2015: The Year of Travel

If I would have to describe 2014 in one word, it would be FOOD, because all throughout the year, I’ve eaten a lot, it may be from a fancy restaurant or just a simple kiosk in the mall. It’s the year when I invested so much to achieve my belly fat right now, which I am struggling to get rid of. Haha. For 2015, it would definitely be TRAVEL.

I wasn’t sure how it happened because the last time I remembered, before 2014 ended, I told myself that I would only travel once a year. But I think I’m not good at keeping New Year resolutions so that obviously didn’t happen.

The Beginning

I was so bad at keeping resolutions I already ditched it on the first quarter of the year. Haha.

January, when I impulsively booked plane tickets because of the seat sale, without the assurance that Gerald would be able to come with me. (FYI, it’s so difficult for him to file for VL huhu)

By February, another out-of-nowhere thought, we wanted to go to Ilocos. With only around two weeks of preparation, we headed to Ilocandia!

Before the month ended, my friends and I went to a weekend getaway to Laguna.

Travels in Summer

I surely maximized my summer, having to spend it with the best people in my life.

It was April when the whole team went on an outing to Cagbalete Island, Quezon. Even though we weren’t able to swim because it was very low tide, we still had fun walking along the sandbar, and just simply enjoying a break from the office with the people I share stress with. Haha. They had bonfire during the night, which I missed because I was already off to dreamland. Haha.

I welcomed May, my birth month, by having an impromptu getaway with Gerald, on a Labor Day to Puerto Galera. I had two other outings with two families – my very own family and Gerald’s family.

On the second week, my family and I went to 8 waves Resort for a family outing sponsored by our company. I thought they wouldn’t like it because they prefer beach than pools, but how can they say no if it’s free? Haha.

After a week, I went to Jed’s Island Resort with Gerald’s family for their yearly summer outing. Both are in Bulacan.

A Travel Break

I wanted to take a break and actually stop travelling anymore. I really don’t know what’s up with me, not wanting to travel anymore. Haha. Maybe I had enough? Hehe But it’s Gerald who’s been wanting more! I find it funny, or cute, or just amazing how he, who used to frown whenever I tell him “Let’s go here” or “I want to visit this”, is now the one telling me places that we should explore. The more I want to stop, the more he wants to go!

And so, just to satisfy his cravings, or to relax (because he reasons out that I should go out to release stress from work, which I think is right), we went to nearby places — Tagaytay and of course, Manila (we visited National Museum).

The Main Travel Event

Our trip to Cebu last October is probably the highlight of the year. Our flight was impulsively booked on January and even after telling each other to save for this, thinking this is our only travel that year, we weren’t able to because of all the spontaneous trips that came. Until just September when we realized we only have a month to save for it. Haha.

The best part of the trip was our canyoneering adventure. The 4-hour activity is so worth it, even after my near death experience of falling from a cliff while trekking. Haha. And, jumping from the second level of Kawasan Falls which is approximately 65-ft high is one of my greatest achievements in life. Hahaha.

I think this is the best trip I’ve had so far because I’ve learned a lot about myself and Gerald. And after this, I somehow realized what “travel” really means. We also decided to go on a travel on our anniversary because this anniversary getaway was better than the usual flowers-chocolates-dinner combo. :)

Last Quarter Travels

The Cebu trip is the start of our last quarter travels, followed by a few more that are, again, last-minute plans. I wanted to take a break after our Cebu trip because we spent thousands there, haha! But how can I say no when there’s an opportunity to travel? I can earn back the money anyway. Oops! Haha

So by November, I went to La Union with my teammates for a quick weekend getaway. I wasn’t able to try surfing (boo!) because the waves are so huge that time, even my friends who have tried surfing before had to think twice. There will always be a next time, and when I go back, I’ll have to try surfing! :)

We also went to the nearby Pampanga for a teambuilding activity. It was quick, but a good breather from work stress. Just look at that relaxing view.

And for the last, but definitely not the least, travel getaway of the year, I went to Olongapo, Baguio and Sagada for Gerald’s birthday celebration.

The original plan was to spend it in Baguio but his mother invited me to come to Olongapo (G’s hometown) to celebrate it on the day itself. Early next morning, we headed to Baguio. We only spent a day there after suddenly coming up to a decision to explore Sagada. Imagine how we spent 4D/3N in three different provinces. Crazy, right? Haha. Because of the time constraint, we missed a lot of activities in Sagada, most especially spelunking. Huhu. I want to go back and explore more of Sagada, hopefully by next year!

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After having traveled to different provinces in the country, I was able to discover not only new places but also new things about myself and the people around me. I also witnessed how beautiful our country is that it makes me want to explore more about the Philippines than the other neighboring countries. Of course, I would like to travel to other countries too, but I thought it’s better to explore my own country first. :)

This is the best year I have so far because a lot of good things happened that I don’t need to worry about the bad things anymore. And I am looking forward to another great 2016 ahead!