Thank you for the 365 days that we've shared together. It was really a memorable one. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were numerous blessings and travel that came into my life. But the biggest one is that I finally reunited with my wife and daughter after months of separation.
Let's look back and see what milestones we've crossed and achieved this year.
1. This year, there were 94 published articles (34 more than last year 😄😄).
2. I have reached 3.1 million views (That's 500K new views this year). 3. My wife and daughter safely arrived in Hokkaido thus completing #TeamNicerio once again.
4. I finished my Master of Business Administration degree from San Pedro College of Business Administration.
5. My family and I bought a Suzuki Swift car we named Ruru.
6. My family and I got to travel around Hokkaido Prefecture. We visited 74 of the prefecture's 179 cities, towns, and villages.
7. I visited 4 new prefectures in Japan this year; Mie, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Ehime.
Speaking of travels, here are the highlights of my travels for each month last year:
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
The Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Hokkaido Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of cherry blossoms, but the island offers some of the most stunning and unique sakura (cherry blossom) spots in Japan . From bustling urban parks to peaceful rural locales, Hokkaido’s cherry blossoms create breathtaking scenes each spring. As a family that has visited all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido , we've explored both well-known spots and hidden gems across the island. Here’s a guide to some of the best cherry blossom viewing locations in Hokkaido—places where you can experience the full beauty of the season. 1. Maruyama Park ( 札幌市円山公園 ) – Sapporo City Maruyama Park Located in Sapporo City , Hokkaido’s capital, Maruyama Park is one of the most famous spots for cherry blossom viewing. With over 1,000 cherry trees, this park transforms into a sea of delicate pink flowers each spring. The park also features Hokkaido...
Week 69: February 20 – 24, 2023 Day 476: February 20, 2023 Monday – Rumoi Rumoi High School 2.20.2023 It’s a cold snowy Monday morning. Regardless, nothing beats warm cocoa to start the day. As for my work, I’m reporting back to Rumoi High School . Here’s my workload for today: 4th period – Relative Pronoun @1-45 of Ito-sensei 5th period – Relative Pronoun @ 1-36 of Ito-sensei After classes, I had the English Club and we did some translation activities. Day 477: February 21, 2023 Tuesday – Rumoi - Asahikawa - Takikawa Rumoi High School 2.21.2023 It’s a sunny but surprisingly frigid morning. Today, I’m back reporting to Rumoi High School . However, I didn’t stay in the school for the whole day as Matsuda-sensei and I will drive to Asahikawa Driver Center in Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) for my practical driving exam. However, before leaving I managed to help one student with her essay for her university entrance exams. I studied the driving course over and over again. We were supposed to l...
Day 488: March 4, 2023 Saturday – Rumoi x Mashike We woke up early today so that we could prepare for our dental appointment at Ebata Dental Clinic in Rumoi City. Although our appointment was still at 10 AM and the dental clinic was also in the city, we still left home at around 9 AM so that we would have plenty of time to move around in case something came up. Ebata Dental Clinic The dental clinic has a play area/ mini library for kids It also has cute decorations The dentist, Ebata-sensei , was a very friendly guy. He can speak some English which made the dental visit a walk in the park. My daughter had some cleaning while my wife and I had some teeth fillings. Driving to Mashike via Route 231 also known as the Ororon Line From there, we headed back home to eat lunch and rest. We headed out once again at around 1 PM. We were thinking of going to Rumoi City Library again but for a change, I suggested that we drive to the nearby town of Mashike ( 増毛町 ) to check out their communi...
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, or simply Kamay ni Hesus is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending ...
Day 489: March 5, 2023 Sunday – Takikawa x Asahikawa Driving through the Numata - Rumoi Expressway It's another beautiful winter morning here in Rumoi City, and the day feels perfect for an outing. We’ve planned an exciting trip, starting with a visit to Takikawa City in the morning to shop for maternity clothes for my wife, and then heading to Asahikawa City in the afternoon for my driving practice at the Asahikawa Driver’s License Center. Crossing Takikawa's Fureai Bridge 2nd Street Takikawa We left Rumoi at around 8 AM, making our way to Takikawa City ( 滝川市 ). Our first stop was 2nd Street Takikawa , where we began our shopping. While the goal was to find maternity clothes for my wife, I ended up finding a few stylish pieces for myself too—it was hard to resist! We went to the wrong entrance which was at Takikawa City Central Children's Center Team Nicerio visits the Takikawa Museum of Art and Natural History Takikawa Museum of Art and Natural History Surprisingly, my ...
Located in El Nido in the province of Palawan, 7 Commandos Beach is a beautiful beach destination that is part of Tour A of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour. 7 Commandos Beach 7 Commandos Beach Backstory If you're wondering about the origin of its name, so did I... Due to my burning passion to find out the origin of things, I asked our boatman about where the name 7 Commandos Beach came from. However, (no offense) his answer doesn't have the drama that I expected. He told me that it was named by the owner who was a fanboy of anything military. So what I did was search the internet for more info hoping that it would lead to a dramatic backstory. 7 Commandos Beach - El Nido, Palawan The boat brings visitors to this beautiful beach Summer is always the best time to visit Beyond that "mountain" is the town of El Nido Check out that view! Rest in one of the nipa huts available... There were several online but the story that stuck was from a ...
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference. Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f...
Pokemon Center Kyoto ( ポケモンセンターキョウト ) is a specialty store that sells awesome Pokemon merchandise. It is l ocated on the second floor of the SUINA Muromachi Shopping Mall in Shimogyo Ward, Kankobokocho, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan . Pokemon Center Kyoto Pokemon Center Kyoto History Opened in 2017 and originally located on the fifth floor of Takashimaya Department Store Kyoto, Pokemon Center Kyoto moved to its current location last March 2019. The current store measures 381 square meters which are way larger than the old store. Pokemon Center Kyoto - Kyoto City Welcome to Pokemon Center Kyoto Pokemon Center Kyoto's Mascot - Maiko Pikachu Pokemon Center Kyoto Exclusive Merchandise Pokemon Center Kyoto is a must-visit if you adore anything Pokemon. The store has tons of Pokemon merchandise including Kyoto exclusive merch. Like the Maiko Pikachu plush toy which also serves as the store's mascot. Pokemon Center Kyoto Exclusive Merchandise: Maiko Pikachu Okug...
Weekend 70: March 4 – 5, 2023 Day 488: March 4, 2023 Saturday – Rumoi x Mashike Ebata Dental Clinic We got up early today to get ready for our dental appointment at the Ebata Dental Clinic in Rumoi City. Even though our appointment was still at 10 a.m. and the dental clinic was also in the city, we departed before 9 a.m. so that we would have enough time to move around in case something came up. The dentist was quite pleasant. He can communicate in English, which helped the check-up and dental operations go well. My kid got her teeth cleaned, while my wife and I both had fillings. Driving through Route 231 going to Mashike Mashike Town Comprehensive Exchange Promotion Facility " Motojiny a" We then returned home to have lunch and rest. By 1 PM, we went out again. We were planning on going to the Rumoi City Library again. For a change, I proposed that we drive to the town of Mashike ( 増毛町 ) and see what the Mashike Town Comprehensive Exchange Promotion Facility "Mot...
It seems like your 2022 was full of adventures. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope this year would be better than last year.
DeleteCongratulations on your achievements this year dude.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
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