December 21, 2012

12.21.12: The Day We Met a UFO at Ice Giants, Davao

Tonight is the night they say would end it all. And tonight is also the night me and my friends met the UFO.

Not the terrestrial body that you’re thinking. Wanna know what it is? Here goes…

Me and my friends originally planned to visit Manna tonight. It’s one of the brightest place here in Davao filled with colorful lights every Christmas Season. On our way, we decided to have a pit stop to fuel our growling tummies at Ice Giants, Damosa Branch, Damosa, DC.

The Stars at Damosa Walkway

Upon our entrance, we spent a few minutes cam hoarding first. Flashing smiles in various poses with the starry background.

A traveler without observation, is a bird without wings.. — at Damosa Gateway, Davao City

The Ice Giants Experience

We were welcomed by Sleeping Giants as we entered Ice Giants. This I find quite funny. But we didn’t mind, and proceeded inside.

The Sleeping Giants at Ice Giants

Some more picture taking moments…

As the Giany Devours..

Reflections…

Ordered what we want – A Pasta (Tuna Pesto and Creamy Carbonara) and Ice Cream for each of us.

The food arrived and we dig into it sumptuously.

Berry Strawberry at Damosa Davao

Berry Strawberry’s good, stuffed with Cherries, Strawberries, Choco syrup, mallows and choco kisses.

Berry Strawberry at Damosa Davao

Tuna Pesto

The Carbonara tastes good but the Tuna Pesto I find a bit dry.

Creamy Carbonara

Mango Sundae

The UFO (Unidentified Floating Object)

As we were nearing the end of our meal, one of my friends noticed something in her Berry Strawberry Ice Cream.

Take a look at what it is.

The UFO – Unidentified Floating Object

We first spend some moments wondering what it is, me taking photos, them speculating the Unidentified Floating Object (UFO).

Then we finally called the waiter’s attention and asked, “Kuya ano ‘to?”

The UFO – Unidentified Floating Object at a Closer Look

The waiter, obviously startled of what was found in the food and ashamed at the same time, almost stammering answered, “Cellophane (plastic) po ata Maam,” apologetically.

I could see in his face that he don’t know what to do, he even offered to prepare a new Berry Strawberry for my friend. But we refused, we were already bloated enough to take more.

We left the place with a different image of the place in our mind than we used to have. Probably an honest mistake, but I guess something that they should take as a lesson to learn from.

Posted in Davao City, Davao del Sur, Eat
Tagged ice cream davao, ice giant complaint, ice giant davao, ice giant davao complaint, ice giant davao issue, where is ice giant davao, where to eat davao, where to eat ice cream davao
2 Comments

December 20, 2012

Rough Budget Travel Guide to El Nido

It’s 45minutes before the so called ‘End of the World’ and I’m sitting here on my lappy, working my ass out, while pondering about what I’ve done in my life – mostly my travels (*it’s perhaps one of the innermost drives that fuels me), will the aftermath God find this cause noble? Oh well. Enough with my thoughts.

This is just a sudden blog post, while on the middle of my thoughts, I received this PM via FB from someone asking a rough budget guide to El Nido.

El Nido Map

Question:

Hi, Roj!

Good evening! Actually d kita kilala

Pero magtatanong lang sana ako about sa Palawan trip… if you wont mind. Kasi napansin ko uv been to almost all of the tourist destinations ng Pinas. So, i think ikaw yung pinaka-reliable person na pwedeng makatulong amin. hehehe!

Nasa Saudi ako ngayon at plano namin ng wife ko at mga kaibigan namin na pumunta ng El Nido pag-uwi namin– mga 2nd week of January ’13. Kaso wala kaming makitang murang packages (d namin kaya ang 10k+, hanggang 6k lang kami. hehehe). May alam ka bang mura na package? Or Anong advice mo para malessen ang expenses namin? We badly need your inputs.

Thanks in advance!

