Cheftonio's Top 3 for 2010 - Happy New Year! Welcome 2011!

Another year has passed but this year, same as every year, it gets even better and better. I just wanted to share my top 3 lists for 2010.

Top 3 local destinations I've been to in 2010:
1. Batanes
2. Caramoan
3. Boracay

My Christmas Celebration 2010

Hey! How's your holiday so far? Are you spending every second well? You know what, God is fair. He gave us all 24 hours to use. It now depends on how we spend it. How's your Christmas holiday so far?

Unlike the past few years, once the "ber" months start, I can feel a bit of Christmas already. It's entirely different this year. I only felt Christmas on the Christmas eve dinner where we usually gather with relatives. Nevertheless, I enjoyed every moment of it. Went to 2 sides of the family -- father side and mother side. In between, we attended a Christmas Candle Light service at a Christian church.

No Traffic on Christmas Eve

Crown Regency Cebu - The Best Place to Stay in Cebu!

I've never been to Cebu, Philippines but I plan to go next year. I heard that it's much like Manila but then, I'd love to visit a duplicate of Manila, to see and compare firsthand.

As I look for flights, I noticed that the rates of Air Philippines is much lower than any of the other airlines (didn't bother to check zest air because of bad feedbacks by fellow bloggers). Air Philippine flights to Cebu costs around 800 pesos only! (I think tax is not included).

As for Cebu accommodation, I was checking out the famous Crown Regency Cebu. This is the hotel with the first edge coaster in the Philippines!
Check out their official website: http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com/main/

World Bangers Haute Dog Rockwell

Walking around Rockwell one day, I decided to check out this intriguing hotdog store. Not your usual TJ's and the smell coming from their grills enticed me to take a closer look. Ever since that first time, I was hooked with their gourmet hotdogs. Gourmet may sound too snobby and exclusive but they aren't.

I cannot believe that such an establishment like World Bangers, having nice ambient lighting, with rustic yet modern design, can be that affordable. Take a guess.. how much does their Hotdog sandwiches cost?

Places to Visit in Batanes Philippines (Part 2)

In my last post about the things to do and places to visit in Batanes, I included the following locations:
1. Manila Domestic Airport
2. Basco Batanes Airport
3. Abandoned Weather Station of PAGASA - DOST
4. Mahatao View Deck
5. Honesty Coffee Shop

If you want to view that, check this post out:
http://cheftonio.blogspot.com/2010/12/where-to-go-in-batanes-things-to-do-in.html

For this post, I will be blogging about the ff places in Batanes (Batan Island):
1. San Carlos Borromeo Church / Mahatao Church
2. Oldest house using tiled roof in Batanes
3. House of Dakay - a UNESCO heritage building
4. Ivana Church
5. Da Insulares Souvenir Shop

Where to go in Batanes? (Things to do in Batanes) Part 1

First, How to go to Batanes 
I won a ticket last year from a writing contest I joined. The ticket was valid until Decembeer 2010 and because I was busy, I just went a few days before November 2010 ends. We only booked for 4 pax via Seair then divided the total by 5 to make the fare more affordable. Booking was made through phone but i suggest that you book online. Booking by phone, you need to go to their office to pay but online, you can pay using credit card.

Seair flies to Batanes daily. Check out Seair's Website for more information.

What to expect in this post?
1. Manila Domestic Airport
2. Basco Batanes Airport
3. Abandoned Weather Station of PAGASA - DOST
4. Mahatao View Deck
5. Honesty Coffee Shop

My Early New Years Resolution

In a fast paced world like we have right now, it's easy for time to leave us behind in a blink of an eye. Have you noticed? You wake up having Monday blues and in a flash, it's weekend again. We are so busy, we don't have the much needed time for ourselves. I do take vacations from time to time but when in the city, there's no more me-time.

Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge - Batanes

From Basco Airport to Fundacion Pacita

As we went out of Basco Airport, staff from Fundacion Pacita holding placards with my name on it welcomed us warmly. After retrieving our luggages, they helped us carry it to Fundacion Pacita's service van. A Toyota Hi-ace van. Probably the only newest van model in the entire island.

En-route to Fundacion Pacita, your heart will beat fast as the roads there are narrow and without borders - those afraid of heights are not advised to look out of the window :)