http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/jillcutie/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from jillcutie en-us Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:27:44 +0000 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:27:44 +0000 Of all the beautiful places that I have visited Palawan is the place that is closest to my heart. The fresh breeze the fine white sands of its beaches the abundant marine life and of course the warmth of the people these are just but a few reasons why I couldnrsquot get enough of this wonderful place.This year Culion Jerichorsquos birthplace is celebrating its Centennial Year. When we http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Palawan/blog-279586.html Everything was so unexpected. We have no plans yet of celebrating our honeymoon and my birthday until this travel opportunity came to us astonishingly.This was supposed to be a business trip for Jeric but since I am about to celebrate my natal day his bosses decided without any hesitations to also buy me a plane ticket for Cagayan de Oro. Thank you so much Maam Edith and Boss Tino we will for http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Cagayan-De-Oro/blog-279344.html The next day the Float Parade already started when we found the perfect place for us which was the exact location as yesterday. Giant floats designed with colorful flowers came by. I could not help but be amazed with their artistic masterpieces. Each float has a theme to boast which is mostly the commercial productcompany that they represent with some celebrities as their flagbearers. Even t http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Baguio/blog-135417.html Irsquove been visiting Baguio City since I was a kid but never did I experience the event which made the city famous for the Panagbenga Flower Festival. During the month of February tourists from all parts of the country go up north not just to feel the cold breeze of Baguio ambiance but also to witness the monthlong colorful celebration.This year I seized the chance to fulfill yet anothe http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Baguio/blog-135416.html Traveling has become my obsession. Whenever I have spare time I always plan on going to places. If I only have enough resources and more vacation leaves I would have wandered to all the places included in my travel wishlisht. It is holy week this should have been the perfect time to have an outoftown vacation. I should have been snorkeling in Palawan or beachcombing in Boracay. But here I a http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Pampanga/blog-53338.html Being the only Catholic nation in Asia the Philippines observe the Lenten Season religiously. The eightday celebration starting from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday is filled with spiritual and religious rites commemorating the passion death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Visita IglesiaEvery Maundy Thursday the Visita Iglesia is being practiced by devote catholics. The traditional Visita Igl http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Pampanga/blog-53337.html 6 orsquoclock Saturday morning I was haggling with my phonersquos alarm for another hour of slumber. I could still feel the booze in my veins that I obtained from our usual Friday nightout. But the thought of where we will be spending the day perked up all the adrenalin in my body. Yes My itchyfeet will be pleased today.This day trip was somewhat a short notice which was actually perfec http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Subic/blog-53334.html It is our annual family outing. Usually we just spend it on one of the resorts in Pampanga but this year we've decided to have a feel of the beach.We were all so excited. As early as 4am we were all awake readying for our fun day supposedly. Oh well almost The lucky stars were unfortunately not on our side that day since we took a very hard time finding for a van to rent. Tsk tsk. At last http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Subic/blog-7312.html Irsquove been working for almost three years here inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone but honestly I have never explored the place since. Guess Irsquom missing a lot from its wide array of offerings beaches duty free shops hotels bars jungles golf clubs and many others.It's my birthday and to break the monotony of my life read as work work work I spent it with adventure on two o http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Subic/blog-5537.html The province of Laguna is endowed with pristine bodies of water. Pagsanjan Majayjay falls Lake Caliraya and innumerable hot springs originating from the mystical volcano Mt. Makiling in Pansol Los Banos are just a few which makes the province an ideal place for outings and naturetripping.Fresh air cool mountain breeze hot spring Splash Mountain Hotel Resort has it all. Just an hour away http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Laguna/blog-46753.html The Philippines being a tropical country has a warm weather reaching up to 35 degrees centigrade during summer. Still there is one place which is relatively cooler by 9 degrees from the lowlands Baguio City. With this this highland lives up to its title as the Summer Capital of the Philippines.Approximately 250km north of Manila just a 4hr drive away one can experience the cool climate t http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Baguio/blog-43547.html Now on its 10th year the annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival once again colored the bright skies of Clarkfield Pampanga.The festival proves to be one of the biggest and mostanticipated events in the country with more than 19 countries participating each year.Other than hotair ballooning there are several air shows gracing the festival such as aeromodeling motorized glider exhibit http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Pampanga/blog-41261.html By 8am we were already aboard MV Sun Cruises at CCP Manila Bay dock. An hour later we arrived the tadpoleshaped island of Corregidor on the province of Bataan.During the onehour ferry ride our historical trip already started as a historian gave us a brief history of the island.Corregidor is also called the rock as it saved as a fortress of Manila Bay during World War II.Soon as we sat fo http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Corregidor/blog-2085.html Talcumfine white sands crystalclear calm waters the culture the people these are just few reasons why I can't get enough of this paradise called Boracay.Enthralled by my first Boracay getaway same time last year I told myself that I would definitely go back. Since itrsquos another long vacation with the proclamation of Oct31Nov01 as Nonworking holidays we decided to experience the http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Boracay/blog-26492.html April 2325 2004Need a break from a strenous work week Then Galera is the place for you to spend a relaxing weekend. Just three hours away from Manila you can break away with the busy streets of the Metro and smell the morning seabreeze laze in the powdery fine sands and party off all night.Activities Snorkling Island Hopping Night Clubbing Tips Scout for cheap accomodations there http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Puerto-Galera/blog-5575.html I had been hearing nice things about this new zoo located in Montalban Rizal. Since its Jeric's Birthday i convinced him to celebrate it w nature. Along w his brother and our very cute niece Sylvanna we travelled for almost an hour to Avilon Zoo.At 730 am they were already waiting for me at Chowking Philcoa. It's friday and i took my day off the office and travelled all along from Pam http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Rizal/blog-7688.html Pahiyas Festival is a colorful feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador the patron saints of farmers as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Houses along the old streets of Lucban are artistically decorated with agricultural harvest and of the very unique highlight of the festival the kiping. It is a wafer made up of rice that comes in different colors. The Lucbanons come up in different de http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Quezon/blog-8756.html Part of the Pahiyas Festival tour is a sidetrip to some churches in Laguna. We visited two old churches the St Mary Magdalene Church in Magdalena Laguna and the Majayjay Church in Majayjay Laguna. Both churches were built during the Spanish Era using Polo or forced labor. The churches' architectural design is every photographer's haven. Too bad my digicam run out of batteries so i just m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Laguna/blog-8757.html We were just lazing around enjoying the holiday labor day when suddenly we've decided that we'll visit Mt Arayat National Park. I haven't visited the nat'l parkresort for quite some time considering it's proximity to our area.Located at Brgy San Juan Bano Arayat Pampanga it is a dormant volcano with an area of 3 715.28 hectares. On the foot of the mountain lies a parkresort with freshw http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Pampanga/blog-7999.html Calamian Group of Islands Culion Busuanga CoronMarch 22 28 2005Palawan The Philippines' Last Frontier The island province of Palawan has been declared as a nature sanctuary of the world and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests outstanding dive sites majestic mountains primeval caves and pristine beaches. It is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Palawan/blog-6120.html