COSTA LUMINOSA CRUISE: BARCELONA (LEG 1)

After our well-spent day in Palma de Mallorca and our unfortunate Ajaccio incident, Barcelona was the last port of call of our Costa Luminosa cruise.

We knew there are lots of must-see places in Barcelona so it’s very important that we spend our precious 7 hours wisely.  Our priority was to see as much sites as we can in 7 hours.  No shopping, no unnecessary stops, no petiks or banjing moments...  Just pure culture!  We agreed that we’d maximize our short visit, starting it by disembarking as early as possible.

Okay maybe we wasted a few minutes taking photos in our cabin because Karol is wearing the same outfit as Chuppy, our wind-up pet penguin.  How could we not take photos of this? Haha.

Fine.  We lied.  We actually spent more than just 'a few minutes'.

Both of us were wearing light clothing and heeled shoes at that time (which was a relief because that means we will be walking at the same pace).  As we were about to leave the boat, the weather felt colder than expected so we hurriedly went back to our cabin to change.  Karol ended up wearing her flat tall boots instead of her 2-inch booties.

All aboard, the shuttle took us from the port to the city center. 

Barcelona Leg 1

Important sites in Barcelona aren't far apart enough from each other for one to take a taxi, but aren't close enough either to be effortlessly explored by foot (at least for us Filipinos who are not used to too much walking).  So it’s actually up to you how you want to go around the city.  As for us, we decided to walk so we could see the beautiful little details that make up Barcelona.

Allow us to show you how far we've walked.

COSTA LUMINOSA CRUISE: AJACCIO

Aside from Palma de Mallorca, Ajaccio in France is another one of the three stops for our Costa Luminosa Cruise.

We didn't know much about Ajaccio except the fact that it's in the island of Corsica.  We didn't know what to expect either, but after a few Google searches about the place, we saw these pics of Angelina Jolie and her daughter Shiloh spending one summer morning shopping in the island capital.  

photo from JustJared

Hmmm, this must be a soshal summer spot for celebs! Haha! 

COSTA LUMINOSA CRUISE: PALMA DE MALLORCA

Last year, we joined the Costa Luminosa cruise and one of our 3 ports of call was Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

Costa Luminosa

Palma is in the island of Majorca, which is one of the Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea.  Macy was in charge of the itinerary and this is what she came up with (we better not translate it into English. Haha *wink*).

our itinerary, thanks to Macy!

With only 9 hours in the city, including embarkation and disembarkation from the cruise ship, this was how we spent our day:

We decided to take a cab from the cruise port instead of riding the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus (which is also a good option if you really really want to maximize your stay in Palma).

 

SAIGON SHOPPING: MISS NHI

by: Karol 

Macy and I used to think that shopping in Vietnam is non-existent.  (Safe place unlike Santorini!)  When we went there last year, all we were able to buy were little trinkets and souvenirs (not counted!!).

Vietnamese Eggshell Lacquerware

We didn't consider Ben Thanh Market as a good shopping spot because... well, believe it or not, we actually hate haggling and it's pretty much how everything works there.  Even after successfully haggling down the price of something, it gives us an uneasy feeling because we'd still wonder if we got a good deal or if we've been deceived.  Haha.  Like what we always say, "Why can't they just tell us how much it really is?  We like it (which is why we asked about it in the first place) and if we can afford it, we'll buy it naman.  Shopping should be as simple as that!".  We don't like it when vendors overprice their goods and try to get away with it.  Or when they give huge unbelievable discounts and expect us to believe we got great bargains.  Who are they kidding!

Aside from that, we didn't find the local standalone stores interesting.  Their fashion is..."like no others".

To add, even their high-end boutiques' display windows look outdated and funny (that's me being nice).

BUT.

During my last Vietnam trip, I was surprised to find myself so entertained while browsing through the shops in Saigon.

LONDON TOP 7

by: Macy 

I am not going to blog about the popular London attractions like the Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, London Eye, The Parliament, The Big Ben, etc.  In truth, one can see them all in just a day by getting on a tour bus that goes around the city.  As for me I chose the BIG BUS TOURS and they sure got every spot covered.

After... now what?  London shouldn't just end there!  Like for me I got a few more days to spare and I didn't wanna waste every waking moment doing nothing.  Good thing I was still able to maximize my stay in a not so tourist-y way and I very much enjoyed every single minute of it!  So allow me to share them with you-- My London Top 7 :) In no particular order.. 

1. Visit Postman’s Park
Parks in London are everywhere, that one might have a difficult time choosing which ones to visit.  There is Regent’s Park, Grosvenor Square, St. James, Hyde Park and a lot more.  In spite of the fact that their parks are beautiful and rich in lush greens, I find them a bit crowded at times- not kili-kili-crowded but you know what I mean.  

