Showing posts with label Ruins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruins. Show all posts

September 14, 2019

Day 4 in Copenhagen Denmark

How I wish, I could extend our vacation in Copenhagen, Denmark because four days are not enough. Sad to say, we could no longer extend our stay because everything was pre-booked already including our train ticket and hotel. And because Day 4 is our last day in Denmark, my companions don’t want to go out anymore.

They prefer to stay in the hotel until our check-out which is 11AM but I don’t want to waste my time waiting at the hotel so I insisted that we should go out. I convinced them that we had enough time to visit Christianborg Palace before our train ride at 12:23NN. Thank God, pinagbigyan na nila ko.

So we had an early breakfast and we stored our luggage in the locker room so just in case, we could not make it before 11AM for check-out, we wouldn’t pay any extra because our room was already empty.

Again, we just walked from the Urban House by Meininger to Christianborg Palace. We arrived before 9AM so we were freezing cold while waiting outside of the palace door. If you have limited time in Copenhagen, I suggest you go to Christianborg Palace because you can visit several tourist spots in one location. You can visit The Royal Reception Rooms, The Royal Stables, The Royal Kitchen, The Ruins under Christianborg and Christianborg Palace Chapel.

Read: Where to Stay in Copenhagen: Urban House by Meininger   

To save money, don’t forget to buy a Copenhagen Card. We’re thankful that we were able to maximize and save a lot of money using this card. I’ll share the pros and cons of the Copenhagen Card in a separate post. And because of limited time, we only visited three tourist spots.

Buy Copenhagen Card 

Christianborg Admission Price 

The Ruins: 60.00 DKK
The Royal Reception Rooms: 95.00 DKK
The Royal Stables: 60.00 DKK
The Royal Kitchen: 60.00 DKK
Child: Free
Combined ticket: 160.00 DKK

Christianborg Palace 

Christianborg Palace is not only a palace but a government building too which is located on the tiny island of Slotsholmen in Central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is where you can find the remains of the country’s principal castle of the Middle Ages and the home of three government branches; the Danish Parliament, Danish Prime Minister’s Office and Supreme Court of Denmark. It is the only building in the world that contains the 3 supreme powers of government; executive power, legislative power, and the judicial power.

Christianborg Palace is owned by the Danish government, some parts of the palace are still being used by the Danish Royal Family for their events and functions like the Royal Receptions Rooms, The Tower Room, The Oval Throne Room, The Palace Chapel, and the Royal Stables. Some parts are open to the public.

Christianborg - The Royal Reception Rooms 

At exactly 9AM, they opened the Royal Reception Rooms. There is a free guided tour that you can join, don't forget to check the schedule. But during our visit, no English Tour Guide at 9AM so we just explored the palace on our own. I just showed our Copenhagen Card and the staff advised us to wear shoe covers before exploring the place. We’re the first guests so we had the palace to ourselves, no photobomber.




We’ve been to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace but Christianborg Palace is my favorite. The place is well-preserved, well-decorated and looks elegant. Every corner of the palace is very stunning. I was glad that we were able to visit Christianborg Palace before going to Stockholm.



We took our time exploring Throne Room, The Great Hall, The Dining Hall, and the Library. As I mentioned before, some parts of the palace are still being used by the Queen like the majestic hall and other rooms for their state dinners, banquets, and other royal ceremonies. So it is a great feeling that ordinary people like me can enter this palace. Don’t forget to check out the unique tapestries at the Great Hall which illustrates the History of Denmark and the world over the past 1000 years.


While waiting for 10AM, we bought some souvenirs at The Palace Shop and off we went to the Ruins for our next tour.

The Ruins under Christianborg

Under the new Christianborg Palace is the ruins of two principal castles that were built in the same location. The Absalon’s Castle that was built in the 11th century, you can still see the remaining wall. And that same wall protected the castle from Wend pirates. The second ruin is Copenhagen Castle that was built in 1369 but it was torn down and they built a new one. Another ruin is the foundation of the Blue Tower where King Christian’s favorite daughter, Leonora Christine, political prisoners, soldiers, and other criminals were held captive.




