Palm Sunday marks the start of the Holy Week. It’s a time to reflect and repent for Roman Catholics. For those who want to go on a pilgrimage without hurting the pocket, you don’t need to fly out of the country.
In Iloilo, you can marvel at the architecture wonders and at the same time take a spiritual journey. Starweek features my story today, April 1, 2012: Visita Iglesia on a budget. Click the photo or the link to read more.
You might also want to read:
“What is my path? Should I walk straight, turn left or take the shortcut?And if I take this turn, am I on the right path?”
In life, questions like these arise at a time when we want to move to the direction that our heart desires. The heart knows when the question has been answered. The answer might not come right away because challenges were along the way.
If you were to choose between riding a luxury cruise ship and a balangay (the ancient wooden boat used by the ancestors during pre-colonial times), what would you choose?
BEFORE THE JUMP: At the luxury cruise ship, you’re one of the elite. Your peers envy you because they see you as rich and a successful person in your ship. Everything is on that ship so you don’t need to go out. The ship has its own entertainment, movie house, swimming pools, and mini-golf course. But the ship does not allow you to explore the places longer. The ship visits the port of call every other day. Sometimes, you only have a day and then you’ll get back to the ship. Everyday becomes a routine. Deep inside you, you want to know the world better. You want to take your time in appreciating the world and its people.
Then one day, you wake up. You had enough of the boring routine in the ship. You want to jump out of that ship and start your adventure aboard the balangay. There’s the risk of jumping out of the ship. You know that the waves would be rough. It won’t be an easy journey. You might drown in the water or you might get lost. People won’t understand you. Some would think you’re crazy because you already have a comfortable life. Yes, you were financially comfortable but emotionally unhappy.
Then again, you gathered enough courage to take the risk and brave the path. Eventually, you jumped from the edge just like when Jack told Rose to jump when the Titanic was sinking.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE JUMP: Yes! I jumped from the ship to the balangay. It was an exhilarating and liberating jump. It felt really great to be the captain of the balangay, take charge of my destination and be the explorer that I wanted to be. It opened up to a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have discovered had I stayed aboard the ship.
It made me realized the dreams that I’ve been longing to fulfill: writing for travel/inflight magazines, getting into stock photography, being an entrepreneur (starting out a business soon? nothing final but I have taken baby steps), building a passive income stream, and traveling longer to wherever I wish to go.
Sometimes, it’s not a smooth sailing journey. Storms do come. But my faith is stronger than the storm. I just say a prayer and the sea will be at peace once again.
So far, here are the LESSONS that I LEARNED from Traveling:
1. When you get stranded literally and figuratively (Yes, I got stranded in September 2011 in Puerto Galera due to a typhoon and almost missed my flight to Vietnam), don’t panic. Breathe in. Breathe out. Use your time wisely wherever you are. There’s always a way to get home. Stay positive.
2. Treat your parents like your friends/ barkada. They don’t want you to be alone and would volunteer as travel buddies. They would even ride motorcycles just to join you in your adventure. (Yes, my parents don’t like riding motorcycles but they couldn’t say no to me when our hosts picked us up via motorcycles from Can Tho City on the way to our homestay near Cai Rang river in Vietnam).
3. “Don’t talk to strangers” << This line is not applicable when you're traveling alone. Do talk/converse with strangers. Who knows? They might just help you when you’re in need. (When I was in Iloilo, I was clueless on what multicab to ride in going to La Paz and onwards. I asked the help of the traffic enforcer. The person went out of his way and helped me hail a ride to my destination.)
4. Smile and be a friend to the locals. When you got a friend, you won’t be a stranger to wherever you are and you won’t feel alone. (When I visited the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras, I met Nanay Basyon who toured me around and even gave me blackberries (not the smartphone but the fruit.) She was very accommodating and made me feel at home).
5. Don’t take shortcuts. It might be a faster way to get to the destination but it might be unsafe. Better safe than sorry. (This happened during my quest to the Panaloran Spring, which the locals of Sitio Guisi recommended. More of this on separate post.)
