Kwentong Kaladkarin #51: Spicy Legazpi – Of Fantastic Views and Fiery Frozen Delights

Da Where: Legazpi, Albay, Philippines
Da When: September 27-29, 2012
Da Who: me and first-time travel buddies from work, Red and Meis :)

The previous night's alcohol buzz was non-existent when I woke up that Sunday morning. The famous almost-perfectly-cone volcano that is the pride of this region and also infamous for being finicky in showing all her glory is waiting for us!

I saw her once from afar on a banca on our way back to Naga from Caramoan shrouded by clouds and then once on a clear day while I was on a plane to Davao. This time, hangover or not, pretty much nothing will stop me from coming up close and personal with Mayon.

Breakfast, at last!

Kwentong Kaladkarin #50: Spicy Legazpi - Of Authentic Bicol Express, Healthy Lungs and Damaged Livers

Da Where: Legazpi, Albay, Philippines

Da When: September 27-29, 2012

Da Who: me and first-time travel buddies from work, Red and Meis :)

What I found weird when I told some folks I'm off to Legazpi, was the question "Why?" I wanted to ask back, why not?

After all, it's home to one of the Philippine's stunning landscapes, the majestic Mayon Volcano. Seeing it up close would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance, especially for someone who does not hail from the Bicol region.

A timid Mayon greeting my arrival

Kwentong Kaladkarin #49: Captivating Coron – The Trip's Travel Tips

Da Where: Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Da When: September 9-12, 2012

Da Who: me and Vin to celebrate our golden monthsary. ;D

They say Coron is the 'cheaper' Palawan experience, comparing it of course to El Nido or worse, Amanpulo. Maybe it depends on who's spending. Haha! I'd rather call it possible than cheap and just like any other trip, the decision lies between 'need-to-have' and 'nice-to-have'.

I, for one, is fine sleeping on a cot or even a tent as long as I can experience a new place. Good thing we didn't have to do that as we were able to snag a room from the often-fully-booked Patrik and Tezz Guesthouse. It's a well-known backpackers' place in Coron and currently Tripadvisor's #1 recommended inn.

PTG's hallway. A good book or your laptop and this would be just perfect. :)

Kwentong Kaladkarin #46: Captivating Coron – Behold, Bikini Bottom!

Da Where: Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Da When: September 9-12, 2012
Da Who: me and Vin to celebrate our golden monthsary. ;D

If I knew how much swimming/floating/paddling this day involved, I would've backed out pronto. But then, I would've regretted it. Big-time.

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.

Kwentong Kaladkarin #45: Captivating Coron – Touring the Town Part 1

Da Where: Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Da When: September 9-12, 2012
Da Who: me and Vin to celebrate our golden monthsary. ;D

As I fastened my seat belt inside the ATR-720 (yet again!) plane bringing us to Busuanga, I wiped my clammy hands on my denim shorts and uttered a silent prayer. It's no secret I hate plane rides and though I'm ecstatic to finally see one of my dream destinations, getting on a turbo-prop plane crossing the West Philippine Sea (in your face, China!) is definitely not doing wonders for my aerophobia.

Lovebirds in the air. Pun intended. :D

Kwentong Kaladkarin #41: Davao Delights – Digging Into Delectable Bites

Da Where: Davao City, Philippines
Da When: August 11-15, 2012
Da Who: me and Deej, on our Davao Duo trip

What's a trip to a new (or revisited) place without dipping your feet into the hustle and bustle of their daily grind and dipping your spoon into the local eats?

In my past two visits to this largest city in the Mindanao isles, my taste buds have come to like delish dishes that can only be found in this part of the country.

Have you ever had any of these? :)

Kwentong Kaladkarin #39: Davao Delights – A Day in Eden

Da Where: Eden Nature Park & Resort, Mt. Talomo, Toril, Davao City
Da When: August 12, 2012
Da Who: me and Deej, on our Davao Duo trip

If you were brought up in a Catholic home and had Christian Living, Religion or Catechism classes when you were younger, then likely the word Eden is synonymous to Paradise. It is said to to be the garden where Adam and Eve were brought and there was no want or need in this place.

Kwentong Kaladkarin #36: Capones Camp Out ala-Survivor

Da Where: Capones Island, San Antonio, Zambales
Da When: May 20-21, 2012
Da Who: me, Deej, Jam, Zee, Adam, Leo, Mark, Iggy and Ron
Da Word for Da Day: 'Gullible's Travel!' :D

I was still wiping off the cobwebs of sleepiness in my mind at around 0900H when Jam woke me up. I needed to break camp and pack up my tent and stuff before the boat carts us off to Capones Island just off the coast of Pundaquit. Breaking camp is always my hatest part of trip and this was not an exception, especially since I'd be doing this twice in one weekend. :D

Nagsasa Cove

Kwentong Kaladkarin #35: A Night in Not-The-Same Nagsasa Cove

Da Where: Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales
Da When: May 19-20, 2012
Da Who: me, Deej, Jam, Zee, Adam, Leo, Mark, Iggy and Ron
Da Word for Da Day: 'Gullible's Travel!' :D

0330 MNL, Thursday, At Work

Jam: Mel, want to join us on a trip to Zambales this weekend?
Mel: Uhh.. Uhm... Sure! Magkano budget?

