Why I love Traveling With Thee.

For You.

(This post would have been more appropriate for Valentine's Day but when the elusive inspiration comes, I go with the natural flow).

It is completely ridiculous to think that any brand or type of travel (i.e solo traveling vs. traveling with a partners/companions) is better than the other. There's a myriad of reasons why our restless feet continue to take us to places. Each of them we have to understand and respect. I have already written about the perks of solo traveling once but this short post is written so I can share why I love traveling with someone special.

To fully appreciate traveling with a companion or partner, solo traveling is vital. Nothing can be more liberating than you trying to discover this big world with no one to hold you back. I highly advise everyone to do it at least once. But sometimes, there are moments when we long for someone with whom we can share those experiences. We pause and wonder what it would be like to have those solo travel experiences with someone. Will it be more meaningful? More memorable? Honestly, I believe the whole experience of travel becomes extra special when you find a travel soul mate.

I don't want to sound like a hopeless romantic here but wouldn't it be nice to be holding hands with someone you love after going to Paris countless time alone or with friends? To share that unique time with that person when you see Macchu Picchu or the Pyramids of Egypt? To swim dive in the waters of Amanpulo or Maldives? The list goes on.

In life, our best investment would always be relationships. We are, after all, social beings. When we travel with someone we love, we become braver and more secure. Traveling with your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, or husband can help solidify and strengthen the foundation of your relationship. It can salvage a sinking ship. To have someone who will always be there to experience the best thing this world can offer--travel-- that's priceless.

If you have found that travel soulmate, consider yourself lucky. Hold on to that person because at the end of the day, what you two have will always be the greatest adventure of all.

Sheridan Boutique Resort: A Haven in Iloilo

I get a different kind of high and excitement every time I discover something new while I'm traveling in our dear country. There's nothing better than exploring your own home. The best thing about it is that I get to share most of these discoveries with all of you. A few weeks ago, an invitation to travel to Iloilo fell on my lap. Another travel opportunity presented itself. One of my best friends from college wanted me to be at the opening of her new restaurant called Punot (Modern Flavors of Iloilo. Another blog post. Please do visit!). Since I had already been to Iloilo a few years before this trip, I did not like the idea of staying in a run-off-the-mill 3 or 4 star hotel. After all, as a blogger, I have a certain responsibility to my readers.  Thanks to my blog's Facebook page, I was able to ask you all where I could stay in Iloilo for the weekend. A good number of you had suggestions but I went with one resort that stood out: Sheridan Boutique Resort.

Sheridan Boutique Resort was everything I wanted for this short sojourn: Refreshing. Private. Clean. Relaxing.  Located in Oton, 15 minutes away from the city proper, this resort transports you to a different world. I could say this resort is comparable to most of the high end resorts in Bali. The only thing missing is the beach.

Our jaws dropped when we entered the premises of Sheridan. 

The Azure infinity pool is easily the center of the whole resort. Instead of the ocean or sea, you have a lake in front you.

The Best of Both Worlds.

I apologize for the lack of updates lately. For those of you who don't know, I have been busy with my dermatology training residency program since August 2012. I am happy to be doing it but this program is not as easy as most people think. It is beyond cosmetics (Botox, Fillers, Peels etc).  Everyday, we deal with serious (and some contagious and even life threatening) skin diseases. On my free time though, my mind takes me to my previous "Grandeur Traveler" life. Despite the fact that it's hard to plan any of my trips, I find bliss in day dreaming. Spontaneity is my new best friend.

A few weeks ago, my first trip for the year effortlessly fell on my lap. When I found out that I was going to be part of the Philippine Dermatological Society's (PDS) Med Mission, I was ecstatic. I had not been to Banaue in years. The last time I saw the majestic Banaue Rice Terraces (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) was ages ago. I still remember sporting my Jose Rizal hair style and colorful braces. Those pictures are now left in my blackmail box. Thank you very much

Hotel Muse: a blogger's inspiration in Bangkok.

These days, it's either I am too tired or too busy to write anything for my blog. I travel but I never end up putting that experience into words. I wanted to break that cycle this holiday season.

