The Action Packed Day @ El Nido (Day 2 of our trip)

People would have assumed that since I love going to the beach they might have thought I'm a good swimmer. Well guess what? I can't swim!

Hahaha!

Well in fairness to me I can swim though on a swimming pool, as long as I can touch the flooring of the pool I'll be fine but when I start to float then that's where the problem arise!

Helicopter Island, na mukhang turtle island to me =P

When me and Floro visited Kalangaman island last year I bought my own life vest for the swimming but after sometime (from Donsol to Siquijor trips) bringing this vest is a hassle!

And on our day 2 of El Nido trip to my utter surprise we were about to swim on an OPEN sea going to the hidden lagoon on the farthest island in El Nido.

What??Me? Swimming? No alalay or bangka that will bring me inside the cave?

The guide told me the kayak won't make it inside, and the only way to get in was to swim.

I tell you I want to back out, but since i'm with my girlfriend (who are more enthusiastic than me hahahaha) shempre I have to go din. Baka maumpog kasi sa mga bato at matauhan LoL (peace babe!)

Are you ready to swim?

Somewhere on those rockies ar the entrance inside the hidden lagoon

The swim was hard for me! And the water is infested with small jelly fish which makes the swim even harder. Me and Mikko got lots of sting from the jellyfish, and if not for the lifeguard bouy i don't think I can ever make it to the lagoon and back to the boat hahaha!

Getting inside the lagoon is even harder, we have to check the tide and the wave befoer entering the lagoon. C.R.A.Z.Y. but once inside you'll just say to yourself "it's all worth it".

"We shall return, pag magaling na kami lumangoy =P "

Mini caves with lots of bird's nest (for Nido soup daw)

After the death defying swimming, we headed next to an deserted island with grotto and unfinished structures. The view here is magnificent. This is one of the best locations in El Nido.

Crystal clear water, calmness after the storm

Tourist abound!

Grotto amidst the seas

Some unfinished business here

There is a small hill on this island, which shows this spectacular view.

And the back of the grotto leads to the beach part of the island naman. Perfect for intimate swimming for couples (wink wink).

Ehem, here's another MAGNIFICENT beauty. My baby Mikko =D.

Postcard worthy shot (naks!)

We did stop to another island for lunch but unfortunately we have to ride a kayak to get to the island and the water is so unstable hence we decided not to bring our camera. 

It's a good decision thank god, because my kayak overturned when i was about to land on the shore. Hahahaha. So i got this bruise on my right leg as a souvenir for this trip =(.

After lunch, we headed to this (another) hidden lagoon, but unfortunately due to strong waves nobody dared to swim. Only the middle age foreigner woman wants to go inside the lagoon (but her husband persuade her not to go hahaha).

Last but not the least, our guide reserve the last for the best beach. Helicopter island has the finest beach sand in all El Nido beaches. Same quality of sand just like in Calaguas but the water are strong and rough. But still it was fun to okay under the sun and the beach padin =).

"Tower ng bangka"

All in all, though the vacation might not be a perfect one (broken boat, brownouts at the hotel, scary swimming, jellyfish sting and what not), spending alone time with my girlfriend erased all the hassles of this trip. Sulit na sulit ang vacation when she's around =).

Hence, there I will not travel alone ever again. Yahoo!!

Lessons Learned from Larena (LLL)

So ok, it was supposed to be a sun-filled, exciting and snorkeling trip to Siquijor but unfortunately due to some unfavorable circumstances it was put on hold due to an accident, which I admit is my own fault. Here's my top 10 lesson's learned from that fateful day....

(Ouchness!)

1. Don't pretend na marunong mag motorbike. Nakamamatay!
2. Don't travel in solo anymore. If ever maaksidente sa un-friendly location patay kang bata ka! At least pag may kasama ka may makakatawag sa bahay nio para sunduin ang mga labi mo (insert knock on wood here).
3. Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. It's a life-saver.
4. Di bale nang magasgasan ang TNF na bag, wag lang masira ang DLSR.Pack your DLSR in good position. Anticipate impact when storing it in your bag.
5. Thank the person who will clean and will put bandage on your wound.
6. Sabihan mo na yung mga taong mahal mo ng "I love you" before it's too late.
7. Bring betadine, bandage, cotton on your trips.
8. Bring comfort foods. Eating your favorite toasted bread or Chips ahoy will surely be a good way to heal your wounded ego.
9. Call your best friend. 
10. P.R.A.Y.

Leyte's Hidden Jewel: Kalanggaman Island!

Have you ever taken that trip which you really really like and you do everything just to get on that trip?

It happened to me here in Kalanggaman island, and I must say it's all worth it!

