I wanted to share inspiring wanderlust quotes that I’ve read from books, the internet, and other sources. These quotes inspired me to do more adventures and see the most beautiful places that I’ve only seen on postcards and Instagram. These quotes are the reasons why I fell deeply in love with photography, voyage, and mother earth, and I’m very grateful to share some of the pictures that made all my travels worthy, heart-stopping and heaven-sent.
Here are the 10 travel quotes that will spark your desire and longing for travels and adventures;
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move. – Robert Louis Stevenson
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. – Marcel Proust
We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. – Unknown
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. – Lewis Carroll
Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey. – Pat Conroy
I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question. – Harun Yahya
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. – St. Augustine
If you want to share your favorite quotes and travel images, please let me know in the comments. I would love to feature your work here.
One of the most memorable spots in Coron Palawan where I love to watch the sunrise and sunset is Mount Tapyas. Mt. Tapyas is one of the highest points of Coron Palawan. The giant metal cross serves as a landmark that can be seen day and night because it is brightly lit. It has 700+ stairs steps and handrails all the way up which makes it a bit easier to climb.
Why do I want to come back in this place?
1. It gives a great view of the beautiful town of Coron and its neighboring islands.
2. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunrise and sunset
3. The feeling of fulfillment is great once you reached the top of the mountain.
4. The back of the holy cross has a short trail that leads to a resting place, green grass, nature, fresh air and the other side of the mountain.
The short trail at the back of the crossThe short trail at the back of the cross
5. Good for people who wants to enjoy a quiet and serene place in Coron
6. Lastly, it’s free for everyone
Before you start to climb, ensure you read these tips:
Bring enough water
Wear sneakers/sandals if possible
Climb 30-60 minutes before the sunset
Bring insect repellent especially if you’re going to do the short trail at the back of the cross
Bring extra clothes/towels
Don’t forget phone/cameras for taking perfect photos
How to get there?
From the town of Coron or your hotel, you can ride a tricycle and just instruct the driver to take you to Mount Tapyas. You can also book a town tour as Mt.Ttapyas is included in the town tour packages being offered by the locals and tour agencies.
If you have questions, tips, or want to share your experience in climbing Mt. Tapyas please let me know in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
If there will be a place that I would like to go back to, it will be El Nido Palawan. I’ve shown you some of my travels and adventures for 2016, which includes Hongkong, Boracay, Zambales, Bicol, Coron, etc…but, I never posted the first adventure I’ve made in January of 2016 which triggered my wanderlust and passion for travel and photography.
It’s also the reason behind my solo travel in Coron, Palawan which is the other side of El Nido. It made me very curious how these two beautiful places in Palawan are different and unique from each other.
Now, it’s about time to share how El Nido made me fall in love with it, and why I still want to return this year to this beautiful paradise?
Beautiful El Nido
On the 13th of January 2016, my friend and I arrived at Puerto Princesa International Airport early in the morning. It was suggested by our tour operator to book an earlier flight, as the travel time from Puerto Princesa to El Nido will take 5-6 hours. The van driver picked us at the airport and we proceed with the itinerary. Day 1 was actually spent for our flight and van transfer, and check in to the hotel. We had free time to relax, eat, and roam around the city proper at night.
Spin Hostel: Credits to Benjo Beringuela and Spin Hostel.
We chose Spin Hostel because of the good ambiance, clean rooms and they have a cool hangout place for everyone. They have good reviews and they have friendly staffs. It’s a great hostel for everyone and I will definitely recommend it.
Day 2: After our breakfast at the hotel, we were picked up for the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A. We left at exactly 8:00 AM and went to the port of the town where the boats are located.
This is where the tour begins 🙂
We visited the Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando.
Tour A is the tour everyone should get as it will show you the highlights and the most beautiful lagoons you’ve never seen before. It will let you swim from a small to large nature pools with blue-green, clear water, surrounded by dark and sharp limestones. My friend enjoyed cliff jumping as there are few spots to do that. You won’t see fishes and corals from the small and big lagoons, only giant sea urchins which you have to take extra careful. I was having so much fun and jump to the water while my friend is kayaking. I was on the edge of the kayak and didn’t notice that my foot hit a sea urchin. It was bleeding already and I got scared but thankful our guide assisted me. Just be careful when swimming in the big lagoon.
