Monday, December 28, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Davao Del Norte | A Quick Escape in Tagum City
As I continue to pursue my dream of travelling the 81 provinces of the Philippines I once again landed the land of promise: Mindanao. It's my first time to travel Mindanao with my good friend/travel buddy Weng. We hope to cover the 10 remaining provinces.
The huge EPark is the venue of Boy Scout jamboree camp and we ended it at the provincial capitol of Davao del Norte. We boarded a bus and were bound to our next destination Mati City in Davao Oriental.
Budget | Davao del Norte | Davao Oriental | Compostella Valley | Agusan del Sur | Surigao del Sur | Dinagat Island | Agusan del Norte
Budget | Davao del Norte | Davao Oriental | Compostella Valley | Agusan del Sur | Surigao del Sur | Dinagat Island | Agusan del Norte
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Camarines Sur | Malabsay Falls, Churches and CWC
The following day I have a refreshing dip in the basin of Malabsay falls in the foot of Mount Isarog National Park. It's an hour hike up to the park. The road where under construction so I have no choice but to walk all the way to the falls.
Going back to Naga City I hitch ride with the couple who also visited the falls.
After my lunch I do the church hopping. A couple of churches is a must visit in the city.
The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist) was established after the creation of the archdiocese as the Diocese of Cáceres in 1595. The present cathedral was built in 1808, and was completed and consecrated in 1843.
The Peñafrancia Minor Basilica located on the outskirts of Naga City is also known as the Pilgrim City and Queen City of Bicol. The Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is enshrined in her sanctuary at the Basilica Minore, Balatas Road Naga City.
San Francisco Church, established in 1578, it is the first church in the region built by the Franciscan Friars. The surrender of the Spanish forces to the Bikol revolutionaries Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo took place here on September 18, 1896. The church was reduced to rubble by the heavy bombing of Naga in World War II, and the church remained in ruins until the present new edifice was constructed.
On my last day I tried the kinalas in one of the eatery then I drop by the CWC in CamSur Provincial Capitol grounds in Pili.
Kinalas is not your typical mami. Aside from the broth, an orange/brown sauce much like the one used in Pancit Palabok is also added. Kinalas got its name from the word “kalas” or to fall off, which is what happens in the lengthy process of cooking this delicious soup dish.
The CamSur Watersports Comlex is the first world-class watersports complex in the Philippines and in Asia. CWC aims to bring cable skiing to a whole new level and attract watersports enthusiasts from all over the world with its top of the line facilities and relaxing environment. This six (6)-hectare complex, with its 6-point cable ski system, is sure to draw guests, riders and spectators by the thousands.
Budget | Catanduanes | Albay | Sorsogon | Camarines Sur
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Sorsogon | A Day at Barcelona and Gubat
It seems the weather in Albay wouldn't get better and I don't have a chance to see the perfect cone shape of Mayon Volcano so I decided to go south to the nearby province of Sorsogon.
I took a jeepney to the town of Gubat then another ride to Barcelona. The site of Barcelona was originally part of Gubat and Bulusan. The town's name was known as Danlog, taken from the name of a swift flowing river. The change of name to Barcelona was recommended by a Spanish official that saw some similiarties with Barcelona, Spain. On April 16, 1886, it became a pueblo civil. Until 1868, it was part of the parish of St. James the Great of Bulusan. After 1868, it took St. Joseph as its patron saint and celebrates their town fiesta on May 19.
This century old building ruins was practically made of stone, sea corals and lime, simultaneously constructed with the "La Presidencia" in 1874 during the Spanish period. The building was originally intended as a school building for the children of the "Ilustrados" or the wealthy Spanish conquistadores and very few Filipinos with Spanish heritage and connections.
From Barcelona i hop a jeepney to Rizal Beach in the nearby town of Gubat. There is a lot of beach resort aligning on the national highway. I inquire about their room rates and it so pricey that i intended only to have a day trip there. After paying a 25 pesos entrance fee i started to explore the white sand beach and got busy taking pictures.
After that i heads back to Legazpi City and spend the night there.
This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.
Budget | Catanduanes | Albay | Sorsogon | Camarines Sur
Monday, August 3, 2015
Albay | Exploring the towns of Tabaco,Legazpi, Daraga and Camalig
The following day I travelled all the way to San Andres to catch the ferry to Tabaco Albay.
From the Catanduanes I took a ferry to cross the mainland Bicol. We docked at the port of Tabaco City. I wander around the bustling city. I have lunch at the nearby eatery. The baroque church of Tabaco is stunning.
