Malalison Island Day Tour

I did want to have some adventures during my stay in Iloilo so my brother and I decided to go out of town and to the place named "Culasi". He recommended the Malalison Island (sometimes being called as "Mararison" because of the dialect of locals who lived there) which I heard is a remote and beautiful place. We went there for a day tour only and I know it's kinda "bitin" (short) but the place was so spectacular and I mean it.

We took a Van from Iloilo City (since we were not able to catch the Bus) for 6 hours just to reach the Culasi terminal and from there we rode a tricycle going to the port. We then rented a boat going to the island. In the port, we have to register and pay some fees there. (Tip: It would be nice to group yourselves to 5 to minimize the fees of the boat). We arrived at the Malalison Island around noon time and we hired a guide to tour us around the mountain side of the Island. The trail was so easy to trek and reaching the top was way too fast. Indeed, the view up there was worth it. People who have been there called or tagged the place as "The Little Batanes". Our guide told us that the mountain looks like a resting bird with its feathers widely spread out.

Just a side story regarding the sister island, the "Batbatan Island", which was once a tourist destination same with Malalison Island. During those early times, locals taking care of the that Island and those how lived there would put poison on the water they offered to the Tourists for drinking. This is the reason why there were not a lot of Tourists go there anymore and if ever they do visit that place, they will never drink the water the locals offer them. Maybe the locals were not that fond of people going into their home place but still, a little bit scary.

Now going back to Malalison Island, the top of the mountain offers a scenic and panoramic view of the island. Just a perfect place to take some beautiful pictures with different angles. Of course, I didn't let that moment swift away without taking Instagram worthy pictures and of course, for my blog. After the trek, it's time to eat our lunch. It was a bit late already but thankful for the people there because of their hospitality. They cooked food for us and it was good and affordable. Actually, you can even request a dish or style of cooking you want. After eating our lunch, we went to the seaside for a walk. Since we only went there for a Day Tour, we did not have a room for our things. Good thing our guide offered us a "Kubo" where we can put our things safely while we go on swimming.

The Island has a short white sandbar that makes the place looks gorgeous. I even spotted some white foreigners in the island having a good time swimming. The sandbar was so perfect for me. The locals kept on reminding us not to go beyond the sandbar for our safety. I got some photo of the sandbar and a picturesque of Mt. Madja'as in front of the island. The view of the mountain from the island makes me wanna stay a bit longer. I even promised myself to climb that mountain in the near future. There are so much on that Island that I was not able to do or even visited because of lack of time. We even need to chase the last trip going back to the City since the place is a bit far off.

Our way back to the port is a bit adventurous I can say. The boat that fetches us is a bit smaller compared to the previous one who drove us to the Island and we can really feel the waves in the water especially those big ones. I don't know how to explain it but just one wrong move of the driver, the boat will sink. Every time there was a big wave, I feel that we were on top of it and then it tries to pull us down. My brother got so nervous that time and did not even moved an inch thinking that the boat will sink if he does. And as for me? Yeah, I felt nervous a little but enjoyed most of the ride and even got excited. That was my first time riding a small fishing boat, four of us and in an open sea. :D

My experiences there was kinda fulfilling for me and adventurous. It was my first adventure alone (without my husband whom I kept on relying) along with my not so little brother. I would really recommend the place to visit for those who love adventures. I would advise you to stay for a night, go for island hopping to see the caves at the back of the Island, diving/snorkeling, trek the mountains and talk to some friendly locals about the history of the place. Going to remote places like this will make you a new person. Feel and embrace what nature can bring you.

"Let nature heal your soul, sometimes we need that."

Preset By: Arjhay de Leon

Iloilo City Escapade

I was so excited when my husband booked my plane ticket going back to our hometown. It's a blessing in disguise that he went to Cape Town, South Africa for a business trip for two weeks. It gave me enough time to stay in Iloilo. Going back home to our place was nostalgic. Remembering all those happy and sad moments when we were there. The life we have now when compared to before, says it all. Anyway, I have 20 days to enjoy my hometown which means I need to maximize it and make sure that my itinerary should be followed so that I won't miss a thing.

I arrived in Iloilo at 7:00 PM with heavy rain welcoming me and my first dish was laswa (Mixed vegetable soup) and fish. It was so delicious and perfect for the cold night. On my first week, I decided to stay in the house and did some cleaning and fixing of our personal stuffs. I also went visiting families and eating foods where I missed the most. Seeing my family happy and okay was my goal.

