Sunday, November 3, 2013

Biak na Bato Day Tour

Looking for a quick out-of-town day tour for our balikbayan relatives, we opted to go to one of the Philippine's neglected historical site - the Biak na Bato National Shrine in San Miguel, Bulacan. You may do your own homework on what about this place that played a vital role in our past. 

Biak na Bato National Shrine


Leaving from Makati City, it took us about 3-4 hours in order to reach the place. There are no visible signboards along the way so make sure you do your research eagerly. I forgot the exact amount of per head entrance fees and tour guide fee but on my rough estimate it is about Php50 per head and Php200 per tour guide. I'm not sure if they allow visitor to explore on their own since the path is pretty straight-forward. I've read some blogs before that you can swim in the river here but during our time, the river is splashing with mud from the mountain since it just rained the night before. The over-all tour of the area is approximately 1.5-2hrs with not all the sites are allowed for tourists.

Here are the scenic and the not-so-scenic views of the place...

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

The walk path has been cemented so trekking shoes are not that necessary. There were steeps encounters but even our senior citizens able to reach the end with just some hesitations; but there is just one place that is not paved that scared them not to continue.


Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine

Biak na Bato National Shrine
the biggest and grandest caves of them all..the final stop
Biak na Bato National Shrine

I just felt so bad seeing all the vandalisms in the area and the area is not properly conserved anymore and maintained. I hope sites like this would be preserved by the government for the generations to come.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Anawangin Weekend

For this tour, I hitched with my former officemates to save on planning and tour expenses as such they got a group package tour which includes van return transfer from Manila to Zambales, all-inclusive meals and water, round-trip boat to Anawangin and tent rentals. All-in-all, I just spent Php3000 including souvenirs (shirt, keychain and bracelet), transportation from and to Laguna and additional snacks.

We left Quezon Avenue pick-up point at around 4:30am and arrived in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales at around 8:30am. Our first stop before heading to Anawangin Cove is Capones Island. It is about 20-30minutes boat ride from the Pundaquit shoreline. If you will be doing this, be sure to be in your swimming attire as boats can't dock close to the shoreline so we were forced to swim chest-deep. Caution: the sea floor is rocky and full of corals so watch out for sharp edges or yet be prepared to get wounded.

Capones Island
the trek up the island from the beach/docking area

Capones Island
quite nice view from the top

Capones Island
on the way up to the lighthouse, it felt like an oven in here

Capones Island
view from the lighthouse

Capones Island
Capones Island lighthouse

After spendin about an hour and a half in Capones Island, we headed then to our final destination - Anawangin Cove, which is approximately 20-30 minutes boat ride from Capones Island. On our first day, we explored the area and swam, bought some alcohol in the nearby sari-sari store to spend the night away. For our second day, we hiked the hills near the cove, swam again then packed-up.

Anawangin Cove
the beach front

Anawangin Cove
the picturesque forest of Anawangin

Anawangin Cove
superb mountain view!

Anawangin Cove
also on the other side

Anawangin Cove
the famous lake of Anawangin, you need an entrance fee to get in here unless you stayed in their premises

Anawangin Cove
the jump-off point for our 2-hour hill-trekking

Anawangin Cove
the view of the cove atop flag #2

Anawangin Cove
steep and rocky hill-side trekking

Anawangin Cove
stunning view from flag #3
We left at around 1pm to give time for enough rest before going to work the next day.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Baguio City Tour: Day Two

Mines View Park
On our second day, we left our pension house in DPS Compound at around 0830H. We rode a jeepney going to Burnham Park and from there we waited for a Mines View jeepney to pass by. Getting off right infront of the entrance of the entrance, our tour starts. This is the park where you would see a lot of souvenir items and I think the prices are reasonable enough. I bought all my souvenir from this place. Things to do in the area are pictures, pictures and pictures!


Mines View Park
the view why people are going here for

Mines View Park
right at the entrance

The Mansion - Wright Park

These two landmarks are situated right infront of each other. We rode again a jeepney going here from the entrance of Mines View Park; just ask the barker to be sure it will pass by the area, fares are just minimum. 
The Mansion

The Mansion
the gates of the Mansion; free entrance!

Wright Park
scenic view of Wright Park without the parked vehicles

Wright Park
on the other side, you may hire guided horses for a ride

Botanical Garden

Nothing much to see here now since they are still rehabilitating the park but if you want to complete all the landmarks of the city plus there's no entrance fee, it's just a hefty 10-15mins walk from Wright Park. Just do a research first on how to get there using a map; it's not a straight path that you would be taking.
Baguio Botanical Garden
this old lady dressed in tribal costume immediately made her way toward us and asking for a price, tsk!

BenCab Museum

From the Botanical Garden, we took our lunch first at Glen's 50s Diner. It's just one jeepney ride plying the route of Burnham Park from the outside (minimum fare). Then from the diner, we rode a jeep going to Burnham Park then within the vicinity of the town proper, we asked people on where is the terminal for Asin. BenCab Museum is about 5-10mins walk from the jeepney terminal in Barangay Asin. The museum is very neat and organized; all of us were amused from what we saw inside. They have this ecological tour downstairs but due to time constraint, we were unable to do that. They also have a cafe in the area!
BenCab Museum

BenCab Museum

BenCab Museum

BenCab Museum

BenCab Museum

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Baguio City Tour: Day One

Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
Before eight in the morning, we left our pension house in DPS Compound (walking distance from Victory Liner Terminal). From the main road, we took a taxi going to PMA compound. In just about 20mins we were already at PMA's gate but was not allowed to enter since we are wearing slippers. There are stalls outside the gates that sells rubber soles which are enough to let you through the mighty guards. For the ladies they costs Php50 while for men it's Php150. From the gate, we just waited for a jeep to arrive. Only Php8 fare up to the parade grounds, which is also the jeep's turn-about point. 

