Note: This post was written prior to my departure, I didn’t have the opportunity to publish it right away.

It’s 9pm and I’m waiting for my flight at 10:50. A flight that marks the beginning of my journey which according to my friend, is my biggest adventure so far. The initial plan was to stay for two weeks and go through the Indochina route. But with the recent turn of events, I’ve decided to stay longer and travel to more countries.

Everything is falling into place yet I’m having mixed emotions. Should I push through with the trip or am I just carried away?

typing thoughts

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I was hoping to publish a couple of entries while travelling to different places in the North. But every time I checked in the hotels we were assigned to, I was more excited to hit the sack to get some much-needed rest. The Lakbay Norte 3 trip has ended but I’m still getting a hangover from all the activities we did.

Lakbay Norte is a media tour set up by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) to introduce different media groups about travelling and the places to visit in North Luzon. With the banner “Rediscover the North”, NPVB and its partners (Manila North Tollways Corporation, Mcdonalds, Robinsons, Smart Communications, and Victory Liner) helped each other in showcasing that there’s still a lot of places that are undiscovered in the North.

Let me just say that the bus was really attractive!

Travelling on a Victory Liner bus for 8 days in North Luzon (Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan, Tarlac Subic Bay, Clark, Pampanga). 

Adventures

I’m so glad that the theme for this year was “Outdoor Adventures in North Philippines” which mean that I had time to try out different physical activities. Spelunking, sport fishing, white water rafting, surfing, paddle boarding, airsoft, kart racing, offroad adventure, jungle survival; not to mention the karaoke night and a day of pampering.

 
jam-packed adventures during the trip!

Spelunking at Pinagrealan Cave, Bass Fishing at Cabanatuan, White Water Rafting in Kalinga, Surfing in Pagudpud, Paddleboarding in Paoay, Trekking & Tree Planting in Holcim Ecotrail, Airsoft in Baguio, Dawell Reivercruise in Dagupan, Go Karting at Kart City in Tarlac, Jungle Survival at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Spa and Massage at Ritz Spa, Offroad Adventure at Puning Hot Springs in Greater Clark

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The 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark will be happening on February 9-12, 2012 at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

I’ve been wanting to attend this event since last year with so many hot air balloons being showcased. It’s a photographer’s treat to witness so much color in the air. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to drop by this year due to a trip that I’ve already planned. So I gave away two of my tickets to friends who’ll be able to join this festival.

A Weekend of Everything that Flies!

photo source: Jep

This is a four day activity and below is the schedule of the balloon festival from February 9 to 12:

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I was so overwhelmed by the responses I received from my previous blog entry that I don’t know if I can come up with another ‘share-worthy’ post. But based on the comments, a lot of people have but a slight idea of my plans after announcing that I was going to resign in order to start a location-independent lifestyle. In reality, I don’t really have a clear idea on what I’m going to do. All I know is that I have a few tickets booked and I’ll pursue a freelance career online. Slow travel is what I aim to do. But before going on that trip, here's an event that also helped me decide to resign earlier than expected.

Lakbay Norte 3 Adventure

I was chosen by the North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB), along with five other travel bloggers, as part of a media group to tour Northern Luzon dubbed as Lakbay Norte 3: Outdoor Adventures in North Philippines!

Note: Photos were taken from the bloggers’ profiles without their permission. Peace guys!

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I wake up, take a bath, go to the office, work, clock out, go home, work online, and sleep. On weekends, I travel to let loose and stay sane. This routine has been going on for a couple of years and I've grown comfortable with my surroundings that I feel the need for change.

Somehow, this travel addiction has reached a different level that it has become a factor to consider whenever I make a big decision. Such is the case of quitting a job.

Yes, I’m resigning.

I’m saying goodbye to almost six years of working in a corporate setting and I’m transitioning to a career that will allow me to be more location-independent. Even if the compensation is not as grand, doing this will satisfy my thirst for travel.

I was so excited to share the news to colleagues that when I told them about it, some were happy for me since I'm pursuing my interests. However, there were those who thought that I was making a hasty decision which didn't make a lot of sense. When they found out I wasn’t joking, they aired there thoughts.

Never-ending Questions

Me: Guess what? I’m resigning! 
Colleague: Seriously?
Me: Yeah, I am. I've been at this for 2 years already. But now I'm ready.

Colleague: What are you going to do?
Me: I'll backpack for 6 months out of the country or I don't know. I haven't completely figured it out yet, but I want to travel and bring my work with me.

Colleague: Do you have insurance?
Me: No. But I'll work on it.

Colleague: Do you have enough savings?
Me: I've some, not a lot.

Colleague: Where will you get the money?
Me: Blogging and my online jobs. I know someone who’s already done it.

Colleague: So after 6 months, what are you planning to do?
Me: I don't know. Maybe I'll continue travelling, or I'll write a book.

Colleague: Are you sure? Have you ever had your articles reviewed by a professional?
Me: *Ouch* Why the negativity?

Colleague: I'm bursting your bubble to get you out of your delusions of grandeur.
Me: Well, if things don’t go according to plan, I can always go back.

Colleague: You'll start from scratch again.
Me: I don't mind. At least I tried.

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