November 2011
1 post
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MOVED (Kind of)!
Hi everyone!
Please visit my new blog The Weekend Girl which is kind of an extension of Hello To Earth. My updates about Japan are located there. :D
Toodles!
October 2011
3 posts
1 tag
October in Seven Years
I was inspired by Hilda Grahnat’s newest blog post. Here are my activities for the month of October from 2005 to 2011.
10/18/2005: A beach trip with my family to Batangas.
10/25/2006: A trip to Thailand serves as my birthday gift.
10/25/2007: I spent my sembreak in Japan with my sister.
10/15/2008: Spelunking in Sagada with my org friends.
10/10/2009: Big bonfire party for...
1 tag
Ask Me Anything!
Kcornelio asked…
She’s so thin now! She really lost 5 kg.! Now, she just has to tone.
Franck says that he’ll force Mama to exercise with him in the morning. Lol! Did you eat at Gundam Cafe? We’re going to a maid cafe in Akihabara.
Blackwisteria asked…
Oks lang yun. Cheap Barbie lang yan. Lol. Forever hipster ka talaga! XD Miss you!
Not a hipster, dear. Miss you...
2 tags
On Japan
Time cannot go fast enough for me.
In a few days, I will boarding a plane and heading off to the country I already call my second home. Japan has always been a fascinating place and I always discover something new and exciting each time I visit it.
I’m dying to visit the Ghibli Museum again as well as the temples in Kyoto. DisneySea will also be in my itinerary since I never miss a...
September 2011
2 posts
4 tags
Last Chow In Macau
I’m finally back in my regular programming. Thank you to my dear friend, Diane, for taking the time from her hard-earned vacation to fix up my website. I really should start studying CSS in case something happens again in the future.
Anyway, this will be my last post about Macau. I’m pretty sure most of you are tired of seeing pictures of the same country for the last few...
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On Hiatus
My blog has been in a glitch for over two weeks now. I’m begging my friend to fix it for me. In the meantime, I’m starting up another blog that will focus more on having a great and healthy lifestyle.
Stay tuned!
August 2011
11 posts
1 tag
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Macau Grand Prix Museum
I just watched Cars 2 yesterday with the boyfriend. It was a funny, feel-good movie and it was a welcome relief after getting depressed over One Day. Cars 2 reminded me of visiting the Macau Grand Prix Museum.
Located in a basement, few people would notice the small museum unless they did prior research about it. Shame, really. I know my guy friends will go gaga over this museum.
I...
6 tags
The City Of Dreams
Right beside the famous casino called The Venetian is a cluster of hotels that includes The City of Dreams. Hours before our flight back to Manila, we decided to look into a few shows everyone was raving about. First on our list was the Dragon Show that I’ve already seen last year with my friends. I saw it for free back then and I was a bit surprised and disappointed that they started...
1 tag
Why We Love Manila
Hey there!
What a rainy evening! It’s the perfect weather to cozy up, hit the couch, and just pig out. But, before I do precisely that, I would like to share with you this sunny patch of wonderful vibes that I recently saw while I was browsing through blogs. Why We Love Manila is a website that features the reasons why Manila still has its groove on.
Do visit their website at...
5 tags
Graffiti, Signs, and Casinos
Random photos while walking around Macau. Vintage looking poster is love! There was a skateboard park near our hotel and its surrounding walls had all of these creative graffiti. After eating at Ristorante Litoral, we went to the other side of the main island and looked into the casinos. We watched the dancing fountain show at Wynn Hotel and took loads of tourist photos near Casino...
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Lou Lim Leoc Garden
One of the most wonderful things about getting lost is stumbling upon a small oasis in the middle of Macau’s maze-like streets. Once part of a rich merchant’s property it’s now a public park.
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Restaurante Litoral
I have never tried Portuguese food before and tasting this kind of cuisine is on the top of my Macau to-do list. My boyfriend and I tried the Ristorante Litoral near the A-Ma Temple because of good recommendations.
We started with roasted Portuguese sausages which tasted quite like Spanish chorizo. We also had some salad to balance the saltiness of our starter. Our main dish was the super...
1 tag
Manga Realities
The Manga Realities Exhibit is now open to the public from August 16, 2011 to October 2, 2011. I attended the opening ceremonies earlier. It was so much fun! We invited people to come in costumes and surprisingly the staff, even the oldies, participated. It’s one of the best openings that we’ve had for this year.
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Dancing Lions
My boyfriend went back to our hotel to fetch something that we’ve left behind. I was left waiting for him and then I suddenly heard beating drums. Lo and behold, a Chinese Lion Dance was being performed!
July 2011
11 posts
5 tags
The Golden Tree Of Prosperity
The casinos in Macau are an attraction in itself because they could also cater to non-gamblers such as myself. One of the casino hotels we went to besides The Venetian Macau is Wynn Hotel.
