"Sweet"zerland

On to my last Europe blog post and writing everything just brings back all the wonderful adventures and memories that took place in that awesome three weeks. All praises and glory to God who made this dream come true and kept us safe throughout the trip. It has always been my dream to visit Switzerland. To see the Swiss Alps with the lush green valleys and beautiful lake with my own eyes. So I was just so happy that we will be visiting this country during this trip. To be honest, i made little and last minute research on what to see and do around the city. I already spent too much time searching where to see the best view of the alps and so on that I want the other parts to be a surprise already. We landed in Zurich airport then took a train to the city of Lucerne which is our main hub. The train ride itself already got me so excited as we were welcomed by breathtaking views of the alps. After an hours and a half, we reached Lucerne and proceeded to our hotel. We stayed in Hotel Ibis Budget Lucerne, location is good, just 15 minute walk from the main station. We visited the tourist center to know more about the city since I made little research. We followed their suggested itinerary and went to explore the Old Town first, just a few minutes walk from the station. It was a no car zone and the place just feels like it was taken out of a fairy tale book. There was the wooden Chapel Bridge along the river Reuss with paintings that depicts the history of Lucerne. We walked around the area and soaked in all the beauty around us. As we walked, we discovered shopping alleys mostly selling clothes, souvenir stuffs and watches. On the other side of the river is Lake Lucerne where you'll see more of the alps! Everywhere you look is just so beautiful! After all the exploration, we decided to have an early dinner along the river Reuss. We had the best chicken in white cream sauce and yes pasta even in Switzerland! For our next day, we visited the Lion Monument which commemorates Swiss guards who died during the French revolution. We started the day quite early and took the complimentary bus for all tourist checked in the city. For the afternoon we visited Zurich and did a quick tour of the city. Our first stop was Lindenhof hill which gives a good view of the city. People were so chill, bringing their own drinks and snacks and just having a good time. We rode the boat to have a relaxing tour around the river area. We visited a church but it was already close by the time we got there. A half day tour around Zurich was definitely not enough, I didn't know what we were thinking! I guess this is what little research does. But anyways we still enjoyed our journey, a lot of walking definitely! We were so tired and almost knocked down in the train ride back to Lucerne. Took an early rest because tomorrow we're off to see more of the Swiss Alps in Grindelwald and I am sooo excited! The trip to Grindelwald takes around 2 hours and a half. From Lucerne we took a train to Interlaken Ost. We didn't mind the time as you'll be in awe of the impressive views! It was a full train and there was a cute dog sitted infront of us. After several stops a group of friends came in and sitted around us. They were a fun group. Was able to chat with a few of them and turns out one friend was celebrating a birthday and they're skiing in Zermatt. After several stops, we finally arrive in Interlaken Ost station. We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant there. I'm not sure why but after lunch I started feeling dizzy maybe a psychological effect knowing that we're already on high altitude? Thank God that I did feel better after a while. Before arrviving in Interlaken we passed by the stunning Lake Brienz and I wanted to go back so we took a bus that should bring us to Lake Brienz. We were told to get off in which stop but we forgot since it was so hard to pronounce. We then got off in the last stop since there wasn't really much choice! I'll never forget the feeling like we were feeling lost but in a good way. The way wasn't easy as the roads were really narrow and uphill. Turns out we arrived in Iseltwald and I was very happy to be there as it was one of the places I wanted to visit too! The views were mesmerizing, the color of the lake was like aqua bluish green and the alps were so near! We spent some time chilling at this place before my aunt and uncle who we were supposed to meet in Grindelwald picked us up, yey! It was our first time to ride the car they rented. It felt like a magical ride to Grindelwald as we were greeted by such impressive landscapes. We arrived at our hotel, Hotel Bernerhof and oh my gosh we had the best room ever, overlooking the alps! It was a dream come true! Since it was a good Friday we just roamed around the area for a while, decided on what to do the next day and had dinner. After much deliberation we decided to visit Jungfrauoch, the top of Europe! We had to take the long cut since one station was close. But it was okay since it means seeing more of the town's amazing landscape and scenery. We were in full battle gear by that I mean I wore nth layers of clothes ready for the cold as weather in Junfrauoch is negative! As expected, views on the way up is really amazing. We got to have lunch in Kleine Schneddig, a popular skiing place. The visit to Jungfrauoch is a one of a kind experience, we boarded a cogwheel train on the way up. Got to see the alps really upclose from the view deck and it was oh so freezing! I couldn't feel my hands and feet for a while! It was really windy up there, lots of tourist but a fun experience. The next day we opted to go around town. We hopped on a bus and just circled the area. Just appreciated the view and took some photos. We strolled along the store areas too and was able to purchase a watch I've been eyeing since from lucerne and a wallet. we had a late lunch near the station before going back to Lucerne. We finally tried the raclette and had the best porkchop in cream sauce ever! Said goodbye to the best cabin room ever and had one last look of the alps in front of us. It was also Easter Sunday and we tried for looking for a catholic church to celebrate Mass but there's usually one service in a day and it's around 8 to 9am only. We visited a church and said a prayer of thanks instead. Spent one more night in Lucerne before our Europe trip comes to an end. The praning me was again worried how to tranpost our heavy luggages. The train ride to Zurich Airport was full and we can't just leave our luggage at our sides. We were forced to put it up the overhead compartment good thing a kind man helped us. I was so anxious the entire trip because I knew he was getting off before us. I didn't know how to bring the luggage down by ourselves as it was really heavy. Thank God he helped us bring it down before he left for an earlier station. So that's much about our sweet Switzerland journey, a dream come true indeed. Thank you Jesus for this trip for sustaining, guiding and providing for us the entire trip. My heart is so full and happy. Hoping to see more of Europe someday again.

