Ironwulf Travel Chronicles 2009

I will really miss 2009. I can consider it as one of the most fruitful years of travel. There was a time a year before that I thought I would never be able to travel that much in 2009. It was in 2008 when the economic condition forced me to go into a freelancing stint. I never knew if I would succeed in 2009 being a freelance photographer and writer. But here we are, looking back, despite the many things that happened in our country like the economic crash, calamities and other uncertainties there are still a lot to be thankful for 2009.

I was still on the tail end of our Tawi-tawi trip when 2009 started. But it was in February when I really started my travel that year. It was my lonely planet travel to the Republic of Lao. It was two weeks of travel from south to north on the beautifully rustic land-locked country of Laos. Sleeping in Bangkok Airport, Crossing the Mekong River, meeting people while exploring the ruins of Champasak and spending days back in time in Luang Prabang made the Laos journey really memorable.

Back in the Philippines, I tried to minimize my personal travels to save. A lot of travel chronicles were thanks to the assignment I’m getting from Travel Magazines like Seair Inflight and Mabuhay and also some NGO projects I did. My Batanes Seair assignment to shoot a cover gave me a chance to be back there, one of my favorite places in the country. I had my extension and was able to explore Batan on a bike and make an extensive list of accommodations in Batan island.

Another assignment from Mabuhay led me to discover Occidental Mindoro, the friendly people of San Jose and getting up close to the rare Philippine tamaraws. Finding Cansubong Cave, Inasakan, Ambulong and Grace Islands confirmed my expectations that there are more great islands and beaches past the Sablayan area of Mindoro.

I’ve always liked working with NGOs because I find fulfillment on the projects they are working on. An environmental project also led me to discover a bucolic forest town in Nueva Vizcaya called Imugan. I stayed there for a few days going inside forest to document carbon measurements, in the afternoon enjoying the waters of Imugan Falls, hiking through the pine forest of Salacsac and standing in wander of the panorama in Malico. I liked the place so much I even went back there and brought a few friends along.

Call it a lucky streak! I never thought I’d have another out of country travel this year until I got an invite from Tourism Malaysia Philippines to participate in their Merdeka Familiarization Tour in Malaysia. It was an exciting 9-day tour as we go on an eat and explore spree around Kuala Lumpur, getting loads of adrenaline rush at the rides at Genting Highlands and Sunway Lagoon, walking the historical streets of Malacca, and enjoying the cool breeze and refreshing scenery of Cameron Highlands.

On the local side, I get to explore the side of Baguio not many people have seen yet. Thanks to another Seair Assignment, we went ghost haunting at some of Baguio’s famous haunts. Was able to revisit the Ambuklao area and saw the new activities brewing up there. Finally stepped into BenCab’s amazing museum.

I crossed out another of my places to visit in the Philippines when I finally stepped into Catanduanes. I’ve heard so much about this rugged beauty and it didn’t fail to deliver. Puraran beach is truly majestic, there were a few nice waterfalls in Virac, then there’s the Twin Rock in Igang and a cave in Lictin.

I was blessed again to go out of the country for the 3rd and fourth time. And this time it was on Singapore. I was fortunate enough to get invited by MTV and DOT Philippines on the launching of their new campaign in Singapore “Take me to the Philippines”. I was able to meet Apl.d.ap of Black Eyed Peas and was able to watch their concert along with Beyonce.

But things are not all that well back in Manila that time as Typhoon Ondoy was wreaking havoc in the city. When I got back, I made sure we help out. I and a bunch of friends of mine as well as hundreds of volunteers packed some goodies for the Ondoy Victims.

Less than a couple of weeks, I went back to Singapore again and explored the un-touristy side of the country which I’m currently chronicling. But the main reason I went there the second time was to attend the First ever Nuffnang Regional Blog Awards. I was already contented in just being able to be in Singapore again but winning the 2009 Best Travel Blog Awards was a real icing on the cake.

Towards the end of the year there were other trips like going back to Batad and Banaue for the 4th time. Another NGO assignment led me to South Cotabato again working with Save the Children this time. Of course there were some fun day trips in between these major trips. I got to explore more of Taal Town, not once but twice. The Pahiyas Festival was also fun meeting new people. And I think I get to explore a lot more of Manila this time especially with a Malacanang tour with Ivan Man Dy.

I may have missed some things but that only adds to the list of blessings this year which I’m very thankful for. To my friends and travel buddies and also to my family who has always been supportive of my endeavors. To the people who I have worked with for giving me a chance to be a part of their team. And most importantly Thank You to all the readers who have supported this site through the years it has been online. I’m still uncertain about the travels this 2010 since I have no fixed plans yet. But there are projects brewing that you fellow readers can not only participate here on this website but also in the adventure itself. I’m betting 2010 will be another exciting year especially with the elections coming. I’m just hoping 2010 will be fruitful and blessed for all of us. Happy new year to all!