Book Junkie: "BONE SECRET NOVEL" by Kendra Elliot

Spoiler Alert: This is not a book review!

I love to read! I remember being hooked on my first "Nancy Drew" novel at the age of 9. So I've practically sampled a little bit of everything from Whimsy teeny novel, Classic, Romance, True Story, Crime, etc.

Late last year while browsing the net looking for something interesting to read I stumble upon Kendra Elliot's website.

I'm not really picky in terms of author and genre - anything works for me as long as I find the story exciting. :) and honestly I wanted something different from my longest running obsession to Greek God/Goddesses, and night creatures (thanks to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series) as well as with the "super spy/soldiers" and magic (again with my other favorite author Christine Feehan) so finding a book with a different plot is kind of refreshing.

If you're fond of CSI then you'll probably enjoy reading this too. :)

There are three books (so far) under the "BONE SECRET NOVEL":

HIDDEN - Lacey, a forensic ondontologist (in layman's term: forensic dentistry) who escaped murder by a serial killer who kidnapped and murder her best friend instead .Being the sole survivor she helped put the man behind prison for life. Unfortunately, they we'rent able to find the body until years before when she became a part of the team who is tasked to identify the body that was accidentally discovered. Then the people involved in the prosecution of the killer turns out dead one by one and the heroine is next on target. Big question is "who" because the killer is already dead.

CHILLED - Brynn, forensic nurse who is out  in a rescue team in search of a survivor of the plane crash on a icy mountain. Alex a former US Marshall who insisted on being on the S & R team to find the survivor - only his reason is much personal.

BURIED - Michael, a journalist who continues to find the answer of his missing brother along with the other children when their school bus disappear 20 years ago. So when the remain of the other children are found and none of it belongs to his brother he then decided to seek answer to the sole survivor.

Of the three, the 3rd book is my favorite. Its not that the first two we're lousy - believe me once you start reading you cant stop! its the kind of story that takes you away and will get you thinking "whats next?" or "who is?". It's just that one particular character from book one (Michael Brody) is my favorite. I was really looking forward to his own story ( i waited 7 months for it to be released and another month to get my hands on it). I also liked the way the author play with the characters in this particular story, the turn of events... everything!

For me it covers all the element I'm looking for in a novel. Cleverly made twist ( I can still remember being awed at the same time annoyed because there were part of the story that i didn't see coming), interesting and unusual characters, informativ
e, and of course with a touch of "loooorve" :)

Looking forward for the 4th book that will be release in January.

(for those who is interested you can visit the authors website so you can see for yourself : http://kendraelliot.com/books.htm)

MT. PINATUBO IMPROMPTU HIKE – ITS AN ALL GIRL TRIP…

I love the sea. Nothing beat basking (more like baking really) in the sun, playing (drowning actually) in the waves, just free floating while looking up on the azure sky thinking “where will I be next?”

So when my “travel buddies” suggested hiking I was like “ooookay” – 50% GO! and 50% I think I’ll pass.

I must admit hiking is not one of my strongest suit because of 3 reasons:

1.  It means walking for miles. And given my health condition I know I will most likely struggle.
2.  Wearing rubber shoes which I don’t have many a pair. (I’m a certified kikay so my shoe collection consist of only practical flats and heels).
3.  Carrying heavy pack.

But upon mentioning Mt. Pinatubo my KALADKARIN side won.

Together with Feng and Aiz and armed with my anti asthma medicine and with our best friend and ever present LPA (low pressure area) threatening and making sudden heavy rains we hop on a bus bound Capas, Tarlac.

11:00pm. Meet up with Cath at Victory Liner Cubao, where as usual we were late so we had to take our chances with other bus.

3:00am. Capas Junction. From here we will then have to ride a tryc bound to Sta. Juliana (jump off point to Mt. Pinatubo Crater). We were sooo early so we decided to pass time and have coffee at McDo at the same time meet with another person "Ate Rhona" whom we will be sharing the trip with.

5:30am. Sta. Juliana at last. We were way too early but who cares? it gives us time to prepare ourselves and cam whore before the place get crowded with fellow hikers :).

Actually Mt. Pinatubo is not what you will consider a “badass” hike. But probably the most fun, the 4x4 ride was my favorite.  Its  the one that actually convince me to join. Plus hikers get to choose from a 7 kilometers hike that is equivalent to 2 hours trek or they can choose the “tamad” way which is only a 30 minute trek more or less to the crater.

