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Linggo, Setyembre 18, 2011

DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIMARAS

Welcome to the home of the sweetest mango on earth! GUIMARAS!

After covering the Bacolod Maskara Festival, I decided to go to Guimaras via Iloilo . From Deco's ILOILO, we went to Ortiz Wharf where I bought a ticket for a boat ride from Iloilo to Guimaras for only P 13.00. My new-found ILONGGO friends,habagat central and explore iloilo  walk with me towards the boat located @ the endmost part of the wharf, we said our goodbyes, and I then sat in the boat together with other Guimaras bound passengers.

It was a rocky 15 minutes ride to Guimaras because of the tropical storm Juan that affected Northern, Central Luzon.

Upon arrival@Jordan wharf, in Guimaras, I passed by the Tourist Information Center booth by the waiting shed, tourist have to register here, they will give you suggestions where to go and what to do if you come sort of unprepared. The kind personnel gave me brochures and map of Guimaras, and even helped me with my bags and accompanied me to the Nueva Valencia bound jeepneys, just a few meters from the wharf terminal. 


Fare from Jordan Wharf to Alubihod is P25.00 per person but they usually asked tourist additional fee of P2.00 =P27.00

The jeepney driver was so kind he dropped me off @ the corner of BUZZ gasoline station and instructed me to ride a trike going to Raymens Beach Resort , fare is P 20.00/ person

My room is called yellow bell 1, a fan room, which can accomodate 1 to 4 persons, with own CR, for only P 700/ night. I got a discount of P 100.00 so I paid only P 600.00.
It's near the beach and the billiard area of the resort. It has its own sala, good for barkada bonding. I am quiet disappointed though, with the drainage system of the toilet bowl and the floor drain, it was clogged. Plus they don't provide towels :-( hu hu hu!

Because it was raining, the whole afternoon, I just slept. Yeah, I needed it after our Masskara coverage in Bacolod. At around 7 p.m. I went out to eat @ the resort's canteen. I had green Guimaras Mango Shake P 45.00 and Pork Barbecue P 130.00 plus one serving of rice P 15.00 Total bill P 180.00.

I did not able to finish the bbq, so I just instructed them to reheat it the following day for my breakfast and I just pre-ordered MILO -P 15.00 and RICE P 15.00 = P 30.00. There is a 10% service charge if you want to eat by the beach.

I woke up to a smiling sunshine the next day, so after my hearty breakfast, I went swimming, and snorkeling but the waves are too strong, and I couldn't see a thing underwater, so I decided to do my Guimaras photo shoot instead and enjoyed it to the max.

I hitched ride to a police patrol car going back to the Jeepney station. I saved P 40.00 -cost of trike from Raymen's to the jeepney station.

The Jordan Wharf bound jeepney cost me only P25.00

Jordan Wharf to Ortiz wharf in Iloilo cost me only P 13.00


Total Guimaras experience P 906.00 ONLY!!!! ( complete with meals, overnight accomodation, transport to and from Iloilo. Pictures to follow.


Enjoy Guimaras!!!!




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DO-IT-YOURSELF PANGLAO BOHOL

DO-IT-YOURSELF PANGLAO BOHOL

It was my second time in Panglao, so since this blog is all about how I travel on a shoe string, it is just imperative that I travel the local way to save money!

From my hotel in Tagbilaran I rode a tricycle, which charged me twenty pesos (P 20.00) just to go to Panglao bound Bus in Tagbilaran, because I have a tripod, camera and a bag.

NOTE: To save more, travel light, they would charge you P7.00 only.
The trike brought me near the Tagbilaran old Museum.

Located @ A. Hontanosas corner E. Rocha Street
WHERE YOU WOULD FIND THE PANGLAO BOUND BUS
FARE is 
P 25.00/ Person
Make sure that the bus has TAWALA DANAO SIGNAGE, 'COZ IF NOT IT WOULD NOT PASS BY DUMALUAN/ BBC/ ALONA. Better ask the driver just to make sure. Better be safe than sorry.

Budget Travel  HOT Tip:

  •  Prepare snacks at home or buy them at the grocery where it’s cheaper. 
  •  Bring a cooler to keep your drinks cold. 
  •  Snacks are expensive in gas stations and bus stop overs & most touristy area.

Have a Safe & Happy Trip! Enjoy the beach!
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Biyernes, Setyembre 16, 2011

Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature .

Please encourage your relatives, friends and every concerned Filipino to vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature .

This Underground River is easily navigable up to 4.3 km. and is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the World. It Park operated paddle boats take visitors for a 45 minute tour of the cave. Notable are interesting rock formations and the thousand of bats and swiftlets that inhabit the cave.



Longest Navigable Underground River in the World!
7 Wonders of Nature for 2011


New 7 Wonders SMS Voting Service 
September 19, 2010

Users will have to send in N7W to 2861 to get more information about the polling service and they will be charged for every successfully sent message.



Tariff per SMS

Globe - P2.50

Smart - P2.50

Sun - P2.00


SMS Votes

When users wish to send their text votes, they will have to text PPUR, PPUR7, and/or PPUR15 to 2861. They will be charged and will receive a confirmation reply for every successful text.


