Something about 2012...

Thank you 2011, Hello 2012!

Something about Firsts...

One of my friends told me that the “firsts” are usually the hardest. In three weeks I’ll be celebrating three firsts without her - Christmas, New Year, and my Birthday. In my previous entry, I mentioned that I found myself closest to her when I’m traveling, I guess, it’s the same reason why it feels like the ocean is calling me again. I want to be close to her, I want to feel her touch, her embrace, hear her voice.

Truth is, for most times, I just forget that she’s not with us anymore, but whenever I remember, it starts all over again. But then I’d realized that she’s somewhere else, somewhere better that any place she’s been.

I miss her. I miss my Mom.

Something about why I love to Travel....

Why do I love to travel?


While searching for a new adventure, I’ve started reading several travel blogs. I came across sole sisters’ travelogue that reminds me of the “accidental adventures” I shared with my best buddy in Cebu and Bohol. In one of their post, they asked their readers “Why do you travel?”.
I’ve been to a lot of places in the Philippines. My mom made sure of that. She would spend almost the whole year to plan that special summer escapade that I get to share with her, my dad, and my brother. She loved to travel – a passion that she was able to pass on to me. At that time, travel is a means to reconnect with my family. It was a bonding experience shared with my family that I will be forever thankful. It taught to me to be open to possibilities, to be flexible, and to enjoy what life can offer to us.


My first true travel adventure sans my family was in 2007. At that time, travel (and photography) was my solace. It was an escape route I eagerly traversed to forget the unfortunate realities of that time. When traveling I found a sense of direction, a sense of fulfillment, and an adventure that will last for a life time.


Since then, travel became a passion I eagerly explored. It allowed me to discover the unknown, to test my limits, and to experience culture that is different to what I am accustomed to. It brought challenges that I was excited, albeit scared, to overcome. It became a way to build new relationship and strengthen existing ones. It built character and provided an opportunity to grow. Moreover, when traveling, I feel closest to her, to my mom, the first person who taught me the wonders of travel.That’s why I love to travel and why I will continue to do so.

It was one of those moments when you know that you are at the right place, at the right time, and with the right people.  Unplanned, it may seem; unprepared, we may be; as indulgent, as it may appear, it was definitely an adventure that I will forever remember.

It was crazy at work.  My boss is out of town, my co team leader is in the middle of a maternity leave, and I found myself at the middle of the busiest season, with two sign offs I needed to make. As expected, I can only think “I want a vacation”.

And then, my phone rings, and my adventure began.

“Follow us!” they kept on insisting.  All I can say was “we’ll see”;  “ There’s a bus leaving at 8pm this evening, it’ll arrive here around 6am.  We’ll meet you at the bus station”.  Again, I replied “We’ll see”.

I can’t skip work, well, I’m weird that way.  But all I know is, I had to be there… with my friends, at the beautiful island of Calaguas.  It was a good thing that my credit card arrived a week before.   I immediately booked a flight, and few hours after my shift, I was on my way to Naga.

I arrived at Naga airport around 8am, rode a bus to the terminal, where I met my friends.  We stayed momentarily at their hotel to catch up with activities and our journey begins.

To get to Calaguas from Naga, we took a Daet bound bus, a shuttle to Paracale, and ultimately, a banca to the island.  Approximately, travel time is a little over 5 hours, but it was all worth it.  

Photos below are taken by my friends Ange Pedro and Kathy Seraspi

 

Something about Challenge #5...

Day tour challege in a Visayas or Mindanao City...

City of choice: Iloilo City

It started with a to-do-list turned to an all year round challenge. I spent the day with my friend/competitor and had one of the best times in my life. It was an all day laugh trip and adventure.

We got lost, ate one whole chicken, listened to what it seems like an never ending speech from local officials, met interesting people... All in all, a wonderful experience.

It was supposed to be a one time deal, but I ended up looking forward for another adventure (similar to this) with him.