Mexican Riviera - Chef Loreto Bembo's Master piece and a man eating a balloon

There are only two formal nights in our 7 days cruise but our cruise dinner was almost always formal and should I say amazing.  Let me feature one Chef, simply because he's a Filipino ;-)

Our second to the last dinner was  prepared by Chef - Loreto Bembo, he is one of the head chef in princess cruise.

Here's the sample menu given to us:

For your viewing pleasure here are two of his his scrumptious masterpiece

We were entertained by a man eating a balloon. I swear I saw him ate everything... he even drank water after.... Kids , don't do this at home :p

Amazing, isn't it?

That's All!

Cabo San Lucas - Mexican Riviera 3rd stop

Last stop was the jewel of Baja peninsula, Cabo San Lucas. From wiki, Cabo San Lucas is known for its white sandy beaches, several world-class Scuba diving locations, and the distinctive sea arch El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. As a result, Cabo San Lucas has become a high-end holiday destination with a number of resorts and timeshares along the coast between San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The word cabo means cape in English and San Lucas is the Spanish name for Saint Luke.
 
Our cruise ship stopped in the middle of the sea where princess cruises life boats took us to San Lucas  Marina Port.

We took a tour and saw  the breathtaking landmark, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas...

It was not in our itinerary, but, we got  whale watching for free, good thing they were  hyper and performing continuously.

A good samaritan took a picture of the group before my camera's battery died.  I truly enjoyed every moment with them.

Cabo San Lucas was very nice, the view , the food, the shopping. Too bad I left my extra battery inside the ship...

That's All!

Mazatlan - Mexican Riviera 2nd stop

Second cruise stop was Mazatlan. Mazatlan is one of Mexico's most alluring and inviting beach destination , it is know as 'Pearl of the pacific'.

We went to their public market in Old town and bought some Mexican items. In my case, bought  sombrero and a leather belt.

A few blocks  from the market, was Mazatlan Cathedral...

Near the cathedral  I saw a corn store... ate Mexican mixed corn -Chili + Margarine  + Mayonnaise + Corn...  A little bit gross and a little bit weird... smelly but  good.

We passed by this street...

and reached a nice place called playas alos altos

where we watch a man jump off the cliff, I think it's called Acapulco jump.

Back to the port I saw Senor frog statue and had a picture moment...

That's All!

Puerto Vallarta - Mexican Riviera 1st stop

After 3 days of sailing, we finally arrived at our first port stop - Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta  is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas.

We  walked along the Malecon  (sea walk), where we saw and enjoyed the sculptures, sea breeze along with other locals and tourist.

Here's a picture of me climbing the sculpture "In Search of Reason" by Guadalajara artist Sergio Bustamante, 

The famous Boy on a Seahorse sculpture (El Caballito)  is Puerto vallarta's symbol which was by Rafael Zamarripa and was in Malecon for more than 25 years.

Few more walks and we saw  Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

There were numbers of restaurant in the area but we can't decide where to grab some munch and then  we found  this.... A real Mexican Taco truck.

ordered these soft shell tacos, plus mexican coke..  Yummm!

A view of Puerto from the tail end of sapphire princess..

That's All!

Princess cruise : Mexican Riviera

One thing that kept me busy was a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera via Sapphire Princess of Princess Cruise.

A huge ship that can accommodate up to 2,670 passengers, with an array of swimming pools, lounges and  dining areas in addition to a couple of  clubs, a library, a theater and a casino.

basically it is a hotel resort in the water but... much much nicer.

With professional photographers on board...

And abundant food... some dishes that were served

PRIME RIB

  ASIAN NOODLES

ESCARGOT

LOBSTER AND PRAWNS

Overall the experience was great.  We got food overload!!!  The crew were friendly (staff was majority Pinoys), service was great, activities were fantastic. 

Kudos Princess Cruises... we had a fabulous time... until the next cruise :)

PS: Will blog Mexican stops next time.

That's All!

Princess cruise

Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point, San fernando La Union

We're in Santorini Greece... NOT!

