Lake Pandin, Laguna

Welcome to Lake Pandin of Laguna

This is near the city of San Pablo, Laguna.

I was invited by my dear friend 
to her home town in Santo Thomas, Batangas.
From there, we took a jeepney to San Pablo
for about 45 minutes.
P45. 1 way.

Then, took another jeepney to Barangay San Lorenzo.
We just tell the driver to drop us near
the Lake Pandin.
Then, had our walk in the forest for 20 minutes.

We hire a bamboo raft with paddlers.
They are women paddlers, actually.

The fee was P150. Each.
They serve snacks and lunch, too.

There is a community near this lake.
and 
they are fully aware of preserving the area for their livelihood. 

It was drizzling then when we came here,
we did not plan to swim.. 
though they encourages us to take a dip!

We did not bring extra clothes,

which is quite bad.
It could had been a great swin!  

The water adventure will take an hour.
The theme of the lake is forever green..
surrounded by coconut trees 
and lush green trees.

The Lake Yamboo
is the twin lake of Pandin.
We just had a little climb
at the end of the lake.
It's one of the coolest adventure we had!
 Simply explicit.

Total expenses: P1,000. All in.

Companion: 1

Baler, Aurora

Welcome to Baler, Aurora

One of the surfing haven of the country.

It's a 6 hour land travel from Manila to Baler. 

There are buses that goes directly to Baler that departs Manila.

One of them is Genesis Bus Liner. The bus terminal is along EDSA Cubao.

Please see this link for the schedule:

Genesis Bus Liner Schedule

 Most travelers choose the 11:30 pm departure arriving Baler around  5 am.

The fare is around Php 400-500. 

There are also de lux bus for sleeper's seat.

Instead of following this travel option, we did the cutting trip.

We depart Manila around 4 pm with Five Star Bus Liner.

Their bus terminal is also along EDSA Cubao.

This was via Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija (2 hours travel),

stop there to chill and hang out around the city.

One of my friend has friends there!

We depart Cabanatuan around 1 am.

There are vans that departs Cabanatuan directly to Baler.

Travel time is 4 hours.

We arrived around 5 am in Baler.

There are a lot of places and things to do in Baler besides surfing.

And, there are a lot beach resorts, too.

Just make sure not to go here during Surf and Music Festival.

As we end up renting a room in the town.

The beach front is called Sabang.

We stayed in an Inn in the town proper.

It is 10 minutes away from the beach front. Room rate is Php 600.

Fan room good for 2-3 people.

We just left our things and return to the beach front.

We had our breakfast in Bayler View Hotel.

After, we hired a trike for our day tour.

The first day was for Php 600.00 which consists of the Balete Tree,

and the small waterfalls.

The first stop was the President Manuel L. Quezon's humble abode 

in the town proper.

It is a small town. You can walk from Sabang to the town plaza 

for 10 minutes.

The second stop was the Caunayan Waterfalls.

It's 30 minutes away from the town of Baler.

There is a big waterfalls as well.

It requires a 45 minute trike ride and a 30 minutes trek.

 The third stop was the biggest Balete Tree in South East Asia!

It's quite scary, though.

It's another 30 minutes ride from the waterfalls,

and, about 45 minutes from the town.

We found a seafood house in the town for lunch.

We also went back to Sabang for the music festival.

Chill and had barbecue.

And, rest early... for the next day activities.

Our goal is to see the sun rising, the next day.

But, the weather is not good that morning.... it was drizzling.

We hired a trike going to this white sand resort for 300 php.

It took 30 minutes to reach this place.

We stayed here for a moment to take some salt bath.

There is no restaurant in this part of the seaside.

Going back, we asked the trike driver to pass Ermita Hill,

where there is a monkey sanctuary.

And, an over looking view of Baler.

We went back to Sabang in Bayler View resort for breakfast.

To rest and chill.. as usual.

This is a vacation to enjoy and cherished.

A bunch of swimming in the tides, after.

Soaking in the black sand with my out of this world friends!

This is one of my uncomplicated travel.

Little adventures but all fun.M

Maybe because I expect a little from it. 

The storm seems to travel with me,

but I see no reason to stop. 

It makes it more special and fun!

Total expenses: Php 2,000 each.

Companion: 2

Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

                                       

     Welcome to the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan                          

This was a plan B travel.

The first travel plan is supposed to be in Mt. Pinatubo,
however, there was a tropical storm.

