What better way to kick off 2016 than with a beach trip with the girls!
The ladies and I stayed at Montemar Beach Resort last weekend. Montemar is around 3 hours away from Manila and is located at Bagac, Bataan.
Amazing view, fine sand, clear water. What more can I ask for?
I wasn't able to swim during the first day because I filmed a video for my channel and Ana's channel the whole afternoon. This is going to be our second collaboration and it was so fun to film! I'll be uploading it in a few weeks so watch out.
We just chilled and watched the sun go down. It was perfect.
We really didn't do much except hang out and take pictures at the beach the next day. Some of us played frisbee as well.
Who's sabaw? Me!
In my own little happy world :))
It was so hard to say goodbye that afternoon :( It was indeed a great start to our new year. So grateful for these girls! Thank you for a wonderful weekend!
The holidays are over and I just can't believe that we're starting a new year. A lot of things happened last year that I am truly grateful for.
Here's a rundown of what went down in 2015!
1. Welcoming the New Year at Phuket
I started the New Year in Phuket, Thailand. We went on a cruise with the SYSU clan and spent 5 days on board the Mariner of the Seas for the 4-night Isles of Southeast Asia cruise (Singapore-Port Klang, Malaysia-Phuket, Thailand-Singapore).
This trip wasn't even supposed to push through! We booked our hotel in advance even before we had our plane tickets. It was so hard to book our flights because we tried to book our flight so close to our preferred travel dates. We wanted to leave during the Holy Week which made it even harder for us to find available flights. Everything eventually fell into place and we made it to Tokyo!
4. Australia: Hillsong Conference & Silly Sys Down Under
It has always been in my bucket list to attend the Hillsong conference, but it never crossed my mind that I would be able to attend last year. But as Proverbs 19:21 says, " Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
Going to Australia for the Hillsong Conference wasn't enough, I went to Australia twice last year! Second time I was with my whole family. Read about my Australia trip with the Silly Sys here >>> Australia 2015: Silly Sys Down Under
5. First International Trip with the Girlaloos!
It finally happened! I went to Kota Kinabalu with my college girls last year and it was just incredible! We weren't complete though (we missed you Lauren!) but this year for sure we'll be complete! Claiming it! >>>Kota Kinabalu Vlogs
6. Blog and YouTube Channel
I finally had the courage to start my blog and YouTube channel. I didn't post regularly last year but I am glad that I finally started it. You have no idea how long I've wanted to blog and vlog. There were a lot excuses and struggles along the way. Now that it's up and running, I am committed to post and upload at least once a week this year. WOW. Fingers crossed!
7. Secret Santa with my High School and College Barkada
My high school friends and I have been friends for 11 years, while my college friends and I have been friends for 7 years, but we've never had a successful Christmas get together. We finally got to do our Secret Santa after so many years of being friends. Good job, girls!
College loves
High School loves
8. Christmas at home
It's been a while since we last celebrated Christmas at home. We rarely put up our Christmas tree and get together for Christmas. This year, I was really into the Christmas spirit (I think it was because of Vlogmas hehe). I decorated the Christmas tree with the kids, put up our Christmas stockings, and organized our secret santa and Christmas dinner at home. I vlogged our Christmas get together and while I was editing it, I couldn't help but smile. We were complete. We had lots of fun. We were happy.
9. Relationship with God
I declared at the beginning of 2015 for a deeper and more consistent relationship with God. He called me to serve in the Music Ministry. The last time I volunteered for the Music team, I was just in my first year of college. I was really glad to be back! Every time I worshipped on stage, there was just overwhelming joy! It felt so good to see people worship Him and be moved by the Spirit. It's different when you grasp the things that He has done for you. Ang sarap ng feeling! During Victory Weekend last November, I burst into tears as one of the Pastors prayed for me. The pastor didn't even know me and yet when he prayed and declared that I was free from my past because of God's grace and unfailing love. GRABE. I just felt a sense of peace within me. I am truly grateful for the incredible journey with Him last year and I cannot wait to take my relationship with God to the next level this 2016!
It was indeed an amazing year but I know that 2016 is going to be even better! I am believing God for greater things this year. The best is yet to come. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
My family went to Oz last month and it was one of the best trips we've taken so far!
The Silly Sys
We flew from Manila to Sydney via Cebu Pacific. Yes, Cebu Pacific. A lot of people were quite surprised that we took an 8-hour flight with CebPac. It was actually a decent flight. They don't provide a blanket, pillow and in-flight meals for free though. A meal would cost around P350, snacks P100, drinks P50, blanket P350, and neck pillow P150.
