Showing posts with label Local Travels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local Travels. Show all posts

Thursday, May 2, 2013

10 Things I Could Not Forget About Peter



so who is this Peter i am referring to? he is this guy who we met at TIKI Bar in Puerto Princesa Palawan. we only spent basically one whole night with him, talking and drinking and nothing more. we had a few hours to spend cos he had to go to El Nido. so if it was just for a night, then you might be wondering why i am talking about him here. it's simple! there are things that i could not forget about him.

here are the 10 THINGS THAT I COULD NOT FORGET ABOUT PETER:
  1. having RED BULL after getting drunk. after drinking Smoker's Special as my second drink for the night, i felt different. i got a bit drunk.but i still managed to get myself a bottle of SanMig Strong Ice after. so i jokingly told Jeni that she and her new found friend, who happened to be Peter, should send me back to the hotel if things come to worst. i really got drunk. it was Peter who said "Red Bull works for me." so i had to order one and gave him my bottle of beer to finish. indeed, it did some magic to me. now i know how i could survive my drunken nights. lol.
  2. he reminds me of the song GOD GAVE ME YOU. no it was not for me. he told us a funny story about him going out in Palawan and dancing with this girl when suddenly the music changed. they started playing God Gave Me You instead. awkward to the highest level! haha. i could really tell that the bars in Puerto have a pretty bad song selection. i can't even understand why Tiki Bar plays BUKAS NA LANG KITA MAMAHALIN every night!!!
  3. everything is worth a try cos you only live once. i kept on telling him that that night. we were trying to lure him into getting up the stage to sing. he started listening/practicing his Nirvana songs  on his phone which i suppose he would use when he comes up the stage. too bad we didn't notice it was the band's last set. that night could have been a blast if that performance went through. haha.
  4. he is living the life that i have been wanting all my life. at a young age, he is very much well travelled. i envy him for having the kind of job that he has now. i envy him for travelling for months and going to places he desires. he can go wherever and whenever he wants. that is definitely LIFE for me.
  5. KARMA. we have the same thinking when it comes to this.when you are good to people, good things will come to you. what you give, you receive and you receive more. that's basically what he believes, and i couldn't agree more.
  6. one down on my bucketlist: have a decent conversation about anything under the sun with somebody i totally don't know. contrary to what other people think, we only had ONE night to spend. we just met each other at a bar in Puerto and had to part ways before sunrise. no we didn't talk about our personal issues. he and jeni talked first before i got drunk and joined them. our conversations were basically about how to enjoy that night and just merely anything that comes to mind. it was really fun.(My Wishlist)
  7. another one down on my bucketlist: treat a total stranger. okay Peter is not really a stranger now. but going back to that night, he was somewhat like that. i got him drunk, forcing him to drink 3 shots of Jose Cuervo in like 5 minutes. that's after having some other drinks. but don't get me wrong,  i did have a clean intention. i even promised the two of them that i'll treat them to coffee after and then we'll send him home when we're done.
  8. coffee and muffins. i keep my promises. we went out to find a nice place to have coffee when the bar was starting to close. the nearest we could possibly find was Dunkin Donuts. i am not really a fan of donuts so i got us 3 muffins and 3 large cups of coffee. had some serious talks about life. and this time Peter got me thinking.
  9. a broken promise: not a coincidence. i am a believer of fate. i have this big faith on fate. i don't think that there is such a thing as coincidence. everything happens for a reason and that's my personal judgment. honestly, i didn't have plans of going to Palawan on a January. i was not supposed to take that flight with jeni. kathleen knows that so well. an opportunity came and that time i was thinking it was a good time to finally break a promise that me and my past made as part of that moving on thing. and i told jeni that we should go there to celebrate for passing (i kinda mastered the positive thinking thing. i truly believe that what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. that's how i think. that is the secret i've been practicing ever since.guess that worked on my exams. lol). well i think the whole universe conspired to make things happen. that night with P got me thinking about my life; my past, my present and my future. i believe we were meant to meet that night to make me realize a lot of things. our conversations were not that specific. they were not pointing on my personal issues. jeni and i were more interested in his travels and adventures. but those few hours with him was indeed enlightening. i could have been to another place that time, but something brought me there. those conversations were made to happen, those stories were made to inspire. that time when he showed me that skydiving video and told me he has plans of doing that, i got pretty amazed. at the back of my mind i was thinking, i envy this man for knowing what he truly wants to do with his life.
  10. that hug, that kiss and those beautiful eyes. no i wasn't hitting on him that night. i swear i never did that. it was just a good night with an old friend and a new one.clean fun, i should say. besides, he told us that we were the best Filipinos he has ever met. and that was quite flattering. i hope he really meant what he said. lol. we walked him to his place which was just a few blocks away after our coffee time. he both gave us a goodbye hug and a kiss on the cheek. i suppose that was his way of saying thank you. but i could not forget that hug. that hug was just perfectly tight and comforting. and for the first time, it came from somebody who i barely know. i must confess, it felt kinda amusing. no we didn't kiss. but thinking about that moment now, i swear i should have kissed him that night. 
we still talk and find time to reconnect every now and then but i don't know if our paths would cross again for real. i am hoping that it would though. and as i have said to him, if we'd see each other again then that would not be out of coincidence. and if that night was the only chance we had, then i would gladly say thank you for those inspiring hours P. you were the first person who ever did that. i will never ever forget you.


