Our first destination, Disney Land where dreams come true. In order to get to the famed Disney Land we boarded the Hong Kong Disney Land Railroad. A train that looked like it came straight from a Walt Disney Cartoon. It was colorful and even had Mickey Mouse shaped windows. As I looked out these windows, my young brain was overwhelmed with wonder and amazement. 

Not long after, we disembarked the train and I took my first step into Disney Land. It looked like everything a child could ever hope for. There were Disney princesses and princes around talking to kids. Disney themed rollercoasters. Mickey Mouse shaped flower beds, carousels and fountains. Mickey Mouse shaped candy, headbands and toys which I even managed to convince my parents into buying me plush toys of Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. It was almost too much for my little mind to grasp. I didn’t even know what I wanted to do first. 

We gawked at the huge colorful map of the park. Once we had a slim idea of where to go we didn’t hesitate to hop on all sorts of rides. We went on the Orbitron, UFO Zone, Space mountain, Buzz Lightyear rides and an Iron Man experience. It all felt so futuristic I almost couldn’t even believe it was real. 

I loved animals so I pulled my parents with all my might in the direction of the jungle river cruise. Everything from the vines to the water and the statues felt so authentic. It seemed like the total embodiment of the ride’s name. 

I was so excited I even mustered up the courage to go on a horror ride. I was shaking after but it quickly left my mind as I laughed at my father screaming for his mama on the rollercoaster. 

After a rollercoaster of excited screams and laughter, night was almost settling in. We then watched a mini 3D movie. The whole experience was so magical it seemed like I was the main character in a Disney movie. I was in complete and utter awe. There were colorful gadgets and mystical trinkets seemingly floating right in front of me but when I reached out to grab them I was met with nothing but air. I swear that scene of me could be put in a Disney movie and no one would even bat an eye. 

When we got out of the theater, I was disappointed to hear my parents say we weren’t going on anymore rides. I was confused as the park wasn’t closing yet but I didn’t defy them. We stayed to sit at one of the rest spots in the park and bought some food and drinks. I wondered why. They wouldn’t respond to any of my queries. 

Suddenly, I saw a flash of colorful light and a loud boom. Fireworks! I looked up to the sky. Colorful sparks and illuminations lit up the dark sky. The radiant rockets whizzed and zoomed their way up to the sky then they shattered into dazzling and blazing sparks in the sky. These fireworks even formed mickey mouse shapes. The pinnacle of this rocket show ended was a huge singular rocket zooming into the sky then erupted into golden sparks so massive it almost covered the entire sky. It was hands on the most brilliant fireworks show I’ve ever witnessed. 

Needless to say, I slept like a baby after that amazing day. Once morning came, we popped up and headed to our next destination which was yet another grandiose name that seemed to ring bells in our ears. Hong Kong Ocean Park. It has a nice ring to it.

Honestly, I was quite nerdy as a kid. I loved science and reading but as I previously mentioned, I also loved animals with a passion so Ocean Park and little me is a match made in heaven. 

We made our way to our seats in a stadium-like setup but instead of a stage or a court in the center. It was a pool. A pool of dolphins, seals and sea lions. They were sliding about and jumping out of the water. A very wholesome and fun sight. I was engrossed watching these animals jump and play in the water so swiftly.  

After that show we went to another one which showcased different types of birds. Eagles, Macau’s, Parrots and Owls flew above and around us. Such beautiful birds with bold colors and features. 

We then went to the aquarium. We saw jellyfish in aquariums lit by neon lights. There were slender eels and colorful tropical fish. I even saw the adorable penguins walk and slide around. Each aquarium had a description and fun facts of the animal that it showcased. I ran around and read all of these to my heart’s delight. 

After all the small aquatic creatures, we moved on to a walkway which was built into a massive aquarium. I saw giant sharks and fish up close. I saw every tooth, every gill and every scale. It was quite scary yet fascinating. 

Afterwards, we went to the creepy crawlies section which was full of insects, amphibians and reptiles. I saw hairy tarantulas, pink mantises and giant cockroaches. There were small blue frogs, yellow newts, blue-tongued skinks, bearded dragons and even axolotls. I even saw a chameleon. 

