Our 2014 Trips: First-time travels and Revisits

For me and hubby, 2014 is… cliche as it may sound… a roller-coaster ride. But since it’s a brand new year so I will not dwell on the sad memories but focus on the positive. 🙂 2014 gave us so many opportunities to travel, and most of our travels are all-expense paid by clients. While we had more work-related trips than leisure trips, just being together during our work-related trips made the experience feels as if we were just playing. 🙂

JANUARY: OUR 2ND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AT TAGAYTAY CITY

Windy January at Skyranch Tagaytay.

We started the year by celebrating our second wedding anniversary at Tagaytay City, Cavite. It was a blissful celebration, a day trip at one of the coolest (literally) destinations last January 2014. It was also our first time to visit Tagaytay City as a couple, although we have been there countless times during our childhood and college yeaers.

We had late lunch at Mahogany Market, where we ordered steaming bowl of bulalo and crispy tawilis. Then, a first time visit to Sky Ranch. We endured the long lines in order to ride the Sky Eye, which was then the tallest ferris wheel in the country (as of now it’s the Sky Eye in Pampanga). We ended the day by having dinner and coffee at Bag of Beans. It’s a first time experience for us as a couple and up to this date that 11th day of January 2014 (a belated celebration, our anniv is January 8) will always feel as if I’m on cloud nine. 🙂 ❤

MARCH: RE-VISITING TAGAYTAY CITY VIA TALISAY ROAD

Taal Volcano as seen from Talisay, Batangas

It was during the first week of March when we got to visit again Tagaytay City, for a work-related trip. This time, we went up to Tagaytay City via the Talisay Road or what the locals call the “Sungay Road”. While this route will give you picturesque view of the Taal Volcano and Tagaytay Ridge, this road is not for the faint of heart. One have to be skilled and experienced before traversing this zigzag-gy and very steep road.

APRIL: MOM’S BIRTHDAY AT A MOUNTAIN RESORT IN BAY, LAGUNA

On mid-April, we celebrated my mom’s 61st birthday (and our third anniversary as a couple or “bf-gf anniv”) at Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre, a mountain resort in Bay, Laguna.

Pool area at night

It was a perfect day for swimming, a special day last summer spent with family and relatives. This sprawling resort will provide you tons of activities to engage in, so that you would momentarily forget the stress of city life. To read my review of this mountain resort, click here.

MAY: FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND PROVINCES OF MARINDUQUE AND CATANDUANES; RE-VISITED ALBAY

The month of May was totally unpredictable and bittersweet. But as what I said, I will focus on the good things that happened to keep reminding that despite the trials, we are still very much blessed.

On the first week of May, hubby and I got to visit the pristine island of Marinduque. It’s hubby’s second time to visit the province, while it was my first time. It’s a work-related trip as our purpose to go there is to attend a hearing at the Municipal Trial Court  I was enchanted at my first glimpse of Balanacan Port, where the giant statue of Ina ng Biglang Awa welcomes you upon arrival at the port.

Ina ng Biglang Awa at Balanacan Port

On the third week of May 2014, another opportunity to travel beckoned. This is my first time to travel solo, as the trip was sponsored by another law firm and not by our law office. I attended a hearing in Virac, Catanduanes, but before that hearing I first have to travel by air, land and water. Since there were no direct flights at that time to Virac, I took the flight to Legazpi, which is pure ecstasy, as the flight gave me a chance to revisit the province of Albay and see again the beautiful and majestic Mayon Volcano.

View of Mayon Volcano from the plane

After the air travel, my client and I traveled by land since we’ll be riding a Ro-Ro vessel at the Tabaco Port. At the port, I got to witness one of 2014’s biggest phenomena, the solar halo which was seen only in the Bicol Region that 22nd day of May 2014.

Solar halo. Seen only in Bicol region.

Dining alone. Inside Blossoms Restaurant in Virac, Catanduanes.

My experience at the rustic province of Catanduanes is pure bliss. It’s where I had my first media exposure/interview. 😀 And I explored the town of Virac literally by foot. As what I said, it was my first time to travel solo. While I sorely missed my hubby during that trip as he is my constant companion, the chance to travel solo made me braver, more aware of the surroundings, more alert. The three days and two nights experience in Catanduanes reminded me to enjoy my own company and to be independent when the situation calls for it. 🙂

The Bato River. No filter.