The Christianborg Ruins highlights the more than 800-year-old underground history of the palace as a medieval castle, royal residence, political and cultural center. We did not stay that long in this place because it is dark and the smell is not nice so it is kinda creepy to explore.

Christianborg - The Royal Kitchen

Beneath the Christianborg Palace is the Royal Kitchen which was built and completed in 1928. This kitchen was used for preparing food for royal parties and celebrations in the Great Hall. The Royal Kitchen is equipped and furnished and they have one of the largest collections of copperware in Europe. See, smell and feel what happened during the King Christian’s Silver Jubilee gala dinner last May 15, 1937. See the menu below.

1. Soup Ambassadeur
2. Filet of Sole a la Nantua
3. Tenderloin Bouquetiere
4. Chicken Parisienne
5. Ice Cream Royale
6. Dessert



Our Day 4 in Copenhagen, Denmark was short but it is one of the highlights of our trip and I’m glad that I really pushed this itinerary. After our Royal Kitchen Tour, we immediately went back to our hotel to pick up our luggage, check-out and off to Copenhagen Central Train Station. We had a quick lunch at Food Market before riding the SJ train to Stockholm Sweden.

Read: Food Trip in Copenhagen Denmark
Day 1 in Copenhagen 
Day 2 in Copenhagen 
Day 3 in Copenhagen 

September 28, 2017

2-Day Trip in Camiguin

My son will be celebrating his birthday soon, and it reminded me of our memorable trip to Camiguin. We decided to skip the traditional birthday party, since we’re not really into big celebrations, and opted instead to travel to Camiguin to celebrate his second birthday. 

It was our first family trip by plane and also my son’s first time on both a plane and a boat, a milestone for all of us! 

From Boracay Plans to Camiguin Adventures 

We originally planned to go to Boracay, but didn’t like the available flight options. So we changed plans and booked a flight to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) instead, with the intention of heading to Camiguin afterwards. No regrets—we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to CDO and Camiguin! 

We flew to CDO and took a ferry to Camiguin Island. It was a fun mix of air, land, and sea travel.

A Near Miss 

At one point, I thought we’d need to postpone our trip since my husband had to be in Shanghai, China, for work. Luckily, he made it home the day before our flight. Thank God everything worked out! 

Our 5:00 AM flight was rescheduled to 6:05 AM due to a Philippine Airlines issue. I was anxious because we had to catch an 8:30 AM ferry to Camiguin. Our plane landed at 7:45 AM—cue the Amazing Race mode! We took a cab and managed to haggle the fare down from P350 to P300. 

There was a bit of traffic, and I prayed hard that we’d make it in time because I didn’t want to go with the backup plan. Thankfully, we made it! We took the Para Sea Cat Ferry, which had a two-hour travel time to Camiguin Island. (I’m not sure if they’re still operating today.) 


2010 Ferry Rates: 

Deck: Php 400.00 
View Deck: Php 400.00 
Business Class: Php 600.00 

Alternate Route (2010):

Ride a taxi to Agora Market (P350, travel time: 30–45 mins) 
From Agora, take a Rural Transit (Yellow Bus) to Balingoan Port (P130, 1.5–2 hours) 
At Balingoan terminal, ride a multi-tricycle (P7) or walk ~100 meters to the port 
Take the ferry to Benoni Wharf (P135, ~1 hour 20 minutes) 

Where We Stayed: Secret Cove Resort


We stayed at Secret Cove Resort, located just 15 minutes from White Island. Camiguin offers many accommodation options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. I booked our stay one month in advance—all done through email, no reservation fee required. 

Why Secret Cove? 

Affordable rates 
Close to White Island 
Great food – I read so many good reviews, and they didn’t disappoint. The servings were large, delicious, and reasonably priced. 

Address: Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin 
Tel: (+63) (88) 387-9084 Fax: (+63) (88) 387-9184 
Email: tomsolski@fastmail.fm 

Day 1: Exploring Camiguin Island 

We were surprised by the number of tourists—probably because it was close to the Lanzones Festival. Thankfully, I booked a tour guide in advance, and he also recommended the boatman for our White Island trip.  After lunch, we began our island tour.

