Yung Gala Mong Parang Pag-ibig: The Panimahawa Ridge Chronicles

May mga lakad na planado...  Meron namang gusto mo lang i-try... This one is among those I wanted to try. Di ako sigurado kung matutuwa ako o pag sisihan ko ang experience...

We left Davao at around 10:30pm. It was a long day for me, but I was looking forward sa galang mabilisan. It was a tour package, so we were with a group of people we didn't know. Medyo masikip sa van, kasi may mga naligaw na kasama. At first it was frustrating kasi sobrang sikip at hindi ako makatulog. Kaso may mga bagay talagang kahit mahirap, titiisin mo, hoping it will all be worth it in the end. Naayos naman ng organizers ang seating arrangement, at nakatulog din kahit papano. 

We arrived at our destination at around 3:00am. Right on schedule. At least may mga bagay na sumasakto sa mga expectations mo. We started trekking shortly. Sa umpisa excited pa. Finally it's happening. Kahit kulang ka sa tulog; kahit hindi ka sure na handa ka na; gusto mo pa ring subukan, para at least may ganap sa buhay mo. Kasi naman, malay mo, mag work... I mean, malay mo, it is going to be an easy trek... but it was not... no trek is ever easy. Parang lovelife, sa umpisa, parang nothing could go wrong... well, sa umpisa...

Di kalaunan, nakakaexperience na ng mga challenges. Yung parang, you want to give it your all but you are stopping yourself kasi di ba dapat magtira ka para sa sarili mo. What if sobrang pabibo ka na sa pag-akyat, tapos himatayin ka, may sasalo ba sa'yo? Baka tuluyan ka na lang mahulog... sa bangin, di na makabangon.. saklap nun, besh. So there I was, minding my own pace. Medyo kabilang na ako sa mga nasa hulihan, as always, lagi na lang akong naiiwan.

But there was a point in the trek na medyo nakahabol ako sa kaibigan kong sobrang bilis maglakad. Syempre, I wanted to match his pace, but then I realized it was not a competition. Kung patuloy ko s'yang hahabulin, mapapagod lang ako. Mararating ko nga ang summit, di ko naman naenjoy ang journey. Ganun pala talaga pag naghahabol, bibilis lang ang pintig ng puso mo, tapos sisikip, then maiisip mo, kelangan mong tumigil para asikasuhing ang puso mo at ibalik sya sa kalmang pagtibok. Paghinayaan mo, ikaw rin ang mahihirapan, baka di na sya makarecover... so tandaan,  alagaan si heart.

Masaya ang trek, don't get me wrong. Looking at the photos, masasabi mo talagang it was worth it. It was difficult but it was fun. Kaso, while you are there, experiencing everything, mapapaisip ka, tama ba itong ginagawa ko sa sarili ko? Tama bang ituloy ko ang lakad kahit  nakakapagod at madilim? Pero naisip ko, andyan ka na eh, panindigan mo na yan. Yung mga binigay mong effort, di pwedeng walang puntahan yun. So kahit hindi ko masyadong nakikita ang daan, naniwala akong may naghihintay sa bandang huli. 

Hindi lang nakakapagod ang trek, medyo nakakatakot din s'ya. We needed to cross a make-shift bamboo bridge over a strong stream of water. Di ba? Buti pa ang ridge, willing akong magcross ng stream para makita sya, samantalang yung ibang tao, ililibre mo na, aayawan ka pa rin. Sad... 

Masakit din sya. May matutulis na bato. At dahil nga medyo madilim while we were ascending, di mo maiiwasang maapakan. Ganun talaga, pag di mo tiningnan ng maayos ang mga bagay-bagay at sulong ka lang ng sulong, masasaktan ka talaga. But you learn. Nung mabangga ko ang isang bato at nasaktan ako, sinabi ko sa sarili kong umiwas na sa susunod. The journey continues, pero next time, huwag ka ng tanga. 

The trek mirrored life. Minsan patag, maayos, tapos bibiglain ka ng mga challenges tulad ng putik. Akala mo madali lang lagpasan yung malilit na challenges tulad ng mud on your shoes. Pero if dumami na sya ng dumami, bumibigat ang sapatos mo, and it affects how you reach your goal. The lesson here is that, do not underestimate those little challenges. Dahil pagnapabayaan, it can cost you big time. 

