Adventure

What to Expect at Paraiso De June Quixote Ecofarm Resort

Posted on by shellan

Paraiso De June Quixote Ecofarm Resort is one of the newly ecofarm resorts in Maragondon, Cavite. They offer so may outdoor activities that would most probably be enjoyed by the adrenaline junkie. But as early as now, before you even see the budget breakdown, I must say that the fees for these activities are not cheap. But is it worth it? Find out below or you may click on this link for a virtual tour: Paraiso de June Quixote Ecofarm Resort in Maragondon, Cavite

We only happened to experience two adrenaline activities because: (1) we went there on a weekend and the place is once again crowded just like our previous tour at torres farm;  (2) we didn’t brought enough cash because we didn’t expect that the activities would be that expensive.

But did we enjoy it? Yes we did. But personally speaking, they are too pricey compared to other tours we have experienced. This getaway is far from Dito Kay Shellan’s travel mission, which is to give tips on how to travel budgetarian (on a little budget or budget-friendly).

The ATV ride is enjoyable but it will cost you P750 per head and P500 for a backride for just a simple man made trail. We experienced ATV at Mt. Mayon and it only amounted us P850 for two including tip for the guide. 

The sky walk, not really much of an adrenaline adventure will cost you P120, where it actually serves as an entrance fee to access the other part of the resort.

The hanging bicycle is fun and can be enjoyed for P200 each for a back and fort experience.

We didn’t get to take lots of photos because the place is so crowded and you would not enjoy a picture with a lot of photobombers. But, here are some decent photos we have taken at the place:

The good things about Paraiso de June Quixote Ecofarm Resort are (1) they offer delicious and affordable meal, (2) the service is very accommodating and all their employees are courteous, helpful, and approachable, (3) they have live bands at the al fresco dining which you can jam with if you like, (4) No parking fee, and (5) most amenities are pretty much free for children like the go karts and the activities at the park.

To sum it up, here’s the budget breakdown you should prepare if you opt to go here disregarding our warning that this is not a budgetarian getaway:

Sky walk: P120 / per head

Hanging bicycle: P200 / per head

ATV ride: P750 / per head

ATV back ride: P500 / per head

Food: we had full stomachs with less than P1000 including drinks, for three. Which is why it is also perfect for a family getaway. Plus, they serve free water.

Other activities:

Rappelling

Swimming

Zipline (soon to operate)

Crystal Kayaking

See this photos for more:

How to get there:

Just pin Paraiso de June Quixote Ecofarm Resort on Google Map or Waize. Once you are around 10 mins. Away, be vigilant to look for the small signage of the place but you will know you have arrived at the entrance when you see a decorated vehicle pathways that leads to the parking space.

I suggest that if you are going as a group, book grab, it will be much cheaper if you divide the fee, because the place is not really accessible by public transportation.

Enjoy and God bless.

Solitude Campsites in Maragondon, Cavite

Posted on by shellan

One of the things that traveling made me realize was that there are still so many undiscovered places out there that you can go to if you are looking for a solitude moment with nature.

If I were to ask, I would like them to remain undiscovered by the public, so as to maintain its solitude and prevent future damage that people cause. It is a fact that we, human, destroy beautiful things. But since the local look at this opportunity as additional source of income, I am sharing their place but it comes with a plead to follow the simple ‘leave no trash, take nothing but pictures’ policy.

These camping sites are found at Brgy. Pinagsanhan, Maragondon, Cavite. Their location is quite hard to find even if you use google map or waze. There are also no signage available to help you locate them. Actually, we’ve been here a year ago when we attempted to climb Mt. Buntis, we just didn’t know back then that there are campsites as you go deep the forest. We have come to know 3 campsites: (1} Bonifacio Shrine, where few campers stay and perfect for a more solitude moment with the nature but there is no river; (2) Tribu Campsite, where there is available river but the place can easily be crowded, therefore can disturb your goal for a solitude moment; (3) Kuya G Campsite, there is also a river but it is farther than the 2 campsites. Among these, Tribu Campsite was where we stayed at. Actually, we were planning for Kuya G, but we mistaken Tribu Campsite as Kuya G because we didn’t know there is another campsite before Kuya G. 

