YEAR END EXCURSIONS

Year end falls, I'm coming home mainly for a friend's big day - Shaun's wedding. Finally! After agonizing his fair shares of failed relationships for years, God at last spared him with his diamond. Life is sweetest they say in its perfect time! I saw the highs heard the lows and known told stories about the matters of his heart. Bitter and Sweet, Hopeless and Romantic. That's the glory of love, you'll never get tired loving anew. You could be surprise how these two people bounded by distance has decided tying the knot in agreeably short period of time since their acquaintance and first meeting in person. May 2012, Facebook, Proposal and Consent to parents are via phone call all summed up to have come into a conclusion last Dec. 8! Doubts and second thoughts surely exist among others but me seeing them personally? I submit to believe with my whole gut-feel that theirs is genuine, sometimes falling in love would've earned through your journey in time with that person (this is for the attention, kindness and personality you get and liked in the person with the appearance department being set aside) but oftenly it doesn't take much time to fall in love because for me it's an instant feeling and when makin' it sure whether it's lust or love? won't even take you years either to draw the fine line. You could just felt it and the urgency follows. Nowadays falling in love can be least perfect because what is perfect (for me) is finding someone who would keep you falling even after you've fallen. I rest this case to all the lovers who continually work on their way to longevity in their  relationship. God bless your union!

On the other side of the story, Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) hit monstrously Mindanao leaving thousand deaths in Compostela Valley and vast properties are seriously devastated 3 days ago from my arrival in the country. There's a lot of heartfelt stories that are hard to contain since some known fellows were from the affected areas and staying away from the news is the only way I think of as a good remedy. Usually, if I had travels to places, a day or two is long enough to post pictures in facebook but this time I find it insensitive if I care less to share the good fun times I had in the road while most of the social sites especially in facebook are running campaigns to help the victims so badly. So, I did make a pass this time for the situation to calm down as a sign of my intangible sympathy. Most of the schools and provinces in Region XI cancelled their Christmas parties and annual bonuses to province's employees are cut for as much as 50% from last year. Sad but humanitarian.

 Anyhow, here's where I spend the rest of my vacation days (9 days) this year end.

Shaun + Renerose . San Fernando, Bulacan.

LAST STOP: DAHILAYAN ADVENTURE PARK

The last stop to my 6-day trip on the road for the year end---the cold and breezy Dahilayan Adventure Park. Situated in Bukidnon is a hour drive away from Cagayan de Oro City. We arrived at the place pretty late of a night and the chilling temperature is almost unbearable (shivering!), instead of putting our jackets on we warmed ourselves with shots of tequila from one glass to another till we drop and yes, we surely did. Since we already did the 1.3km zip line ride and horseback riding in Dakak the past days what's left in our to-do list for that night after is the White Water Rafting.

First day in the morning, we immediately booked slots for an 11am schedule in the Information Office but unfortunately we are required to complete a number of 6 people to launch a single raft but we're just 4 heads in count looking for another two. So, it turns out we saved our last for this unpleasant flaw to our almost perfect as-we-planned-itinerary. But at least, that's nothing much of a problem compared to the children in famine around the world! (see the connection?! haha)

Visit Dahilayan Adventure Park Site.

Forest Park.

DAKAK ONE-STOP ADVENTURE

Dakak Park and Beach Resort located at Barangay Taguilon is Dapitan's pride when speaking of fine beaches in the Southern part of Mindanao even in terms of Nation's finest. Jampacked with tour and adventure packages from recreational  activities up to the extremes rolled all in one location. It has been said that the place is an ideal destination for all visitors because it evades the typhoon belt making it as an all-season venue for a vacation. See dakak resort.

Morning scene at the beach.

DAPITAN: SHRINE CITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

The city is oftenly stereotyped as the exile of Jose Rizal (Philippine National Hero) from the Spanish invaders and the historical events that are found in the pages of Sibika at Kultura books. Unfortunately, I was not a bookworm of history in my intermediate years so when I visited the place it was like a first-hand inputs of all the written and carved historical infos in stones, metals and hardwoods. One thing I was amazed of with this visit is that they manage to display all the roster of Jose Rizal's girlfriends including the legit wife in the person of Josephine Bracken. What a chick magnet!