Needless to say, as nerdy as I was I read all the descriptions of these animals and I enjoyed learning interesting facts about them. I probably enjoyed this experience more than any other person inside the park. That day, nerdy self was more than fulfilled. My beaming smile never left my face even as we went back to our hotel.

The third highlight destination of our trip to the City of Dreams is Kowloon, the walled city. Bustling streets full of people and cars. The buildings were built so high it seemed as if they reached up to the skies. Colorful neon signs lit up my eyes. 

There were rows upon rows of different shops filled with interesting goodies. Street vendors selling different exotic foods that we’ve never seen before. We even saw a vendor selling grasshoppers and cockroaches but we lacked the guts to try this delicacy. 

Unsurprisingly, I was a picky eater when I was young so I was too stubborn to participate in their food trip but I did try some of the sweet desserts. I tried this pink sweet and stretchy hair-like noodles. Apparently it was called dragon’s beard. The name seemed appealing to a young kid like me so I had to try it. My parents also bought me some mochi ice cream and as a young kid with a sweet tooth, I ate it. It was chewy and it filled my mouth with the sweet taste of strawberries. 

Our stomachs were full so we moved onto the other shops that showcased different gadgets and trinkets. I was full of questions and queries as a young child does. 

At a very young age, I was able to be exposed to and experience a different culture in a foreign country. I was very lucky and to this day, I am still very grateful to have such a wonderful experience in Hong Kong, The City of Dreams. As I reminisce this splendid trip I realize that the saying “You can leave Hong Kong but it will never leave you” is exceedingly accurate.

        It was past 10 in the morning when we departed Mindanao bound to Bohol. I was ecstatic; I was getting an adrenaline rush, and I couldn't feel my body's tiredness. I noticed some people waiting in the sea to be flung coins as soon as I stepped off the ship. I instantly requested a coin from my grandparents since I was pleased to see that they were delighted to be tossed a coin. After that, we took a bus to Corella, Bohol, to visit my grandparent’s place. 

        When we arrived my aunties and uncles immediately accommodated us. The next thing we do, we had some chit chats and ate dinner together. I then had a shower and went to sleep because I was tired and exhausted from the long travel.

        One of my uncles invited us to his place in Panglao's Beach Resort the next day. Hearing that we were heading to the beach made me so thrilled that I instantly packed my stuff, including my favorite snacks. There was a rush of adrenaline when I took my first steps in Panglao. I was drawn in by its beauty; it is a breathtakingly beautiful and ethereally enchanting beach.
 
        We opted to roam around until we could check into the resort. We took a stroll along the beach and marveled at the island's magnificence; the moment I saw the clean waters, white sand, and stunning horizon, I was captivated by Panglao.
 

        Despite the fact that it was quite hot weather, I chose to take a swim on the beach, I didn't mind getting sunburned and I fully immerse myself in my first Panglao experience. I enjoy seeing the enormous waves crashing against the shore while enjoying the beautiful hues of nature. I enjoyed the sun, beach, and sea while watching people swim, take photos, sail, and stroll in the same way that I did. I got a peek of what Panglao Island is like for a short time, and I would definitely return to the island once I return to Bohol.
 

         The next day, we planned a trip to Carmen where the Sagbayan Peak is located. The breathtaking panoramic view of chocolate hills astonished and enchanted me. As my cousin and I walked around the place, a kid's park caught my eye; it looked like a creepy abandoned dwarf village. Although it wasn’t my first time seeing tarsiers, I am still amazed as go near it, it looked cute and interesting, and it was so small I can hardly see it; I think he was shy because the little creature is hiding behind the small branches. 
 

         Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the adorable butterflies at the Butterfly Dome, which was a new experience for me. This dome houses a variety of butterfly species as well as flowers on the inside. I tried my best to place my hand in an area with a lot of butterflies, but they wouldn't perch in my hands. My inner child was ecstatic to see so many statues of cartoon characters. My cousin and I spent some time at the playground, where we tried out the see-saw and a climbing structure that I can't remember the name of. It is indeed a wonderful spot to unwind and rest.

        It appeared as if the surrounding scenery shifted from farmland to forests in a moment as if our car had driven through a gateway into another world. My aunt dragged me back to reality as we pulled over. We walked along the road beneath the cover of a rich mahogany forest with bent branches above us. I couldn't help but look up; their leaves had completely blotted up the sun. 