6. You don’t need to be rich to travel. You need to be wise on how to spend your money and where to spend it. It’s just a matter of living within your means, proper budgeting, and building a stream of passive income.
7. You can live life to fullest when you follow your heart. You don’t find happiness. You create it. You live to be happy and make others happy.
8. Last but not the least, never lose your faith. When you’re lost, just call on HIM. When you’re down, HE will carry you through. “The yoke that I will give you is easy and my burden is light. Come to me and I will give you rest.”
Traveling has changed my life and brought out the best in me. I know I’m ready when I face my Creator. If HE would ask me: “Anak, how did you live your life?” I’ll answer HIM with a smile, “Father, I had lived my life to the fullest. I had used the gifts that you’ve given me. I traveled the world, explored the wonders of nature, and motivated people to live their dreams. And of course, I had loved.”
This entry is part of the 17th Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival with the theme, “Leap of Faith: When Travelling Changed My Life” hosted by Reiza Dejito of Wander If You Must.
“…Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.”—Joyce Kilmer
Words were not enough to describe how grateful I was to see the wonders of Coron Island. I felt so blessed. God made my day perfect! Thank you Lord! It was an answered prayer.
Nov. 17, 2010
Happy Birthday! I woke up from the greetings and messages of family and friends. The sun greeted me too with its warm rays. I looked up and saw the clear blue skies. This would be one great day!
After eating breakfast at the Village Lodge Restaurant, we went to the port and met the DIY joiners of our trip: Gina, Dennis, Mai, and Abi.
Siete Pecados
Perfect weather! The sea was calm as we made our way to our first stop in the itinerary–Siete Pecados Marine Sanctuary. We snorkeled here for 30 minutes.
Good thing, I had Wish (my Canon D10) with me. I captured the beauty of the marine life underwater. But still, I was not satisfied with my shots. It would have been better if I got closer to the subjects… and the only way to do that is to dive—And that I have to learn. Haha.
This blue fish (sorry, I don’t know the name of the specie) was the most decent shot that I got.
Our boatman, Kuya Eli, told us that before, coral reefs in Siete Pecados were destroyed by cyanide fishing. And when the site became protected, the colorful marine life returned.
Snorkeling was followed by swimming at the fantastic, amazing, breath-taking Kayangan Lake.
Kayangan Lake deserved all those adjectives and more. It was truly a hidden gem. Its’ beauty was not easy to see but it was worth the sweat.
We climbed 100 plus steps. Thanks to the makeshift stairs which made the climb easier and less scary. Kuya Eli led us to a narrow rocky path, where we found this famous picturesque view.
I’ve seen it in pictures. But seeing the real thing made me utter, Wow! The Philippines is really blessed!
There’s also a small cave from where we stood but we hesitated to get in since we didn’t have any spelunking lights. After taking photos, we returned to the original path and found another stairs going down to the lake.
On the way to Kayangan Lake
The struggle and sweat to climb was worth the serene scenery! The crystal clear blue-green water surrounded by the greens draped in the limestones was like a scene in a dream. But everything was real. It was not a dream.
A school of fish was also swimming in Kayangan Lake, which was said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines. It was refreshing to plunge into the waters.
It’s really best for swimming since the water was not that salty. Kuya Eli told us that the lake has brackish water: 70% fresh water and 30% salty water.
After spending around three hours in the lake, we returned to our boat for the next destination—Barracuda Lake.
Unlike Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake can be reached by just 37 steps. But lo and behold, the make-shift stairs were built in between the sharp and steep limestones. One should really be extra careful with the steps. From the stairs, the deep blue waters can be seen already.
We found a French couple (I forgot their names) dipping in the Barracuda Lake. The French woman said, “Beautiful country!” and the French guy seconded, “and good people!”
I smiled and thanked them. Despite the recent travel advisory by some European countries, tourists like them still visit our country. I can see hope in our tourism industry but first, the Department of Tourism should really listen to its stakeholders and change the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan. Foreign tourists would have a hard time understanding it.
Anyway, Barracuda Lake was named after the barracuda fish. Kuya Eli told us that divers visit this place to see a cave deep down, where the barracudas are. Another reason too was the thermocline, a transition layer between the mixed layer at the surface and the deep water layer where the temperature changes.
