the magic begins here at Hongkong Disneyland!

         Now my journey in Hongkong begins! Riding a white and blue colored train to Disneyland was awesome, the windows are carved with the head of Mickey Mouse as well as their handles. Then I started to feel like its Disneyland especially when they played Disney music throughout the trip. After  a few minutes, the train stopped, I went down and went to the ticket booth. I had to pay several HK dollars to go inside but it was all worth it. 

         Walking towards that majestic land, enjoying every minute of it, taking pictures in every corner was an amazing feeling. There’s this fountain at the middle with Disney characters statue build in between, then I saw this huge signage saying, “Hongkong Disneyland Resort”. So, I’m really here! I took my camera again and had myself taken with that sign above my head.  We continue walking until we finally reach the Disney village should I say. We opt to take a spot as we wait for the parade. Then the show started. Disney characters showed up, people started dancing in the streets, and tourists flocked at the side to watch the parade, totally what I picture in my mind, perfect! Especially when Mickey and Minnie made it to their finale, the most loved character of all time. ;) 

... with my Aunt ...

... with my Dad...

...the parade ...

          After the parade, I started looking for my favorite Disney character, Winnie the Pooh! I looked to my left, there’s Chip and Dale, the two squirrels, then to my right I saw Goofy, to my front is Mickey and Minnie mouse. OMG! Where’s Pooh? I need Pooh! I can’t go home without a picture of him. I had to look for him all over the place where I found Cinderella, Snow White and her seven dwarfs,Sleeping Beauty and some other Disney characters, but Pooh is nowhere to be found. I went straight ahead and found a group of children falling in line, and there he was, my ever loved Pooh. So I did what I have to do, fall in line. Waited for others to finish their turn, and when my time came, I was so happy and excited, although he was just a cartoon character I’m still very happy to see him. It’s a dream come true.  ; )

... with Minnie Mouse ...

... with Mickey Mouse and my Aunt ...

... with Sleeping Beauty, my Aunt and my Grandmother ..

... the magical castle with my Dad ..

 ... with Goofy ...

... with Snow White ...

...and of course the reason why I went to Hongkong Disneyland, my Winnie the Pooh ... ;D

to be continued ...

mmg...

HK, my first international flight!

             I was actually thinking if ill add this vacation to this blog since this is already outside Philippines (my blog is all about Philippines) but then i decided to just add this one since this was one of the best vacation i ever had. So here we go ....

          When I was a child, I saw this beautiful castle while watching television. It was a majestic  castle with beautiful lights where my favorite Disney characters play. Then I asked my mom what's the name of the place, and then she told, its Disneyland. Then that night I wish and prayed that someday, I could go and visit the castle.

           I turned 18 and Hongkong trip was the best gift I’ve ever received. A three day vacation that drives me so damned crazy that one week before my trip I was already packed and ready to go.. ;P

         Then I flew to Manila then Hongkong, my first international flight. The man spoke and said, “prepare for landing”, wow! Almost there! Then I looked at the window, the plane landed in the middle of the ocean, wtf! Hows that possible? Then I realized the runway was built in the middle of the ocean connecting to the arrival area, such a smart idea. I just hope this is also possible in my country but I guess for us Filipinos, we just have to wait and see what will happen to our airport.

       “Airport palang the best na”, words that came out my mouth. How much more their city? I'm pretty sure it will be more beautiful. I can’t wait to see and be amazed once more of what the city has in stored for me.

To be continued….

mmg...

Baguio for the first time.. ;) last part...

continuation...

        Now, we are here in one of Baguios flower farm. Seeing those flowers freely grow in the rich soil of Baguio seems like heaven. Flowers bloom everywhere, you could actually lie down in that bed of flowers. 

             Off to the other part of the land, the strawberry farm, a very small plant but bears that red sweet fruit with a taste that almost you can’t compare. Good thing is we are allowed to pick our own strawberries from the plant itself.  Of course, I didn't waste any time, I took the small basket provided to us and chose a best spot to pick some of that red small fruit. After picking some strawberries, I went to the owner, had my basket measured by kilogram, paid the amount then the lady packed the strawberries. How I wish I could bring some back to Iloilo but I was told that it can easily be rotten especially if I travel it for hours. So I decided to just eat all of them. ;)

          And then for our last destination is the Lourdes Grotto, I guess we did save the best for last. It’s actually a Catholic Shrine that is considered as placed for worship of the catholic people, including me. You can reach the grotto by climbing 252 steps stairs built some years ago. Before I start climbing, I asked myself can I do this?  Then I saw these people trying to reach the top, an old lady, a child, a handicapped, if they can do it, why can’t I, right? So I bought 3 candles, and then started climbing. At first it was so easy, but right at the middle I started feeling tired, then my feet is aching, so I took a rest for a while. Then I started climbing again, but this time a little bit slower than before, then finally I reached the top sweating and panting for air but the feeling of reaching the top was amazing. It feels like I have accomplished something good with my life. I made a sign of the across, lighted my first candle asking forgiveness for all my sins, then followed by my second candle giving thanks for all the blessings, then for the last candle I prayed for a safe trip and good health of my entire family. Now, I’m heading down, well, going down is much easier and faster for each of us. ;)

           Now, my 3 days vacation in Baguio is over. I’m bound to manila again. What a trip right? Such a busy schedule yet so fulfilling vacation .. ;)

mmg...

