TRIP TO BAGUIO

Cold breeze, calm weather, endless blooms of flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, cozy inns, homegrown restaurants and smiling faces...this best describes Dankey's favorite vacation destination, "Philippines' Summer Capital"-Baguio City.

Dankey takes pleasure in cool and fresh air

at the Manor Hotel 

The cold weather and breath taking spots of Baguio City makes it very appealing to local and foreign tourists.

breathtaking view of Cordillera mountain ranges

Baguio City features a subtropical highland climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city is known for its mild climate. It is because of this that Baguio is nicknamed the "Summer Capital of the Philippines".

Camp John Hay Manor Hotel- home of an outstanding 18 hole golf course.

Owing to its high elevation, the temperature in the city is 8 degrees Celsius lower compared to the average temperature of the rest of the country. Average temperature ranges from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius. It is usually lower during the late and early months of the year. The lowest recorded temperature was 6.3 degrees Celsius on January 18, 1961. This is in contrast to the all-time high of 30.4 degrees Celsius recorded on March 15, 1988 during the 1988 El Niño season. Baguio seldom exceeds 26 degrees Celsius even during the warmest part of the year.

crisp clean air and lush surroundings of Baguio

rustic landscapes

Baguio City is located some 1,500 meters above sea level, nestled within the Cordillera Central mountain range in northern Luzon. The city is enclosed by the province of Benguet. It covers a small area of 57.5 square kilometers. Most of the developed part of the city is built on uneven, hilly terrain of the northern section. It is the highest major Philippine city in terms of elevation.

Dankey's favorite spot

Like many other cities with a subtropical highland climate, Baguio sees noticeably less precipitation during its dry season. However, the city has an extraordinary amount of precipitation during the rainy season, with the months of July and August having on average more than 1,000 mm of rain. Baguio averages over 4500 mm of precipitation annually.

 sniffing blooming Hydrangeas

Many foreigners visit the place during February because it is the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival or Flower Festival is held. For those who want to visit the city during these times, they are advised to book in hotels in Baguio in advance to ensure your cool and relaxing stay in the city.
You'll see more of Dankey's adventures in Baguio soon...



sources: Wikepedia

A BEARY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Hi Jerry and Ben!!! Here's Dankey's Beary Spooky Halloween Costume for this year, hope you'll like it...Awwoooooooooooooooooooooohhhhh....

thanks to my ever dependable artist, sir Zaldy for helping me out...

Have a Spooky Halloween everyone!!!!

STARBUCKS...STARBUCKS...

To make a journey complete, Dankey would always visit his most favored haven…STARBUCKS…

After the plane had landed to Macau and the hotel accommodation was settled the first place Dankey visited was of course…Starbucks!!!

It is located in one of the busiest tourist spots in Macau, Senado Square. The store has two floors, big enough to accommodate their regular customers and tourists.

The second floor is very spacious and relaxing with the very distinct homey ambience, perfect place to rest the aching feet of local and foreign tourists and backpackers. Dankey relaxed in the cozy couch while sipping his cold orange juice and eating the famous “egg tart” of Macau.

Why were egg tarts in Macau so famous? Where did it originate?

Portuguese egg tarts were evolved from "pastel de nata", a traditional Portuguese custard pastry that consists of custard in a crème brûlée-like consistency caramelized in a puff pastry case. It was created more than 200 years ago by Catholic Sisters at Jerónimos Monastery (Portuguese:Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) at Belém in Lisbon. Casa Pastéis de Belém was the first pastry shop outside of the convent to sell this pastry in 1837. It is now a popular pastry in every pastry shop around the world owned by Portuguese descendants.

Custard tarts were introduced in Hong Kong in the 1940s by cha chaan tengs. They were then introduced in western cafes and bakeries to compete with dim sum restaurants, particularly foryum cha. During the economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s, Lu Yu took the lead with the mini-egg tart. Ironically, mini egg tarts are now a common dim sum dish and are richer than those served in bakeries.

One theory suggests Hong Kong egg tarts are an adaptation of English tarts with custard filling. Guangdong had more frequent contact with the West, in particular Britain, than the rest of China. As a former British colony, Hong Kong adopted some British Cuisine. Another theory suggests that egg tarts evolved from the very similar Portuguese egg tart pastries, known as pastel de nata, traveling to Hong Kong via the Portuguese colony of Macau.

Dankey loved the taste of Macau's Portuguese tarts,hmmmm..yummy...how he wished to bring it all home. Here in the Philippines, Dankey's favorite local pastry is Ensaymada, a soft bread with margarine, cheeze and sugar on top...and of course, the barista must serve it warm...yummy! Does Starbucks also offer local pastries in your country?

And don't you dare forget to bring home a Starbucks Macau tumbler as souvenir...















source: Wikipedia

TRIP

“You were tired out by the length of your road, yet you did not say, ' It is hopeless.' You found renewed strength, therefore you did not faint."
Isaiah 57:10

Dankey off the road

ROAD TRIP
Dandy

his first road trip

...So how about we escape this place,
get out, get on, get gone
and bid goodbye, so long, to this life we're caught up in.

Lets go, come run away with me,
this sadness we'll defy.
We'll be content from here on out,
no more temporary highs.

So how about we drive away
and block the rear-view mirror.
Gas pedal to the floor board
you'd soon be thinking clearer.

Dankey enjoying the ride

Come with me in the world for once
we'll dodge the tears of pain.
Strange looks may be shot our way
but it's the first time you'll feel sane.
It doesn't matter where we go
as long as we're away from here.
Sit back, relax, let go of the wheel
and for once, just let fate steer.

Run down the middle of the street
and cross that yellow line.
Free to do what we feel is right,
the devil's offer we'll decline.

So take this roadtrip with me,
forget what they all said.
The sign is right in front of you and it reads
"New Life Ahead ----->"

a worthy road trip

…the road is long, the road is wide…got no choice but to take a ride…
…life is not ours, life is short…break the rules and make the most…
…got one life to live thus be sure to enjoy the trip…

SUMMER SUN

"Summer is like coffee, hit it while it’s hot…"
                                                                     ely

Dankey hitting summer

SUMMER ESCAPE
ely

Dankey in his  great escape

Hot summer
Sweat on my face
Salty windy air
Bronze the skin
Cool waters on the beach
Quenches body heat
Sand on the feet
Ease pressures a bit
Sunglass on the face
Eliminates sun’s glare
A worthy rest
Adds a day.

relaxing under the sun

THE SUN
ely

enjoying the sun

The long wait is over,
let’s move out and start to hover.
For summer has arrived,
let’s not make ourselves be deprived .

Scorching sun touches our skin,
bronzing your body is so in.
Drench yourselves and take a dive,
recover, release and revive.

Detach worries and tensions,
pave the way to your aspirations.
Relax and appreciate sun’s ray,
it will surely color your day.

Dankey having a cool summer indulgence

Summer sun, summer fun

"When my sweat pours like a rain, then it is summer"…
                                                                         ely