My Decade in Travel
As I was about to usher my third decade in this lifetime, I was trying to remember the things that had made a huge impact in my life. Honestly, there were quite a few milestones that I am truly grateful for, but nothing has been as impactful as my travel experiences.
You know when you were in school, you would most likely been asked to "look forward". What do you want to be when you grow up? How do you see yourself ten years from now? I am never good at answering those questions because I do not plan my life. The most I plan is maybe within a year and that is just because that's what you do during new year's eve. But I never have long term personal roadmaps, lifetime vision board, or bucket lists. Even now as a professional, when you ask me where I see myself five years from now, I would either scramble my brains for an impromptu life planning or give you a canned answer. If you asked 20 year old me, how I envision my decade, I would most likely NOT say, travelling the world.
And so, it is with a humble heart that I realised how blessed I am to have given so much opportunity to travel. It is one of the things that I know I wouldn't have done without the blessing of our Father. Travelling has taught me many things. From simple travel hacks like choosing the best airport security line or preparing the best carry on bag for long haul flights (this is a WIP tho). To introspections like I can be both the best travel companion and the worst or the realisation that the world is huge and I am but a tiny speck. But out of all these lessons, the one important thing that travelling has taught me is myself. I discovered myself. I learned what I am capable of. I understand what my weaknesses are. I gained confidence that I have been lacking. I started to accept myself as I am, even for just a little bit.
To remind myself of God's gracefulness, here's a look back at some of the defining travel experiences that I had.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Z A M B A L E S (2011 - 2017)
Zambales made me love the ocean, the sand and summer. I used to hate going to the beach or resorts or anything with a swimming pool. I hated it to the point that it was almost traumatic whenever someone would invite me to go because I know I have to make up excuses not to go. But a pivotal year made me accept a few things about myself this is where I first embraced it. It opened other local land travels like La Union, Batangas, Pangasinan and Ilocos. I would have not enjoyed the rest of my beach trips if not for my discovered comfort zone in Zambales.
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| Liwliwa, Zambales, Philippines |
B O R A C A Y (2012 - 2019)
This place hold a special place in my heart because 1) first plane ride evah! and 2) it was here I was able to travel with family, friends and officemates. So despite several trips here (in 2014, I had two trips!) I was able to enjoy each visit.
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| 2012 with family |
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| 2014 with officemates (best company outing!) |
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| 2014 with friends and a storm |
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| 2019 with friends as 5th wheel (whyyy) |
C D O & C A M I G U I N (2013)
Cagayan De Oro was a thrill. The white water rafting adventure was surprisingly fun. Camiguin is my top two best place in the Philippines. This unassuming island holds so much treasure and beauty that I am torn between hoping many people will be able to experience and wishing it will be spared from crowds of tourists.
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| White water rafting in the Cagayan De Oro River, in this photo I fell off the raft |
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| Camiguin's White Island, best stretch of sand bar everrrr |
B A C O L O D (2013)
Bacolod has the yummiest food in the country, don't @ me. Haha. We went to Bacolod for the Maskara festival. Quite a bit sad that it rained during the party but still the festive spirit was not drenched.
D A V A O (2014)
Davao was a bit of a let down because of a series of unfortunate events. I am hoping to go back so I can rediscover its beauty.
C O R O N (2015)
Coron is the best local destination for me (so far!). The place is just MAGICAL. One of the places where you will just be in awe of how beautiful nature is. Even though it was a bittersweet trip, I wouldn't mind going back. I will never get tired of looking at the rock formations, the pristine blue waters, and the totally different world underwater.
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| I forgot what island this is but every island there never disappoints |
B O H O L (2016)
The luxurious trip. Haha! One of the things I am missing about OLX is the summer outings. Literally have nothing to do except eat (all meals buffet!), sleep and swim. Thank you for spoiling us. :D
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| The need for stomach in |
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
H O N G K O N G/ M A C A U (2013 - 2017)
Like Boracay, Hong Kong (and Macau) holds a special place in my heart because 1) first international trip evah! and 2) I was also able to travel here with different set of loved ones: family, friends and officemates. In 2017, I realised I had three trips here (and one was a week apart from each other)! I should probably cross this out of my travel plans, but I still have to take my Mom out of the country and since this is the most accessible, I would probably still go back (at least for one more time).
