Thursday, October 30, 2014

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Philippines



For the first 16 years of my life, Cebu, Philippines, to me, was the equivalent of family and vacation. 

Every summer, semestral break, and christmas, we would take an overnight ferry from my hometown, Cagayan de Oro, to get there. I never liked those ferries.. the beds, the pillows, the smell.. but waking up knowing we have docked in Cebu, and seeing my uncles happy to pick us up at the port, always made up for it.

We were often there to visit our grandparents, and play with our cousins. But then I went to college in Manila, and moved to Singapore. Family vacations changed. And I started flying to Cebu only for weddings and funerals.

15 years have passed. 

For promises I had to keep, I visited Cebu and stayed at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa with my colleagues in May 2014.

Beach at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Philippines

And realised what I have been missing..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

This very beautiful beach cove..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

On that big rock, a flight of stairs leads to spa beds and lounge chairs..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

There's a lot of fish just by the beach.. so snorkelling is really great!

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The swimming pools and hotel grounds..
I was always at the balcony, and forgot to take pictures of the rooms.. but they're good :)

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Isn't that amazing? 
The sunset was actually on the other side of the sky, and it reflected on those clouds.

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Twilight..

Buko Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Loved Ones.. At the Buko Bar..

Waves Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Too happy dancing at the Waves Bar every night..
I forgot to take a picture of the place itself.. which was really nice.. by the beach.. sea breeze..

Sunrise, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Sunrise..
I just used my iPhone, and this picture seriously does not do any justice to the beauty of that morning..

Sunrise, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Breeze Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Breeze Bar..

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

Sand almost as fine as sugar..

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

My favourite spot..

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

Comfortable beach beds.. 

Loved them even more at night.. to snooze and listen to the sound of the waves.. without getting sunburnt :p

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The bridge to the Ocean Pavilion..

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

My dream wedding venue..
At this moment, they were setting up the Ocean Pavilion for a wedding ceremony..

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The Altar..
I love it so much!!!

Since my own wedding did not happen here.. 
I would have to book this for my future children.. haha! :)

Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

The jetty..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

And me.. loving every part of this part of Cebu.. so much!!

Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

How can I not?! :)

-----------------

Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

Just a side note: When you are staying in Mactan..

Rent a car with a driver, make reservations, and go to Lantaw Native Restaurant in Busay. 
There are different Lantaw Restaurants, so make sure you are going to the one in Busay. 

Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

It's at least an hour away from Mactan, but this view of the whole Cebu City is totally worth it!

Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

They serve Filipino food that's really good! 
And whatever happens.. order the Tuna Belly! :)


---------------------------
References:

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa - www.shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort/
Deluxe Room, Sea View, with Breakfast - May 2014 - SGD 360 per night
Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay - +63 32 511 0379

Happy Birthday, Jobelle! :)


To one of my most beautiful sisters, inside out..

Alaskan Malamute, Alaska, USA
With an Alaskan Malamute in Alaska, USA

Believe me.. This is the most decent travel picture I could find with just the two of us.. hehe! :)
And I realised that it has been a long time since we have explored the world together..

Jobelle at My Wedding in Manila, Philippines
My Maid of Honor

We will make time for that.. 
But for now.. 
Stay cool.. Stay happy.. Stay gorgeous!

Jobelle Catching to Bouquet, Manila, Philippines
Jobelle Catching the Bouquet at My Wedding in Manila, Philippines

Because you caught that flower bouquet..
And apparently the magic worked..

Your turn is coming very soon..
And we can't wait!

Happy, happy birthday Belle! :)
Love you always!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Husky Dog Sledding in Finland


After spending some time reflecting on my adventures..

I realized that the Husky Sleigh Ride in Inari, Finland was the second most amazing travel experience I've ever had. 

(The first? click here ;))

It was not in my Bucket List, but go add it in yours! 
It doesn't have to be in Finland.. You can do it in Sweden, Norway, Canada, Alaska, etc.. But do it! :D

Lake Inari, Finnish Lapland

In the Finnish Lapland, they often call it Husky Safari..

Tours are readily available with most of the hotels..
But it would be better to book them in advance because, first, the dogs are limited, and second, the sleds have to be prepared.

Lake Inari, Finnish Lapland

They picked us up..

And now we are here at the farm.. By the frozen Lake Inari..

Husky Sled, Finland

Walking through the woods... And wow!!!

There they are! All ready and waiting for us!

Thought I'd only see this in the movies!

Husky Sled, Finland

In pairs, we choose our sleds.. 

It has 5 to 6 huskies each.. with different genders because they have to mix and match the alphas..

Husky Sleigh Ride, Finland

Showing us how it's done..

One person has to stand and step on, and control the brakes from behind, while the other..
sits comfortably under the warm reindeer skin blanket ;) 

Husky Sled, Finland

We are ready.. and the huskies can no longer wait to have fun!

The guide starts to release the dogs.. while we continue to step firmly on the brakes until our cue..

Husky Dog Sledding in the Finnish Lapland

Following the guides on the snowmobile..

One sled at a time, we release our brakes to let the dogs run and form a single row..

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

The dogs are well trained.. they follow a path.. and they know that they have to follow the snowmobile or sled in front..

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

But stop!!

The husky looks behind and asks why.. are we stopping?! ;)

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

Everyone stops..

The guides have to fix some of the dogs or sleds.. put them back on track.. run back and forth.. untangle ropes.. check each one..

There are 10 of us.. 5 sleds.. and at least 26 dogs!

It is not an easy task for the guides to be handling so many animals all at the same time..

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

We are all waiting.. and waiting.. and it's getting really cold..

Our dogs are starting to get bored.. restless.. and horny!!

Our dogs just started mating!!

They cannot be stopped..

So now we have to wait again.. and no.. I am not joking!

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

And finally!! 

Off we go!!

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

I can't describe the feeling properly anymore..

Cold.. exciting.. amazing.. overwhelming.. !!

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

Sitting comfortably, I am hanging on to our camera and waiting for these moments..

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

Too many nice moments though! :D

The huskies are doing what they love.. running.. really fast!

Husky Sled, Arctic Circle

Feels like I'm just dreaming.. 

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Riding towards the very beautiful setting sun..

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Crossing the vast snow-covered frozen lake..

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Whooooppss! Their dogs just went off the track.. haha! :)

The guide is pulling them back..

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Back on the path now..

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

The guides are checking all the sleds again..

And we.. are as happy as the huskies!! Haha!! :D

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Our fairy tale adventure continues..

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Feels like heaven.. and loving every moment of it!!

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

And here we are.. It's over :(

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

Thanking the huskies for the great job they have done! :)

Husky Sled on Lake Inari, Finland

They are tired now.. and heading back to their houses..

Squirrel on a Tree, Finland

A squirrel is curiously watching..

Huskies, Arctic Circle

Home.. 

And getting their reward - some Reindeer bones!

Window Frost, Arctic Circle

Just a window frost on the way..

Arctic Circle

To the teepee where everyone has gathered for some hot lingonberry juice..

Fireplace, Arctic Circle

Sharing stories, keeping warm, grilling sausages..

Winter in the Arctic Circle

And getting dirty eating those blackened meat.. 

But I still can't get over that husky sleigh ride! :)



---------------------------
References:

Full Trip Itinerary and Budget - Finland and Estonia - Northern Lights Itinerary

Husky Safari - 2 Hours for EUR 190 Per Person
Booked through our hotel in February 2014 - Hotel Inari - www.hotelliinari.fi