I actually learned about Kalanggaman island 3 days before my trip to Tacloban. I didn't know that there is such a place wherein the beach is almost at par with Boracay. Plus the fact that it is a virgin island excites me even more.

Some of the blog post that i've read narrated the challenges in going to Kalanggaman I'm  still decided to go to this place, no matter what the cost.

Yaman!

Since we've already toured the whole Tacloban and Jaro I think it's appropriate enough to visit other areas naman. And besides it's summer so I should be on the beaches right? And I should not missed this Leyte's hidden jewel =D.

The night before our trip, we fixed our things, cooked the food that we'll bring, and specified each other's responsibility. We we're all excited for this, so we sleep early to prepare for the long journey tomorrow.

We depart from Jaro at around 5AM and off we go to Tacloban. From there we got a van that ply Tacloban-Palompon (Php 150.00 fare). Unfortunately no matter how early you are the van must be filled up before it depart from the terminal. At around 7AM off we go to Palompom but not until we pick up my cousin's husband along the highway of Jaro (where he was waiting together with our things). Ang kulit lang ng plano namin!

Foggy Tacloban City Van terminal

In fairness malakas ang 3G sa tacloban, here floro is checking his FB on Ipad

It was a grueling 3 hours ride, which me and Floro slept the whole time. The trip is from East to West of Leyte the reason for the long ride.

Then when we arrive in Palompon, the news about the non-availability of boat greets us. "Sir ubos nap lahat ng bangka, all 4 of them".

Say whaaaattttt??!!?!!

It turns out if you want to go to Kalanggaman island, you need to reserve your boat ride 2-3 days before the said trip. Unfortunately, the girl that i've talked to via email from tourism officer in Tacloban told me that walk-in passengers are allowed in the pier.

I was so wrong, and so is that tourism officer!

I nearly collapse in shock but since we've come from Manila pa and endure the 3 hour ride I won't give up this trip without a fight.

I asked the tourism officer if he can find an accredited bangka that would take us to the island. Sensing my despair he did helped us find a bangka and luck of all luck he find one!

Yehey!!

Yun lang, the only catch is since we're the only passenger (all four of us) we have to pay for the whole bangka ride (round trip)

I agree. And off we go to the island!

My Seminarian Best Friend

My Cousin and her husband =D

The weather is jut perfect, to think that the day before it was cloudy and rainy in Tacloban!

Thank you Lord for the weather!

They say it's an hour trip from the shore to the island but actually it's just a 30 minute ride. And we we're all excited we saw the white sand bar from afar. 

Super excited actually!

Here we are!!!

And I must say it's worth all the effort and money! Wohoo!!

Ang init neh bro?

The part of the island that faces east is the area with white sand and calm waves, while the western side has the rock formation (and where the waves is stronger as well).

I was surprised to see a LOT of foreigners (mostly French) in the island. Turns out this place is near Malapascua island in Cebu (about 30 minutes ride) where the big resorts that caters to tourists are located. They made the island as a side trip of their stay in Malapascua. Nice!

The sand bar is long and so nice. It's much longer than the one in Bantayan island. But this one is much better.

Welcome pose!

Ang HOT ko!

View from the sand bar

Warning sign which is actually ignored by everybody =P

It's almost 12:00Noon when we arrived at the place, and no matter how hot it is me and Floro decided to eat quickly and swam on the beach ASAP!

Atat lang kami talaga!

Serenity

The rockies at the back of the island is a marine sanctuary, it is actually the best place to snorkel. Some of the foreign tourist who was in the island did their snorkeling here (see their boat from afar). Since we're not in the mood to snorkel (wala kaming snorkeling gear) we just had our photo-op here nalang =D.

The rocks are so slippery! Almost slipped twice while taking this shot!

Summer fruits??! Saw the same fruits in Calaguas Island last year!

Before the trip, I was contemplating to buy fins and lifevest or not. But since 1). I don't know how to swim 2) I'll be frequently visiting the beaches here in the philippines I just decided to buy both. Yikes! Gastos!!! But it's all worth it. At least now I can swim together with Floro without thinking if I'll ever get drowned or not. LoL!!!

Ang bigat ng Fins ha!

Kalanggaman Island Map

We swam and swam till we we're exhausted. By 4PM I surrender with the swimming activity. Photo-ops nalang!

Little Girl looking for crabs and shrimps

I must admit, the place is really awesome, I commend the people and government of Palompon for keeping the place clean and not commercialized. They should keep it that way. 

Before we leave the place, the governor of Leyte just arrived, no wonder there was a banquet prepared on this part of the island. Soshal!!

I'm sure this is not the last time I'l be setting foot in Kalanggaman, as the General had said: "I shall return". 

