Part 1-Tokyo Series: Exploring Shibuya & Harajuku + Airbnb Tour!

Japan will always have a special place in my heart. It is the first country I have ever traveled abroad 7 years ago. And eventhough I have been to many places in Asia since then.. Japan is still one of my favorite countries I would definitely love to come back over & over again for an endless reasons.. that is why when our much awaited trip in Tokyo finally arrived.. I was super-duper excited because it's also my first time in this bustling City.

And what a sweet treat that we also came just in time for cherry blossoms. Months before our trip.. it was forecasted that the cherry flowers will have its full bloom on the 1st week of April [and our scheduled trip was on the 3rd week of March].. but who would have thought that the flowers will bloom more than a week earlier this year on the exact date of our arrival? What a Perfect timing!  We're glad that we decided to stay for 8 days (Jan extended for another 2 days with his brother) because we're able to cover everything listed in our itinerary in a slow-paced including a day tours to Mt. Fuji, Hakone & Nikko!

This is going to be a loonng blog post & photo-heavy one so as always.. Im going to blog in series. Please scroll down to read more of our Tokyo adventures.. 

Day 1.. Arrival in Tokyo

We were exhausted running errands before our flight & had no barely sleep at all when we arrived in Tokyo so we didn't schedule any itinerary on that day. We just checked in at our airbnb house & decided to rest for a bit. We only intended to take a nap but it turned out to be an 8 hours full-blown sleep! :) The next thing we knew it was already 11 in the evening. Most of the establishments around our area were already closed at that time. Our best hope is no other than --convenience store! This is what excites me the most about this trip because Japan's convenience stores are the best!! They sell a bunch of yummy quick bites here from fried chicken, sandwiches, onigiri, wild selections of sweets & a lot more that you couldn't find anywhere else in the world . Japan's convenience store is indeed a haven for 24/7 snacking!!

Lucky us, we still found an open restaurant near our place. This noodle soup is so filling for our hungry tummies!

After every meal, we always make sure to drop by to any convenience store. I think we spent most of our money (not in shopping) but in buying conbini snacks & drinks at the vendo multiple times a day! :) My favorite is the Onigiri in Tuna flavor!

Airbnb House Tour 

We stayed in an airbnb house located in a quiet neighborhood of Toshima City. It's our 1st time to try airbnb & we could say we had a great first-time experience. We're not able to meet our host but we definitely enjoyed staying like a local in her very cute & cozy Traditional Japanese & minimalist house. It has 2 tatami bedrooms upstair, another tatami room for entertaining, a full sized kitchen & t&b. The nearest train station is around 10mins walk so commuting around Tokyo via train is very convenient. 

Welcome to our Airbnb house in Tokyo!

Right when you walk-in.. A full-sized kitchen will welcome you..

Complete with basic kitchen utensils.. From pots, knives, chopping board, bowls, mugs etc..

It has tatami room in the 1st floor where we usually eat our meals & hang-out after our tour. Look just how happy my bf was to be in this house. Staying in this house is an experience of itself!

And the hi-tech toilet. When will PH adapt to this technology?

I also love that the toilet & shower are separated

Upstair: Tatami Bedroom 1 which can accommodate 2-3 persons comfortably. Not to mention that we always had a restful sleep because our host's futon mattress are so comfy!

Tatami Bedroom 2 that can accommodate upto 3-4 persons

That's about our airbnb house tour! :) If you're interested to rent our host's lovely house.. here's her airbnb link . By the way, her name is Ai. :)

Day 2.. Exploring Shibuya & Harajuku districts

With plenty of things to do, It's just so easy to spend an entire whole day in Tokyo's most popular district-- Shibuya. Jan toured me around this neighborhood because it's his 2nd time here. We pretty much did all the touristy stuff & visited the iconic landmarks such as Hachicko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Window-Shopped at Shibuya 109 Mall & checked all the shops in the surrounding areas that caught our attention.. 

Joining the crazy crowd of Shibuya Crossing..

I think we crossed the street for about 6 times -- until we're satisfied! :)

Finally a picture with the most loyal dog, Hachiko

Colorful signboard displays along Shibuya

Sushi for lunch! Yum!

Inside Sbibuya 109. Filled with a hundred trendy & fashionable clothing boutiques over 10 floors!

And they sell cute accessories, too!

And ofcourse.. coffee break after walking for hours!

Just one station away from Shibuya, we headed next to Harajuku Districts.. We went to takeshita street (although we only reached until the entrance & decided not to proceed because it was heavily packed of people), walked along Omotesando Street & capped off our day visiting the Meiji shrine.

