A MOMster Life

10 Dove Street Confectionery is now on its soft opening.

The only time I had cake and cookies from 10 Dove Street was during Valentines Day and on our daughter's first birthday.

I decided to drop by with a few friends to have a taste of what they could offer.

We ordered Banofee Pie and Oreo Trifle.

And as "Instagramous" as I am, I just can't resist taking pictures of whatever I could find there.

Get ready to be overloaded with these insta-sweetness.

Other than pastries, they also offer drinks such as teas and coffees. My friends commend that their coffee tastes great. I wasn't able to try their coffee, though, because I had to stay away from coffee for a while. *shaky hands*

Though some would say it's a bit pricey, I find it satisfying for the price I had to pay - not just for the cake but for the ambiance as well.

Being someone who loves sweets and just wants to chill at places that are not overly crowded, I just found another perfect hangout.

10 Dove Street Confectionery is located at Oakridge Business Park.

Group picture at Mangodlong Rock Resort

We got up early last May 23 to catch the first trip from Danao to Camotes. Unfortunately, due to some unfavorable (and I believe, ILLEGAL) acts of some people, we were not able to procure tickets for the first trip - even those people who were already there at 3AM!

Just a tip I want to share if you're planning to go to Camotes, you could actually get a round-trip ticket from North Bus Terminal. I've just learned this information when we already reached there.

It is a two-hour ferry ride from Danao to Camotes.
When we reached Consuelo port, the area is already crowded with a lot of service cabs and motorcycles. It seemed to me that the crowd tripled from the last time I was here - which was three (3) years ago.

There we saw our trusty tour guide who drove us to Masamayor's Beach House and Resort where we had our room reservations.

Masamayor's Beach House and Resort

We had our breakfast and got our lunch packed for our tour.

Our first stop was the Mangodlong Rock Resort.
One thing I really liked about this resort is I don't need to go very far in order to take a good swim even on low tides.


And I believe it was not just me who enjoyed the place. Everyone else happily plunged into the water. And if only there was nowhere else we'd go, I believe everyone would have chosen to stay a little bit longer.

The resort also offers some nice views for a perfect summer shot.

Heya, Sweet Potatoes! We've meet again xD #outofneverland #explorePH #travelPH #summer #Camotes #beach

A photo posted by J Cyrel | Aya Byuu (@ayisharu) on May 25, 2015 at 6:22am PDT

You may also avail of some of their activities such as jet skiing.

Second stop was at Paraiso Cave and Restaurant. This was not in our itinerary three years ago so this was also my first in the said place.

Among the caves I have visited in Camotes, I find this one the smallest. There aren't much to explore and the spring is only a few steps down from the entrance. The water was very cold and deep for someone who is only 4'11" in height.

Entrance of the cave

Inside of the cave

And although the water seemed crystal clear, I did not spend too much time in it in fear of getting muscle cramps; contrary to my daughter who seemed to be enjoying herself very much even if it was really cold.

Next on the list is the famous Lake Danao Park.

I could still remember the first time I was there, it was just the big lake, the floating cottage and the kayaks. There were no other guests than us.
On my second visit, they improved a bit and started building some tables and cottages.

Now on the third time, a lot has improved. And the population of the guests just went ten times more than the last time I could remember.

There were also more tables and cottages.
We decided to have our lunch there.

Having lunch at Lake Danao Park

There are a lot of activities you could do at Lake Danao Park such as boating, kayaking, horseback riding, etc.

After we had our lunch, our tour guide asked us if we would like to visit the Holy Crystal Cave wherein he mentioned it will be a really challenging one as we might do some crawling and bending over. It seems quite an adventure but since we have an infant with us, we had to skip this one.

And if you're a little curious as to what we've just missed, here's an informative review.

We proceeded to another cave, the Timubo Cave.

It is still the same cave as the last time I was there, but this time with so many people!
That's right, the place was heavily crowded that they're already setting a time limit of 30 minutes for every guest.

Timubo Cave

But the crowd did not stop us from enjoying the cave - especially my daughter who really loves splashing in the water.

We didn't stay too long and went on to our next stop - cliff-diving at Buho Rock Resort.

I was a bit excited because I know how much my SO loves to dive.
But when we reached the place, I couldn't hide my dismay.

The place in itself is still so beautiful and picture perfect.

It's just that I really don't like large crowds.
There were a lot of people standing by the cliff and it would be kind of hard to ask them to move down without us appearing rude and arrogant.

Cliff-diving. I really wanted to have my picture taken on THAT cliff. But seeing the crowd that time, it seems impossible. So here's a pic of two random girls instead :p #outofneverland #explorePH #exploreCebu #Camotes #travelPH #cliffdiving #summer2015 #summer

A photo posted by J Cyrel | Aya Byuu (@ayisharu) on May 29, 2015 at 7:06am PDT

Because it seemed impossible to do what we went there for, we just had to enjoy ourselves swimming on the foot of the cliff, instead... And maybe just take some pictures.

Buho Rock Resort

Foot of the cliff

It was already late in the afternoon when we decided to head back to Santiago where we continued splashing in the water.

Silhouette. #outofneverland #exploreCebu #explorePH #travelPH #silhouette #sunset #Camotes #summer #summer2015 #beach

A photo posted by J Cyrel | Aya Byuu (@ayisharu) on May 24, 2015 at 5:10pm PDT

After the sun had set, my SO and I headed to Pito's Sutokil to reserve a table for our dinner.

