THE FOREST CITY "PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN "

Getting there from Davao City is quiet far, there’s no direct flight from Davao to Puerto Princesa. Choices are from Davao to Cebu and Cebu to Puerto Princesa, Davao to Manila and Manila to Puerto Princesa. Since Cebu Pacific Air has connecting flight Davao to Manila and Manila to Puerto Princesa so I choose it. The advantage of connecting flight is that you don’t need to collect your luggage in Manila you will collect it all the way in Puerto Princesa.

Welcome to the forest city Puerto Princesa which is known to be one of the tourist destination in our country Philippines. I stayed at Moana Hotel which is closed to the Puerto Princesa airport only 5 mins. Walk and 1 km. To the city proper. The place is quite nice with a touch of a typical Filipino style. They have a Dive shop there that as far as I know it is the Biggest Dive Shop in Puerto Princesa. A bar and restaurant which serves a good food and drinks. They have swimming pool and small cottages under the huge trees which makes it feel fresh and so relaxing to sit there. They have very accommodating staffs who wears a Hawaiian dress style.

LANGUAGE: Local people there has their own dialect Cuyuno and Visayan but they speak Tagalog and English for the instructions.

PLACES I VISITED:

• BAKERS HILL
• UNDERGROUND RIVER
• PRESTINE BEACH

GETTING AROUND:

• JEEPNEY
• BUSES
• MOTORCYCLE
• MOTORBIKE
• VAN

 RESTAURANTS: (recommend and close to Moana Hotel)

• PERGOLA (THAI and EUROPIAN foods)
• KINABUCH BAR and GRILL
• CHICKEN INATO

BAKERS HILL PALAWAN:

                                                                            

There’s no entrance fee, what you can see inside are restaurants and Snack bar. It’s a Philippine Disney Land kids would love it for sure.  You can see a lot of cartoon character and kids playground inside. It looks like a garden also because place were surrounded by trees and flowers. Bakers Hill is also Famous as a tourist destination here in Philippines. It’s childish but I must admit that I enjoyed staying there together with all the Kids stuff. Here are some of my photos:  

KALESA which made from wood sculptures!

Friendly TIGER! :)

Parrots Statue, careful of birds shits! :)

BLEUH!!!!!

Anna with SNOW WHITE and the SEVEN DWARFS! :)

Am in the DISNEY WORLD! :)

UNDERGROUND RIVER

Puerto Princesa became a top of the tourist destination in Philippines because of these Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park which is Underground River a Natural World Heritage Site which located at Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island, Puerto Princesa. It has been nominated as one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is 8.2 km navigable underground river but the only 1km was allowed to enter and explore inside probably the rest couldn't be reach by a boat. There are some divers who dives inside and so far they did not found any harmful animals just like snakes and crocodiles. You can see a lot of rock formations, several large chambers and bats inside the cave.

General Entrance Fee:

P75.00 and P50.00

Cave Entrance Fee:

 21 – 59 yr. Old (P  200.00)
18 – 20 yr. Old (P  100.00)
13 – 17 yr. Old ( P    75.00)
6 – 12  yr. Old (P    50.00)
Commercial Video Fee  (P 3,000.00)
*Filipino Senior Citizens 60 yr. old and above, Children 5 years old and below, and the handicapped are exempted from paying entrance for the Underground River Tour.

Other fees:

Boat Underground River Beach

P700.00 for 6 persons two way

Terminal Fee P3.00/pax

Read the Description below!

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most important protected areas in the Philippines and is designated as a core area of Palawan Biosphere reserved.  It was established as the St. Paul Subterranean National Park on March 26, 1971 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 853. It was created primarily to protect and preserved the outstanding Biophysical properties of the area. However, studies later concluded that the size was not sufficient to ensure the long- term viability of the park. This was resolved by the signing of  Presidential Proclamation 212 on November  12, 1999. The said proclamation  amended the Park boundary to include community buffer zone and changed its name to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park to property identify it with the area. It is now comprises with the area of 22, 202 hectares including the original 3, 901 hectares as a core zone and the additional is 18,301 hectares buffer zones.

The park is best known for the existence of an intensive Underground River System. It also protect significant old growth tropical considered by experts to be among the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the world. So far more than 800 plant species have been identified including some 295 trees dominated by the DIPTEROCARP type species. The park is also a home for 90 species birds, 30 species of Mammals, 18 species of Reptiles, 10 species of Amphibians and a large number of insects species in recognition of its high conservation value, the United Nations Cultural, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribe the park of the list of World Heritage Site.

The Park is managed by the City Government of Puerto Princesa under a program of sustainable development centered on environment. It is being manage by the City Multisectoral  protected area management board or PAMB . Its mission “ Conserve the Park into its Natural State “.

