24/60 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER: TRIP TO SANCTUARY, STA. VICTORIA, ILAGA CITY

This post is originally posted in Destiny's blog so i just reposted it here.

Sanctuary, Sta. Victoria, Ilagan City, is known as a tourist spot in the province of Isabela. The first time I've learned about this is when I've watched it in a local TV news where it was featured. The sanctuary has many different attractions, like zip line, cable cars, canopy, caving, boating, swimming pools, water falls, etc. and the mini zoo. I got interested with the mini zoo and thereon, I made a promised to myself that one day on this summer I'm gonna bring Destine there, so he could see some rare animals in person.

With my earnest desire to make a trip to Sanctuary, me and Chelle my colleague made plans of going there. Thus, last May 16 we call it a family day for us and head on. 

It was my first trip to Isabela with Destine. I knew it would be toxic to travel with a toddler without someone to assist me with Destine and our belongings. But i took the courage to go, knowing that I still have company and it would be a fun trip for Destine.

We took an ordinary van in going to Sta. Victoria where we will meet Chelle's kids and hubs. Chelle's family took charge for this trip. Hence, I am so thankful for them in making this fun trip realized. We made this trip just for Destine, everything else is secondary. 

We were supposed to go to Batanes, but seems it wasn't the proper time for Destine so we call it off and stay.

On the other hand, Destine was so delighted with the sights and all the things he saw which is new to him.

We showed him different animals.

He's excited and aware that this is not his usual routine, and since I cannot trust his walks and turns here, I just carried him all the time. 

We walked from area to area and my young man is quite heavy. I could feel the 37 degrees temperature, so it's a little bit uncomfortable to make a luxurious tour. Why, it was a time of middle of the day. But everything can be endured for the sake of fun. Ha! ha! ha!

We rented our own hut inside where we lunched and cool down. Other kids did boating while we just stayed. Destine hasn't slept until three o'clock in the afternoon as he became weary due to very warm temperature.

I regretted to haven't captured the nice sight because I cannot let go of Destine, but maybe in our next trip when Destine can do it on his own, I can make a good photograph of the nices view.

We went back to Tuguegarao at almost 5pm that same day and Destine was still on his excited mood despite being tired, he watched rice fields and cows on the way.

While my Destine had a nice day on this trip, I cannot complain of body ache and dehydration because of carrying him all the time. It's my role to carry him and i had a vow to bring him and we'll see the world together.

From hereon and onwards! 

Happy Journey!!!

CALLAO ECO TOURISM ZONE

Your travel to Northern Luzon will not completely documented as they say if you haven't drop by the famous CALLAO CAVE in Penablanca, Cagayan. This place has been featured many times in some TV shows like in Balitang K and Maalala mo kaya, and it is known as ECO TOURISM ZONE. 

A little History: This is now my 3rd time to visit this place, first was year 1995, that was when i first started college at Tuguegarao City (The capital town of the Province) and as a new migrant of this place we're eager to venture on scenic spots in the area hence we were brought by our newly found friends there. Though i can't remember my second time i believe it's also touring some friends visiting over, And this was just late last year when my colleague in Manila came over for some work.  and inorder to make his coming a remarkable one we brought him here.

Some facts: CALLAO CAVE is famous because of it's seven chambers and each has it's own natural crevices where light from above illuminates the dark place of the cave. In the first chamber, a natural cathedral turned chapel by the locals will be seen. lots of Stalactites and Stalagmites can also found inside.

light comes in and illuminates the dark inside

the entrance

I cannot take more pictures inside because it's too dark, so i settle to this.

I have to warn you though that before you can get into the entrance of the cave you have to climb about 180 steps of staircase, rocky, slippery and enduring so i suggest to wear a good footwear.

we're not prepared for this, that's why we're on slippers

the way up..rocky and enduring

To complete our sneak out, we also gone on boating at the Pinacanauan River to proceed to the batcave for bat watching. Way there is the awesome rocky scenic cliff surrounding the area, and passing with MORORAN (small rain forest). Locals says you have to pass through MORORAN and get some sprinkled with the rainforest to be blessed.

enjoying breathtaking wonders

surrounded by rocky cliff yet community lies ahead

Meanwhile, we have to wait for dusk to witness the flocks of thousands of Bats coming from different cave in the area. I am also waiting to see Batman on the lead. lol!

and while waiting you can do some contemplating mode, like what i did. lol! or you can also make some picnics or swimming in the area. (only that we haven't brought some food and swimwear at this time)

contemplating

the batcave

the bats

we waited till the last bat comes out in the cave before we finally left the place. Bat watching is something  that you can only experience to place like CALLAO CAVE. I'm sure you cannot witness such awesome creation in the city.

