Misadventure: Confined!

Day 5! My left hand is getting painful each day especially if the nurse injects fluids on the dextrose, which happens three times a day.

Imagine anticipating for a bee sting three times a day and that's for five days,
that's how it feels. And other than that you have to wake up, at four in the morning, because the nurse gets in and he has to get blood sample. (And of course being away from your family if your sick is another story. I have been monitoring my parents who are in Manila for a three-day check-up but they don't have any idea that I am talking with them while I'm in the hospital.)

I'm just glad my tolerance has not yet taking its toll. Thank you to Apo Whang-od for preparing me to this. Being inked by her is still the most painful I ever experienced. Nothing can beat that.

The wanderer on a Chocolate Hill

I am on the top of a chocolate hill now. All alone- breathing the fresh morning breeze, listening to the birds chirping, watching the countless Chocolate hills full of green lushes. It's awesome.

Yes, I am madly enjoying His wonder in a bird's eye-view now; it's almost perfect for a wanderer like me. And this will going to be perfect if the wanderer's Ultimate Buddy will speak to her and answer her wondering mind.

I am in silence and focused waiting for MUB to speak for Him to send His message, in any ways but He didn't

I wonder why! I guess it's not the right time yet. And as promised , I will be patient of waiting, I'm trying, just like You who have been so patient to me.

And since You're not giving the answers yet, I'll better go down to this Chocolate hill now.

A sweet slice of life....Must-try cakes and pastries in the islands...

So if you ask me, what I do? I say, "I travel and experience a taste of every place,". Whenever I am out, I love to act and feel like a local of the place-  trying hard to speak the dialect, listen to local's stories especially those who are in poverty, and experience the place, culture and food.

And every time I am on travel, personal or work-related,  I make sure to spend time alone, be in the beach or enjoy those only-in-this place- coffee shops and restaurants.

And I know it is hard to find if you don't know the place or if it is your first time to visit the place, especially if you travel alone. I know how it feels because I am one, I am like you.

And so I'd like to share with you few of my best finds across the islands of Philippines. And since I am sweet today, I'd like you to share with you sweet foodies - cakes and pastries - that literally melts in your mouth.

Every time I visit the place, the trip is not complete without re(tasting) these yummy foodies. Here are, for me, the must-try across the islands of Philippines:

Sampaguita Garden's Chocolate Moist cake- New Washington, Aklan 

The chocolate they are using are belgian chocolates. It cost  70 pesos, almost two dollars. The chocolate moist cake is their bestseller and the first to be sold out.  Sampaguita Gardens is just  few minutes from Kalibo and almost two hours from Boracay.  It is the home of Precious Moments Dolls. 

Bacolod City, Calea Cake

Calea cakes! And that's only  in Bacolod City. People won't leave Bacolod without going to Calea shop. They have best ice cream cakes. Too bad you can't bring it home as it melts easily. But they have chocolate moist cake. It is good for pasalubong. 

Tacloban, Leyte- Miyara's Cakes and Pastries

My new find and addiction- Miyara's red velvet cupcake. A cupcake that literally melts in your mouth with a cheesecake filling and topping. Miyaras cakes and pastries store is found right in front of Development Bank of the Philippines,  Tacloban City. 

Mint Leaf's Blueberry Cheesecake - Malaybalay, Bukidnon

The best cheesecake I ever tasted so far. If you are in Malaybalay, just tell the tricycle to drop you off to Mint Leaf. And if you love Durian, try their Durian coffee, a perfect combination for your cheesecake and the cozy ambiance plus the fanstastic Baguio-like weather.


Sans Rival's Silvanas - Dumaguete, Negros Oriental 
Your Dumaguete experience won't be complete if you miss to visit Sans Rival and taste their Silvanas. Sans Rival is just near the Boulevard and well-known to locals, just ask the tricycle driver to drop you off to their shop.

So far those are the best but of course I am still counting...

C'mon friends, join me in finding good stuff here in Philippines. Let's go, taste and explore the sweet slice of life. It's in our hands.

You

I stand still for you.

You are the reason in every decision I make.

I have the choice to argue but I chose not to.

I have the choice to stay closer but I chose to be away.

Because, I prefer this way than to see you suffer.

I have offered to work overseas but I declined.

Because I believe, it’s not yet the time to leave you,

I wish another offer will come

soon after everything gets stable.

They may disappoint you with promises, but I promise I won’t.

I promise not to fail you.

Hang on there. You and I will get through this.

Remember this; I’ll be the last person standing for you.

