The first time I went to Vigan, it was just a pitstop on my way home from Laoag. We were there for all of 30 minutes, during which we just took photographs of Calle Crisologo, the most well-preserved street in Vigan showcasing vintage building facades.

Last March 21 I had the opportunity to enjoy Vigan better with friends from church during our Holy Week road trip (we stayed in Baguio and made a day trip to Vigan). We came on Good Friday, making the long drive from Baguio through La Union and the various towns of Ilocos Sur. It was lunch time when we got there. I thought the shops would be closed, but Holy Week means big business for this tourist spot. We had lunch at Cafe Leona, chowing down on bagnet and pinakbet before walking down Calle Crisologo.

We had a lot of laughs taking photos at the souvenir and curiosity shops, but I think in part I can credit this to the sense of self-deprecating humor within our group.

We even disovered a little treasure named Bernie, Vigan’s government dog. Such a cutie!

I would have been content to end there, but the group then decided to take kalesa rides to an old bell tower where scenes for the late Fernando Poe, Jr.’s Panday film had been shot.

As night began to fall, we savored our last photos and put our own spin on this landmark. Our only gripe about the road trip to Vigan is that it takes too long!

March 12: Marielle, my dad, and I flew to Macau to meet up with my mom, who had gone there with a medical contingent at the start of the week. On our first day we went to the Hotel Venetian (MASSIVE!) then explored the streets around our Hotel, the Lisboa. We had an uber-late dinner at the Wynn (Il Teatro) before heading off to bed. 

March 13: Lost in Macau! No, not really. Spent the morning and early part of the afternoon at Senado Square (Largo do Senado/Sun Ma Lo) shopping and eating. Then we visited the Ruins of St. Paul church and the nearby Museum of Macau and Fortress Garden. Met up with Mico Aguilar (who works as a chef at the Wynn) for coffee, then walked about the city at night.

March 14: New Yao Han shopping center (and Angela’s Cafe). Hoofed it to the Grand Prix and Wine Museum, then just across the street to the Golden Lotus in Full Bloom. Fisherman’s Wharf, then laptop shopping. And more shopping.

March 15: After a hearty breakfast in Macau, we took the ferry ride to Hong Kong and then took the MTR to HK Disneyland.

Curious about what exactly went down during my trip to Laoag back in February?

Noelle, the writer, and Miche, the host

To find out, catch my latest Living Asia Channel project, Gone for the Weekend: Laoag. It’s airing on the following dates and times:

• May 5: 7am, 8pm
• May 6: 4am, 12pm, 5pm
• May 7: 1am, 9am, 2pm, 10pm
• May 8: 4am, 7pm
• May 9: 3am, 11am, 4pm
• May 10: 12am, 8am, 1pm, 9pm
• May 11: 5am

Living Asia Channel is available on SkyCable and Home Cable (channel 99) and Global Destiny.

Tags: Living Asia Channel, Television Appearance

On our last full day in Boracay, the sun came out bright and strong. We started the day right at Real Coffee.

Yum yum yum!

There we bumped into Neil, Peter, and Yamil from Scuba World, a dive shop on Station One. They offered us a great deal on kayaks, so after spending an hour or so just swimming we decided to take some kayaks up to Friday’s Resort on the northern tip of White Beach.

I’m paddling, I’m paddling!

We landed on the shore of Friday’s and rolled around on the powder-fine sand. Boracay’s sand all along White Beach may be the best in the world, but at Friday’s the sand is extra special.

Noelle on the beach.

We spent the rest of the day just on the beach. The sky was cloudless, and we realized this would be the first and last sunset we’d see on this particular trip to Boracay.

sitting in the sunset at The Tides

It was the perfect end to our vacation in Boracay. I didn’t buy any souvenirs, but I did get a tan.

‘Til next time!

Check out my Multiply site for more photos of my Boracay trip.

Tags: Boracay

I came to Boracay seeking sun so I could get a tan, so I was more than a little peeved that my first step onto the island was greeted with a torrential rainshower. The sun only peeked out long enough for us to get out onto the beach. The rest of the afternoon we were pelted by a light drizzle.

Still all smiles. After all, we’re in Boracay!

Our day was pretty laid back capped off by dinner at this steakhouse in D*Mall called Valhalla. If there were an award for the most misspelled menu, it would go hands down to Valhalla’s, which seems never to have seen the light of spellcheck.

Even the name of the menu was misspelled.

At least the food was good.

Because this time around I’d committed to doing things I’ve never done in Boracay, I woke up really early the next day so I could take a long walk down to the end of Station Three. As I walked along the shoreline, the feel of the beachfront establishments changed from urbanized to rustic; I’ve been told that Station Three preserves a little more of the old Boracay, where things are more laidback.

