HELLO YEAR 2022 - WE ALL FEEL YOU

 

When we hear the number 22 we always think of Taylor Swift's song and we totally sing this line "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22!" 

So there are unfortunate series of events that happened in our family before the year ends - First: my sister was pregnant and about to give birth last December and required to take a series of RT PCR tests for Covid19. On her fourth test, she was tested positive. The whole family got quarantined for 14-days! Our dad's birthday was celebrated at home again and I couldn't go home because it was useless not to bond with them. Turns out that the rest of the family are all NEGATIVE after they had a swab test at home, but still quarantined for 14days. After few days, it was Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) hit the Visayas - Mindanao and the top tri-cities in Cebu province gained a lot of damages mostly are roofs and some houses made of light wood materials got smashed. Everyone I know are safe. Laban lang. 

As for me, my family told me not to go home until water, electricity and telecommunications are stable. So, I booked my solo New Year's Eve countdown in the hotel near my place and tadah it was all worth it with the 360 views of fireworks and personalized mini bottle of champagne for souvenir. 

I was hesistant at first to go there alone, but eventually I have met these siblings, Jen and Robi from Cebu. They evacuated here in Manila just like my other friends for New Year's celebration. They are also planning to work and stay here for a while. 

The countdown begins and the fireworks display are all awesome and welcoming 2022 really feels so good. Im kind of carrying some emotional excess baggage, but just like decluttering my skincare products before I started writing this blog post, I will for sure slowly letting go of those baggages that I know there will be no room for this year. I will miss those moments and feelings, 2021 is one crazy roller coaster ride for all of us. I had encountered so many plot twists and received so many "Sorry". 

But here I am, trying to pull up myself from the mess I've been to. Hoping that I can have a good year and less bad vibes because I am a happy ball of sunshine outside and l am so close to shut down every windows and doors in my life that I know I can't do that because at the end of the day, I want to feel light and happy and peaceful. 

VLOG about my New Year's Eve here: 

Life Updates is a weekly VLOG content created by Jewel Delgado to share my life updates in a week to inspire single independent adults out there to have life-work balance and slow down filled with life living alone, adulting, minimalist lifestyle, reviews and travels.

Cheers to 2022! 

Travel Diary and VLOG: Year End Trip in Bantayan Island Cebu

As the year 2019 comes to an end we were all busy with work, the holiday spirit possessed me and my friends by thinking of something that we could do together before we will have our holiday break with our families.

It was a good morning conversation in our group chat when we all decided to go to Bantayan Island in Cebu to have our year-end trip for five days! Sounds like we were tired of the North Luzon beach getaway for just over a weekend.

So we booked our flights that day and accommodation. I was excited because my friends from Manila will be going to Cebu once again and some are first-timer visiting the island.

Hagnaya Port - Ferry Ride

After a three to four hours bus ride, we arrived at Hagnaya Port where we will embark on the ferry for another two hours trip to the island.

Kota Beach Resort

This resort became popular when it was the location shoot for the movie "Camp Sawi" also known as "where do broken hearts go camp" but then we are not heartbroken, actually not all. So the resort decided to remove the Camp Sawi signage at their entrance to refrain non-guests to flocked in and having photoshoots a few years ago.

We booked two rooms.

Motorcycle Rental

We rented a motorbike for PHP300/day as our transport around the town. Joy is a local from Bantayan Island and hasn't been home for a long time since she became based in Manila for work. It was so refreshing for her to be at home and embraced being an island girl once again.

Virgin Island in Bantayan

It was 2013 when the last time I stepped in this island when there were no enough cottages, no stores to buy your drinks and food and other cliff diving spots to jump off with. So when I went there, the island is more on the touristy feels and no longer virgin for me because of the new photo opts spots, tables and cottages, toilets, stores and entrance fee that you have to pay once you entered the island.

The Ruins

It was my first time to visit this spot because whenever I visit Bantayan Island, I just stayed at the beach because that's what we came for after five hours of travel. So it was a good side trip to sight when you on a road trip with friends.

Mangrove Farm

We spent our sunset session in this area where it was quiet and scary because of the mangroves. It was a great location for some photo opts too because Camp Sawi signage is there! HAHA

And there is also a Camp Wagi signage which means you are a "winner!" for all aspects of your life.

