Gulugod Baboy: Ester's Refreshments

Mt. Gulugod Baboy, located at Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, is one of the popular hiking destinations in the province. Because it's relatively easier to climb (2/9 difficulty level), one can spend half day on the mountains and the other half on the beach! 

The steep road 

 Anyway, I climbed there for the first time last July but I needed to go back because I didn't take a photo of this store:

Ester's

 Ester's has the best tasting halo-halo in the mountains, in my opinion, so far. I climbed below ten mountains only as of yet so I may not be the best judge for this, but it's really delicious. XD It's the first store from the foot of the mountain.

With other services :D

I tried it on my first hike, however, since I climbed the second time on a Monday, Tita Ester opted not to buy ingredients for halo-halo, so we settled for buko juice (Php10) and ice candy.

Corn-flavored ice candy

 It was too sweet for my liking, but I bought another one during the descent because it's still refreshing. I tried buko ice candy too, and it's less sweet. 

Corn-flavored ice candy

 But Tita Ester's best ice candy flavor is not buko or corn; it's ube. (I tried it during my first hike so I haven't taken a photo.) It has real ube bits and it doesn't taste like ube flavoring at all - I hate ube-flavored anything. But I definitely love real ube. They are all for Php5 each, so I recommend all hikers to try them. 

Here's some photos from the peak(s)! 

View: Sunbeam Resort

Beautiful views, aren't they? Have you tried Tita Ester's refreshments, too? Share your thoughts below! :)
I will blog the climbing details and post more photos on my other page, thoughtsthisrandom.blogspot.com next time. :)

Ann's Home of Cakes and Pastries: Choco Caramel Fudge Cake, and more

As promised, visited Ann's Home of Cakes and Pastries again, this time, my sister visited for cakes! (For pastries blog, click here.)

Here's her pasalubong for us:

From left: chocolate caramel fudge cake, red velvet cake and carrot cake

CARROT CAKE

This is one of their well-known cakes. When it's asked where to find the most delicious carrot cake in Batangas, one would point Ann's. 

The walnuts did a wonderful job.

Most of the carrot cakes I tried were too dry and plain, but this one has the right amount of moist (the white creamy top and center filling was perfect), and the walnuts made it interesting. It's truly one of the best carrot cakes I've tasted.

RED VELVET CAKE

I'm not really a fan or red velvets - I just don't get the flavor. Still I tried Ann's version, and I must say I like this better than what I've tried before (a more expensive one in Katipunan).

As always, the nuts (in this case, almonds slivers) are a great touch. As said, though not a fan of the flavor, that didn't stop me from eating it. It's not nakakaumay (I don't know the English term. Help, anyone?) unlike other red velvets that I tried, may it be a cupcake or cake, so I must say it's a must-try for all red velvet lovers. :)

PRICE: PHP 58 per slice.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL FUDGE CAKE

This is their best tasting cake for me. It was addicting, not too sweet but oh-so-chocolaty, and the moist is perfect! 

The caramel part complemented the chocolate well.

We were so in love with this that my sister bought a whole cake a week after. This I recommend to everyone. I would even recommend Starbucks to let them distribute this over their chocolate cakes so that I can have cheaper cakes there, if only I have the power.

PRICE: PHP 58 per slice.

Over all, I can say that they have the best tasting and cheapest cakes, ever. I hope they could penetrate the Manila market soon. 

Please, Batanguenos, try one of their cakes. Highly recommended. :)

DISCOUNT ALERT! Get free discount vouchers from Human Nature

Human Nature, a social enterprise in the Philippines known for its natural products, is giving us 15% discount vouchers!

Here's the link to the voucher! Image from Human Nature

If you're wanting to try their products, here is your chance!
I promise you, you won't be disappointed. :)

Check out their products here!
Discount vouchers are valid until September 12, 2014 only, so shop now! 

Visit Human Nature Lipa at Seasons Lipa ground floor (near Tambo exit). :)



What? Want to have food thingie in this post? Well, all branches of Human Nature have free unimited brewed coffee! 

That's one more reason for you to shop there. :) 



Here's their number: 0917-885-8865

lilwihims.com is giving away cameras!

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

lilwhims.com is giving away 4 Instax Mini 8 Cameras!

They started this giveaway on June 28, and since then, gave Instax biweekly.
As of the moment, only 1CAMERA is left, so let's hurry and join now!

Contest runs until August 23, 2014.
Click here to join the Instax Mini 8 Camera Giveaway.

First Harvest's Salted Coco Caramel

Here's something that is starting to invade Batangas City: Salted Coco Caramel!

First Harvest's Salted Coco Caramel with Sesame Seeds!

Gawad Kalinga's First Harvest introduces Salted Coco Caramel, made with love by the GK moms! (Social entrepreneurship is gaining grounds, as it should be!)

I loved coco jams when I was young. I was 'notorious' for eating too many of those at my cousin's house. But I got scolded a lot because it could cause tonsilitis.

So this price of heaven is definitely a good news! 

For orders from Batangas City, contact 0922-24-25334.

The Best Before date assures you that they're not filled with preservatives! (Bought this on July 1, 2014)

The secret to fame that rock salt and cheese flavored drinks gain is in this jar too. Its hint of saltiness compliment its natural sweet flavor. 
And surprisingly, what's more addictive is the additional sesame seeds!

Tip: Spread into a slice of bread and toast it :D YUMMY!

If you're into jams, please don't miss this~!