To Be 36

The time when I spent my pre-birthday vacation in Bohol

It has already been a tradition that I leave for vacation a month before or after my birth month. This year, I waited for nine months until I was able to go to Bohol, my chosen destination for my pre-birthday vacation. I booked my flight last December via Cebu Pacific’s Piso fare. I’ve always wanted to go to Bohol because I’ve been hearing so many good things about the place, especially its pristine beaches. It wasn’t a difficult decision really; there wasn’t any contest in my head at that time on where I wanted to go. I think I was already sold with the idea of heading to Bohol as early as November last year. Early this year, I was able to convince my friend Peggy to go with me. I already did my crowd sourcing pretty early to where we can stay in Bohol. Everyone told me to stay in Panglao, where the beach is really nice, so okay, that’s a check. Now where exactly in Panglao was the next question. As much as I would want to stay in the fanciest of resorts there, 1) I can’t afford it; 2) sayang lang because I would always be out discovering the place anyway so goodbye Bellevue, Amorita, Eskaya, and South Palms. A friend of mine from Cebu recommended Dumaluan Beach Resort, and upon checking, their accommodation rate was within my budget, and I saw photos from their Facebook and it looked okay. We availed their Superior Deluxe room with the 2 day tour package, a city and island tour. So in pictures, here’s what happened.

Apparently for some passengers, their luggage are far more important to be comfortable and to sit on the chair than for other humans. It was too early to argue with anyone so I just had coffee on the floor.

I wasn't sitting with anyone. Forever alone!

The obligatory selfie inside the airplane shot

The obligatory clouds shot inside the airplane (Melissa Mendez would be so jealous of me right now hehe)

It’s amazing how our flight going to Tagbilaran and going back to Manila didn’t have any delays. I think that’s a first for me. I was already expecting at least an hour delay for each trips but no! We left on time for both flights, so cheers to Cebu Pacific! Magaling! Magaling!

Our not too shabby room for 6 days at the Dumaluan Beach Resort

Beachfront

Our lunch on the first day

Starface

The sand was so smooth, it was like mud when wet. It reminded me so much of the sand in one of the islands that I visited in Caramoan

Our driver Kuya Manny was one of the nicest drivers I’ve ever met. He’s very soft spoken and always opened the door for us. He didn’t have to and I was a bit shy that he would do it so I would always open the door of the van immediately whenever we stop on our destination. Sayang, I forgot to take a picture of him. 

Too bad that this Tarsier cap is small for me or else, I would have rocked this, yo!

For those who are petrified of the sun, that, or if you want to be a stylish ninja 

First stop of the city tour was at the Tarsier Conservation Area

A very sleepy Tarsier

I wanted to take this tiny pink umbrella home with me

They're so tiny!

 The chichaworm. I bought a pack for my officemates. They liked it, I should have bought more

Be one with nature

At the butterfly sanctuary

Atlas moth or the Mariposa, the largest moth in the world

Caterpillar

Hihihi!

 

 The infamous chocolate hills. The 215 flight of stairs was worth it seeing these hills that I've only heard about at school

With Peggy at the Sipatan Hanging Bridge

We had lunch on a moving raft along the Loboc river

After lunch, we went to the Baclayon Python Sanctuary

Baclayon church. Part of it is still being renovated due to the earthquake that devastated Bohol

The Bee Farm wasn't supposed to be part of the tour but we charmed our way to Kuya Manny, and he agreed to take us to the place. I just wanted my ice cream.

Ate from the counter said that the best sellers are the guyabano and malunggay flavored ice cream, so I got those. I especially loved the cone!

Day 2 of the tour. We went to Balicasag Island to snorkel. We were supposed to watch dolphins but our boatman said that they don't normally come out whenever the waves are strong, which it was that day.

A rainbow from Papa Jesus

For our tour, payment for the boatman and the rental of the small boat to go snorkeling weren't included in the package. So we had to pay for an extra P250 each for it. Then we found out that there's a separate payment should we want to see sea turtles, it was an extra P150 each. We had lunch there and the food was more expensive than the food at the resort, which wasn't that cheap either. So, an advice to anyone who want to go to Balicasag, if you can bring food, do so.

