Our stressed out soul longed for visual thrills and weekend frenzy. You can tell our inner nature seeker selves just got happy from this befitting adventure.

Day 2 of Bulacan Ultimate Weekend Challenge

Our morning started out late. I guess the only one who made it to the peak at the crack of dawn was Rob who missed out our socials the previous night.

I got up at 7 and noticed that the other group was already preparing breakfast while most on my troupe were still dreaming. Bong and Rob decided to go down and fetch some water.

We all crammed up for Pork Adobo, Salted Egg with chopped tomatoes and Scrambled Egg with Mushroom for breakfast. To top it all, a warm coffee to start our day.

Someone’s missing and catching up some more zzz’s. Can you guess who?

After the delightful feast, we busy ourselves with cleaning up and preparing to break camp. Our Mt. Manalmon assault isn’t complete without a hike to the peak. We got crazy over group photos and jump shots taken with the amazing bird’s eye view of Bulacan province as backdrop.

We were more thrilled when Super Bong aka Guide Extremist, did jump and climb to the other rock summit.

As much as we want to stay longer for more photo session, we were running out of time. We did a last group photo and offered a prayer for safety before vacating the campsite. Time check: 11 AM.

Descending requires less effort. We made a few stop and rest. Everyone seemed excited with the next activity. We headed down to Madlum Training Center to drop our bags.

We while away the time by resting and getting ready for another challenge. Then, we’re off to the monkey bridge. The challenge seemed easy from the looks of those little kids jumping over and over again off those cable wires down to the deep river. You can’t see fear on their faces, yet they were full of excitement and happiness. On my second try, the nerve-racking feel won’t go away. I bet the rest were haunted by fear too. Then again, peer pressure was more powerful. It’s still worth another million try though, with much zest every time.

We then proceed to trek the steep trail up to Bayukbok Caves. The sizzling weather can’t take our spirits down and we’re ready to conquer our fears. Our spelunking was a test of endurance and brave heart. Climbing up a ladder, bouldering, striding from one cliff to another, and most of the time struggling, crawling and stretching out to fit ourselves through the chambers.

Bayukbok Caves showcase beautiful limestone formation dating hundred years. Awesome Stalactites and stalagmites at the Men’s Room aka Sensational Room kept Toni and the girls giddy.

Ada may have faced her greatest fear, but conquered it with much motivation from everyone. Bong did caught our attention when he jumped out of the cliff and back. It was a dangerous act that only our super guide can do.

Back at the training center, we had a super late lunch. Pork Sinigang and Fried Tilapia for Lunch ala Dinner.

We had a quick dip at the river before packing up for home.

Photo Credits:

Ferdie Teves
Jeneth Gile
Valerie Teves

For Contact Details of our Jeepney Service, you can email me or leave your message here.

Muchas Gracias to everyone!

For me, a place unvisited is like an unrequited love. A dull ache that – try as you might to think it away, to convince yourself that she wasn’t the right country for you – it just won’t leave you in peace.

–Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss

Our journey to Negros Island left us more energized. Our trip was not about to end though, as we cross another island in Visayas, the Queen of the South, Cebu.

This is a reunion to once my hometown during  my toddler years and a comeback after more than 20 years. It felt good to be back home again.

We left Sibulan Port via Santander Express Fastcraft at 12:30 PM going to Liloan, Cebu. Its a quick 30 minutes boat ride in a panoramic seascape backdrop. Liloan is the Southernmost part of Cebu. From my last blog entry, you can view the breakdown of our travel expenses upon leaving Negros Oriental. We made it to Liloan and took a parked Ceres Bus that goes to Cebu South Terminal.

The bus ride is more impressive as we crossed the crooked road going to Central Cebu. Uphill, downhill and for most part, a cliff view of the breathtaking seascape of the island. We were lucky to grab a seat at the right side of the bus.

Our ride lasted for 3.5 hours in a smooth flowing traffic. We steal a good nap while at it. Arriving in Cebu City South Terminal, we faced our dilemma in finding a cheap accommodation. We hailed a taxi and ended up in Robinson’s Mall. Along its proximity are a number of hotels, inns and budget accommodations.

We hunt along Fuente Osmena and nearby street for the best last minute hotel deals. Elegant Circle Inn, Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu Midtown and Sampaguita Suites are just some of the options.

Alas we found Fuente Pension House located at the street behind Elegant Circle Inn. Twin Room isn’t available though so we opted for Suite Room at a discounted rate of P1,600 for a 24-hours stay. It was just minutes before 6 PM and the time covered is just perfect for our check out the next day.

The room is nothing fancy but it is spacious and clean with one king size bed and 1 single bed. Facilities include Aircon, cable TV, PABX telephone and hot & cold shower. Bathroom is roomy and water supply is good too. They took the fridge in exchange of our discounted rate. Looking through the glass panels, our eyes are set for a nice 90 degrees view of Cebu Skyline.

We freshened up a bit before exploring more of Cebu. Decided to have dinner at a fast food restaurant in Robinson’s Mall and window shop around. Nothing spectacular to see so we agreed to go to Ayala Mall.

Ayala Mall Cebu reminded me of Alabang Town Center. The landscape is almost the same. It’s an upscale shopping and party hub for Cebuanos. I remember what Harold told me about downtown and uptown district of Cebu. Ayala Mall is located at the uptown district. Older district around Colon St. is referred to as downtown. Most tourists prefer to stay uptown considering the quiet, fancy environment and best business amenities within the area. While Downtown district has gained bad reputation over the years for its impoverished state.

After traipsing around Ayala Mall, we then headed to Asiatown IT Park in Lahug where we are set to meet hubby’s officemates assigned at the nearby Waterfront Casino. We opted to settle ourselves at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I was wondering if it was just the frappuccino or the weather is getting colder?

After the brief chitchat we head back to our accommodation and call it a night.

Day 6 – Exploring Cebu City

Yay, we are early risers now. It’s unimaginable, but yeah, on the 6th day we still survived getting up early. My husband teased me for being nocturnal, yet on this trip, I evolved. lol.

We were up at 6 am to prepare for our hectic Cebu Itinerary. We were able to cram up everything for the whole day before our flight at past 9 in the evening.

Hubby suggested that we’ll have breakfast at Orange Brutus at the nearby street. So off we went for a power meal.

Later, we hailed a taxi going to Fort San Pedro, where our journey to downtown will begin. Unfortunately, we were too early as the gate opens at 8 AM. Plaza Independencia which is just across the street is under renovation. We then agreed to just walked back and checked out the church we passed through from the taxi ride earlier.

We were greeted by the impressive architecture of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. There is an ongoing mass yet we can’t help ourselves to be overwhelmed with this church baroque interior.

After paying respects, we went ahead to another church, Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño. If I remembered correctly, it’s just two blocks away and can easily be reached by foot. It is the oldest church in the Philippines dating back to 16th century. The grand interior showcase a history of old carvings. The main altar boasts a display of carved pillars with statues of Augustinian Saints. Being at this place brought about strange feelings on me. Don’t ask me what, but is it miraculous?

The mass is just about to end when we discovered a queue at the left side of the church. Apparently, it lead to Santo Niño Chapel where an altar of the miraculous statue of the Holy Child of Cebu is stationed. We did joined the line before it gets longer.

Cebuanos are known to be religious as the island is recognized as the seat of Christianity in the Philippines. It is evident in the number of people attending the mass on a weekday.

After offering our intentions to the Holy Child, we head back to the church facade for some photo ops. Later, we found our way to Magellan’s Cross, Cebu’s top tourist destination. An octagonal kiosk enshrines the famous cross that Magellan brought to instill Christianity on Filipinos. This historical landmark is a homage to Catholic Churches in the Philippines. Miraculous claims include that Magellan’s Cross grows taller over the years. On the other side of the road is where the City Hall is located.

Avid patrons of Sto. Niño bound the area to offer their services in lighting candles as they danced to chant your petitions and prayers. The sacred dance in honor of Santo Niño is called “sinulog“. Sinulog Festival is a big event in Cebu celebrated during the third Sunday of January.

