Category Archives: Travel

Lunch at the Aman Villa

By | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

After the tour, we are hungry again 🙂 My dream is to have a real chef in the house to cook all the meals and wow we had a good one here at the villa 

lunch-at-the-villa-2.JPG

We ate outdoors this time 

lunch-at-the-villa-1.JPG

I can’t stop staring at this view 🙂 

lunch-at-the-villa-23.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-24.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-13.jpg

Fresh buko juice! YUMMY! 

lunch-at-the-villa-3.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-15.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-16.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-17.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-18.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-19.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-20.JPG46473_501537293212726_1358207397_n.jpg

Our lunch spread

lunch-at-the-villa-5.JPG

Everything was so good!!!!   

lunch-at-the-villa-6.JPG

Philly Cheesesteak using Bryan Flannery beef 

lunch-at-the-villa-7.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-8.JPG

Spanish Torta ( with red peppers and tomato ) and Tortilla de Patata with Caramelized onions

lunch-at-the-villa-9.JPGlunch-at-the-villa-12.JPG

Fiduea Noodles with Chorizo and Scallops – Super YUM! 

lunch-at-the-villa-10.JPG

Mixed green salad with Feta Cheese and Olives on the side 

lunch-at-the-villa-11.JPG

And a special dessert is always made for Jerome – Chocolate Bouchons with Vanilla Ice Cream and Toasted Walnuts 

dsc_8882.JPGdsc_8893.JPG

After lunch, we just hang around the villa.  No reason to leave the villa

dsc_8595.JPGdsc_8999.JPGdsc_9044.JPGdsc_8599.JPGdsc_8605.JPGdsc_9001.JPG

He gets a photo for wearing a Villebrequin – Available at Rustan’s! Free advertisment 🙂

dsc_9037.jpg

Swimming till before dinner.  I love the beautiful capiz candleholders they put around the pool area.  They are available for sale at the Clubhouse shop

dsc_8762.JPGdsc_8759.JPG

Nice music Thanks to Jigger

dsc_8765.JPG

[email_link]

Touring Amanpulo

By | Travel | No Comments

After breakfast we wanted to see the resort and compare it to how it was 12 years ago.  Though there are bikes in the villa 

touring-the-resort-3.JPG

We decided to take the golf cart instead 🙂  

touring-the-resort-2.JPGtouring-the-resort-1.JPG

We went to almost every place in the island 

touring-the-resort-4.JPG

Tree top casitas  

touring-the-resort-5.JPG

More casitas 

touring-the-resort-6.JPGtouring-the-resort-7.JPG

We wanted to see the clubhouse because that was where we used to hang out before and meet everyone.  It’s still the same from years ago.  Everywhere in the island is peaceful.  It was a weekday plus there are only around 40 casitas so it will definitely not be a crowded resort.  We practically had the whole resort to ourselves 

touring-the-resort-8.JPGaman-clubhouse.jpg

touring-the-resort-9.JPGtouring-the-resort-10.JPGtouring-the-resort-23.JPGtouring-the-resort-12.JPGtouring-the-resort-11.JPGtouring-the-resort-13.JPGtouring-the-resort-14.JPG

Many beautiful things at the gift shop

touring-the-resort-15.JPGtouring-the-resort-22.JPGtouring-the-resort-16.JPG

Love these capiz candleholders

touring-the-resort-17.JPG

The library 

touring-the-resort-18.JPGtouring-the-resort-19.JPGtouring-the-resort-20.JPGtouring-the-resort-21.JPGtouring-the-resort-24.JPGtouring-the-resort-25.JPGtouring-the-resort-27.JPG

