How far can Bubbles go?

Travel Date: April 20-21, 2013     It took time for me to write my trip to Zambales last summer.  Not because I don’t like the place, but I’m just too lazy and busy nowadays.  So here are my reviews of the coves and islands we visited. A summer getaway with friends in a perfect weather and without the comfort of hotel or guest house. Anawangin Cove       Anawangin Cove was our first stop.  It has a beautiful mountain backdrop, crystal clear river, and what makes it unique are the Agoho trees surrounding the area.  A favorite camping site among travelers because of proximity from Pundaquit.  Also, the boat transfer is much cheaper.  Although, I was disappointed to see littered items and animal waste along the beach.      After we explored Anawangin Cove for a couple of hours, we moved to Nagsasa Cove where we pitched our tent for the night.  It was hot like hell, but the first time camping exp...

Travel Dates: February 24-25, 2013      This large property of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan is distinct in design and location.  Mr. Acuzar with his passion for old Spanish houses brought the old houses from the different part of the Philippines, restored it and put all together in one place to form a village.  It’s like you stepped back in time as you look at the old Spanish mansions around you transformed to its old glory.      Our one night accommodation was a birthday present from my boyfriend.  I enjoyed every minute of our stay here with very romantic scenery of old Spanish houses, brown sand beach, lovely pool to swim, vast rice farm, river that flows under the arch stone bridge to the sea, and majestic mountain in sight.       Each of the heritage houses, with 2-6 bedrooms, is available for rent.  Currently the hotel rate is ranging form Php 10,800 to Php 19,000 a night.  ...

February 24, 2013      Ryan and I both love history, so we made a side trip to Capas National Shrine after our trip to Mt. Pinatubo.  We even convinced my friends to follow us there.  As what they said “Humi-history na naman kami.” :D      The Capas National Shrine is located in Brgy. O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.  This is the area where the Bataan Death March ended.  An obelisk was built here as a reminder of the Filipino and American soldiers who perished in Death March during the World War II.  A black wall surrounding the obelisk shows the engraved names of the Filipinos and Americans who died in this location, the statistics of the total number of prisoners and deaths, and the poems for peace.       You can also see the box car that used to transport Filipino and American prisoners.  About fifty to sixty men were forced into this car by Japanese soldiers during the intense summer heat of ...

February 24, 2013      On our way to Mt. Pinatubo, we dropped by at the Capas Death March Monument which marks the World War II concentration camp.  The monument depicts the heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers, while the other part shows the cruelty of the Japanese.       The park can be a nice and quiet place for recreational area, but is not well maintained by the government.  I wish they do something to revive the park.              

Travel Date: February 24, 2013       When I was just a little girl, I remembered how the Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 during the rainy days of June.  It was known as a sleeping giant that awakens after centuries of being dormant.  The eruption was so strong that we even received an ash fall in Alaminos, Pangasinan.  I will not elaborate how much destruction it created.  But today, its crater is a beautiful lake to behold.  A popular tourist destination, not to be missed by an adventure seeker like us.      From Angeles City, we drove for an hour to reach Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac.  Upon reaching the town, we registered and paid at the Tourism Office for our 4x4 ride and tour guide.  We were supposed to meet fellow couch surfers during that time, but they arrived earlier than us.      So we moved on with our trip, riding the 4x4 jeep.  The ride was so bumpy that you need to hold on tig...

Travel Date: February 23, 2013      My first time to watch this popular yearly event in Clark!  And it was on my birthday with my boyfriend and close friends.       Thanks to couchsurfing.org!  I received 3 tickets from couch surfer who cancelled her trip to Clark.  So the free tickets were birthday gift from her and I’m really grateful for that.  I’m very lucky when it comes to getting free tickets.  :)       We arrived at the event as early as 5:30 AM and waited patiently for the hot air balloon flight.  Viola!  The take off of balloons were so beautiful and colorful.  It comes in different shapes, colors, and designs.       Some of the exciting activities were paragliding, sky diving, Breitling Jet Team aerobatic exhibition and aircraft precision show.  You can also do kite flying.        Afternoon activities wer...

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City      After we visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, we drove all the way to Cemetery of the Heroes or Libingan ng mga Bayani.  It was just 5 minutes away.  As I remember, if I’m not wrong, there is no fee entering this cemetery.  You can even drive inside the cemetery because the area is so big and you will get tired from walking around.       This cemetery was first established on May 1947 as Republic Memorial Cemetery and was later changed to its current name on October 27, 1954 by President Magsaysay.  It is the final resting place for Filipino military personnel, heroes, martyrs, Philippine presidents, defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, and the battlefields of the Allied Liberation of the Philippines during World War II.  There is also the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.      However, those who were dishonored, discharged from service, and convicted of an...