tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10469388064867817732023-11-16T10:07:10.173-08:00Anagon's Travel BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-60004706658564621322012-05-19T03:25:00.000-07:002012-05-20T11:06:24.197-07:00I'm Back! :)<br />
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Sentimental Saturday. Choz. </div>
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Spent the whole afternoon editing the snippets of the Vietnam-Cambodia trip videos I had with my dear friends Tamems and Ana, circa June of 2010. <i>Parang kelan lang! </i></div>
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When I took these vids, I had no knowledge editing and uploading videos on Youtube, that's why they overstayed in my external drive for 2 years. I just remembered these files awhile ago, and thought of updating my travel blog and share these with you. Oh the good times! </div>
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Our second trip together, first was Hong Kong-Macau:</div>
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One of the longest time I stayed away from home (and in another country). We had a 12-hour bus ride from Vietnam Cambodia...Na nasira pa ang aircon! Never again! Lol:</div>
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Although SUPER INIT in Vietnam-Cambodia, what we love most about this trip naman are the FOOD TRIPS. Ang SASARAP ng food nila!</div>
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We also stayed in 4 hotels ata, most number of hotel experience for me, since we hopped from one country, then back:</div>
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No cabs! Tuk-tuk lang most of the time. </div>
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We even had our own "tuktuk" service for the whole stay in Cambodia:</div>
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Angkor Wat is just so---photogenic! :)</div>
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We climbed here and there, because, although popular spot ito, wala naman talagang ibang gagawin kundi mag masid. So gumawa kami ng sariling ganap, hahaha. Steep stairs challenge:</div>
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Feeling millionaire:</div>
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We also took a depressing tour and learned more about the killings during the Pol Pot Regime.</div>
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I really appreciate historical tours...</div>
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Cu Chi Tunnels Tour:</div>
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We sighted the biggest yosi ever (haha)</div>
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Leaving you with the video I was talking about:</div>
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***</div>
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<b>To My Future Travel Buddy:</b></div>
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<b>I hope you can come sooner. </b></div>
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I really miss going out and discovering things, whether they'll make me super ecstatic or just totally disappoint me. I don't mind the downside of traveling (12-hour bus ride through hell)... if only to be with someone on this whole crazy journey. Surely we will end up keeping only the good moments (good food, pang show-off pictures and videos), and just throwing away all the bad stories----or wait, maybe we can even use them for future good laughs.</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-62823562689310668152010-06-28T23:11:00.000-07:002012-05-19T03:49:07.927-07:00Eight Days with the Sumilaos<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">March 29-April 6, 2009</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I only knew that they were the group of farmers who marched all the way from Bukidnon to </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Manila</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to protest for their land ownership.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I went to San Vicente, Bukidnon with no agenda or mission. I just told Geo I wanted to go with her when she emailed me her “business trips”: </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Davao</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by late February and then CDO-Bukidnon late March/early April with Cheenee (Geo’s friend from Ateneo). All I wanted was to continue my goal of “escaping from my world”, because we all know that by going out of your comfort zone means experiencing more, thus more life-lessons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here are the top distinct memories of this trip:</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. The Delayed Flight<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4.30 am flight: Cheenee texted me</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">who slept over at Geo's house, that our friend was not feeling well</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and can’t come with us</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The series of unfortunate events led to another, it's my first time to meet Cheenee and we weren't that close then, plus we were late for check in and got left by our plane! We had to pay around a couple of blue bills (P4000!) to re-book for being 5 minutes late, I actually cried right there in the airport and was even planning to not join this trip anymore! </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Airport drama!!!</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Finally boarded the second flight.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The girl next to me. I forgot her name, but I love meeting friendly people.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We had a great conversation during our plane ride, and even told her about that morning's fiasco.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I realized that I can travel alone with people like her, whom you can talk with.