Category Archives: Travel

10 Days, 3 Countries: Vietnam – Cambodia – Thailand Trip Planner

Yes! An adventure cooking soon, only here at Adventuroj! Courtesy of yet another Cebu Pacific Air Seat Sale, I and my travel bud are able to book a budget flight to these 3 destinations.

No need to get excited yet, but here I am blabbering about it like a kid wanting that piece of lollipop.

The trip’s not set until next year, on Independence Day: June 12- June 21 [Best way to celebrate freedom!], we will be embarking on a 10 day – 3 country tour in Southeast Asia. The start of my dreams in fulfillment.

10 Days Across 3 Countries: An adventure cooking soon at Adventuroj.com! Watch out!

For this trip, we’ll be Visiting Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Specifically, we’ll be visiting Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Phen, Siem Reap and Bangkok. Below is the suggested itinerary:

SUGGESTED ITINERARY: VIETNAM – CAMBODIA – THAILAND

Day 1

We’ll leave Philippines for Vietnam, via Cebu Pacific. The flight will leave around 10:50 PM and will take about 2 1/2 hours.

Day 2

We’ll arrive in Ho Chi Minh at around 00:20, local time, with enough time to sleep at the airport? haha. Talk about saving!

Then, at 7AM we’ll go on a tour. We’re still choosing between a City Tour, Cu Chi Tunnel Tour or the Mekong Delta Tour. For Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta, lunch will be included in the tour. If it’s the city tour, the best place for lunch is inside Ben Than Market.

For dinner, we’ll head to Tricolore Restaurant along Pam Ngu Lao, where they serve both Vietnamese and Italian food.

Day 3

We’ll take the first bus to Cambodia on the third day. We’ll leave HCMC at around 6AM for a 6-hour bus ride to Phnom Phen. Brunch will be along way, on one of the stops.

We’ll arrive in Phnom Phen around lunch time, check in at the hotel and head for lunch.

Then, we’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Dinner will be in one of the local restaurants.

Get Cambodia VISA here.

Day 4

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel, then take the first bus to Siem Reap. We’ll leave around 7AM and the trip would take about 5 hours.

We’ll arrive in Siem Reap around noon, check in at the hotel then head off for lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit the Angkor Wat Museum.

We’ll take a stroll along the river, then maybe have some fish spa/massage. Just before sunset, we’ll head off to Angkor Wat.

Then end the day with a dinner in one of the nice restaurants in Pub Street.

Day 5

We’ll have an early breakfast and spend the entire day visiting Angkor and all the other temples.

We’ll go on a city tour and then have a relaxing day.

We’ll have dinner in one of the local restaurants near the old market, or maybe in the open market stalls.

Day 6

Start the day early to head off to Bangkok for a 7 hour bus ride.

We’ll arrive in Bangkok at around 4PM, and check in at a budget hostel.

Tour the city until dinner time.

Day 7

We’ll go on a floating market tour in the morning, in Damnoen Saduak.

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a some sites in the city tour.

Day 8

We’ll go on a tour to Kanchanaburi for the Death Railway and Elephant Sanctuary.

We’ll finish the day with a Thai massage in Thailand. LOL

Day 9

We’ll spend our last day in Bangkok doing the city tour, and eating as much as we can 🙂

Day 10

We’ll catch our flight back to the Philippines.

So are you excited? Got any additional travel tips? Suggestions? Feel free to do so!

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine

Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Guimaras is synonymous to the sweetest fruit that the island produce, Mangoes. (Mangoes has its season and may not be available at all times). Definitely there are a few who have known the beauty and charm of this island, a place of solitude to escape the fast pace of life; a retreat from the “concrete jungles” that surround many of us; serene environment where you can lose your worries and indulge in true rest and relaxation.

So why would one dare miss a visit to this enchanting place if the opportunity is already at hand? Adventuroj surely won’t.

Iloilo to Guimaras Trip

After departing Ong Bun Pension house in Iloilo city (just checked in there fresh from Kalibo, left our baggage, and freshen up a bit), my family and I immediately headed to Parola port for the boats that will take us to Guimaras. (There is actually another port [Ortiz Wharf] which also plies the Iloilo-Guimaras route but since it’s September and it’s habagat season the waves will be bigger than the usual, taking boats from Ortiz Wharf boats are discouraged.)