When I find a good opening (meaning regular or long weekends with no patients), I always think of quick places to visit. Since my Philippine airlines (PAL) membership only needed a few thousand miles to reach the next level (I missed it by 1,000 last year), I figured I would fly out of the country for my birthday. Out of all the PAL destinations, Bangkok seemed to be practical since the exchange rate was good and the flight would be shorter.

When I last visited, I was living a pseudo-backpacker lifestyle--a time of reckless abandon, youth and adventure. I had not been back to Asia's City of Smiles in four years. My hedonistic needs were not the center of my traveling. As I grew  though, my taste in travel evolved. I loved the idea of staying in hostels or inns before but now, a nice luxury hotel has been standard in my travels.

I wanted to stay in a hotel that would stimulate my senses and inspire me to keep on writing. I was in search of a muse and I found one in Bangkok: Hotel Muse, a luxury boutique hotel in Langsuan. Hotel Muse, a member of the M Gallery group by Le Club Accorhotels couldn't have been more perfect for our short vacation. 

Hotel Muse has dark and romantic interiors, inspired by the King Rama V era of Thailand and end of the century Europe (fin de siecle). The design is the right combination of opulence and cosmopolitan chic. There is a seamless blending of the East and the west, the elements of Old Siam and 18 to 19th century France. Its unique concept invites you to a world of pure indulgence.

Hotel muse revolves around its core: Occidental, Oriental, and all things opulent.  The hotel is located in Bangkok's most sought-after residential district Langsuan, which is only a short walk to the city's biggest park - Lumpini Park (Think Central Park). If you want to use the public transportation, the city's skytrain is also conveniently located near the hotel. Its quiet neighborhood would be appealing for individuals who do not enjoy seeing crowds of tourist that flock Bangkok everyday.

As soon as you step inside, it feels like you are entering your own apartment in France. It was how imagined my apartment would be like: Chic. Trendy. Modern. Sensual. Opulent. I was running out of adjectives to describe the hotel. The interiors exploded with Classic European design combined with subtle Asian motifs and decors.

I love the look of reception area and lobby. This is a weird description but if you could imagine  yourself in romantic haunted house ala Addams Family, it would look like this.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon HK: Rediscovering my love for Michelin-starred Restaurants

Eating at Michelin-starred restaurants can be a tricky. Some fall short of expectations while other succeed in giving diners a unique gastronomic experience. When we were in cosmopolitan Hong Kong for a few days, we decided to try Joel Robuchon's atelier, one of the HK's most critically acclaimed restaurants. This restaurant is based on Robuchon's restaurant in Tokyo created in 2003. Basically, this concept allows its customers to be part of the chef's cooking process, from the start to the end (Think Top Chef or Iron Chef). 

South Korea: From Busan to Seoul in Four Days (Highlights)

"Travel and change of place impart new vigot to the mind -Seneca

Less than a week of travel time would not exactly be ideal for anyone who wants to go around a country or even a city for that matter. These days though, a couple of free days will do for me. In this lifetime, beggars could not afford to be choosers. I am desperate to have any kind vacation (FYI, I am now a dermatology resident and believe me, it's not as easy as most people think is). For most of us who have the travel bug, I don't think there will ever be a cure for it. Symptoms may remain dormant for a while but it resurface sooner or later. It's only a matter of time.

After almost two months of training, a long weekend finally opened up. My only problem was choosing where I would go. As one of Asia's rising stars, South Korea's selling point as a weekend destination was strong.  Its proximity, rich history/culture, and bulgogi (my favorite!) were all good reasons to revisit the land where the Gangnam dance was born. And besides, I seriously could not afford to travel to countries more than 8 hours away.

I thought it could not be done but I was able to fix my papers and visa in less than 2 days. The following morning, I again found myself on board a plane to Busan, South Korea via our national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. Busan was our jump-off point for this trip like last year. From there, it was a four-day journey to most of Korea's provinces and major cities all the way to Seoul.


Here were some of the highlights:

Devarana Spa (Dusit Manila): Garden in Heaven

Devarana Spa of Dusit Thani Manila brings something different to whole spa experience. The award winning spa (Platinum Winner: Spa of the Year and Signature Spa Experience, Regional Series. Hospitality Asia Platinum Awarsds 211-2013) has started a series of holistic health prevention programs that would be perfect for the sudden and erratic weather changes.