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. The Families</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The moment I walked in their lands, the families were the first ones who welcomed us. We were brought to the different houses, which are all friends of Cheenee, Geo, and Kring. They all know each other there, and the whole community is very hospitable. For the whole trip, we had one house for each area:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Taas”— in the house of Tatay Peter and Nanay Luning, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Baba”—in the house of Ate Bebeth. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They are families that are both active in attending the community events like the basketball league and parade we were able to witness. Their favorite past-time are watching TV, drinking, and videoke! They always drink at night, especially for the farmers, after their all-day hardwork under the sun. I also tried their "medicinal" alcoholic drink </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fighter, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">which tastes like cough syrup! :D</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sumilao March all-over again?<br />
Nah, this is for their basketball league!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Medicinal? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had a taste of their nightly alcoholic beverage!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. The Vegetarian-friendly Foods<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anywhere we go, they always serve vegetables! But of course, they are farmers! They serve their own crops to us, and there was a time when Niniel got an egg </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">under our bed! </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I also love their creative ways of cooking. It was my first time to try monggo (beans) mixed with egg! It was super good!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They also get coconuts straight from the tree--the juice was really good and fresh! We also had a taste of their fiesta where Geo and I went from house-to-house. Turns out that fiesta was a time when they cook meat! But they'll always cook vegetables for me coz they never forget I am a vegetarian. :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our Sumilao farmer friend Niniel climbs that high coconut tree!</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Taas</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baba</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">taas (Up)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, the setting is really quiet like a typical farm life. The view is beautiful, I remember waking up and seeing right in front of me a window framing the beautiful farm lands and mountains. Geo, who had been here a lot of times already, said that when your goal for the trip is to relax, you should stay in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Taas. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We slept there for the first 2 nights and our last night.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Picture Perfect View outside the window.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Welcome to the house where we stayed in! :)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A nipa hut!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The weather is typical-</span><st1:place w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Manila</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> during morning till afternoon, but when night dawns, it was airconditioned-like cold that you'll need a jacket to sleep! I love waking up when we stay in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Taas, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the air is fresh, plus they always serve us with their organic coffee. We also get to experience harvesting cassava and watering onions on our stay there!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Trying out "farming" outside Farmville! :)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the other hand, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baba </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Under/Below) is where all the happenings occur. It's like their "city" where more people go to. In Baba, we were able to attend an elementary graduation, a communal baptism, the fiesta, had a manicure, learned their beadworks and coffee grinding, plus go to a mini carnival!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tried learning their bead works...I am an accessories maker, but theirs was complicated!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having a manicure!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Coffee making! Geo and Cheenee were there to help develop Sumilao corn coffee into a marketable product! :)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">House-to-house food trips during the fiesta!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Riding a ferris wheel with the kids in their fiesta carnival!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My betting addiction was tolerated here!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A disco during their week-long fiesta celebration!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Bathing</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was a time we tried bathing on where the locals usually go to: “</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tugib</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">”. It's a public place in the middle of mountains and forests where one can wash their clothes, get water for drinking, and take a bath. And since it's in the "middle of nowhere" we actually had to trek before getting there, that when you get back to your house you actually want to take a bath again!