Marvelous Masungi Georeserve - Getting Close to Nature

I heard about the beauty of this place through my college friend. I instantly checked it right away and google directed me to their website. The catch is to secure a reservation on-line, there is no other way. We had made reservation months before to secure booking.

Thankful for my friends who gamely joined me on this trip. We had filled up 14 slots because I had mixed my college friend, Manila Water and Laguna Water friends.

Days before our chosen date - July 9 2016, Metro Manila had been experiencing non-stop rain. Some of my friends had been already thinking if we should pushed through due to safety risks. Fortunately, nature had been on our side as we experienced a very beautiful weather on that day.

We arrived very early for our 6AM trail. We were briefed in the area called Silungan by our guide/park ranger. In the briefing, we had learned that Masungi is endangered from trespassers that wanted to take portions of the area as private property. They could pose as potential source to degrade the natural environment.

We were also excited to start the trail and was quite surprised that the first rope challenge will be very soon after we start off.

Sapot could be really one of the best spot in the area. We literally spent majority of our time here to have good shots. :)

"Yungib ni Ruben" gave me a little creeps due to the low lighting and unusual smell in the area.

(c) Ruth Pascual

We were able to cool down in the air house.

(c) Kamz Sales

The most fearful part of the trip is the rope course going down to the giant hammock. I really felt there is a need to at least put guide rails. I might be smiling in the picture, but God knows how afraid I was back then.

Good thing that fearful experience was followed by my most favorite part of the trail - "Duyan". I could stay all day to just chill and relax.

We were able to reach the peak of Tatay and Nanay and capture some good shots.

Peak of Tatay

Capturing the beauty of Nanay

We were given recovery food near the area of "Liwasan". The food are so refreshing to regain our energies.

Before going home, we decided to have a full meal for our lunch in Park, Rest and Dine. Yum, yum!

Masungi Georeserve is located in Km 45 Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal. For booking details, please visit their website: www.masungigeoreserve.com

Beautiful Bolinao: Role Ender as Process Manager

It's never hard to leave something you already considered close to your heart. I always love to work as Process Manager because I can interpret data being thrown to me and verify it on site. There are lots to look back with my previous role and I will always be thankful that those experiences made me a better person.

Before I ended my stint, my closest friends was so game for a road trip. I personally would just want to visit Manaoag Church in Pangasinan to be thankful with the new opportunity given to me. Deciding to be "localized" as they term it in my company is not that easy as I need to move to the province and have a place of my own.

My friends and I are up for a road trip to celebrate this milestone. We also decided to spend a day in Bolinao, which is not that near to Manaoag by the way.

When I was young, I was used to hearing that Bolinao has great beaches through our neighbor who owns Puerto del Sol. After visiting though, I can say that Bolinao doesn't just have great beaches, there are a lot to be explored more in this municipality.

My friends and I booked a night at SCL Garden Resorts because we left Manila late at night already. We need a place to stay to prepare our jump-packed schedule the following day.

We rented a tricycle to get us around Bolinao. Our first stop - Bolinao Falls 1. Yes, that's the name as of my visit last January 2016. The way there is very easy, no need to trek to access the falls.

Next stop was the second falls named Bolinao Falls 2. I wonder though when will they rename it properly. I was really too scared to jump into the falls so I did not even try it.

My favorite part of the tour is the visit to Patar Rock formation. The view is spectacular, perfect to forget all the hustle and bustle of the city.

We also visited the Cape Bolinao lighthouse. It is the second tallest lighthouse in the country.

We then visited the famous Patar Beach. We swam a little bit to feel the water.

Last for out tour is the Enchanted Cave where we truly spend quite a lot of time. The water is crystal clear inside the cave and it relaxes us.

The pictures cannot justify the amazing scenery we had witnessed for this day trip tour. If given the chance, I will love to return back and bring my family there to share the beauty of Bolinao.

Wonderful Seoul

When I found out a cheap flight to Seoul is on sale way back March 2015, I convinced my friend that we book it instantly for 3 reasons - it's cheap, it's winter and it's Seoul! We don't even care that our trip is 10 months away from purchase. A few of our friends also learned about it so they were also convinced to book the same flight. Unfortunately as the days come nearer, my friend that supposedly  will be my travel buddy for this trip cannot join us as it was in conflict with her work. 

As life should be, I have to be prepared despite the initial obstacle. First challenge is to have my winter clothes. This is my first winter experience so  I need to buy most of the clothes and just borrow a few outerwear. 