Devarana has a dramatic way of welcoming you to a world of pampering and relaxation. The main entrance, with its water features and foyer, already leads you to a private sanctuary in the busy district of Makati.

Villa Del Conte: A Life dipped in Chocolates

"The pleasure of tasting traditional, authentic Italian chocolates; the pleasure of being able to choose from a vast selection of rich flavors and exciting tastes; the pleasure of communicating friendship, love and affection; the pleasure of sharing a bite and sharing a moment- these are the pleasures that our products bring." - Villa del Conte

This post is not exactly-travel related but it is about one of the things that makes me happy lately: Villa del Conte chocolates. Mind you, these are not your ordinary chocolates. Villa del Conte has a history spanning three generations. 

Ozone: Sipping Cocktails at the Highest Bar in the World ++

The uncertainty of the future has remained a huge stressor in my life lately. Being a doctor is tougher than most people think. Amidst all the exams and chaos, I was occasionally thinking about travel--about my other life as the Grandeur Travel. With my personality, no matter how huge an upcoming event may be (i.e life-changing exams), I still imagine myself jetting away somewhere where my worries would seem miniscule. I know there's always something out there that's bigger than my problems. A weekend was all I needed. What happened then was a spontaneous trip to Hongkong, one of my all-time favorite destinations.

When we landed, the humidity that greeted us was unfamiliar. It was not the usual HK weather that I was accustomed to (since I usually go during winter) but the zest of HK remained the same.  Since I am a true blue urban rat, I knew this short vacation would be centered on shopping, excellent food, and cocktails with a view. At the end of this trip, with my unwavering desire to try a Michelin restaurant in HK, I was finally able to dine at the two-star Michelin Restautant L'atelier de Joel Robuchon (Review later). Robuchon became one of our trip's prime gastronomic adventure. 

Quan Spa at the Marriott: An Urban Oasis for the Body, Mind, and Soul

In this country, I can't even remember how many SPAs I have visited but I know only a few would stand out when it comes to quality and service. There's a considerably big difference between a good SPA and an extraordinary SPA. When Michelle Garcia, the Director of Marketing and Communications of Marriott Manila, asked me if I wanted to try the services at Quan Spa, my immediate answer was: "When's a good date?". Let's take the SPA experience to a whole new level.

Quan Spa is not your ordinary wholeness and rejuvenation center. It is five star in all aspects. Its core revolves around the healing qualities of water. In Chinese, Quan literally means "a source of pure water". The unique appeal of Quan Spa is that even if it has an international branding, the spa embraces the local culture and traditions. The services are catered to the "needs" of the locals. 

The reception area is what you would expect from a modern day luxury spa - minimalist and easy on the all the senses. Here, you'll find the products used for the services on display. 

The Bali Pavilions: Villa Living at its Best

For all the hordes of tourists that visit Bali every year, Villa Living is more of the norm than the exception. With ease, this Balinese way of life for local residents and travelers has influenced the design elements and character of resorts around the globe, even here in our country. Having that in mind, we made sure that we got to experience the best of villa living for our 5-day vacation in the world's second best island. (T + L recently released that our own Boracay has topped the list).

Muggles, Potted Potter (The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience) is coming to Manila!

Muggles and Potterheads, I am pleased to announce the arrival of Potted Potter in Manila! Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience is finally here for a limited Engagement. I find this timely since I've recently visited the exhibition in Singapore a couple of weeks ago.

Potted Potter is an Olivier-nominated, 70-minute Parody that condenses all seven Harry Potter Books. It features all the key HP characters, fire breathing dragons, costumes, and a lot of ridiculous props. They say that even if you don't know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, you will still end up loving it.  It will be a laughter-filled night. The HP Magic lives on!

Nammos Beach Club at Karma Kandara: One of Bali's Hidden Beaches (Bali Series)

Coming from the Philippines, my unreasonably high standards for beaches can turn out to be a burden sometimes. I know a good number of you could relate to this predicament. This leads to massive disappointment when I visit other island destinations. For Bali though, I became more realistic after asking some friends about its beaches. People have this notion that Bali has the same beaches as we do. The truth is, the island of the Gods is not known to have the beaches that we have grown to love. In fact, they are all from far from it. You won't find an abundance of dreamy white sands and crystal waters there. The Balinese beach culture mostly appeals to those who love riding the waves: Surfers. Wannabe Surfers. Or those who want to watch hot people surf.

