Discover Bohol

Way back July 22-24, 2011.

Actually, we had our Cebu- Bohol trip on those dates. I just wanted to share with you our Bohol Experience first.

After an hour and half we have reached the Tagbilaran Port via an Oceanjet (fast craft) from Cebu. We have missed the early trip even if we had booked our ticket the day before. So, to all of you guys planning to go there, you can booked your CEBU-TAG, V/V as early as possible if you wanted an earlier trip.

Tagbilaran Port on our arrival

After bargaining, we took our van for city tour.

And for our first stop, late lunch at Loboc River Cruise.

         

That was our city tour. it's been a busy afternoon for all of us since our time is limited yet we had so much fun.

Then, we checked in at Dumaluan Beach Resort (one fan room). We usually opt for a room for a group since we always sticking hard for our small budget.

As early as 630 am, we are ready for our island hopping.

      

   

That ends our island hopping. We are rushing back to the resort not to miss our scheduled TAG-CEBU trip via the same boat.

El Nido Wonders

El Nido is one of the best spot in Palawan, Philippines. That is one of the tourist destination in the Philippines. Also, there are some Hollywood movies shot at the scenic view of El Nido Islands most recently is the "Bourne Legacy" starred by Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weiz.

Who will not be in love with this? This is what they call the Small Lagoon. It is really a wonder of nature.

This was our first destination on our first day at El Nido during "Tour A & B" package and it was like WOW as in wow. I never thought I could have the chance of seeing them and I was blessed.

How about this one? This is at Big Lagoon just nearby the other one. This is where they said the last scene of Bourne Legacy was shot.

Snake Island during High Tide :(

Unfortunately, Snake Island was not that visible when we went to. That white visible is what they call call the Snake Island for it is like a snake bridging the two Islands. You can see some of the pictures of Snake Island during Low Tide and it's beautiful. It reminds me of the Virgin Island in Bohol.

For those who wanted to visit El Nido, don't hesitate to do so. It's all worth it.

Garnet Hotel is personally recommended to all those wanting an affordable yet a very cozy accommodation.

Into the Lense

Pictures really paint a thousand words. History are made clear, celebration never lasts, travel worth remembering and everything is made possible to be framed.

Before, i just love taking photos without taking any considerations. Whenever I love the scene, I'll take it using an AUTO set on my digital camera (oops company's camera, hehehe). Until, I got a Nikon D90. I got it just because I love taking photos without any idea of the what PHOTOGRAPHY is all about. The lights, composition, subject, framing and other things to consider until the Photography workshop comes along.

And that is my first exercise. Can you tell me what is lacking?

Second we are able to do the model shoot. It was fun and this is my best photos (although I have so many choices) for the portrait exercise.

 

Model: Jaya

And this is me with my Nikon D90 at 70-300mm. Thanks to Arriane for the photo.

Getting Started

I never thought playing badminton will be that tiring. That you have to have endurance just like when you do the treadmill. That you will get wet of your own sweat from head to toe.I never thought it would be just a mean of exercise, a replacement for my gym session that makes me difficult to start all over again.

It's been two weeks since I started my morning exercise by jogging around Plaza Mabini. It lasts for an hour, not bad. Until I have been invited for their long time routine every after work. Actually, long before that I have invited to join with them but I hesitantly say yes nor say no.

And today, it's been two hours maybe, straight playing on the court and I have fun. I can still remember before when I am done with my workouts, I have to change all my clothing including underwear. It's all wet (ooopss don't make it green, LOL).

As I am telling them a while ago, "make me a regular customer here" since I miss the sweat all over me, sounds green or I am the only thinking about it, LOL. Anyway, I will make sure I will have my time again playing on those courts again.

I am just getting started and I can say, NICE ONE!

English that Matters

Please forgive me for my grammar. I am just trying (harder) to express myself on this blog. For whatever its worth.

Since High School, I am not that good in English subject (i'd rather choose Mathematics). My teacher keeps on extracting (is that the right term?) my brain. I remember once he asks me: "Pang-ilan ka nga?" and I replied, "second po", "hindi ka karapatdapat!" (my teacher is saying that I am not deserving to be the second honor of the class and maybe some of you did not expect too, LOL)

However, I'll continue to write on this blog. For whatever it may worth, I know somebody will see it.

Cagayan Valley (Lambak ng Cagayan)

It was early as February 2012 when we booked our ticket to Tuguegarao to visit the place of our cousin, sister of my mother at Tuao, Tuguegarao City. That's the very first reason why we are flying to. However, one time as we are watching TV,  Anguib Beach at Sta. Ana, Cagayan  was featured on a show. This a four-hour drive away from Tuguegarao City.

We have learned from the internet that there is also a cave at Penablanca, Cagayan Valley (Callao Cave) which later featured at ABS-CBN long-time running drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya". It tackles about a young boy who is a certified tour guide on the said cave.

And we have come to a different itinerary. We have to see those places need to see and experience being tour guided by the young boy named "Andoy" (who is unfortunately not there when we visit the cave).

And everybody is excited. My mother is her first time to ride a plane as we are on our first time to visit our cousin province (long before planned). It was June 16, 2012 and we are flying to Tuguegarao. Yehey! 

