Travels from 2013 to 2016

Time flies so fast and I never realized that I haven't posted any travel blog post here.
Much of my posts are now on facebook. But blogging is my first love and it has been a stress reliever when I was still in Law School and facebook was still a foreign concept.

For the last 3 years I've been in several places so I will just briefly mention them here with some tips and details.

Year 2013
Places Visited:
Subic, Olongapo City, Zambales
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

2014
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Boracay
Rizal
Laguna
Lasam and Aparri, Cagayan Valley
Cauayan City, Isabela Province
Infanta, Quezon Province
Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao

2015
Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan
Batangas City, Batangas
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

2016
Singapore
Boracay
Laoag, Ilocos Norte

I realized I've been through a lot within the last 3 years. So here are my top 5 destinations

5. Vigan


Where I stayed: None. We were bound to Laoag for a conference so we decided to drop by Vigan and have some breakfast after 10 hours of land travel. After the conference, the group decided to drop by Vigan for last minute shopping. Most from the group went back to Manila from Vigan, some of us decided to stay and go back to Laoag for more tours.

Where I dined:

We dined at the Cordillera Inn for Filipino breakfast. Location: Along Calle Crisologo. It opens at 6 am.

What I bought: Some Ilocos Vinegar
What I liked: Old houses
What I didn't like: Too many people. There are lots of people visiting when we went there because of the conference.


4 Boracay

Where I stayed: Isla Gecko at Station 2
Where I dined: Isla Gecko at Station 2
What I bought: Food mostly
What I liked: Isla Gecko is near the beach, not beachfront though. It is a decent accommodation. We were able to eat at the common dining area. We bought food from eateries in the residential area to save on cost. I initially thought they allow cooking, turns out what I read in other reviews are wrong. No cooking in this accommodation. I love that I was able to bring my granny to Boracay.

What I didn't like: Boracay is costly. Lots of fees to pay at the terminal before we can reach Boracay. I have my 83 year old granny with me. No senior discounts, no student discounts. Our fees paid to the terminal at Caticlan is higher than our total fare and more than the daily accommodation rate.

Tips:
Book at least a year in advance. I was able to bring 8 people in Boracay when I got a promo fare to Kalibo for only P2,800. Fare to Caticlan from Kalibo is only 100 pesos. Don't believe those who offer 250 or 200.

On my first visit in 2012, I paid 200 per person for aircon van. During my second visit in 2014, I paid 250 pesos to a person who said it will cover the boat and other fees; of course he tricked me, I got to shell out 400 pesos for the entire trip.

Now, 2016, on my third visit, I brought the group to the terminal going to Caticlan, I paid only 100 pesos per person for non-aircon van. When we went back, the van offered 150 per person, i agreed. When we reached Kalibo airport, we saw other passengers paying only 100 pesos. So we were again tricked into agreeing for a higher amount.

So be firm. Pay only 100. Trip is only 2 hours away. It is near, shouldn't be worth more than 200.
Also, Caticlan airport is going to open soon. So those drivers should lower their costs. Best for us visitors to go to the now bigger Caticlan airport.

3 Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Laoag Airport

Where I stayed: Isabel Suites



Isabel Suites where walk ins stay


Isabel Suites across the other Isabel Suites where those who booked online stay.

Where I dined: La Preciosa. I visited more than thrice during my entire stay.


A dining table at La Preciosa. Delicious Ilocos food served at your table.


La Preciosa Menu


Explored the market and found this work of art. Made of mangosteen skin and corn husks. I asked the maker what this is for, she said they are selling this for funerals. Funeral wake is from 9 days to a month here so the funeral "flowers" should be able to last longer.


Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, now easily accessible from the main road than when I first visited in 2011.

What I liked: The food. The people. The Beach. The sites.
What I didn't like:  I was not able to stay on the Blue lagoon beach for lack of time.

Tips:
There are 2 sand dunes in Laoag - Paoay San Dunes and La Paz Sand Dunes. Bring sunblock and dark glasses. It hurts the eyes looking at the horizon. The sunlight is reflected by the sand.

If you have a van, tour Pagudpud, Laoag, and Vigan. Pagudpud can be explored in half a day, spend the afternoon til the evening on the beach in Blue Lagoon. Hannah's is expanding in Pagudpud but there are still afforable beach front accommodations in the area. Stay for a few days. This is much more quiet than Boracay.

If you want to go on a trike tour, contact Mang Amor at 09195712905. He is trustworthy.

Bugnay wine is the best tasting wine in the north. Ours in the Southern Tagalog (Lambanog) is bitter. Theirs in the north is sweet. Ask Mang Amor to buy you some when you visit. Cost is much less than buying it in Vigan.


2 Palawan, Puerto Princesa

1. Palawan, El Nido

Matinloc, El Nido



El Nido

Where I stayed:
In El Nido, I stayed at Smile Lodge. 09984952384 | 09063771599
In Puerto Princesa, I usually stay at EJ Pension House 09175532900 (I go here almost yearly)

Both accommodations allow cooking. To save on cost in El Nido, buy your food in Puerto Princesa and cook it in El Nido. Don't worry about your food in the tours, food is included and the islander chef are great at pleasing the palate.

