Bohol - Lovelier the Second Time Around

I am the kind of traveler who doesn’t return to the same destination (not job related). Exploring the place once is enough for me. But I never thought that a same destination would be different if it’s explored with different people. It gives you different feeling, taste, and perspective.

The first time I visited Bohol was last November 2016 with a then-special person. I was in awe of its beauty and the generosity of the locals. I still felt the same thing when I revisited in November 2017, but this time with my family.

I asked my father where he wants to have a weekend getaway, Bohol or Cebu. My parents have been to Cebu before, so they opted for Bohol. Since it was not my little sister’s school break, we just stayed in the island province from November 10-12. It may be a quickie, but I kid you not, we saw almost everything! We even got to see Jardin Necitas which is 2-3 hour drive from Panglao.

Here are the tourist attractions we stopped by:

1.) Bohol Bee Farm

2.) Hinagdanan Cave

3.) Nova Shell Museum

4.) Alona Beach

5.) Blood Compact Shrine Bohol

6.) Loboc Church

7.) Danao Adventure Park

8.) Loboc Bohol Floating Restaurant

9.) Bamboo Hanging Bridge

10.) Man-made Forest

11.) Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

12.) Chocolate Hills

13.) Jardin Necitas

Bohol is a historical site, white sand beach, wondrous landscape, adventure-filled terrain/sea... rolled into one. 

Life Lately

It’s been a while! I’ve been so, so busy lately, with career and life itself. But amid the jam-packed schedule, there were new experiences, lessons, and discoveries gained.

My last previous blogposts contain my scuffle with adulthood, where I couldn’t find myself. I didn’t believe in quarter life crisis at first. I was too judgy to think people claiming they’re going through such are just being excessively dramatic... until I hit a low point in life. I thought it was just another post-heartbreak depression, but it felt different... terribly different. Like what I said before, I came to a point where I questioned my purpose already. But with God’s guidance, friends and family’s support, I was able to overcome it. I realized that as we live this life, we continue to look and find for ourselves. This helps us evolve into someone better.

There were activities and events I pursued. Well, I really made myself busy to avoid crisis confinement. I diverted my focus into my passion. I tried to become active on TFC again. When I do not have flights on weekends, I do hosting jobs. This passion gives me joyous feeling. I thank my colleagues-turned-family as they always welcome me despite my inconsistency.

Remember when I said I don’t get excited with traveling anymore? I had my first visit in Munich last March. It was my first time to see snow falling. I saw a snow when I had my days off in Lake Tahoe, California. But seeing snowflakes fall down your hair is just crazy. I felt so giddy to see the whole street turns into white. The layover lasted for 52 hours, so we were able to travel to Salzburg, Austria on the second day. Yes, it felt refreshing to see new cities. But I must say that at the end of the day, I still prefer India and Bangladesh flights/layovers, as we consider these as relaxed journey.

After 3 months of having the OFW hunch, I went home to see my family and super friends and to be the maid of honor of Vuenavir on her wedding Day. April 14 is such a memorable day for all of us as our circle became complete after 7 long years. Rhian came home from Canada and Jeric from Japan. We all waited for this day to come, to be together and to witness our friend get hitched to the love of her life after all the struggles.

My big sister, brother-in-law, and 2 nephews had their vacay, too, from April 13 to May 11. Here’s what broke my heart. We were supposed to have a family vacation in Malaysia from May 4 until 7. Everything was all booked; ticket with travel tax and hotels. The night before our flight, my father prepared all our documents. He then noticed that my little sister’s passport was already expired last December. Oh dear! Please understand that my parents are busy and ageing, hence the derilict passport. I experienced as sudden feelings of being cold. I told my mom and dad to push through the trip with my big sister and her family. I would just stay home with Irah, since I’ve been to Malaysia several times already. But the parents refused. They would not enjoy the trip without us two, they said. I was heavy hearted. We had been planning this out of the country trip for a long time, as the last one was back in 2013. I had been expecting a family picture taken in front of Petronas Twin Tower. All the excitement and expectation vanished. Nonetheless, we didn’t ruin summer. We did various activities, like swimming, dining out, etc.

As I am composing this, I am currently in the plane going back to Riyadh. My vacation is not over yet, but I will get into the second part of it. This time, it’s a spring escapade in Cali with the man who’s giving me butterflies and rainbows.

Fight in this Plight

For the past few months, I've been spending most of my rest days in bed- curling up while musing on my life... MY ENTIRE LIFE. I do not want to sound like I don't feel content with my life. I know a lot of people wish that they had what I have now (flying and traveling). But this body of mine is designed to be mortal. I have these muscles that can get weak. I have these nerves that might become overloaded. I have a heart that pumps and sometimes aches. I have this brain that has a tendency to get weary.

