjoy this different kind of spa. They have fishes inside that not so big aquarium where kids can have a tickling experience too.

Before putting your feet into the tub, hygiene should go first. That picture above and below it's where you can clean your feet first.

The place is sooo neat and clean - a perfect haven for relaxation indeed.

That's us cleaning our feet.

Look at that picture above!!!!  Sitting on that huge couches gives you the feel of being a VIP.

What a way to enjoy the ticklish relaxation at an executive type lounge!!!! It has comfortable couches and a nice curtain where you can even fall asleep.

One tub of the VIP lounge consist of small Doctor Fishes.

I would love to do this peculiar kind of relaxation once a month.  If only we have this in CDO.

At a VIP lounge with  small fishes.

And this one is still at VIP lounge with the big fishes.

Above are the big fishes at the VIP lounge.

We can't stop laughing at first and we were so noisy inside the lounge. We were even reminded to keep silent so we can't disturb other customers.

After a few minutes all of us already relaxed and was used to those fishes' ticklish nibble.

Yey, we're all feeling the calming effects of fishes nibbling our toes.

These small and big fishes nibbling on the dead layers of our skin are used to massage and exfoliate our feet.

After the fish spa experience a foot massage was given to each one of us. It gives us a soothing and relaxing touch. Lovely!!!!

That's our restless feet after the fish spa. For  45 minutes,  we experienced a VIP treatment for only P199 each. It's worth the money though.

After the spa we did not forget to feed our tummies.

We decided to taste their famous bachoy.  Yum yum yum yum...........

Yay and Allen can't help to sip their bowl of bachoy.

It was truly a day of combined relaxing and exfoliating effects. Super lovely.

Cheers to more trips!!!!!

Madamo Gid na Salamat Guimaras

This day we left Guimaras to stay overnight in Ilo-ilo city before our flight back to CDO on the 19th.

Morning of  March 18, 2012 we woke up early and never wasted time to enjoy last minute swimming at the beach.

I'm lost of words looking at the view. Sunrise is about to shine plus  the cool breeze and the cold water...aaahhhh this is  infinitely  precious.

It took us several minutes to get used to the cold water.

Cam whoring is another way to enjoy the beach more. Thank you Sony for designing a waterproof cam and thanks to my dear friend Yay for getting one.

After early swimming and breakfast we packed our things to continue our land tour before heading back to Ilo-ilo City.

All set for another land tour.

Welcome to Valle Verde. This place is also covered with nature.

There are 311 steps  leading you down to their swimming pool.

On my way to their pool area.

That's their swimming pool.

At their reception area, there's a very nice view that took my breathe away.  An  untouched  forest that is truly admirable. It combines with the cool breeze and the sound of birds chirping. Oh boy, nothing can beat the beauty of nature.

After Villa Verde, we went straight to OLP Trappist Abbey.

It's a monastery with a unique chapel. We lit candles and prayed at their chapel.

This is the front view of the chapel

and this one is the view inside. It's a very spacious chapel perfect for praying and meditation.

Trappist has their own pasalubong center where you can buy  a mango flavored cookies, crackers, piyaya and jam among others.  You can buy religious items also that will be blessed by a priest after buying.

And it's time to go back to Ilo-ilo City.

Madamo gid na salamat for the Ilonggos means THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I took this picture while on the ferry boat going to Ilo-ilo City. My friend Yay asked the guy beside her what is that cross on top of the mountain. The guy said it's the end point of the procession during Good Friday. Guimaras people called it PAGTALTAL SA GUIMARAS.

Thank you very much Guimaras for our wonderful and memorable experience. Till we meet again.

After checked in at Ongbun Pension House, we rode a jeepney going to SM Ilo-ilo City.

Their street has a wide lane reminding me of passing along SLEX. I should say that this  city is one of the most progressive and cleanest cities I've ever been to.

More of our Ilo-ilo trip on my next post.