Last January 14, 2011 was our 64th month as boyfriend and girlfriend. We usually celebrate only the first month and the exact anniversary. For this year we are bound to travel to Batanes, our dream destination.
We are going to Batanes via Seair. Our flight in Manila to Basco was 8:20 AM to 10:05 AM. Melvin and I are already in Manila Domestic Airport around 6:45 AM. We checked-in our things immediately so we can still grab some nap while waiting for our flight. There aren't many passengers that time. Inside the airport, we met some locals from Batanes who will be going home from Christmas vacation here in Manila. They were talking about Batanes, the people, food, nature, and most specially the weather and the never ending cancellation and delays of their flights. One lady said it's her third time to have her flight canceled because of the bad weather the town was experiencing. Since December, after Christmas, she was already trying her luck to be able to go home in her hometown but she has no luck up to that Friday morning.
We were all seating on the bleachers when the passengers bound to Cebu was called. Around 7:55 AM, a few minutes before our gate will open at 8:05 AM, the lady's nephew came to us and telling us that all flights to Basco, Batanes for that day was canceled. Melvin and I are both kinda expecting this to happen. Because I read a few messages from some forums that the weather in Batanes these days isn't good and that there are several people/tourist who were stranded on the island for 3-5 days at most. The weird thing we've noticed was that these locals didn't even get mad. Instead they just go to the Seair Ticketing Office outside Manila Domestic Airport. It seems they're already used with this situation. All the familiar faces inside the airport's waiting area are inside the ticketing office already when we came in. They had their flights re-booked immediately and then they left --- no more arguments, no more angry faces.
What can we do in this situation now? We can't even get mad since almost all the passengers are not mad, except for the 2 other groups who look like tourists on the island. I never raised my voice to the Seair officer, I felt calmness even on a very frustrating situation. It's the first time actually that I didn't got mad at all. It felt like I was unloaded with a big Balikbayan box that I was carrying on my back. Since we've already expected this to happen, I decided to just have our ticket payment be refunded. I just tried to ask this even when the ticket I availed is non-refundable. Even though our flight was canceled by Seair, I still praise them for settling the issues fairly with us.They agreed to credit back the money to my credit card as if nothing happened.
Because of my frustration and the urge to travel on that day, I thought of going to Boracay. But our ticket cannot be re-routed. So I scrapped that already! Another came in my mind, it could be Baguio or Tagaytay. But Melvin said, "Can you handle the below 10 degrees in Baguio?" Thinking about that, I told myself, "Uhm, yeah I can't!" But I still texted some of my officemates who knows about Baguio and Tagaytay just to have a comparison. Before we can even decide on where to go, we got hungry. We grab a cab and went straight to Mall Of Asia. The mall isn't opened yet, so we waited while I was texting my officemates. As soon as the mall opened, something came to my mind. Instead of going anywhere unplanned that might still not work, I thought of checking the gadget I like the most and maybe I can buy it with the budget we allotted for our Batanes trip. Of course, Melvin should agree with this idea too! But he's the type who usually agrees with me. So we headed to the gadget stores instead of eating breakfast! We became even more excited in buying this gadget compared to going to Batanes. Seems like our frustration shifted to excitement! After jotting down the stores, prices and terms, we had our lunch and went home to make a comparison on the details before we buy it.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
See you tomorrow, Batanes!
I can't sleep yet. I don't know if it is because I am too excited with our trip tomorrow to Batanes or I am too worried on what will happen tomorrow knowing that it's raining consistently for a few days now or am I just waiting for the clock to hit 12 midnight so I can greet Melvin happy 64th monthsary? I hope we will have all the fun we are expecting and meet and make more friends.
I've been worried sick these past days since I've been hearing news that the weather in Batanes now is not good. It's winter season there, it's raining everyday, it's very cold and windy. Seair had been canceling flights from Basco to Manila. Some guests from DDD Habitat (the place where we will stay) needs to extend for another 3 days because their flight was canceled because of the bad weather. Up to now I am still worried, but I know I should trust Him. God will guide us all throughout our trip.