JUNE: REVISITED BOAC, MARINDUQUE; FIRST TIME AT GASAN, MARINDUQUE

June is the birthday month of my hubby. We had an overnight trip at Tagaytay City and celebrated his birthday. 🙂 Again, he had post-birthday celebration in Marinduque, when we went there the third week of June, for another work-related trip. But since we brought along my mom and aunt so that they can also visit Marinduque, we extended our trip to three days. 🙂 After touring our companions at Boac, Marinduque, we took a side trip at the nearby town of Gasan, Marinduque, to meet up with another client who is based in Gasan. It’s our first time to visit this time and we got to visit another heritage church perched on a hill, the St. Joseph Church of Gasan, Marinduque.

Another heritage church perched on a hill.

AUGUST: CEBU REVISITED

Last August, we got the chance to visit a city that I missed so much, Cebu City! It’s my hubby’s first time to visit this island, while it’s my second. 🙂 While it’s a work-related trip, we consider it as a beautiful opportunity to explore the historic urban city of Cebu. It’s only a two-day trip but on our two days we were able to go not just to the Capitol Building and Court of Appeals but also to Magellan’s Cross, Sto. Nino de Cebu Church, Ayala Center Cebu, Chapel of St. Pedro Calungsod, buy pasalubongs at Taboan Market, and enjoy buffet breakfast at Wellcome Hotel. 🙂

SEPTEMBER: FIRST TIME AT TRECE MARTIRES, CAVITE

Republic of Cavite

Last September we got to visit another historic town, Trece Martires, the capital and heart of Cavite. We roamed around the capitol compound and after done with work, we can’t help but take pictures of the Capitol building of Cavite and the majestic Legislative Building. We had a walking tour of Governors Drive and dropped by at the Shrine of the Thirteen Martyrs, church visit at the Chapel of St. Jude Thaddeus, and had coffee and ube buchi at Republic of Cavite, a cafe and restaurant often mistaken as the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine as it is a replica of the same.

OCTOBER: REVISITED CEBU AND FIRST TIME AT LAPU-LAPU SHRINE; HALLOWEEN IN MARINDUQUE

Another work-related trip brought us back to Cebu in October. We had an early flight to Cebu which allowed us to explore Mactan Island and take a side-trip first to Lapu-Lapu Shrine, which is near the airport vicinity.

Larsian barbecue

This trip is a more relaxed one than our previous trip to Cebu, as after we are done at the Court of Appeals, we got to enjoy the city the whole day, with prolonged stay at IT Park and Ayala Center Cebu, and ending the day having late dinner Cebuano style at Larsian Barbecue. On the other hand, the last week of October gave us a chance to spend Halloween in Boac as we took our third work-related trip to Marinduque this year.

Halloween festivities at Case De Don Emilio, Boac, Marinduque.

DECEMBER: REVISITED BAGUIO CITY AND CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO

strawberry taho

Come December, we were able to squeeze in two work-related out-of-town trips despite the uncertain weather. On the first week of December, just before my birthday, we got to revisit the city of pines, Baguio City. It was a quick trip, less than twenty four hours including travel time. But the trip gave us new experiences, such as getting to taste the strawberry taho, food trip at Good Taste Restaurant, and non-stop travel from Baguio City to Manila via the Genesis Executive Coach, Joy Bus.

By third week of December, we got to revisit Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro due to another work-related trip with our clients. After done with work, we visited my law school best friend and our godparents and stayed at their home. The weekend trip allowed us to explore the bustling city of Calapan, food trips and bonding moments with what we consider as our second family. 🙂

Capitol Building of Oriental Mindoro

We are thankful for a year full of safe travels. Indeed, travel broadened our horizons and made us see how beautiful and diverse our motherland is. This 2015, we are targeting to explore more the Visayas region and perhaps, a first time trip to Mindanao. We are also claiming that we would be able to travel abroad. Anything’s possible, all in the right time. 🙂

Baguio City to Cubao via Genesis Transport’s Joy Bus

It’s our first time to ride the Genesis Transport’s executive coach, Joy Bus on our trip back to Manila coming from Baguio City. We boarded the Joy Bus several minutes before our scheduled departure at 12:30 in the afternoon. There are plenty of pasalubong stalls at the Genesis Bus Terminal so we took sweet time to buy strawberry jams, strawberry crinkles and choco flakes for our families and friends.

The bus left at around 12:35 p.m., and we arrived in Cubao  at almost 6:00 in the afternoon. It was a smooth and uninterrupted ride for a total of five and a half hours. Not bad, especially since we arrived in Balintawak exit during rush hour.