In a span of a one-minute conversation, I agreed to go on a weekend adventure without much thought. Kaladkarin talaga. Lol! :D

Saturday late morning after shift found us snoring on a 20-minute cab ride from Eastwood to the Victory Mall terminal in Caloocan. I'm sort of getting to be an expert on this power naps enroute to my weekend destinations after Friday graveyard shifts. Ah, the life of a nocturnal laborer. :D

Hitting the sack and the road. :D

Don't Go Away, I'll Be Right Back!

By now, it's safe to assume that I've officially taken a hiatus from travelling, and consequentially, from blogging too.

Work is literally a killer now. I'm in the air-conditioned confines of my office furiously typing away and sneaking off a quick break to post this, on the Holy Week holiday weekend.

Yep, you read that right.

All my sins are forgiven. Hallelujah. *insert little cherubs floating around me and a bright light and halo on my head here*

Fret not! Just a couple more months and I should be back to scratching my itchy feet and start wandering again. And yes, definitely writing about it.

This sight should hold me off 'til then. Catch ya later! ;)

Let's hit the ground running!

It's More Fun in the Philippines!

To show my support for the new Department of Tourism campaign, I created my own takes of the new slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines".

You can see more in their just-put-up website - http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

Department of Tourism's Official "It's More Fun" AVP

Kwentong Kaladkarin #32: Ravin' for Rumpa!

Da Where: 1307 Surla St., Balibago, Angeles City, Philippines
Da When: January 7, 2012
Da Who: Me and fellow carnivore, Vin. ;P
Da Trivia: Best steak for best price!

After a month of working and half-residing here in Pampanga, I finally found my own place and moved in this weekend. The sweet taste of independence! ;D These past few weeks, work friends have brought me to some good places to eat and one restaurant had me coming back for more.

11 Kaladkarin Moments for 2011

As I sit here listening to intermittent explosions of firecrackers from excited merrymakers and inhaling its fumes, it's only about a couple hours until 2012 dawns on my part of the world. Moments like this lull me into reminiscing the past year after the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

I'm fishing out eleven can't-forget moments I have from the past 365 days. Moments that'll be forever imprinted in my mind...

11.) Welcome 2011! Climb

I started off the year with a heart-thumping climb with great hiking pals and my bestest friend in the world. That's what I call starting the new year with a bang. ;D

10.) United Nations Climb


It wasn't really. Haha! I just dubbed it as such 'coz this seems to be the only time I've climbed with folks from such diverse backgrounds and came from different countries. Though the threat of a storm loomed over us, it was all together a great hike and our foreign friends saw the beauty Philippines mountains can offer. :)

9.) Unforgettable Day Hikes with the Jamboree Mountaineers

I had the chance to do dayhikes with a group of awesome people from GMA 7's mountaineering group - which brought me to mountains in Bulacan, hiked up a boulder tower and witnessed an engagement! :)

8.) Give Love and More on Valentine's Day

One of the more worthwhile things I did for the past year was spend time with kids of Kabayan, Benguet on Hearts' Day. Seeing their bright grins, receiving their school stuff, was enough to melt anyone's heart. A second climb to freezing Mt. Pulag sweetly capped the event. :)

7.) Home Is Where the Heart Is

It felt wonderful to be home, even just for awhile. I wish I could take with me the warm, comforting food and people close to my heart wherever I go.

6.) Meeting the Awesome Ms. Janet Belarmino

I've been to Mt. Batulao several times but it's a first I'm meeting a mountaineering woman legend, Janet Belarmino. I was so awed, it was embarrassing. :D

5.) A Birthday Wish Granted

One of my long-time dreams came true on my 25th birthday - albeit a little surprisingly. Met some talented photographers who made my 'modeling fantasies' a reality for a day. :D

4.) Sojourning in Singapore

It's my only out-of-the-country trip this year but boy, was it action-packed! :) Together with a good friend, we pounded the culturally chic pavements of this Lion City like two crazed people. :D

3.) Longest Boat Rides Evaaaah! :D

Yes, I experienced that when we decided to go to CamSur for Vin's birthday. I thought a 13-hour bus ride to Sagada would be torture. But no! I'd take scenic mountain routes any day over almost 9-hours of deep, blue sea as far as eye can see. See, am making bad rhymes already. LOL! :D But the beauty of the Caramoan Islands made it all worth it. :)

2.) Cut Yet Charmed by Cebu

The Queen City of the South left a nicely-sized scar on my right knee but what's a good travel memory without a few bruises and painful stories to tell, right? :D The delicious food, down-to-earth people and  thrills this bustling city could offer well made it up for my teeny weensy cut. ;P

1.) I Left My Heart in Bohol

What better way to celebrate an anniversary with your bestest friend and pakner than in one of Philippines' paradise? :) I wish I can go back every weekend. :D

I am not sure what promises the year 2012 holds. The only thing am sure of - I'll never stop exploring and seeing the wonders this world can offer. ;D Cheers to the new year!

