Smart Backpacker: January 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Bus Ride

LRT just stopped at Gil Puyat
Buses passing in Buendia-Taft
Pedestrians marching with might
While I wait for my bus to alight

While I rest my aching back thinking
Wondering now where you're traveling
Are you safe at home and resting?
Or caught in the traffic jam staring

Moments ago we were there eating
Sharing the light of the day's happening
We were there giggling and enjoying
Unmindful of who might be looking

The bus suddenly sounded its horn
Conveying to passengers all aboard!
Yet my mind was still wandering
Thinking of you, can't help smiling

The bus forwarded and then halted
Kept its distance in the pavement
My face now buried at the window
Reminiscing every minute with you

Now the bus move forward hissing
Yet your thought was still longing
The night that day was colored blue
But I remained unaffected coz of you

Listening to the radio and waiting
Yet another day was slowly ending
Closing my eyes, was about to sleep
Another day for my memory to keep

Tomorrow, another day of travel
Excited to see you, I always marvel
Another bus ride, another day
Love will keep us come what may

1/23/13 / 9:10 pm at the bus station in Buendia

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Bicol Adventure

October 24, 2011.
I arrived from Seoul, South Korea around 8 pm. My co-teachers and I spent four days in Seoul.

From the airport, I boarded a bus in Buendia-Taft en route to Tanauan City, Batangas (my residence) to get my stuff. This Bicol Tour was scheduled way ahead of the Korea Tour. And because of the Korea Tour, I had to cancel my Hong Kong-Macau Tour.

I arrived in Batangas past 11 pm and slept for almost three hours. Woke up around 2 am and boarded a bus back to Manila.

My flight to Legaspi was scheduled 6:30 am and I had to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight.

I was not able to sleep at the airport, fearing that I might be left behind.

It was past 7 am when the plane landed in Legazpi City.

And the view from the plane of the airport is simply one of a kind!! I remember the same feeling when the plane landed in Batanes.

After disembarking from the plane, I was still mesmerized by the sight of Mt. Mayon!

The first thing I did was to find the nearest lodging, and there was a hotel beside the airport.

I needed to get some sleep!

I paid P600 for a 2-hour sleep.

The hotel offers the best view of Mt. Mayon.

After sleeping for 2 hours, I immediately went to my first spot.

Day 1

First in the list that day was the Cagsawa Ruins.

I took two separate jeepney rides just to reach the site.

First was to the city and the next ride was to Cagsawa. Combined, both rides were more or less 40 minutes.

From the highway, one still has to walk for five minutes before you can reach the site.

There were plenty of tour guides available at the spot.

The marker of the Cagsawa Ruins

I stared and marveled at the sight of Mt. Mayon!

After 2 hours, I decided to go to another spot.

My guide told me I could hire an ATV ride to the base of Mt. Mayon. I was so excited! This idea was not part of my itinerary!

I hired a habal-habal ride to the jump-off point. The ride to the spot was good only for fifteen minutes.

The second stop for the day - ATV Tour.

Contact Numbers -
Landline - (052) 742-9871
Mobile nos - 0905-455-7594 / 0915-938-6451

http://mayonatvtour.com/

Weather was cloudy that day. And there were only a handfull of tourists. In fact, I was the only one renting the ATV that day.

This is the start of the ride!

The actual trail of the all terrain vehicle going to the lava front crossing thru small rivers and rocky areas of the galley trail is about 9 kilometers and I drove for about more or less 40 minutes from the starting point until to the lava front.

The sight of Mt. Mayon is simply breathtaking!!

After 30 minutes, we arrived at the Mayon Adventure Land.

One can also enjoy the zipline adventure here.

No zipline today! Trekking was my choice!

My guide and I trekked to the top of the lava base.

There is a helipad at the top of the Lava base/wall.

After one hour, I decided to descend and go back to the jump-off point.

I had a tight schedule that day.

The third stop -

Daraga Church

An 18th century Baroque church built on top of a hill (overlooking the magnificent Mayon Volcano). This church was supposedly built by the women (thus the name "Daraga" which means Lady/Single Woman) when the men fled from forced labor during the Spanish era.

I decided to go on to my next spot.

That afternoon, I went to Sorsogon.