Big Lagoon
Small Lagoon
We enjoyed the island hopping as it showcased the beautiful and colorful sea creatures, fishes, and coral reefs. Swimming and snorkeling will be unforgettable and any person would want to come back and stay longer just to see these wonderful islands. These are the reasons why El Nido is included in “Most Beautiful Beaches in the World. Pictures are beautiful yet it won’t give justice to its beauty especially when you experience it up close.
We had our lunch at Simizu Island which is actually the lunch area for Tour A. Simizu is a small island surrounded by mountains, crystal clear water and rock formations. We had a great seafood, rice, fruits, vegetables and grilled meat prepared by our guides. They are very friendly, helpful and very accommodating.
Note: Boat Fee; Tour Guide; Picnic Lunch; Life Vests; Boat or Staff Assistance during Tour are all included from the package tour we get.
On our Day 3, we had our Island Hopping Tour C. We visited the Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Star Beach, Secret Beach, and Helicopter Island.
Matinloc Island has so much to offer, and it has The Secret Beach which is our favorite from this tour, and we enjoyed it so much. Matinloc has Kalmung Point and Kulasa Beach which are great snorkeling areas. We also visited the Matinloc Shrine known as Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc and Shrine of the Blessed Virgin which is a sacred monument built in 1982 to honor the blessed virgin Mary.
We had our sumptuous lunch at the Star beach. This beach has beautiful coral reefs and colorful fishes which made this unforgettable for me. While our tour guides are busy preparing our food, we are having so much fun snorkeling and exploring this fantastic snorkeling area.
Our Day 4 was actually a free time, but instead of spending it for town tour, we hired a tour guide who accompany us to some places not part of the tour packages. It will be good to talk and ask the locals for some off the beaten path spots, and we never regret our decisions. We wake up at 6 am and started climbing the Taraw Peak which is the highest point in El Nido. One should not try climbing alone as the limestones are sharp and steep and it’s a bit dangerous. There are things to consider before you climb, like proper clothes, water, shoes and local tour guides to guide you with the trail. I got so many bruises, but I enjoyed this climb. I’m so proud of myself to conquer my fear of heights by seeing the stunning summit of Taraw Peak.
Ms. Happy Rabbit enjoying the gorgeous view of El Nido at Taraw Peak 🙂 I never thought I could climb this high..haha. With this view, it’s worth all the sweat and bruises on my legs.
After our climb, we went back to our hotel and prepare the things we needed for our next activity. We ride a tricycle going to our next destination, proceed with hiking that last for less than an hour. It’s tiring but it’s also a good way to explore the hidden spots of el Nido. We chase a waterfall, stayed a bit longer and swim the cold water coming from the mountain. Hot springs are also a must visit and you can ask for guides and tips from the locals.
Our guide took us to another spot which is Nacpan Beach. I can’t remember how long it took us to get there. We only paid the entrance when we arrived. There are cottages and restaurants that are available in this area. We treated our tour guide and our driver for lunch and some beers. We enjoyed the fruit shakes and of course the vegetables and seafood for lunch.
Nacpan Beach: Credits to my friend Aron M. 🙂
Nacpan beach is famous for its white powdery sands, clean and pure water, friendly and hospitable people. It has great waves that are excellent for surfing and volleyball courts. It has long shorelines and probably one of the best beaches I’ve seen in El Nido. We stayed until 3 o’clock in Nacpan, then we headed to our next destination which is Las Cabanas Beach.
Las Cabanas: Credits to my friend Aron M. 🙂
If you want to relax on the beach, looking for bars and restaurants, and planning to ride a zip line to enjoy the view of El Nido, then, you must visit Las Cabanas Beach. It’s accessible via tricycle and drivers can take you there, and I also saw some tourists who are actually patient to walk from the town to this area.What I love on this beach is the good vibe for relaxation, you can just lay on the sand, do sunbathing, drink and party with your friends, cuddle with your hubby and enjoy watching the stunning sunset.