Kwentong Kaladkarin #31: Come South, Cam Sur! – The Trip's Travel Tips

Admittedly, I'm still a novice when it comes to budget travel. I really try not to spend over what I have initially budgeted but hey, I deserve a few splurges after working so hard, right? ;P

Also, I work full-time; so anytime I get a time off and go somewhere, I treat it as a vacation.

Reasons, reasons... :D

So anyway, starting with this post, I'd be sharing my itinerary and actual spend for my travels moving forward.

Kwentong Kaladkarin #29: Come South, Cam Sur! – Islands, Islands and more Islands in Caramoan!

Da Where: Caramoan Islands, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Da When: October 20-23, 2011
Da Who: Me and my partner in crusade and crime, Vin! It's his birthday! :)
Da Trivia: Sea travel and a hangover do not really mix well. #triedandtestedfact

They say the Philippines is an archipelago of about 7, 107 islands. In the past, its hard to imagine how one small country can have that many islands. After the island-hopping activities we had for the day, I'm a non-believer no more.

We were here! And no, we're not that tanned. Had to adjust exposure so the sand writing pops out. :)

Kwentong Kaladkarin #27: Come South, Cam Sur! – Long Journey To Lingating

Da Where: Caramoan Islands, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Da When: October 20-23, 2011
Da Who: Me and my partner in crusade and crime, Vin! It's his birthday! :)
Da Trivia: Day 1 for this trip was the day we have been on all forms of transportation – air, land and sea. Spell t-i-r-i-n-g! :D

The recent weeks leading up to this trip saw the country pounded by three  typhoons - Pedring, Quiel and Ramon - that left large areas flooded from the relentless rain. It was a relief when the weather forecasts started showing sun instead of rain or dark cloud images and with the words sunny, warm, and dry slipped in. No way in hell I'm getting on a small plane that will land on a small airport if I see any semblance of a rain cloud in the sky! :D

We were delayed at the runway for almost an hour because of airport traffic. Geez, hope NAIA will do something about that. :(

Flight 5J 521 bound for Naga

Kwentong Kaladkarin #26: Back to Iloilo, The Place I Still Call Home

Da Where: Iloilo City and Capiz, Philippines
Da When: August 6-9, 2011
Da Who: I'd like to call this a solo trip but since it's home, I say, throw in my family too! :)
Da Trivia: I'm shamefully 'fessing up; it's been 2 years since I last I stepped foot in Iloilo. :(

It all started when I got a text message from Nanay, saying that Lola wants me and my sister home for her birthday. Yikes, has it really been two years since I've last set foot in my hometown?

Though I have been living and working in Metro Manila for the past six years, I still call Iloilo my home. After booking last-minute roundtrip flights (my heart missed a beat coz I hate paying for regular airfares ;D) and wormed a 1-day leave approval out of my boss, I found myself on a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Iloilo International Airport early Saturday morning, right off a work shift.

Forty-five minutes later, I stepped out of the plane and took in the verdant views and gulps of fresh air. Yes, I'm home. Back to sights, sounds and tastes familiar. :)


Comfort Food at its Finest: LaPaz Batchoy

Not many people know that I was born and spent the first decade of my life living at my grandparents' house in LaPaz, a 3-minute walk away from LaPaz Public Market, the birthplace of the LaPaz batchoy. If you've been living under a rock and don't know what batchoy is, it's a noodle soup made with pork organs, beef strips, crushed pork cracklings, chopped onion stalks, chicken or beef stock and round noodles.

It's the first thing I ask for when I'm home. And there is no other restaurant here in Manila that could ever duplicate the authentic taste of LaPaz batchoy. I should know. I grew up eating this dish, even maybe before I could walk and talk. ;D

Super Special LaPaz Batchoy
Photo credit: Deco's LaPaz Batchoy

Kwentong Kaladkarin #22: Bewitching Bohol – Wildlife, Whatnots and Way Back When

Da Where: Bohol, Philippines
Da When: July 3, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D

Looking back at our whirlwind of a day tour as soon as we stepped foot in Tagbilaran, the only thought that crossed my mind was that Boholanos are one of the luckiest people in this world.

Their tiny island/s of a province teems with beautiful natural wonders and rich with history and identity, one would feel almost reluctant to leave.

To show you what I meant, let's get on with the tour, shall we? :)

• Corella Tarsier Sanctuary

Kwentong Kaladkarin #21: Cebu Chronicles – Soaked, Skinned and Smoked in Sugbo

Da Where: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Da When: July 2, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D


Soaked

Our Cebu Pacific flight landed around 19:00 then proceeded to downtown Cebu City where we were met with torrential rains that flooded the streets en route to Cebu Century Hotel.

Flight 5J 571 disembarking at Mactan Cebu International Airport

Confessions of a Seat Sale Junkie (or True Story of How a Kaladkarin Booked Her Dirt-Cheap Flights)

I've always never liked flying. The first time I've stepped foot on an airplane some 15 years ago, I know an aircraft and I would never be the best of friends.

Coz I'm leaving on a jet plane...