After visiting Magellan’s Cross, we headed to La Fortuna Bakery to grab some refreshments. We went back to Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño grounds where a Museum is located. We paid P20 each for the entrance.

The museum features a rich collection of Santo Niños, vestments, jewelries, rosaries, toys and gifts collected over the years from devotees. Taking pictures are not allowed inside.

After our trip to the Museum, we decided to get back to Fort San Pedro. Time Check: 10:00 AM.

Fort San Pedro is located at the Pier area. It was built by the Spaniards for Military defense in 1738. It is the oldest and smallest triangular bastion fort in the country. There were few tourists wandering around when we got in. We paid an entrance fee of P30 each.

The place is pretty much the same as Fort Santiago in Intramuros except that it is noticeably smaller. We didn’t stay long enough as the scorching sun pulls down our remaining energy. A little photo shoot here and there… and we are off to grab some lunch.

We decided to take a jeepney going to JY Mall which is the jump off to our next destination. Upon reaching there, we agreed to have some lunch first at a fast food restaurant.

Later on we hailed a cab to take us to our next stop, Cebu Taoist Temple. It is located at Beverly Hills Subdivision and the only way to get in is via private vehicle, cab or rent a motorcycle (habal-habal). The temple is open to the public, worshippers and non-worshippers alike. It is a multi-tiered tower standing at 300 meters above sea level.The hike up the 81 steps is pretty exhausting especially on a sweltering weather.

There are students and Indian Nationals on a field trip when we arrived. I’d like to try the ritual of praying and determining the answer through the crescent-shaped divining blocks, but I haven’t had the chance to talk to anyone if it is allowed to a non-devotee.

We realized there is another entrance door after passing through the replica of Great Wall of China. This is pretty convenient if one is not comfortable with using the stairs. There is a giant dragon statue which provides a nice backdrop to the Great Wall.

A little more hike and we were rewarded with the panoramic sight of Downtown Cebu. Taking picture on the place of worship even as a backdrop is strictly prohibited.

We decided to go down after a while and wait for a cab to take us back to JY Mall. Reaching there, we stock up on bottled waters at a nearby grocery before negotiating to a young man who offered his motorcycle to us.

As we are going to , Cebu’s premier viewing deck located at 2,000 feet above sea level in the hills of Busay, we realized that our best option is to hire a habal-habal or local motorcycle. The distance and uphill terrain is not for a usual taxi ride.

It cost us P200 per motorcycle for a two-way ride. So off we go, we hired two motorcycles for us. The trip  on the main road and off to uphill route lasted for about 20 minutes.

At the TOPS, an entrance fee of P100 each is required for an unlimited hours of stay. Tops is open 24 hours. Cottages are lined up on the covered area, just perfect for family and friends picnic party.

I would suggest to go there in late afternoon to night time to enjoy the breathtaking and spectacular view overlooking Metro Cebu.

At 2:00 PM, we went down still undecided where to head next. We asked for directions to Carbon Market, supposedly to buy some dried fish and goods but we were advice to stay out of the area or be wary of snatchers.

Hmmm, not to keen on risking our gadgets though, we just agreed to go back to our hotel and rest for the remaining hours before our flight. On our way back, we dropped by at Shamrock Pension House to buy the famous Shamrock Otap for pasalubong. It is located at Fuente Osmena Circle and just few minutes away from our hotel.

We used our time to freshen up and re-pack our things. We don’t want to go over the hassle of unpacking goods at the airport, so we were ready with our packaging tape.

Summing it up, we were able to cover most of Cebu City’s top tourist destinations within a day. I guess this itinerary is more useful as a filler to any exciting explorations in the neighboring islands of Cebu. We shall return to check out the best beaches in Cebu like Bantayan, Camotes, Mactan & Malapascua Island.

By 6:00 PM we had a sumptuous dinner at Fuente Pension House Restaurant. The food is appetizing in a generous amount of serving. We were able to admire Cebu Crown Regency’s Sky Ride, Edge Coaster from our backdrop. Hubby is egging me to try it but I’m too chicken to do so. Who knows, maybe next time.

We checked out before 7 in the evening and left the hotel for our flight at 9:25 PM via Zest Air. Got the best deal on airfare at P1,976 for both of us on Cebu – Manila flight. Mactan International Airport is quite far from our hotel, good thing traffic wasn’t that bad and we boarded on time.

Our trip back home is hassle free and thank God for our safe flight.

Can’t get enough of danggit,

If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.

- John D Rockefeller

While our trip to Negros Occidental is mostly of historical and cultural experience, a journey further down South of the island to Negros Oriental is an exquisite date with nature.

Our Negros Oriental itinerary is as much hectic with our Negros Occidental adventure.

We experienced first hand how friendly & helpful Negrenses are, yet we were more impressed about how warm and hospitable our host can be. We arrived in Tanjay a little late as expected. I lost count on how many rough roads on maintenance and one-way route we passed through after Mabinay. Little did we know that the construction extends until Dumaguete. A dilemma we learned later.

We didn’t mind that our regular bus is non-ac as we got the best view of hectares & hectares of sugarcane plantations and the fresh October breeze is billowing against our skin.

We met Ging & her family in Tanjay & had dinner at Jo’s Chicken Inato by the sea. They brought us to Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete. You can read our first night in Negros Oriental in this link and scroll down to our Day 3 adventure.

Day 4 – Island Adventure & Mystic Lake

The day I’ve long been waiting for has arrived and  we were blessed with a beautiful weather.

A little over 5 hours of sleep were our only comfort to start another exciting day. At 6 am, we prepared our things and got ready for breakfast. Nelia’s Place has a restaurant, videoke and gaming area. We were surprised that there were few bird’s nest hanging by the high ceiling. Having encountered hundreds of them at Mambukal Resort, it appeal to us that the breed might be indigenous to Negros Island.

Ging, accompanied by one of their employees arrived around 7 am. She offered to drop us off to Bais City and help us  look for boatmen that will take us to Manjuyod Sandbar. We were really thankful and embarrass on how she goes out of her way to help us.

Around 7:30 AM we reached Bais City. At the town plaza they asked a group of men where we can rent out a boat and we negotiated the price. The small boat that can fit 15 persons is worth P2,500 while the big one is P5,000 which can fit up to 60 persons. The big boat is usually rented for birthday and family celebrations because it includes a videoke on it. The package includes a whole day rental of the boat to Manjuyod Sandbar and a tour to Bais City Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park. An additional of P1,000 is needed if we wish to go dolphin & whale watching.

Ging has to attend to some work, so off we go and savor the day. The small boat is roomy enough for just the two of us. We skip on doing dolphin and whale watching as we already experienced it during our trip to Bohol.

We went to the nearby market to get some snacks and cooked meal. We then followed the man who arranged our trip to the port. Here’s the contact person of the boat owner where you can make reservations:

Jun Cabanag – 09068787888

8:40 AM - Off we go sailing. It was the first time I sailed on a calm water. We are cruising Tańon Strait which connects Bohol Sea and Visayan Sea and is located in between the islands of Cebu and Negros.

The soothing smell of the sea kissed my lips  and eased  my tired soul. It’s like the world suddenly moved gently. I wish for the moment to last longer.

Our boatmen, 3 of them decided to take us to Manjuyod Sandbar first. A 25 -30 minutes ride from the port. Just in time to see the white sand beach stretch before the water rises.

It is paradise found, all 7 km white sand beach stretch! It is completely submerged during high tide and no trees and residents live here. There are 4 cottages though that can be rented for overnight stay through the government of Manjuyod.

We wasted no time to explore and take photos. Evidently, the water is fast approaching which left us to a limited dry sands here and there. In less than 30 minutes the island seemed nowhere amidst the calm sea. There were cute starfishes, impressive shell bed and small crabs, apparently because Tańon Strait is a sanctuary to rich marine life.

We just stayed for an hour, enough to enjoy the view, soak a little and feel the sun against our skin.

Next stop, Bais City Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park.

We sailed again for about an hour to get to this place. It is a 400 hectare protected mangrove forest started by local government and a nesting ground to many bird species and other wildlife. Certainly, I’m amazed and pleased about this project.