Thank you Leyte for the wonderful vacation! You truly are one of the hidden jewel of the Philippines!

Sun, Sea, Sand in Coron island!

Summer is here and lets all welcome it by my series of blogs about the magnificent Coron island!

One of the best beach I've been through, pity that I didn't have much time to explore the whole area. But nevertheless I have some memorable experience with this place.

Watch out for my coron series soon!


Let's go Summer 2012!

Left Unguard at Bantayan Island

Hola peeps! Before the year ends i'd like to share my vacation adventure at the famous Bantayan Island off the coast of Cebu Island. I have to admit at first I was disappointed with it (will tell you alter why) but during the course of the trip I fell in love with the place already and I want to go back next summer here.

From Cebu Cit we boarded a bus that took us on a 4 hour ride to the Port that will lead us to Bantayan Island. It was a smooth ride in fairness and less traffic unlike here in Manila. We arrive at the Port an hour before noon and we missed the 11:30 ferry trip! Yikes! Next trip is at 1:00PM. Not bad.

I think the ferry trip took an hour, because me and my fabulous companion doze off during the trip. It's siesta time naman kasi! LoL! Also i prefer to sleep than watch the ferry move because I'm not a big fan of water bound vessels.

Upon arriving at the terminal in Bantayan Island, the resort service van pick us up.Don't you just love hotels with free airport/port transfers? It's one of my necessities when I travel, I don't care much on how crappy the hotel's service or how small their rooms are but as long as they have transfers that ok with me =).

After checking-in in our hotel and freshen up a bit (which is a small but cozy hotel fronting the beach(sorry i forgot your name!)) we decided to explore the beach right away. It was 3:00PM and it was hot, very hot I tell you but that didn't stop us from hitting on the beach.

There's a sand bar 30 meters off the coastline and it was awesome!!

The sandbar (which is not man made) creates a mini lake between the coastline. It was nice considering the water temperature from the ocean is cold while here at the mini-lake it is luke warm. Very very nice.

Unfortunately, our vacation was scheduled on the monsoon season, hence the dark clouds hovering above us in less than an hour. Also the monsoon season makes the waves even bigger and stronger hence the presence of large swath of seaweeds on the seashores of Bantayan island.

But the little rain didn't damp our exciting spirits. We had a nice merienda afterwards then took a nap, then stroll around the area and drink Tanduay Ice while eating our dinner on a roadside makeshift canteen. Crazy! Para lang kaming tambay sa kanto! We went home drunk and happy =P.

When morning come, the owner of the hotel offered us a tour on the Virgin island off the coast of Bantayan Island. With a reasonable price (Php 1500 for 3 pax) we grab the offer. But since we woke up early and the bangkero is nowhere in sight we decided to drop by at downtown to go to the market for our lunch.

Suprise! Suprise!!! It was Nutrition month pala and there we're kids parading in downtown Bantayan. Ang cu-cute! Sayang I didn't brought my camera that time =( But what excites me the most was the Bantayan Augustinian Church right in the middle of the town. It was old but grandioso! So beautiful!!! Turns out it was one of the oldest Catholic Church in the Philippines, makes me wonder though why did the Augustinians built a church on an island instead on the mainland like Negros or IloIlo perhapds? Anyhow it was beautiful and majestic, the Old charm of Roman Catholic is still there, ala San Agustin Church in Manila lang!

After the quick trip to downtown, we proceed to Virgin Island. We passed by the port hence the photos of the ferries and fishing vessels from Cebu and other parts of Visayas.

After 30 minutes of travel we landed on Virgin Island. It was awesome!! Also the name of the island speaks to itself. There was no water and electricity line in the island!! We do need to pay for rental fee and boat parking fee to the caretaker of the island.

Our mode of transportation

It was white sand, blue green waters and no people! It's like the place is ours! LoL!

The island is a great place for snorkeling, lot's of colorful fishes and some corals can be seen even near the seashore. But since i don't know how to swim nor snorkel I just content myself by looking at the fishes from above the water =P.

Powdery white sands, almost the same as Boracay!

There's a volleyball net on the island as well. Naiwan daw nung previous vacationers =P

Pa-dramatic effect na shot! LoL!

The controversial buri made fedora hat! Hahahaha! =P

Ate Cathy taking a moment of silent under the heat of the sun!

All in All, Bantayan Island was amazing!! The people are great, the place is heaven for dried foods, the culture is cool, the beach is awesome and most importantly the people knows how to protect the environment which is actually great because it is their source of livelihood via Tourism. Kudos to the people of Bantayan. I really hope I could return to your place this summer 2012!

More to post before the year end =P.