Starting 2008 right

How did the first hours of 2008 find you? Were you out partying with half the nation, or tucked safely at home with your family? I spent it being silly with two of my closest friends at the Manila Pavilion. This was my second year to spend New Year’s Eve away from the house I grew up in. This was the first time I spent it with friends, who are practically family.

You can't stay at the Pavilion and not take a photo at the corridor...
Hmmm, so does this mean we’ll be silly the whole year round?

 

The start of a new year brings to mind making resolutions. I’ve long since stopped believing in making new year’s resolutions; you can make positive changes in your life any day of the year. Instead, I started listing my goals for the year. Last 2006, I set my goal to travel to two domestic destinations and two international destinations. I accomplished that by traveling to Cebu, Bohol and Bacolod, and jetting off to Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

I didn’t make any specific goals for 2007; I started the year overseas and my bills were piling up in Manila. I already knew then that I will be coming back to Australia, so that stopped me from making too many plans. Besides, I was broke!

For 2008, my goal is to focus on seeing more of the Philippines. Hearing other travelers talk about traveling to places in my home country which I haven’t been to has been quite an eye-opener. I need to explore the Philippines.

I have no idea how many places I can go to this year. Seeing as I follow the American holidays, my long weekends are very limited. This need some careful planning and budgeting.

Nina’s travel destinations for 2008:

1. Donsol, Legaspi. I actually already have something more or less set for this; I just need to buy my plane tickets. I will be going with a group and will be in Legaspi to watch for whale sharks, and discover what Legaspi has to offer while we’re there. This trip is scheduled on February 23 – 25 (People Power anniversary holiday). If you’re interested to join, drop me a line in the comment box or email me and I’ll fill you in on the details.

2. Tagaytay. Just because I haven’t been there yet. -_-

3. Bauan, Batangas. Owen made a snorkelling day trip at Dive n Trek and spent less than Php 2,000. How can I not try that?

4. Corregidor, Bataan. I’ve been to Corregidor before, but I couldn’t really remember much of it anymore, except that I got a terrible sunburn. I’m torn between being cheap and going on a daytrip and splurging for a tour with Carlos Celdran.

5. Camarines sur. The watersport complex, to be specific.

6. Palawan, Dumaguete or Davao. Because I haven’t been to those places yet.

I’m aiming to get at least 4 out of 6. How about you? Where do you plan to go this 2008?

This is post is submitted to the January Rice Bowl Journal collaboration project


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10 responses to “Starting 2008 right”

  1. dyanie Avatar

    hi nina! so wow philippines pla ang target mo this year! my friend also said that to me. sabi nya bago ko ikuting ang mundo eh dapat daw nalibot ko na pilipinas! sabi ko naman, “mas mahal pa pag sa pilipinas eh!” hehehehe ๐Ÿ˜‰

    my friends will be going to palawan and im still thinking if sasama ako. sabi kc ng doctor ko, marami daw lamok sa palawan. since nagka dengue na ko, mas lapitin tlaga ko compared sa mga taong di pa nagkakaron.

    hmmm…

    SG and KL – never been there! gusto ko i try dun! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. davidd (aka puuikibeach) Avatar
    davidd (aka puuikibeach)

    Whale sharks? Snorkeling? Watersport complex? JustWandering is turning into a Dive Blog! THAT IS SO COOL!

    Corregidor? That place must be covered with ruins and wreckage from the war. You must take, and post, TONS AND TONS of photos!

    And list prices, and places to stay, and how to get there, and all those pesky little details.

    I’m way more excited about your upcoming travel year than I am about mine.

    Safe travels… and Happy 2008!

  3. Ferdz Avatar

    What a way to start the year. Being fun and silly! hehe.

    Nice destinations. I haven’t been to corregidor as well. Even if it’s near, it’s way too expensive. Oh well. Maybe if I have some extra bucks with me. hehe

  4. estan Avatar

    wow! seems it will be a busy year of hopping within the country.

    Donsol is really good, as far as the whale sharks are concerned. A different kind of adrenalin as one gazes or swims with one.

    Tagaytay? You haven’t been there yet? So close yet so far away. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Corrigedor, well, in the almost 10 that I’ve been living in Metro Manila, di ko pa talaga napuntahan ito. Lapit lang sana.

    Bauan, hmmm, I prefer the old churches but just gone there in passing.

    Camarines Sur, not really a water person but still, I prefer the old churches.

    Palawan, Dumaguete and Davao are equally wonderful places basta not the usual tourist traps and malls lang.

    As for me, I plan to stamp out the white spaces in my Lakbayan map :p

  5. nina Avatar

    Actually, one of the reasons I’m sticking to domestic destinations kasi relatively cheaper sya thank traveling overseas again. XD Singapore is one of my favorite places in Asia. I’m sure mag enjoy ka rin dun, Dyanie. It’s not as exotic as other parts of Southeast Asia, but it sure has its charms.

    Dive blog? I don’t think so, David. I have to get over my issues with drowning. That and my terrible ear pressure problem. Pfft, my travels aren’t nearly as exciting as yours.

    What better way to start the year di ba, Ferdz? Actually, I purposely made my list short and easy para mas madali ma-achieve XD

    The white spaces in your Lakbayan map, Estan? Parang ang onti nalang nun ah. Talagang churches mga gusto mong puntahan no? No wonder you’re the photographer they got for Facades! P.s. Kelan nga ba book signing mo sa Manila? ๐Ÿ˜‰

  6. […] nina: Actually, one of the reasons I’m sticking to domestic destinations kasi relatively cheaper sya thank… […]

  7. Goals for 2008 | Something evil this way comes

    […] to four out of the six destinations in my travel list for 2008. It’s about time I started seeing more of the Philippines, […]

  8. Manny Avatar

    Hi Nina. I hope you get to travel to all of your destinations. I’m going to the Philippines next week. My wife is already there and is staying in Tagum, near Davao City, to take care of her mother. I will spend a few days with them in Davao. Have you been to the US yet? Maybe you will make travel plans for there someday.

  9. […] 2008 Travel Goals I listed six places in my travel goals for 2008: Donsol, Legaspi; Tagaytay; Bauan, Batangas; Corregidor, Bataan; Camarines Sur, and; Palawan, […]

  10. […] Five months ago, I lamented that I haven’t been to Tagaytay yet, though it’s only an hour an a half from Manila. Now as we start on the sixth month of 2008, I’m quite proud to say that I’ve already been to Tagaytay three times. First time was the trip with my sister-in-law and nephews (which I’ve yet to blog about), second was the Southern Sojourn with Verdana Homes and Our Awesome Planet, and the third was just last Saturday with friend from the Rice Bowl Journals forum. What has college done to you as a person? […]

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