As the sun rose, it turned into an overcast morning. Going into the water was also an ordeal due to heavy algal growth on the beach. And due to some seawall newly built on another part of the island, the currents on White Beach have been crashing more heavily into Station One’s shores, eating away at the beach. Not really a good state of affairs when development starts to destroy what is part of the charm of a place.

We’re the pretty sight.

I was introduced to zipping on our first day, and it challenged me so much that I went out and bought a pair for myself. No, I’m not about to start my own firedancing career (a la Rachel Lobangco), but it’s a pretty fun way to burn some calories. Now if only I could figure out how not to hit myself on the head so much. I also tried riding a flying fish and got thrown off on the last round. It was a pretty high-impact day.

It’s so much fun!

On our last full day in Boracay, the sun came out bright and strong. We started the day right at Real Coffee.

Yum yum yum!

There we bumped into Neil, Peter, and Yamil from Scuba World, a dive shop on Station One. They offered us a great deal on kayaks, so after spending an hour or so just swimming we decided to take some kayaks up to Friday’s Resort on the northern tip of White Beach.

I’m paddling, I’m paddling!

We landed on the shore of Friday’s and rolled around on the powder-fine sand. Boracay’s sand all along White Beach may be the best in the world, but at Friday’s the sand is extra special.

Noelle on the beach.

We spent the rest of the day just on the beach. The sky was cloudless, and we realized this would be the first and last sunset we’d see on this particular trip to Boracay.

sitting in the sunset at The Tides

It was the perfect end to our vacation in Boracay. I didn’t buy any souvenirs, but I did get a tan.

‘Til next time!

Check out my Multiply site for more photos of my Boracay trip.

Because this time around I’ve committed to doing things I’ve never done in Boracay, I woke up really early so I could take a long walk down to the end of Station Three. As I walked along the shoreline, the feel of the beachfront establishments changed from urbanized to rustic; I’ve been told that Station Three preserves a little more of the old Boracay, where things are more laidback.

As the sun rose, it turned into an overcast morning. Going into the water was also an ordeal due to heavy algal growth on the beach. And due to some seawall newly built on another part of the island, the currents on White Beach have been crashing more heavily into Station One’s shores, eating away at the beach. Not really a good state of affairs when development starts to destroy what is part of the charm of a place.

We’re the pretty sight.

I was introduced to poi twirling yesterday, and it challenged me so much that I went out and bought a pair for myself. No, I’m not about to start my own firedancing career (a la Rachel Lobangco), but it’s a pretty fun way to burn some calories. Now if only I could figure out how not to hit myself on the head so much.

It’s so much fun!

I also tried riding a flying fish today and got thrown off on our last round. Tomorrow I think I’ll stay close to the shoreline and maybe try to get a kid to teach me how to skimboard.

Tags: Boracay

I came to Boracay seeking sun so I could get a tan, so I was more than a little peeved that my first step onto the island was greeted with a torrential rainshower. The sun only peeked out long enough for us to get out onto the beach. The rest of the afternoon we were pelted by a light drizzle.

Still all smiles. After all, we’re in Boracay!

Our day was pretty laid back capped off by dinner at this steakhouse in D*Mall called Valhalla. If there were an award for the most misspelled menu, it would go hands down to Valhalla’s, which seems never to have seen the light of spellcheck.

Even the name of the menu was misspelled.

At least the food was good.

I’m planning to start the day off early tomorrow. I really hope the sun comes out!

Tags: Boracay

Hey dear readers! I’m off to Boracay for some fun in the sun (and hopefully to get a tan). But instead of disappearing, I’m gonna stay connected and will post every day I’m gone — maybe a photo or two or an interesting anecdote. I do believe this trip will be different from the last in a good way. I’m trying to do things that I haven’t done yet.

See you!

There’s a superstition that you’ll end up doing for the rest of the year what you’re doing on Chinese New Year.

Well, last Chinese New Year I was traveling in Laoag, and it seems like I’ve been traveling every other week since then. My family and I toured Macau (with a day trip to Hong Kong Disneyland) early this month, and last week I went on a road trip with my friends from church. I was supposed to be sent out on assignment to Subic for four non-consecutive days this week, but I begged off because I have some Fitness First-related stuff to attend.

Next week I’ll be off to Boracay. Hopefully I can get some R&R; there. I haven’t been able to relax on any of the trips because whole days are scheduled away, so this is my chance to waste some time, bum all day on the beach to get a tan, and then sleep all night (no parties for me!).

Traveling is one of my passions and even if I might be tired right now, I definitely wouldn’t stop at this point. I’d like to use my passport for my next excursion, though. 😉