Philippine Travel Photo Essay : Viva Cebu!

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Summer here in the tropics is about to start. And I am seriously missing the beach, the islands, camping (I’ve always preferred this), star gazing and just lazing around. This will be a series of travel photo essays of gorgeous beaches I’ve visited a few years ago. I’ll try to squeeze in some stories and backgrounds, but some have been four or five years ago. ;) Back in the days when travelling was a ‘long weekend’ or ‘seat sale!’ or ‘Scheduled Leaves’ event. 

And this is also to somehow encourage the people I’ve met during my travels to visit our beautiful country. And to excite the two girls who will (hopefully) visit me in a few months. ;) 

CEBU 

Cebu is one of the most famous places to visit in the Philippines. It’s known for its beaches, diving spots, and as one of the most historic provinces in the country. 

Around Mandalay

A Day's End

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura

After almost two weeks of travelling in Burma in mostly cold, tranquil and remote areas surrounded by mountains and lakes, arriving in Mandalay felt like being woken up from a dream. After a 6-hour bus ride from Hsipaw, we arrived in the city of Mandalay welcomed by the heat and the swarm of taxi and moto drivers. 

Kalaw - Inle Lake Trek : Stepping Into An Idyllic Countryside Painting

typical day on the trek

DAY 1 

6:30am and it was really cold. I wouldn’t normally feel this anxious waking up when I’m travelling except that it was going to be the start of our 3-day trek to Inle Lake, and I was really hoping that it wasn't raining anymore. I forced myself out of bed and looked out our window, and yes it was raining.

Yangon In Retrospect

Shwedagon Pagoda, solemn in the early morning

“Filipina! Same same as Burmese.” 
“Yes, same face as Filipinos.” 
“Welcome to Burma!”
The immigration officer said with a wonderful smile. The humidity of Yangon was welcoming along with the Burmese guy from the hostel who picked me up from the airport. And of course, Patti, who would become one of the people who I’d travelled with in Burma. And who’d help educate me more about the country. 

On 2012, Life's Unpredictability, and Moments' Impermanence

Pai, January 2012 / Bagan, Dec 2012

*Written while waiting for my flight back home. Realizations here are sometimes simple and apparent. But as with anything, writing it down reminds us of the simple things we once thought to be complex. 

I started and will end this year travelling. It’s interesting and overwhelming sometimes how this year has been so unpredictable. I fell in love, I changed my plans for someone, I started a new job, I got my own place, I got hurt, nothing made sense, I quit my job again, I felt hopeless, I travelled, I met amazing people, I saw beautiful landscapes, I witnessed beautiful sunsets, I got intrigued and captivated by a new country, and then I am happy again. 

Yee Peng Floating Lantern Festival : Prayers of Hope

“Do you believe that someday it wouldn’t feel like this anymore?” My good friend, Paul, asked me the other night as we were drinking in one of the reggae bars in Chiang Mai’s old town. 

“Honestly, I don’t know. I just hope, at the end of every single day that passes by, that tomorrow it will be better.” 

One day in Chiang Mai spent riding around the old town, we passed by places familiar and so nostalgic. Memories of the places we walked by, benches we sat on, and feelings from the last time I was here. I let my guard down, and just gave in to my emotions. 

It felt refreshing to talk to a good friend about this, someone who knows me well. And how, somehow, I felt understood because he’s also a traveller. 

I’m here again, back on the road, because I want to make new memories. Travel doesn’t necessarily fix anything, but I just hope to find myself again, or at least me at my best, doing what I love most. 

On Year 26 and Turning 27

The Big Trip
October 2011 - February 2012

My 26th year was a year of highs and lows. It was a year filled with travels, dreams fulfilled and humbling realities. 

Sunsets : Vivir Cada Minuto Intensamente

Mandalay, Burma

"Live life to the fullest. It's the best way. Live every moment intensely. Because life is too short, and the moment comes when we're going to die, and we'd have wished to do so many things we didn't. That's why we have to enjoy every moment. One must enjoy life. Try not to acquire so many things, but instead have experiences. Accomplish everything you want to do, no matter the effort that it deserves. Life is too short and one must relish it." – from departures. Season 2 : Chile episode 

And in Spanish, a language I’m slowly falling in love with. Especially the line “Vivir cada minuto intensamente.” or “Live every moment intensely.” Try saying it out loud. Don’t you just love the word intensamente? I do. :) (Thanks to my friend Paul for the text of the Spanish translation.) 

Viva la vida a concho. Es la mejor manera. Vivir cada minuto intensamente porque la vida es muy corta y de repente, llega el momento en que nos vamos a morir y habríamos deseado hacer las cosas que no las hicimos. Por eso, cada minuto hay que disfrutarlo. Hay que disfrutar de la vida. No tratar de tener tantas cosas, de adquirir tantas cosas sino que de tener vivencia. Lograr todo que queremos hacer. No importa la fuerza que esto se merezca pero vale la pena. La vida es muy corta y hay que gozarla.