Boracay Trip: Summary, Itinerary and Budget

Traveling to Boracay, known as the Island Paradise doesn't mean you would have to spend your one month salary just to discover its beauty. There are ways to enjoy the beach without leaving your wallet empty. Tip #1 there are several airlines like Cebu Pacific Air & Pal Express that offer promos for as low as P1 base fare. Imagine spending less than a thousand bucks for a round trip ticket. Tip #2 when finding a room to stay, i would suggest that you just get a cheap decent place because most of the time you would stay outside to explore the island and not sleep the whole time in your room. Tip #3 traveling during lean season (June-November) would help you save a lot because most prices can double during the peak season (December- May) :)

I've experienced traveling to Boracay during the rainy season and summer. During my first visit, I was so excited to explore the beach and the activities so after checking-in at Taj Guesthouse, we explored the beach.. the beach was really breathtaking. The water was so blue and the sand was so fine. People would say that Boracay is very pricey and overcrowded, but when you learn how to appreciate and enjoy the things you see around, would definitely give you second thoughts on doubting what Boracay has to offer.

                     

If you want to do more fun-filled activities than staying at the beach, there are lots of activities like parasailing, island hopping to Puka Beach, ATV, snorkeling, helmet diving and sail around the beach while relaxing on a sail boat.

You would also love Boracay for the food. They have a wide variety of dishes. Mongolian dishes, Filipino, foreign, seafood, steaks, buffet, street foods, and even fast foods that you see in Manila like Mang Inasal, Shakeys, Yellow cab, Andoks and even Starbucks. :) and oh yeah, don't leave the island without tasting Jonah's Fruit shake & Snack Bar. I would also recommend Astoria's Breakfast Buffet, it may cost a bit, but its worth it. 

Jonah's Fruitshake located at the back of Astoria Boracay

Before the day ends, don't forget to get a relaxing massage by the beach. or you can even request to have it done in your hotel. Lastly, you would definitely love the night life here. As soon as the sun sets down, the fun is just about to begin for those who love partying. These club and bars bring music and lights to the beach front. Most bars are located at Station 2.

Things to know:

White Beach is composed of three sections.

The northernmost section – Station 1 – has the widest beachfront. This has the best (and most expensive) resorts and hotels. eg. Red Coconut Hotel

The center of White Beach is Station 2. People come here to eat, shop, and party. Hotels here are cheaper. Eg. Taj Guesthose & Tan's Guesthouse

If you’re looking for a quieter area, then Station 3, the southernmost section, is for you.

You can book your hotels at agoda.com to get cheaper rates. I was able to book Red Coconut Hotel here and yes it was cheaper of 500-1000php compared to there regular rates.

And a very important reminder:

:)

TRAVEL BREAKDOWN EXPENSE: 

Boracay is gorgeous! Happy Traveling! :)

The Budget Travel Guide To Camiguin, Bukidnon & CDO

I've been to Mindanao twice not just because I want to experience it again but because I've missed something that I want to try. And yes, it's RAFTING! The first time I went here was right after Typhoon Sendong, last January 2012. We weren't able to try it due to some changes of Cagayan de Oro River-scape because the water level rose up to 20ft. Nonetheless, I wasn't that disappointed since I knew I'll be back in a couple of months and besides, SAFETY always comes first. :) 

Every time I travel, I always get excited of what to see in my next destination. Traveling to Cagayan de Oro is a 1 1/2 hour plane ride. My first stop when I step my foot on the City of Friendship, CDO,  is to go straight to the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin. It is known as that since it has seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes. Camiguin is a pear-shaped island on the Northern tip of Mindanao. It's just a small island with so many tourist attractions. Some of the interesting spots here is the Sunken Cemetery and Old Catarman Church Ruins. Kuya Teddy, our tour guide and his multicab, welcomed us in the port of Camiguin. We checked-in at Paguia's Cottages wherein our contact person is Kuya Roel Paguia, the son of the owner of Paguia's Cottages. He offered us a package which seems just right for its price. What I like most about Camiguin is that their food, entrance/environmental fees & transportation rates are cheap and they really have standard rates which means locals do not take advantage of tourists.

