Because of a weekend trip to the
Eleven Islands here in Panubigan, Zamboanga City, I suddenly remembered that I have
the perfect crafts kit to complement my experience and to journal with. Deco
Arts and Crafts Delight launched a crafts kit in a box May of this year that’s
just perfect for any beach theme. After all, BEACH stands for Best Escape Anyone
Could Have, clever huh?
Best Escape Anyone Could Have (BEACH)
The kit came in a flat white box.
I’m keeping the thank you card and using it in my notebook, nice prompt for gratitude
if you ask me.
I begin all interest with washi,
and for this kit there’s two, the umbrella and printed starry washi. And there’s
my shell prop which I brought home some time ago, years ago maybe.
Washi from the kit
Here’s the collection of journal
cards from the kit. The more colorful top ones are freebies from any purchases
from the shop, (this isn’t my only purchase) the set doubles as a travel journal
cards on the side. The bottom journal cards are the ones that are included in
the kit and the cutest ones I like are the Waves, Lemonade and Bikini journal
cards.
Summer and beach journal cards
The dividers are cute, and my
favorite is the seashell, though the bikini one is also cute.
Dividers
There are ten ephemera stickers and I really like the fishies, the seashell and pink lemonade.
Sticker ephemera
Lastly, the stickers feature functional, matte sheets that can be written on. I like the boxed quotes, they really relate to what summer and beach days are all about. I like the Weekend banner on the third sticker sheet and the cute beach accessories.
The sunscreen bottle can be a good reminder for me to always be equipped with sunblock and to remind myself that prevention of sunburn is always important.
Functional stickers
What do I think of it overall? The
kit could have used some more beach or ocean themed washi for this kit. But I
have some seahorse and seashell washi already. But the stickers and journal
cards are something that I can definitely use.
The Beach Please kit is no longer
available, but there are other kits to be launched from Deco Art and Crafts Delight.
Be sure to watch out for announcements on Instagram, that’s where I place my
orders.
A random invitation to visit Onse Islas soon gained some interest from friends and family online as I posted our photos on socmed (social media). I put together a quick guide to answer the questions you left through comments on my feed and of course, more photos of the Eleven Islands.
In front of Panubigan Barangay Hall
How to Get There
On a Sunday morning, we went all
the way to Panubigan for breakfast at our family friend's place in a shack on the hill
overlooking a beautiful view. In the highway once reaching Panubigan, there’s a
huge sign by the highway that says Eleven Islands, some parts of the road going
in isn’t concretized yet, so be ready to encounter a dirt road still in its
construction phase. Some parts are already concretized, be patient as it will be completed soon. It also pays to have a careful and good driver with your
party.
Onse Islas Activity Map
Do's and Dont's Onse Islas Guide
Registration and Orientation
The local government monitors all
tourism activities in the area, so it’s mandatory to register all visitors and
attend a brief orientation of the islands (islets rather). Visit the Barangay
Hall, sign up and attend a brief orientation on the Eleven Islands, Do’s and Dont’s.
The barangay will assign your guide for the day and a corresponding boat for
your party. Our host paid a total of Php 5,000 for our party of eleven people
(coincidentally) consisting of family and friends.
Ferry Terminal, Panubigan
After the orientation, it’s a
short walk to the port where all the bancas are tied to. Vehicles can be parked
near the barangay hall. All visitors are required to wear life jackets during
boat rides, provided by the bancas themselves. Safety first, folks!
Speaking of safety, even if there
are shortcuts through other routes, let me take the opportunity to remind
everyone that protocols are there for a reason. Each person has to log in and
register so that the local government can monitor, regulate and manage the
visitors and the sites properly in case incidences occur.
Experience Onse Islas
Eleven Islands is a group of
islands in the barangays of Panubigan and Dita, Zamboanga City. Activities allowed
in the area are island cruising (with a guide), kayaking, paddle boarding,
swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and also trekking.
Bisaya-Bisaya Island's Powder White Beach, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
In the first island called
Bisaya-Bisaya, there are beautiful, weathered rock formations that one can walk
to. Be careful to walk on the black rocks, I slipped and landed on my butt. Luckily
I didn’t sustain any wounds. It turns out that the black surface on the rocks
are caused by algae dried by the sun that turned black on the rocks.
White Rock in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
Natural Pool in one of the islets, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
During low-tide, it’s easy to cross
to the other islet and visit the natural pool but it’s hot and we jokingly
called it the solar-powered, hot spring infinity pool. There’s also the sand
bar that appeared in the last island we went to, Sirommon Island where a family
of starfish emerged just also enjoying the sun and sands.
