I'm alive!

How sad is it that the last post I have on here was when Kero-chan passed away? Di naka-move on? I admit it has been painful - twice as painful as losing Chippy. There are days when I miss her so bad, I can't help but cry. I still greet her every time I pass by the little shrub Dad planted on her grave as a marker. But I can't stay sad forever. Cocopie's addition to the family has really helped us get through (not over) the pain of losing our dear Kero-chan.

So what made me come back here? Remember when I finally built up enough courage to apply for graduate school last year? Well, it's been a year and I'm currently on my second trimester (six more to go!) in the MBA program. Balancing work and school is a challenge but I'm getting by. So I figured it's time to take a bigger leap... which I actually did yesterday. It's not a sure thing yet but taking that first step took a lot of courage. I've never been this excited and terrified in my life. Yes to new adventures!

Japan 2013: Traditional Meets Modern Art

Nee-chan took care of almost everything for our trip but I contributed a few must-see places myself and Tokyo Trick Art Museum (TTAM) was one of them. I've been to Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae (South Korea) last year and had so much fun. I wanted my family to experience it as well so I made sure to include TTAM in our itinerary.

We've been to Odaiba once for Miraikan, Gundam and Toyota MegaWeb. But you see, one day is simply not enough to see all the sights and attractions Odaiba has to offer.

Odaiba day 2!

TTAM is located at Decks Tokyo Beach, a mall divided into two areas: Sea Side Mall and Island Mall. If it isn't obvious enough, it's a beach-themed mall - two of my favorite places in one! So if you're a beach lover like me, you'll fall in love with it's calming interiors too.

Japan 2013: Visiting My Neighbor Totoro

Animation has always been a part of my life as I grew up watching cartoons as a kid, anime as a teenager and animated films from childhood up to now. So imagine my excitement upon visiting a museum entirely dedicated to one of my favorite animation studios - Studio Ghibli.

My Neighbor Totoro

Tonari no Totoro (となりのトトロ) or My Neighbor Totoro was the first Ghibli film I've ever seen and I just fell in love with Studio Ghibli right then and there, especially Hayao Miyazaki's work. So being surrounded by everything Ghibli is a dream come true for me. It's the closest thing to seeing the animated films I've grown to love come to life.

Admission to the Ghibli Museum is limited per day and tickets should be purchased prior to your visit. Chances of walk-in visits are absolutely slim as tickets run out fast. You see, tickets come with an appointed entry time to avoid crowds. But even with the scheduling, the place was still pretty packed even on a weekday! I guess everyone's crazy about Ghibli.

How to get to Ghibli Museum

To get to the museum, you can either walk or take the community bus from Mitaka Station. We availed the round trip tickets for only 300円 each. You can easily spot the community bus even from afar as it's painted yellow and has Ghibli written all over it. I got all excited upon getting on the bus as it might be the closest thing I'll ever get to riding the nekobasu (cat bus).

Museum tickets are already as good as souvenirs.

Upon arriving at the museum, we exchanged our Lawson-bought paper tickets to the real museum tickets which were something much more magical - a film strip with frames from your favorite Ghibli films. Lucky I got a Ponyo one!

The entire place screams Ghibli from the lush greenery to the outdoor fixtures to the museum's layout to the furniture inside. It's like being transported to another world especially created for you by the creative and magical minds behind Studio Ghibli.

Welcome to Ghibli Museum!

Before going into any of the exhibits, we decided to catch the featured film at the Saturn Theater. I had no idea what to expect so I squealed a little upon seeing Mei! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE SHOWING AN EPILOGUE OF TOTORO!!!! :(( If you've seen Tonari no Totoro or any Ghibli film, you know how they don't really end films. Sure, there's a conclusion but you always end up guessing what might've happened afterwards which is what I actually love since it makes you invested in the story. Of course, I won't spoil the short for you but it was a relief to see the characters again. And I love how you don't need to be fluent in Japanese  to understand the story as it had little dialogue. That's the beauty of Ghibli films. Who needs words when they can make you fall in love with characters who don't even speak? Instead of speaking through words, the characters speak through their emotions.

