Ako and Pucchi loves Banol Beach

Banol beach, Coron, Palawan
Coron town doesn’t have a beach, so when Banol beach came into view, we were all so excited. How can we not look forward upon seeing this gorgeous strip of white contrasting beautifully with the turquoise water? Banol is just one of the many spectacular beaches in the Calamianes. I’m quite happy with this one though.

Read more about Coron:
Travel Budget: Coron
Island Hopping in Coron
Exploring Coron Town and Mt. Tapyas
Coron Accommodation: Krystal Lodge

Boracay Station 1

Balabag beach, Boracay, Aklan
I know, I know, Boracay is too crowded, too commercialized, too everything! Still, it will always remain close to my heart because it was our barkada’s first out of town trip together. Definitely the most memorable two weeks of our lives. Aside from positive experiences, what I love about Boracay is that there is so much to do, both in and out of the water. It doesn’t hurt that there are plenty of great places to eat too.

Read more about Boracay:
Travel Budget: Boracay December 2008
Travel Budget: Kalibo and Boracay January 2009
Travel Budget: Boracay September 2009
How to go to Boracay
Boracay in the rainy season
Eating out and eating well in Boracay
Cheap Accommodation in Boracay Station 2
Boracay Accommodation: Tans Guesthouse
Boracay Accommodation: Taj Guesthouse

View from my favorite lounge chair inside Marina Garden

El Nido town beach, El Nido, Palawan
Like the Calamian group of islands, there are plenty of beautiful deserted beaches in the Bacuit archipelago. As much as I love the Secret Lagoon beach, Hidden beach and Helicopter island, it’s the beach in El Nido town that I love the most. Sure the sand isn’t as white or as fine, but the beach is right there. I go out of our room at Marina Garden, and with just a couple of steps, my feet is already touching sand.

Read more about El Nido:
Travel Budget: El Nido
The islands and beaches of El Nido
Cheap Accommodation in El Nido Town
El Nido Accommodation: Marina Garden Beach Resort

No pesky tourist in sight. Love.

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte
My latest favorite. This is one of the places that I encourage a lot of my friends (and readers of this blog) to visit, but at the same time, I find myself wanting to keep it to myself so it remains deserted and pristine. Hundreds of people have already visited Calaguas, and plenty more are going in the coming months. It might be different next time I go, so I’m glad I was able to see it when it was still (relatively) unspoilt. My reason for loving Calaguas is the opposite of my reason for loving Boracay — I love how there’s nothing to do in Calaguas.

Read more about Calaguas:
Travel Budget: Calaguas
Calaguas, the beautiful

Originally published at Justwandering.org

My work station, analog style.

I’ve come across a number of blogs writing nothing but praises for this little slice of heaven in Camarines Norte. It caught my interest, but that time, I was more interested in traveling overseas. So when I saw someone blog about wanting to go to Calaguas and travel with a stranger, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to go. A quick e-mail exchange and a flurry of ticket buying quickly followed and we were all set.

Well, not really. There was still the issue of logistics: Calaguas isn’t the easiest places to go to. Our plane ride to Naga (or in the case of my traveling companions, Legaspi) is just the first part of the trip: we still have to make our way to the port to get a boat. With my work and travel schedule, I hardly had time to research about Calaguas. Good thing Chyng has research down pat: she was able to get in touch with people who has been to Calaguas before, and she was armed with printouts come March 7.

The unlikely beach resort

From Naga, it was a two-hour van ride to Daet, then another 50-minute ride to Paracale. The driver dropped us off at the end of the street, facing an unpaved road leading out to the fishport. The fish port was basically just a beach near the mouth of the river where dozens of boats are docked. Luckily, the first person we asked about going to the island has a boat we can hire. Also, it’s lucky we had Leidy with us, because she was able to haggle the boat’s price down to Php 2,300 from Php 3,000. For that price, the boat will take us to Calaguas, stay with us overnight and take us back to Paracale, stopping by Maculabo on the way back.

We left Nelson to get a crew together and get the boat ready. We had lunch at a nearby carinderia and bought extra for dinner that night and stocked up on water, snacks and breakfast for the following day. There is no facilities in Calaguas, so whatever you need you have to bring from the mainland. About an hour and a half later, we were back in the fish port, looking at this boat that is made for fishing, not for transporting tourists. Unlike the boats we got used to in Boracay and Palawan, this boat does not have any seats inside. There wasn’t even a roof, so we were sunburned even before we got to the island.

White caps can be seen in the distance, and I was dreading that it was going to be a scary ride. But Nelson and his crew knew the sea: the sea is calm and safe for travel. As the island loom closer, cameras came out and several pictures was snapped in quick successions. The ride was longer than what I was used to. The plane ride, the subsequent van rides and now, the boat ride was taking its toll. It was getting late and I was getting antsy. Are we there yet?

