Last October 2010, we started to plan for this trip. We waited for seat sale and blessed enough that we got two! First, from Manila to Hong Kong we booked via Cebu Pacific and paid an airfare for only 1,100php. And the 2^nd seat sale was from Macau to Manila for only 2,400php.

We arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 12 midnight. We don’t have a choice but to take a cab from the airport from the hostel at Tsim-Sha-Tsui. Most of the taxi drivers in Hong Kong don’t know how to speak in English so my friend bought a map and just showed the location of the hotel to the taxi driver, and we paid around 300HKD for the taxi fare.

The best place to stay in Hong Kong is at Tsim-Sha-Tsui because it’s near to MTR station, food chains and souvenir shops.

We stayed at Cosmic Guesthouse, the room was small, not super clean compared to 3 star hotels but our things are safe. We stayed at Cosmic Guesthouse for 2 nights. The receptionist knows how to speak in English, very accommodating. We got a promo for our room inclusive of Ocean Park and Disneyland tickets.

Here’s the package that Cosmic Guesthouse offered to us:

3 adult tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland Regular Price $350 per,

3 adult tickets to Ocean Park Regular Price $250 per,

2 nights stay in a 3 Guests Ensuite (1 Double + 1 Single Bed) Regular Price $280/night/room,

The regular price for the above package is Total HK$2360. We can offer you HK$2120

Day 1: Hong Kong Disneyland, Peak Tram and Avenue of Stars

Our 1^st destination is Disneyland. We just took the MTR going to Disneyland, quite fast compared to the MRT here in the Philippines. Disneyland is really for kids, we watched 3D movie, walk and walk and walk. Rode the space mountain, I felt dizzy after that. The food inside Disneyland was expensive. But the parade was really entertaining. We stayed at Disneyland until 4:30pm.

Hong Kong Disneyland

with Mickey

with Kababayans working at Disneyland

Our 2^nd destination was Peak Tram. The ride going up to the Peak was SCARY!!! It feels like the tram will stumble down anytime. But the view, up there was so nice. You can see the buildings and beautiful lights around Hong Kong. We had our dinner at the top, they have fast food chains and souvenir shops at Peak Tram.

Going up!

Vegetable in a Hot Pot

Fish Fillet

View from The Peak

And our 3^rd destination is the Avenue of Stars; it was freezing cold that night. But it was all worth it. I admit that I am thankful that I am wearing leather boots that night because of the cold breeze and the never ending walking session as we explore the city of Hong Kong. And the highlight for that night, I was able to meet my friend Dianne who works in Hong Kong and I haven’t seen her for years! That was amazing!

With Dianne

Lights, Camera, Action!

Avenue of Stars

Day 2: Canton Road and Ocean Park

On our 2^nd day, we went to Canton Road to take pictures of the Signature Brand stores. And that was really nice, because they have big signs of the brands but it looks like Tiangge here in Manila. They don’t have shopping malls like here in the Philippines but the brands that they sell in Hong Kong was so expensive.

Canton Road

Going to ocean Park we rode MTR then a bus. What I love about Ocean Park is their breath taking rides! I love Abyss! It’s like I left my heart in the air. And the roller coaster ride was really great! If you’re looking for thrill then Ocean Park is what I recommend for you. 

Ocean Park

Cable Car Ride

Abyss! You take my heart away!

The Panda Bear was so cute! I want to take him home, haha! He’s so neat while eating, and he’s so cute. Too bad I can’t touch him.

Hello Panda!

We spend our whole second day at Ocean Park. You need to have tons of energy for you to enjoy Ocean Park. And after that we picked our baggage at Cosmic Guesthouse and went straight to Macau via Jetfoil Ferry. The travel time from Hong Kong to Macau is only one hour. As we reached Macau we head straight to Venetian Hotel to check in and we ate at Dragao, its authentic Chinese cuisine, very delicious and affordable. We ordered siomai, yang chow fried rice, chicken feet, spicy squid, siopao. It was all good! And ordered 2-3 servings and we paid only 380 MOP (Pataca).