Look, it's the susuwatari (house sprites that look like dust bunnies)!

Being in the museum itself is a wonderful experience. It's like walking inside a storybook so taking photos, videos or even the use of mobile phones are prohibited inside the museum. Instead of looking through lenses and viewfinders, the museum encourages the visitors to completely immerse themselves in the exhibits by experiencing it first-hand. The only souvenirs you'll need are the memories you create in the museum and those available at the shop.

From what I remember, there were four indoor exhibits. The first exhibit showcased different Ghibli films where I fell in love with all the installations. However, two especially stood out. The first one being the circular display of what seemed like ordinary (c'mon who are we kidding, this is Ghibli we're talking about!) figurines of Totoro characters in different poses. When the wheel that the figurines stand on spins fast, it makes the characters come alive right before your eyes. It's like watching an old school animation, only this one's in 3D. Too cool! And my other favorite is the mini animation studio where you can watch how animated films are made - from hand-drawn drawings to the screen. I literally spent minutes watching the whole process over and over again. Not to mention crying a little from the short. I love how every Ghibli film tugs at your heartstrings which goes to show how passionate these animators are in their craft.

Love their attention to detail!

The second exhibit showcased Hayao Miyazaki's early works. From mere sketches to full-blown storyboards to movie stills. Photographs of locations that inspired the films were also on display. You can actually flip through some of his work and I noticed how every Ghibli fan handled the books with care and respect as if they're leafing through a historical artifact or a holy book.

The third exhibit featured Japan's animation history and showcased different styles of drawings which was awesome. But compared to the other exhibits, this one seems just alright. And the last exhibit is both my favorite and least favorite among the indoor exhibits. I love it because it features a huge furry nekobasu (cat bus) and at the same time, I hate it because only school children and younger are allowed to play in it. So unfair!!!! :((

With the robot and command cube from Laputa.

After hoarding tons of Ghibli merch (both for omiyage and personal use) from the souvenir shop, we went on to explore the vicinity of the museum where photos are highly encouraged. I was ecstatic upon seeing this life-size robot from Laputa (pronounced La-pew-tuh and not la puta haha) or Castle in the Sky. And they even have the command cube hidden somewhere in the garden!

♫ Tonari no Totoro, Totoro! ♫

Of course, a trip to the Ghibli Museum wouldn't be complete without meeting the famous Totoro! It was quite difficult to locate him but after a thorough search, we were able to find him sitting in this ticket booth. Too cute! And he really is huge. I wish I could've hugged him though.

Goodbye, Ghibli Museum!

After getting our dose of Ghibli magic, we went back to the bus stop and waited for the community bus to take us back to Mitaka Station. We were already starving but the Straw Hat Cafe was packed so we just had a quick lunch at the nearest McDonald's and ordered happy meals. Haha After lunch, we were ready to head back to Odaiba for more adventures.


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Traveling party: Daddy, Karly, Nee-chan (organizer), Sera, and Ariel
Travel date: April 17, 2013 [Day 8]
Photo credits: Karl

Madayaw Davao: Countryside Tour

We woke up early to make the most out of our last day in Davao. As foodies, we searched for breakfast nooks around the city last night. We haven't even finished dinner yet and we were already talking about breakfast. Typical us.

We settled for Taps which is known as the Breakfast Capital of Davao. Luckily, there's one pretty close to our inn. We ordered Tapsilog (duh), Tocilog, Bangsilog, and even a combination of other silogs. I think they have everything you can pair up with silog. The food was okay. Nothing special whatsoever. [ Side note: We ate the macarons we bought from Lachi's last night for dessert. I must say, my favorite was the orange-y chocolatey one which reminded me of Chokies. Soooo nostalgic! ]

After breakfast, we met up with today's driver, Kuya Jimber. Not sure about the spelling but it kind of sounded like that. First stop: Philippine Eagle Center. It was a pretty long drive from the city but it was worth it. Some of the girls slept all the way through while Faye and I sang our hearts out. Even Kuya Jimber couldn't help but belt out a few notes.

