Travel | Heart-2-Heart-Online.com

December 22, 2010

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Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

By Heart2Heart | Accomodations, Travel | One Comment

James gave me the best anniversary gift ever! He took me to Hong Kong and spent the weekend with me….and I could not ask for anything more. We were so happy to stay at the Mandarin Oriental. We wanted to try a different hotel and be in a different area and we loved it. And because it was our anniversary, they gave us an anniversary gift and upgraded us to a suite!! 🙂 I remember our first trip to Hong Kong when we were kids and we stayed in this hotel. So, I have plenty fond memories.

I love the christmas decor they had in the lobby

Our suite

with a beautiful and spacious bathroom!!!

Everything is remote controlled!

Many amenities

And that evening when we got back to our room, a bottle of champagne!!! Thank you Mandarin Oriental Hotel!

And night time goodies on the bed

I hope next time we can try the new Mandarin hotel at the Landmark!

Click here for Mandarin Oriental Website

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December 5, 2010

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Hot Spring Resort, Naga

By Heart2Heart | Nature, Spas, Travel | One Comment

When we arrived in the airport, I asked Brian our tour guide what other things there was to see in Naga aside from CWC. He mentioned the Hot Springs. I am so glad, Mom decided to push through with the trip!! We love hot springs!! 🙂 Heart2Heart loves nature!! There were not that many people so it was good for us. The place was very clean!

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December 5, 2010

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Devotion to the Peñafrancia

By Heart2Heart | Arts and Culture, Travel | One Comment

Last year, we visited the ( click below )

Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia, Naga September 9, 2009

This year, we were able to visit two other churches. One of the reasons Heart2Heart loves Naga is because there is something about the city, the people who are all so warm and hospitable and so respectful and kind. Is it because they are so religious an devoted to the Peñafrancia? I asked our tour guide Brian if the people are religious in Naga and his answer was, if you will notice in every greeting there is always the word “DIYOS” before the greeting. ” Diyos Marhay”

Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica

Thank you again to Allan Cu for arranging our visit with the bishop and we were able to visit the original Peñafrancia image.

Then the Basilica which is right beside it

You can touch the image of the Miraculous Lady who they call “Ina”

Dedicated to Tita Ina 🙂

There is a hole for you to put your arms in and touch the image from the back of the altar. Heart2Heart prayed for all viewers of Heart2Heart 🙂

Again another place to worship and pray

What beautiful churches they have!

Naga Cathedral

There is a museum beside the Cathedral, no photos really allowed

I should have bought this book!

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December 3, 2010

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Bigg’s Diner

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Great Achievements, Travel | 5 Comments

It was so nice to meet the family behind Bigg’s. We have been hearing many good things about it! Carlo Buenaflor is now running the business which his Mom, Tita Nye, started since 1983! Congratulations Carlo and more power to you and your venture! We are looking forward to your expansion plans especially in Manila!

Even if we were so full already, I made sure I tried Bigg’s before leaving Naga. So James and I went before going to the airport and tried a few dishes. Loved the place and loved the food. I wish hey open in Manila!

Chicken and spaghetti 🙂

Extreme burger and french fries

For Franchise information

For more information, go to their website and click below

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December 2, 2010

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Dinner at the Buenaflor’s

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | 10 Comments

It was so nice to have Pam join the family in Naga! And because of her, we met the Buenaflor family. We met one of her best friends who is also named Rica! 🙂

The Buenaflor family invited us over to their farm which is high on top of the mountain and unfortunately we missed the view as we arrived in the evening already and it was dark.

And to my surprise, Rica’s husband is Carlo Buenaflor who I used to work with in Rustan’s long ago when he was still a teenager! Carlo was a Rustan’s YOUNG VIP model!! And I can’t believe that now he has grown so much and is happily married with 5 children!

Thank you Tito Jake and Tita Nye for inviting us to your home!

What a unique dinner we had which they prepared for us! This was our dining table

The plates

and the food!!

We used our hands, but in case of emergency!!!

And the five kids of Carlo and Rica

Happy Birthday Max!!!

And they even had a bonfire for the kids!! What FUN!

Carlo set up some music in the garden 🙂

and the kids enjoying the marshmallows

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December 1, 2010

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CWC Lakeside Massage

By Heart2Heart | Spas, Travel | No Comments

The kids wanted to go to CWC ( Previous entry : CWC September 11, 2009 ) to wakeboard and swim while we went to try the massage! Thanks to Dad and Mom for babysitting the kids always for us so we have time to do things on our own 🙂

From the main area of the wakeboarding, go towards the huts

The In Room rates are for massage service in your own room – in the nearby cottages/accomodations

These are the huts, we were shy so we had the curtains closed, though others keep theirs open. It was okay, no frills just plain, simple massage and just relax and enjoy the breeze

View from the massage tables

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December 1, 2010

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Chef Doy’s, Naga

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

We finally got to eat in Chef Doy’s! Sooooo…. YUMMY! Last year, there was a brownout and we could not eat in the place.

Chef Doy’s and Grissini September 9, 2009

Again, very convenient and nearby Avenue Plaza Hotel and right across Starbucks.

Here he is! 🙂 Very young and already very successful! He is so soft spoken and humble. Dad is so fond of him and insists that he looks like my cousin, Gippy! So Gips, this is dedicated to you from Dad! 🙂

Batang Batang Pusit

Pininyahang Manok

Barbeque Rice

Crispy Tadyang

Adobo rice

Guisadong Pansit Bato

Sizzling Bangus sisig

Lechon Kawali

I missed the leche flan which I heard was really good-

Turron

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November 30, 2010

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Dining at Avenue Plaza Hotel, Cafe Plazuela

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

The evening we arrived, Allan prepared a wonderful meal for us which we truly enjoyed. We are so happy we don’t really have to go out of the hotel to have good food in Naga!! Thank you again Allan!

Wow, the waiters even paraded to serve the main dish 🙂

Food from Bicol which had gata in them – prawn and crab

We also had our last meal in the hotel

Bolognese

Amatriciana

Fried Mozzarella Sandwich

Bagnet ala Bikol Express

Pan Seared Salmon with mango cream sauce and balsamic reduction

Spicy Blissful Bangus Belly

Pepperoni Pizza

Five Cheese Pizza

Gamberoni

The Chef behind the great food at the hotel

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November 29, 2010

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Avenue Plaza Hotel the Second Time Around

By Heart2Heart | Travel | No Comments

We were so happy to go back to Naga for the second time. Of course we choose only to stay at Avenue Plaza Hotel.

Avenue Plaza Hotel, Naga September 7, 2009

We were so happy to meet the owner, Allan Cu, who took care of us very very well during our whole stay. Thank you Allan to you and your family for your warm reception and kind hospitality

Friendly staff all over the hotel

We loved the room they gave us! It’s just so ironic everytime that we never get to appreciate the hotel room because we are always busy going somewhere and exploring outside the hotel. I wish I could have actually cooked in the room!:-) The evening we arrived, there were two earthquakes! It is a good thing the hotel is not so high!