Starfish Colony in Sirommon Sandbar, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
I like that the place is quiet,
not crowded with too many tourists, there was only another group visiting the
islands apart from us on the day. After all, Sunday is meant for relaxation.
Powder white sand beach, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
Be Responsible Visitors
It’s a good thing that the local
government was able to straighten out the solid waste management program before
tourists soiled the environment. There are huts to have picnics in. What lacked from the facilities was a good
changing room and its corresponding amenities.
If you ask me though, I’ll have
none of those souvenir stalls that are commonly seen in selling shirts,
keychains or ref magnets. It just gives off a too-commercial vibe. I would
rather have those on dry land and away from the islands. It’s also a good thing
that no food vendors were allowed on the islands, minus the barbecue sticks and
plastic that can be thrown away in the water.
Keeping the area clean is top
priority and it’s emphasized in the orientation. No matter how small, it’s
important to dispose of trash properly. Clean oceans is a plus, so let’s do all
that we can.
Sandbar at Sirommon Island, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City
At the end of the day tour, I
have a collection of beautiful photos that look like I teleported to the Caribbean
from Zamboanga City. I told an officemate that the only sighting missing is
Captain Jack Sparrow. I went home with sunburn, but I do have stories to tell about
how beautiful the place is. Looking at the islands, I’m grateful to have spent the
weekend with people close to me and in such a beautiful place.
I’ve received inquiries and
reactions from people in my socmed feed, so this quick guide was put together
to share some information to those interested to visit Onse Islas. May you find
time to experience and enjoy our beautiful sites in Zamboanga City and do be
mindful of keeping them clean.
My upcoming travel is only a couple
of weeks away, and as soon as August hits, you know I’m all about the
excitement already. I’ve thought about what I will be needing, and here’s a few
of them, since I already have a new replacement luggage on the way, that’s
crossed off my things I need list. In
the meantime, here are some stuff that I should never forget while on travel:
1. Good Walking Shoes
Alright let me tell you something
about good walking shoes for traveling. I was in China this year for a two-week
long training and at the end of it, our organizers have arranged for visits to Beijing
and Shanghai, and of course, what visit in Beijing is not complete without going
to the Great Wall right? Some well-seasoned
travelers in our group were smart packers and pulled out good walking shoes for
the Great Wall visit. Luckily, I found a pair of good shoes in the SciTech
Outlet Park in Beijing the night before and bought myself the Nike Flex
Training 7 for Women for just RMB 299 (Chinese Reminbi) approximately Php 2,392
that time and in my size too. All I had with me at the start of the trip were a
pair of slippers and black loafers.
Lesson learned, be prepared for
long distance walking and running and hiking and invest in good shoes to bring
with you, even airports can be vast and cold. So I’m bringing the same pair
with me to my escapade next month.
2. Powerbank
Not a lot of people know this, but
my Asus powerbank got confiscated in Guangzhou airport before my connecting flight to Tianjin, because
apparently, powerbanks are not allowed to be checked in and in China,
inspection and security can be tough. I feel dumb that I didn’t pull out my Asus
pink powerbank because it’s a convenient size to carry around, (only the size
of a credit card, but still, as I took pretty good care of it to last me a couple
of years).
Asus Powerbank 10050 mah in Pink (credit card sized)
A couple of weeks ago, C told me
that he bought me a replacement and it’s not just any powerbank. It’s
the Romoss Sense 6 LED 20000mAh Power Bank and oooh does it pack power. This is
just what I need for our upcoming tour and it’s time to put it to the test. Imagine
days of walking around and having to take all those photos and having to
recharge when the need calls for it. How convenient! And I’m lucky to have a
travel partner as thoughtful as C.
Romoss Sense
6 LED 20000mAh Power Bank
3. A Hat
And finally, this may sound so simple
but yet, the last time I was out and now that I think about it, I had more than
enough space in my luggage, I just didn’t bother to bring a hat for those day
excursions. You see, I’m fond of ancient, historical and architectural sites, and
a hat is just the most basic thing I could have brought along. Luckily there
were souvenir shops in the Great Wall’s Beijing Station, which was also one of
the most famous stations of the ancient landmark. I bought one at only RMB 30
or Yuan and brought it with me to all the other visits such as Tiananmen Square
and all throughout Shanghai.It ended up on my father’s wall
collection of all black hats.
My RMB 30 souvenir hat from the Great Wall Beijing Station
The Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China
Even while on travel, it’s still important
to battle the heat and a hat is just one simple thing that I simply overlooked.