No tourists on this side

A long stretch of beach came into view, but our excitement died when the boat veered away from the island and started going around it instead of docking. Another line of white came into view, and this time the boat seemed like it was going straight for it. We were revived by this amazing sight: a line of pristine white beach with a gorgeous gradient of blue stretching from it. We docked in the area marked with several bamboo poles topped with colored flags. Mahabang Buhangin is actually inhabited by Bert Gonzales and his family. He’s been the caretaker of the island since 1987. He has a house on the beach, and he has built a gazebo and another small hut that he rents out to tourists. The hut go for Php 200 per night, while entrance fee is Php 100 per person (haggled down from Php 150).

Apart from Bert, his family, the other family living in the other hut, and the boatmen, there were nobody else in the island. Bert told us that a group of tourists just left the island. Lucky we went on a Sunday! We had the beach to ourselves.

It’s hard not to fall in love with a beach as beautiful as Mahabang Buhangin. Nevermind that there is no electricity, drinking water or a decent toilet — this is paradise. We had a swim after taking a gazillion pictures, and as it was getting dark, we went out of the water to have dinner. Bert has two toilets in his house, and he let us use them. It was very basic, but there is water. Just be sure to bring a flash light if you’re going to use it in the middle of the night.

None here either. Love.

After dinner, we laid our sarongs out in the sand. Using a make-shift gas lamp that Bert’s wife lent us as a bonfire, we sat on the sand to talk about the day and look at each other’s pictures. One by one, we started laying down, in the guise of star gazing. Soon enough, our eyes started drooping. We all agreed that the sand would be much softer than the wooden floor of the nipa hut, so we decided to just sleep on the beach, under the stars.

That was an experience. Sleeping in a deserted beach with only a thin sarong separating my body from the sand, the moon and stars shining down on us from above. Definitely worth the 12-hour trip.

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Calaguas’ pristine white beach

What finally got me to go there was when one of the bloggers I follow announced that Calaguas is one of her destinations this year. One comment and a seat sale later, I am booked for a flight to Naga. Naga is the closest airport served by most domestic airlines. The closest is Daet, which is served by Seair, though only seasonal. From Naga, you have to ride a van to Daet, then transfer to another van to Paracale. In Paracale, you have to find a willing boatman (and an available boat) to take you out to Calaguas, and buy supplies for your stay there, since there are no stores, no electricity and no water.

Save for the boat rental, the airfare and the van rides, this is a fairly inexpensive trip. It can be made cheaper if you take the bus instead of the plane, and just stay overnight. I think the bus schedule works well for a quick weekend getaway to a gorgeous deserted beach.

Download:
Calaguas.xls (10kb)
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I like pie. Do you like pie? | This brain fart is brought to you by Justwandering.org

I am paranoid. There’s hardly a time when I don’t think about death when I’m inside a moving vehicle. I think about boats capsizing, trains derailing and planes crashing, usually when I’m inside them. I’m paranoid that someone would take off with my bags as soon as I let my eyes off them. I can think of a hundred reasons not to get out of the house, but I can think of a thousand more reason why I should go out and explore the world.

I am a worrywart. I worry about getting sick, I worry about running out of money and I worry about getting lost. I’ve gotten sick while traveling (at the height of the A(H1N1) scare too!), and I’m still alive. I know that if I run out of money, I can think of ways to get some (credit card cash advance and Western Union are my savior). I also know that the best discoveries are made when you get lost.

I am not rich. I get a lot of questions about what I do for a living to be traveling so much. I actually do have a regular job. I work nights, that’s why I’m able to travel during the weekends. I am lucky to have a boss that lets me take an extended leave to travel (no pay, of course). And I do have this blog to help subsidize my travels. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way. If you really want to travel, find every means to help you get started.

I am not physically fit. Understatement of the year. I’m not saying that you should stop trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but don’t use your unfit state as an excuse not to travel. Hey, if I can climb a mountain, so can you.

I am introverted. I’m shy. No really, I am. I don’t go out of my way to make new friends. Most of the time, I keep to myself, only opening up when I’m with people I know. I’m not the type you’d see in the hostel common room chatting up everybody. It’s just not me. I don’t travel to meet new people. I travel to see new places and discover new culture.

I am not adventurous. No really, I’m not. Does that make me less of a traveler? It doesn’t. Every traveler have their own traveling style, the same way we have our own unique personalities. What is exciting for one traveler may not be your cup of tea, so why force yourself to like it?

That’s why I like to travel alone. I get to travel the way I like. I follow my own (very flexible) itinerary, and if I wasn’t able do everything, it’s okay because I’ve nobody to blame but myself. I like going around and exploring a new place in my own pace. I don’t have a list of must-see’s and must-do’s. I do what I can and see what I can. I am happy enough just being there.

I wrote this post because I’ve met a number of people who said they’ve always wanted to try traveling alone, but haven’t had the chance or the guts to go. As you have already read, I’m not the most confident nor am I the bravest of all travelers. I’m not even in the best physical condition. But I still do it.

