SkimChix - island life

When I scheduled my training in Manila, I made sure that the tickets I bought will be a day earlier and a day late than the scheduled training. That way, I have more time to adjust and have time to wander around Manila, before and after the official business.

When I arrived, I was not directly taken to my home for the next five days but rather, I was first housed in Cavite, their second home, where the family I’m staying go to during weekends. It’s located in one of the prestigious communities in Cavite and the place is cool, contrary to the weather in Manila.



In the afternoon I was toured in Tagaytay. Though that was not my first time in Tagaytay but it was my first time to zipline and horseback ride in Tagaytay.

Most of the time, it was only sightseeing and picture taking.


I like horseback riding, such a liberating feel when you get to ride and direct the horse all by yourself, and do I need to say more about how much I love speed! Woohoooo! ( waving my cowboy hat)

After our little adventure at Tagaytay park, we dined at Gerry’s grill.

It was supposed to be somewhere else new, but the mall where we were planning to eat was full packed. No parking space was available. But nevertheless, the food at Gerry’s grill was delicious and we have the evening view of the taal lake and the towns surrounding it.

Special thanks to Uncle Donald, Tita Fe, Uncle Marlon, Tita Evelyn, Uncle Ronald, Ate margie, the kids, the rest of the crew for a very fun day at Tagaytay.

Twenty Nine years ago, a person who was destined to meet me after twenty one years after he was born. The person who would later become a very good friend, a mentor and a confidant. He have seen my ups and my downs, he knows my weaknesses and my strength and best of all he accepted me for who I am.








He is my pillar when I feel weak. And he taught me to be strong. He supported me in my dreams and he is there to catch me if I fail. He is my family when I am lonely and sick. He made me feel how it is to love and be loved back. He is my strength. He is my angel sent from above.


The life I've spent with him was never a bed of roses. But none of it I've regret because it made me become a better person and help me appreciate life as it is.

Thank you so much for everything that you've done for me Angel. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. 'Till our hairs are white and our teeth are lost. Love you so much Angel, and may you enjoy your birthday!

Love you Raymond Lazaro, till death do us part!

(bleeeeeehhhh you have no choice! bwahahahaa)

We've been told by our driver that someone will fetch us at our place for the island hopping at the White Island. We didn't wake up early because it had been raining really hard earlier. After the rain we walked to the jump off point of our banca ride to the island.

From the shore, we could see the White Island but the waves were big and the cloud was gloomy. For beach bums like me, bad weather can't hinder me from feeling the sand on my feet and taking a dip in the sea.






The island was great, I love the waters, even the big waves, and most especially the white sands. Indeed it was saving the best for last. After eating our breakfast, we packed our bags and headed back to CDO.






















Photos Courtesy of Raymond Lazaro

I woke up early to catch the blue hour (term used by photographers before the sun rises, but I'm not a photographer just a photography enthusiast) at the beach. Then our day started with our home cooked breakfast courtesy of our host cooking the dried squid we bought yesterday during our stroll.

Our vehicle for the day tour arrived and we have to bid good bye to our first home in Camiguin. We brought all our things and carried it with us for the rest of the trip (you don't have to worry leaving it with the driver because they'll offer to look out for it without extra charge).

We started with the old Vulcan, that has the 14 stations of the cross on its path, the top most would give you a better view of the sunken cementary and the open sea. Though on the 12th station we decided to go back since it was starting to drizzle and the thick clouds was beginning to hover above the peak.


Then we proceed to check the sunken cemetery. It was still drizzling and we chose not to go down the beach to get a lower view of the cemetery and we only took photos in the viewing deck.


We dropped by the Old church that was destroyed when the Old Vulcan erupted way back. The walls of the Old Church was there but the church itself was destroyed.


A small chapel was built in the middle of the ruins and the back of the church was filled with green grass, we stayed longer because it was a nice scene for some picture.


The sun was already above our head and we already felt the humidity rising. Good thing, we are already at the Soda Spring. It was a cold spring and the cool temperature was so refreshing and just in time to freshen us up.


After a quick dip, we went to Sto Nino spring. This time we opted not to take a bath since the first spring was enough to freshen us and the ambiance of this second resort is not that appealing. So we just waited for our lunch to be ready before we set to visit another site.


The next place is the Katibawasan falls. It was too far from the remaining spots because it is in the mountains of Camiguin. But the travel was worth it. The falls was tall and you can take a lot of different perspective. The water was very inviting, very clear but it was too cold when I attempted to take a dip.


Next stop was at Ardent Hot Spring. This time I took a dip in the hot water in the first pool (some say that there is another pool which is more hotter). But I think the water was just slightly hot to look warm. Nothing beats the Mambukal hot spring when it comes to hotness of the water.


