Do you schedule your vacations early or late holiday?

I used to schedule my travels early.  Call me an organization freak but before arriving to my destination, I've already booked my tour guide, my transportation and my hotel.  Aside from that, I've also planned itinerary up to the specific details such as what restaurants to visit, what food to order, what sights to see, my route, travel time, budget and more.

The problem I've encountered when planning so early and spending several days doing that for a trip that will happen way later is that it might get cancelled.  There are various reasons that could make you back out on your trip such as a companion backing out despite or you're called in for emergency work.

Sometimes, you can try being spontaneous too and book late holidays.  There are lots of online services now that make that possible and easier to do.  So when you don't want to plan ahead and be disappointed, let's try late holiday booking and surprise ourselves.=)

I want to experience the Lanzones Festival in Camiguin

The Philippines is a country rich in culture and festivities. It is general knowledge that most Philippine festivals were traditionally started 300 years during Spanish Colonization Period.  But, there are also festivals originally rooted from the Philippine local culture and legends as well.   The Lanzones Festival in Camiguin is one of them.   Have you heard of it yet? 


The Lanzones Festival began in the early 1980's as a thanks giving day for the annual harvest of the Lanzones Fruit.  Camiguin produces and exports the best sweet golden Lanzones in the country.  Although there are also other agricultural products, their Lanzones harvest is their main source of livelihood.   

*credits to the photogaphers of this photos

There are different legends about the origin of the festival.  According to one rural legend, there was once a couple who wished for a child from the Lanzones tree spirit.  Their wish was granted but they forgot to show gratitude so the spirit enchanted their boy.  In order to revive their son, they conducted a ritual to appease the spirit.  This gave way to the festival which became Camiguin's most famous.  Another legend tells about how a beautiful mysterious maiden took from the Lanzones its bitter flavor and leaving only its sweet and luscious taste.  Perhaps, there are more details about these which I can ask when I visit.

During the festival, there will be a street dancing parade and competition highlighting their rich culture, tradition and the Lanzones fruit.  I want to join and be part of the festival and feel their culture.  I 'm very eager to see how they dance, hear their music, see the colors and designs of the their traditional fashion and eat their local delicacies.  I also want to enjoy their delicious Lanzones fruit to my hearts desire.  


Festivals are not the only thing worth visiting in Camiguin.  There are also beautiful beaches, waterfalls, cold spring and hot spring where you can relax.  They also have the famous Camiguin Pastel.  It is a bun will different fillings like "Yema".  


While searching for more information about Camiguin and the Lanzones Festival,  I found out that I was not the only one interested in attending.  In fact, a lot of tourists from all parts of the world want to come and join the fun too but there are only a few information offered online about it.  If given the chance, I want to experience the Lanzones Festival this October and share it with you and the rest of the world.  

My First Ever Baguio Experience

Being four hours away from Manila, Baguio was my first out of town vacation ever!  I was around 10 years old when I went to Baguio with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  Back then Baguio was surrounded by pine trees.  It was so cold that when we were near the top of the beautiful plateau, we would turn off the air conditioning and open the windows to enjoy the cool breeze.  You could see cold mist and fog surrounding the area.  My cousins would fool around and breath in the air and see if fog would come from our mouths.

credits to the owners of the photos

We went to so many places on a single day.  We tried boating at the man-made lake in the middle of Burnham Park.  Back then, the lake looked so big and wide to me.   After that was my favorite activity, pony riding at Wright Park Circle.  I can still recall that the pony I rode was color brown.  Some of my cousins were afraid to ride but that was ridiculous since we were assisted by staffs and we couldn't even make the ponies gallop faster.=)  We dined at Camp John Hay during dinner and shopped around the city before hit the sack.  It was the first time I ever saw "ukay-ukay" shops.  We also saw lots of interesting native products and word works like the barrel man.

credits to titakosivilma.com

The next day, we visited Mines View Park.  The view was so nice.  We also ate "pinipig" being sold on the streets.  My aunts also went to the market.  They came back with boxes of FRESH vegetables and strawberries.  I love strawberries!  The strawberries in Baguio are so fresh and sweet I ate to my hearts content.  We also visited Good Shepherd to buy peanut brittle and strawberry jam.  On the way home, we also purchased brooms.  It was so much fun!

So why am I reminiscing?  It's because Baguio City is celebrating its 102nd year.  Happy Birthday!=)

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My Top 3 Dream Philippine Spots

Our country is so beautiful that there are so many places I want to go to.  But I never had the chance because I'm still don't have the budget so all I can do is dream away until I graduate. 


I want to share with you my top 3 dream Philippine spots.

1. Bohol

I want to meet the Tarsiers, Bryde's whale, flying lemur and dolphins.  I want to visit the chocolate hills,Mahogany man-made forest, Loboc floating restaurant, Alona Beach, and Busay Falls.


2. Puerto Princesa, Palawan

I want to observe the crocodiles at the croc farm, the birds from Rizal Park and dolphins at Puerto Princesa Bay.  I want to explore the beautiful beaches and the Underground River.  