Philippine Military Academy
I think this is their main hall
 Philippine Military Academy
Philippine Military Academy
you may watch the cadets parade and march for free!
 
Philippine Military Academy
PMA Museum: just Php10 entrance fee
 Camp John Hay
From PMA, we waited again for a jeep at its turn-about point. This same jeep goes back to the city proper and will pass by Camp John Hay entrance gates (fare: Php14). From there we started to walk along this huge area for half day; very tiring yet still relaxing as the view is scenic and refreshing. They have only one main road and road signs are evident everywhere so just be patient in reaching your destinations. Restaurants are also available inside.

Camp John Hay Baguio City
theater
 
Camp John Hay Baguio City
the Bell Ampitheater
 
Camp John Hay Baguio City
inside the Bell House (entrance is about Php50)

Burnham Park
From Camp John Hay's gates, you may wait for jeepneys marked Burnham; it's that easy isn't? Well, I just observed that here in Baguio City, almost every jeepney route starts and ends nearby Burnham Park, if not within the park. I don't have much pictures in Burnham Park but what we just did here is hired a boat and bicycles. So much activities and walking to do here though.

3 Days / 2 Nights Baguio City Itinerary

Thursday, June 27, 2013

3 Days / 2 Nights Baguio City Itinerary

I've been to Baguio City for several times already since childhood with my parents and relatives using private vehicles but since one of my friend want to experience the city for the first time, we did a quick tour of the city budget-style! Sharing our do-it-yourself tour of Baguio City...


Day 0 2230H ETD Cubao (Bus: ~Php450)
Day 1 0400H ETA Baguio City
0500H Check-in: Tuvera Pension House (~Php1200 per room per night, triple occupancy)
0800H-0830H Taxi: DPS Compound to PMA (~Php200)
0830H-1200H PMA Grounds Tour
watch the cadets march/drills
PMA Museum
Lunch at a carinderia
1200H-1230H Jeep: PMA to Camp John Hay (~Php14)
1230H-1630H Camp John Hay
Bell Ampitheater
Bell House (~Php50 entrance)
Cemetery of Negativism
The Mile-Hi Center
Snack: Filling Station
Paintball (~Php200 for target shooting)
1630H-1700H Jeep: Camp John Hay to Burnham Park (~Php8)
1700H-1900H Burnham Park
boat rental (~Php150 per boat)
bike rental (~Php100 per hour)
1900H-1930H Walk: Burnham Park to SM City Baguio
1930H-2100H Dinner: SM City Baguio
Day 2 0815H-0900H Jeep: DPS Cmpd-Burnham (Php8), Burnham-Mines View (Php10)
0900H-1045H Mines View Park
1045H-1100H Jeep: Mines View-Mansion (Php8)
1100H-1200H The Mansion and Wright Park
1200H-1215H Walk: Wright Park to Botanical Garden
1215H-1300H Botanical Garden
1300H-1320H Jeep: Botanical Garden-50s Diner (Php8)
1320H-1500H Lunch: Glenn 50's Diner
1500H-1545H Jeep: 50s Diner-Burnham (Php8), Burnham-Asin (~Php21)
1545H-1730H Ben Cab Museum (~Php50 entrance)
1800H onwards Rest at Pension House
Day 3 0800H-0830H Jeep: DPS Cmpd-Burnham (Php8), Burnham-Mines View (Php10)
0830H-1000H Pasalubong: Good Shepherd's Convent
1000H-1100H Lunch: Glenn 50's Diner
1200H ETD Baguio City (Bus: ~Php450)
1830H ETA Cubao


Pardon for the prices as all are estimates since I haven't took down notes during our tour. At first I am hesitant of touring the city via commuting but because of this trip, I stand corrected. Total Budget consumed: ~Php4000; not bad eh?!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Right after visiting the Grand Palace on the onset of its opening, we headed to tour the ancient city of Ayutthaya, known for its century-old temple and ruins. It's about 2 hrs travel from Bangkok when we got to set our foot on our first temple stop - Phra Chedi. This is I think the highest temple-mountain of the city and with that you need to climb steep stone staircases. I'm with my mom and aunts who managed to climb under the heat of the sun so I bet you will too! There is a minimal entrance fee here but I forgot how much; it won't go higher than THB50.

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

After touring the place, we stopped for a quick lunch over a nearby local eatery before heading to our last stop - Wat Maha That where the famous Buddha face relic on a tree roots can be found. The place is more ruin-liked and more spacious and said to be comparable with the ruins of Siem Reap temples though smaller in scale. Like with Phra Chedi, there is a minimum entrance fee here.

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

Ayutthaya Day Tour

These are just two of the most important temples in the city. There are still a lot more to see. We just opted to visit two since we don't have much time. We were back in Bangkok before 5pm. Estimated time of visit for each temple is around 1-1.5 hour each. On this day, we rented again our airport taxi whom we used for our Floating Market tour for about THB2000-2500 since this is farther than Damnoen Saduak.