Coron Photo Diary: Kayangan Lake


Hello there!

#1 of Coron Photo Diary was for Siete Picados (read it here). This is #2 of my Coron Photo Diary, and today, I'm writing about my paradise dreams coming true at Kayangan Lake. You ever have the weird feeling when you go somewhere you never thought you'd ever see in real life? This was it for me.

When my family and I were planning Coron, the one thing I requested was to go to Kayangan Lake. I saw it all over Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so it was only right that it was on our itinerary.

Kayangan Lake is just as beautiful as you see it online. The boat ride to the lake itself is gorgeous. I saw the water change from deep blue to turquoise. When the boat docked, my excitement increased ten folds and I couldn't wait to get off. Once you see the "Welcome to Kayangan Lake" sign, the adrenaline kicks in and you just want to run up the steps to see the lake itself. But you have to wait because you have to walk through a set of stairs to get there. 150 steps up. 150 steps down.


Halfway through, you'll see the signs to point you to the infamous observation deck or if you'd like, you can continue straight to the lake. If you don't take the photo at the view deck, did you really go? Of course, we waited in line and took photos. HA!
Once we finally made our way down the other set of 150 steps, we entered the actual dock of the Kayangan Lake. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. Stunning. Breathtaking. You get so overwhelmed by the true beauty of it all, you really have to just stop and take a look around. (If you ever find your way there, STOP AND TAKE IT ALL IN). Whether or not you believe in anything, things of such beauty astounds me at what the world holds. In my case, it always humbles me to see items listed on my bucket list in real life. The God I believe in paints such beautiful pictures for us to see so why not enjoy them while we can? And if I did believe in reincarnation, I was definitely a mermaid or a fish in another life. ha! There's something about swimming in water that calms me (or maybe it is because I grew up swimming most of my life). We weren't allowed to swim in the lake without life vests on, but our tour guide helped me take photos underwater without getting caught. Then, I got my family to do it too. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the photos just as much as we had fun taking them.






Thanks for reading my post! If you have visited Kayangan Lake, let me know how your experience was and share your photos with me. I'd love to hear about your experience.

“I address you all tonight for who you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers.” ― Brian Selznick

Coron Photo Diary: Siete Picados


Hello everyone!

Just last year, my family and I booked a last minute trip to the Philippines, after a long awaited 15 years return, only to say goodbye to my grandmother. After meeting the cousins I only ever spoke to on the phone, I made it a promise to come back as soon as possible. So when I had the opportunity to book a trip to the Philippines in November? I jumped at the chance of a lifetime… and then convinced my mother to come along with me.
This past weekend I was able to go island hopping at Coron. I have never been more humbled by the true beauty of mother-nature. I witnessed first-hand how gentle yet powerful the deep blue sea can be. I met Nemo and Dory, swam so deep into the ocean even I got scared on how deep she can be, and hovered over coral that were possibly dangerous. I watched as the ocean transformed into a sea of shining diamonds as we sailed through a motor boat. I visited places that were listed as “Top Destinations to Visit,” knowing that most people don’t even leave their hometown, while here I was crossing out items on my bucket list.

We stayed in a quaint little house that was built right on top of the ocean. It had a dock that extended further out which was decorated with a table, built in benches, and a hammock (which I used every single day). The dock had a ladder that went down to the ocean, so of course I put on my swimsuit and took photos on it before having breakfast the next morning.

With an itinerary full of activities, rented boat of our own, and our own personal tour guides- Saturday was an adventurous, jam-packed day. From snorkeling in Siete Picados, to eating at an all-white island, to floating around Twin Lagoon,  Coron is definitely a place to visit. I have never seen my mother (and her sisters) take on more confidence than being with me and their family this weekend. My mom and aunts (who can’t swim) went snorkeling in the ocean, my mom had the confidence to jump off the boat when it was on shore thinking it wasn’t that deep and fell right into the water, and they took off their life vest to take the cutest photos underwater. Shout out to my uncles, Tito Juhn and Tito Rod, for being great sports and enjoying in on the fun!

I'm going to admit that I had no intention of taking underwater photos because I didn't even have an underwater camera to begin with. However, my uncle and aunt let us borrow their camera for the weekend so we can take these photos (thanks Tito Eric and Tita Beng). So it only felt right for me to share it with everyone. For this photo diary, I'm showing photos from the first activity on our itinerary- Snorkeling at Siete Picados.  Here you go!















 

If you ever decide to go to Coron, I recommend adding snorkeling at Siete Picados as one of the activities on your to-do list. Snorkeling at Siete Picados was such a fun experience for me and my aunts. You get to see all the corals and swim with the fishes, but halfway through... you realize that where the corals end, you meet the deep blue sea- just as Nemo did when he went to touch the "butt."

"Everyone loves to fly, and flying underwater is even better than flying in air because there are things around you." - Graham Hawkes