You'll know who I am referring to on my next blog entry..:)

Guilty as charged!

traI am sharing with you thoughts from  Omar Arabia, an alternative medicine doctor whom I  met a week ago.

Fresh veggies at Baguio Market. Everytime I travel to Baguio, I drop at the market to check there fresh goodies.

Here thoughts about health are very striking that makes you feel guilty, at times.

Here are some of those:

- We tend to be too focus to be successful but forget or ignore our physical health; then we just realize the value of health when it's already cramming time.

- We don't catch diseases, we create them slowly by breaking down our natural defenses according to the way we eat, drink, think, feel and live

- There are no such things as incurables; there are only things for which man has not found a cure- Bernard Baruch

Isn't it a reminder for everyone? Let's be healthy!

Growing up with my man

My friends often tell me that I am not always being human as they don’t normally see any of my emotions other than when I laugh.  They keep teasing me that I am stone-hearted as they have never heard me talk about love and relationship, as they have never seen me in a relationship with someone.

Aps and my younger sister, days after Papa's surgery removing a part of his large and small intestine including his appendix. 

My friends keep wondering how I show my love and how relationships mean to me. They don’t know that having no one (boyfriend), is a manifestation that I value relationship that much; and I pray and wish to be in a relationship with someone like my Papa who treats his loved ones like queens and princesses.

My Papa is the one and only man in my life and my family’s life. He is my only man and the only man of my mama and my two younger siblings. He is like the Papa of your favorite fairytale characters, the man who forever rescues you and loves you dearly.

And if you ask me about my childhood memories, my Papa will always be the star of the story. I still recall how he would clean my dirty feet whenever I was too tired to wash it after an entire afternoon of playing with my playmates. And most of the time I would ask my Mama and Papa how I got to my bed when I woke up in the morning. 

Even until now, he remains to be the Papa that I have grown up with, nothing has ever changed. My papa has never, not once, dictated my choices especially with my career. I don’t remember him  scolding me, even once. And every time I am with my workmates or students, I introduce him as my boyfriend. This will always start us all laughing.

That’s why when he was diagnosed with colon cancer last March, I felt shattered. I felt I was in a tunnel where light was nowhere to be found.

During my sister's high school graduation. Aps tried his best to be in the graduation . I can't forget my sister telling my Papa, " Pa I won't join the ceremony if you are still confined,". Those words are vivid to me up until now. 

Knowing that my Papa has colon cancer is the most painful I ever experienced in my 25 years of living. Having this kind of emotion is the worst feeling I have ever felt. I don't want others to experience this. This is a nightmare. And even at this time that I am not home, sleeping will always be filled with nightmares as I keep on dreaming of bad things about my Papa, and for sure, those are my worries.

It has been a month since we have had this turmoil but even up to now, I am still in the middle of denial and acceptance about the sickness of my Papa. I have been trying to convince myself not to believe in fairytales- not the thought of having a Papa who is just like the father of your favorite fairytale character, but the thought of a happily ever after.  It is within the context of this experience that I have started not to think of impossible things like forever, as there will never be a forever in this world. I admit it; I am having a hard time convincing myself about forever.

With this turmoil I started hating the things that I used to love; the things that used to keep me sane like sunset, surprises, travelling and uncertainty.

It is in these times that I appreciate those working parents who really spend time for their family despite their busy schedules. And it is also at this time that I envy those people who work near their family. It is this time that I fear the end of every day, and it is this time that I hate travelling. Going on any travel  takes me away from my family at this time when my only wish is to take care of my father, the way he took  and still taking care of us.

 

Little cards

Reflection:  Everyone journeys different seasons- seasons of  contentment,  joy and the seasons of pain and turmoil is not an exemption-  and nobody is exempted! 

Since  March 2012, my family  has been journeying the season of turmoil as my only man , the only man of my mama's, brother's and sister's life was diagnosed with colon cancer.  My papa had undergone a surgery removing a mass inside his colon few days he was diagnosed. 

And I admit,  even up to know I  am still in between denial and acceptance  with what my Papa has been going through. It's like journeying through a darkest tunnel where looking for a light has been a big challenge and the easiest escape is giving up. 

But despite all those, I am blessed to have a support system like my Aunties, Uncles, close friends, and workmates who have been helping me a lot (I bet these guys are God's angels). With this season of turmoil, my family becomes closer and intact. And most importantly our faith have grown each day.