DAY 1 CAMIGUIN 

0415 ETD Manila
0540 ETA CGY
0550 Airport to Agora Market Terminal
0620 ETA Agora Market
0630 Van to Balingoan Port (2.5-3hrs)
0930 Arrival @ Bolingoan Port
0945 Ferry to Benoni Port (2hrs)
1145 Arrival @ Camiguin
1200 Check-in @ Paguia's Cottages Camiguin
1300 Start of Camiguin Tour via Multicab 
2100 End of Tour

You can get a room good for 5pax for only 1500php ain't bad right? 

there are life size statues depicting the stations of the cross if you reach the top

Gui-ob Church was destroyed and partly submerged by volcanic debris during the eruption and formation of Mt. Vulcan from 1871 to 1875.

Katibawasan Falls-it's so cold that I can't even dip long

Ardent Hot Springs- refreshing!

Sunken Cemetery- you can go diving here and check what's under..creepy!:)

Sto. Nino Cold Spring- COLD

We had our early dinner at Sto. Nino Cold Spring. You can rent a cottage for only 50php. Before you enter this place, there are ladies who'll approach you and give you a list of short menu wherein they'll cook it for you. They offer chicken, fish, pork which can either be cooked as fried, grilled or even adobo. Price ranges from 280php-300php/kilo. They would serve it inside Sto. Nino Cold Spring so you can have a picnic under your picnic huts.

DAY 2 BUKIDNON

0530 Wake-up
0545 Leave for White Island
0600 Arrival @ White Island
0630 Leave Island
0645 back @ Hotel/ Breakfast
0830 Check-out/ Leave for Benoni Port
0845 Ferry to Balingoan Port
1015 ETA @ Balingoan Port
1030 Van Pick-up to Dahilayan Adventure Park
1230 ETA Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon
1600 Leave for CDO
1800 Arrival @ CDO, Check-in @ Traveler's Pod
1830 Dinner/ Free time

Before leaving Camiguin, you shouldn't miss White Island. Make sure you go there early, since its popular sand bar is only seen during low tide. They say that the island can be a letter C or letter I depending on its ocean tide. Next is Bukidnon. Bukidnon is known for its Dahilayan Adventure Park which has the longest dual zipline in Asia with 840m Ziplines with a drop of 100 meter. You would also get to see Del Monte's Pineapple Farm.

Premier Pod 2700php good for 5pax

Travelers Pod

with the waves of white island

A rainbow sets on White Island

Horseback riding around Dahilayan Park

Del Monte's Pineapple Farm

 The Biggest Pineapple :)

We checked-in @ Traveler's Pod in CDO. It is accessible, cozy and very comfortable. It's really great for Travelers. One thing that we didn't like was that we had a reservation on their premiere pod good for 5 but their aircon was not functioning well. So they had to transfer us in 2 rooms (good for 3pax & 2pax). I just hope that they would check their rooms first and repair things that needs to be repaired before accommodating their guests. But overall, we enjoyed our stay, I liked their choice of bed sheets, the room is very clean & its really relaxing :)

DAY 3 CDO

As early as 8am, the staffs of Red Rafts will be picking you up at your hotel. You would see their jeepney loaded with boats on top of it that would make you even more excited. When we got this package, we had other guest with us. One by one, they picked us up at our hotels. Before proceeding to rafting, we had a short tour to Macahambus Cave. In rafting, we had a choice of getting the short course or long course. Since we were just new, we wanted to only take the short course, but before hopping in to our boats our guide convinced us to get the long course instead since it is more exciting because of the longer rapids, powerful waves and strong currents. it's longer, more exhausting yet more adventurous! We just had to add 300php/each so we said OK! Let's get it on! :)

0700 Wake up/ Breakfast
0800 Pick up @ Hotel
0825 Arrival @ Macahambus Cave
0840 Leave for White Water Rafting
0900 Start of adventure
1200 End of course
1300 Lunch
1400 Jeepney transfer to Lumbia Airport
1555 ETD CGY
1720 ETA Manila

There's our jeepney! :)

a stolen shot in Macahambus Cave

All I did here was scream!! Waaah

Non-stop HI-5!!!