Friday, March 1, 2013

13 Things to Love in Boracay

and for the Nth time i kept on waking up in the wee hours of the morning.. this has been going on for days now.. so today instead of forcing myself to go back to sleep which is definitely a struggle for me, i decided to do a blog entry about what i'm thinking  at this very moment.

BORACAY!

Boracay is a small island in the Philippines located approximately 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

i have been to Boracay for like three times. and it was definitely love at first sight. well, you can't blame me. i am a beach lover and i should say Boracay is a paradise for me.

August 2011


June 2012


December 2012


Boracay has been a happy place for me ever since. and i definitely have reasons to love it even more on every visit i make.

here are my own list of 13 Things to LOVE in Boracay

1. the long stretch of white fine sand and beach. i need not say why. it's pretty obvious why i fell in love with it in the first place.


2. Boracay Early Morning Run. i always do morning runs along the whole stretch of Boracay's white beach, that's from end to end. i don't really mind doing it alone. running somewhat connects me to the place even more.



3. Parasailing. i actually did this twice and i would do it again and again in the future if i can. it just feels so good to be up in the air and think of nothing while watching the beauty of the whole place.


4. Buggy Car Driving. i don't know how to drive a real car. i only do driving at the arcardes. but Boracay made me realize i would definitely love driving along the road and i do good at it without assistance. one of my firsts.


5. Sunset Paraw Sailing. strong wind plus strong current plus a great view of the sunset and the island lights is just a perfect experience.

6. Boracay Sunset and Stargazing along the the shore. i have never seen a sunset as lovely as Boracay's. it is definitely love for me. and i will never ever get tired of watching it.and stargazing along the shore is just so relaxing.


7. Nightlife. happy hour is really a happy hour. people in Boracay really know how to party, and they party hard.


8. Calamansi Muffins. and after getting drunk the night before, you should definitely get a good taste of Boracay's Calamansi Muffins at Real Coffee and Tea Cafe.



9. Helmet Diving. i had a slightly different experience when i tried helmet diving  the first time. but Tutet and Ojie really had fun having all those pretty fishes around. and i think it is a must try though.


10. Henna Tattoos. i have always wanted to get inked. i am not really sure if i should get a real one, someday maybe. but for now i will just settle for hennas. oh how i love the latest black angel tat.




11. Shangrila Boracay. it is part of my bucketlist to spend even a night in Shang. so i lured Tutet and Ojie to have dinner with me. and yes, i don't mind paying much just to do the things that i really want to do.


12. Swimming. i love the water so much. and how i love swimming even though i haven't tried swimming in the deep sea without a lifevest on.haha.. but it's definitely a must-do when you go island hopping.


