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February 27, 2024

Breakfast at La Creperie - Twin Lakes Tagaytay

A few years ago, my friend suggested La Creperie and he said, huwag ko daw kalimutan itry yung hot chocolate so I added this to my must-try restaurant. Actually, I’ve been hearing and reading a lot of good reviews here but the only problem is, ang layo ng mga branches nila. The nearest branches that we can visit are Salcedo Village and Twin Lakes Tagaytay. Well not really near but these are the possible places na napupuntahan namin if ever may lakad kami. 

February came and I decided to finally try this restaurant, as I mentioned in my previous post, we were supposed to eat here last Valentine’s Day kaso late opening kapag weekdays kaya sa Cafe Agapita kami kumain. Then I remembered na sa Tagaytay nga pala ang daan namin papunta ng Calatagan, Batangas so finally nacrossed out ko na ito sa list ko. 

Breakfast at La Creperie - Twin Lakes Tagaytay 

I was browsing my old posts and ang tagal na pala nung last na nagpunta kami sa Twin Lakes Tagaytay. We celebrated Mother’s Day here in year 2016 pa, sobrang tagal na. Why? Malayo kasi and mahirap din magpark since puntahan din siya ng mga tao. 

Our check-in time at Nawa Wellness is still in the afternoon but we decided to leave early. From our house, we traveled for 1 hour and 21 minutes, yes, inorasan ko talaga. Oh di ba, ang layo, considering hindi pa ganoon katraffic. We were there just in time for the opening which is 7AM (weekend) so we were the first diners. 


La Creperie is a cafe that offers galettes, sweet crepes, and comfort food inspired by the best places all over the world and with a touch of French soul. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and dessert. 




The best table here is on the balcony but it was so cold and windy that time, nilalamig kami so we had no choice but to eat inside the restaurant. I already checked their menu online but when we got there, nagdadalawang isip ako kung crepe ba o breakfast meal ang ioorder ko. In the end, we all ordered breakfast meals. 


We ordered Chorizo Hamonado PHP365, Hungarian Sausage PHP375, Angus Beef Tapa PHP465, La Creperie’s Hot Chocolate PHP270, and Espresso PHP120



All Filipino breakfast includes 2 eggs, plain or garlic rice, and side salad so it is really a complete meal. Taste is good naman pero sa angus beef tapa, parang naovercooked. 


Whenever we order hot chocolate, we always prefer our homemade hot chocolate but after trying La Creperie’s Hot Chocolate, I won’t lie we love their version of hot chocolate. My husband said, lalagyan din daw niya whipped cream yung luto niya. Hehehe! 


By the way, when we asked for water, the waiter asked if we wanted warm, cold or room-temperature water. Wow, may choices na rin for water. 

We immediately left after finishing our breakfast and off we went to Nawa Wellness for our anniversary staycation.

February 26, 2024

18th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

This month, we celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary and 21 years as a couple. Just like that, we’ve been together for 21 years already and that is almost half of life. Ang bilis ng panahon, parang kailan lang and ang tanda na rin pala namin. Hehehe! But I’m glad that we’re still together. 

My husband mentioned on his anniversary card that for the last 18 years, we shared both the happiest times and saddest times. And that is true because, for the last 18 years, he lost his grandfather, two sisters, aunt, and uncle while I lost my aunt, grandmother, father, and sister. During those times, we leaned on each other, and even without a word, we understood each other’s pain.


Despite the saddest times, we have a lot of happy memories. That is why, we also try our best to make time and celebrate our anniversaries because life is so short. There were a few times that we were not able to celebrate because I was not feeling well, he was out of the country, and when my grandmother passed away. 

Moving on, sharing our anniversary celebration this year. To be honest, if money is not an issue, it is so easy to plan but of course, since we had so many expenses for the last few months, need magbudget.

Our initial plan is to eat at the hotel because last month, my husband ate at Corniche and he said, if I want we can celebrate our anniversary at Corniche and we can take advantage of the 40% discount (credit card promo). I was considering that option but out of the blue, I experienced acid reflux for almost a week so I changed my mind. Sabi ko, hindi ko maeenjoy ang buffet kung wala ko gana kumain or isusuka ko rin. 

