Year-end Post | 2011, What a Year it Was
Writing about what happened to me this year made me really hard. I didn’t know how I was going to describe the year I had but pretty sure 2011 was my travel year. So far, 2011 was the most traveled year I had in my life. I remember last year, I had this status that says “Countries to conquer and places to discover.” 15 domestic destinations, 4 out of the country trips and countless memories, that is what and where I’ve been this year.
Aside from getting to tourist spots I had also been to festival. Last February, I went to Clark, Pampanga and watched the famous Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was my first time and it was an amazing experience especially seeing those big balloons flew away up to the sky. Because we were already in Clark we also visited Nayong Pilipino. We also discovered the K-9 Cemetery while getting into the park.
It was already years the last time I’ve been to my grandparent’s hometown so last February I joined my Aunt getting to our province in Bicol. With that, I made a side trip to Legazpi to see Mt. Mayon. Too bad, the volcano was too shy to show up that time. But nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable trip.
Each place has its own history. And talking about history, Corregidor Island has its history to tell. I went to Corregidor Island for a day tour last April. True enough, the island has a lot of history to tell, stories of bravery, pride and heroism.
Summer came and its time to hit the beach! I went to Camarines Norte to explore the beautiful beaches of Calaguas. It was the best beach I’ve ever been to so far. We also visited Bagasbas beach where you can go surfing.
A month after, I went back to Bicol and explored Camarines Sur. I went to Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) first and tried the popular water adventure, wake boarding. I really enjoyed it a lot and I couldn’t wait to try it again.
Then we went to Caramoan. I lived in Camarines Sur for 3 years when I was still a kid but I had never heard of this place until Survivor came. Cam Sur should be thankful to Survivor as it has given Caramoan the fame as one of the prime destinations in the country. I actually fell short for this trip. I guess a reason for me to come back. Caramoan is truly scenic.
If there’s a beach I wanted to go to ever since, then it’s Boracay! Who doesn’t want to go to the beautiful Boracay anyway? Play all day and party all night, that’s what Boracay is. The white and powdery sand, fun adventures and party, I love Boracay! I was very happy that I was able to step my foot this year on this local dream destination of mine.
If there’s one great achievement I had this year when it comes to traveling, then it was my first international trip. Yey! Finally, I was able to step my foot out of the country. Last August, I traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. Though it was exhausting because I squeezed in 2 countries for a 5-day trip, it was still remarkable and fun experience for us. Seeing the famous Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia and Merlion Park in Singapore, wow! What a feeling, I was just so happy and blessed.
This year, I also celebrated my birthday on the road Me and my family went to Bolinao, Pangasinan and spent a day trip. It sounds exhausting because of the travel time from Manila to Pangasinan but still enjoyable. Nothing beats being with my family. I look forward for more travels with them.
There is one place that I keep coming back for years now, Sagada. When the first time I’ve been to Sagada I promised that I will keep coming back to this place. And I went back this year. I went to Sagada with some of the popular Pinoy travel bloggers. I must say Sagada is my sanctuary. What makes this trip distinct from others, I met new friends. People who are passionate as I am when it comes to travelling. And I guess my 2012 will be more travels with blogger friends.
November came and I had another international trip, Hong Kong and Macau. With all the travels I had from the months that had passed, I didn’t know then how I was going to sustain this trip. I became frustrated to pursue this trip so I used my credit card and asked someone to lend me a few bucks for me to continue this trip. Not recommend but I was frustrated to travel, eh! No regrets, the trip went well! Awesome experience, magical moments and surprising memories. Definitely I will go back to Hong Kong.
I had my one last trip before 2011 ended, it was a travel with my family, with my Aunts and cousins as well. We’re 14 who traveled Zamboanga City, Cebu and Bohol. How’s the experience? It was enjoyable and stressful at the same time.
What a year it was. The memories and experiences are incomparable. I would like to thank those people who shared their passion, who traveled with me, who I met along the road, those guides who helped me discovered the places, bloggers that served their stories as my guide to travel, my friends and readers.
More than luck I think it was more of a blessing that I get to travel this far. I don’t have much things on this world but I have stories and experiences to tell and share. And those are the things who I’m going to look back 30 or 40 years from now.
Thank you, 2011. Sometimes, it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey! This 2012 I will travel more to experience.
@Malditang "Kura"cha, Hahaha… di ko na nga namention na nangutang ako dahil frustrated talaga ako mag-HK, binuko mo pa ako! Hahaha! Pero good thing, all my debts are paid before the year ends. Dun napunta ang 13th month. Lol!
Looking forward on a trip with you! =)
@Malditang "Kura"cha, Hahaha… di ko na nga namention na nangutang ako dahil frustrated talaga ako mag-HK, binuko mo pa ako! Hahaha! Pero good thing, all my debts are paid before the year ends. Dun napunta ang 13th month. Lol!
Looking forward on a trip with you! =)
At kapansin pansin ang bagong bihis ng blog. I like! Happy happy new year marx!! I'm not sure kelan tayo nagkakilala, but 2011 was really our year. Naks! Parang may nakaraan lang. hahaha!
Ang dami mo talagang trips. At naalala ko yung talagang umutang ka sa ngalan ng pagttravel. hahaha! Certified adik! Looking forward sa trip natin this year. ^_^
At kapansin pansin ang bagong bihis ng blog. I like! Happy happy new year marx!! I'm not sure kelan tayo nagkakilala, but 2011 was really our year. Naks! Parang may nakaraan lang. hahaha!
Ang dami mo talagang trips. At naalala ko yung talagang umutang ka sa ngalan ng pagttravel. hahaha! Certified adik! Looking forward sa trip natin this year. ^_^
@Robbie, I'm trying to experiment my blog's lay out kahit pang beginner's lay out lang! 🙂
Hindi na nga ako masyadong nag pupurchase ng seat sale ng ako lang, sa bagets na ako dumedepende ng trip! 🙂
@Robbie, I'm trying to experiment my blog's lay out kahit pang beginner's lay out lang! 🙂
Hindi na nga ako masyadong nag pupurchase ng seat sale ng ako lang, sa bagets na ako dumedepende ng trip! 🙂
WAW NEW LOOK!
And ang dami mo ring napuntahan esp out of country trips!
Cheers to more Bagets adventures!!! 😀
@Hoobert the Awesome, Thank you! Hope I can meet you when I get back to Bicol! =)
@Chyng, Wala pa yung Zamboanga posts, di ko pa tapos yung HK eh. Hahaha!
@RM Bulseco, yup. and looking forward for more travels with Bagets! 😉
Happy New Year!
Daming trips, Marx! Mas dadami pa yan this 2012! Happy new year!
andaming trips! you were really bitten by the travel bug. asan ang zamboanga posts, namiss ko yata.
goodluck on piso fare hunts para mas madami pang trips this 2012! =)
I'm glad that I've been part of your 2011. It's really nice meeting you. Seriously. I love the way you write and I also love your photos!
I wish I can be as lucky as you when it comes to travelling. Haha. Biglang drama. And your travels with your family, awesome. Ang saya saya talagang mag-travel kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay.
Happy 2012 to you, too. I hope mapadaan ka sa blog ko, miss ka na nun. 🙂
I'm glad that I've been part of your 2011. It's really nice meeting you. Seriously. I love the way you write and I also love your photos!
I wish I can be as lucky as you when it comes to travelling. Haha. Biglang drama. And your travels with your family, awesome. Ang saya saya talagang mag-travel kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay.
Happy 2012 to you, too. I hope mapadaan ka sa blog ko, miss ka na nun. 🙂