While waiting for our food at Dragao

We always eat at Café de Coral in Hong Kong. For only 25 HKD you can have meal with drinks. The Nai Cha is the only thing that I really appreciate and love in Hong Kong. The tea was a real tea and not a Lipton Tea bag. 

Breakfast at Cafe de Coral

Brunch at Cafe de Coral

Day 3: Talay Thai, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, Saint Paul Ruins, Macau Square, Venetian Hotel

On our 3^rd day we had our lunch at Talay Thai; it’s located at Fisherman’s Wharf. The food was so delicious and I love it! I was on a diet when I was in Hong Kong I really can’t appreciate their food. But in Macau the food was really delicious plus you have other options and it’s not a fast food chain. I eat like a horse when I was in Macau.

Talay Thai - RECOMMENDED!

Chow Time!

Pineapple Fried Rice

Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Inside Fisherman's Wharf

Macau Version

We spend our whole day taking pictures at Saint Paul Ruins and then we went to Macau Square, shop ‘til you drop! The perfumes were on sale. And I recommend the Portuguese Egg Tart that we bought at Macau Square. Yummmy! The Migoreng (instant pancit canton) that we bought in the grocery was one of the best foods that we bought in Macau.

Macau Square - shopping!

Store of Portuguese Egg Tart (seen at Boys over Flower) - can last for 3 days

Saint Paul Ruins

After that we went back to Venetian Hotel for our Gondola Experience. I forgot the name of the personnel, he’s a Romanian and he knows how to speak in Tagalog. That was nice! They have a very beautiful voice that serenades the guests. The Gondola costs 108MOP per head.

Gondola Experience One

Gondola Experience Two

Venetian Hotel

In Front of Venetian Hotel

We HEART Venetian Hotel

Day 4: Half day at Zhuhai

Zhuhai is the border of China from Macau. The people there are like “Probinsyano” but they are worst! They spit anywhere; don’t know how to fall in line. And I hate it! When I was in line at the immigration, someone just spit on the floor. Ewwww! The native Chinese people don’t have manners. BUT as much as I hate their manners, I LOVE to shop in Zhuhai! It’s like Divisoria here in the Philippines. The items are very cheap. When they give you a price, you can haggle even 60% off the price. The bags, clothes, accessories that I saw in Greenhills, Tutuban mall is the same items that I saw when I was in Zhuhai.

We left Zhuhai at 6:00pm, after that we went straight to Les and Mikii’s condo to pack our pasalubong and went straight ahead to the airport. We’re in a hurry because we need to be there at 8pm. We grabbed sandwich and water for our dinner. And the sad thing about our flight is it was delayed for 5 hours! And none of the Cebu Pacific personnel updated us if how long do we have to wait for the airplane. No meals or anything from the Cebu Pacific. I’m so tired and wasted when we arrived here in Manila at 7:00am.

Over all the trip was very good and the air fare was very affordable!

I want to thank my friends Mikii and Les for accommodating us, and for giving time and effort to tour us in Hong Kong and Macau. You guys are the BEST! I will definitely go back to Macau. Love you both! And I am excited to see your little angel too, soon!  

Mikii and Les, thanks a lot! This trip will not be possible with you guys, see you soon!