Solo travelers will feel at ease riding the Joy Bus as there are only three seats per aisle (as seen from the picture above). On the left side is the two-seater, where hubby and I rode; on the right side is the solo seat, for those traveling alone and would want to sleep without worrying about sitting beside a stranger. You can recline your seats and sleep during the long journey. There’s plenty of legroom, which is a plus for me since I easily get cramps during long road trips. And the cushioned seat is really comfortable, with plenty of elbow room between you and your seatmate. It’s comparable to Lazy Boy, as you can adjust your seat so you can rest your legs on the leg lift.

Riding the Joy Bus felt a bit like riding an airplane. There’s a “bus stewardess” who provided us bottled mineral waters, cupcakes, and blankets.

There’s also a comfort room inside the bus. I noticed though that there’s no toilet paper inside. The door is also hard to close, whether from inside the CR or from the outside, after using the CR. Overall, the CR is tolerable but I suggest that they should provide toilet paper since the CR have no running water.

Another thing though, while Joy Bus offers free wi-fi, the bus stewardess said that their wi-fi connection can only accommodate up to five users. And when we finally got connected, we had a very slow connection. So I suggest also that they should improve their wi-fi connection.

What added spice to the trip is the beautiful scenery, of course. Below are pictures taken while we were traversing the zigzaggy roads.

Since Joy Bus provided non-stop transportation from Baguio City to Cubao/Pasay area, we did not pass by the usual route passing by the national highway from La Union to Tarlac. This route tends to be convenient only when traveling at night, as it is a very busy highway during daytime. Instead, we passed by several shortcuts and expressways before making an exit at North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Our bus fare from Baguio City to Cubao is priced at 690 Philippine Pesos, more expensive than the regular bus fares ranging from 400 to 450 Philippine Pesos. But paying extra is worth it, in my opinion, considering the comfort and perks of riding the executive coach, especially the bigger legroom.

Joy Bus also extends trips to Baler, Aurora.  Reservations can be made online at: iwantseats.com.ph and pinoytravel.com.ph. Or at Joy Bus offices at Cubao, Pasay, Baler, and Baguio City, to be paid in cash.

Re-visiting Baguio City and first time at Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant

Taken that morning at Baguio City (12/03/14)

Our hearing was set during that first week of December that I considered as the busiest week for me. But as they, “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” 🙂 After our hearing in Batangas the day before, hubby and I immediately prepared for our trip to the north. We traveled from South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Tiring, yes, but the excitement of re-visiting one of my favorite cities won over fatigue, even though we have to come back to Manila asap since I needed to attend a company event.

We were supposed to board the de luxe bus of Victory Liner but we encountered heavy traffic on our way to Manila. Instead, we rode the regular air-conditioned bus of Victory Liner at 9:00 in the evening, together with our clients. Since we traveled at nighttime, we experienced less to zero traffic. Despite the two stop overs (one in Tarlac, one in Pangasinan), we arrived at Baguio City by 2:30 in the morning, after five and a half hours. So I recommend traveling at night, for less travel time to the city of pines.

strawberry taho

As soon as we arrived at the Victory Liner bus station in Baguio City, taho vendors came to us and offering the famous strawberry taho at 30 pesos each. It’s my first time to taste strawberry taho so we immediately ordered. It was freezing cold when we arrived and a hot strawberry taho is what we needed at that time, for an authentic we-really-are-in-Baguio-City experience. 🙂

We slept for four hours and woke up at 7:00 in the morning in order to prepare for the 8:30 a.m. hearing. The Hall of Justice of Baguio City is located near the city hall and Burnharm Park.

After hearing, we went to have brunch at Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant with our clients. They have basement parking for customers. When we went inside, I know that without a doubt it is one of the best restos in Baguio City, judging from the number of people dining there when we arrived. Good Taste is a huge restaurant reminiscent of a typical Chinese restaurant in Binondo, Manila. Our clients ordered for us the resto’s best sellers: Buttered chicken, lechon kawali, and beef ampalaya.

An instagram post of what we ordered at Good Taste Cafe 🙂

I was right when I thought that we were in for a treat at this resto. Buttered chicken is indeed a best seller, as we looked to the left and to the right and this dish is present at almost every table. 🙂 Their lechon kawali is very tasty, as it is marinated with some sort of sauce. And hubby loved the beef ampalaya, which is his favorite. Not only are the dishes sumptuous, they also offer big servings of everything. And the price is very much reasonable. 🙂

We will definitely come back at Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant and try the other best sellers (I heard their pancit is delish!). It’s located at Lapu Lapu St., Baguio City. 🙂

Overall, while we were in Baguio City for merely ten hours (sleep included), I enjoyed every single minute of it. And I can’t wait to come back for the next hearing, and to explore the city for longer hours, several days. 🙂