I travel alone sometimes because of circumstances (travel buddy flaking out at the last minute), oftentimes because I enjoy it. Admittedly, it didn’t feel that way in the beginning. After a couple of trips, I started appreciating my alone time. It does get lonely, but it’s up to you if you want it to bog you down or find ways to ease the loneliness.

If you’ve been wanting to try traveling solo, I encourage you to try it at least once. Start with a weekend trip to see how you’d fare on your own, then move on to longer trips later on. Remember, if this is something that you set your mind to achieve, you will find plenty of opportunities to help you achieve your goal.

Originally published at Justwandering.org

Entrance to the Small Lagoon

Small Lagoon. The Small Lagoon is accessible through a small opening in the towering limestone of Miniloc Island. Access into the lagoon is depending on the tide, as the opening can be closed off if the tide goes up. When we went there, the tide was low, and we have to walk some ways to get to the opening. There are plenty of rocks and corals along the way, so you might want to wear aqua socks/shoes (or swim, ride permitting). The water gets deeper the closer you get to the opening. As you enter, there’s a ledge on the right side where you can rest (or camwhore). The water inside the lagoon has a depth of 15 meters at te deepest point, but there are a couple of shallow areas. There’s really not much to see inside the Small Lagoon, but there is a cave at the end of the lagoon that you might want to check out.

Big Lagoon. Also in Miniloc Island, the entrance to the lagoon is likewise shallow, but it rapidly gets deeper as you go further in. Our guide says there are baby sharks and barracuda in the lagoon, but we didn’t go down to find out. The lagoon’s main attractions must be the treasures underwater, but on the surface, there’s really not much to see. Since Miniloc is a private island, boats aren’t allowed to dock. There is a floating platform inside, where El Nido Resort’s guests can lounge and relax in private (sort of, since a number of boats go in to make the rounds inside the lagoon).

Secret Lagoon Beach

Secret Lagoon. The Secret Lagoon is accessible through the beach aptly called the Secret Lagoon Beach. From the beach, you can just walk to this opening in the limestone, and squeeze through a small hole to get to the beach inside. Inside is a really small lagoon with an equally small beach. It’s perfect for two people who want to hide from the rest of the world. Since the lagoon is an enclosed space and the water only comes in when the tide rises, the water inside can be… well, stagnant. So think twice before you pee.

Secret Lagoon Beach. This is where we and a couple of other tour groups had our barbecue lunch. Like every other beachs in El Nido, the water is clear and the sand if fine. There’s a number of trees to give you plenty of shade under the hot sun. This is a great place to unwind and relax in between island hops.

Shimizu. Shimizu has a fairly small beach (and I hear is home to a huge bayawak). Shimizu’s main attraction though, are the beautiful marine life just a couple of meters from the shore. Glams and colorful fishes are just some of what you can see in the waters off Shimizu. Watch out of the jellyfish though!

Seven Commando Beach

Seven Commando. It’s a long stretch of beach, and I hear there’s also snorkeling just off the shore. However, we were more interested in the small sari-sari store on the island that sells snacks and fresh buko (coconut) juice for twice the price in the mainland. Still, this is a great place to chill and rest. There are a number of hammock and seats scattered around so you can take a quick nap.

Secret Beach. Secret Beach is accessible only through an opening in the limestone. However, unlike the other lagoons, you would have to get off the boat in the middle of the sea, and is that water deep. If you have a kayak with you on the boat, you can ask your guide to bring you inside onboard the kayak. Otherwise, you’re stuck in the boat, turning green with envy as you watch your friends swim into that hole (and silently curse them for taking their sweet time inside just to annoy you).

View from Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine. In the midst of deserted beaches, you turn a bend and see the glittering dome of the Matinloc Shrine. It’s mainly a pilgrimage site, but the view from the limestone tower is simply breathtaking. It’s an easy enough climb, but you have to be careful since one wrong move could send you (or your camera) tumbling down into the jagged points of limestone all around.

Hidden Beach. Tucked inside two limestone face that acts like a gate, the Hidden Beach is not-so-hidden (as every tour group passes there). But if you’re lucky, the other groups would just take a quick look or snorkel before going away. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. While our guide and boatman prepare our lunch, we found Nemo just 30 meters from the shore, on 3-feet deep water. Amazing snorkeling in this place, and since there’s the limestone gate, the tide isn’t likely to push you back to the shore. Again, watch out for jellyfish.

Nemo and his sea anemone home at the Hidden Beach

Helicopter Island. There is no other word to describe this place except gorgeous. There’s a long and wide stretch of fine white sand and a gorgeous gradient of greens and blues as the water go from shallow to deep. If you’re thinking of availing of the drop and pick up service, make Helicopter your choice.

Ipil 2 Beach. This wasn’t included in the Tour C itinerary, but we settled on Ipil 2 since Snake Island is just too far and there was a wedding being held at Ipil beach. This is a great place to watch the sunset, and for this one couple, the perfect place to camp overnight.

