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!