Of canals and bridges - Venezia

Oh Venezia! One of my dream cities to visit in Europe, and I can't believe I'm here! It's a city surrounded by water, places linked by probably hundreds of canals and bridges. You can either get around by water bus or by foot through the bridges. The moment we arrived, I was already captivated by the beauty of this island. I guess one reason why I instantly fell in love with Venice is associated with my love for the water and beautiful scenery. Everywhere you look is just so dreamy and magical in Venice. We stayed in an inn just a few steps away from Ospedale station. We chose this place to avoid dragging our luggage and stuffs up and down the bridges of Venice. Well we succeeded in doing so, but to our surprise when we got to the inn there was no one to assist us personally. It was like an airbnb type of accommodation. We rang the doorbell and a man spoke through the intercom, informing us of our room number and that he would see us tomorrow. He spoke really fast with an accent that I wasn't able to follow everything he said. The door opened and a stairway welcomed us. I was shookt and got to my usual "praning" mode and asked my mom to stay outside and keep the door open while I check on the place in the fear that we might get stuck inside if we both go in together. I went upstairs, tried to remember the instructions the owner gave and finally saw my name signage in our room door. Well that was a relief! Next dilemma is how to bring our luggage up the stairs! There were like around 15 to 20 steps and it was just me and my mom. With teamwork in around 10 mins or so, we brought everything up! Finally got to settle down in our room and get some rest! We started roaming around the city by foot as I can't really wait to explore! We passed by several bridges and canals and everywhere is just so picturesque. We had lunch at a local pizza and pasta place and my mom ordered the best clam pasta I ever tasted in my life! I had bolognese which is also good, but I always end up liking the order of my mom better haha We then went on too St Mark's Basilica and met with my aunt and uncle. Checked on some stores in the area then finally off to explore the canals this time by a gondola ride! It cost 100 euro but it was worth it as it gives a quick tour of the city in a very cool and unique manner. Of course we took hundreds of photos, our gondolier was also kind enough to show us around. Learned afterwards that he was actually a Fil-American! Born and grew up in Bacolod city! What a small world. After the gondola ride we just roamed around a bit more, and finally called it a night. The next day we bought Alilaguna tickets to visit the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Our guide was so amazing as she can speak several language! English, Spanish, German, French just to name a few! At first I thought that the audio was pre-recorded but turns out we have an actual guide in the boat! It's a timed tour so we had to mind the time but we were able to chill and enjoy the vibe of the islands. My favorite is Burano, an island filled with colorful houses and known for lace products. We also got to try their local delicacy which is like a baked pastry stick, forgot what it's called. We were also able to see how Murano glasses are made in the island of Murano. It was cool and fascinating as everything was handmade. From the shaping of the glass figure to putting it into the heat. In Torcello, we visited a church and got time to pray and rest. It was cool to see actual residents travelling by waterboats and just chilling in local shops - it was like a scene taken out of a movie. After the island tours, we're back in Venice in no time. As it was already late in the afternoon, took the opportunity to take hundreds of photos by Piazza San Marco overlooking the grand canal. I didn't want to leave as the view was just really jaw dropping! On our last day in Venice, we went inside St Mark's Basilica and Doge Palace. We almost got lost inside Doge Palace, the prison area seems like never ending. There were a lot of beautiful and interesting art pieces in the palace too, felt like you're transported back in the past. To cap off the day, we had some gelato and just sat down to admire the beauty around us. You've been a dream, Venice. Grazie Mille! Arrivederci alla prossima!

Renaissance Florence

Next stop on our journey is the classic city of Florence. We got on an Italo train from Rome and at first I thought we were really going to miss the train. Long story short we left our hotel in Rome quite late since they can't find us a cab. We just opted to drag our luggage down the cobbled streets to the train station and transfer to the main station to catch the train going to Florence. We couldn't locate our platform number and was already panicking. A kind lady sensed we were a bit lost and offered to help. When we boarded the train I was already worried on where to leave our luggage since I can't lift it to the space above our seats. Actually thought train rides with our luggage I'd be all anxious hoping there will be a luggage space for us! Upon reaching Florence we were so happy to figure out that our hotel was very convenient to access. The room was also so huge! It even has 3 beds since they gave us a free upgrade yey! Total days we will be staying in Florence is 3 days and 2 nights and the receptionist was baffled to hear about may planned itinerary which includes a trip to Siena. We'll he recommended that we just stay in Florence cause of the little time we have. I was defensive and annoyed at first with his suggestion but realized that he was actually right. For our first afternoon we went to The Mall around an hour or 2 ride from the city. It's an outlet mall which houses lots of highend brands. What I love about the trip was the ride to The Mall. We got a good view of the city relaxed in a comfortablle and spacious big bus. On our second day its when we got to explore the heart of Firenze. We started the day early and went on to The Duomo. The vibe was so serene and peaceful despite having jampacked tourists in sight. It was also very cold this day that I was having a hard time distracting myself from the cold. There were also lots of stalls along the streets. We were able to find some unique finds to bring home. Lots of alley stores selling leather goods can be found and everything was just so pretty for me. Again we had pasta and soup for lunch and it was heavenly. Continued our walk afterwards and found ourselves in a huge plaza near the Uffizi gallery. Lots of art statues can be found. It's a city really full of arts and culture. We were able to see some Greek mythology monuments and of course the statue of David by Michelangelo. Despite the cold we couldn't help but try the gelato since this is another thing they are known for. It was of course really tasty and superb!

A Journey to the Vatican City

Without knowing much how to get around Rome, we managed to arrive at the Vatican City. It was a good decision to avail of a guided tour. At first I was sceptic with the tour cause it was offered by a guy claiming to be working as a volunteer helping tourist. I guessed he sensed that I was not buying it at first hearing a lot of stories to be wary of people just like them. But turns out he is helpful and we got into a guided tour in no time.

Our guide was a local who's  been working  for more than 5 years I think already. She's full of energy and very witty and got everyone listening to her as she shared facts and stories about the Vatican and its art pieces. 

