Lost in The Mountains (Benguet, Philippines)

It was an unplanned trip. Last minute talks, last minute decisions, it was all planned the night before we depart from Manila. It was 4 years ago since I last went to Baguio for a field trip, I guess. This time, the mountainous Benguet is our final destination, I was with my High School friends, it was my good friend, Bryan's treat. No expenses. No cash-out's, only the 340 pesos discounted bus fare onward. Luckily, I was able to come with them. (October 31-November 03, 2011)

On our way to Tuba, Benguet. Philex Mining Corporation.

We arrived at Philex Mining Corporation at about 6:00PM, we decided to just roam around the whole town.

Boy's room. Our rooms are separated with girls. Good morning!

We're off to Baguio City. Our place in Benguet is an hour drive from city proper.  We enjoyed the road trip!

Fresh air. Breath-taking scenery. Good people. Priceless experience.

Forgive the shot. My lens is broke that time. No auto focusing. Yeah! We're in a mining site.

After an hour drive to Baguio City, our first stop was "Bell Temple" in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Yeah! My good friends, Bry and Roice. 

The Bell Temple. This place reflects Chinese culture and history.

Bell Church & Temple Entrance. Sacred place.

Going up. We reached the top.

The last temple at the top. This place has a rich Chinese culture and tradition.

Notice the two dragons at the entrance. 

Trying our Chinese 'Kung fu' inspired poses.

Went to Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club. This is located somewhere there. Statue of Liberty's replica.

Burnham park. Rate: 100 pesos for 30 minutes. 

Bry is the photographer + paddler. 

This is the man-made lake with rowboats.

The park beside the man-made lake.

Had lunch at Jack's Restaurant. Bought some street foods, Isaw (Chicken Intestines), Binatog (Boiled Corn) and Suha (Pomelo) 

At around 5:00PM, we headed back to Benguet. Arrived at Philex after an hour. Had dinner, bought some cold beers. The only available beer at the store near Bry's house is San Miguel Pale Pilsen. It was actually my first time to try that beer, it was quite bitter than the usual San Mig Light. Tita Grace (Bry's Mom) prepared some pulutan for us. Anyway, ice is not uso in Benguet.

"Heart's all over the world tonight." With You (Chris Brown) Unexpected shot!

Taco's, Tofu and Beers. The best!

Pepperoni Pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaa.

Played different card games. Pusoy dos, pequa, ect. Consequences to losers. 

Pequa, Kings was also played. We enjoyed that game.

This is the result of that consequences.

DANGER!

Overlooking, Lingayen Gulf. The skies is touching the mountains. Breath-taking!

Morning jogging?

Peace, yo! We're chillaxin' after a long sleep.

After lunch, We went to the plaza. There's an on-going event there. Philex corporation invited Talk 'n Text PBA players. We decided to go trek first. Hiking, eh?

This was taken somewhere at the top of the mountains. Pine trees all over.

Up, up, here we go, go, up, up here we go, go.

Yeah! Preparing for a trek?

Nice outfit, Roice. Never thought you're gonna trek with that bag.

Watch out. Falling rocks.

What are you doing there, Aaron? Join them.

First few attempts to trek. 

Best view. Philex dam.

How to do that?

Priceless!

Beautiful skies.

Peace again, yo. 

On our way down. We weren't that exhausted. Thanks to Benguet's climate.

Idol Alapag. With Janie and Roice.

We played tennis after. Nice move, Bry. 

What am I doing? Hahaha.

Then, Billiards after. Hahaha. Sexy ni Roice.

Bry, Janie and I.

Street lights.

Merienda. Fish balls, mozarella balls, banana-q, ect. Fresh fuit juice with sliced fruit, eh? HRM, friends?

Group picture. From Left to Right. Bry, Roice, Aaron, Janie and Sephy.

After the dinner, we headed to Manila.

The kid who got lost intentionally in the mountains,
Aaron. 

Beginning Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Ilocos Region, Philippines)

There is something in that place that keeps me coming back for. Ilocos region has been my favorite destination up north, why? That's because the places in the north gives me memories that I can treasure for a lifetime. I have been invited by my good friend, Janie to spend three days there to celebrate her twentieth birthday celebration with her college friends at her Mom's province. It was totally a province life experience. (October 20 - 23, 2011)

Ilocos Sur:

After chillaxin' for several hours at Sta. Lucia, we traveled to Vigan and stayed there for overnight. Went to Baluarte Zoo.

I wasn't able to capture the whole BALAUARTE word. Since, I'm using my 50mm lens, I can't zoom the objectives.

I'm always interested in knowing facts about the 'Avian' world. These parrots are located at the railings near the entrance of the zoo.

I believed, this is a Philippine Cockatoo. (If I'm not mistaken)

This one is a Great Green Parrot. (Free to correct, If I'm wrong.)

After that tiring visit at Baluarte zoo, we went to Janie's relative who sells Vigan Empanada and Okoy. It is best when combined with Sukang Ilocos. Food tripping is always best when you're with friends.

Ate Florence, she's good in cooking sumptuous Vigan Empanada.

Since I'm not a fan of Empanadas, I was hesitant at first to try their version of it. Surprisingly, I liked the taste of theirs.

I ordered Special Vigan Empanada which contains the wrap, egg, papaya shreds and the delicious Vigan Longanissa.