Sea of Humanity in Takeshita Street!

 Real Life Mario Kart .. only in Japan!

The impressive wooden gate entrance of Meiji shrine. As you walk thru the shrine, you will feel as if walking in the middle of a jungle because of the old & tall trees that surround the walk way.

On the way to Meiji Shrine you will also pass by to these barrels of Sake Wrapped in a straw. Yes, you've read it right! That's tons of Sake right there!

After minutes of walking.. we finally reached the Meiji Shrine.. 

This shrine was dedicated to Emperor Meiji & his wife.

What a fun & fulfilling first full day in this City..

Always,

Rica ♡

Other links:
Part 1- Tokyo Series: Exploring Shibuya, Harajuku + Airbnb tour
Part 2-Tokyo Series: Exploring Asakusa, Akihabara, Shinjuku & Hanami in Shinjuku Gyoen

Part 3- Tokyo Series: A day in Mt Fuji & Hakone + Cherry Blossoms in Meguro River

Part 4- Tokyo Series: A day in Nikko

Goodbye 2017 and Hello 2018!

Another year has passed .. The earth is about to orbit once more to another 365 days. 2017 has been a wonderful year for me and as I look back.. I couldn't be more grateful that God knows my heart and showered me with overflowing blessings more than I could ever ask or imagine. The best thing He'd blessed me with this year? Our Father in heaven miraculously saved and protected Jan from an accident last February. I am eternally grateful from the bottom of my heart for another chance given to us to spend many, many mooooreee years and create beautiful memories together. One thing more.. we also finally reunited & spent a good quality time with my Dad whom we have not seen for a decade. Im healthy.. my lovedones' safe and healthy.. we have everything we need.. I couldnt ask for any thing more. Thank you, Lord!  And hello 2018! I'm excited for all the new adventures this year will bring! 

Always,

Rica ♡

Bantayan Island: Story of our travel gone wrong 😊

When I first visited Cebu 2 years ago.. we only stayed overnight & did a little City tour of our own visiting the old churches, temples & pigging out to our heart's content with Cebu delicacy. I promised to myself next time when we come back.. we would definitely check out its famous white sand beach, The Bantayan Island. 

However though, our trip to this Island  was a bit.. well.. it's safe to say that things didnt just go according to plan after all the series of unfortunate events we encountered : First, The airline company we flew with spoiled our trip with 5 hours of flight delay causing us to .. Second,  miss the last ferry to the island (Ferry is only until 5:30pm) and travel time from airport to the pier is another 4 hours. Third, Because of this, we had no choice but to stay overnight in another resort and travel the next day. Fourth, Only to be disappointed in the end with a terrible hotel service of Anika Island Resort upon our arrival and.. Fifth and most importantly.. we experienced a very risky and scariest boat ride in Bantayan! Our supposed "20 mins boat ride" to a nearby island became an hour gripping onto our seat in fright! There's just so much "what-ifs" going on in my head  & wished I should have planned a trip to somewhere else more accessible. But thank God, we made it to the island safe! 

While I was stressed, scared, guilty.. totally mix of emotions with all the mentioned above.. suddenly everything became a blur.. I looked at Jan and  I realized one thing:  I am one lucky woman to be loved by a very kind, patient & understanding man.  He could  just easily blame me for all the hassle, inconvenience , for the life we might have lost and all the extra cost he had to pay for this trip etc.  But he didnt. Instead, he made me calm, comforted & showed his love to me. Sure, it was totally not the most romantic moment to reflect but It's in this crazy situation that I realized how much he loves me and that I also love him more than words can say. I've heard many times people say that "The greatest feeling in this world is to love and be loved" .. and I couldnt agree more to this statement! 

Oh well Enough of my mushy-gushy-ness.. hehe.. Allow me to share with you some of our photos in Bantayan & Cebu City-- a travel gone wrong but somehow we managed to hide our worries and stress in the camera 😊 -- And make the best out of it too anyway..

 But yes, Bantayan is really beautiful..

 The sand in this area is so powdery ..I must say it could be compared to that in Boracay..

 Our packed lunch..

 Our worries fade as soon as we arrived in the Island.. 

The next day we went back to Cebu City..

 We stayed in Waterfront Cebu Lahug.. 

Ofcourse we wouldnt leave without having a taste of Cebu's famous roasted pig. Love the Pinoy interior, very good service and delicious lechon of House of Lechon.

 Yum! Look how cute they present their Lechon with its piggy wooden plate..