I guess an all time favorite of many is the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. Learned from Kiara our guide that not all of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo, only the ceiling. We enjoyed just staring at the walls of the Sistine Chapel appreciating every picture the painting depicts. Such immense talents from the artist!

After the tour we went on to St Peter's Basilica by ourselves. Felt very blessed to be able to pause for a moment and say a prayer, thanking God for letting us be in this very meaningful place. We weren't able to see the Pope during our visit cause He usually appears to the people on Wednesdays only.

Well I couldn't still believe we were in the Vatican! Going in we went through the back areas so we saw the entrance and front area for the first time on our way out. A huge plaza welcomes its visitors with a grand and glorious view of the Vatican. 

Roaming in Rome

And so our journey continues, in the next stop we say Ciao to Italia!

From Paris we took a plane to the city of Rome and enroute we were able to have a glimpse of the majestic French Alps! I was already feeling a bit sleepy when the captain announced that on the right we can see view of Mt Chamonix.  It was breathtaking for a person who dreams of seeking the alps! Upon arriving in Fiumucino airport, we decided to take the train to get to the city to save on cost. But, a big but! Instead of saving, we ended up spending more since we got penalised! What a way to welcome us to Rome I thought in my head. I suddenly felt scared and got worried that the trip might go downhill. Well, we got penalized because our train tickets were not validated. We just scanned the ticket and the gate opened so we thought that it was already good. When the conductor of the train approached us and asked to see our tickets, his face turned to sour and started talking to us in a slightly angry voice. At first I was really baffled cause we have tickets! I didn't understand what he was talking about. I was already feeling a bit nervous when he said that we'll be penalized 100 Euro each for not validating the tickets! I was like what the hell is happening?! Turns out tickets can be bought in public places in Italy like in newstands and convenience stores and before you use them you would have to insert it in a machine so that it would be stamped on with the date of use, otherwise without the stamp the ticket could actually be used again. To cut the story short, the penalty was reduced to 100 Euros for the both me and my mom already but it was still a big sum of money considering we were trying to save on cost! At the back of my mind, we should have just took the cab! Anyways, just sharing on our experience, so remember to have your tickets validated when in Italy. I tried to let it go and not to let what happened ruin the trip, but boy it wasn't easy!

After getting off in Roma Termini station, the quest to find our hotel begins! We stayed in Best Western Hotel Picadilly and we were challenged this time by our luggage! We had to carry it since there's no elevator insight in the station then we had to drag it along the cobbled streets of Rome! It was already past 12 when we arrived and we haven't had lunch yet so my energy is really down and my crankiness going up! Finally we found our hotel, checked in, and rested for a while. After which it's the start of my dream to eat pasta everyday! We had a late lunch. Mom even dozzed off while waiting for the food to be served! We had pizza and pasta and it didn't disappoint, nothing compared to the pastas we have here in Manila. 

Full and ready to explore, we're off to the famous landmarks of Rome. Our first stop is the Colosseum, a grand structure and a sight to behold. Just near it is the Palestine Hill where in you'll see ruins from before. It was amazing how they were able to preserve such historical places. Getting around Rome wasn't hard, in fact we mostly toured by walking. Every corner will put you in awe as you pass through more preserved ruins, it was like a history book transporting you to another era. 

We then continued exploring by foot, passed through lots of restaurant and gelato shops. It was already getting dark and we were still trying to find our way through the iconic Trevi Fountain. After some turns here and there we began to hear music signalling we're getting close. True enough at the end of the street awaits a wonderful plaza where people just chill, pause and soak in the good vibe the place exudes. Took some photos but since it was already dark promised myself that we have to see it in daylight as well. We did the next day and were still put in awe. Rain then started to pour. Good thing a good pasta restaurant was nearby and we decided to dry ourself first and have some delicious pasta and soup.

We also visited the famous Spanish Steps when in Rome. High end shops can also be found here. People were everywhere.
We squeezed in some time for shopping. There were lots of street shoes with good unique finds. I got a jacket on sale. Fitting good and is really comfy. I wore it almost everyday during the trip!

It was a short but worthwhile stay in Rome despite our first day encounter. I'm glad that everything still worked out well. In the next post I'll write about journey to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican.

Paris is always a good idea

Definitely a long over due blog post. But here I am finally writing about that dream Europe trip that we embarked on 3 months ago! It was the most memorable and adventurous trip yet of my life. I'm so thankful and happy that it happened!

So let's start with Paris, France!

We are going to Paris! I'm definitely all excited but I guess it just really sinked in when we were on our transfer flight from Oman to Paris. Our plane's arrival to Oman got a bit delayed so we needed to rush, literally run. since the flight from Oman to Paris was already on its last call. The ground crew were randomly asking passengers of their connecting flight to help direct correct gate numbers. When a crew approached me and asked where to next, I said Paris. I suddenly felt that happy feeling inside, that this is it, we're really going to the city of love, Paris!

After that almost 16 hour flight, we finally landed in Charles De Gaulle international airport! Still can believe that we're already in Paris. It was chilly outside and it took some time before we got a cab since we're four in the group. We went straight to our hotel and checked-in, called it a night even though we weren't sleepy yet because of the time difference. I was definitely looking forward to the next day, very excited to explore the city!

For our first day in Paris, we woke up really early like 3 to 4AM! We went out to buy breakfast and it was still a bit dark. Thanks to jetlag we were able to start the day early. After this day our normal wake up time is around 8AM. Excited to explore, of course. first on our list is to see the Iron Lady, the Eiffel Tower! We hopped on the train and got off at Trocadero station. It was still a chilly morning but thinking I can withstand the cold I just went out with a light jacket. Just a few steps out of the station, we were welcomed by a grand plaza with classic architecture of two buildings facing each other. In the middle of it was the beautiful Eiffel Tower! Another check in the bucket list! and one of the happiest moments of my life -  The Eiffel Tower in front of me and in such a beautiful setting! We took tons of photos and just enjoyed the view and the moment for quite a time. After which I started to feel the cold, realizing that my jacket wasn't enough to keep me warm.

