Traveling alone allows you to discover more about yourself.

I literally stopped here because I got lost and when I looked at the street signs haha in Thai

Danang, Vietnam: I was the only one walking. Felt really scared that time lol

2    It forces you to stop playing it too safe.

     Solo traveling will take you to places you’ve never been.

4    You meet people from all walks of life.

Lovely people I met in Saigon

A paradise. That is what perfectly describes Palawan. It is without a doubt a perfect destination for the holidays. Whether you are traveling alone, with family or with your significant other, the place has a lot to offer. Although Palawan is known to have the best beaches with pristine waters set in a beautiful and natural backdrop, there are several things that you can do.




1. Enjoy the beach.
Now that you are in paradise, you are definitely here to enjoy the beach. Palawan has pristine waters and looking at the views, it is just simply amazing. The waters can be quite rough and deep. Go out in the sun and dip in the waters.


     

2. See the Puerto Princesa River
Your Palawan trip is not complete if you haven’t seen the majestic views and a UN heritage site, the Puerto Princesa Underground River. With the overwhelming volume of visitors both locals and foreigners who visit the tourist spot, it helps that you book your trip a few weeks early. You have two choices either you do it on your own which will require you to personally apply for the permits or you can avail a tour package.





If you do not want to experience having to fall in line and all the hassle of applying for a permit and making it to the tourist cut-off, there are lots of travel agencies offering Puerto Princesa Underground River tour package. Hotels offer packages too but they can be quite expensive so you might as well find a reliable travel agency.




3. Hike the jungle trail.
Palawan is abundant in flora and fauna. Its rich forest that surrounds the pristine beaches is one area many tourists want to visit. There is actually a hiking trail that will lead you all the way to the entrance of the underground river. But just be prepared.
The whole trail spans 8 km which means that you need to hike 16 kms in total. Make sure that you bring with you water, towel and skin repellant. Unfortunately, it was raining hard when I went there so it was really difficult to continue.




4. Try the mangrove paddle tour.
As you walk into the trail, you will pass by the copious green mangroves. Experience a nice boat riding through the mangrove paddle tour. It spans about less than a km which allows you to see the stunning views and be enchanted as the boatman paddles the boat.

Have courage and reach for the moon.

Fly me to the moon, not too near, not too soon.
Take me to that place I am to see, the person I want.
I'll be patiently sitting in front of the window
Before the airy nights filled my room and suddenly go.

Fly me to the moon,let me see and touch the stars.
Fill my nights with inner peace and silence the wars
Of endless battles that rummage in my head, of futile thoughts
That I finally want to end before I go to bed.

Fly me to the moon, let me see its shining light
Even just from my windows, let me have the night.
Let me conquer the dark, win over the days and fears
So that I may finally have the very best of my years.

Sheridan Hotel 2016

Sheridan Hotel at night

Palawan has always been one of the must-see destinations in the country. For a comfortable and enjoyable stay, you would only want to find the best accommodation, right?

Dark clouds covered the place but still looks beautiful

It was a nice experience staying at Sheridan Hotel albeit the bad weather. There was a typhoon at that time so it was raining cats and dogs. But there are still a lot of things to enjoy in the rain. After all, the views are just as amazing even when it's raining.

Since I always need to check emails, one of my major considerations is the wifi connection. The good thing is that the wifi in the hotel is pretty much acceptable, not too fast not too slow. There are times where there is strong signal and fast connection. But there are also times, it is too slow.

The amazing pool

The room is wide and cozy with comfy and the bed is big. Staying at the pool side, it gives an amazing view in the morning and at night. Sheridan also offers free complementary water, coffee and tea.

The hotel is well-lighted.

The hotel's architectural thematic is really amazing especially at night. Although I have been to some really great hotels, it is always nice to see beach resorts and hotels like Sheridan that is clean and well-maintained.

The staff are also very nice and accommodating.

Here are just some of the photos of Sheridan.

Hotel Lobby

Bed for the night

Philippine's halo halo in a coconut shell

Room by the pool

Yours truly :)

"Have courage and be kind. For where there is kindness there is goodness. And Where there is goodness, there is magic."

Glass slippers. The Ball. That enchanting and magical night til 12 midnight. These are the simple details that we always associate and remember with Cinderella. And after watching the remake of the movie produced by Disney, I realize that fairy tales that kids really love and girls often dream of having convey and teach us profound lessons about life and love. That in any of these stories, we find the very basic, the very core and the very heart of human values that many often discard.


Have courage.



Everyone of us has our own fears. From the petty to whimsical ones to deepest fears that restrain and cripple our happiness and being,it is never easy to muster courage. For in this world full of guaranteed uncertainties, failures and disappointments, we fall short of having that courage. We fail to realize that by embracing fear, we embrace failure and by holding on to fear, we hold on to none. 

Fortune favors the bold says Virgil and I couldn't agree more. Fear will never take you anywhere. Be bold. Be strong. Have that inner courage to go for what you want for only when you finally let go of your fears, you see  your real self and it is only when you are true to who you are can you forge your own path.



Be kind.

Whenever I go in the slum areas and the most remote places, what i always find fascinating is how people show kindness and compassion even if they are already poor whereas I've known some highly affluent people who simply don't care and don't bother. The world they say is a cruel place to live in and that is a cold and hard fact that we all know. Yet, mere showing a simple gesture of kindness, love and compassion means a lot.

Take time to be kind to others. Be appreciative.  When you show kindness, you also give love. comfort and a part of yourself that blesses and invigorates even the waning soul.




Believe in magic.

Only those who believe in the power of magic can see it done. Magic is not cliche or an abstract illusion that was taught to us from the  beginning. It is that kind of magic that believing that no matter what happens and despite the odds, something good is going to happen and you will reach the place where you have always wanted to be. It is only when you believe in magic that you get to have the power to create it and eventually, witness it with your very own eyes. 

This is the real magic, the kind of magic we ourselves create. 

I cant believe I haven't written any post for this year so I am taking the time to draft my first blog entry for the year 2015.




The previous year was good to me. Despite the challenges and emotional setbacks, I was able to learn a lot of things. From the challenges in my career to the matters of the heart, there are still so many things to be grateful for like...

Find life and live with a purpose.

Living is easy but living your life with purpose, meaning and significance is another thing. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in our daily routine, forgetting what really matters in life and that is finding your purpose, being a blessing to others and be that kind of person who can share and at the same time receive warmth and joy.

Never forget who you are.

In this world where everyone tries to walk where the crowd goes, you should never be afraid to forge your own path, to have your own identity. Never forget who you are. In our quest for happiness, love, glory and even in the pursuit of life itself, many would try to change us and mold us into someone we  are not. of course, it is never a bad thing to always aspire and change for the better. But forgetting who you are, what you are really made of and the dreams you set for yourself are all different things.

The right love happens under the right circumstances.

One friend of mine told me that there will come a time in your life where you meet the right person at the wrong time. My response to her is that if the person is indeed the right one he will reveal himself at the right time and under the right circumstances. Sincere and genuine love does not have to be so difficult. It is just a matter of finding the right fit, someone who is ready, open and willing to give and accept the kind of love you can give.

Be happy and stay positive.

There will be a lot of days in your life when you want to rant, cry, shout and be an all time negative vibe absorber. Yet, even in the worst days there arise new opportunities to grow and to learn. Keep the positive vibes flowing and remember that you are the sole responsible for you own happiness. The rest are just there to complement your happiness.  Give love and be ready to receive it too. 

The other day, my friends and I went to visit our friend who recently entered the motherhood phase. It was scary to hold a baby but it's an inspiration for a poem. :)

Freedom is mine...You know how i feel..