Dapitan City Hall. 

CAMIGUIN A.K.A. THE ISLAND BORN OF FIRE

Okay, our geography lesson for today is about Camiguin. hehe. Camiguin is an island province of Northern Mindanao of the Philippines dipping along the waters of Bohol Sea. (Want to know more?) It is composed of 5 Barangays namely Mambajao, Catarman, Sagay, Mahinog and Guinsilban which serves as a nest to 7 volcanoes including the famous and active volcano-Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Camiguin I would say is a vacation treat to all the visitors as it has the attractions of nature, waters, history and culture. A very good reason to make a road trip very worthwhile and relaxing since tourist spots are short trips away from each other.

Mt. Hibok-hibok at the background as seen from White Island Sand Park. I'm quite disappointed my abs didn't make it for this trip. lol.

SOMETHING FOR THE HOLIDAYS (BLOG JOCKING 2102)

Hey y'all wazzup?! Holidays are coming and random get-togethers will be sprouting anywhere and everywhere. Music is probably the life of every party, so I personally compiled my own favorite club songs for the year to cater the hype to a crowd using the selected youtube remixes which are usually not availabe in most of the downloading sites... so, run the buffers, hit the pause buttons for the queuing songs and let's party! See also Blog Jocking 2011.

Set it Off...

FIFTH LINE ON COURSE

This was last year's promotional ad for Mc Connell Dowell's MRT Station and Tunnels project in Bukit Timah, Singapore where I took several seconds to fame...lol. It felt like seeing a relative or a close acquaintance appearing on TV. 'Starshock' is the best word to describe it. I'm happy I'm part of this, it's been almost 3 years!

BESIDES RELIC AND TEMPLE: INTO THE SHADES OF CAMBODIA

While most of the tourists took delight on marveling the clues behind the construction ways of the mega-structures (like Ian the housemate) and others on freezing the time for freshly crisp man-made wonders into their cameras, I certainly dread the times I will exhaust from those than touring as a word literally. That, I mean about plunging your bare eyes into the myriads of scenery might as well of knowing the first-hand history right from its front door than worry with the documentations at all. Human nature as it is, most if not all can't live without keepsakes and I for one is no denial to that. 

Angkor Wat - The largest temple and is a living heritage of the Cambodians better known as Khmer people located in the central part of Siem Reap. Built by King Suryavayarman II in the early 11th century and completed towards the 12th. Originally had 12 towers but in years and years of war, only 5 towers left to date for the world to see.

2012 F1 GRAND PRIX SINGAPORE COMBO

A 3-day combination of spectacular events up from the extreme Formula One Race to Cultural Shows   to the most coveted concerts of the acclaimed Music Superstars of today and the former held last September 21-23 at Marina Bay Street Circuit. To name a few stars, there goes Asia's reigning R&B King Jay Chou, UK's chart topper and Oasis' lead vocal Noel Gallagher, UK's Guinness World Record holder as the female group with the most chart hit singles of all time- The monumental Bananarama, the four-time Grammy Award nominee Katy Perry and the American Rock/Pop band and 3-time Grammy Award winner The Maroon 5. And I am lucky enough to savor the live entertainment of the superb hits of Maroon 5 and Bananarama in a near distance- the Fan Zone!

And of course, the main reason why all this rare-in-a-year-time experience is happening is the Race of the Fastest drivers on earth. The World Championship was clutched by Red Bull's own- Sebastian Vettel. In no. 2 with Mclaren's Jenson Button, no. 3 Ferarri's Fernando Alonso and the early favorites Red Bull's Mark Webber at 11 and Maclaren's Lewis Hamilton at the last spot at 24 due to a crash mishap. 

Catch the latest updates of F1 Races anywhere in the world and at the same time book your tickets for next year schedules at singaporegp.sg

Shots from the Walkabout corner. Don't underestimate the screeching sound of the race machines, provide yourselves with earplugs. Tell you, it was excruciating to bear.

