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