There is a long stretch of cemented bridge going to the  BCBSM Park. While at it, I looked down through the waters and saw spikes everywhere, most commonly known as sea urchins, a lot of them, and humongous at that. There were small fishes too. Approaching the mangroves, the sound of mosquitoes is echoing. Yep, we were ready and applied our trusty Citronella Mosquito Repellant from Sonya’s Garden. :>

More old and new mangroves, and seedlings can be found at the end of the bridge, which only shows that it is a successful continuing project. Kudos to the support of local government and here’s hoping that the other coastal cities in the Philippines will also start the same endeavor.

After 30 minutes, we were back at the boat enjoying our lunch. We are headed to the port for our next adventure.

At the port, the man who arranged our boat ride was already waiting. We asked him if he knew where we can buy some dried fish & squids for pasalubong. We heard that it is cheaper in Negros than in Cebu. Fortunately, he knew someone who is into selling packed goods. We dropped by and bought some before boarding a bus going to San Jose Junction.

One and a half hour later, after the despairing bus ride due to road maintenance, we finally reached San Jose/Twin Lakes Junction at 2 in the afternoon. This is a jump-off for our ascend to Lake Balinsasayao. Ging’s uncle is waiting for us among the many motorcycle drivers that is up for rent when scaling Twin Lakes. We met his nephew beside the two motorcycles available for us. We negotiated with the price and got a deal at P350/ person /  two way. From Dumaguete, certain tour groups also arrange trip to twin lakes via 4 wheel drive vehicles.

There are dark clouds approaching our area, and I felt hesitant that the road may get rough and dangerous. With that I learned that is an essential matter that  our driver is skilled and knew his track well. And did I mention it is my first motorcycle ride? Ging’s uncle did an excellent job on maneuvering his vehicle while I am being a clueless backrider.

The ascend took about 30 minutes passing through cemented roads and occassional dry, dusty and rough terrain. The view is amazing as we pass by some huge volcanic rocks. I learned that we are actually scaling Mt. Kabalin-an and it sits in the town of Sibulan and San Jose. There are few residents that inhabit the mountains. Ging’s uncle also pointed out a military camp where he is at service. He mentioned that it is vital in keeping the peace and order in the area. I noticed that everyone, young and old are adept to the main transportation in the area, motorcycle also known locally as habal-habal.

The twin lakes namely Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao, are protected natural park. At the Visitors Center and entrance of Lake Balinsasayao, a small lake captivated us. The scenic and placid Lake Kabalin-an.

There is something mystic about Lake Kabalin-an. I don’t know what it is but all the photos and words may not justify well about it. The calm lake is located just at the right side of the road. It is the forefront of the lush green forest.  Full bloom trees perched amidst the still water. An impressive display of reflection rest beyond.

We registered and paid the entrance fee of P10 each. From the Visitor’s Center, Lake Balinsasayao is only about 1 km. away. We decided to go by foot and hike through the paved way. We never realized it can be exhausting and had to take rest for nth times.

Nearing the passage to Lake Balinsasayao, our motorcycle heroes came to the rescue. They gave us a ride up to the restaurant at the gate.

From the parking, an endangered tarictic hornbill just landed. It is so friendly that it never budge while we were trying to get closer photos. We later  learned that it has a thing for candies. Sweet.

We walked down the pathway crossing the gate to Lake Balinsasayao. With occassional tweeting of birds and sounds of nature, it felt like we’re lost in the middle of the forest. Further down, we saw the vast calm waters of Lake Balinsasayao. There is a small dock where boats can be rented to cross to the other side where Lake Danao is best viewed.

They say that on a low tide, we can just trek from the pathway and not use the boat going there. We wouldn’t want to risk though and decided to just enjoy the view from the dock and back to the restaurant. I wanted to go boating but the weather is getting gloomy and cold.

The nipa restaurant has a nice overlooking view of both lakes. Lake Danao is smaller than Lake Balinsasayao. Lake Kabalin-an is smallest of the three.

At 4:45, we started our descend. It kinda look scary at first because of all the steep slopes but I was assured by Ging’s uncle that he & his nephew are cautious about their driving and that they wouldn’t want us to get traumatized on our habal habal ride in Negros.

We reached the junction safely and waited for the bus to take us back to Tanjay. Our things were unloaded at Ging & Bang’s house earlier, and we need to gather it first before heading to Dumaguete where we plan to spend the night.

We didn’t get the chance to see the couple again as both of them were at work when we dropped by. To Ging & Bang, we deeply appreciate all your help. Thank you and we’ll meet again soon. You guys are the best. xoxo

After collecting our things, we headed to Dumaguete. Traffic was terrible. The usual 30 minutes ride, hit us with a dreadful 2.5 hours bus ride. Imagine how we felt after soaking from the sea, basking in the sand, our clothes wet & dried from sweat and an encounter with dusty road for the whole day. My feet were itching for a cold shower and a hotel blanket, but we can’t do much but wait for the bus’ turn in a one way road. Arrggh.

Gazillion years later, we reached Dumaguete. We missed our street and just hired a local tricycle to take us to Harolds Mansion. My research on Dumaguete accommodation led me to Harolds Mansion as budget friendly and backpackers haven.

Fortunately, there are still rooms available. We didn’t made any reservation and  just walked in. We noticed most of their clients are foreigners. Which led to another observation that I think 30% of the population in Dumaguete are made up of foreigners. An increasing number since Dumaguete is known for being a University Town and a city with low crime rate.

We settled in a Matrimonial AC Room that costs P665.50/night. It comes with free continental breakfast and unlimited coffee/tea/water all day.

We freshened up and decided to have dinner at the nearby Mc Donalds. We wanted to sample some Dumaguete’s best delicacies but we’re too tired and hungry to do so. A fast food resto like Mc Do is our haven in situations like this. Going back we decided to walk. We passed through Silliman University where I was eager to see any signs of ghost in the darkness. lol. I heard too much stories that would explain why.

We encountered and asked a security guard where the Anthropology Museum is located. Ahhh… getting ready for our early itinerary the next day. Too early, that the guard thought we would brave the night to go to the museum at that minute (was 10 pm, I think).

We also decided to avail an express laundry service for some of our used clothes. Harolds Mansion washing machines are out of service that day, so we opt to go to the laundry shop across the street. It was our first trip that we ran out of clothes to wear, or we didn’t pack well or we foresee that we will be using laundry service. Whatever, but my turquoise shirt got lost. I didn’t made a big fuss about it as it was hopeless that they will find it in piles clothings.

Finally off to bed. It was a looooooooooooooong marvelous day.

Day 5 – Dumaguete City & Cebu City

At 7:00 AM we set ourselves for our itinerary. We had breakfast at the hotel’s caffeteria where group of foreigners planned their schedule.

An hour later, we made our way to Silliman University Anthropology Museum. They require an ID to enter the campus. It was still close when we got in and waited until 9AM. Enough to tour the small campus. All over Dumaguete, cluster of SU campuses were built.

Silliman University is established in 1901 by American Missionaries and named after Dr. Horace Silliman, who gave the initial $10,000 budget to start the school. It is the oldest American-established University in Asia.

The Museum boasts interesting pieces, including a voodoo doll that a police confiscated from Siquijor, materials for local witchcraft, old jar coffins, and a lot more. We can’t take pictures inside, they only allow it at the balcony and third floor.

We finished the tour in less than 30 minutes. We headed to St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and take some photos. Beside is the Belfry Tower or Campanario de Dumaguete. Both has been built during the Spanish period.

The sun is unforgiving and it is scorching hot. At 10:30 AM, we decided to have an early lunch at Lab-as Restaurant. On our way, I saw the Sisters of St. Paul Monument, a boat carrying the founders of St. Paul University.

The food at Lab-as restaurant is appetizing. They should improve more on customer service though.

After the sumptous lunch, we headed back to the hotel and prepared to check out.

The owner of Harolds Mansion was kind enough to direct us the way going to Sibulan Port where we will take a fastcraft to Cebu. He even gave us a contact person of a newly opened accommodation in Cebu where we can stay.

