2011 in Retrospect

As the year 2011 draws to a close, it is almost unavoidable to reminisce the year that has been. Personally, 2011 was a mix of hits and misses; but altogether a lot to be thankful for.  :) One of the many things I am thankful for are the travel opportunities that I had and made in the year 2011. Along which I am most grateful to have my family and friends to have shared my travel adventures. :) 

All these destinations have taught me: great vacations are always accompanied by great company

So let me take you back to my...

... eleven destinations of 2011

Mt. Pinatubo

 this was a great adventure I had with my sibs

Check out more in this blog

Laiya

 

Laiya is a frequent weekend getaway.

I'm glad to have visited this place a few times this year with family

(with my cousins in this picture)

Tacloban

 Tacloban is definitely a place to go back to thanks to the hospitality of Liezl and Apollo

Coron

 

Coron - my second time to visit the place and it still charmed me as if it was my first.

This trip was with the AOG (Awesome Outing Group)

Baler

 

 Baler roadtrip! with officemates. :) My first time surfin'

Cebu 

 

I went to Cebu twice this year. One was with my office friends,

and another with my brother where I met his friends :)

 

 Bohol

 Bohol - great time with office friends as part of our Cebu-Bohol trip

  Zambales

 

Zambales - lovely time spent with my lovely HS amigas!

 Bagac, Bataan

Bagac was a day trip discovery (with Emil, Marion and Lance) 

Tagaytay

 

 Tagaytay - the destination of a great celebration with my college buddies

 Davao

Davao - also a destination of celebration of birthday and wedding. :)

I am most glad to have spent time with my parents in Davao

Happy New Year Everyone! Cheers to a hopeful 2012 :)

Davao 11-11-11

November 10 -13, 2011
Davao and Samal, Davao

We flew down to Davao to celebrate the wedding of Junie and Honeylet on the auspicious date of November 11, 2011 (11-11-11). [Sorry I do not have pics of the wedding] The wedding was fun, memorable and enjoyable. :) I am really happy for the couple. I'll scan the souvenir picture and upload it when I get the chance.

Being in Davao already, we made most of our stay and went around a bit.  

 Dinner celebration at 'Garden by the Bay' for Mama's birthday :)

 Pasalubong shopping with Mama

 We went for a day tour in Pearl Farm**. :)

Hilltop view at the Pearl Farm

** Although our day stay at the Pearl Farm was quite enjoyable, we experienced a lot of inconvenience with our accommodation at Pearl Farm Marina. Pearl Farm Marina is the dock where guests to Pearl Farm board their boats. The Pearl Farm Marina also has few bedroom accommodations for guests who want to stay overnight at the Marina instead of the main resort of Pearl Farm. We booked 2-3 weeks in advance for our 3 nights 2 bedroom accommodation. The staff was not able to inform us that they are undergoing renovations (noise was apparent during the day) and will not be able to serve us breakfast (My mom even confirmed the reservation the night before our stay). They gave us discount for the 1st night, but refused to give us discounts for the succeeding days. Their reason is that we can choose to stay with other hotels given that they are undergoing renovation. Service was really bad, which is really disappointing given that we have been patronizing Pearl Farm since I was a kid.

Tagaytay Weekend and Wedding

October 22 - 23, 2011
Tagaytay, Cavite

October 23 was the big wedding day for Pao and Rache! I was honored to be one of the guests to witness a truly magnificent wedding. :) Congrats to Rache and Pao! Me and some of my friends went to Tagaytay one day earlier to enjoy and maximize the weekend. Here are some of the pictures of a great weekend and an awesome wedding:

Started off with lunch at Uncle Cheffy's at Sta. Rosa's Solenad

I recommend their Larry's Craving pizza!

Groceries for overnight supply at Robinson's Tagaytay

Ate Bulalo at Verdiview along Tayagaytay Highway :)

Value for money!

This is how Sonya's Garden look like in the evening

We availed their Spa service. Good ambiance but pretty pricey

 Early birds at Chapel of Transfiguration at Caleruega

It is a quaint and pretty little chapel

A perfect choice for the special event!

 

The wedding ceremony. A lot of tear jerking moments!

I'm really happy for the couple, congratulations to Rache and Pao

 The weekend was capped off with a wonderful reception at Ville Sommet

This wedding was  one of the most awesome weddings I've attended.

Congratulations again! :)

Discovering Heritage in Bagac

August 28, 2011
Bagac, Bataan

We set out early on Sunday morning for an adventure to explore Bagac, Bataan. This little trip that we had rekindled my interest for Philippine history and our rich cultural heritage. Scroll on down and have a glimpse of the things I've discovered in Bagac.