Guimaras Island can only be reached by a boat (Php 14 per person).

Guimaras Tour

After arriving at the island, we went straight ahead to the tourist information located at the waiting shed outside the arrival area of the Jordan Wharf. Then register. They also provided options for your transportation and provide you with a map around the island. There’s a set rate for vehicle rentals regulated by the Guimaras Provincial Government.  We end up with a rented multicab for 1,800php for the whole day tour.

Tour includes the following:

  • Smallest Plaza
  • Trappist Monastery
  • Camp Alfredo
  • Alubihod beach
  • Raymen Beach
  • Macopo Falls
  • 17th Century Old Guisi Light house
  • Pasalubong Center and the Provincial Capitol
  • Museo de Guimaras

Smallest Plaza

Have your photo taken at the once smallest plaza in the world! Guimaras once held the word record for this tiny plaza. I am not sure if they have been dethroned or what for now but the plaza is really cool.

Trappist Monastery

If you’re looking for some peaceful ambiance, then you could opt to stay here. It is very quiet and the place has this totally spiritual feel to it. Also do not forget to hit the Trappist Abbey gift shop for some very cool mango-infused pasalubong to bring home to your family and friends.

Raymen Beach

We took our lunch here at Raymen Beach Resort at Alubihod, Nueva Valencia.

The scenic view of the beach is also a beauty not worth missing when you’re here. If Zamboanga boasts of its Pink Sand beaches, Boracay of its white, then Guimaras surely won’t be behind with its yellow shoreline.

Raymen also offers an island hopping tour that includes Ave Maria Beach, Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center, Buho Ramirez Cave, Natago Beach, Sol y Luna and Baras Beach Resort/Cave but since it’s running out of time and we’ve already had enough of our Boracay Island Hopping, we just decline the adventure for now. (I’ll be sure to come back here next time but no longer w/ my family, it’s real hard to travel with the unequally adventurous ones. hehe)

17th Century Old Guisi Light house

Here we’ve had most of our photo ops. You’ll surely be amazed with the ruins of this 17th Century Old Lighthouse, the 2nd oldest in the country according to the tour guide. Imagine that!

After a trekking the Light house, you could freshen up with a Buko at the crossroads nearby.

You could also visit other beach resorts near Guisi Lighthouse. When I come back here, I’ll make sure to spend a night here. 🙂

Other Sights and Scenes

*Tip: Try to come to Guimaras during mango season. Obviously I was not able to taste the sweetest mangoes in the country because the season is far out but really don’t feel bad for me because I was able to buy a green one, brought it home in Davao and just waited for it to ripen up. Hehe. It’s also funny to know that in Iloilo we were able to find ripe mangoes from Guimaras (we tried some when we’ve had our Dinner @Tatoy’s) but in Guimaras we found no ripe ones. How ironic!

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Exploring the White Islands of Boracay

“Home is where the heart is, and my heart is wherever I am at the moment.” — Lily Leung

We started early for our day. After a refreshing early morning coffee, we texted our contact for the island hopping, Kuya Nelson (09103546758). We just bought some ‘pandesal'(bread) at a nearby bakeshop to be used for the fish feeding later. We then hopped in a trike to be transported to where the boats are docked.

Boracay Island Hopping!

Today’s Itinerary

Off and away!

Pasalubong Buying at D’Mall

**Click on each link to read the rest of the adventure.

Boracay Boatman Contact

Boating at Boracay

  • Kuya Nelson (09103546758)
  • Rate: 1,500-1,800php.
The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo

At around 3pm, we are now ready to say goodbye to this wonderful island. We will be heading back to Kalibo to spend the night there with my mother’s relatives.

The travel from Caticlan to Kalibo is just a short one. Upon your arrival at the port of Caticlan there are public vans that you could hop on to bring you directly to Kalibo. Fare is 100php. (We were even mistaken as heading to the Kalibo airport by the dispatcher, and we paid 175php). Luckily we were refunded upon or arrival at Kalibo.