Baguio for the first time.. ;) 2nd part

continuation...

       Then we went to The Mansion, another tourist attraction. It’s the place where the President of the Philippines stays whenever he/ she visit Baguio. Tourist flocked at the gate just to have their picture taken or just simply to have a glimpse of what a mansion really look like.

          Then we are off to Mines View Park, a famous park for its breathtaking view of the mountains. You can also enjoy the endless “pasalubongs” that you could actually buy for your love ones. From key chains, strawberry jams, Baguio shirts, peanut brittle and many more, all you need is a wallet full of cash to spend. ;)

           Then off to Botanical Garden, another government owned land that was developed for tourist to visits. You can actually enjoy the different plants and flowers, the towering pine trees that serves as shade for tourists and the man made sculpture depicting the culture and rituals of Igorots. Igorots is what we call for those native people living in Baguio.

to be continued...

mmg...

Baguio for the first time ;)

       It took me several hours to reach the summer capital of the Philippines, the city of Pines, Baguio! I went to the hotel right after we arrived, freshen up a little and prepared all the things I needed. Cap? Checked! Jacket? Checked! Camera? Checked! Financer (my mother)? Checked! Hahaha.. All set and I’m ready to go!

       First stop, SM Baguio, of all the beautiful places we opt to visit their mall first.  The mall doesn’t have air-condition (except for the department store), well, they could actually conserve a lot of energy, and besides who needs an air-con if you could actually freeze to death by just standing there, that’s how cold Baguio is.

   

          Next stop Philippine Maritime Academy (PMA). Armored cars, prototype airplanes and other PMA stuff being shown in the vicinity. It’s quiet amazing to see those uniformed good looking guys standing tall while walking in the area. Then I remember one Filipino movie that shows exactly what these guys are doing, so it’s true, what they've shown in the movie is real. 

         Then we went to Burnham Park.  They have this man-made lagoon built at the middle where tourist could actually rent a boat so they could fully enjoy the park. They also have these bicycles for rent which tourist could get for a certain amount so they can visit the whole area faster than walking. It was so crowded with people, boats are occupied, and bicycles for rent are all being used by tourists. So, we decided to just walk and took some pictures. I envy those tourists who rented the boat first, I wanted to wait and try it also but we don’t have any time anymore, maybe next time.

to be continued....

mmg...

Tagaytay in its peak!

         I woke up early and prepared myself for my trip to the beautiful Tagaytay. Rode a bus from Manila that would actually take about an hour to reach our destination. Few minutes later, here I am, face to face with the Taal Lake, another Gods wonderful creation. I could stare that magnificent view for hours without feeling tired or sick. So peaceful and quiet that you can truly relax yourself from the busy life we have. Ate my lunch with our rented cottage over viewing the  Taal ,while  we enjoy every moment we spent there. I wish I wasn't leaving that place so soon but I have to. Another place visited and more pictures to see and memories to treasure. Until next time, goodbye Tagaytay, for now…

mmg...

Black Nazarene ...

      

       After that mind blowing first ever ride on an airplane I've now reached Manila. Manila is manila, what I heard and saw in the news doesn't have any difference. We went to our hotel, and then rest for a while then went to Quiapo Church to say our prayers. The church is famous for the miraculous actions that also strengthen our faith and of the Filipino people.  Quiapo church is the place where the Black Nazarene is being housed. The Black Nazarene is a life sized dark wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying a cross . It was my first time to see the Black Nazarene up close and I prayed for forgiveness, good health, and gave my thanks for all the blessings that I've received. 

mmg...

my first ride of my life!

      I consider every trip as a new experience which I can discover and learn new things. I was so damned excited to have my first ever airplane ride. Since I was a child I've been wondering what it feels like to ride an airplane and I've been wishing and hoping for that day to come and now is the fulfillment of that dream. I brought with me a bubble gum just in case something will happen and the urge to throw up will come, chewing gum is my so called savior. I look for my assigned seat, made myself comfortable and buckled my seat belt  Smiling outside but so scared inside, my heart is pounding so hard that I could hear it beating. Then, I heard someone saying, “prepare for takeoff”, OMG! This is it! This is really it! Holding the arm chair so tight, chewing the gum so fast, the plane went up and wooooohh! That was great! I looked onto my right and wow, clouds that really looks like a giant cotton candy as I described back then, feels like I’m in a fantasy land.  Indeed, I survived that first ride of my life!

mmg...

the magnificent Boracay!

