2011: A Journey Beyond

A poet said:  Of journeying, the benefits are many: the freshness it brings to the heart, the seeing and hearing of marvelous things, the delight of beholding new cities, the meeting of unknown friends, and the learning of high manners. At first, I thought the passage was just about the fun experiences that traveling can bring.  Yet looking back how my 2011 went, I realized, the benefit is beyond the journey itself.

The experiences I have from all the travel we’ve had this 2011 made me understand that destination is not so important so as long as you have a great and meaningful journey going through it. We’ve been to so many places this year, some were ‘widely-known-where-most-of-us-is-wanting-to-feel-the-place-just-because’ and some were just ‘the-place-is-there-yeah-so-what?’. Every travel is different, and each time we have great discoveries and learnings.

January 2011 – Bataan, Central Luzon

It's a good feeling that you are free - even in just one aspect of your life. More so, its a wonderful feeling that you've been an element of how one creature achieve its freedom. It was January when we became one of the reasons why some little turtles were now free. It costs Php50 to free one little turtle and spending Php1000 is all worth it. Money never really matters when you see how graceful these turtles went for a swim in an open sea and experience their first so-called 'freedom'.

February 2011 – Baguio City, Northern Luzon & Clark Pampanga, Northern Luzon

All I wanted is to taste their strawberry taho and pick some fresh strawberries. It was never a plan to go to Baguio one Saturday of February. But because I insisted, we went there for a day-date. Yes, its a super long drive from Morong, Rizal to Baguio and some might say that going there for a day would be an overkill. True enough, going there was really tiring. But the experience we've had was never a disappointment.

It was my first time to spend the cold weather of Baguio with Teng, my first time to taste the renowned Strawberry Taho, and my first time to pick all the strawberries I wanted. This was the sweetest Saturdate we have ever had for 2011. ♥

We missed 2010's Hot Air Balloon Event. This year we made sure that we will see how these festival will be. This has been one of the highlights of our 2011 Valentines Celebration with various surprises on the side of course.

March 2011 – Iloilo City, Western Visayas

It was all my idea to be in Iloilo. My dad went to this place for a farm visit and when I saw the picture of the Miagao Church, I said to myself - I have to set my foot there. Teng wasn't really a fan of Iloilo City.  He said there's nothing much to see in that place, so he wouldn't go there for a vacation. As pushy as I am, I planned for a surprise birthday getaway for Teng. 

This trip turned out as an eye-opener for Teng and I. It was never the destination that made your trip awesome, its how you embrace your journey. It was never an expectation that Iloilo City would be this beautiful, and journeying it made a lot of discoveries.

April 2011 – Camiguin-CDO-Bukidnon-Iligan, Northern Mindanao

Lenten Season has been a yearly get-away occasion of my family. This is the time were every member of my family has the longest vacation thus we make sure that we get to visit a place where we can bond and experience a different feel of culture. This year, we opted to see Northern Mindanao.

I loved everything to bits! We tumbled. We fell. We were burnt. We're hurt. We experienced bliss. We had fun. We had so much of it actually. We discovered a lot. We enjoyed each other's company. 

May 2011 – Manila Ocean Park & Mabini, Batangas, Southern Luzon

I have always wanted to swim with sharks, dolphins and stingrays. I know it would be really that risky to do this in open sea so I looked for an alternative! Thankfully, Manila Ocean Park offered SHARK ATTACK thus I am able to fulfill my crazy desire.

As I am  about to go down, a very tingly feeling ran through my mind. A blend of pure bliss and a bit of agitation. A combination of excitement and nervousness. Its indeed a crazy feeling! It was pure F-U-N! 

After so many months of craving to taste the Balinese-Style Experience, we finally found a place that can satisfy that wanting. Though we have not experienced the 'real' Bali Getaway yet, the design of the resort made us feel that we are close to being in Bali.

This escapade was the first farthest barkada getaway we've had. Though we are incomplete, the presence of the absentees in each of our 'kwentos' made us feel that we are whole. I will never ever forget the Drunk-song: ♫♫ Killing Me Softly ♪♪! LOL! 

June 2011 – El Nido, Northern Palawan

El Nido Palawan is a paradise considered by many as one of their dream destinations. Teng and I came from a different trip last June and landed to Puerto Prinsesa then headed to El Nido, I never really thought of going to this place cause I know it would really be expensive. But when I came to see how beautiful this place was, I would love to have a visit again and explore different sides of El Nido.

Here, we celebrated our anniversary. ♥ Some said: "Whoah, they celebrated it in El Nido. It must be something really special." True, the place itself is already awesome, but its just not the place that made it special - it is how we embraced the year of togetherness. Here, we explored, we learned new things,  we were amazed, we grew and we had fun.  

