My 2018 was unexpectedly filled with travels in different parts of the Philippines. (And so are my finances on a shock. Lol) Early in January I usually plan what I want to achieve at the end of the year. One of my goals was to have one domestic and international travel. I haven’t achieved traveling abroad but I am happy and surprised at the same time how I’ve been to different destinations I haven’t been to this year. I didn’t think through most of the places I show below but every travel experience meant a lot to me. It felt like it made me a different person every time I travel. I learn different things every time I travel.
Let me share some of the things I learned and the unforgettable experience I had in each of these places. I haven’t posted a travel blog in some of the places I’ve been to earlier this year because I realized later that I can actually write travel blogs as well…
First travel destination in 2018 was in Playa de Paraiso in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
I went here with my family last January to celebrate my aunt’s birthday. I think that is what makes this place unforgettable. The best moments are spent with the people you love. And from here, I didn’t expect the following months will be eventful. After we visited Playa de Paraiso in San Lorenzo my family and I crossed towns to Nueva Valencia also in Guimaras for its Floating Cottage. I haven’t taken any photo (because I am that lazy or forgetful at times) but some life’s experiences are best kept in the memory of my heart and soul. Haha!
The photo below was taken in Cabaling Beach Resort in Sitio Cabaling, Jordan, Guimaras.
In February, I went here for the first time and this is my first ever unofficial solo travel. It was easy to access this place that’s why it’s unofficial. But the first time I went here meant a lot to me because I needed some time far from the toxic city life I have. It was also the time that I need to just clear my mind off of things that troubles me. I just need to unplug. So even if this is unofficial to be considered as a solo travel, I am glad to achieve going here alone.
The next time that I went back here I was helping a friend to also have a mini getaway. 😀 It’s always fulfilling to go to a place that makes you feel at calm and be at rest.
On March, I took advantage of the long weekend to travel on the northern part of Luzon. From the cold temperature of Sagada, Mountain Province down to beaching vibe in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union I did all the DIY itinerary in 4 days! Woah! Another achievement for me I guess.
What I can’t forget in this trip is all lengthy-written on my blog. You can check it out on the clickable link. But for the sake of this year-end review, I think it was more of how this trip made me feel. The sense of fulfillment when you go to a place that you planned and yet you are still open to the possibilities of it not exactly happening. That’s the point of traveling for me. It helps me exercise to become less perfectionist when I travel and to let things happen when it happens.
Summer season came up and I was also up for nature-seeking adventure with my family. I visited the “Little Baguio” of Bucari, Leon.
You can never go wrong traveling to the province and see beautiful scapes and mountains. Not only that it feels refreshing but also a ground to have some reflection. When I got here I discovered my desire to travel more. I don’t consider myself as a traveller already even if I did go to a lot of different places this year. I want to travel not because it has been a trend nowadays but because I want to do more of the things that makes me feel more of myself. I want to do more of what makes me feel alive. And this is where I discovered I am more like a beach person than the mountain-seekers type. Haha! If you’ve seen my blog post about the coconut tree tattoo I got, I shate the reason why I feel going to the beach more. So from here I went more beach escapades and since it was summer, it’s just perfect!
Jumpstart for a week of beaching from Lakawon Island in Cadiz city.
I wrote a blog when I went here you can check it out on the link. Summer time was a bit busy for me when I was was working on my day job. And sometimes what you need is a break away from all of your responsibilities. What I appreciate the most about being in the beach is the laid back lifestyle, living a simple island (or not so island) life. I think less of how I look or act most of the time. It’s where I can say, I don’t mind what people might think of me nor should I mind what they think of me. If you have read my blog on this weekend getaway the next two places I went were beach-filled (if that’s even a word. Haha!)
From Cadiz city, I headed straight to Dumaguete.
Dumaguete city is small yet I haven’t been to most “touristy” destinations there. I had a limited time but I enjoyed the most of my stay there. I also loved how each destinations took me to my life’s journey. As this time I was (am) still finding myself. Finding purpose and will.
Since Siquijor Island is near and a ferry away from Dumaguete, I also went there. And this was my last destination for summer.
I mentioned in my blog about this trip that Siquijor Island is also known as the “Mystic island of fire”. And what is not mystical is that every beautiful places I’ve been to including this one is that they were all made by our Creator. And I am always in awe. I am also privileged to be able to witness these beauty. That is one thing I am really thankful for this year. It’s like an answered prayer to a prayer I haven’t asked yet for but there it is given to me.
When I travelled back home and passed by Bacolod City I had another spontaneous sightseeing trip to The Ruins.
I didn’t go to the beach here, obviously, this was an old historic place of which I haven’t been to yet. It was nothing really spectacular or special in this trip but it only unlocked my spontaneity. I shared more details about that character I just possessed in my blog post. I think the more I travel it allows me to live outside my comfort zone also. Another achievement for me. Yay!
The last two places I planned t go to and loved the most were in Bohol and Cebu City.
I shared my experience on my blog post when I was in Bohol. But what this trip made me feel and realized is that I haven’t put so much thought of going to more local destinations. And that’s something I need to do in my further travels for 2019. I am always caught up with my desire to see places in abroad – the places I put in my bucketlist. So when I was here that made me see that there are a lot like A LOT of beautiful destinations in my country that I should visit first before going abroad.
Cebu city is close to my heart since I stayed there for quite a long time. This is my favorite travel destinations since this was the “year-long” pause for me to actually travel around the city. I still have more destinations on the list to visit. That is something I will definitely go back for hopefully next year.
Last destination of 2018. This was taken in Natago Beach Resort in Guimaras island (again).
I was here for our Christmas party and my office mates decided to go island hopping the following day. It was on the spot, again. I can’t imagine how I handled the spontaneity all year round. But I’m glad I managed to live with it. I wasn’t prepared physically and mentally for this trip but I know I needed this mini getaway too. Plus I want to spend time with the people I’m with.
I think that’s what made these trips both different and the same. I was able to spend time with important people in my life. And before this year officially ends let us not forget to make them feel how their lives meant to us. No matter how many times you’ve travelled in a year or how many places (new and old) you’ve been to doesn’t compare to how those travels meant also for you as a person. For some maybe it was already part of their jobs to go here and there. But what I’m talking about is the trips you have been planning and wanting to go. May it be for leisure, pleasure, relaxation and empowerment or whatever your personal reason is, always be thankful. Not all people can see what you saw or experience what you have experienced. I am thankful for how every travel brings me lessons and realizations, mostly about myself. It allowed me to see myself how I am as a person to the people, the situation, and to what God is trying to teach or tell me. 2018 has filled me with great experience not just in traveling. I feel like I am a total different person then and now and it’s good. I have been a work in progress and results doesn’t happen overnight. Whatever God has prepared for me for 2019 I am excited and welcome it with an open heart. Traveling is just one of the many good things He gave me this year and I am sure there is so much more and a lot better in 2019. Wherever my next travel is I am going to travel with my heart and both feet on the ground.
Greetings!
I hope and I pray for a prosperous new year to all my readers. Thank you for journeying this year with me. I hope you’ll stick through with more of my travels not just in 2019 but in the years to come. God bless you all! Once again,
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