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Friday, January 26, 2007
Balloon Fiesta - 11th International Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Our Awesome Planet and Pinoy Travel Blog presents OAP and PTB Live in the 11th Intl Phil. Balloon Fiesta in Clark Field Pampanga!
Just join us if you want to witness these Awesome Balloons and have fun with photo hobbyists. Here are the details:
What to expect?
A Day Trip full of fun and laughter with Photo Enthusiast and Travel Addicts
FREE Photography Lessons from Anton of Our Awesome Planet
This is a Photo-travel-cum-food trip in Pampanga. Let me tour you to sample the best of Pampanga cuisine :)
Bonus side trip to Zoobic in between the Hot Air Balloon departure/ arrival
How to Join?
Simply put a link to this post from your blog, multiply or friendster site expressing your interest to join us this coming February 10, Saturday. Call or Text me @ 0928 558 8500, Anton (for further questions)
You can cut and paste the html code below:
<a href="http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2007/01/balloon_fiesta_.html">Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta </a>
Travel Itinerary
Meet up: 3.30am (Yes!) at Shell North Luzon Expressway, February 10, 2007 Saturday
4am enroute to Omni Aviation, Clark Field Pampanga
5.30-7.30am Hot Air Balloon Takeoff Shoot out
8.00am - Breakfast @ VFW along Friendship Road (a secret cozy american place in Clark)
9.00am -- Enroute to Zoobic in Subic
12.00nn -- Lunch @ Meat Plus in Subic
3:00pm -- Go back to Omni Aviation, Clark.
5.30pm-7.30pm Hot Air Balloon Arrival and Night Glow (Bring your tripods!)
8:00pm -- Dinner is a surprise :)
What to bring:
Jacket (it is freezing in the morning)
BYOT - Bring your own transpo -- we don't plan to arrange a common transpo we will do convoy throughout
Photo Camera and preferably Tripod (if you have one)
PAYO - Pay as you order -- you manage your own expenses. Bring 1,000/ head as a budget for this day trip event.
Check out the Photos below. Simply Awesome as Sidney would agree :)
Related Posts:
Balloon Fiesta - 11th International Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
[10TH Hot Air Balloon Fiesta #1] The 5am Balloon Fiesta
[10TH Hot Air Balloon Fiesta #2] All Balloons Pumped Up, Up, Up and Away!
[10TH Hot Air Balloon Fiesta #3] What to do in the Balloon Fiesta?
10th Philippine International Hotair Balloon Fiesta (PIHBF) @ near Clark
The Venue @ Main Clark Airport
Schedule from official Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Site
Feb. 10 - THIRD FIESTA DAY
Sat. - Hot Air Balloon Flight
5:30 AM - 7:00 AM
- AFP Sky Diving Exhibition 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
- Ultra-light aircraft Fly-By from Angeles City Flying Club 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- Aerobatic Exhibition by Meynard Halili and Bill Wright 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- Helicopter Flying Exhibition 9:30 AM -10:00 AM
- Missionary HelioSTOL aircraft Demo by Summer Institute of Linguistic 10:00 AM -10:30 AM - Paragliding Exhibition by French and Malaysian team 10:30 AM -11:00 AM
- AOPA-P Light Airplane Balloon Bursting competition 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
- Choreographed Kite Flying demonstration by Fort Boni Sport Kite Com 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM
- Angeles City Flying Club Ultra-Light Flying display 1:30 PM- 2:30 PM
- Gyro Plane Flying but Gyroplane Rotorcraft 2:30 PM- 3:15 PM
- AFP Sky Diving Exhibition 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
- Aerobatic Display by Meynard Halili and Bill Wright 3:45 PM –4:30 PM
- CTRM Flight display 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Ultra Light Fly By of the Angeles City Flying Club 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- RC helicopter flying demonstration by Rufino 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM
- Hot Air Balloon Flight 5:45 PM - 6:15 PM
