El Nido Tour A: El Nido Basics!

Before traveling to El Nido, we already booked a tour with one of the contacts the conference we attended knew. From the different tour packages El Nido offers, Tour A has been the most popular (and cheapest at only PHP 1200) so we decided on taking this as well.

El Nido babies! (from left to right: Kenneth, ME!, (back) Sir Rey, Dani <3, Ma'am Donna, Ate Eli, Lexie, Abby)

Journey to Central Luzon: 3D2N Bataan Trip

A very long overdue post!

Jem and I had been visiting various places during the month of June since Jem's duty was scheduled to start on July 1. Yes, my baby is already a clerk! *huhu so proud* anyway, so for our #hulinghurit, we've decided on visiting the historical province of Bataan!

Mt. Samat, Bataan

From Sur to Norte: 3D2N Ilocos Trip (Pt. 1)

Even before the start of Jem's last vacation, we've been planning on going all out on our trips. Because of this, we listed down the top places we wanted to visit before the start of his clerkship (shout out: CONGRATULATION JEMBOY! HUHU SO PROUD OF YOU! NEVER DOUBTED IT FOR A SECOND!) *ehem* so anyway, for our first trip for the month of June, we went to explore the region of Ilocos!

Sightseeing in Singapore

As what I have said on my previous post, getting around Singapore will be the least of your worries because of their highly efficient subway system (wish it could also be implemented here in the country). So days ahead, I have researched everything I needed to know about this transportation system. The key to saving as much money as you can while going around this country is to avoid taking taxis and ride their trains (plus you also get to experience how the daily lives of Singaporeans is like!).

SMRT train

A Day About The Sky: 2017 Hot Air Balloon Festival

Ever since Jem started his 3rd year as a med student, I've been teasing him about the things he'll start to miss out. Because he'll be needing to spend more time doing rounds in hospitals and that it will be harder from here, I told him he'll begin to miss out some birthdays, family outings and celebrations, dates, and whatnot. Add to the fact that I too am planning something big for my future, this reality check had started a mindset that we must travel and spend as much time as possible together.

Because of this, whenever we see stuff on the internet that says "must-visit", "must-see", "must-go" places in the Philippines (near Metro Manila), we try our hardest to check it out for ourselves.

Recently, the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival had been buzzing around the internet and all sorts of media publication. And when my mom said that that festival was something worth checking out, we planned our DIY Trip to Clark, Pampanga.

Walking the Dog: A Trip to the Past II

I know, I know, I've been quite the inactive blogger that I am for the past weeks. But I'm glad to inform you guys, that yes, I am still alive and kicking!

As the title of this post says, I'll be touring you once again to Intramuros BUT with an additional member! So without further ado, here's Cookie the amazing dog! hehe

A Trip to The Past

Ever since I started working along with photographers, I have been constantly curious about this activity they conduct which they call "Photo Walk". Because one of my colleague is a well established photographer, he had taught me some of the basics needed to take some shots that are quite pleasing to the eyes. So when Jem's mom bought a mirror-less camera, we took it out to check its abilities and put our amateur skills to the test by doing our own "Photo Walk" inside Intramuros.

Intramuros!

3 Destinations in 3 Days: Never a goodbye, only a see you later

The morning of our departure from Sagada, we all woke up pretty early (around 3-ish, I think) except for my roommate, Jem, cause he can't wake up in such ungodly hour. Anyway, since we were advised that we will be checking out Kiltepan Peak prior to travelling down to Baguio, we had our stuff ready by 4AM.

Kiltepan Peak (photo grabbed from here)

3 Destinations in 3 Days: The torture we volunteered for

Before we turned in the previous night, one of the tour guides approached us while we were chatting. He also tried to wake up our other companions but failed since they were already fast asleep. Anyway, he simply asked us what we wanted to do for the next day. He informed us that the highlight of our tour would be spelunking.

3 Destinations in 3 Days: Where do broken hearts go?

As promised, here's my last travel post for the year 2016.

Way before Jem's 'last' vacay started (yep, we're dreading it haha), we had a mutal agreement that we would join a joiners tour. See this had been becoming quite popular for travel junkies and social butterflies over the past years. Joiners tour is a type of tour arranged by travel agencies which aim to lower the costs of travelling by having a bunch of strangers travel together in groups.

GALORE!

Appreciating the Arts

Ticked off another one for my 2016 bucket list!!!

Complete tour @ National Philippine Museum

Late 2015, Jem and I went to visit the National Museum of the Philippines. But since we arrived there pretty late (it was probably already 3:30PM by then) we didn't get to see much of their displays.

Because of that, we promised that we'll get back and complete a day tour. Add the fact that Jem hasn't seen the gigantic painting of Juan Luna which is none other than The Spoliarium.

National Museum of the Philippines (photo grabbed from here)

Spontaneous Trip Across The Verde Island Passage

I skipped one from the list because it was a bit personal so instead of posting that, here's the next one that I was able to tick off of my 2016 bucket list :)

• (Boracay) Any beach!

So by April of 2016, one my very close college friend, Yuvi, who is currently staying in US decided to head back here in the Philippines. Because of that, we (Yuvi, Hazel, and I) planned out an overnight that will be one of our unforgettable getaways. Actually, this was all so very spontaneous because we just talked about this the night before we traveled (we're badass like that LOL).

After what seemed to be an endless discussion as to where we were planning to go, we finally agreed on heading south across the narrow strait that was The Verde Passage to Puerto Galera.

White Beach, Puerto Galera (photo grabbed from here)

Puerto Galera is divided into different beaches. The party’s always on at White Beach; its restaurants and bars do a good trade. But if you’re looking for something more laid-back, head to a private resort in Sabang or Muelle (the main port) beach.

A Day in Antipolo

From BGC early January, we decided to head to Antipolo by the later days of the same month.

Actually, I have been bugging Jem for months to visit this famous art museum in Antipolo (none other than, Pinto Art Museum) and he finally gave in when he found out that even though it's quite far, getting there is as easy as going to Makati.

Yep, that's the building you mostly see on every IG post HAHA

A Visit to The Mind Museum

So here's the first thing I was able to tick off of my 2016 bucket list :)

• Visit Mind Museum

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with the world of Science. Add to that, my mom always bought encyclopedias to add to our collection of books (I think though that encyclopedias were a thing back in 2000's).

So when December 2015 came, my boyfriend, Jem, and I planned out our visit on The Mind Museum by January. Good thing I scouted Metro Deal first to get a cheaper entrance fee for a whole day tour for two (cost us around PHP 900, I think).