Looking Back at My Travels Last 2011

Every start of the year I only feel the heaviness of my body due to too much eating and merry making during the holidays that I keep on forgetting on what I should be thankful for on the last year.

Now that 2011 has ended. It is time to reflect on what I did, what I learned, where I have been and the people I have met. Here’s a list of the things I am thankful for in travelling.

January

Mount Pulag, Benguet – I planned out a trip to the top of Mount Pulag for CAB Urban Travel Magazine.

Mount Cristobal, Quezon – Climbed with as an applicant of Lakay Kalikasan Mountaineers. Unfortunately, due to busy schedule and injuries I was not able to finish the application process.

Mount Sto. Tomas, Baguio City – I ran from the toll gate of Kennon Road to the top of Mount Sto. Tomas and down to Tuba Town Hall in the race Pilipinas Akyathlon. The race was arranged by Philippine Skyrunning Association which also served as my induction skyrace to the said organization.

February

I somehow ended with no travel for the month of February. It still was good. Sometimes it’s best to just stop at home and spend time with the family and friends.

March

Mount Pulag – I went up again but this time with friends including Mike Eijansantos of My Life On Board.

April

Resurreccion Farms at Bulacan – I was invited by my parents to join them in one of their Church retreats in one of the farms in Bulacan where I learned a lot about free range chicken and managing a farm. I even got to see an odd store on the way.

Hungduan, Ifugao – I went as a volunteer to take photos in the annual Hungduan Climbathon in Hungduan, Ifugao. Not only did I see a race I also got to see how they transport their crops and I met 2 people who have travelled all over the Philippines by selling different goods.

Batad, Banaue, Ifugao and Sagada, Mountain Province – A 5 day jampacked travel around Batad, Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada with Ate Bibs where I learned to be humble, had the most awesome toploading experience I have so far and saw one of the awesome falls of Sagada.

May

Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija – I was invited to do a talk to students that will be taking entrance exams for the following school year at One Up Development Center. I talked about my course computer engineering and how they should choose their course in college. After the talk we went to Tanawan in Laur, Nueva Ecija where I saw how much evaporation is caused by the sunshine after the rain. It was an amazing phenomenon to see. Too bad I did not brought a camera then.

June

Pundakit, Zambales Family Outing – The date of our family outing was planned 2 months before the trip. Unfortunately, we could not decide on where to go until the day itself came where we decided that we will be going to Pundakit and visit Camara Island, Capones Island and Anawangin Cove.

Mount Talamitam, Batangas – I arranged a climb to Mount Talamitam in Batangas with friends where I met new friends. 🙂

Pampanga Food Trip -  Went around Pampanga with 2 of my friends who started the photobooth Shots N Prints. Masarap talaga ang pagkain ng Pampanga!

Last day of work – Though this is not a travel, I would like to note this because June 30 is the last day of my life in the corporate world and decided that I should pursue what I want to do that is to travel and do business.

July

Matabungkay, Batangas – I went as a member of Team Endure, a multisport team, where I got to take pictures of Matabungkay and lots of triathletes doing what they love. Swim, Bike and Run.

August

Baler, Aurora – Was invited by CAB Urban Travel Magazine to visit Baler, Aurora where I get to talk to their tourism office. It was also the first time where I had to sleep alone on my travel.

September

Bataan – Was invited by My Life on Board to take pictures and document Radiation Hill Race in Bataan.

Tacloban City, Leyte; Basey, Samar; and Borongan, Balangkayan and Guiuan in Eastern Samar – I had the chance to accompany my grandmother in her hometown in Eastern Samar. It was the first time that I got a call from the Department of Tourism, specifically Region 8. I’m very thankful for all the information they gave as it helped me on my travels around Tacloban City, Basey and almost the whole of Eastern Samar, especially in Guiuan.

October

Taytay and El Nido, Palawan – My first all the way solo trip where I got to visit the Spanish Fortress of Taytay and do some island hopping in El Nido, Palawan

November

Concepcion, Iloilo – I again got the chance to accompany my grandfather to where my family originated, Iloilo. We attended reunion and also toured around the islands of Concepcion.

Pet Travel Permit – First time to get a permit to travel for a pet dog.

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, Quezon City – A nostalgic walk around the park in Quezon City.

December

Sierra Madre at Tanay, Rizal – My former officemates invited me on their overnight Christmas party in Tanay, Rizal.

Iligan City, Lanao del Norte – A supposed to be vacation in the place where I was born turned volunteer due to the destruction of Typhoon Sendong.

I’m thankful for my parents who keep on supporting me even with the craziest ideas I have.

To the group Pinoy Travel Bloggers for keeping me inspired to travel and share my experience to the world.

To my friends, new friends and the locals that I met along the way, you made travelling a lot more fun than just me visiting places.

Most especially to the Creator who made all the things that I’m visiting, gave me food to eat, money to pay my travel bills and the reason why I am still alive. Thank You for the blessings last 2011. May You keep on blessing me that I may bless others.

It was an awesome 2011.

Happy New Year everyone! Keep on travelling!