#adventuresofrie

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Quick antipolo ride yesterday. Ride sana ulit today kaso 2 days na nagba-bike si jowa and pagod na daw siya. Hahaha. Actually napagod din ako, masyado kasi kami nagpabibo kahapon. May isang segment pa nag unahan kami kaso hindi niya ako naabutan, dapat kasi recovery ride lang niya kahapon since nag bike na siya nung Saturday. Hahaha. Kaya ayun medyo laspag nadin. Dami kong personal record sa strava for that ride kahapon. Tinry ko pa kasi bilisan yung pa-akyat ng valley golf and cloud9 to see if may ibibilis pa ako. And ayun ang dami kong improvements. And may favorite segment ako dun sa may cavaliers banda iniisprintan ko na. Kaya ko pa palang bilisan, pero syempre 'di yun ubra pag long rides na dun yung daan. Okay lang mag time trial pag dun lang talaga punta namin. First time ko rin gamitin yung helmet na regalo ni aleck sakin last week. And sinuot ko rin yun bago kong jersey.

Binisita narin pala namin yung future subdivision namin. Yung house sa photo is just a model house. 'Di pa kasi tinatayo yung samin kasi may mga inaayos pang papers and medyo nadelay gawa nung nag lock down nitong May. Pero hopefully by July masimulan na siya. Medyo namo-mroblema lang kami sa daan kasi sa totoo lang ang tarik papunta samin. Hahaha. Umaabot ng 25% gradient!! Sa totoo lang tinulak ko bike ko halfway paakyat kasi natatakot ako tsaka 'di ko kaya. E si aleck kayang kaya niya. Nung nag purchase kasi kami ng house last year 'di pa kami as in into cycling nun. Malapit sa pinto art museum yung subdivision namin and medyo exclusive siya. Pero okay yung location, malapit sa highway, may nearby hospitals, food chains, grocery and malls. Yung daan lang talaga lusong at ahon. So ngayon namomroblema kami pano kami mag ba-bike pag dun na kami nakatira. Hahaha. Mangyayari talaga is isasakay muna sa car yung bike tas park nearby then dun na starting point. Di pwede start mismo sa bahay namin kasi baka dun palang laspag na sa sobrang tindi ng ahon. Hahaha.

Yung cycling kasi hindi nalang siya weekend hobby for us. It's part of our lifestyle. My bf was the one who actually encouraged me to have an active and healthy lifestyle. Sobrang health conscious kasi yun, ayaw niya ng lagi nakaupo lang or nakahiga. Kailangan may activity or movement talaga. Pre-pandemic sobrang sipag nun mag gym as in almost everyday. Tapos umiinom pa ng mga supplements. Sabi nga niya yung cycling is something na gagawin namin hanggang tumanda. Even his dad kasi nasa 50s na pero grabe sobrang lakas parin pumadyak. Dati ayaw ko mag labas ng pera for a bike pero yun nga investment narin kasi namin siya. 'Di lumilipas isang linggo na hindi kami nakaka-bike.

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First part of my Bali trip is now up on the blog :-) 

Haven’t posted in my wordpress account in a while, so I’m just gonna link it here :-) 

Click here to read more about it.

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Surfed for an hour and a half. My instructor said I did pretty good for a first timer. I was able to stand up the first try. Only rented the board for an hour but I ended up extending 30 more mins because I enjoyed so much. Maaan, it was so much fun!! If my body's not too sore tomorrow I'll prolly catch some more waves 🌊

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7 hours in the bus and I finally made it to La Union (was expecting a 5 hour ride but the bus had a lot of stopovers). Staying in at Charlie’s Hangar Surf and Hostel. ❤️

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Went for a morning birthday surf and spent 2 hours in the water. My body’s still sore from yesterday but idc hahaha excuse my face for I was so tired after. My instructor already taught me to catch my own waves without him having to push my board and I had to paddle my arms off! Lol hahaha. Ahhh i’m not ready to go back to Manila just yet :(

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Dubai and Moscow from up above. No plans yet for Feb and March although some of my friends have been messaging and inviting me to go back to LU or Zambales but just for an overnight trip. But might go to Baguio on CNY holiday. I’m really excited for April though cos I’ll be heading to Thailand with my aunt and some of her friends (it will be my 6th country already) and then Cebu on May with my mom cos it’s their hs reunion and I volunteered to pay for all her expenses (bought her a plane ticket as a surprise). 

