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 on the outskirts of San Pablo City in the province of Laguna, Bato Springs is the perfect getaway near Manila on a hot summer day. Bato Springs Bato Springs Details Prior to my visit, I have only seen the sign of Bato Springs Resort every time we head to southern Luzon. I have never thought of googling it or asking about it because it always slips my mind. (promise) If not for my cousin's birthday, I would have missed the chance of visiting it FOREVER. (Ok, that's overacting on my part.) Welcome to Bato Springs Join the herd... ...or swim in small groups. Bato Springs is quite a popular tourist destination for locals in San Pablo City, Laguna. However, just to share, when we visited last 2014 we used Google Maps and were surprised to discover that we were sent to the wrong location in the middle of the bustling city. Make sure you bring your friends or family members The more the merrier Thanks to the locals we managed to reach the resor...
Our adventure today takes us to a mountain south of Metro Manila. Mt. Gulugod Baboy (other variations Mt. Gulugod-Baboy ) is located in Anilao, Mabini in the province of Batangas. Gulugod-baboy is a Filipino phrase that means "pig's spine." The mountain got its name from the contours of the peaks which resemble a pig's back as seen from Janao Bay. Mt. Gulugod Baboy Mt. Gulugod Baboy details Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas Mt. Gulugod Baboy , despite being called a mountain, may also be referred to as a hill. This is because of the fact that the distinction between a hill and a mountain remains subjective and unclear. (As you may know, the maximum height of a hill is still being contested.) I'm taking a picture of my friend Raine doing a Teletubby jump Mt. Gulugod Baboy fun moments Other Teletubby moments... So what's the big deal? Mt. Gulugod Baboy stands 525 meters above sea level. Typically, landforms reaching 500 feet (152 ...
Located in Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Patungan) in Maragondon , Cavite, Patungan Beach is one of the province's little-known beach destinations. It is situated inside Patungang Cove which is south of Mt. Palay Palay which is also known as Pico de Loro . Patungan Beach Patungan Beach Details The area near Patungan Beach is home to about 100 - 200 families, most of which are fishermen hence the alternate name of the barangay - Patungan Fishing Village . According to the locals that I interviewed, their place was once an isolated barangay , reachable only by boat, horse, or foot. Thankfully, with the completion of the Nasugbu - Ternate Highway and Kaybiang Tunnel , the barangay was finally connected to the province. However, there is still no direct public transportation system that serves the area coming from Manila. Patungan Beach - Maragondon, Cavite The beach from a distance Check out these photos of Patungan Beach: Just a heads up, ...
Located in the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Gifu Castle ( 岐阜城 ) is a mountaintop castle that stands as one of the symbols of the city. Gifu Castle ( 岐阜城 ) Gifu Castle History Built by the Nikaido Clan during the Kamakura Period sometime between 1201 to 1204, Gifu Castle was once called Inabayama Castle by its original owners. It was a formidable castle which overlooks the surrounding countryside of then Mino Province. On September 13, 1567, the castle and its defenders under the leadership of Saito Tatsuoki of the Saito Clan came under siege by the numerically superior army of Oda Nobunaga. Gifu Castle - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Gifu Castle as displayed at Mt. Kinka Ropeway Station Make sure to get some brochures at Kinkazan Ropeway Station We rode the ropeway up Mt. Kinka Despite its strategical and strong position on top of Mt. Inaba, the castle still fell to the hands of Oda Nobunaga due to his cunning strategy of sending in si...
UPDATED: October 30, 2020 Located in Tanza in the province of Cavite, Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a stunningly luxurious getaway with reasonable (and some say affordable) prices. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort Details Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort is a place recommended for those who are looking for a quality stay that is just a stone's throw away from Manila. It's also a perfect place for a quick weekend getaway or a summer escapade with the family or barkada . This place also prides itself on its hotel accommodations and its outdoor facilities. Not to forget, the delicious food served in its in-house restaurant. Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort - Tanza, Cavite The pool as seen from the hotel building The huts near the beach Speaking of its hotel, seeing it for the first time would make you say that it's not your ordinary cheap hotel. When you enter it, you'd be welcomed by an elegant modern architectural designed interior. The ...
Do you want to witness and be part of the exciting and colorful cultural activities in the Philippines in this month of April ? Please check out the list of popular fiestas or festivals happening this April . Rodeo Masbateno Festival Location: Masbate City, Province of Masbate Details: The festival is celebrated every 9th to 14th of April. Its highlights are the bull riding competition, lassoing, 2-4 carambola, and bulldogging. This festival showcases the "cowboy skills" of the Masbatenos. Kangayedan Festival Location: Pagudpod, Province of Ilocos Norte Details: The festival is celebrated every 22nd to the 26th of April. Its highlight is the parade of cultural dances. This festival's objective is to safeguard the ecological beauty from destruction and also to renew the vow of the townspeople to replenish and protect the environment. Butanding Festival Location: Donsol, Province of Sorsogon Details: The festival is celeb...
Located along Daang Hari in the City of Las Piñas, Fernbrook Gardens also known as Palazzo Verde is one of the most popular wedding venues in the country. Fernbrooks Gardens / Palazzo Verde Most people would contest that Fernbrook Gardens should be included in the Visita Iglesia section of my blog because regular church services are conducted in its chapel which is also known as Notre Dame de Vie Chapel . Fernbrook Gardens - Las Pinas City Inside the Notre Dame de Vie Chapel Fernbrook Gardens has its own chapel but the chapel is just a small part of its venue. Overall, this place is more of a venue, than a pilgrimage site. The beautiful fountain as seen from the chapel The fountain as seen from the entrance Having fun with the trumpeters Issues aside, Fernbrook Gardens would surely captivate visitors with its fantasy-like ambiance. Its greenhouse-like structure shows a unique contemporary architectural design. Aside from t...
10 Things to Do in Biei Biei ( 美瑛町 ) is a small town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido. It is famous for its beautiful nature, particularly the flower fields and the iconic trees. The town is one of "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages". Biei got its name from the Biei River that flows to it. The river got its name from the Ainu word piye which means oily or greasy. This is because the water has a murky appearance. For those planning to visit Biei to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things To Do in Biei : Biei manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Biei's unique manhole cover . So far, I have seen only one manhole cover design. It’s common and can be seen around town. Rent a bike and explore Biei 2. Rent a bike and explore Biei town proper and the nearby scenic spots. There are plenty of rental shops near Biei JR Station. You can also ask the rental shops for a “Biei-by-bike itinerary”. Biei Roadside Station 3. Head over to Biei Roadside Station formall...
Summer is here, and there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing treat. In Hokkaido , Japan’s northernmost island, soft cream isn’t just a dessert—it’s an experience. Cool Treats in Hokkaido: Exploring Unique Soft Cream Flavors for the Summer Known for its premium dairy products, Hokkaido offers an array of soft cream flavors that go beyond the usual vanilla and chocolate. From locally sourced lavender and melon to unusual twists like konbu and piman , each cone tells a story of the region’s rich agricultural heritage and creative culinary flair. So, grab a spoon and join us on a journey around Hokkaido to savor the most unique soft cream flavors this vast prefecture has to offer this summer! Here's a list of unique soft cream flavors that I have tried here in Hokkaido so far: Black Sesame Soft Cream - Engaru Roadside Station Blue Soft Cream - Blue Pond Cafe and Gifts near Biei Blue Pond Shibazakura Soft Cream - Shibazakura Takinoue Park Piman Soft Cream -...
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. ...
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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