The limestones underneath the water looked like shimmering gold. Since I can’t dive yet, these were the only shots that I got.
After exercising our muscles, I heard my grumbling stomach. It’s lunch time! Our boatmen grilled the tuna and squids in our boat.
We also had grilled liempo and crabs. Ang sarap sarap! Bountiful lunch for my birthday! Ang saya saya! Mmm…
This post is getting longer. I’ll tell the next part of our trip to Twin Lagoon, Banol Beach, Skeleton Wreck and CYC Island in my next post.
As promised, here’s the second part of my adventure as a wanderlust in Samal Island. You can read PART 1 here
Tripadora became an Island Explorer! This was my first do-it-yourself island hopping tour. I didn’t avail of any tour packages offered. Instead, I tried to arrange the trip for me, my brothers and my lola.
Since Bluwaters Resort has its own boat, we availed the services of the boat. Half-day island hopping costs me Php 3,500 (all four of us). I know it’s a bit pricey and a pain in the pocket but I valued the beauty that my camera can capture more than my torn pocket.
We left the resort at around 8:30 am and started sailing amid the greens and the blues of nature.
Our goal for the day was to see not only the grandeur of the islands but also the underwater treasures of the Coral Garden at Talikud Island, the neighbor of Samal Island.
Talikud Island is a haven of turquoise waters and unspoiled beauty. Locals called it Talikud (Talikud means “at the back”) because it’s literally situated at the back of Samal Island.
Before going to the Coral Garden, we passed by Babusanta Beach, where other island hoppers stop by for lunch.
Photo-Op first with Wish, my Canon D10 before plunging to the waters. I snorkeled with my brother IG.
Check out the magnificent treasures underwater. Too bad, we didn’t find Nemo. We forgot to bring bread crumbs to attract the school of fish.
Snorkeling was indeed tiring. So don’t forget to bring water and bananas to boost your energy.
Another wonder at Talikud Island is the rustic beauty of Isla Reta. Isla Reta is divided into two parts. At Isla Reta 2, you can find a small cave and can catch a glimpse of wild birds.
Here’s a photo of a wild bird (sorry, I don’t know what specie this is.) caught by Rash, my Canon 450d. Due to the limited capacity of my lens, this was the best that I can get.
Meanwhile Isla Reta 1 has cottages and boasts a stretch of fine white sand. We didn’t spend much time here so I’d definitely return for a beach camping!
Of course, we didn’t forget to pass by the world famous Pearl Farm Resort. And since I didn’t have the budget yet to experience Pearl Farm, I just captured it in photos. Here’s a photo of the Samal Houses.
I must admit, I’m a photoholic. So here’s a stream of photos of the eye-candy sights that I captured.
Samal and Talikud Islands definitely struck me. I shall return just like McArthur!
Clark Freeport Zone has been famous since it became a home to the largest American military installation outside of the United States–the Clark Airbase. But more than the remnants of the colonizers, Clark gives shelter to the rescued and endangered animals. This was what I discovered when I visited Paradise Ranch, a 100-acre nature and conservation park.
The Ranch is situated at the former US Airforce Base overlooking the Sacobia River, Mt. Arayat and Mt. Pinatubo. Its high location is perfect, if you want to feel the cool breeze while catching a glimpse of the Golden Pheasant, peacock, and the ostriches.
Each bird specie has its own characteristic.The Golden Pheasant is the NR bird. NR as in NO REACTION. haha
The Golden Pheasant
You can call the peacock as the PR (Public Relations) bird because it loves to display its colorful wings. I was so lucky to capture the moment when the male peacock widely opened its wings.
Peacock
The Ostriches can be called the IR birds. IR–INFRARED because they easily connect with people. But they are the most mischievous too.Just take a look at these pictures. haha
Melo Villareal scares the ostrich. 
joke.
Aside from the aviary, the Ranch has also a 1,000-meter butterfly garden, which serves as a breeding ground. Taking photos of butterflies is hard to do. The key is timing with the right settings. Here are some of my shots:
pollination
How to get to Paradise Ranch
orange