The Philippine Eagle Center

Upon arriving at Philippine Eagle Center, we paid the Php 50 entrance fee and started looking around. Honestly, I didn't expect much from this place except to see a few Philippine Eagles from afar. But boy, was I wrong. Not only did we see eagles from afar, we got to see them up close too! And even out of their cages thanks to Kuya Europe (K.E. from now on just because it's easier to type). Yes, you read it right. We found Europe in Davao. Haha

Madayaw Davao: Sunburn

Off to Samal Island!

A trip to Davao wouldn't be complete without dropping by Samal Island. As beach lovers, we dedicated an entire day for that. We even woke up at 5 AM just so we can make the most out of our beach trip. This time, Kuya Jovan was our driver. To get to Samal Island, you have to ride a barge that takes you from the city to the island, similar to the RORO - only smaller. I think the entire ride lasted for only 15-20 minutes, we didn't even have to get out of the van except to take pictures.

Sagad sa Sagada: Cloudy with a chance of sunrise

Before sunrise at Kiltepan Peak

What better way to start our last day in Sagada than waking up at 4 AM, right?  Surprisingly, we managed to drag ourselves out of bed and got ready in under 30 minutes while still half-asleep (I left the room without a jacket on while Vanie with her Havs on instead of her trusty Tribu sandals HAHA #bangag) all with the hope of catching the breathtaking sunrise at Kiltepan Peak.  Ansabe ng sakit ng katawan that we got from two days full of extreme activities??  As the boys put it, "Bakit kailangan pa mag-sunrise, araw-araw naman sumisikat ang araw?"  Sarap lang batukan, di ba?  Even with the boys' lack of enthusiasm, all the girls (except Rach) were still up for it and as expected, so is Kuya Gareth (Kuya G from now on, ok?).  He greeted us with an energetic and a bit loud "Good morning!!!" when he picked us up from Bagalima to which I responded with a weak smile and a nod.  I doubt if he even saw that but hey, that's the best I could do at 4:30 in the morning!

Front row seats, baby!

It was still dark outside as we made our way to Kiltepan Peak.  The air was chilly and perfect for sleeping in but after eating several pieces of mini mamons, I got my energy back.  When we got to the site, there were some people hanging out and having breakfast around a bonfire.  It seemed like a cool place to set up camp.  A few people were also already gathered by the viewing area but luckily, our tour guide knows his way through and led us to a free spot which I think is the best spot since we got front row seats to catch the sunrise.  We were literally sitting on the ledge of a rock.  I even overheard some tourist say, "Di ba delikado na dyan?" but after 3 days of being with our guides, I've learned to trust them.  Ngayon pa ba ako magdo-doubt?  After all, I owe them my life.

Sagad sa Sagada: The Climb

Sagada Challenge #2: Pongas Waterfalls

It might seem impossible to wake up at 6:30 AM after yesterday's spelunking adventure but surprisingly, all of us were able to get out of bed in time to grab some power breakfast at Yoghurt House.  Actually, I was up by 4 AM thanks to our neighbor whom I overheard talking loudly about how late it already was and how it was almost 7 AM. =.=  That woke me up pretty well.  Siya na ang late at 4 AM!

Power breakfast at Yoghurt House.  Sinong naka-racerback & board shorts at 7AM?  Blame it on the Hot Mountain Chocolate!