We left Manila to Tarlac that early morning.
We were at the jump off point and we were not allowed to ascend.

So, our back-up plan is the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan.

It will take 6 hours from Manila to Alaminos.
The current fare is P400.




We arrived late evening, hired a trike going to the beach resorts.

We stayed in Pangasinan Tropics.
1 AC room was P1,000, good for 2.

The next day, we rented a big out-triggered boat for P1,500 good for 15 capacity.

The Governor's Island where there is a stairway going to the highest point.

Some island with a cave

Few more islands.

Another island that you can stop by to do beach bumming.

Some island that looks like a dinosaur.

The Children's Island, ideal for swimming.

An island cave.

Just few more islands to complete the hundred.

We had a great time though it was too much of an islands in one day.

We had to spend one more night in our hotel as the island hopping was tiring.

Total expenses: P3,150

Breakdown: companion 1

Bus, Manila Alaminos P400 x2 (round trip)

Hotel, P1,000 x 2 (nights)

Boat, 750 (1,500 for 2)

Food, P500

Trike & Other stuff, P100

Cagbalete Island, Quezon Province

welcome to Cagbalete Island, Quezon Province

my friend and I decided to spend our weekend somewhere far...

somewhere so very far...

on an island somewhere in the Quezon Province... 

and we had chosen Cagbalete Island... 

we depart Manila around 11 am bound to Lucena for a 4 hours land travel

and the first bus we saw was JAC Liner via Lucena Bus Line

along EDSA Kamias.. Current fare is around 300.00 php...

you may check JAC Bus Liner Schedule

we arrive in Lucena Grand Terminal around 3 pm...

we are supposed to depart Manila earlier...

but my friend was taking so much of her time!

we ride another bus going to Mauban...

It seems that there is no buses that goes directly to Mauban... 

our fare is 100 php per person for a 2 hours travel

we miss the last boat going to the island that departs at 4 pm...

 so we rent a boat for 600 php for half an hour boat ride

we stayed in Pensacola Beach Resort...

and since the tropical storm just left the country...

there are no other guest but my friend and I...

amazing!

for our first night we paid 400 php each..

there is an electricity between 6 pm to 10 pm...

 they provide mattress, pillow and blanket... 

thanks to the very nice care taker of the resort

we had a simple packed dinner...

the next day, we spend the very first morning walking along the shore...

it was very low low low low tide that welcomes us... 

like I had never seen before... 

we walk to the little village just at the back of the resort for our market day! 

they offer everything fresh..

from fishes to crabs to vegetables... the cheapest!

after going to the community market... we will cook!

i love watching them cook and i love eating.. hahahhaha

thanks again to the kind care-taker of the resort...

had our lunch and siesta and an afternoon chill in the beach

and an evening massage... 

we stayed for another night for an extra of 300 php each! 

I am quite good in my haggling skills.. hahahaha

went back to Manila the next day at 8 am...

the only boat schedule out of the island for 45 php..

total expenses: 1,500.00 php 

companion: 1

Bataan, Philippines

 welcome to Bataan, Philippines

 we initially plan to have a cruise to Corregidor but because of impending weather issues... 

it was then cancelled..  so, we settled to take a side trip instead...

furthermore... we were lost as well...

we went to the end of Mariveles, Bataan...

 so we pose and smile instead....

along the coastline!

even if chances say no..

 I still believe that choices...

 will always let you see where is your proper place under the sun 

so off we continue to roam the countryside...

 and found our way to our grade 5 history book...

 that foretells a story and a picture of a cross in a mountain...

Dambana ng Kagitingan

I never had a chance to visit this place when I was in grade 5.

I only had a glimpse of this on my history book...

 I know in my heart that one day... I will be in this moment...

design of the cross...

we went back to the high way and drop off near Mt. Samat

hire a trike for 300 php to get to the mountain...

carvings on the door... 

KKK stands for Kataas taasang Kagalang galangang Katipunan... 

and it shouldn't be four K's in here...

we ride in an elevator going to the top to see some nice view...

breath for a while... 

and let your mind relax...

some rain forest on the other side of the mountain...

and we continue in our little side trip in a nearby ocean... 

truly... there is a storm coming but it will hit the country later that night...

not a typical beach to chill... 

later that day...

 some surfers came to play with the waves....

... let's just that life is amazing when it caught you in surprise...

 as so much fun that I want to never forget that beautiful Thursday afternoon! :)

total expenses: 1,500 php 

companion: 1