One cold break: Baguio in December (Day One)

This is one of the unplanned trips that I had for this year. This may be the last for the year, but who knows? Things are getting spontaneous nowadays.

I decided to go up after a series of stressful weeks in the office. I tried to chill with few liquor nights during the last 2 weekends but they didn't help heal my broken soul.

So after a last minute hotel reservation, we decided to go... and the travel enthusiast in me has finally come back to life.

Touchdown: BAG 6:45am 

We had our early morning walk along Session Road and had breakfast at Pizza Volante.

We headed to Burnham Park for another walk and had some catch up with the flowers and the trees.

We stayed at Hotel Elizabeth. The reviews (which helped me decide to book this hotel) are a bit accurate. It was frustrating that The Manor was fully booked but this wasn't far from what was expected.

Did I mention that I traveled with my girlfriend? Oh yes, I did. 

Lunchtime? We spent it with my baby sister, Leli, and her bestfriend, Jhannia at Cafe by the Ruins.

After lunch, we went to Mines View Park and Good Shepherd for our pasalubong shopping.

I also had some chitchats with my cousin John who was travelling with his girlfriend that time (as part of his postbirthday celebration).

So that's him and his girlfriend, Belle (such a pretty girl).

What's next? Few more meetups. The photos are still in my camera and will upload later (hopefully).

The night was spent barhopping along the stretch of Legarda. 

Lights off: 2am

That capped our first night. 

It was a real cold break.

APODAP in the Mountains of Rizal

The team building was organized by our president bro Dr Fritz Morales and his lovely wife sis Dr RA. It was held at Sitio Cabading which is about an hour drive from the foot of Cogeo, Antipolo City. The road seemed endless as we traversed the forests with our SUVs. We are a group of 30 dentists from Alpha Phi Omega and we have one goal: To relive the true cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service.

It was around 8 in the evening when we arrived there. We nestled in a big hut with two big rooms: one for the frat and one for soro. 

After dinner, bonfire was set and the fellowship began!

It was all pure fun!

Drinking session was continued after midnight (inside the huts).

Lights off: 4am

Lights on: 6am

Breakfast started at the clubhouse and instructions for the activities were given. We were divided into two groups. The activity started with a cheerdance competition. 

And the battle began! :D

It was one whole day of obstacle fun madness.

The afternoon ended with us all soaked in mud. 

After the mudslide, we were all given few hours to freshen ourselves up, and with some few ceremonies over snacks, we closed the program with a big smile and a round of APO toast song.

Here's to Alpha Phi Omega. May we always be. :)

Casa 1022

It is Bro Jungar's birthday, and after a lunch party at the Heat in ShangriLa, an invitation was sent to all attendees and few special Aphio peeps for another celebration in his farm in Lipa Batangas.

We left Makati at 1pm, and with 7 vehicles on convoy, we arrived the farm at 3pm. 

So that's the seven of us [above photo] parked near the pool.

The warm pool ambiance welcomed us as we greeted the birthday boy with the traditional APO hand clasp.

Meryenda was followed by an early tequila toast.

Then the party began. It's a night of bottomless food and drinks and non stop dance party with songs from the 70s to 90s.

The party did not stop from dusk til dawn til early morning sunrise.

It was a fun-filled night. It was our last night with our dear bro Bob too who is for sure enjoying where he is right now. (RIP brother).

We left the farm at 8am after breakfast. 

Happy Birthday bro Jungar! Cheers!

My 2013 HongKong Trip

Touchdown: HKG

I am not really sure if this was my third or fourth time in this part of the continent. I was still a child when I first stepped on this former British colony. But regardless, I still encounter new experiences every time.

There was a super typhoon in Hong Kong two days before we arrived. But the signal no. 10 scare did not stop me from packing my things as there are several places here that I want to go back to. That's what passion for travel is all about - Go, even if everybody else doesn't.

Our first day was spent with a major food trip. So we strolled down the Kowloon area and filled our tummies with whatever we can munch. 

The dumplings were the best! I so love China! 

We spent the next day within and around the shopping district. Who goes to Hong Kong and not ending up shopping? Not me.

Next stop: Tour within the city. And who would outgrow Disney? Again, not me! :)

Last day was spent in Lantau (to give thanks for all the blessings.) I am a Catholic but I believe in one creator, so regardless of religion, May Buddha, bless me and us all.

We tried to squeeze all of our plans in but time did not permit us. It's okay. It's not a sin to go back! 

Next stop: Macau!!! :)

Marlboro Mountain and Blue Soil Hills

We started our Marlboro adventure at nine in the morning. We hired a jeep to take us to the top of the hill. The road was slippery because it rained the night before and as we ascend, we had some stopovers as we need to alight in some areas where the road is steep.

We trekked for half an hour to get to the Marlboro mountain and it was all green. There are wild horses too but are so far that we didn't bother to take pictures of them.

Wild berries are also abundant. It tastes like rasp berry.

As we trek further, our guide suggested that we also try the blue soil hills, and we all agreed.

 

The trek to blue soil hills is about an hour from Marlboro mountain. We passed by several beautiful rock formations.

The trek to the hills was easy (comparable to Bomod Ok trek).

After an hour of trekking, we have finally reached the blue soil hills.

It was no joke. The soil is really blue.

We trekked further until we reach the road. It was another hour to the road.

Our motto: Lunch is waiting, so let's move faster!

 

Kiltepan Peak

This is my third time in Sagada and the Kiltepan Peak has always been a part of my itinerary ever since. This is one of the best spots I love.

We woke up at 3:30 a.m. and we're scheduled to leave at 4:30 a.m. to witness the sunrise. As always, we need to be there as early as we can so we can have a picturesque spot, and we were successful.

It was still dark when we arrived at the peak.

Few minutes later, a sea of clouds welcomed us as the sun started to show its rays.

 

The view is overwhelming and relaxing. I can stay there for hours without getting bored. The cold weather adds up to the excitement.

As the sun started to rise, the sea of clouds paved way to show the rice terraces and stream below.

We went back to our rest house and had breakfast after a few hours.

We stayed at the hilltopville inn located across the highway.

[Above] That's the five of us at Hilltopville Inn ready for our next adventure.