– – –

So with his kind words, the travel soul in me awakened. There’s nothing more fulfilling of being a travel blogger than being able to help fellow traveler. So below I’ve come up with a quick how to get there and budget accommodations + etc + etc to El Nido.

How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, Palawan?

Bus/Van: Eulen Joy Bus Line or Sweety Bus Line go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido at 5, 7, and 9am (Php 350 ; eight hours travel). Departure from El Nido for Puerto Princesa roughly between 5 and 8:30am.

The Aircon RoRo Bus leaves daily at 6am, and 2pm; the return bus also leaves at 6am and 2pm (6hrs ; Php500)

Fort Valley Vans leave Puerto Princesa for El Nido at 7 and 11am (Php 600 ; six hours). A Saviour Shuttle Company leaves at 7am.

El Nido Affordable Accommodations

Lualhati Cottage. Rizal St. Cel 0919 319 6683 @ SR/DR/Fan/Bath P500. Located at the Southern edge of town heading in the direction of Corong-corong.

Cliffside Cottages. Rizal St, Cel 0919 785 6625. SR/DR/Fan/Bath P600

Ricos’ Beach Cottage . Hama St, Cel 0929 467 1632 @ SR/DR/Fan P600 and P750, SR/DR/ac/bath P1600.

Dara Faye Beach Cottages . Hama St Cel 0919 322 1416. SR/DR/fan/bath P700, cottage/fan/bath P1000.

Marina Garden Beach Cottages. Hama St. Cel 0917 624 7722 @ Cottage / fan/bath P730 and P1000. A more established place with basic, conventional cottages and a new building with good, clean rooms.

El Nido Island Hopping Guide

El Nido Palawan

You can also have a boat take you from El Nido to a beach or nearby island of your choice. A few suggestions might be:

Bocal Island (P600 per boat, up to 4 passengers)
Paradise Beach (P600)
Pasandigan Cove (P700) ; good for snorkelling
Dilumacad (Helicopter Island) P700
Ipil Beach (P600)
Lapus-Lapus Beach (P600)
Inabuyutan Island (P1000)
and Seven Commandos Beach (P700) ; excellent for snorkeling.

El Nido Budget Tour Contacts

A variety of whole day island hopping tours (9am-4pm) P750 and P900 per person, including BBQ Lunch, can be arranged through Judith in the Travel Center of El Nido Boutique and Artcafe, Cel 0920 902 6317. She also organizes kayak tours.

Tuba-tours (Rhoderikc dela Cruz) Hama St next to the Squidos Restaurant, Cel 0927 724 5496, offers island hopping around El Nido.

An Eco Tourism Development Fee of P200 per person to be paid (good for ten days).

So there it is! An instant budget guide to El Nido.

Special Thanks to my copy of Philippines Travel Guide by Jens Peters, 2012 edition.

Highly Recommended: You could read reviews about the book HERE

Phil Travel Guide 2012 by Jens Peters. Got myself a copy from the author himself! ^^,

December 19, 2012

Scenic Views at Patapat Viaduct

Perhaps one of the most beautiful views of the beach while on the road that one could find is this. I’ve seen numerous similar places, along the road going to Mati, Davao Oriental, along Gensan going to Maasim, Sarangani, and many others but none could compare to this.

Patapat Viaduct: A Winding Scenical Journey

The Patapat Viaduct is an elevated road — over 30 meters above sea level. The Patapat Viaduct is a 1.2 km long and 30m high bridge on stilts along the coast of Pasaleng Bay in the open South China Sea.

Patapat Viaduct

Patapat Viaduct Pagudpud

Winding Patapat Viaduct

Connecting the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to the Cagayan Valley, this is a busy street above the coastal areas of Pagudpud. The fourth longest bridge in the country, this winding concrete beauty is said to be the northernmost roadway part of Ilocos Norte.

I would surely love to drive along this refreshing scenery!

Agua Grande

A few kilometers away you’ll also find Agua Grande, a scenic view of a river that meets the ocean.

Agua Grande

Souvenir Shops and The Grotto

At the end of North Pagudpud tour lies the souvenir shops and the grotto, with a flowing water nearby.

