Chasing the Sun... Bolinao, Pangasinan

"It's not the destination really - its about the journey..."

As soon as the "BER" month hit we were already looking forward to our year end trip. Its not like 2015 has been bad that we wanted it to end ASAP - accutally last year has been a very good "lakwatsera" year for me. I have exceeded my quota of hiking 2 mountains a year -  I even got to climb Mt. Arayat ( that has me limping for like a week after ) which is a semi major climb and the highest for me so far, been to Hulugan Falls - again the tallest falls I've ever seen to date. So yes, my wandering feet was really satisfied yet wanting for more.

We were already listing our options: Hiking, Beach, Falls, with other friends or just US Girls ( like what we did in Potipot Island last may ). With Chris (Marie's best friend from the US who became our friend also through constant chatting) coming home for vacation on December our destination was decided: We are going to finally go to Sorsogon to its famous pink sand - another place in our to go list. And yes, it will be an all girl trip :)

I got sick tho after our Hulugan Falls last October which lasted for almost two months (worst asthma attack for the last two years) - which means I stayed home during that time: no outdoor adventure, no staying out late, no drinking, no coffee (which I admit i cheated always) etc,. Everybody was like saying "Bundok pa more" because they all felt like I have reached my limit - which I most likely did.

So, as soon as the Calendar hits December I was practically counting down the days - all has been set, loose end has been tied, work has been covered and my bags has been packed. All I had to do is wait for the actual date and go.

ROAD BLOCK...

We all know that Philippines get an average eight or more typhoon a year that we can afford to name it alphabetically. A week before our schedule trip -  Surprise! a tropical storm suddenly decided to pay a visit. I was a little worried but still cool about it because Hello! LPA is our travel buddy and though it made our trip more challenging so far its hasn't screw any of our trip completely... UNTIL NOW! Typhoon Nona hits directly Sorsogon making it impossible for us to visit.

With exactly two days away we had to come up with a backup plan, because there's no way I'm letting this trip go to waste after practically being house arrest for two months!

OPTIONS. OPTIONS. OPTIONS!

We were racking our brain on where to go. Since Sorsogon is already out of the question its either we go to Caramoan or Calaguas but as we weigh our other options, another tropical storm is yet to hit the southern part of the country. So Camarines Sur / Norte is a no go. Baler "the surfing capital of the Philippines" sounds promising, I've heard the  beach is amazing plus we can go to the falls as a side trip but it was also affected by the typhoon and and some road is not passable due to land slide. Zamabales is another option - we've been there several times already (it was a lame suggestion actually but nevertheless an option) and being a regular we know the waves was not friendly there during this time of the year so I crossed it out of the possible destination because my friends tho fond of the beach but not really comfortable with big waves.

We really want to make this vacation count and we are running out of time so fast so Marie and I we're like talking to each other until 3am just so we could agree on the place. And so far we still could not make a decision.

I went home after work to just take a quick shower, grab my bag and go. 

I can still remember my conversation with my parents before I go "Tawag ka when you get there.. " then my dad looked at me and said "San nga kayo pupunta?" my answer was " Bahala na kung san' mapunta.. " which they answered with just a nod and remind me again to call "kung saan man kayo mapadpad". My parent we're so used to me going anywhere anytime that they don't really ask for details, we have long established that tho they are not comfortable with me going hiking or going to a remote beach they understood that I'm a free spirit - so they let me go on the condition that I was to be careful and go home unscathed.

Since we still don't have a solid plan on where we will go. We agreed to meet first in Makati to have dinner and well figure out where we will go.

With Effeng tasked to meet Chris at the airport it means that i will have to travel from cavite to makati ALONE! This is another first for me since I really don't travel outside Cavite on my own ( i think i spent the whole afternoon google-ing the direction not to mention hundred of text to Effeng on how to get there), thinking it was part of my year end adventure i was like hell! I can do this!

Marunong naman akong magbasa at magtanong, madami na naman akong load at mas madami akong pamasahe! So kiber kung maligaw! :)

Luckily I found out (contrary to my previous belief) that I'm really good at direction. I manage to get it on the first try! Hindi ako naligaw gaya ng kinakatakot ko :) well except from the part where Effeng said to look for a shell station as a landmark when in fact fact its a Petron station! Good thing some "good people" pointed me in the right direction.

Cavite - Makati Achieve! Now I just have to find Junction Hostel to meet up with my friends. Unfortunately going there presented a challenge since its rush hour-gimmick Friday there was no taxi even pedicab available so my only option is to walk! With Aiz on the phone walking me through on where street to turn and look out for land marks finally! I arrive at the hostel and just literally stash my bag and went out to have dinner at Marco Polo (I think) where we had a sumptuous dinner and a few drinks.:)

So back to our home base. It was 1am and time to get serious, we really need to plan a destination - and to settle the issue we got a piece of paper wrote down possible place and put it in a cup and pick. We jotted down several places: Cagbalete, Zamabales, Caramoan and Bolinao.

I watched as Chris drew a piece of paper from the mug... CAGBALETE island it said not my bet but I as I said "kahit saan matuloy lang!" With four hours left for us to get some sleep, we said our good mornight and bunk in our bed.

