Livin high and takin it easy

The 2010 Travel Factor Olympics started at eight in the morning, but since it’s Ryan’s last day before a week-long business trip abroad, I thought it necessary for him to spend the morning playing with our daughter as well as catching up on sleep. We missed the Frisbee and Tug-of-War games.

The schedule said volleyball was going to start at two o’clock so I thought it was safe to leave the house after putting Lia down for her afternoon nap and catch the first volleyball game. The rain started pouring really, really hard as we were closing our front door and getting into the car. We got to the Marikina Sports Park sometime past two o’clock, just in time for the second round of volleyball games: UBBE vs CONQUER. We had missed our own. The SURFVIVOR vs PHOTOHOLIC volleyball game started at one o’clock, Tikoy said. I had really wanted Ryan to play volleyball. I don’t play any other sports myself, and I am especially disinterested in anything with balls like basketball, volleyball, football, billiards, tennis so on and so forth. I just really suck at sports and I get tired really easily. Anyone ever noticed how I do not have a category for sports?

While the other teams played, Ryan, Ver and I had a food trip inside the complex. I have been especially addicted to siomai the past days and have been looking for lugaw or goto the past weeks.

Ryan got to play volleyball in the game for third and fourth place, UBBE vs PHOTOHOLIC. 15-weeks pregnant Sheila and non-sporty me, along with a couple of other Photoholic team members had a grand time cheering on our team and I really must say that I was absolutely entertained.

More

We have a scheduled trip to Bohol on September, just us the little family, and another trip to Batanes with the little family and my mom and her eight other friends but tell you what, I am finding it quite hard to plan for these trips. Why? Because it seems I am losing the traveler in me. Could that be possible?
More

Get busy with your cardio routines and stock up on the energy drinks. The Travel Factor Olympics is back!

Travel Factor is proud to announce the 2010 Travel Factor Olympics to be held on July 25, 2010 (Saturday) at the Marikina Sports Park.

Come out and play!

PACKAGE RATE
Php 650.00 per person

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Participation in Travel Factor Olympics Events (Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Fun Games)
Use of Marikina Sports Park Amenities (See itinerary)
2010 TF Olympics Event Shirt
Travel Factor ID and lanyard

ITINERARY
July 25, Sunday
07:30AM Assembly and Registration at Marikina Sports Park
08:30AM Game 1: Ultimate Frisbee
09:00AM Game 2: Ultimate Frisbee
09:30AM Fun Games 1
10:00AM Fun Games 2
10:30AM Semifinals: Ultimate Frisbee
11:00AM Finals: Ultimate Frisbee
11:30AM Lunch and Free Time at the Swimming Pool
02:00PM Game 1: Volleyball
03:00PM Game 2: Volleyball
04:00PM Semifinals: Volleyball
05:00PM Finals: Volleyball
06:00PM Awarding

For more details, please visit the Travel Factor event site.

I took Lia, who was exhausted and fell asleep the minute we got into the cab, home from Astoria to nebulize her and put her in her crib – then off we went to Leia’s send-off party at Bahay ni Juan in Kapitolyo, Pasig Friday evening, July 16th.

More

The first time I went to Coron, I was not even supposed to be there. My flight was supposed to be for Butuan and I had grand dreams of going to Siargao on my own. It was October 2007. There were no direct flights to Siargao then, or even Coron.

But a Philippine Airlines plane had some problem landing on the Butuan airport and flights to the airport were cancelled for the day. We were informed we could fly the next day – but I did not want to go home and unpack my bags only to pack them back again for the next day. I hung around for a few hours hoping to get on any other flight, to no avail. Until I realized, it was a Friday! I knew for a fact a Super Ferry boat leaves for somewhere on a Friday afternoon. I took a cab, told the driver to bring me to the Super Ferry pier, and off I went without a ticket, without knowing where I was headed.

It turns out, the boat was bound for Coron. Among a number of chance passengers who were all locals, I made a friend. Jeff, who regularly goes to Manila to visit his family and buy some vegetables (you’d think he could get those vegetables in Coron but well…), would be my friend for the next week and would introduce me to all his other friends, one of whom, a girl named Hope I would become very close to.

