Traveling around Andalucia Part 1

I am one year now here in Spain and since i arrived here i haven't put any entry about my trave here.  It is because i was starting little by little to adopt the life here which is very difficult. Until now i am still struggling but good thing is not as the same when it was my first 6 months here.
Because of that it is hard for me to write something because my mind is still absent. :) But well here i am again i am going to start little by little.

When i arrived in Spain last year it was also the start of my tour, been to many beautiful places and those places really surprised me.  Since i live in the south of Spain i get a chance to visit those famous tourist spot in Andalucia. For one year of my stay here i would like to share with you all the places that i have visited. I will start it randomly.

Ecija!

Ecija Skyline

     Ecija is belong to the province of Seville.  Ecija is the place where the parents of my husband came from.  Its looks like Ilocos in Philippines it has lots of churches and the road is not a typical road pavement.  When i arrived there i thought it was just a simple place but the there was something behind those building and old houses.  I was amazed with all the churches that i've visited, the rustic color, the smell and even the structures are very old and unique.  It reminds me my home country because spanish people brought the catholicism in my country.

Sevilla

Giralda Tower

Sevilla is one of my favorite city, one of the very busy tourist spot in Andalucia, and Giralda tower is one of the famous spot in Seville. Aside from that there are Plaza de España where the movie Star Wars shot, the Plaza de Alcazaba where the famous Game of thrones series shot which is located in the center of Seville.  This city really caught my heart i don't know why but i fell in love in this place.

Ronda

Puente Nuevo

I never thought that i could visit this lovely place oneday. Ronda is a romantic city  and it is more enjoyable specially for the couple but i am not saying that this is only good for the couple. Actually everybody can visit this place it has a good pictursque that everybody will enjoy. 

Malaga

City of Malaga

   Malaga is the port city in Costa Del Sol, it is one of the modern city in Andalucia.  Like Madrid it has a modern style of buildings, high rise hotels and resort and other structures.

Tarifa

Tarifa beach

Tarifa is the smallest town in Cadiz, Spain, it is the most southern part of  continental Europe.  It is  most popular destination for wind sport.


For the mean time this is the first part of my travel around Andalucia but i will post soon the second part once i am done on it.  Hope you enjoy!

Corregidor Walk Tour with Mi Amor

For this year of 2014 Corregidor is my first destination, but it  is not only me who will travel now, i am with the man whom  i chose to spend the rest of my life with. Corregidor is our dream place to visit and this is how was it.

Corregidor one of the best historical site here in the Philippines.  It has lots of stories left inside the island and if you could think on it who would have thought that there is somethings exist inside of the island.

Corregidor is one of my dream destination and thank God he allowed me to experienced and explore what's within and of course thanks also to my fiance because he also wanted to visit the place. We're supposed to visit Corregidor Island last August 18, 2013 but unfortunately due to the bad weather (Habagat 2) the Philippine coast guard didn't allow to travel our ferry. Aside from that the marriage proposal was also supposed to happen in Corregidor but it did not happened there gladly it all ends fine despite the bad weather.

Well luckily we got the chance to explore the place, Last March 8, 2014 we booked in Sun Cruises for the "Walking Tour Package".  Yes it is a walk tour sounds rare but definitely fun! Maybe some tourist chose the "Day Tour Package" which is the normal tour package that you'll only ride in the tranvia.


Our first stop was Battery way!

This is the first and most visited place in Corregidor because it is near in the port of the island.  I was amazed when i saw some part of the wall of the toilet that got inside the trunk of the tree when Japanese hit this area a very old ages place but truly amazing!.

As we walk going to our second stop my fiance and I were having fun on our way going to the "Hospital Building"  

If you choose the "Corregidor Historical Walking Tour" package this is the way that you are going to experience when you visit the island, there are some place that you will visit in a walk tour package that Day Tour Package cannot experience and vice versa.

This is the Hospital building in Corregidor, creepy but lots of historicy happens here. What's inside are the ward for those injured soldiers during the battle. The Operating Room and the other one is the morgue.

After our tour inside the hospital we headed to the old shopping mall of the island where soldiers and their wives shop for food, clothes, etc.  Then the stairs going up is headed to the back side of the Topside barracks.

As we headed our way to the top we saw this back side of the Topside Barracks of the island, this is the longest barracks inside the island and it pretty awesome!

Back of the Topside Barracks

Inside the Topside barracks is the recreational area for the soldiers who lives in the island. You can see below the picture of the old swimming pool.

and here is the outside view of the Topside barracks.

In front of the Topside barracks is the field where chopper can landed anytime, and it was the place also where soldiers did their march during their time.

Next stop! The Cine Corregidor, where entertainment held. 

The Ruins! Cine Corregidor

Next is the Pacific War Memorial and the Eternal Flame of Freedom

Second to the last is one of my favorite place, the light house.  When we visited the light house it was under renovation so we couldn't get a chance to go inside but still i am thankful because this is the first place i visited for this year and at the same time i was with my fiance.

and we dropped by here in Malinta Tunnel since this is not included in our package.

