After another year of hard work and sacrifice from a foreign country, now it's time to relish the moment of freedom and a blissful vacation! A vacation gives you an opportunity to prioritize and remember why you enjoy life. It takes you away from the stressors that keep you up at night, basically for us OFW's - it's the homesickness and allows you to decompress before returning to your hectic and chaotic life.
It is also the time to refresh and reconnect bonds that we used to and still cherish especially with our immediate family. So instead of going out of the country, I decided to spend my vacation around the Philippines. First stop, of course Davao! Davao is an exciting destination that has a merry mix of nature and culture, wildlife and nightlife, spectacular islands and breathtaking highlands, sumptuous local cuisine and so much more.This is where I grew up, and this is a lovely city. Unlike any other places in the country, you can find and be anywhere you like in just minutes away without compromising your safety and money.
Infinity pool
Traditional Filipino breakfast: TOCILOG (Sweet Pork and Fried Rice with Egg)
Beach with Mt. Apo view (Largest active volcano & the highest point in Phil.)
Waterfalls
White Water Rafting
Bonding with friends:
Even hired bodyguards,lol XD
Next Stop?? To the first Spanish Settlement in the Philippines, CEBU! the "Queen City of the South" and the Seat of Christianity in the Philippines, Cebu is the country's oldest city. Exploring Cebu City, one encounters a rich historic past. Cebuanos are extremely proud of their cultural and historical heritage, a legacy which has endured thru the centuries from the time the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan first planted the cross on Cebu's shore. It would be my 4th time to visit the place but its actually my first time to tour around and enjoy the sights of the city. I really love Cebu and even bought customized I love Cebu shirt. From the malls, clubs, historical sights and most of all the ever friendly people. One thing that also amazed me was the taxi fare, I toured around the city and the bill never went over 100 Pesos! I even went on shopping spree, tried the infamous SkyWalk and EdgeCoaster of Crown Regency Hotel, visited the Basilica of my Patron Saint Sto. Nino, go Carting and of course did some catching up with friends.
Party at the Loft
Taoist Temple
my hotel
Basilica del Sto. Nino
Skywalk
Magellan's Cross
Last stop Manila, it is often described as the only main city in Asia that resembles a Latin American city, actually I don't know why! bwahahhaa :P Anyway, since it's the capital of the Philippines, expect for the busy streets, great malls, high rise buildings and a lot of places to go to. Went to Bonifacio High in Taguig and laughed our hearts out in Laffline (a famous comedy bar). But I was not able to dwell too much and went to the country side instead. Together with Rey and Jerson, a good friend of mine lives in Bataan - which is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga. One famous landmark there is The Dambana ng Kagitingan, features a gigantic cross on top of a mountain (Mt. Samat) which seemed to be the silent sentinel of this peninsula. The shrine sits in an area of about 73,665 hectares and was completed and inaugurated in 1970 by then the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. It was nice to discover "The Port" (probably mimics The Fort in Manila) in Balanga, Bataan where they celebrate music and entertainment at the same time. I will definitely visit again the place.
with ethel booba at laffline
jammin with Lassy
Dinner with friends
A view from the Cross' top view deck
jump shots
Dambana ng Kagitingan
Razz Bar at the Port
she just said "sail with me" lol XD
I really enjoyed my vacation. I must say that a vacation is important for everybody. It allows the body, mind and soul to relax. It is like a deserved break from the monotonous routine work. Away from emergency calls, nosy patients and the pesky smell of medicines. It makes my mind free from all the responsibilities. Above all, it gives lifetime memorable experiences. While I’m writing this blog I miss napping by the pool with a pina colada in hand, when work seems a million miles away and to think its temporary- it’s makes me sad.