13. PUKA BEACH. save the best for last. i love how remote and private it is. perfect scenery indeed! so relaxing.. so calm...so private.. so peaceful..



i will definitely be back in Boracay. yes and that's really SOON.. can't wait!!!

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. LIVE and EXPLORE.
every place is worth a visit. 
every little thing is worth a try!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Paraw Sailing in Boracay

Why do i love BORACAY?



Paraw Sailing is a must try when you go to Boracay. 
It's best to do while watching the famous Boracay Sunset.
The wind.. the waves.. Such an amazing experience. 
Truly Thrilling and Exciting...

The word paraw also parao is related to proa and may be used to denote a boat. However, the term for boats (with or without outriggers) in the Philippine islands without sails or layag are typically called vanca or bangka.

The paraw has three major elements that make it a paraw and not another type of boat. These elements are the bangka, the katig and the layag. Motorized versions of bangkas (with outriggers) are commonly known as Pump Boat and are used for inter-island travel.
Paraws are known to sail between 11 to 17 knots (20~31 km/h) or approximate the speed of the wind. The outriggers (ama) or katig, made of wood or more commonly, bamboo, may be straight or curve upward much like skis and provide stability. 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraw)




Sunday, March 18, 2012

Terra-fic Dinner


i am not really a party person..
i don't drink that much, i don't smoke..
i am much of an outdoor person,
sports and similar stuffs keep me alive..

i stayed in bed for hours after my day trip.
watched tv while cuddling my pillow..

it was 9pm when i decided to go down and eat..
no more drinks for me.. what i had yesterday was enough..
it's actually NO ALCOHOL day today...
i took a quick shower and got myself dressed for another foodtrip..

Smallville Complex is a popular dining and nightlife destination in Iloilo.
Bars, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Restaurants, KTV Bars, name it they have it.
the night is really alive here cos there's no liquor ban at 2am..lol

whenever i go to new places, i see to it that as much as possible,
i don't get to dine at familiar restos... i want to try things which i haven't tried..
the idea of not knowing whether you will like the experience or not,
makes it more exciting..

TERRA Mediterranean Cuisine

the staff there were well-trained. i got myself a table near the window.
the guy gave me a menu. placed a bottle of wine and prepared my table.
i returned the wine.. i said, i am not interested.. if it was for free then why not? haha
i just ordered my all-time fave four seasons juice instead. lol

i was craving for pasta and seafoods.
so i got myself an order of mixed seafoods pasta plus an additional onion soup..

so full!
time to get back to my room and spend some quiet time alone again..
plus i have to wake up early tomorrow for my flight back to Davao..
last night in Iloilo.. sigh..

Room 219


Welcome to Smallville21 Hotel!

60 rooms with free wireless internet
located at the gimik capital of Iloilo.



and welcome to ROOM 219.





so why book in a hotel when i keep on saying that i'm broke?
simple answer: I want the best experience i can have!
i want comfort.. kaya nga i travel... i find comfort in travelling!
oh yeah! as always, magastos akong mag emote.
on August 2010 i went to Cebu and Dumaguete, that was after a breakup..
on November 2011, i went to Cebu.. my first ALONE TRIP, during those MIA days..
that Cebu Trip actually made me realize that i should never trade money over comfort,
that staying in a better and decent hotel really makes a difference...
and now, at the height of the Araw ng Dabaw Festival, i decided to leave the city again.
i just needed to go out and have a different environment..
i needed to think...
i needed to be alone even for a moment..
i needed it badly! it was just a must!


Visiting Iloilo


this day is is officially my ALONE DAY...

being alone on a travel allowed me to do things my way, which is actually fun..

i woke up a bit late and even stayed in bed a little longer while watching cartoon network..
had instant JJAMPPONG and SWISS MISS hot cocoa drink with marshmallows for breakfast
while talking to Ghedi on Viber... big thanks to Smallville21's free wi-fi...
i just love my Tab much eventhough it's just a secondhand Samsung P1000..surely comes in handy..

after having breakfast, i got myself ready for a sunday mass...
i googled mass schedules first before deciding on which church to go..
and so, JARO CATHEDRAL it is!

