Have you ever been to the beach with your bottles to the sky?

Nothing beats nights by the beach. Toes digging in the sand, clutching cold bottles of beer, sipping your favorite cocktails, shivering with the sea breeze and wind blowing, gazing every now and then at the waves breaking a few meters away, holding your face up to catch the rain falling around sporadically--it's the best way to cap off a sun-kissed day.

On our first night on the island, we had beers and cocktails on the breezy roofdeck of Le Soleil. Giant pillows and colorful lights, crazy poses and toasts to the beach. We played on the shore on our way home to Station 1. Jumped around like fools on the sand.

wearing Forever 21 bohemian top, American eagle denim shorts

On our second night on the island, we went to the other side and nearly fell into the water while clinging to sharp rocks. We ordered Sex on the Beach shakers and shared the dreaded Still Standing After 15 Shots at Cocomangas and gazed discreetly at our lovely Baling Hai bartender who was with his girl. We felt obligated to finish all 15 shots, some with a yucky taste, just so we can get our free shirt. Headaches ensued the following morning.

wearing Forever 21 dress

On our third night on the island, I drank one too many beers by the beach with the boyfriend at Epic. There was a huge pre-FHM party crowd inside and we hogged a whole lounge outside all to ourselves with the water a few meters behind us. The music was loud and the people were crazy but we had a good time talking and laughing at some silly joke or prank--just the two of us. I remember throwing sand at him, remember the crazy drunk girls who set off fireworks on the shore, glaring at the hot girls dancing behind us, laughing at the Jakester, holding my face up when it drizzled, and asking for more Red Horses. We went back to our place to find my friends about to finish their Absolut and we had a grand old time, with few regrets the morning after.

wearing Chatuchak dress and scarf

Why would you ever want to leave this island?

To a hidden island with the hot bartender

We decided to go for a paraw ride on our second day. After negotiating with a very persistent fixer, we were ready to hop on the boat for a bit of island hopping. Jake and I headed to Jonah's first for our early morning mango-banana shake fix, then the girls and I bought our cocktails-to-go at Loco Frio, which is one of the many perks of the island life--imagine sipping your frozen cocktail while sailing on the open sea. Too perfect. I got a frozen mojito with vodka. Mmmm.

How fitting that the paraw assigned to us had Tanduay for a logo. I was with a bunch of heavy drinkers so it was a perfect match.

The waves were insanely high on our way there. Jake and I sat on the other side and I was soaked by the time we docked. The girls, on the other side, kept laughing and I can hear them chattering all the way over to our side. Yep, we are one noisy group.

Halfway through the ride, we were all arguing with our boatmen where to take us, they kept recommending Baling Hai but we almost ignored their suggestions until we saw the breathtaking view. Baling Hai, it is. How can you not say yes to that view? A secret beach hidden by trees and rocks--amazing. We wasted no time sunbathing, ordering beers, soaking up the view, it was so peaceful there we stayed there for the duration of our two-hour paraw package. No one wanted to get up from the lounges. We were the only ones there, aside from two other girls (the one with the bikini I've been lusting after).

 

 

The place was also perfect for a private lunch or candle-lit dinner. There's a secluded area with a dining table all set-up with candles. When we go back to Boracay, I'll make sure Jake and I get to eat there. It's the birthday surpise I never got to throw for him on the island. I really have no idea how to pull this off, though. It's kind of hard to go to the place at night since the only way is by paraw, and the coast guard bans paraws at night, and a long trike ride. Tricycles don't come and go along this area so maybe we'll have to stay at Baling Hai resort instead. It'll be so lovely to stay at one of those houses perched on the trees and rocks. It must feel like a secret paradise all the way up there--to be surrounded by trees with the beach beneath you.

 

Of course, the highlight of our trip to Baling Hai was the hot bartender. At first we thought he couldn't understand Tagalog so we talked about him the whole time. It was only until we were about to leave that Jake said he's Fil-Am and can therefore understand us. Ooops, there goes our shameless "laglag panty!!!" side comments. The boatmen also said he's the son of the resort owners so double yumm. I really don't have a good picture of him 'cause I was too shy to take one up close. We saw him again that night with a date, chugging down all 15 shots at Cocomangas. So dreamy. Just look at him! Rawr.

