NORTH-Bound : Vigan, Pagudpud, Tuguegarao – 12/22-26/2013

It's this time of the year again when our family travel to celebrate Christmas. After 6 years, we're back to long drives up north. 

I will just be storytelling what happened since this blog is also my online diary. If you reached this site, please feel free to read!

This was the route of our LONG Drive in the North of the Philippines

Day 1 : Long Drive to Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Our meeting time in San Mateo Rizal was 4:30 am. We pulled over to grab some lunch at The Bay Grill and Cafe. Here's a view of our sumptuous meal!

Then we arrived in Vigan around 4/5pm (around 12 hour drive) checked in at the Cordillera Inn at Calle Crisologo and took some rest. We ate at the famous Café Leona for dinner.

 Then we also ate their signature Vigan Empanada at the Vigan Empanadaan

After dinner, we strolled along their historic streets for some photoshoots J

A little selfie in this historic place :)

Day 2 : Vigan and drive to Saud Beach, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

For breakfast, I ate their famous Vigan Longanisa. It may look like an ordinary Longsilog but the taste is very different. :)

After breakfast and some shopping-strolling, we packed our bags to drive northwards to Laoag. We ate lunch at Northview Hotel, Ilocos Norte (we used to check in here when we were younger)

We arrived in the afternoon at Saud Beach, Pagudpud and since the weather is too cold, we were’nt able to swim in their white sand beach. But the beautiful sunset, the sands on our feet, and cold air was enough to enjoy ourselves in this scenic view.

Day 3 : Tour at Ilocos Norte
This day was a full sched for us. We visited the following tourist sites included on our list :

1. Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure - Check!

2. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse - Check!

3. Kapurpurawan – Rock Formations - Check!

4. Bangui Windmills - Check!

5.  Patapat Viaduct - Check!

Too bad it was raining at some points of the day that we weren't able to maximize the views and photos.

That night on Christmas Eve, we didn't eat in a fancy restaurant for a grand noche buena but stayed together in our beach resort to eat the food served by the locals. One of the best food for that evening was the inihaw na pusit! Yummy! :)

Day 4 : Drive to Tuguegarao, Cagayan

The next day, we packed our bags again for Cagayan! We checked in at The Holiday Plaza Hotel, a fancy/ boutique hotel.

Then after lunch, we went on a 183-step hike to reach the Callao Caves. FYI, this cave was where John Lloyd and Bea shoot for the Mistress. :)  

Then we went boating down the foot of the caves for the bird watching (well, they're bats who flock together around 5-5:30pm daily)

Then we dropped by the plaza and went to church.

For dinner, we ate at a hotel very close to our hearts- Hotel Lorita. On their placemat, it read :

We had an amazing accommodation at Holiday. Was able to sleep very very well.

Day 5 : Long Drive back to Manila
At around 9am, we were all packed for departure back to Manila.

We stopped over and ate lunch at a classy café.

Then for 12 hours, we drove and headed back home.

We've been up north a couple of times during our childhood but there's a lot of new attractions now. It was still a new adventure for us. :) Sorry if there's lot's of food pictures. We really love to eat. After all, eating local cuisines in itself is an adventure alone!

From my family (and extended families), Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warmest greetings,

Shaine

Backpacking to Tanay Rizal – 12/29/2013

December was my travel month. 

I went to HongKong for a business Trip, Tanay Rizal for our Christmas Outing, North-bound for our annual family Trip and lastly, back to Rizal for a day’s adventure with friends.

I was busy the entire December, but since I want to narrate and share each and every travel adventure I've been to, I'll be posting them here anyway. I'll start with the most recent. :)

It's an unplanned day tour at Rizal with officemates, Den and Nheri. We were supposed to go to Laguna but since we've been spending a LOT and accommodations will cost much, we decided to go somewhere near.

We decided to have an adventure in Rizal.

Meeting time was 6:30am at Ligaya, Pasig. (I was on time, they were just an hour and a half early). I arrived there almost at sunrise.

Our first stop was the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain. We took 2 jeeps to Cogeo, then Paenaan. Fare was arounf P20. Entrance fee at the Prayer mountain was P70. Here you can do church service, relfect and pray at the prayer cells, prayer huts, or in the open areas surrounded by plants and trees. It's also a retreat place, they have separate dormitories for girls and boys.