JARO CATHEDRAL (Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary)
first and only cathedral in Panay built in1864...
destroyed in the quake of January 1948...restored in 1956
Style: Baroque, with the addition of Gothic elements over many renovations

Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Lady of the Candles)
the Patroness of the Western Visayas

Jaro Cathedral Bell Tower
this bell tower served as a lookout from sea raiders in the past..
it is located across the cathedral near Jaro Park..

after the mass, i decided to take a jeepney instead of a cab..
it was really exciting cos i didn't exactly know if i took the right jeepney going to SM..
the jeepney had a sign LEGANES SM Hi-way so i hopped in..
as we were travelling, i eventually realized
that the jeepney was heading to the opposite direction..
i actually didn't know where to stop..
but i went on with the trip not knowing my exact location..
the jeepney finally stopped in front of a church, actually, it was it's last stop..
i guess God really wanted me to go there, stop there..
He led me there for a reason and i think He just sent me a message saying:
"don't worry my child, everything will be alright..
whatever it is that is bothering you right now, it will eventually come into place..
just trust Me!"

Church of San Vicente Ferrer (the Mecca of Iloilo)
located in the town of Leganes, 11km north of Iloilo City

after spending a few quiet moments inside the church and after taking pictures,
i then asked for directions on how to go to SM..
i don't want to take a cab so as to experience how it is to travel like an Ilonggo..
i again took a jeepney with an SM Hi-way sign..
later did i realize that those jeepneys just go back and forth LEGANES and SM Hi-way..
this is what i love about travelling in Iloilo, you will never get lost
as long as you know the name of the place you want to go to...
the jeepneys just travel back and forth, you just have to check out their signs..
plus there is NO traffic! just absolutely fantastic!

as i was heading to SM Iloilo, i stopped by another church for a few minutes..
this is the third and last church for this day..

Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish
located at Buntatala, Iloilo City

now i'm done with visiting churches..
time for my late lunch..
another taste of Ilonggo history - La Paz Batchoy!
i think Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy is better than Ted's..
i had Super Batchoy at Plazuela de Iloilo..
nice place.. really good food...

got a bit tired and sleepy from walking and eating..
so after eating, i decided to go back to the hotel to recharge..
i brought home a liter of Buko Shake from BUKO ILONGGO with me..
it's definitely the best way to beat the heat here in Iloilo..

time to relax now and watch tv..

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Lemme Try


after having my first Ted's Batchoy here in Iloilo; Darcy, Chen and I headed back to my room..
we decided to go to the grocery downstairs to grab something to eat and drink..

i like trying out new things...
i like that feeling of uncertainty of whether i will like it or not...
so whenever i go to a new place, i always get those i still haven't tried...

so this time.....

a mini Black Forest Cake from Dulcinea
a bottle of Blue Illusion Tanduay Ice AlcoMix
a bottle of Chocolate MudShake Vodka
and a Classic Magnum Classic

they all kept me company on my first night here in Iloilo..


the cake was yummy.. i bought it at SM.. the mini cakes there looked so tempting..
the blue illusion was good.. i think i like the red mirage more though..
the mudshake vodka was superb.. i think i found myself a new fave...
and the magnum was great.. it's kinda expensive though..

these two ladies stayed with me for a few hours..
i really had fun talking about nothing, eating, drinking and taking pictures with you..
thanks for the great time!

Eighteen


So what's my number?
too much coincidence huh?!

we headed to SM City Iloilo after checking in at my hotel..
i treated Chen to a 30-minute fish spa at Tibiao..

oh! those fishes really know how to tickle much... lol

by the way, this is Chen..my welcoming party here in iloilo...
she moved to iloilo when she got married..
and she now has three lovely kids...

FISH SPA: DONE!
now, time to check out SM's 3-day sale..
oh crap! too many eye-candies...
one cute dress from MAGS will do... it's half the price so i can't say NO!

after the shopping spree,
we decided to grab something to eat..
and ended up having Ted's Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy..
we went to a branch which was a few blocks away from my hotel..
i had extra super batchoy with boiled egg..
and guess what number they gave me... lol


Darcy met up with us at Ted's...
and we all had a great time...