After we’re done with our activities, we rest a bit, freshen up and headed to the town to eat and dine at seafood restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from and you can pick the seafood and the kind of dish you’d like for them to prepare for you. Dinner at the beach with candlelight, great food, and good music are perfect. Also, we enjoyed the night by visiting the famous reggae bar with drinks, dance floor, and perfect reggae bands. The bands are all great and they even sounded like Bob Marley. It’s a must visit place for people who loves fun, music, and party.
For our Day 5, we had our breakfast to El Nido Boutique & Art Cafe. We actually ate there for a couple of times as they have great food, cocktail drinks, comfortable and relaxing ambiance. You can sign up for island hopping tours and van transfer there. After breakfast, we checked our emails only to find out that our flight was rescheduled the next morning. Our trip was supposed to be 5 days and 4 nights, however, due to some changes, we have to change our plans. We talked to our tour agency and thank God that they still accommodate our van transfer the next day, and we find another affordable hotel just to stay for one night.
What we did for that day is town tour, food tripping and we got massage for our tired and exhausted bodies. We rest in the afternoon, and we went to Las Cabanas Beach just to chill and unwind. My friend went for a night dive while I had my cocktail drinks at El Nido Boutique & Art Cafe while waiting for him.
Day 5 at Las CabanasI’m so in love with this sunset 🙂This is worth waiting at Las Cabanas 🙂
We had a fabulous and amazing time in El Nido and spending 6 days and 5 nights seems short as we no longer want to go back to Manila after witnessing the paradise in Palawan.
I will be sharing our itinerary, guides, travel agency, hotel accommodation and more of El Nido in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
If you have questions, tips, or want to share your experience in El Nido, please let me know in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
A few months ago, I shared some tips on our #swiss weekend getaway. Our wonderful experience from Crosswinds Swiss Resort made us want to come back sooner. But since our #squad are looking for other beautiful places that we can share with you guys, we decided to visit a place that gives a #Hollandfeels experience.
For less than two hours of travel time from Manila, you can enjoy the breathtaking and famous prenup destination for wedding couples in Baliwag. The place is called “The Greenery” and well known for its picturesque and gorgeous landscape.
We ride a Baliwag bus that took us one and half hour due to traffic. It’s best to travel early in the morning and on weekends to avoid the traffic jam of Metro Manila. Since we arrived a bit late, we end up eating in Greenwich. There are plenty of restaurants, however, our hungry stomach can’t let us wait for another minute.
From the city, we ride a tricycle and paid Php 50.00, and the driver took us to our hotel. The guard at the gate will ask for your reservation and it would be better to inform ahead of time for the time of your arrival.
This what the place looks like when we arrived.
You can easily see the mini train and feel the solemn and quite ambiance of the place.
My BFF Tin is actually checking out this place for her prenup this year and we are very happy to see how gorgeous the place is. It’s a great spot for weddings, parties, and conference business activities. It has event halls for seminar and area for the wedding reception. It’s quite big and can accommodate a large number of guests. The Greenery has Pavilion, Open Garden and Lighthouse which are truly eye catching and Instagram perfect.
They also have the following features:
Infinity Pool/ Swimming pool
Massage
Kayak
Water sports/other activities (for team buildings)
I notice that they have less staff, and it’s great that only a few people are checked in at that time. We like to enjoy this beautiful, serene and peaceful place. Very quiet and private spot that suits the people who hate the noise and crowded city.
This is our room 🙂
We roam around the area after we arrange our luggage. We noticed that there are people in the pool area who are on team buildings. They have this bridge, lighthouse, and cottages that you’ll fall in love with. The Christmas village reminded us of the displays in Crosswinds, although the Greenery have a different style and they used different colors. You can spot the uniqueness of this place once you see the lighthouse and the infinity pool.
The Villas
The Villas
The Villas
This bridge is great for pictorial which we love 🙂
Since it’s Ben’s birthday, we celebrate it during dinner and let him blow the cake we bought for him.