I've been worried sick these past days since I've been hearing news that the weather in Batanes now is not good. It's winter season there, it's raining everyday, it's very cold and windy. Seair had been canceling flights from Basco to Manila. Some guests from DDD Habitat (the place where we will stay) needs to extend for another 3 days because their flight was canceled because of the bad weather. Up to now I am still worried, but I know I should trust Him. God will guide us all throughout our trip.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Batanes Dream
I always dreamt of going to Batanes most specially whenever I read the beauty of this place on a blog. Yeah, it's just a dream for me. Mainly because the airfare is too expensive! But as I research more about this dream travel I learned that it can be done, I really can go here someday. I just need timing.
And truly, on the right time my prayers are answered...a SEAIR promo has arrived! Thanks to FB that SEAIR was able to post their promos immediately to everyone who likes their page. And me being one of those likers was lucky enough to grab that once-in-a-blue-moon promo. I browsed immediately for the dates of travel and how much it will cost me. To my shock it's still expensive for Php6,972.20 RT all-in per person! That started my having second thoughts. :(
I'll be traveling with Melvin, so that will be Php13,854.40 for both of us! Kinda expensive but I still proceeded with booking the trip. At the back of my mind I am saying "Aileen, you still have Cebu-Bohol and Coron trips on February and April. Aren't you saving for the house and the bike?" I battled with my conscience and said "If I don't do this now who knows when I still can?" And me won! Hehehe!
As usual, Melvin, doesn't know anything about it. Not until it's finally booked, no more second thoughts eh?! But to my surprise, he was more excited than me! Well, I know he's dreaming of a Batanes trip more than I do just because he's older than me hahaha!
Now after booking the airfare, our problem is the accommodation, itinerary, food, and whereabouts. Good thing that my officemate, Grace had been to Batanes a few years back and told us what to expect and where to go. I started asking GT once again about the things we need to know. After a long conversion with Grace, pangungulit on my GT sisses and emailing pension contact persons, we finally came up with a good deal. The secret to this is "haggle"! From the original price of Php7,500 per person for the January 14-16, 2011 Batan island tour, food and accommodation, I was able to haggle it down to Php6,650 per person and they will include Sabtang island tour already! Just an FYI, from other pension houses where I've inquired the Php7,500 per person is the original/common rate for the Batan island tour only. Emailing with Ms.Noemi of DDD Habitat was so easy! Her messages are direct to the point and clear. She even sent me pictures of their rooms where I can choose from. Without having second thoughts I closed the deal and deposited Php2,000.00 as an initial payment and reservation fee in one.
I am getting more excited that ever since our Batanes trip is just a few days away. We haven't packed our backpacks yet. Well, I know it's too early to do that. But aren't we too excited anyway?! I just hope everything will happen as planned and may God guide us all throughout.
And truly, on the right time my prayers are answered...a SEAIR promo has arrived! Thanks to FB that SEAIR was able to post their promos immediately to everyone who likes their page. And me being one of those likers was lucky enough to grab that once-in-a-blue-moon promo. I browsed immediately for the dates of travel and how much it will cost me. To my shock it's still expensive for Php6,972.20 RT all-in per person! That started my having second thoughts. :(
I'll be traveling with Melvin, so that will be Php13,854.40 for both of us! Kinda expensive but I still proceeded with booking the trip. At the back of my mind I am saying "Aileen, you still have Cebu-Bohol and Coron trips on February and April. Aren't you saving for the house and the bike?" I battled with my conscience and said "If I don't do this now who knows when I still can?" And me won! Hehehe!
As usual, Melvin, doesn't know anything about it. Not until it's finally booked, no more second thoughts eh?! But to my surprise, he was more excited than me! Well, I know he's dreaming of a Batanes trip more than I do just because he's older than me hahaha!
