May 2016 | Lady & her Sweet Escapes

May 31, 2016

Family Getaway at Bluewater Maribago Cebu


Fond memories of my childhood include traveling to Cebu during summer. I was in grade school on my first visit. It was already called the Queen City of the South; a metropolis with huge shopping malls and lavish beach resorts. It is basically a far cry from my quaint hometown, hence I considered my short summer vacations in Cebu as EPIC!  

It has been a while since I traveled to Cebu with the whole family, more than decade I guess. So, when a plan of having a reunion surfaced, I was ecstatic!

Just like the old times, the family decided to have a get-together in one of the beach resorts in Mactan Island. We booked an overnight stay in Bluewater Maribago and it turned out to be another memorable family getaway. 


Bluewater Maribago Cebu

May 27, 2016

Island Hopping in Sipalay


Turquoise blue waters and lush tropical islets with wooden boats sailing around them greeted me when I glanced out the viewing deck of Latasan Island Resort. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised! It was my first time in Sipalay and I never thought there's something like it in my province. Shame that I often tend to look for beautiful destinations in far away places and only laid my eyes on this "jewel" when my aunt mentioned it as nothing but an option for our homecoming plans.

The view of the islands from the deck made me look forward to the upcoming activity on our schedule that day. I excitedly took the stairs, then the hanging bridge, back to the resort where we spent the night. It's time to explore some of the unspoilt islands that I have seen from up there!    

Island Hopping in Sipalay

May 24, 2016

Yakitate Japanese Boutique Bakery and Cafe


I can't remember how many times we trooped to Al Ghurair Centre just for Yakitate. I have fallen in love with this Japanese Boutique Bakery and Cafe ever since it popped up in Dubai's dining scene last winter. I have already been there for breakfast, for catch-up sesh over dinner with friends, and countless date nights with Ed!

Although Yakitate is not the first Japanese Bakery to open in Dubai, it easily captured my attention because of several reasons. 

1. Because of its convenient location. It is tucked in the district where we live.
2. Because of the ramen burger! There's nothing like it in Dubai.
3. Because it is sooo kawaii
  
Yakitate Cafe in Dubai

May 22, 2016

One Night Stay at the Tallest Hotel in the World


It was October last year when Ed surprised me with an overnight stay at the tallest hotel in the world. He is not a big spender, but I usually get super spoiled during special occasions. And during that time, we were celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary.

Just a little trivia, the Top 4 tallest hotels in the world are all located in Dubai! Awesome, right? The most staggering of them all, JW Marriott Marquis, is a 1,100 ft twin-tower business hotel. It is impressively standing along Sheikh Zayed Road, cladded in blue glass panels and crowned with a striking design at the topmost floor!  

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

May 19, 2016

The New Carinderia ni Tandang Sora in Karama


Carinderia ni Tandang Sora has an all-new branch in Karama. I think most Filipinos in Dubai are already familiar with this humble Filipino eatery. I have been to their Deira branch a few times for dinner and there was never a time it was empty. Hence, the opening of the bigger branch in Karama is a wonderful news. 

Carinderia ni Tandang Sora

May 12, 2016

The Boston Bar in Jumeira Rotana


I have discovered something last weekend! There is a sports bar which doubles as wonderful weekend lunch venue hidden behind 2nd of December Street. Who would have thought? 

Ed and I went out to find The Boston Bar in Jumeira Rotana, a hotel tucked in between Jumeirah and Satwa. Since I am not into the typical loud bar atmosphere, sports shows and heavy alcoholic drinks, I opted to visit for lunch. It was the perfect time to discover what is beyond the "bar" at The Boston Bar.

The Boston Bar in Jumeira Rotana

May 5, 2016

My 16 Foodie Finds During My 2016 PH Homecoming


Uy! Tumaba ka!  You got fat! Those were the words I commonly got from friends when  I came back from my 2016 vacation in the Philippines. I wasn't surprised. Halfway through my 2-week vacation, I could barely slip in the only pair of jeans that I brought. 

Guilty as charged. I ate too much!

That was three months ago, and currently, I'm still on my way back to my old shape. You can't blame me. I couldn't blame myself either. Nothing beats the taste of home. And besides, mas maganang kumain pag kasama ang pamilya, right? Food tastes better when shared with loved ones. Sounds like a good excuse for eating too much huh? But hey, that's the truth! ;) 

Restaurants in The Philippines

May 3, 2016

City Break in Villa Rotana


Shiny and staggering skyscraper hotels, that's what Sheikh Zayed Road is known for. I would always look out the window to adore the modern-day architecture during weekend commutes. But each time, my attention is drawn to a hotel that differs from the rest. 

Tucked in Dubai's most bustling road, the 5-storey high Villa Rotana stands elegantly distinct from the rest of the pack. It has a classic European architecture that gets even more mesmerizing when lighted up at night. It is so eye-catching that I wondered what is beneath the grand facade for years!