Ben’s ready to blow the cake he accidentally ruined :p
Because snacks are only allowed to bring in this place, we expected great food for visitors. However, it’s not what we experienced. I don’t know maybe we’re caught up with high expectations or we ordered the wrong food, but honestly, there’s a need for them to improve their food and their menu. We’re a bit disappointed but didn’t allow that feeling to ruin Ben’s celebration. We don’t have much to say as the staffs are all friendly and helpful to us. After all, it’s important that our squad is finally complete this time and we’re able to celebrate our Bff’s birthday.
Tips:you can look for restaurants near the area and instruct the staff to get you a tricycle in case you don’t bring a car.
Early in the morning, we had our buffet breakfast. They served coffee, dried fish, longganisa, fried eggplant, eggs and rice. A typical Filipino food and we’re happy with it. Their breakfast is way better than the food we ordered during dinner.
After breakfast, we went for a swim and took some photos.
Gorgeous infinity pool 🙂
Infinity pool 🙂
infinity poolinfinity pool 🙂Cottagesthe other swimming pool near the hall area
Overall, this place is gorgeous, solemn, and not so crowded. You may experience the calmness and quietness of this place which is great if you’re looking for a place outside the busy city of Manila. Accessible and affordable for people who wants fabulous and quiet weekend getaway with friends and family. I will be happy to recommend this place and will definitely come back.
Book a bus from Baliwag Transit Inc, located in Pasay or Cubao Terminal, then, instruct the bus driver to drop you off the center (sentro) of Baliwag. Ride a tricycle and instruct the driver to take you to the Greenery.
For accommodation, you can check below details taken from their site below:
Two-double twin bed
One – king size bedOvernight stayBreakfast includedUse of swimming pool facilitiesAttire: proper swimming attire onlyChildren under 12 years old stay for free if using existing bedding.Children aged 12 years old over must use an extra bed. An extra bed is available for this room.Check-in: 2:00pm
Check-out 12nnBringing of outside food is strictly prohibitedFood available at our clubhouse cafe
Grand Villa
P23,000/night Max of 10 persons
Extra Bed
P1,000
Inclusions
Room Type:
5 rooms, with receiving areaRoom 1: one twin bed, sleeps 2
Room 2: one twin bed, sleeps 2
Room 3: one twin bed, sleeps 2
Room 4: one twin bed, sleeps 2
Room 5: two single beds, sleeps 2Overnight stayBreakfast IncludedUse of swimming pool facilitiesAttire: Proper swimming attire onlyChildren under 12 stay for free if using existing bedding.Children aged 12 or over must use an extra bed. An extra bed is available for this room.Check-in: 2:00pm
Check-out 12nnBringing of outside food is strictly prohibitedFood available at our clubhouse cafe *All prices are inclusive of 5% service charge*Prices are subject to change without prior notice
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” –Lin Yutang
Lin Yutang has been true to his words. Have you ever felt that way after your travel and getaway?
Writing this article made me think of the things that I did that made my whole trip in Coron enjoyable. These are things that I wish to do over and over again. These are the things that I prefer doing. These are the things that I would like to share to anyone who would like to visit Coron for the first time.
Coron is a top tourist destination not only in the Philippines but all over the world. It’s well-known for its gorgeous lagoons, stunning beaches and islands, striking coral reefs, and generous and friendly people.
I’m sharing these 10 things not only to give a guide but also to let everyone know that these are the things that captured my heart and made my first-time solo travel unquestionably wonderful.
1 KAYANGAN LAKE
Kayangan Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes that I’ve seen in the Philippines. This is the one that distinguished Coron from El Nido and it’s definitely my favorite spot in Coron. It is less than 20 minutes climb and it will surprise you once you reach the wooden stairs going to the blue-green crystal clear water.
2 MALCAPUYA ISLAND
It has a nice white powdery sand, great snorkeling site, nice view deck, and tranquil and quiet impression. It made me speechless, calm and at peace. I just sat quietly in the sand while drinking fresh coconut juice and enjoying the beauty of the place. Entrance fee ranges from P150.00-200.00 and is included in tour packages. (Island Escapade Tour)
3 MAQUINIT HOT SPRING
Maquinit Hot spring is the last place I visited and stayed there till 8:15 in the evening. The hot spring is a great relief for your worn out body after island hopping and town tour. Its water is warm, fresh and salty.
