Where my eyes take me…

When I feel tired and start day-dreaming about vacation, I browse pictures from the places I’ve been to. It may sound pathetic but it makes me sane, even for a while…

So join me as I explore my hard drive…

1. Victoria Peak – Hong Kong > It was the family’s first out-of-the-country trip. I can still remember how I truly enjoyed the cool breeze of Hong Kong in November.

2. Underground River – Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan > It has been Party of 6′s tradition to celebrate two of our friends’ birthday out-of-town. Though two of the six were missing, my friends & I had a blast on our 1st trip to Palawan. Though the two-hour bumpy drive and an hour boat ride [x2 as it's back & forth] to the underground river was stressful.

3. Sibul Springs – Abucay, Bataan > It was a Good Friday when I joined my friend’s family outing. I took this photo with my knees bent on the ground one fine morning….love morning walks in strange places.

4. Marikina > After the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana last September 2009, I had to organize a charity campaign in my previous company. One of which was the school caravan where we donated library books, school bags, school supplies, & computers to 2,000 students in four elementary schools in Marikina. Helping indeed is a heart-warming experience.

5. Singapore > It was a company-sponsored trip…for an induction and year-end party. Singapore is a neat place but I so hate the weather…way too humid!

6. Jonah’s Fruit Shakes – Boracay, Aklan > The famous shake in Boracay! It’s just one of the places where you’ll end up meeting someone you know from the city. Too bad they’re no longer at the beach front.

7. Intramuros, Manila > Indeed, the walled city. I had an opportunity to have a close look at it and even had a quick bite at a small eatery situated at the walls of Intramuros. This photo was taken during a job fair in Mapua Institute of Technology [MIT].

8. Honda Bay – Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan > I love snorkeling but I chickened out when I saw this wall of fish.

9. Hidden Valley Springs – Calauan, Laguna > Yes, it is hidden and going to this place at night is way too scary. Quite pricey but the privacy is worth the price. Love the place and looking forward to another night swimming.

10. Boracay fire dancers > There’s always a first time. And watching it for the fist time is really [literally] hot and fun.

11. cream chow-chow in Tiendesitas Pet Village, Pasig > Isn’t he adorable? Another first…to see a rare color of this furry breed.

12. Corregidor – Bataan > Imagine how many lost souls linger in this Island Fortress.

13. Cali Calamansi > Cali is my long-dead plant. During her lifetime, I decided not to pick any of her fruits that’s why they were all yellow.

14. Boracay 2008 > The first time I’ve ever been to this famous beach….and the first wasn’t so fun due to some Party of 6 misunderstanding. Hehe! But the bad experience didn’t discourage us from coming back…and it has been a yearly thing…a tradition.

15. Boracay honeymooners, backpackers, usual tourists > Watching people is one of my favorite Boracay past times.

16. Aoki Clubhouse – Gen. Trias, Cavite > I usually dine in this place whenever I’m on a business trip. With its zen ambiance, one would mistake this place as Japan.

17. Alabang Village, Muntinlupa > The weirdest & most eclectic house I’ve ever seen…only in Alabang.

 

Start with the letter A!

After listing the B locations, it’s about time to check out the cities and municipalities of the Philippines that start with the letter A!

A is for:

1. Abra
2. Abucay, Bataan > been to Sibul Springs
3. Agusan del Norte/Sur
4. Aklan > other than the famous Boracay, the province boasts of rivers, falls, springs and among other man-made and natural tourist destinations
5. Alabat Island, Quezon > near Real & Infanta Quezon; near Polilio Island
6. Alaminos, Laguna > my semi-home town; been to Hidden Valley Springs (though it’s actually situated in Calauan, Laguna)
7. Alaminos, Pangasinan > been to Hundred Islands but I was still a kid then so I’d probably go back…
8. Albay > my relatives’ home town; been to Mayon Volcano when I was still a baby; would be worth seeing it again after it has caused a lot of frenzy late last year
9. Alfonso, Cavite > home to Sonya’s Garden
10. Amadeo, Cavite > I often pass by this place whenever I come from Gen. Trias, Cavite to Tagaytay; known for its kapeng barako and Pahimis blend of coffee
11. Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya > the town trail to Mt. Pulag National Park; need to be fit before I do this trekking thing
12. Angeles City, Pampanga > famous for its food escapade, Mt. Pinatubo & Fontana Leisure Park…will include this in my bucket list
13. Angono, Rizal > known as the Cradle of Philippine Art, this place is known for the discovery of petroglyphs; museums; and paper mache makers
14. Anilao, Batangas > my future snorkeling/scuba diving destination
15. Antipolo, Rizal > I’ve only been here a few times but just to eat breakfast and have the car/s blessed; I think there’s still more to see in this place…
16. Antique, Iloilo
17. Aparri, Cagayan
18. Apayao
19. Arayat, Pampanga
20. Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
21. Atimonan, Quezon > fond of the sirena (Dutch mermaid) along Lamon Bay whenever we pass by Maharlika Highway to Bicol
22. Atok, Benguet > would love to enjoy the breeze and the view of the Cordillera Mountains
23. Aurora > such a mysterious place; I haven’t met anyone who lives or has been to this place…hmmm….