I wrote about this ordeal last month: "Lost and Empty". There came a point where I did not know what I want in my life and what I want to do. Do not get me wrong, please. I am thankful for the people and things in my life. So, I really do not know where I've come from and where these things have come from. Maybe, it's just that I am human and cannot always unleash the warrior in me.

I've been flying for 3 years now and each year has a different approach. My first year was all about new destinations, selfies, and OOTDs. Second year was a phase of building rapport with colleagues and determining who could be my family in this aviation world. My third year of flying was the same year when quarter-life crisis struck me. I must admit that a heartache was a big factor in this decisive period. But of course, this adulthood has something to do with it. I had a moment when I was sitting on my jump seat and wondering how long I will be in this line of work. I stopped feeling excited with new destinations and planning for my outfit. I became demotivated to the extent that I questioned my purpose already.

I thought of going back to corporate world. Perhaps, redevelop my passion for hosting/blogging. Becoming a housewife and a mother of 2 even crossed my mind, which is a silly, insane idea. These thoughts and feelings were like whirlwind inside my head.

But a few weeks back, I received two recognitions.

First award was from my Alma Mater, Centro Escolar University. I was recognized for embracing and practicing our core principles of "Ciencia y Virtud" (Science & Virtue). I tried to pull strings to be at the awarding in Manila on January 27, but did not make it due to flight schedule. However, my schoolmates sent me some photos during the event. I will soon visit our campus to see my professors and get the award. Yay!

On February 12, I received excellence award from my airline. I am one of the best cabin attendants of year 2017 in Riyadh base.

Despite the vacuity, I have always known that I am not alone in this plight. I have these people who truly believe in and appreciate me. These awards helped me redeem myself one way or another. It’s like a pat on my back, reminding me that I am valued and that many people still need my service. It motivated me.

Honestly, I'm still figuring out this life path. I may be lost and empty now, but there are some visible lights along the way that give me hope... that one day I will be able to define myself and be on top again.

Lost and Empty

How would you feel and what would you do if half of your heart and three-quarter of your soul were taken away from you? You get lost and try to find yourself. You feel empty and try to fill it up.

I released my clasp on my whole self. It was not even in a gradual manner. It was abrupt that one day, I don’t know myself anymore. I suddenly saw life in a different way. I wanted to live life in another way.

The moment this heart was cut in half and only 1/4 of my soul was left in my body, I have become outrageous. I’ve taken advantage of the freedom I obtained. I explored. I tried new things. I met new people. I went to the other side of the world. I crossed the line. It made me ecstatic... Very ecstatic! But for a short time. I thought it was the thing that I’ve been looking for. I was wrong.

I felt like I went into the woods, seeking myself or maybe just out of nothing. I got tired then opted to go home, but could’t find the way out. I felt like I jumped out of the aircraft at 20,000 ft. I could see the whole world, but did not know where to land.

I hate myself for feeling this way. I am on the right path, but I feel lost. I am loved by many, but I feel empty. I cannot detect traces of tranquility and certainty.

2018 has just come. Hopefully, I’ll be able to redeem myself. And don’t worry... I always ask God for His guidance. I know I’ll be fine...

Come-Again to Camiguin

Camiguin Island is not in my bucket list. But if there is a chance to see it, I would definitely go. I’ve been hearing good things about it and everything was true as I saw it with my own eyes on November 4-5, 2017.

Camiguin is a small island province, so one-day tour can take you around Camiguin’s must see sights. But of course, you can stay there for 3-4 days to maximize your time. 

My family and I spent a night in Cagayan de Oro. We woke up early to embark on the ferry en route to Camiguin. The trip lasted an hour and a half only. Before we got underway, a tour guide came to us and offered his service which was a fairly good price. A multi-cab took us to our accommodation to check-in, settle our things, and freshen up.

Like most of our family outing, this is adult-friendly because my parents are no millenials. Haha! We just visited some of the tourist attractions. We did not wade hot springs and waterfalls, except my little sister, but we still enjoyed. Just gazing the green surroundings and breathing the fresh air alongside the uplifting weather made our stay pleasurable and worthwhile.

Here are the places we visited:

1.) Old Volcano & Stations of the Cross

2.) Sunken Cemetery

3.) Old Church Ruins

4.) Bura Soda Water Park

5.) Three sisters Mountain

6.) Tuasan Falls

7.) Sunset viewing at Mambajao

8.) White Island Sandbar

9.) Camiguin Sign

We went back to CDO the next day to meet my relatives who are now residing in Iligan City.

There are so much beautiful things to see in this Island. I would surely come back here! Oh! Don't forget to buy lanzones and pastel!