sweaty me, looks like a plateful of "Batil-Patong" will satiate my hungry tummy :)

would you like me to take you there? come, visit and enjoy...


p.s.

to some of my friends who came over and wasn't brought there, pardon me for some reason, give me NEXT TIME! :)

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Tuesday travels 

MACARTHUR LANDING MEMORIAL PARK

Ever been to the famous MacArthur Landing Memorial Park in Leyte?
Yes, I've been. But...
Honestly, i can't remember much of things in my History class about Mc Arthur, and at what grade or year in my prime education Mc arthur was thoroughly discussed. I am probably absent during the discussion. LOL, and all i can remember about Mc Arthur is his famous line of  "I SHALL RETURN", and honestly again, i don't even know what makes him famous in our land. Pardon me, but i might be sent back to elementary because of this. Might as well, i need an historian to relate to me the Philippine History and relive any recollection  that was left in my cerebrum.

nonetheless, i am happy to see one of Leyte's famous Landmark like the MACARTHUR LANDING MEMORIAL PARK located at Red beach, Palo, Leyte.

enthusiasts

an eye to eye with Douglas :)

and finally, at peace

and for posterity's sake, i made a trek at the wikipilipinas on the significance of the Memorial park and learned that Japanese tyranny has ended soon after Mac Arthur landed at the Red Beach on October 20, 1944, and that the statue was built to commemorate the historic return of Douglas MacArthur to Philippine Shores.

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Tuesday travels

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SCUBA DIVING AT PINDAWON WALL, SAMAL ISLAND

This is my entry to the Week 23 of <a href="http://techieshe.com" title="Techie She">Techie She Weekly Giveaways</a>. This week’s lucky blogger will win $10 Paypal credits from Borris of <a href="http://sirrob.info" title="Snapshots as They Happen" class="broken_link">Snapshots as They Happen</a>.

my trip to Davao late last year scored the most remarkable travel i had for 2011, as there were countless of reason why it is unforgettable and to name one, it's our underwater escapade at  PINDAWON WALL in SAMAL ISLAND.

PINDAWON WALL -  is a marine sanctuary and according to my google search, it is the most beautiful and spectacular site in Samal Island. This dive site is located off the east coast of Samal where different tropical marine life thrives such as Gorgonians and black corals. there is also a small cave somewhere at the hangs and when our dive guide brought us inside it only took me a few minutes inside as i got a claustrophobic attack.

oh wait, my diving buddy describe the wall as more like a cliff underwater, imagine us circling around a cliff trailing awesome corals and fishes., whoa! what an elating experience.

Our dive here was our first in Mindanao area, and we haven't brought any of our scuba gear as it wasn't a planned dive. good thing is that we brought enough budget that we afford to pay the dive cost that the Maxima Aquafun resort offers.

We dive as deep as 80 feet below sea level, and for about 45-minutes, we enjoyed the amazing scenes underwater, acquainted with different creatures. And while in there you only hear your own breathing or the sound of bubbles produced every time you exhaled the compressed air from your scuba tank.  Albeit afraid of the deep and my clumsiness underwater i'd loved to do scuba diving again and i hope next time it would be at BORACAY or PALAWAN.  :D

our dive guide took us a snapshots with this big white clams and playful fishes as background for a souvenir.

the unforgettable white clam with me bubbling behind...

holding my breath to get a clearer shot...

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Tuesday travels

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Davao's special Itinerary

where did i stopped the last time?
ahhh, that was a slept over at Panabo City
so, to continue, on the third day..
indeed, a hard day for me,
still longing for that dream sleep as the other day was so exhausting
we were awakened at 3:00 o'clock in the morning, as we need to be at davao at 4am
to  send two of our colleagues at the Bus terminal going to General Santos City and Cotabato City as they have to report for work..
so there, despite the groogy feeling of being soo sleepy
i just thought that our day has just begun,

and i had one special itinerary for today, that is to go and visit rovie (bestfriend in highschool, and haven't seen each other for sixteen years and eight months after graduation in Highschool, and now a blogging buddy ).

rovie - has been inviting me to visit and see her in davao many times then, but due to the distant and always busy schedules of me in the past past years, i cannot fulfill my promise to her that someday, oneday, i am going to see her,  until this time.

at some point, there were hesitations as to go or not to go to her place because of time constraint plus, my point of origin is from the south most of Davao and her place is from the North most, and when she told me of "Ulas" (her place) i couldn't find it in the EZ MAP i'm holding, i am in a kinda panicky mode as to how am i going to reach her place?

