For some reason I was sharing with my dad this story from my trip to Scotland earlier this year and it inspired a new blog post...
My first hill walk was in Falkland where Mr. Moreland took me up to Craigsmead car park via Maspie Den, then to Maiden's Fort and back to Falkland via the Bruce Monument. Thanks to an Instagram post with these details, I'm able to map out that walk for you. Anyway, it took us a good 4 hours to walk it -- probably take Ross less than half the time if I wasn't lagging behind! -- and by the end of it I was knackered! Pretty damn good experience though and at the end of the day I really enjoyed it. But that's where I learned that you should never trust a Scotsman when he says, "it's just up that wee hill" because that "wee" hill is more like a mountain for a city girl like me! Anyway, I managed to survive that and I also managed to come out alive after Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. Not that I was all of a sudden an expert outdoors(wo)man after those two experiences, but since I was still in one piece I thought the Lomond Hills would be a breeze.
Maspie Den
I heart snow!
It was the day before I was flying out and Ross wanted to take me hill walking one more time before I left. So we went back to Falkland and geared up for a little walk up East Lomond (also known as Falkland Hill). Ross pointed out the hill and it didn't look like it would be too difficult so off we went. It started off quite flat and I enjoyed walking past the sheep chewing on the grass and admired the snow-covered Scottish landscape.
Just chillin'
East Lomond
We came across an old lime kiln and learned that the Lomond Hills are made up of limestone, sandstone, and volcanic rock. Some 150 years ago the limestone was quarried and the existing paths are the same ones the people back in the day used to transport the limestone. It was pretty cool walking down the paths and imagining exactly what used to go on there. It also offered some awesome photo ops!
The Lomond Hills are made up of limestone, sandstone & volcanic rock
Sharks in the hills?!
Old lime kiln
Sitting on top of an old lime kiln
My view from on top of the lime kiln
We continued on our walk and began our climb up the hill. As usual, it started off quite nice and flat but gradually became steeper -- as it would since it's a hill! -- but I didn't know just how steep it would get. The climb up to Storr wasn't even a match! Mind you, everything was covered in snow and parts in ice so it was proving to be a little more difficult for inexperienced little ol' me. If I remember correctly, we were around halfway up and I was already imagining my fall (roll?) all the way to the bottom. I'm usually okay with heights but this time I was actually scared -- I didn't know whether it would be easier to go back down or keep on going. However, when I looked down towards the flat land, I realised that I wouldn't even know where to begin descending apart from jumping and hoping for no broken bones. As usual, Mr. Adventure himself was making it look like gravity didn't exist. I admire his patience because at some parts he actually had to drag me up while reminding me that once we reached the top I'd get some nice hot tea and tea cakes! Food... yes, it kept me going!
Here we go!
The view below
Mr. Adventure Man has no fear
I can't remember how long it took us but we finally reached the summit and I had to give myself another pat on the back for surviving yet another wee Scottish hill -- all 424 meters (1,591 feet) of it! We found a little spot to sit on and admire the views below and beyond and, as promised, Ross made us some tea and whipped out the delicious tea cakes.
I made it!!!
And of course Ross did too!
Enjoying my well-deserved tea and tea cakes!
After a while I'd noticed a group of young kids -- they couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 years old -- coming up from the other side of the hill. Full of energy and bouncing around, didn't look like they even broke a sweat! I was thinking, "Damn! These Scottish people really are all about the outdoors." Anyway, we finished our snack, packed up, and got ready to head back to the car. I was already so tired from the climb that I'd momentarily forgotten that the walk down would probably exhaust my final bout of energy due to the steepness and nerves. But Ross said not to worry as the descent would be much easier. So off we went and I kept waiting for the land to steepen again, but as we continued on it just got flatter and flatter and before you know it we were back in the car park -- easy peasy! Ross had known about this easy way up/down East Lomond but of course didn't tell me about it! Could've saved me the exhaustion, moaning, and fear for my life. But who am I kidding?! He'd never take -- nor let me take -- the easy way out.
