Detour - Daraitan Tinipak Rock Formation

We were supposed to climb Masungi Rock Formation however, we found out that climbers are not allowed since it is now privately owned. We decided to stay for a few minutes while thinking for plan B when someone asked if we've been to Daraitan. I automatically answered "Hindi pa po," then she suggested why not go there it will be just like an hour away and I asked if we can visit the area given that we only have 3 to 4 hours to spend since we also have another climb tomorrow. She said "Yes," suddenly I can't wait to be there.

The ride was very smooth up to Sampaloc area, where you need to get off and ride another habal-habal that will take you that place. We need to get off because it's cheaper if you do it that way. However, if we didn't get off the jeep we could have saved more.

It was bumpy and almost an hour drive. It was a rough road all the way to Daraitan, I can't help thinking when would this rough road ends. Anyway, glad I have my scarf with me since it was also too dusty.

The driver will take you to the Barangay hall where you need to register and get a guide that will take you to the Tinapak Rock formation. These local guides are trained and polite however, the guide fee is too much compared to other places I've been too especially if you will climb or travel alone.

Below are the guide fees.

Tinipak River/Rock formation - Php 500
Daraitan Summit Climb - Php 800 (dayhike)
There would be additional fees for overnight.
(Maximum of 8-10 packs)

All the hassles encountered are worth it because of this amazing place, thank you Lord for another beautiful creation ^_^

Here's our Itinerary for this trip (excluding Masungi area). 

10 AM - meet up in SM Masinag ride Jeepney to Cogeo
11 AM - ETA Cogeo Market to Sampaloc (look for Jeepney going to Sampaloc) - you need to alight before the foot bridge / before crossing then ask for Jeepney going to Sampaloc
1 PM - ETA Sampaloc Market then ride Habal-Habal that will take you to Daraitan Brgy. Hall
2 PM - ETA Brgy. Hall, register, go to the rest room, buy trail food and water

Budget All IN for 2 pax (Php 1000) that would be Php 500 per pax

Activities:
Swimming
Spelunking/Caving
Climb Daraitan Summit
Visit HotSpring (Laguna area) - with additional fees (cross country)

El Nido, Palawan

I left my heart in El Nido. It took me 2 cancelled flights before I was able to reach Palawan. Getting there seems like forever, however its worth the wait. 

Patience is never a waste of time, when your time finally comes then you'll realize that it worth the wait, and you will credit yourself

Here's my fave so far :)

Big Lagoon - Tour A

Bagac, Bataan Philippines

A friend of mine posted that our next trip would be in Bagac, Bataan - and I was like hmmp never heard of this place before though I was born in Mariveles and my cousins live in Bataan they never mentioned about it. Interesting, I've been to other places in Bataan but never had an idea about this place aside from it became a shooting location of one of the TV programs before. Maybe because I was too busy checking other places instead of my own, lesson learned.

How to get there:

1. Ride any bus company in Manila that will pass by Balanga, Bataan. I took Genesis Bus - Mariveles (will pass by Balanga hi-Way) since I missed the bus that will go directly to Balanga terminal.

I would like to thank the bus conductor since he managed to tell me that I can transfer to another genesis bus that will bring me directly to Balanga when we had a stop over somewhere in Pampanga :D that saved me Php 50 for the tricycle ride. 

2. In Balanga Terminal ride a local bus that says Bagac, the ride will take around an hour. Better to sit near the window area because the seats are not too big. Tell the driver to drop you off in Philippine-Japanese Tower or just tell them Tower this will cost you php 35. Sometimes they don't have conductor so better ask local passenger if you are near the tower :D just like I did. 

3. When you get to the Tower ride a tricycle try to negotiate for the price first normally it is Php50 however they might ask for a higher price if you're traveling alone. You may ask the driver to bring you to the market first to buy some food since the nearest store is only open during weekends and the options are very limited to cup noodles, bread and eggs sometimes 3 in 1 coffee is out of stock so better to buy water and food outside you don't want to walk for 2.5 km to get to the next store :D

A must bring:

Jacket/Fleece Jacket - I feel like I was in Baguio due to the cold wind, I wish I brought my jogging pants instead of shorts hehe

Blanket if you plan to stay overnight

Extra money if you want to go to the bat cave and try cliff diving or to other beach or visit Las Casas Filipinas (Php 800 entrance since this is an exclusive resort)

Camera - I forgot mine good thing I have my phone with me :D

Charging is not a problem in Stella Mariz - there is electricity or socket where you can charge your gadgets /phone.

Here are some photos I took with my phone camera.

Morong, Bataan - Skimboarding and Surfing spot with Punks!

I was curious what's with Morong, Bataan out of beautiful places in the Philippines our group decided to celebrate our 2nd anniversary here... being a curious individual me, myself and I wanted to go and check it out.

How to get there:

You have two options going to Morong, you can take the public jeep or you can choose the non-aircon bus. For the non-aircon bus you need to walk a bit around 500 meters and will pass by the entrance gate in SBMA after that you'll see the bus terminal.

Ride a bus going to Olongapo, alight in Olongapo victory bus terminal. From there walk a bit going to Jollibee and take the yellow jeepney going to SBMA. From SBMA cross in the other side of the road to your left and walk towards the Harbor point you'll see public transportation going to Morong.

The road from SBMA to Morong is good, and you won't see a lot of public vehicles more on bikers/cyclist. Better to hire a PUJ (Jeepney) going to Morong or directly to your choice of beach resort it cost us 800php for one way trip for 13pax.

Expect rough road on the way to the resort.

