Puerto Princesa Do-It-Yourself

When best to visit?
I guess because Puerto Princesa experiences good whether practically the whole year, anytime would do.

How long?
We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights but we missed the Honda Bay Tour so I guess 4 days and 3 nights would be perfect.

How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Puerto Princesa is of course, by air. I know nothing of a trip by sea. Domestic airlines have daily schedules to the city, being one of the top destinations in the Philippines. And the opening of AirAsia would add to the number of domestic flights flying to the city. Flight takes about 1.5 hours from Clark (perhaps it’s almost similar if the flight comes from Manila). To get to Clark, RW Manila’s free shuttle service is a big help.

How to go around?
Riding on tricycles or just renting them worked for us. Minimum fare is P8, but beyond 8PM, it’s P10. Going around downtown is pretty easy. We would walk most of the time. But other parts could be reached by jeepneys or tricycles. For tourists though, tourist vans are always the more convenient vehicles.

Where to stay?
Accommodations in Puerto Princesa range from rooms for rent to pension houses, inns to hotels. I’ve seen a lot of them when we were wandering around the city. It apparently flooded the city streets. Anyway, click HERE (you must be logged-in to Google to view the spreadsheet) for the shortlist I have made for our trip. These are the cheapest I found. And the best that we found that would fit our needs and budget was Casitas de Az Pension at P1,350 per night good for the three of us. The rate includes transfers and free breakfast, etc. It is conveniently located near downtown Puerto Princesa. It is actually a few blocks from Baywalk. Details of the pension house are as follows:

Address: Valencia corner Bonifacio Street (A.Abueg), Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Tel/Fax No. (048) 434-1945
Mobile No: 0916-9086920/ 0918-5509366
Email: casitasdeaz@yahoo.com
Website: www.casitasdeazpension.com

I was personally satisfied of the service. One because the staff were really nice especially Ms. Shana who was so kind helping us in all the little things we need and in so patiently answering all the questions we ask. And second because prices are really affordable. They actually offer a cheaper rate of P1,400 per pax for underground river tour compared to the prevailing rate of P1,500.

Where to eat?
Locals would suggest Kinabuch, but we had dinner at Balinsasayaw Restaurant. It was good for the money. We actually spent a little less than 150 per pax for a good dinner of bulalo, chopsuey, balinsasayaw rice and mango shake. Of course there are the more popular Kinabuch and Ka Lui, which may be worth the try as well.

What to do?
A suggested tour and itinerary for first time tourists in Puerto Princesa consists of: underground river tour, city tour and Honda Bay tour. We did only the first two. We had 1 whole day and 2 half days in Puerto so I guess that would best fit our schedule and our budget.

While we made our own city tour, courtesy of Kuya tricycle which we hired for P300, we took the services of a travel agency in our underground tour. It wouldn't have been that convenient if we didn't. We were assigned a tour guide who does freelance too - Ricky Gerasmia, or simply Kuya Ricky. He can be reached at his mobile numbers: 09126130579 or 09152000152. He is a registered tour guide and is really funny and cool.

Kuya Ricky could have brought us for an Iwahig Firefly tour quoted at P500each. We were just too tired already we didn't go on with the tour. Sad...Would be doing that next time, as well as the tour in some of the falls of Puerto Princesa.

What to bring home?
Actually, every tourist should bring home a story of how he/she ate tamilok. But I have none, simply because I am not the adventurous type when it comes to food. I’ll have to try it though next time.
Cashew nuts and pearls – these are the products of Palawan. But of course, I bring home t-shirts as a souvenir for myself, which I got for a cheap P90 at the pasalubong center.

How much to budget?
Normally, it would have been (per pax):
Underground -P1,500  
City Tour –P600
Honda  Bay –P1,500
Total – P3,600 ++

But ours was only around P1,620 for both underground and city tour.
We swore to just spend at most P3,000 all-in. I think my friends made it close. I obviously exceeded. Click HERE (you must be logged-in to Google to view the spreadsheet) for the actual expenses.

