I always wanted to be somewhere I’ve never been before for my birthday. I wanted to be surrounded by people I didn’t know in a different country. I wanted to spend my birthday solo traveling. This is also one of my hundred bucket lists. But I need to aware that I'm just starting working, need to save a lot of money for my needs then I think I couldn't make it this year. Probably next year. (hope so) This is my first time working as a full time worker where I need to move to the Philippines with a long working hour. Due the hectic hour of my office life, I never get a chance to plan or anything, but I started searching for three days before my birthday to see where I can travel in the Philippines since I couldn't go oversea but I don't want spend my birthday in just only stay in office). So I decided to take two days off! It's quite special this year. The year that I challenged myself to travel alone. Literally ALONE with deleted some apps on my phone and put it on Silent Mode. I showered, put on my walking shoes, and shrugged on my backpack. Let's go, Santo! First stop of my birthday trip is definitely Museum! I went to a lot of museums in Indonesia, where lies a lot of past and history, but I really interested in Art museum. That's why my first destination is Museum, where I can really enjoy the beauty of the arts, and the most important thing is I'm alone. So nobody will rush me, told me move faster, which is really annoying for me.
Well. I really like this place, but unfortunately it closed on Monday. I kinda sneak to inside because of the event there and end up only can hang around the first floor. I had searched on the internet about this Ayala Museum and it's receiving many good reviews from the locals and also foreigners. They also praised its arts till the fourth floor. That's why I wanted to visit it. But hell yeah. I promised I would never take off on Monday again.
Next stop is definitely Starbucks. Recently I really addicted to this Xbucks. I never went this far because my gastric problem, but now I think I'm getting better even need to say stop sometimes. But since it's my birthday trip, I think I shouldn't think that much and do what I liked to do right? Thanks also for the present from my dear friend Vidya. Your letters are definitely made my day. Sweet as always. Glad have your present and letters to buy me sometimes in the Xbucks.
Every my family or friends birthday, I always prepared something special. Surprises, making videos, DIY present, or making pranks for them. I always wanted to make their birthday so special. I also know that they are really taking my birthday as one of their special day to do. One thing that I'd realized that I never of giving birthday presents to myself? Yes, I didn't. Then I read a lot on the internet how they celebrate their birthday alone, or what they plan for their birthday. One of them is buying something for herself and wrapped it as a present then put on the table, to surprised herself in the next morning. Well. This is ridiculous for me. Really. It's so sweet, but stupid. I also don't have that time to do that. Then I was thinking when I really bought something as a present to myself? It's freaking 6 years ago when I started work as a part time sales with only Rp.600,000,- for my salary. Working so hard for one month, I bought Headset to reward myself. So it's the time for me to buy something to cheer me up again? Hanging around Greenbelt and Glorietta then I found a nice clothes shop! Tried a lot of clothes, hoodies, Jackets and cardigans there until I bought those two.
Plan get messed because of Monday. I guess this is why people hate Monday. I'm one of them now.
A lot of great places and attractions are closed on Monday. I actually planned to go to Star City or Enchanted Kingdom, and Mind museum in Bonifacio, but it all closed! I promised I won't take any day off on Monday anymore except doing nothing but laying on my bed. Well, how about getting something sweet to cheer up myself? Yeah. I do love sweet things! Having a good ice cream is also my way to relieve stress and anger.... (and disappointment as well, HELL YA MONDAY!) One Choco Berry Celebration cost P250 with the nice vibe and atmosphere in this St. Marc Cafe. It's a good place if you wanted to have a relax and quality time. Located in Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City.
I also searched for a good restaurant with the great view! Yeah. It's good to have a great dinner with the fabulous view as dessert! Firefly Sky Deck Rooftop Bar. I chose this one as the place I can celebrate with three persons, it's me, myself and I. (this is how I am comforting the fact that I am alone LOL)
Been in the Philippines for more than three months with the fact that I haven't tried local food. So at thirty two floors, I celebrated my twenty three years old with Chicken Inasal. It's a great choice, isn't it? It's only P345 to have Chicken Inasal, P150 for the Healthy watermelon fresh juice and of course with this wonderful View. (We paid for the view LOL). Located in 32nd Floor, City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati Corner Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
I arrived here at 5 pm. after finish the early dinner, I enjoyed the view, listening to jazz music then read Honey and milk. It's really a quality time. Suddenly checked my time, it's at 8 pm already, I wanted to go to the other bar as well, but remembering tomorrow need go to church at 7 am. So let's call it a night!
The second day of my birthday trip, is the fun, but a tired day since I need to work on the next day. Actually on my first day off, I had planned to go to church. Even a lot of things happen, obstacles around me, I still make it here and I guess I am on the lucky streak. I always feel blessed about anything that happen in my life. But, the church where I wanted to go really near to The Philippines National Museum. While it closed on Monday (AGAIN! MONDAY! grr.......). So in that case, I changed my plan to visit church on Tuesday. When is the last time I went to church? Easter, I think. It's been a long time, but every visiting will always make me feel safe, relax, loved and forgiven. Since I am in full working hour, I don't think I could visit church more often.
This is the most beautiful church I have ever been in. Yes. Really. This church is located in Intramuros which Intramuros is also called the Walled City, and at the time of the Spanish Colonial Period was synonymous to the City of Manila. Well, talking about Intramuros, There's no way that I don't visit it one by one. then I got a nice and young local tour guide there, He's 23 years old. same to me (the word that I only wanted to say it : I'm young! haha) Well, the lack of travel alone is definitely about photography. I couldn't take a good picture with this beautiful view unless asked people to help me, but kinda awkward of this and not all people seems so friendly. Fortunately, with this tour guide, I have taken quite many good pictures for me which is also Instagramable! Anyway, Fort Santiago will cost P75 for the entrance fee and the tour guide will charge you P350 for thirty minutes so make sure you won't wasting time to only visiting one place. (Note: the tour guide will ask tips from you as well)
The last destination of the day! Manila Ocean Park! This last destination is actually picked so sudden, but just quite fun. I walk from Intramuros gates to The Manila Ocean park about twenty minutes. It's not so far, but I ran because of raining. Manila was raining, and I was running. With the SEA BREEZE EXPRESS 11 cost 760 peso (Discount! normal price is P3700, one of my birthday present I think LOL), I could enjoy almost all of the attractions which I think it's fun even some are boring.
Last but not least! I had a fun and precious two days off. It's really an awesome trip and experience for me 'cause I always wanted to travel alone. Thank you for all the wishes and present or even surprises. It's meant a lot! Even I'm not in Indonesia, you guys still make an effort to sending me, your loves and supports, and received it warm. I also wanted to say Thanks for the experiences in my past twenty-two years either good or bad to make me grow up and thanks to myself for not giving up, keep going on and make this special two days trip. From the bottom of my hearts, I truly thank everything that happens in my life. This is also the day that I selfie the most. LOL. So happy birthday to me! Thanks and Goodbye 22. Welcome 23! #blessed #muchlove