Anyway, here are the photos taken at Tribu Campsite:

If you prefer to see the motion documentation, here is our vlog about our trip here: Campsites in Maragondon, Cavite

Here is the budget breakdown for this trip:

120 – Entrance fee per head overnight

80 – Entrance fee per head day tour

200 – Cottage

100 – Duyan rental fee

300 – Tent rental fee good for 3-4 pax

Tribu Campsite has very accommodating keepers. They assisted us with all the stuff we need. They also offer cooking services if you’d like to. They own many dogs but all are harmless.

I almost forgot to mention that one of the things that indicates you are almost near the campsite is when you have already crossed 2 rivers. Motorcycles can cross them, unless heavy rain pours down.

Have a very careful trip, God bless!

Pico De Loro is now Accepting Tourists; Find out the New Things you Need to know Before Climbing

Posted on by shellan

Finally! A climb after more than 3 years has happened. We have been planning to climb a long time even during pandemic, but due to various circumstances, we always end up rescheduling our hike. But not this year, the wait is way too long already. Hence, we booked a climb to Pico De Loro.

If you are planning to hike Pico De Loro too, here’s their website where you can schedule: https://mppmngnp.com/

There are many changes on the site, one of those is the entrance fee, that now costs P200 each. I remember around 2015, it was only P30 and tour guide was not required, not unlike now, it is mandatory. Well, perhaps now, all of the mountains open for hiking require tour guides.

It was my third time on Pico de Loro, but it kind of felt like the experience is something new. There are new spots and new trail at the site. Here are the photos:

Aside from that there are more restrictions than before. Overnight camping is still not permitted, as well as traversing. Monolith is now close and will never open again due to the evaluation made by the DENR; cracks were found which made it unsafe for climbing.

But although they offer less activity now, I admire the management’s determination to protect and put first the nature than the adventurers’ demand. It was also a best decision that they closed Pico de Loro for several years to regenerate and heal itself from the constant human footprints it gotten over the years. Now you will see on our video (video documentation of our adventure) that the forest has been regenerated, indeed.

Before the climb, you will be watching an 8-minute avp about Pico de Loro, here you will know that you are actually going to climb two mountains: Mt. Palay-Palay and Mataas na Gulod. Both declared as DENR’s protected areas. But since people know the site as Pico de Loro, let’s call it that way.

At the summit, you now have stairs to help you reach it. Unlike before, you will only rely on the bushes to help you with the grip ascending and descending.

I will leave behind some information regarding the modified Pico de Loro for you to get insights on your own and first hand ask the employees or the tour guide assigned to you. But just in case, you are so eager to know now, okay, then ask away below the comment section.

Meanwhile, here are the beautiful photos at the top:

I know you are looking for the budget breakdown:
Entrance/Eco Fee – 200!pax
Parking fee – 30
Tour Guide Fee – 500/maximum of 5 pax

If you are planning to commute, well, be thankful, because it is easier now. Just hop on a bus going to Nasugbo, Batangas via Kaybiang tunnel. The earliest leaves around 5AM at PITXT.

Enjoy and be a responsible hiker! God bless.

Utod River and Falls in Magallanes, Cavite Perfect for a Solitude Get-Away

Posted on by shellan

​One of the things I like about traveling is that it surprises you with more. I never thought that there are still plenty of places here in Cavite that are not known to the majority, which is I think is good. I am actually against nature exploitation, and sometimes I wonder if posting information about a certain place in exchange will only harm the place. Because, most of the time, tourism sucks. Not all tourist is a responsible tourist. And sometimes, this will attract greedy businessmen that take advantage of the place and the locals. So I sometimes battle with myself if I really should make a blog about unknown nature get-aways.

But if you read the about section of this website, it is mentioned that this serves as my online travel journal which contains my personal insights. Besides, nature should be enjoyed by the people. I just plead, really-really plead, that my readers will be responsible tourists and/or humane businessmen.

Anyway, if you are looking for a solitude place this summer and ypu are on a budget, Utod River and Falls is one of the perfect places for you.

You can find it here (zoom in for the address):

To be able to get there, you will need to ride a private vehicle because public transportation is very seldom going there but yes, it’s available.

Upon reaching this signage. You will be trekking for around 10 minutes, depending on your pacing. (By the way, parking area is available at side street).

The trail is easy and some of it is concrete staircase with hand rails so it is okay for our parents and titos and titas to experience. This will only get hard back to the parking lot because then, the trail will be mostly ascending.

There is a small community at the riverfront. They are the ones you need to speak or contact for the cottages but it is not required although maybe you’ll need it if it’s a group outing. There is no entrance fee and parking fee. Public CR are available. Overnight is also allowed.

