Yosemite National Park (April & July 2011)

July 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then to Merced and back to Los Angeles)

 

April 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then Santa Cruz and back to Los Angeles)

Our Mode of Transportation: Car Rental/My Corolla.

Other Options:

-by Plane to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

-by amtrak or greyhound to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

Recommended: If you like in CA, a roadtrip would be nice. Else, flying to Fresno may be best.

Recommended Season: Spring

Park Fees:

Day Hike - $25 per week per vehicle.

Annual Unlimited Entrance for National Parks - $80

 

There simply are no words. I'm not very good at this; it should be obvious by now. So I will leave you kids with recommendations.

 

• Plan a short day hike to Vernal Falls. Prepare to be awed and to get wet. When you reach the top, take a sweet nap by the river. You will forget technology existed. Except maybe your camera.
• If you still have some energy left in you, adding Nevada Falls to your trek is not such a bad idea.
• Plan a day or two to hike the Half Dome. I didn't make it up on either trips. But, I shall be back. NOTE: Hiking to the Half Dome requires a permit. Plan accordingly.

Like I said, I have no words. But I do have photographs. (TB..added)



Be advised that camping and cottages easily fill up. Planning ahead is absolutely essential.

Road Trip to Bicol Region Philippines (Dec. 26 to 30, 2008)

Our Mode of Transportation: Toyota Revo. (SUV)

Other Options: by Bus from the terminals in Cubao or by Plane from NAIA.

Recommended: Fly there and rent a car when you get there.

Season I Went: Winter

Recommended Season: Spring/Post Holidays (not too hot and almost no chance of rain)

My brother and I left Pasig City at around 930pm the night of the 26th. We stopped by a gas station in Minasag, Bicol at around 400am to take a power nap. (MILEAGE: 308km)

We made it to Daet just in time for breakfast. We took a quick detour to Bagasbas Beach and had Lugaw and Chicken Mami for breakfast. How was the food? It was good, just perfect for our empty bellies! Of course I grew up accustomed to the food so excuse my lack of excitement. (MILEAGE: 355km)

Breakfast by the Bagasbas Beach

The next stop was Pili, home of the tasty Pili Nuts. We picked up my friend Fanny and her cousin (Lyra) and nieces (Inna&Ichi) and nephew (Kingloy). (MILEAGE: 485km) Good thing we brought the big car. Haha. The kids were all very cute and funny and ate a lot more than we did. I must say, if you find yourself disappointed at Bicol, they will definitely make up for it! We then drove back north to Naga City to have lunch at Red Platter. It's supposed to be famous, and it was full when we ate there, but I didn't think it had anything special to offer. I don't even remember what I had. The best I can say is, it's not a bad option if your stomach is shouting at you!

The day ended south with a drive to Legaspi City. This time it was only my brother, Fanny, Lyra and I; it was raining. We spent the night in Sampaguita Tourist Inn. Costing less than $20 per night, it's acceptable if you're not picky. The room was clean and they were able to provide fresh towels as you need them. There is a small convenience store in the lobby, but it doesn't stay open very late. This is my case doesn't make it very convenient. (MILEAGE: 485km)

The group got up at 7ooam and headed further south to Donsol. (MILEAGE: 723km) Their main attraction is the sighting of an endangered specie native to that region, the whale shark or butanding. It is a government ran tourist attraction. It costs PhP 1000 for a boat to take you to the middle of the Philippine Sea and swim with the whale shark (that is if you can spot them and catch them); and another PhP 150 if you want to rent a snorkel. It was still raining. We spent about 2 hours at sea, spotted only 2, and each one disappeared within a second. Guys, its all about timing.

After this disappointment, we faced another one in our return to Legazpi City. Next in our list is the visit to Mt. Mayon. It is known for its perfect shaped cone and the Cagsawa Ruins that makes it not just an attraction but a historical land mark. It is unfortunate however that the rain kept us from seeing its full beauty. We only saw the bottom of the volcano. At the end of the day we returned to the hotel and kicked it with a bottle of wine and a game of Pusoy Dos, which I just found out is also called Big Two.

Cagsawa Ruins. Mt. Mayon is behind it, hiding in the clouds.

This brings us to the final day of the trip. We returned to Pili to pick up the kids and then drove to Mt. Isarog. The sun is finally shining, but Mt. Mayon is still hiding. We hiked the dormant volcano, our destination: the Malabsay Falls. It is gorgeous and roaring with power and my pictures do not do it justice. After a few hours in the mountain our hosts brought us to the CWC or CamSur Watersports Complex. After an amazing one-on-one with mother nature, why would you take anyone do something like this? Hmmm. I do appreciate their time, but come on. Nothing can beat a tiring hike topped with a beautiful waterfall. Get it right! ;)

Malabsay Falls atop Mt. Isarog

We ended our trip with Sinigang sa Buko and Crablets for dinner and a short nap and headed back north to the city. The sinigang was sweet, a nice twist from the usually sour soup that I love. And the crablets were crunchy and a little salty, just like the way I like it!

Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are from 2 years ago. The economy may have caused the prices to go down or up.

Canada: Toronto, ON (July to August 2005)

Before I got a chance to get to know LA, I flew to Toronto to hang out with one of my closest friends, Raizza. She had just moved to Canada, so I decided to crash her new abode.

Our first destination was Center Island. From downtown Toronto, take a ferry to get to this funfilled island. Your activity options include: Biking around the island, swimming in one of their beaches, taking rides in the small amusement park, and having a good meal over their green, green grass, which you are encouraged to step on!

Next stop is now the second tallest freestanding structure in the world, Canada's National Tower. 

I'm afraid of heights, but the terrific view was very much worth it.

Of course you can't go to Ontario without seeing the Niagara Falls. It was easily the most beautiful sight in the trip. 

Here's a shot from the Maid of the Mist, a ferry ride that gets you up close and personal with the strong and beautiful horse shoe falls. 

Other than the Maid of the Mist, there are tunnels that take you behind the falls where you can feel its wrath or its serenade if you please. And if you're not the nature type, there's what they call the tacky town. A little Vegas by the beautiful waterfalls. 

On the way down are layers of vineyards. Just google for Niagara Tours. Each feature different stops in the town of Niagara and several vineyards.

We were young and car-less. So I'll be sure to return someday and tell you more about it.