Travel Gourmande: Quotes

Climbing a spiral staircase.

I was inspired to write this after a dream of climbing a spiral staircase in 2012. We all have our own definitions of success. I suppose here's mine which I wrote 5 years ago.

"I realized something recently, if the path we choose is not according to what life has destined for us, whatever success others perceive there is, we will never feel it's a success. We will always crave for more and it will lead to self sabotage and turmoil. Each of us has our own ladder to climb. It could be straight, narrow, wide and steep. With each step, we discover something new. We learn a lesson, a unique virtue about ourselves that will help us climb the next one. Sometimes, we fall and slip. Yet the greatest ones are those who rise again and continue the journey.

My journey is exactly like this one. A spiral staircase that has enough space for others to climb with me. I try to inject my inner creativity with each step. It has a railing that I can always hold on to when I'm about to slip. Just like the spiral staircase, I am unable to see straight ahead, where I'm supposed to go. I always have to adjust and re-position myself in order to take the next step.

I think the worst thing that could ever happen is if we find ourselves climbing the wrong ladder. If ever we do, life has its way of showing us a landing to connect to the right one.

Yet some of us due to impatience are tempted to take the elevator as an easy way out to buy some time. Later realizing that the first track to the top will land us to the same position where we were at, sometimes sending us back to the basement.

Success is not measured by fame, money, the size of our house, the number of countries we have been to and all the tangible material things money can buy. Don't get me wrong, it's good to have them but they're mostly perks. Along the way, if we are attached to pursuing these things alone, we get sidetracked by what we are here for.

Success to me is living life the way God designed me to do. If you don't believe in God, let's say--by doing what gives me passion and purpose, by sharing with others what life has given me, may it be my time, talent, or resources. That life is not all about me. I am merely playing my role in a big picture.

I still have a long way to go. I'll let you know if I ever get there. I wish we all do reach the top of our stairs. For those who have, a big heartfelt congratulations to you."

Five years later

Reading this again, I still believe in the same things.

However, climbing the wrong ladder isn't the worst thing.

In fact, over the years, I have met a handful of people who will not hesitate to step on others to get to their illusion of success. I truly believe that's the worst thing.

They would lie their way, back stab, burn bridges, kill relationships and will lose their own integrity in the process. For them, nothing is ever enough. Sadly, some would even demolish other people's staircases to feel they're the best because their misplaced hearts couldn't take seeing others succeed. They feel they are the center of the universe.

In reality, all these titles and possessions can never be taken to the grave. One might feel he's leaving a legacy behind, to be written in books or perhaps to be associated with something as a first. The truth is, no one really remembers these later except, perhaps, for a small line on wikipedia.

I was talking to a friend about this. We're not perfect, but living life as honestly as much as possible, we could leave this world peacefully.

Yet, we all know deep in our hearts that the best legacy we can ever leave behind is to do something to enrich another person or help each other be better. To use our talents, money and possessions for the goodness of this world.

I believe it is possible to achieve success doing it the right way.

The end will never justify the means. And I pity those who think it's a dog eat dog world. For someone to think that, must have had a really messed up childhood.

So I'll change that last sentence of what I wrote 5 years ago.

" I wish we all do reach the top of our stairs. For those who managed to climb with good hearts and pure intentions while being a light to others, enabling others to achieve their dreams, climbing the stairs together in harmony, a big heartfelt congratulations to you."

Otherwise, it's always miserable to be at the top, alone.

"And once the storm is over,

you won't remember how

you made it through,

How you managed to survive,

You won't even be sure,

whether the storm is really over.

But one thing is for certain.

When you come out of the storm,

you won't be the same person who walked in.

That's what this storm is all about."

This too shall pass.

I've had so many highs and lows in my life. It still amazes me how I was able to walk through them unscathed. Exhausting, though. I feel like a boxer sometimes, receiving blows, one after the other.

I was talking to an old friend about my past recently and she had no idea. She told me she had a different perspective of me. That my life to her seemed perfect.

I have always kept everything in, the entire time. Please don't get me wrong, it was never meant to mislead people. I grew up revealing my struggles only to a few. I suppose I have learned to suffer in silence most of my life. If I were to describe it, I have always relied on my family for support and God as my ultimate therapist and companion.

I remember when my father passed away, I was broken in pieces. Yet, I chose to continue and push forward. Life went on. I went to my classes like nothing happened. I submitted my projects on time and after my evening classes, I went straight to the funeral and stayed there all night. I was early for class the next morning. None of my classmates knew what was going on. Sometimes, it's easier to be productive than deal with the pain by putting them into words.

Slowly as I grew up, I've learned to verbalize and share my concerns with others, but I still worry of being seen as a downer and being an inconvenience by involving them with my troubles. However, trust that if I ever do share, it means I am already at the end of my rope.

This too shall pass.

This short line is so powerful, don't you think?

Life is ever changing.

No struggle is permanent.

Our scars make us beautiful.

Love & light,

Arni

San Vicente Poblacion is a small town located on the northwestern side of the main island of Palawan. It is home to the longest white sand beach of the Philippines.

A lot of people by mistake think that Port Barton and San Vicente town are the same, mainly because Port Barton started a long while back, considered as one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Palawan and secondly, because it is part of San Vicente's municipality. However, it might cause problems while booking hotel accommodations. San Vicente Poblacion is in fact, another place.

San Vicente Poblacion / Public Market / Photo taken outside Picardal Lodge

How to Get There?

From El Nido to San Vicente Poblacion

There are no direct buses from El Nido to San Vicente Poblacion.

At El Nido bus station next to the public market, we took the first trip of RORO Bus going to Puerto Princesa. We got off at Roxas Terminal, the second bus stopover. Travel time between Roxas and El Nido is roughly 1 hour to 1 1/2 hrs. You'd need to take the first trip to catch the poblacion bus in Roxas.

Roxas Terminal

At Roxas Terminal, facing the long stretch of canteens / cafeterias, the San Vicente Poblacion bus loading area is located on the left hand side. These are old ordinary (non-air-conditioned) buses. There were no signage to indicate the loading area. We asked people around and we were guided to a small open-window bus. (Sorry, I didn't have any photo because we just caught this bus in time, before its departure). We were told to be there at the terminal not later than 11AM. There are limited trips to poblacion when we went there and there are no trips in the afternoon.

It is an hour or more ride from Roxas to poblacion.

The first quarter of the ride once we were off the National Highway was one of the scariest bus rides I've ever had. The driver was like an aspiring race car driver, driving through gravel and clay path bordered by forests and ravines. Up and down, we shook a lot and there were muscle pains afterwards similar to that feeling after a good workout at the gym.

It was one h*ll of a dusty ride! Be sure to protect yourself. We were told that when it rains, being stuck in the deep mud puddles are normal. We also found out that this present road is a whole lot better than how it was.

San Vicente poblacion is not touristic yet. At the time of writing this post, directions to get there and hostel information weren't even in the last edition of Lonely Planet yet. However, it's going to be the next big destination because they're building a domestic airport with international standards there.

I remember locals in the bus threw us curious and inquisitive stares when we boarded. We were the only tourists in the bus. I had a feeling they're not used to visitors, yet. They're mostly nice, but a bit guarded.

A Road We Took in San Vicente on the way to Long Beach

This town is isolated. Driving through rice paddies, jungle and several villages along the way with the occasional view of the Long Beach is definitely an experience.

Any other way to get there?

Hiring a private boat in El Nido to drop you off at San Vicente Poblacion Pier.

Others suggested taking a bus headed for Puerto Princesa with a stop at Itabiak intersection (instead of Roxas) to wait for a bus/van going to poblacion. This option is quite risky if you miss the single bus trip (from PP) that passes here not later than 10AM. Some vans are also already full by the time they get to Itabiak.

In case you miss it, you can take a habal-habal, a motorcyle with an extended rear seat. This is quite a challenge. Only one person can ride with a back pack. Imagine, driving on a rough path to poblacion (Oh dear). A habal-habal trip will probably cost Php 200-300.

Hope the above info helps.

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Day 6: Blog Everyday in May Challenge

If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Nowadays, when someone asks me, "What do you do?" or "What are you doing nowadays?"

Source:

The immediate answer that escapes my lips is: "I'm a housewife." This is the truth. Often times, they would leave it at that. Some will continue to ask with a bewildered look, "Why?" It depends who asks this question. If I don't feel sharing further I'd just say, "Because that's just the way it is."

Others will follow it up with, " Do you regret your decision to leave your job behind?"

With all honestly, I'd answer, "No, I don't."

The rest, closer to me will ask, "Are you happy with your decision?"

With a smile, I answer, "Yes, very much."

One lady I just met asked me once, a long time ago

"What do you do? Are you happy?"

That threw me off balance. It created a seed in my mind.

Since then, I often asked myself the same question every day on my way to work.

Now I can truly say, yes I am.

What do I do?

Being a happy soul.