Smart Backpacker: December 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

Phuket (Thailand) v. El Nido (Philippines)

Yes, I am a Filipino!

And I should not be the one making this review or comparison.

But I have visited both the beaches in Phuket, Thailand and in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. And I will objectively give my comments/ranking of the two renowned beaches in the world.

I will simply select which is better in terms of the following criteria and I will also try to explain why I chose it.

1. Beach - El Nido

The best in the Philippines according to CNN for 2012.

2. Island Hopping Adventures - El Nido

It's the mode of transportation.

3. Lunch at the islands - El Nido

4. Lagoons - El Nido

(Big Lagoon, Secret and Small Lagoon)

5. Diving - El Nido

El Nido is a marine sanctuary, one of the best in the world.

6. Snorkeling and kayaking adventures- El Nido

7. Wildlife adventures - Phuket

Unparalleled! Elephants! Tigers!

8. Hospitality - El Nido

The warmth of Filipino hospitality is way beyond comparison. Am lost for words.

9. Tour Guide - Phuket

Tour guides speak various languages.

10. Nightlife - Phuket

Patong Beach!

11. Accessibility - Phuket

It is an international airport.

12. Affordability of hotels/accommodations - Phuket

13. Best hotels - El Nido

14. Number of airlines servicing the spot- Phuket

15. Food - El Nido

Eating in the islands. The food is prepared by the boatman himself.

16. Weather - El Nido

17. Health - El Nido

Phuket is known for AIDS.

18. Island gems - El Nido

19. Caves - Phuket

20. Diversity of wildlife - Phuket

21. Hiking and mountain climbing - Phuket

22. River adventures - Phuket

River rafting

Tubing

23. Birdwatching - Phuket

24. Historical/City Tour - Phuket

25. Ecotourism tour - Phuket

26. Biking and Horseback riding - Phuket

27. Number of Tourist Spots - Phuket

28. Banks, Hospitals, Museum and Resorts - Phuket

29. Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - El Nido

30. Proximity from its capital - El Nido

31. Cost - Phuket

32. White Sand - El Nido

33. Multitude of People - Phuket

34. Nature photography - El Nido

35. Breathtaking view - El Nido

36. Serenity/Paradise - El Nido

37. Peace and order / Safety - Phuket

38 - Souvenir - El Nido

39. Falls - Phuket

40. Land Adventure - Phuket

41. Streetfood - Phuket

42. Sunset - Phuket

Total

Phuket - 23

El Nido - 19

Everything About Sagada - A Profile

SAGADA Profile
Area: 9,969 ha.
No. of Barangays: 19
Population: 11,315
Households: 2,253
5th Class Municipality (382 kms via Baguio from Manila/392 kms via Banaue)
Major economic activities: Susbsistence farming and Tourism related businesses
Elevation (Central Sagada): 1,500 meters above sea level
Mt. Sisipitan: 2,200 meters above sea level
Mt. Ampacao: 1,889 meters above sea level

Regulations:
1. Visitors must register at the Municipal Information Center and pay the environmental fee of P35.00.
2. All tours are arranged at the Information Center.
3. Acquire only accredited local guides at the Information Center.
4. Mutilating, defacing and destroying of natural beauties is puinishable by law.
5. Observe proper waste management.

