If travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed.

Traveling is a love that many people share. It enables us to experience God’s wonderful creations first-hand, enjoy mind-relaxing or adrenaline-pumping activities, see everything we knew in another light, or simply, meet new people – which all in turn, give us different stories to tell.

There are just a lot of things that I love in this world. From being dropped down a 60-foot tree, to riding the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world, to rolling down a hill inside a big plastic balloon, to flying through Asia’s longest dual zipline, to swimming alongside the rapids of a wild river, and many other more. It still feels surreal to be able to survive and ENJOY all these things. I feel really blessed.

My 2011 was one heck of a generous travelholic year. 6 flights. 11 provinces. 1 international destination. And a handful of experiences and new friends along the way. Officially now, I’m a certified lakwatsera.

Thank you, 2011. More places to conquer in 2012!

Bataan, North Luzon
Ciudad Real de Acuzar. Abucay Church. Bataan Capitol. Pawikan Conservation Center.

Pampanga, North Luzon
16th Hot Air Balloon Balloon Festival

Tarlac, North Luzon
Isdaan Restaurant. Tacsiyapo Wall. Koi Ponds. Filipino Food Trip. Serenades.
Folk Dances. Themed Parks. Life-size Statues.

Zambales, North Luzon
Tree Top Adventure. Zip Line. Tree Drop. Canopy Walk. Trekking.

Camiguin, Mindanao
White Island. Hot and Cold Springs. Rainfall. Boat Rides. Stations of the Cross. Sunken Cemetery.

Bukidnon, Mindanao
Pine Trees. Longest Zipline in Asia. Adventure Park. Movie Shoot. Photo Shoot.

Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
White Water Rafting. River Rapids. City Tour. Balut.

Pangasinan, North Luzon
Bolinao Lighhouse. Bolinao Falls. Enchanted Cave. Patar Beach. Seafood. Fruits. Market.

Singapore, Singapore
Universal Studios. Chinatown. Marina Bay. Merlion. Singapore Flyer. Science Centre.

Batangas, South Luzon
Caleruega Church. Pine Trees. Bumpy Ride. Blue Sky. Hanging Bridge.

Davao, Mindanao
City Tour. Eden Garden Resort. Paanod Layak Adventure. White Water Rafting.
Crocodile Farm. Zorb Ball. Zip Line. Haguimit Falls. Samal Island.

Batangas, South Luzon
Taal Lake. Club Balai Isabel. Boat Ride. 45-minute Trek. Teambuilding.

Tagaytay, South Luzon
Moon Garden. Love Date. Photo Shoot. Nature. Arts. Paintings.

This blog’s title is from Pico Iyer’s essay called “Why We Travel”. And here’s more excerpt from it:

“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more..”