Pasalubong Shops

Grotto

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged Agua Grande, how to go to Agua Grande, pagudpud grotto, pagudpud Souvenir Shops, Patapat Viaduct, where is Agua Grande, where is Patapat Viaduct
2 Comments

December 19, 2012

The Beautiful Saud Beach in Pagudpud

Pagudpud lies on scenic Bangui Bay, about 60km north of Laoag, and is highly popular with local tourists.

Their favorite destination is the long stretch of beautiful, white, palm-lined sand called Saud Beach, the backdrop for many Philippine Films.

Pagudpud Saud Beach

Sunsets here are one of the picturesque views in the Philippines, as the area is located in the northernmost west part of the country, enabling one a full direct view of the sun.

Cathy’s Home Stay in Pagudpud: An Affordable Accommodation

However some of the resorts on Saud Beach are not exactly suitable for those on budget like us.

Wondering where to stay without emptying your pocket?

Perhaps the most affordable and decent one available is Cathy’s Home Stay.

Cathy’s Home Stay Pagudpud

You could try to surf the internet and I’m sure her place would come highly recommended, Maam Cathy is so accommodating that she doesn’t fail to check on her guests. She also offered a free ‘sundo’ upon our arrival in Pagudpud.

How to Find Cheap Food in Saud, Pagudpud?

Now the hard part, looking for an affordable dinner meal in the area.

After sunset, we walked along the shore of Saud in search of an affordable place to eat since we were on a budget. But find none.

We also asked the locals and they told us that almost all of the restaurants here offer high end dishes. But they said that if we are really on a budget, we could visit the small store nearby for they sell canned goods and cook them for a fee but way much, much cheaper.

And so we choose the cheaper option not knowing that the store is still a kilometer or more away. It is already night time and there are no street lights along the way, since the store is located in the outskirts of the more populous part of the Beach.

But then the trek was still fun. Grappling in the dark, with no flash lights, hearing the sounds of night forest animals, with the picturesque night starry sky above you. Quite an experience.

We were able to eat at the said ‘sari-sari’ store for only 50php each. *with softdrinks, 2 cups of rice, viand, and some chichirya to eat on the return night time trek. hehe

Saud Beach Morning View

The next morning we woke up early, walked by the shore and spend some time capturing wonders that lie before us before we started our day tour around Pagudpud.

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged Cathy’s Home Stay, cheap hotel pagudpud, cheap inn pagudpud, How to Find Cheap Food in Saud, Pagudpud, Pagudpud Saud, Pagudpud Saud beach, where to stay in pagudpud
2 Comments

December 12, 2012

Where Waves Hit The Cliffs: At Bantay Abot Cave & Other Rock Formations

If you’re looking for beautiful rock formations on scenic beach views, then Pagudpud is for you.

Here you could find lots and of that. A few of them that are worth visiting to are:

Timmangtang Rock Formation

A bell-shaped rock located along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Timangtang Rock Formation

Timangtang Pagudpud

Timangtang Rock

Not far away from the Timmangtang Rock is the Bantay-abot Cave. They are collectively known as the “Lover’s Rock”. The Timmangtang Rock is the male rock and the Bantay-abot Cave the female. Take a look…

Bantay Abot Cave

Not a cave but a big tunnel lie hole in the ledge of the cliff jotting out into the sea into the way of the Blue Lagoon.

Bantay Abot Cave

Bantay Abot Cave View

Bantay Abot Cave Viewdeck

Bantay Abot Cave Entrance

Adventuroj Bantay Abot Cave

Rocky Bantay Abot Cave

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon Pagudpud is also known as the Boracay of the North, but in my own opinion, you cannot compare the two.

Apparently, Blue Lagoon has longer shoreline than Boracay and when you get to walk from the water, you’ll see cottages and not fancy hotels. I just hope that this beach remain unspoiled.

