10.17.10.
Circle of Fun is in the heart of Quezon City Circle. A huge park where there are slides and playpens where the kids would definitely enjoy. However, when we got there, there were a lot of people in the park. And since most of us are adults, we decided to go the the amusement park instead where there are less people.
Entrance is P20. Not bad. When you get inside, the park is clean. There are a lot of cool stuff inside where you can have your picture taken -- dinasours, wishing well, and the rides are well lit and decorated.
The rides are cool. The wild wind is a small roller coaster that will drive you crazy. It goes up slowly then falls down so fast and then goes on a loop. Get your throat ready for the loudest scream you will make!
The Pharoah is the best. It's a scary tunnel that you have to go through...by foot! So you can just imagine how we entered, everyone was pushing each other who will go first, and no one wants to be at the tail end! It was creepy inside, it's so dark you won't figure out right away where to go. Worse, there's a ghost that will haunt u from the back and will follow you and run after you. So definitely, you will run and scream at the same time! Make sure you wear rubber shoes when you do this. Most of the people who came in with slippers end up with torn ones. hahaha.
There's also rides for the kids... and that's the famous carousel! It made me dizzy though because it's a small carousel, the turn is short so you get dizzy faster compared to a large one where the turn is bigger too.
Rides range from 30 to 50 pesos per head, depends on which kind. It's a cheap thrill. We enjoyed a lot. It's near, it's cheap, it's fun. Go try it. =)
Who would ever wonder there is a forest in the middle of the metro? We were just looking for a place to bring our baby on a weekend without going out of town. My husband thought about the eco park which we just heard from some friends. We browsed through the net to look for pictures, map and reviews. Fortunately we saw a lot of good feedback and the pictures seemed nice.
October 2, Sunday, we went to La Mesa Eco park. We passed through Katipunan - UP Diliman - Commonwealth. As you go along commonwealth, you will see a small sign that says La Mesa Eco Park turn right. We entered a village. It wasn't hard to find. You just go straight ahead and there are still signs inside the village. You will not get lost.
We were surprised with the entrance arch of the park. It is beautiful. For a moment, we felt we were in Jurassic park!
As you enter, there is ample space for parking. Most of it though is rough parking. You will pay P40 entrance fee and you get a discount if you are from QC. There will be an electric jeep waiting for you to bring you to the park. It's going to be a long walk and with picnic baskets and stuff, it's better to take the jeep.
They have huts around where you can lounge. It's P500 for the whole day. If you don't want to pay, you can simply lay your mats on grass for free!
Stairs going up will make you see the grand La Mesa Dam... for security reasons, pics are not allowed to be taken. Prepare yourself for a long climb, but the view will be rewarding!
Horse back riding is offered as well. P50 per head and you will stroll a short trail around the park.
They also have an orchid garden and mini forest. We just enjoyed the green environment and took as much pictures as we can.
They also offer bike rentals, swimming and fishing.
In Feb 2007, we availed of another PALakbayan promo for Ilocos. We paid P7,500 each for a round trip airfare via Laoag International airport and a 4days 3nights stay in Fort Ilocandia. What's good about PALakbayan packages is that they provide hotel - airport transfers. So when we got to the airport, there is a hotel car waiting for us to bring us to the hotel. You won't be scared of losing your way or paying a lot for cabs.
Fort Ilocandia is the only 5 star hotel in the north. It is huge! it is by the beach, it has a pool , ATV track, horseback riding, a bar and restaurant and a mini zoo. You would think you don't even have to go out of the hotel anymore! But no, Ilocos has a lot to offer.
Our room has 2 beds with white fresh sheets. It has a balcony and the view is the olympic size pool.
When we arrived we immediately explored the resort. It was February and it's going to be chinese new year the coming weekend, so being a Chinese owned resort, you can just imagine how they decorated the place in preparation for this.
They have huge garden. I don't know what the signs say... probably kung hei fat choi?! LOL.
They also have a mini zoo within the resort. A few interesting animals like Ostrich, monkeys, deer and some birds.
The beach is the South China Sea... Ilocos is very near Taiwan, about 30mins flight, even nearer thatn metro manila.
