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.