On that first trip to Coron, I did not get to do any sightseeing or island hopping. It was too expensive to rent a boat on my own and by myself. Jeff, together with Hope and her boyfriend, and I instead rented kayaks and kayaked all the way from Sea Dive to Siete Pecados and the Calachuchi snorkeling site – and back. I told myself I’ll come back to do more of those island hopping and stuff.

My second trip to Coron took three days to plan. It involved me googling to look for people who were going on a trip to Coron that weekend, people I could, hopefully, go and split the expenses with. That’s how I found Owen Ferrer and his DIY trip. Owen and I would end up being friends. I spent a total of P1,600 on two-days of island hopping with Owen and his group. That included the overnight accommodations, 2-days worth of lunch and all the fees. That was such a bargain! (And one that would never ever happen again in any of my trips, anywhere LOL)

When I came back to post the photos (wherein I got carried away with the saturation and brightness by the way and to this day I deeply regret, ahem. What can I say? I was trying to find my own art form. And my art form turned out to be something like “making my photos look unlike how they actually were as much as possible”), my newly-made Travel Friends friends saw the photos and suddenly, we were all on Yahoo Messenger conferences. They did not comment on my supposed-art form but they all thought Coron was beautiful and is well worth a trip. Thus, the TF Coron Palawan trip was born.

More

This past week, I found myself blog hopping, or more like Multiply site hopping, for some unconscious reason. Perhaps it started with Jay-jay Cenon‘s post about going to Zambales to shoot landscapes, something he has not done in a while, and from then on, hopped to Ed’s Magsayo’s, to Rex Literato’s, to Romulus Rueda’s, to Cha Santos‘ and to Cedric Valera’s. Multiply has a lot of nice old data, nice for all those walks down memory lane… back from the time when everyone was there, having so much fun – all this before the Facebook take-over, of course.

I didn’t really think of it much until the Cebu Pacific’s Summer photo contest’s first winner came out and I remember just looking at a photo with the same concept the day before (that explains previous post).

I used to go to the Shutterbox website where I got the information about Travel Factor’s Photoholic trip to Ilocos. I haven’t been to the site in years and it has not been updated since October 2009 but at least it still exists.

I remember having this conversation with Ryan:

Angku: Let’s go to Ilocos on this trip.
Ryan: You go. I have been to Ilocos already.
Angku: But I have not!
Ryan: Libre mo ko. Samahan kita.
Angku: Okay, I have enough money saved.

And that’s how we ended going to Ilocos, on a trip I paid myself for the two of us, which was really cheap, considering it was only P9,600 all in! From all the transportation to accommodations and all the food, and even the drinks during the socials! I don’t drink but the idea of “socials” always catches me.

Photoholic trip is open to all photographers at any skill level with any kind of camera; film or digital (point&shoot and even camera phone users are welcome).

Open to Photography Enthusiasts, Posers, Barkada and Solo Travelers.

Open also to all who just want to hang out with us and explore the beauty of the Philippines.

So we showed up at McDo Quezon Avenue with our backpacks, not knowing anyone else on the trip aside from Jpax and Fem who went on the trip with us on a short-notice whim because of Ryan. I met Leia and Rex who were manning the registration table in one corner of the fast food, for the very first time. It was very forgettable. More

I have been observing this contest with curiosity (I did not join, of course) since it was first published and announced on Cebu Pacific Air’s Twitter site.

Today, they finally announced the first winner… and I was quite, what can I say, um, disappointed?

More

Right now I would be (or at least I hope so) in the island of Calaguas in Camarines Norte, having fun with friends and doing grown-up things, I suppose. No, I am not bloggin’ all the way from some remote island – this is a scheduled post.

I set this trip a few months ago thinking I would be able to bring Lia with me and not miss her a lot. I mean, not bring her with me to the island where we will be sleeping in tents, but I thought, maybe I could fly to Naga, leave Pili in the early morning of Saturday and get at the Vinzons port just in time for the arrival of the other beach bummers from Travel Factor and from then on, hook up with them to the island. The going back plan was leave Daet for Naga after lunch and be back to Pili in two to three hours. All things considered, I would only miss Lia for one night. But I had not factored in the event that I would have an actual job that has responsibilities and would not be able to fly out of the city whenever I wanted to.

Thus, the flying plan was scrapped and the bus plan came in. To be brutally truthful, I hate taking the bus. I cannot remember the last time I took a bus going to Bicol. I will not elaborate now as to why, but this much I will say, I never look forward to travelling overnight by bus. Just the thought of traveling by bus makes me think of not going..

