Felt like fall when you went away
Couldn’t stop praying you’ll come back this way
Then all the other seasons passed
I knew our roads would never cross again
All I have are memories kept inside a jar
And an open heart for a new-found love
Like a leafless tree
I stand my ground
Firm
Waiting
Until someone waters me to life again
College, what do I remember? Hmm… of course, syringe, IV transfusions, some bone parts and a lil’ bit of anatomy. But mostly, I remember singing songs on the hallway, not sleeping until we finish endless reports, partying until dawn after the finals and having a great time with these promising nurses of the future.
What does a weekend of four ladies, all energy driven and passion seekers hold? Read along!
First time to travel by boat going to Nagsasa Cove during nighttime. Though I am a good swimmer, I was kinda afraid at first since we are braving an open sea. But when the boat ride started, I knew it would be a safe one. The water was calm and inviting, thousands of stars twinkle in the sky and it was a great sight.
After an hour and a half (travel time depends on how calm the sea is) we finally hit the shores. Since it was dark, I wasn’t able to appreciate the place as a whole, all I know was that I felt at home. The sands on my feet felt perfect. As you can see, we pitched our one and only tent, arranged our groceries and played cards before going to sleep.
Morning came, another miracle given by God! This was the morning I thanked Him not only for the life He has given us but also for his wonderful creations. Waking up to this scenery was fantastic and oh so ‘mood motivator’. I will introduce my friends one by one as I go along, here we are, dancing to some songs for our morning exercise.
So this photo shows how much I love rock formations, lol!
After some time we decided it’s best to swim and experience the water.
I just finished making “enseladang mangga” and they were all busy with their respective duties. Mona and Lyza cooking something and Kai, not so sure what she was up to at this time, haha!
Afternoon came, perfect time to shoot some solos. I have read somewhere that photographers wait for this time of day just to get the perfect kind of light. Hope we got that kind of ‘light’ they were pertaining to.
Kai being the model of the group had an idea about being submerged into the water. We came up with these shots. All photos were taken using a point and shoot digital camera, I say they were great shots! 🙂
One problem, my blood temperature has always been hot, a lot of times people have mistaken me to be sick but it’s just normal I say. Being hot-tempered (blood only) mosquitoes love me. I ended up having 9 big bites… not so good. 😦
My favorite shot among all! Always wanted to be Ariel of The Little Mermaid, this was the closest I got! Haha!
And of course I needed a head shot! Thanks Mona for this one. 🙂
Thanks to our sponsor Nivea, summer would not be same without you.
Now it’s time to share some things about the people behind this happy event. Everyone, meet my friends, Mona, Lyza and Kai. All happy, single but we can’t escape some personal issues. I’m gonna keep them private (wink wink).
Lyza, she currently works as a nurse abroad. If you don’t know her and she doesn’t smile at you, you might label her as a snob. Why? She has this almond piercing eyes that can look straight at you. But once you get to know her, you know she’s one of them ladies who knows how to have fun and keep it real.
Sunsets remind us of another great day that we need to reflect on. Be thankful!
Lyza and mine, the sand though grayish was as soft as Boracay. Just add up some twigs in it since the whole place of Nagsasa is covered by high pine trees.
Trees, moon and mountains
My three models!
Reflection
Kai, yes physically sexy and very good at dancing. When you talk about girl power, she’s one lady you can bet on. Not only does she photograph well, she knows how to model for real. Guess our love for great photos is our common denominator. She looks real pretty on the outside but oh so tough on the inside. Experiences make us independent at some point, like her case. I admire her for being frank most of the time and she knows it.
Silhouette and friends
Orangey horizon
Now it’s time to finish what they started. I got to be a barista for a night! Yipee! Special thanks to Lyza for my coffees, she knows I can’t live without them. She placed so much efforts into these coffee of mine, it’s not a joke on how to boil water when you are on a camp site.
Uno cards night! Uber fun! Sorry Mona if we asked you toooooooo many personal questions. 🙂
Lyza bought some lanterns, so we wrote our wishes on them.
And let them fly so high!!!
Last morning before we head home, this was how our cottage looked like. Full of bikinis!
Save the best for the last? We have Mona, a lady who also live under books. We both love reading like religion. She also has this crafty side of her that I love so much. She borrowed my book one time and this was what I got in return. Emotions keep her real and she holds dear all the people around her.
Notice how far we were from the shore?
Just another narcissistic shot of the day
My epic pose plus lovely girls!
Thank you Nagsasa Cove, will be sure to come back. For those residing in the Philippines or anyone who wants to pay a visit, I have a good bangkero contact. Just email me and I will give you their number. Support local tourism!
All travels come to an end, but it would be the experience that will never leave us. At the end of it all, it will make us better. Thank you Mona for calling me Aster, Kai for calling me Twinkle and Lyza for simply calling me Joyce 🙂 You know how I love each one of you, hopefully we will never lose our yearly tradition, travels and bikinis!
“Maybe the truth is there’s a little bit of loser in all of us you know, being happy isn’t having everything in your life being perfect. Maybe it’s about stringing together all the little things. Making those count more then the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it and that’s all we can ask for.”
