Wandering Through 2012

Wandering Through 2012

Don't Worry, Be Happy

If you only think of things that you haven't got
You could have it all and still never have enough
So don't worry (don't worry), be happy (be happy)

And if you're trying to make a move
But you're stuck in mud, under water
And you don't know which way's up
Yeah, don't worry (don't worry), be happy (be happy)

Now if you think you've heard those first two paragraphs then you've just caught me. I just ripped off the two paragraph chorus of Guy Sebastian's single "Don't Worry, Be Happy", heck, his album is even called Armageddon. I'm always amazed by Guy Sebastian's vocal calisthenics, he sings like the end of the world. Just perfect for what 2012 has been on for me and much of everyone else, rumors, jingles and all that end of the world cults may have sank its fangs unto me unconsciously like tomorrow is going to be the end. 

Like a jack rabbit, I happily sharpened my skills for backpacking all through those 12 months, rather random and some spur of the moments. Never complaining about the long road, the faulty and musty fan rooms, the midnight rush to the bus station, my total lack of sleep jumping off from a night shift work unto the road, planning trips for friends who would cancel on the last minute, the early morning walks to capture that picturesque sunrise only to be greeted by rain, I shrugged it all off. I'm on the road, yeah, don't worry, be happy.

Instead of presenting you with collages from all those photography exploits, let me show you instead the photos that I've proudly captured. They all correspond to the months I labelled them to, guess it right. The  the very same months that they had been taken.

JANUARY

The most memorable photo I captured in a photowalk with members of Sykes Photo Club, it was with an early grey cast Sunday morning along SM Mall Of Asia baywalk area. A mother, protectively guarding her daughter from falling over the edge of the baywalk ledge, it's chest high for most adults, so imagine how high it would be for this little girl. What endeared me to this photo is the fact that the little girl is trying to get away and walk off on her own, she even looked up at me with that defiant eyes. 

Don't get me wrong, a photowalk in SM MOA is hardly a trip you'd consider to write a travel post, but my January has been filled to brim, I went on a trip to Puerto Galera for the nth time. Captured photos of the rainy Sunrise and beautiful sunsets, even captured photos of fire dancers in action, hey, something I'm proud of as it landed me the first place for Asian Traveler Magazine's photo contest. I was drunk then for the most part, but if you travel with friends, its easy to get lost in the stupor.

January as it is for me, is saved for short trips so I could save for the next month, which is my favorite month to go on long hauls.

FEBRUARY

The name Coron, Palawan would always bring looks of wonder or amazed eyes to those who wish to step on its shores or had a memory of being in this paradise. Coron is a tropical paradise, through and through and if I could find a better adjective, I'd use it here. This featured photo is taken at the peak of Mt Tapyas at the back of its iconic cross. I chose to circle the site since most travelers with heavy and bulking camera are gathering on its frontal facade, and here with the darkening sky closing in. To climb the 700 plus of concrete steps was a little effort to me, what's the use of hours I spent on gym and running around. It wasn't the climb, but the unmistakable beauty of Coron, Palawan that took my breath away. I like to wander around, but when presented with a breathtaking landscape, like the sound of silence calling, the world go still.

On this month, I also got to be invited with a media pass to International Pyromusical Contest, in none other than the balcony view while everyone else is busy with the bits of space available to watch the night sky.

MARCH

It's always at this time of year that I pack my back pack and head home to where my family is. I don't always go home on Christmas breaks, I find it too short or too busy. Just as well, I can enjoy all the this time with my siblings and friends that I left home. What's more fun is to take on trips or Do-It-Yourself heritage tours with your siblings. As you can see, they aren't camera shy, I have beautiful and good looking siblings you, got it from our Dad, and our nice beautiful Pinoy skin from our Mom who was once a Barrio lass.

But alas! Going home is not always my cup of tea. Though my stay is longer, and my airline tickets are cheap I only take this trip for this month simply because I tend to spend too much when at home. You'd always want to make your family happy, being the Kuya and first born son, I'm happy to oblige even if it would scrunch up my savings.

APRIL

The best things in life are for free, and when you get mauled in a hot summer day spent in Splash Island and lucky to be standing  in front of these dancing Babes. Pretty Pretty please! Oh I got lucky today. My sojourn home is not over, apparently. As I get to fetch my two younger siblings brought over by my Aunt for their summer vacation, just in time for our company Summer Outing in Splash Island, all expense covered with even the transport and my two hard headed younger bros.

My little brothers, they left me the sooner that they got past the entrance and the little Air-conditioned Hut to house our belongings, all with the dried fishes and fresh giant Bangus (Milkfish) for my pasalubong. I spent the afternoon in Splash Island, getting lost while looking for them and getting dizzy with all the slides and the beers I drank. Summer of 2012 was indeed hot.

MAY

The wet and dry season in this country was to the extremes in 2012. I've planned well ahead of time, promising that I'd visit the highlands in the midst of all the scorching heat Manila can deliver. This dreamy landscape on the Hills of Kiltepan Viewpoint  in Sagada was the price I paid by waking early after taking a Six Hours Cave Connection Spelunking adventure. I got paid well, and paid good, plus the bone munching cold weather was a good respite. Preferring for myself, a numbing cold than scorching heat. I've planned this trip by myself, brought some friends to share and enjoy. It was a 2nd time for me though, so everything felt like nostalgia overload except the body and locomotion disruptive Spelunking.

