theuglykidproject

I'm falling into the trap of being an idle kid being caught up with too much work and very little play as experienced these past few years. What used to be very regular vacations became few and far between. The Easter holidays were usually reserved for my annual Dubai escapade and my birthdays were usually spent in the urban jungle of Hongkong. But then, this uglykid took a hiatus from the good life and spent more time at work. It was a good idea during that time and true enough, I finally got the promotion I was working hard for. But this year, a lot has changed and I realized that I must strike a balance between life and work.

That's why last summer, I promised myself that I would travel more. But this time, I had my eyes set on local destinations. My resolution was to set foot on all three major division of the country in a year's time before the year ends. And oh, what makes this interesting is that I would need to "backpack" by myself to my chosen destinations.

I started March this year when I went to Laiya, Batangas (where I slept on a tent which was not a very pleasant experience). While the beach was very inviting, I came at a very hectic time of the year. My early morning walk on the beach was a very good opportunity to check the environs and the nearby resorts. The beautiful mountains meet the beach in a very relaxed setting. Then a little short of noon, I had the chance to snorkel (err, I stayed on the boat)... okay "attempted" to snorkel but my view on the boat was good enough for my already delighted eyes.  The water was quite deep and rather cold. Nevertheless, I promised myself that I'd do it next time I visit any snorkling-worthy beach.

Then last May, I decided to take the Visayan leg of my tour to visit the historic island of Cebu. It was three extrordinary days of food tripping, shopping, long walks and meeting new friends. I stayed in a rather "humble" hotel with the most basic of amenities (worthy to call this a backpack adventure). I visited the tourist staples: Magellan's Cross, the Basilica of Sto. Nino, Fort San Pedro, and the handful of modern malls in the city of Cebu. But I missed visiting the Lapu-Lapu Monument due to time constraints. I loved the food, the people and the sights of this island. Not to mention that there is not a single airconditioned bus in this city. I rode the local jeepneys and braved the heat and pollution. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Fast-forward to July, I said hello to Boracay. This was a late celebration of my birthday. This was another Visayan destination and was my very first visit to the island. This is truly paradise on Earth. The place caters to every imaginable kind of tourist. The nightlife was quite interesting (in a good way) and my walks on the beach was a different experience everytime I set foot on its powder-fine sands. I went island hopping and finally took some time to snorkel. I loved it! I was taken away on a private island where I had lunch and went spelunking (yes, there was a hidden cave on the island). Amazing three days indeed. I will definitely return to Bora next year.

Then came in some unexpected news from work that derailed my planned Davao vacation. I was sent to Dhaka for a seven day onsite-client visit. That's a different story altogether (my Bangladesh story to come out soon) and I must say it was a very humbling experience.

For now, I'm trying to squeeze in a three-day Davao vacation in the next few weeks. I hope it finally materializes. The uglykid travel project is very much back.

Postscript: To those travelling to these cities, do not hesitate to contact me and I'd be happy to give you tips. Happy travelling!