Welcome marker to Bagac. This also landmarks the Battle of Tuol Pockets
Heavy fighting took place between Japanese and Filipino/American Forces
in an attempt to pocket the Tuol River Valley area

Reading a bit of the history of Bagac
Bagac was the location of the last stand of the Battle of Bataan

Philippine - Japan Friendship Tower
As a symbol of friendship and peace

the KM 0 of the infamous Bataan Death March


A large private area in Bagac housed Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
A resort site of architectural reconstruction of old Philippine buildings


The reception area - Casa Mexico
A reconstructed house originally from Mexico, Pampanga
Restored based on pictures and house parts sold to a junk shop


Las Casas is a relocation site of restoration projects of
old dilapidated house and building structures
The place looked like a small town from 19th century Philippines



Las Casas provides a short tour of the structures
My favorite buildings include: Casa Binondo III


Casa Tondo (Front), Casa Hidalgo (Back)
Observe that old houses had the 'Silong' beneath the house
And the actual house itself is situated on the 2nd floor


Casa Hidalgo was the first Campus of the UP school of Fine Arts
Originally located in Quiapo, Manila
Inside the building were two painting by the late Joey Velasco
Last I saw an exhibit of his work was in DLSU library


Casa Luna, a typical Ilocana bahay na Bato


Sculptures of children playing donned some of the areas
Remember the days when we used to go outside and play?
Luksong baka, patintero, Ciucok (agawan base)?


We also explored Bagac Bay. The wind and waves were crazy!
... might as well enjoy the sea breeze :)

Some other notes:
> Bagac is 2.5 - 3 hours drive away from Manila (via NLEX, SCTEX, Roman Highway)
> The day tour in Las Casas is a bit pricey but is inclusive of lunch and snacks
> The guided tour of the compound did not elaborate much about Bataan, but ask the staff around they are sure to give you tips on places to stay and see (We were not able to pass by the memorial shrine in Mt. Samat)
> Do not bother to go to Montemar Beach Resort. They have the worst reception service ever! They did not allow us to enter the resort to inquire because they were at 96% capacity. I wrote a review on tripadvisor
> Photos courtesies of: Lance, Marion and Emil

The Elusive Zambales Weekend

July 16-17, 2011
San Antonio, Zambales
(Camara, Capones, Anawangin)

I had been postponing writing this blog for some time now. For various reasons: (1) I had to reserve this post for August, I have no destinations for August as of yet, (2) I had to wait to get the picks of pictures from friends, (3) etc... As much as I have been eluding to write this post, this trip to Zambales was the more elusive one.

Me and my HS Amigas have been contemplating to go out of town for some time now (as far back as 2010). We would have wanted to go on an excursion early this year, but we did not push through. I planned the outing for June but storms prevented us from traveling. We were able to arrange for this trip in July (finally!).

This is our first trip as a group ever! :) Mi Amigas, thanks for sharing this great trip with me

I coordinated with Explore Island to provide us travel services
My review: very accommodating, even providing for special requests.
Downside, there are quite handful of additional payments required

We stayed at Canoe Beach Resort
Clean rooms, small pool, beach front. All-in-all a good place

Cafe Pundakit (Restaurant in Canoe)
The food was amazing! No exaggeration.
The food is simple Filipino, but taste great.

We explored Camara island
I love the strong waves crashing to the sand bar

Nature trail to Capones Lighthouse
The trail we used was shorter but less used.

Capones Lighthouse

Anawangin Cove - I'm amazed at the picturesque pine trees

Anwangin Cove - exploring the fresh water streams

Anwangin Cove - fun playing in the waves

On our way home, we had a Sumptuous meal at Xtremely Xpresso.

Great Pizza and Pasta (Truffle pasta - a must try), desserts not as good

Photos courtesy of: Bea, Mas, Kat

Sights of Bohol

July 8, 2011
Tagbilaran - Carmen, Bohol

After our hectic day in Cebu we set out to our main destination... Bohol. :) We availed of a tour package by kuya Levi, the package he gave us was a real bargain. It included hotel transfers, Bohol tour, Panglao tour, and two nights accommodation at the Panda Tea Garden. Upon our arrival at Tagbilaran, we just left our luggage in the hotel and started out immediately to enjoy the sights of Bohol.

First stop: Sandugo Blood compact monument

symbolizing the first treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and the Spaniards


Famished that we were, kuya Levi took us next to Rio Verde floating restaurant
We had our lunch and enjoyed a peaceful Loboc River Cruise


After a kilometer or so of cruising we were greeted by the Ati Tribe
We went down to take pictures with them and gave a few pesos donation to the tribe


A unique primate (Just to be clear I'm referring to the Tarsier)


The famous Chocolate Hills. Although they look like dirt mounds,
they are actually limestone formations covered with grass


A close encounter with butterflies at the Butterfly Garden
Take away: butterflies don't cause blindness


We passed by the magnificent man made mahogany forest


Then we experienced crossing a hanging bridge
After crossing I rewarded myself with a coal cooked saba (yummy!)
Travelers tips: souvenirs here are cheaper (except for peanut kisses)


Finally our last stop: Baclayon Church
This is the 2nd oldest church in the Philippines

* Photos courtesy of Alden, Eds and Nikki