We hailed a tricycle and asked to be dropped off at the nearest multicab station to Sibulan. 30 minutes later, we arrived at Sibulan Port. Santander Express fastcraft leaves at 12:30 PM going to Liloan, the southernmost part of Cebu Island. The fare is P62 including the terminal fee of P10.

We cruised for 30 minutes that gave us 360 degrees scenic ocean & island views. A little tip though, if there are many passengers, you may want to sit near the exit door. This will give you a passage, if you’re quick enough, to get your choice of seat on the Ceres bus in Liloan.

Upon disembarking in Liloan, Ceres bus is already waiting for passengers going to Cebu South Terminal. Try to get the best window seat at the right side of the bus (from the driver’s viewpoint). You definitely wouldn’t want to miss the panoramic seaside & cliff view of Cebu Island.

For the most part of the 3.5 hours ride, our eyes feast at the breathtaking Cebu landscape. Bus fee is P155.

Traffic was good and the winding road is awesome. We reached Cebu South Terminal safely.

Cebu Adventure will continue on my next post.

I’m definitely coming back to Negros Oriental!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

Exploring new places and being with someone who dare to go through unexpected adventure are priceless inspiration I will treasure for the rest of my life. This land, air and sea trip put a challenge to our pockets and a limit to our time, but it made us appreciate the best of what life can offer.

There are countless reasons I wanted to travel to Negros Island, among which are my long time dream to experience Masskara Festival and step foot on the sandbar of Manjuyod. Finally, this month, a dream came true. More than just a weekend haven, we dare to move out of our comfort zone and experience the brimming hospitality of Negrenses.

My wandering feet itch when I saw Zest Air promo last April 2009. I snagged the best deal of P2,512, roundtrip air ticket for two to Bacolod. The problem then was scheduling the trip since hubby will have to file a leave from work. Finally, e worked out that date and agreed to go during Masskara Festival 2009.

Come September, we decided to cancel our return ticket  (Bacolod-Manila), and agreed to go on a road trip down Negros Oriental and hop to Cebu before coming back to Manila. Refer to our 6 days Visayan Islands itinerary here.

Both me and my husband will be traveling for the first time to Negros Islands, so I did all I can to research and make the most out of our itinerary. We left  Manila on  a sunny, Oct. 17 at 1:30 PM and fly for about an hour via Zest Air to Silay International Airport.

Credits to Zest Air for the smooth flight, new plane and excellent service.

We reached Silay Airport early and went out to be greeted by a lot of barkers (those who calls out for public transport & private vehicle rentals). Ferdie decided that we just take a van to Bacolod City first to drop off our things before heading to Talisay which is our original destination after the airport. Fare is P150 per pax for a 10 seater van and a good 45 minutes ride.

Good thing was that the driver passed through our accommodation upon reaching Bacolod. I made a reservation at Star Plus Pension almost two weeks before our departure. I know it was lame judgment, knowing that Masskara Festival is a big event and all the nice hotels and budget friendly inns will be fully booked early. I took a shot and lost most of my choice accommodations. We were lucky enough that Star Plus Pension have rooms left. Or not. It is an old building, chipped walls & watermarked ceiling and I wouldn’t want to start with the bedding. But the most unforgivable part is the terrible urine odor of the room, its pretty disgusting and if only there are other rooms available, we would gladly exchange places. Our only consolation is that the staff are friendly and helpful. True to the concept that we are in the City of Smiles.

Upon arriving with Star Plus Pension, we encountered  a bit delay since our reservation was lost and we had to sleep on another room with shared bathroom for the night. We let it pass as we were already running out of time.

By 4 PM, we found our way going to The Ruins. Just in front of our accommodation we took a jeepney that goes to Bangga Rose Lawns in Bgy. Bata. Fare is P10 each.

“If you are coming from the airport, you can take a van or a satellite bus that goes to Bacolod. From Silay, it will pass through Talisay then Bacolod. In Talisay, you will not miss Barangay Bata arc, on the left side of the road. There is a huge Pepsi Cola Plant in the corner. Go down and hail  a jeepney or a tryk that goes inside Barangay Bata.  Drop off at Bangga Rose Lawns where you will hire a tricycle going to Ruins.”

Just a mere 30 minutes, and we were off at Bangga Rose Lawns. We took a tricycle to take us to Ruins and the driver charged us P20 each/ one way, which made P80 for both of us including the return trip. Upon reaching The Ruins, our driver asked us on which time he will return to fetch us and he insist that we pay him later. A good gesture I seldom encounter here in Manila.

Brushing up on Ilonggo dialect: In Manila, we say “para” if we want the driver to make a stop and let us get down. In Negros, they say “sa lugar lang” which connotes the same thing. It’s a bit awkward at first, but we did get used to it.

The entrance fee in The Ruins is P40. It is an old 1900 mansion of sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and his wife Maria Braga. I just loved how the mansion is intricately detailed and how the amazing foundation withstand the torture of World War II. To this day it is still gloriously standing as a picture perfect backdrop amidst the sugar cane plantation.

We snapped a few photos here and there. I almost forgot that its a weekend and the place is packed with tourists, like us eager to find the perfect spot to take our souvenir photos.

By 6 in the evening, our driver is already waving at us. Too early, when we made a deal that he would pick us up at half past 6, but quite good because we already ran out of areas to explore and we were already hungry. The Ruins serves meal but we wanted to try the authentic Chicken Inasal in Bacolod, so off we go.

The jeepney we took dropped us near SM Bacolod. Heavy traffic was already building by that time due to re-routing, in view of street parties. We decided to go by foot and explore what’s hidden near the area. At last we found Manokan Country.

Manokan Country is indeed a chicken haven. Restaurants lined up on this street offering Bacolod’s Best Chicken Inasal and seafood dishes. I am starving that time that I forgot which restaurant we pick. My bad. But we order their specialty and fresh oysters. Mind you, I was surprised the meal didn’t come with spoon and fork. Not that I am complaining, but I seldom eat dinner with my bare hands. This is one of the many firsts I encountered on this trip and did I mention, the food tastes really good and fits our budget too. I got more sleepy after the meal.

We managed to stroll inside SM Bacolod before going back to our accommodation.

Day 2 – Visita Iglesia in Negros Occidental

Oct. 18 – We woke up at 5:30 am to prepare for our long itinerary. We are blessed with sunny Sunday that made it perfect for  our church visit.

We took a jeepney going to Ceres North Terminal. Fortunately, we were able to grab a quick breakfast at the bus terminal before our ride going to Manapla leaves. The fare is P30 for a non-AC bus and took almost  1.5 hours ride.

BUS ROUTE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

x Bacolod (Starting Point)
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x Talisay (Approximately 30 Minutes)
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x Silay (Approximately 45 Minutes)
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x Victorias (Approximately 1 hour)
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X MANAPLA (Approximately 1.5 hours)
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x Cadiz (Approximately 2 hours)
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x Escalante (Approximately 3 hours)

Our original plan is to drop off at the town proper of Manapla and take a tricycle from there to take us to where the Chapel of the Cartwheels is located. By chance, I’m seated on the left part of the bus and I saw the signage where directions for the chapel is located. We went down to the next stop and waited for a bus to take us back to our missed spot.

Finally, going down, I realized the place is Hda. Rosalia, Manapla. We hired a tryk going to the chapel. Its P7 each/one way. The Chapel of the Cartwheels upon my research is designed by Monsignor Gigi Gaston. A picturesque worship area made of local materials and surprisingly, cartwheels.  There were no caretakers available so we just took a few photos and left.

We hit the road again, this time going back and dropping off to Victorias town proper. We made a mistake of going down at the crossing and hailed a tricycle there, a little far from our destination. We’re supposed to go down where the junction and a huge signage going to Central Victoria is located, left side of the road. Hiring tricycles from there would be cheaper.

Anyways, from Victorias Crossing, we instructed the tryk driver to take us to St. Joseph The Worker Chapel, also known as Chapel of the Angry Christ. It is located inside Victorias Milling Company where drivers have to leave an ID before entering.