In flight travel essentials
Our host arranged a taxi service to pick us up from the airport. It costs $80 for 9pax. There are also taxi services available at the airport. They usually charge $15/pax plus tip.
We rented a place at Arncliffe via Airbnb. It's a beautiful 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom home with a kitchenette, dryer & washer, living/dining area, parking, and WIFI (essential hehe). The place is good for a maximum of 9 pax! Really perfect for my family of 9.
Photo from Airbnb
Going around Sydney is really easy with the help of the TripView Lite app. This app shows you which train/bus/ferry you should ride and at what time. What's great about this app is that you can use it offline. You can also check the timetable at http://www.transportnsw.info/ Make sure you purchase an opal card which you can use to pay when you ride the train, bus, and ferry.
Screenshot of Tripview Lite
We spent a total of 10 days in Australia. We had enough time to explore and shop during our stay. Make sure you leave your hotel early as most of the attractions and malls close as early as 4pm.
DAY 1: After checking in, we decided to rest for an hour before heading out. We attended the 6pm service at Hillsong Church, had dinner at Nando's, and went to the supermarket before heading back home.
Getting to Hillsong Church: You may ride the T62 or T64 bus to Hillsong from Parramatta-T5 or T1 line or catch the Hillsong courtesy bus from Parramatta (in front of Max Brenner) at 8:15am, 11:15am, and 5:15pm.
Hillsong Church
DAY 2: We went to DFO Homebush and Circular Quay. DFO stands for Direct Factory Outlets. You can find outlet stores like Cotton On, Converse, Platypus, Typo, Forever New, Havaianas, Levis, etc here.
Getting to DFO: DFO is accessible through the 525 or 526 bus from the Sydney Olympic Park-T7 line or Strathfield station-T1 or T2 line.
Getting to Circular Quay: Circular Quay station-T2 or T3 line
View from Circular Quay
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Opera House
DAY 3: We visited the Sydney Tower Eye and shopped at Pitt street. The tower eye is located in Westfield Sydney. Entrance is on the 5th floor and costs $26.50 for adults and $17 for children ages 4-15years old. Discounted tickets are available when you purchase tickets online at https://www.sydneytowereye.com.au/tickets/single-visit/.
Getting to Sydney Tower Eye: The nearest station to the Sydney Tower Eye is St James-T2 or T3 line.
Pitt street is at the heart of Sydney CBD and is known as one of the busiest shopping streets in Australia.
Getting to Pitt Street: Pitt street is accessible through Town Hall-T1, T2, T3, or T4 line, Martin Place-T4 line, and Wynyard station-T1, T2, or T3 line.
Hyde Park view from the Sydney Tower Eye
DAY 4: We spent the day at Bondi beach. Dihia and I did half of the Bondi to Coogee walk. I really enjoyed this walk because of the Sculptures by the Sea exhibit. The exhibit was held from October 22 -November 8 along the coastline. It transformed the coastline into an outdoor gallery by local and international artists.
Getting to Bondi beach: Bondi Junction station-T4 line then catch the bus to Bondi beach at stand A3.
Wall obsession along the Bondi Beach Graffiti Wall
DAY 5: We rode the ferry to Manly Beach! The ferry to Manly leaves at Circular Quay every hour. The ride is 30 mins long and it has a spectacular view of Sydney CBD. Make sure to get a seat outside!
I love the chill vibe of Manly. I find the beach at Bondi better but I prefer the ambiance in Manly. I especially enjoyed walking through The Corso. The Corso is the main pedestrian to and from Manly Beach. It is lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Getting to Manly: Ride the ferry to Manly Wharf from Circular Quay at Wharf no. 3
DAY 6: It was a windy day and we decided to go to the Royal Botanic Garden and Chinatown. This garden is huge! You can definitely have a picnic and spend the entire day here.
I wasn't able to take pictures of Chinatown but if you want yummy Asian food and cheap souvenirs, then this is the place to visit. They had a Little Eat Street which featured different Asian food stalls when we went there so it was really crowded.
Getting to the Royal Botanic Garden: You can take the train to Martin Place-T4 line, St James-T2 or T3 line or Circular Quay-T2 or T3 line
The nearest station is Martin Place. Other stations close by are St James and Circular Quay.
Getting to Chinatown: Closest train station is Central (all lines) which is the busiest station is Sydney. Chinatown is a 12min walk from the station. You can also take the tram and get down at the Chinatown Monorail or Paddys Market stop.
