Ironwulf's Best of 2007 Destinations

Placing large photo prints on my room wall Holiday greetings! I hope everyone’s having a grand vacation. Truth to tell, I’ve been yearning t...

Placing large photo prints on my room wall

Holiday greetings! I hope everyone’s having a grand vacation. Truth to tell, I’ve been yearning to go to a certain destination like back to Sagada or anywhere else since I’m really excited to test my personal gift this Christmas, a 12-60mm (24-120mm) 2.8-4 SWD High Grade Zuiko Lens brought by my friend (Thank you Meg!) from Japan. With its considerably wider angle and longer zoom than my kit lens, and faster speed too, it would be my walk-around lens from now on. I already bought a couple of filters for it as well but things didn’t really work out. With the crazy humid weather we’re experiencing and occasional rains pouring in I thought I just stay here in Manila, which is a good thing actually. Aside from saving a bit of money, I get to spend some time at home with family, and actually clean my room. I’ve been so busy nowadays I didn’t realize dust has already settled on top of my old books I could no longer see the covers! Aside from cleaning and hanging up some large prints on my room wall, this free time has also given me some time to think about what I want for 2008 as well as looking back on 2007, thus producing this list. This would be the first time for me to do a Best-of-the Best series. As all travels has been great but there are some that really stood out in terms of character. So enough yakking and here goes.

Experience Dining at Sonya’s Garden

Best Eats: Sonya’s Garden, Cavite
I really had a hard time with this one, I actually was thinking of a tie with Bohol Bee Farm, but I haven’t fully tried a full course meal with the latter unlike Sonya’s Garden. If one is willing to drive a few hours from Manila to the slopes of Tagaytay, a full course meal at Sonya’s is a must. With ingredients freshly picked from their garden, with spices and sauces richly flavored its hard not to like their food. Meals are served ala carte and it’s up to you how much you want to mix the flavors and the ingredients. And what’s a better deal here is that the full course meal is only Php 500 per person. There’s nothing like good food on a nice garden setting for the perfect dining experience.

A boatman delivering poultry smiles back. Sailing at Isabela Channel, Basilan

Best Off-The-Beaten Path Destination: Basilan, Philippines
Just the mention of the place elicits a lot of fear to many. Even the locals there were surprised that we chose Basilan as a destination. Still, even tugging along a group of local policemen as guards, we were fortunate to be able to go around the area from their famed beach of Malamawi, seeing the stilt village of the Badjaos, and staying at an inland resort. Again, It’s unfortunate that a few months after our visit, the region went back to its tumultuous state, making it harder for people to visit the place once more.

Adventure climb at Bukit Tabur, Malaysia

Best Adventure: Bukit Tabur, Malaysia
I would have chosen Danao in Bohol as adventurous but that was a coordinated trip. When I say adventure, it is more venturing into the unknown and taking lots of risk in the process and such is what I experienced going to and climbing Bukit Tabur in Malaysia. On my lonesome and in a foreign country at that, venturing into a place where not many Malaysians even know about. It was a challenge just finding the place and even climbing it as well. Dangerous, but somehow I pulled it off with the help of local strangers.

Unspoilt beach paradise at Anawangin, Zambales

Best Beach: Anawangin, Zambales
This came as a surprise to me as well. I never knew such a beach can be found a few hours’ drive from Manila. No resorts, no tourist crowds, no noisy bars, just pure unspoilt beauty. This is the place where you could really get close to nature with white sand powdery beach, scenic pine trees, sloping mountains and crystal clear waters. And if the atmosphere is just right, the full moon and the stars illuminating the sea. And best of, I think I only spent around Php 800 for the whole trip.

Scenic view abound at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Best Photographic Destination: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
When photography is your main objective, Lake Sebu offers a lot of scenic views which would delight any landscape and nature photographers out there. Or maybe the timing is just right when we were there. It may be raining at times but when we’re out on the field the weather would cooperate. I especially had fun taking sunrise photos at Lake Seloton there.

Patience of a fisherman on a mangrove, Bohol on the horizon

Best Photograph: Fishing on a Mangrove
Lake Sebu may have wondrous scenery but the photo that strongly appeals to me in many ways is my capture of a Fisherman standing on a mangrove in Sandugan beach in Siquijor. I’ve always been a fan of minimalism but there is so much in this picture for me despite its simplicity.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Best Destination: Siem Reap, Cambodia
I guess this won’t be a surprise to many since at the start of the year, this is listed as one of my ultimate destinations for 2007. It’s great that I was able to visit this famed UNESCO site and really enjoy the place. From temple explorations at Angkor Archaeological Park, a visit to the floating village Tonle Sap, tasting a variety of cuisines at Siem Reap and interacting with the most numbers of nationalities in one place is quite an experience. It was overall a fun destination and also offers a lot photographic opportunities as well.

Ferdz, en route to new destinations in 2008. Photo by Og at Siquijor

Farewell 2007, onwards 2008
I hope you like this summary for the year as this would also be my last post for 2007. There is a lot to look forward to for 2008 as I know would be a very very exciting year for everyone. So to end this entry I would like to greet Happy New Year to everyone! And may you have fruitful days ahead.