Nueva Vizcaya (Dec. 2024)

2024 Year End Hike at Mt. Tugew, Nueva Vizcaya

December 29, 2024 Sunday

For my year end hike, I have decided to join a trip to Nueva Vizcaya.

And I also invited my best friend Marcelo. Fortunately, he said Yes.

So on a rainy Saturday night, we met at Greenfield and a van picked us up there.

It was an almost 7 hour trip going to our destination. And I just took advantage of that time to get some sleep.

At 5 am, we reached the barangay hall of Alang Salacsac, Kayapa.

We had our morning coffee and a brief orientation before started our hike at 7 in the morning. 

It was cold and windy going up. 

Happy to meet new people along the trail. 

We took unlimited photos and videos and it was just a chill hike - literally and figuratively.

Hiking Mt. Tugew gave me the feel of hiking Mt. Ulap.

It was really cold and the initial part of the trail was filled with pine trees and cows too!

The sky was clear and the clouds were moving low and fast.

It was like a piece of heaven on earth. I was so happy to be back on my favorite playground - on top of mountains. <3

The mountain range was located on an elevated land that’s why Mt. Tugew has a high MASL.

We actually reached two summits.

First was Mt. Cabu and then Mt. Tugew.

We even passed through a historical trail which they named “Spanish trail”. 

During the world war II, it was used as an escaping zone from the Japanese going to Pangasinan. 

Going to the summit of both mountains was super windy. It was the OA kind of wind that can really bring you down if you’re too skinny. 

It was scary because you might fall of the ravine due to strong wind. 

But above all, the landscapes and sceneries wherever you turn are breathtaking and it gives you a sense of peace, calming thoughts.

It was truly amazing to see the clouds just near above you moving fast.

We’ve witnessed a lot of sea of clouds! And at the summit of Mt. Cabo, the province of Pangasinan can clearly be seen at its feet. Countless mountains which are naturally beautiful are perfect backdrop for pictures.

It was also challenging going down still because of strong wind. But thanks to our great tour guides that made our hike easier.

We went back to the jump off area at past lunch time.

We ordered home cooked rice, chicken and veggies for lunch. And it was a very sumptuous meal for all of us.

As usual it was tiring but definitely all of us had so much fun!

This was a perfect way, we for me, to end the year just right.

This also reminded me that despite the challenges and hardships we’ve gone through this year, somehow it still ends beautifully. 

Thank you Lord God for your wonderful creation that we still get to see, experience and enjoy! 

All glory to You!

Thank you for the provision (as always) and for the safe travels (as always as well). 

Happy New Year!

Cavite (Dec.2024)

4^th Wedding Anniversary Trip in Magallanes, Cavite

December 2024

For our fourth wedding anniversary, our destination was at Magallanes, Cavite. It’s an overnight trip on a farm resort with swimming pool and mini falls.

We rented a room that’s good for four persons.

Hubbs and I first went there then my brother and his girlfriend followed after their work shift.

The name of the place is Bean and Jelly’s Farm Resort. It was a more than two-hour drive from our home (including traffic).

But first, our stop-over was at Kawit, Cavite to have lunch. After our lunch at Jollibee, we also bought oyster and ate it fresh. It’s yummy!

At past 2 am, we’re already there at the resort, checking in and taking a rest first including a short nap before exploring the whole place.

There’s a lot of animals that were in there like the ducks, ostrich, peacocks and others.

Our next place to visit was the mini falls. It was a 10-minute walk going down to the river. The trek was easy and we were guided by a cute dog.

We were the only guests during that time as if we rented the whole place. We’ve decided not to swim in the river so we just went to the pool area.

Of course, a lot of photo ops happened because this was a core memory for both of us.

 

By evening, we got busy preparing and cooking for dinner.

Then my brother and his girlfriend arrived then we ate dinner. We just spent the night chit chatting and a lot of food trips before sleeping at past midnight.

 

The following day…

Good morning, Cavite!

We got up at 7 am to have a quick breakfast then we explored the place again.

 

At 12 noon, we’re already on the way to Tagaytay to have lunch.

A quick stop over at a café to have chocolate de batirol.

Then here comes the famous Mahogany Market where we ate Bulalo.

Then we’re ready to head home.

It was quick trip but truly a memorable one!