So our Paris adventure continues, we were blessed to see the Notredame Cathedral and got to attend a mass one Sunday... The wall carvings are very intricate and exceptional. We availed the service of a hop on and off tour bus and were able get a good tour of the city! It was definitely breathtaking seeing places for the first time. Another beautiful church we were blessed to visit was Sacre de Coeur, it was situated on a high area and gives a good view of the city. The church was grand and we got to explore its surrounding area as well.

And when in Paris, you'll never get enough of museums to visit! To be honest, I'm not really a fan of museums but I did enjoy visiting the Lourve,, Museum de Orsay and Palais de Garnier.
The most visited artwork in the Lourve is the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci but I enjoyed seeing other precious collections of the museum like Napoleon's and the Egyptian art pieces. It was also good that we visited early to get good pictures of the well known facade. Palais de Garnier was fairy tale like it was like being on the castle of Beauty and the Beast. Interiors were extravagant and the place was full of gold interiors. Since we went on a weekend, we met a lot of students with exceptional artistic skills!

Let's not forget about Paris' shopping area along Champ Elysee where high brands reside! After a lot walking, we had afternoon tea at two macaron places since I love macarons! In Pierre Herme and Laduree! At the end of the long shopping street is the iconic Arc de Triomphe landmark. We wanted a good photo and took one in the middle of the wide busy road!

For the love of the Eiffel Tower, we went back this time to get a closer look and got a good spot in Rue de Universite to take photos! Some say the Eiffel Tower is over rated and I almost thought so too! But once you're in there you would really love to see it again and again! We waited til evening to even see it sparkle! It was really a sight to behold!

After days in the city, we opted to go somewhere a bit far to visit yet another jaw dropping place - The Palace of Versailles. A massive estate where kings used to reside. Good thing we got a fast pass to skip the really long crazy line. We went in to see the Hall of Mirrors and the Versailles Garden. The place was so grand that we didn't get to finish walking around it!

So our Paris adventure is about to end,  seems like a week just flew by! We met with my uncle's family who were also in Paris for a vacation and got treated to a very sumptuous French dinner for our last night in Paris! They knew how to order and it was a good break from the Chinese food we usually have just outside our hotel.

Paris was the beginning of our Europe adventure and we had an amazing time exploring this city so rich in arts and culture at the same time buzzling with modernity and life! Before going to Paris, we got tons of warnings to be wary of our belongings especially in tourist spots. We are thankful that througout our Paris trip we just met warm and kind people who helped us in one way or the other. But of course we still took care of our belongings, ensured that the important ones are kept in very safe places. Very grateful to God for being with us the whole journey and for making this dream come true.

Merci beacuop Paris, hoping to be in your beautiful city once again soon! <3

2018

Another year has passed and looking back I've been blessed with a beautiful 2017. It wasn't all easy but with God's grace and sustainance I enjoyed the ride. Life at work wasnt a walk in the park but through experience and time a lot of learnings were made. There were frustrations and times when you just want to give up but I guess it's either that or you just do it. It's true that things are harder at the beginning but once you get used to it things will get a whole lot better. Being part of a solid and positive team also made a whole lot of difference.

I'm also happy and thankful with the new places explored with loved ones and friends last 2017. More than anything, I treasure the unique bonding experience, the memories made and laughters shared and ofcourse discovering new sights and wonderful places plus eating delicious food! 

This 2018 Im not really sure what life has in store for me not even sure if Im ready for it. Noticed that my energy and mood is not at its best the past few days and weeks. Feels like something is missing. I hope this doesnt go on for long. I need to find the right motivation and inspiration to conquer and make the most of this year. To make every single day count. To be a blessing to others and those around me. To live without regrets. To just do things. To love freely. To explore more and know the self more. To live life a little selflessly. To be wiser and more mature. And the list goes on... 

One step I probably have to make and know so but just cant manage to do so yet is to let go and stop "hallucinating" and move on. To wake up from things that can never be. To stop wasting my energy and time of thinking of the tiny bitty chance that who knows it might. To just be thankful of that once upon a time, of that what just was. It is all just part of a  memory now. Life has to go on, and so must I. 

I can do this, I must and I will! Still hoping and looking forward to a bright and wonderful year ahead. Hoping that I can also be closer to God day by day. To have time to read His word and talk to Him daily. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know the Lord will never give up on me. Trusting the Lord to lead my life and lifting my many aspirations in life to Him. May His will be done and may I understand and follow ❤

Taiwan Adventure: Part 2

Good morning Taipei! Woke up with a slight sore throat and colds! but of course I wouldn't let these stop me from having a great day.

I know it shouldn't be and it's crazy but I felt very pressured on this trip. I wanted everyone to have a great time since it was the first time the group will be travelling together. There was also the feeling that everything has to go as planned or maybe more of I wanted everything to go as planned. I did most of the planning and of course prioritized the places and things I want to see and do hehehe. Buuut I made sure to consult my family on what they wanted too and incorporate it in our very tight itinerary. So you can just imagine my frustration whenever there would be delays and all.

For our 2nd day I was very excited to start the day exploring but we were just able to get off the hotel at almost 12 noon! We're kind of a big group - 7 people in total. Since it was a vacation, everyone was just taking their own time, relaxing and etc. I think you can picture what I mean. I was the only one who feels like running after time. Because of this and adding up how I'm not feeling very well, my mood's turning from happy to a little cranky hahaha. 

After a few minutes of deliberation we decided to visit Chang Kai Shiek Memorial Hall first then go shopping afterwards. We took the subway for the first time and it's very convenient. In no time we were able to arrive at our destination. 