4 CORTO DEL MAR HOTEL
Corto Del Mar Hotel is an elegant hotel located in the heart of Coron town. It’s actually 10 minutes walk from my hotel. It has 32 bedrooms and suites and wonderful Mediterranean and Filipino ambiance. One will be simply amazed by its architectural designs and decorations. I visited this place because of the famous pasta and pizza that the hotel staff where I stay suggested to me to visit. I will definitely recommend this place because their food and service is exceptional. Corto Del Mar Hotel is a nice and unique jump-of-point for romantic getaways, family vacation, and solo travelers.
5 BULOGDOS ISLAND
Bulogdos Island is the last stop in our island escapade tour. It is privately owned by the Two Seasons group and with very limited access to the guests. What I love about this island is the sandbar which is visible during low tide, and the view deck that lets you enjoy the view of the whole island.
6 TWIN LAGOONS
Twin Lagoons is part of the Tour A or the Coron Island Tour consisting of the 7 destinations which are the highlights of Coron. Twin Lagoons will be memorable to every visitors because entering to the hidden lagoon which is the second lagoon is not that easy. You will enter a small crevice underneath the rock, during low tide and a ladder over the rock during high tide.
The water is blurry because of the salt and fresh water inside the lagoon. The temperature also changes as the cold freshwater meets the hot salt water. I love this site because I can simply float with my life jacket in the water and enjoy the stillness of the place.
7 MT. TAPYAS
I climbed 700+ step stairs just to reach the summit of Mt Tapyas. It is tiring but it has the best view deck to see the panoramic view of Coron and the sunset. At the back of the cross, you can continue with the trekking to see the lush greenery and breathtaking mountains. It’s a great spot for photo-shoot with friends and family.
8 BANANA ISLAND
Banana Island is the 2nd stop of the Island Escapade Tour. This site has a lot of Pacific Giant Clams and beautiful white powdery sand. This is where we had our lunch. Visitors can do a lot of activities on this site which includes volleyball, snorkeling, swimming, photo-shoot and resting in the hammock under the tree.
9 SIETE PECADOS
Siete Pecados known as “Seven Sins, is one of the unforgettable snorkeling sites in Coron. Our tour guide mentioned about the legend where seven sisters went swimming against their mothers will, then, all of them get drowned. Their mother wasn’t able to find them, then, afterward, the seven islands appeared. This snorkeling site is surrounded by a countless variety of fishes, corals and marine life which are beautiful.
10 LOLO NONOY’S FOOD
If you want to try the local’s food, you should try to visit this place. I was surprised that there’s a lot of tourist flocking to this place. It’s a typical carinderia with local meals at affordable prices. The only special about this restaurant are the fruits shakes that they served and their bestseller beef steak and seafood. It is located at Busuanga Road, Coron, Palawan and a five minutes walk from my hotel. (Micasa)
Apart from the 10 go-to places, Caluit Safari Tour, World War II Sunken ship & Best Reefs souvenir shops, and cashews harvest are another go-to places to complete your Palawan experience. They are part of Tour E or the town tour. This is the last tour you can avail to roam around the town and the market where you can purchase “pasalubong” and fresh cashew nuts which are popular to this Town. You can buy ref magnets, tarts and other products made by the local community. By buying local products, you’re helping the people with their livelihood and tourism.
For travels tips and sample tour packages, check out the link below: Tips and Tour Packages
I had a pleasant time in Coron. I met new friends and experienced a wonderful paradise for my first-time solo travel. I will never forget it! I hope I inspire you to pack up everything and see the beauty of the Philippines.
If you have questions or want to share your travel stories, please let us know so we can feature your article in Happy Rabbit Travels site 🙂
Recently, I had another staycation with my best of friends. It’s already becoming a habit of our circle to have staycation every quarter. Though we had several choices of hotels, we all agreed to go to Crosswinds Resort Suites this time. We get a one bedroom suite and book the deal from the Deal Grocer.