After our ardent adventure we went to our second accommodation in Camiguin where we were originally booked, the Gamorot cottages.


This time, the place doesn't have a shoreline where we can stroll but a known Resort (Paras Resort) has a break water that is open to non-guest. We also decided to eat our dinner in Paras al fresco. Though the food is not worth the price we've paid.













Our second day at Camiguin ended.

One advantage of seat sale is we are given an opportunity to travel and explore different places. The last seat sale brought me to Boracay, this time we are heading to Cagayan de Oro.

Our plan, to experience white water rafting and explore the Islands of Camiguin. After arriving at CDO airport, we planned to go directly to Camiguin via Agora terminal and rode a bus for approximately 3 hours to Balingoan Wharf. From there, the wharf was only walking distance, so if you plan to visit Camiguin, ignore the tricycle drivers offering you a ride to the pier and start walking and appreciating the countryside.

The schedule of ferry is not really consistent so to pass our time for the ferry to depart, we took pictures and just relaxed in our seats. It could also be a time for you to mingle with fellow travelers and ask them to join you on the multicab (which cost 1500 pesos for a day tour) to cut the expenses. Which is what I did, since there was only me and my husband who occupies the 10-12 person capacity cab. But unfortunately, there was a few tourist and most have already booked their transportation.

When we arrived, we took a van for hire (P 50 pax) then rode a tricycle (P 10 pax) to the place we were suppose to stay. But we were brought to a different place with almost the same name, though we didn't know about this until we were able to contact the person who booked our room (there was no signal for sun network and we have to use the caretaker's mobile phone, because we haven't brought an extra sim for emergency).

But we opted to spend the night at Gamorot residence for a discounted price and we were the only occupants at that time. Then the following day we transferred at Gamorot Cottages. The nice thing about the first place was the shoreline. Even if it wasn't white sand, but you got to enjoy early morning walk at the beach. But the lather has cheaper rates and a much bigger place that can accommodate a whole family or barkada.

We opted to spend the day exploring the place and the community. We dined in the only foodshoppe in Barangay Yumbing that is budget friendly. We made a trip to the rice field and just simply refusing to take a ride with any transportation and enjoyed strolling.

After getting a glimpse of the sunset, which is really not the right angle at the place we've stayed, we retreated to our room and spent the night watching television. It was a long day for us, and we know tomorrow would be longer because its scheduled for our day tour in the Island.

I was sent to Manila for one week training at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute in Quezon City. But instead of being house in a hotel, I agreed to stay at a relative's place in Pasay. I was planning to take the public transportation and experience the buzzing life of the urban jungle. Its not my first time to set foot in Manila, but this will be my first time commuting, most of my visit are for 2-3 days and private transportation is always available.

So my plan was to ride the MRT from Taft Avenue to Quezon Avenue then ride a jeepney to Commonwealth and from there walk going to PNRI building. So I think I'm set for my Urban Adventure.

On my first day, since my uncle knew that its my first time commuting, he sent one of this trusted friend to accompany me and teach me the things I need to know when riding an MRT. Luckily, my uncle's place is just a walking distance from an LRT that intersects with an MRT station. Then the LRT train arrived at Gil Puyat Station and the people started coming out from the train. After everyone was out my uncle's friend lead me the way to ride when suddenly, the doors close without him in it.

I was alone in the train, my guide was left in the platform. And I don't have his cell phone number! The other passengers jokingly teased me because I was alone. (all I could think of was, WTF! how do I know what station to stop) So I calmed myself and remembered the things I've read on where I should be riding the MRT. TAFT AVENUE. That's all I remembered. Then I saw the route of the LRT, and traced where I was coming and knew that I need to go down on the second stop. At Taft Avenue LRT station I decided to wait for my guide. They say the train has a 15 minutes travel gap. 15 minutes isn't that long to way. The next LRT arrived and even with the crowd, I was able to spot my guide.

He lead the way for the MRT Station which is connected by foot bridge. We lined to buy the ticket and taught me where and how to place it on the entrance. And from there I was left to travel alone.

With that incident, I knew that life in the big city is different from the life I've lived in the Island. Everything is fast pace and everyone is always fighting for a seat in the MRT (hahaha, you'll even experience being pushed around, especially when you're line in an all women cabin compared to the cabin that is mixed with men!).

The jeepney ride wasn't a stress since there is always a line, its the traffic that could be draining.

This was my everyday commute for five days and the experience was liberating. I never thought I could survive such fast pace life, but I did. I also got to familiarize the places and cities and I can conclude that there is a lesser chance for me to be lost in the big city. It was one hell of an Urban Adventure and I wished to experience in a bigger city again...