On the third day I have a day trip to Sorsogon. Since accommodation in Gubat is quite expensive I decided to go back to Legazpi City. I stroll at old Albay that night. Many locals were on the park in front of the Albay capitol and Legazpi city hall.
I did town-hopping Daraga and Camalig on the fourth day.
The Daraga church is known for its Churrigueresque architectural style in its façade, a fine example of Baroque architecture. The façade and its walls are made out of volcanic rocks, which are rich in the area. The white façade is the result of a coating of lime for protection from deterioration.
From Daraga I dropped by the Cagsawa ruins hopping to see Mayon Volcano but still the thick clouds is covering it so I decided to head to the town of Camalig.
From the town of Camalig I chartered a habal-habal to Quintinday hill. These green hills resemble the chocolate hills in Bohol. It is just an easy hike up to the hills where you can view the Mayon volcano afar if the weather is fine. The best time to visit it is during summer where the full view of Mayon volcano can be seen.
After enjoying the scenery of Quintanday Green Hills I feasted on bicol dishes. I have a sumptuous pinangat and okoy for my late lunch. I roam around the small town of Camalig then I hop a bus bound to Naga City.
This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Catanduanes | Puraran Beach Resort, Bato Church and Virac Town
Catanduanes island is located in the easternmost part of the Bicol peninsula, separated from the mainland Bicol by the Maqueda Channel and the Lagonoy Gulf. It is indeed Bicol’s best-kept secret. It is the first land group of the Philippine archipelago to kiss the Pacific Ocean, making it directly open to the path of tropical cyclones, thus, the Catanduanes Island has been termed, “The Land of the Howling Winds.”
After an hour flight we landed at Virac airport. I just walked from the airport terminal to the town of Virac. Since I have no concrete itinerary I just did what comes to mind. I wander around the quint town. I visited their church, park and Virac town hall. I felt hunger then I ate at one of the eatery. I asked locals on how to get to Puraran. We waited for about an hour to fill the van with passengers bound to Gigmoto and it took also an hour to reach the Puraran Beach Resort.
Puraran Beach Resort is a promising surfing site in the town of Baras. It is the home of the well-known “Majestic” waves with its awesome long-barrel-type surf. Offshore waves are in their utmost shape during the months of August to September. The surfing area also shows a marvelous view of mountains and bays. Photo fanatics could get great view of the sunrise in this area. For holiday seekers, this is a place for total relaxation, be in touch with nature, and simply, innovation and peacefulness.
I’m supposed to stay for a night in Puraran but it’s too pricey that I decided to go back to Virac. The sporadic schedule of jeepney for Virac is a challenge to backpacker like me. I have to take habal-habal to the town of Baras then took a jeepney bound to Virac. I dropped by the town of Bato for the St. John the Baptist church.
St. John the Baptist Church (Bato Church) is a very simple classical structure. It is the only remaining structure of its kind in the entire island. Despite the tests of time, wars, and destruction of natural calamities, it was able to retain its old glory of massive structure of mortar and coral stones. The main portal is topped by a clean semicircular arch grimed by pilasters. The wall is leveled to the side to deviate from absolute flatness. A cornice divides the church into two levels. The bell tower serves as the church's entire second level which is crowned with a dome. The whole church is topped with a large white cross. The absence of a pediment is noticeable.
From Bato church I took a PUV to the town of Virac. I stayed at Marem Pensione House near the Catanduanes provincial capitol.
The following day I travelled all the way to San Andres to catch the ferry to Tabaco Albay.
