Aguirangan Island: Overshadowed Gem

Tourists flocking to Caramoan usually skip Aguirangan Island, and may not have heard about it at all. Prior to our Camarines Sur trip, we haven't heard of such place either. The island is actually just a thirty-minute boat ride from Sabang Port in San Jose, where boats going to Caramoan also depart.

Not-So-Forgotten Rizal Park

Rizal Park or Luneta is so famous amongst Filipinos that there's an expression widely used which goes, "parang naglalakad lang sa Luneta", literally translated "just like strolling in Luneta". The expression simply describes a person who walks slowly, without any care if the person behind him needs to rush past. Like a tourist sightseeing.

I wonder, how many Filipinos have used this expression but haven't actually been to Luneta? And when I say been, I mean sitting on a bench or the grass to read a book, having picnic with friends, or taking the kids to the playground. If not for a compulsory school field trip, perhaps less people would have the chance to go.

Whirlwind Bohol Tour

We made Bohol a weekend getaway back in 2006. It wasn't the usual backpacking trip under a shoestring budget, but a friend visiting from The Netherlands actually paid for most of the expenses - including the airfare. And since I didn't shell out much money, I am not aware of how much we spent. He didn't disclose the amount because he knew I would insist to pay.

I did not take a direct flight to Tagbilaran. Instead, I flew to Cebu first to meet up with him after his dive in Malapascua. From there, we took a fast craft direct to Tagbilaran, which only takes an hour and a half (more or less P500). A regular boat is about three times cheaper, but will take four hours.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a moshpit of drivers offering their cabs for hire. They even have laminated brochures to show tourists the places included in their 'package'. Travelling with a foreigner can be exasperating. Expect to be overcharged all the time. I support the tourism objective of providing jobs to local people, but I find it very insulting when they give a fellow Filipino a ridiculously sky-high price.

One driver said yes to our P2,000 rate. Come to think of it, if there were four of us, it would have only been P500 each. Decent price. He took us to the following:

Gunung Bromo: 250 Steps Mean Nothing

An uncanny view unfolded in every step. At the peak, we got reacquainted with solace.
Gunung Bromo blog here

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Malacañang Museum

Located in Kalayaan Hall (old Executive Building built in 1920), within the Malacañang Palace complex, Malacañang Museum houses an impressive collection that showcases the heritage of the Presidency of the Philippines.


Tours are strictly by appointment only. In my case, there was no need to do so. Back in 2006, some locals I've befriended in Basilan introduced me to a Presidential Security Guard who's also a resident of their province. He invited me to visit the palace one day when I was within the area.

The Art and Science of Travelling Light

"There's no question: overpacking tops the list of biggest travel mistakes.", it says on OneBag's (The Art and Science of Travelling Light) home page. And while most of us backpackers agree to this, there are still some who falls under the "I'd rather have it and not need it than wish I had not left it at home" category. Talk to them about traveling light, and they will bombard you with gazillions of justifications for bringing ten undies or a hairdryer.


I was inspired to write this because a few days ago, I bought a purple 65L Conquer Outdoor backpack (P2,190) from Campsite Johnyee at Park Square 1, Makati. Since I started backpacking, it's been the main shop where I check out and buy mountaineering/camping equipment. Their location is easily accessible for me, plus it's just a few stores down Coleman's.


Actually, I already have a 75L Conquer backpack. It's been a witness to my travels for two years now and it has proven its worth. I bought a new one so I can pass it on to my backpacking partner-slash-fiance (it's too big for me anyway). When we traveled around South East Asia for six weeks, he only carried a small pack which used to be his work bag. He is the epitome of hippie-ness yes, but I usually get annoyed when we run out of space for let's say, a small souvenir I bought. If not for our upcoming China trip and the need for space for bulky warmers, he wouldn't let me buy the bag.

Each backpacker has his or her own frivolous travel item. I, for example, have become attached to my small portable electric stove.


It's about 300 grams heavy, and airport officials always question it whenever it passes through x-ray machines. I find it very useful because not only do we use it to boil water for our instant noodles, it also can also act as a room heater.

I agree with Time Ferriss on his BIT method. Buy It There. Whenever we pack, we're faced with the dilemma of weighing things to bring. We might have considered bringing an umbrella 'just in case it rains', a nice pair of shoes 'just in case a formal occasion comes up', or loads of books 'just in case I get bored on that 24-hour train'. It might be better to just apportion a small amount to buy these just-in-case stuff while travelling. What if that just-in-case doesn't happen?

