Cristy in the City: explore

Showing posts with label explore. Show all posts

What a fun Dinagyang weekend! As a local, I realized weekends in the City of Love can be doubly fun if you pretend you are a tourist or a tourist guide. I spent the weekend with my sister from Manila who was in town to attend an important family affair. It was great timing as the Dinagyang festival was in full frenzy and there were lots of sights and sounds to enjoy. Amid the throbbing of sound systems blaring everywhere and the beat of warrior drums, exploring your own city through the eyes of a tourist can make you appreciate your own fishbowl.

From happy holidays to Dinagyang daze! The Iloilo Provincial Capitol threw a big visual bash with its Dinagyang themed light display. What a wonderful way to soak up the Dinagyang spirit with a stroll along the capitol grounds amidst the cool, Amihan weather. Please leave the lights on until Valentines, pretty please? We'd love a Valentine's themed light display.

Dinagyang colors in full bloom showcasing the inherent creativity of Ilonggos.

The Food Festival at Megaworld Iloilo was the kind of al fresco set-up we wanted. The food choices were great! We discovered Mong's Kitchen and their delectable, tongue curling dishes like Tikka Masala. The British/Indian dish of super tender grilled chicken in spicy, aromatic tikka masala gravy served on basmati rice was absolute perfection.

For hearty breakfast fare, we headed to Cafe Augusto for their big boy servings of Full English Breakfast and Classic Pinoy Breakfast plates. The rosemary scented homemade sausages were amazing. As Ilonggos would say, halamdumon nga sabor.

K-Town in Festive Walk Parade is a must-see. So many snacks, food and drinks to try. It's a mini Korean town with amazing restaurants and coffee stands.

We are not big fans of sinugba or inihaw dishes so we headed to Balay Remedios to try other dishes we haven't tried before like the Chicken Binakol, Lumpiang Hubad and Ceviche with a tasty twist.

When in Iloilo, you gotta have a bowl of heartwarming Pancit Molo from Kap Ising's. Truly Iloilo's best, Kap Ising's pancit molo (and other dishes like Dinuguan with puto) feels like a warm welcome hug if you've missed Iloilo City long enough.

What better way to burn off the calories after 2 days of non-stop eating and feasting than a brisk walk at Iloilo River Esplanade. The cool January breeze complemented the serene river scenery.

Dinagyang is the perfect time for a relaxing staycation in an accommodation that's right smack where the festive attractions are. SEDA just beside Atria Ayala Mall is a great choice!

Lastly, there's the super fun Uno Cat Cafe that's perfect for cat themed coffee and cuisine. We had to try the hamburgers that were whimsically presented. I can absolutely say the juicy burgers were complete with all the works-pickles, caramelized onions , tomatoes in a soft bun. Hamburger cravings satisfied! I hope they have a plan-based version though.

One of the must-visit places if you're visiting Guimaras Island is the Trappist Monastery in Jordan municipality. It is home to the monks of Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. I have visited this monastery many times in the past when my mom was still alive and it has given me spiritual refuge when the tempests of life leaves me vulnerable, weak and drained. A visit to the chapel for introspection, contemplation and nuggets of spiritual advice from the Cistercian brothers always renews one's spirit.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, inter-island travel came to a halt and I have not visited ever since. My very recent travel to Casitas de Palma gave me the chance to once again visit the monastery even for just a short while.

To my dismay, the old Trappist Monastery gift shop I knew was no longer existent! The doors were bolted and locked and it looked like it has fallen into decrepit. I felt a surge of panic and sadness as monastic products like bakery and jam products were goodies that I had to bring home everytime I visit the mango province. I simply can't go home empty handed!

We discovered that adjacent to the chapel is a new building that houses the Trappist gift shop and behold, a Trappist Cafe! From a bamboo hut gift shop in the 90's, the Trappistines have indeed grown and evolved their enterprise for sustenance and dedication to the Lord's work. Talk about progress in the Lord's vineyard!

