Travelista Diary

Visiting New York has been a longtime dream of mine. It's included in my ultimate must-see destinations and with some perseverance and lots of good karma I was able to visit it last year. While it’s been a long journey (literally long since the drive from Lexington, Kentucky to New York was about 12 hours), it was definitely worth the visit.

Since New York features so many of my favorite movies - Serendipity, Sex and the City and more. It feels like I'm walking into a film set.

New York is divided into five Boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Each borough has its own different vibe and culture.

A $200 budget should be enough for you to enjoy a weekend in New York. That includes taking in some theater, dining out at restaurants/cafes for every meal, subway and shopping!

SEE

Times Square
Empire State Building
St. Patricks Cathedral
Columbus Circle
Central Park
Rockfeller Center
Brooklyn Bridge
Broadway Street
Wall Street
Grand Central Station
Musuem of Modern Art
Roosevelt Island

EAT

Shake Shack
Magnolia Bakery
Serendipity 3
The Halal Guys
Street food in Times Square on Sundays
Chelsea Market
Eataly
Cafe Habana

Things to remember:

Subway fare - Pay per ride is $2.75*
For cheap Broadway tickets look for the red booth in Time Square TKTS
Roosevelt Aerial Tramway is the best way to see the beautiful Manhattan skyline
Wear comfortable shoes! Typical tourist walks a lot in NYC #tipidtips
SHAKE SHACK- wait time is about 20-30 mins, it depends on the location also
SERENDIPITY 3 - wait time for walk in customers is about 30-40 mins to save time call & reserve a table

Below is the detailed itinerary for a weekend visit in the Big Apple:

Day 1 Walking tour & sightseeing. Click to zoom in the map!

Times Square is one of the most famous attractions in NYC. Electronic billboards

everywhere! We're also lucky to met the "Apparently" kid!!!

For cheap Broadway tickets check out TKTS the red booth at the center of

Time Square, Matinee shows ranging from $30-80.

Totally different vibe at night

Broadway Street - The Theater district

The Wall Street Journal

Rockefeller Center via nycvisitingspots.com

So happy to be here! Cupcakes range from $3-5.

Ordered a red velvet cupcake & ice coffee for a total of $12

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Grateful

Shake Shack - had to line up for about 30 mins

Worth the wait!!! Burgers range from $5-10 , Crinkle Cut Fries $2.99

The closest thing it got to Lady Liberty since we didn't have enough time

Central Park during autumn

Central Park Map click to zoom in

#12 Strawberry fields memorial dedicated to John Lennon

The View

Taking a break!

World Trade Center at night

DAY 2 More Walking & sightseeing #tipidtips click to zoom in the map

Starting our morning at Dean & Deluca

Sunday Market near Times Square

Chrysler Building View on our way to Grand Central Station

The Magical Grand Central Station

SERENDIPITY 3 - the wait time to get in is around 30-45 minutes

The famous frrrozen hot chocolate from the movie Serendipity

Jonathan: This is the ultimate blend to drink. How'd you find this place?

Sara: I first came in because of the name: Serendipity. It's one of my favorite words.

Jonathan: It is? Why?

Sara: It's such a nice sounding word for what it means: a fortunate accident.

Just like in the movie

The Roosevelt Aerial Tramway

BREATHTAKING VIEW!!!

The most unique way to see NYC

Brooklyn Bridge

One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much

in five minutes as in five years. -Tom Wolfe

xx,

The Travelista

Siargao Island is the surfing capital of the Philippines. This little paradise has so much to offer for surfers and non-surfers from white sand beaches, lagoons, rock pool & more.

We spent a total of Php 6, 807/pax for 4 days and 3 nights all in. How did we do it? See my photos & stories below.

STAY

Emerald House Village - Peacock House via airbnb Php 4,025/night good for 6 pax. The Peacock House is located 150m away from the famous wave Cloud9, 5min walking distance.

SEE

Magpupungko Rock Pool Resort– It's an hour away from General Luna you can rent a motorbike for Php 1,000 or Van for Php 2,500 roundtrip. If you know how to drive a motorbike rental is only Php 300/day. Entrance fee is Php 50.
Island Hopping– Naked, Daku & Guyam Islands for only Php 1,500 4-6pax
The Boardwalk at Cloud 9 – perfect place to catch the sunrise & sunset
Siargao Bleu Resort – a luxury resort close to paradise! Room rate starts at Php 6,000- Php 12,000/night. Budget travelers can enjoy a mango smoothie for Php 190 and get that perfect Maldives view without burning a hole in your pocket.

EAT

Aventino's Pizza, Pasta and Vino in General Luna - Must try their Chocolate Cake Php 25/slice and Tricia the famous 12 inches 3-layer pizza Php 345 so goooood!
Mama's Grill - Cheap and delicious BBQs perfect for dinner
Buddha’s Surf Shop- Chill place to hang out. Must try their beef burger!

TRY

SURFING - Surfing lesson is only Php 500 instructor & surf board included

Things to remember:

TO SAVE we bought some goodies and cooked our meals
General Luna is the center of everything
Airport Van Transfer is Php 300/pax one way vs Motorbike Php 150-200 /pax
Motorbike rental is available for Php300/day
Php 20 is the standard fare for motorbikes
If you are a group of 4-6 it is ideal to hire a van to take you to Magpupungko (Php 2,500) Contact Bernard Abadilla 0909-422-6036
Buy fresh seafood in the market and have it cook in Daku Island for lunch. Cooking charge is Php50/kilo.