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Since last year, I’ve already been planning out on where to go and what to doon my birthday. As you guys know, I went on a beach trip last weekend (January 6-8) in La Union for my 24th birthday in which I already posted some photos here. I’ll be sharing with you guys some more details regarding this trip incase you'd want to take a visit or plan to spend your vacation in La Union in the future. In this blog, you’ll find a guide on how to get there, fares, where to stay, and expenses. I’ll be having a separate post for the places you can eat around La Union.

I don’t really know much about La Union aside from the fact that it’s the surfing capital of the Philippines. It was my first time to go there and just relied on google and maps in locating places. Also read a lot of blogs before this trip so I know my how to’s and must try places. Find more about this trip by reading the whole post :-)

How to get there:

1. Ride a bus going to Vigan/Laoag. (Partas Cubao and Pasay is the best option as per other bloggers as well, they said there’s a direct bus going to La Union but I wasn’t able to find one lol. It took me almost 7 hours to get there due to stop overs. I saw that you can book a direct ticket through this website. One way fare is 449php)

2. Drop off in San Juan (the driver might ask you where in San Juan, depends on where you’ll be staying but I did drop off at San Juan Surf Resort. If you don’t wanna walk, there’s a tricycle terminal nearby at 40php if you’re solo and 10php per head if 3-4 persons)

Our bus left at 6am and I think there’s an hour interval per bus (not quite sure tho). We had about 3 stopovers I think that’s why I found the trip long. But they say usually it’s just around 4-6 hours. I arrived at my hostel around 12:30pm.

Where to stay:

CHARLIE’S SURF & HANGAR HOSTEL

I was originally supposed to book my stay at Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel. However, there’s no available room in the dorm type that I wanted for January 6 and I didn’t want to change hostel. Luckily, I found this newly opened hostel called Charlie’s surf and hangar. I was chatting with my surfing instructor and he told me he was teaching one of the owner’s daughter of that hostel and told me they were a family of pilots. So maybe that���s the story behind their interior. It was so cool seeing this big plane (which you can actually enter inside).

I booked for the 8-bed dorm for 750php each night. It’s air-conditioned and shared by both males and females. They keys were electronic which you can tap at the doors for you to enter. They will also provide you keys for the locker and like a storage area where you can leave your gadgets while charging. They do have common bathrooms (separate male and female) and a lounge area with the seaside view. Each room has a veranda where you can hang your wet clothes. Aside from the 8-bed dorm, they also have a 4 and 6-bed dorm priced at 850php and 950php per night. There’s no free breakfast though unlike other hostels. If you want a cheap place to stay I would definitely recommend this place. It’s very neat, clean and a relaxing place to stay. 

What to do:

One thing you shouldn’t miss doing in La Union is to go surfing. 

San Juan Surf School (own by famous surfer Luke Landrigan) offers surfing lessons for 400php inclusive of the board rent and instructor per hour. If you already know how to surf, their surf boards are available for rent at 200php per hour. They teach you the parts of the board and the basic positions and how to’s of surfing. Aside from surfing they also have paddle board, skim board, and kayak that you can rent. My instructor, Kuya Joel told me that some people where asking them why their quite expensive compared if you go surfing in Zambales or other areas. The reason behind it is that their instructors have permits and they undergo training. I went surfing on my 2nd day for 1 hour and a half and another 2 hours on my 3rd day. It was so addicting. Although my arms hurts from paddling. 

Overall, it was really great experience. I’ll definitely come back here. I still have a lot of things on my list that I wasn’t really able to try. I wanna go trekking to Tangadan falls next time and go cliff jumping. There’s just so much to explore in the beautiful place of La Union. By the way, sorry if I only have a few photos. Lol. I didn’t really take a lot of pictures and just enjoyed the moment. And most of my photos are food photos. Hahaha. Lol. Watch out for my next post! :-)

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Hello, I made it to Boracay alone and the hostel is so pretty!!

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Last day in Moscow today and I seriously cannot wait to blog about it. Everything has been amazing 💓

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September has been by far one of the most amazing months I’ve had this year. I still can’t believe that I was able to conquer my third country and continent for the year. Everything still feels a bit surreal. A week has already passed and I’m still on high about this trip. This has got to be one of the most memorable trips ever. I never really thought that life could be so much more exciting and that I would get to experience things like this because of my work.

My trip to Russia has been such a delight. I’ve learned so much from this trip. To be able to attend that seminar was so inspiring knowing that I’m learning from the best of the best. And having to meet them was such a wonderful experience. I’m just so grateful for having been given this chance. I didn’t really expect it. I just do my work the very best that I can and didn’t know I could be rewarded with this kind of thing.

And yes, this time I didn’t go on a trip just for leisure. It was actually for a business trip. I went to attend a seminar in Moscow, Russia together with our president, vice president, and assistant vice president. I really don’t know what good have I done to deserve such thing. But nonetheless, I’m still thankful for the opportunity given to me. I cannot fully disclose the information to you guys but I’m gonna try to write about my experience about the trip.

