Sunshine and Snow Moments of 2013

For a few days, I told myself I wont be pressured to do a year end post. Hey, I just came back from China yesterday and I did nothing but do loads of sleeping (including on new year's eve) because of this fever. No, it's not birdflu, I hope. ^_^

2013 is not a much-traveled year for me, but Im glad I accomplished almost everything I planned and those trips which I didn't even plan.


January
I purchased a new baby! Thank you Harvey sa serbisyong totoo. Sulit na sulit ang pagbili ko sayo. I hope your new owner will take care of you. ♥ 
Hello Luke, Im so impressed with your picture quality and your weather proof feature. 

 meet Luke, my Canon 60D

A few days after I purchased Luke, I flew to Cebu for my ultimate glamping experience. I cannot erase the smile on my face as I saw the glamping tents. They were perfectly equipped with the basic (and luxurious) needs of a wannabe camper. 

Glamorous Camping in Sumilon

February
I scratched off an item on my To-Do-List, and that is to travel by sea. Having lived in the crowded mainland of Manila, I never really had the chance to travel by sea. Well of course, riding those improvised boat whenever it floods is an exception. ^_^ To my surprise, I enjoyed the journey.

2Go - Travel by Sea to Boracay

For the 1st time out of my 4 trips to Boracay, I will be staying away from the White Beach. Yes, away from where the action is (and away from the crowd).  The sand may not be very fine but I really appreciated that Puka beach didn't have seaweeds on the shore. There were not so many people too compared to the White Beach.

Alta Vista de Boracay

March
Thanks to Mica for the last minute invite, I had a great weekend getaway in this lovely Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club. As a bonus, I also witnessed a triathlon competition for the first time.

Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club

Ilocos remains to be very special and memorable to me. Last 2010, I had an unexpected solo trip. There I was - traveling with insufficient money, no ATM card, no cellphone on hand, and the best part was it's all happening on my birthday! So last March, I managed to revisit the place and the person who helped me - Mang Arnel.

Revisiting Ilocos Norte

April
My balikbayan friend Chris was home and of course he insisted to go to CWC again. Since last year's experience was a big turn off, I researched for an alternative and found a nice place to wakeboard – and it's just around Laguna. Perfect! That's how I discovered Republic Wakepark in Nuvali.

Wakeboarding in Nuvali | Republic Wakepark

Whatever happened to me in Bali doesn't exactly mean I am not a fan of the Balinese culture anymore. In fact I am still a big fan of the Balinese art and sculpture. So when Nina invited Upper, Cla and I for an overnight stay in this Bali-inspired sanctuary resort in Batangas, we immediately set the date.

A Touch of Bali | Cintai by Corito's Garden

In my entire employee life, this is just the very first time I joined a company summer outing. My boss volunteered me to organize the event and I chose Coco Beach Resort at Puerto Galera as the place to be.

Coco Beach Resort | Puerto Galera

May
My birthday month means a fabulous trip with my friend Rob who shares the same birthday as mine. For the 3rd time, I attempted to go to Davao. It's a success at last, with just a little mishap at the airport runway which made all flights cancelled on our way back to Manila.

Pearl Farm Beach Resort | Davao

Park Inn by Radisson Davao

June
Summer is not ended yet so we flew to Cebu this time for an ultimate staycation at Crimson Resort and Spa in Mactan.

A Luxurious Staycation at Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan

July
Got invited to participate for Bigg's Diner's 30 Plates Around Bicol event. This was my 6th time to visit the Bicol region.

 Around Bicol in 30 Plates

August
Wanderlust is a very strong and uncontrollable desire to travel. So even when I'm juggling all my tasks in the middle of a very busy work week, the other part of brain was preoccupied with the thought of hitting the road again. Well I admit I'm always a willing victim of this wanderlust thing.

Infinity Resort | Puerto Galera

September
I joined Instagram!!! And hey, I just posted my 100th post! Oo na, mabagal ako mag update. Hehe

my 100th post in Instagram

October
You can never visit the same place twice. The memories you create and the people you meet will always be different. I went back to Sagada and traveled alone once again.

no blogpost, just instagram post

November
My first full page feature in a magazine got published, yay!

A goal without a plan is just a wish, that's why I've been planning my India trip since last year. I came short with preparation though, but still I had a very incredible India trip. Only if you can ignore the faults and look at India in a different way, then you are ready for India. It's a totally fascinating country that you cannot even capture its character in your lens. All you need is to keep your eyes wide open + an open mind to have a whole new world experience. ★

the burning ghat of Ganges River

living in a postcard moment at the majestic Taj Mahal

December
Due to peer pressure, I impulsively booked a flight to Shanghai. I never wanted to go to China. I never dreamed of experiencing snow. I never planned to trek a mountain outside our country. I even secretly wished for my visa application to be denied. 

So how's my first snow experience (note: -15 degrees real feel temperature with snowfall while walking for 3 hours in the mountain) - unbelievably amazing!

 a totally different and unbelievably amazing experience at Huangshan Mountain

Sunshine is delicious. Rain is refreshing. Wind braces up. Snow is exhilarating. There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

Thank you 2013 for the sunshine, the rain, the wind, and the snow. I enjoyed every moment of your everyday good weather. Thank you for making me feel alive! ♥