Received a text at 5 am: "Its raining cat and dogs here... i dont think it is possible to travel..." 

It took me a minute tho to figure out the text message - I was like crap! Seriously? The text belongs to my contact in cagbalete. I just closed my eyes took a deep breath cursed the rain and got my phone and begun to again search google and accuweather for "places with sunny weather"... time to move to Plan C. BOLINAO!

IF IT MEANT TO BE THEN IT WILL BE...

From that point after the text message from Cagbalete my focus is just finding a place without rain. I already sent a message to our contact in bolinao hoping to get positive response.

Did I already mention that I've been pinning for bolinao these past few months? And it has always been one of our choices from the start - only that we were looking for better options. But I guess faith has decided to intervene so it directed us to Bolinao.

Broke the bad news to Effeng ang Chris as soon a they woke up and we all decided to just grab our bags and throw all cautions to the wind. So with the sky pouring out gallons of rain, we headed out and went to the bus station.

Because no of us is an expert on commuting we kinda - well actually we had no idea how to go to the bus station :p The rain added to the challenge... yung tipong alam naming mukha kaming timang dahil nag lalakad kami sa kalasada na may malalaking bag basang basa dahil sadly isa lang ang dala naming payong at hindi sigurado kung saan pupunta... but then we really don't care. I personally am amused on how far we would go to have our much awaited vacation!

And with all we have been through for this year end vacation I am so looking forward to Bolinao that i didnt mind that we are an hour early before the bus departed, am soak and starting to get cold, that while walking in the rain i had to make a phone call at work for last minute instructions that we had to endure long travel hours from manila going to bolinao.

All in the name of chasing the Sun!

#Kape Neoncio

I love that my work is just 30 minutes away from home. I get to sleep as late and wake up late J, I don’t need to rush or fight my way into a public transport, no traffic (except Christmas season and road construction) and most important no pollution (a super plus for someone with asthma like me)

.

But working outside the metro also means – less to non existing social life (since almost all employees are mostly BAHAY-TRABAHO-BAHAY) and less to none decent place to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Of course if I wanted a decent cup I could always go Starbucks – nearest store is  45 minutes away (SM Dasmariñas, Cavite) and is crowded on most days and if I really want quiet there’s Tagaytay but then I’ll have to travel longer and going home late can be a problem especially if you don’t have your own car.

So yes living and working in the south especially in the “non city” side has its disadvantages.

KAPE NEONCIO

Again the power of the internet. I was randomly browsing google for “coffe shop in G.M.A cavite” hoping to find something new, one hit caught my attention HEYPLACES. I was like a COFFEE SHOP in GMA cavite seriously? 

Wasting no time I went to their FB page to check out out the place – crossing my fingers  and hoping its not another tapsihan place. Their FB page look promising and I cant believe I missed it being only steps away from my Vet’s clinic!

The Place – located near UPHL (university of perpetual help) so unless you’re living near the area or you’re a student of the university one won’t probably know such place exist because there is no visible sign along the road (no  wonder I didn’t notice).

Interior is REAAALLY NICE! I love how well they decorated the place with bits of pieces (mismatch furniture actually) but manage to make the whole place cozy and homey (yes that’s how comfortable it gets).

my Lakwatsera buddies having fun with the reading materials

Choose from their variety of menu

memory wall (owner posted pictures of actual customers)

One major selling point for me was the fact that its not crowded – I usually came after office hours so I guess it’s a good time for me (cant say about the early morning to lunch hours but  I’ve heard they’re quite popular with the students also)

The Food – finally a decent cup of coffee to end my day. I don’t really have high expectation when it comes to local coffee shop but Kape Neoncio exceeded my expectation. I ordered caramel macchiato and honestly I  was expecting a “vending machine” kind of coffee but its surprisingly good :).

must try! canbonara and butter caramel frappe 

another favorite

Their pasta was more than okay. I personally like their Garlic and mushroom pasta. They also offered various Frappes – they even incorporated two of my favorite candies Butter caramel and Haw-haw into their drinks which makes it my favorite.

For a small resto/ café they offered variety of choices from pasta to sandwiches, dessert, tacos, rice/combo  meals the students can enjoy and afford.

The Price – I don’t know about the others but price is quite reasonable (personally speaking). Pasta dishes ranges from Php. 55 while coffee and frappe starts at Php. 75. They even have a budget lunch buffet during Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Besides they serve food in large portions. I ordered dinner one time and was surprise by the large serving.

The Service – ordering food can take some time. Crew is really friendly and accommodating.

Kape Neoncio offers a different dining experience from your usual over the counter food. A place where one can enjoy a good cup of coffee without going to the mall or travelling to Tagaytay, eat and bond with friends over dinner or if you just want a quiet ME time over coffee and dessert I think this is the perfect place to go. :) 

Love, Life & Laugh: "That special Someone"

"Running away from love? or Love just can't find you?"

Another good friend is about to get married and as usual I was again tapped to help out with the preparations. I love weddings and happy endings! I find it really brave for someone to want to spend the rest of their lives with another person. I imagine its not easy - scary even, but as they say if you really love a person you would want to "naturally" spend every minute of it with that person. sweet diba? Totoong may "FOREVER!"