Among these, Anilao seems to be closer to reality…(sigh)

This coming long weekend???

Related Post: What’s with the letter B?

 

Where have I been to?

Lake Caliraya

 

What’s with the letter B?

I’ve been itching to travel again. With a long list of worthy places to go, I’m having a hard time picking one. I usually pick my destination based on good reviews, convenience, budget, etc, etc.

In deep contemplation, I just realized that most of the places I have been to starts with the letter B! Batangas, Bulacan, Bohol, Boracay, Bolinao, Bataan, and even Baclaran. Haha!

I was thinking…for a change, maybe it would be good to pick my destinations alphabetically. And since I have been to most B places, then probably I should start from there and finish the list.

1. Baclaran > I love shopping here sometimes. My family and I also frequent this place whenever we want to feast on seafood at Aling Tonya’s Paluto.
2. Basilan
3. Bataan > I have been to Sibul Springs in Abucay, Corregidor, and Montemar Beach Club in Bagac. I would love to go back to Montemar or its neighboring resorts.
4. Batanes > I’m intrigued by this place but I’m worried about its unpredictable weather.
5. Batangas > I have been to Nasugbu and Matabungkay but that was years ago. Relatively huge, I think there’s more to discover in Batangas.
6. Benguet > I have been to Baguio and La Trinidad a couple of times and just the same with Batangas, it’s worth exploring again especially those tourist spots I haven’t been to.
7. Biliran
8. Bohol > For the 3rd time, I’m going back to this paradise on August 24-27!
9. Bolinao, Pangasinan > went on a backpack trip and enjoyed snorkeling here
10. Boracay > Having been there thrice, I will always go back to Boracay. Next to Tagaytay, Boracay remains to be my most convenient getaway…that is if Cebu Pacific is on sale…hehe!
11. Bukidnon > Haven’t been here but I’m very interested to see the pineapple plantations in Malaybalay.
12. Butuan
13. Bulacan > I’ve gone through several municipalities in Bulacan like in San Miguel, Santa Maria, and so on. Mostly just short trips with my family and friends.

Hmmm…so where to?

 

Good Friday in Abucay

casilyas

Though I have originally planned to stay home and do general cleaning, I have decided to go with my friend’s family trip to Abucay, Bataan during the Holy Week.

My friend and I stayed overnight at her family’s house on the eve of Good Friday so at least we wouldn’t have to wake up too early. Though her old room was dusty and my back ached in her thin-mattress bed, I enjoyed my stay there even if we already slept at 2 in the morning. I explored her room (now storage room) and took pictures of all sorts of things particularly ash trays. I wanted to post the penis ash tray but it was way too huge and vulgar so I’m just posting the antique toilet bowl–my personal favorite.

NLEX

We left Manila at around 10:30 in the morning. I was dreading the traffic all the way to Bataan (two-hour drive from Manila, approximately 119 kms). To my surprise, we didn’t encounter any procession nor parade of penitents carrying crosses and flagellants hitting their backs with bamboo shingles.

We were all clueless (except for my friend’s aunt) as to where we were going and true enough, my research has prepared me for it. Our destination, Sibul Springs.

you read it right =)

Located at Brgy. Gabon, Sibul Springs is a huge property which houses three swimming pools. The water comes from a natural spring which is believed to have sulfur properties that help ease muscle tensions. It is also believed to be a safe drinking water which I have personally tried though I have to say, I haven’t seen the actual spring nor the source itself as I didn’t swim in my entire stay there. It’s better to leave it that way at least I’m still alive.

mutant mosquito

An acquaintance of my friend’s aunt happens to know the owner of Sibul Springs so we got in for free and stayed overnight. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, around PhP40 and it is only open for day swimming. There are cottages in the area but not conducive for an overnight stay. Believe me, you won’t be able to sleep comfortably in a hard bench or floor with mutant mosquitoes feasting on you.

There’s nothing much to be excited about the place (in relation to my preference). It’s basically a matter of how you deal with the situation and adapt with the environment; and I chose to enjoy by finding ways and things that amuse me:

1. Though cramped, I enjoyed sitting at the back of the van with all the baggage around me. The food and drinks were just within reach!
2. It’s fun watching people prepare their food from scratch while cooking it using the old-style charcoal/firewood. I got used to eating in restaurants on trips with my family and we rarely eat packed lunch, just mostly candies and junk food.
3. I had the best papaitan and kalderetang kambing. There’s no trace of bitterness nor foul smell to it.
4. It is the first time I hesitated to swim even if I was perspiring too much
5. I didn’t drink alcohol and slept early
6. I was able to sleep with the lights on, with people laughing in the background, and with my back flat on a cold, hard floor
7. I woke up early and had a morning stroll alone (which I’ve been longing to do)
8. I enjoyed baby sitting
9. I drank water from an unknown source and didn’t get diarrhea
10. I had fun while experiencing little sacrifices during the Lenten season

casilyas

NLEX

you read it right =)

mutant mosquito