the ONE that FLEW away ♥

Yes, theGirlwhoGotINKED has soar high to the Arabian Deserts of Qatar to explore life and first handedly experience what the gulf has to offer.

Its been a long while since I last typed away my thoughts and since am celebrating my 5th month here in Doha --  the long writing hiatus has come to an end.

That photo was taken last 17th of January when I was traversing the skies to 5 timezones away from all that was familiar, all that was secure, all that I'm comfortable with.

And now, with a thousand miles and a flight of 10 hours away.. Charisma is familiarized in living her life with such deeply rooted faith in the Big Man above, has learned that experience is truly the best teacher, that challenges are there not to break us but to push us in discovering that there is more to us than what we have been convinced to believe..that at the end of it, just maybe with all the little sparks of hope left -- that love is still exist.

So yes, since am breaking free from this  of writer's block in a different country which has been been home to me for the last 5months.. Since am surrounded by newly found friends and some who never really left my side.. -- Am going to end this blog refresh's first entry with what I have learned and realized about Love ♥

***

You know it's real love ,when it's more than just a feeling, more than a happy fleeting source of glee.. Because feelings change, they wither as the seasons change.

You know it's real love, when you are committed to make it right, right not just in front of everyone, but more importantly in the eyes of God.

You know it's really love, when you are not afraid to let it go..when and if it becomes required. You are not afraid to let it go because you are trusting in the better good, that if it's right it will become perfect in it's due time. That if it's His will; no man, woman or earthly plan can stand against His destined plan.


Much Love♥
CT2013


 

Laoag - Vigan: A Historical Trip Up North ✔

I have always claimed myself to be an adventurous person, a wanderlust who loves to travel and explore places, meet people and try different things worldwide (Asia wide for the matter at the moment) - however, I was guilt-stricken when I realized that I have started hopping around our neighboring Asian Countries without even traveling across the Philippines. 

-----> That is why, 2012 is for Philippine TRAVELS ♥

 

Started the year with some CrazyFun Roadtrips and thanks to this UnliFlights promo, I got the chance to explore certain key provinces from Luzon - Visayas - Mindanao flying high style. 

To start off my amazing week after week unliflight travel episodes, we flew over North to do a Laoag-Vigan Weekend ♥

***DAY01 is for VIGAN Food tripping, Jar Making and Street walking :)

First Time to flyPAL :)

Charisma Gian Shyla Dominic Allan

"...Villa Angela, a typical 1850's Vigan house, is transformed into the city's most charming hotel."

 -National Commission for Culture & the Arts

"Built by Gobernadorcillo Agapito Florendo y Bonifacio in 1870, Villa Angela stands proudly on a 2,000 square meter lot as a shining example of a Vigan Heritage House. Being a rich depository of the family's relics and memorabilia acquired through the years, Villa Angela remains a showcase of the family's past and present standing in the Vigan community."

 

Villa Angela Heritage House

#26 Quirino Boulevard Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Philippines 

Vigan Line (077)722-2914 Manila Line: (02)425-6473

EXPLORING CALLE CRISOLOGO 

 Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo street is a major attraction of Vigan mailny because of the Spanish houses located in this stretch. This is known to be the place were the rich people lived during the Spanish era.

This ancestral home of one of the most respected Filipino literary  figure (Leona Florentino) now houses the Provincial Tourism Center, the Vigan Heritage Commission and Café Leona, a favorite culinary destination.

CAFE LEORNA

 Calle Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

077 722 2212

Try making a jar! Just like the movie "Ghost"

***DAY02 is for some historical visits around VIGAN and bus ride to  EXPLORE LAOAG :)

SYQUIA MANSION, VIGAN : The Syquia Mansion which houses President Qurino’s extensive memorabilia is actually owned by his wife, Dona Alicia Quirino. Her ancestor was a Chinese who made his fortune in the robust trading in Vigan (historical information from -- http://www.vigan.ph/syquia_mansion.html)

SYQUIA MANSION, VIGAN: The first lady’s grand ancestral home was where some of the President’s functions were held during his administration so it is not only worth a visit for the presidential memorabilia but also for the feel of the magnificent and historical gatherings that have taken place amongst the elegant furnishings. (historical information from -- http://www.vigan.ph/syquia_mansion.html)

SYQUIA MANSION, VIGAN: The limousine of karwajes used at the Quirino-Syquia wedding.

BURGOS NATIONAL MUSEUM: " I'm at a payphone, trying to call home - all of the change I've spent for you.."

 This museum is the ancestral house and birthplace of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Known as Padre Burgos House, it is one of the notable historic structures of Vigan, the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is a two-story structure located near the Provincial Capitol and close to St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral. 

(historical information from -- http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/ASBMD/Padre%20Burgos.html)

Mondays-Fridays / 9:00 am - 4:00 pm;
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays by appointment
Contact Information: ASBMD, National Museum Central Office; 527-4192

KALESA RIDE TO LUUUUNCH :)

A Visit to Vigan is not complete without taking that Kalesa Ride to HIDDEN GARDEN where good "natively" cooked food and a natural view awaits. For more information you can visit http://www.hiddengardenvigan.com.ph/

At the Partas Bus Station waiting for our ride back to Laoag. For quick reference on the fare prices and schedule visit: http://www.phbus.com/partas-bus/

Our very last stop before heading to the airport is the MARCOS MUSEUM and MAUSOLEUM at Batac City, Ilocos Norte. We were not able to go to the museum due to time constraints but was able to visit The Late President Marcos' Waxed Remains in the Mausoleum. Cameras are not allowed inside. for more information you can visit -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcos_Museum_and_Mausoleum

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum 

 Marcos Ave., Batac City, Ilocos Norte. 