And these little cards above, whom I got from my workmate,  have been my guiding angels as my family goes through the terrible season that I don't wish for anyone to experience it.  The cards somehow capture the lessons I learned out from the recent turmoil we have been  journeying.

And I want to share my thoughts  to you: 

Move:  Don't stop moving as everyday is a journey. 

Be affected: Sometimes or most of the times, we choose not to listen or tend to feel  numb about some situations facing  us because we are afraid to get hurt. But unfortunately God finds ways to make you feel human.  So try to loosen  your emotions and listen to your mind and heart 

Notice more: Do not focus on the bad things happening to you, notice the good things instead.  I keep on telling  this to myself, "Despite the bad experiences and situations, good things will happen in no time. And yes, good things are happening to my family despite the odds." 

Commit your self:   Before the incident, I had been too focus with my career aiming to provide and sustain for my family and fulfill my passion but my season for careers shifted and now I am totally committing myself to my family and  had to let go of  some career-related offers.  

Make your partner look good:With what we've been through, my siblings are my cooperative partners.  And it is in this situation that I tend to notice that my siblings have their own minds. And giving them responsibilities boost their self-esteem . 

These little cards looks so ordinary but the messages have been so striking.  These little cards have been my  guide as I'm trying to live the different seasons of life in a human and moral way. 

Now, which of these messages from these little cards strike you the most? 

Part 1: Doubts, fears ignored! (A swim with whale sharks)

Leave your 2nd thoughts behind; Ignore your doubts and fears!


This is what I learned from my Sunday morning experience while swimming with the sharks in a 15-feet deep sea water. 

Before deciding to pursue this lone traveler trip, I had a lot of 2^nd thoughts on mind.  I know this  trip is quite risky knowing that  I don’t know how to swim. And the notion that sharks eat human. I have this on my mind since I was a little child. I was also entertaining the fact that I just had 2 hours sleep and I don’t have underwater camera with me.  It sounds so lame excuses, right? hahaha

But when the sun was almost up, I made up my mind. I get up from bed and decided to use what is available; I decided to just use my phone to capture what is in store for me there.  

I charged my phone for a few minutes, packed my things in my tiger backpack; inside it  are those I usually bring with me, wherever I go. 


My favorite Ritter chocolate,  2-year-old tumbler, ‘The Girl with the Tattoo Dragon’ book, clothes that  my bikini of course, toiletries, sarong, and of course my 5-year-old pencil case with ballpens, pencils,  and ‘sili’  inside and calendar| notebook.  

I headed  South of Cebu, going to Tan-awan, Oslob.  (If you’re reading this and interested to go there and use my blog as your guide, I will give instructions later.) While I was in the bus, I was a bit groggy as I just had a 2 -hour sleep and not to mention my  runny nose.

After 2.5 hours I arrived at the place. I was not lost. Thanks to the bus driver and conductor who dropped me at the right place. 


I was so excited to get down and look for whale shark watching signage. I knew I was at the right place when. I saw a lot of tourists including foreigners outside the blue  gate  painted with whale shark design.  I was looking for someone where I can pay my entrance fee but no one welcomed me to get the payment so I just get inside. (It was not a trespassing, I guess. hehehe..)


I asked around what to do then a boatman accompanied me to the registration and briefing area. . They are so accommodating and warm. They are not commercialized workers or businessperson yet. I hope they won't be like those in other commercialized beaches I visited.  


I was not certain if they will prioritize me considering that I am just alone, so I befriended them. (A strategy that you can use too whenever you are on a lone traveler trip..hehehe.) 


 My strategy worked and the boatmen  gave me a small banca, just me and the boatman in that small banca.   How lucky I am, as they normally have 2-3 passengers for little bancas and 7-8 passengers for big ones.

The banca is non-motirized. It is so small. I was actuall  bit scared since it is not the ordinary boat that I usually ride  when I go island hopping. But I ignored the feeling and just focus on the excitement and enjoying the beautiful landscape- the blue skies reflecting the seawater while you  sitting on the banca waitng  for the sharks to go nearer.

Up-close 


While we were at the site the sharks are showing up. I can see everyone's faces,at the other bancas, with full of amusement. I assume they are in awe with what they see, same as what I am feeling. 


We enjoyed watching four giant sharks, at about 3-5 meters long and one baby shark, in white color.  They were following the fishermen that feed them with shrimps.  My boatman, Kuya Mervin said, there are times that there as many as 14 sharks in the place. 

Kuya Mervin,  is so  kind that he even offered here goggles for me to swim and check what's down there. He is even the one who takes picture of me whenever I am having an up-close encounter with the sharks.  