JUNE

This month brought about one of my most anticipated trip, though again its the 2nd time to visit. I decided to make it more meaningful by backpacking and by adding a few joints like this visit to Twin Beach of Nacpan and Calitang (referring to the photo above). I've saved up for this trip, knowing that the first package trip to El Nido left my savings ailing and me working overtime to make up for it. It had been great, with many things that happened, feeling the same elation of being in this group of islands, the white sands, the karst rock spires. 

This time I went hunting for the local carinderia's, paying a visit to the local bakery for my early morning coffee and pandesal, my Php 500.00 fan room accommodation, and the discounts I have in island hopping just because I'm a travel blogger. I went DIY with everything from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, and it turned out I brought home more out of the trip and I normally could. I'm still not finished processing some photos as I can't decide which one is better, I need to print some soon if these photos were to be useful to me.

JULY

This month brought the first death in my family. I lost a great uncle, little did I know it would be the first, the next one would be someone closer to my heart. I literally had no trips done this month, except going down South to Tanauan, Batangas for the interment of my uncle. This photo above was a solo sojourn I did in Tanauan's tributary. I had long since wanted to wander through its spring waters, doing this solo nature trek was refreshing and altogether a great soul searching experience.

AUGUST

August had seen me backpacking the country's Queen city of the South. Going to Cebu City, the long road hauls to Bantayan Island, then to Malapascua Island and back again to Cebu with a DIY City Tour. 

It felt good, especially that I traveled with a hot chick around, I taught a friend of the perks of back packing. The biking through Bantayan Island, late night beer drinking in Malapascua while enjoying the full moon lying face up on its white sand beach, or that the Basilica De Sto Nino had been a great place for photowalk. I came from a different Visayan City, but Cebu would now be extra special to me.

SEPTEMBER

Another trip to Batangas, this time on a different route. I am always fascinated with how diverse and big is this province just down south of Manila. Rich in culture and Heritage, it also has its own offerings of the best beach locations. Considering the long road trip to San Juan, Batangas, one would think twice about bringing in a group of people to Laiya for a team building. Luckily, my friend who was their team manager is one that doesn't think twice is he knows it's possible. All I have to do is invite myself with the pretense of being the tour photographer. 

The rain, the long road trip, my lack of sleep, it was all paid off. This sunrise shot photo made it all worth it, and of course it always worth to travel with people who have eager hearts to embark on an adventure.

OCTOBER

Another back packing and DIY trip. By this time, I've already exhausted all of my work leaves, but it didn't stop me even if I have to go leave-without-pay. My travel buddy was the one who planned this trip out, although I have been putting the province of Aurora in my bucket list for quite some time now. To conquer and experience surfing in Baler, it was all worth it even though I have to leave Manila in the middle of the night. This Baler surfing and DIY Aurora tour is a must do, with the number of pending blog post, I have yet to tell you what made Aurora all worth the visit in October's midst.

NOVEMBER

By this time, I have become so used to back packing and DIY trip that I can't imagine going on to a package one. This is no exception, even if November was the month that I always go to a grander place. The province of Pangasinan made sense and is a perfect spot for me. Though I have to say that I am starting to get more raised eyebrows in the office. I just got off a trip almost two weeks ago on Luzon's eastern seaboard, now I'm off to its western counter part. Most can't really complain, I'd still go even if it would cost me my job, I'd be happier on the road. Besides its my birthday month, and the Armageddon end of the world thing is approaching.

This has been an amazing trip, I spent some time in Alaminos, Pangasinan snorkeling and island hopping in Hundred Islands before going off to Bolinao, Pangasinan to spend some time in Patar Beach. It was the first week of the month, my travel buddy and I planned it that we would be arriving at Bolinao once the long weekend is over. Good choice as we have the Patar Beach all to ourselves, swimming through relaxing caves, jumping through Bolinao Falls, the scenic Lighthouses and rock formations, there is a lot that I have yet to share about Pangasinan.

DECEMBER

December is always the month were last minute and spur of the moments trip are made. While I'm busy with the parties, drinking sessions, family gatherings my work load is also doubled. It would be very unlucky if the holidays would fall on weekdays because then I had to give up and work on either on Christmas or New Year's eve. But what's with keeping a positive outlook and resting with every opportunity I can. I get to squeeze going back to Liw-Liwa, San Felipe, Zambales for a sought after weekend surfing trip. Honing my skills on the board, and thought of something clever for a finale trip this, but I was mistaken. 

On the last weekend for the year 2012, who would have thought I'd follow the heels of some of the bubbliest travels bloggers I have met on a day trip to the Heritage Town of Taal, Batangas. It had been a great photowalk, one that would definitely get me in throes the time I have to spend processing the hundreds of photos I've brought home. Maybe I should have just stuck on to sharpening the Balisung Knife I've brought. Sometimes I question why I insist of travel blogging when there is a lot of things that I can do on my free time, I just have to imagine its the end of the world, and what am I but a speck, leaving crumbs of trail for my life's adventure. 

