P R O J E C T W E N T Y S O M E T H I N G: Philippines

Green Therapy: Movenpick Cebu, Philippines

If you're looking for a good mix of natural and manmade landscapes then Movenpick Resort, Cebu is for you. Since it is only in Mactan Island (sharing the shoreline of Shangrila Mactan and other popular resorts) the ride from the airport should take thirty minutes or less since it is in the same island. Other resorts are far away (some needing both water and land transfers from the airport) so for a quick getaway this is perfect for those who are time conscious and have a little extra budget to spare.

My friend and I booked a flight to spend one night here (tickets were very cheap) and since it would take just about the same time to travel to the nearest beach from Manila, we decided to just head to Cebu.

Their food is quite ok, mostly serving international cuisine (i.e., pizza, pasta, etc). The coffee they serve is excellent (I think they used Swiss beans since the hotel is part of a popular Swiss managed chain) and can stand alone without the need for sugar. They also offer a free service ride to the city proper (check out: Ayala Mall for more food options, Magellan's Cross, Sto. Nino Parish, and the Edge Coaster in Crown Regency) but I was sick at the time so we just decided to stay within the confines of the hotel. Since we only stayed for a day I can imagine it to be quite boring for those booked for more than a day, so it is recommended to explore outside the hotel and Mactan.

Date: May 2013

The contrast of manmade and natural landscapes: Movenpick's modest shoreline

The modern colors and architecture of the open-aired lobby

The swimming pool

(We never got to swim since we preferred to head down to the beach. Night swimming is recommended since the pool lights up and turns neon)

Some lounge chairs

Hammocks right above the water

Modest accommodations

The view from our hotel room

Another angle of the view from our hotel

Shoreline shot
The water is really so clear! And you can go snorkelling and look at the small fish

A blue starfish

Beautiful Dusk Colors

The hotel Facade in Sunset

The Ibiza Inspired Beach Bar

It's hardly packed, and outsiders are welcome

Green Therapy: Bali, Indonesia

There are times you want to travel, and there are times you want to take a vacation.

My trip to Bali had been the latter.

During a random dinner back in 2013, my friend and decided to book at trip to Bali, for well deserved R&R, considering our hectic work schedules at the time. Since she worked in the hotel industry, we got discounted room rates in an excellent hotel in the Nusa Dua complex. When we arrived in Bali we had no itinerary and rented a van through the receptionist to explore whatever we felt like for the day. It was thrice as expensive as booking with a private van agency / driver from the tourist areas / airport, but we wanted to ensure our safety as we were just two girls travelling so we did not mind.

Bali certainly has that Honeymoon vibe and relaxing charm that draws people back to its islands over time. Although the areas we went to were the tourist areas and we did not explore the cuisine much (I remember eating in Potato Head twice as we loved the contemporary food, ambiance and drinks), when I go back to the reason why I took this trip (to go on a vacation) it certainly exceeded expectations.

Book a trip to Bali for an affordable vacation or Honeymoon and get lost in the vibe you need to experience to understand.

Trip: June 2013

Entrance to Bedugul Temple

Fishermen in Bedugul

A cloudy day in Bedugul Temple

Boat and Bedugul

Children enjoying the serene lake

Bedugul: A Temple in the Middle of a Lake

I think we took a two hour drive from Nusa Dua to get here

Our Trees, Our Protectors

Beauty amidst a cloudy day

In some coffee plantation en route to Bedugul / City Proper

Hands

I think this was in one of the sarong places in Kuta

Tana Lot Walkway

Tanah Lot's Quiet Confidence

Expect a big crowd especially close to sunset, since this place is known for that.

Tanah Lot Low Tide

Nusa Dua Park

Fall in the Summer

Bali is Love

Cumulus clouds

Nusa Dua Park

Majestic Spendor

Nusa Dua Park

Water Blow, Nusa Dua Park

(Don't miss this! Its at the very edge of the park from the entrance. Expect to be around many school children in the afternoon)

Prenuptial Shot

Nusa Dua Park

Nusa Dua Beach

A Private beach for patrons in the hotels within the complex

Nusa Dua Beach
Isolated and private, only patrons of the hotels in the complex can access the private beachfront

Cocktail Bar

Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua Private Beach

Life on Hold at Nusa Dua Beach

My favourite reading spot in our hotel pool

Sunset pool party at the Potato Head, Seminyak

Sunset at Seminyak

Serenity at Dusk

The calm before the storm

Green Therapy: Bohol, Philippines

I decided to launch a new segment in my blog called "Green Therapy", which will feature scenic and peaceful natural scenery from some of my travels and explorations.

Whenever I travel I always try to find that perfect spot where I can read a book, sip a drink, or journal extensively. My posts under this category will highlight those places through pictures.

My aim is to include serenity and promote healing through nature's colors.

My first feature is a well-loved tourist destination in the Philippines called Bohol in the Visayas Islands. Took this trip after my first year of working in Hong Kong. My friends and I wanted to just relax after a very eventful internship. Bohol was the perfect choice for my friends who wanted to go to the beach and have never been to the Philippines, since it is less crowded and more relaxed than Boracay's active nightlife scene.

Fly to Manila and book a connecting flight to Bohol via Cebu Pacific. There are a lot of budget and mid ranged resorts to choose from, both in the beachfront and walking distance to the popular Panglao beach. Arrange for city tours with your resort for a reasonable price. Go in June when it is off season to avoid crowds.

Travel date: June 2012 (before the earthquake)