CKS Memorial Hall is such a huge quadrant! We're thankful that the weather was great during our visit. It was sunny but windy, perfect for a noon walk in the park. It's like Luneta Park but more spacious I think and the vibe is really different. After some photo ops we took a sit to just marvel at the place while my brother, uncle, aunt and grandmother's aunt went up the memorial hall. I decided to stay and rest with my mom and grandmother since my cold and sore throat started to pull my energy down :(

During the late afternoon we hopped on the subway again to go to Ximending for shopping. It started to drizzle and since it was a Sunday the place was quite crowded. We tried our best to stick together but then realized that it would be better if we just split up and meet after 30 minutes in a certain place. So we did and agreed to meet outside Uniqlo afterwards. As expected, there would be some surprises along the way hahaha. Rain started to pour and we had to buy umbrellas first. When we got outside Uniqlo they weren't there. My mom, brother and I thought that maybe they went back to the hotel already. Nobody was on roaming and I was the only one with internet so we had to scurry ourselves up and look for each other! After about 20 minutes my brother was able to find them at the basement of Uniqlo! Ahhh the feeling of relief haha just in time for everyone to meet and head on to a family dinner reunion with relatives who we bumped into the first day!

This day taught me a number of lessons that I should apply in my everyday life hahaha. First is to just relax and go with the flow. Allow things to take you by surprise. To stop being so stubborn on wanting  things to go my way because somewhere over the rainbow it just won't. And I have to be mature enough to not let it ruin my mood and my day hahaha. Second is if you do number 1 you'll end up happier because having no expectations will make the experience more memorable and worthwhile. :)

Taiwan Adventure: Part 1

Flash back to a year ago, I remembered how I passed going on a trip to Taiwan with my high school best friends. It even caused a friction on our friendship, but thank God all is well now. I'm thankful that this year I had the chance to visit the very beautiful city of Taiwan. It was actually an impulse driven trip, I was just coaxing my aunt who just returned from a Taipei trip to go back again, this time with me. From that "joke" she invited my grandmother and uncle. Little did I notice, we were already researching for visa requirements, airplane fares, hotels, itineraries and etc! By the end of the week, we've got almost everything planned out that even though the fare was not really that cheap, we decided to give it a go since it would be crazy not to book when we already went all out planning.

One of the reasons why I passed last year's invitation aside from having a tight schedule was because I felt there's nothing much to see and do in Taiwan.  I was very wrong! As I've mentioned in previous posts, I appreciate scenery and nature very much. I prefer sightseeing than shopping or going on a food trip though of course I also enjoy the latter two very much. Just from researching, I saw a lot of amazing places to visit! From cultural places, shopping districts, to old cities and awe inspiring nature places. It was difficult to fit everything in our itinerary since we're just staying there for 4 day. Planning stage got a bit crazy but it was fun! I even got partly stressed in the midst of it! hahaha

Our team consisted of 7 family members! Me, my mom, brother, aunt, uncle, grandmother and my grandmother's sister. To make things more convenient, we contacted a driver (a friend's referral) in Taiwan through Line to pick us up from the airport.

Our first encounter with the driver got me almost laughing out loud. Upon reaching Taiwan, I contacted him through Line to no avail. Was about to get paranoid that he might not show up! Good thing we got a sim card at the airport for 250NT (unlimited internet usage for 5 days! and 50NT worth of calls). When we finally got through immigration and claimed our baggage, a man approached us and introduced himself as our driver. Typical paranoid me is a little skeptic since I remembered him telling me he was wearing a white cap. Having also a paranoid aunt, we gave his number a ring. We heard his phone rang but he cancelled the call and continued introducing himself. My funny aunt innocently gave it a call again and he still didn't take the phone out of his pocket. I was already trying not to laugh out loud but deep inside I can feel that he must be thinking we're a crazy group for ringing his phone when he is already in front of us! Well, we're just trying to be sure, he's still a stranger. We got into 2 cars since we wouldn't fit in one. Airport to our hotel took around an hour drive. I wasn't able to relax much since I'm being challenged with my Mandarin skills since the driver we got doesn't speak English that much! I felt like Tarzan uttering Chinese words that I can remember and piecing it together for it to makes sense! 

We stayed at Tango Hotel Xin Yi. The ambiance is cozy and the staffs were very pleasing and nice. Check in was a breeze, we got to our rooms and as expected loved it! We chose the hotel since the bed is really huge! (Can fit up to 4 people). And the bathroom! is just heavenly. It was spacious and it has a jacuzzi with a ceiling shower! I'm not very OC when it comes to bathrooms as long as it's clean and complete with amenities I'm already good. But who would say no to a 5 star bathroom, right? ;D Oh, I almost forgot to mention that our hotel serves free food all day round! From buffet breakfast to pika-pika all day long! It's also just a few minutes walk to/from the subway and Breeze Mall, and a very short taxi ride to Taipei 101 and Sogo.

It was almost 7 in the evening when we finished settling in. Trying to adhere to our jampacked itinerary, we took a taxi to Taipei 101 to have dinner at Din Tai Fung and go up the observatory deck to have an eagle's eye view of the city. As tourist we first took photos of the building and appreciated the chilly weather. We took a number for Din Tai Fung and decided to walk around while waiting. Amazing how we bumped into our Taiwan based relatives in the supermarket! We had a little chat, and asked for local tips. Dinner was great, it got us re-energized :) We didn't get to go up the observatory deck anymore since it was closed by the time we got there haha so we just stayed at the 5th floor where there's a huge screen showing what you'll see in actual.

We called it a night, tomorrow the real adventure starts! Or did it? :P

Philippines Travel Bucket List

As much as I try to convince myself that travel can wait and not to get myself preoccupied with day dreaming of the next adventure or looking for promo fares and the likes, I have to face the present reality that travelling is somehow part of me. With the many beautiful places here in the Philippines, I've decided to list down the top places I wish to visit when given the chance.