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Welcome to the " City of Pines " Baguio City, OMG!!!

GETTING THERE: ( by bus )
Pasay Bus Terminal - Baguio City ( Viictory Liner P 450/1pax )
Travel Time: (8:00 - 16:00 ) exactly 8 hours travel.

ATTRACTIONS:

• Tam-awan Village
• Burnham Park
• The Mansion
• Camp John Hay
• Mines View Park
• Philippine Military Academy
• Strawberry Fields
• Session Road

PEOPLE:  Local people in Baguio speaks their own dialect - Ilocano and Ibaloy for the dialect of Igorots. However, they also speaks Tagalog and English for the instructions.

GETTING AROUND:  by taxis, jeepney and buses.

Welcome to Baguio City Guys. Am totally freezing , it’s very cold.  We already have the accommodation in Burnham Hotel, my reference is the Lonely Planet Book.

We ride a taxi going to Burnham Hotel but shame because I didn’t know that there are two Burnham hotel in Baguio the other one is Burnham Suites a new one which is very close to Burnham Park. So, I went at the receptionist and asked about the reservation under my name but they couldn’t find it and they said that maybe in the Burnham Hotel. Geez! Shame on me, hehe. Poor kiddo! We’re so  lost. It’s my fault because I just refer on a book and without searching at the internet. So, we ride a taxi again and went to the Burnham Hotel and OMG! Am a bit surprised because that hotel is very old and about to give up.  A typical old fashioned place, made from wood. We have had a very depressing room. But anyway,  it’s better than nothing. We just stay there for a night. So guys, don’t  be confused between Burnham Hotel and Burnham Suites cause it’s totally different. I recommend the Burnham Suites. Time to look around, am extremely freezing. It’s so cold for me and I didn’t manage to carry any scarf or jacket. It was so freaking fresh air.

The next day, we move to the other hotel  which is the Bloomfied Hotel. It was very closed to the SM Baguio Shopping Mall and on the main road. It’s a quite convenient place and has a reasonable price with breakfast.

Bloomfield Hotel . Time to look around.

TAM-AWAN VILLAGE:  The first place that we visit was the “ TAM-AWAN VILLAGE “. It’s a bit exhausted walking on the top hill but it’s worth it. It’s exciting because they have rented kubo’s. They showed us the cute paintings of the woman there that exclusively for adult. It’s typically a “ kubo” (house)  from Ifugao and Kalinga which build in same materials. It’s so cool because there are some kubo which you cannot stand, you can just sit there. From there you can see the magnificent China Sea sunset, it’s perfect. Guys, if you want to experienced the living of our tribes before, then “ TAM-AWAN VILLAGE” is the best place. You can rent and pretend that you live there. For further information please visit their website.

Entrance Fee: (P50/1 pax)

THE MANSION:  This was formerly called “ MANSION HOUSE, it was built in 1908 and was destroyed in 1945 during the battle of the liberation of the Philippine. And it was rebuilt in 1947 by the Philippine Government. It has been used by various Philippine Presidents whenever they come up in Baguio for the official visits. 

THE LOURDES GROTTO:  The Grotto commemorates the numerous visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France, by a girl named Bernadette Soubirous, also known as Bernadette of Lourdes. As what I’ve heard that there are more than 200 steps going there, you need to walk up and down. Well, I guess it’s not about counting steps but it’s about praying for more blessings, have a safety trip and a peaceful life.

That’s the end of my Baguio Adventure. Actually, not much adventure there because it’s only one day holiday in Baguio. It’s pity that I didn’t manage to see all of the attractions of the city but still we manage to see some places there. It’s okay, I enjoyed my freezing moment there in Baguio City. I like the people there because they are so friendly. I wanna go back there maybe in my honeymoon. Haha! In my dreams.

The Queen of the South, Cebu City! ( SUGBU)

" DAYON KAMO! "

GETTING THERE: by plane
Davao City ( Francisco Bangoy International Airport ) - Mactan International Airport )
Airline: Cebu Pacific Air ( P3500 ) roundtrip

ATTRACTIONS:

• Taoist Temple
• Guitar Factories
• University of San Carlos
• Lapu-Lapu Monument ( Mactan Shrine )
• Magellans Cross
• Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
• Casa Gorordo Museum
• Fort San Pedro
• Basilica Minore del Santo Niño 

PEOPLE: Local people in Cebu speaks " Visayan " dialect. They also speak Tagalog and English.