This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Backpacking Bicol Region Expenses (July 8-13, 2015)
Day 1- Catanduanes
trike- 9.00
breakfast- 72.00
van to puraran- 100.00
entrance- 10.00
softdrink- 10.00
habal-habal to baras- 100.00
jeep to bato- 25.00
snack- 50.00
trike/jeep to virac- 20.00
marem pension house- 250.00
dinner- 172.25
total--------------------------------> 818.25
Day 2- Legazpi City
trike to bus terminal- 12.00
bus to san andres port- 20.00
terminal fee- 11.00
ferry to tabaco albay- 220.00
lunch- 70.00
jeep to legazpi city- 25.00
sampaguita inn- 300.00
snack- 67.00
dinner 57.00
total--------------------------------->782.00
Day 3-Sorsogon
trike to terminal- 40.00
van to sorsogon- 90.00
lunch- 80.00
jeep to gubat- 29.00
jeep to barcelona- 17.00
jeep to rizal beach- 9.00
entrance-25.00
jeep to gubat- 10.00
snack- 30.00
jeep to sorsogon- 29.00
bus to legazpi- 85.00
jeep to old legazpi- 16.00
dinner- 99.00
sampaguita inn- 300.00
total---------------------------------->859.00
Day 4- Camalig Albay
jeep to old albay- 8.00
jeep to daraga- 8.00
snack- 73.00
jeep to camalig- 10.00
habal-habal to quitanday- 250.00
entrance-20.00
lunch- 105.00
bus to naga- 110.00
sampaguita inn- 250.00
dinner- 61.50
total--------------------------------->895.50
Day 5 - Naga City
sampaguita inn-250.00
breakfast- 58.00
chicken mami- 75.00
jeep to isarog- 26.00
habal-habal- 20.00
entrance fee-10.00
jeep to centro- 8.00
lunch- 53.00
pasalubong- 300.00
dinner- 196.35
total--------------------------------->996.35
Day 6- Naga City
kinalas and puto- 63.00
bus to cwc- 10.00
habal-habal- 10.00
lunch- 55.00
ice cream- 25.00
jeep to airport- 8.00
softdrink- 15.00
terminal fee- 100.00
total-------------------------------->286.00
airfare-cebupacific
manila to virac-335.52
naga to manila-261.40
grand total- P 5,234.02
This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.
Budget | Catanduanes | Albay | Sorsogon | Camarines Sur
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Budget Accomodations in Naga City
BELOVED HOTEL
RR Sarte Bldg. I, Ojeda St., Naga City / (63)(54) 4737528, 4737748
CARNATION TOURIST INN
Zone 4, Cararayan, Naga City / (63) 9085794522
GOLDEN LEAF HOTEL
40 Misericordia St., Tinago, Naga City / (63)(54) 8115118,4726508
http://goldenleafhotel.multiply.com
GRAND ALCOVE HOTEL
RR Sarte Bldg. II, Ojeda IV St., Naga City / (63)(54) 4723334, 4723335
Almeda Highway Concepcion Grande. Naga City
MATT’S TOURIST INN
32 Panganiban Drive, Naga City / (63)(54) 8111654,8115193
MAGIC SQUARE INN
42 Taal Ave., Mayon, Naga City / (63)(54) 4734888
NAGA GREEN HOTEL
19 General Luna St., Naga City / (63)(54) 8116822, 4737548
PALM VIVO INN
Dimasalang St., San Francisco, Naga City / (63) (54) 4724196
SAMPAGUITA TOURIST INN 1
42 Panganiban Drive, Naga City / (63)(54) 473-6688
SAMPAGUITA TOURIST INN 2
84 San Francisco, Naga City / (63)(54) 4732158,4787171,4722413
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Davao Del Sur | Philippines Eagle Center In Davao City
After spending the whole day basking on the shores of Malita I headed to Davao City the next day. One day is not enough to explore the largest city in the country and one of the safest in the world.
Upon checking the Google map and some online research the PEC caught my attention. Seeing the endangered monkey eating Eagle is on top of my list.
From Malita I boarded a bus bound to Davao City then get off at the junction of Crossing Ulas leading to the PEC. From there I took a jeepney to Calinan then habal habal to the eagle center.
After paying the 100 pesos fee I started exploring the vast nature reserve. There is a lot of endangered flora and fauna to see. It's nostalgic to see the monkey eating eagle. The PEC is responsible in protecting caring of the endangered species.
After spending an hour I headed to the downtown. I walked the streets of Davao city. I spend the night at Morvie's Suite along San Pedro street.
This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.
Davao Occidental | The Coastal Town Of Malita
On the third day of my solo backing in Mindanao I went to Malita in Davao Occidental. From Kidapawan City I took a van to Digos City then another van to Malita.
It took 2 hours to reach Malita from Digos. We passes by banana plantations. The view going to Malita is scenic. I just spend the whole day in the beach of Malita.
Davao Occidental is the youngest province in the Philippines. By virtue of Republic Act 10360 enacted on July 23, 2013, the province is carved out from the southern part of Davao del Sur. RA 10360 was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on November 28, 2012, and December 5, 2012, respectively, and signed by President Benigno Aquino III on January 14, 2013. A plebiscite was held on October 28, 2013 along with the barangay elections and the majority of votes cast were "Yes", ratifying the province.
The motive to create the province was to boost the economic condition and social progress of the municipalities. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who sponsored the creation of Davao Occidental, said that the distances of Digos City, Davao del Sur's provincial capital, to other municipalities in the second Congressional District are far-off that impairs the effective delivery of basic services, as well as the access to government offices. However, Davao del Sur Representative Marc Douglas Cagas considered the creation of the province as nothing more than gerrymandering and political convenience.
This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.
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