Inside it’s opulent halls are the Jellyfish Aquarium at the check-in counter and The Golden Tree of Prosperity that plays every 30 minutes or so. The show starts with the Chinese Zodiac ceiling...
1 tag
Easy Like Sunday Morning
I’m stressing so much about the littlest things and it’s not good for my health. So, last Sunday, at long last I finally was able to relax. It was a sunny day with clear skies that lasted the whole morning. A perfect weather for swimming!
4 tags
By The Sea
The architecture of the MAM is a delight and walking by the seaside boulevard towards the casinos was an experience. Too bad the weather wasn’t cooperating. I envision Roxas Boulevard looking like the seaside jaunts of Macau had it not been for the reclaimed land and boxy buildings that block out the sea.
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And When I'm Sick
I took a sick leave around two weeks ago because I got sore eyes and I didn’t want to scare customers away. I felt hideous and irritated the whole time I was confined to the house. Good thing there were things around the house to keep me amused. Hello Instax, coffee, Choco Pie and kokeshii doll!
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Food At Mercato Centrale
I wanted to have a lazy day with my boyfriend last Sunday so we went to have brunch at Mercato Centrale which is just near my home. I’ve visited this place for two times already and I’m still not done trying out all of the stalls. It was so hot that day! It was a good thing that there was a manageable amount of people so it wasn’t crowded.
The food I’ve taken a...
4 tags
Details At The MAM
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A-Ma Temple In B&W
The temple was a beehive of activity when we made our visit. It was raining all afternoon, but the small temple was brimming with tourists and pilgrims. There was a make-shift stage being set up in front of the temple for the annual Chinese Opera show in celebration of the A-Ma festival that began the next day. Unfortunately, we had to catch our flight back to Manila so we...
2 tags
Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates
There was a dessert bazaar in Greenbelt 1 last week and I was attracted to this stall with beautifully packaged chocolate. I was also intrigued by the name of the brand which is Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolate. I bet they’re the names of the owners but they remind me of two of the most grueling subjects I’ve had in Ateneo, Theology and Philosophy, where I consumed tons of chocolates...
4 tags
The Mandarin's House
Just a stone throw away from Lilau Square is the Mandarin’s House. The house is an old Chinese mansion that used to belong Zheng Guanying, a famous political writer during the Qing dynasty. It’s a large house containing 60 rooms in total and is considered to be already quite extravagant for a private residence in those days.
The house suffered many damages throughout the...
4 tags
Lilau Square
On our way to Mandarin’s House from Rua da Felicidade, we stumbled upon this picturesque square flanked with colorful houses and small garden fountains. Along the way, I took some snapshots of everyday Macau.
We decided to take a rest here from our walking tour because no matter how delightful Macau’s streets are they are certainly not very feet-friendly.
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Revolt For Cultural Workers!
I am livid.
Working as a cultural worker here in the Philippines can give a person a lot of pain. Not many people understand the intricacies of the industry and they turn their judgmental eyes on poor workers who only seek to contribute to the preservation of their society. Monkeys, the lot of them!
I am angry. I am angry at customers who complain about the rates offered at the private museum I...
June 2011
10 posts
4 tags
The Street Of Happiness
Finding this little street was a nice surprise for me. With it’s buildings with white wash walls and deep crimson red wooden shutters it felt like I was transported into a movie set. Hey there, Indie!
Rua da Felicidade or Happiness Street derived it’s name from quite a colorful past. It was once part of Macau’s red light district and I guess many men found great...
5 tags
That's A Jerk!
One of the “must-try” food in Macau is the meat jerky. They’re found almost everywhere in the island and they usually go side by side with the egg tarts. They come in different flavors and meat like pork roast or hot beef. Truthfully, I am not a big fan of this type of delicacy. They look like tocino (a cured pork dish in the Philippines) and I’m afraid it might...
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Back To The Streets
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Ask Me Anything!
Kumako365 jp said…
Hi! :) Nice blog! And, it’s good to know you have visited Japan too. :) Nice to see you, I’m looking forward to your updates!
Thanks so much!
I’ve been to Japan a couple of times but I wasn’t into blogging or taking photos that much yet. Shame, I know! I’m actually going back this year. That’s my next trip update after Macau....
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The Old Protestant Cemetery And Camoes Garden
Continuing on with our walking tour of Macau, we climb up the steep hills of concrete buildings towards the oldest garden in the island. The Camoes Garden is dedicated to Luis de Camoes, considered to be one of Portugal’s greatest poets.
I find myself in the company of old people who converge in the garden to relax while playing their cards and do their exercises. There are even...
6 tags
Cirque Du Soleil's ZAIA At The Venetian
I have always wanted to watch a Cirque du Soleil show and I was lucky enough to have been able to watch the show in Macau.
Zaia is exclusive to The Venetian Macau but, of course, there are other Cirque du Soleil shows that you can catch in Las Vegas, New York, and Tokyo. There’s even a traveling show, Varekai, coming to Manila for the first time. I’m missing out...
