Macbee's Luzon Adventure

Since I'm leaving the country and I don't know yet when will I return, I'd like to share this summary of me and hubbee's adventure in Luzon. A snapshot of places that we've been to. A collection of great travel memories!

Baguio, Benguet. This is where we celebrated our 1st year anniversary, where we bought our anniversary ring. It was hubbee’s first time in Baguio too that’s why it’s another unforgettable adventure for him. But the most relaxing part of that journey was the Coffee Time at Starbucks Camp John Hay, and the scary search of our way out from the camp during the night. It was memorable!!!

Bolinao, Pangasinan. One of the best road trips we had last 2010. We were joined by our friends Chi Santos and Joy Tingson on this adventure. We stayed at the beautiful Puerto Del Sol Resort for an overnight stay and visited the White Beach, the underground cave, the church and the Light House of Bolinao.

Busuanga, Palawan. Our adventure together with our friend Drey Lallo and her son Asejia. This was our “welcome summer” get away last 2011. And we were just in awe when we experienced the beautiful wonders of Coron. We went to Mt. Tapyas, Maquinit Hot Spring and had island tour. Beautiful! But the highlight was our trip to Kayangan Lake, dubbed as the cleanest lake in the Philippines. We enjoyed swimming there as it was really clear and clean. 

Enchanted Kingdom. We've been there twice, first was with my team, and second was with my family. Our all time favorite ride is the Rio Grande. Although hubbee enjoyed also some rides which I didn't. You know that those are some exciting rides  which he is fond of and I'm not. Haha!

Intramuros, Manila. This is where we had our first couple shirt. And I think it was the first and the last. Haha. This was our first activity on the first day of the year 2010. Hubbee and I met our friends Jze Guion, Francis Chua, Monica Guce, Michelle Paras, and Grace Consolacion and we had a photo walk and a food trip in Binondo as well. I think we have explored well the streets of Intramuros with tons of pictures as our proof. Haha!

Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Highlight of this trip was our empanada food trip and our movie watching of My Amnesia Girl in Robinsons Mall. Since we had a late flight, we only stayed in Laoag for one night. Then returned to do quick trip to several landmarks and museum. And since we still have a lot of time to kill before our return flight, we decided to watch a movie. We also liked our visit to the museum as it showed the rich culture of the Ilocos Region.

Lemery, Batangas. Another unplanned road trip we’ve decided to do one saturday and we we’re accompanied by our good friends Hazel Pobrero and Aldrin Isidro, together with their son Uno. We tried the beach there but it wasn't the one that made this trip unforgettable. It was when my car stopped in the middle of the road going home due to over heating. My first for that and had no idea what to do. Haha! Good thing we stopped in front of a local store.

Los Banos, Laguna. It was my team’s teambuilding held in Splash Mountain. It’s a big group so it was a nice bonding time for my team together with hubbee and my mom. Also, one of my agents who’s from Los Banos (Yron Retuta) invited us to check out the Christmas decorations in U.P. Los Banos. So we went there and saw the giant christmas tree and the beautiful belen. Finally, hubbee saw the big and huge university in Laguna. 

Manila Ocean Park. Our first Valentine’s Day as a couple. Although it was not my first time there, I went back and brought hubbee to experience the giant aquarium housing aquatic life and mostly visited by kids and students. The best part of that trip was the fish spa where a lot of doctor fish cleaning all the dirt in your feet. It was very ticklish but once you get the hang of it, it will then become a relaxing experience.

Nagcarlan, Laguna. This is another road trip adventure for macbee together with my family. In short, this was a family excursion. Haha. But it was our first time in Villa Martha. It was a series of discussion for me and hubbee on which resort we’ll go to since we checked out different resorts along the way but we ended at Villa Martha and it was all worth it. Natural springs.

Nasugbu, Batangas. One time, we decided to check out this famous Calaruega Church.  Biglaan lang. When we got there, it just blew us away by its beauty and wonder. That’s why on our second visit to the Church, we brought along my mom and my sister so they can experience the beauty that this place holds. And no wonder, the place did not fail us. I hope hubbee and I can just get married to this place. Just a wishful thinking. Haha!

Pagsanjan, Laguna. Another unplanned trip. Biglaan. Niyaya ako nang isang agent ko na ang girlfriend niya, taga doon talaga kasi Bankero Festival noon. Sumama lang kami. They brought us to the famous Pagsanjan Falls also and to the location of the Tabing Ilog show before. We also watched the Ginoong Bangkero Contest and had series of food trip. Saya!