After lounging about and getting tons of sun-kissed photos, we headed back to our paraw through the rocks where you emerge on the other side of the beach. Time to head back to Station 1, adios Baling Hai and pretty boy.

wearing bikini from Accessorize, heart-shaped sunnies from H&M

Holidaze on a weekday at Ayala Triangle Gardens

The girls and I had dinner last night at Omakase. After a less than stellar lunch there with Jake, I decided to give it another try and ordered something safe. Food was yummy but it took AGES for them to serve it. I think I overdosed on my bottomless servings of raspberry iced tea while waiting but I can't complain since my tonkatsudon was top-notch We've been dying to check out the new strip of restaurants at Ayala Triangle Gardens and last night was the night. The lights and sound show was mesmerizing, made more complete with the almost-secluded feeling of standing on the grass in a breezy park when you can barely hear the hustle and bustle of Makati.

wearing Terranova top, Forever 21 skirt, vintage flats, Aldo necklace, Nine West bag

 

I'm definitely going back with Jake to try out BonChon Chicken since he highly recommends it. He ate there when he was in New York this year and I do hope the branch here has the same taste and quality. We tried to eat there last night but the long line was just insane, ditto with Wee Nam Kee. Maybe next time we should head earlier, maybe brunch time, or early evening so we can grab some good seats. Another plus of the park is that you can bring dogs. We were sitting next to this couple with a cute shih-tzu puppy and I've been thinking about bringing Gingey for a change. She rarely ventures outside but she's a cutie:

Speaking of restaurants, I'm dying to try out Borough again now that I've read reviews about the milk and cookies. I wanted to order it the last time we were there but I was torn between that and the oven-baked Brooklyn cheesecake. Maybe I can convince Jake to grab lunch there next time we're in Podium. Sigh. I'm bored to my wits end waiting for our Christmas party to start. I'm trying to convince my workmates to head there early so we can already start drinking but they seem keen on staying here. Sigh. I think I'll just take my reindeer antlers out and parade around in my boots to pass the time.

Adios, October: Masquerade & road trips

Rounding up Oktubre, here's what I missed blogging about no thanks to my easily-distracted mind, I still can't believe I only have 12 blog posts this month:

We had an awesome time masquerading for Timmy's 23rd, I snagged my sister's old Lady GaGa mask and pulled off my own Phantom of the Driveway look. Beer pinacoladas, screwdrivers, and lollipops make for a good party mix. Yes.

wearing Vivienne Westwood polo, tank top, Aldo belt, vintage denim shorts, Converse sneakers, Esprit vintage purse

We finally pushed through with our Southbound roadtrip and headed off to Tagaytay and Caleruega last weekend. We've been planning it forever and so we decided it's about time we head out of town and take our crazy shenanigans elsewhere. My legs hurt from all the driving but it was worth speeding thru Tagaytay trying to get to Caleruega before the sunset.

Trying to kill ourselves at SLEX. Going crazy trying to keep my eyes on the road while posing for pictures. The girls wanted a YB so we stopped over at Nuvali where it proceeded to rain like hell. Heehee.

The rest of the day was spent arguing where to go, what to do, and we ended up giving in to each other's whims, rain or shine. We had lunch at Josephine's, took A LOT of photos at Sonya's Garden, zoomed off to Caleruega (where you apparently have to book years in advance just to get married), then had hush-hush desserts at the cozy Restaurant Verbena of Discovery Country Suites. We didn't get to do some horse-back riding coz it was muddy and we didn't get to drink coffee at Bag of Beans because it seemed like everyone was there but we managed to amuse ourselves. We were all ready to head home after a late-night dinner at Charlie's at Greenhills. Nom nom nom.

Bulalo, tawilis, liempo, gossiping while eaing, and a view of the Taal Lake. Perfect lunchy!

wearing Topshop Strawberry top, Forever 21 skirt, Bayo oxford shoes, Ray Ban sunnies, Aldo necklace, Esprit bag

Camwhoring at its finest at Sonya's Garden, I should have brought my tripod so we didn't have to resort to asking foreigners to please take our pictures.

Silly girls at Caleruega, even the grumpy guard couldn't stop us from taking photos and soaking up the place. I am in love with this church.

Breezy night, perfect for desserts at Restaurant Verbena's veranda. I've always wanted to check-in at Discovery Country Suites but their restaurant will have to do for the meantime. Bouchon's Chocolate Marquise and Panna Cotta with my brewed coffee's too good to pass up. Yes, desserts before dinner. Charlie's would have to wait, we were lucky SLEX traffic was bearable on the way home.

Up next: SUBIIIIC! Get your bikinis and tree-top adventure outfits ready, bitches!