You can have private functions here at the West Villa Club house 

touring-the-resort-26.JPG

A big function room and a pool 

touring-the-resort-28.JPG

Kids lounge

touring-the-resort-29.JPGtouring-the-resort-30.JPGtouring-the-resort-31.JPG

Tennis courts – there are two and this is one of them 

touring-the-resort-32.JPG

Headed to my favorite part of the resort 🙂 

touring-the-resort-33.JPGtouring-the-resort-39.JPGaman-spa.jpgtouring-the-resort-34.JPGtouring-the-resort-41.JPG

The view from the spa is the airport strip and more water and islands

touring-the-resort-42.JPGtouring-the-resort-55.JPGtouring-the-resort-58.JPG

Lindy and Carmina booking their spa 

touring-the-resort-56.JPGtouring-the-resort-43.JPGtouring-the-resort-48.JPG

There are spa villas so you have your own private room with a nice view

touring-the-resort-49.JPGtouring-the-resort-50.JPG

Salon 

touring-the-resort-44.JPGtouring-the-resort-45.JPGtouring-the-resort-46.JPGtouring-the-resort-47.JPG

Beautiful gym 

touring-the-resort-35.JPGtouring-the-resort-36.JPGtouring-the-resort-37.JPGtouring-the-resort-38.JPGtouring-the-resort-40.JPGtouring-the-resort-51.JPGtouring-the-resort-52.JPG

Jerome trying to stretch 🙂

touring-the-resort-53.JPG

Pilates

touring-the-resort-54.JPGtouring-the-resort-60.JPG

The other tennis court 

touring-the-resort-61.JPG

The Beach Club

dsc_8464.JPGdsc_8465.JPGdsc_8466.JPGdsc_8469.JPGdsc_8470.JPGdsc_8472.JPGdsc_8474.JPGdsc_8477.JPGdsc_8481.JPGdsc_8483.JPGdsc_8485.JPG

[email_link]

Breakfast at the Aman Villa

By | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

Everyone wakes up at their own time, so breakfast is also at your own pace

452_444735145562283_1575683759_n.jpgbreakfast-at-the-villa-12.JPG

Homemade yogurt with cereals, Soy milk, fresh milk and orange juice

breakfast-at-the-villa-1.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-2.JPG

Fresh fruits from Davao brought by Raffy and Camrina

breakfast-at-the-villa-3.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-4.jpgdsc_8902.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-6.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-5.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-7.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-8.JPG

And James wanted to brag about his Hobb’s bacon so he brought so much! We had this everyday for 3 breakfasts 🙂

Previous entry:  Should you Eat That Bacon December 12, 2012 

breakfast-at-the-villa-13.JPGbreakfast-at-the-villa-9.JPG

Homemade bacon from the island which I wanted to try

breakfast-at-the-villa-14.JPG

Steve and Jigger are the healthy ones who eat grilled chicken sandwich

breakfast-at-the-villa-17.JPG

Jacques Torres Hot cocoa

breakfast-at-the-villa-10.JPG

At around 11am everyone is complete!  and looking forward to LUNCH! 🙂

breakfast-at-the-villa-11.JPG

It rained the next morning for breakfast 

breakfast-at-the-villa-15.JPG

So we were ready to stay in and watch DVD!  but eventually it stopped

breakfast-at-the-villa-16.JPG

Villa Breakfast Dining Menu

 dsc_8880.JPG

[email_link]

Dinner at the Aman Villa by Chef Miguel Pengson

By | Foodie, Travel | 2 Comments

Each Villa has it’s own kitchen that is air-conditioned ( take note 🙂 )

Our chefs!  We were so lucky!  And you will see soon how we ate so well 🙂 

The hired private chef of the villa is Chef Miguel but sometimes other chefs help each other when they are not busy in their own villas.  

