Biak Na Bato National Park

Storage Cave

 

             

            I was passionate about spelunking ages ago. Last April 2014, my partner along with our friends decided to embark on a journey in Biak Na Bato located in San Miguel, Bulacan. It was a 2 hour drive from Manila. The easiest way to get there is through North Luzon Expressway via Sta. Rita exit. From Sta. Rita exit head to the national highway to Plaridel, Baliwag and San Ildefonso. It’s quite a drive at approximately 28 kms. When we reached the town of San Ildefonso there was traffic I think it was market day during that time. There is a Y intersection that points to  Biak Na Bato but to be sure I asked for directions.

            We reached a long stretch of highway leading to Biak Na Bato National Park. There is a parking lot before the entrance and they charged us about P50.00 for parking. We were met by a tour guide named Jessica. We decided to visit all the caves that we could possibly hike to and she charged us P900.00 for the package. We paid P30.00 each for the entrance fee.

            Brief overview: Biak Na Bato was declared as a national park by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937 because of its historical importance. This is the place where Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared the First Republic. The national park has more than 100 caves but we only visited 5 caves namely: the Hospital Cave, Tanggapan Cave, Storage Cave, Bat Cave and the Aguinaldo Cave.

            The trail of the park was relatively easy. We started the hike at about 10 a.m. and ended at around 12:00 p.m. The experience was refreshing. I love the crystalline mineral formations and the cool atmosphere inside the caves.

Hospital Cave

Ambush Cave

Tanggapan Cave

Adventures and Many Firsts in 2014

            As I said, 2014 was a year of adventure and many firsts. I travelled around the country to experience new things and see new places. I should have written all about my adventures but as Sean Penn’s character, Sean O’Connell in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” puts it …”If I like a moment personally I don’t like the distraction of a camera. I just want to stay in it…Right there. Right here”. So, I took a break from writing and embedded all my experiences in my memory. Sometimes we see things and places and we’re a loss for words because the experience is beyond description. 

              Indeed, life is beautiful and it's great to be alive!

Travel in 2014

       2014 ushered in a totally different take on life. My love for adventure and travel came back. Aside from sharing stories about food, I would like to share stories of my travels and things I never thought of doing. Currently, I'm still collating the pictures I've taken during my trips this summer. I loved my short and long trips around the country. It made me realized how beautiful life is and I thank God for every opportunity I could get in seeing his masterpiece.

The House of Wagyu Stone Grill

          I love steaks and it was high time for me and my partner to try The Wagyu Stone Grill at Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City. I ordered the Rib Eye Grade 8 and my partner ordered the Grilled Prawns in Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce. The steak was superb, I could just swallow it without chewing; It melts in my mouth.  On the otherhand, the grilled prawns were just alright. For drinks, I ordered the house iced tea but it tasted like bad medicine, so I ordered a regular coke in can. My partner ordered watermelon shake and it was good. Total bill was P4,575. I must say we got what we paid for.

Matgalne Korean Restaurant

             After my check-up yesterday from my ENT doctor, I asked my partner if we could go to Matgalne Korean Restaurant in Kalayaan Avenue for lunch. We haven’t been there in months and as soon as we entered there was a buffet table. They changed the set-up of the restaurant. We wanted to order ala carte but the selections were limited. The waitress suggested that we try the buffet for P299.00 unlimited pork or the P399.00 unlimited beef and pork. We chose the former.

            Much to our hearts content, the buffet table was enough. They have our fave Croquettes, Kimchis, soup, Chap Chae, Salads, etc. The grilled pork was a lot and we didn’t ask for a 2^nd serving it was just too much.

            We got 10% discount each for posting their food on Facebook and Instagram. Our total bill was P658.00 including 2 Coke in cans. We left the place with a huge tummy!

Papa Johns Pizza

          Since, we were in Makati the other day. I dragged my 3 nephews with me at Greenbelt 3 and we had dinner at Papa Johns Pizza Restaurant.

            I ordered the 12” Pepperoni Pizza and my nephews ordered Chicken Poppers and Penne Carbonara which they shared. For drinks, we ordered the lemon Iced Tea but I didn’t like it so I ordered a glass of Coke. They gave us butter and pickled pepper when the Pizza arrived. I tried my Pizza with a butter dip. I paid P1,140.00 for the whole meal which I think is quite reasonable.

Xian Tian Di

            My Mom celebrated her 83^rd birthday this week and at the same time my parents celebrated their 51^st Wedding Anniversary last October 28, 2013.

            I can’t think of a gift so I took my whole family to XinTian Di located at the 3^rd floor of Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center.

            For starters, I ordered Hakao which is really to die for. The shrimps were fresh. The kids ordered Chicken Corn Soup while my other nephew and I ordered Hot and Sour Soup and my partner ordered the Congee. We had Steamed Mantao and Asado Siopao, the Divine Platter (which consists of cold cuts and barbecued pork, fried suckling pig, etc.) on the side. For the main course, I ordered what they like the most Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef with Broccoli, Steamed Fish with Garlic. Then, I ordered what I like Beef Hofan, Kum Pao Chicken and Assorted Vegetables with Tofu.

            For drinks, it was cheaper to order Carafes of Iced tea. For every 3 Carafes of Iced Tea one will get a free tea pot. We had 5 Carafes so got a free tea pot.

            For dessert they ordered Buchi and Mango Puddings. The total bill was P13, 501.00.  It was quite expensive but it was worth it. The food was really good.