Nonetheless, i've decided to see her, even just for a while since i know if i let this day passed i won't make it anymore, and with the patience, guide and expertise of my buddy in map reading and direction we reached  rovie's place earlier than her estimated time of our arrival.

our meeting didn't even lasted for an hour, as another appointment is waiting for us somewhere in the city, but what's important with seeing her is the fact that after 16 long years of not not seeing each other in person, we got the feel of each others physical comfort today and it would be a forever cherished reunion with her, with her better half  Papa Bren and the "makulit at wala sa mood" little Bella.

flo: have we grown old?

rov: not much that old, i guess more on wisdom...(laughs)

flo: ...and weights and heights too...
rov: yeah, right... (laughs)

..let's add some grown curves and waves too.. ha ha ha!

with this post, i made a recollection on our Highschool's "tweetums" mode with rove and the rest of our group, indeed a memory worth remembering...and i miss them, a lot..

one thought that comes in my mind is the so-called "treasured friendship", no matter the time and distance which makes you apart, there is always that one moment in your life that you opened yourself to let those moments live again.
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ei, before i get emo on this part, i'm planning to update this post, by putting some of our old pics with rove to compare now and then... watched out for it, guys, i just need to dig on my photo albums and scanned those pic to post. soon.

that's it for now!

amazing trip to DAVAO

 DAVAO - definitely one of my list in my must go places before traveling outside Philippines, and at last it happened with a plus factor that this trip wasn't a business trip like those of my previous trips, but purely a vacation trip, to see the place wth my own gusto and be reunited with my old and the not so old friends.:D

with this, allow me to narrate every detail of my trip from day one up to the last day, though there were one thing very common with the experience all throughout the trip, that is: TIRING YET AMAZINGLY ENJOYING!

on the first day,
fetched from airport all the way to attend the Christening of "Baby Jieann" (my inaanak), but since the plane arrived late, i only joined the dinner and the night party which lasted about two o'clock in the morning.

on the second day,
still wanting to hit that sack because of the late slumber, but really need to get up to take a power breakfast because this day is a very long day, as the itinerary was being laid down:
together with the colleagues,

let's begin with a trek inside  GAP FARMING RESORT at Ma.a, Davao City 

(still photos will speak much of how enjoying the tour was..)

i took some snapshot while the others are busy investigating the whatever..

making "kulit mode" climbing the stiff stairs

stop overs..

no animals were harmed when this photo was taken.. :D

so nice to feel young again...

needs a shade..

dare to be bold....

got tired with my hav,  i have to lift it so i can walk equally fast.. he he 

once there were the young ones...

and a final pose before going to the next attraction... 

are you still up, for the next story line? i'll tell you that, this is quite a story --its simply an amazing trip ..!
anyways, here's a peek on our ..

trail to the Japanese Tunnel still in Ma,a, Davao City 

im asking him to date me out..LOL

but, this is where i ended..ROLL!

as if... ha ha

who looks more like of a geisha..

and so with the others, once sitted at the couch can't help but fallen asleep
tiredness knocking us out... 

and, after gaining some energy with the accidental naps we proceeded to have a lunch at former's Dencio's resto and guess what's the ordered menu..?
it's a Crocodile and Ostrich Meat, as the group wanted to taste the Davao's pride of excotic food, and for this time they ordered: KALDERETANG CROCODILE and OSTRICH SISIG, i tried to eat both meat but just after the maxtication process in my digestive system -- ahh.. you don't wanna know what happended, well, nothing much but just ending up starving :(

croco meat

ostrich meat

.so much for the foodie thing, let's go now to the third tourist attraction that we got for this day,

the Davao Butterfly House 

nature, life, beauty..and of course ME

i'm looking for some warning signs, that would keep us out from here.. ha ha

oh well, someone who could tell me that playgrounds were just meant for kids to play? ha ha, anyway, we are just actually killing the time waiting for the animal show at crocodile park that would start at 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon as we intend to watch it...

   

NEXT STOP DAVAO CROCODILE PARK

cool...

 it's almost dusk when we left the park and i'll say its super enjoying out there.. we're now ready moving to our night escape which is going to panabo city, davao oriental -- where one of our classmate from there invited us for a big time  dinner.

but just before we reached the dinner table, we stopped by to fetched something and i did a little tripping on this stage... LOL!

sana ngayong pasko...ay maalala mo pa rin ako... 

the night ended up so high and full, and tiring and once our back hit the bunks, we said goodnight to the world. 

that's it! i have to cut my story in here, please join me again for another page of my storyline about this trip, because there were more exciting fun in the next days of my stay.

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Happiness is...

 Thursdaybrownies

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