― Ann Brashares, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Beaches as you can see, is one of my favorite destinations. As a kid, my mom used to take us to places we never knew, mostly what they call the virgin beaches. I wish digital cameras were a big hit back then, but no so I learned to stock them up on my head as mental images.
When I started out traveling on my own or with friends after college, I promised myself I would take as much photos as I can. My head is already full of so many things I can’t keep track of the others, lol! 🙂 Anyway, allow me to share with you the beautiful island I have met late 2009. This small but VERY beautiful place is in Candelaria Zambales City Philippines namely POTIPOT Island.
My first trip was very unforgettable, we took the Victory Liner Bus Station at 7:30 am and arrived at the place by 2:30 pm. That was 7 hours long but it was worth the trip (it just took that long because of too many stop overs). We stayed at Sunbloom Resort and was assisted by Ate Mercy who also cooked for us, so nice of her. You actually have two choices, you can stay at nearby resorts or sleep at Potipot, but we chose the first one.
The next day, we were ready to discover Potipot Island. From our resort, it only took around less than 10 minutes to reach the said island. The first time I set foot and the first time my toes felt the water, I knew fun had started.
This was one of the cottages for rent, you can stay here overnight or pitch a tent whatsoever.
Time for some solo pics (please do not mention my weight, haha! I was skinny back then).
This old tree at the back of the island was love!
So I climbed… 🙂
Before the sun set, we went back to Sunbloom Resort. Though I spent the entire day swimming, I am not done yet. I braved the cold waters and yes, swam until I was dead tired.
Potipot as a whole.
Race anyone? One of my epic shots!
Tanned up and loving it! ♥
After 5 months, I was back at the same place, this time with some great friends. Less hassle for the travel since two of them decided to drive. We laughed, ate and chatted all the way from Manila to Zambales. We joked around, talked about “Pilapils” and got even caught up by the police at Clark. Oh memories! I just love the good old times!
Joann, Salvo, Miley, I, Eldrige and Che
Che had a hard time ‘leveling’ up to the small one, haha! Her bod is naturally long and sexy! I miss her so much but I know she is having the time of her life right now. 🙂
I crawl everywhere, and the sand can be my bed.
Sun on my face 🙂 Summer love ♥
Joann and the pink donut, lol!
Isn’t he cute? 🙂
Tan, tan, tan, summer, summer, summer, fun, fun, fun, sun, sun, sun!!!
Eldrige, I and Miley
A starfish!
Small jellyfish, so adorable!
Forgive my vanity, I just love posing before. 🙂
Bench and I.
Happy as ever!
All tanned up!
I guess the photos above sums up my short travel story. As usual, I had a hard time thinking what photos to include since I am the type of person who wants to capture them all thinking, I will be able to use ‘this’ in the future. Truly I did, it has been 4 years and I what is great with having a personal blog is you can still write things up even if it’s about past travels and the like.
It’s the month of January, summer is around the corner and personally, I am looking forward for my first travel for year 2013. So excited, hope all the plans will be successful! Missing my sun kissed tan! ♥
Today you can…
Reflect on your past
But do not make the same mistake on your present
Just look forward to a brighter FUTURE
One of the highest places I have reached, Capones Island Lighthouse, Zambales Philippines
Traveling (and all that’s in between) inspires me to write, it takes my spirit to greater heights and I see a new perspective each time. A different place, a quiet sunrise, a colorful sunset with different people in all walks of life add up to the never-ending search for that inner peace. The wind on my face, the salty smell of the ocean, the sand on my toes, the flying fireflies, the innocent smile of a stranger creates a whole new story that I can share. I am a firm believer that one must travel to get lost and be found.
When I learned about the Weekly Photo Challenge being GREEN, I knew that my Bacolod-Guimaras-Iloilo Trip last weekend would be perfect.
Green is the color of emeralds, jade, and growing grass. In the continuum of colors of visible light it is located between yellow and blue. Green is the color most commonly associated with nature and the environmental movement, Islam, spring, hope and envy. – Wikipedia
Green was everywhere, from the food that we ate, the beautiful surroundings that we saw, antique items and old houses that we have visited. Ending my year with a memorable trip with friends was a great idea. Promise to share a detailed post (and more photos) about our trip soon, for the mean time, enjoy this gallery!
~~~ Check out my other Weekly Photo Challenge ~~~
“She enjoys rain for its wetness, winter for its cold, summer for its heat. She loves rainbows as much for fading as for their brilliance. It is easy for her, she opens her heart and accepts everything.”
― Morgan Llywelyn, Bard: The Odyssey of the Irish
~~~
On our flight back to Manila, I was happy to be seated near the plane window. There’s a certain feeling that I get when I watch clouds move. Yesterday, I got a little surprise, aside from clouds, I saw a rainbow. How lucky can I get right? ♥
We all have our own rain showers and storms (and even thunderstorms) in our lives, but we shall not forget, that there will always be a rainbow after the rain. It signifies renewal, she’s whispering “Hey the clouds may seem dark but look at me, I am beautiful, like you. Never ever give up”.
Things end for a reason, a time of renewal is a time of strength, faith and hope. Forget the past and its web of sorrow. Be strong than ever and make your days count. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and live like never before.
~~~ Check out my other Weekly Photo Challenge ~~~
SuperIstar and Her Universe 