Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Cagayan (Sta. Ana, Tuguegarao, Penablanca)

Cape Engano
Anguib Cove
Crocodile Island
Callao Caves

Actual Itinerary and Costing
August 1, 2014 (Day 0)
5:00 PM Depart from Victory-Kamias Terminal by regular AC bus 652.00
jeepney for Marquinton to St. Joseph-Anonas 10.00
jeepney for St. Joseph-Anonas to Highway (EDSA) 8.50
stopover meals 115.00
August 2, 2014 (Day 1)
5:00 AM Arrival in Tuguegarao
tricycle from Victory terminal to passenger van station 15.00
5:30 AM Depart from Van terminal in Tuguegarao  180.00
8:30 AM Arrival in San Vicente, Sta. Ana
breakfast 32.00
9:15 AM Depart from San Vicente, Sta. Ana
10:00 AM Arrival in Punta Verde, Palaui
11:00 AM Start Palaui island tour (Cape Engano, Anguib Cove)
boat rental + guide fee + tip - Punta Verde, Anguib Cove, Cape Engano, Crocodile Island (4500 / 5 pax) 900.00
Guide fee
Anguib Cove entrance fee 100.00
lunch c/o homestay 250.00
dinner c/o homestay 250.00
overnight homestay 250.00
August 3, 2014 (Day 2)
7:00 AM Breakfast c/o homestay 150.00
8:00 AM Depart to Crocodile Island
9:30 AM Back @ Homestay
10:00 AM Depart to San Vicente
10:45 AM Arrival in San Vicente
tricycle from San Vicente to van terminal in Sta. Ana 15.00
lunch 65.00
11:50 AM Depart to Tuguegarao 180.00
Pasalubong (Alcala Milk Candies) 200.00
snacks 50.00
2:50 PM Arrival in Tuguegarao / check - in
tricycle to inn 10.00
overnight stay @ Villa Carmelita (1150 / 3 pax) 384.00
KTV 328.00
miscellaneous 85.00
August 4, 2014 (Day 3)
8:00 AM Breakfast @ Jaksilog 105.00
9:30 AM Depart from Tuguegarao to Penablanca for Callao Caves
tricycle from Jaksilog to Victory to tricycle terminal for Callao Caves 15.00
tricycle to and from Callao Caves rental + tip (650 / 5 pax) 130.00
10:15 AM Arrival in Penablanca
Callao Caves registration fee 20.00
2-way boat ride 20.00
guide (tip) 50.00
snacks 20.00
12:30 PM Depart to Tuguegarao
1:15 PM Back @ Villa Carmelita
2:00 PM Check-out
late check-out charge, 100 per hour (200 / 3 pax) 67.00
2:30 PM Lunch @ Jaksilog 170.00
miscellaneous 130.00
6:15 PM Depart to Manila by 1st class bus (Victory) 865.00
tricyle from Villa Carmelita to Victory terminal 10.00
August 5, 2014
5:30 AM Arrival in Victory Kamias Terminal
jeepney from EDSA to St. Joseph 8.50
jeepney from St. Joseph to Marikina Bayan 10.00
breakfast @ Pares House 78.00
7:00 AM Home Sweet Home
Total cost 5928.00

Contact Numbers:
Elsa Laddaran (Palaui Homestay) - 09052832559
Edwin Tabucol (Guide / Boat to Palaui) - 09269064657

Notes:
  • We found out that Victory-Tuguegarao terminal is very near the passenger van terminal to Sta. Ana. No need to ride a tricyle but if you prefer to, fare is only PhP10 and not PhP15 per pax as we were charged by a not so honest driver.
  • The port to Palaui is far from Sta. Ana public market where the van terminal is located. Just tell the driver that you are going to Palaui and drop you off in San Vicente.
  • Palaui is dependent on solar power. Bring power banks or extra battery packs for your electronic gadgets.
  • Mobile network in Palaui is dominated by Globe. Very weak if not nothing at all reception for Smart.
  • Manang Elsa cooks great food! We were served crabs and lobsters as per our request :)
  • Want to try Pansit Batil Patong in Tuguegarao? Go to Koby Kubo :)
  • Hotel Carmelita in Tuguegarao offers great rates, clean rooms, and friendly staff. They are strict on check-out time though.
  • Food @ Jaksilog is great! We enjoyed our breakfast so much that we also had our lunch there :)








