The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases - Davao City

Last March (Yes that long!) I went to once of the safest cities in the world, Davao City! The thought of leaving D at home made me sad, but being with Davao City for countless times already also excites me to visit the town again. I stayed at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, one of the convention enters in Davao and one of the promising hotels for vacation, trainings and seminars. So let me tour you to my home there for a week. I actually stayed her for a couple of times already, but this stay was the longest and also I noticed an upgrade in their facilities. 

This the main wall of their lobby. I don't know that this means, but I think this is their logo. 

I love that their lobby has comfy couches where you can lounge while waiting for someone of enjoying the free internet. 

I also like their centrepiece, simple yet traditional. 

This is the outside view, the hotel provides 24hours security and the guards are very helpful to find you a taxi. 

This is the view from the 5th floor. Yes, the hotel is located inside the city, but very people and quiet. 

The Room,... 

They provide the usual, TV with cable and study area and wifi at rooms. 

Mini ref.. and free coffee. 

The bed is just a bit small, but this will do. 

Interesting see-through-open closet

See? I don't know what is the reason behind that design, but for me thats okay if you are alone in the room. Hassle if you share with someone. 

The bath area is a bit small, but clean. There's hot water too! to relax you after long day work. 

The place also has swimming pool, play area for kids, Chinese restaurant and live-bands playing on selected days.  

Overall, my stay at The Ritz Hotel that time was more pleasant. Staffs are more accommodating and food has improved. Or I just got to enjoy all the amenities because of the week long stay. 

Truly, a must visit hotel. 

G, 

Naga City Hits

Let me share how my apprehensive travel to Naga City, turned into a memorable trip that made me realized a lot from life and from myself.  

First of course is that after years of traveling, I now finally accepted na nakakatakot pala talaga ako magbyahe. I always argue that the safest way to travel is via airplane. Not to mention that it is fast and comfortable. But yes, in my recent travel I got afraid. But, I conquered my fears through prayers. 

Sino ba naman hindi matatakot when you look at the window and you see this propeller? Aircrafts to Naga kasi is usually small. But very safe naman daw.

But when I look at the other side of the window, I saw this... a beautiful view of "sea of clouds" (never mind the dirty window). Then I realized, every situation has two sides. It is up to you if you focus on the negative side, or in the positive side. In the propeller? or in the majestic sea of clouds? I preferred the sea of clouds, prayed for a safe journey and read a good book. And arrived safe at Naga City. 

This was my home for 3days and 2nights.  

I made a separate post about my pleasant stay at Crown Hotel. 

PLACES TO SEE... 

I was in Naga City for work. But I managed to squeezed in some time to explore the city alone. This was an achievement for me, because usually with my team or someone or counterpart/local when I travel to guide or tour us. I gained some independence here from a strange place. This is the first time I explored the city like a local. And decided that from now on, when I travel, I will not be a tourist again, but a like local and will embrace their culture as well. 

The Plaza, right in front of the Crown Hotel. 

I also had a courage to commute to the Penafrancia Shrine. The place is so beautiful and peaceful. I went there via tricycle, and paid P8 to and P10 back to the hotel. 

The altar. I made my 2 wishes, the first happened that night, and I am waiting for the second. 

The adoration chapel. 

Beautiful ceilings. I could stare at this the whole day. 

This, I don't know the name. But it is pretty. This is near the central market. 

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT

Bigg's Diner

According to a local, this fastfood chain is like the McDo of Bicolandia. A must try. So I headed to their downtown branch and had the first meal in Naga. They have unique and retro interiors, which I failed to take some pictures. Shy attack. 

Lookie at their cute placemats. 

Salisbury Steak and Giant Coke

Choco Lava Moist Cake

Toasted Siopao

I also consulted Mr. Google on other places to eat. I got curious with the toasted siopao of 3N bakery. For P8 each for classic and P10 for hot and spicy, you have a flavorful (not tipid filling) toasted siopao, talk about value for money. And the bakery is all over the place. 

