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

Cagayan | Exploring Callao Cave

After spending some time in Magat Dam I boarded a van bound for Tueguegarao City in Cagayan. I left my backpack at hotel Candice then I wandered around the city. I passed by Sts. Peter and Paul cathedral. For lunch i have the famous pancit patil-patung.

sts peter and paul church

pancit patil patung

The following day I visited the Callao cave in Penablanca. The cave is consisting of seven chambers. There is also a chapel inside. It was so muddy that I opted not to explore all the chambers besides I have no headlamp.

After my caving I headed back to Tuguerrao and boarded a passenger jeep bound to the town of Tuao for the Lady of Piat church. Outside the church the sticky and delicious delicacy pawa is a must try.

I ended the day watching sunset at the Buntun bridge with the scenic view of Cagayan river. I bought some packs of chicarabao as pasalubong for my family and officemates back in Manila.

My original plan is to circumnavigate the Northern Luzon loop, from Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Region were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from Tuguegarao.

Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next time around! :)

How to get there

There are buses from Cubao to Tuguegarao City.

From Tuguegarao City get a tricycle and ask him to take you to the terminal going to Penablanca (p10.00). from there, the tricycle will wait for 6 more passengers before it leaves (P40.00). To the bank of Pinacanauan river then the boat (p20.00/ roundtrip) that will take you across to the entrance of the cave.

This is part of my Cagayan Valley trip

Isabela | Cagayan

Leyte | Walking Around Tacloban City

I spend my last day of Eastern Visayas trip in Tacloban City. It is the political and commercial center of Eastern Visayas. I walked the long stretch of Magsaysay Boulevard down to Trece Martirez then the Justice Romualdez St. I pass by the Tacloban City Hall, University of the Philippines-Tacloban and the Leyte Provincial Capitol.

The elegant design of the capitol really amuses me. There is a huge mural of General Mc Arthur and Ferdinand Magellan on the side of the building. On the flag pole there are statues of some Philippine heroes.

After that i packed my things checked out at the Tacloban Village Townhouse then I drop by the Robinsons mall were I left my backpack. I headed to Palo town to visit the Leyte memorial landing park where the historic larger than life monument of General Mc Arthur and his cohort stands.

A few hours left before my flight back to Manila I told myself that I have to comeback to this region soon to explore further the provinces of Eastern Samar and Biliran, to walk the 2 km stretch of San Juanico bridge, spend a night at Limasawa island and to experience the zip lining in Agas-Agas bridge! I shall return Eastern Visayas!

This part of my Eastern Visayas trip series.

Budget | Southern Leyte | Samar | Northern Samar | Leyte

Negros Oriental | Wandering Around Dumaguete City

I spend my remaining days of my Negros+Siquijor trip in Dumaguete City. Straight from the ferry terminal I walked the long stretch of Rizal Boulevard. This is named after the national hero Jose Rizal who used to stroll in that boulevard before he was exiled in Dapitan. I’m surprised to see a city where you can’t see any single trash. The cleanest city I have been so far.

The city of Dumaguete dubbed as “The City of Gentle People” and truly it lives up to its reputation.

There is more interesting places around Dumaguete and nearby towns of Negros Oriental but I choose to explore the city because I’m run out of budget.

I enjoyed roaming around the campus of Silliman University. It’s one of the best universities in Central Visayas. 

I have dansilog (dangit+sinangag+itlog) for brunch. I tried a slice of sans rival and 

silvanas from famousSsans Rival Cakes & Pastries.

Dumaguetinos and tourist spend their afternoon watching the sun set along Rizal Boulevard. Vendors that sell balut, fishball, kikiam and soft drinks set up small chairs and tables beside the street. When dawn comes most of the locals flock to these area to enjoy the street foods, live bands and relaxing ambiance of the boulevard.

This part of my Negros+Siquijor Trip series

Negros Occidental | Negros Oriental | Siquijor

Siquijor | Circumnavigating The Mystical Island

On the third day of my Negros+Siquijor trip i woke up early as 3 in the morning and boarded a Ceres liner bus from Bacolod going to Dumaguete city. It’s a six hours journey to the sea port of Dumaguete where I took a ferry boat to the mystical island of Siquijor. It took almost an hour going to this island. 

This island is famous for black magic, witchcraft and the unknown. Most travelers were thinking twice before heading to this place because of those nonsense beliefs.

The excitement in me is immeasurable as i walk out of the ferry terminal. The cold breeze of wind, white sand beaches and the heartwarming faces welcome me to this island paradise.

Tricycles outside were aligned waiting for passengers and tourists. They were offering a tour around the island. Past noon when I arrived there and took a tricycle and proceeded to the Diamond de Siquijor Resort where i eat lunch and take a nap. I’m so tired for the long hours of traveling. It’s raining that afternoon that’s why i just stayed inside my room with door open wide overlooking the shores. 

After resting for an hour I check those amazing rock formations just outside my room. You can also do the cliff jumping there were I opt not to because of high tide and the strong waves were rocking the shores. it’s freaking raining the whole afternoon that I was not able to witness the sunset.

The next day the tricycle driver pitched me and toured me to the beautiful spots of the island. My Siqujor tour kicked off with the cold spring in the town plaza of San Juan. The locals flocked here every weekend and enjoy swimming in that spring. The century old balete tree nearby has a fish-spa where you quick dip in its spring water.

The San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent in town of Lazi showcases a magnificent structure. This is the oldest convent in the Philippines. The church is made of coral stone and timber.

After checking the church I took a dip at the refreshing Cambugahay Falls on the Po-oh River. The in charge in collecting parking fee was not around when I get there so I get a free glimpsed of that amazing wonders. It’s quite slippery stepping on the stones that served as stair going down to the falls.

It took me almost four hours to circumnavigate the whole island of Siquijor. My tour ended up in the beautiful town of Siquijor, Siquijor. I spend some time roaming around and took pictures of old church while waiting for the ferry bound for Dumaguete. 

This part of my Negros+Siquijor Trip series

Negros Occidental | Negros Oriental | Siquijor

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