Isla de Gigantes island Hopping for P999.00!

City of Love (Sept 2016)

How To Get There?
Ilo-Ilo Airport is just an hour and 15 minutes away from Manila.  From there, you take a van for P50.00/each bound to SM Ilo-Ilo with an hour travel time.  Then, you can hire a taxi for a city tour for P1, 000.00 and negotiate for additional fee if you wish to include Miag-Ao Church in your tour. We got ours for P1, 800.00 (3 pax), which I think is a good deal especially that we have our tall packs with us.

Ilo-Ilo City Tour

Miag-Ao Church a.k.a Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church was declared as a UNESCO Worl Heritage Site.

Molo Church is known throughout the Philippines as the "Feminist Church" because of the all-women ensemble of saints along the pillars in the aisle. I failed to take photos inside since there's an on-going mass during our visit.

    Jaro Church (National Shrine  of Our Lady of the Candles)

We started at 11:15 a.m. and ended our city tour at around 3:30 p.m. We then headed to Ceres Bus Terminal bound to Carles afterwards.  Ordinary bus fare is P165.00/each for 4 hours travel time.  We checked in at The Palm Garden Resort located in Brgy. Barosbos Carles, Ilo-Ilo.  You may settle your bookings with them ( 09081485653) without any reservation fee provided that you are really going with your chosen dates.

Isla de Gigantes Island Hopping (Day Tour)

From the resort, take a tricycle straight to Bancal Port for P20.00/each.  Register to the Tourism Office and wait for your designated boat.

For a smooth and hassle-free transaction with your island hopping, you may reach Mr. Paul through his Facebook Account. He is very responsive to messages and immediately attends to your queries at once.

They offer a day tour (P999.00/each for a group of 7) and a two days one night tour (P1, 699.00), both open for joiners.  We availed their day tour which includes the following:

• private charter boat service from Bancal Port to Isla de Gigantes (back and forth)
• lunch with soft drinks (steamed crabs, chicken binakol, scallops fillet)
• purified water all throughout the tour
• unlimited coffee/milo
• Islands to visit:

1. Balbagon Island

2.  Pulupandan Island: From afar, you can see that forever alone coconut tree, which made our photo ops upon arrival a bit quick because of the unforgiving heat of the sun.

3. Antonia Island:  We tried their banana boat ride for P200.00/each, but since we are only 5 and the minimum number of persons is 6, we paid P240.00/each instead.

Below is our group photo after our banana boat ride along with Geraldine and Lian whom we met at the start of our island hopping.

Before we proceed to the highlights of our tour, time to fuel up! We have scallops fillet, chicken binakol (sinigang), steamed crabs, unlimited rice and soft drinks which were all included in the package.

Scallops fillet

Chicken Binakol (Sinigang)

Steamed Crabs

4.  Bantigue Island Sandbar:  Overjoyed photos of our sandbar experience.

5. Cabugao Gamay Island:  The most photographed island and probably the highlight of our island hopping.

The next day, we left at The Palm Garden Resort at around 6:00 a.m. going to Balasan Terminal (P20.00/each).  We then transferred to the passenger van bound to Tagbak terminal (P150.00/each) for 3 hours.  The driver offered us to add P40.00/each and he will take us directly to Ortiz Wharf and so we grabbed it at once.  We are already at Ortiz Wharf at 10:30 a.m. which is just 15 minutes boat ride to Guimaras. (P14.00/each).

Upon arrival at the Tourism Office, the staff gave us an orientation about their land tour (P850.00 for 3 pax).  They grabbed a tricycle which will be our service for our remaining hours in Guimaras. Before anything else, we drop at The Pitstop to try their famous mango pizza.  The cheese blends with the mangoes so well.  For pizza lovers like me, this is definitely a must try.

Mango Pizza (P240.00)        

 Pasalubong Center

 A quick tour at the Mango Farm.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in Raymen Beach Resort, Alubihod, Nueva Valencia.  Entrance Fee is P25.00.  Our original plan is to avail their island hopping tour, but then we decided to just enjoy its fine white sand and calming waters.



We went back to Ilo-Ilo at 6:30 in the evening and have our dinner at Netong's Batchoy House located inside La Paz Market.  I'm not a fan of batchoy, but I enjoyed every sip and every bite of its ingredients, truly made with love.   We're lucky enough that we found the place before their closing time.




                                                La Paz Bachoy (P80.00-120.00/bowl)

We also tried Madge Cafe's iced coffee for P45.00.

Photo Credits to @hannamirs 

We also spent some quiet time in Ilo-Ilo Esplanade (Park) since our flight back to Manila is still at midnight.  While waiting at the airport, upon browsing our photos, we are planning to get back here for more.  Perhaps, the Tangke Saltwater Lagoon is already open to public again.  Have enough time for Guimaras Island Hopping and to reach Bacolod as well.  But, overall, we are fortunate enough for the experience and for the good weather of course during our stay here.