Globe Subscribers*
1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (PHP 2.50 each text)
10 votes – “PPUR7″ to 2861 (PHP 15.00 each text)
15 votes – “PPUR15″ to 2861 (PHP 30.00 each text)


Sun Subscribers*
1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (PHP 2.00 each text)
7 votes – “PPUR7″ to 2861 (PHP15.00 each text)
15 votes – “PPUR15″ to 2861 (PHP 30.00 each text)


Smart Subscribers*
1 vote – “PPUR” to 2861 (PHP 2.50 each text)
7 votes – “PPUR7″ to 2861 (PHP 15.00 each text)
15 votes – “PPUR15″ to 2861 (PHP 30.00 each text)


NOTE *Exclude the double quote ( ” ) when texting.


SMS Bulk Voting Partial SMS Polling Results


When users wish to know how many votes have been sent by subscribers, they will have to text N7W POLL to 2861. They will be charged and will receive a confirmation reply for every successful text.


*Note: Free PPUR Trivia for every PPUR keyword sent
& free wallpaper for every PPUR7 and PPUR15 sent.
                                           Voting Period: 10/1/2010 – 9/25/2011
Per DTI NCR Permit No. 5151 Series of 2010


SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VOTING FOR  PUERTO PRINCESA PALAWAN SUBTERRANEAN UNDERGROUND RIVER NATIONAL PARK


 CLICK HERE TO VOTE! FOR THE 7 WONDERS OF NATURE FOR 2011


HOW TO VOTE ON LINE :



  • CHOOSE PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER, THEN CHOOSE 6 OTHER NOMINEES TO COMPLETE THE 7. ( I chose the unpopular ones so as to give more chances to our very own PPP Underground River :-)


  • REGISTER VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS & PERSONAL INFORMATION USERNAME AND PASSWORD, THEN SUBMIT VOTE.


  • CONFIRM YOUR E-MAIL LINK


  • AN E-MAIL WILL BE SENT TO YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED, IN THIS E-MAIL YOU WILL FIND A CONFIRMATION LINK. PLEASE CLICK THE CONFIRMATION LINK FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED


  • VERY IMPORTANT. IF YOU DO NOT CLICK THE CONFIRMATION LINK AND SEE THE CONFIRMATION PAGE ON YOUR WEBSITE, YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED.
THANK YOU! 


Last day of voting will be on September 25, 2011, so what are you waiting for? Vote na! Now na !






Pagpasok na pagpasok ng banca na sinasagwan ng amin boatman tatambad sayo ang bat perfume, wag magtaka dahil kapag inilawan at tumingin ka sa itaas, makikita mo ang napakaraming paniking naninirahan sa madilim na kweba, kapag tag ulan medyo malabo ang tubig sa underground river. muddy brown ang kulay pero sabi ng aming guide ito ay malinaw kapag ka tag araw, huwag na huwag titingala at mag sabi ng wow! Baka kung anong WOW ang mahulog at ma shoot sa inyong nakabukas na bibig ha ha ha!



Optical illusion man na masasabi, nakakatuwang pagmasdan,  as you go deep inside the underground river, different figures takes shape, nandyan ang parang Virgin Mary na nakatayo sa tuktok sa kanan bahagi ng kweba, parang artist ang kalikasan lumilok sa iba't ibang pigurang nakapaloob sa underground river, kahanga hanga ! Truly magical pagmasdan ang kandilang nauupos isa itong stalagmite na nabuo matapos ang daan libong taon. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
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DO IT YOURSELF UNDERGROUND RIVER PUERTO PRINCESA PALAWAN



DO-IT-YOURSELF Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park TOUR


FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT I DID FIRST AFTER OUR HONDA BAY TOUR WAS TO SECURE A PERMIT A DAY BEFORE MY TRIP TO THE UNDERGROUND RIVER @ THERE BOOKING OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN PUERTO PRINCESA LOCATED AT #11, NATIONAL HIGHWAY, JUNCTION 1, BRGY. SAN MIGUEL, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY
NOW FOR STARTER, WAKE UP EARLY SO YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO CATCH THE FIRST TRIP BOUND TO SABANG.  "EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM!"


From downtown Puerto Princesa just ride a multicab bound to 
New San Jose Terminal LOADING ZONE fare per person- P12.00 ( 10 to 20 minutes depending on the vehicle, if it has so many stop over or not)
D'Christ Jeepney leaves @ 7:00 A.M. From San Jose Terminal
First trip jeepney from San Jose Terminal to SABANG
THIS IS THE 2ND TRIP BUS OF D'CHRIST BOUND TO SABANG it leaves @ 9A.M. FARE is P 125.00/ person






DAILY SCHEDULE OF JEEPNEY FROM PP TO SABANG:


7:00 AM - D' Christ Jeepney is the First trip

9:00 AM - D'Christ BUS

12:00 NOON- 3rd trip

3:00 P.M.- Last trip

SCHEDULE FROM SABANG PORT TO PUERTO PRINCESA

7:00 AM

9:00 AM

12:00 Noon

3:00 P.M.