Due to the huge servings in Sagada, Erin and I decided to share our food.  We ordered one of their bestsellers, Hiker's Delight, which consists of a banana-filled crepe, toast, eggs and yoghurt with strawberries.  Some of them tried the Mountain Tea while I tried the Hot Mountain Chocolate.  Hiker's Delight was indeed delightful and really filling!  The Hot Mountain Chocolate drink, however, was bit of a downer.  At least for me.  I took a couple of sips and that was it.  That was enough to make me take my cardigan off!  They weren't kidding when they said it was extra hot.  Gumuguhit e, parang may alcohol!

Surprisingly, my favorite among our orders was Mabel's Tuna and Cheese Omelet.  It was soooooo good!  I wanted to finish the whole plate if I wasn't already full and if Mabel wasn't looking at me so threateningly.  Tip #14: Load up on carbs before doing any activity in Sagada.  You'll need it.

Sagad sa Sagada: All about facing your fears

Afraid of the dark?  Yep.  Terrified of heights?  Oh, yeah.  Claustrophobic?  You have no idea.  OC?  Definitely.  Control freak?  Absolutely.  So why in the world did I even sign up for cave connection?  Well, I'd like to believe my love for traveling and thirst for adventure are greater than my fears.  Or I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy and a certified kaladkarin.  Go lang ng go!

Caving vs Spelunking.  According to Kuya Gareth (Kuya G from now on just because it's easier to type) aka our resident Kuya Kim, both terms refer to exploring caves but the difference is: caving is done by professionals while spelunking is more like a hobby which is done by amateurs.  Like us.

Sagada Challenge #1: Cave Connection (Lumiang and Sumaging Caves)

May the odds be ever in our favor!  Fun fact: Several coffins have lizards engraved on them which symbolize long life and good fortune.

For cave connection, the starting point would be at Lumiang Cave and the exit point will be at Sumaging Cave.  The whole activity usually takes 4-6 hours depending on how many times you stop for photo ops.  Chos!  Seriously though, photo ops did take a lot of our time.  The usual ratio of guides to spelunkers is 1:4.  Since there are 12 of us in the group, I expected us to have 3-4 guides.  We were all surprised when we had 6 guides with us so that's 1:2.

Another beginning

Travel blogs fascinate me.  The way bloggers sum up their travel experiences into a post and select a handful of favorites from thousands of photos amaze me.  From reading travel blogs, I discover new places to explore, exciting dishes to try, life lessons to learn, and tips I can use on my next adventure.  Not only do they make me excited for my upcoming trips, they also encourage me to go on more ambitious ones.  These blogs inspire me to become not just a better traveler, but a better person as well.

So last week, as I was doing research on Begnas* (I seriously need a cure for my Sagada hangover, I know), I found new travel blogs to follow and fell in love with their posts and pictures.  I excitedly shared these blogs with my friends over merienda and their reaction was something I didn't expect.

Friends: Hey, why don't you start your own travel blog?  You've been to a lot of places already, I'd love to read about your adventures!  Sure, you tweet or instagram a couple things but a blog might be better.  *Cue: hilarious blog name suggestions*

Me: Ehhh I can't do that!  I would just get depressed from reminiscing my previous travels wishing I was back there and not here blogging away.  Plus, I can't even take good photos.  Heck, I can't even upload photos (which I didn't even take) on time!  I'm too lazy!  Masipag lang ako mag-comment.

 Friends: Yun nga e!

And that got me thinking.  As I've learned from traveling, you can't say you can't do it unless you've given it a try.  So why don't I give blogging another try?  I won't guarantee this to be purely a travel blog but it'll be the main focus for sure.  After all, traveling is possibly my greatest love.  Plus, I can't even squeeze in all my stories in my teeny, tiny Filed organizer. HAHA

So, come join me in another adventure? ;)



*A cultural festival celebrated 3 times a year (where Igorots dress up in their traditional clothes complete with accessories and weapons).  Each celebration is based on the agricultural calendar of the I-sagadas (Sagadians).  Lucky are the tourists who get to experience this festival as there are no exact dates.  The dates are only made known at least 2-4 days before the festival.  - SaGGAs