Untouched beauty of Palaui Island: Picturesque Cape Engaño

Back to back beauty of Palaui Island

Palaui Island is a protected landscape and seascape that lies off north-eastern tip of Sta. Ana, Cagayan in northern part of the Philippines. The island was put on spotlight on the year 2013 when one of the franchises of US Survivor Reality TV Show was filmed here.

Punta Verde Eco-tour: Baratubut Falls

Punta Verde beach

Punta Verde is a small fishing village in Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. This is the only place where tourists are allowed to camp if they wish to stay overnight in Palaui Island.

The lone crocodile in Crocodile Island

Crocodile Island is part of our boat tour around Palaui Island. The island is just 15 minutes away from port of San Vicente. The name of the island is derived from the rock formation that resembles the mouth of crocodile but it's offcial name is Manidad Island. There's no living crocodile in the island.

Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan

a chapel inside Callao Cave

The name Callao was derived from a name of a bird, Kalaw which is abundant and residing inside the cave long time ago. Callao cave is composed of seven chambers and the most accessible among the 300 caves in Tuguegarao, Cagayan and also the most popular cave in the area.

Palaui Island and Callao Cave budget and Itinerary

Palaui Island is a protected landscape and seascape that lies off north-eastern tip of Sta. Ana, Cagayan in northern part of the Philippines. It is a home of untouched beauty of natural wonders. Palaui Island has lots to offer whether you are an adventure seeker, nature lover or simply a laid-back traveler.

Misadventure: The way to Anguib Beach

Anguib beach is a part of our Palaui Island Adventure in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Before the year ends I never thought I was going to crossed-out Palaui Island from my bucket lists. It was my friend who suggested to us to visit Palaui Island but she backed out weeks before our trip. But because I didn't plan other destination for my birthday trip I pursued with this trip with other friends joining me.

Learn To Swim: My swimming lesson

Outdoor pool at Philippine Sports Complex (Ultra)

I love being in water, whether in to the sea, river or lake but I don't know the proper way or technique of swimming. Even I can do floating my biggest problem is I am not confident enough to go in the deeper part of the water without life vest or life saving ring. I only swim in to shallow part of the water where I can still stand and my foot still touching the sea or river or pool floor. But then later, I learned that I can do more beyond the shoreline.

Staycation at Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center

The Malacañang Palace declares that November 18-19 is a special non-working holiday for Public and Private sector in Metro Manila to ease the traffic congestion during  APEC Summit. All business owners must have been angry, but us, ordinary workers were celebrating. Hooray!!! It's two days off.

Hike and Plunge: Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos Falls

Buntot Palos (Eel's Tail) Falls is one of the numerous waterfalls in the province of Laguna. It is located in the town of Pangil, just 2-3 hours away from Manila. It is very accessible and can be reach for about 1.5 - 2 hours of moderate hike.

Gigantes Islands Budget and Itinerary

from the view deck of Cabugao Gamay

Gigantes Islands or Islas de Gigantes is a group of islands and islets in northernmost part of Iloilo province under the jurisdiction of the town of Carles. The two biggest islands are Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur. 

MAYrinduque: Last days of Summer 2015

Maniwaya Island

If there's only few days left before the summer ends where would you like to spend it? Is it on an unspoiled island with uncrowded beach, surrounded by pristine water and not so far away from Manila that you don't need to wait for airline promo? If the answer is Yes, Maniwaya Island is for you.

Pagsanjan Falls: The Vertical Way

'Pagsanjan' Falls

I have always read about Pagsanjan falls when I was in grade school. I remember that in Sibika at Kultura text books it is always the example of waterfall together with Maria Cristina Falls. Little we did know that locally it is not called Pagsanjan Falls, it is Cavinti Falls or Magdapio Falls. 

The sites that I love in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte

The province of Ilocos is divided into two, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte which is located in the Nothern part of the Philippines, particularly Luzon. There are many tour operators offering cheap packackage for Ilocos Road Trip. For 3000 pesos this is the most 'sulit' road trip for long weekend.

Still life at Magalawa Island

Magalawa Island in Palauig, Zambales

I asked my sis in-law to extend my niece's visit in Manila (they live in Bicol) so that I could take her to the beach just a week after our trip in Baguio. I also invited some of my college friends and my aunt who is on vacation from work in Lebanon. My aunt is the one who looked after Nicole (my niece) while sis, brother (Nicole's father) and I are at work. And so my niece was very excited and started to count days.

Tam-awan Village: Getting to know more about Cordillera people

During our first visit in Baguio we regret that we missed the Tam-Awan Village. So this time with other relatives I made sure that we don't missed it.

Tam-awan Village  is a 2.5 hectare land that was built to educate young people about the history, heritage, art and culture of Cordillera people long before Baguio became a city.

Puerto Princesa and El Nido Itinerary and Actual Expenses

Master Piece of Nature: Puerto Princesa Underground River

entrance of Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the Seven Wonders of Nature in the World. Many tourists from all over the world have visited this infamous longest navigable underground river.

El Nido Day 1: Island Hopping Tour C and D

Marina Beach

Before combination of island hopping tours for joining group in El Nido are still allowed but recently local tourism banned it. But if you are in a private group, combination tours are still possible. Since we are group of 12 persons (10 adults and 2 children) we decided to avail Tour C and D for our first day in El Nido.

Mt. Pinatubo Day Tour

Mt. Pinatubo crater lake

Mt. Pinatubo is shared by the provinces of Pampanga, Zambales and Tarlac. The major jmp-off point is at Sta. Juliana, Capas Tarlac. Today hikers and tourists from all over the world are enjoying and appreciating the beauty of Mt. Pinatubo's crater lake. Before it became famous all over the world, Mt. Pinatubo was a dormant stratovolcano until 1991 eruption. It was covered by forest and  rich vegetation. But during the eruption tons of ashes, gasses, mudflows, and a cloud of volcanic ash spewed by the volcano that leads the summit to collapsed and destroyed the vegetation and river systems of surrounding area.

Bolinao, Pangasinan Overnight Itinerary

at Balingasay bridge

Our Bolinao Trip last January 24-25, 2015 was the most DIY amazing trip that I ever organized so far. All of us in a group were first timers in Bolinao. Sure Iv'e been in Hundred Islands in Alaminos twice but both were day tour only. Bolinao is a name of a fish in our province in Bicol but in Pangasinan, Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality that is facing West Philippine Sea.

What to do in Bolinao, Pangasinan?

Sunset at Patar Beach

Bolinao is a name of a fish in our province in Bicol but in Pangasinan, Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality that is facing West Philippine Sea. The town of Alaminos in Pangasinan is the popular one than Bolinao because of Hundred Islands National Park but not much known to everyone, Bolinao has also lots to offer.

My 2nd Diving Experience

my 'selfie' underwater picture

Seems everyone has enjoyed their first dive so our group has decided that we will go diving again on the next day which is Christmas day. One of the reasons we agreed is because we want to see more corals and fishes. Corals and fishes around the diving resort are few.

Crossing out Scuba Diving from my bucket list

I live in an Archipelago but I'm no good in swimming, that's the fun fact. Despite of not being a good swimmer, scuba diving is one in my buckets lists that I wanted to try since 2013.
Not knowing what to expect I was hesitant  and nervous at first.