- Hot Air Balloon Night Glow 6:45 PM – 7:30 PM
Feb. 11 LAST FIESTA DAY
Sun - Hot Air Balloon flight 5:30 AM- 7:00 AM
- AFP Sky- Diving Exhibition 7:00 AM- 7:30 AM
- Rocketry Demo by Arnel Noel 7:30 AM – 7:45 AM
- Ultra-light Aircraft Fly-By 7:45 AM- 8:30 AM
- Aerobatic Exhibition by Meynard Halili and Bill Wright 8:30 AM- 9:30 AM
- Missionary Helio- STOL aircraft Demo 9:30 AM-10:00 AM
- Helicopter Flying exhibition 10:00 AM-10:30 AM
- AFP Sky Diving Exhibition 10:30 AM-11:00 AM
- AOPA-P Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition 11:00 AM –12:30 PM
- Choreographed Kite flying Demonstration 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM
- Ultra-Light Flour Bombing Competition 1:30 PM- 2:30 PM
- RC Airplane flying Demonstration by Alvin Alcantara 2:30 PM- 3:00 PM - Aerobatic Exhibition by Meynard Halili and Bill Wright 3:00 PM- 4:00PM
- CTRM Flight Display 4:00 PM- 4:45 PM
- Gyro Plane Flight Demo by Gyro Plane Rotorcraft 4:45 PM –5:30 PM
- Hot Air Balloon flight 5:30 PM- 6:45 PM
- Crew and award night party 7:30 PM-
January 26, 2007 in Clark, Pampanga | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
A Suite Romance Anniversary
I thought twice if I was going to post this. In the spirit of the valentines season, we decided to share this with you. January 11 was our 4th year anniversary and it was kinda difficult to plan surprises these days for my wife. Here is a sneak peek...
Admittedly, it was hard to plan an anniversary surprise for my wife. On our first anniversary, we went to the land of the Samurai's in Kyoto, Japan. Our last two anniversaries was forgettable because of the pregancy in 2005 and I was on travel in Cebu on our anniversary day (which I learned to be a no-no). So this year's anniversary would be different and I learned not to take it forgranted :).
We always wanted to try out Westin's Couple's Spa Room ever since we saw it 2 years ago. When we tried it this year, we realized that the entire Philippines Westin Hotel is now bought by Sofitel Hotel group. They offer three (3) packages under the brand name Suite Romance Package:
Passion (180 minutes) - P7,500
(2) Fresh Fruit Shake
(1) Bottle of Champagne
(2) Passionate Massage
(2) Body Moisturizing Treatment with herbal lotions
(2) Foot Spa treatment
(2) Four-course gourmet meal by Spiral!
30-minute private time for the couple
Use of bathrobe and slippers
Sensual (120 minutes) - P4,500
(2) Fresh Fruit Shake
(2) Sensual Massage
(2) Body Moisturizing Treatment with herbal lotions
Box of hand-made chocolate pralines or truffles
Pot of hot tea infusion
30-minute private time for the couple
Use of bathrobe and slippers
Tender (90 minutes) - P3,000
candlelit whirlpool bath of crystal bubbles
(2) Tender Massage
(2) Chilled bottled mineral water
30-minute private time for the couple
Use of bathrobe and slippers
We tried the Passionate package primarily because of the 4-course Spiral dinner and the foot spa pampering! The photo above is the how the couple's room looks like. This was featured in Us girls, and so I wanted to share with you the actual experience. Bottomline, the massage was great as expected but the Spiral food was so-so. I expected too much I guess on the Spiral dinner but we both agree that the package would have been worth it if the dinner was very good. The room looked old but I must admit it was well maintained. It was a great way to spend our anniversary :)
The suite romance experience starts with a 30 minute private time in the Jacuzzi. The chilled Asti Spumante wine was already waiting for us and we immediately savor the sweetness of this wine.
I've always wanted to have a massage with my wife beside. I'm still in search of other nice massage couple rooms. My wife loved her massage but for me, it was just so-so. I know how to differentiate a good massage, from a trying hard massage. For me, it was more of the latter.
Interestingly, the bed converts into a table like a transformer.