Blue Lagoon

Boracay of the North

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged Bantay Abot Cave, Bantay Abot Pagudpud, Blue Lagoon, Blue Lagoon boracay, boracay of the north, Timmangtang Rock, Timmangtang Rock Formation
3 Comments

December 12, 2012

Trekking to Kabigan Falls

Another stop of our Pagudpud trike tour is the 25m high, majestic Kabigan Falls (aka Kaibigan Falls).

The Majestic Kabigan Falls

What I like about this journey is the need to trek for 30 minutes through rivers, mountain trails, wooden bridges, before one can arrive into this beauty accompanied by a tour guide.

Kabigan Tour Guide

Pretty much like going through a suffering, that makes the goal even rewarding huh?

Trekking to Kabigan Falls

Bathing is possible in the cool, clear waters of the natural pool.

Admission Fee is P30. And if you ever go hungry or thirsty along the way, need not worry for the area has plentiful of vendors selling buko juices fresh from the coconut and other delicacies.

Along our trekking, I also happen to witness a very traditional way of doing the laundry in the Philippines, the ‘Palo-palo Method’. It’s good to see that locals in this area are still practicing this tradition, something that I only see in old movies nowadays.

The Traditional Palo palo Method of Washing Clothes

Until next time ‘Kaibigan’!

Enjoying the beauty of Nature

The above blog post is part of my Ilokandia Ultimate Adventure – Laoag – Pagudpud – Vigan tour series of posts in the Ilocos Region, Philippines that happened last November 28 – December 2, 2012. | Ilocos Adventure: Laoag Vigan Pagudpud Budget Itinerary | Laoag City Walking Tour: Places, Food, and Fun Treats | Ilocandia Sand Boarding and 4×4 Ride in La Paz Sand Dunes | Paoay Tour: Paoay Church, Malacanang of the North and the Paoay Lake | Bangui Windmills: The Answer is Blowing in the Wind | Historical Adventure at Faro de Cabo Bojeador | Trekking to Kabigan Falls | Bantay Abot Cave & Other Rock Formations | Scenic Views at Patapat Viaduct | The White Pride of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged kabigan falls, kabigan falls ilocos, kabigan falls pagudpud, where is kabigan falls
1 Comment

December 12, 2012

Historical Adventure at Faro de Cabo Bojeador

Another pit stop in the Pagudpud Tour is the historical Light House of Cape Bojeador in Burgos.

Cape Bojeador Adventure

The Light House was built in 1892 by the Spaniards to guide sea farers that time. It’s also known as Faro de Cabo Bojeador, and perhaps one of the oldest in the country.

Standing Strong Against Time

One could also enjoy the beautiful view of the South China Sea from the historical construction.

Overlooking the South China Sea

Walking through it is mysterious enough. Just imagine going in it alone late in the afternoon with the light bading goodbye and the darkness welcoming.

Cape Bojeador Wall

SpoOoooooky.. hehe

Good thing that we have the sun shining brightly upon our visit here.

How to go to Cape Bojeador?

Adventuroj at Cape Bojeador

The visit to the Cape Bojeador is part of our Pagudpud Tricycle Tour with Kuya Rene

South and North Pagudpud Tour (Tricycle)
Rate: 1,000 pesos per tour
Contact Details: 09208532047 look for Kuya Rene

Pagudpud Budget Tour Details

Here is the list of the activities you can do to appreciate Pagudpud.

Swim and surf in the breathtaking Saud Beach
Thirty minutes trek to majestic Kabigan Falls
Stopover at Patapat Viaduct with blue skies and blue sea waters as backdraft
See Bantay Abot cave, where waves hit the cliffs
Drop by Agua Paraiso, where waves hit the rocks
Enjoy huge wave and white sand in pristine Blue Lagoon(Maira-ira beach)
Witness Pagudpud sunset
Visit Bangui Wind Mills, Bojeador (Burgos) Lighthouse, Curimao, Laoag, Paoay and Vigan

Here’s our ‘trike’ tour guide s’trike’ing a pose. ^^,

Pagudpud Trike Tour – Kuya Rene

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged Cape Bojeador, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Cape Bojeador Pagudpud, how to go to Cape Bojeador, Pagudpud Cape Bojeador, where is Cape Bojeador
2 Comments

December 11, 2012

Bangui Windmills: The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

The Bangui Windmills are located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The windmills, officially referred to as the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project, were a project by the NorthWind Development Corporation as a practice renewable energy sources and to help reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The project is the first “Wind Farm” in the Philippines consisting of wind turbines on-shore facing the South China Sea and considered to be the BIGGEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA!