Unfortunately for most of you guys, you'll find me writing more, sharing more, enticing you to get off and get on the road. There is no great start to travel, only people that's thinking twice like they have the time of the world. Well wake up, the world has ended, and I just came back to share this. Look up, 2013 is here, don't worry, be happy.

Now if you're curious about the song I plugged in, you can listen to this. I can't share the MTV version. If you can buy the album, the version there is much better. Great lyrics, and fits me as to how I find motivation to go on and not worry about anything else.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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El Nido | Beach Bumming In Calitang Beach

EL NIDO | Beach Bumming In Calitang

Beautiful and almost off beaten

Island Hopping in EL Nido, Palawan has been fun. Having 45 islands and countless white sand beaches that looked all too pristine. On our last day, me and my travel buddy chose to try an off beaten path. After all, it was a Sunday and the feast of St John The Baptist, everyone would be flocking in the beaches of El Nido. We visited instead, Calitang by renting a tricycle with the driver Kuya Kano acting as our guide. Php 800 was worth the deal bringing us back and fort, considering that we had to drive inland further northeast from El Nido town, to a secluded place. Calitang is home to a fishing village that lives near its White Sand Beaches, a long coast lined with scenic white beaches, coves, small islands, and hillside cliffs that provides a stunning view of the entire landscape. I was besieged with calmness, just by sitting in the sands. Stray dogs are even friendly, one sat beside me while I was lost in melancholy. Truly amazing, that the Azure waters are clear, the fine white sand beneath is stretch all the way without any floating debris. It's kind of hard to explain, but I think my photos would say it all in a glance and you would understand how I was awed by this place, why chasing beautiful beaches is my enduring passion.

Here I walk on the trails of the hills, gently fanned by the incoming waves of air in lush grass vegetation. The sounds of waves crashing in the rocks below is powerful and the cliff side is sheer steepness that only added to the adventure. It's easy to imagine that I could be anywhere in the world, yet I'm just here in my beloved country, in a beautiful place in Palawan, inspired to the core of my being. I think the hills are already part of Nacpan, I don't really know where Calitang ends and Nacpan covers, but the you can call the entire place Calitang, as they're divided by a sandbar.

There are no resorts abound. Only a small fishing village with friendly locals living in Sawali huts and small cottages. We didn't want to draw much attention to ourselves, but we had to walk through the center of the village so we could get beyond to where the hills stood proud and steep.

The beach for today was calm and inviting.

Heaven has no price for a child's innocence. With curious glances, and feeling that awkwardness that I was carrying an expensive camera, the adults avoided us much to my relief, but the children are a different story. They approach me with that territorial defiance only a child can muster, I was confronted with curious eyes as I left my footprints in the sands of their village. It was a good thing that our guide, Kano was once a resident here. Everyone greeted him while tagging us along.

Our guide was recommended by a fellow travel blogger who had been here Kurapeng of Tara! Usap Tau, Kuya Kano was off duty since it's Sunday. But he took us for the ride, he's 21 year old bachelor living in El Nido, his tricycle was his source of income. Calitang can be accessible by either land or sea, but knowing that this place is not included on any island hopping tours in El Nido, the best option is by land.

The ride took almost an hour, where half of the way is a dirt road. To take the trip is to leave comforts behind and dive into the provincial setting. It's a beautiful road though very dusty, with houses spaced far  apart, if you live here, expect to know your neighbor to be half a kilometers away.

Stray dogs abound too. But no worry because most are very friendly. I didn't see any rabid looking dog in the area. This one came to sniff me out when I decided to sit down and bury my feet in the sand, I didn't know that the dog actually sat beside me like I was a comrade and part of his pack. We've become like buddies enjoying the view of the Calitang Beach.

Here's the sand bar that links the hills to the Calitang village, and the Calitang beach to Nacpan Beach. Nice to walk in between beaches, the other is a white sand wonder, while he other side is a cove for locals to anchor fishing boats. 

Here we stayed for a good 2 hours, trekking under the sun and swimming in the beach, one way tricycle ride is about an hour. Leaving early from El Nido town by 7 AM, we were back to El Nido by 11 AM ready for a lunch, a short stroll in El Nido town and off to catch our Roro bus ride from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Visiting Calitang Beach can be part of the El Nido inland tour, but as is, most tourist would be content to just taking Island Hopping in El Nido alone, they're of course rewarding as they come. For a short visit, it had been exhilarating partly because I get to do what most travelers in El Nido are missing.

Now if you have plans to visit El Nido, Palawan soon, then maybe you can squeeze this half day trip to Calitang, you can contact Kuya Kano, he's only 21 years old, but I still call him Kuya. Php 800.00 for a back and fort trip with his humble tricycle, he's probably the cheapest option and to boot that he grew up in Calitang as a boy, he knows this place by heart unlike any other tricycle driver in El Nido town. Kuya Kano 0999-729-650

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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Pala-lagaw reserves the right for any watermarked pictures posted

No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.

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