Helicopter Island Beach

Cellphone Signal is available in: Secret Lagoon Beach, Shimizu, Seven Commando, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island and Ipil Beach.

Best beach for just hanging out: Secret Lagoon Beach, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island and Ipil 2 Beach

Seair’s Let-410 landing at El Nido airport

Most of you would probably balking at the thought of riding such a small plane. I’ve ridden on Seair’s Let-410 several times and hey, I’m still alive :P Riding on a small airplane isn’t so bad, really. During the first few times I’ve ridden the Let-410, I get terrible ear pressure problems. However, once I’ve gotten the hang of dealing with my ear pressure problems (decongest before your flight!), flying has been pain-free.

The beauty of flying on a small aircraft is its ability to land on small airports not usually served by larger planes. El Nido is one of the destinations not commonly found in other airline’s route map. Flying into El Nido is the easiest and fastest way to get to the gorgeous beaches. Flying time from Manila is only 1 hour and 20 minutes.

DG0466 now boarding for Manila

Currently Seair is offering twice a week flights to El Nido. Come April 14, flights will be every Wednesday, Sunday and Monday. This schedule will only be until June 30, 2010.

To purchase tickets to El Nido visit www.FlySeair.com or call (+632) 8490100. For packages call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at (+632) 8437308.

Seair is celebrating its 15th year of service with a Lean Season promo! Boracay one-way tickets can be purchased for as low as PhP 1,235 ++ per way and Batanes one-way tickets for as low as PhP 2835 ++ per way for travel from June 16- October 15, 2010. The selling period is up to May 15, 2010 but the promo is for limited seats, so interested holiday makers are advised to book early to get a better chance of availing the special rates.

Originally published at Justwandering.org | Subscribe via your favorite RSS reader.

Just Wandering’s overly simplified and obviously not-to-scale map of El Nido Town
(click to view or download larger version)

During our off time (one day spent resting in between island hopping adventures), I decided to walk around town and check out some of the affordable places to stay in El Nido. This is a short list compared to several available online, but these are places that I have looked at and doesn’t look too dodgy. I wasn’t able to check the rooms on offer on most of them, but I have chatted with the owners or caretakers about their rooms and facilities. I they were kind enough to answer the questions of this pesky traveler who wasn’t even planning on staying at their place, they’re automatically included in the list.

Marina Garden Beach Resort
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Mobile: +639176247722 / +639088843711
Website: marinagardenelnido.multiply.com
E-mail: marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com
Rooms from Php 690 (good for 2, shared bathroom, has free Wi-fi)
Read my Marina Garden Beach Resort review

The Light room of The Alternative

The Alternative
Serena Street, Bgy. Buena Suerte
Mobile: +639178963408
E-mail: beckygordon8@yahoo.com
Rooms from Php 500 (good for 2, shared bathroom, has free Wi-fi)
They let me check out the Light Room, which is their most expensive room at Php 1,800 per night. The room has two double beds, and has space for an extra mattress. It has ensuite toilet and bath (no hot shower) and a veranda overlooking the beach. There is no direct beach access from the veranda. Fan rooms only.

Shore Pass Lodge
Serena Street, Bgy. Buena Suerte
Mobile: +639072269213
Rooms from Php 1,300 (good for 2, ensuite toilet and bath)
All rooms are priced at Php 1,300 each. I vaguely remember the caretaker telling me that there is only 1 queen sized bed in the room (or was it 2 single beds?), but I do remember her telling me about a group who stayed the week before who were able to fit about 8 people inside. They just paid for the extra mattresses (Php 100 per mattress). The lodge is fronting the beach, but there is no beach access from the veranda.

Pura Vida
Serena Street, Bgy. Buena Suerte
Mobile: +639204800012
Website: www.puravida.ph
Most expensive room at Php 1,900 per night (good for 2, beach front, ensuite toilet and bath with hot shower, with terrace)
There is also a restaurant on the ground floor fronting the beach. There’s also a monkey in the premises. He is not caged, but on a leash. He’s right near the entrance, so watch out as he does lunge at people passing by.

Casa El Nido as seen from the beach

Casa El Nido
Mobile: +639298335630, +639198233711
Website: www.casaelnido.com
E-mail: casaelnido@yahoo.com
Rent at Php 3,500 per night
This is great budget option for big groups. The house is right at the beach, has 2 aircon rooms, one large living room, has a large balcony overlooking the beach and a service staff.

Og’s Pension
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Mobile: +639167070393 / +639204040223
Website: www.ogspension.co.cc
E-mail: ogspensionne@yahoo.com.ph
Rooms from Php 500 (good for 2, fan room, shared bathroom, includes breakfast)
Og’s Pension is beachfront, but access to the building is through a small alley off M. Quezon. They have a restaurant right on the beach, which is probably why their guests wander over to Marina’s beach front to sunbathe.