had you on the open road and now we're singing

I'm back!
Six months later and here I am back with a travel post. The last six months have flown by and I can honestly say that this year has been going way too fast for my taste. I will admit that I haven't posted in a while for two reasons: one being I spend my days either working or sleeping, and two, because I don't go out as much. So basically, I've been a turtle (an employed turtle at least). I can't even remember the last time I sat down and wrote a blog post, and quite frankly, I've really missed going on adventures, taking pictures, and writing about them. This post is about a very spontaneous trip my friends and I went on, and I took so many photos I wanted to write about my day out in the desert.
As I mentioned, this trip was spontaneous. One random afternoon, one of my closest friends texted our group chat about the art installations in Coachella Valley. Who declines a road trip? So we grabbed our bags, gassed up the car, got hold of our cameras, and drove the open roads to the desert. What a day it turned out to be. We made a full day out of it and decided to hit up Joshua Tree, where I tried climbing rocks with sandals on (difficult and dangerous, don't recommend it at all). Then, my friends and I somehow ended up near Slab City to take the cutest photos during golden hour at a place called, Salvation Mountain. Mind you, it took us about two hours to drive from the north side of Joshua Trip to Salvation Mountain, but it was definitely worth it.
This adventure has inspired many more and this post is definitely a jumpstart to my blogging habits. I put my love for writing and photography on hold while I grew up a bit and got an actual adult job, but who says I can't do both? Well, here's to hoping... and trying. However, I do get the chance to start posting again. Summer solstice is in six days and if there's one thing I will continue to do here- it's my summer series. My summer is quite packed with adventures (as much as I can during the weekends when I'm not working, but still). I can't wait to start sharing them with you. (:
* The Mirage by Doug Atkins installation has been extended to stay open until October and I recommend going if you are even a wee bit curious as to how it looks. (33°50'59.6"N 116°33'57.5"W) 
"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharlal Nehru
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jawaharlal121014.html?src=t_adventure
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. Jawaharlal Nehru
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jawaharlal121014.html?src=t_adventure

2016, Unwrapped.



I can't believe 2016 is over and it's officially time for a new year. I'm currently trying to write this as I mend a cold because I really want to publish one last post before the year ends. 2016. This year has been wonderful.  Here's a list of some of my best times this year:

1. I flew back to the Philippines for the first time after 15 years.
     I will be the first to admit that I didn't plan on returning to the Philippines any time before 2016. However, as soon as my mom asked me if I wanted to go back, I couldn't say no. Although it wasn't for the happiest reasons, it's another memory I'm glad I can cherish and remember. Before February 2016, I had cousins I knew of but never met. I definitely don't regret the opportunity to meet them and spend time with them.

2. I went to New York for the first time and fell in love with the city.
   Anyone who knows me knows how much of a city girl I am and how long I've wanted to go to New York. So it came as no surprise when I texted my parents during class hours my flight itinerary and with the caption "I'm going to New York for spring break!" I remember being in class and somehow ended up going through different flights to New York then with no hesitation booked tickets to NY I liked.

3. I graduated from university!
    My four years in college are some of the best years of my life. I learned how to be responsible. I learned how to handle the consequences of my decisions and live with my decisions. I learned how to take care of me and take chances. I learned how to stand behind my beliefs. But above all, I learned the importance of education. I met some of my closest friends at CSULA and made some of my favorite memories on and off campus.

4. I went sky diving in celebration of my 22nd birthday.
    Sky diving is listed as #59 on my bucket list. The story behind me going sky diving is kind of funny- My brother's girlfriend at the time was speaking to my mom and my mom was telling her of a story of the time I tried jumping of our house's staircase cause I wanted to fly. After hearing the story again, it sparked the idea in me. I ended up researching skydiving places by LA, called a few, then picked my favorite. I will definitely be going again.

5. Spent a weekend on a cruise to Mexico.
    The first time I went on a cruise I was 15. Going on a cruise to Mexico at 22 with some of my friends is a lot different than going at 15. We spent the weekend having fun, enjoying the city, and being in the middle of the ocean.

6. I went to Hawaii for the first time and fell more in love with the ocean.
     In February, my brother asked me, "Want to go to Hawaii with me for my 21st birthday?" Who says no to Hawaii? I spent one of the best weeks of my life eating cups of shaved ice, getting sun burnt, and living out my inner islander self. I checked "Learn to surf" and "Drive a convertible" off my bucket list. I even missed a flight for the first time and swam in the ocean after years of avoiding the Pacific ocean.

7. I got my first full-time job.
    There came a point after graduating when I stopped applying for jobs cause I was tired of sending out my resume and writing cover letters for people who may have never read them. However, the job I have now, was definitely worth waiting for. I work with some of the most humble and caring people I have the pleasure of being around with on a daily basis.

8. My family took a spontaneous trip up to San Francisco in celebration of my mom's birthday.
   There are 5 members in my immediate family- dad, mom, me, and my two younger brothers. Have us all in the same room and we either get along really well, or we end up disagreeing/bickering/arguing. However, our spontaneous trip up north went really well. I'm pretty sure each of us were surprised of how much fun we had with just each others' company.

9. My family moved.
   Lastly, this year gave my family a new beginning. A new house- a new home. A new place to make memories. For years we lived around the same neighborhood and now we've moved the furthest away from the streets I used to call home. I'm no longer walking distance from my favorite coffee shop and can no longer take my favorite running route. However, I'm excited for what 2017 has in store for our new home in our new area.

This year allowed me to learn and grow. I traveled more than I ever thought I would in one year. I made new friends I'm great to call friends and grew closer to other friends. I allowed myself to be vulnerable. I allowed myself to be raw. I allowed myself to be real. And although it scares me more than anything to stay vulnerable, I allowed myself to feel- feel hurt but also feel and accept the love others give. I conquered some of my fears. I opened up myself to different opportunities and choices. I've learned so much more about love and loss this past year. I overcame so many challenges but accomplished more than I could ever imagine. Not only did I learn more about myself, but I learned how and who I am in chaos and during celebrations. I learned to cherish the good but also rejoice in the bad. I can't even express how grateful I am to my family for their support and love. As tradition, I've personally thanked individuals who've helped me along the year because without any of my family and friends, I wouldn't be as happy as I am alone. So here I am, saying thank you, to you. Thanks for reading my posts, answering my calls, and/or replying to my texts - whoever you are. I hope you take the time to reflect on how much you are blessed with this year because everything happens for a reason, and you never know... maybe next year will be your year to shine. After all, the best wave of your life is still out there.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend and I wish you all a year full of love, peace, and happiness for 2017!
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