Missing Boracay, Missing Summer June 27, 2008

I wasn’t able to enjoy my summer much. I had surgery and I had to recover from it. Sometimes I feel that a summer without Boracay is no summer at all.

Tatonsky!

Island party every night

Sigh… see you next year Boracay

F1’s first Night Race June 16, 2008

I am out of words as I am at my most excited self ever yet in my entire life. I just bought my tickets to this event and I will be going to Singapore. That’s right, the first ever Formula One night race will be held on September 28, 2008 at Marina, Singapore. Not to mention, this will be my first travel outside my country and I am making it so memorable that I will be part of F1′ history.

Ever since I played Grand Turismo, I knew then that I just love racing and speed. Even just by go-karting I feel so free. I definitely wouldn’t miss this for the world.

If you don’t want to miss this, buy your tickets and fly to Singapore now! The hotel, flight and race tickets are getting more and more expensive as our peso is degrading and I expect that our peso is weak up to November. So the longer it takes for you to decide on buying tickets, the higher you’re going to pay due to our exchange rate.

And, seats are already limitted. I will be travelling on a budget with my love of my life. We purchased tickets by comparing prices and picking out the best possible options (low price yet high quality). And I believe that this is only poissible if you plan early.

See, when I’m excited, I talk a lot. See you in Singapore!

Day 4: Dumaguete City June 7, 2008

June 3, 2008

We all felt that our time was cut short. This is the day we’re going back to Manila. Sadly, we packed our things so that we could leave by 12 noon. Despite the harsh sun, I managed to walk outside and get some last-minute shots.

I saw these kids playing around and swinging from the tree to have a freefall by the sea. It took me a while to capture the kid on air. It took patience…

A slant coconut tree nearby.

Zoe’s garden.

I thought I might have a heatstroke because the heat is intense so I went inside and ate this Fried Ice Cream. It’s really delicious! I wonder where I could buy something like this in Manila.

Then, we had lunch here. Their sylvannas and sans rival are really delicious, plus, it’s cheap!

This is the view outside the restaurant. It’s like Manila’s Baywalk.

I captured the sunset while the plane is preparing for its landing in NAIA Airport.

More Day 4 pictures and my Multiply album.

Day 3: Balanan Lake June 5, 2008

June 2, 2008

We had to endure waking up early in the morning to enjoy the rest of the day. After we had breakfast at 6:30 am, we had to get ready for the 1.5 hour drive to Balanan Lake.

We were greeted by this beautiful road bridge after we entered the resort’s premises.

It had beautiful man-made step falls linking the river so that it would continuously fall from this mountainous terrain to the plains.

We rented “bankas” (small boat) so that we could go to the other side of the lake.

We were told that the depth of this lake is about 70ft -100ft.

After 30 minuits of boat riding, we arrived at the other side of the lake. We hiked for about 15 minuites to arrive at the waterfalls. I took a picture of some wildlife animals I found interesting while we hiked:

This is a “wild boar.” I don’t know if you should still call it “wild” though because it’s already in captive. If you don’t know what it is it’s kind of sort of like a crazy, black-colored pig which is much more aggressive than the normal pig and can even aggressively bite human beings if provoked.

The water spider and it’s shadow.

I don’t know if this is a worm or a snake. But, if anyone of you recognizes what it is, please let me know.

I failed to ask our local tour guides what this waterfall is called. Its top-flat rock formation is a beauty.

And of course, I have more creative shots. This lake also has the lots and lots of flowers.

Beauty below

The baby preying mantis

Queen bee
I had a hard time capturing this because I’m afraid that the bee might sting me.

Scent of yellow

Pink Rosy Cloud

I have more day 3 pictures at my multiply album.

Day 2: Apo Island

June 1, 2008

This was the most tiring day of the trip. From Private Residence Resort, we rode a “banka” going to Apo Island. I have motion sickness so I just stood still during the one-hour boat trip.

The weather was sweet during our trip and the waters are calm.

We were greeted by this very nice rock formation when we parked along the shores of Apo Island. It is said that this rock is cursed though. If you scream by its presence, something bad will happen to you, like an accident perhaps.

Apo Island has a marine sanctuary and we went snorkelling. I wished I had an underwater camera because the reef is really a beauty. I wish I could have capture it. It was full of corals, fishes and many more.

After diving the reef we went up to the viewing deck. We didn’t regret the 15-minuite hiking with the harsh sun above our heads. The view is breathtaking enough and worthy of the walk.

Of course, my trip to this Island wouldn’t be complete without my creative nature shots.

With bare hands

Jelly dish (fish’s dinner)

itch much

little orange poison

red seduction

no sands in my beach

rock on

I have more day 2 pictures at my multiply album.

Day 1: Dumaguete, Zamboangita, Private Residence VIP Resort June 4, 2008

May 31, 2008

It’s early on a sunday morning. We left 7am in the morning via Cebu Pacific airlines and arrived at exactly 8am in Sibulan, Dumaguete. We didn’t stroll around Dumaguete but instead, we drove all the way to a nearby town called Zamboangita. There we checked in at Private Residence VIP resort. Yes, you’d have to be “invited” to stay there.

While our boys went scuba diving, I used my time to swim in the pool and take nature shots instead.

I have more day 1 pictures in my Multiply album.

Destination: Dumaguete, Zamboangita and apo island

I have been here many times but I never enjoyed as much as I did now. I haven’t been blogging for 4 days since I was there on a remote island. Though with globe’s mobile internet it could be possible, I still got tired at the end of the day with all the trekking, hiking, snorkelling, diving and drinking.

With my new camera Lumix TZ5 at hand, I enjoyed being there twice as much and appreciated the scenery, flowers and the people whose smiles I have captured. My officemates are begging me to buy me a digital SLR already since I think they realized that I have a talent at photography. They were disappointed when I decided to buy a compact camera. But, by bringing the handy and portable TZ5 all along with me I could put it in my purse, take pictures quickly every time I need it. Plus, with TZ5’s intelligence auto, I don’t have to switch picture modes. It just has a mind of its own and detect wether I am taking a picture of a beautiful scenery, a macro for the flower, or a portrait. It’s point-and-shoot literally.

With my new extra portable, super light ipod shuffle – I get to listen to my favorite music without adding extra pounds to my backpack. I left my 60Gig ipod video at home because I’m a chic that travels light. That’s the reason why I didn’t buy the DSLR too. I hurt my back when I bring heavy things because of my scoliosis.

Finally, I checked my mails even when I am at the tip of a remote island. Just as long as I have a globe network signal, I could browse the internet anywhere. When there’s wi-fi I could do that too with my new p990 phone.

I just love these and I’m so happy. It made my trip more comfortable, enjoyable and convenient.