Then we went to the 31st PTAA Travel Tour Expo so we could check different promos but unfortunately, we did not see good deals. 

Breakfast at Cafe Agapita


We had a breakfast date at Cafe Agapita to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our couple's anniversary, I already shared our experience in my previous post. 



We were supposed to celebrate Valentine’s Day here pero late pala opening hours nila every weekday but fortunately, we were able to visit this restaurant on our way to Nawa Wellness. They are open as early as 7AM during weekends so we had our breakfast here. 

Staycation at Nawa Wellness

Since we did not score any promo when we visited the travel tour expo, my husband did his research then he discovered Nawa Wellness. It just started operating last January 24, 2024, and so far good reviews naman nabasa namin. We wanted to take advantage of the long weekend but unfortunately, fully booked agad so we changed our travel dates. 


We enjoyed our anniversary staycation at Nawa Wellness and this deserves a separate post. By the way, when we checked out, they already informed us na mag-iincrease na sila ng rates by March and I’m sure, mag-iincrease pa yan kasi so far naka soft-opening pa lang sila. Buti na lang nakapunta na kami habang mura pa yung rate nila. 

Wedding Anniversary Craft Projects 

I already shared my Valentine’s Craft Projects in my previous posts but here are the craft projects that I did for our anniversary. 



I used the Wedding Couple Card SVG, but I tweaked the design and I changed the “On Your Wedding Day” to Anniversary. I used the Wedding Gnome Couple for the second card. Lastly, I used the wedding truck SVG for our cake topper, I just replaced the flower with an "18" number, you can also find this truck on the Craft with Sarah website. 

February 22, 2024

31st PTAA Travel Tour Expo

Our last travel expo visit was year 2019, but then the pandemic happened so face-to-face events were paused. This year, we had no definite travel plans so sinuggest ko kay hubby na magtravel expo ulit kami but a few days before the event, I changed my mind kasi feeling ko wala din kami mabobook since malapit na yung travel dates na gusto namin like our wedding anniversary and Holy Week break.

However, since my husband was on vacation leave and my son had no classes, we decided to attend the 31st PTAA Travel Tour Expo. We had a good experience last 2019 so I was hoping that we could find a good deal. 


Just like our last visit, there is an early bird for Citibank and Union Bank credit card holders so in my mind, this would be an advantage for us but I was wrong. We arrived at 8:20AM, and my husband dropped us off so we could fall in line already. I asked the guard kung saan yung pila for PWD and Citibank card holder so pumila na kami. Then after 20 minutes, we were advised na wala daw pila doon so tinuro nila sa kabilang entrance daw. What?


Of course, nagkagulo na kami sa pila and nawala na yung pagkasunud-sunod. Then separate line daw for Senior & PWD and Citibank &Union Bank credit card holder. Nag 9AM na, wala pa rin pinapapasok, so ang dami na nagrereklamo kasi nga nasaan ang early bird. Time check 9:10AM pinapasok na nila kami and I was so shocked kasi ang haba na ng pila sa loob, Saan galing yung mga tao? Eh separate line nga ang Senior and PWD and kami unang pinapasok. 


Another pila ulit to get our ticket, free entrance pero we need to show our credit cards and sign pa. Time check 9:32AM na kami nakapasok ng anak ko. Then si hubby na nahiwalay sa amin ng pila kasi hindi naman siya Senior or PWD, 9:58AM na nakapasok. Imagine, ang daming oras na nasayang sa amin dahil lang sa hindi organized ang pila and ticketing booth nila. Malayo ito sa 26th PTAA Travel Tour Expo experience namin. 


Since I had second thoughts in visiting the expo; I was not able to checked the list of booths so wala tuloy ako idea kung ano meron and saan ako mag-uumpisa. Toink. We just started getting flyers and checking sales, promos, and deals. More on sa travel agencies yung mga booths and some of the airlines hindi sila nagbebenta ng ticket like Philippine Airlines and Eva Air, sa travel agencies daw kami magbook. So we went to different agencies and nag-inquire kami ng airfare, ending wala din kami nabook kasi nga mahal din naman. 


