Our first for 2018: A trip to San Narciso, Zambales

Another year, another set of adventures waiting to be told!

Since Jem and I were hoping to follow through our promise of 1 adventure per month, we spontaneously decided to go beach camping last January 27. This was so unlike us since we particularly like planning ahead and making sure that everything is as smooth as it can get before heading out. But since we were too busy with all of our personal stuff, when Jem saw an opportunity for an out of town trip, he immediately grabbed it!

From South to North: Laguna, Rizal, and Antipolo!

Another long overdue post, as usual.

So anyway, back in August (wow, this post is like 3 months late HAHA) Jem and I decided on heading out for a quick getaway from the city life. Since we didn't really have a large amount of money and only have limited time, we decided on heading back to Kaliraya Surf Kamp for some outdoor adventure!

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. 2)

For the second day of our stay in Ilocos, we woke up pretty early since our first stop would be the northernmost part of Ilocos, none other than Pagudpud!

Weekend Warriors at Mt. Batolusong, Rizal

So I was feeling down for the past couple of months and I needed to find a way to channel out all my negative thoughts and transform it into something useful. I thought, "what better way to distract my pessimistic mind by tiring itself out, right?". So on May 26, I posted an invite to my Facebook friends if they're up for a day hike at Mount Batolusong, Tanay, Rizal!

Overnight Stay at Kaliraya Surf Kamp

Weeks ahead, Jem and I had been planning on going to Potipot Island in Zambales for an overnight stay. We were supposed to do this during the super long weekend but since we no longer had the budget and time, we decided on roughing it out on nearby provinces instead.

I was wearing shorts, I swear :))

Quick Trip to the North: San Felipe, Zambales

Having the Philippines host the 30th ASEAN Summit was not only a blessing for the Philippine government but also to Manileños and Manileñas. Having to suspend work and class for a Friday and having another holiday come Monday next week means a SUPER LONG WEEKEND we all crave for!

Basking in the beauty of the sunset

Albay myself (not really) Pt. 2

Like what I promised, here's the 2nd part of our adventure in Albay, Bicol!

Albay is a province located in the Bicol Region in southeastern Luzon of the Philippines. We stayed somewhere in Tobaco City which is one of Albay's three cities along with Legazpi (capital city) and Ligao. Tobaco City boasts its Mayon Planetarium and Science Park which is also located on the Mayon Skyline View Deck (see Pt. 1 of post). Their major economic source is through agriculture with major crops such as: rice, corn, cacao, pili, root crops, vegetables, coconuts and abacá.

Mayon Volcano (photo grabbed from here)

Albay myself (not really)

When 2016 started, our friends offered a vacation at their hometown by middle of the same year. With the enticing cheap flights and free accommodation, both Jem and I immediately agreed to come.

By July, with all our stuff packed and excitement level to the max, we joined our group of friends at NAIA. We were actually the last ones to arrive because the Grab driver we booked was not really familiar with where the domestic flights in NAIA takes off. To top it off, he was too much, like too much, of a careful driver that we were probably cruising the highway at 20mph (yes, I am exaggerating).

It was Jem and I's first flight together and we were really, really excited. Unfortunately though, we were not seated together HAHA

Mayon Volcano as seen from the plane :)

Weekend in Tagaytay (Pt. 2)

Cont...

After eating our dinner which consist of both Tagaytay and Batangas' specialties ('extra' special bulalo and fried tawilis) along with other fried seafood and accompanying one of our companions until he was able to ride a bus bound to Batangas, we headed back to our room and watched a movie while drinking a few bottles of beer.

We stayed at one of the buildings with accommodations offered by Tagaytay Highlands which was the Highlands Inn.

Tagaytay Highlands Inn (I was informed that this was the cheapest accommodation they had)

Weekend in Tagaytay (Pt. 1)

I couldn't believe that I was able to tick off one more item from my 2016 bucket list over the past long weekend (October 29-November 1). Since we're all caught up from my super delayed updating of my bucket list this year, this entry is going to be one that had just happened recently.

• Tagaytay Roadtrip (w/ Jem)

Technically still not a round trip since he was already in Tagaytay by Thursday night and I had to follow him there by Saturday morning on my own, but it still counts! HAHA

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.

Bucket List for 2016

So since I decided to revive this blog of mine, I wanted to share my new and quite accomplished bucket list for this year (I know, I know, 2016 is almost over but who cares, it's my blog!).

Anyhoo, so this is it. My list for 2016.

Like before, I'll be updating with all that I have accomplished this year and I promise that I will not be neglectful like before.

Yes, that is a beat-looking Starbucks Planner :)) I was too clumsy to take such good care of it so it ended up looking like that. It got wet by my perfume BTW.

...as you can see, I already have some targets scratched out and I'm afraid, I won't be able to finish it completely by the end of the year :( but hey, there's always next year right?

An Update from My List: Tagaytay Adventure (Pt. 1)

Okay, so I recently crossed out two more items from my "official" bucket list which were:

• Get drunk (LOL, easy one)
• ROAD TRIP!

So last November 14 and 15 (perfectly planned because of payday!), my friends and I decided to head south to Tagaytay. I'm not really sure if I can consider this as a formal road trip since in the first place, we didn't have a car HAHA. But anyway, I guess this will do because we really did enjoy ourselves!!!

First off, we rode a bus to Tagaytay at some random bus station at Buendia-Taft. We're supposed to arrive at the hotel we booked at 1PM, since that's the time I reserved it, but because of the heavy traffic in Cavite proper, we arrived at quarter to 2PM. Which is not that bad considering we started travelling pretty late.

After checking in at Tagaytay Econo Inn, located right in the middle of Tagaytay, we decided to rest for a while before starting our tour.

        

Random pics taken at our room :)

RE: Bucket List (For the Year 2015)

I can't believe I completely forgot about this thing I did a few months back!
But anyway, I have achieved quite a lot from the list I made back in May this past few months :)
And here it is!!!

• Climb Taal Volcano! (because I wasn't able to come with my friends #sad)

I can't believe I was able to achieve this feat this year! I actually had little faith that I'll be able to do this thing by this year! But look at me!!! Here are some of the pics I took while climbing :) 

View from the conservatory area of Taal

Guidelines as to which trail you can use when climbing Taal

Almost at the top! You can see here the Binintiang Malaki which is actually the extinct cone and most thought to be the main volcano. We had to ask our bangkero about this one HAHA.

The main crater as seen on the viewing deck ;)

TAAL VOLCANO'S MAIN CRATER!!! \:D/

Achievement of the year right there! 

I also did a video of our Taal Adventure :> Check it out below!