However, no matter how discouraging the reviews of the beaches were, I still took it upon myself to see if Bali had a beach comparable or even better than ours. With that in mind, my quest to look for Bali's beach began. Fortunately, it was not too hard to find. I simply had to ask the right people.

When friends told me to visit this trip of beach on Bali's southernmost point, I conditioned my mind that this will be an "okay" beach". I said: " I'll be fine with that. Give me one white sandy beach and I'll be happy. I might not be able to stand seeing another temple in Bali."

CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Singapore): It's all about the Steak

Celebrity restaurants, especially those with a huge following, are now a dime a dozen in major cities. When I was in Singapore, Joel Robuchon in Resorts World Sentosa was my first choice but after making an ocular, the restaurant gave the impression that it would be more ideal for a romantic date, wedding anniversary or engagement. Since I was taking one of my bestfriends, a relaxed and not-so-high-brow restaurant was a better fit. I wanted fine dining with a casual vibe. Hence, we chose CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Marina Bay Sands Shoppes. 

Gardens by the Bay: The Future of Singapore

  

I am too overwhelmed to write anything while looking at these photos from my recent trip. Singapore's 101 hectare, Pandora-inspired (Avatar) superpark called Gardens by the Bay is definitely a sight to behold, especially at night. Its goal to make itself a city within a garden and not a garden within a city is not far from happening. In fact, Singapore is headed there already.

These pictures show you why Singapura, the Little Red Dot, has become the poster child for urban and economic development. This country does not have short term plans. Rather, planning is made for the more decades to come. Even with limited natural resources, this country has managed to make itself one of the most impressive economies in the world. For this post, you'll get glimpse of Singapore's newest project that tells us why this country is the future.

Harry Potter Exhibition Singapore: Keeping the Magic Alive

I am a self-confessed and proud Potterhead. I started reading J.K Rowling's books even before they hit it big. The books opened my imagination, leading me to a world of magic, wizards, and out-of-this-world creatures. Upon hearing about the movie deal (a natural course), I was as excited as the 10-year old kids who loved Harry Potter. It was such a rare phenomenon that swept across the globe.  Everyone wanted to be part of the journey of the boy who lived.

What's New, Singapore?

Aside from Gardens by the Bay, I am scheduled to check the HP Exhibition today at the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands. 

For the first time in Asia, fans will see some of the amazing props and authentic costumes from the Harry Potter Films. I hear the Sorting Hat, Snitch, Sorcerer's Stone, and Wands are all here. Even Buckbeak, the Hippogriff.

Dean and DeLuca Opens in Singapore: Spicing up your Epicurean Craving

My view of Singapore for the coming days.

Believe it or not, I am obsessed with anything that reminds of me of New York. Out of all the places I could visit in Singapore on my first day, Dean and DeLuca got way past everything on my list. 

How could I not go? I regularly visit their lovely and humongous branch in SoHo every time I find myself back in New York City. 

For those of you who aren't familiar, gourmet purveyor Dean and DeLuca is one of NYC's most famous upscale grocery store and cafe. Its much-awaited opening in Singapore was last June 22, 2012 at the Orchard Central. All the foodies must have found this news "eargasmic".

Tune Hotels (Ermita): Five Star Hotel Rooms with One Star Prices

When I used to backpack a few years ago, before this inescapable "grandeur" thing happened, there was one budget accommodation that left a lasting good impression: Tune Hotels. We stayed at the Tune Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and that hotel became my gold standard for cheap stays anywhere in the world. They have opened their first branch here in Manila, which is definitely good news for travelers who want excellent value for their money.

The Story of Luneta Hotel: Is this Old Dame too Beautiful for Manila?

If Luneta Hotel was a lady, she would stand out in a crowd, leaving everyone captivated by her beauty. Men fawn over her, as if under a hypnotic spell. They fall in love with the effortless grace and charm of this lady that has seen it all -- a nation's progress, downfall, and war wounds. Over time, however, her beauty fades and one day, she finds herself alone in a city where her beauty no longer seems appealing and relevant. She feels out of place, lonely--almost like a derelict. Consequently, she never leaves her home for many years.