3D2N Puerto Princesa Itinerary

Day 1- City Tour
2:00PM           -arrival and check in at hotel
3:00PM           -lunch at Bona’s Chaolong
3:30PM           -pasalubong shopping
4:00PM           -travel to Mitra’s
4:45PM           -to Baker’s Hill
5:30PM           -Back to hotel
6:30PM           -To Baywalk and dinner
8:00PM           -Back to hotel

Day 2 - Underground Tour
9:00AM           -Depart city to Sabang Wharf
11:30AM         -arrival at Sabang and lunch
1:30PM           -boat ride to underground river
2:00PM           -underground tour
3:30PM           -back to Sabang
4:00PM           -Ugong Rock
6:30PM           -Arrival at hotel
7:00PM           -Mass at Immaculate Concepcion Church
8:00PM           -Dinner at Balinsasayaw

Day 3 - Extended City Tour
9:00AM           -To museum (but closed)
9:15AM           -Immaculate Concepcion Parish and Plaza Cuartel
10:30AM         -to Robinsons
11:00AM         -early lunch
12:00PM         -check-out


So this wrapped up my Puerto Princesa trip...definitely this will not be my last.

TAGAYTAY Do-It-Yourself

When best to visit?
Because of its proximity to Manila, many would really find it easy to go anytime. It's closer than the Philippines' summer capital but the cold climate works the same as its closest competitor.

How long?
Usually a day trip would do...overnight is better.

How to get there?
It could take a minimum of an hour to drive to Tagaytay either via Coastal Road and Aguinaldo Highway or via SLEX and taking Sta.Rosa exit. If you're commuting, buses (Erjohn & Almark, San Agustin and buses to Nasugbu, Batangas) from Lawton in Manila or Cubao in Quezon City are easy to spot along Roxas Boulevard or EDSA.

How to go around?
Tourists usually bring their own vehicle --- the easier way to go around. But of course, public transportation is available and these we made use during our trip. Convenient for us since we (Jules and I) practically know the place well.

Where to stay?
Because we didn't stay in a hotel or guest house (and I never, in any of my trips to the City), I can't really recommend any. But transient and guest houses, inns and hotels are available and there's so many to choose from.

Where to eat?
I personally like Leslie's and Mushroom Burger. But you can always bring your favorite in a lunch box. Picnic areas are everywhere. In this trip though, we only went to Mushroom burger for our merienda. We had our dinner in Balinsasayaw which is in the neighboring town of Silang.

What to do?
The simplest way actually is to just dine in any of the restaurants at the side overlooking Taal. It's perfect that way already. But to the more adventurous, you can always go to the local favorites - Palace in the Sky and Picnic Grove, the latter having more activities (kite flying, zip line, cable car, etc.) in store for its visitors.

What to bring home?
Buko pies by Colettes are a local favorite. And both fresh and dried mushrooms from Mushroom Burger are also great.


How much to budget?
When we prepared for this trip, we didn't really do much of the budgeting part. We only set a P1,500 mark, all-in. Well, thanks to a free packed meal (c/o my sister) which we took for lunch at Palace in the Sky. This just doesn't include accommodation as well, which again was free since we just stayed at home for the night.

Roughly, we had the following expenses (per pax) for our Tagaytay trip. It worked for us so I guess, it would work for anybody too.

