Another Place to check out in Elyu- Ynad's Place Hotel and Resort

 

Okay, so time to update this blog on my long overdue staycations mmm more of work-leisure sleep-work-eat repeat adventures misadventures. 

When you are with friends at work, even a simple elevator ride becomes a breather and an absolute simple joy! So this post was a day and night at one of the resorts in La Union- Ynad's Place Hotel and Resort. 

I always check out the bed first in every hotel. For shared accommodations I love being able to choose the best area in the room to park my weary body after mind boggling, grueling work 🤣. Can you guess which bed I chose? 👀

So, whatever one needs it's there on the counter. Wifi, phone, drinks and menu for dine in orders from the hotel restaurant. 

So there I chose the bed near the comfort room hoping against all hope my friends would not be disturbed by my snores 😅but lo and behold of course as always I lulled them to sleep (read, the exact opposite) with my Zzzzz and more Zzzzzz 😆

Anyway next I usually check out the comfort room next for hmmm unlimited selfies. I look haggard here gee, which actually is my natural look. I am turning golden this year so no point of arguing on that haha. 

So, there's the bath area at Ynad's. The room is large enough for a comforting stay. 

And there's the pool aglow at night, invitingly blue and green with refreshing plants all around. However, my old muscles were too lazy to dip and my mind was too distracted to enjoy the water 😆but yes, I bet swimming would be great in there!

Then, came the food! It was the birthday treat of one of our friends- "ate ma'am Girlie" and yes, we had a blast! Above was Ynad's Frito Platters- "squid, mozzarella stick, onion rings served with french fries and tartare sauce. 

and this was their creamy and cheesy nachos- nachos in bolognese sauce with cream cheese sauce. 

Look at those pretty happy faces! The birthday girl- ate ma'am "Girlie" is the one next to me. Doc ate Gretch (the one in white) has embraced retirement already so I guess this photo deserves posting as one of my core memories working with these wonderful ladies. 

Check out their menu for more savory, comforting food. 

mmm the above I brought with me, my comforting warm milk and "hopia"- hope yah love me too 😏

And this was the pool at daytime reminding me to go visit Ynad's Place Hotel and Resort one more time in the coming days. Though living in La Union which has quickly become one of the major tourist destinations in the country the past years I haven't been taking advantage of the beautiful places here. I

think I have been too busy with work and school and missing out on much needed RnR (a fact I must admit 😅).

So, there goes another blog post for today! 

Check out Ynad's Place Hotel and Resort on their FB page here. 

In case I inspired you to check out, my previous La Union posts are here. 

*Not a sponsored post, just another happy customer's honest opinion. 

Amici Resort

Hello there! 

So, I had a chance to travel after a mind grueling two and a half months of studying. gee, I just misspelled and had to edit the words "grueling" and "misspelled" after typing I spent time studying, mercy please.  😅

Anyway, here goes the resort review/appreciation/photo blasts 😀.

I don't feel like putting my thoughts into words so I will let the photos speak. I am lazy, yeah that's more like it. But this is a must to write -"I had a great time." 

The resort name- Amici (an Italian word that means FRIENDS) expresses the description of the experience. 

It was a restful week with friends amidst work. 

our room which was good for two to three persons- one queen-sized bed and a pull up bed

Midway Grill on the Hubby's 49th

 

Someone turned forty-nine this month and off we went to Midway Grill  for a simple lunch. We ordered our favorite Midway Salad for its nutritional benefits. Nothing like greens, oranges, purples and yellows to spice up the mood! 

St. Michael The Archangel Parish Church- A Lenten Reflection

On the fourth day of the Holy Week I visited our parish church to send prayers to heaven. I always pray wherever I am, however the holy atmosphere in churches is enriching to the soul so after work I headed to this beautiful architectural structure that has witnessed many of my life's stages. 

Le Monet- Mood

Whew! I would love to see the above view once more, to inhale the cool fresh air and just sit and stare, sit and stare....

Okay so that was me above, all wrinkled nose, foundation poorly applied but kinda at peace. Why? See those trees? Fine pine trees pun intended. And know what? I was listening to birds singing! Le Monet Hotel is one place in Baguio City where you can renew your body and soul. I highly recommend staying there!