Normally you are not allowed to bring food to the resort, but if you own a villa, you can bring food and ingredients to consume.  Since we were overweight we had to prioritize the ingredients for dinner that day

 Living room beside the dining room

It was so nice to come home to a wonderful dinner!  I could stay here forever 🙂  

dinner-at-the-villa-5.JPGdinner-at-the-villa-6.JPG

Duck Consomme with Foie Gras Dumpling

Rocket Arugula with Davao Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Dried Blueberries in Citrus Dressing – Raffy and Carmina brought the cheese from Malagos

We contributed the Bryan Flannery rib eyes – Grilled Rib Eye with creamed spinach, wasabi mash and roasted tomatoes – the wasabi mash was so good!!

Plus one Bryan Flannery dry Aged Porterhouse which was really really good

Liquid Chocolate Cake with Coconut Ice Cream  

dinner-at-the-villa-18.JPG

The gang!  We stayed here for four hours! Just eating and talking and eating and munching 🙂

dinner-at-the-villa-17.JPG

Don Papa made it to the first trip! 🙂

In this villa there is an organic garden!  I took day shots so it would be clearer.  This is right beside the kitchen and the staff quarters

Menus for Villa Dining

 dsc_8888.JPGdsc_8890.JPGdsc_8892.JPG

[email_link]

Casitas in the Aman Villa

By | Accomodations, Proud to be Pinoy!, Travel | No Comments

There are 4 Casitas to a villa surrounding the main pool.  All 4 casitas are more or less equal in size and all have the same interiors.  All the structures on the island are designed by Architect Bobby Mañosa

This was where we stayed

Outdoor balcony around the casita

Another casita near the pool

casitas-in-the-villa-10.JPGaman-villa-photos1.jpg

casitas-in-the-villa-7.JPGcasitas-in-the-villa-8.JPG

Our nightly presents

dsc_8871.JPGdsc_8877.JPGdsc_9337.JPG

[email_link]

Arriving at the Aman Villa

By | Accomodations, Proud to be Pinoy!, Travel | No Comments

Each casita is assigned a golf cart so straight from the plane, you take your own golf cart to your casita or they can also drive you 🙂  

arriving-at-the-villa-1.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-2.JPG

The last time we came, we stayed in a Casita.  This time was a new experience for us since we stayed in a villa.  

aman-villas-amanpulo.jpg

The Villas are on the opposite side of the main beach so it has it’s own beach front hence more private.  There are only seven villas on the island.  These are villas owned by private individuals but can be rented out by the owners when they are not in use.  All of the villas look the same and have the same features to keep it standard and easier to maintain.  You can rent these villas and it will be perfect for a big group of friends or a family.  Though you have the option of renting 1 Bedroom Villa, 2 Bedroom Villa or 4 Bedroom villa.  It’s more economical to rent all 4 together 🙂

amanpulo-villas-photo.jpgaman-villas-1.jpg

Though the casitas and amenities are standard- there are still some unique features like not all entrances are the same.  It depends on the shape of the lot.  This is Villa 5

arriving-at-the-villa-3.JPG

We were welcomed by the private chef of the Villa! Chef Miguel Pengson.  He is the brother of Chef Rob Pengson of The Goose Station.  So you can imagine the talent 🙂  

arriving-at-the-villa-4.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-5.JPG

 pool-villa.jpgarriving-at-the-villa-6.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-7.JPG

Opposite view facing the main terrace

arriving-at-the-villa-20.JPG

Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing – for bringing us friends together on this wonderful island – to spend time together

group-shot-aman-villa.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-11.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-21.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-10.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-12.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-22.JPGvilla-setting-aman.jpgarriving-at-the-villa-23.JPG

From the pool, walk down further and you will see this path

arriving-at-the-villa-8.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-9.JPG

Which leads to your beach!!!!!

arriving-at-the-villa-13.JPGarriving-at-the-villa-19.JPG

There are several sun beds 

arriving-at-the-villa-14.JPG

And because there are only 7 villas, you feel you have the beach to yourself!!!  A perfect hideaway and a place to get away from it all! BEAUTIFUL!! Only an hour away from Manila!!