We checked different resorts pero wala din naman kami nagustuhan, some of the resorts kasi ay napuntahan na namin and yung iba naman located in Visayas and Mindanao, eh mahal nga airfare kaya hindi pwede. Hehehe! 


If our travel dates are from April onwards, possible na may cheap fare kaso may pasok pa anak ko so hindi kami pwedeng magbook. It was only this week, na nilabas sa news na until May 31 na lang ang school year. Sayang!


I was so sad because we were not able to book any resort or score cheap airfare. Good thing I won a travel tote bag from Philippine Airlines and thanks to the Taiwan Tourism booth at may napala din kami sa travel expo visit namin. We learned how to make Hakka Lanterns and tried their yummy pancakes. We wanted to join the DIY Pineapple Cake workshop but we were hungry na so ayaw na namin maghintay. 







Lunch at Polland 

We checked the second floor where the domestic hotel & resorts, travel stuff, and food kiosk are located. We had lunch at Polland, the rice meal was PHP180 and PHP60 for lemonade juice. 




After lunch. my husband saw the Diamond Hotel kiosk and ito daw yung ensaymada na sinasabi niya na masarap. He recently tried it when they ate Lunch at Corniche. PHP180 for one piece, it was already on sale kasi regular price daw is PHP225. My husband said, bumili daw ko ng two pieces pero nakakapagsisi kasi masarap nga, dapat pala tig 2 pieces each kami. Nabitin tuloy kami sa 2 pieces. 


We also checked the travel stuff section, kaso yung nakasale sa Pacsafe, same lang din kung sa online ko bibilhin kung may payday sale or 2.2 Sale. 


Lastly, we went back to the Taiwan Tourism booth pero nagstart na yung DIY Pineapple Cake workshop so hindi na kami nakajoin so we decided to leave na because we’re going to claim my son’s passport at DFA Festival Mall.

Entrance Fee

PHP85 - General Admission
PHP65 - Senior Citizen/PWD

February 21, 2024

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February 20, 2024

Breakfast at Cafe Agapita

Time is slipping away, I did not notice na one week na pala since my last blog post. My week has been hectic but happy because we were able to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our Wedding Anniversary. So I will try my best to blog the recent events at baka mabaon na naman sa blog draft. 

We seldom celebrate Valentine’s Day on the exact date because we know that restaurants will be crowded and there will be traffic everywhere. Last year we ate at Fresh International Buffet at Solaire pero this year, tipid-tipid muna so I suggested to my husband na magbreakfast date na lang kami but after a few days, I changed my mind because I found out na late pala mag-open yung restaurant. So I told my husband na late celebration na lang kami but he insisted na umalis kami.

He suggested Cafe Agapita. We always see this restaurant whenever we go to Tagaytay but we haven’t tried it yet kasi lagi sarado tuwing dumadaan kami and of course, kapag uwi naman, busog na kami. Anyway, I checked their Facebook Page and fortunately, they are open from 7AM until 10PM. Actually, they have Valentine’s Dinner Buffet but knowing us, antok na kami sa ganyang oras kaya mas prefer talaga namin ang morning date. 


We arrived at Cafe Agapita in less than 30 minutes. We were surprised when we entered the gate, we didn’t expect that the restaurant would be spacious. Yung waiting area pa lang nila, ang luwag na e. There was no staff at the reception area so we waited for a few minutes, when the staff came, she ushered us to the restaurant. Medyo natagalan pa kami sa pagpili ng table, al fresco, second floor or first floor ba? There were a few diners na rin, there was a group of friends and some couples like us. 




When the staff gave us the menu, hindi na kami nahirapan mamili because we had already seen their menu online. We ordered Mariano’s Breakfast PHP450, Bagnet Aglio Olio PHP365, Espresso PHP120, Chocolate PHP180 + Service Charge


They served the drinks first and the taste is just okay for us, mas prefer namin yung iniinom namin sa bahay. Maybe next time, we will order their best sellers' drinks. 


Mariano’s Breakfast is the usual breakfast meal that we eat pero ito pinagsama-sama yung favorite ko sa isang plate, there is sausage, bacon, ham, and eggs. I enjoyed my food pero hindi ko lang kaya ubusin so my husband helped me. 