Where to Stay
Alapo's - 0921-327-9055
Alibama - 0920-813-5797
Alfredo's - 0918-588-3535 / 0948-711-2112
A-7 House - 0921-287-6039
Bagalima Riverside Inn - 0947-704-6613
Billy's House - 0921-603-2745 / 0921-603-2745
Canaway - 0910-709-2631
Churya-a - 0906-430-0853
Davey's Town Inn and Resto - 0949-594-4471
Ganduyan - 0921-273-8097
Gecko Inn - 0920-289-5471
George Guesthouse - 0918-548-0406
Grandma's Guesthouse - 0999-411-9976
Green House - 0918-403-6571
Hidden Hill - 0910-796-7073
Igorot Inn - 0908-757-8357
Indigenous Inn - 0921-645-5679
Isabelo's Inn - 0928-951-7153
Kanip-Aw Pines View - 0928-289-7507
Ligaya's Transient - 0918-343-8415
Mapiya-aw Pension - 0905-216-4055 / 0999-966-6164
Mary's Hilz Inn - 0919-408-0108
Masferre Country Inn - 0918-341-6164
Misty's Lodge - 0919-691-8487
Olahbinan - 09298-406-7647
Pumpkin House - 0910-709-5275
Residential Lodge - 0919-672-8744
Rock Inn - 0920-909-5899
Rocky Valley - 0918-643-2784 / 0918-403-5899
Sagada Guesthouse - 0921-969-4053 / 0919-300-2763
Sagada Homestay - 0919-702-8380
Sagada Green Hills - 0917-553-5337
Sagada North Inn - 0907-903-5309
Saint Joseph - 0918-559-5934
Shamrock Tavern - 0920-411-9976
Tinagtago Inn and Restaurant - 0939-959-1967
Traveller's Inn - 0920-799-2960 / 0920-272-5881
Treasure Rock Inn - 0920-5881
Yabami Lodge - 0920-411-9976

Hotel rates ranges from P200-500 per person per night

Vans / Vehicles for Hire are available for your transportation needs
Contact Nos. 0918-5360-890 / 0909-3382-822

Transportation
Baguio - Sagada
Bus: 6 hours ride
GL Lizardo
Trip schedules:
1st - 6:15 am
2nd - 7:30 am
3rd - 8:30 am
4th - 9:30 am
5th - 10:30 am
6th - 11:30 am
Last - 1:00 pm

Fare - P220 (2014)
Rent of Van to Sagada from Baguio- P7,500
Sagada to Baguio - First trip 5 am / Last trip - 1 pm
Stop over for eating - Atok, Benguet
Usually 2-3 stopovers

You will know that you are near Sagada once you cross the only bridge and from that point, it will take you 45 minutes or more up to the town proper of Sagada.
From Sagada to Manila, you will reach the eatery after 3.5 hours.

Baguio to Manila
Bus: 6 1/2 hours ride
Victory Liner: every hour
Dagupan: every hour
Genesis: every hour

Fare - P445 (2014)

Banaue to Manila
Bus: 8 hours
Auto Bus - 5:30 pm
Florida Bus - 8:00 pm

Bontoc to Banaue
Bus: 2 hours ride
1st - 7:00 am
2nd - 7:30 am
Last - 8:30 am

Sagada to Bontoc
Jeepney: 50 minutes ride
1st - 6:30 am
2nd - 7:00 am
3rd - 7:30 am
4th - 8:00 am
5th - 8:30 am
6th - 9:00 am
7th - 10:00 am
8th - 11:00 am
9th - 12:00 noon
Last - 1:00 pm

Bontoc to Banaue
Jeepney: 2 hours
1st - 7:00 am
2nd - 10:00 am
Last - 1:00 pm

Note: Scheduled trips start ahead of the schedule once full. First come. First Served basis. Queue.

Suggested Activities

SOUTHERN SAGADA

1. Cave Connection (3-4 hours)

Dokiw Hanging Coffins Viewpoint

Lumiang Burial Cave (entrance)

Sumaguing Cave (exit)

Rice Terraces view point

Guide fee: P800 for 2 visitors + P400 each additional visitor

Optional ride: + P400 back and forth

2. Short Course Caving (1.5 - 2 hours)

Sugong Hanging Coffins Viewpoint

Lumiang Burial Cave

Sumaguing Cave (entrance and exit)

Guide fee: P500 up to 4 visitors or less

P1,000 good up to 8 visitors
P1,500 good for up to 12 visitors
above 12 visitors:P125/pax
Optional ride: +P350 back and forth

3. Balanggagan Cave (2-3 hours)
Guide fee: P1,800 for 1-3 visitors
+ P600 each additional visitor
+ P800 transport

Reminders for caving
Attire: shirt (loose), shorts, loose pants, rubber sandals/flip lops
Don't enter the cave after 5pm
Not advisable for those with phobia of heights, close spaces, heart ailment, asthma and injuries.