Here are the photos at Utod Falls. We went there on weekend and the place is not that crowded, The very reason why I mentioned it’s perfect for a solitude moment.

To further visualize the place, because not all spots were photographed, here is the link : Utod River and Falls in Magallanes, Cavite

By the way, you will come across these pathways, choose the right side, that’s the one leading to the falls:

God bless on your trip and please be a responsible tourist. Do not disrespect the nature.

by the way here’s a contact number just in case you need a reservation for the cottage: 09350595639 Ruel Rivera

buhay forest top

Buhay Forest: Underrated Nature Get-away (and some update on Pico De Loro, Pantihan Falls, and Mt. Buntis)

Posted on by shellan

Before we head on the details about Buhay Forest let us talk about first Pico De Loro. Yes, dearest bundokeros and bundokeras! Pico De Loro is now open. The bad news is, you are reading this along the way, all prepped and ready going to Pico De Loro. Because here you will know, as you keep on reading, that they are only accepting advance booking and walk-ins are strictly prohibited. But since you have already planned this day for an unwinding get-away, allow me to introduce you to Magallane’s Buhay Forest. Don’t worry it is only 30 minutes away from Pico De Loro.

Buhay Forest is located at Magallanes, Cavite and can found on google map. If you are following our blog, you knew that we already went there but it was close. They are close every Monday and Tuesday. Actually, prior going here, we tried Mt. Buntis, but it was close so we headed on to Buhay Forest for our last resort. You can see our trip here for a motion documentation of what I’m talking about: Buhay Forest in Magallanes (and update on Pico de Loro + other tour in Cavite), rest assured, contacts and the link for Pico De Loro’s booking are also posted below.

So, what should you expect at Buhay Forest?

First, there is a trek that almost all ages can partake and reach the top. Actually, it has Stations of the Cross, to which elders are mostly the ones participating. So I believe, even seniors can do this trek.

We trekked unto the top for around 10 minutes, I guess, with casual rest once we need and also to savor the beauty of the scenery as we head on to the top.

Actually, the place isn’t that crowded, which is very okay, but that made me realize that this is an underrated nature get-away. Maybe because the trail is so easy for the hikers or because there is not much post online about Buhay Forest. But really, if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the nature, this is a perfect place for you. Especially, if you are on a budget.

The views at the top will show you a set of mountain range from the nearest places: Mt. Marami (Wet and Mildly Wild Adventure at Mt. Marami), and Pico De Loro (Pico de Loro (Mt. Palay-Palay, Pico De Loro, Second Time Around).

You can istambay and enjoy the nature, take a pose to whichever spot you like, eat your own baon, enjoy seesaw and swing, with no time limit or until they close for the day, for only P30. They open at 6AM and closes at 5PM. They do not accept overnight camping.

There is no parking fee, or perhaps it is already included on the amount you paid for ecological fee/entrance fee.

Here are the additional photos, which were taken at the bottom part of the forest:

Meanwhile, here are some photos we took at Pantihan Falls, also in Magallanes, and which is also already closed for tourist but some part is still open for public viewing:

Please be good to the nature and leave no garbage. Enjoy!

Here are the details for Pico De Loro and Mt. Buntis:

Island Tour at Patungan Beach in Maragondon, Cavite

Posted on by shellan

We’ve been planning to hike a mountain before the year ends. But because we also want to spend quality time with our furr babies, we decided to spend the holiday on a beach instead. Thus, we booked at Patungan Beach in Maragondon, primarily because they offer island hopping too.

But let me clarify this early that we have not experienced island hopping due to heavy waves. That’s what your get when you scheduled a beach adventure during Ber months. Instead, it was replaced with an island tour (watch our adventure here: Maragondon Island Tour), which happened to be the wildest ride we had on an ocean so far. Well, as what I’ve said, that’s what you get when you scheduled a beach adventure during ber months.

The main highlight of our stay here at Patungan Beach is the Island tour and the swimming on the fish sanctuary. The island tour takes more than 2 hour-boat ride (back and forth). We stay at fish sanctuary less than an hour and head back to Patungan Beach. It costs us 2,500 but it’s so worth it, especially when the boat driver masters the art of riding big waves. We were terrified by the waves and thought that the boat would flip. And thank God it didn’t. I think we also passed by the island which we stayed during a trip where we own an island for a day, it was our trip to Carabao Island, but I couldn’t distinguish the island anymore.

