A panoramic view of Mt. Apo,
The calming sound of Kabacan River below,
A fancy infinity pool just outside your suite.
Imagine waking up to that picture,and sipping your hot cup of native coffee by the pool. Very nice, isn’t it?
😊
Sitio Maupot is a recently opened mountain resort, 30 minutes away from Kidapawan City. The resort already rests on the foothills of Mount Apo, that’s easily accessible (with concreted road) from the town of Magpet. The Balinese-inspired resort has commendable amenities, and the suites are tastefully designed. The outdoor spa and massage lounge faces the best view of the mountains as well. Private suite packages start at 3,500 for 2 pax. 
It is also worth commending that the resort gave an effort to preserve existing nature, as much as they can. Trees and natural contours of the land were largely maintained. There is even a fruit bearing guava tree in the middle of the pool. Very nice,noh? 😊 The resort is also partially solar powered.
To maintain semi-exclusivity, the resort is not listed in agoda and the likes. For inquiries, just click on the link above. Their FB page is quite responsive.
You may also Contact them at 0946-1745-495 or email sitiomaupot@yahoo.com.
The Oslo Opera House is one of the capital city’s most celebrated architectural masterpiece. The building is purposely designed with a multi-level sloped decks that allows people to walk from the ground level and up to the top without having to go inside the building. The opera house as well boasts an impressive interior woodwork. No fees are asked to enter the building lobby.
The opera house has one of the most impressive comfort room I have ever visited.
The opera house is at its most impressive during sunset to early evening.
The view of Oslo waterfront as seen from the roof deck.
The view of the city as seen from roof deck.
Here are some highlights of the museum exhibit.
Bruges is a mere one hour train ride from the capital city of Brussels. Several trips run between the two cities, but it is recommended that you take the intercity train from Brussels ‘MIDI’ station with fewer stops (Trains from Brussels Central Station take longer time). Round trip ticket is around 20 Euros. A day tour would be enough to see Bruges; and when purchasing round trip tickets, always ask the attendant to guide you re return time options. Always keep your ticket in the safe place as the attendant will check this from time to time. Bruges is very walkable. Upon arriving at the central station, do a quick stop at the tourist centre just before the exit, to secure a city map and take some free postcards with you. =) 
Food is fairly cheap in Belgium, compared to other European cities. In Bruges, a quick grub from Pasta Maria is recommended. A pack of Alfredo for 3 Euros isn’t bad already. 
Patok din sa kanila ang DIY Salad foodang. relatively cheap. 
Sa Sweden lang din ako naka hanap ng super cheap na sandwich set in Scandinavia. This set of ham and cheese pancake with brewed coffee is only 20 SEK (100 Pesos). Walang ganito sa Oslo.
Maganda ang view from Crafoord’s , I swear. 
From Stockholm, relatively affordable na lang ang plane tickets to Iceland. Salamat sa skyscanner.com to help travellers book a good deal. Ito ang pasample kung pano ako mag hanap ng cheap. Though the screenshots below are not the exact flights that I got into last month, the concept of finding tickets is the same. For the purpose of costing, I will be using the values given below as reference. 
Ito naman ung Itinerary that I followed when I was in Stockholm,Oslo and Reykjavik. Maliban sa Northern Light tour ng Reykjavik (see 
Have I ever got sick during travel? Sickness from food, yes, in Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013). I went to a public market with a local whom I met there. He introduced me to a certain local cold noodle dish. His Treat! I was a bit hesitant because it is a cold dish but I was just too shy to refuse, kasi her was very accommodating. The food, I think it is called Khmer Noodles; Though it was good and peanut-ish, turned out,na I was right. My tummy wasn’t able to handle the rawness of the dish. I had recurring stomach pain that lasted for 3 days, pero tolerable naman. Moral lesson, never trust dishes that are not cooked on fire.
#3 Hansy Beer of Vienna, Austria. Concocted by a local Viennese restaurant Gasthaus Hansy that brews their own beer, this lager beer is surely served fresh and crisp. Tripadvisor has good rating for this restaurant, and the beer as well.
#4 Mythos Beer of Greece. 4.7% to 5% Alcohol. As per some reviews, some find it too mild. But I find it good actually. Perfect to pair with meaty street food around Athens.