Bagnet Aglio Olio is one of their House Specialty and it is not surprising because my husband finished this meal so fast, buti nga natikman ko pa yung pasta. Hehehe! I will order this next time. 


We did not stay long because my husband needs to work, matagal pa biyahe namin kaysa sa pagkain, hehehe! It was a quick visit but we will surely return, we liked their food and service. 

Cafe Agapita 
11 Kapitan Sayas St. 
Sabutan, Silang, Cavite 
Philippines

February 13, 2024

Valentine’s Day Card

Chinese New Year is already over and tomorrow is Valentine’s Day so I’m sharing the last few Valentine’s Cards that I finished. I made a lot of cards when I only needed two. Hehehe! 

Bear Insert Greeting Card 

These Bear Insert Greeting Cards are from Digital Gems; the square version is from Cricut Design Space, you can do this if you have Access Subscription. The rectangle version is available on her website and other design stores.




Flower and Heart Insert Card 


The Flower and Heart Card is a score, draw, and cut project. I am trying other colors of my Cricut Pens so I didn’t use a black one. I didn’t like the pen that I used here. 

Valentine or Anniversary Insert Greeting Card


I like this Valentine's Insert Greeting Card design but I am also not happy with the result, next time I will use a different color of pen, or maybe I will try foiling. 

3D Construction Site 


And finally, the I Totally Dig You easel card using the 3D Construction Site of Digital Gems. 

February 12, 2024

Lunch at Ramen Nagi: Universal Noodle Creator

Kung kailan ako sinisipag magblog, saka naman kami nawawalan ng internet. We had no internet connection for 3 days and today while I’m finishing this blog, wala ulit. Grrr! Bisyo na ito, hindi na nakakatuwa. Mukhang sinasanay na ko kasi sa lilipatan namin, problem din internet and ang haba na ng nakapila para kabitan pero wala pa linya. So that is reason na parang ayaw ko lumipat pa, kakayanin ko ba na mobile data lang gamit? 

Anyway, we went to Festival Mall last weekend because we needed to buy costumes for my son’s MAPEH class; they will be having a dance competition per class. When my son showed the picture, akala ko wala na ko problem kasi ganun din yung sinuot niya sa wedding ng brother-in-law ko but he said, black pants and black suspender daw. Waah! So I need to buy pa pala. 



But before looking for the costume, we had an early lunch at Ramen Nagi. In my mind, I’ve already tried this restaurant before but when I checked their menu, ooh, first time pala. On the table, there is an order sheet and menu but in the end, the staff was the one who answered the sheet when we placed our order. Nahalata siguro na first time namin. Hehehe! 


Nung nagsabihan kami ng order, pare-pareho pala kami na Butao King ang order so I just changed my order na lang. We ordered Butao King PHP430, Limited King PHP650, Pork Tonkatsu PHP290, Gyoza PHP250, and Coke PHP88 + Service Charge. 


Paano naman hindi kami magkakapareho, according to their menu Butao King is an award-winning tonkotsu pork broth prepared in the traditional method. Mouth-wateringly rich, fresh, and aromatic; special handcrafted noodles and classic Nagi pork chashu. 


They served the ramen first and for me, it was already a big serving but my two boys finished their bowl of ramen, magkaiba yung thickness ng noodles nila. When my order came, I was surprised because it was only Pork Tonkatsu, I thought meal na. Toink! But I did not order rice na since may cabbage and bean sprouts. We’re all satisfied with our meal.



By the way, I checked my old blog posts, Ramen Kuroda and Ramen Young Wasabi pala yung nakainan namin dati. Puro Ramen kasi yung first word. Hehehe! 
 
Ramen Nagi Birthday Promo 

1. Free One Butao King for the birthday celebrator who will dine in at any Ramen Nagi branch within his/her birthday month. 
2. The birthday celebrator must be physically present and accompanied by at least two full-paying customers who will get any two bowls of ramen from the following: Butao King, Green King, Red King, Black King, Wonder Kakuni King, Limited King. 
3. Promo is valid from January 1 to December 31, 2024 
4. The promo can be availed multiple times within the birth month. Strictly one transaction per day per branch.