A Suite Romance Menu (See the Menu) -- Since the package is good for two, you can select 2 appetizers, 2 main dish, and 2 desserts.
Prawn Sinigang. Filipino Style Sour Soup with Fresh Prawns and mixed Vegetables.
I can still remember vividly in my taste bud how salty this Sinigang was. The presentation was great, and the ingredients were fresh.
Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad. Roasted beetroot, balsamic onion and herb salad finished with French goats cheese and organic arugola.
Forgettable and bland taste.
North Asian Tuna Tartare. Diced sashimi grade tuna, red onion, coriander finished with Yuza dressing.
We were wondering was is this and I can't remember how it taste like.
Bibimbab. Rice Pot with assorted vegetables and minced beef.
The bibimbab was decent but there is more rice than the ingredients. It was so huge that it is good for 2 people.
Rare Grilled Tuna Loin. Grilled tuna loin fillet with baby tomatoes, zucchini, fennel and a light anchovy and red pepper dressing.
This Tuna taste like a steak but the tuna is not tasty and you should put the red pepper dressing to make it taste good. I would have to give them great raves for a great presentation though. The Tuna serving was big enough and goes well with the extra rice of the Bibimbop.
Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta. Served with Lychee and rose compote and sesame snap.
Trio of Sugar Free Delights. (at the back) Chocolate clusters, fresh fruits in aloe vera, mixed berry ice cream.
The only highlight of the evening was the sugar free desserts and the panna cotta. We loved it and perfect way to end the meal.
The passionate package ends with a 30 minute heavenly foot massage. Just perfect and it was all worth it except for the disappointing Spiral dinner...
Joel Mendez and Cathy Velez
Sofitel Philippines Sports Club and Spa
Direct Line: 832-6904.
January 24, 2007 in 03. Romantic Restaurants For Special Occasions | Permalink | Comments (25) | TrackBack
Roshan's Lemon Torte
I love this cake! The tangy lemon fights with the taste of sweet walnutty meringue. I would call it the yin-yang of cakes. I would not even attempt to describe this cake further. The Queen of Desserts, Lori, described this perfectly and I cannot agree more.
"A torte in this case is three layers of crunchy meringue with roasted (whole!) walnuts baked right in. When eaten, the walnuts shatter in the mouth, giving way to the meringue’s subtle crunch of complaint before melting on the tongue in a sea of sweet, releasing a dazzling tang of lemon. Roshan has said that she can actually vary the intensity of the lemon curd in the torte, depending on the request of the client. (Oh, in that case then, maximum intensity for me, please.)" (see: Roshan’s Lemon Torte by Lori, dessercomesfirst.blogspot.com)
It was difficult to take a nice and properly sliced shot of this cake. It crumbles and sticks unto the knife. The lighting was not perfect for a cake shot and everyone was already mouth watering at the sight of this cake. Lori eloquently described this cake as:
" Roshan's lemon torte is the real thing: no soggy layers of meringue and no lack of nuts that have been crushed to a fare-thee-well. Here,the nuts are whole, the meringue crisp, the way it should be. The lemon curd is true to its essence, with just enough butter and yolks to round out the sweetness and bite." (see: Roshan’s Lemon Torte by Lori, dessercomesfirst.blogspot.com)
"This scintillating work of lemon is disguised, almost pristinely, in a layer of whipped cream with dainty rosettes. It makes the torte look almost too nice, practically angelic – hiding the citrus-y firebomb that burns within. Hit me, baby." (see: Roshan’s Lemon Torte by Lori, dessercomesfirst.blogspot.com)
It was indeed a perfect Birthday Cake for Aidan! I'm sure you could put lettering on top of this cake if you want to give this as a gift. Thanks to Watergirl for the tip on this!!
Roshan's
32 Aries St. Bel-Air 3 Village, Makati (Entrance gate is in Jupiter St., Buendia side)
Contact Number: 631-7786
Cakes can either be picked up in Makati or Pasig area, just inform them where you'll get it.
January 24, 2007 in 07. Foodie Discoveries | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