Seeing and swimming with them makes me reminisce my  feeling and reaction when I went to  Hongkong Disneyland. The feeling of forgetting everything and just enjoy what you are seeing.  I knew I  was acting and reacting  like a kid. Who would not be amazed seeing sharks at the sea, not in the ocean parks. 

My 30 minutes was up but I am still in awe with what I experienced and witnessed. My fear in swimming, with 15-feet deep, with the sharks  was conquered. Yahooo! Sharks didn't eat me. 


While I was heading back to Cebu City, riding on a bus, it was there I puzzled in, the question that I had been wanting to know the answer,  why my outlook had changed, from being so bitter and negative to having a positive outlook. 

It was in this trip that I realized that traveling helps me have a good outlook.  It was in this trip also that I officially confirmed that travelling makes me appreciate things more and makes me have a deeper appreciation in life, more than criticizing those negativity happening in me and around us.  


Travelling  totally sustains my sanity and good vibes. 

After this trip, I am getting ready for the next challenges and dares. I think my next is to swim without life vest, do cliff and scuba diving. Next to that is yet to be determined. 

So If I where you, leave your 2nd thoughts behind; Ignore your fears and doubts!  Don’t just be at your room. Get up, pack your  things and see the creation of My Ultimate Buddy and Your Untimate Buddy! He has a lot of things for us to be in awe and for us to enjoy and experience. This is a wonderful world for you and for all of us.


Note: Part two of this blog is on how to get there, random  practical tips, stories from the local folks that I  knew, learned, realized and observed. 

Part 2: Doubts, fears ignored! Tips and things you need to know before going for a swim with the whale sharks

Will it be fine if I go and experience swimming with the whale sharks (butanding in Filipino) alone?

I asked myself this question before I packed up for a swim with the butandings in Oslob, Cebu. If you also have this question on mind. Let me help you answer it:

If you're just like me who loves adventure, dares and fun, I tell you it's safe to travel and swim with the butandings as long as you follow the rules they have. And you need not  have  travel buddy/ies to cheer with you when they're showing up and you go swimming with the whale sharks.

So, if I where you, go and enjoy the rare opportunity of swimming with them, not in the ocean parks but right at their territory.

I have enumerated here, as requested by my friends,  some of tips and things that you need to know and might be useful to you.

How to get there:

1. From the airport or wherever you are, take a taxi to South Bus Terminal.  The terminal is near Elizabeth Mall.
2. Pay the terminal fee. There is a terminal personnel that will collect your payment.
3. Go straight to where the Ceres buses are parked. It's a yellow colored bus. The trip is less than 3 hours.
4. Look for Oslob signage
5. When the conductor will ask, where you're heading advise him to drop you off  at Tan-awan Barangay Hall in Oslob. I think this is the easiest landmark for you not to get lost.
6. Walk a few steps back the barangay hall and look for the 'whale shark watching' signage, in blue.
7. Get inside the resort and you'll be accommodated by fishermen around and will bring you to the registration area for you to pay the fees and briefing area after.

Expenses:
Taxi fare, from where I am staying : P60.00
South bus terminal fee: P5.000
Bus fare: P156.00 one way
Whale watching fee: P 300.00
Lunch: P90.00
Jeepney from Bus terminal to where I am staying: P8.00
Tip for the fisherman (optional): P50.00


Random photos and info

The signage| landmark of the resort. This is located at the left side when you are from Cebu City. Get inside the gate and ask around for instructions. 

This is posted at the blue gate, just beside the whale watching signage. 

Here are the priority numbers for whale shark watching. There are three groups of fisherman operating at the area and all of them are regulated by the local officials.

Tourists waiting for their turn to swim with the sharks. If you plan to go there, you better go the soonest. Don't wait for it to be too commercialized. You can even  leave your bag to the fisherman who was monitoring the priority numbers, just like what I did.  

My  priority number and the ticket. I am so lucky not to wait, for my turn,  for too long. I was accommodated just after few minutes of waiting.

At the briefing area where everyone is oriented before the swim.  Here are some of  the rules: Don't be to close to the whale sharks, maintain a 3 meters distance from them. Don't attempt to touch or chase the whale sharks. Don't use flash when taking pictures. Don't use sunblocks because it has chemicals not good for the whales. Listen to your boatman as they  know the whales better than us-tourists. 

Kuya Mervin, my boatman/photographer.  Boatmen like Kuya Mervin earns P1000.00 a day, the most, especially during weekends. He said if they go for fishing they will just earn  P300.00 a day.