Entrance to Rovic’s Pension House

Rovic’s Pension House
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Phone: (02) 9398789 (Manila), (02) 4176079 (Manila)
Mobile: +639285202655 (El Nido), +639205420695 (Manila), +639209232305 (Manila)
Website: rovicspensionelnido.multiply.com
E-mail: rovicspension@yahoo.com
Rooms from Php 1,500 (good for 2, with A/C)
Rovic’s is easy to spot along the El Nido town’s main road. Its color facade is eye-catching. However, though there’s an entrance along the main road, the reception is on the beach side. When I went there, nobody was manning the entrance to the building from the street, and I passed through all the rooms to get to the “lobby.”

Cashew Mango
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Mobile: +639186632771
Rooms from Php 1,500 (good for 2, with A/C)
Cashew Mango is undergoing major expansion, adding 9 rooms to the current 5. All rooms are air conditioned. They have 2 beach front rooms at Php 2,500 per night.

Rico’s Beach Cottages
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Mobile: +639294671632 / +639272588456
E-mail: ricomfernandez@yahoo.com
Rooms from Php 1,000 (good for two, ensuite toilet and bath)
Most expensive cottage is at Php 1,800. Rooms can accommodate up to 3 person. Additional bed cost Php 150.

One of Dara’s Cottages

Dara Cottages
M. Quezon Street (formerly Calle Hama)
Mobile: +639198993803
Rooms from Php 1,000 (good for two, ensuite toilet and bath)
Beach front property with quaint nipa cottages. Most expensive cottage at Php 1,300, Php 300 for extra bed.

El Nido Cliffside Cottage
Rizal Street
Mobile: +639197856625
Rooms from Php 500 (good for two)
Not beach front, but the beach is just about 7 minutes away on foot. Most expensive room at Php 700, good for up to 3 person.

El Nido Cliffside Cottage as seen from the street

Lualhati Cottage
Rizal Street, Brg. Maligaya
Mobile: +639193196683
E-mail: athan_lualhati@yahoo.com
Rooms from Php 600 (good for 2, 1 double bed)
Set outside the town proper, but still a comfortable 10-minute walk from the beach.

Copyright 2006-2009 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org

View from Marina Garden Resort

Marina Garden offer rooms for every budget: deluxe rooms for those who can’t live without aircon or hot showers, connecting rooms for families and barkadas who can’t fit in one room, huts made of nipa for those who prefer the rustic setting and townside rooms for those who prefer a more contemporary accommodation without breaking the bank. On the beach, Marina has four (evil) lounge chairs for their guest’s use, and several more inside the fenced area (still fronting the beach). There are also hammocks if you want to really relax under the shade of the coconut trees.

Hammock and (evil) lounge chairs

Marina has a quaint cafe in the beach that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals at their restaurant aren’t cheap, but they’re not too expensive either. Breakfast sets usually go for Php 120, while lunch and dinner meals start at Php 140. Do order the salt and pepper squid. It’s goooood.

Marina Garden’s restaurant

Aside from the perfect beachfront, Marina is also strategically located in the center of town. El Nido town is small to begin with, but you don’t have to walk far from Marina for cheap meals, souvenir shops, sari-sari stores, pharmacy, tourism office, and a Catholic church.

Gail, Marc and I booked Room number 1, their deluxe room. The room comes with hot and cold shower, cable tv, aircon, and a space in their veranda. The room comes with 2 single beds, and just have enough room for one extra matress (on the floor). The beds are comfortable and comes with one fluffy pillow each. There’s also a closet (with hangers and a couple of drawers) for your clothes, and a dresser for your toiletries.

Deluxe Country Villa Room 1

The ensuite toilet and bath is also rather small, but it’s a comfortable enough fit for one. At least my knees aren’t touching the wall when I sit in the toilet. Water pressure is pretty weak, but the toilet flushes without a hitch, so it’s all good. One tiny problem is that the bathroom window doesn’t open properly, so there’s no proper ventilation inside the toilet.

Marina Garden Beach Resort is a Wi-fi zone. There’s wireless internet in almost all parts of the resort. We can surf the internet from the comfort of our beds, or out on the beach, facing the beautiful blue waters of El Nido bay. Okay, now I remember why I booked with Marina.

Room #1’s toilet and bath

All in all, I am quite satisfied with my stay here. Php 3,426 for 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, countless hours spent relaxing on their (evil) lounge chairs, and one spectacular view. I’d say it’s a great value. If and when I go back to El Nido, I’m definitely staying at Marina Garden Beach Resort again.

