d r e a m i n g out loud;

by caren viniegra

home

credit

posted on Saturday, April 25, 2015 @ 1:13 AM | 0 comments

❝ Mt. Pico de Loro

So I really had to blog about a first: HIKING. What's up people lol. I'm back, kind of. Quick note for everyone: so I have decided not to mix everything up. So everything in this blog will most likely be about events, or anything similar. And everything else that's going through my head will be posted in http://jupiter-bound.blogspot.com Haha. So in there you will find my rage, my happiness, and my late night thoughts so we could all filter the drama.

Anyway, back to what I was saying. HIKING omg. I've always been to extremes (okay kinda) but hiking has been really fun! Although not as easy as I have expected, it was all worth it. :)

We hiked Mt. Pico de Loro, which is one of the mountains from Mt. Buntis (History lesson check! Andres Bonificio was killed here by a firing squad) It's not as hard to hike as other mountains as the trail challenge was given a 2 out of 10 by experienced hikers from other blogs I've saw. But anyway, it's a good mountain to hike for first timers like me :)

Here is the view from the foot of the peak.

I hiked together with high school friends

So this is me at the peak of the mountain! The peak is a bit (or hella) more challenging than the rest of the trail because it was dreadfully sunny when we hiked so the dirt was really dry and it was sand. So if you make one wrong step, you're surely be dead lol. No kidding. But don't worry, there are some locals that could guide you on your way up, or even pull you up haha because they are really experienced and could run up and down the peak.

On our way down, we saw this um idk plant? Flower? It resembled a dandelion so I made a BIG wish on this. Haha. Okay idk just wanted to share.

Labels: life

posted on Monday, April 14, 2014 @ 11:56 PM | 1 comments

❝ Late Lunch at Tagaytay

Hooray!

Two posts in one month! Great improvement for my lazy blogging. I hope I can keep this up, or is it just because it's summer? Lol. Well, anyway, I decided to blog about our not-so-far-away lunch at Tagaytay for my niece's post-birthday celebration last April 13, 2014.

So we ate at Breakfast at Antonio's, if any of you are familiar. I like the ambiance of the place because its walls are painted white with windows overlooking the Taal Lake, which gives you that serene feeling.

This is a photo of the food I ate. I ordered a Housemade Chorizo (Php 400) served with two eggs, and a choice of side either Garlic Rice, sauted scallop potatoes, or hashbrown. I chose garlic rice because I was in dire need of a heavy meal (oops)

The photo above is what my nephew has ordered. That is Cheddar and Bacon Pancakes (Php 260). It is served with Bacon strips and American Cheddar.

Next is my niece's (the one who is having her post-birthday celebration) She ordered a Beef Stroganoff pasta.

My sister ordered a Croque Madame (Php 380) It is a sandwich with ham and cheese as its filling with Bechamel Sauce served with sunny side up on the side.

And lastly, my sister's boyfriend ordered a Housemade Pastrami (Php 430) with Sauerkraut and Swiss Cheese with a drizzle of Russian dressing.

I would definitely recommend this restaurant, although my dish was kind of overcooked, but this was addressed accordingly and I was given another meal prepared by the head chef (as they have said).

After having our late lunch at Breakfast at Antonio's, we were supposed to ride the SkyRanch but then we decided to just have dessert instead at the Cliffhouse.

We ate crepe at Cafe Breton. I ordered a Strawberry Short Crepe, shared with my niece. They also bought ice cream at FIC but the crepe was enough dessert for me :)

The cliffhouse also exhibits a great view of the Taal Lake which is also a great spot for taking photos. Yes, we have done this for the nth time.

Till my next post :)

Labels: food

posted on Saturday, April 5, 2014 @ 11:18 PM | 0 comments

❝ Shanghai - Paris of the East

Shanghai Skyline

I hope it's not too late to blog about our trip to Shanghai, China. I have always planned about blogging about this getaway, but just didn't managed to find time to do so. One of the reasons why may be because I still don't have my own laptop--which adds more laziness to revive this blog for the nth time.

Well, we went to Shanghai last March 6-9, 2014. And yes, during school. I had to be absent for two days but luckily classes were kind of irregular during that time since finals was approaching the week after that. So most of them were just submissions, and some professors even gave away their period to do our plates at home.

So we left for Shanghai at around 7 in the evening and we arrived at the Pudong International Airport late at night. We had to take a shuttle which prices at 100 yuan each person. But I guess it wasn't a very bad price (okay, kinda) because it was a really long ride! It took us almost an hour to get to our hotel, Pacific Hotel at Nanjing road, which we didn't expect to be far away from the airport.

