Yeah, I'm back now in the US of A after a forty-five days of scouring, basking, and enjoying in the country. Although it was still rainy season there, I didn't regret going home and enjoyed most of the beautiful beaches there. I had a blast!
The first leg of my vacation was spent in Mexico (see previous blog) where I went to Guadalajara, Leon, Tequila, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, and Cancun. I had a blast there and it was worth it. I could never ask for more but to go back there sooner if my time permits.
The second leg was been spent to the Philippines where I have to do some personal business and also meet some important friends and most especially to spend my 46-year-old birthday alone in a very pristine and uninhabited beach island. The most memorable and unforgettable birthday I've ever had. I was fortunate.
I didn't have that much expectations when I went home. All I wanted is to finish off the business and travel.
The first week was kinda rainy and there was a typhoon at that time which had devastated the northern part of the country. I lost three days of my vacation staying at the apartment in Ermita. At least I had rested well that time because I still had a jetlag that that time.
When the typhoon had abated I went to Palawan to explore the world's number island. It didn't disappoint me actually.
A day before my birthday I went to Puerto Princesa to see the underground river. The famous and longest subterranean river in the world. I think Palawan has it all due to it's strategic place on the western part of the country east of China sea.
The tour at the underground river was pretty much well because I got to see the rock formations inside the cave and also rode a small boat to see them inside. There were a lot of people who wanted to see it that's why the tour lasted for a day.
That night, I boarded a van going to El Nido up north. The ride was six hours but it was worth it. I arrived at El Nido close to midnight that time and I was very very tired.
The next morning I signed up for the island hopping. It was my birthday that time and it was just timely because the islands that I saw were stunning and the beaches were very pristine, virgin, and quiet. It was just conducive to what I really wanted. To celebrate my birthday peacefully and nothing else.
I think this trip had made me contemplate who I really am and had made me realized that I needed to recharge myself alone away from the stresses of the world and just enjoy and bask at the beauty of nature especially in El Nido, Palawan.
I vowed myself to go back next year and am planning to go to Coron, Palawan which I've heard was also very promising compared to El Nido. Can't wait for it to happen.
Friday, November 27, 2015
El Nido: The Great Escape
It is quite the nihilistic view of my life but I still wanted to do things alone. I am quite annoyed and irritated when people were commenting that I am egotistical about my own personal views but no offense here, you just have to get accustomed of me. Yeah, it's my nature so be it. And I respect their opinions. Quite the simple me, but that's me!
Lately, I traveled by myself in Palawan to spend my 46th birthday alone by myself in a very quiet and secluded island in Palawan and to commune with mother nature and to just spend time by myself trying to contemplate on myriad of things that really had affected me lately.
There were some good friends who really understood what I am going through and I really appreciate their open-mindedness about the issue. I am so blessed to have them and that I am very grateful of all the time. They really knew the real me and I am really appreciative for their unconditional love, untiring support, and compassionate understanding.
Well, going back to my simple celebration, yeah, it wasn't really that grand compared to last year but oh well I liked the idea that I went to a serene and pristine island beach, trying to just spend time with myself and enjoy what mother nature has to offer for me on my birthday. It was surreal and I couldn't ask for more. I am just lucky to have celebrated my birthday and to be breathing trying to enjoy my 46th year of existence. Being healthy is the best gift of all for my birthday. I couldn't demand for more.
I was also appreciative about what God has offered to me, firstly my life and the myriad opportunities that goes with it. I really felt fortunate that I was so blessed with people who surrounded me with care, love, and empathy. I am very thankful of all these blessings that had come my way unexpectedly. It was a actually a great blessing and I don't really set that aside because it means a lot to me. I feel so blessed all the time and I am very grateful of all of these blessings.
Having spent my birthday alone had really given me a very memorable and meaningful retreat for myself. Some things had really flashed back from my memory and that I had understood and realized why they had happened to me and that I thanked God for all those trials and pitfalls that had made me more stronger, brazen, prudent, confident, and resilient of whatever adversities coming to my paths. It has really sparked my curiousity to do better and not be content of what the present had installed.
My travels started at the subterranean river in Sabang, Palawan. It took me a two hours ride via a van from the airport at Puerto Princesa. There were a lot of tourists and revelers alike who traveled to this very famous spot. Thus, the travel was very organized and divided into groups. Though it was quite time consuming but the process was very on the spot, and I liked the idea. Whoever came up with the idea, I am heartfully commending it. It was clearly understated though, but the visit was really unforgettable.
After the underground river, I took an eight hour van ride going to the northern part of Palawan. El Nido was a very beautiful town with a lot to promise. I arrived there almost midnight and there was a blackout. The quietness of the night was really promising and the herald of the cricket chirps was just a symphony ringing to my ears. It really promised something.