The next day we went for a Laoag City Tour. The hotel offers this to all guests. We paid P750 each for this. This does not include the entrance fees/donations for the spots you will visit.
The picture above is the entrance to the Malacanang of the North. This is the mansion of the Marcoses in their hometown. Entrance Fee is P20.
This is a 6oth birthday gift for Marcos from Imelda. This is the couple's bed in the Master's bedroom. I know the largest bed size is King...i don't know what this is called!
This is the view at the back of the palace. This is a man made lake with golf course around it.
This is the famous Paoay Church in Ilocos. It was closed when we got there because it was lunch time.darn...
We went to the famous wax musuem of Marcos in Batac where his body lies. Picture or video is not allowed to be taken. You can also see here some of his memento.
Don't miss out on Ilocos' specialty... Empanada!
Part of the Laoag tour is vising Museo Ilocos Norte. This will showcase the old fashion way of living! Entrance Fee is P20.
Baluarte is huge property of Governor Singson. It's like a wild animal park free for all! You will see ostrich, mini horses, swans, tigers,snakes and a lot more!
And when you are in Ilocos, you wouldn't dare miss VIGAN! We rented a car to tour us to Ilocos Sur (Laoag is Ilocos Norte).
The Heritage Village
The Bell Tower. Where FPJ shot his famous movie "Ang Panday"
The House of Carmina Villaroel in the movie "Maruja" with Rustom Padilla (now Bibi Gandanghari).
The house of the Famous Crisologo Family.
Our last day in Ilocos, we enjoyed what Fort Ilocandia can offer. We availed of the amenities available. We were not able to go to Pagudpud because we lacked time. At least there's somewhere to go to look forward to.
Enjoy what North can offer! Go see Ilocos!
When you are in Cebu, try to include Bohol in your tour. It is only an hour and a half ferry away from Cebu port. We did an overnight stay in Bohol, day 1 for the beach and day 2 for the island tour.
1. Alona Beach Resort - Panglao Island
Panglao Island is a strip of beach with different resorts. It is like Boracay but it is not commercialized. It is very quiet because it's not as crowded as other beaches. Be prepared for expensive meals though. Some restaurants there offer breakfast for 300 pesos per meal. However, if you walk along the strip, you will see some mini restaurants of barbeque pits that offer a more reasonable price.
ISLAND TOUR
2. Blood Compact Site
The first treaty of Friendship between people of different races, religion, culture and civilization. The blood compact was between Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
3. Baclayon Church
Considered one of the oldest church in the Philippines and is one of the best preserved Jesuit churches. It became a parish in year 1717. Whew!
4. The Famous Chocolate Hills
Legend has it that the hills came into existence when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached consensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. Going to the top viewing deck will take you 294 stair steps.
5. Man Made Forest
Along the road going to Chocolate Hills, there is a 2 kilometer strip of mahogany man made forest. It's definitely a pretty sight!
6. Hanging Bridge
This bridge hangs approximately 20 meters above the Loboc River and sways back and forth as you walk across.
This bridge over the Loboc river connects the village on the other side to the world and it's quite fun doing the walk... This is seldom part of a tour program.
7. The adorable Tarsier
Bohol is known for Tarsier. They say this is the only island where they survive. if you try to bring them out of they island, they die.
8. Loboc Church
This is the 2nd oldest church in Bohol, built in 1753. In Loboc, you can also admire a shameful witness of wasteful planning. Exactly next to the church is a partly finished bridge across the river. Hopefully, this bridge will never be completed, as, to do that, the Church will have to be destroyed.Some locals said the government is trying to build the bridge to destroy the church because there is rumor that there are a lot of treasures buried in this location.
9. Loboc River Cruise
You pay P250 per person and you get to cruise the Loboc River for an hour going back and forth with buffet served. (eat all you can). in the raft, you will be serenated by singers. Along the river you will see breath taking views, amusing kids jumping from bridges or tall trees down the river.
10. Hinagdanan Cave
The owner of the land discovered this cave while he was clearing the area. He noticed 2 holes on the ground adjacent to each other. To determine the depth of the whole, he threw a stone and he was surprised to hear a splash. Intrigued, he further went down the cave and he saw beautiful sight of stone formations hanging from the ceiling and a pond at the center of the cavern.