Not long enough, we were already admiring the unique paintings of the chapel. We weren’t able to catch the early mass,  there are noone available to ask permission to take photos in the area. The mural is definitely strong and vibrant, non-corforming to what we, Christians used to see in churches for many years, thus many referred to it as “Angry Christ”.

There were flaming heart, skulls, birds and Jesus’ arms stretched out as backdrop of the altar. More interesting is the baptism masterpiece for it was uniquely made out of broken soda bottles.

A keen eyes would notice that the images were all brown skinned, which depicts the Filipino race. No wonder it stirred much controversies ever since it opened to the public.

There are more to see outside the chapel, a pond and a Carabao Sundial built in December 1975.

We hailed a tricycle again which brought us to the junction. This time, we’re going to Silay City.

We were able to catch the Sunday Mass at San Diego Pro Cathedral just before it ended. The marvelous structure of this 20th century Church designed by Lucio Bernasconi, includes a cupola or dome.

After hearing a mass and taking few photos with us, we walk going towards Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House &  Museum. True to its name, Paris of Negros, we discovered this street a wonderful display of old Spanish Style structures.

The entrance to the museum is P40 per pax and we were ushered through the family’s history, doll collection, old photographs and furniture which tell their own story.

We enjoyed the tour, as much as we learned more about our culture and heritage. Did you know that way back the old times, a sala set in the receiving area has built in cabinets below the seat where visitors usually keep their presents (live chickens) to the host while waiting to be accommodated? Quite interesting, huh?

After the entertaining chitchat with the curator, we headed towards the plaza where we look for our final stop before heading back to Bacolod. On our way, we saw El Ideal Bakery where I told Ferdie to try their most coveted specialty, Guapple Pie.

I read about it everywhere, and its time to make judgment. Guapple Pie is made of a variety of huge guava. We paired it off with soup and I understand instantly why there’s so much crave for this special dessert. It is undoubtedly a must-try when you visit Silay City.

Off we go to Balay Negrense, which is just a few blocks away. It is the 19th Century ancestral house of a sugar baron, Victor Gaston. This property has been acquired by Negros Cultural Foundation through donation by Gaston’s heirs. There are many interesting pieces in the house which will give you a nostalgia of the past. Just like Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House &  Museum, Balay Negrese boasts large, airy windows, which I learned uses heavy, sliding panels – glass, capiz and wood.

We got info overload that we decided not to join the group led by the curator.  We made a quick tour of the house and snap some photos.

By past 11, we decided to head back to our accommodation and freshen up.

We hurried to catch the 2 PM Masskara Festival Street Dancing Competition.

In Bacolod, we were able to rest for a while before hitting the road again.

We squeezed ourselves with the crowd waiting for the parade to start. What kept me busy is trying out the headdress I borrowed from a vendor, and Ferdie did a few shots.

Our waiting has come to an end, and the street dancers did put an awesome show for us. It is a world-class festivity and I adore how much effort they put through on producing fabulous outfits, headdresses and props.

The street dancing was shorter than I expected. Almost all people who watched it are tailing the dancers to the plaza for the big competition. We were exhausted to follow them and decided to just grabbed a light meal at McDonald’s.

Kudos to McDonald’s staff for being warm and friendly. The place was packed but they were able to find us a seat.

After a refreshing Coke Float and fries, we decided to look for ANP Showroom. I am eager to grab some souvenirs home, but our trip turned out to be a long search. The ANP showroom we are looking for is on the far end of the road and there are no vehicles allowed to pass through  because of the street party.

We brave the road on foot after the jeepney driver missed our stop. Finally, we reached our destination. I managed to buy some masks while Ferdie grabbed an Island Shirt. They showcase lots of lovely souvenir, too bad though, we’re on  a limited budget.

After spending several minutes at the shop, we headed back to our accommodation.

I still have plans for the night, we even haven’t witnessed Electric Masskara or ate at Calea and join the street party along Lacson St., but we had a petty fight that lead to calling it a night.

Day 3 – Mambukal Resort and  Crossing the borders to Negros Oriental

My body clock is fast adopting with our activities. I am a night person, thus for the longest time, six o’clock in the morning seem vague to me.

Today we woke up at 5:30 in the morning to prepare to leave for Mambukal Resort, in the town of Murcia.  As always, the staff from our accommodation were able to help us with directions on commuting.

Exploring the town by foot or by public transport isn’t a problem to both of us, since we find it economical & a pleasure to our backpacking adventure.

We took a mini-bus going to Mambukal Resort near Bacolod Public Market. It is almost an hour ride going there, passing through sugarcane fields. It’s almost too good to be true to breathe fresh air for two days in a row. Mambukal Resort is the last stop. And boy, we were surprised how huge the resort is with its location serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon volcano. The pictures will not do justice to the beauty of this paradise.

We paid a P30 entrance fee per person. A modest price to relax and enjoy nature. They offer cottages for overnight stay, a wise move if you are off to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

There is a Dipping Pool which they claim very therapeutic for an aching body. I dared to test the waters and paid P50 for the use. The temperature made me uneasy for a while, its hotter than what is normally used in spa and in the hotsprings of Laguna. A portion of its waters is from the Sulfur Spring we were able to see. I spent less than 30 minutes as I don’t want to pass out on a sunny noon.

Under the bridge from the canteen we discovered hundreds of bird’s nests, apparently by tiny black birds’ or swiftlets saliva. All I can do is stare and be amazed and thought that 1 kilogram of those nests fetch 1,000 USD. Bird’s Nest soup or Nido soup are chinese delicacy rich in health benefits. Mambukal Resort served as a protected area, thus harvesting of the nests is strictly prohibited.

The huge flying foxes hanging by the trees amused us more. Too bad we can’t stay until sunset where we can witness hundreds or maybe thousands of them flying and engulfing the forests in dark.

A trek to the forest will offer a great view of the 7 cascading waterfalls. There are guides provided from the registration area. We were able to see only the 1st falls as we were already running out of time.

Ferdie wanted to try the slide for life and I want the canopy walk. Both weren’t available at the moment. Boating would be nice and romantic on sunset too, as well as a dip on the many swimming pools.

By 10:30 AM, we were already out to catch the bus going back to Bacolod. Just in time to check out before 12 noon from Star Plus Pension.

We headed to Bong Bong’s for some native delicacies & pasalubong like special piaya and butterscotch. I had to grab muscovado sugar too as it is cheaper there.

Off we go to Ceres South Bound Terminal. We only have a few minutes to spare to eat lunch before braving the road for a 5 hours ride going to Dumaguete.

The bus available is non-AC with P190 each fare for Bacolod to Tanjay route. It passes through Mabinay Road going to Dumaguete, which is claimed to be the fastest way. We will be going down in Tanjay to meet my husband’s friend, Ging.

It was a smooth & rough 5 hours ride going to Tanjay alone, a little late, as I’m expecting we would reached there around 5:30 PM. The road after Mabinay is still under construction and it stretches to Dumaguete. The backdrop kept us fascinated, I lost count on how many bridges and scenic rivers we crossed. How much sugar canes I’ve eaten in my dreams. The playful children walking home from school were a pleasant sight to behold.

At half past 6 in the evening, we meet Ging’s husband, Bang waiting for us on the road and invited us to their house to meet the whole family. They welcomed us warmthly. We were overwhelmed with the couple’s hospitality as we only met them personally that day.

They offered to take us to Dumaguete so we can decide on the road where to stay for the night. The road is quite bad with one-way signs. There are no alternative routes though, so it can be worst when there’s no traffic enforcer around.

The couple treated us to dinner at Jo’s Chicken Inato by the sea in Sibulan. The unique ambience looksed inviting with colorful old bancas (small wooden boats) converted into tables. The lightings looked like fishing baskets and there is a play area for kids. Beyond the sea, we could see dancing lights on the nearby island, which I learned is Cebu.

Jo’s Chicken Inato has much to offer further than their charbroiled chicken specialty, there’s Pancit Macao, Spicy Shrimps, Tinola served in a young coconut and more.