My rock! <3
Again, this is another awesome experience in beautiful Scotland and one that's left an impact on me. I'm going through some difficulties in parts of my life at the moment -- including, but not limited to, moving to Manila, taking on a new job and completely new role, working with a new team, etc. I love a challenge but I'm also human; sometimes feel like I'm at my breaking point and just want to call it quits on certain things. But once I've let off some steam, allowed myself to feel all the emotions, and finally clear my mind, that's when I realise that future Jordyn would be disappointed looking back if I let go and accept defeat. I think one of the most important things as well is to surround yourself with positive people -- those who will listen to you when you need to vent, who will hold your hand, or even those who will drag you by your hair just so you don't tumble downwards. Saying this, you should also be able to know when to raise the white flag. Once you've tried every which way to deal with it or make things better but it's still hurting you and turning you into a negative person, you have to know when to let go on and move on to bigger, better, and brighter things!
Don't be afraid to take on new challenges and go out there with a strong and determined mind. It'll make it easier to overcome the low points, which you will inevitably go through. Remember to surround yourself with the right people and chuck out those negatrons -- you don't need them! Be strong and don't quit -- unless you know you have to.
It's not every day you immediately hit it off with someone but it was "love at first sight" when we first met in 2012. Though we haven't known each other for that long, I know I've found a friend for life. From our late night antics to our chill stay-at-home weekends, it's never a dull moment with this one. Apart from my mother, she's the one that taught me proper domestic etiquette. I shall not serve chips in the bag and dip in the jar it came in for fear that Mama Ranza will disapprove. She is a smart, focused, compassionate, and brilliant woman. Need some styling and DIY tips? Visit Ranza's blog at www.thebaystyles.com and check her out on Facebook and Instagram.
What brings you to life?
I come alive when I create--I am an Event Marketer by profession which means conceiving new ideas, breaking them down into intricate plans, and executing them with impeccable precision are all part of the job (that I love). I've also recently taken the plunge and started a Lifestyle Blog <thebaystyles.com>, that features unique lifestyle content. The blog provides a platform for me to aid, engage, and inspire others by sharing quick tips, DIYs, recipes, and stories that help shape one's personal Lifestyle Design.This gives me an opportunity to get my hands dirty and take on exciting projects during my free time.
What do you love most about it?
I'd like to believe that I'm a balanced left-right brain kinda gal, but when I do tap into my creative side, I'm taken to a place where I'm able to tune out the rest of the world and focus on one singular task. I guess you could call it my "outlet". But what I really love most about what I do is the sense of fulfillment I get after the job is done. You know, that moment when you step back, take a second to admire what you've created from scratch, and can't help but give yourself a fist bump or do a little victory dance.
Canapes for a friend's birthday
Tea time bites
Doodling!
How long have you been in events and styling and how did you get into it?
Since I can remember! I've always been drawn to the arts and, thanks to my parents, I took up every class you could imagine (no sitting in front of the TV for this kiddo). My mom has always been a very strong influence on me--I grew up watching her design (and re-design) our home, cook meals without taking a peek at a recipe book, and even pick up an old piece of driftwood and manage to transform it into the most striking table centrepiece. That said, I've continued to hone my skills in the arts and dabble in new things now and then.
Making portobello and haloumi burgers
A garden in a jar
Experimenting with new art techniques
What advice would you give someone starting out in the same field?
I've had people tell me that they can't do what I do but I've proven them wrong. I've instilled the art of organisation to the messiest of the lot, taught folks that used to burn toast how to cook a meal that would be served at any top restaurant, and given a lesson or two in home decor (you know who you are). Everyone has a creative side! So, sit and listen to your inner Martha Stewart and just do it! At the end of the day it boils down to this--you've got to LOVE IT because there's no faking it when it comes to Events Marketing (or even Lifestyle Blogging).
Putting organisational skills to work
Fondue night at home
How do you keep your passion alive?
