Thursday, December 27, 2012

Dear 2012, We Did Great!

Sharkmaine's 2012 in photos. 

Dear 2012,

Wow. 

The year is almost ending and looking back to what we've had for the past 360 days, it was all awesome and wonderful. Thank you for the great memories and the adventures! Cheers to you amazing 2012!

Join me as I look back to some of my 2012 adventures -- the places I've been to, the people I met, the food I tasted and everything that made it so great! :)


Colorful January


The colors of Sinulog.

My January is always filled with the colors of Sinulog! I really enjoy taking photos of festivals and Sinulog is really close to my heart. 

Random Fact: It took a while for my parents to have a child so my Mother prayed for it from the Santo Nino de Cebu. And I'm the result! That is why I never missed Sinulog since HS. I even hoped to someday dance in the parade... as a festival queen. ansabeeeeh.

I hope in the coming years I will also be able to witness other festivals like Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan. :)

Up North February


I am holding your hand because look at what you did HERE.

February is a special month for D and I. No, not because it's V-day. I hate V-day. Haha. We are like the best buddies in the universe. This is our first travel together and we went up north to explore the Ilocos region - Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpud. We tried sandboarding and I found out about my talent in sandhoarding. Lol! Our Ilocos adventure was quite different because it rained when we went to see the Bangui Windmills (medyo final destination ang peg) and Kabigan Falls. Our stay in Kapuluan also turned out as a staycation because it just rained and rained during our stay there. But hey, it was all fun!

Bipolar March


VGIB is my kind of wonderland.

The highlight of our March was our visit to Van Gogh is Bipolar in Maginhawa. It was a very memorable experience! VGIB will always have a special place in my heart.

Adventurous April


Sitting on a bear inside the Lumiang cave in Sagada is not a bad idea at all!


My April was awesome for a lot of reasons. It started with swimming with the butandings in Oslob (wherein I almost panicked because they got too close). I also spent my special day on the road. It was my first time to be away on my day and I think it wouldn't be the last. :) It was fun to share my cake with strangers.

Spelunking in Sagada was a torture the day after. Our guide for the Kiltepan sunrise didn't wake up on time. Camping in San Juan, La Union. And surfing. Imagine my excitement when I stood up on the board and I forgot to go down when the board approached the shore. Kayo na bahala mag-isip anong sunod na nangyari. Another feat of sandhoarding -- Achieved!! Woohoo! =))

Mellow May


Villa Javierto in Lucena. They have the best halo-halo!

I started writing for WIM in April and then last May, I had my very first out of town assignment in Lucena for a bed and breakfast establishment. It was fun and it made me realize that I have to visit the southern areas really really soon.

Néih hóu June!


I belong in the Happiest Place on Earth!

June was highlighted by my second out of the country trip! Hello Hongkong and Macau! I have so much to say about this trip but I'll save it for a separate blog post. :)

The most memorable thing that happened to me was when we were in Disneyland, the kids kept waving to me! It must be the hair. Or the shirt. Or the shoes. Or the Minnie Mouse ears. I wasn't given the heads-up that I look like a mascot but it was so much fun! My inner child was in the clouds the entire time. :) 

Jaded July 


Being a wedding photographer apprentice and food trip galore!

June wasn't so lovely. I had to cancel my Singapore trip because freaking Globe charged me absurdly for my roaming usage. :(

But a good news came, I am officially a wedding apprentice photographer and it really helped me to improve on my photography. Aside from that, a lot of foodtrips got me busy for July.

Lovely August


Casa San Pablo, Ocean Park and Lake Pandin.

I was lucky to be able to visit Casa San Pablo in August and I was truly captured by its charm. The sidetrip to Lake Pandin was also a great experience.

Revisited Ocean Park too with D this time and I honestly enjoyed the less-taking-photos, more-viewing time. :D

Restful September


Staycation September in Thunderbird Resorts Rizal and a trip to Enchanted Kingdom.

This should be named as Staycation September! We had another weekend staycation at Thunderbird Resorta Rizal and it was a very restful one. Just what I needed.

Perk Me Up October


James Morrison made it real. Back to baguio and a staycation at Richmonde Eastwood.

October was another laid-back month. We watched our first concert together and I get to practice more on my photography. A quick trip to Baguio to do a feature and a little food trip on our own. Canto ribs! Then the month was capped off with another staycation for a feature. I feel really grateful to experience all of these complimentary things. It's not as easy as it seems because in exchange, I have to work hard to get good photos and write a good feature about it.

Northern Lights Noteworthy November



My November break was spent in Puerto Princesa, Palawan with the mother and the little sister. :) It was one of the best trips I've had. PP is so beautiful and I can't wait to visit El Nido soon.

The Iwahig river Firefly cruise was probably one of the best things that happened to me. To see multitude of fireflies are on my bucket list and that moment we were there, it was just so magical. And our timing was so perfect too because it was a full moon weekend but just as we ended our cruise, it was only then that the moon came out.