And while I am soooo happy for them (honest!) I cant say I'm happy for myself because like every wedding planning, meeting, whining - whatever the bride feels like doing or feeling at the moment, somehow (every time) they manage to lecture me on why the earth I'm still single which will eventually leads to a matchmaking game! Seriously? I'm practically NBSB (no boyfriend since birth) a fact that I'm proud and not so proud of (depends on the situation). 

But since my friends feels so happy right now that she's marrying "the one" of course its natural that they want their remaining single friends to also find their "forever". And for that I'm will do my best to be sport about it. Hahaha.

So while hanging out on my newly found favorite local cafe, looking for inspiration on how to help them make their wedding extra special, I actually get to think what she said about "me running and hiding from love" that she wants me to be happy - and to be so I'll have to try to mellow down a little, be still a little and yes be nice a little... I've had this conversation with her before (its a favorite topic really) and normally I would just laugh and shrugged my shoulders at her but with her fiance (who is a pastor by the way) double tagging me. I, of course had to give sensible and acceptable answer: that I'm not running or hiding from it, it just that maybe its not my time. That while I'd love to be in love I cant just make my self feel and pretend to be just so they would stop worrying about me. That whether or not I will find love I'll happy :)

So while having my yummy HAW HAW frappe suddenly words are playing - juggling inside my head that I just had to write it down and came up with this:

Dance in the rain with someone you love,walk under the moonlight,

play under the sun, dream under the stars.

I'd like someone who'll say I love you too and mean it.

To have someone watch over me, not because I am weak

but because he cared.

I'd like to be the source of someone's smile.

the reason he believes in life.

I know that there will always be a rough time...

But I'd like to be someone,who can make the fight worthwhile.

If not make it easier.

The cause of someone's happiness.

To be able to speak in silence, know that he will never leave.

Be the woman who brings out the best in him.

even tho I am at my worst.

Be more than a friend but not less than a woman.

I know life is hardly perfect. I know I'm not!

I pray for someone who will show me the real him,

who would accept me for who I am and for what I choose to be.

I pray for someone who respects life.

Someone who will put God between us to keep us strong.

And I hope to be that person he prays for.

Hulugan Falls (Daytrip)

I’ve been browsing my facebook news feed when I saw a video post about Hulugan Falls, and because I don’t get to see that body of water often I was pretty smitten so I shared it on my wall for my friends to see.

I should have known better. Because with the kind of friends I have sharing that on my wall is as good as inviting them to go. So a week after, my Lakwatsera Buddies (Marie, Kina, Tin-tin) as I call them are off to go see that Falls up close.

Hulugan Falls is a new and fast growing attraction, thanks to social media, Located in Brgy. San Salvador, Liusiana (pronounced as Lu-sha-na) Laguna. Since its new I could not find relevant blogs as reference as to what to expect how to get there etc. I had to back read all the comments from the FB post in hope to find atleast one blog link, luckily there’s one that even contains the Brgy. Captain number.

And because I was the one who “shared” the link it mean I get to make the IT for our daytrip. Though I’ve been to other places several times already commuting was never on my list of talents so I was like how do I get ourselves there? Bur with patience and literally going to the jepneey and fx terminal I ws able to get info on how and where to get there.

Our IT is very simple. Leave early (just in case we got lost at least we still have time to adjust), and get there.

We agreed to meet at 5am so we can catch the first trip to calamba and from there a bus ride to sta. cruz then another jeepney ride to san Salvador. We arrive at 8am (I think). You have to register twice 1 at the Brgy. Tanod station (no fee just sign your name and you’re good) 2^nd is at Cap. Which you will pay 10 pesos for the registration fee (cheapest I have encountered), all visitors I required to get themselves a guide (no shortage of guide here – the guide can even choose who they want). There is no fix rate for the guide – so pls. be considerate.

Just Got Here 

Registration

Cath with the yummy bibingka!

Hulugan falls from Cap's House is probably 45 mins to an one and a half walk first 30 mins is a road construction (fyi.. I talked to another guide and he said the gov’t city or whatever plans to make the area a park ergo the road construction so it will be vehicle friendly and visitors won’t have walk very far to reach the falls) the rest is a pretty much easy trek through the Forrest.

We reach our destination around 10am ( I think) and yes it was a sight! The tallest falls I’ve seen so far – I’ve been to two: Kabigan Falls in Ilocos and Nagsasa Falls in Zambales. Mist surrounded the whole place which makes it somewhat “magical” for me, there’s rainbow everywhere! Thus, the photo ops begins. We couldn’t even care less if our camera is not water proof!

After two hours or so of photo ops and swimming we decided to head back and see if we can visit Talong Aliw (which we didnt). Alvin the guide asked us which way we wanted to go; Go back to the same way we got here via forrest trail which will take us more or less one and a half hour or the 30 minute but "delikado" way. Not wanting to waste time we chose the "delikado way" which turns out out to be a hell of a climb! The trail is so narrow and not stable, all ascend with more or less 45 degree which means we literally had to crawl up.

had to crawl - my knees are hurting already