WHITE POWDERY BEACH OF BORACAY

It was first time to spend one of my summer days in Boracay and also my first time to ride a plane alone. :) All I can say with my trip going to Boracay was SMOOTH. I haven't been there, but everything went well from the airport until riding the tricycle. :)

HOW TO GET THERE

1. Airplane - I recommend that you book your ticket a month or more before your arrival period. I booked my tick a month ago and it only cost P3550 round trip. :) I also recommend airphilexpress for the on-time leave and service. There are two places you can land on before Boracay, Kalibo or Caticlan. Coming from Caticlan you wouldn't be needing to ride a van but the ticket is pricier than Kalibo.

2. Van - Arrivng at the Kalibo Airport there are van services waiting outside. I got mine for P250 inclusive of the boat ride. The ride was only 1hour and 30mins.

3. Arriving at the boat terminal, you have to pay an Environmental & Admissiong Fee for P75, and Terminal fee for P50 before heading to your boat. Travel time of the boat is only 15mins.

4. Tricycle - Drivers always want there passengers going on the same Station, so I recommend if you are alone ask other people if you could join them. My fare was only P20 going to Station 1.

Kalibo Airport

WHERE TO SLEEP? 

My friends and I decided to stay at Bans Beach Resort in Station 1. It wasn't a 5 star hotel or anything but it is perfectly located. It was somewhat between Station 1 and 2. If you are the type of person who wants luxury you should stay in Station 1. If not, or you are in a tight budget there are a lot of resorts/hotels to choose from Station 2 and 3. I would not recommend Station 3 because it is really REALLY crowded.

Rooms were simple but clean :)

WHAT TO DO?

There are A LOT of things to do in Boracay and A LOT of people who would TAKE ADVANTAGE. If you want to value your money always ask for a lower price when doing your activities. In my experience I would not recommend helmet diving, the mere fact that I got a bruise and lumps on both of my shoulders the only thing you would see under are the fish. No corals or colorful things JUST FISHES. Aside from that you should try island hopping, parasailing, zorb, atv, diving etc. At night there are a lot of bars to choose from. :)

Me and my thesis buddy. :)

Verdict: YOU NEED TO STAY IN BORACAY AT LEAST ONE WEEK TO EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING. We only stayed for 4D/3N and all we can say is WE HAVE TO GO BACK ASAP!. Everything was perfect, the place, the people... everything. :) 

*Don't forget to get your henna tattoo for the ultimate Boracay experience :)

Happy Summer! :D

WHITE SANDY BEACH

AWESOME TRIP TO BORACAY. FIRST TIME! :) 

5:16!

Will post SOON!

 

UNBEARABLE HEAT? GO BAGUIO!

The heat here in Manila is unbearable. It's definitely summer!! Unfortunately livinng in the city with this kind of weather is not great at all. Luckily, me and my friends decided to go to Baguio last Holy Week, and the weather there is what we all need. According to a radio station the temprature there was 12 degrees compared here in Manila which is 34 degrees which I think is wayyyyy hotter. 

Going to Baguio coming from Manila, you could take a bus or bring your own car. You could take the sctex high way which is the shorter route going to Baguio but you have to pay P400 all in all for the two toll gates you are passing, it will only took you 5-6hrs going to Baguio. 

The longer route which passes Nueva Ecija will took you 8hours on the road but you would only pay P80 for the toll gates. For me it is still better you take the sctex road even though you'll spend P400 you wouldn't waste your time. Also, what you will be spending on the toll gate is almost equal what you will be spending on the gas when you take the longer route. :)  

There are two roads which you could take going to Baguio, Marcos Highway or Kennon road. For me go with Kennon road if you're time conscious BUT if it's raining and the weather is not good you SHOULD definitely take Marcos Highway which is safer. 

BAGUIO: 

UNFORTUNATELY I left my camera at home :(

Foggy weather! It was really REALLY cold. 

Bowling time in Green Valley! I love it how it was different from other bowling places in Manila :)

Friends and Me :)

Entrance going to Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is actually a big recreational area. There are a lot of thing to do around here. You could go picnik, play sports, shop, etc.