Marina Garden Beach Resort
Quezon Road (Formerly Calle Hama), El Nido, Palawan
marinagardenelnido.multiply.com
marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com
+639176247722 / +639088843711

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The perception of many is that El Nido is a very expensive place to travel to. It actually is, considering that direct flights to El Nido from Manila can cost as much as Php 13,000 per person. The cheaper alternative is to go via Puerto Princessa, but you’d have to deal with rough roads and cramped spaces inside vans or buses (or if you’re hardcore, saddled on an off-road motorcycle). The best place to stay for budget travelers is El Nido Town. There are several resorts and lodges that offer cheap accommodation to fit every budget. The same go for restaurants and shops.

El Nido’s main attraction, of course, are the spectacular limestone formations and sparkling white sand beaches of the islands in the Bacuit Archipelago. To visit these islands, you can either hire your own boat or go with a group tour. The group tour aren’t so bad, and they’re usually limited to about 8 to 10 passengers. If you’re a fairly large group (5 and up), you can try sweet talking the tour operator to let your group have the entire boat to yourselves. Tour of the islands usually start at Php 500 per person and already includes lunch.

This is certainly not my cheapest domestic trip, but considering that it’s a 5 day, 4 nights trip in one of the most amazing places in the Philippines, it’s worth every peso.

Download:
El Nido.xls (10k)
El Nido.pdf (62k)

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My workstation in El Nido.

El Nido, Palawan is in most Filipino’s dream destination. It was also part of mine, and I never really thought I would one day be here. Of course, Seair played a big part to make it happen — we were given return tickets to the island for free. Seair offers seasonal flights to El Nido, twice a week. We took the Wednesday flight out of Manila, and we’re taking the Sunday flight back.

We have almost five full days here in El Nido. We landed at 9am yesterday morning, and on Sunday, we’re leaving at 5pm. There are plenty of things to keep you occupied in El Nido: you can take a dip in the cool waters around the island when it gets too hot, you can snorkel and marvel at the marine life around the archipelago, you can sunbathe at the beach until your skin turns a very alarming shade of red, or you can just lounge and listen to the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore as you enjoy the feel of the sand between your toes.

It was here in El Nido that I finally find out what “small sleepy town” means. The island and its people are so laid back, it’s hard to resist the urge to go and do everything to do since you don’t know if or when you’re going back this way. There is no need to rush, and you find yourself slowing down to match the pace. I could get used to this.

On the way back from island hopping earlier, with my legs on the side of the boat, waves tickling my feet as we cut through the water, I feel so blessed to be born in the Philippines. My country isn’t perfect in many ways, but it’s certainly one of the most beautiful places in the world. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Originally published at Justwandering.org

Kota Kinabalu is pretty cheap compared to other Malaysian cities. Sure, the taxi drivers are averse to using the meter, but KK is so small you can just walk anywhere (except to the Mount Kinabalu Park and other attractions because it’s FAR). I’ve had a couple of expensive meals over the weekend, and I was surprised that my end total is just Php 1,337. Shopping in Kota Kinabalu is not too exciting, except if there are sales I suppose. Some of the items sold in Peninsular Malaysia is also available in Sabah, but there are also a number of brands and products that are locally produced like teas and cigarettes.

There are a number of souvenir shops in the shopping centers, but if you’re looking to buy Sabah tea, it’s best to check the supermarket, as the prices are much cheaper. There’s also the handicraft market, or the former Pasar Filipino (Filipino market), where local souvenirs are sold (batik, wood carvings, anything and everything made with sea shells).

A final note on Sabah: if you’re bringing US dollars, make sure that they are series 2006 or more recent. Money changers do not accept dollars from earlier years, which is a real pain. There are plenty of ATMs that accept VISA and Mastercards, so you can make a cash advance if needed (some hostels, like the Lavender Lodge does not accept credit card payments).

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The Lakbay Norte group getting to know the creatures in the Dalampasigan

The mermaid show is one of the unique attractions that the Manila Ocean Park offers its visitors. Thanks to our mermaid connection (Hi Ida!), we were extended an invitation to tour the park.

I’ve been to the MOP twice before, but never to the park itself. That’s what I love about the Manila Ocean Park — you can enter the building, dine and lounge at the restaurants and cafe without having to pay the admission fee. Going into the oceanarium didn’t really interest me as I figured it’s going to be the same as the other aquariums I’ve been to. In essence, it is, but the main difference is that the ocean park features marine life that you can find in the Philippine seas. Admittedly, my favorite tank is this empty tank filled with unfiltered water from Manila Bay. It’s dirty and murky, but believe it or not, it’s the same water (though heavily filtered) that keeps the fish alive inside the aquariums. There is hope yet.

It’s a live baby shark!

Outside of the aquariums, there are still activities that are fish related. Like going on the glass-bottom boat ride around the tank. Here, you get a clear view of the fish from above, and you might even be greeted by an aggressive little fish giving you the evil eye because you’re invading their territory. Sorry, Mr. Fish.

Another must-try experience is the Fish Spa. Take off your shoes, roll up your pants and dip your weary feet inside this pool teeming with Dr. Fish, all eager to nibble away on dead skin cells. It’s quite ticklish at first, but as soon as you get used to their nibbling, it’s fine. It’s an unforgettable experience (especially if you’re with someone who’s very very ticklish) for only Php 120.

