My new found peace at Beijing’s Summer Palace

Spending summer at Beijing was just really exhausting, the humidity and the lack of trees to give you shade from the scorching heat was enough to make me feel beat all day. After going around The Forbidden City, I just found out the best place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon – The Summer Palace.

My welcoming view at The Summer Palace

Traveling to T'boli, South Cotabato and a treat at Sarse's Paradise Resort

After our trip to Surigao del Sur, we were off to our next destination which was South Cotabato. Frankly, going there wasn't the smartest choice. The distance from Surigao to South Cotabato would take us half to whole day of commute, and distance wise, it would have been better if we went to Davao instead. But after seeing pictures of Lake Sebu and Lake Holon, we were determined to go there before year 2013 ends.

pretty lotus flowers in full bloom

Weekend visit at the crowded Tiananmen and Forbidden City in Beijing

Aside from the Great Wall, Tiananmen and Forbidden City is one of China's crowning glory, these places are what everyone would think about when thinking about traveling to this country. I made it a point to be able to visit these two spots before I leave for Manila. I couldn't remember why I set to go there on a Saturday and this is something I regret not giving much thought about. Truly, China is a home to one billion of residents, and competing with them on such a popular site in Beijing proved to be my fatal mistake. It is said that these places even reach 80,000 visitors a day during peak times. Define crowded.

Summer heat and swarming in with hundreds of people, one of the "must experience" at The Forbidden City of Beijing

Tonkatsu Goodies at Katsu Café, Banawe, Quezon City

Banawe Street is one of my favorite spots in Quezon City though I have only tried few of the restaurants there as of writing. A friend told me about Katsu Café located along the same street which got me wandering around Banawe again.

my younger sister excited to try out her order