Now after booking the airfare, our problem is the accommodation, itinerary, food, and whereabouts. Good thing that my officemate, Grace had been to Batanes a few years back and told us what to expect and where to go. I started asking GT once again about the things we need to know. After a long conversion with Grace, pangungulit on my GT sisses and emailing pension contact persons, we finally came up with a good deal. The secret to this is "haggle"! From the original price of Php7,500 per person for the January 14-16, 2011 Batan island tour, food and accommodation, I was able to haggle it down to Php6,650 per person and they will include Sabtang island tour already! Just an FYI, from other pension houses where I've inquired the Php7,500 per person is the original/common rate for the Batan island tour only. Emailing with Ms.Noemi of DDD Habitat was so easy! Her messages are direct to the point and clear. She even sent me pictures of their rooms where I can choose from. Without having second thoughts I closed the deal and deposited Php2,000.00 as an initial payment and reservation fee in one.
I am getting more excited that ever since our Batanes trip is just a few days away. We haven't packed our backpacks yet. Well, I know it's too early to do that. But aren't we too excited anyway?! I just hope everything will happen as planned and may God guide us all throughout.
Friday, December 24, 2010
My 25 Things To Do and Done in the Philippines
When I started traveling, I said to myself "I had to travel to places around my country first". To this date I am still on the journey of fulfilling that promise. The travel sales going outside the Philippines are all tempting! But it's good that they are a little expensive ($$$) compared with the Philippine travels, I really need to save more before they can convince me to go. Knowing that the Philippines have too many beautiful places to explore, I wanted to plot all the places I was able to explore already and those that I still need to explore. Luckily I came across the Inquirer Lifestyle site that listed "25 Things To Do In the Philippines" with the first lines written "… before fantasizing about exploring other countries"! Haha, so now I'm not the only one who's thinking this way! Hmm, let's see if I'm halfway through this list.
1- Go white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro.
2- Visit Batanes. --> very, very, very SOON! By January 14, 2011 you're done!
3- See Mt. Mayon up close.
4- Swim with the whale sharks in Donsol.
5- Climb Mt. Pulag and be awed by its sea of clouds.
6- Dive, swim and explore Palawan’s underground river. --> This is done last March 11-14, 2010 but I will definitely go back and back and back, since there are so many exciting places to explore in Palawan!
7- Hike and let the view of Mt. Pinatubo crater take your breath away.
8- Party in your bikini in Boracay. --> It's a yes and all-expense paid actually!
9- Surf’s up! Choose your wave—La Union, Zambales or Real, Quezon.
10- Missed out on the pristine beauty of Boracay 15 years ago? Visit Malapascua, Cebu. --> Hmm, does Cebu City visit counts? February, 2011 will be the date.
11- Dive and see the rich marine life of Anilao, Batangas.
12- Travel back in time—go to Vigan.
13- Let Bohol wow you with its many offerings—the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier, the Loboc River Cruise, old churches and the beach. --> Bohol, I'm coming for you on February 2011.
14- Go high! Drive to the Mountain Province of Sagada. Check out the caves, the hanging coffins and enjoy the laidback lifestyle.
15- Grab a Viaje del Sol map, visit Ugu Binyan’s pottery studio, eat at Kusina Salud and unwind at Casa San Pablo.
16- Spend an entire week up north. Take a road trip from Manila to Vigan, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Aparri and Isabela!
17- Try wakeboarding in Camsur.
18- Check out Malate, Old Manila and all their secret spots. --> These are all common places for me since I was born and raised in Manila. But it is still good to visit these places to reminisce the part of Philippine history.
19- There are many reasons to love Davao. Kublai’s artworks, its proximity to the beach, the tasty pastil and juicy suha. And did I mention that it’s a smoke-free city?
20- Spend a weekend roughing it in Anawangin and Capones in Zambales.
21- Check out our colorful fiestas and document them with your camera. Ati-atihan, Dinagyang, Masskara, Sinulog, Higantes, Panagbenga and more.
22- Pick your own strawberries at the Strawberry Fields in La Trinidad, Benguet. --> Chilled-out here when I was young-er!
23- Go to Pampanga for sisig. --> The best sisig and caldereta with cheese for me!
24- If it’s too hot in Manila, grab a few friends and take a quick trip to Tagaytay. --> The nearest place to chill and relax with friends, families, and loved-ones.
25- Enjoy a food trip in Iloilo. You’ll never go hungry in this city.
