Holy Week 2012 in Sta. Ana (day 2)

My brother and I woke up really early to meet up with our Travel Factor group around 5 a.m at Port San Vicente. A bit of confusion happened, so we ended up picking up the group in Port Irene.

We spent the entire second day lounging on the beach at Anguib Cove. From the port, it took us 30 minutes to get to the beach where we camped out for the night. 

The pictures won't do justice to how beautiful Anguib Cove is. I want to go back. 

witnessed the sunrise while waiting :)

my non-adventurous brother patiently waiting for our bangka

Had to pass through the Gotan mangroves to get to Anguib :)

finally at Anguib Cove! 

finally settled in our tent

with our Travel Factor coordinators Pepi and Sanndra :)

lunch!

I found this 'fruit' on the beach. According to the lady who prepared our lunch, this is a fruit 'from the sea'. I don't think this actually comes from the sea, but I had my borther "offer" it back to the sea gods because I couldn't find my camera's battery (I forgot I put it in one of my pouch bags and for a moment honestly thought the 'sea gods' took it because I 'took' this fruit)

summer is and will always be my favorite season

I am definitely a summer child. I've always preferred extremely hot days over cold, rainy ones. I guess it's because I love spending time outside. Don't worry, I always put on sunblock + tanning oil. I think I should start driving around and take more farm pictures.

Anyway, being here in Isabela is such a blessing because I'm a few hours away from the country's best hidden beaches! Isabela's coastal municipalities, which face the Pacific Ocean, are a traveler's paradise as you'll be lounging around in unexplored white sand beaches away from the usual crowd in most well-known summer destinations in the country.

One particular beach I'm really looking forward to going to is Dicotcotan Beach in Palanan, Isabela.

Image source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=74335011

This weekend (so excited!!!!), I'll be going on a road trip up to Fuga Island. This particular isle is part of the Babuyan Group of Islands. I'll be taking a boat from Claveria (which is about 6 hours from where I live now by public transport). I don't really want to divulge a lot about this road trip as I'm still planning out the details.

Where are you planning to wander off to this summer?

3 days to go!!

Dumaguete check list:

1. Bikinis - check!

2. Tanning lotion - check!

3. Sun dresses - check!

4. Sunnies - check!

5. On vacation mode - double (even triple) check!

These aren't the only items on my checklist :p I have yet to buy the goody bags I'll be giving to the kids and teens at the shelter where I'll be holding a party in. Yes, I decided to spend my special day with very special people. I asked my aunt who's based in Dumaguete to help me look for a community where I could spread a bit of cheer. She suggested I host a party at a shelter that was home to abused kids and teens. I have about 2 1/2 days to prepare everything. My aunt, who is also a theater professor in the prestigious Silliman University, and her class will be hosting a small workshop at the shelter so I'm sure that day will be awesome. I am so excited already! My birthday's about a week away but I feel like I'll be celebrating beginning Friday.

For my birthday this year, I'm also sponsoring the school supplies of five kids in Marinduque through the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. I started sponsoring just last year and I plan on doing this for a long time. I love that this organization aims to provide school supplies to kids that will last for a year. I'm thinking of doing the same thing for next year, but more focused in Bukidnon. My grandmother suggested this, actually.

I love birthdays. I don't really have a problem getting older. I know it sounds cliche, but age really is just a number. I won't say I may be (turning) 24, but I'll always be 18. Nope. I'm owning the age! Being (almost) 24 means being a year wiser, happier, and hotter hahahaha! Kidding aside, I think we should all be proud of how old (or young) we are. Like the rings inside a tree's trunk, each year we experience adds and enriches who we are now.

Bacolod 2010 (day 3)

Day 3 - October 18, 2010

The third day for us was a bit (just a bit) disappointing no thanks to Typhoon Juan. It rained the entire day! Val and I were planning to get ourselves toasted on the beach that morning. We woke up really early, and our plan was ruined when it started to rain while walking towards the beach. And my diet ended on this day as well, haha! No reason to whip out my bikini so we headed off to Sipalay, a town 10 km from the resort to have lunch. Twas like our last meal. Ordered three dishes and almost finished everything. Almost :) Pigging out didn't stop there.

When we got back to the resort, we strolled along the beach to pass time but our 'exploration' was cut short because it started to rain. Had to run like I didn't have asthma (haha!) to save the camera. The next pig-out session happened during dinner. I thought I wasn't going to be able to eat anymore after our feast for lunch, but I was very much mistaken. I still ate a full meal. Day 3 was all about food...and so was day 4. But that's for another entry :)

we transferred to a bigger room on our 2nd day...yes, I brought my laptop so I could work a bit.

morning stroll on the beach...

had lunch at J Cafe, a small restaurant at Sipalay beside the market...the place must be really popular, haha. gotta tell you though, the food's soooo good!

mini Coke bottle!

we had these for lunch

back at the resort..

Punta Bulata at night

Bacolod 2010 (day 2)

Day 2- October 17, 2010

so early in the morning....good we had our super yummy breakfast burger thanks to Frank :)

finally at Punta Bulata!

our beach house...lovely view from our veranda

yummy prawns and salted egg salad for lunch!

fascinated with the hermit crabs

this was where we stayed the next day :) still part of the resort...at the spa area

cool knick knacks at the dining area

hung out at the beach after dinner...enjoyed the cool night's breeze :)

Do watch out for my entry on Punta Bulata. I hope I'll find the time to post it soon...again, no thanks to backlog of entries ;)