Bangui Windmills, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Amazing isn’t it?

A Taste of Freedom!

It sells 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte and is contributing to reduce the greenhouse effect which causes global warming. Can you imagine how simple life is in Ilocos Norte? Fifty percent energy consumption of SM Megamall is the whole energy consumption in Ilocos Norte.

Looking in Amazement at the Beautiful Eco Friendly Bangui WIndmills

Each windmill has 236 meters apart on shore. These beautiful structures has 41 meters blade and the its height is roughly equivalent to a 23-storey building.

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

Seeing these 20 beautiful windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte is one of my most awaited highlight of our Pagudpud adventure. We can’t explain the feeling when we first saw these windmills. Truly, the answer to our energy problem is Blowing in the Wind…

The Pasalubong Center at Bangui Windmills

Souvenir Shops at Bangui Windmills

How to go to Bangui Windmills?

The visit to the Bangui Windmill is part of our Pagudpud Tricycle Tour with Kuya Rene (

South and North Pagudpud Tour (Tricycle)
Rate: 1,000 pesos per tour
Contact Details: 09208532047 look for Kuya Rene

Pagudpud Budget Tour Details

Here is the list of the activities you can do to appreciate Pagudpud.

Swim and surf in the breathtaking Saud Beach
Thirty minutes trek to majestic Kabigan Falls
Stopover at Patapat Viaduct with blue skies and blue sea waters as backdraft
See Bantay Abot cave, where waves hit the cliffs
Drop by Agua Paraiso, where waves hit the rocks
Enjoy huge wave and white sand in pristine Blue Lagoon(Maira-ira beach)
Witness Pagudpud sunset
Visit Bangui Wind Mills, Bojeador (Burgos) Lighthouse, Curimao, Laoag, Paoay and Vigan

Posted in Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud, Travel
Tagged Bangui Windmills, Bangui Windmills ilocos, go to Bangui Windmills, How to go to Bangui Windmills, ilocos windmills, Pagudpud Budget Tour, Pagudpud Tour, where is Bangui Windmills, windmills, windmills philippines
5 Comments

December 1, 2012

Paoay Tour: Paoay Church, Malacanang of the North and the Paoay Lake

After dusting myself up from the Sand Boarding Adventure, it is now time to head to our next destination – Paoay!

Our original plan was to rent a trike from the city (Laoag) going to Paoay. However we’ve found the trike drivers too overpriced! Imagine 600php? When you could just take a public jeepney going to Paoay for only 34pesos?!

Don’t ask me what I took! Haha.

Jeepney going to Paoay

And so after around 30minutes, we’ve reached our first stop on the list, the Paoay Church.

Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Paoay Church

The St. Augustine Church or popularly known as Paoay Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It’s construction started in 1694 by the Agustinian Friars, completed 1894 and was re-dedicated in the same year. It is made of coral blocks and brick that incorporates Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs that add up to its striking appeal.

Built to withstand earthquakes common in our country, it is probably the best-known “earthquake baroque” church in the Philippines. In fact, one of its key features are the 24 carved buttresses that support the church’s structure during earthquakes.

Paoay Church

Paoay Bell Tower

Unlike other bell towers in most churches around the country, the Paoay Church’s stunning bell tower is detached from the church. This is to avoid the tower from smashing on the structure when an earthquake occurs.

After the Paoay Church, we headed to the residence of the Marcoses and the Lake Paoay. This time we’ve rented a tricycle for 170php since there are no or few public transpo that goes in there.