Finally, we arrived. The place is very laid back and the cottages are made in pawid. I immediately noticed the black sand and it was shining like a diamond. I almost compared it to Baler except Morong sand is shining in my eyes, I like it's jet black color. Just one thing the resort personnel haven't removed the trash near the shore area. I only noticed this in Cristina resort other resorts are actually clean.

In the afternoon the sun shines we decided to swim and have fun with the big waves and got a chance to learn skimboarding :)

Totally awesome!

Breakdown of expenses in PHP

Bus Cubao - Olongapo = 212
Breakfast chowking and pack lunch = 172
Jeep Olongapo to SBMA = 8
Jeep SBMA to Morong - 66
Food - 250
Accommodation overnight - 150 per pax
Tricycle from resort to morong terminal = 40 / 4pax
Non-aircon bus from morong to sbma = 45
Bus SBMA to pasay SCTEX = 250

Here are some photos for this trip: 
(Photographed by Ma'am Mafe Aquinde)

Cebu DIY Part 2 - Camotes Island

This was my 2nd day in Cebu and some of my friends already went back. Randy and I decided to visit Camotes Island for a day before he'll go back to Manila. We were supposed to take the first trip at 5:30am however, we both gave in to sleep :D and woke up around 6AM.

We went out before 7AM from our hotel in Plaza Garcia and took a multicab that will pass by North Bus Terminal (you can find these multicab in Cebu Cathedral Area) look for signage going to SM and Mandaue area e.g 01k and 21D (you can use this link for local jeepney/multicab route in Cebu http://cebujeepneys.weebly.com/01k.html).

Don't forget to tell the driver or conductor that you will alight in North Bus Terminal. If you are from Cebu Downtown it's on the left side opposite SM. (Fare Php 8.00)

From the terminal just ride a bus  that will pass by Danao Port. (Travel time: approx 1 hour). Then get a ticket from Jomalia Shipping lines (non-aircon 180 php, aircon 200php).

Below are the new trip schedule:

We chose the non-aircon area and enjoyed the 2 hour ferry ride. It wasn't our first time riding a roro so we're pretty used to it.

When you get off the ferry a lot of habal-habal, multicab and private vans waiting outside the port. They offer tours around the island. You can always choose which one works with the time and budget you have.

We went for habal-habal and discussed the places we want to visit since we only have limited time and can't stay longer and before leaving we also discussed the price for the whole day tour. Make sure you have talked about the price so you don't need to add extra also the tourist spots are not free there will be entrance fees that you also need to shoulder. You only need to pay for your entrance your tour guide/driver doesn't need to pay.

Welcome to Camotes Island - Consuelo Wharf

Here are the places we visited:

Santiago Bay - I'm still awed by it's white sand and clean water. Added point would be its shallow water. Best for a non-swimmer girl like me :D It was not populated too, we just have the shore all by ourselves. Just one thing, hopefully the locals maintain the cleanliness of this place.

Lake Danao Park - what a big lake, want to relax and just enjoy nature you can go here and try the kayak No worries there are no real crocodiles :)

... I'll end this one here ooppss this is not yet done we still have the Buho rock formation still in Camotes Island

Cebu DIY Part 1 - Exploring South

I and my friends booked this trip a year ago, we had it with one of cebupac's zero fare so we only paid less than 500 for our RT ticket.

I was ready when my boss suddenly asked me to attend a business training for few days this was my dilemma I had to move my vacation leave and rescheduled my flight. Good thing cebupac had rescheduled my flight few days ago so I called to get a one time adjustment for free, thank God it was approved!

Osmeña Peak, Mantalungon Cebu

How to get there:

From southern bus terminal take any bus that will pass by Dalaguete Junction (like oslob and bato) from Dalaguete then ride habal habal motorbike for Php 100. You'll pass by Mantalungan market after the market the road going to the foot or jump off is a real rough road so hold on tight (30 minutes ride).

Guide Fee would be Php 50. I gave Php100 for taking my bag and photos since I did it alone.

Kawasan Falls in Bandian

This time the water is unclear due to the rain better to go here during summer. Anyway after the trekking you can ask your habal-habal driver to take you here. I didn't go here since I took another route and my haba-habal driver asked for 400php which is out of my budget for that day (i took the long way to get to Badian though) my friends went here and told me their stories.

If you have a lot of energy and your body can take 5 hours of trekking I suggest you try Osmena - Kawasan Traverse.

Since 400php going to Kawasan is out of budget I took the long way - I had to go back to the highway and took a bus going to Oslob or Bato from there I took another bus that will pass by Badian - you'll find buses Cebu city via Bariles (this buses will pass by Badian and Moalboal) it cost me (70 php to Bato and 70 php to Moalboal)

Kawasan is like 20 minutes away from Moalboal you can ride habal-habal to take you to Kawasan.

MoalBoal town was quiet and the food is really good and cheap. Budget wise you can find accommodation for less than 1000php (shore area) and less than 300php (dormitory type).

Here are some photos for this trip

Badasku Beach also known as the White Beach

Panagsama Beach - Diving Area

You go to Panagsama to get cheap accommodation it's around 5km away from the white beach.
This is where you should stay in case you're more into diving.

Moalboal town

Food you must try (Php 50)

Seaweed salad and their version of Tortang Talong (favorite)

I'll end the part one here... enjoy!

Start...

It's been a couple months since I registered and created this blog.... however, I never used it. I don't know where to start at all :)

Writing is a bit tiring so I'll start by sharing photos and include some captions on it. In time it should progress :)