Just when I thought there won't be any travels for me in the next two months, the curse month really has its way of telling me that things will never go my way because I just found myself traveling to the easternmost point of the Philippines only to have my breath be taken away by this gorgeous sunrise.

This summer has been the summerest so far. The sweltering heat and my tan lines just said it all. But more than that, I was able to do a lot of things and see a lot of beautiful places.

Picture this... On the first day of April, I went beach bumming at Island Garden Resort in Pangubatan. Two weeks later, I completed a Basic Mountaineering Course, which includes camping, trekking, and rappelling. Then I went diving the whole day at the Taklobo Farm and Coral Gardens just a week after that. The next day, I found myself on a spontaneous road trip with friends and spent a day and a half riding the waves of Dahican. And then the week that followed got me more and more sun-kissed in El Nido. And since summer isn't over yet, this weekend was spent for a much needed rest and relaxation in Isla Reta. (Hashtag that QuotaKaNaSarah)

I think scaling mountains on our anniversary is an unspoken thing. It's never in our intention to hike every anniversary, but it happens all the time.

I guess, part of it is the need to pause from climbing the corporate ladder and have a breather. Another part is simply because we have always been in constant search for adventure and we love doing offbeat things together.

So for our third anniversary, Jan and I conquered El Nido's highest, the Taraw Cliff.



I would say we are truly blessed that we don't have to go too far to experience one of the world's greatest wonders. I am so grateful to have experienced El Nido first hand (and with the one I love). And to see such magnificence from a bird's eye view made us so alive. However, getting there is quite an ordeal (as what I've heard from a first-time climber).

I wonder how many pieces of my heart have I got left because I keep on leaving them everywhere I go.

This time, I left my heart in El Nido.


El Nido wasn't really part of our travel plans this year. Yes, we've always wanted to go to El Nido but not anytime soon. I guess, luck was on our side and the impulse to explore something new was so strong, we unexpectedly made El Nido happen, not to mention sooner than expected.

I promised myself I will become a better blogger. And by that I mean, take better pictures like how most bloggers would do.

I've been going places and doing stuff lately that would have been blog-worthy. But I failed big time.

1.) I took a Basic Mountaineering Course (1, 2, and 3) and had my first ever rappelling experience at Tagbaobo Falls.

2.) We had an awesome diving experience at the Taklobo Farm where I saw the biggest and most fascinating giant clams my whole life.

3.) I came home with hives and a puffy face after eating too much seafood during island hopping in Samal.

4.) I spent a day and a half basking under the sun and riding the waves in one of my favorite beaches in the world, Dahican.

But why haven't I blogged about this when I had all the time?

Five words: I. Do. Not. Have. Photos.

I don't have photos that will make the reader want to read my post. You know, save you those long and boring posts and just let the photos to do all the talking - specially now that I'm starting to become lazy with words.

Well, at least, I have one decent shot:

Dahican Surf Resort

Last week, I submitted my entry for Traveloka Blogger Contest. I had a hard time coming up with a way to deliver my article in a different angle because I'm pretty sure all entries will have the same content (how travel changed our lives doesn't really have a significant difference from one person to another). And I'm glad it paid off because I was chosen fifth weekly winner. Yes, writing the entry is difficult, but not as difficult as scouring every part of my hard drive for photos I can use.

This afternoon, I will be speaking in front of a crowd with co-blogger Renz of thetravelingnomad.com about the Challenges of a Millennial Traveler. Honestly, I don't have problems talking in front of many people. I could still use my public speaking skills back in high school and college. Not that I'm good at it, pero makapal lang talaga ang mukha ko. I really don't care if I stutter or screw up. But what's challenging me the most is finding the perfect travel photos that I can share later. Ugh.

You see, that is my problem. I am too lazy to take out my camera when the situation is screaming for me to do so. I have a DSLR but it's too heavy to bring. I have a great action cam, but it isn't too friendly to use. I have a decent point and shoot but it's not great with low light. And yes, I have a big head that's too full of excuses.

Maybe getting a great camera, like a Canon EOS M10 or that Sony RX 100V, will spare me the excuse not to take another photo.

Anyway, I'll be going away again this weekend. And this time, I will nail those infamous blogger poses and Jan be the perfect Instagram blogger boyfriend. Haha. Wish me luck!