So out of 25 I got 9 destinations. Whew, not even half! But that's ok, I still have another year to travel to these places anyway!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Day 1 - Puerto Princesa, Palawan
It was Friday the 13th when a 50% off promo in Cebu Pacific popped in my FB profile page. I wanted to grab it but I don't know where to go and what to do! In the end, my urge to travel won. Hihihi! In short, gumana ang pagiging lakwatsera ko! For Php 3,684.00 RT for 2 persons hindi na masama para sa 4 days 3 nights lakwatsa!
After months of researching at pangungulit sa GirlTalk sisters ko, natapos din ang itinerary namin. We're both very excited and worried as well. Cross-fingers kame na maging smooth yung travel at mag-enjoy lang kame since yun naman ang sasadyain namin dun. March 11-14, 2010 ang trip namin, tamang-tama lang para hindi masyadong nagmamadali sa tour at umpisa palang ng summer dito sa Pinas kaya di pa masyadong mainit. When the travel date finally came, at last ready na ang lahat!
8AM ang flight so inagahan namin ang alis ng bahay kasi baka ma-traffic since Friday yun. Before 7AM nasa NAIA 3 na kame, maaga pa pero ang dami ng tao! Too bad kasabay namin yung mga taga-China Bank na pupuntang PPC kaya nasa kadulu-duluhan na kame ng airplane. As in last seat! Pero buti na lang at window seat ang nakuha namin (**wink**). Naaliw na lang kame sa pagpi-picture sa clouds, islands, at sea na tanaw sa bintana ng plane
When we arrived at PPC, jampack ang tao sa baggage area! Buti kakaiba yung itsura ng bags namin kaya madali namin nakita at nakuha. As we went out ang daming nag-aabang na tao, parang sa NAIA lang! Sila pala yung drivers/guides na sumusundo sa tourists. May hawak silang placard with the name of the resort, hotel, or pension pati yung name ng guests nila nakasulat dun! Kaya hindi ka mawawala. Iba-iba din yung sasakyan nila --- merong tricycle, jeep, at van. Ours' was a BIG JEEP driven by Kuya Bobby. I'll never forget his name because kapangalan nya kapatid ko. At sa laki nya imposibleng hindi mo sya mapansin, joke! But Kuya Bobby was very nice, accomodating, and very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor! He is from Puerto Pension nga pala. We opted to stay there dahil sa nakita ko sa blog ni Diane eh maganda at malinis yung place. Kung gusto nyo talagang magrelax without thinking about the budget masyado, this is the best place lalo na sa couple at family. On our way to the pension, nagbigay ng konting info si Kuya Bobby samin. At lahat ng sinabi nya yun din yung na-research ko! Siguro 10-15 minutes lang nasa pension na kame. Konting usap kay Ate Bel sa frontdesk tapos binigyan na nya kame ng temporary room where we can freshen up. 12nn pa kasi ang check-in time, pero kung available na yung room nyo ibibigay na sa inyo agad. 1 hour lang kame nagstay sa temporary room, nilipat na din kame sa room talaga namin. Ang cozy sa loob, Pinoy na Pinoy ang ambiance at sobrang relaxing sa mata! In fairness hindi malamok, maingay at mainit sa loob ng room.
After we transferred our things on our room, I texted Kuya Danny na pwede na kame mag-City Tour. Yung pala nasa labas na sya ng pension mula ng dumating kame sa PPC. He was so patient, two thumbs up sya dun for me! Napakatahimik nyang tao, pero mukha syang mabait. At hindi naman kame nagkamali on our first impression about him. And he does not look 40+ huh!
He asked us if we want to have lunch first, then he brought us to Badjao Seafood Restaurant. Sa mga taga-PPC parang SOP na nilang dalhin ang guests sa Badjao for lunch or dinner kasi talagang hindi pwedeng palampasin yung place na yun. I love their food, ay "we" pala! Dagdag mo pa yung ambiance na sa entrance palang mangroves na ang makikita mo with tiny fishes sa ilalim, and as you enter the place parang busog ka na sa view ng dagat ng Palawan. Hindi ka din magdadalawang isip kung tight ang budget mo kasi murang-mura lang ang food nila, pero hindi tinipid ang quality at quantity. Sabi nga ni boyfie, only in Palawan! Hehehe!