        I gawked in astonishment in their shade, fascinated by the vivid canopy above me and entirely forgetting that I was walking on a highway. It's difficult not to fantasize in this forest, which seems like it came straight out of a fantasy movie.

        
    On our way home, we passed by several old churches that have been passed along through the generations. There are numerous tourist attractions that satisfy my eyes.

       
        I went on vacation to Bohol four years ago, but the experiences I made there remain carved in my head and will never be forgotten. I will undoubtedly return. But the finest attribute of Bohol, in my opinion, is the people. Everyone was kind and accommodating. Unforgettable! Incomparable. Bohol has a distinct country vibe to it, and each experience will be remembered for a long time. For now, I’ll relish the memories of my trip.

 

Us kids went up first with one of the uncles. Then the mamas and daddys came up. The boy  who owned the horses made a wonderful supper for us. We were camped right by a river.

My cousin and I had bought hammocks at the market. We found good sized trees and set up next to each other. The horse owners camped close to us. My parents were close and so were the others. We could hear the river going by Rushing off to somewhere down the mountain.

In the night while we were still talking a little we heard the low growl of a big cat. The horse men talked to their horses reassuring them they were safe. My father and the uncle who spoke Boholano came out of their tents. My father had his pistol at the ready. They talked things over and the fathers went back in the tents.

What? I asked my cousin who was fluent in Boholano.

It's a panther. They say they will watch. The gun will just frighten the horses. The stars were bright but the trees blocked most of them. My hammock swung gently as I shook my bare foot.

Morning came. Us kids with the same supervising uncle rode all day up the mountain. We had our lunch along the river. Finally we reached a worn out church. It was ancient and there were graves and a stone wall about 2 feet tall went around the area. My cousin asked the men about it. It had been a church then the Boholano killed the priests until finally the church was abandoned. We wandered around looking at everything. Then rode down the mountain again.

We spent 4 days there. We just lived doing what chores the men with the horses didn't do.. We played with our young cousins. Walked the trails picked flowers and fruit. Ate and took siestas. On our last night the mamas and i  cooked a feast to share with the men who had taken care of us on the mountain.

It is a trip I have remembered all my life and i will never forget for rest of my life.

 

And also, the best experience I ever had that I will never forget is when I booked my flight alone to go back to my hometown.

One Morning in Tinuy-an Falls, I experienced a long drive towards a hidden paradise. A two hour drive from our place to an amazing falls that satisfied the long wait. The water that drapes and cascades through the three waterfalls features a curtain of white froth that makes Tinuy-an Falls worth the long trip. 

One Morning in Tinuy-an Falls, I took a lot of pictures that I will treasure forever. Every corner is Instagram worthy, tall trees, attractive waterfalls, and the environment itself. For me it is really gorgeous because the whole area is teeming with lush vegetation and tall trees that makes the waterfalls more appealing.

One Morning in Tinuy-an Falls, I rode the famous gakit that everyones been talking about. Life jacket is a must when riding the gakit since the water is really deep. Nonetheless, the experience was surely magical, plus riding the gakit assisted by four staff who are really kind and will assist you all the way is comfortable for first timers like me and my family. The gakit ride would cost around 500 pesos depending on the number of the people that are riding the raft. They would bring you as close as possible to the waterfall and it is really scary but exciting and fun. 

One Morning in Tinuy-an Falls made me the happiest I have ever been this year and I will always be thankful for that. 

 

It takes hours to arrive from our current location to the resort. We used three big vans to make sure all of the family can members can travel and arrive at our destination. While traveling, we talked about what our lives went through in the past and shared what we have been through. We passed some of the stunning resorts in Surigao del Sur and some wonderful views that I can imagine right now. But in the middle of the road, we got unlucky our tires were flat not just one but two of them. My uncle immediately repaired them but it takes half an hour to fix them. While my uncle was repairing, my cousins and I took a picture of the view of nature and its beauty. After the tires were repaired we quickly hopped and started smoothly. Hours have passed and we arrived at our destination without any hindrances. Then we take an early dinner and take a chill swim in blue salty water. After that, we took a shower and were ready to take a sleep since we were too exhausted.