Here's the VLOG of our trip. Thanks to Quinan for the video! Keep it up!

A Day Trip to Guimaras Island (DIY Itinerary)

DIY Itinerary is always been like a gamble. Like you will never know what you are going to face when you arrived at your destination. Well, not in Guimaras Island!

Annual trip with the squad! Meet Neil and Carissa - they are couple and basically I never feel I was third-wheel to them because both of them are my friends.Well, we missed Rod in this trip. He's from Iloilo, but he has other planned trip. 

The island is organized by logging in your names in their record book as visitors and they recommend you a driver and tricycle to tour you around the island for PHP1500! It's a good deal!

Here are the Top Guimaras Tourist Spots on the island:

Navalas Church

It is the oldest existing Roman Catholic Church in the Province of Guimaras that has survived the ravages of time; built in 1880-1885.  A bigger bell that was more than four feet tall, formerly hang at the belfry was carted away and dumped into the sea near Isla del Siete Pecados by Muslim raiders.  Only the façade remain untouched. source

Roca Encantada

The Lopez Family (of ABS-CBN) owns Roca Encantada – a mansion that welcomes paying guests. Our guide said this house appeared in several TV shows and movies. You can’t enter the master bedroom but you’re allowed to roam the lawn and take tons of selfies outside the house.

No tripod, but I used the tree-pod.

San Lorenzo Guimaras Windmill 

We had an up-close view of the windmill. It was too hot to have photos under it. 

Lunch Time

Guimaras Mango Plantation

Here is where Guimaras produces its world-famous mangoes. You'll appreciate ... Guimaras trip is not complete if u don't see their mango plantation and if you know the movie "Forevermore" of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa. This is where they shot the film. 

Trappist Monastery Guimaras

The Trappist Monastery grounds is a peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme austerity or strictness that chara.

Guisi Point Lighthouse

The Guisi Lighthouse is an 18th-century Spanish-colonial lighthouse built beside the beach. It was built to guide mariners passing the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait.

Guisi Beach

Guisi Beach may not have powdery white sand, but its rugged beachscape, aquamarine waters, and rock formations are what make it charming. Often included with a trip to the lighthouse, this is a noteworthy stop for those who want to see more of Guimaras. It is an ideal place to rest, relax, and unwind after wading in its waters or taking countless photos. 

You can also read here more of our day tour in Guimaras island on Issa's blog.


Have a great day everyone!
xx

72 Hours Solo Travel in Seoul South Korea

So I applied for a visa for South Korea because I think visiting the country is overdue for me. So I did. Then after a couple of months, I still had no plans to book some tickets or join a friend who will also go there for a trip.  I was down for one more month before it expires and it feels so sayang not to use it. 

One afternoon, I was browsing an airline app and checking their seat sale - As I go through the app, I clicked next, next and next until suddenly, booked it! I was surprised by that. HAHAHA, I felt sorry, not sorry.  So I filed my vacation leave that day. 

It was raining that day

Here we go again with no itinerary 

I booked my tickets a week before my flight. YES, THAT IS ME! I DO THAT. Please don't follow me. 

Good thing there are apps now where you can book your tours and activities and ask a friend who's been there for a solo journey. 

I lost track of time - Backstory: 

Gurl, It was only like one hour in advance from Manila time. When I arrive in the country I was like "it's fine, so early pa" so I went to the booth to get my pocket wifi. Then hop in the A'Rex to the Hongdae Station. It was raining that day, then I saw a lot of people waiting for a travel bus outside the station, but then I was focused on searching for my Airbnb nearby. After 15 minutes of finding my home for a few days, I went back to the station and still checked Manila time. I thought I was on time! BUT then the tour guide said the bus left already. I felt bad because I didn't realize the timezone difference. HAHAHA Spell TANGA. 

Anyway, I rebooked my tour for the next day, so I have to pay another 20,000KRW for that. Roughly PHP1000 (not bad, not bad) 

The season was Autumn, but the weather is bad there was a typhoon that hit Busan. But I still have to go out and do my DIY tour.

