There are swimming pools, and then there are these swimming pools.

The infinity pool is the design that usually takes my breath away. From the right perspective, they seem to stretch on endlessly, extending all the way to the horizon.  Each  is a soothing slice of paradise and leaves me longing. Love that it's already summer in the country. Hate that I dream of Bali all the time now. And I can't go.

So I am posting some Instagram-worthy infinity pools where I've stumbled upon reading through articles about Bali. I've been to Bali. But nope, I've never been to any of the pools in the list, yet.

Here's a look at 9 of the most spectacular infinity pools in Bali; they’re worthy adding to your bucket list.

1. Alila Villas, Uluwatu

photo courtesy of Alila Villas ($780 /night)

2. Alila Villas, Ubud

photo courtesy of Alila Ubud ($280/night)

3. Ayana Resort and Spa, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Agoda Indonesia ($270/night)

 4. Hanging Gardens, Ubud

photo courtesy of hanginggardensubud.com

 5. Le Meridien, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Le Meridien ($200/night)

 6. Viceroy, Ubud

photo courtesy of Viceroy Bali

7. Rimba, Jimbaran

photo courtesy of Rimba Jimbaran

 8. The Seminyak Beach Resort

photo courtesy of hotels.com

9. Anantara, Ubud

photo courtesy of www.ultimatebali.com

Have you ever been to any of these resorts? :-)

Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that, it's called, EVERYBODY. And they meet at the beach...

Admit it, our jobs have turned us into work slaves that sleep and weekend have become a luxury. Remember that time when we came to work and we were excited? Eh, me neither! Truly, this job hasn't killed me. But it hasn't made me stronger either.

And pretending to look busy on a Friday is the hardest I work all week. Today being Friday can only mean one thing... time for the WEEKEND!

Dear fellow nine-to-fiver,
Do you love long bus rides?
Are you fresh, vigorous, or active?
You have extra cash but have nothing else to do this weekend?
You think "don't think just do" kind of trips are great?

If you answered yes to all four, you may want to consider going to San Juan, La Union this weekend. "Yea, it's just another beach," you say. Just a beach where sunlight has been shown to decrease your depression and stress level by helping you unplug. Gazing out at the water can do wonders to clear the mind, you know! Yuh, it's like the beach know exactly what we need.

Long bus ride or road trip?

From Metro Manila, the most reliable way to get to San Juan, La Union is by bus via Partas Bus from Cubao. Take a bus bound for Laoag, Vigan, Abra or San Fernando City - La Union. San Juan is around 277 kilometers north of Metro Manila and the travel time is around 7 hours. Bus fare cost 450php.

If you are taking your own car and you are coming from Manila, take the NLEX > SCTEX > TPLEX route, exit at Carmen Temporary Toll Plaza and then Waze the rest! Travel time should be 4-5 hours. Combined toll fees may cost around 600php, one-way.

my thing over sunset <3

Fresh, vigorous, or active? aka YOLO, hippie, "surfer"

You catch that one ride of the day and you’re smiling ear to ear, you are stoked. From positioning, paddling and catching a wave, to taking that glorified push-up, into a stance facing sideways... you imagine cutting the waves yourself, don't you? This place is perfect to learn surfing.

• Don't know how to swim? No worries, the water is still shallow from where the waves shape.
• Can't paddle? No problem, you can ask a local surfer to push you and your surfboard for an hourly rate of 200-400php.
• No surfboard? Hourly rentals: PhP 200; Halfday: PhP 500

Probably surfing is not enough for the hipster vibe, try the following hippie-inspired hostels:

• Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel - Kubo Dorms: 780/bed; Aircon private room & bath: 3200/2pax

(from Google Images)

• The Circle Hostel - Hammock: 450php; Bunk bed: 550php

from Circle Hostel's official website

Have extra cash and can splurge a little for accommodation?

Got it right, it's the gorgeous Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa - cheapest room: 5,500php
comes with Balinese style rooms and free use of their fab infinity swimming pool. And when you look out at the beach, there is sort of this infinity, a distance from your everyday predicament.

image from Agoda :)

Don't-think-just-do kind of trips can be great!

Stress is a silent killer.The dark circles under your eyes are begging you to sleep and relax. Remember what it felt like to nap on the sand? It's so good. You deserve that quality time with yourself rather, with people that you love. Also, I hope you remember you’re not going to look cute in a bikini or trunks forever, so why not hit the beach the soonest! Even with minimal planning, you can have the beach break you deserve.

A few words...
You've always wanted to write an auto-reply “out of the office” email, don't you? Write it! You deserve a summer vacay more than just a weekend off, you hardworking fella. Summer is here, so make use of it dearly, rain is coming soon!

Nag-overnight lang sa Elyu,
Brenda at Kalash ❤





We'd love to hear your "Off the Cuff" weekend suggestions too :)

If I will be asked for the first 3 things that will come to my mind when I hear "Korean Food", I would say "1) Metal chopsticks, 2) Bibimbap and 3) Kimchi (with a peace sign)!" As we neither have these in common with Filipino cuisine, I've always been curious about Korean food.

It was Valentine's day in Manila, all restaurants were full, malls literally surged by lovers. We were really out of our minds when we went to Mall of Asia at this time of the month, very hungry, no table reservations at all. Trying to avoid the battalion of lovers, we made our way to the MOA Complex, by the bay, by Vikings. You really can't shout your lungs out when the receptionist tell you and your angry stomach, "Welcome to Vikings. Ma'am, you're 42nd in queue. There's no guarantee you can be in before the cut-off." Can you? I walked out and thought it was going to be the worst valentines!

Meant to be. 
A few meters walk from Vikings, there's 678 Korean BBQ, the restaurant that saved our #vday2015 from being bummed! We've not tried Korean food before, so we thought it would be nice to make our first attempt here.

Here's Why We Love 678 Korean BBQ

1. Big portions of meat and free refill of salads, kimchi and melted corn and cheese

2. Excellent exhaust system

3. Refreshing service tea (Their tea had an after-taste like cooled truffles, so nice!)

4. Great service and attentive crew 

5. Very good location away from the crowd 

 Bonus: Good viewpoint for MOA's fireworks by the bay

What we ordered:

• Seafood Soft Tofu Stew (per recommendation of the waitress) - P350
• 2 servings of Pork BBQ - P370
• Beer and soda - P120

Total Cost for Two:

If you are into beaches with blinding white sand and clear aqua water, then Cebu is probably your thing. Located north of Cebu lies two pristine islands, Malapascua and Bantayan. We were there for five days and it was hot and sunny pretty much the entire time while the rest of the coast was flat. We had so many incredible days in Cebu, but one of the best was an afternoon we spent lounging in Virgin island right off the coast of Santa Fe, Bantayan.

Getting to Malapascua Island 

• In Cebu city, take a taxi to Northern Bus Terminal
• Take a bus bound for Maya Port (Ceres Bus leaves at 5am and costs P150) - trip duration: 4 hours
• Take a boat to Malapascua Island (P80)

• In Cebu city, take a taxi to Northern Bus Terminal
• Take a bus bound for Hagnaya or Bogo Port (Ceres Bus leaves at 5am and costs P160) - trip duration: 3 hours
• Take a ferry to Bantayan Island (P170)

Planning your first trip outside the Philippines? Try our Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam route!