Our Tito (husband of my mother's sister) fetch us at the airport. Tita was in her business boutique at that time and we have our merienda (snacks). We experience the taste of the well-known local food "pancit batil patong".

                           

                                      

It looks delicious, right? It is indeed. If our province Batangas is known for it's "lomi" (another kind of pancit menu), Pancit Batil Patong is what Tuguegarao, Cagayan has.

                            

While waiting for our Pancit Batil Patong
(my Uncle & Auntie, my mother, my cousin <their youngest son> and me)

We headed to Tuao (their very own place), an hour drive from Tuguegarao City. We had our lunch there, rest, sleep and of course "kumustahan" (chatting). Afterwards, we prepare ourselves for a long drive (Tuao-Tuguegarao-Sta, Ana). It is about a five-hour drive. Auntie and my mother (the sisters) were left home and Uncle and my counsin accompanied us to Sta. Ana Cagayan via Mitsubishi Montero. It was fun though tiring. We enjoy the scene during the travel (it is a rice farm almost along the way). We arrived Sta. Ana around 8:00 PM, had our dinner nearby and go for a cheap yet a good accommodation.

                     

 

That was our accommodation at Jotay Resort, Centro, Sta. Ana Cagayan. Not bad.

As early as 6:00 o'clock in the morning, we had our quick breakfast. We then go to the San Vincente Port for our Island Hopping. We went to Palaui Island, Cafe Engaño Lighthouse, Don Hernanos Island, Crocodile Island and Anguib Beach.

                       

     

   

 

Those pictures were just a few of our shots. This place is said to be undiscovered or should I say a new discovery. This is not as famous as Boracay but I will tell you this is different. Boracay is  beautiful although it is quite crowded unlike the Anguib Beach which is enjoying its natural beauty, a virgin if I may say. Anguib Beach is also known for the Boracay of the North but for me this should not be known or name after any for this has its own beauty everyone will surely long to see.

the Famous Callo Cave (similar to Batu Caves of Malaysia)

    The Miraculous Our Lady Of Piat Churh

                               

Departure

And that was our trip to Cagayan Valley, a three-day trip, very short yet meaningful for all of us. Until next visit.

Wonders of Palawan

Palawan is one of the most sought places in the Philippines ever since. Until the search for   7 Wonders of Nature begins. Just like in Showbiz (as me, hahaha) the more you talk about it, the more people long to see it, the more people get excited to be there, the more you get curious about it and tends you to experience it.

Long before (December 2011), we are booked for Puerto Princesa Palawan. Yes, it is that early since we are looking for the "promo fare". Can you believe that we booked our plane ticket for just about Php 864 including all charges (fuel surcharge, travel tax, etc). Oooops terminal fee is not included.

Seconds split, minutes break, hours past, days gone and September approaches. It really gets excited everyday. However, some of our friends backed out from the itinerary. One has to fly back to work abroad, one has just started from a new work that she cannot place her leave of absence, one just got back from Singapore tour and others were just having a trouble on expenses.Setting aside some of the problems, September 1 comes along. Yehey!, we are flying to Puerto Princesa. Our Itinerary goes like this: 

                                                  

September 1 

0540  -  ETD to Puerto Princesa

0650  -  ETA at Puerto Princesa

0730  -  Breakfast 

0900  -  ETD to Sabang (Underground River)

1130  -  Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

1230  -  Lunch

1400  -  Departure (we have to meet our public van at junction 1 to El Nido about an hour drive from Sabang)

1700  -  Stop-over at Roxas

2000  -  Arrival at El Nido

2100  -  Check in at Garnet Hotel

2200  -  late Dinner 

September 2

0700  -  Wake up Call

0730  -  Breakfast

0900  -  Island hopping ( combination of Tour A & B)

         (Small Lagoon. Big Lagoon. Simizu Island, Cudugnon Cave, Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan

           Island, 7 Commandos Beach)

1700  -  End of Island Hopping

1800  -  Freshen up, Rest, Dinner at get ready for the night life

September 3

0700  -  Wake up Call
0730  -  Breakfast
0900  -  Island hopping (Tour C)
           (Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island, Inambuyod Island(snorkeling),
            Helicopter Island)
1630  -  End of Island Hopping, Prepare for Check out.
1730  -  Check out
1800  -  Departure to Puerto Princesa via Roro Bus)
2000  -  Stop Over at Taytay
2200  -  Stop Over at Roxas
2400  -  Arrival at Puerto Princesa Bus Terminal and meet my Cousin
0030  -  Midnight Snack at Cousin's Place
0130  -  Sleep, Rest.

September 4
0700  -  Wake up Call
0730  -  Breakfast
0800  -  City Tour (via tricycle)
1200  -  Lunch
1230  -  Check in at Puerto Princesa Airport
1340  -  ETD via Airphil to Manila
1500  -  Arrival at NAIA

This Itinerary is near our actual IT. It may looks like so tiring yet fulfilling. We maximize the time of our stay at Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan, but we haven't yet done the Honda Bay Tour (maybe next time, what!?) because of time constraint. However, it still a a great experience having those really a "Wonders of Nature" and it is only in the Philippines. It is more fun indeed here at the Philippines, so come and prove it by yourself.