As you may have surmised, I am terribly uninspired lately. Blame it on PMS, cabin fever or depression over my perpetually empty bank account, this month has so far been terrible.
In an attempt to cheer myself up, I’ve started reading up on places I want to visit from now until 2009. Hey, it’s never too early to plan, right?
I’m limiting it to two years because I want to make this list as realistic as possible. I don’t want just write down a place even though deep down I know it’s not possible. Then again, it wouldn’t hurt to dream 
And so, the 10 places I want to go to in the next 2 years:
- Palawan. Whether it’s El Nido, Puero Princessa or Coron, I don’t care as long as it’s Palawan. I
wantneed to go there. I’m sure the gorgeous beaches and the unspoilt nature is the best stress-buster. - Mindanao. Well, I need to raise my Lakbayan grade! Pitiful, specially since I haven’t been to ANY island in Mindanao. Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao or Basilan? Hmmmmm…
- Boracay. I’ve been here before, but Boracay definitely warrants another visit. Jonah’s milkshake, firedancers, Friday the dog, Levy’s sushi, D’mall, Mr. Juicebar, Jägermeister, Tekken tournaments, sarongs and Koreans. Oh yes, some of our best (and for some, worst) memories happened in Bora.
- Camarines Sur. To be accurate, the Camsur Water Complex. Must. Go. There.
- Tagaytay. Can you keep a secret? I haven’t been to Tagaytay yet! Well, I’ve passed by the place, but I haven’t gone down the bus or car to see the sights.
- Sydney. I can’t help it. I wan’t able to get enough of Sydney. There’s still so many places I haven’t been to, things to try, food to eat, ferry rides to take…
- Malaysia. As with most travelers who go to Singapore, a side trip to Malaysia is part of the itinerary. On my first trip to Singapore back in 2000, we did the customary weekend trip to KL, doing the touristy stuff. The next weekend was a half-day trip to Johor Bahru for brunch and a visa run. Aside from hitting up KL, this time I’d like to head on north to Penang and maybe Langkawi as well. I’m also eyeing Kota Kinabalu and maybe Kuching (Cayce promised me a tour!)
- Hong Kong. People are often surprised to find out that I still haven’t been to HK. Before low cost carriers opened up the skies for budget travel to our South East Asian neighbors, Hong Kong is the prime destination for first time travelers and shopaholics. One of the easiest place to go to from Manila, and I still haven’t been there. Oh the irony.
- Cambodia. This shouldn’t have been in this list, but my Malaysia - Cambodia January 2007 plan was thwarted by my not-so-sudden trip to Australia. I already had my tickets for KL - Siem Reap - KL, booked as early as September, during an AirAsia promo. Unfortunately, I totally forgot about them until AFTER the flight dates so I wasn’t able to re-book it. Bah! Hopefully, I’ll be successful next year. *crosses fingers*
- Germany. This is a long shot, but I have to go there before bchai and her hubby move to another place! Oh, and to practice what little German I know. Scheissen Sie!
I’ll check back on this list from time to time, to guide me where to go next. Who knows, maybe before 2009 ends, I’ve already visited all these places
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Funny, I was just thinking about Syndey last night. There’s definitely something about that place that draws one back! I suspect, however, that unless a person is reasonably wealthy and lives and works near the harbour or the CBD, living there is a different world than what I as a visitor have seen. As I drove out of Sydney toward the Blue Mountains the city became one huge urban sprawl, mile after mile of congested, bustling, quasi-suburbia reaching nearly to the foot of the mountains. I’d like to explore some of these outlying parts of Sydney if I have the chance to visit again, to get more of an idea of what “real life” there is like. Somehow I doubt that everyone in Sydney is an attractive, sophisticated urbanite dining elegantly in waterfront cafes after a day of international deal-making in a glass high-rise office complex… altho’ that’s pretty much what it looked like to my naive and easily impressed small-town eyes.
Actually, I’d like to see what Sydney would be like on a regular day. It was Mardi Gras weekend when I went there and the place is just sprawling with tourists!
Maybe I just like the urban-ess of any city. (even though living in the city is driving me nuts as of late)
Let’s do Palawan or Mindanao together!!
Waaah… I could be in Manila right now (my mom just touched down today) but woe is my bank account.
Awww, that’s too bad, Cayce! So, Palawan and Mindanao first quarter 2008?
Hongkong is nice, weather-wise. Plus, the nightlife rocks. However, it’s not recommended for cheap shopping. China and Thailand still offers the best shopping experience.
Palawan is the best beach I’ve ever been to. Other beaches just pale in comparison (including those from abroad). Boracay sucks so much for me. It’s just like Manila, only the streets have turned into sand.
Tagaytay is boring. Don’t bother. Cambodia is boring too according to my cousin, but I believe that I’d enjoy it if ever I have the time to visit the place. Arts, culture and history all blended in one place.
Sounds like a tentative plan to me!!!
Add me on msn: tajai76AThotmail.com
I think that’s my msn tag… or you could just e-mail me.
Hmmm, Good choice for places you want to visit. Before you want to go abroad, try to explore certain localities here in our country. If I were given a place in which I could visit, I would pick Japan first, because Japan boast a good culture and a lot of history still embedded in their lives. Second, I want to visit those Japanese Castle that are still standing until now…
ako, dream ko seoul! wohooo! para makapag pa picture ako dun sa mga napapanood ko sa mga koreanovelas!
If you’re in Johor again, forget JB, the best spots are out of the capital! I won’t mind giving you a tour if I’m around.
Wei:
! I’m hoping to go to KL next year. Will definitely get in touch before I go 
What?! Tagaytay?!! :O
Nice list huh. Sama kami sa pangarap mo. I would want to go to El Nido as well, Germany too! Pati ako sa HK di pa ko nakakapunta. hehehe
hi nina, indeed it is good to target the place you want to go to so you can budget your resources in order for you to visit the places you dreamed of..i myself love to travel the reason why I pursued a career in the Travel/Hotel Industry. Being a Travel Agent for 7 years and now a Hotelier, I have been to many places. Yes you must try Palawan. I’ve been to Puerto Princessa last week and the place is really magnificent. You wouldn’t think you are in a City for that matter. The Underground River is a must see but my favorite is Snorkeling in Honda Bay. You will be able to engage yourself in Fish Feeding and Coral watching. The scenery underwater is as beautiful as the islands within the Bay.
Of course Boracay is one of my favorite destination though I hate it when locals think I am a Korean because of my similar features.
Overseas,I would also like to visit Sydney and perhaps Switzerland as I am fascinated by the Alps, Chocolates and the accuracy of their timepieces.
Hope we can bump into each other in one of these trips.
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