SOAR!! HI 5 to RAFTING!! :))

I would suggest that you do rafting on your last day cos this would be tiring. Tiring yet fulfilling and such a fun-filled experience. This 3-day Mindanao escape was such a blast. Overall, this is one extreme vacation! :) #ONLYINMINDANAO #ONLYINTHEPHILIPPINES

Where/ What to EAT:
*Camiguin

Native Chicken Adobo & Kilawin @ Sto. Nino Cold Spring

Lazones-30-35php/kilo during their Lazones Festival

Only @ White Island. :)

*CDO

Shrimp Sinigang, Laing, Calamares, BBQ @ Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant

Vjandep Pastel

*Bukidnon

Del Monte Farm Clubhouse
Cawayanon, Barangay San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Pinutos sa Kanto
Barangay San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

TRAVEL BREAKDOWN EXPENSE:

CONTACT PERSON

Kuya Teddy (Multicab): 0939-244-0521
Kuya Roel Paguia: 0917-310-7085
Paguia's Cottages: (088)- 387-9018
Travelers Pod:  (088) 851-8988/ 0917-717-6910
The Red Rafts White Water Rafting: 0917-855-6983 / 0922-897-3175

HAPPY TRAVELING! :)

Ilocos Weekend Trip: A Budget Travel Guide

Early this year, I've seen Ilocos tours over my Facebook news feeds. I was wondering what beauty is there to see. Scrolling at the pictures of my friends who've been there, gave me an idea of traveling North. Estimated Budget: 5000php-6000php

Traveling to Ilocos can be easy. You really don't have to wait for promo fares just to get a cheap flight. All you have to do is to buy bus tickets to get there but of course expect to have a sleepover on the road :) There are several bus lines going to Laoag & Vigan but we chose Partas since it has its own terminal in Cubao which is nearer to all of us. Our first destination would be Vigan, Ilocos Sur. :)

Day 0
2300 ETD Mla-Vigan (via Partas Bus 8hrs)

Day 1
700 ETA Vigan
710 Trike to Grandpa's Inn
730 breakfast @ Kusina Felicitas
830 Kalesa Tour (4hrs)
1230 back to Grandpa's Inn
1330 Merienda/ Buy Pasalubong
1400 Back to Hotel- RECHARGE
1800 Dinner @ Uno Grille
1930 Go around Calle Crisologo


What really caught my eye in Ilocos, was Vigan City. It's like bringing you back to the past because of the old Spanish houses, museums, & narrow cobblestone streets. It gives you the chance to learn more about the culture and gives you warm memories. We checked-in at Grandpa's Inn which is an ancestral house and I could say it's really a heritage site. I immediately fell in love that I don't mind paying extra for it. It's a cozy place, museum & art gallery in one. It has it's own restaurants, Kusina Felicitas, Cafe Uno, & Uno Grille. It's also a few minutes away from Calle Crisologo. By the way, they also have a Calesa Room, which i'm sure everyone would love. One of their staff there is very accommodating that he even got us a Kalesa for our tour.