It was already past 2 pm when I reached Sorsogon.

Originally, I wanted to go to Donsol. But the townspeople told me that whale watching was not available during December, and so I went to Bulusan instead.

I took a bus from Legaspi to Sorsogon, then a jeepney ride to Bulusan, and finally a motorcycle ride to Bulusan Lake.

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

Bulusan Lake

One of the 32 renowned ecotourism spots in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, it was cloudy that day and I was not able to see the volcano.

Going back to town, I passed by the famous-

Masacrot Spring

From Sorsogon, I went to CamSur. I arrived around past six in the evening.
The following day, I decided to experience wakeboarding!

Day 2

Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC)

I paid P225.00 for one hour of wakeboarding.

My initial attempt at knee boarding was successful.. Although, I dislocated my shoulder twice.

Around 1 pm, I decided to go another spot.

Deer Breeding Farm, Ocampo, CamSur

It took us almost 2 hours before reaching the site. I hired another habal-habal for this adventure and paid P600.00

Afterwards, I decided to go to Naga City. I checked in at Camsur Tourist Inn.

I paid P600.

Day 3

The following day, I decided to have a city tour and I went to the different churches of Naga City.

First stop -
Our Lady of Penafrancia Church

Second stop -

Naga Cathedral

Third stop -

Basilica Minore of Naga

The following day, I took a delayed flight to Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

It's really more fun in Bicol!!!

Related links -
Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html

Coron - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/enchanting-coron.html

El Nido - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html

Others –

Batanes - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html

Bukidnon - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/exploring-bukidnon-twice.html

Bohol - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

Top Ten Places - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-ten-places-in-philippines-i-visited.html

32 Ecotourism spots - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/32-ecotourism-spots-in-philippines.html

Top 10 summer pics 2011 - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-10-of-my-pictures-for-summer-2011.html

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Ilocos Experience

Year 2006. My best friend "Mau" invited me take a vacation in Ilocos Norte, particularly in Laoag. I had no idea what to expect then. What I did not know then was that this travel was the start of my tour in the Philippines. Thanks Mau! =)

with Mau

I stayed in Laoag for three days.

Her family and I went to different tourist spots in Ilocos.

Topping the list of the itinerary during that tour was - Pagudpud

Followed by the other tourist spots...

Vigan Ancestral Homes

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Bangui Windmills

Baluarte

We also went to the Malacanang of the North and Marcos Museum.

I enjoyed my first tour!! Ilocos Tour!

And I simply cannot just get enough of it, and so I WENT BACK TO ILOCOS in 2011!

December 27,2011

From Seoul, South Korea, I went to Bicol and stayed there for four days. And after my tour in Bicol, I boarded the connecting flight of Cebu Pac from Naga to Manila, and Manila to Laoag.

It was already 8 pm when I arrived in Laoag and I stayed at Mau's home anew.

Around 6 am the following day, I went to the Laoag City Church and Bell tower.

Laoag City Church

Sinking Bell tower

and

Museo Ilocos Norte

After seeing the three tourist spots in Laoag, I boarded a jeepney and went to Paoay.

The travel to Paoay was less than an hour.

The first spot to visit -
Paoay Church

One of the UNESCO heritage sites in the Philippines.

My main spot for the day is going to famous Paoay Sanddunes for Sand bashing and sand boarding.

From the town of Paoay, I hired a tricycle to bring me to the jump-off point for this thrill!

I paid P2,500 for the adventure.

Paoay Sandboarding
Joseph - 0947-543-0971 (driver)

Paoay Sanddunes

You will love the terrain, scorching heat, and the bumpy ride at Paoay sanddunes!

This is the picture of the guy having a good time. =)

Sandboarding is simply awesome!!!

Tip: You have to go to the spot early in the morning. In the afternoon, the heat is simply unbearable.

After the adventure, I went back to the town of Paoay and boarded a bus to Ilocos Sur.

It was already past 2 pm when I reached my next destination -

Vigan Ancestral Homes

The experience this time is different. Before I was with Mau's family, and now I was alone and reminiscing that they were with me again.

I hired a "Kalesa Tour."

I spent 2 hours for the tour. The problem is I cannot recall how much I paid for the two-hour tour. But if my memory served me right, I paid only P700 for it.