GETTING AROUND: Taxi, Jeepney, Buses

I've been here in this place for so many times but unfortunately before I didn't manage to look around if what to see in this what they called " Queen of the South ". Yes, this is the place were history meets tomorrow. A city which is Philippines oldest city and carries some of the priceless historical relics and monuments. Here are some of my photos taken in Cebu:

Cebu City Hall

 

Magellan Cross

View of Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

Inside of Basilica del Santo Nino

This is in the Basilica Santo Nino

The Cebu Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral

The Virgin Mary's Grotto In the Cathedral

View of the lawn in the Cathedral

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595 and it was elevated as a metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934. The construction of this church took many years due to the interruptions and luck of funds. The architecture of the church is typically Spanish Colonial churches in the country.

I don’t actually remember if how many churches they have, but this is all I can say It was so amazing. Night time and it’s time to find some place which we can drink and relax. As I read in the internet that there is place where families, kids, couples, friends are there a bar called Sunflower. Am a bit curious about the place cause it’s not only youngsters are there. As we arrive there, there was live band playing disco and pop music while some people dancing on the dance floor. At the beginning  there are only few couples but later on I was so amazed when I saw the families with their babies on the strollers. Wow! And there are some kids also dancing with their dad and mom! That was so amazing. 

People Dancing in dance floor

The next day we planned to go in some of the Island closed to Cebu. Our choices is either Malapascua Island and Camotes Island. And since that I know if how to get there in Camotes Island so I guess it’s my choice at all. Follow my next update regarding Camotes Island.

" LOBOC RIVER CRUISE in Bohol "

RIVERWATCH BOAT:
P450/1pax

One of the must tourist visited place in Bohol is the Loboc River Cruise located in the Municipality of Loboc, Bohol. This has been promoted by the Bohol Eco Tourism and being popular more than with their floating restaurant in a small bancas with their delicious buffet of foods. In the entrance you can choose if which boat you will choose but of course it depends of what foods they will serve. I chose Riverwatch boat, they serve a delicious big buffet of foods.

The cruise will start at the Laoy bridge and will take 50mins. to 1 hour, the cruise will ends at the Busay falls. On the cruise while enjoying with their big buffet of foods with all their local delicacies you will be entertained with the bands who will serenade you while eating and mostly enjoyed with the breathtaking magnificent views of the river . Surrounded with the beautiful green trees. While on cruise the boat will stop in small kubo with the local people entertained by singing local songs and wearing same old style clothing with their ukelele guitar.

 They will start at 11pm for lunch and for dinner is 6pm. I suggest that you will come earlier so you can enjoyed first the food before second batch will come. The earlier the better. It's a perfect lunch and dinner in Loboc River Cruise. While on the cruise one of the staff on the boat will take a photo each guest for souvenir but it's up to you if you will buy it price is P150 each copy of the photo. According to the other guest Loboc River Cruise is more better when it's night time or dinner time, you can see the fire flies and the reflection of the lights on the water. That is what I want to experience next time that I will visit Bohol.

Celebrities who visited Bohol won't really missed this Loboc River Cruise. I highly recommend to visit this place, come, experience and see for yourself.

 

" Cute TARSIERS and PHYTON the Prony in Bohol "

“ Smallest primate, TARSIER in Bohol ”

In my  journey in Bohol, one of the species that I really wanted to see in Bohol was the TARSIERS. Bohol is famous for many tarsiers though you can see Tarsiers in some places in Philippines. When I was a small kid I only saw a Tarsier photos on the book and when Philippines had a computer I also saw their photos in computer. I was really hoping that one day I could see this smallest primate in nature. Here it is, I saw it with my pair of eyes. Yes, it is very small with the big eyes and super cute. From toe-to-head, tarsiers measure only between 8 to 16 cm. That’s just about the size of a phone! but despite of being small they can do amazing things like spinning their head and jumping so fast and quiet far distance from branches to branches. I was really disappointed because I really wanted to touch the Tarsier but unfortunately they will not allowed us to touch the Tarsier. According to them the Tarsier will be stressed out if we touch them.  Noise and camera flash are strictly prohibited. I tried it once taking pictures to Tarsier with flash, yes it’s true they are scared of flash. Here are some photos: 

who is the cutest?

Smallest Primate " TARSIER "

Two cute Tarsier

Camera Shy Tarsier

Whose that cute little thing?

Human Tarsier! :)

Me and my friend Tarsier

The first Tarsier place that I visited was in Corella, Bohol the Tarsier Sanctuary , entrance fee is only P30 but the location is too far. It was so hard to get there.  The second one is the Agape,  if your heading to Loboc, Bohol it is located at the right side you can see the big sign of Agape.  There’s no entrance fee it’s up to your heart if how much donation you want to give. There are also Bohol souvenir items inside.