Another thing is that they’ve got birds of all kinds roaming free. Afraid! (Read:  falcon in Dubai and pigeons in Venice)

SAIGON EATS

by: Karol  

First of all, I'm not a foodie.  That's why I'm not so sure if you should listen to everything I'm gonna say here.  Haha.

For my recent Vietnam trip, our only goal was... to eat.  We didn't have any touristy activity planned, except for a short visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels because I wanted to try firing an M16 rifle (Macy and I only tried the AK47 last year).

For me, food in Vietnam all taste the same no matter where you eat them...  EVERYTHING IS JUST SO GOOD.  Wherever you choose to eat, the ingredients are always fresh and they all end up yummeeh in the tummeeeh!

When Macy and I were in Saigon last year, we bought fresh spring rolls from this street vendor and it tasted just as good as the ones from a fine dining restaurant.

We were not sure though if it comes with free Hepa and LBM.  Thank God we have strong stomachs.  (And actually even if it came with free Hepa and LBM, we'd still eat it.  It's worth it!!!)

Now how are you going to decide where to eat in Saigon if the food taste the same everywhere anyway?  Well, I think it all depends on your personal preference.  You can say "Why eat in high-end restaurants when I can have the same good food for a cheaper price at Ben Thanh Market", or "Why sweat eating at Ben Thanh Market if I can just shell out a few more bucks and eat that same good food comfortably in a restaurant".  Totally up to you!

Here are some dining choices you might want to try next time you're in Saigon.  Each one has a different ambiance, and can give you different dining experiences! 

1001 THINGS WE DID BEFORE WE DIE: Conquer The Great Wall of China

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THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

And no, we don't mean the fattest most important Vogue magazine of the year.

We call our small travel dilemma, The September Issue.  It just sounds so glamorous!  Haha! 

We know it’s been 3 weeks since our last post and we super duper apologize for that.  A lot of things happened last September and mind you, they’re good things!  So, nothing to worry about! 

Last year, we made a pact that this September 2011, we're going to explore Southern and Eastern Africa.  Macy contacted her friend David of Tour Organizers (he has his own travel blog btw, a must-read!) to inquire about a private tour of Africa.  There should be ten or more passengers for them to organize one for us, so as early as January, we tried inviting friends... young ones... for a fun-for-sure trip!  Unfortunately, that didn't work out.  We then tried inviting older ones just so we can form a group.  That also didn't work out.  Obviously our private tour didn't happen. 

Next is Plan B.  Join Tour Organizers' existing African Safari Tour.  Their tour was only for June 2011 and it clashes with our schedules.  September was our only travel time for this 2^nd half of the year.  Not happening!

Next is Plan C.  Go to Russia.  We couldn’t remember how Russia came about.  It’s not even next to Africa on our list.  But still, we made it our next destination.  We started planning, researching on their visa requirements, asking our travel agent for good deals and such... but at the back of our minds we know that we’re both half-hearted with this trip.

1001 THINGS WE DID BEFORE WE DIE: Visit the Yongduam Rock in Jeju

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VENICE FAIL

Our Venice trip didn't go slickly as planned.  Nothing seriously critically grave, but it wasn't as smooth as it should be.  No, make that 'it wasn't smooth AT ALL'.  Trips like this, however, are the ones that usually give us the best memories -- those we talk about, and laugh about after.  Let's start, shall we?

  

12 REASONS WHY WE CANNOT BE BACKPACKERS

You have no idea how much respect we have for backpackers and how much we look up to them.  Because we can't, for the life of us, imagine how we'd make it alive if we were to go backpacking.   

We know traveling backpacking-style is a better way of getting oneself immersed in a country's culture, and can give you unique experiences that you won't get in traditional travel.

It's just that... it's really not for everyone.  We are part of that everyone.  Don't get us wrong, we are not extravagant travelers either.  Remember we don't even fly business class?  But, our idea of a vacation is one that is at least convenient.  Relaxing.  Enjoyable.  Pure fun.  Unlike some people, we don't have the luxury of traveling for 4 or 5 or 6 months straight.  We can't just leave our lives in the Philippines in a snap.  When we go out of the country, it's usually just for a few days, a week, or 1 month max.  That's why we always want our short vacation to at least be comfortable and leisurely before we go back to chaotic Manila. 

According to Wikipedia, backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping in backcountry wilderness.  Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel.  The factors that traditionally differentiate backpacking from other forms of tourism include but are not limited to the following: use of public transport as a means of travel, preference of youth hostels to traditional hotels, length of the trip vs. conventional vacations, use of a backpack, an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights.  Erik Cohen notes that even though one of the primary aims of backpacking is to seek the authentic, the majority of backpackers spend most of their time interacting with other backpackers.

Based on that definition, here are 12 reasons why we can never be backpackers.

1.  We don't even own a backpack. 

Okay we own one, but it's not really the kind of backpack one is going to use for backpacking. 