Before I tell about the adventures we had and some soul searching I did, may I just say that  it is so hard to move with those 3 layered clothing. It is also very challenging to do all those walking tours with - 3 to -12 degrees Celsius especially that I am used to having tropical climate.

As we arrived Incheon International Airport, we already  felt the cool breeze of winter as we transfer to the Express train in the AREX line. It did not stop my excitement as I had been dreaming for this vacation after graduation. Yes, it took me 6 years to be able to convince myself I need this and I have to save for this trip.

My friends and I navigate to our home for 6 days - Seoul N Hostel. It's indeed so hard carrying those 20kg luggage up the stairs from the subway station plus not knowing where our hotel is since most signage are in Korean. Most locals cannot speak English too. With patience, we finally found it! Hooray!

To catch up lost time, we went to a nearby food hall to have our super late lunch / early dinner. We had our first authentic Korean cuisine! May I just say they truly love vegetables? 

With full stomach, we went to Gwanghwamun Square to visit Cheonggyecheon Stream. We are very fortunate that Holiday season was just over but the decorations are still there. The stream stretched 10.84 km and it was transformed to an ecological stream in 2005.

After the brisk walk that we did, it's time we go to a street market to try our Soju since our bodies needed some heat already.

The next day is planned for Everland day! When I am still with Samsung, most of my colleagues keep on mentioning how awesome this place is. I cannot deny the fact that I love themed parks even if I am scared to try their rides. So  even if it is winter, we braved the weather for an outdoor themed park experience!

Best part was this safari ride! Was able to see a bear in real life. The one who knows tricks too!

A monkey having tantrums. Is it because of the weather? 

We have to ensure we have the necessary energy with this cold weather! We only attempted to have one ride in the park since it's really freaking cold.

The best attaction of Everland - Heater!

Thank you Everland, you bring out the kids in us!

The next day, we went early to Insadong Market to check out the Art shops. We also went to Gyeongbokgung Palace to witness the Change of Guards.

We were also fortunate to try the Guards' uniform for free!

We then decided to go to Myeongdong for shopping. Here is a cute pikachu that I bumped into.

I really thought that the served sliced pork is good for one person, too bad it is for sharing.

Myeongdong is really a great place to shop especially for girls! There are a lot of freebies once you enter Etude, Nature Republic and the likes. There are also a lot of food offerings that I failed to try. So vengeance it is when I return.

After Myeongdong, we decided to visit Arario Museum in Space, a contemporary Art Museum. It was really a soothing experience to see those artworks by various artists.

We rushed to Changdeokgung Palace as we hope we can still enter the premises. Too bad we were late already so we just had our selfies in the gate.

Finally it is our time to go to Namsan Tower. We rode by bus instead of cable car so we had to hike a few meters before we reached the tower. I saw the love locks and hoped that all of those couples indeed found their very own happily ever after. It was freezing cold as we ride down the cable car back to Myeongdong.

Saturday is the day I waited for so long because this was the day scheduled for skiing!  Hooray for I can cross this out on my bucket list. I really thought it will be easy since I know how to skate. Skiing is way hard to control for my experience. It was enjoyable to watch professionals ski down the mountain.

In the evening, we went to Hongdae to check those themed cafes and see the more youthful vibes of the area. There are a lot of cafes to try in Hongdae and I will definitely spend longer time here when I return.

We had our dessert at Hello Kitty Cafe! Too cute to devour. :)

The next day, we  went to Myeongdong Cathedral to attend mass. The mass is in Korean and it gives me chills to feel their passion to the religion. The cathedral is also magnificent and I can feel the solemnity inside.

We walked to Namsangol Hanok Village to see traditional Korean Houses. We were toured by an elderly who is very knowledgeable about Korean's culture. It was a great experience to learn more about the structure in the families and how it reflected in building houses.

Look how really cold it is. :) 

After the cultural learning, we went to Dongdaemun Market to shop for toys. It's not my thing but I find it a happy place for lego lovers. We had our late lunch and I barely ate my bean sprouts.

We went back to Gyeongbokgung Palace to finally tour around and be amazed on the castles made for the King. It is the largest of the royal palaces built in Joseon Dynasty. I will love to stay here during Spring as the view of the lake with the trees around will give me peace of mind.

The trip to Seoul is a great way to start the year right. It gave another perspective on how unique people are. I will pursue my dream to get to know the world more - the richness of each country's culture and its well preserved history.

Truly a wonderful Seoul Experience!