The Chronicles of Nya-nyap: The Sea, the Mountains and the Air

No other year (compared to the previous ones) could be adventurously exciting than the year of the rat- 2008. Born under the year of the tiger, I am erratic by nature and yearn to experience new and unexpected things. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel and reach new soil not once, not twice but six times in a year! The year of the rat offered an action-packed travel experience for me as I set foot on different grounds. It was also a year of firsts as it marked my first sea and air travels.

Puerto Galera: Book 1

My first trip to the island draw me to tears- not in joy but in exasperation as our trip was almost cut short by a small misfortune caused by a crocodile man working at the port. The man purposely misguided us with the boat’s schedule so he could earn a small fortune. Anyhow, my “crying moment” was as memorable as my first boat ride. The boat ride was so serene that I instantly forgot I was in a bad mood. We didn’t get to swim though, since we decided to just enjoy the view due to lack of time. Actually, our primary purpose for visiting the island was to look for hotels that could best accommodate us during the holy week because the initial plan was that my family would spend the Lenten season in Gale.

The trip ended well with our mission accomplished. There was another misfortune though, our digicam’s memory card broke and we lost all the pictures we took. Now that’s real bad luck!

Puerto Galera: The Climax

Two months after our first Puerto Galera misadventure my mom and I are back again in the island, this time with my siblings and a cousin for the Lenten break. It’s as if our petty misfortune returned as we lost our hotel reservation. Good thing it wasn’t enough to spoil our vacation. We came to the island with such cheery moods that we just let the bad things that happened pass.

It was also my first mountain hike. I admit I love adventures but I’m not really a junkie when it comes to physical strength. I was so exhausted while climbing the trek, good thing the view at the top is breathtaking. The waterfalls are really astounding. I super über love it. This time we made sure that we’ll be able to capture each moment carefully on cam and never loose it.

Puerto Galera: The Final Leg

As if hitting the jackpot, I was back in Galera for the third time in a row, this time I was with my officemates (previous work). At first I was hesitant to join them since I just visited the place a month ago. I feel like I was so used to the place that I instantly became my officemates tour guide.

Secosana Gang goes to Nasugbu

T’was a memorable summer for me and my girlfriends (girls and girls at heart) because finally we’re all done with college. What else could be the best way to celebrate it than head to the beach! And so we packed our colorful bags, skimpiest swim suits, and must-have sunblocks and splashed our way to the beach. Though a little incomplete, it was still a fun and cherished experience for all of us as it marks the end of our childish student life.

For some of us who were already working we took on our anticipated leave (not telling our boss where we’re really going). We spent the whole weekend doing what we love and do best: laughing and smiling in front of the camera. The trip was another first for me as we decided to arrive and leave the resort through a boat ride (take note: small boat as in fishing boat!). Exciting as it is, still I was so nervous because I feel like the waves wanted to crush our boat. It was so huge and shaky that I feel like I was riding the Anchor’s Away (read Enchanted Kingdom).

The Rat’s Grand Finale: Wow Bohol! Cool Cebu!

Just when the year of the rat is about to end, it stunned me with another pleasant surprise: I‘m bound to step on the shores of Cebu and Bohol! Wow. The part I’m looking forward the most is the plane ride (imagine it was my first plane ride)! Another perk was that I get to travel for free with the new people in my life. It is really a new experience for me. There’s a catch though, I am gonna be using someone else’s name since our flight was booked early last year. I don’t mind I’m still excited about it.

I’ve been to the airport several times but never really got the chance to get in, usually I was just there either to pick up someone or sent them in. But this time its different- I am flying to Cebu. Finally it was my turn to fly, only using someone else’s name. I was lucky enough to get hold of the window seat. I über love the view.

Between Cebu and Bohol, I like Bohol more. The place is astounding, the culture is astonishing, the food is lip smacking and the people are really accommodating. In fact, I’m thinking of settling there someday. Cebu on the other hand is like Manila, except that the people speak Bisaya. We only got the chance to tour the city, which is probably why I appreciate Bohol more.

Another thing that I enjoyed about the trip was the warm company of the people I am with. Though I’ve only known them for a month or so I feel so comfortable and at ease with them. They made the trip really worthwhile.

A hopeful year

As I welcome 2009 I also usher in a new season in my life: meeting new people, clinging on a new career and building on a hopeful, more mature me. Positively, I am hoping that the year of the ox still has a lot of awe-inspiring surprises in-store for me. Already I am looking forward to it.