Cape Verde: Africa’s Answer to the Caribbean

Cape Verde has been heralded as one of the best tourist destinations of 2014 by National Geographic and there’s no doubt that the popularity of this group of Atlantic islands is on the rise.

If you’re looking for sun-drenched islands with spectacular beaches then Cape Verde should be on your destination list.

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Campuestohan Highland Resort: Fun in the Highlands

Nestled in the lush slopes of Mt. Makawili in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, is a 5 hectare mountain resort bustling with scenic views, fun activities and relaxation spots. With its uniqueness and world-class facilities, Campuestohan Highland Resort quickly made a name and became a premier tourist destination in the province.

During our homecoming last year, I never had the time to visit Campuestohan and I went back to Dubai with regrets. I'd cringe with envy every time I see photos of family and friends at the resort. Hence, three months ago, on our recent holiday in the Philippines, Campuestohan Highlands took the number one spot in my places-to-visit list!    

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RICH Cafe: British Bites at Mall of the Emirates

RICH, in striking capital letters, scared me away several times. 

I'm talking about RICH Cafe at Mall of the Emirates. It is very inviting and certainly charming, yet its posh name sounds like a nightmare to the food budget. So, I often wince and walk straight to the food court. It was only last Saturday that I noticed the cafe's buy1get1 coupons in my precious Entertainer book! Why haven't I seen it all along?

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My Five Favorite Filipino Restaurants in Dubai

I have tons of reasons why I'm in love with Dubai, and culinary diversity is one. My taste buds have learned to love authentic cuisines from other nations. But the more I appreciate the different flavors of the world, the more I keep running back to the taste I am familiar with. 

I'm glad that there are Filipino restaurants that I can run to when my kitchen prowess isn't enough to whip up a special Filipino meal. Some of the restaurants are homegrown; the food outlets I have already loved back in the Philippines. And most are "Made in Dubai"; the small eateries and the lavish buffet restaurants that always make me happy and proud.    

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Travel with a Surat Journal

I love creating memories and making them last forever. That's one of the reasons why I blog, why I always have camera with me and why I decided to have a travel journal. With so many things happening and so little time to sit in front of the computer, my journal comes in handy when need to pen down my thoughts while I'm still on a sweet escape. If the camera is for the sights that I want to see, the journal is for the thoughts that I want to keep.

I want my memory keeper to be special, so I got myself a pink little blank book from Surat Journals. I love it because it is hand-crafted, made of recycled paper and bound in Marikina leather, light and fits right into my sling bag! Know more about Surat Journals and very interesting The Traveling Journal Project here.

It's a travel companion that everyone must have. So, in line with Lady and her Sweet Escapes blogversary celebration, and in partnership with Surat Journals, we are giving away a classic story keeper! I'm so happy to say that this giveaway is open worldwide! Yay! If you are the lucky winner, you'll receive the journal right at your doorstep! :)

It's time to explore places with your Surat Journal!

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The Ruins, The Romance and The Ristorante

Tucked in the midst of a sugarcane plantation is my home province's precious gem; a structure created out of love and ruined because of a war, but has lived to tell the tale! It is called The Ruins.

I have been there countless times. I have seen it in broad daylight, in the golden hour, under the night sky and from all possible angles. But there was never a time when I felt I had enough. I just have to go back and embrace its enchantment year after year!  

Perhaps I'm not the only one. 

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Dragon's Place: Asian Fusion Restaurant at The Ajman Palace

Due to my husband's obsession with Manga and my fascination with different forms of dining, we have fallen in love with Japanese cuisine. We have witnessed a culinary entertainment in a Teppanyaki table, dined in a contemporary ramen bar and grabbed some sushi from the conveyor belt. Traditional Japanese-style dining in a private room with a low table and floor cushions is what we wanted to experience next. It has been in our foodie bucket list for quite awhile and it was finally fulfilled during our stay at The Ajman Palace Hotel and Resort. Believe me when I say that the magic of spontaneity truly works! :)

An hour before the Japanese dinner date happened, I was contemplating where to dine at The Ajman Palace. The hotel has eight dining options! Part of me already wanted to steer away from confusion and just call for a room service, until I clicked on the online menu of Dragon's Place. The Asian Fusion restaurant offers Thai and Japanese cuisine, which simply means I can have a flavorful chicken satay and a delicate Japanese roll in one sitting! The prices are not that bad either! So, I dropped the room service plan and asked my husband to take me to Dragon's Place instead.  

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Eid Getaway at The Ajman Palace

"Where will you spend the Eid Holiday?" That's the question I often hear when the Holy Month of Ramadan comes to an end. For the first time in my six years in Dubai, I struggled for an answer. It has always been difficult to prepare for an Eid getaway in my line of work. Schedules are only released just a few hours before the holiday itself, but I always have something in mind. Well, except this year. 

My clueless stare and my "I have no idea" answer surprised a lot of people. Perhaps my holiday OCness, the force that made me do a Plan A, Plan B and even Plan C to Z, is already gone. Or maybe, I am already in love with the magic of spontaneity. :) 

It was only the day before Eid al Fitr that I knew I'd get a two-day holiday break, which simple means Ed and I can go on an out of town beach trip. Yay! So, when the official announcement was made, I immediately hit Booking.com for a last-minute hotel stay booking! The spur-of-the-moment planning made me giddy, but it also gave me a hard time as most rates have doubled or tripled. Even an overnight stay for two in a budget resort somewhere north had a whopping price of a thousand dirhams! Seriously? But after almost two hours of hotel-hunting online, I finally found a seemingly perfect sweet escape destination with a reasonable rate. 

Ed and I spent the Eid Holiday at The Ajman Palace.       

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2nd Blogversary Giveaway

It's Lady & her Sweet Escapes' anniversary month!

I can hardly believe that my little pink blog is turning two in couple of days. I have always been mellow dramatic when I'm counting my blessings, hence I'll try not to be a drama queen this time. I decided not to reward myself with a romantic getaway this year. The love and support I'm receiving from my readers are enough for me. So, I think it's payback time. :)      

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 2nd Blogversary than to say a massive THANK YOU to my loyal readers. With this, I'm launching not just one but two consecutive giveaways this August! The prices in store are not that grand, but I'm pretty sure you'll love them as much as I do.

Excited? Here you go... The first giveaway is cool, stylish, light and white! 

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