Vacation Leave
I am one of those employees who rarely take leaves from work. Unless I get too sick to function. I’ve always poured my heart and soul out at my job. And whatever I do becomes a passion, whether I like it or not. I’ve always wanted to put my absolute best, and let the results speak for themselves. This is also the main reason why I get burned and stressed out. And so, I am trying to learn how to balance out everything in my life right now. I’ve filed for this leave since January, not knowing that I’ll be needing this break the most and at just about the perfect time. Yet, at the same time somehow unfortunate.
The Brew House Bar & Kitchen
I’ve made it a habit to come to the airport hours before my flight schedule and stay somewhere that I can have a good cup of coffee in peace. It must be somewhere I can chill for a bit before heading to the boarding gates. So, I’ve discovered The Brew House Bar & Kitchen. Their prices are reasonable even if they are situated inside the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Love the taste and aroma of their coffee and their croissant was delightful!
Makati Riverside Inn
A friend has recommended the use of Agoda in booking my hotel accommodations for that weekend. I was able to book a room at Makati Riverside Inn at a very good deal. I’ve got it at a price drop. Even if they only have 9 rooms, I could say that they are decent, comfortable, and spacious enough. They have rain showers with a heater. You have to bring your own toiletries though as they will only provide 1 bar of soap. Their complimentary bottled water is Summit. And they have unlimited supply of water at the lobby plus free flowing instant coffee and tea as well. They do not have their own food service, but they have a partner with the best Sisig Meal that I have ever tasted. You can also make use of Grab Food or Food Panda or any delivery food service that you know of online.
Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen
I am very happy that my former co-worker, Mayen Landicho, was more than willing to play hostess during my stay in Makati. This was almost a solo-trip for me, as my original travel mate became unresponsive for this trip. Mayen brought me to this really cool bar called Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen. It’s an ancestral house turned into a commercial space. The interiors are amazing! It is both enchanting and mystical.
Food And Drinks
Their food and drinks are definitely unusual! Their look and taste are magical! They will definitely give you your money’s worth. The experience was awesome! I love the Alimasag, Blue Swimmer Crab! It will tease your palate! I wanna go back for it someday, when the lockdown is over. The Bagnet, Pork is also good but it was too big for the both of us. Glad that Mayen suggested that we don’t go for rice. We were not able to finish it all up. I went for the Swabeng Delubyo (with all of its smoke appeal, like it was concocted with spells from Harry Potter) while Mayen decided to have The Sumpa Ng Kagandahan (which will give a spicy kick to your throat). Both drinks are gin-based mixed with a lot of other stuff.
They have this burning-the-alcohol-in-the-air ritual for every order of Ritwal Ng Agimat. One of them will be clanking metal to complete that ritual effect. It’s so fun to see that momentary burst of fire in the air.
We prefer staying at the bar more than their individual tables. The feels is just different, as you take your seat under their installation of an enchanted tree and get to face their display of spell-binding bottles with intoxicating concoctions inside each one. We just each had one glass of drink, don’t worry. We just came for the experience.
Shoutout to Mayen Landicho, for being the best tour pal in Makati! She has a very upbeat and happy energy. Regardless of how stressful our jobs are, we both chose to enjoy the weekend.
Poblacion, Makati Gimmick Scene
The Poblacion, Makati Gimmick scene is one for the books. We hopped to Tanaw after Agimat. It’s an overlooking-the-city type of bar. You’d fall in love with the city lights. Along the way, you’d pass through a lot of different bars as well. We’ve decided to walk our way, because parking was crazy in the area. It was once a residential area turned into a commercial zone. Yes, the streets are kinda narrow. The best part is being able to march around the blocks safely at night.
Cavite Skies
The real reason why I’ve left for Manila, is this big event that I’ve been waiting for which was held in Carmona, Cavite. The skies were really awe-inspiring on that fine Saturday.
San Lazaro Leisure Park
Mayen was kind enough to drive all the way to Cavite, from Makati, for the Philippine Hot Air Ballon Fiesta at San Lazaro Leisure Park for me. The place was packed but, unfortunately, was not able to uphold its promise of activities and shows. They announced that the winds were too strong then and that they cannot risk flying the hot air ballons. Sad that the festival was all about them supposedly. I do understand the situation, yet it was still very disappointing.
The only show that they were able to do was that of the dancing para-motors. It would have been better if there were more than just 2 of it. They’ve decided to inflate 2 hot air ballons on each side of the area which stayed on ground. In life, I guess, we have to be prepared with our expectations versus the realities of the actual experience. Anything can go wrong, no matter how long an event was actually planned and prepared for.
Leslie’s Ridge and Restaurant
I am super blessed, that Mayen knows how to turn things around. Aside from tagging Lyv along, we took a trip to Tagaytay! And that became the highlight of our night. Leslie’s Ridge and Restaurant has the best soup and Bulalo! We went for their new branch which was bigger yet still pretty cozy.
