2009 Travels
Aurora, Baler (August, 2009)
Baler is famous for its Sabang Beach and Cemento Beach where surfers from all over the world compete for the annual International Aurora Surfing Cup. To know more about Baler's sites and spots besides its beaches click on the link(s) below:
Coron Palawan (July, 2009)
Coron Island Palawan is a wedge-shaped limestone island. It has seven lakes, the most famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake. It also has a number of islands with white beaches and clear blue waters perfect for snorkeling, deepsea fishing and shipwreck diving. In fact, the aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world. For more of Coron's beguiling spots click on the link(s) below:
North Luzon Road Trip (May, 2009)
For my 25th birthday celebration, Oliver and I decided to go on a road trip exploring the upper North Luzon--a wee bit of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte with Pagudpud being our last stop. We brought my then "Frost" (a vios) along to take us to places we haven't explored. Click on the link(s) below to learn more about the beauty of the upper north.
Calaca, Batangas (April, 2009)
Batangas has been popular for its beaches since its near Manila. Ms. Mary, Oliver's x-boss has a relative who owns a rest house there just in front of the beach. I joined his team as we spent a night there for summer.
Click on the link above for more on our stay in Calaca, Batangas.
Click on the link above for more on our stay in Calaca, Batangas.
Clark, Pampanga & Tarlac (February, 2009)
Clark is just about an hour and a half drive away from Manila especially now that the SCTEX is fully functional, travelling has been seamless. It is home to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and is considered a free port (meaning when you gas up it's tax free!). Yearly, during the day of the heart's, they hold a balloon festival where everything that flies is showcased from hot air balloons to kites to gliders and what not. Other exhibits are also present for viewing (war planes etc.).
Gerona, Tarlac, on the other hand, houses the famous "Isdaan", a floating restaurant where you get to dine on bamboo huts and feed kois. They serve yummy Filipino dishes and besides the food, the restaurant also boasts of its attention-grabbing interior, design and concept. It is a perfect stop over for lunch or dinner.
Click on the link above to find out more about the Balloon Fiesta in Clark and the interesting restaurant in Tarlac.
Gerona, Tarlac, on the other hand, houses the famous "Isdaan", a floating restaurant where you get to dine on bamboo huts and feed kois. They serve yummy Filipino dishes and besides the food, the restaurant also boasts of its attention-grabbing interior, design and concept. It is a perfect stop over for lunch or dinner.
Click on the link above to find out more about the Balloon Fiesta in Clark and the interesting restaurant in Tarlac.
North Luzon Driving (February, 2009)
From Nueva Ecija to Tarlac and back to Manila, a usual route in my usual day in North Luzon. Driving has always been breezy for me and I consider it as a mode of relaxation except if it involved 12 to 14 hours straight driving, now that's a killer! Otherwise, I enjoy my North Luzon driving since the roads were mostly traffic free (except in major towns) and nature surrounds me everyday just the way I like it (from mountains to trees to all the greenery--perks of the job!). Click on the link above to have a taste of my usual day.
SCTEX (January, 2009)
The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is the country's longest expressway. Commercial operations started on April 28, 2008 and thank goodness for that for my travels towards Tarlac and farther north and even Nueva Ecija became faster.
The road seeks to transform the Central Luzon region into a world-class logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region through the integration of economic activities in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac and by linking major infrastructures such as the Seaport in Subic and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. To see more of this helpful express way click on the link above.
The road seeks to transform the Central Luzon region into a world-class logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region through the integration of economic activities in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac and by linking major infrastructures such as the Seaport in Subic and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark. To see more of this helpful express way click on the link above.
Boracay (January, 2009)
Boracay was never in my list of places to visit but given the opportunity, I welcomed the travel. It is a beautiful island surrounded by fine white sand, which does not heat up even through the scorching sun. It is a perfect place to laze around if you are not interested in engaging in the myriad of water activities that the island has to offer. Come night time, a smorgasbord of bars are around so you could take a pick on what night life you'd like to have. It is a place to visit when you both want to relax and party all at the same time. Click on the link above to see more of Boracay.
Pueblo Porla Playa, Quezon (January, 2009)
Where we got to get married a year after. A lavish resort perfect for unwinding away from everything. The resort not only promises a well equipped and beautifully crafted rooms and facilities, it also boasts of good food from their Cafe Oaxala. To learn more of this must see resort, click on the link above.