Day 1 itinerary: 

Tres Marias Volcano (photo stop) 
Walkway to the Old Volcano 
Ruins of Gui-ob Church 
Sunken Cemetery 
Sto. Niño Cold Spring 
Soda Swimming Pool 
Ardent Hot Spring 

We passed by Tres Marias Volcano and took some photos before heading to the Walkway to the Old Volcano. Since we had kids with us, we didn’t climb the stairs and went directly to the Sunken Cemetery. 



You can ride a boat to the big cross (P100/person), but due to strong winds, we decided to skip it. 

Next stop: the Ruins of Gui-ob Church. A kind local offered to take our photos and directed us where to pose—he said his shots were "pang-Facebook," and they actually turned out great! There’s a massive tree nearby, said to be over 100 years old. 

We made a quick stop to see a lanzones tree—my first time seeing one! Then we visited the Soda Swimming Pool. I didn’t taste the water to verify the "soda" claim, but it was really cold. 


 At the Sto. Niño Cold Spring, the water was again too cold, so hubby and my son didn’t enjoy swimming. 


Our last stop was the Ardent Hot Spring. Finally, warm water! It was the perfect way to relax after a full day of touring, though we didn’t stay too long because of the insects. 


Entrance Fees: 

Sunken Cemetery (P100/boat to the cross) 
Walkway to the Old Volcano & Via Cruces – P5 
Sto. Niño Cold Spring – P20 (P50 cottage) 
Soda Swimming Pool – P20 (P50 cottage) 
Ardent Hot Spring – P30 adults / P15 kids (P70 cottage) 

Day 2: White Island and Final Tour  

When you say Camiguin, White Island instantly comes to mind—it’s known for its pristine sandbar. Just 2 kilometers off Mambajao, it’s best to visit early morning or late afternoon. 

The shape of the sandbar changes depending on the tide—sometimes it looks like a letter C, sometimes letter I.

We waited by the shore as early as 5:30 AM, and our boat fetched us for the 15–20 minute ride. The round-trip fare was P450, and you can stay as long as you like—just coordinate with your boatman. We stayed until 7:00 AM. Entrance fee: P20/person. 



Important Note:

There are no cottages, no shade, no restrooms—just pure white sand and a beautiful view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the Old Volcano. The water wasn’t too cold, and we were able to swim and snorkel. It was incredibly peaceful—a perfect spot to relax and take stunning photos. 

More Camiguin Highlights 


After breakfast and packing up at Secret Cove, we started our Day 2 itinerary: 

Buy pasalubong (pastel & lanzones) 
Katibawasan Falls 
Camiguin Animal Breeding & Ostrich Center
Giant Clam Culture 
Lunch at J&A Fish Pen Restaurant 

We skipped Mantigue Island, having already experienced White Island. 

Unfortunately, pastel wasn’t available at their store yet, so we planned to buy it at the port later. (Tip: You can find pastel everywhere, but prices vary.) 

At Katibawasan Falls, I saw the tallest waterfall I’ve ever seen! Since we were heading back to CDO later that day, we didn’t swim—just took some photos and moved on. 



We visited the Camiguin Animal Breeding & Ostrich Center, then headed to the Giant Clam Culture Center. Sadly, we couldn’t snorkel due to high waves, and I didn’t want to risk it since I’m not a strong swimmer. 



Still, you can see a variety of clams up close, and local kids guide and educate visitors. They were so friendly and knowledgeable—it was refreshing to see their passion for marine conservation! 

Fun Fact: The clams here came from the UPMSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory! 

Entrance Fees: 

Katibawasan Falls – P15 adults / P6 children 
Giant Clam Culture – P25/pax (P150 for tour guide) 
Mantigue Island (not visited) – P550/boat + P20 entrance + P50 snorkeling fee

Lunch at J&A Fishpen  

Before heading back to CDO, we had lunch at the famous J&A Fishpen Restaurant, located near Benoni Port. 