        I was playing with my cousins when my mom told me that we will be going to a 3 day trip to Boracay! Wow! Boracay! During that time, maybe until now, Boracay Island is one of the best places to visit. Wherever you go, Boracay is peoples dream vacation, and also mine. After my mother told me about the good news, I don’t know what happened but tears came flowing from my eyes, maybe tears of joy, never been happier before with my other vacations.

        I woke up early morning with too much excitement to go on my Boracay escapade. Seeing that beautiful powder like sand for the first time was breathtaking.. feeling that clear, cold, blue water touching my feet was amazing, but to my dismay, my first ever Boracay vacation was not really a vacation, why? The place that we were supposed to stay is no longer available, so we have to look for other places the whole afternoon and it took us how many hours to find one, and worst it is located at the back so my dream of waking up in the morning seeing the beach and the sand and feeling the cold wind in my face didn’t happen, total bummer! So tired of looking for a place, we decided to eat our dinner and take a rest (without even swimming in that Gods gift beach). ;(

        The next day, I woke up early just to make sure I could now wear my swimming attire, and swim, and yes! I did it! Then, we went shopping with my mom for some souvenirs, shirts, key chains, magnets, necklace made of shell and other native stuff found in the island. Time flies so fast and here I am, wearing this white printed shirt that says “BORACAY”, about to leave the beautiful white sand beach bringing lots of disappointment and pretty good memories of course. And I made a promise to myself, I’ll be back, someday.. ;P

island of CEBU city .. ;)

         I was 9 years old when I set my foot in the beautiful island of Cebu, of course, I’m excited again, my first ever, should I say “ship ride”? It’s a bigger boat compared to the “pumpboat” going to Guimaras.. hahahaha… Anyway, it was my 5 days vacation during that summer. We went to Basilica Church, some museums, and schools (my mom is a teacher so going to some schools is part of the itinerary.. and I’m not enjoying!). After my mom finished her so called work related stuff, we went to Taoist Temple. I wonder what’s that place, I assume it’s a temple from its name of course but got nothing more than that. We rode on a bus and few minutes later we stopped, I went down and found a very high stairs. Well, another surprise I guess, so I ran as fast as I can to reach the top leaving my mom behind… ;) Reaching the top panting, I saw that beautiful temple; all I could say is WOW! Beautiful place on top of a mountain, the structures are one of a kind, painted with gold, silver, red, and other bright colors. They have this wishing area where you could make a wish, since I was a child my mom didn't allow me to do so  instead she made a wish for me.. ;)

With that magnificent view, I took my mom’s camera and took pictures of every angle that I could think of, one more click and boom!, we've already used 36 shots for our camera (we don’t have digital camera that time)… no more pictures, only memories of that beautiful Chinese temple.

            Heading back home is a challenged, we had to go back to Iloilo by land, and it’s kind of time consuming but I have no choice. Indeed, I enjoyed that trip, and I’m looking forward for my next destination.. ;)

first ever vacation!

        Back when I was 8 years old, one day my mom went home from work and told me that we will be leaving in a few days for a vacation, a 2 days vacation where it all began. She told me to packed my things so we can go for my first ever vacation, in the beautiful island of Guimaras. I can still recall how happy and excited I am that day.

       As I step on a boat for the very first time (as I can remember), all I can think of is how that beautiful beach looks like, the sand, the water, the waves and everything around it.  All set and the boat started sailing, and I’m there enjoying the beautiful mountains and clear water, feeling the wind as it blows into my face.  One hour boat ride seems like a blink of an aye and I’m there, finally!

       Touchdown! My first ever white sand beach, Raymens Beach Resort, I did what a child is supposed to do, run towards the hotel room where we will be staying, change into my swim wear, took my “salbabida” and goggles and went directly to the beach. Swimming and playing with sand is where I’m good at, a typical child I would say.

       That was my first ever vacation, so short yet so fun. And as I bid goodbye, I started to think with my little brain what other places would look like. Is it exactly what my teacher has told us? Is it exactly what I saw in the pictures of my textbooks? Or it is better? I just smiled and left that island with unanswered question.. Someday, I will know.. ;)

..let's do this right! ;)

             I like reading blogs, especially if its about travelling and then one day I just woke up and thought of writing. I'm not a writer and i'm not a wide reader but it doesn't mean I don’t know how to write or read. I’m not good in English as well but hey this is a free country, everyone deserves to do what they wanted to do. So, I’m here, starting my first ever blog.

            I don’t know exactly what to write or what will be my blog is all about. Then, I decided, since I love my country so much, which is the Philippines , I thought of writing the beautiful places I've visited in my country and all of my experiences. I don’t travel as often as others but when I do I make sure I visit their best spots, learn their culture and of course take pictures for I can’t bring anything except the memories (and pasalubong for my family back in my hometown.. hehehe).

            So go with me as I explore my country … …

P.S.
     I don't own some of the pictures posted on some of my early trips. I don't have camera during that time. haahaha...