Cravings for Comfort Foods

And when you are in a strange place, and you are stressed and homesick, #mommysweetiesolution is to look for your favorite comfort food. It is sign that Naga city is a progressive city because almost all the foodchains are there. Name it, ask for the direction how to get there and enjoy the food. 

Sili Ice Cream

When you hear Naga or Bicol, the usual food to for are bicol express and anything spicy. I didn't look for them since we usually have authentic restaurants also in manila. So I looked for something that is just from Naga City. So I came into 1st Colonial's Sili Ice Cream. 

Sili Ice Cream. Perfect combination of creaminess of milk on the first taste and hotness that trails on the food passage. This is P29 per scoop, and you have to eat quick as it melts quickly. 

PASALUBONGS... 

And of course do not forget to share your journey to your loved ones at home other than bringing them pasalubongs. 

The city market is the best place to buy them, and deal with best prices. 

These are pili tarts (5 pack to P100), coconut jam with pili (P45 each jar), mazapan de pili (3 for P100) and pili nuts (3 for P100 and P85 large bottle). 

There are also non food products like bags and abaca slippers (sorry I don't have the price they are tokens given to me). Cute "Sili" keychains for P10 each or 11pcs. for P100, and kids shirt for P120. 

GOING HOME.... 

Bicolandia is a place where you can travel by land or by air. So to experience both, I went home via a deluxe bus of Penafrancia Tours. We left the central terminal at 8PM, and arrived at Cubao by 4am, with a stop over along Quezon Province. 

The deluxe bus, is like the first class bus of Victory Liner (our suki to Baguio City).

The 2:1 seats are Lazyboy  type where you can recline, it also has restroom inside and with 2 drivers and a bus stewardess. Make sure you bring a jacket, pillow and a blanket as the air conditioner make get so cold. 

PEOPLE IN NAGA

I love how friendly people in Naga are, they are very helpful when you ask directions and places. I love how Naga City is organized with pedestrians and timed stoplights. I wonder why we can't do that in Manila.

- - -

Just as I am packing away my things, I realized that I should collect mementos of travels, aside from pictures and memories, I should have some tangible things that will remind me of my travel. So I decided to collect keychains. I hope to have a cute collection of my keychains representing my journey.

Until my next travel...

G, 

Crown Hotel, Naga City

Naga City is one of the developed and progressing cities Bicol. I happened to visit the town because of work. We stayed and did training at Crown Hotel. It is stratigically located at the center of the town where everything is accesible. The city market is just a walk away, and tricycles are within the area. My CH encounter started right after I stepped at the Naga soils haha. Because they offer free transfers.

Since it was my first time in Naga, I did my research first. And there were limited reviews about Crown Hotel, so I feel that I need to do one. And based on the infos, I lowered some of my expectations. So sabi nga nila, less expectations, less disappointments.

Let me tour you to the hotel by pictures. 

This will be my sanctuary for the rest my stay. Not so roomy, but clean and comfortable. 

I love my bed and the painting, though I will miss D's smell, this will do for two nights. 

Don't ask me what is behind that window. Kasi wala talaga. And there is no scenic view in the hotel because it is located at the center of the plaza. 

The coffee table, and some complimentary water. They don't have free coffee, but convinience stores are just around the hotel, and the helpful hotel staff are very willing to provide you with hot water and coffee cup. 

There is the dresser, and will be my working area for my stay. 

Bathroom is basic, I need more towels! but clean.

Shower area is too small, but tilled and clean. And uhm, no water heater. 

There is also a roomy cabinet and an extra pillow

The room is also equiped with lcd tv with cable and a mini ref. 

Below are the room rates as of January 2015. 

Typical hotel hallway. 

Mirrored stairs. Mirrors really make spaces look bigger. And an instant check in your ootd. lol

This is the entrance of the ballroom, where we did our seminars. It can be divided into two rooms. 

Magdalena room A. 

Magdalena room B. 