Being all girls (and yes we've used it to our advantage) we choose to ride those 6 kilometers and went for the 1 kilometers = 30 minute hike J. Besides we wanted to be able to spend more time on the crater than exhausting ourselves with the long walk.

10:00am. First glimpse of the Crater.

My first thought was "Google didn't give it much justice".

The quiet - kind of eerie feel, mirror like lake, still winds, fresh air and yes even dry plants and the slight erosion on one part of the crater adds up to its appeal.

On the other hand, while the adrenalin that comes from anticipating of being and seeing the crater for the first time is rocket high, it gradually decreases the longer you stay there.

I've heard its much fun before because tourist / hikers can rent a boat, can take a dip in the water, have mud spa and other activities but since there has been some "accidents" the Department of Tourism decided to limit the activities to just taking pictures and having a picnic around the are.

So one must really think of how to spend their time other than taking picture. I've spotted a group of people enjoying themselves playing card to pass the time while resting.

Unfortunately we got bored early so we opted to head down earlier than planned. Turned out we we're right because the ever friendly LPA is stating to throw tantrums and according to Jerwin (the guide) it is not advisable to be still up there when it rains because the path gets flooded for like about more than 6 feet high.

All in all my first land adventure is more fun than I expected. Its more than the travel, or the new place.

Its being able to spend time with your favorite people... something you can all go talk and go back to... Meeting new friends :).

What makes it more special is being able to learn something about the place its History - the "then", the "now" and wondering about the "might be" in the future...

Blessed to be here. Happy and Safe. Thank you Lord!

Exhausted? 

Out of breath... Literally!

Mirror like Lake

Sis arguing over the jump shot :)

Yes! its an all Girl Trip :)

View from the Top

All dusty, dirty and smiley!

Pics courtesy of Jerwin

Jerwin (the guide) and Ate Rhona

Environmentalist in our own way..

I often whine about my work. 

Endless paper works... Phone calls... Follow ups... Ear splitting matrix printer noise... SI... DR... Quotation... Haggling... Trip to divisoria (tho i love it there)...

If worst comes to worst - speaking in English for more than my allotted "5 minutes" time limit :p

Seriously. Being a Purchaser, especially having no one to share my workload with (yes, I'm a one man army. beats me why until this time) can really be excruciating most of the times. Especially now that there are so many requirements to meet not just those needed by the customers but those that are Government mandated as well.

But I do enjoy the challenge that it brings ('cept for those vacation I had to pass because that's how demanding it can get) not to mention the experience and the extra knowledge I get out of it.

One thing I like about my job is not only being responsible in acquiring things the company needed to produce but knowing that I can contribute in protecting the environment by procuring materials that will not harm the environment. (I will spare you the details about ROHS etc).

More that just making profit... its our job to (learn to) take care of our Environment! 

So we share this knowledge to our "partners" (suppliers) by conducting awareness programs so that may be responsible as well.

1st SUPPLIER'S DAY... Yey!

my ever supportive suppliers 

And let me just thank my good friend Daisy for the effort :)

with shelle, daisy and mik

"Advocacy is something to do if you have a will &  sincerity. We're  just lucky enough to add up if its our work  profession.." - Daisy Vivas

Side trip to MACULABO ISLAND

We can't get enough of Calaguas Island!

So there's no way we're gonna leave without visiting at least one more :)

So with "When you're looking like that" (by Westlife - i think) keeps playing in my head and with the decently "normal" waves I was able to close my eyes and decided to take a nap. And yes, despite the scorching heat of the sun I did manage to sleep.

Then I felt the vibration of the boat slows so I assumed that we're near the Island Cath was talking about. And then I was like "no s#!+" ang ganda! Same white sand and Turquoise water. Too bad we waren't to swim here but then it doesn't prevent us prom literally jumping off the boat to explore the Island.

All "antok" flew out of the widow :)

Maculabo Island is one of the Minor Island (still part of the Calaguas Group of Island) a fishing community within Paracale jurisdiction.

I cant resist taking this shot. Reminds me of my childhood days...

There's nothing much to do here than swim or climb the stones - if you're brave enough maybe you could try jumping at the big rocks unto the water. But since we only have limited time we do what we had to do :)

Take pictures!

Love my "Summer" Skin :p

Woohooo!

power of three!

When to photographer becomes the subject :)

Sky Sea Sand - My Calaguas Island Getaway :)

"I dream of blue skies, sun, sand and mountains and the ocean... And I wanted to get lost - maybe never wake up. For its only when I am surrounded by all those wonders that i feel at peace. That finally! I'm on my element..."

sunset, noon and sunrise...

