Off to Tacloban with No Itinerary and Reservations

We usually have set itineraries, cost estimate, and accommodation reservations when we go somewhere. But this time, we don’t. Pure adventure.. fun.. and excitement.

Six months before our flight, there was a promo with Cebu Pacific. As promo-grabber as we are, we booked to any destination where there are still promo seats available. Just trying out any destination in the list… Puerto Princesa – sold out. Dumaguete – sold out. Tagbilaran – sold out. Davao – sold out. Boracay – sold out. Tacloban – taaadaaaan!!! We do not know what’s in there, but we booked flights for the 4 of us.

A little research told us Mc Arthur landing shrine is there.  Not sure if we can pass by the famous longest bridge in the Philippines, San Juanico, but, we put it in our list. And that's it. We did not bother to research more until the date is really fast approaching.

November came and we'll be flying to Tacloban already. Bembem can’t come with us due to work schedule. Mika had hesitations because Bem can’t come with us. And if Mika won’t go, and so as Bevvy Joy. Poor Weng, I’m the only one left! :(

But… wait wait wait...  Bevvy Joy texted me 2 days before... She asked if I still want to go to Tacloban. Of course I said yes. And she also liked to go. We’re now going! High five! :)

I tried to book a hotel 12 hours before our arrival. As expected, all hotels I called were all fully booked. I also asked for quotations for tours but they were all too expensive. Good luck to us.

Upon arrival at Daniel Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, we called the other hotels I haven’t called yet. So lucky, Bevvy Joy found one. Leyte Park Resort is so nice. We enjoyed the pool and the everyday breakfast buffet. 

Also at the airport, we found a van that can tour us around the whole city and bring us to Sohoton cave in Samar. Now, that’s what we call adventure, wonderful and fun memories worth looking back.

Historical? Yes!

Leyte Provincial Capitol

 

UP Tacloban

Madonna of Japan

Balyuan Tower

Sto. Nino Church

Sto. Nino Shrine

There are other places that we've visited such as the famous McArthur Landing Monument, Rafael's Farm, and San Juanico Bridge which is the longest bridge in the Philippines!

Nature? Of course. We also went to Sohoton Cave in Samar.

Actually, after the tour, we just realized that we do not need a van to tour around the city. They are just near each other we can even just walk around except for the Rafael's farm, San Juanico bridge, and McArthur Shrine.

Boracay + Palawan = Borawan

Have you been to Boracay? How about in Palawan? How about Borawan? Yes, you’re reading it right. There really is a place called Borawan.

It got its name, obviously, from these two tourist spots, Boracay and Palawan. It has rocks like the ones you’ll see in Palawan and sand like in Boracay...

A Night at Dampalitan

If you know Anawangin Cove in Zambales, Dampalitan is something similar to it because of the pine trees... The sand is not that fine unlike in Puting Buhangin and Borawan but it is where you can enjoy swimming especially when you're going during the rainy season...

Picture Taking at Puting Buhangin

So what would you expect? From the name of the island itself, you’ll already know what you’ll see. This is our first destination and among the three islands, this is our favourite. The fine white sand... the grass... the shade... the cave... everything is beautiful!

A Weekend at Borawan – Itinerary

Do you want to escape from the busyness of the city? Its pollution and noise? Well, aside from the destinations found at nearby provinces such as Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas, there is one found also in the southern part of Luzon... and don’t worry, it is not that far... and it has white sand.

Have you heard of Borawan? Yes... it is not Boracay... and also not Palawan... but Borawan...

Duka Bay Resort Escapade

I am from Cagayan de Oro. I was a riverguide for the first whitewater rafting company in the Philippines until I went to Manila primarily because of Weng and of course to try my luck. I am also a member of an organization that is nature oriented. I help protect and preserve nature. I used to climb mountains, do spelunking and play percussion for a modern ethnic band playing earth music. But I am not totally a musician... just a wannabe, and now a wannabe magician as well. I am also fond of mountain biking.

Yes, you are on the right page. This is not an About Me page. So why am I saying things about myself? I do not know. Haha! I just want to tell that even though I came from CDO, was in the tourism industry, and nature lover, still I have not explored all of what my province has to offer...

pearl farm

We went to Davao last January of this year and we were so excited to be at the largest city of the Philippines. What we do not know is that there’s more waiting for us on our second day there.

Yes, we’ve done our research and saw pictures of Pearl Farm Beach Resort in the Internet. But, we didn’t expect what we’ve seen and experienced... the place is really really really awesome!!! And the service is really fantastic! You’ll experience the best service you’ll have...

up north: palaui island and anguib beach

White sand. Nice view. Nature. Travel. Swimming. What place comes to your mind? Is it Boracay? Puerto Galera? Palawan? Camiguin? Bantayan? Bohol? Dakak? Have you noticed that all of them are in southern part of the Philippines?

How about going somewhere north? There's Potipot Island or Capones Island in Zambales, Casiguran in Aurora, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte to name a few.

And if you are willing to travel farther that is not far as Batanes, you might want to go to Palaui Island and Anguib Beach in Cagayan...

puerto galera

Summer is just around the corner and I bet you are already looking forward for a beachy escapade. But... your budget is limiting you to stay inside your cube! Or you don't have time to take a time off...


Well, don't you know that not all travels are expensive? And not all require you to take an extra 2 or 3 days off from your work... 

we love bohol...

...and every bit of it!




[2009.03.09]

bato springs

If you are planning to go to Bato Springs in San Pablo, Laguna, here is our itinerary that might be helpful in planning your trip...

rock rainy summer outing at bato springs

 fun . laughter . rockfriends . nature .

3-hour travel from Manila, Bato Springs in San Pablo, Laguna is a very nice place to go to during summer. With the coldness of its spring water, man-made falls and pools, you’ll definitely beat the summer heat.

Unfortunately, when we went there, it is already rainy season so we have to bear with the coldness of water. Superrrrrrr lamig ng tubig!!! brrrrr…

But, despite the weather, we still enjoyed swimming at the cold spring with free massage c/o of water falls and of course everyone will agree that the place is so beautiful because of its nature-inspired theme.

anawangin-capones island adventure

have you wondered how much we spent in our adventure trip to anawangin cove and capones island?

below you will find our itinerary and the expenses we incurred.

really really cheap!

capones island

Do you think our adventure stopped in Anawangin?

Of course not! There is a secluded island just nearby and our feet were not yet tired. So, the morning after, we packed our bags and got ready for a long trek going up to the lighthouse. 

“More energy, mas happy” sabi nga sa commercial. So, with our energized minds and body, we headed right away to Capones Island...