Last November 2010, we went to Sagada and we joined Travel Factor. It costs 4,800php per head inclusive of:

• Roundtrip Bus Transfers via Florida bus: Manila-Banaue-Manila
• Roundtrip Chartered Jeep: Banaue-Sagada-Banaue
• 3D/2N Accommodation in Alibama Inn / George Inn
• Day 1 – Lunch
• Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch
• Day 3 – Breakfast
• Private Jeepney during tours around Sagada (see itinerary)
• Cave Connection Adventure (Enter Lumiang, Exit Sumaguing)
• Service of the Local Guides & Cave Guides with lamps
• Service of the tour director
• Travel Insurance
• Travel Factor ID, lanyard and CONQUER Sagada T-Shirt

Here’s our itinerary for the trip:

Day 0, Fri, Nov 26

10:00 PM Meeting Time at the Bus Terminal

(Florida, SH Loyola corner AH Lacson, Sampaloc, Manila)

10:45 PM Exact Bus Departure Manila to Banaue

 

Day 1, Sat, Nov 27

08:00 AM ETA Banaue

Breakfast at Banaue (at own expense)

08:30 AM ETD Banaue

11:30 AM ETA Sagada

Check-in at Alibama Inn

12:00 NN Lunch at Alibama Inn (included in package)

01:00 PM Banga-an Rice Terraces, Trekking and Swimming Bomod-ok Big Falls

05:00 PM Sunset at Lake Danum

07:00 PM Dinner (at own expense)

Overnight at Alibama Inn

 

Day 2, Sun, Nov 28

04:00 AM Wake Up! 🙂

05:30 AM Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint

08:00 AM Breakfast at Alibama Inn (included in package)

09:00 AM Cave Connection Adventure

01:00 PM Late Lunch at Alibama Inn (included in package)

*could be later, depending on the speed of the spelunking group

Dinner (at own expense)

Overnight at Alibama Inn

 

Day 3, Mon, Nov 29

07:00 AM Breakfast at Alibama Inn (included in package)

08:00 AM Walking Tour: St. Mary’s Episcopal church, Calvary Hills, Echo Valley,

Hanging Coffins, Sagada Weaving, Pasalubong shopping

12:00 NN Lunch (at own expense)

01:00 PM ETD Sagada

04:00 PM ETA Banaue

Early Dinner at Banaue (at own expense)

06:30 PM ETD Banaue

 

Day 4, Tue, Nov 3

03:30 AM ETA Manila

 

Instead of trekking on Day 1, we had our Cave Connection Adventure. We’re inside the cave for 6 hours because we’re a big group (30pax), we have to wait for each other. The cave was beautiful but the water was freezing cold! And it’s not a cave that you just have to walk and see the view inside. You have to climb, do rappelling, sit and slide whenever it’s slippery. If you’re really looking for an adventure you should never miss the cave connection. It will test your patience, endurance on climbing, rappelling and sliding. The rock formation at Sumaging cave was very beautiful; I never thought that there is such thing in Sagada.

Cave Connection - Lumiang Cave

Super Lamig!

Cave Connection - Sumaguing Cave

Sumaguing Cave

But there’s one incident that happened to me during the cave connection adventure. There’s a part in the cave where in you need to go thru the cold water just to pass that stage and climb after. My shirt was so wet and it was so cold. My nails are turning violet, and I can feel my heart palpitating when I was inside the cave. I didn’t went down at the last part of Sumaging Cave, instead I just stayed near the petromax (light) of the tour guide to be able to get warm. And when it’s time to go out, I was chilling and I have to climb like 50+ steps to be able to get out of the cave. So I was thinking that it will be more critical if I fade out at the stairs so I rush in to climb to be able to get out as fast as I can. So when I reached the top I lacked out of oxygen, and suddenly my surroundings turned out black. Luckily, the tour guide of Sagada which is Kuya Erwin really knows how to do a 1^st aide. So he removed my socks, and let me eat chocolates and drink water, and he wrap me with blanket. And he put all the lamps around me to be able to keep me warm. I really thanked Kuya Erwin Quiore for his help, and he really took good care of me.

Bomod-ok Falls

Bomod-ok Falls

Known for their Big Pasta and salad serving, delisyoso!

Bonfire on our last night

So I learned my lesson, and I promised myself that I will go back to Sagada during summer.

The trekking going to Bomod-ok big falls, easy when going down and super tiring when going up. The water was super cold, of course! The falls is very beautiful, even though I didn’t have the courage to swim but I can feel the water sprinkling all over my face because of the strong wind.

