12.30.2011

2011: Travel Happy Year

Before the year ends, I would like to officially declare that 2011 was the year I was travel happy. 

January: Cebu - Bohol


With 10,000 pesos as our budget, we managed to roam around Cebu and Bohol. Experienced the preview of Sinulog and saw the beautiful Chocolate hills. This was also our first airplane ride together (All together now: Awww)

March: Mt. Pinatubo


We once again joined Dominic's open trip, trekking with a cause. Isn't that cool? we get to see the Mt. Pinatubo at the same time help the Aetas along the way. Met new set of friends (Tina, Carlo, Majane, Div, Rea, Paul and many to mention, i'm bad with names) and trekked all the way to the crater for 2 hours. People, that's an achievement (Woot! woot!)

April: Cebu - Bohol (Family Edition)


I went back to Cebu - Bohol with Family, organized everything, transfers, hotels, tours. All for the love of family :) I'm proud to say that: 


A. I did the Skywalk in Crowne Regency Hotel
B. roamed the choco hills by ATV 
C. Saw the dolphins in Bohol - Balicasag


May: Calaguas - Bagasbas


I managed to stay sane and alive after that 2 hour boat ride, people, let me remind you, that I was born with a box set of fears (Name it, I fear it) and one of those fear is to be near open water, boat ride and the sea specifically. Don't get me wrong, i'd like to travel but if it's possible to not take the boat, that would be the best route. Thanks to my new found friends for making me feel at ease with this boat ride, you made life easy. 

August: Iligan - Camiguin


One of the most memorable trips. First time, in my entire life that I missed a flight. Believe me, we did our best to make it on time, but time wasn't on our side. We learned our lesson folks, a very expensive lesson, no matter what happens, the early worm gets on the plane! ;) but regardless what happened, I was able to see the beauty of Iligan and Camiguin. I was fortunate enough to see Iligan, before Sendong happened. I hope they get back on track asap.

September: Hong Kong - Macau

My original plan was to go to Legazpi, Albay and spend my birthday with the other relatives, this mindset started last year, September 2010, when I went to Australia to celebrate the big 25! I told myself that starting next year, I'll be spending my birthday outside the country, where the weather would be alright, no typhoons, no floods. To date, I haven't celebrated a sunny birthday, I should book a birthday trip to a sunny place like Africa, Dubai? to get back to the story, I was able to score tickets during the piso fare, for 150 pesos round trip. 


Months before the trip, another seat sale came. This time, it was Hongkong bound. I impulsively booked, thinking, hey, made it to Australia last year why not do it in another country. It was our 2nd time in Hong Kong but we were able to go to places at our own phase.

This trip was also the trip I was grateful with my life, for I was able to spend another year on earth, to see God's creations. The flight from Macau to Manila was so terrible that I was praying the rosary (for the first time) this flight could go into books, 2 hours of turbulence. Upon our arrival in Manila, came the typhoon too. I think this is a test, that I should let go of my fears, stop watching air crash investigation and stop being the worry-wrat. 

October: Pangasinan - Baguio 


Every year it's a compulsory trip to Baguio and to Our Lady of Manaoag, I am so blessed and grateful for all the answered prayers and petitions. As I give back, I dragged along my friends to say their prayers and be grateful too. I'm thinking of organizing a open tour for this one in the future ala Dom's style haha

November: Ifugao, Batad  


Open tours makes life easier :) I'm a frequent travel groupie of Dom's trip (hhhmmm let me count now, Pagbilao, Mt. Pinatubo, Calaguas and Batad ) I was left in awe when I saw the Batad, Banaue and Banggaan rice terraces, part of my travel bucketlist is to see as many UNESCO world heritage sites. Survived trekking uphill / downhill for 2 hours, saw the real deal and walked / trekked the terraces. Amazing right?? :D 

December: Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh

Goal for this trip was to eat, eat and eat. I thought that this trip will be more of hotel bumming and eating authentic pho, I was wrong, there's so much to do in Saigon :) I love Vietnam, this country is rich in culture, history and good food


2011 was truly good to me, it brought me to places I never thought i'd go to. I feel truly blessed to see all God's beautiful creations and share it with my loved ones. Thank you 2011 for this fruitful travel year, thank you too for my job for financing my only vice, travelling. 

9 comments:

  1. Very very nice blog you got there jarvik! Keep it up and Happy New year to you and your family!

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  2. wahhh... nawala yung comment ko.

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  3. Hoy dominic! wala ka kayang comment :( waaaa! ikaw pa naman ang most advertised sa post na to!!!!

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  4. wow! 2011 is indeed a travel year for you, dami mong napuntahan din! :)

    See you on our next trip! teka, ikaw pla mg-organize nun... tama ba Dom?? :)

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  5. @tina!!! hala! big shoes to fill! pwede bang maging travel groupie nalang ni doms forever or mag-apprentice! onga tina, this is our travel year!!!! :D mas bobongga daw ang 2012 for us! :D

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  6. wow you've been to so many places in one year! travel happy, indeed! :)

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