1. El Nido, Palawan
Palawan will always have a spot in my heart. I remember wanting to visit Coron back in my highschool and college days and it finally came true last 2014 :) It was truly an amazing place and I would love to go back again and explore more. I would also love to visit El Nido! It would be amazing to see the Big and Small Lagoon upclose. Also the different beautiful islands there, will definitely call for a chill day. How I wish we can stay at the El Nido resorts! :)

2. Surigao/Siargao
Swim with stingless jellyfishes, take a dip in the Enchanted River, chase waterfalls and go surfing are just some of the things I want to do in Surigao! I've been seeing lots of pictures from this place and they are beautiful! 😍

3. Cebu
I've been to Cebu but I want to go back haha! Because there are still plenty of other places to visit especially the Northern part like Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island. Improbable but it would be a one of a life time expereince to swim with thresher sharks and go sky diving! Didn't get the chance to stay at Mactan too where resorts are just so luxurious.
Aannd since I wasn't a gamer during our trip I missed swimming with whale sharks and the shoal of sardines hehe. Hopefully I can get a next time for this and get to see a pawikan too :)

4. Davao
If flying an ultra light plane, going on a white river rafting and chilling at Samal Island doesn't excite you then I don't know what will haha.

5. Ilocos
Up north! Another place full of adventures! Sand dunes, sky diving, 4x4 ride and many mooreee!

And the list goes on and on, I'll stop here for now cause I might just include almost all the Philippine provinces in this list hahaha! :)

The day I accidentally stepped on a snake!

It's not everyday that you get to be surprised by the unexpected presence of a "scary" animal by this I mean a long, wide snake. Just last night I decided to take a walk along our street after dinner which I really do so in the past. I consider this my exercise already hahaha. So I was walking for almost an hour, enjoying the breeze of the wind and my new playlist when I felt like I stepped on a rock. Normally I don't stop and just continue walking along but thankfully this time I stopped. I was shocked to see that I actually stepped on a snake! It was a big one not the usual eel like snake that I've already seen in our village. At first I couldn't believe it because what in the world would a snake be doing in the middle of the road! 😓 But then its head moved and I instantly turned and ran back to our house as fast as I can. I even looked back to make sure it was not chasing me. I was in a panic state already and was very relieved to reach home. It took time before I got to settle down. Told my family the whole story and they couldn't believe it either! Called the guard also so they can check it out. For a moment I considered that someone might just be pulling a prank on me cause it's almost Halloween - I think I just watch a lot of movies!

I'm just very thankful that the snake didn't harm me, that I was able to stop the moment I stepped on it, that it didn't chase me! I know things could have turned out differently and just the though of it gives me a scare :( Thank you Lord for protecting me during this unexpected moment ❤

A Comeback

It's been months since I last updated this blog. Believe me, I wanted to write something for the longest time. Actually I have a lot kept on my drafts but none is worth posting because most are unfinished entries. Well, I guess I had a difficult time writing because I don't know what to write of anymore. I was lost. I needed inspiration not just when it comes to writing but also in other aspects of life.

Come to think of it now,  the past few months should actually be tagged as amazing! I met a lot of new people some became my close friends already. Some inspired me to dream, to push myself more. I also learned a lot of new stuffs! I got immersed with doing reports, communicating with different sorts of suppliers, chance to attend conventions, monitoring and followup-ing a LOT of stuffs haha but it was all fun! The important thing is I'm learning something new almost every day. I'm being exposed to new things and everyday is a day to improve. To cut the long story short, I'm blessed to be where I am now.

But truth be told I had a hard time viewing these past months as something amazing as I just said it was. Because it was also during these past months that I struggled with regrets. I regretted a lot of things! And because of that I had a hard time being genuinely happy and grateful. There were times that I'm happy because of some great things/news. But it fades away and I'm back with my discontented self. I want a lot of things to happen now which is kind of improbable.

Lately I've learned a couple of things. That a lot of things are actually choices/decisions. It's a choice to be happy and to love. That is why right now and the succeeding days, I just want to focus on the blessings that God has showered upon me. I want to appreciate every moment.  I don't want to appreciate it when it has already passed. I hope this isn't too hard to accomplish! 😁

I know that God has/and will have my back. I know that it was my decision that brought me to where I am now. I can't blame Him. But I know that God can turn anything to something beautiful if we allow Him to. Things may not go back to how it was exactly before. But I know that God has good plans for me. It will be better, I just have to trust in Him. 

Chronicles of Cebu: Chasing Waterfalls

Who doesn't love the sight of waterfalls? It exudes beauty and power. In fact waterfalls are few of the lessons I can recall from my elementary Social and Civic classes haha. I remember being taught of Maria Cristina Falls and Pagsanjan Falls.  It was actually just last year that I got to see upclose my first waterfall and it was in the Khulen Mountains in Siem Reap. :)

This year I'm blessed to see two more in the Southern part of Cebu: Kawasan Falls and Tumalog Falls. I was so happy when I first saw the 3rd level of Kawasan Falls! It was just so refreshing to look at. Also the 2nd and 1st level ofcourse which are both majestic!

As for Tumalog Falls it was very enchanting, the flow of the water can be likened to a curtain. Locals said that the water used to be stronger and the effect is much more beautiful than what we saw.

I wanted to take a dip in the falls but the water was just freezing for me. But nonetheless I'm already contented being able to see it in person :) Hoping to go back to Cebu again soon for more adventures. This is actually one place I'd love to visit again because I know there's still so much to see!

God works in mysterious ways

I'm still trying to understand and accept how something that seems so perfect can't just work out. I honestly thought that this was it. All the experiences I went through was to prepare me for this great thing. You know that good, confident feeling when you know that something's for you. That's what I felt. I was hopeful that everything was going to work out just well. True it did take time, tested my patience and faith, but in the end I got there. I can't believe that I was finally on the finish line. 