Okay, so none of your backpacking buddies can stop you from bringing your travel essentials but always keep in mind that the budget airline you booked has that power. And you wouldn't want to be in that situation where in you're left with only two options: pay for the excess baggage or chuck out some of your belongings. If you're overseas, it won't be your usual Filipino airport send-off, where you can leave the excess baggage to a relative who's in Windows of the World waiting for you to check-in... So let go.

Now that I've already said a mouthful, here's OneBag (The Art and Science of Travelling Light) to give you everything (and I mean every thing) you need to know about traveling light.

For travel bags and equipment, check out these sites:
Conquer Outdoor Equipment
Directory of Philippines' Outdoor Shops

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Callao Cave: 12-hour Trip, 2-hour Spelunking

After celebrating my birthday in Sagada last September 2nd, we traveled to Tuguegarao a couple of days after. My sister was hesitant because she received an SMS from our mom saying there's a typhoon in the region.

I insisted on pushing through and said, "We're already in north Luzon, it can't be that far from here". And man was I so wrong! I assumed it's only six hours away since a Banaue local told me so. Turned out, it's double that. The travel period was as long as the trip from Manila to Tuguegarao.

Pre-nup photo my sister took in Callao Cave.
We left Sagada around 6:30AM, on board a Bontoc-bound jeep (P40). After an hour, we were dropped off a station where buses to Banaue depart. Our bus' route goes all the way to Santiago, Isabela for only P200. We were told by the conductor that there are frequent trips from Roxas, Isabela to Tuguegarao, so we asked him to drop us off where we can catch the next bus.

We arrived in Roxas at 4:00PM and was able to get on a bus that was about to leave for Tuguegarao (P120). After two more hours, we reached our destination. The bus' conductor recommended Victoria Lodge, conveniently located near Victory Liner (too bad we will not be going straight to Manila after) and beside Brickstone Mall.

Since it was already 6:00PM, we scheduled Callao Cave the next day, early morning. Victoria Lodge charged us P550 for an air-conditioned (fan room not available that time) double room plus P100 for an extra bed. All three off us plopped on our beds, uber exhausted from a twelve-hour trip. However, before calling it a day, we went to sentro to look for an internet shop and eat dinner at a cheap carinderia.

The next day started at 6:00AM. I stressed that we should be finished with spelunking by 11:00AM, so we'd have time to pack our bags after and prepare for check out. Tricycle to riverside is P50 (I have a feeling it could have been cheaper if only we weren't with a foreign tourist). This is where you can get another tricycle to Callao Cave. You will transact with the 'dispatcher', because the trike drivers' names are queued up on his list. Organized, and fair. It also saves tourists from being harassed. Fare is P490 roundtrip. Trike driver will wait for you or come back at an agreed time. Riding the jeep is cheaper, but it may take ages before it's filled up - or it may not be filled up at all! Hence, no trip. Hiring a jeep is advisable for big groups.

Callao Cave is situated in the Municipality of Penablanca, about 30 minutes from Tuguegarao City. There are two ways to get there. You can drive directly to the entrance of the park or cross the river via boat. Option one is available to tourists with private cars, the latter, for those who don't. The trike dropped us off along Pinacanauan River.


Boat is P10 each person, one way. The ticket booth attendant of the park boarded the same boat, we got there just in time for the opening. Admission fee is P20.

Chapel in the first chamber.
Natural crevices let light rays seep into the caves.
We stayed in the cave for about an hour. Sadly, we needed to leave early so we could check-out at 12 noon and catch the soonest trip to Nueva Ecija then Pangasinan then finally Tarlac in time for my father's bithday.

Make sure you read up on the information printed on a tarpaulin just upon entrance to the cave regarding its archaeological exploration.

Buses from Manila to Tugugegarao:
Baliwag
Florida
Victory Liner
Price P650 up

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Nuffnang Regional Blog Awards 2009

Support Pinoy bloggers!
My personal faves:
Best Travel Blog: Ferdz Decena's Ironwulf.net: En Route
and
Best Celebrity Blog: Jim Paredes' Writing on Air
Note:
Voters are entitled to cast one set of votes every 2 hours (you have to cast votes for every category).
Voting phase will end on 11th October 2009.


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