I think it was highway robbery what happened to us at Balicasag but seeing and swimming with some sea turtles made it all worth it

One happy 35-year old woman

THEN

I got sick! Of all days and places, seriously?! Upon arriving from our morning of snorkeling in Balicasag, I felt my eyes burning up and my throat hurting. I think it was because I got really cold while we were on our boat going back to Dumaluan. It was drizzling a bit and the wind was biting. I forgot to bring a rash guard during the trip. I normally don’t bring a rash guard with me unless I know that I’ll be surfing but lesson learned, I would bring one always in my beach trips. I don’t go out of town without my doctor nanay checking my medicine kit if it’s complete with all the drugs that I’ll be needing but unfortunately, we missed out on decongestants this time. Good thing the resort’s souvenir store was selling, and I bought Neozep to help me sleep. I rested the entire day. What a waste. Tsk.

My lunch taking a bath hehehe

Dumaluan Beach Resort. I recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for a reasonable place to stay in Panglao. If you're on a budget but you want to stay in a clean, and comfortable place, this resort is okay. The staff were also very helpful and nice. The food is not cheap but it's good. Oh but they put too much chlorine in their pool so if you're planning to swim, make sure to use goggles so your eyes wont hurt.  

This was my Monday at the beach

I was feeling a little better, so for our last night in Bohol, Peggy and I decided to take the Firefly Eco-friend tour. It's eco-friendly because we kayaked our way to the river and didn't use a motor boat. It took us two hours of kayaking and I really felt it all over my upper body the next day. Good workout! The fireflies were like blinking Christmas lights on trees. They were so beautiful.

I swear! These are fireflies!

On my way home! Thank you, Bohol!

Being 36 is just another number. Although this year, I’ve made improvements on myself that I’m proud of. First would be my better relationship with the Lord. Deciding to be a Christian is one of the best decisions that I’ve made in a while. It made my faith in God stronger. It made me calmer and hopeful that things in my life will be okay. I learned how to pray again, and actually listen to what God wants me to do. I’m still a very stubborn woman but I try not to give in too much on my stubbornness knowing that it will put me to harm in the end. I lost a few friends in my life this year, a few I’m having difficulty coming to terms with, and one that I’ve finally let go. I find letting go of people difficult, for one, there’s already love involved but that’s the thing I guess, if you truly love them, and especially yourself, it’s better to let them leave if they want to. There’s no point in letting people stay in your life knowing that they want out. For four years, I’ve loved and surrendered myself to someone who never cared for me, who never gave an ounce of concern for my well-being and yet, I was always there for him. It was no one’s fault but mine, so in the end, it was no one’s decision to leave but mine. But during the process, I lost friends, I lost myself, I might not be able to gain some of the friends back but I know I’m beginning to get myself back. Anyway, here are a few more things that I've learned during my 36 years of existence.

• I can cook, and I also enjoy cooking. I successfully cooked Nilagang Baka and Sinigang na Baboy. Nanay approved! I'll probably have a carinderia someday when I get old.
• I really love to travel. If I can travel for a living, I'd do that in a heartbeat. 
• I'm just really mildly good at all the things I do. I don't think I'll ever be exemplary awesome on anything. Sakto lang.
• I'm not fond of snakes. Nakakatakot pala sila.
• As much as I think babies are cute, they're not for me. I don't think I can even take care of myself financially, let alone another person. I'd be a really good and loving mom though. A cool one also. I'll just love my nephews and my friends' kids like they're mine. Tita for life!
• I don't think I'll ever want to get married. 
• If I can find the time to workout everyday, I'd do it. Working out is probably one of the things that I surprisingly like. 
• I love my friends. I may have a few now as compared to before, but they are of quality! I may not see them as often as I want to but I know that they love me and I love them. I'm good :)
• There's less negativity in my life right now. I love it. I love it so much!
• I should have been an artista! MY GOSH! They earn a lot! A day of taping / shooting, is my month's worth of sweldo. Again, I am in the wrong industry haha!
• I still want to go to the US and now in the UK to visit my sister and her family. Looking forward to this.
• I am okay with some people not liking me. I no longer feel the need to care about these things. I'd rather sleep.