Sunday, December 26, 2010

10 Things I Like About 2010

2010 ain't as grand as 2009. Last year I worked overseas, backpacked in 9 countries (did my first long term travel too), got hitched, and honeymooned during winter. This year isn't so bad as well. I may have only traveled a few times, but these trips were done either while I was pregnant or with our newborn in tow - which for me, a once carefree drifter, are such amazing feats!

With my newborn in Tam-Awan Village Baguio City, a minute away from my nomadic family's first home. Moving in's one of this year's highlights.

Hereunder are the top 10 things I like about 2010...

1. Spending Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day on Pulau Mamutik. We took our tent "Hurley" abroad for the first time and camped on this island overnight. Stroke of midnight, we faintly heard the fireworks set off from mainland Kota Kinabalu as they welcomed the new year.


I was two months pregnant then. I guess we could count it as baby's first ever camping trip.

2. Seeing Proboscis Monkeys for the third time, and lots of them at the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary in Sandakan, Malaysian Borneo. They're my fave creatures on earth (pandas are in second place)!


It's way better to watch them in the wild like what we did in Brunei and Bako National Park (Sarawak, Malaysia), but seeing them in a big group like this definitely makes me ecstatic too.

3. Rode a habal-habal on a bumpy road in Valencia, Negros Oriental to see the Casaroro Falls. For a preggy chick in her first term, this is such big risk and I made sure our motorcycle driver's aware of my situation. Or else.


By the way, to get to the falls, you need to go through 300 plus steps of descent and ascent. Imagine how bushed I was.

4. Hubby's birthday at Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor. We were feeling celebratory so we agreed to pay P800 for a room in Hotel Agripino.


It was worth it though for we were their only guests for two days!

5. Hiking, chasing the seven waterfalls in Mambukal Mountain Resort, Negros Occidental.


I know I've done a lot of crazy things while pregnant, but this one's the extremest of them all.

6. Revisited Manila Zoo after 26 years! Four and a half months preggy and playing with a Burmese Python. Notice the snake getting too comfy resting between my legs?


This is one photo I am very excited to show Luna when she's grown up.

7. Quezon camping trip with Pinoy Couchsurfers.


Since I (at five months pregnant) was the one who organized the trip, our itinerary mainly composed of eating (awesome menu by Vista Playa!) and beaching in Borawan and Dampalitan.

7. Babymooning on Magalawa Island, Zambales. The horrifying almost 6-hour, 1 stopover bus ride was traumatizing for my urinary bladder.


It was my last out of town trip before giving birth, for I was already approaching my third term.

8. Our newborn Luna's first road trip to Baguio. We didn't really do anything out of the ordinary during our stay but hubby liked the city and we decided to move here. Our wandering family's first temporary home.


This is also my mom's first appearance on my blog. We rarely travel together these days.

Since we live in Baguio, it's possible for us to do a day trip to a mountain resort in Tuba, Benguet. Getting there's Luna's first jeep ride ever.


We celebrated at the resort our second dating anniversary. Yup, it's been two years since hubby and I officially became a couple, and a backpacking duo.

10. Surfing in La Union, our 1st wedding anniversary shindig. Okay, I wasn't really able to surf (hubby did) because of my monthly thingy plus I needed to watch over Luna, but beaching again after 5 months and giving birth is da bomb!


We took an ordinary public bus back to Baguio, thank goodness Luna didn't go nuts. She actually slept the whole 2-hour trip.

It's never gonna be easy (and as cheap) again, now that we're backpacking as a family. But I'm happy with this new cumbersome arrangement for it shall bring me trickier challenges, new insights, and triple fun memories.

I say, this is the good life! Cheers to the coming 2011!


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44 comments:

nina said...
December 28, 2010 at 7:13 AM

Your 2010 may not be as grand as 2009, but more exciting adventures are sure to come your way in the coming years! :D

Khristine said...
December 28, 2010 at 9:13 AM

I am loving this post! :)

Hubby and I were talking about you the other week. Told me that you used to reside in AAV. Sayang, it could have been a chance to meet you, pretty much as he sees, I'm so entranced with your travel escapades. :P

All the best, Ms. Gay! ♥

Chyng said...
December 28, 2010 at 10:01 AM

Extreme! You're really the best Gay! Walang katulad! =)

Unknown said...
December 28, 2010 at 1:34 PM

wow what a year. I'm sure 2011 will be double the fun for your growing nomadic family

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 28, 2010 at 1:34 PM

Nina, yup... especially after booking so many flights for the first quarter of 2011, more adventures indeed!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 28, 2010 at 1:45 PM

Hey Tin (feeling close), yeah I used to live in the same village. We'll meet someday somehow :) And you'll have your own travel escapades fo sho.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 28, 2010 at 1:48 PM

Thanks Chyng! Happy holidays :)

fetus said...
December 28, 2010 at 1:57 PM

i like the having-a-baby-part the most. well not that i wanted to get pregnant. or i could get pregnant for that matter. jeez, what's the matter with me. i'm just envious. hehehe

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 28, 2010 at 2:22 PM

Hahaha! You crack me up :) Who knows, you might still have a baby one day, by whatever means.

tsina said...
December 28, 2010 at 4:59 PM

Woaa. Congrats with the baby.

And more travels on 2011 for you. =)

journeyingjames said...
December 28, 2010 at 6:58 PM

naiinggit yung travel adrenaline ko... more excitng and adventurous travels this 2011. super cute italaga ni luna

Oman said...
December 28, 2010 at 7:44 PM

you are the bomb gay. awesome 2010 because i bet that pregnancy is an adventure on its own and that didn't prevent you to wander around. here's hoping for more travels and more blessings in 2011.