Day 1:
Jeep to Silang (Balinsasayaw) - 16
Share in dinner for 4 - 200* - balinsasayaw rice, bulalo and adobong pusit
Assorted Pasalubong -180
Jeep to Tagaytay - 12*
Starbucks Frapp - 125
Van to Dasma - 50
Tricycle to house - 16
TOTAL - P599

Day 2:
Jeep to Silang (Church) - 14
Refreshment (Softdrinks) - 6
Bus to Tagaytay (Tagaytay) - 25
Refreshment again (McFloat) - 25
Jeep to People's Park (Palace in the Sky) - 17
Entrance in People's Park - 30
Share in Cottage (P100) - 25
Tricycle to Picnic Grove - 20
Picnic Grove entrance - 50
Souvenir shirt at Picnic - 120
Jeep to Olivares - 11
Jeep to Mushroom Burger - 8.50
Mushroom Burger - 100*
Jeep to Olivares - 8.50
Collettes Buko Pie - 60*
Assorted Pasalubong - 120
Bus to Dasma - 40*
TOTAL - P680
Wuhooo!!! For some of us, the P1,500 initial budget was actually too much. haha


*I'm not really sure...I don't have food prices in my notes so it's a guesstimate :)

2D1N Tagaytay Itinerary

Day 1
7:00PM - Dinner at Balinsasayaw in Silang
9:00PM - Coffee break at Starbucks - Tagaytay

Day 2
9:00AM - Mass at Our Lady of Salette
10:00AM-Photo-ops at La Salette
11:30AM- To Tagaytay
12:30PM- Lunch at People's Park
2:00PM-Siesta at Picnic Grove (Yes, siesta...we just laid on the grass and relaxed under the shades of a tree. The park actually offers activities, but we opted to just do it laid back. Activities are available such as Ziplines are at P600/pax and horseback riding is at P150.)
3:30PM-Merienda at Mushroom Burger
4:30PM-Back to Dasma

So this wrapped up my Tagaytay trip...definitely this will not be my last.

PINATUBO Do-It-Yourself

Duration of Stay             :1.25 days
Travel time from MM     :3-4hrs. by van via NLEX
Budget Hotel                  :The Blue Inn (This is the closest they say, we just had a misunderstanding with one of the owners about the rates. Apparently, the one posted in their website is not updated. We just settled for a compromise. Good thing they did that. Otherwise, I won’t even mention the name. Haha)
Activities                         :Trekking in Mt. Pinatubo, Side trip in Isdaan, Gerona, Tarlac
Means of Transpo           :We rented a van for this whole trip so, no commuting
Budget                            :about 2,500 per pax (We were 12)
Best Pasalubong             :The rocks? Or dried lava?

2D1N Pinatubo Itinerary

Day 1

1:30 PM Depart from Makati

4:00 PM Arrival in Capas, Tarlac

6:00 PM Arrival in Gerona

6:30 PM Dinner in Isdaan Restaurant

Day 2

4:30 AM Breakfast (in McDonalds, Capas)

5:30 AM Depart for Sta.Juliana (Tourism Center)

6:30 AM Arrival in Tourism Center

7:00 AM Start of 4x4

8:30 AM Start of trek

10:30 AM Arrival at resting point before summit

10:45 AM Start of trek to summit

11:30 AM Arrival at summit

2:00 PM Descent

4:00 PM 4x4 Back to Tourism Center

5:00 PM Arrival at Tourism Center

5:30 PM Departure for Manila

7:00 PM Dinner at Caltex along NLEX

9:00 PM Arrival in Makati

CARAMOAN Do-It-Yourself

Duration of Stay             :1.25 days

Travel time from MM     :8-10 hrs. by bus or app 30 mins. by plane

Budget Hotel                  :Sights and Sands (at the town proper)

Activities                         :Island hopping

Means of Transpo           :Van, ferry, tricycles

Budget                            :less than 2,000 (only because we didn’t have to spend more for the transpo)

Best Pasalubong             : Pili

ITINERARY for an OVERNIGHT STAY

Day 1
7:00-9:00 - Travel from Naga CBD terminal to Sabang port by van
9:30-10:00-Queuing time for the bancas
10:00-11:30-Travel from Sabang to Guijalo (Caramoan) port
11:30-11:45-Travel for port to town proper (inn) by tricycle
12:00-1:00-Lunch and preparation for island hopping
1:15-1:30-Travel from town proper to port (for the island hopping)
1:30-5:30-Island Hopping
5:30-6:15-Back to hotel
6:30-7:30-Dinner
7:30-8:30-Souvenir shopping and stroll at the town proper
Day 2
Departure
6:00-7:45-Back to Sabang
8:00-10:00-Back to Naga

If you're from Manila, it's best to drop by CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC). It's along the way to Naga. You can and enjoy the activities the rest of the afternoon. Anyway, if you're travelling by bus from/to Manila, night trips usually depart every after 15 or 30 minutes (depending on the bus company) which starts as early as 6pm and as late as 9pm.