MEETING HELLO KITTY AT SANRIO PUROLAND

We were gradeschoolers when Sanrio Puroland opened in 1990 (don't you dare compute for our age!!!), and we've always wanted to go there since then to see Hello Kitty.  Unfortunately, our parents think the idea of taking us cute little girls to Japan just to see Hello Kitty is absurd.

We never got over the fact that we weren't able to meet the REAL Hello Kitty when we were kids, so when we went to Tokyo, going to Sanrio Puroland topped our list.

MARC by MARC JACOBS LOOT WINNER!!!

Finally after a month the time has come to draw a winner. This is the first time for us to hold such a thing and honestly it has been a really exciting process.  :)

We collated and made print outs of all the entries from our Twitter, Facebook and blog.  We could've used colored paper but the idea slipped our minds! Haha! We're just too eager to pick out a winner.

So here are the entries...

 

We had fun rolling each piece and off they went to the magical TF box.

Macy's boyfriend, John wanted to be in-charge of the draw so we gave-in. 

...and finally, the lucky girl!

Weeeeeee!!! Congratulations to Ms. KARLA MAE BRAZIL for winning the Marc by Marc Jacobs Loot!

From the bottom of our hearts, big big thanks to those who joined, we're really grateful. Swear!! Hope you guys continue reading our fashion and travel blog. 'Til our next giveaway! :) To Ms. Karla, we'll PM and DM you.

1001 THINGS WE DID BEFORE WE DIE: Watch Mount Sakurajima's eruptions of smoke and ash

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NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL MEMORIES

It's great to know that despite the recent riots in London early this month, Notting Hill Carnival, the largest street festival in all of Europe and the second largest in the world, is still on (Aug. 28 and 29)!  We've got fond memories of this festival because years ago, we were lucky enough to be in London during the carnival weekend and be witnesses to that year's Notting Hill Carnival. Weeeee!

Notting Hill Carnival is a two-day Caribbean celebration every end of August.  Started in 1959, a year after the Notting Hill Race Riots (a racially-motivated riot brought about by the sudden influx of migrants from the Caribbean) it is a response to racial discrimination in Britain at the time. Getting inspiration from the early 19^th century Caribbean festivals celebrating the abolition of slavery, Notting Hill Carnival now symbolizes solidarity and multiracialism in Britain.

Allow us to share some of our Notting Hill Carnival pictures unearthed from our trusty external hard drives!

All main streets and Underground stations leading to Notting Hill were closed down.  We got there by bus and got off at the Notting Hill Gate, then walked to Portobello Road (yeah yeah yeah that famous road from the movie). 

DUBAI DESERT SAFARI: Desert Camp

Now here is another short video of our Dune Bashing ‘After Event’ - at the Desert Camp.

After the nerve-wracking, life-threatening (okay we’re exaggerating) 4x4 ride, we were brought to the Desert Camp together with all the other ‘Dune Bashers’ of the day.

DUBAI DESERT SAFARI: Dune Bashing

Here's a short video during our Dubai Desert Safari's dune bashing.

Now before you comment about how overacting, loud-mouthed girls we are, allow us to explain.  In the video, it seems like dune bashing is nothing terrifying.  It doesn't look THAT bad when the video is shot from inside the car, we guess.  Aside from that, we weren't able to take videos during the craziest parts as we were holding on to our dear lives and not the camera.  Seriously, it felt like we are fruits in a blender ready to be turned into your favorite fruit shake.  If it weren't for our seat belts, we'd probably be rolling and spinning all over the SUV.  Here's another dune bashing video (a much, much cooler one) we found on youTube, taken from outside the 4x4 so you can see how dune bashing really is like. 

Now what's up with all of us shouting Butong Pakwan?  

Read on about how that Desert Safari afternoon went... how we started the day looking prim and proper, hair neatly combed in place, and how we ended up looking like we wrestled with a hundred camels in the desert.

neat and tidy-turned-wangsta

prim and proper-turned-disaster

PARADISE IN CLUB PARADISE

When choosing for accommodations in Coron Palawan, you have three choices: 1) stay at one of the non-beachfront (sad) hotels in Coron town proper, 2) stay at a beachfront villa in one of the islands with electricity running on generator only 12 hours a day (super sad), or 3) stay at a beachfront villa with electricity, 24/7 (hooray) in Club Paradise.

Obviously, when we went to Coron, we both decided to stay in Club Paradise.  We went separately, one year apart, but had the same wonderful experience!

Club Paradise is an island resort in the 19-hectare Dimakya Island.  Its package is already inclusive of everything.  As soon as we reached the Busuanga Airport, they picked us up for a 30-minute ride through the Yulo King Ranch.