Day 1

I don’t really have much photos on the day we arrived. There was just some sort of a welcome dinner. It’s like a cocktail dinner and you just get to meet the other representatives and do a little chit chat. I had wine and what they call a Moscow mule which was good by the way. It had some ginger in it, lemon juice and vodka. I immediately went to bed after the event because I was having a terrible headache due to jet lag. Our room was super cool by the way! The tv was inside the mirror or idk. Hahaha. Super futuristic shit.

Day 2

First day of the seminar. I woke up at around 6 because breakfast was at 7 and the seminar starts at 8. I had some Egg’s Benedict and some cappuccino to start the day. There was also a breakfast buffet which was one of the things I always look forward to because of the different types cheese, cold cuts, and assorted fish. The seminar was from 8am-5pm and I have learned so much. Lunch was served while the seminar is on going. There were different snacks too being served every now and then. Dinner was super entertaining! We ate at Yar Restaurant. It’s a theatre like restaurant and there were many performances. Russian dance, aerial show, hoola hoop act, etc. Food was lovely! I really loved that arugula salad with shrimps plus the chicken kiev was a bomb. I wasn’t able to finish my dessert though because I was so full already.

Day 3

The seminar continues for a full day again. I have learned so much during that 2 day seminar in all honesty. I was really excited to get back to work because of all the ideas I had in my head. And as the seminar ends, we had this awards night for dinner. We headed over to Genatsvale who serves Georgian food. Everything was super good and I was really overwhelmed with the amount of food on the table which they replenish from time to time. We also won the Homer awards for the overall best licensee. So yay!

Day 4

This day was allotted for a factory visit. And due to confidentiality I won’t be able to share any information or show photos of it. So anyway, after the tour we then headed to Kaluga for lunch. It was raining that day and was super cold and windy. The view was incredible though. And again, my most awaited part was the dinner which was super fabulous. We had dinner in a boat via Flotilla Radisson Royal River Cruise. The view was super amazing and breath-taking. Moscow is so beautiful even at night. I didn’t really eat much because I was still full from lunch.

Day 5

On our last day, they have arrange a tour in Kremlin for us. Walking through the streets of Moscow was fun. I really love their architectural structures and the history behind it. Everything was so beautiful. The churches, the museums, the parks--everything! It was only a half day tour but educational. We had our lunch at Cafe Pushkin afterwards and then went a little shopping and strolling before going to the airport.

Going to this trip didn’t really feel like work at all. I’m so grateful for having been given this opportunity and once in a lifetime experience. I was learning and having fun at the same time. It was indeed a memorable trip that I’ll forever treasure.

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I just got back from my Boracay trip yesterday morning. As some of you may know, I went on this trip alone. My college friend was suppose to join me on this trip but something came up and she was not able to make it to our flight and only told me the night before. I actually had hesitations wether to still push through with the trip or not. But I knew deep inside I really wanted to go even if I'm alone.

I had a lot of firsts this year and this trip has made it to the list. It was my first time riding a plane solo, with no friends or any company of some sort. It was a little nerve-racking to be honest. It's not my first time to ride a plane but it feels different when you don't know anyone. Good thing it was just an hour ride so I was able to survive it.

This is also not the first time that I traveled solo outside Manila but technically, its the farthest I've ever been by myself. And its not just an overnight but a 4-day trip to be exact. I don't really have troubles in traveling alone because I always do research prior my trip. Plus there's always google to help me out and it doesn't hurt to ask incase you're lost.

I always tell my friends that they should try traveling alone even just once in their life. I swear, its a life changing experience for me. It also gave me the chance to reflect in life and realize a lot of things. Surprisingly, you'll also get to discover more about yourself.  Its funny though because I can travel alone but still lack courage when it comes to socializing and talking to other people. I'm trying my best though, and going on solo trip helps me enhance my social skills and be less awkward. Its also challenging at the same time which I love. It's like a game of survival.

I have no regrets on going in this trip even though I went  there by myself because I was really never alone. My high school friend was there so we were able to meet up, I guy from my hostel approached me and started a conversation. I got to meet new people and gained friends from Boracay Pub Crawl. Also, it doesn't make you a loner or an emo kid just because you travel alone. I'm just really making the most out of my early 20s. Its the time to be selfish they say. I'm just trying live life and do things while I'm still young and while I can.

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Off to my 3rd country and continent for the year. ✈️

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This photo is giving me that Palm Dreams feels. Lol. Missing South Africa tho. It’s been almost 3 months since that trip and up to now I’m still obsessing with my photos. 

