Mia Carvajal Llamas

30 June 2016
Travelife Magazine Questions
1. Where is the best place to hangout with friends in Subic?
That highly depends on the type of hangout that we feel like doing. Subic
is such a diverse area in that aspect. If we want to be somewhere chill, the
best place to go is Malawaan Park or the Lighthouse Marina. Both those
places are perfect for nights where you just want to have a couple of
drinks while having a perfect view of the bay. Also, at the Lighthouse, you
can do karaoke or sometimes, you can jam with acoustic performers, so
thats something fun that my friends and I do whenever Im back home.
2. Which restaurant has the best food in Subic?
Subic is home to great food. Its a haven for great food. I would have to
say that Xtremely Xpresso and Urban Deli are both frontrunners, and are
two of the best restaurants here in Subic. Xtremely Xpresso has such a
huge selection, and all of their dishes are just so well-crafted, unique and
flavorful. Urban Deli, on the other hand, caters to those who just love
(amazing) gourmet dishes, and fresh, handcrafted desserts at reasonable
prices.

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3. Your friends are coming to Subic for the first time. Create an itinerary for them for 2
days in Subic.
DAY 1
08:00 AM-09:30 AM
09:30 AM-11:30 AM
12:00 PM- 12:30 PM
12:30 PM- 01:30 PM
01:30 PM- 03:00 PM
03:00 PM- 05:00 PM
05:00 PM- 06:00 PM
06:00 PM- 08:30 PM
08:30 PM- 09:00 PM
09:00 PM- 11:00 PM
11:00 PM- 12:30 AM
12:30 AM onwards

Arrival in Subic, Breakfast at Urban Deli

Zoobic Safari
Check in and settle down at the hotel
Lunch at Meat Plus
Treetop Adventure
Pamulaklakin Forest Trail
Get ready for dinner, freshen up at the hotel
Dinner at Xtremely Xpresso
Explore Boardwalk
Drinks and Karaoke at the Lighthouse Marina
Music and Dancing at Pier One
REST

DAY 2
08:00 AM- 09:30 AM
09:30 AM- 10:30 AM
10:30 AM- 12:30 PM
12:30 PM- 01:30 PM
01:30 PM- 02:00 PM
02:00 PM- 04:30 PM
04:30 PM- 06:30 PM
06:30 PM- 08:00 PM
08:00 PM
09:30 PM- 10:30 PM

Breakfast at Bens Kitchen

Shop at Royal Duty Free
Explore Harbor Point Ayala Mall
Lunch at Ramen Sora Restaurant
Checkout from hotel
Ocean Adventure
Free Time at Camayan Beach Resort
Dinner at Aresi Restaurant
Leave for Manila
Arrival in Manila

4. Where do you go to commune with nature while in Subic?

Being in Subic in general is basically an immersion in nature, but theres
this one place in Subic where you can just unwind and breathe in the crisp,
clean air, while listening to the birds chirping, and that is the
Pamulaklakin Forest Trail. There is a variety of activities you can enjoy,
such as hiking and bathing in the river. Its also a great place to educate

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30 June 2016
people briefly about the culture of our indigenous people, the Aetas. They
teach you basic jungle survival, and even perform some of their traditional
dances. Its an amazing experience, because youre immersing yourself
both in nature, and in culture.
5. Whats the most exciting activity you can recommend visitors to Subic?
Im not one for adventures, but I would have to say that the most exciting
activity I can recommend would be the rappelling experience at the Tree
Top Adventure. Im positive that it can give any person that euphoric rush
after.
If youre like me, though, who gets most excited over shopping, then that
will be my most approved recommendation. Subic has the best deals,
especially for branded apparel and imported food. Not only do we have
outlets and duty free stores here, but because most things in Subic are taxfree since its a Freeport Zone, everything is generally cheaper here.
6. Give three activities that most people do not know about but must try while in Subic?
I noticed that most people would visit Subic for the beaches, but honestly,
Subic has so much more to offer. For example, not many people actually
know about the forest trails, and the experience with the Aetas. Its such a
rich encounter, and its definitely a must-try in Subic.
Also, the Subic night life is perfect. Its the perfect fusion of chill, and
energetic. One of the things a person must try in Subic at least once is to
go to Pier One, have some drinks, and go dancing along with the
wonderful bands that play music for all ages.
If you have extra time and funds, you must definitely book a tour for the
Grande Island. Its an island with a beautiful beach, and you have to take a
45 minute boat ride to get there. The boat ride is one thing, but the seeing
the island itself and the ruins left by the American soldiers is an interesting
experience.