I recommend the Yoghurt House, it is famous for their big pasta serving, sandwiches and salad. Don’t forget to try their tea, where in the leaves are picked and dried up naturally to keep its natural flavor.

Our trip in Sagada is two thumbs up for me, even though I had a bad experience because of the coldness in Sagada. I will definitely go back to this place.

For more info you can check out: http://sagadagenuineguides.blogspot.com

 

Last September 2010 I went to Naga City because of two reasons: one is for Camsur Marathon 2010 and second is for “GALA” mode.

It was April 2010 when I’ve decided to join Camsur Marathon.  Since then, I’ve always check on seat sales of Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines because I don’t want to take the bus going to Naga City because of long hours of trip. I want to enjoy my stay at Naga City and make gala with the best that I can.

And it was May 2010 when I bought my plane ticket at Cebu Pacific for 1,300php (back and forth) together with my friend Ross of Takbo.ph. Since she’s a free lancer and I really want to avail a cheap fare, we both decided to stay in Naga from September 23-28, 2010 (super gala talaga). And to add on my College friend Mau joined us too.

September 23 at 11 in the morning is our flight to Naga City. We arrived to Naga at 12 noon and we took a tricycle from Naga Airport to the main road and the fee must be only 7-8php per head. But the first time we asked a tricycle driver regarding the fare from the airport to the main road, he said 200php (grabe manong, sobra sa tubo). From the main road to Naga City we took a jeepney ride for 13php/head. We booked at the Old Sampaguita Inn for 500php/night; our room was air-conditioned, with television and hot and cold shower.  We booked at the right hotel because it is walking distance to SM Naga, and also to different fast food chains.

With Ross at NAIA Airport

Arrival at Naga City Airport (Mau. Mark and Clarence)

On our 1^st day at Naga, after we checked in at the hotel we had our lunch at Jollibee since we’re so hungry. After that we went back at the hotel to take a nap and rest to be able to go out late in the afternoon and explore the place. We went out at 6pm in the evening and had our dinner at the back of the Cathedral near Sampaguita Inn, we ate at “Jing Jing’s Eatery”, the food was delicious and it’s super cheap. I ordered half laing, beef steak and 1 cup of rice for only 29php (naisip ko nalang, ang sarap tumira ditto ang mura ng pagkain). After our dinner we had coffee at Beanbag Coffee (Starbucks Version of Naga City), the price of their coffee and pastries are way cheaper (and may Wi-Fi pa). I ordered White Mocha Ice Blended for only 75php (tall size of Starbucks). After our coffee session, its bedtime na.

Laing and Beef Steak

 

Starbucks Version at Naga City

with Mau and Ross at Beanbag Coffee

And for our 2^nd day we had our breakfast at Biggs Diner, one of the famous places to eat at Naga City. I had Spaghetti for my meal and Molten Lava for my dessert. After our breakfast we’ve decided to go to Cagsawa Ruins to see Mount Mayon. From the Van Terminal we rode a van going to Sabang for 1 and ½ hour and just asked Manong Driver to drop us at Cagsawa Ruins and the fare is 60php per head. From the main road we rode a tricycle going to Cagsawa Ruins for 7php per head. As we reached Cagsawa Ruins, the weather was cloudy (oh no! NO perfect cone for us?!). We met one of the tour guides at Cagsawa, his name is Enrique Ocleana but we call him “King” for short. He’s a very nice, approachable and hospitable tour guide and very gentleman also. He toured us to Cagsawa Ruins and told us the history of it and we’re currently standing at the 2^nd floor of the church that sunk in because of Mount Mayon lava. He told us that he can take us to Daraga Church and Ligñon Hills thru his Honda Wave Motorcycle. It’s a Habal Habal ride for all of us. Our second stop is Daraga Church; according to King the church was called Daraga church because it was build by all Filipinas who are Dalaga. And Daraga is the Bicolano translation of Dalaga. And our 3^rd stop is Ligñon Hills; it was an uphill road going there. And at the top you can have a Zip Line activity; I just didn’t asked how much it is. We just waited for the rain to stop and still No perfect cone of Mayon for us. After that, we just decided to eat at Camalig and we ate their famous viand which is Inolukan and Pinangat. Bicol is one of the best places to eat. It was all worth it, because they have good food and the price is way cheaper compared to other places that I’ve been. We asked King to join us at our early dinner because it’s his birthday. He did not ask for any fix amount when we asked him how much we need to pay him. He told us, “mam kayo na po ang bahala”. So we gave him 400php as our payment and birthday gift for him. You can contact Enrique “King” Ocleana thru his mobile number +639995574164.