Expenses (Transpo Only):

Day 1

Ilo-Ilo City Tour with Miag-Ao - P600.00/head (taxi)

Day 2

Day Tour of Gigantes Islands - P999.00/each

Banana Boat in Antonia's Island - P240.00/each

Day 3

Tricycle from Palm Garden To Balasan Terminal - P20.00/each

Van from Balasan Terminal to Tagbak Terminal  - P150.00/each

Additional Fee of Van going to Ortiz Wharf - P40.00/each

Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Wharf - P14.00/each

Land Tour via tricycle from Tourism Office (back and forth)- P850.00 (3 pax)

Jordan Wharf to Ortiz Wharf - P20.00/each

Jordan Wharf to La Paz Market - P7.00/each

La Paz Market to Esplanade - P100.00

Esplanade to Ilo-Ilo Airport - P300.00 

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Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park in Davao Oriental, the so-called "Stairway to Heaven" is waiting for you!

Aliwagwag Falls (October 2016)

How to get here?

From Davao International Airport, take a cab going to Davao Ecoland Terminal.  You can either take a bus or look for a van heading to Cateel.  In my case, I opted to take a van and it only took me 3 hours on the road for P350.00.

Aliwagwag Falls, Cateel

Upon drop off, you must first proceed at the information and pay the P50.00-registration fee. Aliwagwag Falls ecopark is open from 7:00-5:00 pm daily.

I took the photo below from the bridge along the highway before anything else.  Say hello to the Philippine's longest waterfalls and the so-called, "Stairway to Heaven."

This is the highest part of the waterfalls where tourists are allowed to have photo ops.  You can try their monkey bridge for only P50.00, zipline for P200.00, or experience it both for P225.00.

Curtain Falls, Campawan

From Aliwagwag Falls, hire a tricycle, yes, tricycle, not habal-habal going to Curtain Falls because the road going there is a bit tough plus the thing that I have my tall pack with me, it is more convenient.  This will take you up to a 2-hour-butt numbing ride for P300.00 (round trip).  Parking fee is P20.00.

From the parking area, you have to do a 5-minute-trek going down the waterfalls.  There is no entrance fee here, so treat yourself a dip into its calm waters and experience a natural hydromassage at its finest.

 A not-so-crowded Curtain Falls.

On top of Curtain Falls.

If you still have time, you can drop by at Sunrise Boulevard along the highway for a few shots, it;s also free anyway.

Contact Persons:

Jimmy Reyes (Van) - 0905 733 5629

Kuya Tito (Tricycle) - 0905 639 2385

Expenses:

RT Airfare (Manila-Davao)- P1, 000.00

Davao to Cateel - P350.00

Aliwagwag Entrance Fee -P50.00

Tricycle to Curtain Falls - P300.00

Parking Fee - P20.00

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Leyte: A D.I.Y. Travel Guide to Cuatro Islas and Sambawan Island for Backpackers!

Digyo Island Sandbar  (July 2016)

At first, we were torn between  Kalanggaman Island and Cuatro Islas.  Lucky enough that Mel's friends in Ormoc have been to both already and their suggestion was for us to choose Cuatro Islas over the latter.

How to get here?

Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is just an hour flight from NAIA Terminal 4.  From there,  you need to ride a jeep going to downtown and tell the driver to drop you off at the terminal bound to Ormoc, which is approximately 3 hours away.  We were supposed to look for a lodge for backpackers upon arrival in the town proper, but Ma'am Rose offered us to stay in her place for the length of our stay.

Where to go?

1.   Sabin Bay Resort:  A few minutes away from Ormoc town proper.  Visitors/tourists can go around and chill within the area for FREE except for those who would want to go swimming of course (P150.00/head if I'm not mistaken).  You can stay by the bay in the afternoon if you want to catch the sunset.

2.  Cuatro Islas:  From Ormoc, take a van going to Inopacan (2 hours) and upon arrival at the port, you need to settle the boat that will fit in the number of group you're into.  The boat rental starts from P2,500.00 for 10 pax and below (overnight), P3,500.00 for 11-22 pax (overnight), and P5,000.00 for 23 pax (overnight).  In our case, we settled the boat good for 10 pax, which includes island hopping in Apid, Digyo, and Mahaba.  If you wish to  include Himokilan Island in your tour, additional rate of P300.00 will be charge.  According to the locals, it is best to visit Cuatro Islas starting July (off peak)  for you to have its beauty at its finest. 

Sandbar of Mahaba Island.

Digyo Island

Accommodation/Food:

Digyo Island have the following for rent: close cottages (P500.00), tent pitching (P50.00), open cottages (P300.00), tables (P50.00), and chairs (P50.00).  We brought two tents here and paid for tent pitching only with an additional one close cottage to secure our valuables.  They have here a designated area for "ihawan", which you might want to take advantage of while Mr. Sun is still there.  They accept "paluto", but I suggest that you prepare your foods together with the squad.  This is one of the moments by the beach that you shouldn't miss.

Having silhouette pictures by the beach during sundown will always be a #squadgoal.  