A Night in Costa Villa

Okay so these photos where from November 23 of 2019. The pandemic had them stock in my drafts. My posts digging needless to say led to their publishing.

From what I remember, I arrived from a convention and the hubby and I decided to spend the night  in San Juan. Please ignore my haggard look 😅.

View Point Grill and Restaurant- A Sun-Date

The hubby took me to View Point Grill today.

It's been months of community quarantines and finally the restaurants are opening at full capacities although health protocols are still in place. 

View Point Grill is atop a hill. It is located in Bacsil, San Fernando City, L.U so most of the early customers are bikers. 

Of Anniversaries and My Beloved Elyu!

Okay, so this a long overdue post. Our anniversary was on the 31st of October. It was our 18th! So the hubby who is as of late hooked to tripadvisor.com bookings searched for the best hotel for us to spend the day in the province. He chose The Little Surfmaid Resort in San Juan La Union because the price was right 😆 and the reviews we read online were all great!

One Sunset with Beth at MA-CHO TEMPLE...

   
      One of the tourists attractions in my province is MA-CHO TEMPLE. The place is dear to my heart as it was built the same year I was born- 1975. No wonder it has been there for as long as I can remember. It was built by the Chinese community in San Fernando City under the leadership of Jose D. Aspiras and Mr. Dy Keh Hio. I remember passing by this welcome arch all the days of my childhood life as we lived just nearby and being curious just what was up there. It took me years before I finally got to see the place and I have been re-visiting ever since because of the inner peace I feel each time I am there.

      

Come Visit the "La Union Agri-Tourism Village"!

Five Reasons...I'll give you five good reasons you should head to the La Union Provincial Capitol on its 169th Foundation Anniversary.

1. For "good health"

See my forehead above? It's glistening from sweating on my way up the road that has been beautifully lighted, theatrically I'd say. Perfect for dramatic, moody shots. My mood was festive! For indeed there is a celebration happening in the province now. I had dessert for dinner and I was so glad to have burned up the extra calories. Plus, I was kinda testing my endurance for long walks and it turned out I had more saved up energy than the hubby who is one of my designated photographers for the evening, the other being our seventeen year old.

I encourage you to go in your most comfy clothing and shoes for the uphill invigorating evening stroll. You'll feel young seeing a lot of kids and hearing them giggle over simple things.

One Afternoon at Sagat Crust Food House

Once Upon A Break 😂 #summer

A post shared by thelettersinnovember (@zenskulasa) on May 29, 2018 at 10:11am PDT

So I finally got to eat at Sagat Crust! I've been reading about the place all over social media for months but never got the chance to indulge! Talk about being crazily busy at work LOL.

I am a fan of anything that has history in it! And indeed at Sagat Crust you'll find many items on display which hold a story. The old house itself is a marvel.

You can view the rest of the photos by "right-clicking" on my IG posts...


The miniature jeepney steals the show. It was literally after noon and we were there for dessert. Or I guess I was there more for the sight!

Three Fears You Could Conquer at Tangadan Falls

So I finally reached my first waterfall. True or false? (Pun intended) True! Truly it was one amazing experience! Forgive me for my delight, I sort of ceased being adventurous until recently. As the title implies this is all about the fears I conquered at Tangadan Falls.

Want to hear about it? Read on and I hope I get to lure you to visit one of the best places in my province La Union. Proud to have been there and to have ditched the following fears:

Nature Lovers Should Add These Locations to Their Travel Bucket List ASAP

If you have a travel bucket list that you’re passionate about fulfilling before that bucket is finally kicked, it’s worth making sure that it’s full of the right kinds of places. Sure, everyone wants to go to Rome and Paris and New York City, but what about the world’s stunning natural locations? Those are the places that often get left off bucket lists, but you shouldn't fall into that trap. If you're a lover of nature, here are the locations that should be added to your bucket list ASAP.

