(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

I just can't help it! I super love the place! It's like every little girl's tea party dream brought to life.

(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

(Vanilla Cupcake Bakery, Trinoma)

A cute princess tea time experience awaits you here at a Bakery called Vanilla Cupcakes!

It's almost a year after my graduation.

(University of Santo Tomas, Espanya Manila Philippines-- 2014)

The last time i was in UST was during the month of April year 2013.

(Quadri Centennial Park, UST Espanya Manila)

This year, i'm back. Not to pursue further studies, but to reminisce my college life with my long-time college bff's, the JaNiFuJo. It's just a bit sad that the Fu in JaNiFuJo wasn't able to join us in our USTe food tripping adventure. In spite of that, we happily continued our food adventure in Espanya.

(Plaza Mayor UST Espanya Manila Philippines)

(Plaza Mayor UST Espanya Manila Philippines)

Along with two of my friends, Joana and Nicole, we went back to our college lives by going back to our favorite food stalls in and outside the university.

(L-R Nicole and Joana, my co-foodtrippers for the day)

Our first stop, the D2B Multi-ventures at the ground floor of the UST Multi-deck car park.

(D2B Multi-Ventures GF UST Multi-deck Carpark, Espanya Manila)

(Cantonese Dimsum Houses's Fried Sharksfin with rice, P60)

T'was first on our list cause This is what i was really super craving for! 

(Fried Sharksfin with rice, P60)

Aside from having some of the most awesome beaches in the world, El Nido also has interesting places for foodies!

(Bacuit Bay, El Nido Palawan Philippines-- December 2013)

But before we get to that appetizing part of the blog, let me first narrate to you the story on how The Palawenya Explorer came up with her El Nido Food Adventure.

(El Nido Town's beach-- December 2013)

I have always loved Pho! And my love for this awesome Vietnamese noodle soup, more popularly known as Pho or Chaolong, had me searching for the best beef stew noodle soup here in our beautiful province of Palawan.

Nitchie's Vietnamese Noodle Soup House

At the top of my list of  the best chaolong houses in Puerto Princesa (which has the most delicious vietnamese Beef stew noodle soup) is Bona's Chaolong. However, last December 10, 2013, when we tried Nitchie's Vietnamese Noodle House, i've had a change of heart.

Owned by the family of the late House Speaker Ramon "Monching" V. Mitra Jr. is a popular and most frequented tourist spot in the city of Puerto Princesa.

Welcome to our next stop, the Mitra Ranch!

(Mitra Ranch  Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines)

Rancho Sta. Monica or Mitra's Ranch/Rancho ni Mitra as the locals call it, is located in Sta. Monica Heights Puerto Princesa City. It's very easy to locate this place because it is very popular.

Let the Palawenya Explorer take you on a tour to her very own Hometown, the city of Puerto Princesa.

Let's first start with a bakery/theme park on the top of a hill. 

Baker's Hill first started as a simple bakery. It has a mini park back then, but now you'll see that it already have a wide theme park with new establishments such as, the baker's kitchen, pizza house, hula shake, snack bar, souvenir shop, view deck, etc. 

(Baker's Hill Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines)

Coconut trees are usually straight and upright, but there's a peculiar coconut tree found in the southern part of palawan that's very different compared to the normal coconut trees. 

Also known as the snake coconut, twisted coconut etc. this particular tree in Palawan is very well known to the Palawenyos who travel to the southern part of the province.

Fun and Interesting! That's how i'll describe this new resto here in the city of Puerto Princesa. Recently opened last March 2013, Little Calvin's Pizzeria now caters to the curious taste buds of the Palawenyos.

(Little Calvin's Pizzeria, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

The pizzeria was named after the owner's 3-year old son, Calvin.

THE PLACE

(Little Calvin's Pizzeria, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

50's-60's is the theme of this super nice diner. The place is super cute! The diner has a lot of photographs of the 50's-60's legends like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, etc on display.

(Little Calvin's Pizzeria, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

(Little Calvin's Pizzeria, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

(Little Calvin's Pizzeria, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan)

I've always wanted to visit Chinatown, so when one of my friends agreed to go on a food trip with me there, I immediately planned our Binondo Adventure!

The Chinatown here in Binondo, Manila is the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was established on the year 1594.

(Arch of Goodwill and Carriedo Fountain----Plaza Sta. Cruz Chinatown, Binondo Manila Philippines)

We actually started our adventure in Quiapo, but we only went there to buy some stuff. We walked from Quiapo church to Ongpin street. There were three of us on this trip, my friend ate janet, my cousin ate tsen and me. It was all our first time to visit Chinatown and we're all excited.

The Arch of Goodwill at Plaza Santa Cruz welcomed us to our Binondo adventure.

A Restaurant/Inn where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the old Spanish Fortress (Fuerza de Sta. Isabel) in the town of Taytay.

(Casa Rosa----Taytay, Palawan Philippines)

The best thing about this restaurant/inn is the view. With its unique location, on top of a hill, you can enjoy the overlooking view of the town's old fortress and the ocean as well.

Aside from providing its customers with a nice view, good food and accommodation, this establishment also offer a wide  variety of tours where you can explore and discover the hidden beauty and treasures of Taytay.

(Fuerza De Santa Isabel Taytay, Palawan Philippines)

Located in one of Palawan's oldest municipalities is a 346-yr. old Spanish Fortress.

(An Introduction to the Fort---Fuerza De Santa Isabel Taytay, Palawan Philippines)

This historic landmark in the town of Taytay was built in the year 1667 and it was also named in honor of one of Spain's royalties, Queen Isabela II.


The Fuerza De Sta. Isabel Plaza and a centuries old cannon (photos below) will welcome you to the historical Fort of Taytay .

(Fuerza De Santa Isabel Plaza--- Taytay, Palawan Philippines)

A nice site for snorkeling awaits you at the Pambato Reef in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

A floating platform in the middle of the ocean serves as the gateway to a wonderful underwater paradise.

(Pambato Reefs from afar--- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines)

The roof of the floating platform (as you can see in the photo) is a giant sea turtle or a pawikan. Pawikans are an engdangered specie of turtles.

(Floating Platform--Pambato Reefs Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Philippines)

Pambato is a marine sanctuary that's home to a lot of different fishes and clams. The word Pambato is a Filipino term for "bet" or "contender". The place was named as such because it is Puerto Princesa's bet/contender when it comes to the most beautiful reefs in Palawan.

COME AND JOIN THE PALAWENYA EXPLORER AS SHE EXPLORES THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF PANDAN. :)

(Pandan Island, Palawan Philippines)

THE ISLAND

(Approaching Pandan Island)

The Island was called Isla Pandan or Pandan Island, simply because of the fact that the island is home to a lot Pandan trees, 

The Palawenya Explorer is also on Facebook and Tumblr! :) Please do like our FB like page https://www.facebook.com/whereisjackiej?ref=hl :) For those who have a tumblr account, you guys can also follow us at http://thepalawenyaexplorer.tumblr.com/ Thank you!!!

ADIOS!

-The Palawenya Explorer ;)

MATINLOC ISLAND Part 1

After having our scrumptious lunch at the Hidden beach, we proceeded with our tour. Our next destination is one of the most interesting islands in El Nido, our third stop, the island of Matinloc.

This destination is part of the Tour C group of El Nido islands.


It got its name from the native (Cuyunon) word "matinlo"  which means "maganda" in Filipino or "beautiful" in English.

The island has a lot of interesting places to see and stories to tell.