So, what’s in it that made us picked it? (All the information are taken from their website: Crosswinds Tagaytay)
About:
Crosswinds is a haven south of Manila inspired by the architecture of Switzerland. Rows of picturesque chalets sit serenely on a lush terrain at one of the highest points of Tagaytay.Over 20,000 pine trees perfume the property with its sweet scent, further adding to the calm while the music of interweaving winds soothe the senses. (source: www.crosswindstagaytay.com)
Nearby attractions:
– Tagaytay Highlands
– Picnic Grove
– Nature Discovery Park
– People’s Park in the Sky
Features:
Free Wi-Fi (all rooms and public areas)
Swimming pool (outdoor)
Playground
Shuttle service
Front desk (24 hours)
Deposit boxes
Languages
English
Filipino
At the gate of Crosswinds
We are all happy the moment we saw our room. It exceeded our expectations and surprised us with its beautiful and peaceful scenery outside our window. The spacious, clean, and elegant room received praises from us and we’re glad we made the right choice.
The staffs are indeed helpful and they assist us with our luggage and all the kitchen appliances. They’re friendly and they ensure that we get all the things we needed in the room before they leave.
Other than the mentioned features of this hotel, we also enjoy the Christmas village where we took several photos. Christmas village is the highlight during the Ber-months season. It starts on September and ends after the new year. So, people must take advantage and feel the holiday vibe of this cozy and luxurious place.
Christmas Village
Crosswinds has also fully equipped kitchen, and we decided to cook for our dinner and breakfast. I enjoyed cooking because I have complete kitchen appliances to use. I encourage everyone, especially those who’d like to save money to take advantage of the kitchen. I felt great for utilizing all the tools and kitchen appliances. There are nearby restaurants, however, if you don’t bring a car, better bring some foods and do your complete grocery lists to ensure you have enough food during your stay.
Bon Appetit
We had an advance pictorial for Tin and Darren, c/o our photographer and fashion blogger Ben of GeekyBf.
Darren and Tin 🙂L.O.V.E.
That Switzerland ambiance will make you want to extend another day to this place. The pine trees, the colorful houses, and buildings added more charm to this place.
Switzerland feels 🙂winning jump shot 🙂
Make sure you bring nice clothes for pictorial and extra batteries for your phone and camera. Picture taking is part of the bonding that you and your friends do that make the vacation more fun and fabulous.
Also, I suggest bringing a laptop and movies that you and your friends can watch. Better coordinate with the staff of the hotel with regards to the appropriate connector to use. What we brought didn’t work, so, I suggest that you asked ahead of time so you can enjoy the movies. Movie marathon is also a great bonding for the whole family.
Make sure you bring your swimming clothes so you can go for a swim in their outdoor swimming pool. Also, for coffee lovers like me, there’s a nearby Coffee Bean Tea Leaf where you can take pleasure of your favorite beverages.
We really had an amazing vacation in this place, and I’m planning to take my siblings with me for them to see how cool the place is.
I know we are all thrifty and we always try to find the best places in the Philippines that we can visit, but nowadays, it is easy and accessible to find affordable places, hotels, restaurant, and services.
There’s a lot of promos and discounts that we can avail. In our case, we always book our hotels in Deal Grocer. We are a happy and grateful for Deal Grocer for making it easy for us to find these places and experience luxurious hotels for weekend getaways.
How to go to Crosswinds?
Take a van or bus going to Tagaytay. Instruct the driver to drop you at Olivares, Tagaytay City. From Olivares, rent a tricycle and they will take you to the gate of Crosswinds, and you only need to pay around P150.00-P200.00 for the fare. Approach the staff or the guard because the resort will provide a private car or coaster to transfer you to the resort’s main front desk.