1 tag
Ask Me Anything!
Nina asked…
Hi Lilia! I just wanna know what camera you’re using, aside from your DSLR. I love your photos by the way and I envy you. I wish I could travel as much as you do too. :) I love reading your blog ‘coz at least somehow I could get out of the country even in my mind.
Hi Nina! I don’t have a DSLR. Yeah, I know right! I use a Canon G11 for my photo-taking needs....
4 tags
Another Look At The Ruins
We were trying to look for a tapas bar just around the corner, but it turned out to be close for the day. Not craving for anything Chinese or Macanese, we headed up to the Golden Arch near Camoes Garden. Yeah, yeah, we caved.
May 2011
11 posts
5 tags
Na Tcha Temple And The Old City Wall
Right beside the overwhelming Ruins of St. Paul is a tiny and unassuming temple dedicated to the Taoist protection deity, Na Tcha. This clearly shows the multicultural aspect that flourished in Macau during the occupation of the Portuguese.
Another feature on this part of the tourist trail is the Old City Wall or what remains of it. It’s pretty boring to look at if...
5 tags
Koi Kei Bakery's Egg Tarts
This is something that I wasn’t able to do on my first visit to Macau with my college friends. We went in separate groups and I came with people who preferred to stay in Taipa and catch the free shows at the Venetian and City of Dreams. Now, I was able to take my time walking the streets of the city and tasting the food that Macau can offer.
On top of my list was the egg tarts of Koi Kei...
4 tags
"Eclecticality" And The Macau Museum
Half of my time during traveling is spent in museums. I don’t know what is it about museum and culture and learning that attracts me. It’s just amazing to behold so much history in one place.
I visited two museums in Macau during my four-day stay, the Macau Museum and the Macau Museum of Art. I will be talking about the latter in another entry. For now, I want to share the numerous...
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On Top Of Mount Fortress
The very last floor of the Macau Museum is part of the old fortress formerly used as the city’s defense point and main military headquarters. The museum was built over and around it during the early 90’s and the topmost part has been converted into a garden and a viewing deck with a sweeping panorama of the city.
Coming through a garden with a view of what the city...
4 tags
Ruins Of St. Paul
Walking around Macau is easy breezy. It’s a small island and you can utilize the free transportation provided by the different hotel/casinos. Before we went to the ruins, we did the walking tour of Frommer’s. It’s really helpful and you can download the details and maps for free in their website.
We reached the Ruins of St. Paul by midday. There...
4 tags
Macau In Polaroid
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I Spy! What's On Macau's Streets?
I spotted undulating waves, a crab, a star, a house, a seahorse, an anchor, the sun, and a naked woman cradling a ship.
What did you spy?
4 tags
Largo do Senado
And it will lead you to the Largo do Senado or Senado Square, the government center during the Portuguese occupation. I call it the Panda-colored brick road because it’s all in black and white and the wave patterns of the cobblestone is a certainly unique focal point. During the duration of our stay in Macau, we start our day here at the square. It’s...
3 tags
I Got Macau In My Pocket
Here are some of my souvenir haul from Macau:
1) Japanese fashion magazines; 2) Beauty products from Sasa; 3) Chinese fortune sticks; 4) Notebook and pencils from Macau Creations; 5) Notebooks from Cirque du Soleil Gift Shop; 5) Old photographs of Macau postcards from the Macau National Museum; 6) Art/Exhibition book from the Macau Museum of Art; 7) Postcard book from a random...
4 tags
Lou Kai Mansion
Lou Kai Mansion is a wonderful example of a traditional Chinese house. It’s located in one of the side streets of Senado Square. It’s the first historical site we visited in Macau. We were trying to orient ourselves with the city map and when we look up it simply popped right in front of us like a mushroom.
I was really blown away at the intricate designs of the...
3 tags
Macau The Next Day
Woke up quite early to avoid the tourist crowd.
It was easier to navigate the streets of Macau than I initially assume. First, Macau is just a small island and second, the street signs are in Portuguese which is close enough to Spanish. I love the cobblestone streets with wavy patterns, but it’s a nightmare for high heel shoes.
The pink building in the six picture is where we...
3 tags
Night Flight
We took an evening flight going to Macau since it’s the cheapest flight we could get from Cebu Pacific. We haven’t had the time to take dinner and there really isn’t that many proper restaurants at NAIA Terminal 3.
After checking in the hostel, we went out in search of Macanese food. We took the backstreet and finally found a mom and pop restaurant with a bucket of...
April 2011
3 posts
5 tags
Postcard: Macau
Hi Everyone!
I’m on top of the Mount Fortress in this picture. I just finished going around the Macau Museum. It’s a nice museum that’s very interactive and you’re allowed to take photos. Heehee!
I’m spending Holy Week in Macau with le petit copain. So far, it’s a great place to spend three to four days in. It’s small and you can walk everywhere!
I...