To the right

arriving-at-the-villa-15.JPG

To the left

arriving-at-the-villa-17.JPG

We were so happy to have Jerome visiting Manila!!  A perfect way to spend time with good friends!!!  

arriving-at-the-villa-16.JPG

From the beach this is your view leading to the villa – it seems like there is nothing behind – so that is how private it is

arriving-at-the-villa-18.JPGaman-sales-and-reservations.jpg

[email_link]

Back in Amanpulo

By | Bridal, Travel | 2 Comments

It’s been more than ten years since we were last in Amanpulo!  We were so excited to be back.  The last time we were there, Howard Behar was with us 🙂

aman-wedding-in-2001-4.JPG

And I was the first ( and maybe the only one ) to catch a fish while we were boating

aman-wedding-in-2001-5.JPG

My two sons were still so young then 1 year old and 6 years old

aman-wedding-in-2001-2.JPG

We were there mainly for the wedding of my brother, Noey.  And here he is with his entourage – Jaime and Javier and Danni and Gabbi

 aman-wedding-in-2001-8.JPG

Jaime and Bruce as ring bearers

aman-wedding-in-2001-6.JPG

And Miguel Fabie as official photographer! I miss Miguel and he will always have a special place in all our hearts 

aman-wedding-in-2001-7.JPG

Beautiful venue for the wedding ceremony! 

aman-wedding-in-2001-10.JPG

My two boys 

aman-wedding-in-2001-9.JPGaman-wedding-in-2001-11.JPGaman-wedding-in-2001-14.JPGaman-wedding-in-2001-12.JPG

The couple – Noey and Krie being wed by Father ( now Monsigñor ) Chito Bernardo 

aman-wedding-in-2001-13.JPG

My other photo of Miguel 

aman-wedding-in-2001-15.JPG

This is how we flew back then and I can remember the bumpy ride going back! Yikes! 🙂 

aman-wedding-in-2001-16.JPG

Twelve years after we are going back! 

trip-to-amanpulo-1.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-2.JPG

Oh my, I always check on our plane to see how small is small! 🙂  Definitely much better than the 8 seater we took before, so this is good 🙂 

trip-to-amanpulo-4.JPG

Waiting lounge 

trip-to-amanpulo-5.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-3.JPG

With some pastries, coffee and tea 

trip-to-amanpulo-8.JPG

All our luggage!! 

trip-to-amanpulo-6.JPG

Figuring out which one we have to leave!! 🙂  You are allowed 20 kilos each  

trip-to-amanpulo-7.JPG

Sam getting Don Papa and offering to leave Don Papa Rum but of course Don Papa eventually made it 🙂 

trip-to-amanpulo-9.JPG

All the stuff we left!  We were 160 kilos overweight haha!!  

trip-to-amanpulo-10.jpg

Before going on board 

trip-to-amanpulo-11.JPG

Beautiful scenery from above.  Good thing we do not go too high and I can still see the ground 🙂 

trip-to-amanpulo-12.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-13.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-14.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-15.JPG

In the pocket of the plane 

trip-to-amanpulo-16.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-17.JPG

The gang loking at the smoke coming out of the aircon 🙂 Happy to be with the gang on the plane- makes my fears all go away 

trip-to-amanpulo-18.JPG

After an hour and ten minutes, we arrive!!! 

trip-to-amanpulo-19.JPGamanulo-destination.jpgamanpulo-island.jpg

Our golf carts await our arrival 

trip-to-amanpulo-20.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-21.JPG

The wife of the General Manager was there to welcome us 

trip-to-amanpulo-22.JPGtrip-to-amanpulo-23.JPG

His Excellency, Jigger 🙂 

trip-to-amanpulo-25.JPG

Always thankful to the Lord for a safe trip! 

trip-to-amanpulo-26.JPG

Click below to go to their website

philippines-scuba-diving-philippines-luxury-beach-resort-amanpulo-an-aman-resort-home-20130602.jpg

[email_link]

FILTER