That is why right now, I just couldn't understand why it has to fall apart. Why it can't just work out. Sometimes I think that this may just be a test from God that if I pass He'll give it back to me :) I know that God can turn things around, a hopeless situation to a victorious one. I'll just have to faithfully trust in Him. I know that He knows best. It may not make sense now but in the right time I may get to know why. I know my God is good. He has always been. Looking back, God has made everything perfect for me. He has also made some of my dreams come true that is why I know He is good. I just have to remind myself of how God has been good to me and my family and since He doesn't change I can be assured that He's working something greater for me. I may have moments of doubt since I'm having a hard time to understand His plans but I would like to choose to trust in Him and continuing living in his love and goodness. 

Time to beat the heat

Yep, summer's really here! I can feel the intense heat especially during early afternoons and it's just starting oh noes hahaha. Summer reminds me of beaches and more travels! Hoping for a new adventure soon. But of course I have already realized that travelling is not everything. There should be balance in life. And I guess another thing that makes travelling exciting is that it's not something you do every now and then so there's the feeling of excitement and suspense. Unlike if you get used to it already the thrill might me gone. Well that's just what I think, but hopefully whatever happens I hope I wouldn't lose the wonder of travel. Like a little kid who's opening presents on Christmas. Sometimes the thought of making travelling a career still crosses my mind but I know it's a long shot, a dream for now. I'm also not sure of how I would actually respond to it. I love travelling for the sake of travelling itself. Seeing and being to places for the first time, doing exciting activities, bonding with family or friends or both! It would ofcourse be kind of different if done for a living. I just feel that maybe I won't be too immersed with the experience because at the back of my mind I'll have to think of how to transform the experience for a living. Those are just the thoughts for know but who knows maybe I can actually live the best of both worlds :D

How far are you willing to go?

Nothing comes without a price, as they say. Well, I guess this is true because in order to achieve one of my dreams I had to face one of my fears twice! (I hope there wouldn't be a third time). As I go through the process, I reluctantly went out of my way, my usual comfort zone hoping to realize a dream. In short, sacrifice. I learned to patiently wait for really long hours just to get something processed. (I believe that it's good to be tested this way once in a while since we live in the age where everything is instant. It shows us that the virtue of patience is very essential in life) I know I'm not even in half of the journey of realizing this dream. But I really hope that I'll be one step closer day by day. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I pray for God's guidance and blessing throughout this journey and be able to say to myself one day  that this fight was totally worth it.

Chronicles of Cebu: Blue Water Sumilon Island

Blue Water Sumilon Island. So far, this has been the most serene, beautiful, and charming island paradise I have ever been to. I'm so happy that
our day trip plan pushed through. It almost didn't to cut on cost. But all I can say is the few hours we spent here was worth it! Their infinity pool overlooking the sea was just the perfect spot to stare at the sky and think of nothing for a moment. I also got to try kayaking, and guess what our kayak didn't flip over. We were also served a hefty and delicious lunch buffet. After which we spent time lying on the hammocks by the beach and enjoying the chilly weather.  I would love to visit this island paradise again and hopefully get to spend a night or two here. :D

Chronicles of Cebu: Canyoneering Adventure

Read more about our Cebu experience in
http://magazine.tripzilla.com/author/kimberly-chua

It's been almost 2 weeks since our Cebu trip and I'm still trying to replay in my mind everything that went through in that very adventurous 4 days. I learned new things about myself during this trip - I'm far from the adventurous type of girl that I hoped to be. My fears and worries hinder me from just doing things. But still I'm happy that I was able to experience new activities during this trip. Things I thought I can't manage to do.  Anyways to cut the long story short, my friends and I tried canyoneering or canyoning! I was initially planning to just stay in our inn and relax around while my friends go for it. I have already convinced myself to pass this activity since I don't have the guts (yet) to jump from high cliffs. I read in a blog that the first jump which is 20ft high is mandatory. I know that I just can't do it that's why I told my friends that I'll meet them in Kawasan Falls since this is the last stop of the canyoneering adventure. But during the day of the activity my friends and our guide were able to convince me by saying that "we're already here might as well do it. The whole trip would be a waste since this is one of the highlights." Our guide also presented us another option which is to trek parts where I can't do the jump. Well, everything sounded so convincing. So finally on the last minute, I changed to my canyoneering outfit and decided to join them.

We did downstream canyoneering which is the easier way to go. It would start with 20 minutes habal habal ride (motorcycle ride with 2 passengers). It was drizzling during that time but nonetheless the ride was fun! The first jump off point is in Kanlaob, Alegria. My brave friends one by one did the jump. I just stood there enjoying the view of the place. It was a wonderful sight to behold.

I opted to do the trek than to jump. The trek allows you to reach the next area quicker but in a more exhausting manner. We took photos along the way and appreciated the view. Everything around the place was just beautiful, the cascading waterfalls, the pristine waters, the rock formations, the canyon itself.

Since it was still drizzling during that time, the water was extra cold for me. I tried not to get soaked in the water for too long. I realized that trekking is definitely the more difficult way to go that I decided to just take the slide than to climb the side walls of the canyon. In just a split second I was already in the water.

My friends were already ahead so they didn't see me take my first official plunge. After hours of trekking, jumping and swimming we reached a resting spot with locals selling barbecues. We all had a break to catch up with our energy. Recess was over, followed by few more jumps that is around 30-40ft. high. The last jump was fairly low but it was on a ledge. We then passed through rocky terrains wherein we had to be extra careful.

We reached the 3rd level of Kawasan Falls. It was a great feeling to see the falls. Not only does it offer a great view of nature but it also means we're nearing the finish line.

Our journey continues, a few more minutes of trekking then we reached the 2nd level of Kawasan falls and just 5 minutes from it is the 1st level of Kawasan falls.