Open daily, 9 AM- 12 noon and 1-4 PM. 

Airport Waiting Time! First UnliFlight and Laoag-Vigan Escapade --- SUCCESS! :)

Planning out this CDO-Bukidnon Weekend :)

I have been meaning to post my UnliFlight trips for a month now, but because am finishing my gazillion work loads on weekdays (so I can go with my weekend travel plans) getting more involved in family affairs and found a new love in itinerary making - i haven't post any of my most recent travels. 

Yes, you read it right.. In as much as I love traveling and while I am still an adventurous one with the high probability rate of crossing out planned things and replacing it with a few local suggestions - yes, I am having a blast planning trips. 

Planning your travel is like doing a a pre-trip though someones Else's travel blogs and experiences + some important info's from local government sites and weather forecasts too. Planning gets you excited, makes you look forward to the trip itself, makes you want to challenge and confirm what you have read about -- makes you want to leave now, travel and blog about it too. 

So here is my third planned itinerary, the first am going publish. Thanks to the other blogs I have been following and the local sites for CDO-Bukidnon, here goes my next weekend's plan: Excited to conquer the white waters and zoom in Asia's longest 840M zipline, bucket list check! :)

CAGAYAN DE ORO  - BUKIDNON  ( & CEBU)  WEEEEKENDD! :)

 MANILA:  PR183 04OCT 0935H

 CAGAYAN DE ORO  PR182  06OCT 0635H

04 OCTOBER – THURSDAY – DAY01, CDO

TRAVELERS POD

Ground Floor, Gateway Tower  Limketkai Center

Text/Call:  09177176910 Look for Gina

Deluxe Pod: 1,500.00

Note:  We can extend if ever, near Divisoria

KAGAY : Cagayan de Oro’s Premiere Whitewater Rafting

Address: #21 Pres. Aguinaldo St., Cagayan de Oro City

Text/Call: 0917-7122442 Look for Alfred

Beginners Course P700 / head

( 3hrs. Actual River Run ) 14 Rapids

Note:  With hotel pick-up at 1230H

DIVISORIA NIGHT CAFE

Every Friday and Saturday in CDO city they close the main road

 Vienna Kaffehaus

is located at #54 Don A. Velez-Chavez St., Cagayan de Oro City. 

BABY BACK RIBS Tender meat which falls right off the bone - baked in the oven and then grilled to perfection.  Very generous sauce.Price: P200

Butcher's Best

87 Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro  (Best barbecue in town)

DESSERT STRIP is a 100% home-made cookies and pastries shop in Cagayan de Oro, that's using world class baking ingredients. Cakes, cookies, and pastries lovers will now have a wide array of uniquely baked goodies and sweets to choose from.

2nd level of Robinsons Mall-Limketkai Drive

 05 OCTOBER – FRIDAY – DAY02, BUKIDNON

From Cagayan de Oro City to Dahilayan Adventure Park

Go to Agora Market Terminal, take a Van bound for Camp Phillips (60 PHP), travel time is about an hour. Hire a habal-habal (300 PHP) that will take you to the adventure park, travel time is about 30 minutes.

DAHILAYAN ADVENTURE PARK
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Philippines
(088) 856-2102 local 403 / 0922-8801319

840M ASIA’S LONGEST ZIPLINE – P500

Dahilayan Adventure Park boasts of two 840m Ziplines with a drop of 100 meters. Zipriders are transported via 4WD Safari Cruiser to a launch tower at 4500′ ASL. Zoom through the rainforest canopy at 60-80kph to land at our Carrier-type flight deck using a special arresting gear system.

Camp Phillips is a community situated in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It is also where the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation is located. It has a vast field of pineapples covering around 9000 hectares of land. A wide area of the place is planted with pineapples that stretch from horizon to horizon.

Del Monte Clubhouse  in Manolo Fortich for STEAK

DEL MONTE GOLF CLUB

LAKE APO (Optional depends on time and travel distance) Lake Apo is formed due to the movement of the Earth’s crust, creating a circular-shaped lake atop the mountain floor.  It has an estimated area of 24 hectares and reaching to a depth of 26 meters.  It is found in Barangay Guinoyouran, some 11 kilometers from Valencia City in the province of Bukidnon.  It can be accessed by a motorcycle-for-hire, public utility vehicle (PUV), or you can ask a friend to drive you there.  When you get to the place, you pay a parking fee of P5 for a motorcycle and P10 for a car. Raft cottages are available for rent for P200 per use.  That is, if you are going to the middle of the lake. But if you’re going to stay in the shore, you don’t have to pay anything.

From Camp Phillips to Cagayan de Oro City

There are vans in Camp Phillips that will take you to Cagayan de Oro. Look for it at the transport terminal where you hired a habal-habal. Fare is 60 pesos and travel time is about an hour.

06 OCTOBER – SATURDAY – DAY03:

CHARISMA to MANILA (0635H) ++ MANILA to CEBU 0930H to meet KINDRED

GIAN to MANILA (1130H)