2012 Travel Shorts

Busan, South Korea
Busan, South Korea

2012 was a year of traveling with love. Why? Because most of my trips were with my girlfriend-turned-fiance. 🙂

Our first local trip together was in Matabungkay, Batangas last April. But our first flight together was travelling to Boracay in June. Although it was not my first time in Boracay, it was hers. This made it extra special so that she would discover the beauty of the island with me.

Snorkeling in Boracay
Snorkeling in Boracay

On our first day, we stayed at Villa De Oro which was conveniently located facing the beach of the island’s station 2. We then moved to Pearl of the Pacific on the next day. The stay at Villa De Oro was ok, but we appreciated the peace and tranquility of Pearl of the Pacific more.

Our first local trip was immediately followed by our first international trip. This was my birthday gift to her. I brought her to Singapore, a country which I consider closest to my heart outside the Philippines.

The Proposal with Marina Bay Sands as backdrop
The Proposal with Marina Bay Sands as backdrop

It was also here where I proposed my intentions to marry her. Luckily, she accepted it last July 23, 2012. It was her birthday as well. <3

Visiting Amb. Minda Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, one of our wedding principal sponsors
Visiting Amb. Minda Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, one of our principal sponsors in our upcoming wedding in 2013
Singapore Flyer (left) and Super Trees (right)
Singapore Flyer (left) and Super Trees (right)

Being a blogger herself, we were invited to an adventure trip to Malaysia in October upon the invitation of Tourism Malaysia and Zest Air for the airlines’ maiden flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur. The adventure was intended to highlight other Malaysian states outside of KL.

We chose to explore the laid back state of Negeri Sembilan. More specifically, we toured Seremban which is best known for their rich culture and considered as home of ancient traditions.

State Museum in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
State Museum in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

In 2012, I also went to Busan in South Korea in the earlier part of the year and Johor in Malaysia for the opening of the first Legoland in Asia last September.

Busan, South Korea
Busan, South Korea: Sago with a Korean Cultural Keychain
Legoland in Johor, Malaysia
Legoland in Johor, Malaysia

Before the year ended, we also visited Bolinao in Pangasinan for the first time and Pampanga for a brief day tour with the new Samsung Galaxy Camera in hand.

Our stay in Puerto Del Sol resort made it very accessible to go around the different scenic spots in Bolinao.

Bolinao, Pangasinan (Photo by Anton Caranza, Jr.)
Bolinao, Pangasinan (Photo by Anton Caranza, Jr.)

And that concludes my 2012 travel shorts in a brief. May your new year of 2013 be dazed with a lot of traveling opportunities as well. 🙂

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