There is no electricity in the island and what the locals use here is solar power only.  They accept charging of your smartphones/cameras, but it would be better if you won't miss out bringing your own power banks/extra batteries with you, so that in case the charging stations were full, you can have one for yourselves.  You also have to take note that bonfire is not allowed in the island, but street lights are open from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.  "Tubig tabang" is available upon request at the sari-sari stores from P20.00/small container up to P40.00/big container and you can already use the bathrooms for free.

Maayung buntag from Digyo Island!

I and the rest of the gang woke early to catch the sunrise by the beach, have our underwater shots, enjoy the sandbar, eat breakfast, and have a final dip into the crystal clear waters of Digyo Island.  Our photos will say a thousand words with a gut feeling that you still wanted to stay a little longer, but the boat was all set to bring us back to Inopacan port before 11:00 am.  Our stay here might be short, but enough to appreciate every little thing that your eyes can see.  The fine white sand, blue skies, calming waters, fresh air, sweet pineapples, the genuine smile of the locals, and of course, their sweet bisaya tone of voice.

The living Hope underwater.

Cuatro Islas Crew!

3.  Mc Arthur Park Landing Memorial National Park:  From Inopacan highway, take a van going to Tacloban and alight in Palo (2 1/2 hrs; P160.00).  (Ride a tricycle (P10.00/head) and tell the driver to drop you off in Mc Arthur Park.  From airport, take a jeep going to downtown, alight in Palo and take a tricycle going to Mc Arthur Park.

4.  Sto. Nino Shrine:  Located in Real St., Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte.  From downtown, take a tricycle going to Sto. Nino Shrine (P8.00/head). Open from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. from Mondays-Sundays.  Entrance fee is P200.00 for 3 persons and P60.00/head if you are more than 3.  Camera fee is P30.00.

5.  M/V Eva Jocelyn:  One of the commercial ships brought to the shore by the typhoon Yolanda.  It has been renovated and now a tourist spot.  From downtown, take a multicab going to Kassel Homes (P8.00).

Bangon Pilipinas!

6.  San Juanico Bridge:  From downtown, take a bus bound to Samar (P15.00) and alight at the bridge entrance.  Be cautious in taking pictures at the bridge because many vehicles are passing by.

San Juanico Bridge during sundown.

7.  Sambawan Island:  From Ormoc, Take a van going to Naval Port (2 1/2 hours) and hire a tricycle (P700.00/3 pax back and forth) going to Kawayan Port where boat rental is a bit cheaper than in Naval Port.  The island is just an hour away from Kawayan port.  Entrance fee of P100.00/head.  They also have cottages and tents for rent ranging from P500.00-P2500.00.  There is a sari-sari store available and they accept "paluto" if you happen to stay here longer than planned.  You have to take a 15-minute trek before having the picturesque view of the island.

Sambawan Island Viewdeck

The other side of Sambawan Island Viewdeck.

8.  Ulan-Ulan Falls:  We asked the locals if there is a waterfall near Kawayan port and they suggested Ulan-Ulan falls.  It is located in Brgy.  Sampao, entrance fee is P20.00, which can either be a 30-minute guided tour or not, your choice.  In our case, our tricycle driver also served as our tour guide since he is a local there.

Ulan-Ulan Falls.

Where to eat in Ormoc:

• Food Park BBQ Plaza:  Pick your favorite street food.  Have it grilled for you.  Best paired with "puso" (binalot rice).

• JK Bites Boneless Lechon:  My first time to eat boneless lechon and I must say, it's worth every single cent.  Extra rice please!

• Lorenzo's Cafe:  Try their best selling drink-Caramel Macchiato.

Expenses:

Airfare

• Airasia Promo - P2,000/pax  (two way)
• Booking Period:  May 2016
• Travel Period:  July 15-19, 2016

Cuatro Islas

• Boat Ride - P2500.00 (good for 10pax and below)
• Van from Ormoc to Inopacan - P100.00/each
• Close Cottage - P500.00
• Tent Pitching (2) - P100.00
• Food/Drinks/Paluto  - P1,000.00-P2,500.00 (varies to number of pax)

Contact Person:

Ma'am Hope - 09163234022

Sambawan Island Dive Camp and Beach Resort

• Ormoc to Naval - P80.00/pax (van)
• Naval-Kawayan Port Back and Forth - P700 (for 3 pax)
• Entrance Fee to Sambawan Island - P100.00/pax (van)
• Contact Person:  Jessie Manuel (Caretaker) - 09264104866
• Contact Person for Boat:  Nelbert Montoc - 09075959614 (P2, 500.00 for daytour/P3, 000.00 for overnight)

Ulan-Ulan Falls

• Environmental Fee - P20.00/pax
• Guide Fee (P100.00 will do)
• Naval to Ormoc - P80.00/pax

Where to Stay in Ormoc:

1.  Niko's Ark Voyager Inn: http://www.nikosarkboutiquehotel.com/
2. Zenaida's Chateau Tourist Inn and Restaurant (053-255-2717)
3. Cristobal's Inn (053-561-6417)

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