Category: Beach Love

Beach Hopping Dorset from London: Bournemouth, Sandbanks, Blue Pool in Wareham, and Studland

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lilac Penafiel (@me.lykee)

Bournemouth is just a 2-hour train from London so it’s easily one of the top choices for a beach getaway especially if you’ve been to Brighton (just 1 hour from London) and you’re looking for sand and not rocks.

This trip was my second time to explore Bournemouth. My first was when I treated myself for beach therapy after I passed my second take of the OSCE exam. But that was a rainy and chilly March so I didn’t get to enjoy the beach that much. This time, with friends, I was able to see nearby beaches and attractions.

Continue reading “Beach Hopping Dorset from London: Bournemouth, Sandbanks, Blue Pool in Wareham, and Studland”


Cornwall Beach Getaway: From Central London, around Penzance and St. Ives by rental car

July 2020. Still summer, still sunny mostly. Lockdown lifted. Missing the beach. We were lusting for sand in our feet, put on our swimsuits and take a dip in the ocean water. When we decided where to go, Cornwall is a unanimous choice.

 

Continue reading “Cornwall Beach Getaway: From Central London, around Penzance and St. Ives by rental car”


Seven Sisters Cliffs from Central London by Public Transport

Disclaimer: Backdated post. This trip was last summer days after the first lockdown in the UK was lifted.

We were looking for just a day hike from central London so the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs is a perfect choice because it’s just around 2 hours by train. Based on our online research and hassling our friends who had been there, we gathered there are different ways to go there based on the level of activity you’re after.

Continue reading “Seven Sisters Cliffs from Central London by Public Transport”



Memories Before, During, and After the Alhambra: Madrid to Granada to Alicante

Disclaimer, just to manage your expectation: This might be kind of a travel guide post as I will post some recommendations but more than that, this is a travel diary with more of my random thoughts and feelings.

Making plans

The June rota (schedule) was out and apart from the five-day “birthday” off that I requested, there was another two days off after that making it into a week. I immediately texted my friend who I was supposed to come with to an every-6 months-college-reunion that was the reason for this request.

Me: Am I crazy if I’ll ditch the reunion to go home to the Philippines for a week? FYI: I already checked airfares as well as checked my bank account.

Friend: Definitely a bad idea. You need money when you go home. Pertaining not only to the airfare but to balikbayan expenses as well, you know.

Me: I’ll just hide at home, and eat nilaga from the karinderya. I was really craving for it at that moment, the karinderya type nilaga without the vegetables, full of sebo, with pieces of utok which is actually just bone marrow stuff.

Friend: Believe me, I’ve just been there, even if you don’t go out, your money will go places. Besides, we’ll have the reunion, it’ll be fun.

That was Plan A, not feasible, so crossed that one off. Because of the extension, I wasn’t still convinced Plan B is going to be the reunion.

Continue reading “Memories Before, During, and After the Alhambra: Madrid to Granada to Alicante”


#hulinghiritsataginit: Buenos Aires Mountain Resort and Lakawon Island Resort and Spa

When bored talks by the poolside turn to impromptu getaway…

Adult pool at Puntavilla Resort, best at night with neon pool lights

Maybe that’s what being drunk with softdrinks do. One afternoon, we’re at Puntavilla hanging out in the pool, the next day, we’re on our way to Negros for a last minute summer outing. Continue reading “#hulinghiritsataginit: Buenos Aires Mountain Resort and Lakawon Island Resort and Spa”



Bantayan Island: Malaya Lang, Hindi Sawi

I admit I only knew about Bantayan Island because of the movie Camp Sawi. When I saw how lovely the place was, I told myself I’ll definitely visit this place. The last time I was in Cebu, I was about to go there but some typhoon came and I was told the boat operation was cancelled. I was stuck in Cebu City for a few days and was “sawi” to go to Bantayan.

Moreover, I discovered there was a boat from the island to Estancia, a fact that made it more accessible to me. So after the last-minute event that had me packing my bag to Cebu, I tried to squeeze in Bantayan in my itinerary. But, I was informed that the boat operation to Estancia was cancelled and my Couchsurfing host also cancelled, so that’s the reason I decided to settle with Moalboal. But then again, kung sinuswerte ka nga naman, I received the payment for a writing gig I did so I went, “What the heck! Let’s go to Bantayan!” Continue reading “Bantayan Island: Malaya Lang, Hindi Sawi”


Moalboal: Chasing Sea Turtles and Sunsets

Photo credit: Giuliano of Global Gabella

Due to some last-minute circumstances, I was off to Cebu with little planning. Well, I was there for an exam but then of course, I didn’t want to miss the chance to explore Cebu beaches which was something I kept on postponing the few times I went there.

So, why Moalboal? Apart from thinking it’s once of the closest to Cebu City, I found a cheap hostel there which is close to the beach. Pretty simple decision making, right? Continue reading “Moalboal: Chasing Sea Turtles and Sunsets”


Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia Trip for 28 Days for less than P50,000 All In: Part 3- Bali, Indonesia

Note: I’ve written a comprehensive itinerary about the whole trip in the post 3 Asian Countries, 28 Days, and a P48K Budget All In.

I mentioned in my previous post that I met a Filipino couple back at a hostel in Singapore. We learned they just finished the Indochina leg of their trip with Malaysia as their last destination. They’d be traveling for three weeks all in all.

At the back of my mind, I was jealous. Indochina was really my goal so I can visit my friends in Laos but eventually, my travel plan changed. And wow! Three weeks! That’s something. Until I realized, oh, I was just one week in on my own travel schedule. Doing the math, I swallowed, the thrill of 20 more days of traveling hasn’t quite seeped in yet. Continue reading “Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia Trip for 28 Days for less than P50,000 All In: Part 3- Bali, Indonesia”