LaBoracay Adventure

Had my first ever out of town trip with colleagues and this isn't just our ordinary getaway for summer's sake, but it's something we'll all treasure and happily look back to. :) We arrived at Iloilo International Airport around 9 in the morning on May 1 and traveled for about 9 hours to Caticlan, including the stopovers for pasalubong, restroom and lunch breaks. I'm quite regretful for not being able to take photos during our long overhaul travel. Problems with not being on a window seat. Oh well. We stayed in Boracay until May 2 in the afternoon, then went back to Iloilo in the evening for our early flight back to Davao on May 3. Oh such a limited time yet it felt like a week of fun and adventure! :) I just can't believe I've been to 3 different provinces in just 3 days! Iloilo, Aklan and Antique are now my 21st, 22nd and 23rd on my list! :) Though we weren't really able to explore everything but still we stepped foot at some places in these provinces. :)

At the pre-departure area at Davao Airport and arrival at Iloilo Airport with CebPac's freebies :) 

Walked along the shoreline and had dinner at La Carmela de Boracay.

White Beach, Boracay

Went on an island hopping the day after, snorkeled and dropped by at Poka Beach. I always get fascinated with crystal clear seawater plus white sand! ♥

Here's one of the highlights of this trip... Helmet diving!!! It costs us Php600 to go 15 ft underwater for 15 minutes and it's all worth it. That helmet actually weighs 30kg and becomes 2kg under. And yes, using that you can still normally breathe. No stress. Haha! I never thought it could be this fuuuuun! I'd definitely go back for this. :)

If we dared to go feet below, we also braved parasailing! Woooh! I never imagined chilling meters above sea level is also possible. Hahaha! It's worth a thousand pesos but it's worth the experience though.

Dinner in Kalibo and spent our last night at Gohotels Iloilo.

It's the best time to just thank the Lord for His wonderful creation! It's amazing how people intellectually and creatively conceptualized all these kind of superb activities. These places aren't meant to be visited once. I'll definitely be going back here in the coming years and spend more time to explore! :) Makabitin ni nga laag. Haha!

Matchy-matchy

Since I stumbled upon Patty Laurel's blog in 2010, I got the inspiration to travel across the globe. Her goal is to match her current age with the number of countries she visited and now, at 31, Patty has traveled to 34 countries. Wow! Just wow! Because of her I've also started to dream of going places. Even setting pessimism aside, it would really be quite impossible for me to do that. So instead of continually disappointing myself, I thought of other things to match mine. :) If I'm not mistaken, there are 82 provinces in the Philippines. How about exploring our very own country? :) Looking back I've been to 20 provinces in my 21 years, as of my last count. Not bad though. At least I won't stress over a large number, right? I can still cope! Hahaha! This is just for the sake of having something to look forward to everyday because when I'm down, the thought of going to different places always gives me the motivation to continue to live my life—the only motivation I have. That's why I love instagram coz it only takes me few taps to get into virtual discovery! I just feel the need to set my own goals. :)

Here are excerpts from each of our trip for the past years. Looking forward to more adventures this 2015! :)

AGUSAN DEL SUR

Bunawan

BENGUET

Baguio City, La Trinidad

BOHOL

Baclayon, Candijay, Carmen, Clarin, Guindulman, Jagna, Loboc, Mabini, Panglao, Sagbayan, Tubigon, Tagbilaran City

BUKIDNON

Manolo Fortich, Maramag, Malaybalay City, Valencia City

CAMIGUIN

Catarman, Mambajao, Mahinog, Sagay, Guinsiliban

CAVITE

Tagaytay, Bacoor, Carmona

CEBU

Cebu City, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Oslob

COMPOSTELA VALLEY

Nabunturan, Compostela, New Bataan

COTABATO

Kidapawan City, Carmen, Kabacan, Makilala

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal, Panabo City, Carmen, Santo Tomas

DAVAO DEL SUR

Digos City, Davao City, Bansalan, Hagonoy, Kiblawan, Malalag, Matanao, Padada, Santa Cruz, Sulop

DAVAO ORIENTAL

Mati City, Banaybanay

LAGUNA

Biñan, Calamba

LANAO DEL NORTE

Iligan City

METRO MANILA

Las Piñas, Makati, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Taguig

MISAMIS ORIENTAL

Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador City

SARANGANI

Glan, Malapatan, Malungon

SOUTH COTABATO

General Santos City, Lake Sebu

SURIGAO DEL SUR

Bislig City, Cagwait, Hinatuan, San Agustin

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

Dapitan City, Dipolog City

Memory Lane Monday: Whale Shark Encounter

What made this trip unforgettable is that this was my first out of town adventure for this year. Our whale shark experience with family made it extra special! Though I've had some encounters with other sea creatures like sting rays, but this time I swam with them—the whale sharks! It wasn't scary after all. :) 

We left Talisay at exactly 4 AM on that day because it takes more or less than 4 hours to get to Tan-awan, Oslob, and the whale sharks usually show up only in the morning and we can't afford not to see them!! So despite the sleepless night due to excessive bonding with the long-time-no-see relatives in Cebu, we managed to get our sleepy butt up and prepare our things all for the love of whale sharks! :) We rented a van for 5k good for 10 people (back and forth). If you only want to see the sharks but don't want to swim with them, you only have to pay Php300 but if you like to see them in action underwater and take a SEAlfie with them (Nyehehe), it's Php500, inclusive of snorkeling gears.