I really missed the peaceful nights at our place, the simple lifestyle, the fresh air, the rice fields, chirping of the birds and the smell of the plants and trees during sunrise. For me, this is the life that I've missed and has always been missing when I'm in Manila. Again, I experienced eating without buying anything where I can just pick all the ingredients in our backyard. The taste of the food that my Nanay (Mother) cooked can't be compared to any restaurant I've visited. I have experienced again how to ride a Tricycle in the bumpy rocky road in our town. It was so funny remembering how I have been complaining all of those time when I was still living here. All those times I thought life was so hard but it all changed when I experienced living Manila. Experiencing traffic for hours, flood anywhere and expensive kind of living. I can now just simply say that life in the province is far more better and easy. Reminiscing the past made me laugh and teary-eyed. I am a different person now I can surely say. I have changed a lot. Changed to someone better, stronger, loving and more understanding kind of person. I praise God for that and to all of His promises to my life. Life taught me so much.

Iloilo City I must say, is a well developed city already. Living for 3 years in Manila caused me to miss a lot of things. More buildings were built, more restaurants and bars to hang-out, more amenities to enjoy and many investors coming in. I am so proud to what the City of Smiles has become.

Iloilo has so much to offer as well if going out of town is your trip. My brother was my tour guide during one of my trip outside the city. He let me experienced staying in a well-known resort of San Joaquin, Iloilo, The Assemblage Point Resort and Convention Hub. From Iloilo City proper, it will take you at least 2-3 hrs riding a Jeep. The place has an overlooking view of the sea and it was not crowded. The calmness of the sea gives another flavor of peaceful time during your stay there. This place is perfect if you are looking to relax and be far from the city noise. Booking our stay there comes with breakfast. The room was cozy and comfortable with nice interiors. Expect to have no signal on your mobile phones there and that the place does not offer free WiFi. The place though was a bit expensive for an overnight stay.

My Iloilo itinerary comes with meeting my close friends and trying some new places to hang out. I've been to different restos and coffee shops. My favorite from all of them was the San Jose Café, located in Southpoint Annex. I like their smoothies and sandwiches. The place was cozy and they have excellent customer service. I also did running in a fully developed Esplanade which the City is so proud of. It is estimated to be around 3 kilometers from end to end. The view of the sunset is so dramatic and bizarre. Make sure to have this on your itinerary when going to Iloilo.

The simple life in my province recharged me and helped me to recover from all the stress I have experienced in Manila. All the gala and touring around makes me appreciate what we have. I know there are still a lot of things I might have missed during my 20 days stay in Iloilo but I will be back soon, ready to explore more and enjoy what the place can offer. I just want to thank God for the overflowing blessings we have received from Him and for the good health.

Till next time guys. God bless you all.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Bangkok Thailand (Tower II)

This is the continuation of my Thailand story, our last day and night in Bangkok. We headed to the city and checked in to the one of the amazing hotels in Bangkok, The Baiyoke Sky Hotel. We booked our room at the 41st floor. Just perfect view and experience for a luxurious night in the city. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of downtown where you can find all the cheap shopping bazaars, the Pratunam Bangkok.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel is the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the second tallest building in the city of Bangkok after MahaNakhon was build in 2016. It is an 88-storey with its height of 328.4 m (1,077 ft.) skyscraper hotel including the antenna. The Hotel features a 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor and a public observatory on the 77th floor. There is also a "Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge" on the 83rd floor which we didn't experience when we were there due to time constraints. But the place was so nice especially during the night with spectacular view of the city. The Viewing Deck and the Restaurants can still be accessed by anyone even not checked in to the Hotel, just deal with the Entrance Fees :) .

It was a beautiful experience and this was my first five-star hotel experience so far. Seeing the city in a 360-degree view with all the buildings, sky ways and railways going to Suvarnabhumi Airport. We had a lovely and delicious breakfast at the 76th floor with the magnificent view of the sunrise. We were able to taste different cuisine the Hotel offers and we enjoyed it so much. Booking a suite room in Baiyoke Sky Hotel comes with a buffet breakfast for two. The Hotel also offered a Free unlimited Wifi access. One thing that somehow disappoints me is that place was so crowded and the streets around it was so narrow (though I know its in downtown but still, safety is priority). It seems that the location of the hotel is not suitable for its elegance. But when it comes to their rooms, it was luxurious and I will give them a 4 Star and thumbs up.

Sharing you all some more pictures captured during our stay. Enjoy!!!