S I N G A P O R E (2014 - 2017)
Random fact: Had several trips to Singapore and all of them where business trips (and a half day layover). That is why I would never look at Singapore as a happy place (sorry haha!). But I am always in awe of how modern, organised and clean this country is.
T A I P E I, Taiwan (2015)
A trip full of twists. I went there with a (then) almost stranger who became a good friend. I don't have any expectations so I was pleasantly surprised with all things Taipei. Although it was so hot and me and my companion got lost a few times (we even had to hitch hike two cars! thank you friendly Taiwanese people), it was a trip to remember.
C A P E T O W N, South Africa (2015)
Oh my, oh my, oh my. One of the few trips that deserves the 'Thank you OLX' caption. Although it was a business trip, the scenic view of Cape Town and the majestic Table Mountain that backdrops every thing, made me forget that we were there for work. It was also the first time that I got to meet counterparts from other OLX countries like South Africa, Poland, Argentina, etc. The highlight for me was going to the top of the Table Mountain (one of the new seven wonders of the nature!!!) which offered the best view of Cape Town. It is one of the places that I really, really didn't expect to be able to visit in this lifetime. So, so blessed with this trip. <3 <3 <3
J A K A R T A, Indonesia (2015)
A serious business trip that we manage to turn into a quick fun trip (this is where we had a very quick layover in SG) thanks to spontaneous officemates. :D
D U B A I (2016)
Another big business trip that I kinda dreaded but had the chance to turn around because of Dubai's desert freaking safari. If you plan to go to Dubai, please don't miss out on this one of a kind experience in the desert. Another highlight was meeting one of my best friends who moved there and I haven't seen for a while. Grateful that I was able to share this with her.
P H U K E T, Thailand (2016)
This is definitely one for the books. Almost half of our department went to this trip and despite risking business continuity, we pushed through. Haha! Can't believe we were able to pull off this trip. Which reminds me, we need a repeat!
N E W Y O R K, USA (2016)
The different kind of excitement and dread that this business trip caused me. When I first got the email that a summit will be held in New York, I dreaded it. A year before this, the same summit was held in Spain and I was supposed to attend it also BUT I failed to get a visa (huhuhu). The denial gave me anxiety and made me question my being-ness (char). I thought my chances to get a US visa were low, BUT lo and behold! I was granted a business visa! Thankful for this trip because I think it kinda opened doors for me to be able to go to the succeeding countries (and another US visa). Will also treasure this summit because this is the last summit that was sponsored by our mother company. It meant the last 5 star business hotel, buffet meals and per diem (well not really with the allowance because there were a few more business trips but with lower budget). Most importantly, this was my first time in the states and my family living there were so excited for me that one of my cousins flew from the west coast just to tour me around for two days. Thank you Lord and thank you OLX!
S E O U L, South Korea (2016)
My first (and so far, only) solo trip! Seoul my love. Haha! I distinctly remember my 21 year old self wanting to go to Seoul but knowing it would be impossible because it was too far, too big and too unattainable for me. Fast forward, to five years later and there I was, and all by myself at that. During this time, I became a (devoted) fan girl of YG groups and had been watching Korean series for quite a while so it was a fulfilling trip for the fan girl in me. But the highlight of this trip is me being on my own and realising I can actually do it; I can go to anywhere I want to. This realisation is one of the most empowering things I learned this decade.
B A N G K O K, Thailand / Y A N G O N - B A G A N - M A N D A L A Y, Myanmar (2017)
Best southeast asian trip! Bangkok has one of the tastiest food (but not the ultimate best for me) in the region. The only thing I regret is my weak stomach that can't handle Thai milk tea. Meanwhile, Bagan is easily the best place in SEA. I cannot express how amazing the sprawling Bagan ruins is. Just breathtaking to go up a temple and see the vastness of what was once a civilisation. Bagan might not be as accessible as other SEA countries but I encourage you to make it part of your bucket list. SUPER DUPER WORTH IT.
