Disappointing Paris

I know i haven't been able to update my blog for weeks now. I haven't been in one place for a week since our Europe trip.

Many of you may know that i've been dreaming of going to Paris since forever! But when i got there it wasn't what i expected Paris to be.

•Fashion capital
I expected that Paris would be all glamourous since it's the fashion capital of the world but no its not. Maybe Paris is the home of many famous designers but the people don't dress up i think japanese and koreans are more fashionable.

•NOT tourist friendly
I don't know where to start but the people not only in Paris but most of the European countries are outright RUDE. Here in the Philippines we are courteous and hospitable but in most of the European countries they really discriminate Asians. They don't care that tourism is one of the source of their income.

•Subway
Sometimes when i ride the lrt/mrt i detest the gaurds checking bags, but when i saw the subway of Paris, thank god there are security gaurds in our mrt/lrt! The subway of Paris is full of vandals and no one will stop you even if you ride the train with a bottle of alcohol and drunk to the point that you can't walk.

•Pickpockets
I know the Philippines have its share of thief's but during our 15 days tour we experienced 2 pickpocket encounter. The first one is in Venice, my aunt's wallet with money and passport inside got stolen. They even chase the robbers and shouted for the police but no one help them. The second one is in the subway in Paris. Good thing that most of us are not carrying bags but one of our tourmate's saw that her bag is being opened.
The shocking thing is they (robbers) are all women and are very young.

Maybe I just saw the ugly side of Paris but i'm very thankful that i'm living here in the Philippines!
-Che

Photo journal of Rome and Vatican

A Day in Rome

We arrived at around 9 o'clock in the morning here in Rome, around 3 in the afternoon in the Philippines. We got a little behind schedule because 3 of our tour mates' luggage are missing, because of the one our delay in our manila-hongkong flight their baggage was left behind.

Tip: always keep a few clothes in your hand carry luggage so if this happened you still have a few clothes to wear.

After arranging with the airport on the delivery of their luggage when it arrive, we proceed with our tour in Rome and Vatican. We visited the st. Mary major where the real mary perpetual is located. We then visited the scala santa where the is a a staircase made of wood that people climb kneeling down.(well i didn't do it). We also visited the famous colosseum despite the rain we pushed through, took a few pictures and headed back to our bus.

Tip: 1 day is not enough to see all the beauty of Rome

We had our lunch at Papa rex, we are greeted by a "swiss" soldier.

This is our appetizer.

And our main course, Pizza Margarita. Where one person is given one whole pizza to eat.(well i just ate half of mine though it's very delicious unlike the pizza's in our country where it is always sweet.

After lunch, we walked towards the magnificent Trevi fountain where we would throw coins with your back at the fountain, you hold the coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder. (there are tons of people coz of the holiday but it is still worth it.)

I was shocked to see a lot of people falling in line outside the Vstican musseum and i was told that these are the people who don't have reservations but they are hoping to see the beutiful art presserved inside the musseum.

The sistine chapel is a small place with the amazing paintings of Leonardo De Vinci when he was in his 30's (ceiling) and when he was in his 60's (the last judgement).

After dinner at a chinese restaurant and a peek at the spanish steps we headed to our "4 star" hotel Novo Domus where there is an elevator fitted to carry 2 people and their luggage. I checked this place in the internet and it is not bad and it's newly renovated. This is their "newly renovated" hotel room.

 

We don't even have a telephone at the room and our wake up call is a knock on the door. There is no "free wifi" unlike what they say in the internet. No aircondition for us so our windows are open. The good thing is we only stayed over night!

This day is a little bit disappointing with all the "hurry, hurry" that we weren't able to take good photos of the Vatican plus the scrappy hotel. The good side is, Rome is pretty amazing with it's amazing architecture and art. Ciao!
-Che

Ready for Europe!:)

As many of you may know I'll be going on a vacation tom.:)

I want to share the things that i bought especially for this trip.

1. Luggage
-Samsonite
-B-lite
-Pinkish
-3.8kg
-Large

 

This is my new luggage it's very light for a large. The downside is there is a possibility that you may pack a little too much and exceed your baggage weight limit.

2. Comfortable shoes

-Keds

-Jeans color

Since many of you may know, I don't wear rubber shoes and i hate wearing closed shoes but when i saw these shoes i fell in love with it and its really comfortable.  

3. Sketchpad and color pencils

While waiting for our connection flight i can draw some of the designs that i thought of.:) and Europe has a very beautiful architecture that could serve as my inspiration.<3

Here are my first few drawings in my new sketch pad!

 

*all the photos are captured using my new ipad!

Few more hours and i'll be in Rome! Chao!

-Che

Trip to Antipolo

This weekend my friends and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary since our trip to Taiwan where we 1st get to know each other.
They decided to have the annual outing at Antipolo, we visited the famous church where motorist have there car's blessed.
We also visited Pacem eco-park.
There are different kinds of animals and plants. There is also a mini shell and butterfly museum.

Caterpilar before it blooms to a beautiful butterfly

Tip: Before entering the eco park you have to put on off lotion or wear pants so that you wouldn't get bitten by mosquitos and ants.

We had lunch at the Crescent moon cafe, you need a reservation (though i don't see the point since there's almost no one eating at the restaurant). But don't get me wrong, the food is delicious especially the pumpkin soup with coconut meat.

We stayed at mmldc the room is pretty big, i think there are 12 beds in the room that we stayed and the bathroom is pretty big, 4 showers and 4 toilet seats.

Of course we have to dine at the famous padi's point over looking the whole city of antipolo(if i'm not mistaken). Though the service is pretty bad(we have to wait for a long to before our food arrives)


The next day we visited the falls ( Hinulugang taktak)

 

Look at how black tha water is and there are trash everywhere

It's been a weekend spent with nature and I have to say the Philippines is really an amazing place full of beautiful tourist spots but we somehow manage to turn this beautiful places into a dirty and stinky place. We must learn to preserve the natural beauty that our country have.

-Che

Playing with colors

Yesterday, we are taught how to use watercolor to put life into our sketches. We use Prang professional watercolor that is around 300php

It has 16 different colors.

We also have 3 extra brushes, i bought Berkley 6, 2 and 0. You'll be shocked that there are brushes that cost around 200php a piece.

This is what i made.

And this is what my prof (John Herrera) made. Look at the difference!!

Tip: The flesh color is achieve by mixing yellow orange with white and the right amount of water.

Clearly I still got a long way to go before perfecting this craft. Jia yo!

-Che

My new baby!:)

This just made my made!:) I received an important package today.:) Actually I didn't expect it to arrive today, 'coz when i ordered it last sunday they said that i would receive it after 2 weeks. So I was really shocked when they called me 2 hours ago that it's here!

Guess what's inside....



Fine

I

Can't

wait

either!:)

 

Yey! my new ipad!:) I'm not really a techie kind of person and i rarely change my gadgets, the last time i bought one was almost 2-3 years ago. When apple launched the new ipad, i don't know what gotten into me i want it so badly!!!

My contact shipped it from Singapore 'coz as we all know the apple stores here in the country are the last ones to receive the new ipad.

Look what's inside!! my new pad. I happen to have this weird habit of naming my gadgets.:) my itouch is named Ethan and since my new pad is so white i've got to name her Snow!:)

I don't know what more can i say, I'm just too damn happy right now!

-Che