After Taste

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Unplanned dessert treat before he left for the province. Happened to pass by the Penny Brown cookies stall at the 2nd Floor of Glorietta 2. All smackers look yummy and cost P65. His sinless sugarfree cookies-vanilla ice cream smacker sandwich was a fine choice. But my soft milk choco chunk cookies-strawberry ice cream combo tasted even better, hehe. I'll try their crazy oats 'n nuts cookie next time.

Yum yum! =)

Quick Fix

One of these days, there will be some alterations.

Wind back.

One week before our Sagada trip, I got an unforeseen phone call from Park. There was an abrupt gush of buoyancy. A perfect timing to perk up my then thinning self-approbation. Soon after, I realized-- hey I’m still doing fine, self-assuredly. Something I had never felt in a long time. One thing led to another.

For the past two weeks, I have been in a hot seat, thoughtfully calculating each step I would be making in a few more weeks. It has been a bumpy ride-- because not only has been the experience thrilling, but it has also been heartbreaking. And I have never been good at the last one, I swear. So I have opted to say nothing. Some people have already had a hint, but I wish they would do the same-- say nothing.

I guess it is time again to gamble on the trick of the trade-- owning a wise heart and being pragmatic. You win some, you lose some. Reality works this way. Promising yet, at some point, bleak.

Move forward.

*****
I still owe Tin and Miray [and some people] more particulars. But I'm sure they will understand.
Hmmm...Snow Patrol's CHASING CARS underscores the mood. Oh well..

Sand Spin 3

*****
Fended off work stress in White Beach, Puerto Galera. Enjoyed the 2-day unruffled break with the family.

The initial plan was Talipanan Beach. [The atmosphere is serene but the shore there is not as clean and level as that of White Beach.] Checked in at Basilico for P2,000 instead. [The rooms are new and clean. And they have Cable TV unlike in Talipanan.] Alloted P100 for every meal and P700 for transpo per person. Snorkled for P600++ (after some nice haggle transactions). Had another full-body beachside massage for P150, with complimentary Bob Marley music in the background (performed by a live band in a nearby bar). And prepared P1,000 for pasalubong and some others. Overheads: around P8,000. Not bad for a P2,000-budget per head. ;-)

UP NORTH: SAGADA

From Manila (10PM) to Banaue (7AM) to Sagada (2PM) cost a little over P600 plus some meals.

Day One: Almost iced cold. Checked in at George Guesthouse, P200 per day per person. Recharged ourselves with banana-chocolate shortcake, banana-strawberry yoghurt, and carbonara of Yoghurt House. The shortcake is a must-try. Lasted the tough four-hour cave connection from Lumiang Burial Cave to Sumaging Cave, both of which are impressive spots (including the precarious descend and climb) by the way. Treated ourselves with a passable dinner at Masferre's Country Inn and Restaurant. Then, warmed the night with a few shots of Matador Brandy. And that was just day one.

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Woke up at 6AM. Sampled Bilig Cafe for breakfast, Cafe Igorota for lunch, and Alfredo's Cabin for dinner.

Day Two. Chilled. Endured the two-hour walk across rice terraces to Bomod-ok Falls. Dipped into the chilling water of the falls afterwards. Walked another two hours back, treated ourselves with the local ice cream, then back to George to snooze. After a couple of hours, refreshed ourselves to visit St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Then, experimented our way to the Echo Valley. And yes, it echoed (but all valleys do, right?). Encountered an ornithologist there, patiently observing the birds in the valley (perhaps our yelling disturbed the scene). Ended our day 2 itinerary buying souvenirs.

Day Three. End of the trail. Left Sagada around 7AM. Chose Baguio route for add-ons. Savored Cafe by the Ruins for lunch. Bought lots of vegetables. Burned CDs on the bus. Home by 11PM.

And my shirt says : I survived Sagada. ;-)