My passion is everything I do, big or small, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So there's no real risk of it "dying" but there are times when I need to shake things up a little by trying out new techniques, keeping myself updated on the latest trends, and even sign up for an odd class or two. This keeps it interesting, fresh, and fun. Everyone still has room to pick up a new skill or two, right?
Batik painting class in Bali
At this specific point in time, where would you want to be and with whom?
That's a tough question. If I could be in two or more places at once I would, especially since my family and most of my closest friends are spread across the globe. But right now, at this very specific moment, I'm happy where I am. (Ask me again tomorrow, I may change my mind when I wake up).
As we relaxed on the lounge chairs and admired the beautiful crystal clear waters and fine white sand before our very eyes, Ross turned to me and said:"aren't we lucky to come from two of the most beautiful places on Earth?"
This is paradise!
The beautiful beach right on our doorstep
Ross had just arrived from a 3-month stint in the freezing temperatures of Argentinian Patagonia and was in need of R&R and fun in the sun. We'd been planning a trip to Palawan during the Philippines' summer months (March to May), but we didn't get the chance to since he'd been working all that time. Fortunately, we received good news that he'd be coming home at the end of August and we'd have enough time to steal a few days away for a well-deserved holiday. We'd done our research and shortlisted a few places but Ross' heart was set on Club Paradise when we came across it online. I had no objections as I'd visited the island resort once--though some 17 years ago--and have fond memories of the place, especially since it was the first time I'd taken a shot at scuba diving. I also remembered my friend Cheryl Tiu's (whom I also just recently featured in my Passion Q&A series) blog post on her visit and only had good things to say about the place. So as soon as Ross confirmed his return to Manila, we booked our holiday to Palawan.
Club Paradise Palawan
Club Paradise is located on Dimakya Island, Coron in Northern Palawan in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It features a 700-metre beach as well as a beautiful and colourful house reef where you can see and swim with over 500 marine life species. If diving and snorkeling aren't your thing, there are other activities that are just as exciting like kayaking (choose the see-through kayak!), paraw sailing, hiking, and island hopping. How can you say no to any of that?!
Booking
We booked a 4-night/5-day stay in a Beachfront Cottage via Booking.com (best price option at around Php31,000 / USD660 / GBP435 for 2 adults and includes daily breakfast). Airport transfers had to be booked directly with the hotel which I did via email with no problem (roundtrip Php1,830 / USD39 / GBP25 per person). For F&B, we spent a total of about Php30,000 / USD640 / GBP417 throughout our entire stay.
Our beachfront cottage
Not so bad a view to wake up to and have at your doorstep
Getting to paradise
We took the afternoon Philippine Airlines 55-minute flight from Manila to Busuanga (Coron) (Php22,000 / USD470 / GBP306 for 2 adult round trip tickets) and were greeted by JC of Club Paradise upon arrival at Francisco B. Reyes Airport. JC took us to the resort's private van where he explained that we would be going on a 20-minute drive to the jetty and then another 40 minutes by boat to the island. The drive was really bumpy as most of the road is unpaved and with deep trenches, but this wasn't a problem for us since the scenery was beautiful and interesting. Plus, you're on a beautiful island amid greenery and fresh air; don't expect some 6-lane paved motorway!
Philippine Airlines Bombardier Q400
Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga Island, Coron, Palawan
We were given "his" and "hers" Club Paradise bracelets
When we reached the jetty, we transferred to a small boat since the tide was low and sailed through the mangroves. Once we got to deeper waters, we moved onto a bigger boat where we were offered tuna & cheese sandwiches, a bottle of water, and a beach towel to keep from the splashes of the waves. It was a nice and relaxing ride with incredible views of the surrounding islands and mountains. We finally reached the island and were welcomed by the beauty of the pristine beach, charming smiles of the Club Paradise staff, and the amazingly friendly general manager Joegil Escobar who personally greeted us upon arrival. Checking in was stress-free as Bea from Reception gave us a tour of the resort on the way to our cottage. When we got to our cottage, Bles aka Ms. Happiness and Eunice were waiting for us to give us our complimentary foot massages. Talk about a start to a great holiday! After enjoying the massages, we finally entered our room where we immediately felt like home. I'll let the following photos do the talking here.