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Our farthest northern adventure so far. We continuously seek best beaches in the Philippines and this was one of our agenda last 2011. And we were so happy to finally visit the famous Blue Lagoon and Saud Beach. But aside from the beaches, we also had a chance to visit the Patapat Viaduct and the Bangui Windmills. But the best part for us was the delicious food served in Kapuluan Vista Resort where we stayed. Their Bagnet was just delicious. Haha!

Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This is one of the most memorable trip I had this year because it was a vacation spent with hubbee and my mom. First time naming tatlo na mag-out of town. We went to Baker's Hill where we had our dinner when we arrived. We had our underground river the next day. Then hubbee and I spent our 3rd day sa Dos Palmas while mom just stayed in the city.

San Juan, Batangas. It was an invite from our friend Au Dimalanta to join their event in Playa Laiya. Together with my travel buddies Wee Dimalanta, Jinggay Gonzales and Rhoger Reyes, we had our fun road trip. The event was nice, we got to experience free poi session and listened to the reggae rhythm live band. We stayed there for overnight after the event and experienced the camping life. Fun! Pauwi, we had our very nice Lomi experience.

San Pablo, Laguna. My aunt who took care of me when I was still a baby is from there and their house is just in front of Sampaloc Lake. That area is famous for the locals as they do their morning jogging there. So when we arrived, hubbee and I were so overwhelmed by many cute guys jogging around. Haha! Just kidding. That was not the highlight. My cousins toured us around, we went to the park, had street food and took some pictures. 

San Pedro, Laguna. Our usual weekend getaway. This is where my parents' house is. This is where we celebrate christmas and new year. Andami na naming memories together sa house ni mommy. And usually, pag andun kami, lagi kaming busog lusog. Ang sarap kasi nang lutong bahay at ang pag-alaga ni mommy sa amin.

Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Few places we’ve been to are Enchanted Kingdom, Paseo De Sta. Rosa and Nuvali. The visit to Enchanted Kingdom was with my friends and family. Hubbee’s first to the theme park. Visit to Paseo De Sta. Rosa and Nuvali are usually with family. Our favorite place is the koi area in Nuvali. We always buy food to feed the kois who are just so cute to watch while they fight for their lives in having pieces of fish food. Haha.

Subic, Zambales. This was a teambuilding of my team. I asked hubbee to join since we have not explored Subic yet together. We tried the Tree Top Adventure. Ako lang ang photographer, si hubbee lang ang taga-try nang mga death defying stunts. Haha. Then lunch at meat plus and a quick shopping at Duty Free. Tumambay din kami sa Yacht Club.

Tagaytay, Cavite. Because of its close proximity, I can’t count how many times hubbee and I went to Tagaytay to either just hang out at Starbucks, dine in to many restaurants found there, or have picnic at Picnic Grove. Several friends have joined as well on our Tagaytay road trips and the place has always made it special for us. We never miss to stop by at the market to buy meat and fresh vegetables.

Tiaong, Quezon. Our first trip there was to visit Villa Escudero. We experienced the carabao ride going to the resort while being serenaded by their employees, the raft ride, the large collection of the Escuderos on their museum, the lunch at the falls while your feet is stepped on a running water, their sumptuous buffet lunch, and their cultural show during the afternoon. Second trip was at Hacienda Escudero for another event courtesy again by our friend Au.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It was a quick day trip to Ilocos Sur to see the famous Calle Crisologo. That visit became more memorable for hubbee when he saw Dingdong Dantes in front of him when he entered the store and was just beside him. Haha. It was a star struck moment for hubbee (as always). We also visited the Baluarte where we had close encounter with the animals of Governor Chavit Singson. Our first time to see a camel. We also visited the Hidden Garden and where we had our first taste of bagnet. Yummy!

There are still more to go to in Luzon. I hope someday, I'll be back to fulfill that. Sayang lang kasi yung Tuguegarao flight namin dati, na-cancel due to a storm. We plan to do sana Tuguegarao-Sagada trip. Anyways, madami pa sa listahan. Ang Batanes, ang Corregidor, ang Hundred Islands, ang Anawangin, ang Mt. Pinatubo at ang Bicolandia. There's more to visit pa. Soon, pagbalik!!!