We were full and we can’t even finished all the dishes served. We thanked the couple’s generosity for a sumptuous meal.

Off we go to Dumaguete. We were told that the city is celebrating Buglasan Festival. It is an annual celebration that converges 13 cities and  municipalities of Negros Oriental in one location, Lamberto Macias Sports Complex. Each contingents assigned a personalized booth to showcase a cultural presentation of their tourist spots, products and services.

Upon reaching Dumaguete, I felt I was transported in a different country. Indeed, Dumaguete is the Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines and a University Town as well. Hundreds or thousands of motorcycles lined up the street near the complex where the concert for Buglasan Festival is located. I noticed a number of foreigners present in the city, majority maybe because of schooling. We also learned that the crime rate in Dumaguete is among the lowest in the Country.

We went inside the complex and visited Tanjay booth first. They sampled us a local delicacy named budbod, dipped in a hot chocolate made of tableya. Mouthwatering, I’m so full from our dinner but I can’t seem to pass this oh so yummy treat.

Next stop, we inquired at Manjuyod Town were we planned to go on a sandbar trip the next day. They quoted as a rate but we learned then that they cannot accommodate us for the next day.

Bais City booth is unmanned. I wonder why?

The event is packed mostly by students watching a live concert, wall climbing and partying on the streets.

Our cool tourist guide, Ging & Bang gave us a quick tour around the small city of Dumaguete. They pointed us to the Bell Tower, Silliman University, some hang-out places and more.

We decided that we’ll just spend the night in Tanjay so Ging can drive us to Bais the next day for our Beach Activity. The bad road condition made my eyes heavy.  We reached our destination at 1 in the morning.

We were ushered to Nelia’s Place, a tourist inn with a friendly price. Their AC Room is large enough to accommodate 10 pax. We got a discounted room rate of P400/room because of the quick stay or probably because they are friends with our hosts. It normally costs P500 for an AC Room with bath for 2 pax at 7PM-7AM stay.

I couldn’t even remember if I had taken a quick shower before drowning into my dreamland. I was dead tired and all I could think off is that we only have a few hours to steal a nap.

To follow, our journey in Negros Oriental.

♥ valerie {i ♥ masskara festival}

Just got back from our Negros & Cebu Island Adventure. Discovering more of our heritage, meeting a lot of friendly faces, exploring off-the beaten path and unspoiled Philippine nature left us inspired and proud to live in this land.

Let me share our 6 days itinerary in the Islands of Negros & Cebu. This isn’t for the faint of heart though, as it requires mostly an adventure by foot, public transport, and a confined time to cover everything. But rest assured, a pleasurable experience to backpackers like us.

My next posts will be an in-depth account of our 6 days adventure.

♥valerie {inlove with negros island}

My Solo Journey in Singapore was invigorating yet exhausting. It is bound to be more exciting though as Minnie and Christine arrived on the 3rd day.

3rd Day – Kids play at Vivo City & Sentosa Island

I woke up late as usual. My legs still numbed from the long walk I had the previous day. I pushed myself to get ready and make room for my friends arrival. They were fetch by Christine’s cousin, Rose at Changi Airport. Minnie arrived via Singapore Air while Christine came in via Philippine Airlines.

They made it to Azalea Park by 1 PM where they met Mr. R & Mrs. C. They too were excited to dip in the pool when they glanced over from the glass window.

We can’t wait to paint the town and rock Singapura, so off we go for a power lunch to start the day. After a sumptuous feast, we headed to Vivo City. From Outram Park we changed lane going to Harbour Front MRT  Station. We went inside the Mall and off to Vivo City Lobby to purchase tickets for Sentosa Express.

Sentosa Express is just one of the many choices to get to Sentosa Island. It is a monorail ride and perhaps the fastest way to get to the island. Ticket priced at S$3 per person per day for the 2-way express ride and admission to Sentosa.

At half passed 4, we were on our way to Sentosa Island. The short ride delighted us with lush greenery and awesome coastal view. We were transported to Imbiah Station where a  soaring Merlion greeted us.

Access to Merlion mouth gives one a 360 degrees panoramic view of surrounding islands. I bet its best to go there at night to witness a spectacular show of lights and gleaming Singapore Skyline.

We pass through a suspension bridge where a wonderful cascading waterfalls welcomed us. We later learned that the lush greenery leads to a detour to Mount Imbiah.

The Merlion Walk is equally charming, where a luring wave water pool flows endlessly in  a decorated colorful tiles of sea dragons and mermaids.  Towards the end is an intricate tower of Carillon Bells. Sunset is fast approaching as we went further down to the beach station.

We wander to where our feet will take us or rather where the tram would make a stop. In this instance, we went down to Palawan Beach. It’s a tropical haven of white sandy beach stretch. One can choose from a number of recreational activities, from beach volleyball, swimming, kayaking, and other water sports. Our senses were filled with nature’s warmth and the refreshing sea breeze cooled us deep inside.

We travel across the hanging bridge to get to a lush islet. Its theme might be an island paradise where one can find a nook to watch the sunset either on the boardwalk or along the beachfront.

We searched for a secluded spot to lounge and eat the snacks we brought in. The Beard Papa’s Cream Puffs were yummy as well as the authentic Singaporean street food on sticks.

We continued our stroll and spotted the Songs of the Sea concert area. We agreed to buy our tickets for the night’s show. To while away the time, we challenged ourselves with the Skyride. Me and Minnie are not a fan though. We both have fear of heights and the thrilling experience of an open-air cable chairlift almost gave us a heart attack. Thank God were still alive. For most of the long journey high above the ground I kept my eyes shut. Fortunately, I was able to take some photos and glanced at the stunning sunset before its too late.

The Luge takes the cake! It was fun and we all love it. Like a kid with our own go-kart / toboggan, we raced and owned the racetrack.

It was getting dark and we hop in at the tram going to Siloso Beach. We don’t have enough time to stroll though as we need to get back and grab a good seat for Songs of the Sea.

Songs of the Sea is a combination of dramatic pyrotechnic effects and water extravaganza that won Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for Event Spectacular and ASEANTA Award for Best ASEAN New Tourist Attraction both in 2008. I have never seen anything like it before, so I think its a must see for kids and adults alike. Be ready for jaw-dropping laser show, flame bursts & water jets. The expensive entrance fee is worth it and the show puts a perfect end to our day trip in Sentosa.

We crammed to catch the Sentosa Express back to Vivo City.

The view from the rooftop was amazing. A huge Christmas Tree is set up, dazzling with hundreds of lights.

We had our photo ops before calling it a night.

4th Day -  Farewell to Singapore, Hello Manila!

My last day in Singapore. Yay!

We made a stop by the swimming pool and grab the chance for photo ops. The blue water is inviting but we need to get on foot or I’ll be late with my flight later.

Of course my Singapore tour wouldn’t end without the usual tourist pose at the most popular Singapore attraction:  Merlion Park. We went down at Raffles Place MRT station to walk around One Fullerton. The midday sun is scorching hot and its quite a maze to find what we were looking for. We made it to downtown Marina Bay where we were enthralled with the unique ambience of waterfront promenade. Singapore River flows in at this artificial bay. The apparent development on the bayfront is visible with a good line up of fine dining restaurants and cruise terminal for ducktours and river cruises.

Further ahead, we finally reached Merlion Park. There is a viewing deck stretch through Singapore River that offers superior panoramic sight of the massive Esplanade Theatres on The Bay, Singapore Flyer, the Float and grandstand, and towering Singapore skyline backdrop.

Merlion is a hybrid of lion and fish and known to the world as Singapore’s Icon. It represents the early beginnings of Singapore as a fishing village.

We went back to the condo after our quick lunch.

Much as I want to extend my stay in this beautiful city, I need to get ready to rock Manila.

Thanks so much to Kuya Robert and Ate Cindy for the hospitality. Hugs goes out to Minnie, Christine & Rose for spicing up my Singapore Adventure =)

i  ♥ singapura

Anawangin is a secluded weekend getaway located in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines. With its lush pine tree forest, a scenic river, majestic mountain range and mystic beach, it is fast becoming a popular destination choice for Manila dwellers and people who is in continuous search of  weekend haven in Luzon (avoiding the hassle of booking trips in Visayas and Mindanao area). The place gets crowded during summer, holidays and weekends though. Last weekend, Anawangin is flocked with around 200+ campers.