The mangroves we passed on the way to the island
All aboard!
View of the ocean, mountains & islands from the boat
We made it! :-)
A singing welcoming committee!
California King Bed
Initialised pillows and cute towel babies!
Sweet treats!
Complimentary foot massages upon arrival
We'll get there - one island at a time!
Overjoyed!
Beautiful sunsets
This view leaves me speechless
I just can't get enough!
It's all in the detail
Throughout our entire stay, the staff kept on surprising us and never missed a beat. On top of the extremely warm welcome, we had glasses of wine and a platter of cheese waiting for us in our room after dinner. There was also one night when we got a handwritten note from Joegil wishing us a good night. Every day there was a treat waiting for us in our room--a basket of mangoes, rice cakes, banana fritters--it was always a pleasant surprise! And on the day we were leaving, we got another handwritten note from the housekeeping staff thanking us for our stay and wishing us a safe journey home. Right from the beginning, the entire Club Paradise team made us feel so comfortable and at home. So much so that it was strange that we had to leave and go back to reality.
Personalised note from the GM Joegil Escobar
Wine & cheese waiting for us in our room after dinner
Sweet note from housekeeping
One with nature
Apart from the amazing underwater wonders, the island is also home to a colony of fruit bats and monitor lizards. During the day you can see the bats hanging on the trees, and at dusk a wonderful display of flight as they wake from their slumber and take off to feed on fruits and small insects. The monitor lizards also roam freely so you may just be at breakfast and have one of these big guys stroll by you. Another pretty awesome thing that happened was when we were walking on the beach a small wave crashed onshore and a stingray washed up within a few inches from my feet! Isn't it so great that you can get so close to nature??
The resident colony of fruit bats taking flight at dusk
One of the island's monitor lizards taking a leisurely stroll
I'm calling her Stella the sting ray
But probably the best interaction with animals was when we went swimming in the ocean. The resort's dive team offers anything from intro to wreck dives and you're able to get your PADI Open Water license in just 3 days. I already have my Open Water license but it's been years since my last dive so I need a refresher course. Ross still has yet to get his license and though he could have gotten it during our stay, we opted to just have a nice and relaxing few days with no agenda just doing what we wanted, when we wanted. However, we didn't not want to experience the beautiful sea world so we went snorkelling instead!
Ross and Vincent our snorkelling guide
We borrowed snorkelling gear (which is complimentary for guests by the way!) from the aquatics centre and asked if we could be "toured" around the house reef. Vincent from the aquatics centre was more than happy to come with us. So we geared up and took the plunge and it was amazing! We swam with sea turtles, sting rays, different schools of fish, batfish, a 3-foot giant clam, and the best part of all was seeing a black tip shark (4-5 feet in length)--not once, not twice, but a few times every time we went in the water. On a separate occasion when it was just Ross and Vincent who went out, they also saw an octopus and a lion fish. The corals were also so beautiful as they swayed in the current. It's an incredible whole new world down there and has definitely convinced Ross to take up a new hobby and for me to get down and get that refresher course out of the way!
Take me back!
We truly enjoyed our stay at Club Paradise and would definitely go back again. If you're the type of person who enjoys being away from the hustle of the city or someone who simply needs to recharge, this is the place for you. First and foremost, the people are what makes this resort so worth it. Plus, all that sea life and adventure makes it all the more appealing!
My love and I thoroughly enjoying the sea, sand & sun!
Special thank yous to the following people for being so awesome and making us feel like long-time friends:
General Manager Joegil Escobar
The dive team--Brenda, Rachel, Ayn, Randy & Gabi
Vincent from the aquatics centre
Bles and the service staff
Dandie and the other bartenders (by the way Dandie is a great poi (fire) dancer!)
And to the rest of the Club Paradise team (apologies for not being able to remember everyone's names!), please know that we appreciated everything!!