H O C H I M I N H, Vietnam / S I A M R E A P, Cambodia (2018)
At first, I was actually not so excited for this trip since I don't know a lot about these two countries. I don't have any connection or reference to it other than my friend, who lived in Vietnam for a few years before. But 'no expectations travel' is always where I get surprised. Vietnamese food is the best Asian cuisine, PERIODT. I never had a bad meal here. Even the snails partnered with baguette in a very dingy restaurant is superb. I cannot believe I existed 28 years without Vietnamese food. Cambodia is the first time I met new friends on a trip. I am an introvert so during my first solo trip, I rarely talk to people. Good thing this bunch of backpacker Filipinos were very friendly and were the ones who started to talk to us. We are still in touch until now!
C A L I F O R N I A - N E V A D A - A R I Z O N A, USA (2018)
At long last I was able to go to the west coast. This is home to my half siblings (6 out of 7 of them) and half of my family (Father's side). This is also where my Father spent the last years of his life. I would always say, that this trip completed a part of me. A part of me that longs to see where Daddy lived, to find out how his day might actually look like, to eat at his favourite Chinese restaurant, to know where he is working. Even though I am twelve years too late, just walking by the sidewalk that he once walked on (this might sound OA but idc) closed a hole in my heart. The icing on the cake? I was out of work during this time (more on this later). Overflowing with gratefulness for this trip (starting with the help of a friend who drove me to the Embassy where I almost missed my interview schedule). Thank you Lord for this trip. <3 <3 <3
O S L O - T R O M S O, Norway (2018)
Europe finally, finally, finally. After that denied visa in the Spain embassy, I thought Europe was something that I will have a hard time going to. But I am so thankful that this trip pushed through and I was granted a visa (got it from Norway). Together with my US trip, this pushed through at the right time. I was out of work and guys, travelling without having to think about work is so liberating. I wanna cry because this might be the only time for a while that I can afford to do travel while out of work (next time is when I retire). And I was blessed with funds that made me enjoy this trip to the fullest (thank you OLX pa din kahit wala na ako dun hahahaha).
Our first stop was Norway because the goal for this travel is to see the Northern Lights and we were blessed to see it! The majestic Aurora Borealis...I have no words for it. Speechless. One of Mother Nature's most beautiful masterpiece.
A M S T E R D A M, Netherlands (2018)
I was also so excited for Amsterdam because Fault In Our Stars, hellooo. It was more beautiful in person. I enjoyed everything from the museums to its pricey cola. Even though we had some unforeseen circumstance (that can be prevented if I researched properly), I loved every minute of us in this city.
B R U S S E L S, Beligum (2018)
We started off Brussels on the wrong foot which turned out to be a good thing in the end because we were able to get a better hotel. One day was too bitin to explore this city. I was pleasantly surprised during our stay here because the place is what I pictured Europe would look like.
L I S B O N, Portugal (2018)
Our last destination was Lisbon, where Sarah my companion in this trip is currently living. So even though it was kind far from Brussels, I just had to visit her. A very fitting way to end this trip. <3
T O K Y O, Japan (2019)
Japan at last! This was a spontaneous (which means a bit expensive) trip. Might still be part of the 'Thank you OLX' series of trips even though it is not a business trip. Hahaha.
P A R I S, France (2019)
The trip that I didn't expected to happen. On my first Europe trip, we didn't include Paris even though this is where I am most familiar with. So I know I would need to go back someday...but didn't expect it to be this quick! Paris was actually just a side trip for us and if not for a concert that my friends wanted to see, we would skip this city. Thank heavens we didn't because it is one of the best experience ever!
Before coming to Paris, Sarah was already lowering my expectations of it. How the subway was dirty, people were a bit rude and the facilities not so pristine and are very cramped. So I came there expecting the worst but experiencing something great. True that the subway was dirty but we were taking Uber most of the time. People were a bit rude but it's not THAT bad. Our Airbnb was actually quite nice, clean and big. Have no qualms here.
And then we learned that it was actually Paris Fashion Week during our stay there. FEKJDSKJDS!!! Although we were not able to see celebrities, just the mood and seeing the set-up of the fashion houses is enough for me to hype up. I have been following PFW for quite a few years now and this is a mega treat for me!