#5 Staropramen Beer of Prague Czech Republic. This is among Prague’s Decent Bohemian Pilsen, that is balanced to the milder side
G Menabrea Beer of Italy
Kronenbourg of France
Pilsner Urquell of Czech Republic
This list is really just a fraction of Beer names around Europe. Will I be updating the list on my next visit? We’ll see. =)
Although this Roman Catholic Church is relatively new (completed 1905), the church impressively stands at the middle of the a crossing that its tallest towers can splendidly be seen from blocks away. It effortlessly became one of my favourites. The church also has one of the most impressive altars I have seen, to which I shall be featuring on a separate post. Architectural Style : Neo Classical
Here is another cathedral named after St. Stephen, that is amazing it its own right. The original structure was completed 1160, and underwent a number of restorations due to fire and war. However, the structural and most of its facade and details remain original. The most amazing feature of the church is probably its tiled roof with geometric patterns, that is unlike any other. Architectural Style : Gothic
Original structure completed 1344, the church completely embodies the Goth-bohemian character of Prague with its impressive exterior embellishments. The facade still has burn marks on the walls from several fire accidents of the past, to which somewhat gave the church a story to tell. Architectural Style: Gothic
St Mary’s of Krakow is a unique Brick-Cladded church, originally built in the early 13th century. The very tall church proudly stands like two guardians. Krakow is among the most beautiful towns I have visited; And indeed, its church and square has one of the most beautiful setting. By tradition, a golden trumpet is blown every full hour from the window of the higher tower. This is still practiced until today. Architectural Style: Gothic
Barcelona Cathedral(Original Structure constructed 1298 to 1420) is another Gothic church with a beautiful set up, worthy of praises. The Spanish steps elevated the church to a more impressive view and an ethereal feel. Although the Sagrada Familia is the more famous, it is yet to be completed and there are cranes and lifts around its towers. Based on perfect setting, this church is the most beautiful in Barcelona. Architectural Style: Gothic
The Notre-Dame de Paris was among the first buildings to use the flying buttress, or the additional reversed L shaped support placed on the outer side walls for further stability, and later became part of the design pattern. The box type bell towers at the front also made the church distinct from others. And who doesn’t know Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame? Architectural Style: Gothic
I must admit that the 90’s movie ‘Madeline’ did have an impact for me to like this church so much. =) Architectural Style: Neo clasical
The Pisa Cathedral is probably the oldest in the list (construction started 1064). The baluster-like posts at the facade are each made of solid white marble, and most of the original posts were picked by the Romans from the ruins of Greece. Behind this church is the famous leaning tower. Architectural Style: Romanesque.
Romanesque (pre-gothic time)was prevalent especially in the 11th and 12th centuries and characterized by massive walls, round arches, and relatively simple ornamentation and less window openings since structural design are yet to be further developed during that time.
Milan Cathedral, Italy (Construction started 1836). With the capacity of 40,000 pax, Milan Cathedral is the 2nd biggest, next to St. Peter’s in Vatican. And with 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures in all, Milan Cathedral has the most impressive number of decorative statues. Impressive in every angle, this church easily because one of my favourites. Architectural Style: Gothic
St Mark’s Cathedral (Construction started 1084). Located in the East Isles of Italy, Venice shared a lot of its history with the Turks, as such, the Byzantine Architecture is very evident on the city’s most celebrated church. The Gold facade embellishments, pointy arches and mosaic art frescos and colored glass chandeliers are among the adopted characters from the Turks, and have clearly made this catholic church a ‘one of a kind’. Architectural Style: Byzantine
The Stripe Church of Monterosso (Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista – Church of St John Baptist, Monterosso al Mare, 14th Century). Standing at the Seaside town of Monterosso, Ligurian Region of Italy, the church is really a stand out on this list for its Stripe black and white walls and impressive rose window. Though the relatively unknown of the group, the seaside church (and the whole Cinque terre, infact) is worth a visit. Architectural styles: Renaissance architecture
With such intricately detailed exterior, Florence Cathedral honestly got my spot for most beautiful facade on this list. The Photo does not give enough justice, as this church is truly ethereal and stunning in actual (nakaka-lula in tagalog). Living up to the principles of Renaissance art, the cathedral itself is an a masterpiece of when Italian art and knowledge was at its most glorious days. Architectural styles: Renaissance architecture
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