It was a very relaxing and tranquil place for alone time, prayer and simply enjoying nature.

But we only stayed there from 7:30-9:00 because we have a lot to accomplish on our list.

Next, we had a roller coaster ride going to Tanay Rizal. But after 3-4 rides of jeeps and tricycles and lots of asking, we managed to reach Tanay Plaza. For people's information, there are buses in EDSA Shaw going straight to Tanay Rizal.
In the Tanay Plaza, we rented a tricycle to Daranak. Fare was P350 roundtrip for the three of us. 

We stopped over at a bridge in Tanay and manong driver even took our photo. 

The tricycle driver (who seems to be our tour guide as well) suggested that we visit the Calinawan Cave, which was just along the way going to Daranak Falls.

Just some facts : Calinawan Cave was named as such because it used to be a meeting place for soldiers during the World War. Many arguments and pacts have been settled and clarified in this cave, that's why it's called Calinawan. :)). Plus, a "Column" is when a stalactite above and stalagmite below meets to form a post.
Entrance fee to the cave is P20/ head. Tour guide service is P100 + tip.

Afterwards, we climbed a grotto with the 14 stations of the cross (but I didn't have a picture) and trekked until we reach our last destination for the day : the Daranak Falls! 

Entrance fee was only P30 for adults. Cottages and tables are also affordable at P300 and P150 respectively.

Another attraction famous in Daranak was the balanced stones. We ourselves tried to pile stacks for the experience.

The falls is open from 8am-5pm daily and not allowed for overnight stays. There's no corkage in food so bring as many as you want. Alcohol is banned inside though.

After the swim till afternoon, we went back to Tanay / Plaza and there were already shuttles and buses back to EDSA Shaw. Bus tickets cost P60-P70.

So, if you want a cheap day adventure near the city, Tanay is a good place for you and friends!

Indeed, it was a tiring day but definitely a one of a kind and sulit trip with the Crazy Eggs! 

<3 Shaine

We Conquered Taal Volcano!

4.13-14, 2013

We were supposed to go to a relative in Pangasinan but the plan was cancelled. Since we're on vacation mode already, mommy decided to plan a Taal Volcano Trekking instead.

We left home for Tagaytay last Saturday night. Good thing we have an Aunt who has a rest house in Tagaytay Country Homes 3, so we had a free accommodation! :)

The next morning, around 7am, we went straight to Taal Lake Yacht Club for our boat ride going to the Taal Crater. 

This is Taal Lake Yacht Club. One of the attractions here is the Hobie. There's a  competition for this held here too.
We've inquired that a Hobie rental is P3,800 unlimited use for one day. Too bad this was not part of our itinerary. But next time, I want to try sailing this Hobie cat! 

Our boat ride to Taal (You can book this boat ride to Taal Crater at the TLYC priced also at P3,800 per boat with a capacity of 4-5pax, with tour guide per boat and Lunch meal at TLYC included).

Arrival at the shores of the Taal Volcano. I advice you to put sunblock, bring shades and cap, and lots of water. 

Trekking up. To make the trip more adventurous, we chose not to ride horses! We trekked to the crater.

Pictures at the View Deck!

 

 We really enjoyed drinking Buko Juice. One fresh buko juice is P50.

Resting at the view deck

Since we want to make the trip really worth it, we decided to treck down the crater inside the volcano to have a feel of the lake.

On the crater. We were supposed to swim but the water was too hot since it's summer (almost boiling) so we decided not to have a dip. But the view was very beautiful. I can't believe we're standing inside the volcano!

Trekking up was difficult. I even had blurred visions and almost fainted due to the heat (so I cheated and rode the horse). FYI. Horse rate was at P500-750 whether you rented them full board or half way only.

Lunch at Taal Lake Yacht Club

 

We ate home-cooked Filipino food like Fried Tawilis, Sinigang na Bangus and Inihaw na Pusit! We ate a LOT!

Satisfied with the food and the trip!

Finally, we took a shower at our Auntie's house and rested. Around 7:30 pm, we left Tagaytay and went back home. It's better to leave Tagaytay a little later on a Sunday to avoid traffic.

It was a tiring, but fun and once in a lifetime experience. A great bonding moment with family and relatives. We conquered TAAL VOLCANO! 

Till my next stop!

Shainey