Lastly, Parisian architecture including the great Eiffel Tower is just so surreal. I cannot believe I was able to see it with my own eyes. Super grateful <3
B A G A - C O L L D E N A R G O - B A R C E L O N A, Spain (2019)
The dreaded Espanya. I already mentioned that my first try to get a visa for Spain was unsuccessful. So why would I want to try again? The main purpose of this trip is to support our friend who joined the Ultra Pirineu Trail Marathon (95 kms!) which is happening in the mountains of Northern Spain. I didn't really want to go through the same anxiety of being rejected again by the Embassy but I was eventually convinced to try because FOMO. And this time around, it was successful. FREAKING FINALLY! I am going amigas!
Baga is part of the Northern Spain region also called Catalonia. The race was in Baga but we stayed in a little town called La Pobla de Lillet, a few minutes away from the race town. This charming town takes their siesta seriously as we arrived at 3 PM with closed shops and deserted streets. We stayed at this beautiful Spanish provincial house with a stream at the backyard. It felt like I was Beauty and the Beast's Belle and was busting out 'Little town, it's a quiet village' every now and then. Belle was so tired of the provincial life, but I think I want to retire here.
Before going back to Barcelona, we had a quick stop in Coll De Nargo for an afternoon of outdoor climbing. It was actually my first time to climb outdoors (had to skip when I was in college). It just sad that I didn't have the right equipment and gear that prevented me to climb more. But these walls were amazing.
Barcelona was chill and "wide" which I didn't expect especially coming from Paris. I enjoyed the Gothic Quarter the most because it was artsy and quaint. We also had great food here. The tapas, pinxtos and paellas...muy bien!
A N D O R R A, (2019)
This little country made me both stressed and relaxed at the same time. So while planning for this trip, my friend mentioned if we want to go to Andorra since it is near Baga. I agreed not really thinking too much about it. Then we learned that Andorra is not part of the Schengen visa and that we would need multiple entries visa to be able to visit. The anxiety of this little complication! I am still worried about my former Spain visa denial, and here I am asking if they can actually grant me multiple entry visa this time. But as they say, love is sweeter the second time around. Andorra was heaven because this is where we were able to relax. No itineraries, no pressure, just nature! But best of all, this is where we found a Filipino restaurant with actual good food! ULAM AND KANIN!
I S T A N B U L, Turkey (2019)
Final stop for this decade! Technically, a lay over from Manila to Europe and back. On the way home, we availed of the Turkish Airline's free Istanbul half day tour. Tour is quick but since it's free, who are we to complain, right? Better than waiting for our flight in the airport. It maybe quick, but I already fell in love with Istabul's food and culture. I hope I would be back someday to explore more of this country.
H O M E
Now I am at home, looking back at all these photos with gratefulness. I don't know what the next decade will bring. A few days ago, I said I want to lie low with the travelling but after a few hours, I was already planning a family vacation this year. But God be willing, my travel goals for now is to be able to go with my family, my mom most especially. I want her to be able to see the world outside of our small home. I want to give the best experiences to her as a thank you for everything. Soooo, 2020, let's get the ball rolling, shall we?
Like Boracay, Hong Kong (and Macau) holds a special place in my heart because 1) first international trip evah! and 2) I was also able to travel here with different set of loved ones: family, friends and officemates. In 2017, I realised I had three trips here (and one was a week apart from each other)! I should probably cross this out of my travel plans, but I still have to take my Mom out of the country and since this is the most accessible, I would probably still go back (at least for one more time).
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| 2013, first out of the country trip with friends |
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| 2017, first of three HK (and Macau) trips for that year |
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| 2017, UX Hong Kong |
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| 2017, with family and Amber's dream come true to go to Disneyland |
S I N G A P O R E (2014 - 2017)
Random fact: Had several trips to Singapore and all of them where business trips (and a half day layover). That is why I would never look at Singapore as a happy place (sorry haha!). But I am always in awe of how modern, organised and clean this country is.