Because I forgot my camera, I have to used my phone to take photos. :| 

5am and the sun is coming up!

It is made up of tons and tons of flowers!!

 Photo came from Lovely Philippines

This happens during February, if you love festivals you shoulg definitely go to Baguio for the "Panagbenga Festival" 

It IS awesome!

*We actually did not tour around Baguio since it wasn't our first time to go there which explains I don't have photos of famous places you should see. If you are a first timer to Baguio I'll definitely recommend you should go to Camp John Hay, Mines View, Strawberry Farm, and the PMA. :D

Sites that would help you!

Welcome to Baguio

Go Baguio

Panagbenga Festival

Turn on the aircon!

I'M TOASTED

THE VIRGIN ISLAND, CARAMOAN

What where you doing last summer 2011? I know that this is a year ago, and because I haven't had a blog that time I can only share my summer experience last year today. :) Last May 02-04, 2011 our family decided to visit Caramoan, Camarine Sur  and because Bicol is our province it was easier for us to gather information about the place.

If you're coming from Manila, you could ride a bus, plane or bring your own car going to Naga, Bicol. Taking the bus or bringing a car coming from Manila takes 8 -10hours, the plane ride only takes 45mins. (depends on your time and budget what to take) After arriving, you need to take a jeepney (2hrs) going to Sabang port where you would ride a boat (2hrs) going to Caramoan. Arriving at Caramoan you need to take a 20min. mini jeepney ride to take you inside the place, there is also a P30.00 environmental fee when arrving there.

You also need to hire a boat, and a tour guide when you came there for your ulitmate island hopping experience. :)

*If you're going to bring a car you would need to leave it at Sabang Port, don't worry there are a lot of people who would look after for your cars. :)

CARAMOAN AT ITS BEST:

 Rock formation :) There was one which looks like a turtle unfortunately I can't find the photo :(

Island hopping for two days, we visited 7 islands including some of the islands

that Survivor (forgot what country it is) used as a set.

Brother. Me. Brother. Father. Mother. Brother's Girlfiend. :)

(picture is blurry.. idk why. :| )

Rock climbing without the safety gear. Lol. It was actually scary especially for a first timer like me

but because for the sake of experience, we all tried it except for my mom. :)

The view from were we climbed! Breathtaking!

The lagoon with the lonely "bangus", people there said that there is a story behind this lagoon and the fish. 

You have to go there to know the story! Lol. This is the other side of what we climbed.  

Loving the water!

PHOTO IS BLURRY. :(

Getting here you need to climb up 500 big humongous steps.

It was really tiring but TOTALLY worth it. :)

Eating lunch. :) This is the BEST-ESTTTT island ever.

Don't forget to buy souvenir shirts when going home! :) 

with the BEST tour guide ever! 3rd from right.

If you're the type of traveler who wants relaxation, peace, quiet and of course a beach lover CARAMOAN is a MUST destination for you. :)

Forgive me, I cannot remember the expenses/details/names we went there but as I remembered it we only spent around 18k for our 3D/2N stay there (6pax). :)

You could check out these links:

CaramoanIslands

Caramoan

TravelCaramoan

Summer 2012, where are you heading? 

:)

HORRAY FOR WAVES!

Last December we decided to get back to La Union for another surfing experience. Okaaay. WE ARE TOTALLY hooked. :) Our expenses were the same, the difference is that we stayed there longer than before. (stoked!) :)

The waves in San Juan were totally wild especially for us, good thing the instructors said that we can still surf in Bognotan. The ride was just about 10minutes away from the resort. You have to rent your own jeepney so it's a good thing if you other surfers would be going there too. :)

Superman! (Brother) 

Food was great.. ALWAYS! :)

 Played monopoly deal :)

 Waves were great the next day! :)

 The sunset was breath taking!

Till next time! :) 

Btw. We totally recommend that you guys bring a car or if you're not on a tight budget ride a plane! :)