Budget Accomodations In Bongao (Tawi-Tawi)

HARRY'S PASSENGERS' PLACE
Salamat Road Bongao Tawi-Tawi
Tel No. (068)268-1071

HOTEL JUANA
Salamat Road Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
AC - P980.00

AMT TRANSIENT HOME
Brgy. Pag-asa Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
0939-9202046/0998-3479452
Fan Room- P300.00/AC- P600.00

ARRON'S PENSION HOUSE
Ridjiki St. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

RAAYAT PENSION HOUSE
Salamat Road Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Tel No. (068)268-1037
Room Rates from P280.00-P650.00

ESTHER PENSION HOUSE
Salamat Road Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Fan Room- P500.00/ AC-P1,000.00-1,200.00

FORTUNE DINERS INN
Ridjiki St. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

Backpacking Sulu Archipelago Expenses

day 1
trike form airport to pier-250.00
tinis restaurant-45.00
ferry to basilan-150.00
terminal fee-11.00
boat to malamawi-10.00
habal-habal to white beach(rt)-200.00
lunch-119.00
ferry to zamboanga-150.00
terminal fee-4.00
blue pearl pension-400.00
hopia&water-29.25
total=1,389.75

day 2
trike to airport-60.00
breakfast-30.00
terminal fee-100.00
trike to juana pension-50.00
hotel juana-980.00
cofee-29.00
total=1,449.50

day 3
hotel juana-980.00
breakfast-60.00
biscuit&water-90.00
malaysian noodles-70.00
banana-45.00
trike to sanga bridge-20.00
malaysian noodles-60.00
total=1,325.00

day 4
trike to aiport-100.00
terminal fee-60.00
jeep to cityhall-8.00
brunch-197.00
jolibee-75.00
ferry to jolo-470.00
jeep to yakan(rt)-24.00
chowking-49.00
water&bread-91.25
habal-habal-20.00
mt.dew-30.00
terminal fee-11.00
puso& egg-50.00
total=1,185.25

day 5
breakfast-56.00
trike to capitol-30.00
ferry to zamboanga-470.00
terminal fee-15.00
halo-haslo-40.00
sati-48.00
cp charging-25.00
pizza-67.00
mt. dew-17.00
total=768.00

day 6
pancit& coffee-35.00
cp cahrging-20.00
spagetti& coke-68.00
betadine-55.00
snack-29.00
load-50.00
total=257.00

day 7
breakfast-55.00
trike to airport-30.00
mt. dew-17.00
burger-66.00
halohalo& cake-80.00
water-20.0
total=268.00

day 8
load-50.00
water refill-3.00
cofee& kakanin-27.00
coke-35.00
total=115.00

day 9

trike to bus terminal-170.00
bus to vitali-100.00
habal-habl to merloquet(rt)-300.00
breakfast-50.00
puto&mt.dew-18.00
van to zamboanga-100.00
computer rental-23.00
medicine-158.20
water-34.25
litson manok-170.00
red palm pension-600.00
total=1,723.45

day 10

jeep-16.00
tsokolate-170.00
terminal fee-100.00
total=366.00

grand total-8,846.95

*airfare not included

Sulu | The Unexpected Adventure

As I draft my itinerary for my Sulu archipelago trip I scrapped the idea of going to Jolo. My friend Ian convinces me to push it though. He told me that it is safe and I can do a day trip there and nearby town of Patikul.

sulu provincial capitol

As soon as I arrived in Zamboanga City from Tawi-Tawi I headed to the ferry terminal to purchase a ticket bound for Jolo, the capital town of Sulu province. There are strict security measures at the Zamboanga ferry terminal. 

I am among the early passengers that boarded the ship. The ferry departed at around 8 in the evening. I bought 2 puso and 3 hardboiled eggs for my dinner. After eating I lie down and just observing my fellow passengers. It seems that most of them are all locals of Sulu. I can’t understand their conversations so I just smile and nod at them every time they asked me i replied them in Tagalog. I’ll admit that I felt that nervousness over again and my heart is beating too fast. You know the feeling of being a total stranger. Military personnel were roaming around the ferry for security inspection.

busy street of jolo

4 am when we arrived at Jolo. It is still dark so I decided to stay for a while inside the ferry. Relatives of most of the passengers get inside to fetch them. I witness a heartfelt moments among them. It is almost 6 am when I leave the ferry. I just went out and walk directly outside the port terminal. I drop by a coffee shop. Then after that I headed to the Masjid Jammi Tulay Central Mosque. This is the biggest mosque in the province of Sulu.  I saw a boy cleaning outside and I asked permission if I could go inside and took some pictures of the mosque and he allowed me.

masjid jammi tulay central mosque

From the central mosque I ride a tricycle going to the Sulu provincial capitol which is surrounded by different kinds of flora. Its mosque inspired architectural design is also impressive. There is a museum beside it but unfortunately it is closed. I have still have a lot of time because I aborted the idea of going to the beach in the town of Patikul. I instead walk leisurely from the capitol ground going back to the town center.

national museum in sulu

I passed by Balikatan Park. There is also a shop selling bolo and knifes. Military and police men were visible in every corner. For lunch i tried the famous satti an exotic food.

I’m almost done and I decided to kill my remaining time in the ferry terminal to wait for the schedule back to Zamboanga. The management of ferry announces that they are cancelling the trip. Due to unfavorable weather conditions affecting Mindanao all ferry trips to/from Jolo Sulu were suspended.