Ella’s mortal enemy

One of my favorite part of the aquarium is the Jellies Dancing Fairies exhibit. Imagine a room lit only by changing lights inside the jellyfish tank, with beautiful swirling translucent stingers float around to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The lighting, music and the movements of the jellyfish make for a very relaxing tour.

The highlight of the tour of course, are the mermaids. From Tuesdays to Sunday at 10:30am, 3pm and 4pm, these mythical creatures delight guests as they swim around with the fish inside the aquarium. They can be seen from inside the tunnel through the tank, but the best views are on the other side, in the function room where the lights and seats are. After each show, you can have your picture taken with the mermaids, as they gamely pose for the cameras from within the tank.

My friend, the mermaid

What’s a tour without copious amounts of food? We capped the tour with a sampling of Singaporean favorites at Makansutra, the Asian food village. Set up to mimic hawker centers in Singapore, each “stall” features specialties like Bak kut teh, char kway teow, fried prawn hokkien mee and the popular Singapore chicken rice. If you’re in the mood for something more familiar, restaurants like the Pancake House, Gerry’s Grill and the San Miguel Cafe can be found in the premises. All of the restaurants face the bay, so you can enjoy the spectacular Manila Bay sunset as you dig in to your meal.

The Manila Ocean Park is open everyday from 10:00am to 7:00pm on weekdays and from 9:00am to 8:00pm on weekends and public holidays. Entrance to the Mermaid Theatre for the mermaid show is free with every purchase of the Oceanarium ticket (Php 400 adults, Php350 kids 4 feet and below).

Manila Ocean Park
Behind the Quirino Grandstand Luneta, Manila, Philippines
Phone: (632) 5677777
Fax: (632) 5672309
Website: www.manilaoceanpark.com

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I meant to write a day to day update, as I did for previous trips, but I figured I owe it to myself to have a break from blogging and to travel just for the love of it, and not because it’s a great material for my blog. The daily recaps of my travels take a lot of discipline and energy and somehow made it seem as if everyday should be interesting just so I would have something to write about. I’ve done a lot of interesting things this weekend, though I wouldn’t write about it until the coming days or weeks.

The past months have been stressful in all aspects and I haven’t really taken the time to address the issues that has been bothering me. As a wise man pointed out, the more you avoid issues, the more it is highlighted. In my case, it everything came out all at once and I was forced to face the problems I’ve been trying to shrug off. These problems are partly the reason why I’ve been having second thoughts about taking this trip. Up until the day of my flight, I contemplate whether to push through, even when I’m already packing my things.

As soon as my feet hit the tarmac at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, my mind cleared and the heavy feeling was lifted. I was welcomed in Sabah with gorgeous colors in the sky as the sun sets, and I found comfort in the sounds of stamps pounding away on desks as immigration officials stamp people into their country.

The weekend that I have been dreading turned out to be one of the best weekends ever. Save for replying to some e-mails, I have done zero work on my blog and it felt good. I know this is going to add another couple of posts in my already too-long back log of posts, but I needed this break from everything.

Regular travel blogging will resume sometime this week. Expect a post on proboscis monkeys and island hopping at the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. I did not go anywhere near Mount Kinabalu.

Originally published at Justwandering.org

Fire in the hole! Wait, what?

Maybe it’s because of stress, boredom or just wanting to see the group again (we’re actually meeting AGAIN later) or a mix of all three. Besides, who can resist impromptu plans to drive two hours out of Manila in the middle of the night?

For those who are planning to go there this weekend, my advise is to leave as earlier than 4am. Our plan was to leave Quezon City at 3:30am, but it was already 4am when we pulled out of McDonald’s Muñoz. There wasn’t much traffic yet, but there were a number of trucks lumbering along EDSA and the North Luzon Expressway. We slowed down somewhere in Bulacan (or was it Pampanga already? I can’t tell, it was dark), when one lane in the northbound lane was designated for vehicles going south. Other possible traffic spots would be the Angeles exit and the entrance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) grounds.

AFP Flag Jump

Tickets cost Php 150 per person and it’s good for one day. This lets you into the huge event ground. There are several booths selling all sorts of trinkets (most note even remotely connected to flight), exihibit of various light aircrafts, photo exhibit of the AFP, and of course, the huge open field where the balloons will inflate and take off, which will also be the site for other aerosport activities that will be held throughout the day (sky diving exhibition, ultralight flying, paragliding, kite flying, etc).

We entered the AFP grounds around 5:30am, and there were still no balloons in sight. Hot air ballooning is very dependent on the weather, so there is never any guarantee if the balloons will take flight on any given date. It was just past 6am when the first 4×4 entered the field, pulling balloon equipment. Soon, the field was abuzz with pilots and their crew, laying their balloons on the ground and setting up the baskets with the equipment.