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Do-It-Your-Own Itinerary

I found a local restaurant near my Airbnb and I ordered this: 

After lunch, I decided to go to Gyeongbukgong Palace

National Palace Museum of Korea

The National Palace Museum of Korea opened in 1992 displaying relics from the Joseon Dynasty [1392~1910]. Over 20,000 royal relics from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine are on display. Read more here.

This is lit! Have you seen this in Kingdom series in Netflix? 

Let me know in the comment section below. 

Gyeongbukgong Palace

Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. (source)

I can't place my tripod because it was raining so bad.

Love the details!

KINGDOM!

JEWEL in the PALACE is real! and that is me! 

It was also a great timing that my friend Joel is in Seoul South Korea! Whoa!

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village in Seoul with a long history located on the top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The traditional village is composed of lots of alleys, hanok and is preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment. (source)

I booked a tour and here are my itinerary: 

Petite France

Petite France is a French-style theme park that was constructed in July 2008 in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It was raining that day that left me with no choice but to just enjoy the tour. It would be great to see the place in good weather

Sariling sikap self portraits

Wet shoes :( 

My favorite house in Petite France

Autumn leaves

I got hungry after touring around.

 Next stop is

The Naminara Republic known as Nami Island

Namiseom or Nami Island is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea, formed as it was inundated by the rising water of the North Han River as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in 1944. (source)

Our last of the tour and also the longest time allocate for us to enjoy what is inside this island. Unfortunately, it was still raining my shoes was so wet, but I can't take it off because it was too cold.

Then the sun decided to show up an hour before we leave the island. So we took advantage to look for trees with autumn leaves. So it will add colors to our photos.

We decided to try this for our lunch. 

Lamb and Sticky Rice

Then we entered a mini museum. 

ENDLESS LOVE

Winter Sonata is a South Korean television drama series that aired on KBS2 in 2002. Starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, it is the second part of the season-themed Endless Love series directed by Yoon Seok-ho. Filming primarily took place on the resort island of Namiseom and Seoul. (source)

In this trip, I met Sab and her mother they are from General Santos. They said they are lucky that someone can take good photos of them, but I am also lucky because I had a good company and someone can take photos of me as well. 

So the sun finally decided to show up. So I took a lot of selfies using my tripod. 

Back to Hongdae!

I was the last one who will drop off to Hongkik Station

I can't help but thank our driver that day. He looked like someone I know in Manila. HAHA

I was looking for my food for dinner in Gyeongul Line Forest Park

Pubcrawl in Hongdae

I don't have a lot of photos from the night because my goal was just to enjoy and have fun. I was excited to meet travelers from other countries. 

Here's a selfie because I took a cab.

with Bo

with Danica

Here we are as United Nation. The only decent group photo I have.

The only bar I took photo of because was too busy having fun!

 Read my VLOG and photo diary about my Pubcrawl experience here.

That was a great night! 

Hello Kitty Museum

After a great Pubcrawl night, I woke up early to prepare for another itinerary I made myself. The easiest, I guess. Never missed visiting this Hello Kitty Museum. I had fun and screamed inside because Hello Kitty is love!

I wish my kitchen will be like this

Hello? Tanggap niyo na ba padala ko? 

Wrote my wishes

Namsam Seoul Tower

I am not a fan of going to the tower and see the overlooking view of the city because it will just take more or less 30 minutes and you have to pay for an expensive fee. 

I LOVE THIS! From where I stand.

VIP Seat!

Joel was waiting for me and we had some churros with ice cream after.

I was seriously thinking to extend my stay in the country.

Churros with ice cream in this cold weather.

I wanted to have a photo there, but never mind. 

Going to Incheon Airport 

Last money left. I like my Airbnb place because it was small, but I have my own toilet and bath, tv, comfy bed, AC, fridge, wardrobe cabinet in a small room! I can't imagine! How I can't have that all in Makati. 

A'Rex

Finally at the airport. I was sad because I wanted to extend my stay, but I think I had enough of my trip. I will be back in a few years I hope.

My flight is in the evening and I have to eat dinner first. 

On boarding time!

I hope you have fun reading this long travel diary of mine. I decided to share everything in just one blog post. Let me know if you have any questions or if you are planning to go solo to Seoul! I will be happy to answers them.

It was a great trip to remember Seoul! 
I will be back soon.

Off to the beach now!