EASTERN SAGADA

1. Lamagan (Antadao)

2. Marlboro Country/Grassy Land - 2-3 hours of trekking
Limestone Formations

Wild Horses

Guide fee - P600 for up to 10 visitors
3. Overnight Camping (Bring your own camping gear and food)

Camp by the fire + boodle fight dinner at any camp site - 0905-513-7626

4. Kilpetan

Sunrise View (starts at 4:30 am / best seen from mid February to mid June)

Rice Terraces

Fee: P500 for the transport

CENTRAL SAGADA

1. Eco-cultural Tour (3 hours of hike)

Echo Valley/Hanging Coffins

Underground River Entrance

Bokong/ Small Falls

St. mary's Church
Bokong Natural Swimming Pool

Fee: P600 for up to 10 visitors

2. Rock Climbing (no time limit/equipment provided) P400/pax

NORTHERN SAGADA

Eco-cultural Tour

Bomod-ok/Big Falls - 3 hours of hike back and forth (Guide fee: P600 up to 10 visitors / + P650 for transport via Aguide or + P500 via Bangaan)

Fidelisan Rice Terraces

Northern Sagada Villages

WESTERN SAGADA

1. Danum Lake

Sunset View (starts at 4:30 pm / best seen from mid February to mid June)

Fee: P550 for the transport / best trekked for 30 minutes from the town

2. Ampacao Mountain Trek (1,899 above sea level) 3 hours hike

Guide fee: P800 for up to 10 visitors

Water Falls

1. Twin Falls - 3 hours of hike (1 way) depending on your ability to walk on natural trails/pathways and on one side of the path drops 30 m below.

Fee: P2,500 for up to 5 visitors (guide and pack lunch) plus P650 for transport (back and forth)

2. Pongas Falls - 2 hours of hike (back and forth)
Guide fee: P600 for up to 10 visitors
+ P650 for transport (back and forth)

3. Bokong with a natural swimming pool bellowed out from a solid rock
Fee: P400 up to 10 guests (with ride and guide)

4. Bomod-ok Falls or Big Falls (see infra)

For guide rates and other concerns, inquire at the Municipal Tourist Information and Assistance Center.

Souvenir shopping and Sagada shops have many unique things to sell.

Sagada's Adventure Sports - contact no:0905513-7626

Mountain Trekking

1. Mt. Ampacao Traverse (3 hours hike)
Guide fee - P800 for up to 10 visitors
2. Grassy Land/Marlboro (2-3 hours)
Guide fee - P600 up to 10 visitors
3. Langsayan Danum Traverse (3 hours hike)
Guide fee - P1,00 for up to 3 visitors

4. Sagada to Hotspring (Bontoc) 5-7 hours hike and you need to spend the night at the hortspring

5. Mt. Sisipitan (1 day hike)
Fee; P2,00/pax

6. Mt. Polis (1 day hike)
Fee: P1,500 for 1-3 visitors

River Rafting the Upper Chico River
Fee: P3,500/pax

Rock Climbing and Rapelling: no time limit
Equipment provided
Around 30 meters high
Fee; P800 for 2 visitors or less
+ P400 for every additional visitor

Must Taste Food - Pinikpikan (chicken)

Enjoy Sagada!!! =)

RELATED LINKS:

Sagada: Coolest Place: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/12/sagada-coolest-place-in-philippines-4th.html

Backpackers Trip to Sagada: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/backpackers-trip-to-sagada-my-third-trip.html

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

Sagada - Coolest Place in the Philippines (4th time)

Top loading in Sagada

Among the various tourist spots in the Philippines, Sagada comes closest to my heart.

It has been my fourth time to visit Sagada last December 2013

and the place still amazes me in so many ways..

The original plan was to spend the last days of the year again in Mindanao. But for one reason and another, I ended up going anew to Sagada. I do not mind the backbreaking 12-hour travel every year for as long as I will be in Sagada.