Human and sharks are friends, with strings attached!  Fishermen feed the sharks.  Sharks feed the fishermen's family. 

Shark's tail at my back. 

The white one, at the middle part of the shark's body, is a baby shark.

The non-motorized banca that tourists are using to go near the sharks.

Don't bring your DSLRs or cameras, without water proof camera case. If it's not underwater cam, you will just end up worrying  much of your gear than enjoying the swim with the sharks.

A fish bone

Don't trust the vest included in the whale watching fee package. It's not comfortable for you to wear. And if you have snorkeling gear, bring it with you.

The guy standing  is the one monitoring the priority numbers. If you are just alone, you can request him for you to have the entire boat.

I usually bring my own utensils and tumbler with me every time I am out for outdoor fun. Travelling often gives you surprises so it's good to be always ready and prepared. 

For less than a thousand, I did enjoy my Sunday date with the whale sharks. Done dare, once again!

Distance and emotion

Random 'When(s)' from a  daughter and sister, who can't often smell home.

When you're asked when you're going home; And you can't  give definite answers.
When you're told that they're eating your favorite meal together;And you're far away, eating alone.

When you're called that they're confined at the hospital; And you're wishing to be with them.  

When you hear their voice saying 'amping or halong'; And you can't even say it back because you're trying to hold your tears.
When you travel, for leisure, alone; And you wish you're  enjoying the scenery with  them.
When you see airplanes and boats; And it makes you 'homesick'.
When you call them to greet 'happy birthday'; And you're at the airport, boat, or somewhere.
When someone, close to you, is bad mouthing your family; And you end up absorbing those

When you feel that those are tough moments that you have to deal with.
When you're trying to convince yourself that those challenges are part of living a balanced life.
When you're crying all night, thinking all those; But would  still wake up with good vibes

My Aps, my cousin 'Tabing' and little sister Shasha. This was taken a month after his gall-bladder surgery.

My little brother, John Paul.

And when you're willing to sacrifice distance and emotion because you care. You care about them!

Here I go again; Baguio this time!

Promise broken! 


I promised not to travel for leisure this year but, I think, I can't keep it. 

I tried my best, really hard, not to break the promise but as I continue to control and resist my desire  to travel,  I continue to torture my self and be imprisoned by my insanity. 


Resisting my desire to travel  didn't make me feel better. It makes me feel bitter  which I don't what to experience again, never again. 


I am over it. I am done living a dark past by lingering to those bitterness and negativity. Living with it made me feel drained and a losser. 


That is why whenever I  feel insane,  I try  not to worry so much and just  look for the good perspective . I find ways to make myself feel better. And the only cure for it is traveling for leisure, whether alone or with close friends. 

I don't mind if you call me weird because of it. But this is the way I cure and live a balanced life.  Traveling, for me, is already  non-negotiable. It is in traveling that I feel better and always find peace, serenity and tranquility. 


And this time I found it in Baguio. 


Here are random experiences and thoughts I had in Baguio.

If other places have flood waters during 'bagyo'; In Baguio  they are  flooded with strawberries. 

Sagada's oranges. They have big oranges, double the size of Ponkan. 

A yummy strawberry cake, I mean fresh and real strawberries on top of the fluffy cake. 

Wendy:  taho, anyone!

One of the best taho, ever tasted- Strawberry taho!

Baguio's mountains

Wishing well

Cordillera's tradition with  a twist. Lolas wearing their traditional  dress with a modernized shoes.

Baguio says, 'Welcome' to me, found in the stairs. 

Coffee beans at my back...They have a lot of it, even at their market which I  don't see in our market, in CdeO or even in Cebu.

 If you love coffee, like me,  you will definitely love Baguio. 

Breaking rules is part of living a balanced life.

This old-school photographer taught me to love what you do, especially your work, and to worry less. Imagine, he has a lot of children but all finished undergrads by just being a photographer, taking pictures to tourists who are visiting this place. Now, he have children who are studying for their doctorate. Thank you, Kuya. You are an inspiration.






Yes, I broke my own promise but I don't mind breaking it as long as I feel good, I don't linger with my insanity and found what I wanted- peace, serenity, and  tranquility.


I feel a lot more better now! Thanks Baguio for the experience and learning you 'd given me.  Big thanks to Casuga's family for the warm welcome and for adapting me for days. Thanks Wends for inviting me and introducing me to your cute and happy family.


Until my next insanity moment and  travel [for leisure]...