Biggs Diner

Molten Lava for 55php

Cagsawa Ruins

Daraga Church

Lignon Hills

Habal Habal with King

Famous for Inolukan and Pinangat at Camalig

On our 3^rd day Mau and I decided to go to Atulayan Island, we have no idea where it is and how long the travel time is. We researched at the internet to take a Van going to Tigaon (for 60php/head), we just asked Manong Driver again to drop us at Sangay. From Sangay, we rode a tricycle (for 25php) going to Nato Beach and from Nato Beach we rode a boat going to Atulayan Island (for 200php/head). Atulayan Island is a 30 to 45 minutes ride from Nato beach. A very serene place, clear water and fine sand. We went to the island with just bread at water on our bags. No plans of getting a cottage. We just had our malong, placed it under the tree and left our things. God blessed us as we bump into a big group with approximately 15-25 people and just invited us to join the in their lunch. We had squid, tuna and rice sa dahon ng saging. The group traveled from Manila to Bicol via road. And they’re also joining the Camsur Marathon. You can contact “Mang Koding” thru his mobile number +639094072846 for the boat ride. He’s very approachable and pwede ka tumawad sa fare lalo na when you’re a big group. And the care taker of the island is “Ate Lanie” +639074527566 you can ask her to cook for your food and their very hospitable and kind to their visitors. Mang Koding and Ate Lanie know each other, and have a contact regarding the visitors who are coming in to the island.

Atulayan Island

Atulayan Island

The people who feed us and our new friends

On our 4^th day, it’s Camsur Marathon. I am one of the participants at the 21km distance race. I was so tired and lazy to run because of my activity at Atulayan Island. I woke up at two in the morning to prepare for the race, and we also need to catch the bus schedule going inside CWC. Every distance has different starting points and one finish line. Running at Camsur was one of the greatest experiences that I had. The people are very supportive, as I ran the 21km distance minsan gusto ko ng maglakad. But the route is bayan-bayan, so all f the residents are outside of their houses waiting and cheering for the participants. So minsan I just thought nakakahiya maglakad. The weather at Naga City was next to Cebu City. It was very humid at that time, buti nalang di nauubusan ng sponge and water sa mga stations. And the residents are very helpful sila mismo ang nagbibigay din ng sponge sa runners. I had cramps for the last 5kms of the race, but I had no choice. I have to finish the race even if I have to walk. NO DNF’s for me. When I reached km 19, I said, “This is it! Malapit na!” but it was the longest to kilometers that I ever had! It was so hot and I am exhausted and still I pushed myself to finish my 21km run. As I approached the finish line, I saw my takbo.ph friends and they cheered for me and it was so good na there are times that you want to give up BUT you have friends to encourage you to finish it. For takbo.ph peeps, love you and for the residents of Naga saludo ako sa suporta nyo.  I am very happy too that Ross did finish her first full marathon, after all the sentiments na kinakabahan sya. Sabi ko nga it was normal, and besides she has training, e ako walang training when I had my first full marathon. Cheers to us sister! We’re a marathoner!