</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cold Water! Bathing in Tugib with Cheenee and Geo!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. The Kids</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Geo told me that she is closest with the mothers of Sumilao. I always listen when Geo asks them for stories and updates, coz the shy-type in me can't even start a conversation. I guess I am more fond of the kids!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They just love the camera! They'll pose right away every time I point my shutter to their direction. They also love dancing, watching TV, and cheering me when I sang in the videoke-session! They also become our instant body guards from strangers when we're out at night, plus they're always around! I love treating them with ice buko/ice candy/fruit salad!!!/candies/gum/cheese lumpia/soft drinks/chichiria and other junk foods, which were so cheap in their place!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> Ayla drew me on the floor. =) They are the sweetest!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On our way to the coconut area!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My playmates love the camera!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">***</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To my future travel buddy:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Get ready to cry buckets.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On our last day in the Sumilao Farm, I felt the loneliness Geo told me when she first visited and left the site. I wasn't able to hug Tatay Peter and Nanay Luning because I was afraid I might cry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tatay: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ana wag niyong kakalimutan ang sumilao a. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Ana, don't forget Sumilao a)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before leaving, they even gave us things we can take home with us like "souvenirs". There's a small broom that they made and a crotched bag. Really, they taught me that generosity doesn't involve being rich! While walking to the bus, the kids went with us again. Cheenee was with Niniel her boyfriend, Geo was with a mother and some kids, while I walked alone till the little girls Cacai and Ayla walked along with me saying </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dito nalang kami sayo at lagi kang nahuhuli</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. (we will stay here with you since you're always left behind)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then somebody said "Mamimiss namin kayo!" (We will miss you!). I was touched. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’ve known them as the group of farmers who marched all the way from Bukidnon to </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Manila </span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to protest for their land ownership… But Geo reintroduced them to me as my new summer family and friends. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-26031618150681010722010-06-24T05:08:00.000-07:002012-05-19T03:45:39.821-07:00Like being whirled in a giant washing machine.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sidetrip to CDO, not the corned beef brand (haha). </span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March 31-April 1.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My trip to Cagayan De Oro, which I now fondly call CDO, was actually just a segue for a longer trip in its nearby province: Bukidnon. Although I've stepped in this city, where there is an airport, we went right away to Bukidnon. So I was in between a vacation with my domestic trip-buddy Geo and her friend Cheenee in the farms, living with the farmers of Sumilao, and in the the middle of it, we rode a bus going to the city. It was a long ride, plus the bus wasn't air conditioned so our faces were all dusty by the time we reached CDO.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lost in Transition.</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a few days in Bukidnon, I started getting used to "The Simple Life": like sleeping in a high hut, eating rice and vegetables everyday, and using the typical outdoor restrooms of deep provinces (made of wood walls, and no lights at night!). Stories will go to another blog entry, so watch out!:) Anyway, so when we reached a commercialized area like CDO, I was really eager to eat pasta again! We arrived just in time for dinner, and I ordered pasta at a neat local diner called P. Joes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS7kggLdDAbh1D0__CukNPpPmHChhHm8pRfzyrh6lFEOYHOKpY3_3b1z5cdyyX6Sc2x6m0ug03BhX9YxTkgciOHc18IqxhPvwJFn1n-vblct1kVgLPuHgZXSUo1NnQW8v6K8dUPLiGFQk/s1600/cdo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS7kggLdDAbh1D0__CukNPpPmHChhHm8pRfzyrh6lFEOYHOKpY3_3b1z5cdyyX6Sc2x6m0ug03BhX9YxTkgciOHc18IqxhPvwJFn1n-vblct1kVgLPuHgZXSUo1NnQW8v6K8dUPLiGFQk/s640/cdo1.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></o:p></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Dine In Please!</span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A different city-dinner with Geo, Cheenee, and Niniel after being on the countryside for days!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That night, we stayed over at the house of Cheenee's aunt. Cheenee's family is actually from Cagayan de Oro, and she also speaks in Bisaya. :) The night was restless because of the mosquitoes, but when I used the bathroom, it was like using a tiled restroom for the first time! :D In Bukidnon, we had to go trekking a mountain to take a bath!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day was the biggest adventure of my life! Geo and Cheenee planned a White Water Rafting activity for the four of us, handled by a group of pro paddlers. These organizers are all-over the internet, and it's actually cool to have them around since they'll handle the pick up and going back-to, all the stuff we need, plus they'll give pointers pre-rafting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></o:p></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Survivor Cagayan de Oro.