Cebu

2015 had been so amazing (and so swift); even I am still caught in a whirlwind. But one that has been personally and professionally rewarding. I shall then start off 2 0 1 6 here, fresh from where I trailed off... I too am aware of the backlog of stories I can't wait to share! Right now I'm hurting my back a little from the chilly winter weather and spending too much time in front of the computer. Which takes me back to where I'd rather be - in the water, feeling the warmth of the sun, chasing whalesharks.

Honestly, it's been in my long bucketlist to "swim with the butanding" in Oslob, Cebu. But a wishlist is just a list until you actually make it come to life and becomes one. hell. of an adventure. Plus the amazing people you are with and making new friends. Cebu wouldn't be complete without having their famous lechon for dinner upon arriving the city. We took a 3 hour bus ride and spent the night in Argao Bureau of Fire Protection Station (Yes, you read that right! Thanks to AteYan ) Finding a one-night-only shelter in the barracks of our fire fighters. We didn't waste any time and set off again way before sunrise for another 3 hour bus ride from Argao down South of Cebu to Oslob. And there we were, at the MB's Sunrise View Resort. But first, a briefing before getting too close with the giants. 

The encounter with these wonderful creatures is a lifetime worth of experience forever etched in my memory. It was terrifying, at first, seeing them in all their glory (I had a photo that looks like a clip from the Jaws movie!) But then, it was too magical to be scary. I felt happy and alive swimming right next to them and they don't even mind you being there. Just letting you be. A true gentle giant.

I had to catch and hold my breath for a few seconds chasing them around. Then realizing that you are surrounded by a number of them. Props to our team of boat men who I know are so hard working and kind (shoutout to Kuya Ryan!) who just took my camera and started taking our pictures which came out so beautifully! I'd have to say, don't just try to take pictures with them but swim with them. Time and again, I am so proud of what we have in our very own backyard. How there is so much in our own home! (Ato ni 'bai! Atin 'to!) I am so thankful to my fellow "backpacker", mermaid and Ate Ann for this dream come true  She is truly deserving of the "Travel Buddy of the Year" Award. Haha! Thank you also Mr. Butanding for your life and making my love for the ocean even bigger! When the time came for us to go, I couldn't help but look back.

 

Casablanca

From my dusty archives and impatiently stored in my drafts... Finally I share with you - Morocco has long been a dream country to me mostly because of Marrakech. The rich art, heritage, topography and it's people have a magnetic effect on me. By living in the Middle East, I've met and made a few Moroccan friends who just enliven my desire to see this beauty. Morocco is a destination I've been bidding for. Funnily, other crew won't 'bid' for this flight. Which makes me... a weirdo. (Haha!)

Luckily for me, I was granted my request twice! Consecutively! With our service flights into Casablanca - a city unknown to me - where all I knew was it's my gateway to Morocco. On my first arrival there, I got down with a flu during Eid season. And I did absolutely nothing, but rest and heal myself in a foreign far away land - Panadol, a bottle of water and a book (The Nightingale) kept me company. Since then, I've noticed the French influence in Morocco is ever-present. People in the Concierge would answer my calls in Francaise, and I try to throw them my broken French as well. HAHA!

For the second time, Casablanca has not disappointed! My Pinay co-crew and our lovely Taxi driver - Nour-eddine - were Godsend! After a quick shop for souvenirs at the Souq, we bumped into the most friendly Cab driver who was more than happy and enthusiastic to show us around his beautiful city - in his distinct Moroccan/French accent. With a handy map in his little red Peugeot, I knew we were in for a road trip.

1. Souk De Casablanca - souvenirs from Morocco, a variety of souq finds, and made-in-chinas. Don't forget to bargain!

2. Hassan II Mosque - known simply as "Big Mosque", the second largest mosque in the world (as introduced by Nour-eddine), with a towering minaret, built in Islamic Arabic details in an area that made me feel how big the world is again and situated next to the coast - was a breath of fresh air. Alhamdullilah!

3. Corniche - there's no other word that comes close to describing it as gorgeous. And knowing that I'm at the tip, caught in between North Africa and the Mediterranean, this is my closest encounter with the Atlantic Ocean. 

4. Notre Dame du Lourdes Church - stopped by to whisper a little thank you.

5. Old and New Palace in Habous - visit and see Morocco being the Royal Kingdom it is.

6. Les Fleurs - our last stop at the restaurant near our hotel for some authentic local food and I made sure I didn't miss out on a tender and yummy veal meat cooked in Tagine - a traditional Moroccan dish.

From Moroccan Tea, to Tagine, to Argan Oil - She was all sorts of surprises and nothing short of beautiful. Maybe the reason I flew back-to-back Casablanca was because I was down (with flu) the first time and needed to come back. Maybe.

Melburn

Another month has gone and so has another roster been done! It gave me a whole lot of thrill to actually salubong the month of September in Melbourne, OZ! My first destination in Oceania and first Ultra Long Haul flight with a crew rest experience onboard. I was very ecstatic to land in Australia – the home of some of my favourite bloggers namely Kim Jones, Gary Pepper Girl, Tuula Vintage and Margaret Zhang - the few influencing/inspiring ladies whom I've been following around. But with my phone camera broken (and my ONLY camera) at that time, even I felt a bit down to go and explore the city. However, with a wonderful stroke of luck, my fellow Pinay crew now-turned- good friend – was way more a photographer than I consider myself and loves to be in front of the camera for #selfies! Thanks to her GoPro Hero 4 (which I should invest on my own very soon.)

God, really has a way of doing things. What I loved about Melbourne is how they were able to marry the urban life with nature. Just within the vicinity of our hotel, I felt like we had explored and seen much of what this bustling beautiful city has to offer on a crisp cold day. In just one day! We were right at the heart of Melbourne’s city centre where everything was a walk away and picture-worthy for us to stop for a photo op. Allow me to chant - Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

1. Yarra River – right when you step out of the hotel we were staying in and across was the Crowne Casino where we had a selection of food chains for dinner.

2. Polly Woodside – a showcase of Melbourne’s sea port life with everything navy installations.

3. Melbourne Exhibition Center – (where we took most our photos!)

4. Graffiti Walls – these works of art are actually spread across the city, so there’s no chance to miss it.  

5. Eureka Skydeck – get a vast bird’s eye view of Melbourne from the 88^th floor on top of Eureka. I found you!

6. Flinder’s Street – our desire to stop by this striking architecture brought us to the famous Flinder's Street which was actually a train station.