Approaching the finish line

With My Precious Medal at Camsur Marathon 2010

And on our 5^th day, after Ross had her first full marathon and I had my half marathon, we both decided to try wake boarding. We just both said, “bahala na sis, andito na tayo. We need to try it!” so we went to CWC, and had our wake boarding experience even though we’re having a difficulty sa paglalakad. Still we managed to stand sa board. It was all worth it! And ang sarap mag swim the day after ng run, magandang recovery run. Later that night, we prepared our stuff because our flight to Manila is nine in the morning. We’re both wasak sa pagod and haggard but the experience was so sulit. We’re both tight sa budget but still God stretched our budget from the hotel, food and to the places that we’ve been thru. Ang galing ni God, because He gave us finances for this run and pasyal and nakabili pa kame ng pasalubong. I can’t imagine that we only have 4,500php for 6 days for all of these. One of the best souvenirs that I had is the ref magnet that was made out of Mount Mayon Lava.

Special thanks to Suzi Bermudez and Brando Losaria for my race pics.

Last August 2010, we visited Bohol with my Mom and Jerry. It was their first time to go on a tour outside Luzon. I am really happy they had a lot of fun, because I want to make them see how beautiful our country is. Because my mom always tell me, “Anak, bakit naman gala ka ng gala?” and my answer is, “Ma, maganda dito sa Pinas. Ang pinapakita lang kasi sa US e puro bad news.” So my purpose is to prove it to my mom na maganda dito sa Pinas.

I bought a ticket to PAL before they come home at 1,700php back and forth from Manila – Cebu – Manila. Then from Cebu we just rode a ferry going to Tubigon (400php per head). Then we stayed into one of the cheapest place TRM Pension House for 750php/night – the room is air-conditioned, has its own bathroom, cable TV and it’s good for 3 persons (for additional person 100php per night and 100php for extra bed per night).

On our first day, since we have to wait for my friend who just followed us at Tubigon. We just had a tour at Danao Adventure Park. My Kuya, Ate Dona, Mom and Jahleel had a ride at “The Sky Ride” it’s a cable-car, while Jerry, Mau and Me had our “The Plunge” experience. It’s similar to bungee jumping but the difference is there is a machine that will drop you from the top. For more details for the rates and other activities, check their website: http://www.eatdanao.com. If you’re looking for adventure, you better check out this adventure park. We just rented a multi-cab jeep for 1,500php. Danao is a 2-3 hours ride from Tubigon. And our only option to reach Danao is to rent a van or a multi-cab jeep, so we just took a cheaper option which is the multi-cab jeep.

And on our second day, we woke up early and we rented a van for a whole day tour for 3,400php. The owner of the van is located at Tubigon Bohol, his name is Jayson, and his contact number is +639069345835. They are very kind, on time, very shy and polite.

Our tour includes the following:

1. Sagbayan Peak – entrance fee is 10php

2. Chocolate Hills

3. Stop over at the Road to Bilar – man made forest

4. Hanging Bridge at Sebilya – entrance fee 10php; you can also see “Buko King” at the other side of the bridge, if you want to see him perform you have to pay him 100php

5. Tarsier at Loboc – donation for shot with the tarsier

6. Prony – largest Python snake in captivity

7. Hinagdanan Cave – entrance fee 10php

8. Dumaluan Beach at Panglao – Personnel’s are very courteous, rooms are affordable. For more info check their website http://dumaluanbeach.com

To sum it all up, I am glad that my Mom and Jerry enjoyed our family vacation. Now they know and see the reason why I love to travel and explore different places here in our country. I am proud that I live here in the Philippines, there is so much more in our country that we never thought we had. I am thankful to God for giving us the resources to experience His wonderful nature blessings, and for the time that we spent together.

I went to Calaguas Island with Les and Mau (block mates from Mapua) last June 12, 2010. Due to time constraint, we joined the Vagabond Pinas group tour for Calaguas Island. It was a long weekend and it was a perfect time for an out of town + it was our last beach outing with Les because she’ll be leaving for Macau for good. So no matter what the weather here in Manila we’re still optimistic that it would be a great experience at Calaguas Island.