For El Nido tour, I recommend Islanen Tours (https://www.facebook.com/IslanenOutdoors). Their group is ever mindful of safety and enjoyment of their customers.

Where I dined: Kinabuch  In Puerto Princesa, Chao Long restaurants at the back of the Capitol,

What I liked: Palawan has become familiar to me. I made friends and toured El Nido twice. I now look forward to going to Coron.

What I didn't like: As with all other places, there are times when you will meet people who are dishonest.

Make up experience 2012 - Bella Dolce by Fiametta

I was never a fan of make up. It was only recently when I started reading about them, make up artists' blogs and youtube instructional videos on how to apply make up have helped me a lot on learning how to apply make up for my everyday wear.

I visited Fiametta (click to see site) shop in Alabang at the invitation my good friend Toots Tagle, Fiametta Sales and Operations Manager. I get to see their products which includes Baby Care, Skin care, body care, scents, and cosmetics.

See some of their cosmetics.






 I was treated to a make up session by their make-up artist Bona.  I had a blast in Fiametta and I like how their make up feel on my skin.  I easily get irritated with make up and face powder and so I really appreciate how mild and gentle their make-up line is on my skin.  I am planning to get more Fiametta products soon and will be trying out their scents and facial care line. Best of all, they have this starter pack which people could buy in order to try out their products in small amounts first to test them. I had a great time in Fiametta, I can't leave without having a picture taken.







For Manila-zens who would like to check out Fiametta, schedule a visit at Fiametta Alabang and look for Toots Tagle. Tell him I refer you to him and expect great experience at the Fiametta Shop.

I love their Bella Dolce cosmetic line. See Facebook click here

Beauty is more fun with Bella Dolce co

First Summer Getaway 2012 - The Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort

I first saw a photo of a friend and her fiance in the Sierra Madre Hotel & Resort via facebook (Check out the resort in Facebook here)  late 2011 and ever since I planned to be there, if not for an overnight camping, at least a day tour.

I was able to make the trip yesterday (March 4, 2012) with my brother, his gf, and my bestfriend.  From our home in the Manila University Belt district (check out University Belt condominium projects we have, check out MAP) we took the LRT Purple line from Legarda Station to Santolan Station (fare: 15 pesos, Estimated travel time: 35mins)

From Santolan Station, we took a jeep bound for Cogeo. We paid 17 pesos each for the trip and asked to be dropped at the Cogeo Market (estimated travel time: 30mins).  From the Cogeo Market, we walked towards the Sampaloc-Tanay Jeep terminal (thank you Street vendors and Mr Traffic Enforcer for showing us the way).  Fare: 28 pesos each regardless of distance. Now I am not so sure why the rate is like this. The resort is at Km 56 along the Sampaloc-Tanay Highway.  Estimated travel time: 45 minutes.  We waited for the jeep to be full before going, so adding our 45 minutes waiting time, we finally get to the location almost an hour late.

Total travel time: 2 hours and 58 minutes.
We enjoyed the view going there. There are lots of bikers in the area enjoying the cool and fresh air. We were having second thoughts on swimming on this cool summer air.

Entrance to the Resort is 100 pesos. Just add 50 to use the pool.  Total entrance fee: 150 pesos per person
(Check out the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort rate at their facebook page click here)

We first stayed at the deck to check out the sights.



We saw the awesome and majestic view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges while the cool March wind blows (note: It is March already. It is summer. It is cool up there)

Here is how the mountains look like.



We looked down below the deck and saw one of the 2 pools in the area.



Aside from that pool, there is a Spring Valley Pool 300 meters below. We tried hiking down but there are more people there than on this round pool. The reason: it is much warmer in the lower pool and there is a kiddie pool there. This pool at the picture is deep (maybe from 8-10ft). There are shallow parts on the side near the stairs. Not advisable for non-swimmers like me. I stayed most of the time on the shallow parts.



Me checking out the sights before taking a plunge.

After we checked out the Spring Valley pool and get tired hiking up to the round pool, we changed into our swimwear and took a plunge.



While enjoying the pool, I noticed their hanging bridge which was shown in their webpage.  I urged the group to explore the area - in our swimming attire - much to the surprise of the bikers and other people who are sightseeing.  No cares. We enjoyed taking photos of the area and exploring the resort in our swimwear.





This is a garden near the gazebo. It is not a part of the pool, it is upland.











At the hanging bridge






At the back you can see the rooms.



There is a viewing deck which is covered by trees.  Lovers could stay there and enjoy the summer breeze (love the rhyme)



At the viewing deck. Speaking of lovers, we saw a pair enjoying the exclusivity of this place too.

The resort has this Greek Garden where we took pictures.