Don’t mind me if I help myself to something similar like a gray or pink one.
And so, folks, these are some
lessons that I’ve learned and can share with you. As of now I'm already excited so I'll be daydreaming about the attractions I'd want to visit too. See you soon!
It’s been a while since I’ve done
an unboxing of a stationery kit, but this is sure one way to break the monotony
of my blog and you know me, anything travel is always worth turning a head to.
For this month, Deco Art and
Crafts Delight decided to launch a vintage travel themed stationery and crafts
kit and boy oh boy, did it arouse my curiosity. Another reason why I raised my
hand to this edition is because I have another leisurely travel scheduled next month
(hello, long weekend) and it’s definitely going to be very useful for me.
I always prep a traveler’s
notebook every time I leave, whether it’s standard or pocket sized, what’s important
to me is preserving the memories, writing down thoughts and experiences while
in transit especially if they involve the significant people I’m traveling with.
So…. On to the unboxing….
Burnt edges of Chinese Newspaper add a nice touch to the package
The packaging alone is a nice surprise,
the twine and burnt edges of the Chinese newspaper ties up with the vintage travel
theme nicely.
What's inside the wrapped package
Onto the other additions in the
kit are two washi tapes, a wooden stamp and a crystal pen in a beautiful copper-ish
color. Mental note: test it out later. The washis are a constant in any
Deco Art and Crafts Delight subscription kit but the pen and stamp are a new addition
to this set. Still a welcome touch.
Vintage travel themed washi
Here’s a close up look of the
washis.
More paper goods
A peak into some more of the
goodies in the kit, there are doilies, ephemera, stickers and journal cards.
Journal cards
Looking at the journal cards, my favorites
are the vintage map, Say Yes to New Adventures, and My Goal Is To Run Out Of
Pages In My Passport. That’s not far from the truth, sista!
Sticker ephemera
Now the ephemera stickers are small,
so I didn’t take them out of their little plastic pouch because I’m afraid to
lose some in case. This reduces the need to bring a good glue during travel
next month so it’s easy to just write away all the thoughts and experiences.
Loads of vintage travel stickers
Lastly, there are the functional
stickers that come with almost every monthly kit. But I think the newer
additions are the washi strips and larger boxes. I'm not really a fond of the icon stickers but I guess I can find some use for my daily planner at work.
And there’s so much to report since the last time I have
posted.
I must have left town at least thrice since then.
School
It’s not that I’m procrastinating, but thinking about school
lately makes me feel overwhelmed. Now I’m wondering if enrolling this semester was
a good idea. Though I sort of feel consoled knowing that I'm not the only feeling this way since most of us in class are trying to keep up with the demands of researches and also discussions in class. For my part, I also have to keep up with midterm requirements.
ADZU LRC Building
Travel
We took advantage of the Holy Week and went on a road trip to Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin Island. CDO is my mother's family's hometown so it's always great to catch up with family and also partake in scrumptious meals in cowboy country. Baby back ribs always brings up beautiful, delicious memories.
Mantigue Island, Camiguin
Naked Island, Camiguin
As for Camiguin Island, it's a place for leisure and island hopping for the summer. Because of beautiful and preserved places like Mantigue Island and Naked Island, it creates a sense of pride and joy in me discovering nature's beauty and grand design. It also pays to have family in the island to enjoy local life.
The Great Wall, Beijing Station
For the last half of May, I went to China to attend a training and had the opportunity to visit major cities and famous sites such as The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the gates to the Forbidden City while in Beijing. I also went to Shanghai and toured around, indulging in crowds of tourists and savouring all the sights and sounds. The rest of my photos and videos are in Instagram and it just only fed my need to travel and see places all the more.
Tianjin Eye
Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai
Also in May, I turned three decades old. It was a beautiful day for me having been surrounded by friends and family who celebrated with me. I did say that this is my year. I'm keeping an eye on major milestones up ahead, such as finishing school and also completing projects. In the meantime, looking back the past six months, I can say that I've been blessed and feel so grateful for all that's come my way.
Still, I have so many dreams and I'm slowly working towards them.
I may be coming on here on and off, but I believe that I'm growing in other aspects. In the meantime, I'll be working on finishing school, investing and improving on myself. Who knows where I'll be a few months from now (sans the acne which appears when I'm stressed out).
Another international travel is in the works, but will be revealed as some of them are in place. As of now, it's time to hustle and then look forward to an opportunity of relaxing as soon as all the work is over. Knowing work, it sure has a way of not going away.
