Gallery of Panoramic Shots

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Potipot Island


CWC Sports Complex

Alaminos Solo Trip

It's the US Memorial weekend and my mind is battling where to go. Should I go to Tabuk or to Alaminos - Bolinao? I decided to go to Tabuk instead. I learned that I must be at the bus station by 10pm but when I woke up around 8pm, it's pouring really hard outside that I slept and waited for the rain to stop. It's 11pm when I got up and thankfully it's no longer raining. Finally I opted to go to Alaminos. Got off at Victory Liner terminal in Cubao and looked for the bus to depart for Bolinao but I was told that the last trip was 10pm and the only bus leaving 1am would be to Alaminos, Pangasinan. Bought a ticket and hopped on the bus.

What made this trip different is that I am travelling alone. This is also the first time that I am going to a place that is not quite familiar. 

Around 5:30am, I arrived in Alaminos, Pangasinan. I rode a tricycle headed to Lucap Wharf, the drop off point to the Hundred Islands. I  need to maximize my time and money for this trip so I decided to look for other travellers to share the boat rental with me. I registered at the tourism office and paid Php20.00.

Day tour rate for boat only includes visiting the three most developed islands, Governor's, Quezon and Children's while the service boat rental will let you go to other islands as long as it's within the 8 hours rental. We went for the service boat so we can explore as many islands as we could. I was able to find two female travelers from Manila who let me join their boat. They are on their way to Manaoag.

I found out that the food and water is expensive on the islands so I bought water and packed lunch from the nearby carinderia.

Where the boats dock

 The PBB house is also located on this island.

Few of the 123 islands, taken from the Governor's View Deck.

Entrance fee here applies only during Holy Week. 

 Other side of Cuenco Tunnel

Bat Island

One can jump in the water below.

 Marcos Island Viewdeck

 To the ocean

 My favorite island, Lopez.

Clearest water and finest sand.

Quezon Island as background. That island is where we had our lunch.

There's a giant clam sanctuary and snorkeling spots here but we weren't able to check it out. Our boatman is not proactive in giving information where you should go next so be sure to do your research and ask what island you want to go next and the activities you want to do.

We went back around 2pm because my companions have to go to Manaoag while I ponder on going to Bolinao or not.

Not only did I get to travel solo but found myself with two acquaintances who would later join The Outdoor Freak's Ilocos trip. :)

Looking forward to more solo trips! 

US Independence Day Weekend Brings Ilocos Trip - Day 3

Hello Day 3!

Cha woke me up around 5:15am so we could see the sunrise.

We had our light breakfast then headed to Paoay. It's going to be my first time to try sandboarding and ride a 4x4 like this.

Thanks Cha for the last two photos.

Photo by Kuya Bong of Van for Rent with WIFI

So this is how being in the desert feels like. Our Manong driver did an awesome job giving us an extreme adventure! Different kind of stoke. :)

For our super late dinner, we ate at Isdaan and tried Tacsiyapo.

 Entertained by the Singing Cooks, Waiters atbp. Hilarious!

Photos by Kuya Bong of Van for Rent with WIFI

Got home tired but thought this weekend was a blast. Can't wait for the Labor Day weekend...

US Independence Day Weekend Brings Ilocos Trip - Day 2

Day 2 

We left Vigan at 7 in the morning for further north. 

Our itinerary for the day:

• Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
• Bangui Windmills
• Kapurpurawan Rock
• Marcos Museum
• Bantay Abot cave
• Kabigan Falls

It's my first time to visit Marcos Museum and note that use of cameras inside is not allowed.

Here's our group photo:

Thanks Laan!

After that was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Nothing much has changed since I was there.

Oceanview

Afterwards, we went to Kapurpurawan Rock. I did not go near it this time because I need to conserve my energy for the long day ahead and besides it's too hot I don't want to get any darker. Arte lang :)

The most awaited, Bangui Windmills.

20 megastructures

We had our super late lunch at a local carinderia then continued our trip to Pagudpud.

After checking in, we went to Bantay Abot Cave, I'm surprised to see that there are kids who served as our tour guides. They gave a short background of the rocks. Pretty interesting. 

But we're not yet done, we saved the most energy consuming part of our trip for last. Yes, as if we're not yet exhausted for the day, Kabigan Falls was next.

Enjoying the short walk. Thanks Cha!

Photo captured by Len of The Outdoor Freak and uploaded  by Kuya Bong of Van For Rent with WIFI

Kabigan Falls never failed to refresh our tired bodies with its cold water and make the 30 minute walk all worth it.

Dinner at Hannah's.

BBQ Chicken with Java Rice and Garden Salad

US Independence Day Weekend Brings Ilocos Trip - Day 1

It's been four years since we went to Pagudpud, Laoag and Vigan. Thanks to my teammates and colleagues, I was able to go back and experience the ultimate road trip headed north. This time, it's a mixture of business and pleasure. Hello The Outdoor Freak!

Three things that I am most excited about are:

1. Seeing the Heritage Village at night
2. Watching Vigan's Dancing Fountain
3. Sandboarding in Paoay

We first headed to Vigan on Day 1. It rained that afternoon I thought we won't be able to take pictures of Calle Crisologo without an umbrella. We had dinner first at Cafe Uno.

Next, we watch the Dancing Fountain show at Plaza Salcedo. 

Then Calle Crisologo at night.

What a long day! But I'm glad that two items were taken off my list for this trip.

Special thanks to Laan and Kuya Bong for the 1st and 2nd photos.

2012 in Retrospect

2012 

January

•  Last holiday party in HDPP

Firsts:

• Bonchon
• Crisostomo

February

Firsts:

• Gong Cha
• Happy Lemon
• Trinoma
• P.F Chang's
• 19East - Franco, Hilera, Moonstar 88, TypeCast & BOT

Clubbing - Republiq
Gone to Pyrolympics at SM MOA.

March- April  Bum life

May - New work in Makati

June

First:

Distrito - Makati

July 

Firsts:

• Moonleaf
• Tea Farm
• Kopi Roti
• Jogging at Ayala Triangle Garden

August 

First:

• Luk Yuen

Enchanted Kingdom - Xy's birthday celebration
Asi Taulava's Built on the Rock charity basketball game

September

First:

• Boracay trip - Experienced Fly Fish
• Tree Planting at La Mesa EcoPark

October 

Firsts:

• Cafe Jeepney Lunch buffet - Manila Intercontinental Hotel - Not recommended, choices are minimal, so disappointing
• Feeding street kids on Ate Carol's bday 

November 

La Union Surf and Music Festival

             Loved Franco and Urbandub.
             

December

Melo's

Ayala Triangle's Lights Show

Christmas Trees 

It's a real pine tree! New office in Zuellig Building - Makati Ave.

                                                                  At Exportbank Plaza