Breakfast is complimentary and they have bacon. Yun na! 

On Service - 

Front desk people are so helpful. They are very accommodating to your needs and even gives you suggestions on how to go around the city. And when you ask them "saan masarap kumain." They will tell you, sa restaurants nila. Haha trained masyado diba? 

There is also a Cebu Pacific desk that can assist you. They helped me track our cargos and the hotel driver even got it for me for P350. Me? I roamed around the city while waiting. 

Banquet staffs are also very helpful and very accommodating. They are efficient in serving our snacks and lunch. Food is also good. As much as I wanted to share our contracted rate, hindi ko alam. Our counterparts coordinated the whole seminars kasi. But I think they are very budget friendly. 

On Amenities - 

There is no swimming pool and elevators (4 floors lang naman). It is because the building is old daw can no longer accommodate such. 

They have a business center that can assist on some of your needs, but they do not have printers. Anyway you are at the downtown so everything is accessible. 

- - 

If you are looking for a accessible play to stay, or you will run some errands and meetings best to book at Crown Hotel because of the location. Everything is practically within the area.  But if you are for leisure or relaxation trip better search for other hotels or tourist spots in the region. 

Crown Hotel, Naga

Crown Hotel Building 

P. Burgos Street, Naga, 

4400 Camarines Sur

(054) 473 8305

- - 

As my bicolana friend told me "you will love the place where I grew up", I really did, because of my pleasant stay at Crown Hotel. 

I am working on a post on what made my stay in Naga a happy one, so wait for it. 

#iamsoblessed 

G, 

Dipolog City Wet Market

Yes, Almost a month ago, I went to Dipolog City for a two-day training. This was during the Zamboanga City siege, I know! katakot kaya? R and my family asked me 10x if I really need to go, or hindi daw ba makakacancel? R even asked me not to go, takot lang niya mawalan ng asawa haha! But the people in Dipolog assured us that Dipolog City is peaceful and nothing to worry about. And true enough we enjoyed our stay there almost, If only baby D did not get sick while I am away. 

This is my second time to visit Dipolog, and this place is one of my favorite. Life is so simple. People are accommodating, the slow paced life made me relaxed and wanna stay chos! My first time here, we visited Dapitan and Dakak, will find time to post the photos, promise! But for this trip, we opted not to go out often, be better safe at the hotel ang drama namin. But, but since city life in Dipolog is so simple that their central market is just a few blocks from the hotel, dun nalang kami namasyal. I enjoyed! from someone na nag-iinarte na wet markets, I appreciate their market there. Hindi mabaho, wala masyadong tao, hindi maingay and sobrang fresh at mura ng bilihin. Sobrang nagsisi talaga ako at hindi ako namili ng maraming dried fish! I thought kasi kasing presyo lang sa manila haha bad. bad. Lemme show you the photos?? Sorry if walang captions ung iba, because this was almost a month ago, inatake na ako ng momnessia! (excuses!)

 

Public transportation is more on habal-habal. 

Freshness! I think this is tuna. 

Fresh dalagang bukid. 

Ganyan kalaki mga fish, parang buto ng pigs mga bones nila. 

Galunggongs!

Dried Fish for P70 per kilo (I thought pareho lang dito P120 per kilo pala)

Veggies are packed ready for kilawin! 

Seaweeds! P20 per kilo. 

Bananas!

Durian madness! we ate this by the sidewalk. sarap. (wag lang amuyin)

Our last night was spent out din naman. We went dinner to their famous dampa in Dapitan City. Yumminess the food. Mindanao and Visayas regions talaga are the best in fresh seafoods. 

Restaurant by the bay. During day, you can have lunch by the boat cruising by the bay. 

Native table settings. 

We love the packaging of the spoon and fork. Muntik na maiuwi. 

Spicy Crabs.!

This is heaven. Grilled banana split with vanilla ice cream. 

Dipolog and Dapitan City are one of the simple yet beautiful places i've been. Must visit.