 

The following day, we woke up early, ate breakfast, and then set out on an island-hopping adventure. Taking the stable but fast boat was an exhilarating experience for this first-time boater. I was looking around the entire time because I was so excited, and I was especially interested in the islands that were on the water. At the same time, I was very anxious because when I looked down the water was very dark and deep. When we reached the first Island, it was called “naked island” since it is a pure white single island with no trees and others. It was very fantastic it is like a cold and chill wind that is embracing you at the same it was a white sand island with a crystal clear blue sea. While we were diving and swimming there are beautiful ladies who arrived on the Island. I believed they were wonderful models because they were taking poses and pictures. The second one was very similar to the first one but it has some green weeds and a bunch of trees. It also provides some different rides that you may enjoy. The third one was a big one, it really has a nice view since there are coconut trees everywhere. There are also a bunch of vendors selling some delicious kinds of seafood.

 

When we successfully hopped all over the island we carefully go back to our place. While we were going we ate some delicious lunch. As we arrived, we took a small time to swim and that is the time when I learned how to swim. After that, we take another lunch on fast food, immediately took a shower, and got ready to go back home. I am completely exhausted by the middle of the afternoon, and at the same time, I am extremely sad because that day is our very last day at the resort. Just before returning to our hometown, we went out and bought some t-shirts as well as some tasty snacks to munch on while driving back home. After that, I realized how beautiful Britannia Islands are, and I fell head over heels in love with the island's natural splendor. Every time I saw a post about that island, I was flashed back to all of the happy and memorable times I had spent there with my family and relatives.

"Golden Scenery of Cagayan De Oro"

It was about September 24, 2018, when my aunt suddenly suggested that we travel on a 5-day trip to Cagayan de Oro, where my uncle would meet up with his police classmates/comrades for a 2-day reunion in a luxurious hotel, as they had not seen each other in a long time. It took us 7-8 hours to arrive at a mall, and we parked at the front because my grandmother and her friend planned to meet at the front of the mall to tour us around Cagayan De Oro. They had already planned our 5-day itinerary, and our first stop was the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. The main point of Divine Mercy Hills, a parcel of land overlooking Macajalar Bay on Mindanao's southern island, is a 50-foot monument of Jesus as the Divine Mercy. Our second itinerary is Coconut Bay Beach, after which they booked us a 3 star-hotel in Galaxy Hotel, which was a wonderful choice because it has a lovely location and is close to street foods, Xavier universities, restaurants, shopping malls, and Divisoria's. We also pay a visit to my grandmother's friend's house on the right side of the field; we travel for over two hours and a half simply to get to their farm house. The Paradise of Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort is our third destination. It is the world's largest pirate-themed waterpark, with over 12 thrilling slides, a dual wave pool, and a 400-meter lazy river. There service is excellent and truly great, and it is the best adventurous and entertaining place. Our final destination is the Dahilayan Forest Park, a wonderful tourist destination with a variety of entertaining activities for all ages and families. It's at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and the trip took us an hour and a half. Dahilayan Forest Park is located at 4,700 feet above sea level, at the foot of Mount Kitanglad. You will not be disappointed if you visit because, in addition to the stunning vistas, the rides and amenities are great and entertaining, and the service is also excellent and the staff is kind .It's all worth it for the fresh air, stunning surroundings, and breathtaking views. That day in my life is one of my favorites, and I'm in a great mood. It was one of the most unforgettable trips I've ever taken.

My father became 38 years old on March 18, 2021. My family had made plans to go to the beach to celebrate his birthday. I made the decision to invite my pals, and they gladly accepted. When we arrive at the beach, the sight and sound of the beach being blown by the waves gives me a shiver and makes me happy. The sound of breaking waves has made me feel better. All my unpleasant feelings and stressful days gone while I was still there. That time, everyone was singing and dancing and having a blast. My buddies and I decided to go on a walk along the beach, where we snapped some photos and played in the sand at random.

Nature's beauty is a gift from God for which we should be grateful. We should teach ourselves how to defend and increase awareness of what is going on in our environment in order to maintain this kind of beauty. We live in a technologically advanced world. We should value such aesthetic creatures that are irreplaceable. We are quite fortunate to be given such opportunities.