Iceland

Iceland is a relatively small island way up above the rest of Europe, but you can get there pretty affordably these days. You can explore the mountains and landscapes at your own pleasure, or you can take a tour alongside a local who know what they’re doing.

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is not just a place for parents to take their kids when they want to visit Santa Claus. It’s also one of the most captivating winter landscapes on the face of the Earth. There’s something incredibly enchanting and appealing about the way in which everything seems so quiet and untouched when you’re in Lapland. If you’ve never been to Finland, this is the best place to start.

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Are You Ready to Move Abroad? Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Move to Indonesia

Indonesia is a wonderful place. It is packed full of things to do and things to see, with many of the world’s marvels being right in the heart of the islands. For that reason, when people travel there, a lot of them contemplate staying and it is a great way for you to get up close and personal with everything that the country has to offer. The problem is that if you have never moved abroad before or if you aren’t sure if you are ready or not then it could be a big step in the wrong direction if you make the wrong decision.

Where You’re Going to Live

If you want to move to Indonesia then one thing that you need to ask yourself is whether or not you are financially stable. You need to determine how successful your move is actually going to be. For example, if you have spent some time working over in Indonesia before and you know that you can easily slip back into work when you move there then this is a great sign.  If you have never worked in the country however then this is something that you need to take into consideration. You need to think about how you are going to find a long-term job and you also need to think about how you are going to go without one if you aren’t able to find work. You also need to consider the cultural change. Think about the language, do you speak it fluently? Are you able to adapt to the way of life in another country? If you don’t speak the language at all then it may be worth trying to learn it so you can really get the best result out of your time there.

 

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Earning a Living

If you are going to be travelling for a long period of time then you may not necessarily need to worry about permanently making a living. It is a good idea for you to have some money that can keep you going for a long period of time while you are away, so make sure that you have the skills required to fulfil a job when you get there. If you have never worked in another country then consider travelling and try and get a job while you are out there. Even if it means working on a food stall, it is your first step to making the biggest change of your life. Indonesia is full of markets and food stalls that are always on the lookout for helping hands, so it isn’t hard at all to get involved with the local community.

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Visas and Work Permits

When you are planning your move, you need to note how long it will take you to get your visas and any other type of documentation as well. It also helps to have all of this in place before you leave. If you know that you need a work permit then you need to find out how long it is going to take you to receive this permit and what type of work that you can do. Some permits only allow you to work for certain hours and others require you to work in certain positions, so there is a lot to think about when the time does come for you to make this decision.

Leaving Everything Behind

When it comes to economics, there is something called an opportunity cost. You ultimately need to weigh up what you are losing and what you are gaining. This is what will help you to come out on top when it comes to your move. If you are leaving your family behind then you need to think about how they are going to manage without you. If you have dependents then this is especially the case. There may be rules on how you can support them when you do move abroad, and all of this can really affect your decision.

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You may even need to sell your home in order to fund your new lifestyle. When you do this, it helps to have a property in mind that you want to move into. Sites such as rumahdijual.com/pekanbaru/perumahan have plenty of properties available and many of them are available at a discount rate as well so this is something that you really do need to think about.

The Food

Next, it’s important to think about the food in the area you are going to be visiting. The food that is in Indonesia is very different to the food that is in the UK or even the US. You probably won’t be able to get any of your favourite meals and you won’t be able to go out to the bar with your friends. Leaving this lifestyle behind may be difficult and when you arrive, it may hit you harder than you’d like. This is just one of the many things that you need to think about when the time does come for you to move abroad.

So, moving to Indonesia can be a thrilling experience and you would be surprised at how easy it is for you to meet new people and even meet new friends as well. Hundreds of people make the decision to move to Indonesia every single year and by having everything planned out in advance, you can be sure to make the most out of your move while also feeling confident that you are making the best decision when it comes to your family. If you are taking your family with you then there is a high chance that you will need to get another type of visa that covers them, and if you are planning to go to school or even study then your visa may only cover you throughout your educational years. That being said, it isn’t hard to apply for a new visa. This alone helps to make it the number one destination for both travellers and those who want to take that next step in their life and move abroad.

Which Asian Countries Offer The Best Vacation Experiences?

