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!

Bacnotan My Hometown: The Fun at River Farm Restaurant and Baroro Bridge

     Travelling North of the Philippines this summer season? Be sure to visit the only floating river resto in La Union. It is only a few minutes ride from San Juan, La Union, the surfing capital in the North. You most certainly won't miss the signage just before Baroro bridge, Bacnotan, La Union.

La Union My Beloved.....

screen shot of a segment of GMA, kapuso TV channel's 24 Oras News Show featuring people of LA UNION as having the longest life expectancy in the Philippines

Having viewed this and being someone who has lived all her life in La Union I felt elated! I dream of living long enough to see my great grandchildren minus major health problems of course. So here I am now tapping on the keyboard sharing with you shots from my beloved La Union where I live, a SIMPLE, QUIET LIFE....

LA UNION MY BELOVED...

Bacnotan My Hometown: Sericulture Industry in La Union

Meet my Bombyx mori friends! Don't you just love their smile?

Or are you afraid of "worms" like me? I must admit I used to freak out at the sight of worms until I became a photo-enthusiast. My love for sharing images and thoughts has led me to re-explore one of the most interesting places in my hometown, the Sericulture Research Development Institute (SERDI) at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, North La Union Campus which apparently started as a research project of the Agriculture Department in the '80s. Its mission is to develop sericulture (silk farming) as a rural agro-based industry in the country. Do you love the feel of silk on your skin?

Olives Restaurant, Thunderbird Resorts

The Letters In November would like to take you to another must visit place in La Union.

 

 

If you are going North of the country, fail not to dine at  Olives Restaurant at Thunderbird Resorts.

The Mediterranean inspired place makes you feel relaxed, refreshed and carefree. You could either stay at the balcony and enjoy the sight of blue skies and sea or stay in the air-conditioned area.

If you are a loyal follower of The Letters In November you probably remember SILLAG Festival which I featured here twice. Both took place at the boardwalk area of Thunderbird Resorts. The place is also one of my favorite spots in La Union to take sunset shots!

But today I did not visit the place to take nature shots but to satisfy my craving for good food and bonding with my sisters at work. Come dine with us virtually.

Now, what do we order? Let's see....

hmmmmm everything sounds interesting and sumptuous!

I honestly could not make up my mind :)

 while my friends already decided to have rice, meat and veggies I spent time taking photos of their food :)

I do not remember what they were exactly though hahaha but I am sure the above photo is a "duck" recipe. My friend swore it was delicious beyond imagination and wanted me to try. I "chickened" out LOL.

Then I finally remembered what I went there for!- their famous Ilokano Pizza freshly cooked in their wood-fired stone oven!

Ilokano pizza of Olives Restaurant, is a unique blend of Vigan longanisa, Tomato concasse, mozzarella, cheddar cheese, tocino, tuna and onion.

My friends gasped thinking I could eat the whole thing! I denied it of course but had not anyone been looking I could have finished the entire pan!

Oh yes, we had fruit shakes which I suggested should be a variety....

so it would look great in a photo LOL

We also ordered tea and dessert ahem, for the sake of having a taste :)

 Healthy Living has made me a fruit lover and therefore wherever I eat I tend to ask for their fresh fruit version, not that there is any huge difference .

My sweet tooth cravings are still quite hard to stop though so I requested for...

Vanilla Parfait with chocolate flakes
It was divine! What with the cherry on top and my first love-chocolate! 

..and then we had some tea to aid in digesting 
 everything while chit-chatting about life and all the ooohhhh and urghhh and ahhhs of working in the medical field.

We seldom have the time to hang out together and cherish those moments of simply enjoying good food and deep to non-sense conversations about everything under the sun.... I do not tell the world often but these two girls make my life at work a breeze....

meet my besties at work- dockies Jhen and Seves at your service

love yah sisters!!!

..now if you happen to drop by La Union, we could tour you around and you could ask us for some medical advice which we would not give for free! -just kidding of course!

