Cat Cafe, Osaka

For the love of cats, I had to visit one of them cat cafes in Japan. I wrote down the directions when we were creating our itinerary prior to our trip to Osaka, but it was kinda tough asking around when we got there. We just walked and walked, wherever our feet took us, erhmm, our eyes actually. Whatever we saw that was interesting (everything!), that's where we went and luckily found a cat cafe. Although it wasn't the one I saw on the internet but I was happy as can be, nevertheless.

H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S :)

As you enter the cafe, you can already see all the cats in their own holes on the cat tree with some on top or under the tables. The concept of the cat cafe is you pay to spend time with the cats. It's 1000yen (almost P500) for 1 hour with a drink, included. We had to take off our shoes and wear the slippers provided. There were mini lockers to put our shoes and bags so we could get comfortable with the cats. We were asked to choose our complimentary drinks and were also given shredded chicken in a small plastic container to feed the cats. Lastly, sanitize our hands. We could take pictures but without the flash.

I think those are the date of births, breeds and names of each cat.

Toys you can use to play with them :)

The look of a non-cat person surrounded by cats. Tee-hee!

Beautiful!

The ears of the cat is really like that. It wasn't flat because it was annoyed. I just learned that he/she's a Scottish Folds.

Purrrrrrrfect!

A trip to Cubao

As you know, we enjoy going to interesting places for good buys so I wanted to check the Shoe Expo (used to be known as Marikina Shoe Expo) in Cubao. I've been considering having custom made riding boots (for a change from ordering online) and hopefully there's a good shoemaker there.

 

The place is much smaller now, according to the sellers. Surrounded by huge malls and constructions of buildings in Cubao, is the Shoe Expo. Although you expect to see small shops or boutiques of  shoes, there were more antique and vintage shops.

 

My love for antique, right?

 

 

 

 

Dapitan Arcade

As much as I enjoy window shopping for clothes, shoes and bags, I also love antique, vintage and local inspired house decors. I often find a lot of neat and unique stuff at Dapitan Arcade. Good and interesting finds and reasonably priced, compared to the malls. Best part is you can also haggle with the sellers.

So on a hot and humid Sunday, we went to check what we could find. I wasn't actually looking for anything in particular but you know when you find an interesting piece, you just need to have it! Although I was in the middle of de-cluttering and organizing Matt's room, I wanted to get ideas on what to get to store different stuff. Baskets. While at it, I decided to take some photos to share.

A must place to go to for good finds.

I would have bought the horse with the blue saddle pad but both ears were chipped off. Boo hoo!

During Christmas we display our collection of small houses and actually have a small village. We bought the different pieces here.

I just love these jewelry organizers. They also make great gifts.

Of course the horse got my attention. 

The wheels are made of capiz shells. How creative is that?!

Vintage cars! I would have wanted to get the train but not within my budget for this visit. Perhaps next time.

Will share what I bought some other time :o)

Kamana Sanctuary Resort and Spa

When we were talking about a weekend getaway, I had Tagaytay in mind, obviously my favorite. Dennis wanted to go to the beach but I was trying to talk him out of it and since it's the rainy reason. It's been pouring cats and dogs and didn't think the beaches would be clear. Rain pouring down from the mountains will leave the water murky.

As you know, he's been in and out of the hospital and needed a break. So off to the beach! It had to be nearby as he couldn't drive long distance, without tiring himself and we're being very careful not to strain him or anything that might trigger another trip to the hospital. Subic is nice although the only decent beach we've been to is Camayan. Light colored, fine sands with clear sea water. That was an option. The other was try out a hotel somewhere in the mountains (for a change) and spend the day on the beach at Camayan.

Upon searching online, I came across Kamana Sanctuary Resort and Spa. Never heard of it and thought it was somewhere in Bataan, not realizing it was in Subic Bay itself. Seems pricey but we thought we'd check it out, nevertheless.

It's somewhere near Camayan and Ocean Adventure, but on a separate road like you're headed somewhere deep inside the forest. My first impression when we finally got there...it was indeed a sanctuary. Who would ever think you'd find such a place in the middle of almost nowhere, after driving through the forest? The stilt casitas got my attention as it reminded me so much of our honeymoon in Lagen, El Nido. But it was out of our budget. Anyway, we decided we'll be staying there in their supposed lowest cost room, which was beautiful! But the thought of sitting out on the balcony drinking coffee in the middle of the day, sipping wine in the evening and just listening to the sound of water underneath us, watching the sunset/sunrise was too good to resist. So in the end, we got ourselves a Casita, room C7. 

All the rooms had the leaf decor. This was a deluxe room where we were supposed to stay. See how spacious and lovely it is?

So instead we transferred here. Matt and I checking the view from where we stood and I was already thinking of what food and drinks to buy from Duty Free for our lazy afternoon/evening on the balcony.