CONTACTS                 
Hacienda Lahuy – 09205128887 (c/o Marco)
Tour Guide - 09179629977 (c/o Kuya Genaro)
Tricycle for Rent - 09466199492 (c/o Kuya Jun)

Check this link to know more about the islands and the province where it's located and a reference for CWC (for the more adventurous traveler):
www.camarinessur.gov.ph
www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com

BOHOL Do-It-Yourself

Duration of Stay               :4 days

Travel time from MM       :app 2 hrs.

Budget Hotel                   :Dumaluan 2 Beach Resort in Panglao island, check http://dumaluanbeachresort.tripod.com/home.html, or www.dumaluanbeach.com

Activities                         :Countryside tour, Dolphin watching and Island hopping, E.A.T Danao

Means of Transpo           :Van for hire, tricycle, boat, jeep, habal-habal, bus

Budget                            :5,500 more or less (ours was just tipid, app 4k because we shared with some new-found friends)
Best Pasalubongs            : Peanut Kisses

ITINERARY for 4D3N Stay
Day 1
8:00-9:00-Arrival and preliminaries
9:00-5:30-City tour
                Baclayon Church
                Phyton
                Loboc river cruise
                Tarsier Sanctuary
                Butterfly garde
                Manmade Forest

                Chocolate Hills
                Hanging bridge
                Blood compact site
6:00-6:30-Check in at the resort (in Panglao)

Day 2
6:00-8:30-Dolphin Watching
8:30-9:30-To Balicasag
9:30-11:00-Snorkeling
11:00-1:00-Rest and Lunch on Balicasag island
1:30-2:00-To Virgin Island
2:00-3:30-Swimming on Virgin Island
3:30-4:30-Back to resort
I guess, there is still enough time for a panglao tour in the afternoon. But because we were already exhausted...we opted to just rest and bond inside our rooms. Stayed late for the night too. More chitchats with our travel buddies--the Baeck family.

Day 3
7:00-7:30-To town proper and Tagbilaran terminal
7:30-11:30-Travel to Danao by bus
11:30-11:45-To Danao Adventure Park by habal-habal
12:00-1:00-Lunch
1:00-3:00-Explore the park (We didn't really, because we limited ourselves to the area where the famous "Plunge" is. We stayed too long, observing the others, watching, thinking...could we do it? we'll never know if we don't try, so we did. And done in less than 20 mins)
3:00-6:30-Back to Tagbilaran
6:30-7:00-Quick stop at the mall
7:00-7:30-Back to the hotel

Day 4
Departure
9:00 - To airport with stopover at pasalubong shop
10:00 - Back to Manila

CONTACTS
Driver and city tour guide - Kuya Rab (see related post: Bohol: Bits and Pieces)
Boat rental for Dolphin watching and island hopping - Kuya Geging (see related post)

Related sites:www.eatdanao.com        
              

ILOILO-GUIMARAS: Religion, Culture and History at a Grasp

Iloilo presented a backdrop rich in religion, culture and history which was so willingly and generously presented to us in that two-day stay. Not far from Iloilo is the island of Guimaras, which  has its way too of giving us a taste of history, adding its natural wonders on the side.

Day 1-Iloilo

July 2011 via Airphil which we got on another discounted fare of P688. As did before, it was an unusual travel hour of 5AM on a Friday. And so it means we took a leave from work. I guess it was just fine since there was so much to work on to...and learn in the process in this Visayan province.

