mySpot | Unplanned trip to Legazpi City, Albay

 I've always wanted to see Mayon Volcano as close as possible and get a post-card photo myself, but I didn't think I'd see it sooner than expected.

Two weeks ago, I received an invitation from a friend to go on a trip to Legazpi, Albay and see the whalesharks in Donsol. Without hesitation (but just a few questions) I said Yes!
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I ended up traveling solo for four days in Legazpi. Haha!
I stayed in Mayon Backpacker's Hostel in Legazpi which saved me a lot of money...

mySpot | A Walk to Remember in Paris, France

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

Eiffel Tower

Venus de Milo

This year is definitely a year not to forget. Being able to travel to different places with different people really amazes me. Finally, another item on my bucket list has been crossed out. Paris!

Before going back home after a trip in Germany, sure I wouldn't miss this majestic place I always see on the movies and on pictures. It's time to see them with my own eyes. And truly the wonders of these things are hard to forget.

mySpot | One Day in Rome - Trip to Italy :)

First trip to Europe! Hopefully not the last... It was one awesome adventure in Rome where I saw all the things I only see in books and from the Internet.

Went to visit the Vatican and I event saw the Pope. Walked all day within the city to see all amazing places... Also had a great meal on of the restaurants there... My one day trip to Rome (actually overnight stay) is the best so far :)

Some funny experience I've got is my first time to ride the RyanAir from Nurnberg to Pisa. It was my first time to experience a plane ride where you don't make seat reservation but you get to choose where to seen once you are boarding the plane! How's that! hahaha

One great experience. Check out my fb profile for more pics :)

mySpot | Seoul, South Korea Trip 2013

Studying Korean Language wouldn't be complete if I will not test myself to go Seoul. I'm not an expert though but still I learned the basics. After watching endless Korean-Novelas (TV Series) and listening to songs, I decided that I wanted the real thing. 

Though I'm not a big fanatic of KPop unlike my other friends, it's just it is one of the places I wanted to visit on my bucket list. 

Traveling alone has been my challenge to myself and so far I am enjoying it. It's my second time to visit another country alone and it was really difficult because of the language difference but it was fun.

mySpot | Davao - Surigao del Sur Trip 2013

La Entrada Beach Resort, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur

If there's one thing I learned on this recent trip that I had with a few friends, it's that your itineraries should be flexible and interchangeable if possible.

Me and my friends went to Davao and Surigao del Sur to check out some jaw-dropping spots in Davao and Surigao del Sur. Also, it was my first couchsurfing experience.

We (they) already had planned our activities ahead of time, though I arrived earlier to spend a few days in Davao City (that explains Day -1 and Day 0 on the itinerary). Unfortunately we missed our bus and suddenly everything changed (except the destinations)...

Good thing we have a GPS-enabled phones, a few contacts on some places, and just enough pocket money to move from one place to another. It was pretty hard at first but the experience and the adventure was priceless.

mySpot | Britania Group of Islands - San Agustin, Surigao del Sur

These are just some of the photos I took using my phone when we went see Britania Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. An unexploited piece of paradise waiting to be found.

Crystal clear water and fine sands awaits you there. Plus you also get a chance to swim with a few jellyfish... :P (Don't worry, they don't sting) I also got a chance to climb up on one of the islands to get a nice view on top.

We stayed on La Entrada Resort and Restaurant though there are other lots of nice resorts to choose within the area.

It is easy to get there whether you're coming from Davao or Butuan, or Surigao... just take any bus or van that will pass San Antonio in Surigao del Sur... make sure you tell the driver you need to get off at Salvacion (sure they know that) and it's just one tricycle or habal-habal ride away...

mySpot | 2013 Aliwan Fiesta - Festival of Festivals

2013 Aliwan Fiesta - Manila

mySpot | Kalinga Trip 2013 - Inspiring Journey

A few weeks before the holy week, I received an invite from a friend asking me to come with her on a trip to Kalinga. Without even checking where exactly to go or what to expect, I said yes told her that I'm okay with it.

A few days before trip, I browsed some of the stuffs from the blogs on the internet but I really didn't paid much attention. I just want it to be surprising.

We took an 8-hour bus ride (not sure if it was longer due to traffic) to Banaue. Then from Banaue, it was an hour or more going to Bontoc. I'm not sure if it was the last trip but we took a jeepney ride from there going to Tinglayan. I guess it was the longest three-hour-ride I had since I wasn't sitting comfortably going there but instead I was standing, hanging on the edge of the jeep under the burning heat of the sun.

We arrived late in the afternoon so our tour guide decided not to push through going to Buscalan since it would get dark very soon. He said it might be dangerous. Instead, stayed overnight in Tinglayan. We decided to go and swim to the river and on our way back, we drank coffee on someone's house. It was very sweet. Perfect drink for the weather.