I can't remember how many times I've heard and seen via Google and I quote "amazing" island in Camarines Norte.

Some of my friends have been there last year and they can't seem to get over that place and being a sucker for beautiful places - especially beaches that I am I get really envious  and swore that I will set foot on that Island "balang araw" :) because unfortunately my work schedule don't really allow me to travel even if I beg :).

Feng and Cath (the duo who kept on dragging me somewhere when my schedule permits) said they are planning to go on a Calaguas trip last March 15 which I agreed but then backed out the last minute because as usual work shedule is packed and as usual even a day leave is not allowed :(. 

So I was already sulking and cursing and pacifying myself with a cup of my favorite latte and determined not to open my FB account should there be pictures of the two of them in Calaguas... yes I know being bitter is not a good trait but I was really looking forward to that small treat to at least balance my crappy month at work!

But then God has always been good because it turned out that they we're not able to push trough with the trip (hahaha) and had re schedule it the week after. So I immediately check my calendar for Holiday and there it is CAVITE DAY on March 22 all i have to do is talked to my boss to allow me to swap it on saturday so I dont have to skip work. YEY!

Calaguas... How hard it is to reach you?!

Eight hours of Bus Ride, 30 to 45 minutes tryc ride, Two hours bumpy boat ride. Whew!

Flop or Clap?

LPA (Low Pressure Area) Seriously?

LPA has been reported on the Philippine Sea on Thursday night and by Friday I was ready to burst into tears because of the rain, I mean c'mon I was all packed and ready and really excited to go!

Late for the Bus!

Bus website says that Daet bound bus leaves at 8:45. We, Feng and I were on time but it turned out that the last trip leaves at 6:45. So we had to look for alternative ride because there's no way we're going to wait for the morning schedule.

Overspeeding at 40kph?

After waiting 2 hours for the bus to leave finally were moving. We haven't even passed Calamba Tollway when we were asked to pull over because we were "Overspeeding" we were like Seriously? Hindi nga ako kuntento sa speed ng bus!

Bus pleaaaaase!!!!

Stranded at Sta. Elena...

Bacause the Bus is not Daet bound ergo we had to get off to Sta. Elena and wait for another bus that will take us to Paracale (jump off point) and we practically don't know where we are and its not like we have a choice so we waited... and waited and waited still... I should have known that they were exaggerating when they said that we won't have to wait long. Sure! One and a half hour is not that long.

Standed na nga an saya pa!

Roller Coaster Boat ride!

Thanks to LPA sailing the water added thrill and fun. We went against big waves. And while Cath and Feng hold their breaths, I on the other hand enjoyed the ride :)

Finally... The Island!

Turquoise water, Azure sky, powdery white sand beach that seems to glitter under the heat of the sand. Can I just say wow and that my readers is a CLAP (Happy Dance!)

The Sky

There's more to the island that hitting the water or basking in the sun. On the far end of the Island is a trail where guest can climb on higher grounds to see the island from the top.

For those who is into climbing the trail is like a walk in the park. Perfect place to wait for the sunset :)

While waiting for the Sunset

View of Mahabang Buhanging from the Top

We weren't able to see the sunset thanks to the Clouds :(

The Sea

Super Clear water. I personally like the three toned color of the sea from light blue, deep blue, and turquoise. I can just sit and stare all day.

One can really enjoy swimming and playing with the waves.

The Sand

While Mahabang Buhangin is all white powdery sand. The other side of the island have "pebble" like sand.

There is a slight challenge though, we had to climb and crawl over the rocks (big sharp rocks) to reach the other side. Same water but a little heavy on the corals for my taste but nonetheless we spent all our morning there because we were the only person on that side of the island :)

two textured sand

Since Calaguas is fast becoming a popular weekend get away especially for backpackers and yuppies expect the place to be somewhat slightly crowded. Good thing is that the locals seems to be vigilant in keeping the island clean though I still spotted and stumble some chips wrappers along the shore.

And during our short conversation with one of the owner, it seems like the place will likely be develop sooner rather than later. In fact, one portion of the shore is restricted to even dock the boat because of the on going construction of a resort.

But no worries because not all property owners is considering the idea of converting the whole island into a world class resort. So pitching your tent somewhere is still allowable :)

Team Kaladkarin :)

perfect spot to pitch our tent :)

Finally Calaguas!