Travelogue 2012

I promised myself that I should travel to at least 3 places a year but I think I need to restructure my statement and will say “I will travel to at most 3 places a year.” (*Wink wink!*)

Paul was not here in Philippines for the first half of 2012 so I took it to my advantage and traveled to all the places I want to.

This will be a boring list of 26 places I’ve been last year. The 3 places became 26 places. My travel fund was depleted.^_^ So here I am. Just blogging everything.

Nasugbu (January 2012)

- A climb with my housemates in preparation for our first International Rugged Race.

Tagaytay (January 2012)

- A meet-up with college friends Chowee, Girly and Del.

Tarlac (January 2012) entry of Tapulao

- The most difficult mountain so far yet the most fulfilling.

Zambales (January 2012) Pinatubo

- This made me realize that group buying sites are deceiving. I didn’t want to post anything about it. I just learned my lesson the hard way. Nevertheless the launching of “Hari ng Tutong” was successful. Here’s the video from Mayk’s vimeo.

Bukidnon (February 2012)

- International Rugged Race proper. I lost my phone but I gained lifetime friends.

Surigao del Sur (February 2012)

- The most beautiful falls I’ve seen (so far) is here in Surigao del Sur. Please see blog entries about Surigao del Sur through these links. Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River.

Butuan (Feb 2012)

- Stayed here for quite some time. I wish I could have stayed longer.

Baguio (February 2012)

- Had a respite with college friends. Thanks Chowee for letting us stay! 2 days is not enough. Let’s make it longer next time.

Nuvali, Laguna (March 2012)

- Supported some friends who ran 42.195km. Yep! That’s a full marathon.

Dolores, Quezon (April 2012)

- Climbed the mythical Mt Cristobal.

HundredIslands (April 2012)

- Team building with office friends. First time to be with them on an overnight stay.

Baler (May 2012)

- What happens in Baler stays in Baler. That was the title of my baler album. But nobody can ever make me shut up about what is hidden in that place. 

Mt Tarak (May 2012)

- A tiring yet awesome trek with Team Injury.

Tagaytay (May 2012)

- At long last boyfriend arrived from an onshore deployment. Just a little bonding time with him while eating our favorite bulalo.

ManilaCity Tour (June 2012)

- An Independence Day adventure. Lots of freebies here. :D And the birds made me cry! Hahahaha^_^

Baguio (July 2012)

- Time to go back to our second home.

IlocosNorte (July 2012)

- There is something about Ilocos Norte that attracts people. The views were breath-taking and the foods were delish!

IlocosSur (July 2012)

- There are other places in Ilocos Sur aside from Baluarte.

Baguio (August 2012)

- A respite with my family in Baguio.

Cagayan Valley (August 2012)

- Let’s take a look at the other side of Luzon. Palaui palaui!

Camiguin(August 2012)

- Truly enchanting Camiguin.

Iligan(August 2012)

- The land of Majestic Waterfalls.

Cagayande Oro (August 2012)

- White water rafting anyone?

Nasugbu (October 2012)

- So who wants to take the challenge of the Nasugbu Trilogy? 3 mountains in 1 day. Hey hey hey!

Davao(November 2012)

- On top of the Philippines

TarlacZambales (December 2012)

- A walk beyond the Summit

La Union – Sun Burn

Years after my travel blog was launched, I realized I haven’t blogged about my own province yet. Really disappointing on my part since my province has a lot to offer and I have yet so many things to discover.

In my X years of existence, it was in December 2008 when we first visited San Juan La Union. (Yep, Paul and I just visited.) We didn’t know how to surf yet so we just admired the place and observed.

San Juan La Union is an hour ride away from our house. It was not a big deal to me since going to the beach is a normal thing to us. Until I became a travel enthusiast (pinaganda ko lang ung “lakwatsera”) and noticed that many people are talking about it.

So much for the appetizer, here’s the main course.

San Juan, La Union has been an apple of the eyes of surfers and surfer-wannabes. Foreigners and local artists like Echo and (Heart) frequent here (when they were still an item).

Tourists go here to unwind and (learn how to) surf.  The waters of San Juan are quite rough for swimmers. Everyone is requested to observe caution while swimming in the area.

For white sand lovers, this may not be the place for you because the sand is gray, typical of La Union’s beaches. But this is definitely one of the best beaches in our province.

How to get there:

From Manila, take the Partas bus from Cubao/Pasay going to Ilocos/Abra then ask the conductor to drop you off Sea Bay San Juan. Buses with sign board La Union only will not pass by San Juan. You will have to ride a jeepney from San Fernando, La Union to San Juan, La Union.

