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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My Azta Experience



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...We arrived Manila at 9:00am after our honeymoon. We thought it was too early to go home so we decided to have breakfast in Mcdo Eastwood. And since I'm already at Eastwood, Aldrin suggested I have my hair done.

I called Azta at around 10am and told me that they will open at 11am. I also asked for the highly recommended Andy but he will arrive at the salon at 1pm. I couldn't wait that longer. I was almost tired from the trip. I asked for a senior stylist and good thing they have one available. I think his name is Jorjie or Jojie.. I honestly forgot.

before

It was Zey/Zay who washed and shampoo-ed my hair.

after the shampoo

Then the senior stylist selected my hair color. He had a disclaimer though. He told me I will be paying more than the usual fee because they will be doubling the hair color because my hair was so thick. I wasn't shocked. It was the usual disclaimer I get everytime I go to salons. They used L'oreal... not the INOA though.

Zey served me a hot tea as per my request. But too bad he did not give me my massage. Boo! After the color settled in, the stylist had to add textured layers with my thick hair.

Here's the result.


How d'ya like it?

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Birthday Celebration on our Honeymoon



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...The second day of our honeymoon is also my husband's birthday. He turned 31! We spent the whole day relaxing and we did not forget to have fun. Unfortunately, hanging Amihan was very strong that day and Aldrin couldn't get to try on windsurfing since all aqua sports were suspended until the weather was clear.

continuation...
I went back from my jog to wake the birthday boy up to and this is what greeted him on our balcony...


 I kissed him thrice. One for a good morning, the second one as a birthday kiss and third, just because I love to kiss him.

The birthday boy was hungry so we had a buffet breakfast.

 my food
 his food... first plate
 his unlimited brewed coffee
 i feasted on this

We stayed indoor for our breakfast because of the strong winds. And while we were eating our food, there goes another surprise...
 "be, look! there's a rainbow just behind your back!"
 God's birthday gift to Aldrin
of course, we have to take our picture with the rainbow

And then we swam, relaxed and took pictures the whole morning and afternoon.

 this one is adjacent to our rooms and hallway
 fresh buko juice at the infinity pool. so freakin' cold!
 we just took photos. aqua sports not allowed yet.
 the hobbie cat
 and i'm at it again
 Aldrin, the pavilion deck and the cliff villa
 Aldrin took this shot from the beach
while waiting for our cart
 the lap pool
with Mt. Malindig at the background

After we swam, the birthday boy wanted to have a bubble bath and so I obliged. After the bath, we watched DVD's again and took a short nap before having our dinner.

the soak for his bubble bath
my dinner
his dinner.... first plate
my dessert.. i love the tarts and the chocolate cake
birthday dinner
nightcap with his coffee
while looking at him sipping his coffee and smoking
the stairs to our room

February 6, 5am
We woke up early to pack our things. The staff are getting our luggage at 5:30am for an early check in at the airport.  Our flight is at 8:30am so we have to leave the island at 6:00am. Since Aldrin and I ran out of time, we didn't have breakfast anymore at the hotel. I, instead, bought some cup noodles at the airport.
our last room picture before we checked out

goodbye, Bellarocca!
on the speedboat leaving the island
sunrise at 6:30am

The whole experiencing was fun. I admit at first I was apprehensive of this vacation. It is  because I am so used to backpacking travels minus the posh accomodation and hotel services. I always go for the cheap, non aircon rooms and always buy food outside to take on every variety. On my travels, I am usually on the go, with 4-6 hours sleep but just wander around, learn the culture and language or dialect. I always end up being tired or having a sore body everytime I travel. But this is just different. This was total relaxation with first class service at its finest. There were hours when I just cuddled up in the bed and watch movies until I sleep. I was relaxed, had the time to meditate and calm all throughout my stay. The price that we paid for is totally worth it. I was rejuvinated. 

Honeymoon, at last....