Paoay Lake

Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North is located in Barrio Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte and it’s open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. A minimal fee of 30 pesos is collected for those who want to visit the place.

Malacañang of the North

Built as the official residence of then President Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte, it is an imposing structure that resembles a 19th Century “bahay na bato” with an overlooking view of the legendary Paoay Lake. This once a seat of power is now converted into a museum that houses several memorabilia of the former President and his family.

Malacañang of the North

TRIVIA: The Malacanang of the North is actually a “birthday gift” of then First Lady Imelda Marcos to her husband on his 60th birthday.

Ilocos Food Treats

By lunch time, we’ve headed to Batac and there took our lunch, delighting ourselves with various Ilocano dishes – pinakbet, etc. as well as their specialty empanada.

Ilocos Food Treats

Posted in Eat, Ilocos Norte, Laoag, Shoot, Travel
Tagged how to go to paoay, Ilocos Food, Ilocos Food Treats, Malacañang of the North, Paoay Bell Tower, paoay church, paoay ilocos, Paoay Lake
4 Comments

December 1, 2012

Ilocandia Sand Boarding and 4×4 Ride in La Paz Sand Dunes

No better way to start our first day in Ilocos than a view of the sunrise in the spectacular Sand Dunes of La Paz.

We even saw the moon still up at this early hour. Amazing huh?

Moon Set and Sun Rise

Sunrise in the spectacular Sand Dunes of La Paz + Moonset.

Our tour guide and pioneer sand boarder (*I’ll tell you about it later), fetch us up at 6am. We reached the Sand Dunes in less than 15 minutes and there switched our jeep to a 4×4 Rough Rugged Ride. This is where the fun begins.

4×4 Ride in La Paz

The ride was one heck of an adventure. We hop on the back of this 4×4 truck.

Hold on tight and you’re in for the ride of your life across ups and downs, lefts and rights of the vast sand dunes. If only I’ve caught what happened in video so I could show you why Roller Coasters are More Fun in the Philippines! haha

Stunning Early Morning Portraits

Bonus to the ride are mini stop overs where the views are stunning. An overlooking of the entire city in early morning fog and dew, with hawks flying in the distance (yes they’re a native here). And a spectacular picture of the South China Sea. Photo buffs like me would surely take delight in this!

Sand Boarding Experience

And for the highlight of the adventure, the sand boarding!

Time to buckle up and practice those balancing acts! Works pretty much similar than surf boarding, just imagine the water turned sand this time. And instead of plunging into the ocean, see yourself rolling (sometimes even head first like I did) into the dunes.

Did you drank enough water at the beach during surfing? Well here you’ll be eating sands literally. Haha.

“Get up each time you fall.”
Just like a lesson in real life, my sand boarding experience didn’t come easy. I had to go through several failures and falls before reaching that perfect stunt – just like the cup of success that we all aim in life amidst the trials we face

But need not worry, the dunes will not hurt you that bad (I didn’t said it doesn’t hurt at all!), they’re soft anyway and the triumphant feeling of perfecting the sand boarding stunt afterwards is rewarding enough!

Sand Boarding Contact

Rate: 2,500 pesos per group of four
Contact Details: 09088853669 look for Glenn Guererro
Notes: Package is for 1-hour sand boarding lessons, good for four persons. It also includes the 4×4 jeepney transportation to and from the sand dunes. Make an arrangement if you will be doing it solo.

Sand Boarding Contact

Trivia: Did you know that Sir Glenn (the contact above) is the pioneer of Sand boarding here in Ilocos? It started as a hobby that he later shared to others, particularly tourists. He got the idea from Dubai, saw it on TV, and brought it here in the Philippines. Today it is one of the must dos when you’re in Ilocos.

And to end it all a souvenir to let the world know that I survived Sand Boarding! Are you in for the challenge?

Sand Boarding Souvenir

Yep! I’ve long been wanting to have something like this. Perfect for my travel adventures! Hope you could let me know if you knew someone makes this in an affordable cost *wink