Let's Cebu ourselves!

Let's Cebu ourselves!

Got the statement from one of  my colleagues. Like him, it's my maiden voyage by air.  Wala pong basagan ng trip! LOLz...There's always a first for everyone.  After all, this is my first opportunity to travel for pleasure.  I'd say a treat for a job well done and a prelude to a year of travel and adventure--both geographic and gastronomic!

It was an eye opening week indeed.  Last week, due to an unfortunate event, a colleague had to cancel his Davao trip.  He was a disappointed and was mulling over the aborted adventure that we came looking for a diversion. It started with Cebu Pacific Air's P550 flight to the Queen City of the South.  Him being there last year  got the excitement back in his veins.  We checked out flight availability but were given quite a few remarkable deals.  The spirits were not dampened by the first hurdle.  We huddled and discussed travel options.  We searched other airlines for promotions and deals.  It went hours that our work productivity was so minimal (sorry boss:our motto: may bukas pa).  

After a so much research and quarrels, we arrived at a decision.  We're flying Airphilippines to Cebu on March 12 at 7:35 in the morning and heading back to Manila on a Monday morning, March 14 at 5:55.  After all has been set, it was time to hit the reservation page and we ain't got cash nor credit! A big blow on the group's excitement.  Anyway we called the airlines instead and work out a time sensitive (24 hour) reservation.  

Raking the fund for the trip was another hurdle.  It's not like we were just paid yesterday! It was a disaster in the making.  After a short disappointment, someone decided to lend his coffers contents to make the trip a reality.  

The following day was a booking day!  We got our e-tickets last Saturday before heading home for lunch.

MNL-CBU Airphilexpress Flight 930

CBU-MNL Zest Air Flight 361

 Everyone was excited for the trip.  Looking forward to a happy March. ^_^

Flashback: The Spaghetti Factory, a walk away from work

I work in Makati and I find it odd that I am not able to even see the city.  My usual day would start at night (how ironic: what you get for working in a contact center) and would end up on a nauseating morning with the intention of hitting the sack before I hit the ground unconscious. Anyway, there are times when I am really stressed that I super duper need some rest and relaxation.  Once in a while my friends from The Poor Club would gather and find a place to unwind and get away from work even for just a number of meters...

It was supposed to be an drinking session with the team.  Unfortunately we had a bit of miscommunication that it ended with just Vinci and I walking along the Dela Rosa Walkway.  We had an early lunch at the Spaghetti Factory. We had a bit of Australian red wine and a plate of puttanesca.  We capped the lunch with a cup of latte.

My puttanesca

A view from the Veranda of The Spaghetti Factory - Glorieta 5

Flashback

March 12, 2011 will be my first attempt to travel by air.  Hence, it will be my first time on board a plane. :)

I will try to look back at the simple places I've been before I jumpstart on some "real" traveling.  

The posts with a "Flashback" in the header signifies places or adventures of some sort before my official "traveling debut".  

Traveler by heart

I have always been fascinated by the wonders of the world be it natural or man-made.  It has been an eternal goal to travel, however I have too much responsibilities to take care of. I am chained by these responsibilities that it is never too easy to just wonder off and get lost in the beauty and grandeur of traveling. Despite such hurdle, I am positive that before I surrender to the "light" I will have a piece of that grandeur. 

After nearly 28 years on this earth, I have never in my life traveled for pure pleasure. Sure, I tag along friends or family when there are gatherings but these did not give me the opportunity to explore places and savor  the  various flavors their respective cuisines has to offer.  For years I have been contented watching and reading National Geographic as well as the Discovery:Travel and Adventure.  I dreamed about the places and made itineraries for each destination.  None of these itineraries became a reality...not even close.  

2011, March--things will change.  I will no longer dream about traveling. I will hold the world and put pins on my every destination.  I will conquer the world one destination at a time.  

My new outlook

With Nikkie and Sergio along with Ippie and Shuffie, I will explore the world.  

Yep! Nikkie is my 2-year old DSLR while Sergio is my very trusted TNF backpack.  Shuffie is my iPod shuffle and iPpie is my new baby, my iPad. Together we will conquer the world one destination at a time.  

Because I was not born with a silver spoon, I was deprived of the liberty to roam the world.  I grew up dreaming of going to places and tasting the flavors of the world. They were pictures that can never be a reality. They were reminders of how my life was miserable and low. 

2011 is my sister's last semester in school.  I will have more time and finances to spend to somehow make the dream a reality.