Blue Elephant

We planned to have lunch at Duz Grill in Lahug but due to uncontrollable circumstances, we changed our minds and headed to Blue Elephant of IT Park instead. But we'll sure go to Duz Grill some other time.

Blue Elephant is a Thai restaurant located in The Walk, IT Park. They do not just serve Thai dishes, they also serve some non-Thai foods such as cordon bleu, spicy pochero, ribs, fillet, etc. with bottomless rice (on specified times)! OR if you want something worth remembering for, try this.. :)

While waiting, I took some pics of the interiors. Well, elephant's all over! When we asked the waiter why the  restaurant is called such, he simply said it was franchised by Siam, another famous Thai restaurant also in Cebu. So, if you try to search the net, it does exist in various countries. But I'm not really sure if they're related. Haha.

Anyway, though expected to try their Thai dishes, I still ordered Spicy Pochero steak. And most of the others tried Ribs. But we had Tom Yang of course to at least feel we're in a Thai restaurant. Very yummy indeed. Haha.

Tom Yang

Ribs

Spicy Pochero Steak

Okay, so how was it? I was quite expecting a SPICY pochero. When the waiter told me that I can bear the spice, I never really thought it would mean a spice of only 10% ! I could not even say it's spicy at all.

The Ribs was okay. I haven't eaten much to compare it with other ribs I tried. But their serving was big.

My first time to drink Green Mango Frozen Iced Tea as well. Loved it!

Maybe the next time I'll be here, I would really try their Thai dishes to fully appreciate this restaurant. :)

Ilaputi

In a matter of seconds, the whole tax team decided to have lunch at Ilaputi in IT park.

It was my first time to enter the place (as we went there with my friends mostly at night and its packed with people, so we stayed outside). We opted to stay at the far end of the room. It was kinda gloomy but I just liked how this artificial tree made it much more romantic. :)

Okay, since we had just short time, we immediately ordered. I had Nonihm Thai, Ilaputi's version of Thai fried rice with adobong tenderloin tips.

Nonihm Thai

Most of my colleagues ordered this:

the stroganov

So, how was it? Well, I LOVED it. I loved how the fried rice's flavor blended with the adobo tips. I never had a hard time finishing it since it was simply delicious.

I also tried the stroganov. It was so creamy and I think it would really be better to eat it while still hot. But it was good.

first view

2nd view

Our former officemate, Netty, also joined us. It was a lunch full of updates and stories.

batchmates!

Would I be coming back? I would be very glad to try Ilaputi's other dishes.

The Great Summer Ender! (Bantayan Island, Cebu)

I ended my summer with my friends (Julie, Jason, Lenie and Denton) in one of the sought-after summer destinations, Bantayan Island, an island located in the northern part of Cebu province. I was really excited since this would be my first time!!!

We met up at the Northern Bus Terminal around 6 AM and boarded a Ceres Bus to Hagnaya, San Remegio where the ferry that would transport us to the island is located.

Aircon Ceres buses actually leave every 30 minutes. In our case, since we bought something to eat and drink, we were able to catch the 6:30 bus.

Occupying the last row of the bus

Others! Haha

We departed at 6:28 AM. This would be a 3-hour bus journey and costs P150.

There’s one stopover where people may buy food or drinks and can use the comfort room. Of course, as this was my first time, we did not miss to get off the bus and take some pics!

Lenie is from Bogo, so she boarded in Bogo Terminal. We arrived in Hagnaya at exactly 9:48 and realized that the 3-hour travel felt like just an hour as we filled the hours by talking, laughing and joking. We’re kinda embarrassed since we were the only one making some noises there but really, we never felt tired on that journey.

The bus would really stop at the Hagnaya Port. It would just be a few steps away from the ferry ticketing counter. We bought tickets costing P170 and terminal fee of P10 and scheduled to depart at 10:30 AM.

Island Shipping ticketing counter

Almost there!

The ferry ride was around an hour and since we are good at killing time, never even bothered. Haha.

So, finally we arrived at Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island. There are actually 3 municipalities in Bantayan (Sta. Fe, Madridejos, Bantayan). 

Can you see the white sands behind us?

We already reserved a room at Sta. Fe Beach Club and they fetched us from the pier. The resort was actually very near the port. In fact, you can just walk or even swim to get there. Haha. (Joke!)

So, we arrived at the resort and was suuuuppppeeeerrrr awed of the viewwwww!!!!

Beach front!!!

We checked in and had our lunch.

the room

the food

Before heading out to the beach, we went to Sta. Fe market through trisikads and bought some chips and fruits! 

En route, we stopped by a street with cute line of trees! I was able to have a souvenir shirt as well!

We went back the resort and changed. We would be going to Ogtong cave. Luckily, the owner of Sta. Fe beach club and the Ogtong Cave resort is the same and the transportation to and from the resort is free! So, why should we miss it? Haha

at Sta. Fe Beach Club

At Ogtong Cave Resort

The cave was located within the resort's premises. After taking pics, we dipped into the water.

After around 30 minutes, we toured around the resort...

Before heading back to Sta. Fe and tried our very best to capture a perfect jumpshot.

                                                             

After failing to take up THE perfect group jumpshot (the sun has even set already), we changed and had dinner.

We initially planned to stay in the resort for the night. But, hello, we should be making the most of our stay. So, immediately agreed to go out and try one of the bars in Sta. Fe. Gladly, there was a trisikad and a motorcycle outside the resort.

live band inside

just kamikazee

We had really fun since the band was really good and my friend was able to jam!

jammer!

 After the pitcher of Kamikazee, we went back to the resort and had a photoshoot.

We've had a very sound sleep. We woke up with very high energy level. We'll be exploring the islets nearby!

We saw virgin island! We haven't really stepped on it since the entrance fee was kinda expensive. P500 for 2 persons and 100 for each excess person. Instead, we snorkel in a farther part of the island.

Then, we stepped unto an island where we kinda explored a bit. The sand was not as fine as that of Bantayan and Virgin Island though.

After spending some time in the water, we went back to the hotel, freshened up and had our lunch.

 After checking out, we went to Bantayan, the town next to Sta. Fe.

 We went to the public market where they bought some packed dried fish. I was really looking for a fridge magnet but found none.

 The same tricycle also brought us back to Sta. Fe port. The best thing was that we went to a new route where we can see the mangrove forest. Thanks to the in-charge as we were able enter for free!

So, we said goodbye to Bantayan with fun-filled memories with us. This is a trip with no stress. Maybe because of our number or maybe we just agree on all aspects. Haha.