THE COASTLINE GETAWAY OF EAST COAST

It was kind of a special day for all Christians who acknowledge the Birth and Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary- the 8th of September. A lot of places in the Philippines patronising Mother Mary as their  Patron Saint celebrate the feast from its respected GKK's (small unit of diocese) by now. So, in a foreign soil where we're at, it was a very good reason to gather some good old friends and colleagues way back in years at a place to be to commemorate it in any way. And it has something to do with the foods and the eating. 

East Coast is an enormous place to conquer recreationally, with its 185 hectares land coverage and a 15km stretch of Coastline you definitely would have enough area to splurge your fascination to fitness (brisk walking, jogging, running, roller skating, skateboarding, dog walking and the likes). Much more to that, it offers an oodle of sporting and family activities like BBQ Sessions, Camping, Beach Volleyball, Biking, and my favorite to try--- Wakeboarding. Food centers are all over the place even the intimate spots for dating and lingering (another favorite!)... chills... love is in the air. haha... and I manage to take some pictures of lovers on the loose. See below. 

One of the Entrance to Park Areas. The Park consist of 8 Areas named from Park Area A to H. If you and your friends had gone separate ways in meeting at one assembly point here, you should've agreed to meet at a bold landmark to see them easily. In our case it was a mess, good thing there are bicycles for rent to catch up with the wrong turns. I suggest the number designated in sea walls would be of an efficient mark to trace the location of your friends.

IDYLLIC BUKIT BATOK NATURE PARK

I've been to numbers of parks here in Singapore and have laid eyes on the distinctive landscapes comprising several amenities with fascination. Most of the parks here usually serve 3 essential purposes that goes with the fitness, scenery and recreation. I wish my hometown (Tagum City) could develop such man-mades for the  elders to enjoy every morning. That's even possible! Remember  a local TV ad saying --- Together we can do more? That will be of great motivation. Anyway, what's nature got to offer this time is  the tranquil wildlife quarry lake shedding from the long-abandoned granite core situated at the heart of the nature park. Picturesque! This place deserves a spot in my blog!

I did not intentionally go here to sweat which is the usual norm of people in the location but instead quenched myself the laid back atmosphere that a nature could offer in a fresh sun-kissed morning.

UNRAVELING HO CHI MINH CITY

Unraveling really? for only about days? I gotta be kidding. Well, I got this sort of feeling where satisfaction disagrees with the amount of accomplishments you've done. This trip almost had me blown right after a company had herself refrained from coming at the last minute due to work-related matters that deprived her from going. Actually, the on-the-spot-getting-permission cause the problem. Is this something rigged? Seriously? Is this really happening to me? My temperature's rising. Yes, I'm disappointed but not much of an angry. I would like to think I come into being of mastering the acceptance of frustrating predicaments and get over it. The world never stops, let's keep going. This caught me off-guard this time. I was not even having a familiarity of a single peripheral of the city to begin with plus I have to fly solo. Where's the fun now?

It was her being the walking navigator as what had we plan as she was been there a couple of times before. That's why I didn't bother digging in research for the routes of spots in my roster which I certainly couldn't miss doing (as if I travel a lot). After all, I cannot blame this much to her, it was an upset for her too and that rolling tears on her cheeks won't lie. Hope it was more of her missing me than missing the flight. lol.

Work is work. It is our bread and butter, this thought resonates in my mind fading my temper to a gaseous state. Without the monetary benefits from our work, we surely cannot travel the world. In my case, travel Asia. lol. Dreaming never stops, we'll never know how this madness, I mean, passion will take us. As long as you have the heart of a traveler (still awkward to say), you will seize every opportunity and go intentionally to places to explore. I wish I was Hayden (not the scandal superstar of the Phils.) but from the movie - Jumper, anywhere is possible just skip the Samuel-Jackson-hunting part. Imagine how much money you can save from visas and fares? and the bank vaults you can sneak in when you get bored? D'you feel me?

through the years, I hold on to the knowledge that Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of Vietnam. I was wrong, it was just Vietnam's largest city and instead it was Hanoi. Most locals especially the senior citizens still call the city by it's former name - Saigon.