The Venuses. =D

After exploring, we went back to the pool and enjoyed the cold water. and the cold breeze too.



After showering and preparing to leave, we took pictures of us with the awesome Sierra Madre view as our background.



It was an awesome stay at the Sierra Madre resort. Time is slow in this place. We were able to enjoy the place in a short while but it seems as if we've been here a long time.

Tips:

When going here via commute follow the route I mentioned above.
Jeepneys going back to Cogeo is up to 6pm only so get out of here early. Jeepneys have 30 minutes interval between trips so it is better to get on the jeep as soon as you get one.

If via private vehicle, just follow Marcos Highway from Katipunan, go straigh ahead passing by the Masinag Crossing. There is an overpass at the Cogeo Market, pass through it, go straigh ahead. You will be passing by Antipolo, Paenaan, Baras, and then you get to enjoy the sights of Tanay.  There are signages of the Sierra Madre Resort along the way.

It is cold up there.  It is already summer and it is still cold there. If you are looking for warmer pools, go to Laguna for their hot springs.

They don't have hot shower for the shower rooms near the pool. So bear with it. =D I read in their brochures that there is hot shower in the rooms, but not the shower room near the pool.


We were able to ride a jeep just when we got out of the resort. My brother needed to ride "sabit" at the door of the jeep while we waited for other passengers to get off.  Along the way there are people waiting for a ride. We're blessed to be able to get a ride as soon as we got out of the resort. Fare from the resort to Cogeo Market 53 pesos per person (see, i am still puzzled up to now why the fare is like that.  But I think this is the proper fare given the distance. The fare from Sampaloc-Tanay to Cogeo is 61 pesos per person) .  Travel time: 20 minutes

From Cogeo Market, we took a jeep bound for Cubao and asked to be dropped off at LRT-Katipunan Station ; Fare: 20 pesos per person. Travel time: 15 minutes

From Katipunan Station, we took the train bound for Legarda Station: fare: 14 pesos each. Travel time: 15 minutes

We were home before sundown. We were able to attend the 6 pm mass we intended for the repose of my father's soul.

So there, we had a blast at the Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort.  Next time I plan to visit Boso-Boso Resort in Antipolo City.

Total cost for 4 persons:

Legarda to Santolan via LRT Purple Line : 15 x 4 = 60
Santolan to Cogeo via Jeep: 17 x 4 = 68
Cogeo to The resort via jeep: 28 x 4 = 112
Resort entrance and pool use: 150 x4 = 600
Resort to Cogeo via jeep: 53 x 4 = 212
Cogeo to Katipunan LRT Station via jeep: 20 x 4 = 80
Katipunan LRT station to Legarda Station: 14 x 4 = 56

TOTAL for the group: 1,188
Per person: 297

(Food, drinks and ice cream we bought in the area not included)

Excited for more affordable yet awesome trips near Metro Manila.  It's more fun in Tanay this year.

Los Banos Laguna _ Flat Rocks

I was very eager to go to the UPLB Fair last Friday, Feb. 17.  However, since I have friends who would like to come over to UPLB on the 19th, I decided to make arrangements to be there on the 18th, the last day of the fair, meet a builder, then enjoy the last day of the Feb fair 2012.



The view from SM Calamba. I first decided to stay here while waiting to meet with the builder.



SM Calamba is within Calamba City in the province of Laguna. See there is a ricefield beside the parking area.



Tierra Sueno Townhouses in Calamba. I visited this place in order to check out this project in Laguna.

After visiting Tierra Sueno, it's time for me to go to UPLB for the fair. I did not take photos then.

In the morning, this is how UPLB looks like after the fair.





There was a kid's football clinic on the field that Sunday (02-19-2012).  There is also a Kindergarten's activity that day.

The highlight of the day is when Jollibee crews asked to use a part of the building I stayed in to dress a mascot. We agreed and took him in our place to have a picture with him.




In the afternoon of that Sunday, my ELBI brothers and sis asked me to join them to take a short hike in the Flat Rocks, a place near the UP College of Forestry, somewhere in the Mt Makiling. It will take 15 minutes of hike over muddy slopes (it rained the night before) and big rocks at the falls. On the way there we saw some big trees (i forgot what they were called).





See how near the Flat Rocks is. only 374meters from the signage.



I wasn't able to get a photo at the trail but here is how the rocks look like at the Flat Rocks





My brod was pointing to a way in between rocks where we can climb up. Below him is a pool of water and a mini fall.


downstream




upstream






Climbed up to a big rock to take a picture





One of my friends made this pose. too bad it's blurry. but look at how big the rock is.



And a refreshing pose on the falls. With earrings on.

I had a great time there enjoying the exclusivity of the place.  We started back to UPLB campus and reached it before night.



Here is how it looked when we get back on campus.

I had to leave for Manila that evening. It rained that night. It was awesome. I was able to visit Flat Rocks in good weather and leave for Manila just when the rain started.

Awesome ELBI trip this year.