The jump off point to go to Anawangin is Pundaquit Beach in San Antonio which is accessible through private car from anywhere in Luzon and public bus. Parking fee for private vehicle is P200 (overnight).

From the jump off point, you have a choice to rent a boat for a 20-minute ride to Anawangin Cove or nearby islands, Camara and Capones or you can also trek 4-5 hours going through dry river beds and amazing view from the top of the mountain.

My sister-in-law invited us to join them last weekend. She is organizing an outing for her high school friends. My hubby, brother and I were excited to join the fun. While it isn’t as popular as Boracay Beach, this is definitely worth a visit.

Upon researching from the uber-reliable internet, I learned a lot of groups will be coming over the weekend. Three of us will be going ahead of  our group and will commute via Victory Liner in Pasay. The last trip on Friday is 11:30 PM. By 10 in the Evening all tickets were sold out. We were left with no choice but to take the the 11:45 PM  trip to Olongapo Station and transfer to another bus going to Iba, Zambales.

Fare going to Olongapo is P210 via Victory Liner Aircon Bus. It’s a 3 hours ride from Pasay City. From Olongapo we transferred to a non-aircon bus that will take us to San Antonio, Zambales. Fare is P40 and took us less than an hour to reach our destination. From there are 24 hours tricycle services  you can avail to take you to Pundaquit beach.

In our case, our contact  boatman, Mang Florante, asked his friend who drives a tryk to fetch and drop us to his place. We paid P100 for the ride. It was raining hard half-way our trip. Its actually raining the last 5 days and we were hoping that come this weekend, Summer will be back.

Mang Florante’s place is along Pundaquit Beach. We reached his place at 4 am and stayed there until the sun rises. On Saturday morning, before 6 am, we were the first one who brave the sea.

The rain just stopped but the waves is still mad. Our first plan is to wait for the rest of the group in Pundaquit. But since, a lot of people will be going to Anawangin, including the group who just park their bus, we decided we’ll carry on to the cove and find a good nook for us.

My jaw almost dropped when I learned that we will be using a small boat to take us for a 20 minutes rollercoaster ride. Arggh. I wasn’t expecting a 3 pax-passenger-capacity boat, not on a bad weather. Oh No! Such a small boat on an open sea. Are you sure?

But our boatman assured us that this boat is safe. The waves are close to everyday wave… duh. He provided us with life vests. Big boats cannot land near Anawangin’s vicinity.

So, off we go with the small boat. It was a mix of terrifying, exciting & fun moment. Sea water splashing everywhere, waves here and there. We made sure to water proof our valuables by packing it with plastic bags. Beyond the deep blue sea, we enjoyed the ride and hope to land Anawangin cove safe and sound.

Finally, after 20 minutes we landed. Wheeww! *dancing*

Anawangin is one paradise that is proudly Philippine made. The beach sands are from Mt. Pinatubo lahar during its eruption in 1991. The said volcano eruption brought about the growth of pine trees along the beach. There is also a stunning view of the river.

We spotted few campers enjoying the area at early morning.

We are set to camp on the left side of the cove where the restroom, wash area, water pump is easily accessible.

After picking our comfort spot, we pitched our tent, unpacked our food, set up the hammock and savor the tranquility of this haven.

Anawangin getaway is a back to basic experience. The toilet is public and shared. You have to bring your own tent. There’s no room to rent or any available tents for sale/rent. There is no electricity. No cellphone/mobile signal. Drinking water is for sale and do not come cheap. Negotiate with your boatman on which time he will be picking up your group, as there is no way you will be able to communicate after he leaves the cove.

I don’t feel like swimming as the waves got crazier. I have read a few stories about the mystic beach where the undercurrents are unpredictable. A number of guests have died previously because of drowning. I think everyone should be vigilant when swimming and just enjoy the waters near the shoreline to avoid such unfortunate accidents. I have to warn my brother about this and I’m glad he took  the stories seriously.

I got hold of the camera and snapped photos while there are still only few awake people. Ferdie took a nap on the hammock. My brother was exploring the area too. When I got tired, I went back to the tent and felt the light drizzle outside.

I had a long nap. I woke up when the rest of the group finally arrived. There were eight of them including my sister in law. After introductions, we helped pitched their tents while others prepared a sumptuous lunch. The feast includes pork adobo and crabs.  Yum!

After lunch, we joined the group games. ’twas a riot. Two sets of games were played and everyone enjoyed it.

We had a few moments rest after the game. Some changed into their swimming attire. Ferdie and I explored the path behind our location, going through the forest of pines.

There is a dry riverbed and creepy looking trees.  But the view is amazing. We took few shots before going back to the rest of the group.

We asked them if they like to join us to hike the hill on the other end of the cove. It looked intimidating but our guess is that its a good 15 minutes trek. Everyone agreed. My brother got tired of swimming and just slept.

Off we go to the right side of Anawangin Cove. We had few stopovers when we found a couple of interesting spots to take photos. Before we knew it we were on our way up the hill.

It’s an easy trek up. But beware during rainy season or you might slip your way down. You will also pass through where the river meets the sea. The current can be strong, and it can take you down. Place your camera in safety.

At the top you will be greeted with a stunning view of Anawangin, and its surrounding coves and the aerial view of blue waters. It’s like a different world up there.

Time to get camera-happy and click away. This is the best place to watch the sunset, unfortunately, it drizzled again so we opted to go down instead.

The first photo up is an aerial view of the white sand stretch of Anawangin. To its right is the scenic river.

Down the beach, we decided to dip and ride the waves while its drizzling. The current is so strong that  few dead and broken corals were swept at the shore.

We then headed to wash up before dinner serving. We had pork barbeque and Ensaladang Mangga for dinner and the remains of Adobo and crabs from lunch. A mouthwatering dinner indeed.

After dinner, some went swimming. An hour later, it rained hard. Three of us were sharing a tent and were ready to sleep. The rest of the group continued their party on the covered area we set up earlier.

A few minutes of strong wind and rain, our tent was soaking wet inside. We gathered our things in a plastic bag and wait for the rain to stop. After awhile, the weather subdued and we were able to clean up the tent. We had to turn it upside-down to remove the excess water.

Inside, it was still a bit wet. But we were able to find comfort and sleep anyways.

I woke up at 6 AM. Both Ferdie and my brother were cold, I was lucky to have my sarong wrapped around me, a battle off the cold ground. Ferdie prepared a coffee. I urge him to stroll with me once more inside the pine tree forest to photoshoot. My brother came with us. I overheard from other groups, that they were soaking wet that night too. So we were not alone.

By the time were back, the rest of the group were preparing food already. Some were taking down their tents.We had salted eggs, tomatoes, eggplants, dried fish, grilled fish and barbeques for breakfast. It was a feast once again.

We settled our bill with the island caretaker and paid P100 each per person. A fee when you stay in the island overnight, the money is used to maintain the cleanliness of place.

Break Camp. By 10 AM we were ready to leave the place.

We were supposed to be carried out in 3 boats to Capones Island. But the 3rd boat did not show up on time. So we fit ourselves to two small boats, with all our luggages. Good news is that the wave isn’t as wild as yesterday, bad news is that some of us will sail without a life vest on. Oh no!

Off to Capones Island. It was about 20 minutes  boat ride. We dock to the nearest jump off point to Capones lighthouse. From there, it is still a 15 minutes trek up.

We spotted few people going down. Some even gave encouragement that we are only a few minutes away.

When we reached the lighthouse, everyone gathered near the water well. Thirsty, tired and sweltering with the scorching summer.

From the top, you get an amazing 360 degrees view of China sea’s crystal clear waters. There are a lot of spots for photo ops including the spanish style building.

The cliff reminds me of the view in Batanes, the rolling hills, amidst the blue waters. Its absolutely breathtaking and romantic during sunset.