Monday, July 7, 2014

Aurora (Baler, Dipaculao, Aurora, San Luis)

Surfing just before sunset at Sabang Beach

Sunrise at Ampere Beach


Ampere Beach

Ditumabo Falls
Actual Itinerary and Costing
July 4, 2014 (Day 1)
5:00 AM Depart from office to Genesis bus terminal (Cubao)
bus from  EDSA-Crossing to Cubao
12.00
6:30 AM Depart from Cubao to Baler via Genesis
450.00
stopover meal
40.00
2:00 PM Arrive in Baler
buffet lunch at Gerry Shan's
199.00
check in at June Samano's Homestay (2 nights)
680.00
1-hr surfing lesson
350.00
dinner and drinks @ Bay-ler View Hotel
220.00
July 5, 2014 (Day 2)
4:30 AM Depart from homestay to Ampere beach for sunrise watching/start of land tour
balete tree entrance and tip
26.00
breakfast
55.00
mirienda
25.00
lunch
110.00
Aniao islet entrance
20.00
mirienda
95.00
tricycle rental + tip (1200/4)
400.00
Nanay Pacing's peanut butter
180.00
July 6, 2014 (Day 3)
7:00 AM Buffet breakfast at Bay's Inn
180.00
9:00 AM Depart from homestay to Genesis bus terminal
10:00 AM Depart from Genesis bus terminal to Manila
450.00
stopover meal
60.00
4:00 PM Arrive @ Manila
jeepney from EDSA-Kamuning to Anonas
8.50
jeepney from Anonas to Marquinton
11.00
4:30 PM Home Sweet Home
Total cost
3,571.50

Contact Numbers:
June Samano Homestay - 0908-104-2043
Tricycle/Guide (Arturo Martinez) - 0920-218-6730

Notes:
  • There are 3 regular trips (6 - 7.5 hrs travel time with 2 stopovers) to Baler - 11PM, 2AM, 6AM
  • Gerry Shan's is an all-day buffet restaurant. Must try :)
  • Tricyle/guide rental is PhP800.00 (bus terminal to homestay transfers, Balete tree, Ditumabo Falls aka Mother Falls, Ermita Hill, Dicasalarin Cove, Aniao Islet, Diguisit Falls, Dona Aurora House, Baler Church, Baler Museum, Quezon House). Additional PhP200 if including Ampere beach sunrise watching
  • Tricyles aren't allowed to go to Dicasalarin cove. The road, although paved, is too steep. We hiked up to Dicasalarin view deck (Baler PAGASA station) for a little less than an hour
  • If going to Ampere beach, better leave the homestay at 4AM to catch more awesome sunrise sky
  • Vans can reach Dicasalarin cove. There's an entrance fee of PhP300 per person as it is a private beach owned by the Angaras
  • June Samano Homestay is perfect for budget travellers. It is right along Sabang beach baywalk, between Bay's Inn and Bay-ler View Hotel. AC room good for 4 costs PhP1,500 per night. Additional bed costs PhP200 per night
  • Great food (and ambiance) at Bay-ler. Servings are good for 3 pax
  • Tapa flakes and suman @ Bay's Inn - must try! Buffet breakfast is worth it, drinks included :)
  • Dona Aurora House, Quezon House, and Baler Church aren't the original structures anymore
  • As per the locals, surfing season is from September to March. April thru August is just right for beginners
  • Nanay Pacing's peanut butter is indeed a must buy :)

Friday, June 20, 2014

Siquijor and Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental)

Cliff jumping platform at Salagdoong Beach Park, Maria, Siquijor
 
Lazi Convent, Lazi, Siquijor


Dumaguete City Belfry

Rizal Boulevard
 

 
Actual Itinerary and Costing
June 15, 2014 (Day 1)
4:30AM Depart from Blue Wave Mall to NAIA Terminal 3  
 
taxi + tip (340/4)
85.00
 
cup noodles
35.00
7:00AM Depart from NAIA Terminal 3 to Sibulan Domestic Airport, Dumaguete City  
 
2-way plane ticket with 30 kilos check-in baggage (5438.56/4)
1,359.64
8:15AM Arrival @ Sibulan Domestic Airport, Dumaguete City  
 
van from Sibulan Domestic Airport to Dumaguete seaport  (200/4)
50.00
 
buy fast craft ticket
 
 
terminal fee
15.00
 
breakfast / bottled water
95.00
10:15AM Depart from Dumaguete seaport to Siquijor via Delta fast craft
160.00
11:00AM Arrival @ Siquijor seaport  
 
multicab from seaport to beach resort (200/4)
50.00
2:00PM Check-in at Diamond de Siquijor beach resort  
 