Here’s our itinerary / details for our Calaguas Trip:

Day 0 – June 11, 2010

8:00 pm – Meeting place at Shell McKinley Ayala, Edsa

9:00 pm – ETD Manila to Camarines Norte

Day 1 – June 12, 2010 Saturday

6:00 am – ETA Daet, Camarines norte / Breakfast at Jollibee

7:00 am – ETD Daet to Vinzons

8:00 am – ETA Vinzons for Boat transfer

10:00 am – ETA Calaguas Island

12:00 pm – Lunch

7:00 pm – Dinner/Socials

12:00 am – Lights Out

Day 2 – June 13, 2010 Sunday

8:00 am – Breakfast

12:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – ETD  Calaguas Island to Sea port

3:00 pm – ETA Vinzons

4:00 pm – ETD Daet to Manila

11:00 pm – ETA Shell McKinley Ayala, Edsa

Budget For the Trip: 3,500Php inclusion of:

• Private Van (2 way)
• Boat Ride
• Meal Day 1: Lunch and Dinner
• Meal Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch
• Camping Tents
• Camping Fee / Island Fee

We left Manila at around 10 pm and we’re all worried because the rain never stops here in Manila. But according to John Paul Cruz – group tour organizer of Vagabond Pinas, there’s no rain in Daet, Camarines Norte. So we’re just crossing our fingers that the rain won’t ruin our beach outing.

We arrived at Daet, Camarines Norte at around 7am and we had our stop over at Jollibee for our breakfast. I was surprised that they have Jollibee and online ATM machine at Daet, because I was expecting that it’s a province like Ozamis, the lights our out by 6pm. Daet is a clean place, people are very relaxed, no pollution. It was a great feeling to be out of the city once in a while. The Bangka ride was 2 hours from the mainland. And we reached Calaguas Island around 11pm. We wait our things to be unloaded from the Bangka. And JP Cruz gave us our tent. 1^st thing that we did is to pitch our tent, had our lunch and had our halo-halo for dessert and had a good swim at the beach.

Long shore of Calaguas Island

My last halo-halo session with Les

Ready to swim

Beautiful Sunset

Things to bring:

• Sunblock
• Big plastic / Trash bag – where you can put your bag when you ride the Bangka.
• Banig / Malong /  Sarong – where you can lay down to relax at the shore
• Wet tissue – when natures call (long queue for the poso to get water)
• Chips / Peanuts
• OFF! Lotion (ang dami ko insect bites)
• Flashlight
• Cookwares – for people who have their own tour
• Soap
• Water (they have water at Calaguas Island – Wilkins small bottles) and they even have BEER! Pale Pilsen – ewwww!
• Rope – para sa sampayan

What I love about Calaguas Island:

• The sand – so fine, next to Boracay Island
• The water – so clear
• Halo-halo dessert – their halo-halo was so unique, it was composed of nata de coco, kaong, pinipig, ripe mango, sago, beans (big and small), MARSHMALLOW and milk
• The people are very corteous
• No signal – you can really enjoy and relax
• Pili nuts – pasalubong from Bicol
• Pilipit and Palitaw – cheaper price! The pilipit costs 2 pesos each and palitaw costs 1 peso each at the mainland

I really can’t put in detail about the fares because we got a package tour. BUT we have two new found friends – May and Cobe – thanks for the picture guys and you made our stay in Calaguas all worthwhile. Our stay in Calaguas Island is a very awesome experience! It was nice to be in a serene place just when I need it the most.

With May and Cobe

Thanks for this shot Cobe

Basking under the heat of the sun

Calaguas Island is another nature blessing that I enjoyed. I’m so blessed because I was given an opportunity to experience this and to see how wonderful and amazing He is.