Beach Love: Paguriran Island and Lagoon (Part 2)

Only the beach could wake me up and get up really early. I don't have the luxe of time to spend mornings often beside the beach, that's why I'm pretty determined to yolo the moment. To walk along the shoreline with your partner beside you, wait for sunrise with my camera in hand, listen to the calming beach waves, get emotionally motivated by my daily devotion, and thinking what to eat for breakfast! Indeed, a good morning.

Day 2 plan is to take a dip to a waist deep lagoon. You should be early before low tide. We got there 7am. Hello Sun!

How to get there?

From Manila: We took a bus going to Legazpi City, Bicol. We always trust Cagsawa buses when we go to Bicol to visit the kids. Get the la-Z-boy seats around 950php. Estimate travel time, count 8-10 hours of butt burning transpo with 2 stop overs.

From Legazpi: Go to bus terminal and look for van services going to Sorsogon. Fare is 90php each. Travel time, 1-2 hours no traffic. Then get off to the last stop, Sorsogon Market.

From Sorsogon: Walk around and look for Sm Hypermarket. There you'll find the jeepneys going to Sawanga. Fare is 40php each. This jeep will take you directly to Paguriran BEACH!

Before hitting the beach, you have to buy food supplies, water, snacks and even fresh veggies and meat from the market. There's no restaurants or any food establishments at at the beach, only sari-sari store. So, bring your own food.

You can request freshly cooked meals from the locals at the beach. There are polite and hospitable. Just bring your groceries and tip them well. They are good in cooking sea foods, don't let them cook adobo or any red meat meals.

Where to stay?

I only had one choice for that time. Fully booked lahat. I didn't got the air-conditioned rooms, so we settled for a nipa hut/kubo house. It has one bath, one bedroom with king size bed, living area, and our own karaoke area outside. 700php per night is not bad.

Have a safe trip! Let's discover untouched beaches around the Philippines.

See more photos of our trip

Beach Love: Paguriran Island and Lagoon (Part 1)

Ang bilis ng oras. Alam mo bakit?...  Kasi, tumatakbo. ^_^

It's a celebration of our second anniversary. Time flies so fast.
Alam mo kung bakit? haha..NO.

We always want an escape from our daily work routines. Escape to a serene and tranquil surrounding without stress where all you have to do is chill. Unwind and unwired. A place where we can call ourselves strangers. A place where you can freely do anything without anyone judging you.

Going to places we've never been gives us a thrill. To discover new things, together.

Bicol is a familiar place for my partner. That's his hometown. I decided to spend our 2nd year with 2 kids. Two years celebrated with lovely two rascals multiplied our happiness as a couple. Indeed, it was a happy happy anniversary.

We are all first-timers here. Haunting a remote kid-friendly beach requires research skills. Thanks to travel bloggers who are passionate in documenting their trips. Detailed and beneficial to their readers. Thank God. We made it to Paguriran Island!

It's a long ride going to the beach.
When you see this spot, remember that you'll still pass 8 barangays to get there. 

Entrance. The beach is peeking.

Finally, beach.

Dylan and Art redefined chill.

Water Dash.

kalyo alert. salt water heals.

The sun sets and my emotion alights.

Try not to confuse attachment and love.
Attachment is about dependency and has more to do with love of self than love of another.
Love without attachment is the purest love because it isn’t about what others can give to you because you’re empty.
It is about what you can give other because you’re already full.
-Yasmin Mogahed

Define Cafea

A place to chill near our office, Cafea Restaurant. The cozy-uncrowded cafe feels like home to me. I can slouch, browse the web unlimited with their fast wi-fi, can request for food without standing, can take a quick nap, can watch films, and can burn time after hours. I only tried their Serendipity Iced Coffee, a sweetly blended coffee fresh from the grind with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip on top.

If you are looking for a welcoming lovely space that is meant for good conversation, lazy afternoon and serious relaxation,
there you have it!
^_^

College collage

The two places where I spent some of my savings during college days were at Quaipo and Divisoria. It is also the busiest market place in Manila where you can find anything you need for school,home or business -all at low price. It's also my favorite place for photo walks, hello street photography. hehe.. Since all my expenses were on budget during that time, this is where I got my best buy trendy shoes, everyday school wear, things I need for my projects, supplies for artsy stuff, and camera necessities.

Going here with May (my younger sister that will soon be in college) again gave me instant thoughts of moments I had with selected patient people I spent time with.
Hello guys! (you know who you are) ^_^

College life in Manila won't be complete without these places being part of it.

"Ate, babalik ako dito lagi!" -May

Summer Wanderlust at Tondol Beach

What to do with one of the longest holiday of the year?.. Its time for family bonding, home bumming and beach swimming?! yay. I was longing to go to this beach. I invited friends to come along but they also want to spend their time with their family. I really really want to go there. I’ve read blogs, reviews and articles just to make sure I can go there with much knowledge and readiness all by myself. I am blessed to have the coolest mom because she made a decision to come with me with the whole family..and that made all of us so excited.

The entry way that will welcome you when you get there. When I saw this nabura pagod ko sa byahe. wow Lord.. :)

We arrived there around 1pm and its 'low tide'. Just in time to witness the splendor of the white sand beach. Onti nalng Maldives na! haha.
I got so excited to take pictures! (may kasama pang nginig sa sobrang excitement. haha..) My younger brothers nagpalit agad ng pang langoy. Ang sarap tumapak at tumakbo sa sobrang pino at lambot na sand.

