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A FILIPINA MOTHER & A TRAVELER DISCOVERING PHILIPPINES ONE ISLAND AT A TIME.

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 Best Travel Snapshots

It has been a great year for me. I was faced with so many challenges and yet, I managed to end the year with life's happy memories of people whom I met along the way, foods that I will crave over and over again, places that I never imagined existed, and adventures that are surely worth remembering.

As I traditionally go over with my 5000 pictures (YES! of course not all of them are uploaded in the web) of people and scenics, here, I give you my travel snapshots of 2009. I hope that in this blog, I will not only inspire you to love our very own, but also encourage you to explore them all!

January 2009 - Conquer Mt. Pinatubo
As you all know, I have been an avid, loyal fan and friend of Travel Factor. Why? Because they make travel so easier for me. I started '09 by trying out their first trip of the year, Conquer Mt. Pinatubo and this isn't the first time I tried their "CONQUER" trip. Wait do I need to explain CONQUER? Ok, to make it simple - this is Travel Factor's hiking/trekking/spelunking/caving trips. Last year, I had my first taste of spelunking and cave connection in Sagada with my best friend, Nonie. Anyway, trekking Pinatubo is never that easy. Talk about my bulges shaking while I pass by the boulders, streams that smells sulfur, hopped every rock, so on and so forth. There is no easy way to the Paradise. You have to earn it with every sweat, cramps and thirst before you can finally see the paradise hidden within.
Here she is...


Zambales: two times!
I can't believe I went to Zambales twice in the same year. Well, sabi nga nila kung GALA ka GALA KA TALAGA! I love Zambales simply because it's just near Manila. Exploring North has never been this exciting!

This next photo shows an extraordinary sunset in Pundaquit with a view of an island from a far.


Capones, ala Sound of Music. Well it's not exactly as the Alps though, but I just want to make "pilit" coz I really think there's a similarity. LOL


February - Apo Reef
This, this I gotta say is my most memorable trip of 2009. It is a place where I learned a lot about sea turtles, corals, baby sharks, manta rays, and other wonders of the deep. It is the place where I first learned to snorkle. (YES YES I know, chaka! but that's how it is!). This photo was taken from the top of lighthouse. Imagine it that high...oh! Let's not also forget sand bugs. I had my share of experience, having bitten by these puny creatures. It took 3-days after the trip before these little rash show up...and mind you they're really ITCHY!


Pandan Island
UBBE+SNUBA trip of Travel Factor. After an overnight stay in Apo Reef, Pandan Island was next. If you want a quiet, no night life, no party whatsoever, Pandan is your ideal island. Like Apo Reef, Pandan is also rich in marine life. People here have so much respect for the life under the sea. They even help breed sea turtles "pawikan" because, like polar bears, Pawikan are also in the list of endangered species. Too bad I didn't get to take pawi's photo myself but seeing it in real life is just surreal.

This photo was taken at 6:33AM.


Baler - Surfviving the waves!
Surfing is not really my thing. I get really scared just seeing the 7 to 10ft wave storming in front of me. But life would be boring if you don't dare try it. I dared myself but that was last year. LOL! But nothing would please me more than helping a friend in need. Am I a TF Assistant in the making? I dunno. Anyway, thanks Leia for the 2-peat. I had a great time! :) We all had a great time!


Ilocos - Photoholics!
Did I mentioned Ilocos is my favorite place in the Philippines? I think I did! Hahaha! And what's life in Ilocos without Bagnet? Empanada? Longganisa? c'mown!
And what is traveling to Ilocos, without paying a visit to Bangui Windmills? BORING!
Here it is, need not to say it. As Marv commented in my multiply blog, Ilocos is just picturesque!


April - Calaguas "The Happy Beach"
Ah! This beach has lived up to its reputation as being the Happiest Beach in the country! Think of Boracay 20 years ago, or let's make it 25 yrs ago?! LOL! No resorts, no bars and restos JUST bring your own TENT! he he he


Ocular - Camarines Norte
Now, I just couldn't remember the name of this island but is surely is promising!


October - Break!
Masskara
Whoah! Again, again, WHOAH! My first Masskara festival experience and it was a blast! It was even more exciting when I got to taste that tasty, uber delisyoso Chicken Inasal. Walang PALYA!

This photo shows a group of performers dancing with their mask on. One performer told me that his mask weighs 2-3 kilos. Imagine, that weight on your head, covering your face?!?!?! AMAZING!


November - Last beach bum for 2009!
Northern Cebu
An on the spot interview with Sports Unlimited (Ehem Bern, I will never ever forget that! When is it going to air? hehehe!), A charades with a twist, An eat all you can/eat all you want restos, and islands that are breathtakingly beautiful.

Bantayan Island


Malapascua


Virgin Island


There you have it! A year full of trips and adventures!

More trips on 2010 and beyond!
Happy New Year!

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