This is one of my great travel for this year so far plus factor coz finally I've got a chance to visit this place with my fiance.  For me this is one of the best place because this is unique and much better for those students who conduct their educational tour coz this one is the best place to visit and worth the price.

till our next trip! Ciao!

HOW SPAIN SLOWLY KILL ME

“Life is full of screwups. You're supposed to fail sometimes. It's a required part of the human existance.” 
― Sarah Dessen, Along for the Ride



Spain is one of my biggest dream country to visit i want to explore in their cities and experience life in Europe country only just for a short stay.  That's why when i gave a chance to visit this country i grabbed it immediately.

Everything happen was a truly blissful event.  Last October i gathered all the documents i needed to send it for my Schengen Visa Application.  Everything were in a hurry but i thank God i finally completed it all.
I enclosed in the envelope the copy of my Application Form,  round trip ticket, my Travel Insurance, the hotel were i would stay, Certificate of Employment, Bank Certificate, Invitation coming from my host sponsor, and Passport.

After my very short stay in Samar to visit my father i immediately scheduled my visit to the Spanish Consulate for my interview .  I have in hand all the original documents just in case they ask for it.  The interview last for 10 minutes i think.  After that i went out in their office with lots of questions in my mind.  But i know i did all the best that i can. I sent all the important documents they needed for them to study my application. After 2 days i received a notification stating that my application is ready for deliver by the next day but since i don't have an office work during Saturday i got it after two days because i addressed it in my office where i work.

I was really hesitant to open the plastic but i should.  I knew it already that i got a refused visa, why? because as i remember when i read one article she also got a refusal paper.  You will notice it if you feel something inside together with your passport. It was a bond paper stating that they refuse your visa application. The reason why they refused my visa are

       " Justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provided."

" Your intention to leave the territory of the member states before the expiry of the Visa could not be ascertained".

 When i felt it my tears started to fell. I immediately called my sponsor to inform him about it.  We were both shocked and saddened.  Both depress and upset because we attached all the important documents inside the envelope.  I didn't want to wasted time because my flight schedule is on Dec. 25, 2013.  I wrote an appeal letter stating my purpose of travel and to convince them that i have no plan to stay long in there country and my sponsor also made an explanation why he invited me.

On the next day i went again in the Spanish Consulate and file my appeal. I attached another documents as a proof of my employment and some identifications of my sponsor.  I put my contact number in my letter and my passport number then after they received it i decided to go home.

I felt really disappointed, i really cried a lot when my application got refused knowing that i enclosed all the required documents but still they refused it.

My dream to step in Spain has been crash! They are killing me slowly, they killing my dreams and my rights to travel. Is it fair!?

Grabbed from Google

First Davao Experience!

My first Davao experience was a mix of emotions coz i experienced bad service in Tiger airways (Airasia) airline. I supposed to fly to Davao with my family to visit my brother and his family who now live there but unfortunately it didn't happened and  I booked for another flight on the same day which cost me a lot! I flew to Davao with full of disappointment because i expected that it will be a happy travel with my family.

I arrived Davao International Airport around 2pm the weather was cloudy with a bit rain showers.  I was inside the airport and i knew that i was really in Davao because of the smell of their famous Durian fruit.

Davao International Airport

I went outside and looked for my brother and his wife and i saw them immediately.  I was really amazed on what i noticed in Davao.  People there are well disciplined.  Kudos to the government officials of Davao because of their strict policy of Smoke Free City and they maintain a very clean city!

China Town Davao City

I really enjoyed my stay in Davao together with my beau. Your travel in Davao is not complete without experiencing the beautiful and scenic island of Samal!

THE POOR SERVICE OF TIGER AIRWAYS (SEAIR)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 24, 2013 It was supposed to be a happy trip with my family bound to Davao but unfortunately it turns into a bad experienced! 

We were in Domestic Airport and waiting for the counter of  TIGER AIRWAYS (SEAIR) to open. Our flight was 10:00 am  and we were there as early as 7:30 am to make things easy for us. Lots of people are on queue specially people bound to Tacloban and Puerto Princesa take note! those flights are delayed! 5 hours for bound to Tacloban and 8 hours bound to Puerto Princesa! What the heck!! Plus the cancelled flight bound to CEBU!

I've waited for more than an hour and noticed that it was already 9 am and only 1 hour to go and we are going. So i approached one of the staff of Tiger Airways, when i asked what time the counter will open for the Davao flight the girl told me that my flight has been cancelled since last MAY. I was so shocked they didn't advice me about it. 
They did not  inform me about my cancelled flight but the girl insisted that they emailed me twice but i told her that if i received their notification about my cancelled flight i wont waste my time and effort to go to the airport! So devastating!  i got angry to them because of their poor service!  It was supposed to be a family trip but unfortunately not. 

So ashamed that even foreigner also experienced that kind of bad service.  Their manager didn't make any effort to go outside to check their passengers or to check what's happening outside their counter.  They didn't even know how much cost the damages made on their passengers due to the delayed and cancelled flights.  Foreigners also got mad and disappointed and i even heard them saying "what kind of poor service is this"?  