The entire day was spend strolling along Aklan’s Capital.

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Beach Bumming at Boracay

After the long but fun filled day, we heeaded to the white beach and beach bum the whole afternoon.

Boracay is a 10 square miles island right in the heart of the exotic Philippine archipelago. Travelers from around the world awaits magnificent beaches, excellent infrastructure comprising a wide selection of 1-5 star accommodation, plenty of leisure activities, extensive shopping opportunities, delicious food and an exciting nightlife in the clubs and bars of Boracay.

Despite the relatively small size of Boracay it has much to offer.

Thus, Boracay’s famous White Beach, with its crystal clear water and fine white sand has been voted in 2007 by Yahoo Travel as the most beautiful beach in the world.

Who couldn’t resist this paradise?

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration!

Be escorted away to the dive site. Climb down a ladder until the water is at shoulder height, once in this position a helmet that has clear glass plates is placed over your head. Climb down the ladder even further down until you are standing on the ocean floor (around 10 ft. below the surface). Walk along Boracay’s sea bed accompanied by a guide. This is a wonderful excursion and a close-up view of underwater life.

**I just don’t like the long queues and waiting time. Tip: If you wish to savour this moment make it your first stop so you won’t have to queue long.

Helmet Diving Video

Helmet Diving Contact Person:

  • Kuya Nelson (09103546758)
  • Price: 250 PHP per Person

Inclusions:
• Boat ride to the site
• Assistance from 1-2 PADI qualified dive instructors
• Helmet dive equipment
• Free souvenir pictures
• Our friendly coordinator will escort you to the boat pick-up location

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay

Boracay is an island of many possibilities, famous not only for its postcard-perfect White Beach, but also the wealth of recreation and entertainment options it offers. A many of these activities revolve around the clear blue ocean, with snorkelling ranking high with the island’s visitors.

Snorkelling is one of the more popular activities in the island, especially for families since it is the easiest way to discover the wonders under the sea. With the right snorkelling techniques and equipment, you will enjoy sightseeing under the pristine waters of the island.

There are many great places to snorkel around Boracay, especially near its beautiful beaches where undisturbed marine life can be admired.

Feeding the fish bread is fun, but the reef is not the best i’ve seen in the philippines. The waters here are a bit murky compared to other snorkeling sites I’ve seen (Davao’s Talicud Island and Panglao are even better). The current can get strong so you may need to hold onto the boat or a rope to avoid being swept off, but it’s a fun time.

After tiring yourself with snorkeling, what perfect way to replenish yourself than by drinking fresh coconut. And how would you do that when you are a couple of hundred meters away from the shore? Well, they bring you the coconut instead, that’s how! A couple of vendors paddled around the snorkeling area with a small boat (or surfboard?) full of probably up to 20 coconuts. Now that’s entrepreneurship!

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave

First stop for our island hopping is the popular Crystal Cove Island.

Crystal Cove is a park on Laurel Island that have walk paths leading you to different picnic areas overlooking an uninterrupted panoramic view of awe-inspiring crystal blue waters of South China Sea.

Crystal Cove Island (used to be Tiguatian Island) in the Philippines is a wonderful island with white beaches and crystal blue water. It is just a short banca boat ride off the Coast of Boracay Island and the mainland port Caticlan.

It also has areas perfect for rejuvenating and relaxing. Trekking can be fun with abundant choices of photo op spots for that perfect panoramic postcard shot to take home.

What’s special with the crystal cove aside from the beach & the mini-zoo, are the two caves, where the Sibuyan Sea flushes its waves into.

Crystal Cove Cave 1

The first cave is found in the middle of the island which opens directly to the sea. There are stairs that lead you to some crystal formations and incredible turquoise waters created by the limestone.

The motion that the waves make as it enters this little cove, earned it its name, of Little tsunami. On calm days, you could easily swim out of its mouth, but on windy days, when the waves can be really rough, you are better off holding on to the ropes they have provided, for safety purposes, to keep you from being swept away or much worse, be bashed on the rocks.

