Tag Archives: Philippines

Asia, Aurora, Philippines

[Dinadiawan, Aurora] ~ Beach Close to Home

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 For I have been to many but none yet at home   – 12.29-30.15

I have been to quite a number of beaches in 2015 but when I had the chance for one last “hirit” (Filipino slang which connotes ‘more wanting’), I spent time on a secluded one closer to home. It was an overnight trip but most of what I did were packed during the day – from lazy people-watching, moments of wading and what to me is this crazy loooong walk from almost end-to-end of this long strip of sand.

My only time to rest was during sunset until it was dark and cloudplay was over. After that, I slept for almost 12 hours (!) which equals to about 5 regular days. Then in all my groggy in the morning was a lovely goodbye surprise.

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Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

[Cagayan de Oro, Philippines] ~ Checking out the Ordinary

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Seeing the city less in the eyes of a tourist – 11.30.15

My third day for this Camiguin trip was mainly for travel but since I managed to leave the island earlier, I squeezed in some time to explore the city of Cagayan de Oro (locally also called CDO). It was extra hours filled with experiencing as much of the place less as a tourist that I ended up doing random things in random places- like beer in a carinderia before a bus terminal, visit to a slightly leaning water tank which housed a city museum and discovery of interestingly named or themed stalls, movie cafes and store selling chili.

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Camiguin, Philippines

Come again, Camiguin?

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Experiencing the most known of Camiguin in a day  – 11.29.15

There’s a Filipino slang word called “lagari” which means hopping from one place to another. And if there’s a word to best describe my second day in Camiguin, that would have to be it – as that day I hopped to touristy places as early as sunrise in a SANDBAR to a COLD SPRINGS RESORT to more iconic landmarks such as the CHURCH RUINS and SUNKEN CEMETERY. Only pause was at sunset back at CAVES DIVE RESORT until off again to another spring, this time opposite of cold at ARDENT HOT SPRINGS RESORT.

It was a day of countless witnessed selfies, jump and wacky shots and Higher Being-knows-how-many people I have shared bodily fluids with but it was a day I had to ensure be packed and if only for that, those are all worth it.

For who knows when I will come again to Camiguin, right? (Okay, enough with the ‘joke’).

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Asia, Camiguin, Philippines, SE Asia

[Camiguin, Philippines] ~ 1,322 Steps around Mantigue Island

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 Where there is no getting lost in walking – 11.28.15

This trip over the long weekend kicked off with straight-from-airport visit to an island called MANTIGUE so small like Potipot I walked and counted my steps around it – 1,322 in total at pace from 1:19 in the afternoon until about 2 (and okay, I got lazy recording the actual end time). Seabed was grassy (some area even had sea urchins!) but amazingly clear that I still did wade. It was a brief day trip but managed to squeeze in about an hour of snorkeling from a spot not so far from shore, not without a guide, of course.

I wish I had more than a day – a night at least to camp there (which sadly is not allowed) but okay, still quite a day to remember.

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Manila

[Manila, Philippines] ~ Wolf and Bear Cafe

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For someone like me who couldn’t take care of a pet dog – because of studio regulation and space limitations as well as my inability to commit to take care, I find my temporary refuge in pet cafes.

My first experience was an accidental one in Korea a few years back – in a place called Bau House. Despite dogs’ general dislike for me, it was such a memorable experience that I did it again – luckily without having to go back abroad as Manila has been catching on the fun of having dog and cat cafes. My most recent visit is to a joint pet cafe of dogs and Bengal cats – a place I discovered as it is near my favorite beer place in Cubao Expo.

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Marinduque, Philippines

[Marinduque, Philippines] ~ That Island Called Maniwaya

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Its seclusion made it initially scary, but it’s exactly later on what made worth all the scare – 09.25-27.15

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I decided going to this place two days be fore it happened but I am just glad that I did not choose wrong. That ship ride getting there a check in my to-do list this year, the initially scary quiet and odd rawness of the island despite its many resorts (apparently also with an interesting story behind its name), lazy day of reading and wading, an impulsive trip to a sandbar and taking an alternative rather brave-the-waves kind of ride on a boat shared with only two other passengers.

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Palawan, Philippines

[Palawan, Philippines]~Twin Beaches of Nacpan and Calitang

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Sometimes, you just have to go for the impulsive ones  – 08.31.15

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It was my last day in the island and there was a floating plan in my head to visit the other known beach in El Nido called NACPAN. Not a solid plan as I thought I did not have enough time but thanks to the tricycle I flagged, its drivers convincing skills and that photo of the view of that beach and its twin, I went to see and well, it was worth it.
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Palawan, Philippines

[Palawan, Philippines] ~ Seeking El Nido’s Hidden Beaches

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Playing hide-and-seek on my second day – 08.30.15

Five-hour trip from Puerto Princesa got me to this small town where I spent my first day just the usual walking around and immediately falling in love with realization that dogs were everywhere. Caught the sunset at MARIMEGMEG BEACH over beer and new camera ‘test-drive’ on day. Full day the following day spent on Tour C which I chose for its promise of hop within hidden beaches called HELICOPTER ISLAND,  (well) HIDDEN BEACH, that beach with name I did not catch but has the loveliest water and most beloved seclusion andSECRET BEACH which inspired Alex Garland’s The Beach. Last half day was this sudden detour to swim NACPAN’s gentle waves and see from a hill its twin CALITANG. 

 

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Let’s take you to that tour C, shall we?

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Palawan, Philippines

Sleepy Town El Nido

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Curiosity finally satisfied on this other town in Palawan

– 08.29.15

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Five-hour trip from Puerto Princesa got me to this small town where I spent my first day just the usual walking around and immediately falling in love with realization that dogs were everywhere. Caught the sunset at MARIMEGMEG BEACH over beer and new camera ‘test-drive’. Full day the following day spent on Tour C which I chose for its promise of hop within hidden beaches called HELICOPTER ISLAND,  (well) HIDDEN BEACH, that beach with name I did not catch but has the loveliest water and most beloved seclusion and SECRET BEACH which inspired Alex Garland’s The Beach. Last half day was this sudden detour to swim NACPAN’s gentle waves and see from a hill its twin CALITANG. 

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