Traveling did not change me.

I have always wanted to travel but adulthood caught me completely off guard. I would have considered myself successful though because I have a job that pays - only if it wasn't slowly taking my life away. I realized life is too short to be stuck daily in traffic and hating my boss. The world is too big for one lifetime that I would never want to end up regretting not doing the things I could have done. I longed for freedom. And so, I created mine.

I traveled one place after another to make a temporary escape from routine, cultural norms, social paradigm, work... pretty much everything adulthood has laid before me and be gone somewhere else where life is completely different. Well, it is indeed different.

I was welcomed with uncertain hitchhikes, uncomfortable habal-habal rides, slow buses, suicidal vans, delayed flights, and nauseating boat rides that have slowly opened my eyes to the ugly truth about traveling. How it isn't really an escape. How it pulls you back to reality. The reality not every traveler really talks about.

Balut Island overlooking Sarangani Islands

Traveling usually looks exciting and Instagram drool-worthy. Well, in some ways, it absolutely is. But traveling is not always pretty. It isn't always a journey to paradise as I would have hoped. It chews on your bank account and feeds on your time. It is physically and mentally draining. It can be disappointing. Heartbreaking, even.

A few months ago, I read the article Budget itinerary: 5 Days in Singapore for P9,500 and got excited about it. Who wouldn't?! We're talking about Singapore here. It got me optimistic that I wouldn't go home broke after our trip. But it's a good thing I've read quite a few blogs that led me to a conclusion that a 9,500 budget for 5 days in Singapore is impossible. And just imagine the horror if you get offloaded at the immigration for not bringing enough money to fund your trip.

While $10 USD is more than enough to get you a room for some Asian countries like here in the Philippines, the same amount is just enough for two meals in Singapore. Singapore is undeniably expensive. But with its clean streets, efficient mass transportation system, superb food, and interesting attractions, it is definitely a place you don't want to miss.
When we booked a flight to Singapore, we told ourselves that we'll go on a budget-friendly trip. Honestly, we tried. But making the most out of Singapore and budgeting don't really go well together. In short, we went a little over our budget but I would say it was definitely worth it.

So in this post, I will show you the things that we did, places we visited, how much have we actually spent, and how ridiculous it is to set a budget for a 5-day trip to Singapore for less than Php10,000 (airfare included).

Whew! That's a long title. But not as long as the road that we took just to get to this paradise.
Situated more than 40kms away from Babak, Samal, the Island Garden Resort in Pangubatan is not known to many (at least for me). I've never heard about this resort until Jan's office mates decided to have their quarterly event here. But for some reason, the event didn't push through - which could only mean, Jan and I ended up having the whole weekend all to ourselves!

As an Asian living in a third-world country, Singapore is definitely my first-world refuge. Here, you can experience fast and reliable internet connection, efficient transport system, clean streets, fresher air, and lower crime rates. Mind you, I was able to walk for more than an hour ALONE in the streets of Singapore at 3am just because I couldn't sleep. I decided to walk from our hotel to Mustafa Center just to pass time and tire myself. I came back still with complete limbs and 5 packs of chocolates. Yes, it is that safe. Although I would say I can do the same in Davao, the only difference is, Singapore is a hundred times more progressive.

Obligatory pose

2017 looks promising to me.

I am putting my travels to a whole new different level. And since I am not built to be a solo traveler, of course, Jan has to tag along with me too. Haha.

Hanggang saan aabot ang bente pesos mo?

Sa Mt. Capistrano po.

Standing just around 600+ mASL, Mt. Capistrano has become a favorite hiking destination for newbies and seasoned hikers alike.

The unique rock formations at the summit urged me to climb this mountain even though I was advised not to do any hikes until my knee is fully healed. But then, you're talking to Sarah. When has Sarah ever listened? #WagGayahin

I am beginning to think this blog is turning into a travel blog. Or a pseudo one for that matter. I haven't been writing a lot of my crazy thoughts lately and a handful of getaways are in store just this first quarter of the year. So yeah, go figure.

Anyway, to start the year right, Jan and I decided to go all the way to Cortes, Surigao del Sur to witness and experience something amazing and spectacular.

The stunning and jaw-dropping Laswitan Lagoon.

Photo taken by my mom on a different date.