2 nights accommodation (2600/4)
650.00
 
lunch at the resort (678/4)
169.50
 
dinner at Siquijor Boulevard 
98.00
 
other expenses
300.00
June 16, 2014 (Day 2)
8:00AM Start of Siquijor coastal tour  
 
tricycle for all-day transportation + tip (1200/4)
300.00
 
breakfast, entrance fees, lunch, dinner, merienda, other expenses
800.00
June 17, 2014 (Day 3)
5:00AM Depart from beach resort to Siquijor seaport (100/4)
25.00
 
coffee
10.00
 
terminal Fee
2.00
 
buy fast craft ticket
 
6:00AM Depart from Siquijor seaport to Dumaguete via Delta fast craft
160.00
7:00AM Arrival @ Dumaguete seaport  
 
tricycle from Dumaguete seaport to Inn + tip
25.00
8:00AM Check-in at Tiptop Tower Inn  
 
overnight hotel accommodation (1600/4)
400.00
 
brunch @ Gabby's Bistro + tip
200.00
 
early dinner @ Jo's Chiken Inato + tip
150.00
 
coffee @ Cafe Antonio + tip
100.00
 
transportation / other expenses during downtown tour
300.00
June 18, 2014 (Day 4)
8:00AM Continuation of downtown tour  
 
breakfast at Painitan 
25.00
 
lunch at Chin Loong + tip
200.00
 
pasalubong (Sans Rival Sylvanas)
375.00
 
transportation / other expenses during downtown tour
300.00
2:00PM Depart from Inn to Sibulan Domestic Airport  
 
tricyle + tip (160/4)
40.00
 
terminal fee
100.00
 
coffee
15.00
4:55PM Depart from Sibulan Domestic Aiport to NAIA Terminal 3  
6:10PM Arrival @ NAIA Terminal 3  
 
taxi to Taft MRT station + tip (100/4)
25.00
 
train tickets from Taft to Cubao (14 X 4)
56.00
 
shuttle from Cubao to Marikina (35 X 2)
70.00
9:00PM Home Sweet Home  
Total cost 
6,745.14

Contact Numbers:
Kuya Joam (Siquijor transportation and guide) - 0927-693-2095
Arlie (Diamond de Siquijor Beach House) - 0910 - 394-9963
Manong Ben (Dumaguete tricycle) - 0926-198-4049

Notes:
Siquijor
  • Kuya Joam is the most sought after guide in Siquijor (based on readings)
  • There are 2 tours in Siquijor. One is called coastal tour, the other is called mountain tour.
  • Our coastal tour included Capilay Spring Park, San Agustin Church, old Balete tree, San Isidro Labrador Church, Lazi Convent, Cambugahay Falls, Sta. Maria Church, Salagdoong Beach Park, Cang-Isok House, Guiwanon Spring Park, St. Francis of Assisi Church
  • According to Kuya Joam, beaches in San Juan are not good for swimming during the monsoon season starting June
  • There is a local night food market in Siquijor boulevard. We had dinner here.
  • Tricycle fare is PhP10 per person
  • Diamond de Siquijor is a very nice and clean place maintained by very friendly staff :)
  • Mobile network - Globe is very strong, Smart is not so good, not available in some parts (almost half) of the province. Not sure about the other networks
Dumaguete City
  • Tricycle fare is PhP10 per person. Tricyle (locally called pedicab) is the main mode of transportation in the city
  • Not much sights to see? Go foodtripping, food is delicious and prices are very reasonable
  • Not a foodie? Visit neighboring towns of Dumaguete for sight-seeing
  • There are more souvenir items to choose from in Manjuyod souvenir shop than in Sidlakan
  • We enjoyed dining at Gabby's Bistro (not in downtown area), Jo's Chicken Inato (near Rizal Blvd / Silliman University) and Chin Loong (along Rizal Blvd, near Sans Rival). We had a great time just hanging out at Cafe Antonio
  • Mobile network - Globe is very strong, Smart is not so good. Not sure about the other networks
  • We checked-in early (8AM) at Tiptop Tower Inn in Dumaguete and checked out an hour late (2PM), no additional charge :)