When it comes to "going places", E, since time immemorial, has always been the passive one. I'm always the one constantly blabbering--kuya adto ta dadto, adto ta dani. I'm the curious and always on the go. Whenever I suggest a new adventure, he would sometimes look offended by my typical absurd and impossible suggestions. But most of the time, I can only see light bulbs glowing on top of his head, excitement from the prospect of experiencing something new.
November 2010.
We both wanted to go to Boracay and Palawan. Popular and touristy. We haven't been there and want to experience it together. Since Boracay is the more popular and we feel like everyone had been there but us, we decided it'll be our destination for 2011.
Oh, we always plan ahead like most practical people who do not have gazillions at their disposal. It gives us ample time to book cheaper plane tickets and accommodation, and at the same time plan our itinerary well to maximize our visit.
I solely plan our itinerary and E will just have to "approve" it. Convenient for me as I like doing things my way. If he's not comfortable about something, I can be persuasive :)
So anyhow, a few weeks later E suggested we go to Palawan first. He told me about his brother's jaunt there and how it's more "virgin" than Boracay. I immediately agreed to it, not an iota of complain as I only truly care about spending time alone with him.
December 2010.
Over our dinner date in Countryside Steakhouse, I told E that why not go to a southeast Asian country instead. His reaction wasn't pleasant. It's as if I'm talking gibberish or what I just suggested is plain preposterous.
Did I say I can be persuasive? Oh, I did?
So by mid-dinner we were already choosing between Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore. I had been to Hong Kong so choosing it defeats the "experiencing something new" idea. Thailand is Philippines-ish. Singapore won.
January 2011.
By then I already had a budget plan in place after thoroughly exploiting the Internet for possible cost and exchange rates. No, I detest hiring travel agencies. Spoils the adventure. We had also agreed on a date. September 10-13, after E received his work forecast for the year. Our budget was over 60k, excluding shopping allowances. A bit higher than most but hey, we never like scrimping on food :-)
February 2011.
Booked our tickets. I'd been in the lookout for seat sales since December. It was Chinese New Year and purchased our CGY-MNL-CGY for less than PHP400. Less than a hundred per way per person. PHP99 to be exact. E's brother (who so kindly drove us to the airport and sooo kindly fetched us when we got back) would joke, "naa ba moy bangko ana inyong ticket?" It is super cheap he can't believe it. Our MNL-SIN-MNL is PHP2,300 per way per person.
March 2011.
Booked our hostel near Clarke Quay. A private room. I'm self-discovering SG through the Internet and did not bother asking my friends who now live and work in SG. Did not even tell them. Our time is too limited we have no room for "get togethers". But we did manage to have a quick lunch with E's college friends somewhere in Bugis.
So armed with SG's MRT route map, I chose a hostel close to an MRT station and also to the destinations featured in our itinerary. Speaking of itinerary, it was inspired by Filipino bloggers who shared their own online. I personalized it to suit our preferences. We're not big with history and religion. So no Raffles and temples for us. Ours was centered on food and everything touristy (hey, it's our first visit so naturally..)
April 2011.
The saving continues...
September 10.
Tantananaaaaan....
HELLO SINGAPORE!
**E would say, only I can make him do thins he
never imagined he can do before.