My first travel in Sagada was way back 2010. I joined the group of Mr. Abina and ended up going not only going in Sagada, but as well as in Banaue Rice Terraces.

Second time was 2011 and I simply went to Sumaging Cave and spent only one day in Sagada. I went back to Baguio as the rain was pouring profusely.

Third time was the best experience with my co-called "Backpackers" last 2012 and I also made a separate blog for that unforgettable experience.

And I just had to scratch the itch this year and I went back to Sagada!

There are three things I like about Sagada, namely: (1) its environment, (2) weather and, (3 its adventures!

December 26, 2013

I left Batangas at around 7 pm and arrived in Manila 9 pm. I boarded the train to Doroteo Jose Station for the Genesis trip to Baguio (You can also go to Cubao and board Victory Liner). It is either Genesis or Victory Liner for my trips in Baguio. The bus left 11 pm (first trip) and it took only less than 6 hours before we reached Baguio. Arriving in Baguio, I boarded a taxi, went to Dangwa and paid only P50.00. It was a 5 minute drive to the bus station.

I always make it a point to eat in Good Taste Restaurant whenever I am going to Sagada. The trip would not be complete without eating in this succulent Chinese restaurant.

After the early meal, I went to the station. There was a long queue that morning and I ended up boarding the 3rd trip to Sagada. The fare was only P220.00 for a 6-hour trip or 138 kilometer trip.

Normally, there was only 2-3 stops before reaching Sagada. But this trip was totally different! We experienced 2 flat tires along the way. And we arrived in Sagada past 2 pm.

I went to Ma'am Karen Galas Homestay (0907-771-4431) and placed by bag inside her house. The lodging fee was P250/day. I trekked and went to Danum Lake.

From the town, it is 30-40 minute uphill trek. But from where I stayed, it was only a 25-minute trek. It was my first time to see the lake. I waited for the sunset but it was cloudy and foggy that day and I decided to go back to the town instead. On my way back to the town, out of nowhere, I saw my SG and CDO friends.

From left to right - Jan, Marian, Maricel and their friend

The first night in Sagada was so cold that I had to double my clothing, put my socks, wear globes, and jacket.

We had to build a bonfire to keep us warm that night.

Day 2 - December 28, 2013

The following morning, there was only one thing to do - Hiking!

I opted not to do spelunking that day. I did the 2-hour spelunking in Sumaging Cave twice already and the cave connection for Lumiang to Sumaging last 2010.

I joined the Marian's group for this trek and paid only P260.00 for the tour.

Normally, the trek towards the fall is good less than an hour and a half.

It was cold and foggy that day. But it was still a good day for trekking!

I made an extra effort to reach it ahead of time that day as part of my exercise.

And my efforts paid off. I reached anew Bomod-ok Falls for the fourth time!

Marian's group decided to do spelunking that day after the hiking trip. But I decided to go back to the town and do a little bit of ukay-ukay shopping. I was able to buy 2 Northface jackets for 800 each and 1 Columbia jacket for P700.00. Good thing it was a Saturday and the town has its weekly market only on a Saturday!

The following morning, I had to leave ahead of schedule and went to Bulacan to see somebody so special and dear to me.

I will be back next summer 2014 in Sagada!

Suggested Activities

SOUTHERN SAGADA

Cave Connection (4 hours)

Short Course Caving (2 hours)

EASTERN SAGADA

Marlboro Country

Overnight Camping

Kilpetan Sunrise Viewing

Rice Terraces

CENTRAL SAGADA

Eco-cultural Tour

Echo Valley/Hanging Coffins

Underground River Entrance

Bokong/ Small Falls

Rock Climbing

NORTHERN SAGADA

Eco-cultural Tour

Bomod-ok/Big Falls

Fidelisan Rice Terraces

Northern Sagada Villages

WESTERN SAGADA

Danum Lake

Sunset View

Ampacao Mountain Trek

Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiGiLI79s4