Philippine Travel Photo Essay : Coron, Palawan

Coron, Palawan

Yup, I know what you’re thinking. Is the water really that clear?!! Yes, it is. I couldn’t even believe it myself when I was there. It gave us a certain kind of high and put smiles on our faces for the rest of the week after that. Where is it? It’s in Coron, Palawan.

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. ;)

CORON 

Whenever I hear friends talk about Coron, they have this certain sparkle in their eyes like they’ve been to a magical place. And when they start talking about the places they saw and the memories they have of the place, they somehow get lost at the middle of their sharing like they're transported back in time. When you encounter friends like these from time to time you would be very curious and you automatically plan the trip.

And that’s what we did.

Philippine Travel Photo Essay : El Nido, Palawan

on the way to Small Lagoon
El Nido, Palawan

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. ;)

EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Back then, when you hear people say El Nido, you immediately think about Paradise. A group of beautiful islands with white sand, turquoise waters, hidden lagoons, and rich underwater marine life. Some even say that the famous movie “The Beach” was supposed to be shot in El Nido. But back then, only a few people who can afford to go ride a chartered plane can go to El Nido. Or those who can afford to pay for luxury resorts. The price one has to pay to experience paradise.

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.