Day 1 Part 1: Airport, Flea Market, Trains and getting to know Hongkong

This marks our first international trip together as a couple, though we've both been traveling around different parts of Asia him mostly with his family and me, well I am always traveling alone till I met him. Which made me realize there is indeed a beauty when you're traveling with someone that you're comfortable with and as excited as you to learn about new things. I thought I would not enjoy since I believe he might be a sort of an excess baggage and another emotional key chain that I need to carry around. But hence, he helped me and with his tech savvy-ness guided me to the different places that I listed on our itinerary. We have been traveling together for a year now, but mostly domestic flights and long drive in different provinces here in the Philippines.

Our carrier for this Hongkong, China trip is Cebu Pacific Airlines, you can get promo tickets here I got ours for roughly PHP5700 (130USD) good for 2pax back and forth. You can see I like traveling on a budget when it comes to booking an airline, I want as much as possible to indulge on food, experience and other stuff that could be found at that place, for me this is money well spent.

Bound to Hongkong via Cebu Pacific

We arrived on a cold morning, temperature is around (12-15 degrees Celsius) coming from a tropical country this is chilly for me. I really like their spacious airport reminds me of Thailand and Malaysia. Remember to buy your Octupus Card at the kiosk inside the airport, this is one card for all transportation in Hongkong it's really handy and valid for 5 years.

Baler, Aurora

Baler, Aurora, Philippines

Upon writing this article, let me just say that I've been to Baler, Aurora twice. First was around August 25,2014 and the second visit was just a weekend ago September 5, 2014 let's just say I really liked the place. Hahaha :)

It was around 3hrs drive from Tarlac Province, (coming from Manila I think it's about 5-6 hrs) there are actually two road networks you can opt to choose if you're going here via : Maria Aurora-Pantabangan Road and Baler-Bongabon Road. We chose the 1st route Maria Aurora - Patanbangan Road since the 2nd option was still undergoing renovation and road widening. The road is about 90% smooth there are fewer roads that haven't been paved yet, but not more than 500 meters, so if you're carrying a small car ( not 4x4 ) you're car can still survive this road. Other details on how to get to Baler is posted below.

On the Maria Aurora - Pantabangan Road you can see the breathtaking Pantabangan Dam and even pass by Nueva Viscaya on your way to Baler, Aurora. So savor the 3 hrs drive, enjoy the view and roll down your window to smell the fresh mountain air. It was a tricky drive, specially on the curves when nearing Maria Aurora, I could only manage to drive halfway through the road my boyfriend and I had to switch, he took my place on the driver seat (yes!he is indeed very, very good when it comes to driving that's one of the things I love about him I am not bragging but he's a defensive and offensive driver hahaha indeed if he wanted to pursue racing i'm sure he can nail it). <3

Pantabangan Dam, Maria Aurora - Pantabangan Road

We arrived around lunch time, we needed to find ourselves some delicious meal to satisfy our hunger. While driving around, we passed by Yolly's ihaw-ihaw it was not that hard to convince myself to eat here since the lobsters and crabs are displayed on a glass shelf outside, ohh man was I drooling. I ordered, boiled lobster for 250PHP ( prices vary depending on the size)  which is really really really cheap for me, since here in Manila it's too expensive for me to eat a lobster. Not to worry, Yolly's ihaw-ihaw is near mercury drugs and Baler Municipal Hall this establishment can easily be located.

Alaminos, Pangasinan

Hundred Island, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

It was holiday in the Philippines and my feet was itching to go somewhere, we have had the plan to do a long drive just about anywhere a car can reach hahaha; thanks Pnoy for this unplanned calendar holiday. Woke up extra early on a Friday to prepare our stuff and by 5am left the house to gas up. By 6am we were heading to NLEX, hihihi felt super happy that we were on the road; finally it’s been a while since I had a long drive. Anyway, couldn’t drive on the express way since my license was expired and the bf was too lenient on obeying the law. I'm getting used to this passenger thing set-up, though I like it better behind the wheel. I often push him to do occasional over take and over speeding cause it’s fun :D. (hope my mom's not reading this she'll kill me if she knew I always ask to go over 160kph)

North Luzon Express Way

It has been ages since I visited Pangasinan and have a faint remembrance of Hundred Islands, so we decided to put our wanderlust selves here. Our 3 days long drive itineraries were Pampanga – Tarlac – Alaminos – Bolinao. Stopping at different towns as we go really no plans just following our hearts on this 3 days’ vacation.