baguio ·
feel ·
food ·
FoodieCheatDay ·
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taste
Cafe By The Ruins
Saturday, April 02, 2011
I recently visited Baguio to attend the wedding of a dear friend. it was actually our first time to meet in person after years of communicating online. We met through a blog site and what has started out as a simple comment on a blog post blossomed into friendship. My friend and her not-so-new husband met with me and my husband for breakfast the day after the wedding. Isn't she sweet! She suggested that we try out Cafe by the Ruins . What an angel! I really want to try that restaurant because of the reviews I have read when I was planning the trip.
The four of us ordered the Filipino "Lon-Si-Log". This is not your ordinary longsilog. The longganisa is cooked without the casing. A bit crispy and tastes garlicky. The meal includes a fruit cup and coffee. The free coffee came with what I thought was a mini cookie. My friend told us that it is the sweetener. You simply drop it into your cup and then let it melt. It was great she told us that or I might have eaten it like a cookie. My friend's husband wanted us to try the Sticky Buns. Too bad it was not available. He instead ordered Glazed Cinnamon Rolls. I'm not a big fan of anything cinnamon but I genuinely loved their cinnamon rolls. I am curious with the Crispy Tapa but did not find it in the Breakfast menu. Must try when I return! It was our last day in Baguio. After the breakfast, me and my husband just head back to The Manor to check out then we're off to Victory Liner.
The newlywed gave us "pabaon" to have something to eat during the 5 hour trip. I was sleeping most of the trip and so the "pabaon" was eaten the next morning for breakfast. I love the kamote bread. I had it paired with butter, strawberry jam, sunny side up and bacon. For the basil bread, I cooked pasta for dinner and they complemented each other.
baguio ·
RoselleWanders ·
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transportation ·
travel ·
vacation
Victory Liner Deluxe Bus
Thursday, March 24, 2011
People from the lowlands are now flocking to Baguio to beat the summer heat. The most convenient way to travel is to have your private car (as long as you are not the driver). But should you opt for another means of transportation, Victory Liner is to the rescue. You can travel up north via the ordinary air conditioned bus or travel in extra comfort via the spacious Deluxe bus.
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| Photo courtesy of http://www.victoryliner.com/ |
The Deluxe Bus are very spacious, with only 3 seats in a row. You can comfortably recline the seat and lift the footrest. The bus is equipped with a comfort room thus eliminating the need for a stopover. For the techies, the bus is wi-fi enabled.
I don't have patience for long queues and the possibility of ending up as a chance passenger. Good thing Victory Liner accepts online reservation. I ordered my ticket online and the ticket was delivered in three days upon payment through bank deposit.
The regular air conditioned bus leaves every hour while the Deluxe bus first trip is at 10:15 am, 11:15 am and 12:15 am.
I don't have patience for long queues and the possibility of ending up as a chance passenger. Good thing Victory Liner accepts online reservation. I ordered my ticket online and the ticket was delivered in three days upon payment through bank deposit.
The regular air conditioned bus leaves every hour while the Deluxe bus first trip is at 10:15 am, 11:15 am and 12:15 am.
feel ·
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philippines ·
RoselleWanders ·
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tagaytay ·
travel ·
vacation
The Lake Hotel Tagaytay
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Date of Stay: 12-13 February, 2011
Location:
Location:
Conveniently located along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway making it accessible even to those who will be arriving via public transportation.
Strategically within walking distance to various restaurants such as the famous Leslie's Restaurant, Yellowcab Pizza, Max's, Antonio's, etc.
Hotel:
Strategically within walking distance to various restaurants such as the famous Leslie's Restaurant, Yellowcab Pizza, Max's, Antonio's, etc.
Hotel:
A 60 room hotel offering standard, superior, deluxe, superior lake view, deluxe lake view, junior suite, 1 bedroom suite, and 2 bedroom suite. Rooms are equipped with 32 inch HDTV, cable channels (limited), mini bar, coffee and tea making facilities, complete bathroom amenities (bathtub available only for de luxe lakeview and suite rooms; jacuzzi for the 2 bedroom suite), free wifi (poor signal in the room, need to go to the lobby). All the rooms are non smoking.
Restaurants:
Restaurants:
Two restaurants available: the 24 hr Coffee Shop where the complimentary breakfast is also served and a fine dining Asian Fusion Restaurant.
Published Rates: (as of Feb 2011)
Standard Room PhP5,800 nett /USD128
Superior Room PhP6,500 nett/USD143
Superior Lake View PhP7,200 nett/USD158
Deluxe Room PhP8,000 nett/USD176
Deluxe Lake View PhP8,700 nett/USD191
Junior Suite PhP10,500 nett/USD231
1 Bedroom Suite PhP16,000 nett/USD352
2 Bedroom Suite PhP32,000 nett/USD704
My Experience:
I got off the car while my husband tries to locate a parking slot. This is a 60 room hotel but the parking slot is limited and could probably only accommodate around 30 cars. There was a wedding reception when we arrived and the parking space is almost filled up. I was greeted by the doorman who accompanied me to the reception desk. I had my booking made via their website. The check in procedure was fast. The room was ready the moment I finished filling out the form.
I booked a Deluxe Lake View Room located on the 3rd floor. The view from the veranda is magnificent. The verandas are way too close with each other you could hear the conversations if there are people staying on the veranda on your left and right side. Luckily though, it seems me and my husband are the only people who wants to stay at the veranda. The wind is so chilly too, you can only manage to stay outside for a few minutes unless you are wearing a thick jacket.
The room is clean and looks new (it is actually new because the hotel only started its operation last November 2009). The bed is an orthopaedic bed so do not expect it to be soft. In my case, I find it comfortable because I have a scoliosis and the bed is ideal for me. De luxe rooms are provided with a magnetic pillow which is said to be therapeutic. I don't know if it's true. I've got a restful sleep that night -- either I am too tired or the pillow was indeed therapeutic.
Bathrobes are available for deluxe rooms and suites upon request. I called up room service and in less than five minutes, the robe was delivered to my room. Their bathrobe was the best bathrobe I had from the hotel. Not too heavy but very comfy. They provide the standard set of toiletries but I always bring my own toiletries when I travel so I was not able to use them. Whenever I travel, I do not mind paying for a more expensive room as long as I get a veranda, a view and a bathtub. Unfortunately, I was only able to use the bathtub once. The drain did not work. I was not actually planning to soak in the tub again since it was just an overnight stay so it really was not a big deal. But of course, I let the frontdesk know upon check out the the drain is not working.
The complimentary breakfast is buffet. Other hotels offer set breakfast. Do not expect though a lot of choices from the buffet considering this is just a 60 room hotel. I enjoyed the breakfast. Just right for me.
The swimming pool is not heated, and with the cold temperature of Tagaytay, I did not dare swim. It is also located near the lobby and almost beside the cafe so it's kinda awkward.
It is not perfect. But the hotel met my expectations. I actually did not set a high expectation for this hotel because I am aware that this is a small hotel. Except for the problem with the bathtub drain, everything else is just good for me. The staff are all efficient and highly commendable. The free book is also great (I love reading.).
I've tried other hotels in Tagaytay and after my stay here, I have decided to have this hotel as my first option whenever I travel to this place.
Arrozcaldo
All About Goto
Tagaytay
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