You are now entering the stress-free zone of Baler

Ahhh, Baler. Whenever I used to think of this place, I pictured a sleepy, boring town full of hippie surfers. It has always been an underrated destination in my mind. I never cared for Baler. Mind you, I never cared about surfing, either. Both were on the bottom of my wanderlust and things to try lists.

However, sometimes life pushes you into situations which you reluctantly join with one foot out the door only to dive head and heart-first upon the first few minutes. Yes, folks--I accidentally fell in love with Baler and surfing!

My high school friends set up a last-minute end of summer trip with a van bound for Baler. Since I was on a beach-every-weekend streak for the month of May, I figured, why the hell not? A trip with the girls would be the best way to end my summer.

Baler's such a small town that everything feels like within walking distance (if you prefer to stay on the beach strip). It also has this quaint old-town laid-back charm that I haven't found elsewhere. In fact, on a scale of 1 to Puka Beach, I would say that Baler is right up there on my list of places where I want to do a la isla boheme lifestyle after my projected quarter-life crisis debacle. It's the perfect place to escape your twenty-something life, ain't it?

I love the smattering of art shops serving (presumably) awesome coffee and organic food. It's right up my hippie alley for when I leave my Manila life behind if things fall apart.

I'm also #sorrynotsorry that I fell in love with surfing, of all things. On our way to Baler, I kept telling my friends they can forget about me attempting to ride a surfboard because I would hate it if I bruised my knee or other body parts. Friends, I have never been so grateful to give in to peer pressure. There's nothing like standing up on a moving board cruising a (baby) wave to make you forget about life and its troubles.

I'll write more about my surfing shenanigans when I have the time. For the meantime, who wouldn't want to stay here? Everyone's in a flow-surf zen mode--which, incidentally, is why I enrolled myself in yoga classes! 

Sigh, Baler. I love the rustic charm of this beach town. I love the surfboards lying around everywhere. I love the locals' laid-back lifestyle. I love the lack of tourists. And yezzir, I can't wait to see this place again!

Island dogs and puka shells

I tune in to the wind, the sea, and I begin to breathe easier.

-Nina Ramsey

Every time I find myself in Boracay, I always make it a point to visit my favorite place on the island: Puka Beach. I'd live there if I could.

The last time we were there for Labor Day weekend, Jake and I stole away from the group on our last morning and went off to Puka. We met this friendly dog who was just happily contented to roll her tongue out at me as I took her photos.

I love island dogs. Every dog I've met on a beach has always been friendly to me. Jake and I will always miss Friday--the sweet golden retriever who's always been a staple on White Beach.

Why do I love Puka? I love the blue water and crystal sand plus the forest behind you. I love the seclusion, especially in the early hours of the morning. There's nowhere else I'd rather be in Boracay.

The best onion rings at Nolita

The boyfriend and I love pizza dates. Therefore, we both love Nolita--the brainchild of the people behind Borough. We love their pizza by the (giant) slice concept, which gives more options for people who can't compromise on which pizza flavor to get (ehem). 

I already tried and loved their pesto grilled chicken with sundried tomato pizza so I chose the sausage pepperoni mushroom this time around. Jake, lover of all things meat and cheese, had the cheeseburger pizza.

The slices were a hit, as per usual. However, the highlight of our date was undoubtedly the beer battered onion rings. I swear, these are the best onion rings I have ever tasted in my entire life! Crispy? Check! Tasty batter flavor? Check! Deep fried to perfection? Check! Even the sriracha dip was perfectly sour and creamy.

Also, kudos to their version of stovetop mac n' cheese which I usually find nakaka-umay elsewhere. Nolita serves some serious comfort food here! It's the blue cheese, I tell ya. 

Already craving those onion rings!!!

Nolita

7th Ave. cor. 29th South

Bonifacio High Street Central

Spanish night at Calderon Cocina Tapas Y Bebidas

This is a long overdue post about our post Valentine's dinner at Calderon. Still on a paella high from Beso, Jake and I decided to give this quaint Spanish restaurant a try since it's located near his house right along the alley where Tori Box and La Creperie are located. I really love Little Baguio.

Calderon's a cozy little place perfect for intimate dates. I also appreciated how the owners were very hands-on, right from the table reservations to checking if guests loved the food.

For starters, Jake and I ordered the Bandeja de Jamon, Chorizo y Quezo with a carafe of sangria. It was a plateful of ham, chorizo, and cheese which went perfectly with the sangria. I suppose we were too hungry and felt that the serving was bitin. Between the two of us, the meat and cheese bandeja was gone in a couple of minutes.

We also tried their highly recommended Paella Negra which you have to order at least half an hour before arriving (I called ahead). I'm very fond of adobong pusit, and this version of paella was heaven for me. Of course, Beso will still be our benchmark for the best paella but I wouldn't mind going back to Calderon just for this dish. The rice was perfectly cooked and had generous servings of seafood.

A word of warning, though: don't try this on a first date! The black ink seeps through the teeth but provides plenty of comedy for photos.

Or in Jake's case, black lips are in.

We were still hungry after the bandeja and paella so we went ahead and ordered the chorito fritos for my chorizo monster. Jake loves chorizo and we both liked this sweet and salty dish. It's perfect with sangria or you can just eat it as an appetizer or a side dish to the paella.

Can't wait for another Spanish food date!

Calderon
F. Calderon Street
Little Baguio, San Juan
+623-2382264