They didn't even realized that those cancelled and delayed flights also has a domino effect such as reservation in the hotels and even the itinerary.  

I am calling the attention of the TIGER AIRWAYS (SEAIR) airline! can you please explain to me why it was happened!? I've experienced a good service when i went to Tacloban that's why i trusted your company and booked again my flight going to DAVAO but why you didn't advice me or even texted me about my cancelled flight? You have my complete details when i made a ticket reservation in your airline!? 

Another thing i didn't like was when i called in your office you told me to call the agency which is the TRIPLE STAR agency handling those reservation, but when i called them they told me to call to TIGER AIRWAYS (SEAIR) because you are in the position to explain what happened!? 

Is this how you promote tourism in the Philippines? Is this how you give service to your clients? 

Weekend Madness.......

Three days before the PAGASA announced that summer is officially started me and my colleagues planned to go to somewhere in Quezon Province and aside from that we only have 2 weeks left before our Saturday work start on April.   Since we've been to some places in north we choose Quezon province in the South Luzon for a change.

From Manila an estimated more than 3 hours before you reach the town of Padre Burgos, Quezon.

From the entrance of Padre Burgos it takes another more than 30 minutes before you reach the Brgy. Marao.

We stopped at Coastal Gill (formerly Vista Playa)  in Padre Burgos before heading our way to Borawan and Dampalitan Island.  Since it we came around 1pm in coastal grill and haven't eaten our lunch we decided to take our lunch here. 

Coastal Grill formerly Vista Playa

Before you go island hopping you also have to pay for the environmental fee worth P20.00. Then

We visited two islands. Our first stop was Borawan Island, and followed by Dampalitan Island.

Kuya Orong "bangkero"

Meet our very accommodating boatman Kuya "Orong" he's our contact in Brgy. Marao when we went there. He's the one who brought us in the two islands. You can contact him @ +639206274107.  You can also ask him to cook food for you but you have to pay him extra for his cooking service :)

Samarreffic experience

After my tour from the City of Tacloban I headed to my father's place and that is Calbayog City, Samar.  I've been here many times but this is the only time i got a chance to explore the place.  For how many times i tried to enter in one of the biggest church in the City of Calbayog finally i got a chance to see what's inside.

This is the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City, Samar!

 The awesome aisle of the altar of the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Old structure of the legislative Hall in front of the Cathedral in Calbayog City.

view from the outside of the Cathedral

Bell Tower

Calbayog City Hall

   

 Tourism and Information Office of Calbayog City Samar it was closed during my visit here because it was         

    holiday (November 1) but lucky to see this old structure though.

busy street of Calbayog City

This one is what they call Cacao/Tablea/Tsokolate, one of my favorite everytime i visit this place! Yummy if its serves hot.

This very short trip always remind me how beautiful this place! This city is known as the city of hidden waterfalls.  If you plan to visit Samar province don't forget to put in your itinerary this beautiful city of Calbayog!! :)

Short trip around Tacloban City

When i was a kid my mom told me about the Tacloban City in Leyte, especially the San Juanico Bridge that connect the Leyte and Samar provinces.  Out of curiosity September i booked my ticket to visit my father in Samar.  Since i wanted to have an adventure trip and new experience i chose to land in Tacloban instead of Calbayog Samar.
 Around 11:30 in the morning when i arrived in Daniel Romualdez Airport before my trip i already read some info on where to go around the city of Tacloban.  I rode a jeep bound to downtown fare is P13.00  from the Airport to downtown, but if you want an air condition  vehicle you can ride a Van or Taxi Cab there are lots of van's, taxi and Jeepneys waiting outside the airport.

Outside of Daniel Romualdez Airport

I did not follow my itinerary due to my delayed flight so i made Plan B!.  Before i left Manila i already printed out the Tacloban City map as my guide in exploring the city.

First stop! Sto. Nino Shrine

From the outside of Sto. Nino Shrine (Romualdez Museum) Tacloban City

I didn't got the chance to go inside the shrine due to time constrain. After here i walked along Calle Real until i reached my second stop over and that is Sto. Nino Church!

Sto. Nino Church Tacloban City

Bell Tower of Sto. Nino Church

This church is consider as the main church of Tacloban City, there are lots of people attended the mass during my visit here.

This are the multicabs going to downtown and to Tacloban Land Transport Terminal.
Since it was already past 12:00 i decided to go to the Duptours Terminal, those are the vans  going to Calbayog City, Catbalogan, Catarman Samar and Some part of Samar. I really wanted to stop in one of the longest bridge in the Philippines but i rather not to because it was already late and i have no idea how long it will take to reach Calbayog City.

at Duptours Terminal

The van left at 1:45 pm i did not ate lunch that time so i ate some snacks and cookies that i brought just in case i get hungry.
And last but the most exciting happened to me during my Tacloban trip was witnessing the longest Bridge in the Philippines!!

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE 

My Tacloban adventure was really great! though it was a short trip it's still a great experienced for me. I'm so amazed on the places I've seen as a solo backpacker! Its more fun in the Philippines!!:)