Cagayan de Oro - gateway to mindanao adventures 2012

I was here twice last 2012. First was when we participated in an International Rugged Race in Mt Kitanglad [Bukidnon] and second when we attended a wedding in Iligan.

I will discuss events on my second visit since it was then when I really felt I was in CDO. (I stayed barely a few hours in CDO on my first visit. Arrived in Lumbia International Airport then ate at Mang Inasal Agora Terminal then went to Malaybalay for the Rugged Race. Passed by CDO going to Surigao del Sur.)

White Water Rafting

So after our Iligan adventure, we arrived in CDO early in the morning. We had breakfast in Jollibee and waited for our guides for our “white” water rafting activity.

The group

We traveled an hour or an hour and a half to the jump off. (I really can’t remember all the details because I was talking to Jenny the whole time.)

And by the way, we had Kagay group as our guide. Very courteous and very accommodating men of Kagay group. Their Facebook page is here.

We initially agreed to have the beginner’s but then with a difference of 300Php and the addition of 7 rapids we braved ourselves and took the Advance class. Can you even call that a "class"? 

We paid 1000Php each to experience 21 rapids. Whew!

Okay let’s start!

Some things to remember before we begin: Forward! Stop! Paddle back! Paddles up! High Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

After memorizing what were those for, we began our 4 hour rafting adventure. And because I wore this, of course what do I expect? Nognog Lines!

Remind me not to wear this outfit while on an adventure. (Picture grabbed from K.)

First rapid, second rapid up to the 10th rapid spells EGG-Sayt-MENT. But after a couple more, I wanted it to end fast (I really mean faster) because my legs were itchy and I felt the harmful rays of the sun on my face. Good thing my companions were jolly.

ready? 

get set!

GO!

A's drop

A's dip

All done.

After four hours, we were tired, exhausted and HUNGRY. (Ok, I was hungry big time!) We went to CDO proper, got ourselves a nice hotel room and went out to eat.

Durian

Yum yum durian

You can’t say you went to Mindanao if you haven’t tasted the famous Durian fruit.

One of my favorite fruits already. :D So so delish! The best fruit I met in Mindanao since we went to Katrina’s house in Surigao del Sur.

I’m not very fond of the durian candies (except for Apo ni Lola Abon’s) but I really like the fresh fruit. Creamy and fragrant.^_^

Special thanks to K and A for allowing me to use their pictures here.

For Hotel Needs:

Hotel Ramon

Address : Burgos corner T. Neri Streets
Telephone No.  (8822) 72-4738 
                           (88) 857-4804 
Payment : Cash Basis

Iligan – Land of Majestic Waterfalls

I’ve been here once and I must say I want to go back to this place again. I so love Tinago falls now. A paradise for adventure seekers like me. Truly something to be proud of. #itsmorefuninthephilippines

I don’t want to narrate this time. I just want to show some pictures of the place. Tinago Falls is definitely my second favorite falls in the Philippines. My first favorite is posted here.

(How many times do I have to remind myself not to joke about 300 steps?@_@) We had to go down 500 steps just to witness the grandeur of Tinago. And as the rule says when something goes up something must go down although this time it's the other way around. I struggled when we had to climb up the same set of 500 steps. Ugh! I wished we could stay longer at the falls and a fairy god mother will just perform her magic swoosh swoosh and boom! (it became koko crunch!)

Tinago Falls at its glory!

I super enjoyed the water and the view and the food and all the things around Tinago falls. (hekhekhek) I also conquered my fear of heights. (Ok slightly conquered.) 

Tinago is the Filipino word for hidden. 

I really wanted to stay longer but we had to move on to another falls.

I think it was around 30-45 mins before we reached our second destination – the Maria Christina Falls. (At long last I have seen what my elementary teachers are pertaining to as “Maria Christina Falls”)

Maria Christina Falls is the main power source of Mindanao. Beside the twin falls is a power plant which generates 200MW supplied to the users.

Pardon me for the picture above. The guard of the power plant said they had to switch off the right gate. I didn't know that the falls were gated until I heard it from the guard himself. I hope on my next visit both gates will be opened.

People are not allowed to swim here because aside from the fact that the water is too fierce, there are turbines under. (You swim, you go to heaven. Right away.)

I would love to discover the other 18 waterfalls in Iligan. I hope I can go back as soon as possible. And I will take my friends along (of course)!