BEST 12 OF MY 2015 TRAVEL ITINERARIES
There’s a nostalgic feeling when lounging at the airports’ departure area and witnessing the chaos of travelers as they check-in and bid farewell to their friends and loved ones. While currently at the airport, I found myself lurking – at my own social media accounts and smiles once in a while (as if I am in a lucid interval) as I reminisce the year that was.
I
found true friends. I lost some. I chose to leave the indifference and move
on. YOLO as they say – you only live
once. I found comfort on the few choices
of friends I have and traveled with them.
I never made year-end posts since I started blogging. But this year may be quite different that I opted to immortalize 12 of the best for this year’s travel itineraries.
12. HONGKONG: NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE FAMILY
My
siblings and I live independently from each other, in fact cities and countries
apart. If there is a day for the whole
year that we are accustomed to seeing each other, wherever the rendezvous may
be, it is the New Year’s Eve and the 1st day of the year
naturally. And for the year 2015, we
witnessed the countdown at the Victoria Harbor of Hongkong amidst the sea of people,
no festive dining table but only chips and beer in tow while the skies lit up
in colorful patterns of fireworks.
11. CEBU, CITY, PHILIPPINES:
A UNIQUE SINULOG FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Of the many years I have been visiting Cebu City for the Sinulog Festival, this was the first time I have witnessed the Grand Parade. It was honestly exhausting considering the long list of the number of participants and the urge to document all of them in their vibrant and colorful costumes adding up to the graceful routines they present at the streets.
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| THE STREET PARTY HAS JUST STARTED |
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| WITNESS THE GRAND PARADE - THE SOBER HOURS |
10. KALINGA, PHILIPPINES: MEETING WANG-OD AND
TREK TO THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
I
have no intention of getting tattooed, meet the last traditional tattoo artist
of their tribe, Whang-Od, and trek to the mountain villages neither. But we made it all happen in a day. We visited four (4) villages in one day, met
some local residents including Whang-Od and turned tour guides into friends.
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| AT BUTBUT VILLAGE |
9. DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES: TRAVEL WITH A CAUSE
When
I was invited by Cebu Pacific Air to attend an event at Davao City for the symbolic
adoption of the Philippine Eagle “Mindanao”,
I was more than honored that I cannot turn down the invitation. As a blogger, this is my first time to
partner with a domestic airline company.
The free time during the event was allocated to meet Davao-based bloggers/travelers and though drinking spree has restricted and shortened hours, it was an unforgettable one. I can't wait to be back this year.
8. KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: THE ROYAL EVENT AND A NEW DISCOVERY
The free time during the event was allocated to meet Davao-based bloggers/travelers and though drinking spree has restricted and shortened hours, it was an unforgettable one. I can't wait to be back this year.
8. KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: THE ROYAL EVENT AND A NEW DISCOVERY
This
year is the first time I have heard of a place named Kuala Terengganu. Through the invitation of Terengganu Tourism
Board and Gaya Travel Magazine of Malaysia, together with travel writer friend,
Edgar of Eazy Traveler, I am fortunate to have been invited to a royal
event. We attended the 10th
Anniversary of Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation where the sultan himself graced
the event at Lake Kenyir.
Interesting
sights and culinary treats were part of my discovery at Kuala Terengganu,
Malaysia. I love how culture was preserved
on this side of Malaysia and how eco-tourism sites are well-maintained.
7. DUBAI AND ABU DHABI,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: THE SUMMER SOLO TRIP
Filipinos are almost everywhere in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I was never alone during the entire day trip, since I was accompanied at times by my friends Issa, Aaron and Shera, who are now living in UAE.
Despite
the intense summer heat accompanied by buckets of perspiration outdoor that
reaches for more than 50 degrees, I still enjoyed the sight-seeing and the
over-all experience. Seeing the architectural
masterpieces of Burj Khalifa and Burj Al-Arab are enough for me actually, though
I wonder sometimes that it could have been more fun if I have more friends with
me to share the trip. I am never used to
solo travels after all.
6. BALAYAN, BATANGAS: PARADA NG LECHON WITHOUT
LECHON AND THE SIDETRIP
Being
a sport is the name of the game.
Drenched in water even my camera at times, we braved the streets of
Balayan to witness their festivities in a mix of traditional and modern
celebration. There was an ongoing foam
party on one side before the parade started.
It was the first time I have experienced the feast of St. John where all
(no exception) is ready to be drenched in (clean) water.
Apart
from lechon offered by the local
residents together with a bottle of beer for breakfast, the following day we
searched for one and none was available. The side trip to the town of Taal is likewise a good vantage of historical discovery.