The following day, I signed up for a whole day island hopping with a 12 person group small boat ride. I was just really excited not really expecting something. I came to these place with the expectation that everything will be surreal and promising. And it really didn't disappoint.
We left by a "Bangka" at 0900H, all geared up with an orange life jacket, all twelve of us, plus the three man professional crew team. We had a blast, passing beautiful unexplored islands, discovered some turquoise small and big lagoons, appreciating the beautiful limestone rock formations, and basking on some pristine beaches. It was a happy day for me because it was my birthday.
I splashed on a clear aqua waters, scoured some distant nooks of every islands I set foot on, snorkel on an unknown corral reefs appreciating the beauty and natural underwater arts, feeling the warm soft sands of the Seven Commando Beach, listening to my iPhone music while swinging at a hanging hammock, interact with the most vivant and lively group I've ever had. I had a blast.
The day ended answering all those promises that I was yearning before I came here and I ended up achieving the simple goals that I had laid out for my birthday. It was surreal and I now believed why Palawan was named as the world's number one island.
This had etched something in my mind which I why I wanted to be back here again and explore some more of the famous parts of the island.
So next time, expect me to see Coron, which I've heard has another way of showcasing it's promising natural beauty. See you next time!
Lately, I traveled by myself in Palawan to spend my 46th birthday alone by myself in a very quiet and secluded island in Palawan and to commune with mother nature and to just spend time by myself trying to contemplate on myriad of things that really had affected me lately.
There were some good friends who really understood what I am going through and I really appreciate their open-mindedness about the issue. I am so blessed to have them and that I am very grateful of all the time. They really knew the real me and I am really appreciative for their unconditional love, untiring support, and compassionate understanding.
Well, going back to my simple celebration, yeah, it wasn't really that grand compared to last year but oh well I liked the idea that I went to a serene and pristine island beach, trying to just spend time with myself and enjoy what mother nature has to offer for me on my birthday. It was surreal and I couldn't ask for more. I am just lucky to have celebrated my birthday and to be breathing trying to enjoy my 46th year of existence. Being healthy is the best gift of all for my birthday. I couldn't demand for more.
I was also appreciative about what God has offered to me, firstly my life and the myriad opportunities that goes with it. I really felt fortunate that I was so blessed with people who surrounded me with care, love, and empathy. I am very thankful of all these blessings that had come my way unexpectedly. It was a actually a great blessing and I don't really set that aside because it means a lot to me. I feel so blessed all the time and I am very grateful of all of these blessings.
Having spent my birthday alone had really given me a very memorable and meaningful retreat for myself. Some things had really flashed back from my memory and that I had understood and realized why they had happened to me and that I thanked God for all those trials and pitfalls that had made me more stronger, brazen, prudent, confident, and resilient of whatever adversities coming to my paths. It has really sparked my curiousity to do better and not be content of what the present had installed.
My travels started at the subterranean river in Sabang, Palawan. It took me a two hours ride via a van from the airport at Puerto Princesa. There were a lot of tourists and revelers alike who traveled to this very famous spot. Thus, the travel was very organized and divided into groups. Though it was quite time consuming but the process was very on the spot, and I liked the idea. Whoever came up with the idea, I am heartfully commending it. It was clearly understated though, but the visit was really unforgettable.
After the underground river, I took an eight hour van ride going to the northern part of Palawan. El Nido was a very beautiful town with a lot to promise. I arrived there almost midnight and there was a blackout. The quietness of the night was really promising and the herald of the cricket chirps was just a symphony ringing to my ears. It really promised something.
The following day, I signed up for a whole day island hopping with a 12 person group small boat ride. I was just really excited not really expecting something. I came to these place with the expectation that everything will be surreal and promising. And it really didn't disappoint.
We left by a "Bangka" at 0900H, all geared up with an orange life jacket, all twelve of us, plus the three man professional crew team. We had a blast, passing beautiful unexplored islands, discovered some turquoise small and big lagoons, appreciating the beautiful limestone rock formations, and basking on some pristine beaches. It was a happy day for me because it was my birthday.
I splashed on a clear aqua waters, scoured some distant nooks of every islands I set foot on, snorkel on an unknown corral reefs appreciating the beauty and natural underwater arts, feeling the warm soft sands of the Seven Commando Beach, listening to my iPhone music while swinging at a hanging hammock, interact with the most vivant and lively group I've ever had. I had a blast.
The day ended answering all those promises that I was yearning before I came here and I ended up achieving the simple goals that I had laid out for my birthday. It was surreal and I now believed why Palawan was named as the world's number one island.
This had etched something in my mind which I why I wanted to be back here again and explore some more of the famous parts of the island.
So next time, expect me to see Coron, which I've heard has another way of showcasing it's promising natural beauty. See you next time!
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