" PHYTON the Prony in Bohol "

I heard that there is a biggest snake in Bohol. I am not interested to see that snake because somehow I really don't like snakes. But I have no choice but to go there since am already in Bohol. Getting there is a very small rough road. Entrance fee is only P10/1pax, inside there other animals, like birds monkeys etc. The place is like a small zoo. I went inside the small cage, I face my fear and I finally made to come closer to the snake and took some photos. Here it is:

Entrance in Small Zoo in Bohol

Sleepyhead Phyton

Meet my friend " Prony "

Prony was named after the person who captured this biggest snake. This snake is 5 years old in existence with the length of 23 feet and an estimated weigh of 300 kg. According to the woman who's there or shall we say who took care of that snake, they feed the snake with a pig, goat or dog. The time we visited there the snake was about to change skin the reason why were not allowed to touch his skin because according to them the skin of the snake is hurting. That's why snake is only sleeping at that moment. Whew! one of the toughest fear that I faced and survive.

 Here is the amazing bastard who jumped on me and pulled my hair on my way out of the cage. According to the owner of it that she's just jealous on me that I come closer to his man, funny monkey but it's not funny for me at all. Am totally scared and I didn't know if how to get rid with that bastard. She's cute and lively monkey anyways.

Scariest face ever!

It was the first time that I saw a biggest snake ever in nature.  After that scariest moment and funniest moment with Prony and small bastard Monkey I noticed that there is a ladyboy whose performing in a small cottage. He's so funny, he entertained us there. The show lasted for a few minutes everybody was laughing seemed like they are all enjoyed with the show.

" Chocolate Hills, Simply Butterfly and Danao Adventure Park "

SIMPLY BUTTERFLY: BILAR, BOHOL

Entrance Fee: P20/1pax

Heading to Chocolate Hills in Carmen we dropped by to simply butterfly conservations. It is located in Pilar, Bohol.  Each group has had a guide inside the butterfly garden. Before we enter in the garden there’s a demonstration and information about butterflies .  Inside, I saw a lot of colorful butterflies flying around.  It was so beautiful, I was exactly thinking that I am on Paradise garden. Butterflies sex lasted 2days, It’s a bit surprising for me and yes I saw butterflies who stick together. Here are some of my photos:

Entance of Simply butterfly

Souvenir items inside Simply butterfly

Me and butterfly beside me

Biggest butterfly ever :)

  

There are some butterflies who smells like chocolate, that is their pheromone. And some also attracts the other butterflies with their colors. And also there are tricky butterfly also that if you catch them and put it on your palm, it won't moves to pretend that they're dead but when you throw it they will fly, silly creatures. I learned so many things about butterflies in that place. Now, time to move to the next destination.

CHOCOLATE HILLS complex in Carmen, Bohol:

Entrance Fee: P50/1pax

Chocolate Hills is one of the famous tourist attraction in Bohol. It is located in the town of Carmen, Bohol around 50km. from Tagbilaran City. Actually there are two places where you can see the chocolate hills, the Chocolate Hills Complex and Sagbayan Peak. We chose Chocolate Hills complex because according to the local people there, you can see so many hills from that place. On this place there are small hotel, restaurant and souvenir shop. I survive the 214 steps of stairs going up to the view deck of chocolate hills. On the top there is a wishing wheel where kids usually throw coins and ring the bell there. My leg was hurting but it's worth it, the most exciting was the view of the Chocolate Hills, it was so amazing. Philippines were so blessed with all of this fantastic God's gift. It was the perfect time to visit and see that chocolate hills because it was summer time, from green turns to brown. Here are some of my photos:

Entrance to the View deck of chocolate hills

View of Chocolate hills from View deck

View of Chocolate hills from View deck

I survive the 214 steps up to view deck of Chocolate Hills. I dare you to come, visit and see for yourself this amazing views.We are only 1hour in that place, picture taking and rest for awhile and then drove in the next destination.

DANAO ADVENTURE PARK:
Entrance Fee: P25/1pax + motorcycle P5

Danao Adventure is too far, I don't know exactly if how long we travel from Carmen Bohol to Danao. It's very difficult to find this place but still we manage to get there with the help of the local people there. I don't know exactly if how many times am asking about directions. It's almost 4pm when we get there, it's very late. I was really excited on zipping the line P350/1pax. It was so scary but later on I enjoyed my ride.

Entance of Danao Adventure park

Activities to do in Danao Adventure Park

Attitude! :)

Zipping the line

That was extremely fun and a shoot in my head. It's really a suicide for me while zipping the line. Can you imagine, zipping the line of the 480 meters long with the altitude of 200 meters. Wow! that was extremely awesome. This is the longest and the tallest zipline in the Philippines. Guys, I dare you to come and experienced this suicide or suislide in Danao Adventure Park.