Balloons against the sun

A ripple of excitement passed through the crowd as one by one, the balloons started taking shape and slowly rose to the air. The event was formally opened with the Philippine Army Flag jump — a skydiver parachutes to the ground carrying a Philippine Flag as the Rondalla on Wheels play the national anthem.

One by one, the balloons take flight. Aside from the usual shapes, there are a couple of interestingly shaped balloons — a beer bottle, a sun, a barn and a turtle. By 7:30am, all the balloons are up in the air. After taking some more pictures, we started heading to the exit to get some breakfast before heading back to Manila. Everybody had the same idea, and there was a long line of cars waiting for their turn to exit the parking lot.

I can’t help but think inappropriate thoughts when I see this.

All in all, the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was a pretty good experience. Of course, it’s the company that made the trip much more fun. If you’re going, make the most out of your trip by viewing the exhibits or seeing other sites within Pampanga. Otherwise, it can be quite frustrating as you stare wistfully at the balloon, wishing you’re taking in the views from inside the basket.

Copyright 2006-2009 Nina Fuentes | Justwandering.org

Star Trooper, Darth Vader, Sayuri and Sabrina with the Lakbay Norte bus

We took our time getting ready and enjoying Mequeni’s breakfast buffet, and checked out of our hotel for the last time. Our activities in Clark that morning included El Kabayo and Paradise Ranch. Since there are only 6 horses available for riding, the group was split: half the group goes to Paradise Ranch on the Jeepney Juan (an airconditioned touring jeep), while the other half goes to El Kabayo on the Victory Liner Lakbay Norte bus.

El Kabayo’s building had a western facade that gives you a feel of the Wild West. The stables are housed within, along with a saloon where you can relax after a turn in the saddle. Wireless internet and massages are also available within. The horses of El Kabayo are former polo or show horses, which means they’re used to being saddled and ridden by humans. You can ride the horses within the ranch, assisted by their very capable grooms.

The grooms of El Kabayo

Six members of our group mounted their horses and made their way out of the ranch, while four of us rode in the white (princess-y) carriage. We clip-clopped on the pavement, following the line of horses, breaking into a gait to lead the herd. We were lulled by the movement of the carriage, only to be jolted awake by our horse’s uneasiness about walking past a metal strip along the bridge. Halfway across the bridge, the Jeepney Juan comes and we all boarded for a faster (and more comfortable) ride to Paradise Ranch. While the other group had a more extensive tour of the property, we were only able to visit the butterfly garden due to time constraints. My little Star Trooper was happy enough to make a new friend though.

Ella don’t look at this picture

Soon enough we were back in the bus and rushing towards another stop. Our last lunch was at Oasis Hotel, and though it was a Sunday, we were treated to their Friday buffet menu featuring roast beef and lamb. This wasn’t our last meal though; we had that at Lakeshore. Located in Mexico, Pampanga, Lakeshore features a 12-hectare man-made lake that is fast becoming a favorite wedding and leisure venue. There’s even a small island where you can entertain guests (or in our case, our last videoke and press briefing).

Our final stop in North Luzon was at the Robinson’s Starmills in San Fernando. A mall stop seemed to be out of place amongst the heritage and adventure spots we’ve covered in the trip, but when they’re a corporate sponsor, you add them to the itinerary. I was quite happy that they did though, because Robinson’s Starmills is haven for outlet shopping. Di ba, Ella? How does wearing your Php 1,800 Nine West pumps feel? The mall merits another trip, preferably without a time limit.

The Lakbay Norte family after a night of shopping at Robinson’s Starmills. Photo by Bong Bajo

We set off for Manila just past 6pm. Traffic was still pretty light at that time, except for Dinalupihan. Just a little before 8pm we pulled into the Kamias terminal of Victory Liner, lodging a total of 1,798 kilometers for the entire trip.

I write this now from Quezon City, a full week after I got back from the trip. I meant to write the post last Sunday, but sleep won. During the entire week, I never ventured beyond Quezon City (the farthest I’ve gone was Katipunan/Project 4). It felt kinds weird staying put in one place for such a long time and taking my meals alone. We all enjoyed the trip immensely, and though we just spent 7 days together, we couldn’t get enough of each other. Everyday, I’d wake up to 20+ messages in my inbox, 90% of which are Facebook notifications, and each night we’d have a Skype conference session (I’ve never loved Skype as much as I do now). Some of us have already met up (UP isaw!), and we’re already making plans to get together in the coming weeks.

I’d like to take this chance thank the North Philippines Visitors Bureau and all the CVBs and sponsors not just for showing us the beauty and tourism potential of Northern Luzon, but for giving us this opportunity to meet these great people — the 26 awesome travelers I’ve shared the bus with for 7 days and the tourism officers and guides who warmly welcomed us in their hometown. In the words of General Douglas MacArthur, I shall return to Northern Luzon.