Last May 2015, I was lucky to have attended Toastmasters International's District Convention in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It was basically a 2-day seminar and so as not to waste our airfare and accommodation courtesy of my company, we maximized our stay and squeezed in a few tours around the city.

Casa Fuerte Bed and Breakfast

Our first stop was Neva's Place located at Taft Street and very near the Cathedral Church. Neva's Place is one of the most well-known restos in PP, famous for their brick oven pizza, and pasta.

Neva's Forevah!

Walkway

Haaay so relaxing!

Since we got there a bit too early, we weren't able to order their pizzas so we tried their pastas instead.

Tried their ever famous carbonara and hot choco

After having our sumptuous breakfast, we then headed to the Cathedral Church, Children's Park, and Plaza Cuartel.

Read

Short walk at Plaza Cuartel

A lot of things happened in this area during the second world war making this little piece of land a historic one. It is also a good place to take a rest and just enjoy the beauty of nature, overlooking the sea of Palawan.

Next stop is their baywalk, which I must say - is a lot cleaner (but equally beautiful) than the one we have in Manila.

Omg when will Manila Bay look like this???

In the afternoon, we continued touring the city, visiting mostly museums.

Imelda Marcos' pair of red stilettos

Battling with Ken

After touring the city a bit, we went back to the convention which was held at Aziza Paradise Hotel.

Aziza!

On our next day, we toured a little farther. We first went to the ever famous Crocodile Farm. I've never been a fan of crocs (yes, even the shoes) so imagine how I scared I was during the whole hour. But I have to admit that I was so proud of myself for being able to HOLD one and even carry it during a short pictorial.

Hello!

These babies aren't at all cute! : X

The face says it all

We then went to the Mitras' ancestral home atop Bakers' Hill.

The Mitras

Bakers' Hill

After shopping and munching pastries at Bakers' Hill, we headed to Binuatan Creations were local products from PP can be bought.

Tried weaving and IT'S NOT EASY!!!!

On our third and last day, we did a quick visit to Honda Bay. After all, what's a trip to the most beautiful island in the world without experiencing the beach?

Obligatory jumpshot with the PP crew

Cos one isn't enough HAHA

Hihihi

And to cap off out short but sweet PP trip, we went to Kinabuch's to try the most exotic food in Palawan to have dinner.

A must when you're in PP

Crocodile sisig - not your usual pulutan

Tamilok, their specialty

Okay, it was a feat for me to try Tamilok (wood worm). I was really decided that I will try this one no matter what and luckily, I was able to force everyone in our group to do too. Haha! I was just so happy to be able to try this really unusual and exotic food. Something to tick off from my bucketlist! Anyway, the two aren't bad at all. The croc meat tasted and felt like chicken in the palate while tamilok felt and tasted like tahong - two things that aren't new to my taste. Tamilok was kind of hard to swallow though probably due to it's skin being so slippery *slurrrp*

Puerto Princesa indeed has a lot to offer and I wish we had more time to tour the place. Given a chance, I'd probably go back and visit the Underground River also.

Sakura in Korea

My favorite out-of-the-country trip so far has got to be my trip to South Korea last year. I'm no fan of K-Pop but I grew up watching Koreanovelas and using their beauty products so imagine my excitement when I booked a flight going there. Hehe! Not to forget, this is the first time that I went on a trip outside the country with my college barkada and Pao. So let me give you a rundown of my first spring experience in Seoul and other parts of South Korea.

I booked our flight more than a year before the actual flight. I'm pretty sure that you already know that this is how seat sales work. Our tickets costed a little less than P6,000.00, round-trip, and my PLANNED budget was supposedly P25,000.00, airfare included. I had no idea how much the cost of living there was and my stupid mistake is not asking my two companions who have been there before. To cut this long story short, I exceeded (But I made it through, don't worry hehehe).

Alex, Pao, Camille and I arrived there in the afternoon. We went straight to our booked hotel, 2nd Casa, before we went strolling around to explore Seoul.

The very modern Incheon airport

There's a train linking the airport to other stations

2nd Casa is near a lot of establishments and a train station

Our hotel room good enough for the 4 of us

After leaving our luggages at the hotel, we went straight to find Bukchon Village where we got lost. Haha! We found it hard to look for that one street so we ended up walking in circles when we got to the area.

No lunch yet but still giddy

We met this lady selling matcha pancakes near Bukchon.

After Bukchon Village, we went straight to Insadong to have a sumptuous Korean dinner and of course, to shop.

My favorite cuisine next to Japanese <3

HANGRY

One of the malls in Insadong

After shopping, we went straight to Dongdaemun to check its museum and the night market that ends before dawn.

Designed by Zaha Hadid

First

Streetfood time!

After shopping at Dongdaemun Night Market, we went back to our hotel to finally call it a day.

Our second day comprised of touring the Gyeongbukgong Palace, Eveland Theme Park, and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cams and A

Right after the changing of guards

The sea of tulips in Everland. AAAAHHHHH

Spring has got to be my favorite season now <3

Baby, this is what I came for

And boy, oh boy, this roller coaster did not disappoint.

It was already dark when we got there.

Our third day was solely dedicated for the activities outside Seoul. We went to The Garden of Morning Calm, Petit France and Nami Island.

Our hotel was too cute, I highly recommend it!

Garden of Morning Calm

Remember Love from Another Star? This is where they shot that iconic scene

This is probably what my house would look like when I'm old. Too shabby for my life <3

As soon as we landed in Nami Island, we treated ourselves to Korean bbq and samgyeupsal

Papasa na ba sa Koreanovela? :))

That famous array of trees

The Soul Sistahs

Our fourth day in Seoul was spent for SHOPPING. Remember when I wrote earlier that I got broke in my stay there? I had to borrow some USD from Edgarpoo just to sustain my need for shopping. Hahaha it was that bad and no, I don't have a credit card yet during this time, hence the utang.

We first went to Namsan Seoul Tower, then shopped at Nandaemun, Myeongdong and finally, watched the light show at Han River.

We brought our own locks, oha.

Too cute

I swear, these veggie pancakes are TDF

Myeongdong, the K-cosmetic haven

Han River at night.

On our fifth and last day, we chilled-out and strolled along Hongdae. We tried some cafes there, did a little shopping and went to the Trick Eye Museum.

The only time I was taller than him

My first HK Cafe experience

Food was soooo pricy tho

Hehehe OOTD

Our flight was in the evening so we still had time to go around Incheon airport. Luckily, we were able to find something to do - try wearing their tradition hanbok.

Hahahahahaha we look hilarious, I'm so sorry :))))

My first trip to Korea is definitely one for the books! It was my first time to experience spring, and also the first time I traveled with my friends. I can't wait to go back to do more shopping and spend a little more time strolling around the city. I promise to bring more money next time also hahaha! Can't wait to be back and who knows? I might just come back sooner than expected ;)

Check out our travel video below and watch it in HD :)

Korea 2015 from Lean Jess Dela Cruz on Vimeo.