In my previous visits at Camotes, I have always stayed at Pito's Sutokil and I could vouch that their food tastes great and are very affordable.

We had a fulfilling dinner. My personal favorite that night was the beef steak.
We headed back to our rooms and I dozed off rather early while the rest of the guys had their inuman session.

Early the next day, we had a light breakfast and proceeded immediately to have an early swim... and of course, pictures!

Water baby :D

By 10AM, we got ready to leave so we could reach the port by 11AM as what was advised by our tour guide.

In the past few years, the tour guides were supposed to get the tickets beforehand so it would be convenient for their guests. However, because of some "illegal" acts (as what is also happening at Danao port) of some people, they stopped issuing tickets for the tour guides.

And even if we did got to the port early, the available trips left are the 4PM trip onwards. Fortunately, we brought with us some grub in case we go hungry.

If you aren't patient enough, here's a little tip. I could remember on my first time there, there was a wharf somewhere where there are a few boats from Leyte that would pass by and if they're not fully loaded, they'll dock and get some passengers from Camotes. Not sure if it's still in operation, though. You might want to clarify this one when you go visit. But prolly the best option is to really get a round-trip ticket. I highly recommend it.

We were also accompanied by dolphins on our way to Danao. Yay!
Hi, Finley! :D



So that was our mini summer escapade in Camotes. My conclusion?

Camotes is a really beautiful place. It offers much more than just its picturesque resorts.
There are also a lot of other activities you could do such as kayaking, boating and diving.

The con's of this whole trip would be the overly populated spots (because A LOT of people are also having their tours), and the hassle of getting tickets from Danao to Camotes and vice versa.

And if you're like me who hates a large crowd, there are still some secluded areas in the island such as the bakhaw beach which is not yet too commercialized.

Breakdown of Expenses (9 adult; 1 infant)

Tour		2500
Masamayor
	- Family Room (4 pax)	2800
	- Deluxe Room (2 pax)	1800
	- Additional	300/head
Danao to Camotes
	- Adult	180/head
	- Student (need ID)	150/head
Breakfast & Lunch		1500 *
Mangodlong Rock Resort		20/head
Paraiso Cave		25/head
Lake Danao Park		25/head
Table and Buko		300 *
Timubo Cave		20/head
Buho Rock Resort		25/head
Dinner		1500 *
Lunch		1000 *
Camotes to Danao
	- Adult	180/head
	- Student (need ID)	150/head

* estimates

Contact Numbers

Masamayor's Beach House and Resort
0917 631 8818

Mr. Apollo (Tour and Cab services)
0918 611 3728

Some spots that you may visit or include in your itinerary:

I have only heard of it from my brother who suggested we held my daughter's birthday on the said place. I tried contacting and they said there is an available space. However, they cannot make the place exclusive.

Since then, I've been wanting to visit the area - even followed them on Instagram. My SO is not much of a fan and is not as curious as I am so I thought my chance of going there is slim.

#butterscotch combo #latteart

A photo posted by iamcoffeemadness (@iamcoffeemadness) on Apr 24, 2015 at 12:14am PDT

Fortunately enough, I've got a friend (Darling) - a close friend of SO - who is also into exploring secluded places, so SO got persuaded to come, too. :p

None of us had been there so we had to rely on Google Maps and Waze.

Here are some routes from Pacific Mall to Coffee Madness (Source: Google Maps)

And TADAAN!

We finally reached COFFEE MADNESS! :D

Photo taken by Darling

Contrary to its name, you won't actually get mad. XD

The ambiance is very calming and the place is not too commercialized.

It's perfect if you want to get away from the busy city life or if you're simply looking for some "me" time.

If you're looking for some place quiet with coffee and pizza, then @iamcoffeemadness is the place to be. Oh, and there's a pool, too. ☕

A photo posted by Wandering Kiddo (@wanderingkiddo) on May 16, 2015 at 6:18pm PDT

The frappes and coffee are very affordable.

Sorry if you find it hard to read the menu. Here's a link to their FB Page.

I ordered Maddy Choco Tiramisu frappe for myself and Maddy Cookie & Creamy for my SO. Each costs Php100 only!

How to survive growing up + Maddy Choco Tiramisu Frappe #coffee #CoffeeMadness #outofneverland #exploreCebu

A photo posted by J Cyrel | Aya Byuu (@ayisharu) on May 17, 2015 at 12:16am PDT

They also offer pizza and pasta.



I kind of regretted why we did not order pizza after reading reviews from foursquare and comments from friends that their pizza tastes great. Gawd, I should have!

We only had fries which only costs Php35.


They also have a pool if you want to take a dip. (Php150/head)


The place is perfect if you're looking for some peace of mind.

Even my daughter loved the place!

Akee at @iamcoffeemadness ☕

A photo posted by J Cyrel | Aya Byuu (@ayisharu) on May 16, 2015 at 6:43am PDT

Photo taken by Darling

More pictures!

Darling, Vince (SO), Aya with Akee, Alvin (left to right)

Alvin, Darling, Akee and yours truly (left to right)

Thank you Darling and Alvin for coming with us! :D


Coffee Madness is located at Tayud Liloan.

Business hours:
Tuesday to Thursday at 3:00pm - 09:00pm
Friday to Sunday at 3:00pm - 11:00pm

Closed on Mondays