This became controversial because of animal rights but actually they have set several rules for the guests to follow and also to protect the aquatic resources. Guests are discouraged to put on whatever kinds of lotions, are not allowed to touch the whale sharks, and are advised to keep a certain distance from them. They have some professional divers hired to check on the whale sharks from time to time as well.

I therefore say that we have special family ties with sea creatures to go back to. Hahaha! They all love water and I'm actually no longer as fond as they are. I'm now conscious with my skin. Charos! Hahaha! Seriously, I've just started taking care of my skin. I now use body scrubs, papaya soap, moisturizer for my face and lotion after I take a bath. I'm gonna be using facial scrub soon. Lelz. ;) For those who are very fond of soaking their bodies into the waters under the heat of the sun, I think it's advisable to use skin care products. There are a lot to choose from at Zalora. I have just stumbled upon that page while window shopping over the net. ;) Patty herself as a lot of advices on her blog too you might want to take a look. :)

January 3, 2014

Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu

A Mixed-themed Rest House

Even though I'm a tambay now, I'm still blessed to have lots of rakets. Haha! (1) I'm a driver of a nurse and a high school student, and sometimes of a bank employee, (2) I'm an assistant/travel buddy of a medical rep, (3) I'm an assistant of an appraiser, and (4) I'm an on-call secretary of a priest. In other words, best in logistics ta ani! Bigyan ng award please. :)) Because I am number 4, I was asked to go with my cousin on a teachers' retreat, not as a retreatant but his technical officer and liturgical reader in a mass he presides. I do simple computer stuff, sounds legit. Hahaha! And of course, I invited my dearly beloved sister and brother. Anyway, we went to a rest house where the teachers and the nun stayed at. The owner lets others use the house for religious purposes. The view is so nice and the environment so peaceful and quiet. A best place for reflection. :)

I'm done with my initial Indochina tour a few days ago. This time I feel like I've traveled back in time. Here's a little 'Pontus feels', where the legendary Amazons in Greek mythology believed to live, and 'USA feels' where everything seems to be so modern. :) I also want to add, the religiosity of the owner is very evident as well. How amazing they are!

Uso na mga theme sa balay diay run. Makaisip na nga ng ideya. :)

Excursion at Malagos

When I found out my father's going to Calinan (Puentespina) for a field work today, I first thought of the famous waling-waling sold at Abreeza. I thought he was going to the orchidarium so I took the opportunity and went with him so I can also see it myself. I didn't know where we were really headed. I just assumed everything. :)) We stopped at Malagos Garden and found no orchids. Sa chocolate factory diay siya paadto. Naay na disappoint gamay diri na side. Hahaha! 

From cacao tree to chocolate bar

The factory started operating 2 years ago and they are still trying to produce regular chocolates. Tried the dark one and dark jud diay siya. :)) 

Took the chance to stroll around the place for FREE. My eyes sparkles when I encounter that word. Woooh! Haha! And also a little REMINISCING, my kind of therapy. ;) I was still in my early years in grade school when I last stepped foot in this place. I remembered how astounded my sister and I were with the giant ostrich egg they displayed at the front desk. Those were the times when my only concern in life is to see the ostriches run as if they were racing, and when I do I just instantly get happy. Good ol' days. This time, it's no longer the ostrich that runs but things of various levels of importance, not on the ground but through my mind. Achichi. HAHAHA!

Egg → Caterpillar → Pupa → Butterfly

I went inside the butterfly sanctuary and found a table with caterpillars and pupa. I was reminded about the life cycle of a butterfly which was taught on the 4th or 5th grade. Good ol' days again. My tour isn't just educational but also therapeutic. ;) Pero nalingaw jud ko sa butterflies! ♥

Just a random thought: If I'm going to get married in the future, it'd be nice to have butterflies instead of birds, setting traditions aside. :))

Lake Agco

It took us about 45 mins to reach Lake Agco from Sudapin. The weather wasn't fine when we went there so the trail was quite scary to look at but it's still safe. It was worthy to think that we've reached the foot of Mt. Apo! :)) Had "mud pack" for Php10 only which costs more than a hundred pesos in a spa. Kana lang ikaw jud mukalot sa sulfur. Haha! But it was a fun experience though. :) Soaked ourselves into hot springs/jacuzzi and got to have some steambath. Thanks to Mt. Apo for being the source of "hotness". Sounds so wrong. :)))

October 19, 2014

Lake Agco, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato