Travel Roundup 2022 And My Travel Bucket List for 2023

It's the last month of the year! So it's time for some travel roundup for the year. I didn't have much trips outside the metro this year. All the items on my travel bucket list I mapped during the pandemic remained unrealized. 

Supposed to go to San Juan, La Union in August but due to the aftershocks of the earthquake that struck the north, we ultimately cancelled the plan.

Then there was a plan to make a repeat visit to Puerto Galera that didn't push through, a food adventure to Napa Crosswinds in Tagaytay, and a beach trip supposed to Batangas but all were left unreleased. Oh God why I am cursed? 😆

The only place outside Metro Manila that I've been to this year was Tagaytay in September with my two former colleagues. 

The Gingerbread House in Cavite

The Wind Residences in Tagaytay

During our trip, we stayed at Wind Residences, a cluster of condominium buildings in Tagaytay, which offered a direct view of Taal Lake. 

On the following morning, we visited The Gingerbread House in Alfonso, Cavite, and dropped by for lunch at Twin Lakes.

By October, my sister and I planned again to have a beach adventure to Calatagan, Batangas but was ultimately canceled due to unpredictable weather.

Dahon at Mesa just in front of Wind Residences

So the year 2022 will be over with just one travel memory to keep 😣 Hopefully, the year 2023 will give me a different story in traveling. More adventures to take. More places to explore. And more photos to take.

Travel bucket list again 😄

As 2022 prepares to bid goodbye, I'm optimistic for a prosperous 2023, that it will be the year of my travel pursuits. 

San Vicente, Palawan 

San Vicente, Palawan has been on my travel bucket list for years now. It looks like a terrific beach destination. Hopefully, I can tick it off my list next year. 

For bigger travel dream, Switzerland remains my greatest obsession! Been dreaming to explore this awesome European country since I was 10 years old. My young mind was so captivated by the exhilarating views of the Swiss Alps and the emerald lakes. 

In Asia, the places I dream to visit are Japan, Thailand, and Korea. Thailand is my priority because it has no visa for Philippine passport holders so the trip can be easily planned.

Although Phuket is my top priority, Thai countryside destinations are equally exciting. Singha Park, Flora Park Wangnamkeaw, and Jim Thompson Farm offer wonders to travelers due to their breathtaking vistas, rolling hills, and captivating flower farms.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hope to travel again to visit Angkor Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It's just eight hours away from Bangkok by land trip. 

During my Vietnam and Cambodia trips, we were asked by the hotel concierge staff in Siem Reap if we want to travel to Bangkok, but we did not have enough time to extend our tour because we still need to go back to Ho Chin Minh City, Vietnam, for our return flight to the Philippines. 

White Beach, Puerto Galera

White Beach, Puerto Galera

If there's one destination near Metro Manila I would want to visit again it's White Beach, Puerto Galera. I love this place! Spacious coastline, irresistible turquoise water, affordable food, and accommodation. Puerto Galera is a perfect oasis for a tired mind and body. 

Aquaria beach, Calatagan, Batangas 

For beaches in the Philippines, Bantayan island and San Vicente in Palawan, remain my top favorite destinations to visit in 2023. 

And hope to visit Davao again. The island garden city of Samal has so much to offer when it comes to incredible beaches. I've been to Samal island a couple of times and the atmosphere always impresses me.

But hopefully I could return home to Surigao, we also have terrific beaches. It's been a long time that I haven't gone home. I missed the provincial life, the languid surrounding is a perfect sanctuary for a weary mind and body. 

Manifesting all my travel dreams will come true in 2023!