After we had lunch we went on city tour with Kuya Danny pa din. Naka-tricycle lang kame since 2 lang naman kame. And the journey to PPC begins...
After months of researching at pangungulit sa GirlTalk sisters ko, natapos din ang itinerary namin. We're both very excited and worried as well. Cross-fingers kame na maging smooth yung travel at mag-enjoy lang kame since yun naman ang sasadyain namin dun. March 11-14, 2010 ang trip namin, tamang-tama lang para hindi masyadong nagmamadali sa tour at umpisa palang ng summer dito sa Pinas kaya di pa masyadong mainit. When the travel date finally came, at last ready na ang lahat!
8AM ang flight so inagahan namin ang alis ng bahay kasi baka ma-traffic since Friday yun. Before 7AM nasa NAIA 3 na kame, maaga pa pero ang dami ng tao! Too bad kasabay namin yung mga taga-China Bank na pupuntang PPC kaya nasa kadulu-duluhan na kame ng airplane. As in last seat! Pero buti na lang at window seat ang nakuha namin (**wink**). Naaliw na lang kame sa pagpi-picture sa clouds, islands, at sea na tanaw sa bintana ng plane
When we arrived at PPC, jampack ang tao sa baggage area! Buti kakaiba yung itsura ng bags namin kaya madali namin nakita at nakuha. As we went out ang daming nag-aabang na tao, parang sa NAIA lang! Sila pala yung drivers/guides na sumusundo sa tourists. May hawak silang placard with the name of the resort, hotel, or pension pati yung name ng guests nila nakasulat dun! Kaya hindi ka mawawala. Iba-iba din yung sasakyan nila --- merong tricycle, jeep, at van. Ours' was a BIG JEEP driven by Kuya Bobby. I'll never forget his name because kapangalan nya kapatid ko. At sa laki nya imposibleng hindi mo sya mapansin, joke! But Kuya Bobby was very nice, accomodating, and very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor! He is from Puerto Pension nga pala. We opted to stay there dahil sa nakita ko sa blog ni Diane eh maganda at malinis yung place. Kung gusto nyo talagang magrelax without thinking about the budget masyado, this is the best place lalo na sa couple at family. On our way to the pension, nagbigay ng konting info si Kuya Bobby samin. At lahat ng sinabi nya yun din yung na-research ko! Siguro 10-15 minutes lang nasa pension na kame. Konting usap kay Ate Bel sa frontdesk tapos binigyan na nya kame ng temporary room where we can freshen up. 12nn pa kasi ang check-in time, pero kung available na yung room nyo ibibigay na sa inyo agad. 1 hour lang kame nagstay sa temporary room, nilipat na din kame sa room talaga namin. Ang cozy sa loob, Pinoy na Pinoy ang ambiance at sobrang relaxing sa mata! In fairness hindi malamok, maingay at mainit sa loob ng room.
After we transferred our things on our room, I texted Kuya Danny na pwede na kame mag-City Tour. Yung pala nasa labas na sya ng pension mula ng dumating kame sa PPC. He was so patient, two thumbs up sya dun for me! Napakatahimik nyang tao, pero mukha syang mabait. At hindi naman kame nagkamali on our first impression about him. And he does not look 40+ huh!
He asked us if we want to have lunch first, then he brought us to Badjao Seafood Restaurant. Sa mga taga-PPC parang SOP na nilang dalhin ang guests sa Badjao for lunch or dinner kasi talagang hindi pwedeng palampasin yung place na yun. I love their food, ay "we" pala! Dagdag mo pa yung ambiance na sa entrance palang mangroves na ang makikita mo with tiny fishes sa ilalim, and as you enter the place parang busog ka na sa view ng dagat ng Palawan. Hindi ka din magdadalawang isip kung tight ang budget mo kasi murang-mura lang ang food nila, pero hindi tinipid ang quality at quantity. Sabi nga ni boyfie, only in Palawan! Hehehe!
After we had lunch we went on city tour with Kuya Danny pa din. Naka-tricycle lang kame since 2 lang naman kame. And the journey to PPC begins...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)