It was already cold to be standing on top of the Osmena Peak in Cebu. Waiting for the sun to set became a little uncomfortable because the temperature became cooler. Good thing I brought a jacket. It was also great that we still had some leftover bread so we could fill our stomachs with food … Read more
We arrived at the Mantalongon Market and asked the townsfolk for directions to Osmena Peak in Cebu. The locals advised to go straight and just turn left on the first intersection. Afterwards, they said we only needed to follow the path to get to the destination. We didn’t have a difficult time understanding the instructions … Read more
Friday night, I was going over my duties in the office when I received a message from one of my travel buddies about going to Osmeña Peak the morning after. Prior to the climb, we were to drop by the municipality of Boljoon in South Cebu.
Cebu Osmeña Peak: Stopover at Boljoon
November 11, 2011
If you see this view when you travel South of Cebu, you know you’re in Boljoon.
I resigned from my corporate job last January 2012 because I wanted to go on a long-term travel adventure. I was able to accomplish it by backpacking for nine months in seven countries in Southeast Asia. Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand-Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia-Philippines I haven’t exhausted all the places in Southeast Asia which I could’ve done simply by hopping on a … Read more
During my trip to Zamboanga City, I was able to visit the gorgeous Merloquet Waterfalls and spend the day at Pink Island. I also made sure to check out different food places to eat. Aside from these, here are other spots you can visit in Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga Trip: Pasonanca Tour, Fort Pilar, Paseo del Mar and City Hall
It was pretty hot in Zamboanga City and one way to cool off was to head to the upper area of the city. Going on a tour of Pasonanca is a good place to relax and walk. You can find the Pasonanca Park there. During my trip, Jana and I only dropped by the La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat which has different flower and butterfly species surrounding the garden. I wasn’t able to take pictures of the place because it was already night time.
metal teepees in Boy Scout Grounds
Boy Scout Grounds in Pasonanca
I had nine days to spend in Zamboanga City. Aside from visiting tourist spots, I couldn’t wait to have a food trip adventure. I didn’t spend my money by going to different restaurants everyday, but I made sure to taste the specialties of Zamboanga.
Zamboanga City Food Trip
December 2-10, 2012
Foodtrip in Zamboanga
The best way to travel in the city is by tricycle. These trikes don’t have a route so be ready to pay a minimum of 50 Php per ride, depending on the destination.
best to travel by trike
Aside from the Merloquet Waterfalls adventure, I was also excited to visit the famous Pink Island of Zamboanga. Aside from wanting to spend a day on the beach, I was curious how “pink” the sand was.
Zamboanga Trip: Sta. Cruz also known as “Pink Island”
December 7, 2012
I was told that the corals before were bigger compared to these corals now.
Prior to the trip, we went to the Department of Tourism (DOT) to inquire about the day tour to the island. I’ve heard that tourists need security escorts to avoid unfortunate incidents like kidnapping. To be honest, I was a little hesitant because of this; but we were assured that it’s safe so long as we had these military men with us.
We registered our names at the DOT for reservation. Alternately, you can directly go to the port in Paseo del Mar as walk-in clients.
security escort with his rifle to Sta. Cruz Island
nice day to be at the beach!
My eyes were squinting when the organizers woke us up to step off the bus. We just arrived in Nueva Ecija to try sport fishing at the Pantabangan Dam after a spelunking activity in Bulacan. It was a long bus ride, about 7 hours with a lunch stopover at Liquid Coffee Bar and Resto in Microtel Cabanatuan. I still wanted to sleep but we needed to go down to check the place out.
Sport Fishing at Pantambangan Dam
Nueva Ecija
Dandi of Lakbay Norte 3 in Pantabangan Lake
Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija
After checking out from the Widus Hotel Resort, we prepared for another adventure, this time an off-road 4×4 ride to Puning Hot Springs in Angeles, Pampanga.
The breakfast buffet at the resort was wonderful, if only we had more time. But it was a busy day as we had another set of activities lined up for us.
Puning Hot Springs & Sand Spa
Sitio Target, Sapang Bato
Angeles City, Pampanga
Off Road Adventure to the Puning Hot Springs
4×4 vehicles welcomed us and it was cool to see a row of them displayed as if we got to choose which one we could drive. Of course, it didn’t matter which color we rode as we were but passengers of these open-air wheels.