Everything here is fresh—you can pick your seafood from their fish pens and have it cooked to your liking. They also offer non-seafood dishes, and prices are budget-friendly. 

We were too hungry to take photos, but we ordered grilled bangus, grilled liempo, and steamed halaan. Highly recommended! 

Pasalubong Shopping 

Don’t forget to bring home lanzones and pastel! Since we visited during Lanzones Festival month, we bought plenty of both to share with family and friends. 

Back to Cagayan de Oro

It was finally time to say goodbye to beautiful Camiguin and head back to Cagayan de Oro. The Paras Sea Cat ferry was scheduled to depart at 4:30 PM, so we had to wait at the port for more than three hours, followed by another two-hour sea journey. 

From the CDO port, we took a cab to Pearlmont Hotel, our accommodation in the city. It’s quite near the port, and the taxi fare was only P70. 

After checking in, we headed to Limketkai Mall for dinner at Bigby’s and picked up some bottled water. We originally planned to visit the Night Market in Divisoria, but we were all too tired—especially our two-year-old son—so we just went back to the hotel to rest. 

Pearlmont Hotel 
Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro 
(8822) 72-9455 / 72-9111 / 72-7477 
(88) 856-2653 to 55 (8822) 72-8913 

Have You Been to Camiguin? 

Camiguin may be a small island, but it's packed with hidden gems, natural wonders, and warm, welcoming locals. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the busy city, Camiguin is a destination worth exploring. 

From volcanoes and hot springs to sandbars and waterfalls, every part of the island offers something unique. I’ll always cherish this trip—not just for the scenic spots, but for the memories we created as a family.

February 25, 2012

The Ruins of the Mansion

My initial plan is Iloilo and Guimaras only but when I learned that I can go to Bacolod via fast craft for 1 hour only, I asked hubby to file 2 days’ vacation leave. Thanks to Airphil seat sale, I was able to book Manila to Bacolod for P2k+ for 3 persons.


Few days before our trip, the weather was not good and I always check the weather forecast of Bacolod and Iloilo and it always says, there will be rain shower and a chance of t-storm so I was really worried that we will not enjoy our trip. It was raining when we left the house until we arrived in Bacolod at 5:15AM but God is so good because when we start our tour, no more rain shower.

Since we can’t check-in early at Circle Inn, we went to McDonalds for breakfast, we stayed there until 7AM before we visit Capitol Lagoon and the Ruins. The first time I saw “The Ruins” pictures on Facebook and Internet, I was really amazed and how much more when you really see it up close.





"The Ruins of the Mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of World War II in 1942, the mansion was torched by guerrilla fighters and was burning for 3 days leaving behind reminders of a glorious past."


There is a mini-golf course for a minimal fee. They also have a restaurant but we haven’t tried since we left before the opening time.


The place is really relaxing my only concern is there is no tourist guide that will tour you around the mansion and explain the history of it; instead you have to read the information posted on the wall which I find incomplete from what I’ve read before. P60 is the entrance fee so I find it expensive. But still, it is worth the visit, best location for pre-nup pictures or garden wedding.



Read: 31 Hours in Bacolod

How to get to The Ruins in Talisay: 

From Capitol Lagoon, we rode “Bata Jeep” and told manong driver that we’re going to “The Ruins”, (P7.50/pax). He dropped us off at the terminal of tricycle and then we took a tricycle to “The Ruins” (P15/pax). The tricycle driver asked me “Ma’m, sandali lang po ba kayo?” I said, “mga isang oras manong”. He said, ah, kala ko sandali lang.

But we stayed for almost two hours and when we left, I saw the tricycle driver waiting for us though I did not ask him to wait. Actually, we’re ready to walk around 500 meters just to reach the next terminal of the tricycle. I’ve read before that you could hire a taxi for P500 or you could ask the tricycle driver to wait for you P100.

The Ruins of the Mansion 
Hds. Sta. Maria, Talisay City,
Negros Occidental, Philippines 

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