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Since I got this question in my ask box a few days ago, I decided to make a blog post about it.

As I have mentioned, one piece of advice I could give is to take risks. Be courageous enough to face your fears. One way of learning is through taking risks. It will make you a stronger person and wiser of the decisions you might be making in the future. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and try things you’ve never done before. Be spontaneous. Sometimes, things don’t go out the way they should be or how you had planned it. And so, you just gotta deal with it or do something and make the most out of it. Here are some tips and advice you might need.

DO RESEARCH. You’re biggest concern would probably be your safety. I suggest that you do a lot of research beforehand. Read travel blogs as it would be really helpful. Know the ways in getting from one place to another. Check how much the fares costs and how long the travel time would take. If you like to eat and try out new things like me, it would also be good to check out the rates and packages available so that you can also plan out your budget. I would also recommend for you to read reviews of the places you want to visit so that you can prepare yourself in case you encounter some unexpected situations.

PLAN YOUR TRIPS. I like planning my trips because it also saves time so I make it appoint to make an itinerary. I usually list down the attractions or activities that can be done and assign a specific date to visit and do them. It lessens the chance of unexpected expenses since you already know what you want to do and how much it would cost you.

TRAVEL LIGHT. Only bring the things that are necessary. Plan your outfits ahead to avoid bringing extra clothes that you won’t be wearing anyway. You’ll only need your toiletries and enough clothes to last you on your trip. Trust me. I actually know someone who just bring clothes good for a day or two and then just buy her clothes for the remaining days at local markets.

BRING EXTRA CASH. You’ll never know. You might need it in case of emergencies. So always bring an extra cash on hand. Don’t just put it in one place and make some sort of a hidden stash. So incase you lost your wallet you won’t be left empty handed.

BE VIGILANT. Don’t just accept drinks from random people. Also, if you’re going to the washroom don’t leave your drinks or ask for another one when you get back. Your safety is of utmost important. Trust your instincts. If you feel like something doesn’t feel right then don’t go for it. 

JUST ENJOY. And most of all don’t forget to enjoy and have fun. That’s the most important thing. It would also be fun to meet locals and interact with them. Don’t over think too much on your trip. Make it a fun and relaxing one.

Each and every trip, you get to have different kinds of experience. Although you have planned things out, something might still come along the way. You’ll never know. Learn to ride with the waves. Also, traveling doesn’t really have to be expensive. I suggest you go somewhere near first. Maybe a day trip or an overnight trip. Just for you to feel the surface and see how you like it because I believe that solo travel is not for everyone. Anyway, don’t wait any longer and start planning out your first solo trip. :-)

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Spontaneous and adventurous; those are the two words that I would always tell people when asked what kind of person am I. Traveling and eating are two of my favorite things to do. I like trying out new things, discovering new places and meeting new people.

I always try to make plans with my friends but most of the time it ends up being just a plan and it never happens. There are a lot of excuses here and there and reasons that never runs out. Either they’re too busy, don’t have enough money or not available on your planned dates. And so, I refused to wait. I started to make things happen on my own. People might think that traveling alone is scary, and I admit, at some point it is. But you know what’s scarier? Growing old and not being able to experience and do things you should’ve done while you still can.

One of the reasons why I love traveling alone is that I get the ultimate freedom. I can do what I want, go wherever I want and just plan things out whenever I want. And in that process, you get to meet yourself. After every trip I get to learn something new about myself and it surprises me. Traveling makes me grow as a person. I learned to survive on certain instances and be a little more independent. It made me confident and taught me to make friends. Somehow, I have managed to embrace and appreciate the art of being alone. What I also love about getting to travel alone is that it gives me the chance to reflect – about certain things and life in general. It makes me realize a lot of stuff, like how far I’ve come in life. Or how am I as a person and the things I’ve done.

I can’t help but to ask myself, why only now? I had always planned on doing this but I guess it’s just really this year that I got the courage to really do it. And I must say, I’ve never been happier. I’ve just started and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. This is just the beginning and I’ve more plans in the future. Instead of waiting for things to happen, let’s do something and start making them happen. Traveling alone doesn’t really have to be a sad thing. Because you’re never really alone when you travel. As you come along the way you get to meet new people. People that can actually be your friends. So stop wondering and start wandering. It’s never too late to go out there and see the world. You have now and so better make the most out of it.

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More snaps from my Hong Kong trip. 

I haven’t transferred and edited all my photos from my trip to South Africa but I swear to find time to finish them later tonight. I already wrote my blog post and just need to insert the photos. Will probably post it on Saturday :-)