.. but I guess (or at least I hope) I am now in the island and survived the bus trip. I am (probably) laughing and having so much fun with friends frolicking in the beach…

Only trouble is, I miss you, Lia love…
 
 

 
 
My dear little one,
 
 
I wish you are laughing here with us just like we did in Matukad Island in Caramoan.
 

 
 
And you are enjoying the sun on your face, the breeze blowing your hair, and the sand on your feet..
 

 
 
We will play in the sand and splash water all around us, and over our legs and even at our faces..
 

 
 
I promise to put as much sunscreen on you and all over you so that you do not get burned like you did here:
 

 
 
We can be castaways. You can stay naked all the time (isn’t that what you always want to be anyway?) and I will take care of you.
 

 
 
I miss you Lia and I wish you were here with us.
 
 
Love,
Mama

The past two days has been really busy but exceptionally productive days. In fact, it can be easily said as the most productive days I have had in the past two years! Of course, if you consider having a baby as a very productive, or reproductive, activity, then that one tops the list. I have not done anything else. I gave up my studies, my work, my travels and even my friends to have the baby.

Ryan was in Phuket for a conference and I had to go to a little job interview for a part-time writer job, we asked the in-laws to baby-sit for us. Instead of spending an afternoon to look after Lia, the in-laws thought of getting her to stay with them for a few days – leaving me alone at home to do my own things. I wallowed for an entire day before deciding that that was the best time to do all my pending tasks. Some of them pending for the last two years!

So yesterday I went to my job interview. I was early and they were running late so I did a little banking first because there was a BPI two blocks away from the office. I deposited the downpayment for the Travel Factor Calaguas trip slated for April 17 and 18.

I dropped by my friends’ apartment to leave copies of the “Like Water for Chocolate” film and picked up a few things too, like Lia’s Speedo life jacket.

From there on I went to Columbia Photo in Megamall to leave my Nikon D80 for check-up and cleaning, and from Megamall, I went to the Travel Factor Headquarters in Bloomingdale Plaza in Shaw Boulevard to pick up Leia’s Christmas presents for Lia. What a day!

Oh, more importantly, I got me a Macbook Pro. Yes, I am now officially a Mac user. Hoorah! Hoorah!

I posted here a few months ago about my desire to buy a new laptop. Back then, this HP Touchsmart was the choice. I ended up getting a 13″ Macbook Pro instead! I am ecstatic!

I have cleaned up my IBM Lenovo laptop of all files, transferred it to my Western Digital portable hard disk and is so ready to sell my old laptop. I have installed my Bamboo pen tablet and Canon printer on the new Mac. I am all set!

Ryan was supposed to arrive at seven in the evening (although I thought it was five in the afternoon) from Bangkok but his plane had to turn around thirty minutes into the flight because of engine problem and he was back in Bangkok airport at six in the evening waiting for a replacement flight. He arrived at about eleven in the evening in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was home after thirty minutes. We had a lot of stories to tell to each other!

Today, I decided that instead of wallowing in my longing for my baby to arrive from her grandparents excursion, I went to my old workplace, St. Paul College Pasig, to work on my clearance. It was due two years ago!

As a side note, I found this while googling for images. An interesting aerial view of the campus, with all of its pre-school, grade school and high school buildings. No, the campus has no college students despite its name.

From St. Paul, I went to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to inquire about getting a student driver’s license.

Lia arrived with her grandparents at about six in the evening and the first thing I said was, “Lia! You lost weight!” I suppose she didn’t get to eat or sleep much or she did a lot of going out.

The past two days has been quite productive and very rewarding over-all. A sense of accomplishment is always a wonderful feeling. I hope to have more of that this year.

