Loooong Weekend

Upon hearing the good news yesterday, we excitedly searched for candidate destinations and talked about them over lunch. Sure, Quezon City Day falling on a weekend was a downer but God indeed has better plans for us. Hello, 4-day weekend! Obviously, we didn't want to pass up this chance to go on vacation without having to file vacation leaves. But with a tight budget in mind (because of our South Korea trip in November), it was quite challenging to plan our little getaway.

Candidate destinations

Ideas started rolling in. Surfing in La Union or Baler? Can't. It's not even surfing season yet. Mt. Pinatubo trek? Can't. My sensitive eyes won't be able to handle the dust. Road trip to the north? Can't. We don't have a designated driver. Buktot Beach in Mindoro? Can't. High possibility of RORO trips getting canceled during rainy season. Swimming with the butanding? Can't. No seatsales yet. Bale Dutung in Pampanga? Can't. I don't eat pork so my money would just go to waste. The Farm in Batangas? Can't. Too expensive. We're already running out of ideas even before lunch was over.

Philippine festivals

I don't know why but we suddenly found ourselves talking about different festivals in the country - Tuna festival (the one that started it all haha), Bangus festival, Panagbenga, Ati-atihan, Maskara, Sinulog, Dinagyang, Pahiyas, etc. We couldn't think of any festival that falls in August so we asked help from our dear friend Google. Much to our surprise, Davao's Kadayawan Festival falls exactly on that long weekend! OMG DAVAO IS ON TOP OF MY LIST OF PLACES TO SEE IN THE COUNTRY AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL! I'm so excited, I was literally shaking while searching for cheap flights in every airline website we know. The expensive airfare results, however, left us heartbroken. *le sigh* Andami nga namin narating, puro in theory nga lang. :(

South destinations

As our Kadayawan dreams were shattered, we settled for a trip to the south - maybe we can go trekking in Taal, chill out at Burot Beach in Batangas, go scuba diving in Anilao or take on the challenges Amansinaya Resort has to offer. Cheap but sounds pretty good. What's important is that we'll be able to escape from our stressful jobs while spending time with each other. Chos! :))

But today, luck was on our side and we received even more good news thanks to the Tiger Airways Newsletter:

SEAT SALE!

I took it as a sign that our Davao trip is meant to happen. Just like that, our Kadayawan dreams are within reach! I nervously searched for flights on our preferred dates (Aug. 18-21) and when there were cheap flights available, we booked round-trip tickets (for less than Php1,500 each) before they run out. Even before Erin knew we're going to Davao. Next month! Haha True friends forever! Well, everything happened so fast. Yesterday, we were wishing to experience Kadayawan Festival and now we'll actually be there next month! Too bad, we'll miss the street dance competition but at least we'll get to see the parade of floats. I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!

Ah, I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful country with so many places to see. It is indeed more fun in the Philippines! So thank you Lord for seat sales and for my ever kaladkarin friends! See, no need to rush. If it's meant to happen, it will happen. This will be my first time in Mindanao and my first time to travel via SEAIR. More reasons to be excited!

Next destination: Davao
Traveling party: Erin, Faye (organizer), Jeng, Light, Sera, and Vanie (organizer)
Travel dates: August 19 - 21, 2012

Photo credits:
Candidate destinations - Affinity Condo Resort, Bale Dutung, Perfect Dives, Sebay Surf Central, Sunsurfer, The Farm, and Google Image Results | Philippine festivals - Loqal, Paraiso Philippines, Philippine Country, The Philippine Island, and Travel Philippine Island | South destinations - Amansinaya Resorts, Explorer Philippines, Loqal, and WOWBatangas Tours