I I first tried this Special Vigan Empanada, last summer. When I went to Vigan with High School friends. Since, then, I keep craving for more. And, that food would be one of the reason why I will keep coming back to Vigan.

Others ordered, Vigan Okoy. It contains flour, shrimps, veggies. It's also good! 

After filling out our tummy, we visited the famous Historic Town of Vigan - UNESCO World Heritage. Walked at Vigan Heritage Village. I fell in love with this old place since my first visit with family way back in 2003, I think.

I always find myself going back to this place. It's actually my third time here. VIgan Heritage Village.

This is a typical "Tricycle" in Vigan. They have that plate number. It's cool!

There's this "newly opened" super club in Vigan Heritage Village.

The best part of this village = Street lights in ancestral houses during night time.

Janie's good friend, and my new friend also, Billie, nice cam!

Janie with Preciel, her college best friend.

Vigan always looks good anytime of the day.

The kid who always wants to know history,
Aaron.

Beautiful City of Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

So, this was a post from my Facebook. I just posted it here in my blog, anyway, it's a travel blog. Everything's in detail and brief. Forgive my poor writing skills.

This is near their City hall. I think this is located at the center. Left side is the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

This is the guard's quarter in the hotel.

Had a great time with Grandma (I call her Mama) at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (East) last March 23-25, 2011. We booked online 2 months earlier because of the airline promo. Got to book a good hotel also for not-so-expensive-price, my Lola's right knee is not in good condition that time when we traveled, we even asked for special assistance (wheelchair) for her to become much more comfortable during our travel. Fortunately, we haven't had a hard time passing through immigrations and all. I enjoyed the whole time I spent with her, even if she just stayed in the hotel for like two days and went out on the last day.

Inside our room. It's a two single beds. Please visit: Hotel Eden54. For more information. 

I checked this hotel through Tripadvisor, it was Best Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. We had a pleasant stay at the hotel. 

Day 1: We arrived at the city at around 8:00PM, went to the taxi booth, paid MYR30 to take us to the Hotel Eden 54. Went to the supermarket beside the hotel. Chat with my Dad and Alessia. Slept at around 12MN.

The Mango shake I bought on streets.

The Suria Sabah mall is located near our hotel. It's across the street.

Day 2: Went to the Suria Sabah mall. It's just a 5minutes walk from the hotel. Bought some KFC foods for our Brunch. Took pictures of the cool graffiti art. Went to Wisma Merdeka to change our Peso to Ringgit. Walked through the Gaya Street, took some pictures of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, City Bus, Ect. Bought a Mango shake. Unfortunately, our own (Mango Farm or Fruitas) shake version is way better. Tried the Hailam Chicken at The Chicken Rice Shop and the huge donuts at Big Apple Donuts & Coffee, also bought a massage oil (cheap MYR 5) at Guardian. I went to the Night market at around 9PM while my Gran's having a cool talk with Ted (Born-again Malay staff) we've met at the hotel. Saw the Atkinson's Tower that was existed during the WWII, got to see also the City park and the Filipino Market (where I bought some pasalubong). I also even tried the Satay and Hot chicken wings, masarap! Malay food's good. I just don't like that distinct-ginger-taste in their rice, it's better to order "white rice" instead of that "chicken rice" (for me). Went to a supermarket beside the hotel, grabbed a canned milo and a strawberry yogurt. Slept at 11PM.

Monetary in Malaysia is called Ringgit or Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 1 MYR = PHP 13.76 

Had sumptuous breakfast at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Wisma Merdeka alongside with Suria Sabah.

Went to the port at the back of Wisma Merdeka mall, the port is facing Sout China Sea.

My favorite 3 layer tea at The Chicken Rice Shop in Suria Sabah Mall. Here's how to make the 3 layer tea.

City bus. Transportation information in Kota Kinabalu.

Somewhere at the center of the city. 

Day 3: This is our last day in Kota Kinabalu, woke up at 9AM. Went straight to a nearby coffee house without taking a bath first (LOL.), has some scones witth strawberry jam and a large hot dark chocolate. Went to the seaside - Near Jesselton port. At 11AM, my Lola and I decided to have an early lunch because we need to check-out at 1PM, we roam around the Suria Sabah mall. Had lunch at the Chicken Rice Shop, met some locals. Bought some sabah teas and some consumables as pasalubongs. Went back to the hotel, at the reception area, they have this cool area wherein you can actually swap or exchange your book, there is a pile of good book selection (you can choose from). I exchanged mine with an intersting book about 'Rabbit Stew and a Penny or Two'. After that, we waited 'til 3:30PM, called a taxi, pay MYR 30 then, went straight to the airport, checked-in (ang sungit nung malay lady sa check-in), asked for a special assistance for my Lola, and she was like "We can let you borrow a wheelchair, but, you'll be the one who will take your Gran to the gate." and, I was like "Yea, I know right. Easy!" (In a good manner), As expected, our flight was delayed. Thanks, Cebu Pacific for an hour and a half delayed. My kwento was Detailed. All in all, I enjoyed this trip. Definitely, going back and explore more about the city and their good aqua sports and activities there. Thank You, God for this opportunity to travel.

On our way to Manila. It's always nice to see the sea of clouds above the skies.

The kid who have always been in love with the sea of clouds above the skies,

Aaron.