Sip & Gogh Kapitolyo : Paint, Sip and Laugh

If you're looking for a unique activity this rainy season, I highly suggest to bring out the inner Van Gogh in you through this fun painting workshop.

Sip & Gogh is located at Kapitolyo Pasig, 2F Ace Water Spa & Suites Building and they have other branches as well like in Eastwood, Alabang etc. you can check this at their site www.sipandgogh.com

To book a class, you can just go to their site, register, select a branch near you, choose the date and time and make your payment. 

The class we attended costs PHP1000 each inclusive of the painting materials (you can take home the finished product), a drink and a snack.

Mermaid painting for me and 

Mixed Nuts with Dalandan Juice for snacks

So first, we chose a pattern painting from the ones available in the shop or you can pick your own picture as a guide.

Sunset painting for Mike and

Salami with Tea for snacks

Then you have to put on your painting aprons! Just remember to return them afterwards! (we almost forgot ('^_^)

starting from a blank canvas, the instructor will guide you through every step to copy the painting you want.

from mixing colors, proper brush strokes and what not.

somebody's taking it seriously XD

tada! until you finish your masterpice!

ginalingan!

our finished artwork ^_^

I struggled at painting the mermaid but it turned out okay. ('^_^)

We had fun and really enjoyed the experience. We didn't think we could actually paint but somehow managed ^_^

Will I ever go back and try again? Yes! I'm now booking another session with my sisters! ^_^

Best Night Ever at Boracay PubCrawl

Disclaimer: At times I write blogs to keep memories I don't want to forget and this happens to be one of them so.. read at your own risk. ;p

A friend recommended us to try PubCrawl in Boracay if we have a night to spare. We were hesitant at first because we don't really drink <that much> and we're kind of antisocial XD.

From a group of 9, only 3 actually pushed through. We registered at Station 4 Beach Bar at Station 2 near Starbucks. Early Bird Registration fee was PHP690 for the ladies and the Regular Registration Fee is PHP990. Precy gave us some form to fill up and handed us our shirts.

Meet up was at 8PM, we were instructed to go to dinner first before coming in because it's going to be at least a 5 hour long activity.

We were given a baller, a shot glass tied in an id lace (so you won't lose it) and 5 stubs for our shooters, one for each bar we visit.

At the first bar, Captain Lee oriented us with the rules. We needed to mingle and meet at least 3 persons and be able to know their interests. At that we wanted to bail XD.

Then we met Captain Jae, he helped us get started and introduced us to some groups.
From then it was a blur of names and interests. Amhdove and his group, Bella and Alex with MJ, Hai, Andy and Cuong? And Rai and Ann to name a few.

After the first bar, we went to the beach and the Captains introduced themselves and set some rules.
1. No smoking on the beach front.
2. No sex on the beach.
3. No littering.
well that's what I remembered.

They gave us free shotS which we have to share with others.

Here we met Sub and his friends <the Harry Potter Group> XD

At the second bar we sang our hearts out and met Mafe along with other Filipinos which belonged to the same company we used to work for <small world>.

The bar tender gave us extra shots :)

At the third bar, we met Disney on Ice Princess Belle at the restroom.

I danced with Captain Queen B at the ramp <I was pretty drunk at this point>.

We met Cy and a few others on the way to the 4th bar.

We had a mini game before going to the 4th bar where winners gets extra shots.

Unfortunately, Team Sexy <our team> lost but we still had shots anyway XD.

Birthday Boy with Queen B. Must have been a blast. :)

At the fourth bar, we conquered the dance floor with those crazy lights and danced with strangers <outside pubcrawl group>.

We were exhausted at this point but still had 1 more bar to go.

At the fifth and last bar, we danced some more, and finally said our goodbyes. :(

We were a bit wasted but we had fun, we met a lot of new friends. We forgot to exchange contacts though.. Mafe darlin' where art thou?! XD <Update: found Mafe and Cy! :)>

Will I ever do it again? Bloody Hell YES! XD

Kudos to all the captains and everyone for making this night memorable and fun! ^_^

Credits: Some pictures grabbed from Boracay PubCrawl FB Page. 

Check PubCrawl.ph for details and booking :)

A Quick Escape to Puerto Galera

If you're looking for a quick getaway near Manila, you should consider going to Puerto Galera. It's located at Mindoro, just a 2 hour bus and an hour boat ride away. It's been a lot more crowded than what I remembered but still a nice place to visit.

How to get there?

1. Ride a bus to Batangas Pier (PHP167). Travel time is around 2hours from Buendia. It's quite easy to catch a bus to Batangas so no reservations needed.
2. Ride a boat to White Beach (PHP500 2-way ticket). Travel time is around an hour or so. Boat schedule is often late so plan accordingly.

One Way - PHP275

Two Way - PHP500

Boat Schedule is on first come first serve basis. They accommodate around 50 persons per boat.

We arrived at around 10am and the earliest boat schedule we got was 12:00pm.

We boarded the boat at 1pm. (An hour late from schedule)

You'll also have to pay a terminal fee of PHP30 at the terminal after you buy boat tickets and PHP50 environmental fee when you arrive at Puerto Galera.

Terminal Fee

The boat ride can get suffocating especially when the weather is too hot because they cover the sides of the boat to keep passengers from getting wet so you might want to sit at the front or at the back.

If you have a round trip ticket, be sure to secure a schedule for your trip back immediately after you arrive at white beach.

Accommodation? Getting a place to stay is no problem either. There are a lot of resorts offering rooms for rent at the pier and in Puerto Galera.

 We got a room good for 6persons for PHP3000 a night from Agbing resort. Last time we stayed at White Beach resort. Both are just near the shore.

Activities? There are a lot of water activities you can try here. Banana boat, flying fish, snorkeling, jetpack, parasailing, atv, go kart, diving and what not. The jetpack thing is pretty cool but expensive as well.

 Parasailing

 Flying Fish

 Jet Ski

 Banana Boat

 Jet Pack

1 hour whole body massage PHP300

Food? There are a lot of affordable restaurants along the beach that will suit your budget. But most of the time you'll have to wait really long for the food to arrive.

(that scene on "how to get away with murder" XD)

Nightlife? Definitely yes, the last time I was here, I don't remember much commotion at night. But now.. there are performances side by side as in literally.

I enjoyed watching fire dancing and just chilling out drinking with friends.

You should try their famous Mindoro Sling (PHP350 per pitcher) while you're at it.

Or you can stay on the other side of the beach, lay on the sand and star gaze or get a massage.

The shore has white sand but the sea bed is mostly rocks, but not the kind that hurts your feet. The water is also clear but there were these pesky insect bites every now and then.

And of course the gorgeous sunset. I love taking pictures of sunset.

I would love to try all those activities when I get back. Before I forget, there is an ATM on the island but either you have to go to the town proper or you have to pay an extra 200 charge per transaction. Very few restaurants accept cash and with additioanl 3.5% charge so I suggest to bring cash. There is a Security bank ATM at the pier but don't take chances and just withdraw before going there.