After a 4×4 off-road adventure from Puning Hot Springs, we proceeded to the next station where we were treated to a sand spa and mudpack therapy.
Sand Spa & Mudpack at Puning Hot Springs
Sitio Target, Sapang Bato
Angeles City, Pampanga
pouring sand over Krishmel and James | my turn
photo by Lakwatsero
I first heard about a volcanic ash spa when I read an article by a fellow blogger. I didn’t really know what to expect except for being buried alive in sand and volcanic ash. There’s also an oven below where they place coals to maintain the warm temperature. We were advised that the sand spa experience helps improve blood circulation. This only lasts for 20-30 minutes to avoid dehydration.
JourneyingJames feeling the heat.
I was doing my daily routine of going online to work when it hit me. I’ve been on the road for six months. Six months! I quit my job in January and I’ve travelled to different places ever since.
Here’s a list of places I’ve been to in the past six months. Some I stayed for a few days, most I stayed longer. Duration of my stay indicated are just rough estimates.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 2 days 
Mui Ne, Vietnam – 2 days
Siem Reap, Cambodia – 1 month
Bangkok, Thailand – 2 weeks
Singapore City, Singapore – 6 days
Cebu, Philippines – 2 weeks
Boracay, Philippines – 5 days
Cebu, Philippines – 5 days
Manila, Philippines – 1 week
Cebu, Philippines – 2 weeks
Manila, Philippines – 3 days
Siem Reap, Cambodia – 1 week
Singapore City, Singapore – 4 days
Bangkok, Thailand – 1.5 months
Bali, Indonesia – 1 week
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 2 days
Dungun, Malaysia – running on my 1st month
Looking back, it seems that I’ve been to so many places in the last half of the year. It’s not that I can’t go to these places if I kept my previous job working in a contact center. Heck, I travelled to 4 countries and 8 local destinations within 8 months and still kept my full-time job. I’ve also had six consecutive trips in six weekends while juggling my part-time projects online. It just came to a point that I wanted more than the weekend trips.
Aside from surfing, one of the activities I looked forward to doing was paddle boarding at Paoay Lake, Ilocos Norte. I wanted to try this because I’ve seen the sport in magazines and I wondered how sport was like compared to surfing.
Paddle boarding at Paoay Lake
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Angel of Lakwatsero.com paddleboarding in Paoay Lake
I knew surfing was a tough one; heck it took me awhile before I learned to stand on the board yet I was only able to ride the wave for a couple of seconds. Then catching another wave would require more energy and a lot more strength to stay afloat. Paddleboarding, after my first attempt, turned out to be an easy one.
Mike teaching the basics
During the third month of my backpacking adventure, I made a side trip to Singapore and Boracay. I was supposed to be in Chiang Mai or Laos but there were sudden changes of plans that I had to reroute the destinations and go home earlier than expected.
I told myself that I’d be gone for at least six months; however, it wasn’t really something I wanted to carve in stone. The point of this whole digital nomad lifestyle gig is to show to others that it is possible to bring your work with you and travel at the same time. I think I’ve done fairly enough to say that it can be done.
leaving Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok
Singapore was not set until the first week of August. I was going to visit the country when I had more money in my bank. I knew that this was going to be an expensive place given that this is a First World country so I wanted more time to save before I check out its attractions. Due to circumstances, I arrived here too soon.
Merlion Singapore
After our breakfast at The Manor Hotel in Baguio, we headed to Dagupan City in Pangasinan. The main activity that was lined up for us was the Dawel River Cruise. We arrived after four hours and we were greeted by the representatives from the Dagupan tourism department.
an alternative career
photo taken by Angel
I knew about this cruise through my blogger friend Mica of Senyorita.net when she wrote about it on her blog. If you ask me, Mica seems to be a blogger ambassador of the Dagupan City because of how she promotes her hometown to the rest of the blogging community. Check out her article here: Dagupan City’s Newest Tourist Attraction
murals that greet you at the entrance
Inspired by Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise, the Dawel River Cruise was conceptualized to clean the rivers of Dagupan City. A relaxing day with local music being played as we passed through the river, it was a welcome treat from the extreme activities that we had the previous days. We also feasted on delicious rice cakes that they prepared for us.
Dawel River Cruise in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.