Taking Time Out at Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga

"Travel brings power and love back to your life." - Rumi. A simple yet meaningful travel quote that can be used as a good reflection for a busy yet productive employee life.

This is one of my travels that I preferred to chill in one place. To spend the whole day eating, relaxing, sleeping and swimming. It feels great to share time with a travel friend who is generous enough to invite me for a free weekend chill. 

Few hours travel from Manila, Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga was our destination. The hotel is great. The room we had was spacious enough and worth the price. You can really feel that you are on a grand vacation. The view from our room down to the swimming pool is just picture perfect. I also commend the very accommodating employees of the hotel. (Good job!)

the queen size bed

overview of the swimming pool from our room

The pool is so engaging that we just wanted to swim right away. We shared a couple of drinks, great enough to chill for the afternoon. After finishing few glass of drinks, we enjoyed the moment swimming and strolling around the hotel. Also, include the unending picture-taking left and right. (Haha!) 

After our dinner, we also had the chance to stroll along the busy streets of Angeles City. The busy streets reminds me of how Malate, Manila looks like at night. The area was crowded with locals and foreigners enjoying the night.

enjoying jacuzzi

bar behind the swimming pool

The 2 days and 1 night travel experience with a good friend at a grand hotel was good enough for us to enjoy life once in a while. If you are looking for a grand place for a weekend chill that is nearby Manila, try visiting this place. 

one more shot before leaving

checking out

Chasing the Hidden Paradise of Haduan Falls in Mabalacat, Pampanga

It has been a long plan to join my friend, Sef, in his outdoor activities. First invitation was a day trek to Miyamit Falls in Pampanga, sadly, I was not able to join his group, "Masayang Paglalakbay at Pagkukuha(MPP)" due to work related reason. 

For the second time around, he invited me again to join him in visiting another falls in Pampanga. I got excited because I love chasing waterfalls and luckily, the scheduled trek fits my free weekend. Woooaaaahhhhh!

It was a great weekend getaway because I was able to visit Clarkfield, Pampanga once again. A night before the trek, I've met his group for dinner. We enjoyed watching fireworks display at SM City Clark and were able to stroll around Angeles City for Tig-tigan Festival. This group was awesome! Cool people who loves the outdoor activities and have a passion for photography. How cool is that? 

The next day, we woke up around 03:00 to catch the early trip going to Clark (nakitulog kasi ako kina Sef, hehe). We had a light breakfast before we went to our destination. We took a jeep from the Clark-Gate terminal going to Gate 18. We haggled the price for back and forth. Couple of minutes we reached Gate 18. We registered and submitted waiver (required) to the guard on duty and started our trek to Haduan Falls. Exciting!

NOTE: There is no public transport that passes by on the jump off place.

It is a great trek! The panoramic view of Pampanga's mountain ranges was an eye candy include the landscapes that was formed after Mt. Pinatubo's explosion. Every pit-stop we had, we never let time pass by without taking a good shot, after all I am with photographers. 

Hanging bridge along the way added up the excitement in trekking to Haduan Falls.

After an hour, we reached a place wherein our indigenous friends live. It was such a great experience to meet those cute little girls. We spent time with them before proceeded to our trek.

Approximately after 2 hours of trekking, we reached Haduan Falls! Took sometime to rest and we enjoyed our lunch under the cool breeze of fresh air near the waterfalls. My colleagues even took time to do a photo shoot with Sef as their model (may model pa kaming kasama, astig lang diba?).

Interestingly, we tested the waters. We had a great time swimming under the freezing water (as in malamig talaga, hehe). We even took the courage to climb the rocks and tried jumping off the falls. We spend more than 2 hours enjoying the place before we went back to the city (ang saya saya lang talaga).  

Definitely it was a great weekend getaway. Another new experience to cherish. Another set of friends that I have gained. That is a priceless thing you will get when you go out of your comfort zone and try the outdoor life. I am really looking forward to join MPP anytime soon. Thank you MPP for the experience. 

Marquee Mall: Angeles City, Pampanga

Marquee Mall, is Ayala's first foray in Central Luzon. I never thought of visiting this mall in my life and was just passing by every time I hit the road going up north. Gladly I've got my friends who lives in Angeles City where Marque Mall is situated and there I got the chance.

My friends invited me to watch a movie with them in Angeles City and I was lucky enough because it was scheduled on my free day. I visited them one weekend to watch the movie "Unofficially Yours" (is was Saturday). Though they've got work during weekends, they decided to leave earlier. Once arrived at the mall, we bought our tickets! We got it an hour before the next show so we decided to feed our tummies first before going back for the cinema. 

We headed to Brothers Burger. So yummy roasted beef burgers. We enjoyed chatting. Enjoyed the food at a discounted price. Yeah, at a discounted price because we were able to get it during the period wherein there's price off. Lucky enough to save some bills.

with Odi, Bhey and Dhess

We watched the movie after being fulled. It was a great movie! After which, we headed to a coffee shop! We had it as our dinner. Donuts and coffee. Funny enough, their boss called Odi for business talk (panira ng oras) LOL! We talked about business and all about their funny stuffs at work. Being with them for a movie date is great. At least once in a while I go out of town to visit them.

Wish I can chill with them again so soon... Missing as well this funny friends of mine.

A.C. Rumpa Restaurant: Angeles City, Pampanga

After spending time in Picnic Grounds in Clarkfield, me and my friend headed to A. C. Rumpa Restaurant for dinner. It is a well known restaurant in the downtown City of Angeles. We ordered immediately after being offered a seat. 

Let us explore more about the restaurant. See their interior designs. I noticed that the restaurant is more of a house renovated to become a restaurant. Bright idea!

the entrance

We ordered Salisbury Steak! It's mouth-watering and for the iced tea! The best!!! Just squeeze more lime fruit and you'll crave it for more. Good enough to fill my empty stomach before going back to Manila! Wattah great weekend in Angeles City.

Iced Tea

their own version of Salisbury Steak