I even tried to catch a PAL Express flight back to Zamboanga City but unfortunately it is fully booked and were 20 of us listed as chance passengers.

jolo airport

At first I can’t believe it. Of all the places that i will be stranded it would be in Jolo in Sulu, not only for one day but 3 whole days. My friends in Manila worried about my situation. Good thing there is a strong mobile signal there that I can update them from time to time on Facebook. That personal experience thought me that indeed Sulu like any other places in the Philippines is safe although I take some precautionary measures.

dorol and a native coffee

facade of the ferry terminal

satti

inside the ferry terminal building

To date I consider this as one of my memorable trip being able to survive Sulu on my own. And I am proud that i made it without a local Tausug guide.

How to get there:

Major carriers fly to Zamboanga City from Manila daily. The flight takes 1.5 hours. From Zamboanga City, take a ferry to Jolo in Sulu. The ferry departs at 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. PAL Express also flies to Jolo Sulu every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

This is part of the 1st leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Zamboanga City | Basilan | Tawi-Tawi | Sulu

Tawi-Tawi | A Diverse Cultural Experience

The main objective of my Sulu archipelago trip is to visit the famous province of Tawi-Tawi, an island blessed with so many beautiful natural wonders. From Zamboanga I boarded a PAL Express flight bound to Tawi-Tawi.

Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol

After an hour I arrived at Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi. The iconic Bud Bongao is visible from afar. I go straight to the town center to look for a place to stay for 2 nights. I stayed at Hotel Juana along Salamat road.

I wander around the busy town. I found this coffee shop and got curious about the food there offering. I go inside sit for a while then I ordered coffee and they served different kind of delicacies place in a tray. How can i eat all of this? The lady told me that I’ll only pay the food I consumed. It was a filling breakfast for me.

I headed to the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol which is located on top of the hill. It is overlooking the vast Celebes and Sulu bay and the busy town of Bongao.

Bud Bongao

I decided to climb Bud Bongao past noon. This is considered as a burial site of Muslim locals. This is also a place where they pray and meditate. It took me an hour to reach its peak. There is a Muslim family praying inside the shrine (tampat). I rested for a while then one of their family members went out. I say hi to them and give some chocolates to her children. They shared to me that their father prayed that her children be a good person and also seeking help that she can find a decent job. We talk for a while then I leave them and I headed to the peak. I went down and visited some of the stilt houses along the road back to the town center.

On the second day I roamed around and I found out that there’s a lot of budget accommodation in Bongao and also observing the business activities along the Chinese pier. 

Some of the restaurants in Tawi-Tawi serve Malaysian cuisine.

Chinese Pier

Along the streets of Bongao you can a lot of pawnshop, sea foods and vegetables. Tricycles were also the mode of transportation. I got to witness also the harmonious interactions of our Christian and Muslim brothers. That two days stay in Tawi-Tawi was a life-changing experience for me. 

How to get there:

Major carriers fly to Zamboanga City from Manila daily. The flight takes 1.5 hours. From Zamboanga City, take a ferry to Bongao in Tawi-Tawi. PAL Express and Cebu Pacific Air flies also to Bongao daily.

This is part of the 1st leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Zamboanga City | Basilan | Tawi-Tawi | Sulu

Basilan | A Journey Beyond Fears

Three months ago I’ve backpacked the Sulu archipelago. That particular trip covers the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. Upon arriving at the Zamboanga city I headed directly to the sea port to catch the ferry bound to Basilan. 

Most of us thought or have that impression that Basilan is not a safe place. As what we see and hear in the news it’s all about the bombing, kidnapping and other unrest activities of some Moro Islamic group.

On board of the fast craft bound to Basilan i felt that nervousness. I'm traveling alone and the fears about my security start to daunt me. But I keep telling on myself to be positive and stay calm. As time passes by I see myself enjoying the trip.

After an hour the ferry docked at port in Isabela City. I asked some locals there on how to get to Malamawi Island. First on my list is to see the white beach. I took a motorized bangka that crossed the channel and habal-habal to other side of the island where it is located. The road is almost paved and the only mode of transportation there is habal-habal.

While were traveling I keep on asking kuya about their lives, their living and the situation there. He’s generous enough to share with me everything I asked him.

The place is so solemn and it's crystal clear water of the sea inviting me to take a dip. For minimal fee you can enjoy the breathtaking view and the caretaker holding a long firearm were willing to escort you.

The sand was really white. There some nipa huts on the side. On weekend this place is full of locals enjoying the beach. It is very rewarding for me who took courage to see the white beach.

Basilan Provincial Capitol

After an hour I decided to go back to the mainland. I strolled around the Basilan provincial capitol and the Sta. Isabela cathedral. Basilan is like a typical province in the Philippines. Tricycles were the popular mode of transportation within the town. There were government owned bank and some business establishments.

sta. isabel cathedral

I know that there’s more to explore in Basilan. I just needed enough courage to embark on my next journey.

How to get there

Major carriers fly to Zamboanga City from Manila daily. The flight takes 1.5 hours. From Zamboanga City, take a ferry or fast craft boat to Isabela City. The first trip is as early as 7a.m. There’s a boat every hour afterward.

This is part of the 1st leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Zamboanga City | Basilan | Tawi-Tawi | Sulu