</span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pre-adventure lecture.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thought Balloon</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: Will it really be</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hard that we need to have an orientation?</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*knees suddenly shaking*</span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from that, they are usually bunch of humorous guys, making up stories and names for each rapid we encounter. "Para hindi kayo mabore!" (So you won't get bored!) They said we only had the "beginners" stage in white water rafting. That was why they made us do all sorts of things for every stops: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. like getting us to stand up all together when encountering the rapids (they really aim to make us fall from the boat!), <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray that you're beside and at the back of someone strong enough to pull yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. getting showered with small water falls (which hurts, I tell you), <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor Drenched Kid.</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh boy, was that me? Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. to jumping from a tall rock formation to the river (I think this is where I lost my contact lenses--which turned out to be just there on the</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">other side</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of my eye--it went there, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seriously</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! So when you're a contact-lens-wearer who is going to white water raft, a piece of advice from me to you:</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't wear them.</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">), <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></o:p></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the count of what?</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-2-3.....JUMP!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></o:p></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To whom it may concern.</span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm alive! :D</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. and of course, the highlight of the whole paddling and standing and swimming: They asked for volunteers, only those who want to jump straight into the rapids!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></o:p></span><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The three brave(???) ladies.</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only ones who jumped out of the boat to the rapids!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wasn't prepared on what to expect, and how to deal, that the moment my body touched the waters, I was swirling and twirling and being thrown against rocks by strong waters!</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Like being whirled in a giant washing machine.</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had on our helmets (thank God!), our life vests kept us afloat, but the whole time I was panicking, memories of the good times flashing in my head (just kidding!). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch was provided by the guides, and at dinner time and back in the cite,we tried CDO's famous "night cafe": a long outdoor strip of</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">inihaw</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">stalls (grilled) in the town-center. I realized that I acquired some minor leg-bruises, and a toe hurts, but that drowning moment was the-most-talked-about whenever Geo and I recall our CDO quest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To my future travel buddy:</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stalker Alert!</span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're wondering how we acquired all the photos while we're all busy paddling for our dear lives (haha), the guides actually offer a documentation of the whole event. I think it was pricey, but in the long run, P1000 per head (for the photos and videos only) is actually worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope we get on to Level 2 of White Water Rafting in the future, or better yet, spend more days in CDO and try its other adventure-activities!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-7959768509698187482010-06-23T03:15:00.000-07:002012-05-19T03:45:06.701-07:00I'll go back to Davao for the Coffee Breaks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Destination Davao, February 20-23 ,2009.</span></i><br />
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As the title goes, I miss Davao for my numerous coffee breaks there. I had a taste of their coffee the moment we stepped in this city in Mindanao. My friend Geo had to leave us for work right when we just got there (my dear busy friend!), which left me and her friend Mel with nothing to do. I just met Mel there, but I really like her coz she's nice, and like me, she doesn't want to waste time--especially when you're in a new place!<br />
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<b>BLUGRE.</b><br />
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<b>Love at First Sip</b>. Coffee with perfect strangers=Fine Time. =)</div>
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What we did was we had a late coffee break in no less than Davao's local coffee shop <b>Blugre. </b>The place is located in Matina Town Square, a small open space area with several shops that doesn't open till late-late afternoon. We stayed there browsing through their menu first, and I was attracted that they serve DURIAN coffee! Durian is Davao's popular sweet fruit with spiky-green outer covering, made known for it's pungent scent that you can sniff even at a distance (haha). It's a must-try since Durian Coffee isn't just served anywhere, and the coffee doesn't taste weird at all! :)<br />