This is the highest falls in the area and we were able to witness 2 brave souls jump from 70ft high! Alas after 6 to 7 hours, we finished our canyoneering adventure. I thank God for sustaining me and giving me strength during the entire time. Thank you also to our guides who assisted us all through out. Canyoneering was definitely not easy (my muscles were so sore afterwards that it was hard to climb up and down the stairs) but looking back I'm happy that I got to try this adrenaline rushing activity. So for those who's hesitant to jump like me you can still try canyoneering since there's actually another way to go which is trekking :D just choose the parts where you're willing to jump.

I left my heart in Batanes

Isn't it wonderful to see places that you've never thought to have existed at all? That there's such a beauty in this world. It's a wonderful feeling to see these kinds of places especially when it can be found in our very own country.

I consider our Batanes trip last year as one of God's greatest blessing in my life. Travelling has become one of my "cravings". I love the idea of visiting new places to just chill or go for an adventure. When I saw the beautiful landscapes and the view of the ocean in pictures I immediately fell in love with the place and hoped to visit it one day. I couldn't wait for that one day to happen so my travel buddy and I decided to book a flight despite of the sky high fares. Our flight was scheduled during the APEC holidays. I was very excited and as usual researched on things to do and see, places to eat and stay. However, weeks before our departure we learned that airlines have been cancelling flights for APEC days for security purposes. I got worried upon hearing this news because I knew our flight may be affected and truly it was. I'm thankful that PAL rebooked our flight without any surcharge. We decided to move it a week earlier instead.

En route to the airport I can't believe the gravity of traffic in Manila. It was 3 in the morning but it felt like rush hour during late afternoons. Trucks were everywhere and traffic was bumper to bumper. I was thankful that we left early and reached the airport with ample time to relax. We had breakfast at Cinnabon and I had a good chat with my friend who I haven't seen for a long time since she's based in Baguio. My mom and her sister who decided to go with us just days before the trip also had a good morning breakfast. 

My friend was surprised to see the plane we're riding to get to Batanes was very small. Despite its size, the flight was comfortable and turbulence free. Another thing to be grateful about. After almost 2 hours we were greeted with the beautiful island of Batanes. Upon stepping foot on the ground I already felt the serene province vibe. We were picked up by the hotel's service and a few minutes later we were already at Batanes Sea Side Lodge. I was already very excited to explore the place. It was a dream come true! The receptionist welcomed us and invited us for breakfast at the ground floor. I don't know why but I'm usually hungry after flights even if all I have done is just sit in the plane! Over breakfast we talked about how we're going to tour the place. We wanted to make the most of it and in the end we decided to hire tricycles to go around places to lessen the cost. 

For our first we day we did the North Batan tour. It's a good start since it's just a half day tour. We didn't get exhausted that much and the places were near to our hotel. Our first stop was the Vulugan beach. The view was spectacular, I can see a clear view of the ocean with big rocks on the shore formed by volcanic eruptions. We seized the moment to just enjoy the view and of course took photos and videos as these are the best souvenirs we can actually have.

We then proceeded to visit the Dipnaysupuan Japanese tunnel then to PAGASA weather station. Here we just relaxed and enjoyed the ocean view for a good 30  minutes. The place is also near Fundacion Pacita, the most expensive hotel in Batanes. After which we went to Tukon Church, a church made of stone. It was very beautiful to look at. We went inside and said a prayer, I thank God for allowing this trip to happen. It's a trip that I've been dreaming of and I was just so happy that finally I'm here!

After we went to Vayang rolling hills. I'm a scenery person so for me every place we visited in Batanes were really beautiful. The pastures were very green and there were carabaos in the area too.

For our last destination for the day we were brought to Basco Lighthouse. I love light houses! I'm in love with everything that's nautical - anchor, lighthouses etc. We went up the lighthouse and saw a wonderful view of the ocean and the green land. It was also very windy up there.

After the sightseeing we were kind of hungry and asked our tricycle driver/tour guide to drop us of Pension Ivatan first. The price for their food was just right. The food was also very tasty and we enjoyed a wide variety of Ivatan cuisines. After eating, we went back to our hotel to have an early rest.

The next day we did the South Batan tour. Our first stop was Chawa View Deck wherein you can have a very cool view the ocean. Everything's so blue and serene.

We also went to the Spanish Lagoon. We decided to have a mini adventure and go down to reach the lagoon. The pathway was bushy and we were told to watch our steps since the right side area is already a cliff! We had fun while taking photos and just immersing ourselves in this beautiful place.

My favorite destination is the Marlboro Rolling Hills. Pictures won't do justice to show the beauty of the place. We intentionally spent longer time here to chill. I love how I can enjoy the view of the ocean, the hills and the cloud in just 1 sitting. It was just perfect.

We also visited stone houses and the Honesty coffee shop where no one's manning the store. We just listed down and drop the payment for the goodies we bought.

For our third day we visited Sabtang Island which is 30 minutes away from Batan Island via a faluwa. Sabtang can be likened to a hidden gem in Batanes. My favorite place here was the Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint. It was like we were in New Zealand. There were also some youths who were taking buwis buhay photos standing on rock cliffs. I'm actually the one scared for them!

We had lunch by the seaside. The sound of the waves was very relaxing. After lunch we head on to the part to go back to Batan Island.

Happy feed for the day

I just feel like writing and I thought of sharing something that made me extra happy today. I'm now part of a choir again. I've actually been wanting to join our church choir for a long time but was shy to do so. Thank God Auntie Ellena saw me in the church last Saturday evening and invited me to join their choir. I was part of the glee club back in high school and I actually missed singing so much. I miss the rehearsals, singing for God and just being surrounded by people who love God. I'm really hoping that this is the start of something good, something that would draw me closer to God again. I know my spiritual life needs improvement as of today. I was actually looking forward to this day starting last week when I got invited. :) That's it for now, 'til my next post.