5. MACAU AND HONGKONG: WALK AS LOCALS WITH A MIX
OF LUXURY
Nowhere
in the trip were the usual tourism landmarks considered when I, together with Carla,
Christian and Marx visited Hongkong and Macau, with the exception of course of
the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ruins of Macau.
But in a different way to visit the site, like what other local
residents do at night, it served as a plaza
where some gather for food trips and us for a booze fix.
With
no itineraries or maps on hand, we walked.
Walked through alleys and unknown streets of Hongkong and Macau to
search for food and simply play the game of discovery and adventure.
And
one of the highlights of our visit is to experience the world’s largest
water-based show, House of Dancing Water, at the City of Dreams Macau.
4. BORACAY, PHILIPPINES: A CELEBRATION
OF LIFE
I
had a lot of memories at Boracay Island (good and mostly bad). I have chosen to forget the bad memories but
every time I visit the place, I tend to remember the past. Moving on, I was supposed to go to Tokyo for
my birthday (thanks to a seat sale) but plans changed.
I usually don’t celebrate my birthday in the country. I’m not bragging about it in case you find it one but it’s just my way of pampering myself and being alone or at least together with some of my closest friends. I want to skip parties and where everyone makes friends with you because it’s your birthday. And I made the right decision. It was both fun and relaxing. I enjoyed the waters of Puka Beach and the sense of exclusivity attached to it.
I
have to say, my 2015 stint in Boracay was so far the best stay I had in the island as of
writing. I only had good memories which
keeps me smiling each time I recall.
3. INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA: THE ASEAN PASS
If
not for Carla and Christian, it would be impossible for me to explore my dream
destinations in Southeast Asia. Asian
history fascinates me and you could just imagine how I felt when we saw the
Borobudur Temple just before it closes to the public in less than an hour and
the Prambanan Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
I joined them only on the first leg of their two-month backpacking trip which started in Cebu, then to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Bali and Yogyakarta, Indonesia and back to Manila through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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| PURA BESAKIH, BALI, INDONESIA - MOTHER OF ALL TEMPLES |
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| BEACHES OF BALI |
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| ULUWATU TEMPLE, BALI, INDONESIA |
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| VIEW OF MOUNT BATUR, UBUD, BALI, INDONESIA |
2. STAYCATIONS WITH FRIENDS
It
is really true that no matter what the destination is for as long as you have
the right companions, everything will be fine.
Each staycation has a story and memories to share. I would like to believe that my travel
buddies and I have known each other through the varied staycations we’ve had
and all these experiences made our bond stronger.
I found a lifetime friendship in them.
I found a lifetime friendship in them.
1. BEIJING AND SHANGHAI, CHINA: FIRST WINTER
My
mindset was to spend white Christmas in one of the famed mountains of
mainland China. But all domestic flights
were cancelled from Beijing which made us accept our fate that there will be no
snow for this trip.
The below zero temperature though was a consolation for us. With like-minded companions, we just have to make most of the situation. Beijing is one of my favorite cities in mainland China for the great mix of culture and commerce on every alleys and streets. The Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City Palace Museum, Beijing Zoo, Temple of Heaven and a lot more discoveries were enough reasons to say that the trip to mainland China was all worth it.
The below zero temperature though was a consolation for us. With like-minded companions, we just have to make most of the situation. Beijing is one of my favorite cities in mainland China for the great mix of culture and commerce on every alleys and streets. The Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City Palace Museum, Beijing Zoo, Temple of Heaven and a lot more discoveries were enough reasons to say that the trip to mainland China was all worth it.
Even
the food trips at Shanghai was a good choice, in the likes of fried dumplings, xiaolongbao, and of course lumpiang shanghai (not the local name of course), not to mention the
constant landmarks – The Bund, People’s Park, and Yuyuan Garden to name a few.
In a
relaxed mode, I enjoyed my first winter trip at mainland China in the company
of great travel buddies, Kirk and Mark.
x---------------------------x
A
new year has come and definitely travel plans laid. So when you see me lurking
at the airport, rest assured I am about to transform travel itineraries into good lasting memories.
Note: All photos are taken from social media accounts (my own and tagged photos from friends)
Note: All photos are taken from social media accounts (my own and tagged photos from friends)
5 comments
One of my top 3 is our staycations. Saya! Cheers to more [mis]adventures this 2016.
ReplyDeleteNaks! To more adventures and your 2016 inspiration! *excited na kami haha* Happy New Year Atty!
ReplyDeletehappy New Year ALT. I love you! :)
ReplyDeleteSo pano atty? See you ulit sa Sinulog? :)
ReplyDeleteWow, as in just wow. It would take me a lifetime to travel these places and you only did it for a year. (insert worship emoticon here). Great list Julius, hope to join you in some of your travels soon :)
ReplyDelete