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Turns out that Mel has been in Davao several times already, and was there for her own agenda (Geo and Mel are both involved in socio-civic activities. I am exposed to really nice people, haha!). That's why she knows Blugre (the only coffee shop I've been to that accepts GCash* payment--woot!). We were also accompanied over coffee and a slice of delicious cake by her friend who is a local there, I forgot her name but she was nice to drove us back to our residence in Mindanao Resource Training Center, which is a small room inside a medical school campus (coz it's cheaper). =D<br />
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<b>Trick of the Trip. </b>We spent less on our accommodations since we rarely stayed there anyway! </div>
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That night, Geo still at work, Mel let me tag along her meeting in Ateneo de Davao, which also led into me dragging along with her to a convention of datus and other group leaders. It was a big exposure to my country's indigenous tribes, I have no idea what I was doing there (I can't even understand the different dialects!), but the experience resulted to appreciation of culture and people.<br />
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<b>Culture Vulture. </b>Snapshots from Ateneo de Davao and a visit of tribe leaders' meeting.</div>
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<b>Yellow Hauz. </b><br />
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<b>Friendship, Yellow, and Coffee</b>. All my favorite things in the world.</div>
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My Davao trip, in all honesty, was all about meeting my long time buyer-turned-friend Shine. She even ordered accessories and racks from me, which I brought there in the trip. She was supposed to meet me in the airport (I was expecting waves, welcome signs, and hugs--haha!), but I think she forgot or fell asleep. I wasn't mad at her for a long time coz she texted me on my first night, and finally we met on my second day in Davao.<br />
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Geo and Mel left early for their meetings, so I prepared for my--<i>wow</i>--The Big Davao Meet-up, and rode a cab to a place Shine texted me. We stayed in a coffee shop named Yellow Hauz. Going there, we took another <i>non-aircon </i>taxi ride! This is not available in Manila (good thing because of air pollution =p), Shine opted this ride too since she wants the fresh air plus the flag down rate is cheaper!<br />
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<b>Look ma, we rolled open the car windows!</b> We rode cheap cabs with no air-conditioning, or what they call "Non-Air".</div>
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We chit-chatted over hot coffee in the posh cafe, and I found out that Shine just got off from her call center work. She welcomed me to her apartment and showed her gazillion collection of ANAGON accessories (oh how I love her, haha!), had lunch in an open eatery overlooking the sea (wow), then went to SM Davao to stroll, and I decided to watch a movie--which is such a sweet-cheap surprise for movie-buff-me coz tickets are for P80 only! :D ($1.70)<br />
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<b>Buyer-turned-Friend</b>. Yes you can find <i>real </i>people online. :-)</div>
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We ended the night in Jack's Ridge, a high point in the city: where we had sight-seeing, took more photos, dinner, and of course, coffee! :-)<br />
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<b>Coffee at Night. </b>With a beautiful view of the city, who would want to sleep?</div>
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<b>Coffee by the shore.</b><br />
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<b>Would you lie with me and just forget the world? </b>Chasing Cars while lying in the sand: perfect emo-moment!</div>
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This is most probably one of my dream-come-true (haha)--the Coffee-Drinker that I am, experiencing <i>da-life </i>of hanging around the sand, over looking the sea, and sipping your iced coffee with passe chill songs playing in the background (care off my un-updated music phone--haha!).<br />
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Third day was spent in Samal--a beach just a few jeep-and-tricycle-small boat ride away from Davao City. Isn't this place the coolest?<br />
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<b>Shine, Sand, Sun, Sip (of coffee)</b>. Samal's 4S are enough reasons to go back there.</div>
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There were lots of beach resorts in Samal, and turns out Geo and Mel were in a nearby resort from ours (we stayed in Blue Jaz). We had lunch, watched kids play with the sand as if it was snow, checked out the pool, and drunk our coffees and even beer at the shore (still, with the passe chill background music, haha). That night, this time with Geo, Mel, and my cousin Ayet, we went to Kublai's art house, had dinner there, and went through his wonderful artworks. It's actually one of my favorite days. =)<br />
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<b>Art Attack. </b>Walls and walls of Kublai's masterpieces.</div>
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<b>Coffee in the mountains.</b><br />
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<b>Everything fresh.</b> The air, the organic coffee--it's nice to be one with nature once in awhile.</div>