During our vacation in my mother's hometown, we visited  Thunderbird resort which is few minutes away from San Fernando La Union city proper.

Thunderbird is a Santorini inspired hotel which is nestled on a scenic cliff...

Overlooking the white to beige colored sand beach

We took our almost 100 year old grandma there to have a taste of fresh air

We loved the sunset too

What to do: Swim, Golf, Casino, Eat at their Mediterranean inspired  restaurant called Olive

Over all the resort offers a breathtaking view.

That's All

Thunderbird Resorts -Poro Point
Poro Point Freeport Zone
San Fernando City, La Union
Philippines
(+6372) 888.7777

Calle Crisologo and Vigan Empanada - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

A trip to Vigan will not be complete without visiting the most photographed street: Calle Crisologo - fairly preserved "Spanish-era" buildings and houses (some houses where converted into antique shops) can be found here. 

The street is closed to modern traffic; only kalesa (Horse carriages) is allowed to enter in the quaint street which added some historic touch. 

Adjacent to Calle Crisologo is another closed st. Calle Florentino,  where the Statue of  P's "ninuno" or ancestor is situated - Leona Florentino, is the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition".   Beside the statue is Cafe Leona, which offer good eats as well (we dined during our visit last 2008)...

Nobody should  leave Vigan without tasting their empanada in "The Vigan Empandaan" situated in Plaza Burgos

Here you can see how empanada is done, from mixing to cooking...

Empanada at its best! Crunchy and yummy with a filling that consists of eggs, Vigan longganisa and vegetables wrapped in a rice flour crust dipped in sukang Iloko /ilocos vinegar. P25-P35 /serving.

...Close by is Mom's bakery which sells a bread with filling called bolero(too bad I didn't take photos) which is very very good. If you plan on going there just ask the locals (kalesa/tryke drivers) for directions :D

That's all!

Baluarte Zoo -Vigan, Ilocos Sur

I've finally got to see a real camel without traveling too far...

Yes, there's a camel  living in  our tropical country and it can be found  in Vigan's Baluarte...

I captured this photo after feeding it with a grass.

Deers loitering around the sanctuary

Lurk, I'm up-close with the tiger, ROAR!

"Baluarte is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structures of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care.

Located along the western seaboard of Northern Luzon 408 kilometers north of Manila, bounded in the South by South China Sea, Baluarte has its breathtaking view of Vigan City. Baluarte is open to the public and admission is FREE. It is actually Governor Chavit's gift to the people of Vigan where residents are accorded free use of spaces for their livelihood programs." - from: http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html

That's All!

Baluarte Zoo

10 minute drive from Vigan City.
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte 

How to go to Baluarte

By Land - 9 hour overland trip via Philippine Rabbit Bus line, Dominion Bus Corporation, Partas Transportation Company.

By Air - Fly to Ilocandia instead. Laoag International Airport has three[3] times a week 70 min. flight via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Public transport is 80 km. trip to Vigan and 10 minute drive to Baluarte. We recommend the comfortable air-conditioned Partas buses with only three seats across and have better reclining positions.

Barasoain church

When I was a kid, I only knew Barasoain church trough 10 peso bills - I remember looking for a cat in the bills... as time progresses, I had learned to appreciate the value of history:
I've been going to Malolos to accompany P to his Lolo's house; From time to time we visit Barasoain church which is almost walking distance from them... Here are some pictures I took during our 2nd visit:

Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630[1] in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, the most important religious building in the Philippines [2], and the site of the First Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

The term "Barasoain" was derived from the Filipino word "baras ng suwail", which means "dungeon of the defiant". The term was coined because the place was once the rendezvous of Filipinos who were in opposition to the laws imposed during the reign of the conquerors of the country. The term was also been attributed to a name originated from a well-known church in Navarra, Spain. Priests and missionaries who built the cathedral had gone to the place and saw a beautiful church and later named it to the one built in Malolos. - from wiki

PS:Will add more pics next time.

That's All!

Barasoain church
Malolos, Bulacan