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We all believe that LAUGHTER is indeed the BEST MEDICINE, coupled with nature therapy and lots of Tender, Loving Care :)

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come visit La Union dine, swim and watch the sun go down majestically at Thunderbird Resorts

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Thunderbird Resorts Info:
Location- Poro Point Freeport Zone San Fernando City, La Union Philippines 2500
Contact them at E: pororeservations@thunderbird-asia.com
T: (+63 72) 888 7777 F: (+63 72) 888 3888 M:(+63) 917 586 5126
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*This is not a sponsored post, although I honestly wish it were LOL

Sillag Poro Point Festival of Lights

      The following shots were taken during the first ever SILLAG festival of lights held at Thunderbird Resorts Boardwalk, Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union on April 28, 2012. Sillag is an Ilocano word which means "moonbeam" or "lunar illumination".The event was apparently meant to promote tourism in the North, a part of Bases Conversion and Development Authority's efforts to change the landscape of North and Central Luzon.  

                           

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.

Grand Electric Float Parade

     The province of La Union, surfing capital of Northern Philippines is celebrating its 163rd foundation anniversary. In line with this occasion a Grand Electric Float Parade was held on February 27. I had a great time listening to music being played and watching the illuminated floats parading along the streets of Balaoan, La Union.

     Sharing with you shots from the said event. The floats were mostly made of indigenous materials and featured each town's main product. I still can not make up my mind as to which float is my favorite. Be the judge.

La Union My Beloved: Baluarte, Luna La Union

Me taking a feel of the sturdy split walls of the tower

      One of the many places I am proud of in my province is Luna, La Union. Its pebbled beaches and historical landmarks amaze me. The Luna Watchtower ruins, locally referred to as "Baluarte," has stood the test of time, majestically enduring erosion since the reign of Spaniards in the country. Used to safeguard the people in the community against intruders it still stands along the coastal area, a reminder of the past and a bridge to the future.

Where To Eat In La Union: El Navi Restaurant

Today the hubby and I dropped by one of his favorite restaurants in the northern side of the province. He quipped he kinda misses the "clubhouse sandwich" of El Navi Restaurant in the heart of the town of Balaoan, La Union.

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!

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. 

Why I Love Living In La Union: Summer Sunset Blast! Come Visit Us!

One thing that never fails to calm my spirit is watching the sun go down. 

My love for capturing sunsets started when I met my Salitype Society sisters. From then on I grabbed every chance to take a snap of that gigantic ball kissing the sea.

I am lucky to be living in a place where the sun loves to set in full bloom. 

Welcome to La Union My Beloved...sharing with you a part of my collection of L.U. sunsets...

Filipino-Chinese Friendship Pagoda, San Fernando

Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant

   

 After my twenty four hour duty today, the hubby  fetched me and we sent forth for another foodie adventure. I've never really been the adventurous type when it comes to food not until I discovered the wonderful world of blogging. As planned we visited the Vietnamese Restaurant a co-worker Dr. Rey shared to me weeks ago. Thank you for the info dokie! 

the frontage of Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant at
744 Mabini Street, Catbangen, City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

     The hubby and I were intrigued by their authentic Vietnamese cuisine and were craving for the healthy dishes we saw on the menu. The first page of the lists of specialties featured the historical background of Vietnamese culinary tradition, the French as well as the Chinese influences created a variation of mildly spiced food in the North to the simpler yet spicier cuisine of the tropical south Vietnam and the country's center where the attention is made on food presentation. The combination of the three made our eyes bulge with delight unable to decide which to order. 

Oh Winter Wonderland, Christmas Almost

Me with Frosty ☺


and I find myself singing fa la la la la la la la la!!!!

A very merry Christmas one and all!!!😙

~the lobby, Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union

posted from Bloggeroid

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:

Healthy Lifestyle: Night Market, San Fernando Foodie Street Treats

I rarely go out at night these days. Except when I am with my eating partner who loves dining out. The other week he seemed to have lost appetite for all the restaurants we frequent and announced we will dine literally "out" instead! 

...and so he found a great parking spot and off we walked to San Fernando City NIGHT MARKET for some street foodie treats....

Potato Corner At Manna Mall

Are you a potato lover like me? A new mall opened on my side of the world and friends have brought to La Union the BEST FLAVORED FRIES ever!! Shakin' it up for 20 years, POTATO CORNER products are a must try! They have Master Franchisees and stores in the USA, Indonesia, Panama, Malaysia, Eqypt, Dubai, Oman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Loving Carlatan

La Union My Beloved: Walk with Faith, Pindangan Ruins