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| 2017, probably my last trip to Singapore |
T A I P E I, Taiwan (2015)
A trip full of twists. I went there with a (then) almost stranger who became a good friend. I don't have any expectations so I was pleasantly surprised with all things Taipei. Although it was so hot and me and my companion got lost a few times (we even had to hitch hike two cars! thank you friendly Taiwanese people), it was a trip to remember.
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| Jumped and sang in the middle of Chiang Kai Shek |
C A P E T O W N, South Africa (2015)
Oh my, oh my, oh my. One of the few trips that deserves the 'Thank you OLX' caption. Although it was a business trip, the scenic view of Cape Town and the majestic Table Mountain that backdrops every thing, made me forget that we were there for work. It was also the first time that I got to meet counterparts from other OLX countries like South Africa, Poland, Argentina, etc. The highlight for me was going to the top of the Table Mountain (one of the new seven wonders of the nature!!!) which offered the best view of Cape Town. It is one of the places that I really, really didn't expect to be able to visit in this lifetime. So, so blessed with this trip. <3 <3 <3
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| Overlooking all of Cape Town at the top of Table Mountain |
J A K A R T A, Indonesia (2015)
A serious business trip that we manage to turn into a quick fun trip (this is where we had a very quick layover in SG) thanks to spontaneous officemates. :D
D U B A I (2016)
Another big business trip that I kinda dreaded but had the chance to turn around because of Dubai's desert freaking safari. If you plan to go to Dubai, please don't miss out on this one of a kind experience in the desert. Another highlight was meeting one of my best friends who moved there and I haven't seen for a while. Grateful that I was able to share this with her.
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| Dubai's desert <3 |
P H U K E T, Thailand (2016)
This is definitely one for the books. Almost half of our department went to this trip and despite risking business continuity, we pushed through. Haha! Can't believe we were able to pull off this trip. Which reminds me, we need a repeat!
N E W Y O R K, USA (2016)
The different kind of excitement and dread that this business trip caused me. When I first got the email that a summit will be held in New York, I dreaded it. A year before this, the same summit was held in Spain and I was supposed to attend it also BUT I failed to get a visa (huhuhu). The denial gave me anxiety and made me question my being-ness (char). I thought my chances to get a US visa were low, BUT lo and behold! I was granted a business visa! Thankful for this trip because I think it kinda opened doors for me to be able to go to the succeeding countries (and another US visa). Will also treasure this summit because this is the last summit that was sponsored by our mother company. It meant the last 5 star business hotel, buffet meals and per diem (well not really with the allowance because there were a few more business trips but with lower budget). Most importantly, this was my first time in the states and my family living there were so excited for me that one of my cousins flew from the west coast just to tour me around for two days. Thank you Lord and thank you OLX!
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| Family in NYC! |
S E O U L, South Korea (2016)
My first (and so far, only) solo trip! Seoul my love. Haha! I distinctly remember my 21 year old self wanting to go to Seoul but knowing it would be impossible because it was too far, too big and too unattainable for me. Fast forward, to five years later and there I was, and all by myself at that. During this time, I became a (devoted) fan girl of YG groups and had been watching Korean series for quite a while so it was a fulfilling trip for the fan girl in me. But the highlight of this trip is me being on my own and realising I can actually do it; I can go to anywhere I want to. This realisation is one of the most empowering things I learned this decade.
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| Changing of palace guards ceremony under the summer sun |
B A N G K O K, Thailand / Y A N G O N - B A G A N - M A N D A L A Y, Myanmar (2017)
Best southeast asian trip! Bangkok has one of the tastiest food (but not the ultimate best for me) in the region. The only thing I regret is my weak stomach that can't handle Thai milk tea. Meanwhile, Bagan is easily the best place in SEA. I cannot express how amazing the sprawling Bagan ruins is. Just breathtaking to go up a temple and see the vastness of what was once a civilisation. Bagan might not be as accessible as other SEA countries but I encourage you to make it part of your bucket list. SUPER DUPER WORTH IT.
