two cities i want to move right next to each other

my Plinky Prompt says:

Which two cities do you wish you could move right next to each other?

Dumaguete and Baguio.
I don't even have to think about it. Two of my favorite cities. I definitely want them right next to each other.

Three trips

This year I have and will make three trips.

One: The Birthday Trip.
Destination: Baguio
Date: January 12-15

A soul searching trip if you would prefer to call it that way. This is a trip I made to test my resolve and my courage.

In this trip I learned that I can make things possible if I focus on it and put my whole heart in it. In this trip I learned that I am really a grown up now and can now survive on my own even outside my comfort zone and away from my friends.

Two: The Reunion Trip
Destination: Bohol
Date: May 26-29

My college friends and I have decided that at least once a year we will be making one trip where we can all bond and have fun just like before. More like a team building trip.

This will be a combination of countryside tour and one whole day of Extreme Adventures. Just typing the words "extreme adventure" makes me giddy.

What I expect from this trip? ADRENALINE RUSH and a really really happy time with friends.

Three: Single Ladies Adventure trip
Destination: Baguio City
Date: September 27-October 1

I am not sure if Cathy will still be single by then but who cares, this will be a trip I am looking forward to.

This will be really exciting. Just two ladies out for an adventure. I will definitely spend the next 6 months saving and planning for this day.

With all these planned  activities, who wants to say goodbye to 2012? Yeah, it may not be the best year as far as my health goes but it is sure a great year for some great adventures.

I am super excited over here. Can't wait for the days to move faster. Time for some super great saving!

Off to Baguio [again]

i'm going back to Baguio.

In six months time I will be back in the city of Pines, this time though I will be with a close friend.

I feel really excited about this trip although September is a long time from now and a lot of things could happen. I feel that, this trip will be different. In a lot of ways i say.

First of all, taking a trip with a really close friend is a whole lot different from taking a trip alone. For one, I will have someone to talk to and get lost with.
Spending these moments with friends I seldom see is like reforging the bonds between us.

This would be different because now i have an idea where to go and what to do unlike the first time I went there. Also, i now have a better strategy in planning our itenerary. This would be a blast!

And by the way, our tickets are booked!hahaha. So no way to backout now as promo fares are usually nonrefundable.

With all these plans ahead, I say I'm loving 2012!

You want to go to Baguio City?

I know, it is almost summer already and Baguio City (being the country's Summer Capital) is always part of the list of places people wants to go to. If you've never been there before, then I guess one of the reasons you haven't visited yet is because you worry about your budget. Well, let me share to you my experience as a lonely traveler in the City of Pines.

I went to Baguio just few days ago to celebrate my birthday. I was worried my budget will not be enough because being a tourist haven, I was expecting everything to be expensive in Baguio. Well, I'm glad my fears were unfounded.

here are some things you have to remember first before going there.

First of all, if you are here in the Philippines, check out the airline websites first before you book for your tickets. Usually there are promo fares that you can avail which would greatly lower your travel expense. You can visit the Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines website, they usually have great offers all year round.

After booking your trip online, look for a place to stay in. It would be best to book in advance since summer is a peak season for Baguio and most hotels and transient houses are fully booked. Rates are of course higher on these months but you can still find affordable lodgings in the city.

For me, I stayed at Villa Lourdes. It's a transient house within walking distance from the grotto. Taxis and Jeepneys also pass by in front of the house so transportation will not be a problem. I only paid P500/night for my room. It already has cable TV, private toilet and bathroom (with hot shower), two beds, and a great view of the city at night. My friend said there are more affordable places to stay in as well. Just check out websites such as sulit.com.ph--- these houses are usually posted there.

view from my room.

When all of that is done, start packing! I hope in your excitement, you will not make the same mistake as i did. Do not bring a lot of clothes if you like ukays and shopping because Baguio has a lot of Ukay-ukays which way cheaper than anything I've seen so far. Shoes, jackets, clothes, you name it and you can have it.

There are a lot of buses to and from Baguio City. You can check out Victory liner website @ victoryliner.com to check out the rates and schedules of their buses--- it is best to know these things in advance. Fare so far is P445 for regular aircon bus.

Flag down for cabs is at P35 but don't worry, the only time I paid for more than P100 is when I went to PMA which is far from the city. Baguio is actually a small city but most roads are for One Way only so when you go to your destination via a cab, you can get a free tour of the city as well since the cab will have to follow specific routes for every destination.

Souvenir items are really affordable as well. You can purchase it at a really low price at the Botanical Garden, City market, Mines View park and even in PMA. In fact, most tourist destinations there have kiosks dedicated for souvenirs so you will not have a hard time looking for it. The advantage as well of having these many souvenir shops is that, prices are really low for almost all items.

As for me, I bought a lot of things for pasalubong --- shirts, jackets, trinkets and what-nots--- and even went for ukay-ukay and bought a lot of jackets. Guess what, i only spent P4000 in my entire stay in Baguio City. That already includes cab fares, meals, and pasalubongs!

See, you don't actually need a lot of money to visit Baguio city. A tip: you can save more if you customize your destinations than getting a tour package. Check various websites for Baguio and choose only the places you really want to see and go there. Buy your souvenirs in bulks instead of individually so you can get more.  If you know someone from there, ask them for advise for lodgings and places to visit and the best itinerary to follow. Much better-- buy a tourist map of Baguio city and plan out to great Baguio escapade!



As for me, next stop: BOHOL.

and now, my dream birthday

months ago i decided that my next birthday will have to be a happy one--- different from the previous birthdays i've had. i saved my money. i scoured the internet to find the best deals i could find from plane ticket to accommodation. for months, i prepared myself for this day. i constantly tell myself that on my next birthday, i will have fun and i will travel.

well, i am here now in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines celebrating my 23rd birthday by doing what i love doing the most--- travelling and watching tv. =D

so far, i am more than satisfied with the results of those long months of hardwork. i guess, i have rewarded myself beyond what i could dream of. i am now enjoying the fruits of my labor and living my dream.

the travel was long and exhausting but i met new people, saw new places and is generally enjoying this vacation. as of this very moment, I AM HAPPY.

night view from my room.

Plane Tickets? CHECK!

Since payday came earlier this month, i managed to purchase my plane ticket for January earlier than planned as well. I know, it's months away but getting tickets ahead is really good because fares are cheaper when you book a flight months away.

So it is already partly official that i am going to spend my birthday at the summer capital of the philippines (although the fact that i'm going there on the wrong month and wrong season did not escape me of course). all i need to do now is book my hotel and prepare my things and viola! i will be in baguio city in no time.

speaking of hotel though, i am still searching for affordable but safe and clean hotels or inns where i can stay. i mean, i will be out most of the time anyway so booking a really expensive room is not only out of my budget but also impractical. if you are from baguio city and you happen to know the best place to stay in, please share. thanks.

anyway, i already have a list of places i want to go to and i am so excited!!!

so where exactly???

it is already november and before we know it 2011 will be a thing of the past. since july, my eyes were set to those 4days in January when i can get out of this city and roam around freely. i had been saving (?) up and have everything all planned (?). i know how much exactly i need and i even have my Time Off's saved up so i can make my dream a reality.

there is just one glitch though. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO!

will it be the land of my dreams or will it be the city of pines?
can i have both? I WISH!