We visited churches; a botanical and wildlife garden, and on the way, saw houses of people from the past (and now).

House of Graciano Lopez Jaena

Jaro Cathedral

Molo Church

Tigbaun Church

Arevalo Church

Clements Church

Guimbal Church

Miagao Church

Biscocho House

Botanical Garden

Iloilo's Starbucks: Coffee Break

Tatoy's with Anne (third from right), your resident Ilongga

 Day 2-Guimaras

I know very little of this island province and visiting the place did all the help. Then, I didn’t knew that it has the same white sand beaches like the more popular tourist destinations in the country. Then, I didn’t knew that there, mangos grew like wild grass. Then, I never knew that it has more than beaches and mangos, it also has its own (hi)story intact.

Guisi Lighthouse

The ruins

SEAFDEC reminded me of waterworld

The surrounding islands of SEAFDEC

Not a destination

Rocks in Turtle Island

The classic jump

Turtle Island

Trappist Monastery gift shop

Camp Alfredo's

Flight

First: Zipline

Second: Hanging Bridge

Third: Rapel

Smallest Plaza

Ted's

My top 5 special interests:

1. Miagao Church (Iloilo) is no less than a UNESCO world heritage site. It really is world class – a defining structure. It left us all in awe watching its grace stand before us. It was a wonder how those intricate piece of art seem so perfectly seated on the church's facade. It was humbling to have witnessed its beauty.

2. Magdalena Jalandoni Mansion (Ilolio) was another beauty. I specially loved this former abode of a famous Ilonggo literary genius. It housed pieces of art – on its walls, the staircase, the doors, windows, etc. It could have been called a canvass concealed in a big mansion. 

3. Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins’ (Guimaras) could almost still reflect the past where it once was – resilient and standing strong in the hills of Guisi. Its old, rusty metal frame still remains a sight worth seeing aside from that perfect view that await after a careful climb on its slowly corroding stairs.

4. Smallville (Iloilo) is Iloilo’s Eastwood, I may say…a night life at its best. A Lifestyle hub and a hot spot to the young, the professionals and the adults. It has its party-feel all over and was almost like the more famous Metro Manila

 

5. Mangos (Guimaras) and Batchoy (Iloilo) are still best eaten in the province where they grow abundant or where they originate …and it won’t fail your taste buds. It didn’t failed mine. Thanks to Ted’s, I’m beginning to wonder: “does it really make any difference if batchoys are prepared in Manila because there, it was really heavenly”.

ILOILO-GUIMARAS Do-It-Yourself

Duration of Stay               :2 days

Travel time from MM       :app 1.5 hrs. by air (Airphil express)

Budget Hotel                   :Century 21 Hotel

Activities                         :Iloilo City tour, Island hopping in Guimaras

Means of Transpo           :Van for hire, tricycle, multicabs, ferry

Budget                            :4,000 more or less
Best Pasalubong             : Biscocho (Iloilo) and Dried Mangos (Guimaras)

ITINERARY for 3D2N

Day 1
6:30-7:00 - Arrival  and check-in at the hotel
7:00-8:00 - Breakfast in the city
8:00-5:00 - City Tour
5:30-6:30 - Back to the hotel and rest
7:00-8:00 - Dinner
8:00-10:00- Night life at Smallville

Day 2
6:30-7:00 -Breakfast
7:00-7:30 - To port
7:30-8:30 - Travel to Guimaras
9:00-10:00-Guisi Lighthouse
10:00:10:30-To resort
10:30-1:30-Island hopping
2:00-3:00-Late lunch and shower
3:00-4:00- Camp Alfredo Adventure Park
4:00-4:30-Pasalubong with stop over at Trappist Monastery and Smallest Plaza
4:30-5:30-Back to Iloilo
6:00-6:30-Hotel
6:30-8:00-Dinner at Ted's (the best la paz batchoy ever!!!)

Day 3
5:45 - Departure