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| Grand Palace in Bangkok |
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| BAGAN! Look at these temples. |
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| Bagan deserves two photos! |
H O C H I M I N H, Vietnam / S I A M R E A P, Cambodia (2018)
At first, I was actually not so excited for this trip since I don't know a lot about these two countries. I don't have any connection or reference to it other than my friend, who lived in Vietnam for a few years before. But 'no expectations travel' is always where I get surprised. Vietnamese food is the best Asian cuisine, PERIODT. I never had a bad meal here. Even the snails partnered with baguette in a very dingy restaurant is superb. I cannot believe I existed 28 years without Vietnamese food. Cambodia is the first time I met new friends on a trip. I am an introvert so during my first solo trip, I rarely talk to people. Good thing this bunch of backpacker Filipinos were very friendly and were the ones who started to talk to us. We are still in touch until now!
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| The famous Angkor Wat at sunrise |
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| Start of the best gastronomic adventure |
C A L I F O R N I A - N E V A D A - A R I Z O N A, USA (2018)
At long last I was able to go to the west coast. This is home to my half siblings (6 out of 7 of them) and half of my family (Father's side). This is also where my Father spent the last years of his life. I would always say, that this trip completed a part of me. A part of me that longs to see where Daddy lived, to find out how his day might actually look like, to eat at his favourite Chinese restaurant, to know where he is working. Even though I am twelve years too late, just walking by the sidewalk that he once walked on (this might sound OA but idc) closed a hole in my heart. The icing on the cake? I was out of work during this time (more on this later). Overflowing with gratefulness for this trip (starting with the help of a friend who drove me to the Embassy where I almost missed my interview schedule). Thank you Lord for this trip. <3 <3 <3
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| Los Angeles, California was familiar and yet foreign |
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| San Francisco, California too little time spent there, I wanna go back! |
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| Phoenix, Arizona was a spontaneous trip which turned out to have one of the best views in this trip |
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| Las Vegas, Nevada made me 20 dollars richer |
O S L O - T R O M S O, Norway (2018)
Europe finally, finally, finally. After that denied visa in the Spain embassy, I thought Europe was something that I will have a hard time going to. But I am so thankful that this trip pushed through and I was granted a visa (got it from Norway). Together with my US trip, this pushed through at the right time. I was out of work and guys, travelling without having to think about work is so liberating. I wanna cry because this might be the only time for a while that I can afford to do travel while out of work (next time is when I retire). And I was blessed with funds that made me enjoy this trip to the fullest (thank you OLX pa din kahit wala na ako dun hahahaha).
Our first stop was Norway because the goal for this travel is to see the Northern Lights and we were blessed to see it! The majestic Aurora Borealis...I have no words for it. Speechless. One of Mother Nature's most beautiful masterpiece.
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| Taken by our tour guide. ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE. HUHU. |
A M S T E R D A M, Netherlands (2018)
I was also so excited for Amsterdam because Fault In Our Stars, hellooo. It was more beautiful in person. I enjoyed everything from the museums to its pricey cola. Even though we had some unforeseen circumstance (that can be prevented if I researched properly), I loved every minute of us in this city.
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| Yes, that is the I amsterdam sign in the back |
We started off Brussels on the wrong foot which turned out to be a good thing in the end because we were able to get a better hotel. One day was too bitin to explore this city. I was pleasantly surprised during our stay here because the place is what I pictured Europe would look like.
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| The best plaza in all of this trip |
L I S B O N, Portugal (2018)
Our last destination was Lisbon, where Sarah my companion in this trip is currently living. So even though it was kind far from Brussels, I just had to visit her. A very fitting way to end this trip. <3
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| Cheers, Europe! |
T O K Y O, Japan (2019)
Japan at last! This was a spontaneous (which means a bit expensive) trip. Might still be part of the 'Thank you OLX' series of trips even though it is not a business trip. Hahaha.
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| Who does not cross Shibuya crossing for a few times? |
P A R I S, France (2019)
The trip that I didn't expected to happen. On my first Europe trip, we didn't include Paris even though this is where I am most familiar with. So I know I would need to go back someday...but didn't expect it to be this quick! Paris was actually just a side trip for us and if not for a concert that my friends wanted to see, we would skip this city. Thank heavens we didn't because it is one of the best experience ever!