After our photoshoot session, we went down to our boats and sail away back to Pundaquit beach.

There were paid restrooms and wash area. We cleaned up, change clothes and get ready to leave. We also settled our payment for the boat, that costs us P300 per pax.

There were 2 cars to fit the group, we convoyed our way to Angeles City to have our late lunch. The mouthwatering feast includes crispy sisig, tokwa’t baboy and kaldereta.

We also visited Holy Rosary Parish Church to pay respect and thanksgiving for a safe weekend.

We were trapped in traffic jam in NLEX and reached home at passed 9 in the evening.

Reminders:

Bargain. Ask. There are many resorts and boatmen in Pundaquit where you can arrange a day or overnight trips to Anawangin Cove, Capones and Camara Island. Find the best value off your money.

Bring only the necessities, ie. I wouldn’t wear shoes, if I were you.

Respect nature. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

And lastly, have a clean, good fun. Remember that the other campers may be longing for solitude.

Special Thanks:

My sister in law for letting us join the trip. Her batchmates for welcoming us to the group. Mike & Lilian for the ride.

More photos at:  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=107686&id=665427066&l=6454d0494a

Addicted to weekend getaway,

Bohol is a paradise Island in Visayas Region, a Philippine destination famous for Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, pristine beaches and more.

When Cebu Pacific published a seat sale to Tagbilaran in 2006, it was a chance we don’t want to missed. I scoured the net to research for places to see beyond the rustic charm of Bohol and came up with our customized itinerary.

Itinerary

24-Aug    Arrival to Tagbilaran
0430   Domestic Airport. Check In.
0620   ETD Mla to Tagbilaran   |  Terminal Fee: 200
0740   ETA Tagbilaran
0800   Tagbilaran Adventure
*** hire car/multicab for the tagbilaran trip
*** Explore Sandugo/Blood Compact, Baclayon Church, Largest snake in captivity
*** Chocolate Hills, Man-made forest
*** Lunch at Loboc River Cruise, Hanging Bridge
*** Dauis Church, Hinagdanan Cave
1700   Check in at  Bohol Diver Resort
*** Arrange for Whale & Dolphin Watching/Island hopping for next day

25-Aug    Whale Watching/Island Hopping/Snorkeling
0500    Balicasag/Pamilacan Island / Puntod Island

26-Aug    Hotel Check out
0600    Swimming in Alona Beach
0800    Breakfast
1100    Check-out from hotel
*** Hire tricycle to Tagbilaran
*** Drop by Bohol Bee Farm
1200    Check-in Tagbilaran
1400    Wander around Tagbilaran and Pasalubong Shopping

27-Aug    Fly back to Manila
0600    ETD  Tagbilaran  to Manila
0810    ETA Manila

Day 1 - Welcome to Tagbilaran City

Our first flight with Cebu Pacific turned out fun and on time. We were served with light snacks and were entertained with games. We arrived in Bohol at half past 6 in a sunny morning. Just outside Tagbilaran Airport were a line up of private and public transport offering a ride to the city.

We canvassed among the vehicle owners about their packages for city tour. We have a long list of places to see the whole day before settling in at Panglao beach at noon. They were friendly and earnest in entertaining our queries. We came in agreement with Mang Allan and we have the whole multicab all by ourselves. A private cab is almost of the same rate but we find it more exciting to tour the countryside with the little red shuttle.

Our first stop was Sandugo (Blood Compact) Shrine, a monument built to commemorate the first treaty made by Spanish explorer, Miguel Lopez De Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna to seal their friendship through tribal tradition.

We didn’t stay long, and headed forward to Baclayon Church, one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Next to it is a small museum which houses old artifacts and religious collections.

Just a few minutes away, between rough road and off to the woods, we were welcomed  with the biggest surprise of the day, Bohol’s largest snake in captivity at a mini-zoo in Alburquerque. The living python, Prony, weighs 300 kg and measures 23 feet. We were too late to witness its feeding time, where I heard a piglet was served lunch a la carte.

We don’t want to meddle with Prony’s siesta though,  so we just visited it’s friends, owls, eagles and more. The animal sanctuary houses other rescued and rehabilitated animals and different bird species.

Our hot day was just beginning, so we took off to see the hanging bridge and the famous tarsier. On the way, we reserved our lunch at Loboc River Cruise. We also made a stop at  a small store where the owner showed us his captive endangered tarsiers.   This smallest primate is endemic to the Philippines. In there, we were able to get up close and really close to these species. I know these tiny friends being nocturnal bordering to suicidal are really sensitive to camera flashes and human interaction. So when the owner put it on our shoulders for photo ops, we felt guilty.

Not far behind, we get to cross a hanging bridge made of woven bamboos, we didn’t get to the other side though, just halfway to indulge in the scenic view of loboc river.

We get on board the shuttle again and continued our journey to a long and winding road. We passed through the beautiful  Loboc – Bilar man-made forest. It’s a 2 km. stretch of asphalt road set in between towering mahogany trees. The temperature suddenly drops inside this rain forest.

Over the hilly town of Carmen in Bgy. Buenos Aires is where we found one of world’s famous tourist attraction and truly nature’s wonder, Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Named as such, because the 1,776 rolling hills covered with green grass turn brown during summer.

The view deck can be reached by foot through the long stairs up.  The Chocolate Hills complex provide a panoramic view of 50 square km. expanse of  the breathtaking chocolate kisses, errr… hills. There’s one for every sweet tooth.

With the temperature rising and a stomach screaming out for food, we didn’t stay long at the view deck. We’re back on the road to indulge in an authentic  buffet lunch feast.

We were just in time for the next floating restaurant to go on cruise. Later on, we were busy clamoring for buffet with other tourists on board. For P 250 per person, we get to enjoy fresh coconut juice, grilled sea foods, fried chicken and more. Nothing fancy though, but cruising on the still waters of Loboc river, satisfy one’s craving. Live music performance by native boholanos. Some added attractions are playing kids, swinging from tree branches, jumping and swimming through the sides of the restaurant’s raft.

Nearing the cruise end were a display of Busay’s cascading waterfalls. Some tourists can’t help but plunged into the deep green waters.

Going back on land, we marvel with the caged tarsiers for a moment before hitting the road again. We passed through a century-old balete tree, which at night, will probably give a creepy feel to any passer-by.

Nearby  we saw a blood compact monument. This is where the actual Sandugo was performed between Legazpi & Sikatuna.

Further ahead, we crossed the long  floating bridge that connects Bohol to Panglao Island. The bridge look as if it spreads out into the deep blue sea and unto some secret hideaway.

We dropped by Dauis Church and admire its  Spanish architecture. The intricate painting on the ceiling is just one of the amazing features of this old church. The other one is the miraculous well at the foot of the altar which is said to possess healing power. We noticed a short line of people waiting for their turn to hold at least a bottle of water from the mysterious well.We offered a short prayer of thanks before leaving the place.

The shortest and easiest spelunking I’ve  the chance to explore was at Hinagdanan Cave. A convenient stair was built going down the karst cave that lead to a mystical lagoon. Various formation of stalactites and stalagmites glisten to a glaring sunlight from the cave’s opening. Some dare to dip into the cold waters.

Our next stop was the octagonal structure, Panglao Watch Tower, one of the tallest of its kind in the country. The ground was transformed into a small park where the dilapidated tower embraces an ocean view. Our driver was supposed to arranged  for us a boat for the next day but we weren’t decided yet, so we only took the boatman’s number.

Prior to leaving Manila, we have arranged our accommodation at Bohol Diver’s Resort. Our superior room was splendid with a beach front view.  We were trapped for awhile when heavy rain started falling.

Just in time for sunset, we stroll along Alona Beach. some boatmen bid us their rate on whale watching / dolphin watching and island hopping for the next day. We decided for the best deal of course.

To summarize, we were both captivated with Bohol’s charm and an excellent display of visual thrills. It’s something we Filipinos can truly be proud of. The warmth of boholanos let us feel at home. Nice tropical weather plays perfectly for the beach lovers.

Follow me at our 2nd day adventure in Bohol: Dolphin Watching and Balicasag Island Tour!