July 2011 – Puerto Princesa, Central Palawan

We had a free round trip ticket from PAL and we used it to visit Puerto Princessa, Palawan mid of July.  This was sort of a part of the yearly trip of Teng's barkada. One of the highlights of this trip was the Underground River that has been recently announced as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Inside it was nothing but breathtaking views. The eerie feeling when you're inside, unsure of what to expect combined with excitement made the whole experience wonderful. I am proud that I got to visit this place. 

The best part of course was the stronger bond of the barkada as a result of unforgettable, fun and crazy experiences. It has always been fun being around them.

August 2011 – Thailand, Southeast Asia

Amazing Thailand it is! And it really is. Although, our time is really limited to feel everything Thailand can offer, our 5 day trip I think is already enough to conclude that Thailand is really an amazing place. Language difference didn't at all made our trip difficult to enjoy. Although, its a main concern for some, it never really affected our journey. 

We adore how friendly Thai people were, how they preserved their culture, how cheap but quality products they have, how big their shopping malls are (its a shopping heaven!) and all other stuff that I can no longer enumerate. I love their elephants and a kiss from a dolphin is something I would really remember forever. =)

September 2011 – Tanay Rizal, Eastern Luzon

One of the things I know I am guilty of is loving and appreciating your own. I know that there are 'tourist' places here in Rizal, but I never really thought of visiting them because I thought it would just be a waste of my time. I am wrong and it is a shame.

Daranak Falls and Regina Rosarii were just two examples of the places I can visit and enjoy in Rizal. Its amazing that Daranak Falls is still there and being enjoyed by many. I am surprised as well that there is Regina Rosarii in Tanay where you will be greeted by one of the largest statue of the Queen of the Holy Rosary in the country. It is a sanctuary for those seeking not only a place of worship but a place of fun and some relaxation as well.

October 2011 – Tagaytay City, Southern Luzon

There were really no plans of going anywhere for October since we're quite pre-occupied with a lot of work stuff going on. Then I was surprised one Saturday. I was sleeping while Teng was driving when I felt the cold breeze against my face. The car's window was down when I come to realize. When I opened my eyes, I knew we were in Tagaytay! 

We had a super relaxing date at T-House. Their 90 minute massage is super awesome! The place is really nice too! ♥

November 2011 – Leyte, Eastern Visayas & India, South Asia

All I wanted to see is the Kalanggaman Island. Its a birdshaped-white-sand-sandbar. Its really beautiful in the picture so I asked Teng if we could go. Because Teng was a beach bum, he agreed. We were never disappointed. The sight we saw even  exceeded our expecatation (not knowing that the expectation we have set is already high). It was like the islet was manually formed - having its right and left wing to form an island that is bird shaped. The water was so inviting - shifting from light to dark shades of crystal-clear blue as it gets deeper. Life underwater is amazing too!

Leyte was really laid back. We thought  there's nothing interesting in the place so we just planned to go there for a 3day trip. As usual we were wrong. When our guide briefed us and showed us the places we can go in Leyte we thought and told ourselves, "we should have prepared to stay here for 5 days". But since we only have limited time, we made sure that we will enjoy the rest of our trip. 

To be honest, before, one of the places I would never really go for a visit is India. I thought it would really be dangerous to go there. I don't know where I got this feeling, but, it was just a strong feeling that I became really afraid of going there most especially when I found out that I will be sent there to conduct training.

Then I am in India. All the negative things I thought of about this place were definitely wrong. People were so kind and welcoming, they are all helpful and concern, they are all generous and friendly. There are so many beautiful places - from natural attractions to great city and historical view. India is indeed one interesting place to go.

 December 2011 – South Korea, East Asia

My family was super excited when they learned that I booked a trip to Korea for December. "Finally, we will experience snow", they said. Its a dream come true for my mom and my dad to see real snow. Its funny how they acted like a child. When we were there, everything was planned and organized so all we did is enjoy the weather, make a lot of memories in the place and enjoy each other's company.  

South Korea has been an area of interest for me for a very long time and its a great feeling to finally set foot in Korea after a year of dreaming! From the culture, to the food, to the music, to the weather, to the fun experiences, to the people, to their products and to all! Everything is incredible! Its obvious that we fell in-love with the place and thought of coming back again and again and again.

As I have said it before, traveling doesn't just open to place-discovery but it also opens opportunity to learn more about yourself and discover more about your travel-buddy. It opens opportunity to gather and experience different kind of insight. Although, all of our travel destination can be located by north, east, south, west directions, life's journey can still and will indeed take you to a place that is not on any map.


Looking forward to another year of great journey this 2012!