We woke up early next morning and prepared to trek to Buscalan, the place where Fang-od lives. We got on a jeepney going up there and then trekked for more than an hour (with our bags.. heavy bags).

I won't get into much details on what happened there as it was pretty much awesome. We met the locals, others got their tattoos, I took a lot of photos, met new people and friends, enjoyed the view and other stuffs too.

mySpot | Cebu - Dumaguete - Siaton - Giligaon 2013

My mom and dad has been planning this trip so long ago. Though we had cancelled booked flights to Cagayan De Oro twice already, either due to bad weather, schedule conflicts and financial issues.. but most of the time, it's the bad weather... lols... Anyway, finally, we were able to make it.

We planned this trip to Dumaguete since late last year to visit my father's relatives and siblings in Dumaguete. I really don't know why I booked our flight to Cebu, but then we still found a way to get there.

Our six-days vacation was tiring yet awesome and most of it were spent on road travelling.

mySpot | Early Summer in Baler

It's only the month of February and I've been to the beach already. Starting the summer early with a group of friends as we head to Baler to visit the beach and to learn and try surfing.

Great views and adventure awaits just six hours away from Manila. Extra challenges on your way to the Ditumabo MotherFalls, climb the 600+ year old Balete Tree, and some cool places to check out inside the town.

It's really a challenge to cross the sea and get to the nearby island with your camera and phone but the taking the risk is truly rewarding once you get there.

Check out some of the pics on my facebook page.

mySpot | Starbucks Planner 2013

Finally got my planner for 2013. Hopefully, I could write something on it.

I got the black one (others are green and white) and a pen which is separately sold. :(

But the nice thing about this one is that it has a magnetic bookmark, a postcard (which I don't know what to do for now), and some suggestions on activities to do on certain days.. cool huh?

However, I already have another planner/notebooks from KCC which I wanted to use too for my studies...

Anyway, just sharing :)

mySpot | Sagada Trip 2012 - When Blue meets Green

To end the list of my out-of-town vacations this year, Me and a few friends went to visit Sagada up north in the Mountain Province.

A whooping 11-hour bus ride (6 hours from Manila to Baguio and 5 hours from Baguio to Sagada) to get there and experience the beauty of nature far (very far) away from the city and relax and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But don't worry about the travel duration, you'll pretty much enjoy the scenic view from the bus so you might wanna sit on the window side.



And how's the weather in Sagada? Amazing! If you're used to the hot weather in the cities of the Philippines, things are way different up there. Cold breeze, quiet streets, cold breeze (again?), and don't forget the view, sunflowers everywhere.

We stayed at Misty Lodge Hotel just 10-minutes from the town-proper. (Though according to my sports-tracker, it took us 20 minutes normal healthy-walk from the town proper to our hotel... but still we had a nice enjoyable moment walking there). It was a great place to stay. They have their own fireplace, nice interior, great food, and to sum it up, it's pretty much awesome!

We also took the different adventures Sagada has to offer. Cave connection, we did spelunking, rappeling, trekking, and a lot of walking. I did noticed that I lost some weight when I got back home. Anyway, it was really great to be there. We also went to some big falls and smaller falls, and the rice terraces, and the hanging coffins, and whew.. there are still a lot on the list... Better check it yourself.

mySpot | Sagada, Mt. Province - A Taste of Paradise

Just sharing some pictures from Sagada :)

Photo from the upper left - BOMOD-OK Falls,
Picture from the upper right - Sagada Rice Terraces
Third photo - Sunrise Watching at Kiltepan viewpoint.

Agas Agas Bridge and Zip Line (video)

mySpot | Agas Agas Bridge (Tallest Bridge in Philippines) and Zipline

 
One of the highlights in my Leyte Vacation was that overwhelming (skin-burning) whole day motor cycle tour to the southern part of Leyte. And thanks to my Nanay Luz for bringing me to what they say now as The Longest Zip Line in the Philippines on the tallest bridge which is also in the country.

We started our journey in Abuyog riding a single motorcycle going to Silago. Then to Hinunangan, San Juan, passed thru the mountains of St. Bernard, going up to Sogod, then we reached the Agas Agas Bridge where the zip line is located. Check the map screen shot below for the route.

Of course we had a few (actually, there were plenty) stop overs and we have to refill the gas and we have to rest also. Once we got there, it was in the middle of the mountainous regions of Sogod, Leyte.

Before you can go try out the zip line (and the cable car), you have to pay Php 5.00 (five) pesos for the entrance fee (what?!)  And then ticket for the zip line was about (darn, I forgot) 150 or 200 Pesos per ride.