Before coming to Paris, Sarah was already lowering my expectations of it. How the subway was dirty, people were a bit rude and the facilities not so pristine and are very cramped. So I came there expecting the worst but experiencing something great. True that the subway was dirty but we were taking Uber most of the time. People were a bit rude but it's not THAT bad. Our Airbnb was actually quite nice, clean and big. Have no qualms here.
And then we learned that it was actually Paris Fashion Week during our stay there. FEKJDSKJDS!!! Although we were not able to see celebrities, just the mood and seeing the set-up of the fashion houses is enough for me to hype up. I have been following PFW for quite a few years now and this is a mega treat for me!
Lastly, Parisian architecture including the great Eiffel Tower is just so surreal. I cannot believe I was able to see it with my own eyes. Super grateful <3
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| Inside the Louvre Museum |
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| So in love with the Eiffel <3 |
B A G A - C O L L D E N A R G O - B A R C E L O N A, Spain (2019)
The dreaded Espanya. I already mentioned that my first try to get a visa for Spain was unsuccessful. So why would I want to try again? The main purpose of this trip is to support our friend who joined the Ultra Pirineu Trail Marathon (95 kms!) which is happening in the mountains of Northern Spain. I didn't really want to go through the same anxiety of being rejected again by the Embassy but I was eventually convinced to try because FOMO. And this time around, it was successful. FREAKING FINALLY! I am going amigas!
Baga is part of the Northern Spain region also called Catalonia. The race was in Baga but we stayed in a little town called La Pobla de Lillet, a few minutes away from the race town. This charming town takes their siesta seriously as we arrived at 3 PM with closed shops and deserted streets. We stayed at this beautiful Spanish provincial house with a stream at the backyard. It felt like I was Beauty and the Beast's Belle and was busting out 'Little town, it's a quiet village' every now and then. Belle was so tired of the provincial life, but I think I want to retire here.
Before going back to Barcelona, we had a quick stop in Coll De Nargo for an afternoon of outdoor climbing. It was actually my first time to climb outdoors (had to skip when I was in college). It just sad that I didn't have the right equipment and gear that prevented me to climb more. But these walls were amazing.
Barcelona was chill and "wide" which I didn't expect especially coming from Paris. I enjoyed the Gothic Quarter the most because it was artsy and quaint. We also had great food here. The tapas, pinxtos and paellas...muy bien!
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| Siesta is real! |
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| Coll De Nargo walls! |
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| Favorite Barcelona place, Gothic Quarter |
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| To cap off this trip, dinner at El Nacional |
A N D O R R A, (2019)
This little country made me both stressed and relaxed at the same time. So while planning for this trip, my friend mentioned if we want to go to Andorra since it is near Baga. I agreed not really thinking too much about it. Then we learned that Andorra is not part of the Schengen visa and that we would need multiple entries visa to be able to visit. The anxiety of this little complication! I am still worried about my former Spain visa denial, and here I am asking if they can actually grant me multiple entry visa this time. But as they say, love is sweeter the second time around. Andorra was heaven because this is where we were able to relax. No itineraries, no pressure, just nature! But best of all, this is where we found a Filipino restaurant with actual good food! ULAM AND KANIN!
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| Look at this view! |
I S T A N B U L, Turkey (2019)
Final stop for this decade! Technically, a lay over from Manila to Europe and back. On the way home, we availed of the Turkish Airline's free Istanbul half day tour. Tour is quick but since it's free, who are we to complain, right? Better than waiting for our flight in the airport. It maybe quick, but I already fell in love with Istabul's food and culture. I hope I would be back someday to explore more of this country.
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| Unicorn sky to finish this trip. <3 |
H O M E
Now I am at home, looking back at all these photos with gratefulness. I don't know what the next decade will bring. A few days ago, I said I want to lie low with the travelling but after a few hours, I was already planning a family vacation this year. But God be willing, my travel goals for now is to be able to go with my family, my mom most especially. I want her to be able to see the world outside of our small home. I want to give the best experiences to her as a thank you for everything. Soooo, 2020, let's get the ball rolling, shall we?
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