7. What do you love most about traveling?

Im a European Language major, so language and culture are some of those things
that I have always found myself so drawn to. Sure, you can always read about
places, but actually being there is something entirely different. Though I do love
to meet new people and gaining new friends in different places, what really pulls
me in is the picturesque cultural diversity that you can both observe and

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experience. You get to hear the difference, see it, smell it, feel it and even taste it.
That is something that only traveling can give you. Traveling is such a personal
and sensual experience.
8. Funniest or most embarrassing travel moment?
Well as much as possible, I try not to show my weird side while Im traveling, but
I guess sometimes I cant help it, and its nice to have something to look back on
and laugh about. I remember this one time wherein some of my church mates and
I traveled to Fortune Island in Nasugbu, on probably one of the hottest days
possible. Our camp site was quite far from the ocean, and we had to hike a little in
order to get there. We were all naturally very tired and quite thirsty, so when the
food came, everyone dug into the adobo that was prepared by the residents. I, on
the other hand, found comfort in the cold, refreshing watermelon slices. I found so
much comfort in them that I didnt realize that I had eaten all the watermelon
slices in the cauldron. The worst part about it wasnt the fact that I had eaten an
equivalent of two whole watermelons all by myself, but that the other people who
were complete strangers with us on the tour were all looking at me grudgingly for
finishing the only dessert we had.
9. Wheres your favorite travel destination with family?
I think that one place that my family and I would not mind traveling to over and
over again, is California. I said California in general, because theres so many
places there that you can go to, and there are so many things to do. San Francisco
is perfect for sightseeing, Las Vegas is just so full of life, San Diego has so many
exciting theme parks, Los Angeles has such beautiful beaches, and so on. We love
going to places wherein theres so much to do that you would literally run out of
time and youd have to come back again.
10. Where do you usually go for a quick getaway with friends?
Its funny because I grew up and live in a place where most people would have
their getaway, so for me, a quick getaway usually means going home to Subic and
touring my friends around. Honestly, as a tourist destination, its just the perfect
place. You have the beach, the mountains, thrilling activities, great restaurants, the
best shopping destinations, beautiful hotels to stay in, occasional sightings of
wildlife such as razorbacks and monkeys, clean air, no traffic, and just the most
astounding, breathtaking sunset you will ever witness while you dig your feet into
the sand. What more can you ask for?
11. Whats your favorite sightseeing outfit?
Im not the typical jeans and shirt kind of traveler. Im very girly, and this reflects
in every activity I ever do. I always do my sightseeing in a floral dress, my flats,
my favorite fedora, and for sunnier days, the gorgeous Kate Spade shades that one

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of my late grandmothers left me with. Its not only a stylish, comfortable
combination, but it makes me feel so lively and youthful as I do my exploring and
sightseeing. Plus, the shades have so much sentimental value, which adds to the
experience. Its always a nice thing to feel as beautiful as the sights youre
looking at.
12. You cant leave for a travel without_______.
I absolutely, positively cannot leave for a travel without my makeup. I know it
sounds odd, or even quite vain, but I want to look my absolute best while Im
experiencing the possible best moments of my life. I dont want to only feel alive,
but I want to look alive. I always tell my friends who wonder why I never leave
without my makeup, that I want to look just as beautiful as the experience and the
sights that we are about to see.
13. What are the top 5 things on your travel bucketlist?
Hop on a bus spontaneously to a random location with my best friends.
Go to all the Disneyland Theme Parks all over the world.
Sing with one of the stars of a Broadway show after the show!
Read by a caf in France that overlooks the Eiffel Tower.
Go on a trip to Spain alone and survive for a week while speaking solely in
Spanish.
14. Who is your travel inspiration?
Im not sure if everyone will understand what I mean by this, but I would have to
say that my travel inspiration is Lea Salonga because she has been everywhere in
the world while doing the two things she loves most in the universe: acting and
singing. Im a Musical Theatre actress, and honestly, it would be the most
amazing thing to travel around the world, absorb some of the cultures, and
experience everything that the different cities and countries have to offer, while
fulfilling your passion and your purpose.