Pacific Hotel was a neo-classical hotel built around the 1920's. It was residing next to the oh-so fabulous Radisson. It wasn't very attractive at night, because the lights were off, well it was forgivable considering that it was almost midnight when we arrived (saving electricity, yes!) And we hope that they wouldn't mind mistaking the place for a church (oops!) But, really, it was okay if you like that vintage feel.

Our rooms were at the 5th floor, or was it 4th and a half? Lol. Because you had to go down the stairs after you get to the 5th floor via the elevator, which is like half of 4th and 5th floor? Uh, I don't know. I don't get the humor. Haha!

On the first day of our stay, it was mostly going around the malls and getting to know the city. We went to this Fabric Market (Soft spinning fabric market?) and you don't want to know how far we've walked from the Metro Station (about 10 blocks oops) because we were given the wrong directions from the concierge. Trust me, one of the most difficult things I have experienced during the trip was communicating with the people. But it was worth the walk since what you will find in the Fabric Market was a variety of authentic cashmere coats, Max Mara, Armani--replicas. Haha!

There were also cheap Wonton Houses around the area, prices range from 9-12 Yuan

The second day was indeed the best. Because we went to the Bund, and to the different famous landmarks of Shanghai through the Big Bus City Tours. The tour was 300 Yuan each, and was valid for two days. One good thing about this tour is you can hop on and hop off during your trip, and there will be buses to pick you up at certain stations at certain schedules.

We also went up in the Jin Mao Tower to see what the city looks like high (very high) above!

This was taken at the Bund. China was also colonized by France that it why buildings were built in the French architecture. Also, here are some photos taken during the ride.

These are beautiful flowers we saw near the park at Kathleen's 5.

On our third day, we went to the Jade Temple. However, we weren't able to go inside the temple since we were running behind the schedule because my sister and I got left by the bus! So we just took photos with the temple. We also went to the Shanghai Old Street where the Yu Garden was located. And this is also a good place for shopping for souvenirs. Here are some photos we took as we walk along the area. It was very crowded during that time so there are times I had to put my camera up just to get the photo. Haha!

Here is a photo of the famous Xiaolongbao. You won't be able to enjoy these babies if you don't know how to eat them properly. People have different ways of eating these, but what I learned (and was the most convenient for me) was: get the xiaolongbao using your chopsticks, bite the top part and sip the soup inside. Then, dip those yummy xiaolongbao into that mouthwatering sauce and then enjoy!

Also we took the relaxing Huangpu River Cruise. Huangpu is the river that divides Shanghai, it was also said in one TV show I've seen, most people are arguing which side is better. It was a very relaxing ride which is about 1 and a half hour, where you get to admire the stunning view of city with a very romantic speed.

Although it would have been better if we took the night cruise, however we were on our last day and we had to get back to our hotel to get ready for our flight.

But it was all worth it, especially to unwind from all those walking we made for the past few days. Seeing the city slowly drift from it's bright futuristic skyline to a beautiful contrasting yellow-blue silhouette of serene vintage architecture.

We got off the cruise at around 5:30, and then again we missed the last bus on our way back to the hotel! So we had to take a cab which can take us back to our hotel for about 10 minutes. However, what took most of our time was trying to find a driver that could understand our destination.

After this tiring day, we just walked around the area to unwind and prepare for our shuttle back to the airport. And took our final souvenir shoppings within the area of Nanjing road.

Shanghai was my first Asian country besides my home, and it wasn't very bad for a first. I really hope I can get to travel to more countries!

Till my next entry. Hopefully soon.

Labels: life

posted on Sunday, November 3, 2013 @ 10:57 PM | 2 comments

❝ Temporary happiness

It feels like my last day of vacation. My whole sembreak didn't feel so long for me because I didn't want to go back to school. It's annoying (or maybe I just don't like hearing it) how I hear people say that they are excited to go back to school, excited for the new subjects, because I'm not.

I don't know why because I have no reasons to be sad. But I've never felt this lonely before. For some reason. The only time I'm happy is when I'm home. Or is it because I don't like my course. I made up my mind that I'm going to shift next year - which means starting over again. How ironic? This blog have been a witness of me starting over and over again. Or at least I think it has? But anyway, third isn't that bad. As long as it is not the same thing.

But I know I'm going to figure all of these out. Just like what I did before. I'm just working my way to it. Sooner or later I'll see it.

Labels: thoughts

posted on Saturday, November 2, 2013 @ 9:36 PM | 1 comments

❝ All Saints Day

So yesterday was All Saints Day, but most Filipinos tend to celebrate All Soul's Day on the first day of November. It is our country's tradition to celebrate this to commemorate their love ones who had passed away, and also to reunite with our families.

We had a little photoshoot to pass time. The pictures are taken from my Aunt's grave. :)