Tagaytay
Good food and good conversations with good company are the best things in life. We should always focus our adventures on the journey and not the destination. We had so much fun in the car during the long drives. Did some food and restroom stops. And we capped the night at Starbucks Tagaytay. It was so surprising to see a loco long queue for Starbucks. Only in Tagaytay! The place was packed then! Funny how I was once surrounded by crowds, and now I have to isolate myself.
It is very unfortunate that my trip was followed by the announcement of a community quarantine, days after I got back to Cebu. Good thing it happened when I was already back home. But it’s also the main reason why I am on self-quarantine right now. I do have my social responsibility of making sure that I don’t have the virus with me.
This is not to encourage you to get out of your house and go on a trip or to a bar. They are temporarily closed for now, and the roads going to them are closed off as well. I’ve decided to finally write and publish this, in spite of the current lockdown situation, to encourage everyone instead to cooperate and to discipline ourselves to adhere to the community quarantine guidelines as of the moment. I’m showcasing this weekend getaway, for everyone to look forward to getting our normal lives back after CoViD-19 subsides. We are all in this together, and we will get through this as one. For now, #StayHome #StaySafe because #TheresARainbowAlwaysAfterTheRain
We’ll all have a big gathering again someday.
I love that giant tree in the bar area looks so unique this place look enchanting looks like you had a great time
I am getting rid of these travel stories, they certainly happened before this moment. But we will be back and now they allow me to escape with fantasy.
Gatherings are good. These places really look good
Yes the place looks really nice and imparts a good ambience. Keep posting
It’s so important to take some time away from your job and get some much needed reprieve. Stay well!
this is a great place to go to get away from the hustle bustle of daily life. Thanks for sharing
Aw, nice travel you have here. I would to do the same once the quarantine is over. Can’t wait to explore a lot of places too!
But how much do I love this part of Asia? It is little known (here in Europe) but fantastic, and then the ride you have done is really where real life beats.
I love the food at this place, it is so yummy! This looks like a perfect place for a vacation. Thanks for introducing it to us!
My town hosts a hot air balloon race each year and we had the same experience this year – winds too heavy to fly the balloons. I hope you get to experience this another year. I hope to visit the Philippines one day. The food looks so yummy and the area looks exciting! All My Best!
I am hesitant of taking another trip for a other Hot Air Balloon Event. We’ll see.
This looks like a bunch of fun. The Brew House looks like a relaxing place to just get a cup of coffee and chill. The Hot Air Balloons are awesome to watch. What a fun trip. I am slightly jealous.
This looks souch fun. I have never beentoa. Brew house. Would love to explore one ♥️♥️
How I wish I can spend a couple of weeks exploring this amazing place, soon i hope.
This sounds like a lovely time! I can’t wait to start traveling again
you’re one of the lucky people who were able to enjoy the weekends before the quarantine. it’s nice as well that you had that “break” from all the stresses in the office! haha thanks again for the cocobread…
Would really love to try this places when this coronavirus stuff is all over haha
The place looks so great. Such great captures I must say that and your description is lovely.
Great CA, this place looks so beautiful…… amazing food, it looks so yummy!
It’s a good thing you were able to enjoy a lot of places before the ECQ. Good memories to go back to.
This looks like it was such an amazing trip! I would love to visit the The Brew House Bar & Kitchen and Leslie’s Ridge and Restaurant one day. Those images are amazing, I was able to escape through your post for a while.
The food looks amazingly delicious. I would love to try those and visit the place next time especially when this lockdown is over.
You are lucky to have been out of the house for a number of days before the lockdown. The pictures do not disguise how you enjoyed this vacation.
I was indeed. 🖤
Looks like your trip is so awesome and amazing. I love the places you’ve visited.
What a nice trip you’ve got! I’m sure you miss it now that the quarantine period is still going on.
This seems like it was a really good trip. I’m kind of jealous. During the year I’m full time university while working part time in the military and am a part of some musical groups, and it makes it hard to get away sometimes lol.
Everything looks so exotic! Looks like you had a lot of fun there… it really gives me nostalgia to travel and go out to places during this time
adventures to new places are always fun and good for the soul. I’m glad you had that opportunity before the pandemic came. great photos!
It looks you have a great time with your friends and you did enjoy your trips lucky you!
It looks like you had an AMAZING trip! I can’t wait for lockdown to be lifted so I can start exploring again 🙂
Louise x
Omg your photos are amazing. They capture the feeling of the adventure so beautifuly
I’m glad that you were able to enjoy everything before the quarantine period hit. Like you, I love hitting the airport early so that I can relax with a cup of coffee. I find that it really helps my nerves as there is no concern about missing flights/not finding where I’m going/etc. While I’m pretty laid back and go with the flow, my husband can get quite anxious when we’re travelling lol
Wow! You pretty balance each other out! 🖤