The 21st of July marked my first solo travel. I was thrilled and excited for the trip yet also a bit anxious and nervous at the same time. I know that I’m used to traveling with companions, either with siblings or with friends. My friends thought I was crazy and some did not believe I did it alone, but hell yeah…I did
A brave rabbit finally tried to get out of her comfort zone and checked one of her goals from her bucket list. Amazing 🙂
I only visited two places during my two weeks time off.
Part I – BORACAY
Boracay’s famous grotto 🙂
I’ve been to Boracay several times but there are reasons for that. Whenever I’m in this place I feel relaxed and happy. I love the beach and it always fascinates and makes me a happy kid. What makes this trip different from my previous trip is that I did it alone and tried to make it more relax compared to my previous travel where I do a lot of activities. This time, I do it my way, no plans, no itineraries for the whole trip and no too extreme activities.
I met two ladies at the airport who are working from Hong Kong and taking some time off in the Philippines. Their hotel in Boracay is located in station 3 while mine is in station 1. We arrived in Caticlan in the evening and I was already tired because of our delayed flight and the two hours travel from Kalibo to Caticlan. There’s actually a direct flight from Manila to Caticlan, however, I booked Kalibo.. so, I have to ride a van going to Caticlan.
From Caticlan, I ride a tricycle going to my hotel and paid P25.00. I was happy that when I arrived at my hotel, my room was already ready. I sent an email ahead of time and informed them of the time of my arrival and my request. Blue Lily has very friendly and very helpful staff and I love how they treat me like a VIP.
This is my bed, the comfort room, and the small refrigerator… Too many soft drinks but I only get one and more bottles of water. 😇
The first night was spent for dinner and fire dance watching. Since I want to have enough sleep and good rest, I stayed up to 10:30 PM only.
2nd Day: I wake up early and did some walking and jogging in the long stretch of the beach from station 1 to station 3. After that, I swim and had my breakfast at the hotel. I like the feeling when you’re having a nice breakfast, enjoying the view in front of you and hearing the sound of the waves. Indeed, it’s a wonderful day!
Breakfast in Day 2 #coffee #bread #butter and #strawberry #jam ☕🍞
I promised to meet up the two ladies after lunch and I headed to station 3 because they’re getting henna tattoos there. Mitch and MJ have it on their bucket lists, so they promise that they will have it in Boracay.
MJ and Mitch got their tattoos
After that, we had some picture-taking in the sand castles and went to station 2 to eat. In the evening, we had dinner, drank some cocktails and enjoyed some acoustic music. We stayed till 1:00 AM and then, I went back to my hotel.
sand castle during the day 🙂sand castle at night 🙂
Sand castles in Boracay are made by the locals. Usually, minors and some teenagers ask for some tips after building it for tourists.
Staying under the sun for more than four hours made us sweaty and weary. We decided to cool down and went to their hotel. We spend time talking about our next travel destination. They plan to go to Baguio after Boracay while I will be in Coron for 5 days. They tell me their stories and I told them mine. We are all hardworking ladies and we have the same love and passion for travel and adventure. We had few drinks at their room before I showed them my hotel in station 1. My hotel has a terrace which is a perfect view deck to watch the beach and the stunning sunset.
Girls just wanna have fun 🙂 lol
Besides the sand castles, there’s a sand lantern at night. Isn’t that cool?
3rd Day: I wake up at 6am,had some walk and tried to do the standup paddle boating. It costs P500.00 for an hour. A little expensive but it’s nice to try. I went to souvenir shops after lunch and bought some shirts and “pasalubong” for my siblings. I met up with Mitch and MJ during dinner as I like to enjoy my “me time” during the day and afternoon.
Tres Amigos Boracay restaurant is the place where we had dinner. They served Mexican food which I love. I ordered a beef burrito and a classic margarita. Mitch and MJ tried other dishes like chicken fajitas, quesadilla, and frozen margaritas.
Read More: Budget Travel Guide: Anawangin, Capones Island and Pundaquit Beach
We then headed to Club Paraw to have some drinks. It was a nice time to have some party and enjoy the dance floor. We get their house special drinks. Actually, we get a tower drink..haha, and it gave me a headache in the morning. I’m glad the two are heavy drinkers, cause I know I can’t finish more than 5 glasses of that alcoholic drink.
