Engr. Charmane Esper was My Partner-In-Crime for 3 Days!
Meet Engr. Charmane Esper! Yes, again! She is my Work Spouse, Church Mate, Blogging Mentor, and Good Friend. So yes, you can say that we do spend a lot of time together. And this time, we were flying together to accomplish a mission that was set before us in Iloilo City.
La Bella Pizza Bistro
La Bella Pizza Bistro will always be my favorite waiting spot at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. This is where I grab my coffee fix, while waiting for boarding time for any domestic flights. Alone, I would normally go for their Panzerotti. But since I had someone with me this time, we’ve decided to go for the Garden Pizza. It’s the healthiest option without pork.
I usually go to the airport at least 4 hours before my flight most especially when I have check-in baggage. I do this, so I will not get stressed before my flights. And having a comfortable place to stay in, while waiting, is one of the best things about our airport now. Waiting need not be boring, you know.
Propeller Plane
We were on our way to Iloilo City for work. Engr. Cha Esper and I, both work for CIM Technologies, Inc. We had a series of Product Demos and meetings scheduled for 3 days. This was definitely a very hectic trip for the both of us! Our company is a technological solutions provider of software, hardware, trainings, technical support and so many other services catering to the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction industries.
Window Seat
I usually prefer an aisle seat but I am usually placed beside the window. It’s like a default spot meant for me. I don’t really mind though since I have always been able to take really good overview and sky shots whenever I fly.
Cebu Versus Iloilo
Cebu from above the clouds already looks like a concrete jungle. With all the fast-paced developments indicative of a progressive province. Iloilo on the other hand still has a lot of gorgeous green sceneries to feast your eyes on. Don’t get me wrong though, it is also one of the fast-developing areas within the Philippines as we speak. There is a lot to look forward to in the very near future for both cities.
Reyes BBQ
So, first stop? We checked into our hotel so that we can leave our luggage while we hunt for lunch. We wanted to go for JD Bakery Cafe but they were quite full. And then we found Reyes BBQ! Was thinking that since it wasn’t as full, it might not be worth a try. But, we’re glad we did because their Grilled Squid and Bangus Meals were quite good.
Nick’s Original La Paz Batchoy
I have always heard of how good the original Batchoy in La Paz is. So, after our first meeting, before heading back to the hotel, off we went to the market. Cha brought me to Nick’s Original La Paz Batchoy. They make fresh Piayas in front of the store. Which I have failed to try because we have a different plan afterwards.
La Paz Batchoy
And so, here it is! Nick’s Original La Paz Batchoy Special! Heads up! I am not a batchoy person. I’ve tried the different batchoy places in Cebu, but I don’t really crave for it. And yes, there’s also Lucky Me Batchoy, but that’s a different story. What happened to my no pork rule? I don’t have a choice! It comes with pork rinds and probably pork inner organs as toppings. The verdict? Don’t ask me to rate it, because it would be unfair. I am not the right person for that. However, I can say that it definitely tastes way better than the ones that I have tried in Cebu.
Madge Cafe
Now, this is more like it! I am a coffee person and I’ve liked my experiences at Madge Cafe before, so a comeback was in order. This cafe has been around since the 1940’s! Imagine how good their business is running. And people from all walks of life have their coffee fix here.
Media Regular, Iced Coffee with Milk, and Pan De Ciosa
Cha had the Media Regular, and since I have had it before, I chose to try their Iced Coffee with Milk. A cup or glass from them is always very good. Okay, so since I can’t speak Ilonggo, I have made the mistake of asking for a Pan De Ciosa. What I actually wanted was their Betchokoy! I know, they don’t even sound the same. But anyway, at least I got to try something else this time.
Go Hotels
We stayed at Go Hotels, just beside Robinson’s Mall which makes it the perfect location to be in. Their hotel accommodations don’t come with breakfast meals, so having it situated beside the mall was indeed necessary.
Y2K Talabahan Atria Park District Branch
We’ve went for a late dinner since we needed a few hours rest at the hotel. I’ve liked the talaba by the bay that I have tried last year. And so Cha brought me to Y2K Talabahan & Seafood Grill: Seafood Restaurant In Iloilo located at Atria Park District.
Originally went for the talaba but my heart went to their Chicken Adobo with lots of toasted garlic! Still makes my mouth water as of writing. Definitely one of the things that I would go for on my future Iloilo travels. Their talaba is still as fresh as what I have tried, you can really taste the sea in each shell. Plus it melts in your mouth.
Madge Cafe Atria Park District Branch
Really surprised to see this new modern branch of Madge Cafe a few steps away from Y2K Talabahan. This cafe has indeed come a long way. So for those who can’t go to the market and would want to have a night-time Madge coffee, this is the perfect branch for them.
Moana Day Spa
This is definitely the highlight of my night! I loved the 300-peso massage at Moana Day Spa! It has relieved me of all the stress that I have had and prepared me for the series of demos and meetings scheduled on the next days ahead. It’s located at the 2nd Floor of the building and you will never think that there is a spa up there.
Curb Cafe
It was my turn to bring Cha somewhere, I suggested it rather. Curb Cafe is a very simple open-air coffee shop with a car wash beside it. I fell in love with its then 60-peso but now 65-peso Iced Vietnamese Coffee! Still as good as I remember. We went at a time that it was full though, in the late afternoon. They only have 2 staff who will do everything, so patience is key. It was my first time trying out their 35-peso Egg de sal Sandwich. It was really good! Really surprising for the price that it came with. I give them a 2-thumbs up!