Aside from the putik on your shoes, nandun din ang levels of difficulty ng terrain. May mga daanang pababa, na di mo alam kung saan mo ilulugar ang sarili mo para di ka masaktan. Yung tipong ingat na ingat ka kasi baka mahulog ka na naman at masaktan. Kaya this time, you take your time. Di baleng inaapura ka ng iba, you do what is best for you. Don't rush into making decisions just to accommodate others' points of view. Kasi pagnagkamali ka, hindi sila ang masasaktan, ikaw. So watch your step. 

And then there were the most challenging paakyat ng bundok trail. Yung tipong tinitingnan mo pa lang, parang gusto mo ng umayaw, but deep inside you want to give it a chance, you want to give yourself a chance. Chance to make sense of everything. Kaya kahit alam mong mahirap, susubukan mo pa rin. Eh ano naman kung nakakapagod? Ano naman kung mahirap? Sabi nga di ba, nothing worth having comes easy. So go lang ng go. 

But the real question is, was it worth it? Worth ba ang pagpupuyat? Worth ba ang pawis? Worth ba ang sakit? Well, if you do it for yourself, it is totally worth it. 

The view was magical. Mas gumanda sya dahil pinaghirapan ko syang puntahan. And after all the ups and downs, and the mud on my shoes, I was able to sit back and relax... and after that.. I have to do it all over again... But this time, I know better. I know now what to expect. And the lessons I learned during the journey made it more fun nung pabalik na sa van. Keri lang ang trail friends. Give it a try. 

Now, on to the next adventure...

Planning Tips for Family Vacations

You may not want to leave your Noosa real estate because it has everything you need. But, you have to take your family out of your Noosa accommodation from time to time to experience the beauty around you and enjoy their company while relaxing in a luxurious resort or hotel. There are many beautiful sites in Noosa. This means that you do not have to travel far to have quality vacations.

But vacations can easily turn into disasters if you do not plan it carefully. Here are a few tips to help you in your planning process:

1.      

     Who will join you during the vacation?

Consider the people who will be going with you. Are you going with the entire family? How many kids do you have? Consider the family members who will be joining you in the planning stage. What are the activities your kids love to do? Which resort would they most likely enjoy?  This will help you decide where to go.

2.       How long will your vacation be?

The length of your vacation will greatly affect your itinerary. Will you have enough time to explore the nearby sites of the resort? Can you still do all the activities you have in mind? This will enable you to manage your vacation time properly. This will ensure that you maximize and enjoy your time with your family.

3.       Identify your budget.

     This is why you need to consider the people who will be joining you in your vacation. They will greatly affect your expenses. They have to be considered when you are going to book a room in a resort. Consider them in your budget for food, transportation, entrance fees and more. Your budget will help you prepare the needed amount and will prevent you from overspending.

4.       Decide where to stay.

In planning a vacation, decide where to stay early on. Book a room ahead of time especially during peak season. Scouting for resorts ahead of time will allow you to compare accommodation and amenities. What resort will give you the best value for your money? Which resort has ideal facilities and features for you and your family? Is it near the various spots you want to explore?

5.       Plan your trip:

When planning the trip, consider the time you will spend on driving. How long will you be on the road? What are the stops you need to make? Do you know the way? If you are not confident, check it with friends, look up the net or ask the resort how to get there. This will avoid the hassle of getting lost. Such will save you gas, time and energy. Schedule your trip as well. Aside from the travel time, you should also include in your schedule the number of hours you will spend in each stop. This will be very helpful when you do have limited time.

Family vacations are something that children look forward to. Residents of Noosa are lucky because there are many vacation sites in the here. They do not have to travel far and spend a lot to have quality vacation. Nevertheless, it is very important that you plan your getaway properly wherever you feel going. 

Discover Surigao

Surigao is finally getting the attention it truly deserves. The first time I visited the place was with my friend, Peachy and her family. At that time, I was not rally expecting anything. I did not know what to expect. Although a friend has already told me of the must see places here. I was blown away. We visited Tinuy-an Falls and the Enchanted River. We also went to see, the then alive, Lolong.

Majestic Tinuy-an Falls

The very enchanting Enchanted River

The photo above is not an exaggeration, the water is really that clear...

A Lonely Lolong

I was given a chance to revisit the place again with my co-workers from St. Peter’s College of Toril . This time around, I was more excited since I know how beautiful the places we are going to visit were. Aside from the Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River, we also went to see Britania and stay for one night there.