SF at Grandpa's Inn Entrance

Grandpa's Inn Family Room

Me pointing at Bantay Bell Tower :)

Pagburnayan Pottery Making

Calle Crisologo @ Night

 Day 2
630 Wake Up Call
730 Free Breakfast @ Kusina Felicitas
800 Van pick-up @ Grandpa's Inn
830 Leave Vigan
1030 Check-in @ Balay da Blas Pensionne, Laoag
1100 Leave for Pagudpud Side Trips
1300 Late Lunch @ BergBlick Restaurant
1700 Arrive @ Hannah's Beach Resort
1900 Leave for Laoag
2100 Back to Hotel
2130 Trike to Centro
2135 Dinner @ Tapsilog Avenue Farinas Trans

Reading travels blogs before the trip helps me contact people who would guide us around. I was able to find Kuya Rodel in one of the blogs I read. I asked him about van rates & tours for 2 days, and he immediately answered me and gave me good rates. Learn how to negotiate, it helps you save. At exactly 800am, Kuya Robert, our kind driver arrived. Before you reach Pagudpud you would pass Laoag first, so during your travel, you would have side trips. We checked in at Balay da Blas, and I can say that this has value for money. We got their Barkada Room with a reasonable price. Their place is clean, spacious, with friendly staffs, & good food. I love their coffee! :) After checking in, we headded to our tour.

Welcome!

Patapat Viaduct-  a connecting bridge from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Cagayan Valley with 1.3km

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

30 mins Trek to Kabigan Falls

Kabigan Falls

Bangui Windmills

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Day 3

700 Free Breakfast @ Balay da Blas

1130 Van pick-up for City Tour

1430 Late Lunch/ Merienda

1530 Leave for Paoay Sand Dunes

1600 4x4 Ride!!

1830 Dinner @ Jollibee

2030 ETD Bus Laoag to Manila (via Partas 12hrs)

Sinking Bell Tower- It sinks an inch every year.

Sand Dunes- LAND!! 4x4 ride is a MUST!

4x4 Sand Dunes- THE BEST!!

Paoay Church and its Bell tower 

Our last day, was the City tour and I was amazed with the Sinking Tower, wherein they say that during the Spanish times, Spaniards riding on their horse can enter it, but now, you have to bend just to enter this tower. But it is closed to the public for safety reasons. I also liked the Paoay Church & Bell Tower which is made out of coral stones. Isn't that awesome? :) Last but not the least, you can't leave Ilocos Norte without trying their 4x4 Ride Adventure in Paoay Sand Dunes. It will make you scream, make your heart pound so fast that would make you want to shout for more! Never miss this experience! :)

Overall, this is one fulfilled weekend. Visiting Ilocos, made me love the Philippines more and gave me the desire to travel more. There is more to see in this place! #ONLYINILOCOS #ONLYINTHEPHILIPPINES 

PS. 
Don't forget to try their delicacies, or specialties. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss something you won't be able to eat everyday in Manila. :)

Laoag Empanada

Vigan Longganisa, Empanada, Okoy, Halo-Halo with Rice Cake, Bagnet & actually I forgot what you call that veggie

TRAVEL BREAKDOWN EXPENSE:

CONTACT PERSON:

Kuya Rodel (owner of Van): 0927-289-5319
Paoay Sand Dunes (Benjie): 0929-771-9036
Grandpa's Inn: 0917-580-2118/ (077)-7222118
Balay da Blas: 0917-5507522


WHAT TO SEE:
Vigan:                                                   Laoag City:
*Juan Luna Shrine                                   *Sta. Monica Church
*Bantay Bell Tower                                 *Birthplace of Marcos
*Pagburnayan Pottery Making                   *Sinking Bell Tower
*Burgos Museum                                    *St. William Cathedral
*Crisologo Museum                                 *Museo Iloco
*Baluarte                                              *Malacanang of the North
*Heritage Vilage                                     *Paoay Lake
*Vigan Church                                        *Paoay Sand Dunes
*Salcedo Park Vigan                                *Paoay Church
                                                            *Paoay Museum

Pagudpud:
*Salt Making
*Cape Bojeadar Lighthouse
*Bangui Windmills
*Saud White Sand Beach
*Patapat Viaduct Breach
*Bantay Abot Cave
*Blue Lagoon
*Paraiso ni Anton
*Kabigan Falls
*Kapurpurawan Rock Formation