The Two Week Aussie Getaway

I'm supposed to continue writing about the details of the Batanes trips early this year. Yes, a more accounted write up of what happened in the 5 days that I stayed up north, but I decided to skip that and write an overview of the sort of "unplanned" Aussie trip last July.

While it is true that I didn't foresee another trip to Australia this year, I still had the nerve to prepare an itinerary. Besides, making the itinerary is one of my favourite past times! I was supposed to travel with my cousin, and that was the big ticket entry why I really had planned the trip.

Due to some delays, I had to go ahead and do the trip on my own. It was a shame that my cousin wasn't able to travel with me, but well, things happen and there is still another chance for us to travel, so don't worry!

I have planned this trip to cover other areas and states outside of New South Wales. I have been to Sydney a number of times and although I admit I won't get tired of it, I think it's my chance to try other places outside Sydney.

My itinerary includes a quick stop in Brisbane, then a week in Sydney, a day in Canberra, a weekend in Central Coast, two days in Melbourne and then back to Sydney. It was so exciting. I want to do something like this again. There were only a few days I thought about work, but most of the time as I was on the road, I didn't have chance to check emails and worry about stress from work. It was a nice breather for me.

Story Bridge at night

Australian War Memorial

Parliament House

The 12 Apostles - Great Ocean Road

Friends I met during the Great Ocean Road Tour

Hyatt Hotel and Louis Vuitton in Melbourne

Flinders St. Station

Snowboarding at Mt Buller

Art and graffiti in Newcastle

Pelicans and The Entrance

La Perouse

Fish and salad lunch near La Perouse

Anyhow, I will start listing the basic expenses for this trip. The thing that took up bulk of my expenses is the airline tickets Manila to Sydney and back. I stayed with relatives and friends for the most part of the trip so it was such a big help on my pocket.

The tours and transpo also took a bit of my budget. The bus to Canberra, the flights between Brisbane and Melbourne. I'll let you know about it. It does help that I also got to avail of the cheaper tour in the Great Ocean Road and Mt.Buller tour from the Metro Deal voucher! Got this tip from a CS friend - Kcia!

The trips wasn't just about going around places, I've been so happy to meet all my relative, friends, acquaintances, new friends and even my work mates. It was such a memorable time that it wasn't easy for me to move on from the hang over of this trip! The travel bug keeps on bugging me...

First Camping Trip of 2013: Pagbilao, Quezon

You know what I miss when it's weekend like this?  It's the camping trips I've done with a group of CS friends. I've been on a camping at Anawangin and Nagsasa. Both are really unforgettable and fun.

Last camping with CS is at Pagbilao, Quezon's Puting Buhangin which was another fun weekend.

Unfortunately, I think I already lost track of the expenses for this trip. But I remember since it was organised by CS, we just had to pay for our share in the transportation and food. I think it must be around 2000 pesos.

My friend Abby has her tent, which we shared for the night.

The boat on the way to the beach

We flew lanterns in the evening...lovely sight

The beach in the morning

Camping buddies - Abby and Drei

Photo before we put down the tent

Going to Puting Buhangin we took a bus, a tricycle and then a boat. Sorry I will try to include the cost next time! haha

So if you fancy a quick trip outside the busy city, head to this beach and camp with your friends!!!

Cebu: 2012's Year-End Trip

I have to thank the bed weather today. I finally got the impulse to start writing again here in my humble blog. 

Looking at my last post, I can't believe it was as far back as May when I last wrote something! I feel really lazy these days, swamped with work the past few months so I'm just happy I have weekends to savour and do stuff like writing.

There's a lot that has been going since my last post. I went to a 2 week trip to Aussie last July and by far it was one of the most wonderful trip this year. There are few more trips remaining for the year. Anyhow, I'll post more about those in my succeeding blogs. But for this time, I have to go ahead and continue with some backlogs.

Last December of 2012, I was gladly been invited to my classmate's wedding in Cebu. I know, we have to fly all the way to Visayas. Well, I took it as another way for me to travel and probably enjoy other sites I haven't been to in Cebu. It will only be my second time in Cebu, and the first time I went there was when we had a quick stop for our Dumaguete-Siquijor trip. So there were still some sites I haven't explored yet.

I booked my flight care of my Mabuhay Miles. So I only had to pay for the taxes. I think the total only went down to 900 pesos for that round trip flight. I was booked into the Business Class seat since there isn't any seats left on the economy. I flew via Philippine Airlines (not the AirPhil express) and there isn't really that much on the Business Class actually.

Personal On-seat TV/Monitor

Thank you Mabuhay Miles!

My in-flight snacks

I stayed in Tunes Hotel with my other classmates in UST. The wedding happens the next day.

2 Bedroom Accommodation

Tune Hotel just a walk from Ayala Center

It was quite a nice and clean hotel. It looks to be new and just got the basics. The twin room for 2 persons almost cost us 3000 pesos, with aircon and toiletries. You actually have to pay for the aircon and toiletries separate from the room accommodation.

It was a short walk from Ayala Center Mall so it was very convenient for us if we need to eat or buy any thing we need.

If I remember, I arrived in Cebu in the afternoon. I came with my aunt and cousin who are both staying at our relative in Cebu.

The following day was the wedding.

The wedding was held at the St. Joseph shrine and the reception at Crimson Hotel in Mactan.

That's me looking classy...:P

Crimson Hotel's Infinity Pool

The Beach just across the venue of the reception

Crimson Hotel was really nice and the beach looks refreshing. There was an infinity pool and by the looks of it the place seems expensive. Maybe one day I'll be back and try to stay there.

The day after the wedding, I was supposed to fly back to Manila but my aunt insisted I extend my stay so I get to attend my Lolo's 92th birthday. So I did. Without a blink of an eye, I bought another flight leaving on the day before new year!

I had a great time with my extended stay. Aside from meeting our relatives in Cebu, I finally got the chance to visit other places. 

We went up the top of Crown Regency. Dropped by the TOPS, it was one of the stops in the Amazing Race Philippines. We also went to Plantation Bay Mactan and Fort San Pedro.

Magellan's Cross

I want the Dora balloon haha

 

Edge Coaster at Crown Regency

Getting a view of Cebu City from the top of Crown Regency

Nice and quaint bar in TOPS

Cebu is almost like Manila. Very commercialized too.

Anyhow, I consider this trip a great year-ender for my 2012. I would probably go back again to Cebu to see Oslob for the whale sharks unless I get to see them already in Donsol. Yes, it's on my bucketlist too.