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...Yep, you heard it right. It's been almost 14 months since our wedding and we just had our honeymoon. Aldrin and I are very busy people. At the time of our wedding in 2009, I already  have my schedule of trips for 2010. I cannot personally squeeze in such honey-mooney dates and trips. Then last September, we finally made an itinerary for our Malaysia-Singapore backpacking trip for 5 days. But for some reason, Bellarocca came in to our minds and we just simply booked it. Although the price of Bellarocca equates to the price of our week long Asian travel, we are sure we couldn't pass on this even if we just opted for a 3 days/ 2 nights relaxation and detox vacation. Pre-wedding days, I have been staring at Bellarocca's website because I know it's a lovely place. But at that time, I know we couldn't afford it yet because we have to pay other wedding expenses. And who would have thought that we would eventually have our honeymoon here? It really pays to wait.

February 4, 8am
The downside of this trip is my fear of riding planes. Especially if it's a 60-seater prop plane. Ugh! Good thing the trip is just 30 minutes long and I thank God for a safe and smooth flight including take off and landing.


not liking this prop plane
At Marinduque airport, the staff greeted us. They gave us cold towels and Wilkins water. They took care of our luggage, by the way, which was really a great help. We hopped in to a van and drove 45 minutes to get to the foot of Mt. Malindig.

the driver and a staff, Wella.
gotta put the life vest on

From the beach, we rode Bellarocca's speedboat for 5 minutes. Again, I was just holding my hand bag.

The managers (I think they are also the stockholders) greeted us at their port area. Another group of staff were singing and dancing a local song with matching throwing of flower petals all over. Guess what, we have lei's too! We rode their golf cart going up to their reception area and to our rooms.


the sing and dance crew
golf cart ride going up
this is their lobby mirror

When we checked out our rooms, whoah!!! It was very pretty... and spacious!!!!! I instantly fell in love with it. We checked out our balcony and we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Malindig.

the welcome chocolates
our bed
the bathroom
our balcony

the welcome letter

I, then, took a shower for our lunch and for our private tour on the island. All I can say is, thank you L'occitane! : )

l'occitane products
 our favorite spot
 my brunch
 his brunch... first plate
Mt. Malindig as backdrop

It took us about an hour for the island tour. We visited the tea house, the meditation area, the other villas and guest houses (including the villa that Derek Ramsay and his family stayed in). 


 the lap pool
 the pavilion
 the dock
 the meditation area
 Villa: Zeus, where Derek's family stayed
 guard house
 pavilion viewing deck
 the beehive couch


After the island tour, we went to the game room. We borrowed some DVD's and played billiards too!  Aldrin also found a friend.


 billiards time
fussball with a friend
Too bad, I was exhausted on that day that I dozed off and left Aldrin hungry the entire night. He didn't want to have dinner all by himself so he decided to stay with me in the room while I was sleeping. And knowing my husband, he's a picky eater so he didn't like the chips, the cup noodles, cookies and other food from the bar. He wanted the real food but sucks for him, I chose sleeping over eating.

February 5, 6:30am
Happy Birthday, dearest hubby! But the birthday boy is still sleeping. So I put my running shoes on and jogged through the entire island. The staff and other managers were surprised to see me running their vicinity so early. I saw Bellarocca at work; staff arriving in the island (yes, they do not stay in the resort. They commute everyday), food, vegetables and other supplies being delivered, managers talking to street sweepers, and guards on formation.


 the viewing deck. 400 steps
 the guest house. with 5 bedrooms
 the tea house
 the meditation room
 helipad
 running down the steep hill at 45 degrees angle
 sunrise at the pavilion
 the majestic volcano
 delivering goods in the morning
 the pavilion from the docking area
 the scenery is sooo calming
 i couldn't get enough of the view
 the jacuzzi area
feeling the sunrise

I had the healthiest jogs ever. For one, I got to breathe fresh air. Second, while jogging, I took the opportunity to take pictures of the island. Third, I saw some majestic scenes: sunrise on the east and clouds eating up the crater of Mt. Malindig. And oh, I heard birds singing too! And I saw a lot more surprises... I'll tell more about it later.