Thursday, October 25, 2018

San Juanico Bridge

For me, another structure that symbolizes the strength of Yolanda victims is San Juanico bridge. Tested through time but still standing strong. It is known as the longest bridge in the country and some called it bridge of love of former president Ferdinand Marcos to his wife the former first lady Imelda Marcos who was known to be "The Rose of Tacloban". The bridge that connects Samar to Leyte. Enough of the history and facts about the bridge. I'm not a historian...hahaha! Just want to share this memorable experience I had. Stepping on the bridge and witnessing its beauty in my own eyes and not just on postcards or photos anymore. Yay! 








Miss Blue has finally stepped on San Juanico Bridge

Letter to My Old Self

I was cleaning my office table when I found a printed copy of my assignment in one of our training sessions. We were asked to write a letter to our young or old self. I didn't know why I came up with this funny letter, but sharing this anyway...


                         

Dear Foolish and Innocent Girl,

This is me, the present you. I just want to let you know that you're doing a good job, so far.

A part of me wanted to warn you to stop being foolish in love and wake you up from your fairy-tale dream about your hopeless love story.I am tempted to slap you with truth that there's no such thing, But then I realize that, that stupidity will eventually save you from a damaging relationship or worst premarital/teenage pregnancy that is prevalent in your time. Warning! Some of your closest friends will be victims but don’t worry you're safe!

Continue being true to yourself and to others. Never stop and don't be afraid in expressing yourself. You will meet a lot of friends and may loss some along the way, but those who will remain will serve as your powerful support system all throughout the different stages of your life. There will come a time that you will start to question your worth and the path you're in, but know that everything happens for a reason. Remember that your mistakes and failures will teach you lessons, your heartaches will make you tough and strong

There will also be part of your life that you will be overwhelmed by a lot of growing up stuffs, but please don't forget to slowdown, enjoy every victory and savour every success. Never get too busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Always give time to yourself and the people you love.



Love,
The Still Foolish you :)



Wednesday, July 18, 2018

The Cuartel, Oslob


Here's another instagramable place to visit or stop-by in Oslob is the Cuartel. Good for photo op and pre-nup.








There's also a Museum nearby, but I was not able to get any information. Sorry...


 The old church of Nuestra SeƱora dela Immaculada Concepcion is just beside Cuartel.



And this beautiful shed in-front of the church, where the photo for our wedding invitation was unintentionally taken.

Miss Blue the Thrifty Wanderer dropped-by the Cuartel in Oslob! 


BEGA Falls in Prosperidan, Agusan del Sur


So, I'm back in Agusan Del Sur; this has been my go-to place everytime I wanted to breathe some fresh air and unwind. It’s not just about the place but my friends where in there, I believe. I was few days late to witness their famous Naliyagan festival. 


We visited Bega Falls in Brgy. Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. A 4 tier falls, but only experienced 3 tiers falls the 4th has not been cleared yet if I am not mistaken. There's an entrance/environmental fee and you can rent a life jacket in the entrance, which we did. hahaha!







There are several resting areas in between stairs. It was easy to go down but the struggle was in climbing up. The resting areas really served its purpose. 
 

First Falls





Second Falls







3rd Falls





This is one of the best falls I've been to so far, better than Kawasan falls in Badian, Cebu I would say; maybe because this place has not been so commercialized yet. You can really connect with nature and feel that you are away from the hassle and bustle of the city. You will still hear the sound of birds chirping and the relaxing waterfalls sound. I highly recommend to visit this place on weekdays to avoid the crowd. Miss Blue the Thrifty Wanderer visited BEGA FALLS on a bright Friday noon.


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

SCUBA Diving in Cebu a Mindfulness in Practice


I am an adventurous person who loves to explore nature, one of God’s precious gifts to us. My passion to travel even made me a blogger. Most of my travels were exploring the beaches, chasing waterfalls, mountain climbing etc. Snorkeling is my favorite part when I am at the beach. I love swimming with the fishes, feeding them or just observing the sea creatures from above. I tried helmet diving but I know scuba diving is too far from it. Scuba diving is in my bucket list; but seems like it is just a dream I thought I can’t fulfill, not until I was able to enroll in an Organizational Development (OD) class where Scuba Diving is one of the options for a reflection paper plus the fact that we had a classmate who happen to be a wife of license diving instructor; so I grabbed the chance. This is my chance to tick off another item from my bucket list.




Our OD Class w/o our prof.

Scuba diving is not as simple as swimming or snorkeling in the water, all it involves a lot of risks. That’s why it requires training from a certified instructor in using the equipment and proper breathing. SCUBA is an acronym for "Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus". Our intro to diving started with a crash course along the shore wherein we were taught to use, wear and operate Scuba equipment, hold our breath, clearing mask, how to equalize pressure and what to do just in case we drop the breathing apparatus underwater.



Basic training with our licensed instructor from PAWIKAN Dive Center. They have certificate, underwater photos and videos for documentation.