My youngest and uber bibbo brother, Rainer. :)

The photos are quite overexposed and I'm also overexposed under the sun! The skies were clear..salong salo mo yung init. Thanks to my sister who manage to re-apply sunblock maya't maya. 

First photo taken with my lovely sister, Wilt. We set the camera on timer so we can freely move naturally. 

"Be still and know that I am God" -Psalm 46:10. I found rest in His presence. As I watched the calming view and listen to soft waves hitting the shore..God reminded me to trust Him more completely. He made the beach so beautiful, detailed in every way and crafted it excellently. How much more our life? Let Him take over.

Watching the sunset is overwhelming. This natural wonder is just a glimpse of God's awesomeness. Taking this photo while riding on a boat with calm waters and misty wind calms my soul. 

We hopped on the island near the beach to witness the sunset more intimately. Of course, its also time to get photo opportunities. This silhouette is my sister. 

We rented a place facing the beach called Star Inn. The room rates are from 700-2,500 php per nyt. Rooms are similar to apartment type we normally see.We stayed 2 days and a night. Mejo bitin pero ok parin because we are required to make the most of it. (walang pahingang pag-explore at walng humpay na dora mode..haha). What I love about the beach? wala masyadong tao..hindi crowded like mainstream beaches na kailangan mo pang manghawi ng tao to get pictures.haha; Tahimik, spell unwind? wala masyadong nagpapatugtog ng mga party songs..chill na chill lang. Hospitable people, parang lahat ng nakakasalubong ko na taga doon palangiti?..hehe. My sister's boyfriend got stung by a huge jellyfish. Manang cooking near the shore gave him first aid agad, may kasama pang lecture at sermon na tunog nanay ng very light. The cons of the beach? Since its not yet fully developed, may mga part ng beach na maraming halamang dagat na nakakalat sa pampang. Water source, madaming mga suking tindihan dun pero hindi ko trip yung lasa ng tubig nila. Safer siguro mag softdrinks ka na lang or better magbaon ng gallons of distilled water. Wala pa masyadong restaurants and hang-out place. And lastly..ang LAYO. haha..

Will I go back? Absolutely yes! ^_^

How to get there:
It took us 6-8 hours to get there. Excluded the hours we waited for the Bus going to Alaminos.
Take Victory Liner (Cubao) byaheng Alaminos -ticket rate 393php aircon. Isang stop over lang sa Victory Liner (Tarlac). After long hours of sleep, butt burning travel time and endless view of wide rice fields mala-Farm Ville, you will reach the Alaminos bound (where the trip to Alaminos bus ends). From there, take a walk to find a jeepney going to Anda. Pwede magtanong-tanong, libre. Wag lang papa-uto sa mga tricycle drivers na willing to help ang peg pero hindi naman talaga. Haha. Instead, ask vendors or better security guards or mga tanod. Keep walking forward until you reach Alaminos Auditorium.  Dun ang sakayan ng jeep going to Anda. Then from Anda take a tricycle going to Tondol Beach. (Jeep fare 50 plus php tas tricycle 30 each). 9pax kami, much better and efficient to rent a jeep ‘til Tondol beach. 1k plus lang balikan plus you have the assurance na may masasakyan ka pabalik to Alaminos.

What you need:
Eagerness to experience new things
Excitement that never ends
Expectant heart to catch what God will reveal to you

Finding this awesome beach with a bunch of unfailing smiles, unlimited excitement and unforgettable experience with my most beloved family makes the trip full package summer wanderlust.


God made this beach so awesome and amazing how much more your life?
Life is not about finding yourself, its creating yourself. -Oscar Wilde
always remember to create oneself into His image.
^_^

First Trip of the Year Goes to Baguio

Every long weekend is a big deal for young professionals who work longer hours. To make the most of it, what you need is a great escape to a breath-taking-stress-free relaxing place away from jollibee (busy bee)hehe..Going to Baguio is a great deal. Aside from its cool weather, strawberries and veggies are cheaper, even the cab rate is very honest, artsy food restos are everywhere, jeje live horses (saw one horse with pink hair, haha..), nice view from the high rising houses (minimum of 3 floors), accessible swan lake, bikes :), one stop ukay-ukay, kamsahamnida peeps, random parade, and lots of ethnic and native stuffs. Here are my favorite pics from our trip.

Mala-Amsterdam view at the Session Road 

Rise and shine this Rio view from the rooftop

Jai outside TamAwan Village

i thought his beard was fake but its real, he the keyboard that sounds like harmonica

Ria preparing breakfast

i'll miss the cool breeze and open car windows

With Ria and Jai at 50's Diner

A 2-day stay in Baguio with two fun traveler friends (Jairus and Ria) is worth it -to keep my mind sane and on-track, again. Thanks to Ria for making our itinerary. We managed to come across 13 destinations; TamAwan Village, Strawberry Farm, Burnham Park, Swan Lake, Camp John Hay, The Mansion, 50’s Dinner, Oh my Gulay, O’ Mai Khan, Mines View Park, Pizza Volante, Market Place and Ukay Paradise. And also for one memorable conversation we had on our way home. I’ll keep what she said. “You are a gift that is not yet open, you are a surprise.” and Jairus for his never ending diva lullabies, hyper energy and for sharing his Lolo’s home sweet home. 
And, thank God for our safe and smooth trip.

More photos to come on my Facebook account. :)