We were then transferred to a boat for a 40-minute scenic boat ride, passing through the amazing mangroves of Palawan.  During this supposedly boring ride, they provided us with snacks and drinks (which is good because as long as we have food, we don't get bored).

1001 THINGS WE DID BEFORE WE DIE: Wear an abaya and hijab in Sheikh Zayed Mosque

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TOP 3 PLACES TO SEE IN NAGASAKI

Three made it to our list of Top Places to See in Nagasaki.  These three were carefully chosen by us, yours truly!  Now if you ask us why we chose these three, it's because... 'cause... we only went to three places in Nagasaki. Hahaha.

Nagasaki is on the island of Kyushu, on the southern part of Japan.  We assume everyone's familiar with this place because of the World War II atomic bombings.  In case you skipped school on the day it was discussed by your teacher, Nagasaki is the second city in the world to experience a nuclear attack next to Hiroshima... on this same month of August, 66 years ago.  

sorry we had to post this map because it's cute

1.  Megami Bridge

The Megami Bridge, also known as Venus Wing, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the island of Kyushu.  Built by Mitsubishi, the bridge is 880 meters long and 170 meters tall.  It was completed in December 2005, and is now slowly becoming a landmark in Nagasaki. What's cool about this bridge is that it has a pathway for pedestrians, so not only cars can cross it.  Of course our lazy asses didn't bother.  As soon as we got off the bus, we barely walked away from it and just took photos from where we are.  The best view of the bridge is from afar, anyway!  

Megami Bridge

1001 THINGS WE DID BEFORE WE DIE: Look silly with the gladiators in Rome

 
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LAN KWAI FONG: The perfect party place in Hong Kong

When in Hong Kong and can’t decide on where to dine or spend a quick night cap with your friends or family after all that shopping, head to Lan Kwai Fong and be ready to have fun!  Lan Kwai Fong is Hong Kong’s dining and clubbing district and can be found in Central. Come Halloween and New Year’s Eve, people troop to Lan Kwai Fong to celebrate and get crazy.

And whenever we have the opportunity to celebrate birthdays in Hong Kong, we find ourselves trooping to LKF to what else- get crazy! 

But before all that we sort of have this tradition of concocting a ‘Hotel Room Surprise’ (and blogging about it now for everyone to read means we can't do it anymore as a surprise in the future hahaha).  We, Karol and Macy, would always be in charge of this crazy and immature idea. Everything would be planned- the cake, candles, decors and other birthday stuff and this would often mean overweight luggage even before reaching HK. 

2009 

In August of 2009, we celebrated the birthday of our friend, Lyd.  We brought party decors all the way from Manila instead of buying them in HK, where they would cost more.  We got everything from SM Department Store's Toy Kingdom. 

GIRLY-FIED TRAVEL GADGETS

 We are not gadget freaks.  We don't own ipads, blackberries, or any state-of-the-art, new-age, top-of-the-line gizmos.  We don't get bothered if a v2.0 of our v1.0 will be launched.  We don't get troubled in upgrading to whatever is the newest model.  We buy only those that we need, and we replace them only when they get broken. 

To say it simply, we are not techie.

We won't deny it though that there are some gadgets we can't live without, particularly when traveling.  So now we present to you... the kind of gadgets we, untechies, own.

But, don't you wonder how we choose what gadgets to buy, when we don't know much about them?  Plain and simple!  We buy whatever comes in Pink!! HEHE!  Really, carrying these heavy metal objects is already a pain in the a**.  It makes us feel less burdened if they at least look preettyyyyy,

WIN A MARC BY MARC JACOBS LOOT

We're giving away this loot! Hooray!

With all the DTI fiasco about requiring bloggers to get hold of a permit for blog giveaways, we're doing one now before it's too late! Heehee!

Now what is inside that paper bag? 

MARMARIS: How We Did Nothing

What did we do in Marmaris?

What did we see?

Nothing.  

So, don't expect to learn anything from this post.  We have nothing worthy to share.  And don't tell uis we didn't warn you! =)

Yes, we like to maximize our vacation most of the time, and see everything there is to see as much as possible.  But sometimes, we enjoy more if we don't do anything...  If we don't list must-sees on that place...  If we don't care wasting our time...  If we plan to do just whatever.  Like, there's no pressure at all.

And that's exactly what we did in Marmaris! 

Marmaris is a port city along the Mediterranean coast southwest of Turkey.

ONE THING WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT SANTORINI

 We know that Santorini can be found in the Aegean Sea.

We know that it is a volcanic island, a caldera that remained after a huge volcanic explosion.

We know that we can reach Ancient Thira by going up the cliff riding a donkey (hence, the donkey souvenirs all over)...

...but we know that the donkeys are so smelly for us (sorry donkeys, we still love you!), that we'll end up riding the cable car instead.

We know that there will be tons of tourists even if it's off-peak season. (We were even lucky to have met these really nice and funny Italian tourists).