The Islands of Britania

During the second day of our outing, we went Island hopping. we had four stops.

The Naked Island

First was the Naked Island. It is a mount of white sand in the middle of the ocean. 

The Hagonoy Island

Then we Went to the beautifulIsland of Hagonoy. Next stop was Boslon and the last Island we visted was Hiyur-hiyuran.

The Boslon Island

We had our lunch at Hiyur-hiyuran Island.

Hiyur-hiyuran Island

At 12 noon, we started our journey home. The road to Surigao was long and challenging, but the wonderful attractions awaiting us were worth the bumpy roads and uncomfortable sleeps. 

Bohol, Philippines

Sun Avenue in Tagbilaran, Bohol (Gogle Images)

I went to Bohol with my friends mid this year and fell in love with the place. It was quiet, laid back and people are trustworthy. They welcome everyone with a warm smile. But the trip to Bohol was not as smooth as we hoped it would be. The ferry ride was one of the scariest journeys I have experienced. The waves were like slapping the boat that was taking us from Cebu to Bohol. My friend and I did not talk much during the trip, as we were saying our own prayers. We arrived safely and lived to tell the story.

We arrived at Tagbilaran safely. It is a small town.  Going around the city is easy with the use of pedicabs. So we rode one when that would take us to our inn, the Sun Avenue, were another friend is waiting. It is a nice cozy place with very accommodating staff.

We shopped awhile and were pleased with the number of inexpensive items we found. After that, we visited my friend's aunt, who prepared a sumptuous dinner for us. And then we head back to the inn for a good night sleep.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol (Courtesy of Google images)

The next morning, we started out early. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast then packed our stuff. We rented a car that will take us to the different tourist destinations in Bohol. It is a good thing that everything is on the way. Our driver was very helpful too. He suggested that we visit the Chocolate hills first then start visiting the other destinations from there.

After that, we went to other must see spots like Butterfly Garden, The hanging Bridge, the man made forests, sanctuary for tarsiers and more.

The long and fruitful day ended. So we head to the Hayahay Hotel for a  much needed rest. When it was darker, we decided to get out of the room and check out the life at the beach. It was festive. There were guests from all over the country as well as from other parts of the world. There was music, dancing, food, laughter and more.

Then we had to call it a night. We need to be up by 5am for a scheduled dolphin watching. And we did. But before we could see any dolphins, our boat stopped. The engine failed twice before those in charge could get it running continuously. We saw the dolphins, and it was quite an experience. After that, we went Island hopping. We enjoyed the Virgin Island the most. The water is calm and shallow and the sand was white and fine.
.

Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol

We went back to the hotel to freshen up and prepared to leave. We left after having our first meal of the day. My friend's aunt picked us up and took us to the Hinagdanan cave. The cave is eerie but majestic. We were happy that we had enough time to see it. Then we dropped by an old church before going back to Tagbilaran.

Our ferry ride from Bohol to Cebu was more peaceful. We had fun during the trip. When we arrived in Cebu, friends picked us up. The first thing we wanted to do was eat. So they took us to MOOON, a nice Mexican restaurant (I think). The food was more than satisfying.

After that, we went around Cebu. We considered skywalking, but reconsidered and watched a 3D animation instead. It was fun, a nice way to end the night. After our last nigh in Cebu, we ate breakfast and head to the airport. When we arrived at the Davao International Airport, we decided to hit the Abreeza mall instead of heading home. But the day has to end. We went home tired, but fulfilled.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the premiere tourist destinations in Asia.

Geography (Courtesy of http://www.marimari.com)

Hong Kong island sits just south of the Tropic of Cancer on similar latitudes as Calcutta, Havana, and Hawaii, and sharing the same longitude as Wuhan in central China, Bali, and Perth. Surrounding the country's southern coast is the South China Sea.

The country consists of a peninsular protruding from southeastern China and hundreds of islands scattered off the coast. Kowloon and the New Territories make up the peninsular, while south off the mainland is Hong Kong Island and various other remote islands.

Deep waters surround Hong Kong, and with its wide harbors protected by mountains in the north and south, the region is favorable as a passing point for ships. Its geographical location between the Taiwan Straits, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean make it a strategic channel for sea traffic in Asia and the world.

(Photo courtesy of google image.)