Lots of people who live in the West choose to visit Asian countries alone or with their families every single year. That is often because those people want to spend some time learning about different cultures, and the difference between East and West is vast. If you’ve never ventured to that part of the world in the past, you’ll want to pay attention to some of the advice and tips on this page. There are some excellent locations mentioned in this article that will point you in the right direction and ensure you leave no stone unturned. Of course, you should visit all of these places if you get the opportunity during your lifetime. However, nothing is wrong with selecting the best ones if you don’t get to travel that much.

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China

China is arguably the world’s largest superpower at the moment, and the country is home to the highest concentration of people in the world. The best estimates suggest around 1.37 billion people are living in that country at the moment. Most visitors tend to visit the capital city and other thriving locations. However, if you want to have the best experience in China, you need to venture off the beaten track. There are lots of small towns and villages where it’s possible to immerse yourself in the Chinese culture and spend time with local people. There are also some fantastic train routes you can take if you fancy travelling around the country. Some people say that’s the best way to see the sights and learn what it’s like for the residents to live in the country. The best spectacles include:

• The Forbidden City
• The Summer Palace
• The Potala Palace

Contemplation at Le Monet

Okay so that was me above, all wrinkled nose, foundation poorly applied but kinda at peace. Why? See those trees? Pine trees! And know what? I was listening to birds singing! Le Monet Hotel is one place in Baguio City where you can renew your body and soul. I highly recommend staying there!



The hotel lobby viewed from above. Make me dreamy staring at those raindrop, lemon-like glass ornaments.

And yep the view by our room's veranda is worth sharing....

A Night at Ace Hotel and Suites

So, I once again had a restful night at one of the hotels in the city. This time at Ace Hotel and Suites.



The group originally planned to enjoy the water spa but tiredness got the better of us so the bed was our company the whole hotel stay LOL.

Travel Money Options: Which Is Best For You?

If you are planning an exciting adventure overseas or a relaxing trip to a beach to do nothing at all, you will need money of some kind. Even all-inclusive resorts require you to pay for additional extras like spa treatments and excursions so you will need some cash. Don’t forget about a little holiday shopping so that you can bring back some local handicrafts or even treat yourself to a designer outfit.

So, what are your options for taking money on holiday with you and which would work best for you?

Some cash is essential

At some point, you will need a small amount of cash for buying small items and tipping in airports and restaurants. However, carrying large amounts of cash is definitely not advisable and in some locations, could put you in danger. There are also laws and regulations in most countries that control how much money you can take in and out of the country so you need to look that up.

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Eager To Spread Those Wings? How To Make Traveling More Affordable

Wanderlust is an increasingly common affliction. If you spend your days dreaming about tropical beaches or pristine snow-covered slopes, you’re not alone. The world is more accessible than ever before, but traveling can be expensive. As much we’d love to take time off to spread our wings, sometimes, multiple vacations aren’t viable. If you’re saving up for your next trip, here are some hints and tricks to make traveling more affordable.

When to go

When you’re planning your next vacation, think about when you could go. If you’re able to travel outside of peak times, you could save a huge amount of money. If you don't have children, for example, taking a vacation in term-time is likely to be much cheaper. Likewise, prices are much lower out of season. If you’re going skiing, for example, prices will be lower at the end of January than at Christmas and New Year. If you’re planning a festive trip to New York, look at flights at the beginning of December rather than dates closer to Christmas Day. Sometimes, even altering your dates by a couple of days can make a massive difference.

Image credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/mickaeltr/6793740442

American RV Parks Jam Packed With Family Adventure

Picture from: Commons.Wikimedia.Org

There’s nothing quite as liberating as taking to the open road in your RV and seeing where the wind takes you. There are plenty of captivating journeys that take you through new England, the southeastern states and Route 66. But today we’re going to focus on RV parks that are great for easy American family adventures . Do you love spectacular scenery, outdoor adventure, cycling, watersports, fishing and hiking trails? If so, then get ready to start planning a jam-packed 2017 escapade that all the family will love. So get the tank fueled, open up that map, start driving and get back to nature the home-away-from-home way.