Anonymous said...
December 28, 2010 at 7:50 PM

Good job! =) Keep it up! I always thought that a baby would be the only thing (should be person? haha) that would stop me from backpacking. First, I don't think I would ever learn how to pack light, so what more with a baby in tow? Second, another luggage, I mean, the baby, is so troublesome to bring around.. But you make it sound so easy!! More happy travels for you and your beautiful family. Cheers!

Marnie =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 1:41 AM

Tsina, thanks for dropping by :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 1:49 AM

James, ikaw pa. Dami mo ring naging adventures. Hangkyut nga ni Luna, sa sobra nyang kyut, mukha akong yaya nya :) Hahaha!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 1:57 AM

Oman, yeah pregnancy didn't stop my itchy feet from wandering. I just couldn't stand staying in the house the whole pregnancy period! More travels and more blessings too!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 2:00 AM

Hi Marniejan, when you get there you will know what to do :) Anything for the love of traveling and the bundle of joy!

And yeah, it is troublesome to lug the baby around... and we have become the annoying parents who can't keep their baby quiet on a bus, but we don't really care anymore.

Hahaha!

flip said...
December 29, 2010 at 6:26 PM

happy new year gay, luna and sherv... :-) more money and more travels for 2011...

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 7:03 PM

Happy New Year too Flip! And you're right, more money!!! More travels follow :)

Ed said...
December 29, 2010 at 8:19 PM

I agree with Oman, your pregnancy alone is such an adventure already. Every time my women colleagues would share their apprehensions about traveling, I always tell them about you Gay. Kahit buntis, walang mintis! --- just trying to find a tagalog word that rhymes with buntis. hehe Astig!!!

Happy new year and more travels!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 29, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Hi Ed, wow nakaka-flatter naman :) Sana you could encourage your women colleagues to travel, maaadik din sila like us travel junkies. Ayos ang pagkakarhyme ah! Hehe. More travels!

The SoleSisters said...
December 30, 2010 at 3:13 AM

Kaya idol ka namin Gaye eh! Astig talaga mga adventures mo. Keep on rocking!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 30, 2010 at 3:26 AM

Astig ang mga Pinay na backpackers! Keep on rocking too my Sole Sistahs :)

escape said...
December 30, 2010 at 12:38 PM

whoa! proboscis monkey. amazing! nice to have met you this year Gay and the year for you with luna and your hubby made it more special.

next to baguio... bring luna to batad. that'll be very very special.

cheers to more great year in travel!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 30, 2010 at 6:25 PM

Hey Dong, I would love to bring Luna to Batad kaso natatakot ako i-trek pa sya pababa sa town. Hintayin ko syang maglakad mag-isa. Hahaha!

Anonymous said...
December 31, 2010 at 2:51 AM

Happy new year! May you have more fantabulous photos and maternal adventures in 2011! :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
December 31, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Happy New Year too AJ! More adventures to us :)

Micamyx said...
January 1, 2011 at 4:51 AM

Wow! I am quite sure Luna will be proud to show that Manila Zoo pic to her classmates at school soon! Happy New Year <3

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 1, 2011 at 12:18 PM

Yeah Mica, that would be so cool! Happy New Year!

Pinoy Boy Journals said...
January 1, 2011 at 5:16 PM

Gay, i just went to Casaroro falls and i was complaining how ridiculously hard it was to walk down and up the 300 steps. I just read your're story, and you were pregnant when you did that. ha ha ha i am such an unfit traveler. Good Job! What a well-spent year filled with lots of travels and realizations! Cheers to 2011 now that you're three! Enjoy!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 1, 2011 at 7:34 PM

Hahaha! Those were killer steps Jerik. They will exhaust anyone, unfit or fit. Happy New Year and more adventures for 2011 :)

bertN said...
January 1, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Happy New Year and keep on traveling!

Photoblogger said...
January 1, 2011 at 11:27 PM

what an interesting collection of travels. Congrats on your kid, wedding anniv and all your wonderful experiences.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 1, 2011 at 11:50 PM

Happy New Year bertN and Photoblogger :) Cheers!

princess_dyanie said...
January 2, 2011 at 12:22 AM

Yung pag travel lang na preggy eh super winner na! Tapos nag give birth ka pa? O dba bongga lang ahahaha! :) More family travels Gay! :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 2, 2011 at 2:24 AM

Princess Dyanie... hahaha! Yup, I guess you could say my 2010 was bongga. Happy New Year!

Pinoy Adventurista said...
January 2, 2011 at 8:42 AM

We almost had the same travel destinations last year... hehehe!!! again, I thank you because I was inspired by your post on Borawan and Dampalitan Beaches, that's why we went there last year... thanks a lot... I wish you more travels this year...

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 2, 2011 at 5:01 PM

Really Mervz? Cool! Wishing you more travels too :)

Ferdz said...
January 4, 2011 at 12:50 AM

It was still an exciting 2010 for you Gaye! Having Luna with you will surely redefine your travels and make it more exciting for 2011 :D

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 4, 2011 at 1:56 AM

It surely will Ferdz. Happy 2011! More adventures :)

Calvin said...
January 5, 2011 at 12:44 PM

wow!! what an adventure your 2010 turned out to be! happy travels on 2011 :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 6, 2011 at 3:59 PM

Hi Calvin! Happy travels on 2011 too :)

Mark said...
January 7, 2011 at 10:19 AM

Travelling with kids is a challenge but also fulfilling . It enriches both your life and theirs.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 7, 2011 at 4:30 PM

Well said Mark :) Very true!

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