Tourist Destinations - Check out the links below for a list of must see destinations in Hong Kong:

1. Hong Kong Island
2. Kowloon
3. New Territories
4. Lantao Island

Learn more about Hong Kong attractions by checking out this site.

Making Your Dreams To Travel Come True - Money Issues

Many want to travel but few are given the luxury to do it. Some can't and some won't. One of the primary reasons is financial constraint. Let's face it, traveling does not come cheap. For most of us, it would take a few months before we can even afford a round trip ticket. But this does not mean that we should give up our great desire to see the world and experience other cultures.

So how will you make your travel dreams come true?

Prepare your travel documents:

First of all, if you want to make it happen then do something about it. Start with your travel documents. Other countries would require that you have a passport. So start with that. In certain countries, you may need to apply for a visa. Once you have all your travel documents ready, you can start worrying about other things. Like making money.

Find the money you need:

If you have parents or someone who is willing to pay for everything, then you will not need to read the rest of this blog. However, if you are like most of us, who need to earn the money we spend, then it is time that you start thinking of ways to raise the funds you need, through legal means of course. You don't want to see yourself in an episode of Nat. Geo's Lock Up Abroad. So where to start?

Identify the amount you need:

Don't be cheap when identifying the budget for your travel. See to it that you consider everything as well like air fare, taxes, other fees, board and lodging, food, entrance fees of your destinations and the like. Identifying the amount you need to raise will give you direction to start planning the means to raise the amount.

Check your source of finances:

If you are an employee who relies on your monthly salary, then reevaluate your spending habits. Give up the expenses you don't need without depriving yourself too much. For instance, you like to go out on Friday nights to have fun with friends. Instead of going out, maybe you can just stay home, play poker, cook, watch movie, or anything that you enjoy, (cheaper than going out).

You should also check your purchases. Are you really using them. Visit your pantry, you will be surprised with the things you have but don't use because you don't really cook. How about your closet? Your shoe rack and other storage areas? If you have a lot of things you don't use, then it is time to stop shopping for a while. This goes for men too.

Face it, if you want to save more, you need to give up a few things.

Find other financial sources:

Do not just rely on your salary. Find other sources. Maybe you have some stuff you can sell. Remember the things to that you don't really use? Well, now is the time to use them. You can start selling them to your friends or you may also start a small online store.

If you bake, then start making money out of that. You can do it during the weekends. You can also find an extra job. The internet offers a lot of ways to make money online. Aside from selling you can start blogging, viewing ads, filling out surveys and get paid. You get extra cash without incurring additional expenses.

Plan your trip ahead of time:

This is one of the best ways to save on your trip. Get a round trip ticket ahead of time. Fares are cheaper when purchased a few months ahead. This goes for your accommodations and tourist destinations as well. Some will offer discounts for early bookings. This can really save you a lot. So put your online reservation skills to good use.

Set a deadline:

This is the good thing about booking your plane tickets ahead of time. It gives you 90% certainty that you will be going on trip. This also means that you have to raise the money you need no matter what. To make sure that you do, see to it hat you have a deadline. Your deadline for raising the funds should be a month or a few weeks before the trip. This gives you a lee way, just in case you encounter some financial drawbacks.

Prepare for the trip:

Have a list of the things you need to do before you leave. Among them is asking permission from your boss. File the vacation leave before you purchase your tickets. Make sure that your boss will allow you to travel before you plan anything else, unless you don't mind quitting the job if he does not let you.

Aside from that, list the items you need to pack. This would depend on where you are going, so make sure you research before packing. Check out the climate, the customs and the like. Prepare your itinerary too. Leave a copy of your travel plans to a friend or a family member. Give them the contact information of where you will be staying as well.

Plan the trip but be open to spontaneity. This will make you enjoy your escapade more.

Bon voyage!!!

The Trips We Need To Make

I read a caption from Elliott.org that says:

"The most important trips are not about getting somewhere, they are about getting to someone..."

Most of us do not realize the truth of the statement unless we have experienced being far from a loved one and not being with them in times of trouble. A mother working abroad would give up anything to be with her child after learning that he is in the hospital because of an accident. A son would wish for super powers just to say his final goodbye to his father who died after a stroke.

Of course, we want to travel and see the world. There is beauty in each country that is just waiting to be discovered. Many have dreamed of touring Europe, experiencing Disneyland and the diverse culture in Asia. But nothing beats the sight of a loved one's smile and excitement of seeing us again.