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We maximized our last day in Davao by waking up early. I tagged along Geo and Mel to their interaction with people from Mt. Apo (or the foot of the mountain, I think). But before reaching the actual destination, we had to ride a <i>habalhabal </i>or a longer motorcycle! :D It was scary since we're always on the edge of death, I mean, mountain! :D We also had a little trekking (which for me wasn't little, AT ALL. haha!)...then we finally reached a resting place where Geo and Mel had their thing. I didn't really caught what their meeting was all about, but it has something to do with social enterprising local produce. They are really cool people. :)<br />
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It's also my first taste of their organic coffee. The girls were discussing things, while I let my mind roam around other things as I resigned to my healthy coffee break, a beautiful view of God's nature, and soft breeze of clean air. :-)<br />
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It's official. I am palpitating and wide-awake in love with Davao and its Diversity.<br />
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<b>Love is in the Air</b>. In a city with a nearby sea, it isn't hard to fall in love with Davao.</div>
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***<br />
<b>To my future travel buddy:</b><br />
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<b>We have to Bungee Jump in Davao, and see the famous Monkey-Eating Eagle.</b></div>
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Four days of Davao is not enough. Even though I have been to Davao's best of both worlds:</div>
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<b>City </b>- their numerous cafes, some malls (and even watched a movie!), Jack's Ridge, Matina Town Square. </div>
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<b>Nature - </b>went to their famous Samal Beach, and a part of Mt. APO...</div>
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I feel that there is more in Davao that I haven't seen and experienced. </div>
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Let's stay for a week or more the next time we book there.</div>
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And maybe I can meet up with Shine again. =)</div>
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<b>Summer Sisters.</b> A note from Shine while our coffee time in Jack's Ridge.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-67141344601701405472010-06-22T10:42:00.000-07:002012-05-19T03:44:05.029-07:00What do you usually bring home from a trip? :)Though cash-strapped, I always make sure to bring my happiness from the trip back home. Coz in the end, if only I can bring everyone to travel with me! :)<br />
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If it's just a local trip, my number one choice of <i>pasalubong </i>(take-home treat) is anything edible. What is the place known for? Strawberries and peanut brittle are best-sellers in Baguio, so that's what I bought for my family the last time I went there.<br />
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Aside from food, I am fond of taking home a similar item from every place...and hope to build a collection. I bought the local Fashion Magazines from my trips in Hongkong and Cambodia. My family started collecting bells and magnets from the different locations we've been to. A Starbucks City Mug is also a cool souvenir! :-) </div>
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Magnets from my family's own trips.</div>
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Bells and shot glasses are always requested by my mom when my siblings and I went on tours.</div>
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One of the interesting things I am thrilled with when going abroad is using a different currency. Although converting is a challenge, I find that using another money is like playtime or something--in short, it's cute! So lastly, money, even the smallest bill, is a nice keepsake too. =)</div>
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<a href="http://images.anagonzales.multiply.com/image/0/photos/416/600x600/30/DSCN0686.JPG?et=Cyieli8oSmIQwLWqhhlncg&nmid=292907731" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://images.anagonzales.multiply.com/image/0/photos/416/600x600/30/DSCN0686.JPG?et=Cyieli8oSmIQwLWqhhlncg&nmid=292907731" width="640" /></a></div>
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***<br />
<b>To my future travel buddy:</b><br />
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<b>The best souvenir for me to remember a trip are the photos. </b></div>
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So take loads of pictures. Bring multiple-cameras--one for each will fully document the trip! :D Don't hesitate to snapshot all scenes that come your way--even when I am not looking at your camera, or even when I am not smiling at all! Record random videos as well, coz nothing beats "in-action"! Photos, videos...They are always-always the best mementos to look back to when we want to remember all our good times! ;-)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1046938806486781773.post-47586479587188465612010-06-22T04:11:00.000-07:002012-05-19T03:43:26.611-07:00Experiencing Freedom in the Land of the Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My first time to go out of the country <i>without a family member *ahem* and with my own money *ahem* </i>was April 21 to 24, 2008. Mid-summer, and nothing to do since it was already a year since I graduated college, my friend Marj (who was on summer break from Med school then) persuaded me to an out-of-the-country getaway. The <i>businessera </i>(business-minded)<i> </i>that I am suggested BANGKOK right away, since I was imagining all sorts of great finds like clothes and whatnots that I can buy there and resell in my <a href="http://anagoncollection.multiply.com/">online shop</a>. ;) <i>Wais! </i>(smart-ass, haha)<br />