UBBE Calaguas + SURFVIVOR Bagasbas (Apr 17-18, 2010)
Camarines Norte, Philippines

BEACH BUMMING + Surfing + Skimboarding in ONE WEEKEND

PACKAGE RATE
P3,900 per pax (ALL IN) – if the group fills 1 bus

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Roundtrip air-con bus: Manila to Daet – Daet to Manila
- Overnight accommodation at Calaguas Island (1 Nipa hut with CR and fresh water + Camping Tents)
- Chartered boat service from port of Daet to Calaguas Island
- Camp meals at Calaguas Island (Day 1:lunch, dinner, Day 2 breakfast)
- Other meals: Day 1: Breakfast, Day 2: Lunch and Dinner
- Guide fees and Environmental fees at Calaguas Island
- Use of skimboards at Calaguas Island
- Half-day room accommodation at Bagasbas tourist inn (for rest & shower)
- Travel Insurance
- Travel Factor Souvenir: ID, Lanyard

Not included:
- Surf Lesson at Bagasbas Beach with surfboard rental and instructor (P400 per pax)

ITINERARY
Day 0, Apr 16 Friday
10:00 PM Assembly at McDo Quezon Ave
11:00 PM Departure to Makati
11:45 PM Pick Up participants at Shell McKinley, Makati
12:00 MN Departure to Daet

Day 1, Apr 17 Saturday
07:00 AM ETA Daet;
09:00 AM ETA Calaguas Island
Set Camp, BEACH BUMMING, Explore the Island
12:00 NN Lunch
more BEACH BUMMING and skimboarding
07:00 PM Dinner and Bonfire Night

Day 2, Apr 18 Sunday
08:00 AM Breakfast
09:00 AM Break camp
10:00 AM Depart camp
12:00 NN ETA Bagasbas, Daet. check-in at Tourist Inn. Lunch. Rest. Explore Bagasbas Beach.
02:00 – 4:00 PM Option to Surf or Skim c/o CamNorte Surfing Association
07:00 PM Check out. Dinner
09:30 PM ETD Daet to Manila via bus (travel time: 7 hours)

Day 3, Apr 19 Monday
3:30 AM ETA Cubao

BOOKING AND RESERVATION GUIDELINES
* Deadline of Registration: Mar 15, 2010 (or earlier)
* Book & Buy Policy. First come, first serve basis.
* No regform, No reservation. To reserve, please fill-out registration form then send to tours@travelfactor.org

Subject: Calaguas – Registration (Apr 17-18, 2010)
* Then you will receive thru email account details where to deposit payment (BPI). For group reservations, please send your registration forms in one file & email.
* Everyone is required to download and submit registration form
* Please register only if you are 100% sure you are joining. And if after registering you need to back-out, please have the courtesy to notify us properly thru email.
* Full payment must be settled within the agreed timeframe. Should you need extension, please coordinate with Travel Factor
* Non-refundable but transferable to other person. Travel Factor must be notified asap or at least 5 days before the trip. In this case, the “proxy” must fill-out and submit registration form.
* The payments made to us are only refundable if we cancel due to weather issues or fortuitous events.
* Upon payment, you will receive a copy of complete guidelines, including things to bring, itinerary, reminders, etc…

FOR INQUIRIES/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
email your concerns to tours@travelfactor.org with your name and contact number
Subject: Calaguas – Inquiries (Apr 17-18, 2010)

or contact Travel Factor at 02-359-2434 / 0917-8475341

DISCLAIMER
Recommended for fun-loving & adventurous people who would like to meet new friends while travelling. Be prepared of the long travel time and the ‘wiwi’ moments on public restrooms.

For more information, click on the image or visit the Travel Factor page at Multiply.

***

A visit to the island of Calaguas is long overdue. It seems to me that I (and Ryan) are the only ones who have not been to the island among all our Travel Factor friends. I know a lot of people in this area and a visit to the island for a day should not be too difficult. I go to Daet often enough. I have a lot of high school friends who have been there and whom I could go with.  I could even organize a trip for the entire family if so desired. My mom keeps saying we should go.

I wasn’t really friends with TF people in 2008, having joined my first trip in March (Ilocos) and met Leia, Rex and Cha there among a good number of others there for the first time. I met Ced for the first time in May 2008 in Bagasbas Beach, after they had just come back from an overnight at the island. I didn’t make it to the legendary Calaguas trip slash Ced’s birthday party in 2009. My baby was barely two weeks old then.

This year I hope to be able to finally step foot on Calaguas Island, dubbed by TF friends as the “Happy Beach”. I don’t mind spending extra (because I have been told by my high school friends that it only cost them P1,000 all-in for two days and one night in the island when they went there on their own, though this cost is coming from Naga City instead of Manila) because I will be with the happy friends that is the Travel Factor. The fun should be worth it. I could always come back..