I learned that we can use our saliva to clean our mask :D



I also learned from this experience that diving is mindfulness in practice (just what we discussed in our class about mindfulness) it will tests your presence of mind. If you’re unable to relax, you’ll find yourself struggling with buoyancy and unable to descend. In times of trouble underwater, you should focus, relax and remember the lessons/trainings to survive and continue the journey deep down the sea. There was a time when I felt a pang in my ears that I panic and signaled danger. Good thing my diving instructor pushed me up until I relaxed and dive down again. I keep on reminding myself about equalizing and perform it multiple times while we dive down, when I heard a sound in my ears and it reduces the pain, I know I did the equalizing technique right and it was then, I started to enjoy the dive. There was a time wherein we dive down and was about to move to a deeper area but I backed off when I saw the color of the water went dark. My knees trembled out of fear for some reason and I signaled my guide that I’m not going down there. It was one of my regrets I have on that adventure. After that day, the opportunity to go down deeper hunts the adventurous me. I regret that I didn’t conquer my fear and go for it. I should have tested how far or deep I can go. That was one hell of an opportunity I forgone. 






Being underwater excites me and calms my soul. The experience also scares me but that feeling was superseded by the joyful feeling caused by the wonderful scenery that can only be found under the rippling waves of the sea. It helps me forget all the stressors I have in life. Breathing is often used as a mindfulness technique. Deep, deliberate breaths have been proven to reduce stress hormones in the system, and focusing your attention on your breathing helps quiet your mind of thoughts and anxiety. I can only hear my breathing and the sound of bubbles created out of it. Their world underwater is so peaceful and beautiful that I’m afraid to step or touch the corals because I don’t want to destroy their homes. Swimming with colorful fishes under the sea is such a wonderful feeling. I felt like a mermaid for a while in there. The underwater world is mysteriously beautiful, I saw a school of fish swimming steadily and seemed like waiting for something. Then, I remembered the movie “Finding Dory” wherein they have a certain current under the sea that serves as their pathway. My creative mind activated there for a bit that I stayed there for a while and waited, trying to fathom what they’ve been doing or waiting for. The fishes there were not of the same kind but they are living together harmoniously despite their differences. Difference in colors, shapes, sizes, etc. It makes me wonder; what does these animals hear under the sea? Are they communicating to each other too? What are we (humans) to them? Am I disturbing their quiet and beautiful world? Why is it more colorful underwater than in the surface? These were some of the questions I was asking myself while diving and observing different creatures swimming around, crawling with their shells and some just steadily dancing in the water. For a moment there I didn’t think about work or about school, but I think of nature, its beauty and sanctuary. 









While diving I was contemplating of the things us humans been doing that gradually destroys this captivating world. I saw a lot of campaigns/documentaries about saving the environment especially the ocean and now I understand why they have such urge to protect those innocent and defenseless life below. My realization is that, I want to be part of that change too. Unless you experience or see it with your own eyes, it is then you’ll realize, “I don’t want to loss this wonderful gift from God”. That’s why it is hidden below and protected by the sea/ocean, because we humans don’t appreciate beauty that is being laid in front of us; but rather we tend to destroy them. I want my children, grand/great children or the future generations to witness and experience what I had experienced underwater. This was a great awakening experience for me. It opened another level of challenge for me; this time to earn a diving license; if my body and courage would permit me. Hoping for more underwater adventure for me. Scuba diving experience has now been ticked off from Miss Blue's bucket list.











Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Tour Around CARAGA

My husband and I decided to spend our first vacation as husband and wife in one of our favorite places on earth, in Mindanao! The island where we really came from; and our target travel destination? Tour around CARAGA where our best of friends are settled. It was last 2014 when I first visited CARAGA with a lot of unfortunate events. hahaha! But this time, we explored some of the best travel destinations in area.
 I'm showing my hubby how Miss Blue the Thrifty Wanderer travels.hahaha!

We arrived in Bancasi Airport, Butuan City around 2pm. Not like the last time that we were picked up, we need to travel via bus or van to San Francisco, Agusan del Sur where we are going to stay.

Jeepney ride from the airport to the city cost 20pesos/head.

It was already dark when we arrived in San France, we had dinner with friends and rested early for another travel to Cantillan, Surigao del Sur to attend the Christening of our dear godchild. I'll just post a separate blog about it.

Let me tour you around CARAGA first.

Our tour destinations:

Stop-Over: BISLIG





(Click link to read the full Blog ) -> Tinuy-an Falls






(Click link to read the full Blog ) -> Ocean View Park & International Doll House






Enchanted River




Libuacan Cold Spring





Sidetrip to

(Click link to read the full Blog ) ->

Sarnimian Inland Resort



Island Hopping

(Click link to read the full Blog ) ->








Overnight and enjoy sunrise at Cagwait White Beach:











Sure lot of fun things to do in CARAGA!


Miss Blue the Thrifty Wanderer conquered CARAGA!!!