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Bangkok proved itself as a busy-as-Manila city, there were heavy traffics too when we were there, and of course, shopping malls and markets can be found everywhere, like Starbucks sprouting in every corner of Makati! We just have to go out of our hotel (literally <i>downstairs</i>) and right there and then: we have in front of us their very own Green Hills or Tutuban! :D<br />
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<b>The Market Shopaholic!</b></div>
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Plastics and Plastics of clothes, bags, umbrellas, etcetera!<br />
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We ended up going home with heavy luggage<i>s, </i>so it's always safe not to opt for Go-Lite promos of airline companies when going to shopping-haven like Bangkok. Also, if only I knew then, I would have brought with me my own shopping bags, the amount of plastics we accumulated from our shopaholic-adventures were too much to make our Mother Earth cry. =/ Be patient with haggling, it's like dealing with our own Divisoria sales ladies, plus the language barrier! There was a time that my friend and the sales lady were already arguing <i>in their own native tongues--</i>it was serious then, but funny when we were just talking about it now! :D<br />
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And of course, since I already brought up haggling and Divi--it's better to get by wholesale to get more discounts! :-) We were able to purchase 12 leather bags for around P3600 only! :) ($80 for 12 bags)</div>
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One of the many malls you'll find in Bangkok.</div>
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<b>No Extra Pounds.</b></div>
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We have soooo many bags and luggages, but we were lucky not to pay for excess baggage! :)</div>
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Aside from fashion items, Bangkok is also known for their dried goodies. I love their sampaloc and dried fruits! :D It's a must-try, and were even offered by weight in malls like in MBK.<br />
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<b>Anagon and the Dried Goodies Factory.</b></div>
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I can't decide what to buy! :) Even the <i>sampaloc </i>have varieties!</div>
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I realized that we went around the city mostly by cab. There were cabs who offered touring us (for extra charges), but we declined politely but firmly since some can be too insistent. Those times we went from one shopping mall to another, a market here and there, we were able to unconsciously soak ourselves already in this city's own modern culture. Even a right-side driver was already culture-shocking, in a fun way! :)<br />
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We weren't able to indulge too much on food though, since I was a fresh-low-earning-graduate then, I chose the shopping part over eating on expenses-priority. We always bought instant noodles and even rice meals in 7Eleven--which is <i>everywhere! </i></div>
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<b>Cheap Thrill.</b></div>
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Eating my Thai instant noodles in our hotel room, also while watching game shows and telenovelas in <i>Thai!</i> </div>
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It was fun, and thank God for hotel complimentary water and coffee! ;)</div>
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And lastly, as much as Bangkok is all about being a big-spender (haha), we also had a half-day tour and went to the Grand Palace and a canal boat tour of the Chao Praya River. We had a tour guide, who was also part of the package we took, so we had no problems with transfers. I can't fully understand her English, though. But she was really nice, and she loves taking our pictures around the place filled with temples, gold structures, and residences of former kings. </div>
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In the Grand Palace, they made us wear long skirts as part of their conservative traditions.<br />
Though I was wearing an above-the-knee dress, there were ladies who offered sarongs outside the place, for a fee. It was also a nice experience to try.<br />
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Going to Thailand that time felt freeing for me--like "escaping" my home for something different. As I titled this entry. (<i>Thailand's phrase "Land of the Free" takes pride of being the only Southeast Asian country that wasn't colonized by Europe</i>), it is an experience that made me realize that I am now past student and youngster life. I like the feeling of trying to live independently. I guess this trip actually triggered my desire to go all-out with traveling, no matter how bank-draining this is. It was worth it! :)</div>
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<b>To my future travel buddy:</b></div>
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My number one tip to enjoy Bangkok even on a budget:</div>
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<b>Book in a good hotel.</b></div>
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Yup, you read that right. Now how can a good hotel be of help when you're on a budget? In two words: <b>BREAKFAST BUFFET</b>. I load up on this free breakfast (well, not exactly free, but you wouldn't feel spending when it's part of the hotel's package right?) and you'll never get too hungry till it's dinner time already. The plus is, when you get to taste some exotic dishes too! :)</div>
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Just the first serving of the many more to come! :)</div>
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<b>Dragon Fruit.</b></div>
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Not available in my hometown, so I was interested to taste this exotic fruit available in the buffet! :-) Reminded me of kiwi!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6