The room is very spacious which includes a huge sofa bed on the right hand side.

His & Hers sink.

The sun was almost setting. There's Matt waiting for me so we could get ready to swim.

Pool area with the sun already starting to set.

The next day, we got up early to enjoy every minute. Water was very clear.

So beautiful! We didn't want to go back home.

Souvenir shot :o)

We shall return!

Tagaytay, again.

Normally, I'm fine with our unplanned overnight trips but this time, it was such a hassle. We left Manila  after lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon, till evening, looking for a place to stay. If budget wasn't a problem, we wouldn't have wasted so much time walking in and out of hotels or bed & breakfasts to find the most reasonably priced.

I got really cranky because I was hungry, and tired (after spending the entire morning playing badminton). After reaching Sonya's, I couldn't bear the thought of being stuck in traffic heading back to  town. So, we decided to eat dinner there and if there were rooms available, we would have stayed overnight instead. 

Eventually found a place, spacious, seemed decent and the price wasn't bad. It had a little patio overlooking the Taal volcano. Nice, right? However, while we were resting and watching TV, I started to feel itchy and discovered that the pillows, inside the pillow covers, were very dirty. That's a no no. That put me off big time. 

Too bad because I would have liked the place but I don't think they're very experienced and perhaps experimenting on the idea of a bed & breakfast but definitely not a hotel. These rooms were probably guest rooms which they converted. Very cozy. Through experience and feedback, it has a lot of potentials :)

Having breakfast here overlooking the Taal volcano was such a treat!

Some farmer decides to plant pineapples on our property without permission, like he had all the right in the world. Help! How do you deal with such people?

Corregidor Island

I can't seem to sit still and continue to look for new adventures. I think this supermom thing is really becoming my reality! I love going to places, although the financial damage is pretty painful. Would you rather buy a signature bag than be able to see and experience new places? Erhm, I shouldn't have asked myself that. I'd be torn in the decision making! Shallowness aside, I'm starting to slowly set aside small amounts (when I can) to travel. So keen on understanding the history, culture of places and it's a must to visit museums. It dawned on me that I know very little about the Philippine history. Shame on me!

So, I decided to plan a trip to Corregidor Island and brought my mom with my boys. On a side note, we were almost late because we had no idea that they close off Roxas boulevard, the roads along CCP, etc...because it was filled with people running, doing zumba, cycling, people getting to row near the bay...etc. What a busy place Manila is! I think it's great that there are so many people taking care of their health by exercising. Yeah!

Going back...I booked us a trip at Sun Cruises online. Cruise ride was almost 2 hours from Manila to the island. Once on the island, we rode the tranvia to take us around the island with a tour guide. It was very organized although the tour guide lacked customer service. He was cool and all, but we were seated next to some foreigners that didn't understand what he was saying because he spoke Filipino all throughout. Although he did ask if there were any foreigners on board, but these tourists were shy. Later on I approached him just to let him know that our seat mates couldn't understand him. He was a bit defensive and rude by saying that the foreigners should have said something when he asked. Then arrogantly he asked me what he should do, then? Then the guy seated next to me also approached him and to let him know that he didn't understand Filipino and instead of being apologetic, he said the same thing to the guy, "I asked if there were any foreigners before the tour started. You didn't say anything." Poor tourist. I wanted to cringe and was so embarrassed of the tour guide's behavior. We should be more friendly and accommodating. For crying out loud this is a tour and the importance of tourism! Working in an industry that provides customer service as the core, I am very sensitive to such. Most of all, these are tourists/visitors. We should be taking care of them. The impression that we leave goes a long way.

Anyway...the Malinta Tunnel experience was, indescribable. The presentation was educational. But just the thought of being in a tunnel where so many soldiers died, especially the Japanese soldiers that refused to surrender, who committed suicide rather than give in to the American soldiers. One end of the tunnel was closed to trap them. I can't remember if the Japanese blew themselves up with the bombs they had because they didn't want to surrender or they were lit up to burn inside by the Americans. Sorry, not too clear. But when it blew up inside, the branching tunnels caved in. The dead and covered bodies were not excavated and left as is. A lot of spooky stories. My experience? Nothing really except the tunnel felt cool and when I took pictures, not sure if the lens of the camera was dirty because of the white, blurry circles that appeared in the tunnel and cave shots. Dennis was saying they looked like orbs. 

You be the judge :)

Getting ready to enter the Malinta Tunnel

Inside the tunnel

One of the tunnel branches that caved in during the explosion

Tour guide told me to go in and he'd take my picture. Obviously I was spooked.

Some of the many ruins

The tranvia that took us around the island

Beautiful! View from the high top overlooking the sea.

Weather was too hot for mom