Mount Makiling via UPLB

It is summer and I feel like going somewhere. I’m browsing thru the internet looking for places to visit and I found Mt. Makiling.

Meeting place..

 (across Umali Auditorium)

Forestry Department where the trail starts

Visitors have to pay P10.00 each

(very affordable)

greens along the way

and colorful flowers

Flat Rock Trail is short.

A good place for relaxing. The water is clean and so inviting for a quick dip.

We had fun climbing on flat rock. 

After spending some time at flat rock, we head back to the road going to Mud Spring.

I'm catching my breath while walking uphill. Already exhausted and tired, we met Manong (ice drop vendor). 

life saver

Finally..........

After a long climb we rested on one of the store near Station 8. We had buko juice, our thirst quencher. 

Photo op 

Mud Spring

Pool of mud was boiling. 

 It was almost 1:30 in the afternoon when we headed back down. It was much faster than going up. 

travel budget: Padre Burgos, Quezon

This trip is not actually planned. My friend ask me if I want to go to the beach, and I said yes right away.. One week! One week preparation, but I don't mind, I want to feel the sand. 

Actually, sabit lang kami dito sa getaway na 'to.. :)

For our first stop, Dampalitan Island. We decided to have our over night in this island. What I love about this island is its long stretch of shoreline. There are sea shells  and some crush corals on the shore. And if you're planning to have bonfire at night, there are dry woods which you can collect. 

sunset on Dampalitan Island

sunkiss

 the other side of the island. Mangrove areas are located.

Next stop: Puting Buhangin and Kwebang Lampas
From Dampalitan Island, it took us 30-45 mins boat ride going to Puting Buhangin Island. We had our lunch here. We decided not to rent a cottage or even table (medyo mahal kasi, P300 daw yung cottage tapos walang pang roof..so wag na lang). We just enjoyed sitting on the sand.

Puting Buhangin which literally means white sand. 

With its crystal clear water, who would never fall in love in this place. 

Inside Kwebang Lampas.

Kwebang Lampas is located in Puting Buhangin Island. (what I noticed is that there are vandalisms) 

Lastly: Borawan Island
Upon heading to this island, I feel the rush, excitement and happiness.  From afar, you will already notice its rock formation. We were welcome by the caretaker of the island. The security guard helped us in finding a good spot to stay in the island (he's helpful). 

Heading to the Island

Boracay (white sand) + Palawan (rock formation) = BORAWAN

How to get there:
1. Ride a bus bound to Lucena City.
2. From Lucena Grand Terminal, ride a mini bus going to Padre Burgos. Ask the driver to drop you off the Basiao. Or you can just ask some locals who are also passengers, tell them that you are going to Borawan island and they're more than willing to give instruction. (fare: P35.00)
3. From there, you can ride a tricycle going to the beach where boatman will take you to the island. (Fare: P10.00/person)

*BOAT RIDE:
Dampalitan Island: P800.00
Dampalitan Island and Borawan Island: P1,200.00
Dampalitan Island, Borawan Island and Puting Buhangin Island: P1,800.00

*entrance fee and other fees:
Dampalitan Island
entrance: P80.00
table: P200.00
tent: P500.00
if you bring your own tent, P200.00

Puting Buhangin;Kwebang Lampas
entrance fee: P100.00

Borawan Island
entrance fee: P80.00
cottage (small): P700.00
cottage (large): P850.00
shower room: P20.00
comfort room: P10.00

May I suggest:
If you are looking for convenience (staying overnight) or torn in the three island (where to stay), I would suggest Borawan Island. Comfort rooms are cleaner compare to Dampalitan Island. There are security guards on the island that somehow feels you safer. Plus, the stone formation gives you the opportunity to experience rock climbing.

macaroons

*this is portable macaroons because i only used the available ingredients at home (what i saw on the cupboard)

ingredients:

2 cups desiccated coconut

1 cup flour

2 tbsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup evaporated milk

procedure:

-just mix all the ingredients.   

-and then bake!

banana cake with peanutbutter-mallow filling

ingredients (cake):

1 stick butter

banana (ripe)

1/4 kl. flour 

3 tbsp. baking powder

3/4 cup milk

1/4 kl. sugar

2 egg

(peanutbutter-mallow filling)

1 pack marsh mallow

1/4 cup evaporated milk

3 tbsp. peanut butter

for the cake:

1. Mashed the ripe banana. 

2. Mix all the ingredients. 

3. Grease the baking pan with butter and pour in the mixture. 

for the filling:

1. Mix all the ingredients.

2. Put the sauce pan in another pan with water. (low heat)

3. Stir the ingredients gradually until the marsh mallow melts. 

(rice cooker) Chocolate Cake

Since our oven is not working well, I searched over the internet a cake recipe that doesn't need one and I found Rice Cooker Cake. I got some ideas and incorporate it to my own recipe and then........its baking time? :)

ingredients:
1 1/3 cup cake flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 eggs




Procedure:

1. In a large bowl, combine and mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and cocoa powder. 
2. Add the cooking oil, eggs and 1/2 cup of evaporated milk.
3. Mix all the ingredients and add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk.
4. Grease the rice cooker with oil or butter then put the cake mixture.
5. Cook into the rice cooker for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, steamed it for another 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect moisture. 
6. Add the frosting on top of the cake and serve. 

*for the frosting, you will be needing cocoa powder, sugar and water. (1:2 - sugar and water) cook the mixture in low heat. 

when it's time to say goodbye: Part 2

November 30, 2012, I wrote "when it's time to say goodbye" because I felt that I'm ready to move out, move on and to let go. But after all, the feelings are still there; that everything is just a pretension to cover up my emotions. It seems like I'm brave enough but deep inside I'm tearing apart.

Today, May 28, 2013, I have come up with another one, when it's time to say goodbye: part 2. This time, it's for real. I'm letting go of the past. All I want is to erase all the bad memories and keep going.

I've accepted the path that we have, what we had and that you're already forgiven.

I'm giving myself a chance to see what I missed because of focusing on other things that lead me to nowhere.

cheesy puto pao

This recipe is always present during family gathering. My cousins, especially the young once love this.

..the recipe
..what you will be needing
..the ingredients

• (1) 300 ml condense milk
• (2) 370 ml evaporated milk
• (4) tablespoon baking powder
• (4) eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• butter
• 1/2 kl cake flour
• 1/2 cup water
• cheese (strips)

1. In a large bowl, sift the cake flour and baking soda.
2. In another (2) bowl, separate the egg white and egg yolk.
3. (Egg white) - beat the egg white then gradually put in the sugar until it comes fluffy.
4. (Egg yolk) - beat the egg yolk, and mix in the butter and condense milk.
5. Combine the egg white and egg yolk mixture, evaporated milk and water into the dry ingredients (cake flour and baking powder).
6. Mix all the ingredients until smooth. Pour into individual molds and put the cheese on top.
7. Arrange molds into steamer. Steam for about 15 minutes of boiling water.

FINISH!