3. Bellarocca Island, Marinduque

I want to relax and enjoy the serene views at Bellaroca Island Resort Spa.  I can imagine myself lying down sipping some drinks while enjoying the cool breeze of fresh air.  I also would love to go kayaking or swim at the infinity pool or beach.

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Cross Winds Tagaytay Christmas Village: Where everyday is Christmas

Before getting on the bus, we stopped by the Christmas Store.  It was open with no attendant so we were not sure if the Christmas porcelain items displayed was for sale.  We just roamed around to appreciate.

      We were onboard the bus, waiting for other to come back from their rest room break when one of the Nuffnang team told us that we should get down because they have prepared a surprise for us.  

As we got off the bus, we saw the sign "Christmas Village".  It was very dark then it was announced that the Santa's House is now open.  Light flickered and snow made of foam showered us from the Santa House above.  It was magical!

    Despite the sign "for Kids only", we entered because we were kids at heart.  It was a dream playground for kids.  There were toys everywhere.  There's also a TV where kids can watch children shows.   

Train above us

TV

Kids playing toys

Stuff toys

Toy Village

Carousel 

Figurine town

Santa's chair

        Before we went home, Cross Winds handed out this delicious cupcake.  I really liked what's written at their card "LIFE is SWEET and EVER INSPIRING".  Kids were given a box of candy which I would have preferred.;)  Thank you so much Cross Winds for the great hospitality!

       Just beside Santa's house there is a convenient store.  Pretty convenient huh?

Cross Winds Tagaytay Christmas Village

Brgy. Iruhin Central, Calamba Road 

Tagaytay City.

Nuffnang's Nuffamily Day at Crosswinds Tagaytay

Last week, we joined a Nuffnang's contest to be one of 50 lucky bloggers who will take part in its Nuffamily Day (see separate entry).   We were very fortunate to be chosen!

We arrived at Figaro B5 at around 2:15 p.m.  Soon, we were led to the Jac Liner Bus and we departed to go to Crosswinds Tagaytay.  Most of the bloggers came with their family.  But for us, its just Kurt and me.  We are practically like family.  Besides, our families are too busy making a living that we are the only ones available for this.

After an hour and a half, we arrived at our destination.  Cross Winds Swiss Luxury Resort was so hospitable that there was even a sign at the entrance welcoming Nuffnangers.

As we got off the bus, we were welcomed by the fresh aroma coming from numerous pine trees surrounding us.  The pine trees were beautiful.  The last time I saw pine trees so many healthy pine trees was a decade ago at Baguio City.  Just last summer, we visited the forest of the mountain provinces and saw pine trees drying up due to the drought so I was glad to see them seeking refuge at Cross Winds.

We followed the Nuffnang team uphill to our picnic site.  We set up our picnic blanket like the rest.  The day was perfect for a picnic.  The sky was beautiful and the air was fresh and clean.  

Ms. Trixie Esguerra of Nuffnang

Soon, the Nuffnang team started their speeches.  They started throwing out snacks.  We only got to grab the Vega so we have no idea what the other were.  They also distributed my favorite Fluffy Mamon from Goldilocks!  Kurt thinks our place was cursed because we were not given the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Burger and Del Monte Pineapple Juice when everyone had one.  We just literally stared at other picnic mates as they munched on their burgers.

Everyone munching on their Jollibee Chicken Burger

Hep Hep Hooray

As soon as we thought that it was all about snacks, games ensued.  The games were "Bring me" (prize: 500 gc from 7-11), "Hep Hep Hooray", "Boat is sinking", "Manila Paper Dance" (prize: neo gift packs) and "Name that tune".  I have never been to a family picnic before so my idea of it just comes from cartoons and movies.  Based on watch I've watched,  I was kind of expecting games to be something interactive or requires team work like relays.  Since we were there, we participated and lost. Haha!

Manila paper dance winners

Winners with Neo Gift Packs

After a few games, pizza came.  We were given one box to share with our picnic neighbors.  We were also given Pizza Hut Mozzarella sticks.  I loved it.  But it is better when its hot.

Sharing our pizza with the picnickers beside us

Pizza Hut Mozzarella Sticks

Creative way to spell Nuffnang Contest

Last but not the least, the last contest everyone had been waiting for was the "Spell Nuffnang in a creative way" to win an overnight stay at Cross Winds.  All of the contestants were awarded a prize.

The last activity of the night and the best part was the lifting of lanterns.  Thank you to the one who helped me inflate my lantern when I was almost hopeless.=)

Lantern with instructions

Placing the wick at the lantern

Lighting the wick

Filling the lantern with hot air

Away it goes

Our lanterns flew into the dark skies

Nuffnangers lantern filled the dark sky

Nuffnangers going downhill with lootbags

It was a long day.  We all went downhill to ride our bus once again.  Please see our next entry Cross Winds Christmas Village (see separate entry) for continuation.