Thank you for loving and supporting all my crazy ideas my love :P

Before we head to the airport.. we re-visited the Taoist temple.

Always,

Rica ♡

Coron stole our hearts..

I've always known that my country, the Philippines, is endowed with so many natural beauty. From the lush tropical forest, beautiful mountain ranges, lakes, volcanoes, world-class coral reefs, unspoiled white sand beaches, surfing spots and so much more. But it was only a few years ago when I started earning my own money (and was legally allowed by my parents to travel) that I get to explore my home country. The more I travel, the more I realized that my country is indeed a piece of paradise on earth.

With that said.. If there is one destination in the Philippines that I would be proud to recommend to my foreign friends.. Coron will probably be one of my top list. Like El Nido, Coron absolutely lived up waaaayyy more than our expectation. This beautiful Island stole our hearts instantly. And seriously,my pictures doesn't give any justice to how beautiful Coron is. It is 10x more beautiful in real life!

DAY 1: Arrival in Coron ❤

Inside the plane! Excited for another beach adventure!

First time to fly with Skyjet! Our honorable mayor Dino Reyes Chua of Municipal of Noveleta is the President of this boutique airline.

Our spacious room in Haven 1916 Bed & Breakfast. We were upgraded to a family room which has 3 beds (1 king, 1 queen & 1 double bed) and we have it all for just the two of us. 😊 This lovely bed & breakfast is one of the best accommodations you could probably find in the laid-back & sleepy town of Coron. It may not have the best amenities but what makes them apart from other hotels is their very attentive & helpful staff. As a Side story: When we were already at the airport for our return flight to Manila.. I realized that I left my watch at our room & informed the hotel staff right away. Good thing, my boyfriend's mom was also in Coron that time for a business trip & our flight was one day ahead of her. I really appreciate that the hotel staff went an extra mile to deliver my watch to my boyfriend's mom hotel (which is around 30 mins scooter ride) without charging us an extra cost! I would really feel guilty if ever I lose that watch because it is Jan's christmas gift to me sooo thank you, thank you Haven 1916 B&B for being my savior! 😊 

We capped off our 1st day in Coron by soaking in the therapeutic hot spring of Maquinit. 

This is a natural salt water by the way. Perfect way to relax after a loonng and tiring day!

I have been wanting to dip in a hot spring for so long. Finally I made it!:)

DAY 2: Start of our First Island Hopping Tour ❤

For our first island hopping adventure in Coron..We chose an island hopping package tour called "Coron Island Tour" . Our hotel arranged our 2-days tour thru their affiliated Tour operator, Calamian Travel & Tours. This tour is said to be the best Island Hopping Package because it covers the 7 highlight & must-see Islands in Coron which includes: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados, Beach 91, Skeleton Wreck, Malwawey Reef & Coral Garden & CYC Beach. The cost of this tour is PHP1,600 which includes buffet lunch.

Coron is ❤

The crystal-clear water of Kayangan Lake which is dubbed to be the cleanest lake in Asia.

See how clear the water is! 

Beach 91 where we had lunch

Lunch was served buffet-style. 

My love already sun-burned! :P

DAY 2: Second day Island Hopping Tour ❤

For our second day Island hopping tour.. we chose "Island Escapade Tour" which comprise of visiting 3 beautiful white sand beaches that are so picture-perfect namely: Malcapuya, Banana & Bulog Dos Island. Cost of this tour is PHP1700 which also include lunch.

Malcapuya Island

Under the shade of tree with this gorgeous view

And I tell myself.. "This is the life!" 😊 

Banana Island. This is where we had our lunch.

Lunch time!

In case you're wondering.. I bought my one-piece swimwear online at Cesa PH

 And finally Bulog Dos Island

 With a view like this.. I cant help but to pretend to be a model. LOL This view could be a perfect spot for filming a mermaid role :P

Breathtaking view!

 Sorry for my fats! Hahaha. As you can see.. I enjoyed my time in Coron so much!

There is really no need to go far to see a paradise.. it's right here in our islands!

Given the short time we spent in Coron.. we were already dead tired and sunburned with all the water activities we did.. and even if it has been 2 months since then.. my tan lines are still very much visible  Hayyy.. while blogging this trip I really wish I'm at the beach at this moment. We look forward to visit more of the Philippines' paradise Islands.. My list are: Siargao Island, Amanpulo in Palawan, Bantayan Island in Cebu, Caramoan in Camarines Sur & Calaguas in Camarines Norte.. I cant wait to go for another beach vacay!!! Where to go next?

Always,

Rica ♡