What I’ve always loved about Iloilo is that their really good coffee is also really affordable. I’ve heard it’s because they have their very own coffee plantation. Correct me if I am wrong.
Chikaan Sa Cebu
Another surprise was finding this unlimited corn coffee (I think) in Chikaan sa Cebu Robinson’s Iloilo Branch! At only 59 pesos, it is already refillable. There’s a lot of good coffee deals in the area! I love it and miss it. Because coffee in Cebu are usually pricey.
JD Bakery Cafe
On our flight back to Cebu, was so happy to find a JD Bakery Cafe inside the Iloilo airport! Definitely one of Iloilo City’s best cafes! Super loved their Ginat-an and Buko Royale. Missing these already!
There’s so much to go back for. And I am looking forward to more Iloilo finds later on. How about you? What’s your fave Iloilo discovery?
What a wonderful post, your short tour looks amazing and commemorative visit. Yous have mentioned each and every movement of the short visit including intro of your friend, Plane and window seat in a wonderful way. Great!
What a fun business trip! I actually love Batchoy. But, the one my MIL makes and I learned to make has no pork rinds in it. All the foods look so good, as do the rolling hills in Iloilo!
This looks like a great place to visit! All the food and drinks you shared look really tasty.
Oh wow, your short tour looks like it was SO MUCH FUN! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
It sounds like it was a nice trip. So much to see and do. The food all looks delish too! Especially the coffee!
That tour looks amazing. What I wouldn’t give right now to sit with a friend in a restaurant and eat a pizza or fried rice–or anything!
Looks like a lovely place with lots of lovely food to try! The squid dish looks amazing!
Love all the food that you enjoyed. I prefer the window seat on the airplane.
That’s wonderful when you can share such nice experiences with a good friend! It seems that you both had lots of fun! 🙂
It sure looks like you had a wonderful trip with your bestie <3 The cuisine looks amazing!
While it may have been a work trip, it looks like you both really made the best of it. The food looks incredible!
Alright.. all of that food though! YUM. Looks like your short but sweet trip was a good one!
I’m looking forward to my next Iloilo trip! I can’t wait to eat loads of delicious talaba again… </3
The food looks amazing! You seemed to have a lovely time even if it was short!
I want to be there RIGHT NOW! That food!
Ok but that food looks seriously amazing and now I am hungry.
Wow it looks like you did so much in such a short stay! It looks like a lot of fun and the food looks incredible.
lloilo looks like a beautiful place to visit. It’s good you got the window seat , I never get one as my kids always want the window seat.
It is indeed a lovely place to explore, and the food looks really great.
iloilo looks like a wonderful city! The food looks pretty tasty too!
This looked like an amazing trip. Iloilo looks like a great place to be. You mentioned many places to go to that would be check out.
I have never been to the Philippines but it looks beautiful! And the food looks amazing too!
Great post you crammed so much into 3 days and it was also a working trip
Looks like you were well-fed during your stay…LOL. I can’t wait to visit the Philippians when this pandemic is over with.
Candy Rachelle
Keeping Up With Candy
http://www.keepingupwithcandy.com
Wow, you get to the airport so early! I always arrive at the last minute, haha.
Haha! Almost missed my plane before so never again. It’s like a walk of shame and everybody gets to know your name.
Reading your experience has been fun. I have never been to the Philippines I hope to visit soon. The food looks amazing! – Paolo
Come and visit when it’s already safe. We have 7000 islands as an archipelago.
How fun that you can turn a work trip into a nice stay with a favorite coworker to explore a new destination! It looks like you were able to make it a great experience.
It looks like there are so many places to eat there. I’ve been to the Philippines, but never there. And I gotta tell you, the batchoy looks good.
Come and visit Iloilo when it’s safe to travel again. 🖤
I think that I have been to Madge Cafe when I was sent to Iloilo for work before. I love the place.
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Great experiences last…..Thanks for sharing with us!
This sounds like such a fun trip. I can’t wait to be able to travel again.
Thank you for sharing.
I love how Cebu has many things to see and eat. I have never been there but each post you write make me want to. Can’t wait to get on a plane again.
That seems to be a great place for vacation! I would love to go there someday!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
Short and sweet is sometimes the best way to travel. See new places and return to home before you miss it.
I am loving these travel blog posts! After this pandemic is over I want to start traveling more and this place looks beautiful.
It is always fun reading about an absolutely unknown destination. Looks like you had a fabulous trip. Amazing photographs.
It is amazing as you have shared every single thing of your trip….It seems you had much fun…..Great post…..These photographs are so perfect……
Looks like a wonderful place with so many delicious foods! I need to visit them
Even though it was short and sweet it looks like you had an amazing trip. I’d love to visit one day too 🙂
Louise x
Never been to Iloilo before. I have heard so many beautiful things about the place.
What a nice trip! Work, bonding and fun with foods and places–all at the same time! Happy for you both!
I haven’t been to Iloilo but judging by the photos you took, there are lots of places to visit and to eat! It’s nice you ere able to go there with a friend.
I really miss visiting Ilo ilo!! I have many memories about this place.