Crystal Cove Cave 2

The second cave is a much larger cave which gradually leads to a tunnel that you have to crouch through, and leads to another cave pool. It also has a wooden viewing deck for those who just want to admire the cave from the distance.

Entrance fee is 200php per head as of September 2012

It was indeed a rejuvenating experience at Crystal Cove Island. The breath of fresh air as well as the adventure is amazing!

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines

After 6 long hours of travelling from Iloilo to Caticlan, finally we arrived at the Jetty Ferry Port. Here we are going to ride a ferry going to the Island of Boracay. We then paid the following fees:

Boracay Fees

Caticlan Ferry Port

Boracay greeted us with fierce and angry waves

Where to Stay in Boracay?

I’ve always planned my itineraries ahead and book for the trips’ accommodations in advance. However this time it had been a hard time for me looking for affordable places to stay in Boracay (as this had already been a place for tourists and most accommodations are dollars hehe), luckily I found Villa Lourdes at Station 2.

Conveniently located at the heart of Boracay, walking distance from the popular D’Mall in Boracay, near supermarkets, and of course the beach front. The place is like an apartment style where you get to have your own kitchen. Good for us since it’s not a peak season it’s as if we’ve rented the whole house for ourselves alone.

The owner had been very accommodating, even provided us with a ‘sundo’ and a discount! You may contact him at:

Where to Eat Cheap in Boracay?

And if you’re looking for a cheap place to eat, look no more. Dine in this affordable Smoke Restaurant (Andoks) located in Balabag, Station 2, Boracay. Here you’ll have a myriad of choices, from fried chickens, lechon manok, silog meals, sinigang, etc.

And believe me, the food is really delicious! I particularly love their Sinigang.. just the perfect ‘asim’!

Night Life in Boracay

After filling up our tummies, we spend the entire night around the lively and lovely island. Here is where life begins at night.

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour

Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip (v. Roxas – Capiz – Aklan – Kalibo)

Getting Around Iloilo Airport

Upon our arrival at Iloilo airport, we headed to the tourism office inside to inquire about the usual range and mode of transportation from the airport going to the city or to other destinations such as Boracay. We were informed that we could take either of the following:

  • Going to Boracay (Caticlan) via Public Transportation
    • Ride a Metered taxi (perhaps the cheapest) – range from 300/taxi from the airport going to the city to Ceres Bus Terminal
    • Ride a Bus from Iloilo going to Caticlan (6 hours trip) Php325/head
  • Hire a van direct from airport to Caticlan (easiest but can be expensive) Php 4,500/van

Lucky for us for when we were about to give up our quest for haggling a cheaper rent for a van and just opt for the public transpo by bus, we found another group of 6 that would also be going to Boracay so we decided to just get a van (all 12 of us divided by the Php4,500) which means we only get to spend around 375php/head. Wow!

***However be aware that some of the tour services (like the one we got) fooled us into believing that the very comfy and big van that we used from the airport to the city will be the one used in going to Caticlan. We were surprised to find out that upon arrival in their terminal in the city, they transferred us into another vehicle (still a van but smaller and perhaps smellier).

Of course this enraged us, until they finally gave up and just provided us with the vehicle that we wanted. I’m thankful that there are 12 heads complaining, what if there were less? For sure they probably won’t allow.

Anyway, we started our 6-hour journey. Below are some of the snapshots I’ve taken while we were on the road, passing by the various provinces.

Iloilo City

Capiz Province

Aklan

And yes, I love the weather. Cold, wet, rainy, with a smell of lemon dew. Makes me wanna sing … I’ll do my blogging in the rain…

The above blog post is part of my Iloilo – Guimaras – Kalibo – Boracay Adventure series of posts that happened last September 27-30, 2012.  To read more the rest of the series, click on the following links: | Boracay Family Trip via Iloilo | Iloilo – Boracay Roadtrip  |  | Descent and the Night Life in Boracay, Philippines | Exploring the Mystique Crystal Cove Cave | Snorkeling and Fish Feeding at Boracay  | Boracay Helmet Diving Underwater Exploration! | Beach Bumming at Boracay | City Strolling and Malling at Kalibo | Exploring the White Islands of Boracay | Adventuroj Guimaras Island Tour