And also, I was able to hold a baby crocodile, a scorpion, a biiiig stick insect and a bear cat! Visited the Puerto Princesa Underground River and yep, I ate tamilok!

Dearest December


Meet Me in Magalawa. Umi-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind lang.

December is ♥. My favorite lights and sounds show, the lovely Magalawa skies and my moving experience when I had the chance to visit an Aeta community in Tarlac (I will write about it here soon!).


Thank you Lord for all of these. I am indeed very blessed. 


Dear 2013,

Are you ready? Because I am!!
We will explore more places, meet more people, befriend strangers, eat weird food, be an adrenaline junkie, take more photos and have all the fun in the world!
Here's to us and to our upcoming awesome adventures!! I can hardly wait! :)


Love,
Mimai xoxo

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This is my entry for Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for the month of December with the theme '2012: This Year in Travel' hosted by (one of the hottest traveling momma I know), Gay Mitra-Emami of Pinay Travel Junkie and Regine Camille Garcia of Between Coordinates.

28 comments :

  1. nice entry! love all your photos! ang galing!!! Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you Jerome! Nainspire din ako sa entry mo! :) Happy New Year!

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  2. Great photos to cap off a great year! Here's to more trips and tales in 2013. Happy new year! :)

    Daene | filipinainflipflops.com

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    1. Thank you Daene! You should do a year-end post too! I really love your Korea series posts! :D

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  3. I dig the colors of your photos. 2012 (soon to be 'was') a great year indeed for you and other PTB's. Hope to an even better 2013 (for sure it will be).

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    1. Hello to the other half of my newest PTB favorite loveteam! :D Thank you so much! I am a fan of your blog Marky (and you and Lauren) :") Yep, a better 2013 for all of us!

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  4. Awesome post. And I love the overall look and feel of your site. First time to have dropped by here and surely, I'll be coming back. :-) Cheers!

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    1. Thanks Ryan! :D Cheers to more travel and adventures for us!

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  5. you look cute! hihi and your photos are pleasant. ;)

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    1. Hihi :") Thanks Chyng! I'm a fan of your travels! Gusto ko narin mag Korea soon!

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  6. I love the vibe of your photos! :)Cheers to your year of travel and adventure!

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    1. Thank you Kara! I'm a fan! And I'm fangirling over your comment! Haha! Cheers! :D

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  7. Awesome photos Mimai! Very vivid and fun-filled year indeed! Cheers to 2013! :)

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    1. Thanks KC!! Mas awesome parin ang mga adventures mo! :D Isama mo na ko sa bagahe mo next time! :P

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  8. I agree on the Iwahig River Cruise being magical. :) It's just one of those moments that time seems to stop.

    Cheers to a more amazing 2013!

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    1. Indeed! Too bad the moment can't be captured on cam though.

      Cheers to you too Claire! :D

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  9. amazing photos of your 2012 travel. how can i miss out travel blogs with such great photos. something im looking forward to drop by this year! cheers to more exciting trips and amazing photos this year!

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    1. Woot! Another comment from someone I look up to! :D I'm honored! :)

      Thank you and hope to cross paths with you this 2013!

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  10. I am so proud of you labs! We're reaching all our dreams step by step. I'm a little jealous of D, since sya na ang bago mong ka-food trip! Wala naman kasi ako dyan. Haha :) Nevertheless, let's rock 2013! I love you dearly!

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    1. Laaaabs!! Don't worry, babalik din ang mga araw na magkakasama ulit tayong magtravel at foodtrip! :) Ingat dyan lagi sa IND! Labyu lots!

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  11. Wow, Mai! Nakaka-inspire ka talaga! This makes me want to also get out more. Maybe I should put that as a goal for me this year... We'll see. ;)

    Keep having more adventures, Mai, and keep soaring to new heights! Take care!

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    1. Yes! Traveling is really fun and who knows, just like me, it can become your passion too! :)

      PS. Excited for our postie swap!

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  12. Looks like you had a blast :) I'm glad I got to meet ya in 2012! hope to see ya more often in 2013 :)

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    1. 2012 was really a lot of fun! And it was really an honor to meet you Mr. Pickiest Eater in the woooorldddd!! Haha!

      More food adventures to us in 2013! :D

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  13. Seems like you had a blast last 2012. I'm sure 2013 will be even better for you. :)

    Love your photos! They each have a dreamy feel. No wonder you were hired as a wedding photographer assistant.

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    1. Amen to that! :)

      Thank you so much! Your comment made my day! Cheers to an awesome 2013!

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  14. you've got so many great shots! marami akong favorite! lots of things happen to you this year :) cheers for more traveling and photography stints for you! happy 2013!

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    1. Thank you! So glad to hear that! :) Yes, happy 2013 to us!! :D

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Awesome of you to drop by, care to leave a comment? :)