Happy Wedding anniversary to us!

Cebu and Bohol (Sept. 2024)

A Cebu-Bohol Trip with Hubbs 

Sept 5-9, 2024

Considered this a delayed overdue honeymoon trip for us. That’s what I called this trip of ours to Cebu and Bohol.

I even booked the flight impulsively when Cebu Pacific announced a Piso Fare last March.

Our flight from Manila was at 9 am and we’ve reached Cebu at 10 AM. Then we took a taxi going to Cebu Port. Fare was 200 pesos.

Then we rode Oceanjet that we booked via Klook. It was 800ish per person. We just had a light lunch at Cebu Port while waiting for our boat.

Boat ride from Cebu to Bohol was 2 hours.

At 3 p.m. we were already at Tagbilaran Port and from there, we road a tuktuk or a tricycle going to our Inn. It was a 30-minute travel time from Tagbilaran to Panglao and costed us 500 pesos for 2 pax.

We stayed at HM&B Traveller’s Inn that we also booked via Klook.

After settling our things, we then went to Alona Beach. We had a merienda on the nearby 7/11 and walked on the beach.

It was a mini-boracay for me, though the water of the beach in Boracay is clearer (for me also).

We decided not to swim that day.

When the sun finally went down, we went back to our inn to rest early. It’s been a long day of travelling.

We were just so grateful that despite the heavy rain in Manila, it was sunny day in Cebu and Bohol.

We slept early.

 

The following day or for our Day 2, we had a booked country side tour via Klook. Our tour started at 8 am. The van picked us up on our hotel. This tour costed us 600/head.

Here’s the place we’ve visited:

Blood Compact Shrine 

        Asin Tibuok shop (I forgot to take photos here)

       Baclayon Church Visit

            Butterfly Sanctuary

            Lunch at Loay River

        Man-made Forest

        Tarsier Sanctuary

        Chocolate Hills

At 5pm, we’re back to Alona Beach where we ate for dinner.

And at 7 pm, we’re back to our hotel.

That summed up our Day 2!

For our Day 3, we woke up at 6 am because we planned to swim at Alona Beach.

We just had coffee for breakfast then we enjoyed the beach for two hours before going back to our hotel.

At 11 am, we checked out and we’re back to Tagbilaran Port to go back to Cebu City.

Our booked hotel in Cebu City was just a walking distance from Cebu Port. We stayed at VG Pension and Residences.

After checking in, we went to Magellan’s Cross and Basilica de Sto. Nino de Cebu for a church visit. I also bought some pasalubong for Mama. 

We then went to Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro.

For our dinner, we just bought take out food at Jollibee and we’re back to our hotel.These tourist spots were just walking distance from our hotel.

 

For our Day 4, we woke up at 2 am because our booked trip started at 3 am. We also booked this tour via Klook at 2500 per head. 

The van picked us up at 3 am.

And then we’re off to see the whale shark in Oslob Cebu. It was a three-hour ride from Cebu City.

 Upon reaching Oslob, we had breakfast and by 7 am, we rode a boat to see the whale sharks!

It was a great experience and my Hubbs really enjoyed it.

After an hour, we’re back offshore then we went to Sumilon Island via boat ride which was 300 pesos per head.

We went snorkeling at a fish sanctuary and we enjoyed a bit of swimming time before going back to the main island.

We then had a lunch on a nearby restaurant and it was our first time to try Pork Sinigang de Cebu.

At 5 pm, we’re back to our hotel.

We just bought food for dinner via grab since we were too tired to go outside.

 

For our last day, we’re going back home.

But before that, we went to Taboan Market to buy danggit and some pasalubong.

Our flight was at 10 pm.

We checked out at 12 noon and then we booked another short stay near the airport wherein we paid 800 pesos for an 8-hour stay.

We stayed in Mactan and we just walked around the nearby mall to grab some lunch. We also bought Milk tea.

We stayed the whole day on the shared space condo that we rented to rest.

At 10 pm, we’re already at the airport waiting for our flight.

We reached home at 2 am.

It was a memorable trip for me and Hubbs. It was both our first time to Cebu and Bohol and will definitely be back there to visit other spots that we haven’t visited yet.

Daghang Salamat, Cebu!

Salamat Kaajo, Bohol!