4th Day: I wake up a little late. I had a walk going to station 3. I stayed there to chill and to swim. I also like station 3 cause it’s less crowded compared to station 1 and 2. I stayed on station 1 because I want a beach front hotel and see the purest powdery white sand and the grotto of Boracay. Also, it’s very accessible and convenient.
After wandering around the beach, I arrange my luggage for my flight going back to Manila.
By the way, if it’s your first time in Boracay, I advise you to do some of the activities there. You’ll love it and appreciate more the beauty of this place. Just a recap of the things I’ve done on my previous visits in Boracay, you can try the following:
And, please don’t forget to see the sunset in Boracay. It is worth waiting and I’m sure you’ll be surprised to see it 🙂
Sunset in Boracay 🙂
I hope you enjoy reading the first part of my travel. Next Part of my travel will be posted in the coming days. If you haven’t been to Coron Palawan, you have to check the part two of my trip. Coron is a breathtaking place and I will tell you more about it…very soon.
It’s true that when we grow older and get a stable job, we have less time meeting our best of friends. They also have their jobs and priorities; what’s used to be a daily meet up becomes weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. Every person has their pals, best friends and college buddies who are like their own siblings.
My college buddies (BEN, TIN, JEN) and I planned a staycation at least 3 months ahead due to our different schedules and priorities. I work on a night shift and they work on a day shift. We decided to do it on a Sunday since I need to have some sleep, and they’re very understanding. That’s what my college buddies/ Bff do for a friend.
So, we meet at 9:30 in the morning, my friend and I grab a taxi from Makati going to BGC where F1 Hotel is located. What’s great about F1 Hotel is that people can get a voucher for day swimming and another separate voucher for food. It’s a great experience to stay overnight yet the price will be more expensive compared to a day stay.
There are couches, beds, and chairs everywhere that make us feel at home. Very clean, cozy and I love the simple yet elegant style everywhere. The receptionist and crew are also friendly which added the charm to this hotel.
F1 Hotel is located at 32nd Street & Bonifacio Boulevard, Fort Bonifacio, Global City,Taguig City Luzon 1634, Philippines. It is very convenient as the hotel is very near the restaurants and shopping centers in BGC. The hotel is very stylish and the food was excellent.
Nearest Transport: MRT 3 Guadalupe Station (1.5KM/ 18 min. walk)
Check-In 2:00PM – Check-Out 12:00PM
Note: You can book via Agoda, Tripadvisor, Hotels.com and TravelBook.Ph. The price ranges from Php 5,000.00- Php7,000.00 (taxes and other fees are sometimes not included) but better check the offers from different providers.
We haven’t seen each other for a long time, we end up sharing stories and the usual chit-chat we always do. Ben, our fashion blogger BFF took some Instagram-worthy photos. We had some ice tea, burger and fries snacks since we are not yet hungry.
burger and fries for our #snacks
The photo was taken by Ben, our fashion blogger Bff. Follow his blog site at Bless the models
In the afternoon, we started swimming and enjoying every corner of the hotel. The shower is great, too and the place is relaxing. It’s nice to have a staycation with friends. You can take a lot of photos, share every cute and funny memory, laugh all day and talk anything under the sun.
We had sumptuous dinner after swimming..,and I swear, will definitely recommend it to you guys. The food was great and we’re happy with the food they served. Staffs are nice and we ask them to take us photos.
Hi everyone! Happy Rabbit Travels is now live on Instagram. In line with this, I’m inviting you all to follow my journey and adventure. All the wonderful and beautiful places I’ve been will be featured in my account.
Leave your username on myInstagrampost. Follow me, comment here including your blog sites. I will follow anyone who does. I will be very happy to meet you all there.
I always love this country and been here twice already. #hongkong #travelgram #travel #temple #hk #hkgirl #happyrabbittravels #wanderlust #photography #happyrabbit
She loved the sea. She liked the sharp salty smell of the air, and the vastness of the horizons bounded only by a vault of azure sky above. It made her feel small, but free as well. 🌊🌅🐰👓👒👙
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