Tuesday, October 25, 2011

101 Things I Certainly Enjoyed: No. 8 - Barkada Bonding in Baguio City

If there's really one thing I certainly enjoyed, it would have to be the Baguio trip I had with friends. I have gone to the city of pines more than a couple of times but this recent visit was a blast! Actually, not so recent because we went there February this year to witness Panagbenga Festival. 



This trip was well-planned. Seat plan, food, committee on this and that, places to visit and budget were in writing - sealed with signatures. :)) (Napagtripan lang.)


 That's my right hand signing.

In order to reach Baguio earliest time possible, we decided to sleep over Rubymel's place. We barely slept! How can you sleep if your barkada was so witty and wild? haha! We just talked, laughed and teased each other and waited for 2AM - departure time. We realized that sleep over prior to a trip was bad of an idea. Never will we do that again! Never. Promise! 

Rubymel's residence. The "sleep over".

Came 2AM. We were all present except Jennifer. Actually, we were contacting her since midnight and we hadn't got any word from her. We were clueless if she'd come. But fortunately, at 230AM she texted and told us that she was on her way. Yey!


Fast forward to road trip enroute to Baguio. 


First stop was Manaoag Church. Too good we were able to hear the first mass. I couldn't remember when was the last I visited this place. Before my father died, he went here on his own to fulfill his promise to Him in favor of something he asked for even if it wasn't granted. :)

This also happened to be CORY Day. haha!

After churching, we continued our journey. As normal, we were all laughing, telling stories and butting in every  humor someone would punch in. Those abnormal acts are normal to us. Haha!


We reached the lion's head at around 630AM. We had a sip of strawberry taho. Yummy! A bit of picture taking. Then we went to the city proper to meet our accommodation agent.


Upon checking every corner of the house we rented for a night, Sheryl cooked sinigang for us. Her sinigang was one heaven of a dish! Ang saarap! From then on, she's our official cook. I don't think she liked that idea but she had no choice. haha! After lunching, our happy (as usual) adventure started. 




And here are the pictures of our childhood acts :)) I have lots of pictures to upload but the following are only those approved by screening committee. Enjoy! :)


Picture taken after the Panagbenga parade.

Pa-cute!

Who was the best mimicker?
Kamukha ni Regine Velasquez yung mermaid. :))

Magkaisa, magkapit-bisig: Baguio Revolution

Awating for the parade to start. Rubymel was so irate! :))

Jennifer was feeling celebrity. Baka dumugin!

Why were they running?
Why were we laughing?

SM Baguio
Never-dying jump shot!

Ang KJ ko :D

Burnham Park

Patayin sa kiliti si Jennifer!
Mga api!
Temple
The Mansion
This kid was laughing at us! :))

Don't miss out this restaurant. :) Great food! Gutom na gutom na kami dito.







Playful "kids".

Couldn't explain further the fun memories we had shared together in Baguio. Basta masaya kami magkakasama :)








My normal friends :D From left: Jennifer, Mayette, Tope, Sheryl, Glad and Rubymel

I hope above photos helped me in explaining though. Actually, while doing this entry, I couldn't help but laugh out loud by mere looking at them. Ikaw, which picture you laughed at the most? 

Friday, October 21, 2011

I Slept in Bacolod

It's been quite a long time since I updated this humble blog of mine. So it's as good a time as any to cater you something recent about me. Speaking of latest, I had a trip two weeks ago. I got to visit two major cities in Negros Occidental - Silay and Bacolod, with friends.


Our flight was supposedly on a morning but due to "operational requirement" of the "most refreshing" airline, as they claim themselves to be, it was moved afternoon. Okay! The good thing about that was I did not have to travel very early from Subic (since I worked until 11pm a day before our trip) and that I would be able to settle payments for my clients' bookings for DJEF Travel and Tours. Pardon for my shameless plugging! haha!


Realizing the good things about the moved flight, I left Subic at 11AM, reached Manila at 1:15PM and stepped in Manila airport at 2PM. The flight schedule was at 2:30PM.Waaaahhhhh! We all know travellers that check in counters close exactly 45 minutes before flying time. And they are strict to that! Trust me.


Conversation inside the cab:
Me: (talking to the airline agent) Hello ma'am, can you please let us board? Nandito na po kami sa bandang Pasay.
Agent: Sir, sorry it's 1:45PM already. Nagsasara po kami exactly 45 minutes before the flight schedule.
Me: (tameme, hindi makausap, worried) =))
Me: We need to buy ticket from another airline.
Others: Waaaah! Hindi yan! Papapasukin pa din tayo!
Taxi driver: May pasahero ako pinapasok pa nila. 
Us: Talaga, manong?
Taxi driver: Oo.
Me: Totoo ba yan, kuya?
Taxi driver. Hindi. Pinapakalma ko lang kayo. haha!


We stepped out of the cab without batting an eyelash. haha! I can't remember if I even breathed due to tension and stress. hahahaha! We RAN straight to the terminal entrance without even thinking that someone was waiting for us. It was Nelia who was in the terminal since 1PM. So early yet we're cramming :))


After our baggages have been scanned, we went straight to the check in counter and begged (usual scene in Amazing Race)! Only to find out the the flight was delayed! hahaha! BUTI NA LANG!
Amazing Race's Team HAGGARD - Me, Nelia. Jane and Mhylene.
We reached New Silay-Bacolod airport at around 5PM. I was impressed by this terminal. Far better than other domestic terminals. We contracted a van to bring us to the resort in Bacolod. Bacolod was more than inasal (but really have to tell you that authentic inasal chicken tastes too good!) It has great places as well.




Don't miss out the following places if you happen to visit Negros Occidental.


Need I say what it is? =)


Dipping in Hot water with Sulfur. A must try! We dipped for an hour. Really gave us a relaxing time. Sulit!




The picturesque Silay Ruins. Way better than St. Paul's Ruins in Macau. 


Pope John Paul II Tower. From left: Shine, Mhylene's friend who toured us around, Mhylene, me, Nelia and Jane.


At the gate of Cathedral.




I was holding a Mickey Mouse ornament. It can be found in Mambukal Mountain Resort.


Mambukal Mountain Resort
We stayed at Palmas Del Mar. The staff were courteous and accommodated every request of ours. It has 4 swimming pools which was really enjoyed by my mates.


Big Mass Kara greeted us at the lobby of the resort.


Kawayan bridge situated at the back of Palmas Del Mar.




During this trip, I was sleeping most of the time. haha! 







Despite the tension and worry during our Manila-out flight, we had so much fun together. I felt relieved and fulfilled as well that my friends enjoyed the trip. 
















Nelia was very thankful of me for opening herself up to travelling. If you wanna be influenced in travelling as well, be friends with me haha! 

But I guess, the enjoyment of a trip indeed lies with who you are with. Even if you are in the nicest place on earth but accompanied by someone who you are not close with, the trip won't be good and fun.


Choose the best travel mates, explore and don't sleep! :D