The new building that houses the Trappist gift shop and cafe were designed in the style reminiscent of European Cistercian architecture. Gray, somber brick walls, high ceilings and dark wooden furniture devoid of superfluous ornamentation were evident. True to the Cistercian way of life, churches and abbeys should be simple enough to not distract one from prayer and contemplation.

We regret we did not have time to sit down for a cup of coffee as our schedule did not permit but nevertheless we filled our baskets with take away goodies to be enjoyed and savored at home. If you're a coffee connoisseur, you should be familiar with Monk's Blend Premium Coffee, a product of Transfiguration Monastery, a Catholic Benedictine Monastery in Malaybalay, Bukidnon famous for their mountain grown coffee. Trappist Cafe uses that blend for their hot and iced coffee preparations and recipes.

I should go back another time to have coffee at Trappist Cafe as one should be unhurried and unfettered by the evils of urban busyness. Once in a while, one should contemplate life over a cup of mountain grown coffee amidst the stillness of a monastery. Drinking coffee in such setting is contemplation in action.

Oh, the cafe's coffee menu is extensive so methinks many scheduled visits to the Trappist Cafe should be in order! I would love to try every hot or iced coffee blend in the menu especially the Mango Matcha Mamboo which I'm sure tastes divine!

Guimaras, my Middle-earth! I will be back soon! In the meantime, eat, drink coffee and pray.

Dreaming of cozy evenings by the campfire? Guimaras Island affords a quick escape from the city for a nature filled getaway. I’ve been wanting to do “glamping” for the longest time and Casitas de Palma in Brgy. Tamburong in San Lorenzo, Guimaras is the closest campground to offer that experience.

Last weekend, I treated myself and a friend to a playful woodland weekend staycation at Casitas de Palma for a much needed nature trip to celebrate my birthday month with all it’s autumnal inspiration. I rented a tiny hobbit cabin which came with its own grass covered rooftop lounge, wooden bridge and a meandering, bubbling brook. Just in front of our cabin was a log picnic table which was a perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon snack of Casitas Cafe nachos, soda and hot cocoa. It was also cozy spot to enjoy a book that I purchased from the recently concluded Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. Five o’clock in the afternoon would have to be the magical hour in the woodland valley as the sky turns into a carpet of gold and crimson. Birds start chirping among the mountain trees and nocturnal insects start singing. Chirping cicadas make the most relaxing white noise! At around six o’clock in the evening, the staff of the Casitas started building a tall bonfire from twigs and branches gathered from around the 3 hectare property.

While listening to Bing Crosby's classic Christmas songs on our portable speaker, we enjoyed watching the bonfire being meticulously built. There's nothing more relaxing than seeing embers fly through the air like fireflies and hearing the crackling of wood fire. In the distance the waning gibbous moon shed its lovely light and stars started peeping from the cosmic mantle. Being nestled in an enchanting woodland valley while being warmed by gently crackling bonfire feels so wonderful!

We enjoyed the bonfire for a good forty minutes. A few minutes later it started to drizzle and we climbed up to the Casitas Cafe for a hearty meal of homestyle Bicol Express and rice. Later we retreated to our cute hobbit cabin in Middle-earth that is Guimaras Island.

Our room was simple, comfortable and so conducive to restful sleep. We woke up early in the morning greeted by glistening sunlight peeping through the tiny windows. After an energizing shower of cold, mountain water we trekked back to the Casitas Cafe for free breakfast that came with our accommodation.

We spent the rest of the morning enjoying the rustic simplicity of surrounding attractions like the fishing cottage and pond. We also took some fun pictures with the A frame houses as backdrop. Also, a nature trip would not be complete without a tree hug!

The rest of the morning was spent just soaking in the view and taking in all the good healing energy that the great outdoors provide. At 2 pm, we checked out of our little hobbit cabin which we know we will surely miss. Ground transportation was provided by the Casitas for a fee. In no time, we were back in Iloilo City with bodies recharged and spirits renewed.

Overall, it was a short and sweet staycation and we can't wait to go back!