Budget Travel Tip: Prepare snacks at home or buy them at the grocery where it’s cheaper. Bring a cooler to keep your drinks cold. Snacks are expensive in gas stations and JEEPNEY stop overs.


Sometimes if there's delay, LAST TRIP is at 4:00 P.M. depending if the jeep is full already. You could also tell the driver that you intend to come back with them like what I did, I asked them what time would they be returning to PPP, they said they were scheduled to leave Sabang @ 12 noon, so I told them to please reserved a seat for me,'coz I have a plane to catch in PPP. They alloted a seat for me in front, giving me a chance to take photographs and the driver served as my tour guide, when we passed by beautiful spots.

Secure a permit in Sabang for P 150.00 per person, just in case you forgot to get one in downtown Puerto Princesa ( not advisable during peak season for you might be scheduled @ 3 o' clock in the afternoon, in which case you would have to stay overnight in Sabang.)

Choose between hiking for almost 1.5- 3 hours depending on how fast you are @ the Monkey- trail(5.2 km.) or Jungle- trail ( 5.3 km) or hire a boat for P 700 good for 6 people you could share it with other tourist like what I did since I went solo to Sabang. Beware of Monkey who snatches anything in plastic bags, it is better not to bring any food if you choose to do the monkey trail.



Summary of expenses:


Downtown PPP to San Jose terminal loading zone                                               P 12.00
Jeepney fare to Sabang                                                                                                    P 125.00

Permit inclusive of a 45 minute-boat ride inside
the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,
plus the use of lifevest and helmet                                                                             P 150.00

lunch -bring your own like what I did or you could eat in the many restos around Sabang
Boat ride from Sabang Port to the location of Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park
( only 5 of us were on the boat so it is P 146 per person,
cheaper if you are 6 people,it would cost only 120.00/pax)
1 whole boat is 700 plus 3.00 each terminal fee=P 718
for a group of 6 people                                                                                                     P 146.00

Jeepney going back to San Jose Terminal Unloading Zone                             P 125.00

Multicab to downtown Puerto Princesa Palawan                                                P   12.00

TOTAL DO-IT-YOURSELF COST PER PERSON=                                                  P 570.00
                                  
THE SAN JOSE TERMINAL UNLOADING ZONE

I HOPE THIS ARTICLE HELP YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER! PLS. COMMENT THANKS!
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DO-IT-YOURSELF HONDA BAY TOUR IN PUERTO PRINCESA PALAWAN

There are two main ways to go island hopping around HONDA BAY area. You can go on an organized tour leaving from Puerto Princesa - or just do it by yourself. Just be reminded that the HONDA BAY ST. LOURDES WHARF has a cut off time for island hopping set at 2 o' clock in the afternoon.

Going on a tour will cost you a non-negotiable P 1,100 pesos per person at all travel agencies in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This will include a pick up service from where you stay, boat rentals, snorkelling gear, lunch and entry fees to 3 islands.
Going on your own will cost you P 1,300 for a boat which can be shared by up to 6 people. ( the boat can accommodate around 8 pax but their is an additional charge of P 220.00 /pax in excess of 6 persons.) The people manning the booth told me you could share the boat with other tourist, yehey that's good news for us traveller's on a shoe string!Add the cost of transport to and from Puerto Princesa ( ask your friendly trike driver) Prices can range from PHP 100-400 depending if you'll ask them to wait for you to finish your island hopping tour and whatever you want for lunch and the rent for the snorkelling gear. Sta. Lourdes Wharf is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney from downtown PPP. Pumpboat ride from the wharf to the different islands is from 15 to 50 minutes.

If you are two or more the price for doing it by yourself will be somewhat lower than an organized tour. And you will have added flexibility to do what you want - which include going to one or two extra islands.

The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs bordering fabulous beaches which have become the favorite swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations of local residents and tourists.

These islets are the following:

Cannon (Cowrie) Island
Bat Island
Lu-li Island (derived from the word "lulubog-lilitaw", meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low tide)
Meara Marina
Starfish Island (known for its fine white sand and clear water that teems with starfish)
Snake Island (an island with a long stretch of time white sand shaped like a snake)
Pandan Island
SeƱorita Island (the breeding site of Lapu-Lapu fish).

Note: Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in the islands of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort).

The boat rentals at HONDA BAY is very well organized and will not give any problems but trying to find something to eat can be a bigger issue so bring your own baon for lunch and snacks before leaving Puerto Princesa Palawan, if you go on your own.

Since hati kaming dalawa (2) ng friend ko na si Joeriz sa boat P 1,300 divided by 2 = P 650.00 ( sosyal kami nilibre namin tita niya at mga pinsan ha ha ha sila naman nagbaon ng lunch namin pati ng drinks at dala rin namin ang jeep nila kaya may parking fee kaming binayaran na P30.00/ whole day parking na divided by 2 = P15)

TOTAL DO IT YOURSELF HONDA BAY TOUR P 665.00 PER PERSON

Note Below : CHEAPER IF MADAMI KAYO NA MAGHAHATI!
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