Best of 2011

As part of welcoming 2012, I'd like to look back on the past year - the highlights, destinations and discoveries that make my 2011 truly remarkable to me. A lot has changed, and still a lot to be thankful for.

"Best Adventure Trip" - Bacolod, Iloilo and Guimaras

The much-awaited 5-day reunion trip with my college friends was just epic. We were able to cover three major islands in the Philippines: Guimaras with its pristine white beach, Negros with its ancestral houses, natural Falls, and Iloilo with its historic churches and gastronomic delights. That was a lot to cover in five days and no wonder it felt like we were doing Amazing Race throughout the trip. :))

"Best Impromptu Trip" - Corregidor

After far too many attempts to schedule my last 2011 lakwatsa in the the Philippines, because of schedule conflict and weather conditions, I can't be happier that it all worked out in the end. This historic, informative and relaxing day tour is something I'll always want to look back to.

"Best Road Trip" - Clark and Mt. Samat

I'm so glad I got another check in my travel bucketlist through the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. The journey was a lot of fun with the instant bond between the "recruits" of the trip. What makes it even more special is our side trip to Mt. Samat, which is an underrated destination by the way.

"Best Misadventure" - Kuala Lumpur

Get Lost. The slogan of Nat Geo Adventure epitomizes this trip. To get lost is exhausting but overcoming it is the most fulfilling part. KL, I'll be back for you. :)

"Best Bum Trip" - Cameron Highlands

Malaysia's "Baguio" counterpart as their summer capital, Cameron Highlands offered the most relaxing trip I've had this year. I did nothing apart from eating, sightseeing and light and short distance walking, which was perfect for my then newly injured knee.

"Most Memorable" - Pahiyas Festival

With the creatively decorated houses, wide variety of yummy street food, and unexpected events, this is the most colorful literally and figuratively. This trip taught me a life lesson and is something I won't forget.

"Most Visited" - Merlion Park

The perfect place to catch a nice view of the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer and Esplanade, no doubt my most frequently visited tourist spot this year is the Merlion Park. By working in Singapore, at least I get to live out one of my unconventional dream jobs as a tour guide. :)) To all my friends and relatives who went here, thanks for being part of my 2011.

And some of my 2011 favorites...

"Best Food" - Kim's Place (near Kembangan)

It was my first time to try the all famous chili crab. And I got addicted to the sauce but it's a shame that I have low tolerance on spicy food. The seafood here is excellent, a bit cheaper, and the staff are really warm and friendly, which makes this as one of my favorite restaurants here in Singapore.

"Best Drink" - Baretto

Located near Outram Park MRT station, this Spanish bar, with nice ambience and excellent live jazz band, was where my friends and I tippled off the most expensive Vodka bottle I've had so far. :p

"Best Film" - Letters to Juliet

This may not be the best rom-com ever made. But I was deeply touched by the movie because of this scene.  It just makes me want to cry every time. 

"Best Gadget/Application" - iPad/FaceTime

Thanks to FaceTime we get to communicate with our family more conveniently every single day. Since we  used it, I don't feel much difference anymore (except for the huge savings from overseas calls).

"Best After-Office Gimik"

I'm grateful someone had organized a get-together for all Pinoys working at our company. There I got to meet the familiar faces, listen to their stories as their sobriety would slowly drift away. I'd missed those inuman days. Hehe!

"Best Christmas Party"

Part of getting older, this was my first Christmas Eve outside my home country, and without my whole family with me. Our christmas celebration at home was still a lot of fun. My housemates and my siblings were very generous and game. We played Pinoy Henyo which was just hilarious!

-----------

This year I realized, life is what you make it. Happiness is not to be found in any country or in somebody else, but within you. "God dwells within you, as you" as Elizabeth Gilbert puts it. 

This 2012, I strongly hope it's not the year the world ends but I'm going to try to live like it is. I'm going to spend more time with my family, try out and learn more new things, explore more places, meet new friends, and blog more often. May we all have a better year ahead.

16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011

Whether you're a family looking forward to spending some quality time, a couple on a pre-valentine's date, a barkada in for some group adventure, a sky adventure enthusiast, a photographer, a young at heart, or what have you, this annual event is the place to be.

It was on a Saturday, Day 3 of the Festival, we arrived at the venue at around 4am. It was a bit too early, thinking we've just won the race, surprisingly a lot of people were already there. We were all first timers so we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know where we could have breakfast but that's already been taken care of. A lot of food stalls were already setup. We had one at Jollibee stall. I had this outrageous idea to bring and pitch a tent, but I was not too sure if it's allowed. We saw there were a lot of tents setup. Apparently some families already camped out the night before. Awesome, I wanna try this next time so I could get enough sleep at least. :p

We immediately went to the front part of the field. The first 3 rows were already occupied. But we were still able to have a fair view of how the hot air balloons were being setup.

Finally, at around 6, the show began. Yipee!

After the show, on our way to the parking lot, we can't help but succumb to any photo op that gets presented to us. hehehe

We decided to take a sidetrip to Mt. Samat where we spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon...

Then, arriving early for the night show, at 3pm, we decided to take some rest first. Finally, at 430 we walked back to Clark Field. We roamed around a bit. The environment was a lot like school fairs we used to have back in high school. Kite flying was a popular activity. It was really relaxing and amusing to stare at the colorful sky for long, thanks to the shielding clouds.

We passed by the photo booth where it could appear as if you were actually riding the hot air balloon, and for a price that's far less than 150 USD (per head). We bought some souvenir, a mini-hot air balloon. You could do some interesting trick shots with it, with enough patience. Hehe.

Finally it was time for the late afternoon flight of the balloons. But unfortunately, it was announced that because the winds were too strong, the hot air balloons cannot anymore be flown. :( But they were still generous enough to entertain the audience by inflating them and doing the night glow show, with grounded HA balloons.

Aftermath: My friend was right. The traffic was indeed terrible. All in all, it took us more than 3 hours drive back to Manila. I'm not sure but it was most likely because of this trip that I had some terrible flu, that left me bedridden for days (prolly because of lack of sleep). :(  But no matter, it was one of the funnest trips I've had. :)))

Tips:

1. Buy tickets before going there. You can get it from Ticketnet, available at SM.

2. Bring tents or mats so you can lay or sit comfortably.

3. Bring picnic food. I think it'd be fun too. ;)

4. Bring telephoto lens.

5. Ask nicely/persuade/coerce your buddies to SHOOT A MUSIC VID! (Ok, it's just me hehehe!)