 

The stay at the beach cottage is also a first hand nature experience. If being close to the nature is what you are looking for, then Patungan Cottages is right for you. Toilets are available too. We spend a night at the cottage and went home before lunchtime the next day. To proper guide you with the itinerary, here’s ours:

Itinerary:
5AM – departure
6:30AM – Arrived at Patungan Beach
7:00AM – settled at the cottage
8:00AM – finished Breakfast
9:00AM – cooking lunch
10:00AM – Lunch time
10:45AM – board the boat for island tour
10:45AM – 12NN – island tour
12NN – arrived at fish sactuary
12:50PM – board the boat back to the beach
12:50PM – 1:50PM – boat ride back to Patungan Beach
2:00PM – 5:00PM – Siesta
5:00PM – 5:30PM – Preparing Dinner
7:00PM – Dinner
8:00PM onward – free time until sleep time
6:00AM – Preparing breakfast
7:00AM – Breakfast
8:00AM – Pack Up
9:00AM – 10:00AM – Free time
10:30AM – Board tricycle back to pick up point back home

Things to bring:
Uling
Flash light
Mineral Water
Toiletries
Under water cam
Power bank
Garbage bag

Note: The community doesn’t have electricity yet, they only rely on solar panel that provides them energy so there will be times that all the can provide you is light at the cottage. However, some locals offer generator for rent if you badly need electricity.

Budget:
2,500 – island hopping / island tour
2,000 – overnight cottage with 1 room
50/pax – tricycle going to the beach

We recommend Sir Allan Agustine for island hopping / island tour boat ride. Simply look for him. I can also give you our contact for the cottage accommodations, they will provide things for you that you forgot to bring, (e.g kawali). If you are wondering if there are stores at the community, there are. But I suggest, that you bring your own things because we do not guarantee that all items you need are available at the stores.

Here are the instagrammable photos we took at the beach:

Enjoy your stay and escapade!

Witness Camarines Sur and its Beauty

Posted on by shellan

We’ve stayed at the province of Bicol for a week and that is not enough to experience the beauty it beholds. But continue reading and we’ll share with you the amazing experience we had, so that somehow you’ll have a glimpse of it too. And maybe, you’d want to join us on our future trips back there, specifically at Legaspi, Albay and at Camarines Sur. ☺

I’m quite hesitant to share the beautiful island we stayed at, the hometown of my husband, because I don’t want to exploit the peace, serenity and beauty it has. I want them to continue living at peace with the nature without being distressed by self-entitled tourists and disrespectful businessmen that could buy a place there for a profit gain. But because we aim to showcase the beauty of our country and encourage others to travel too while sharing some useful tips on how to travel on a tight budget, I resolved to share just a bit about the places we went to.

We island hopped for a day, and there are white sand beaches you can enjoy for free. Here are the photos:

And here are other photos we took at other parts of the whole island we went at:

To fully visualize our trip, click this link: Cam Sur and its Beauty | Travel Philippines

If you are looking for the budget money we had, there’s literally none we spent. But of course, you need to consider paying for the gas of the boat you’ll be using to go to these beautiful places. And you may want to include the fare going to Bicol, here’s the link of our total expenses on trip to Bicol: Motorbike Road Trip to Mayon Volcano (CALABARZON LOOP)

And yeah, we are serious about asking you to join us on our future trips there, we could provide an affordable accomodation, just message us.

God bless on our future trips! Shallom!

Motorbike Road Trip to Mayon Volcano (CALABARZON LOOP)

Posted on by shellan

Right after our wedding, we hopped on our motorbike and started the road trip to Mayon Volcano, located in Legaspi, Albay, Bicol.

I am always mesmerized by the beauty of Mayon Volcano whenever I see it on social media, hence, I told myself that I will definitely see that beauty in person and the very reason why my husband suggested it to be our honeymoon get-away.

Mayon came from the Bicol dialect “magayon” which means beautiful. And upon seeing her personally, I now know, it suits her name perfectly.

Here’s our road trip itinerary:
3:40PM – Cavite to Binangonan
8:00PM – Arrived at Binangonan (sleepover)
7:30AM – Started the CALABARZON LOOP to Bicol

The rest time check can be seen on the following photos:

We reached Bicol at around 6:30 PM and ate our dinner here:

We went back on the road around 8PM and decided to take a lodge at an inn at around 9:30PM to rest. Because I was so exhausted by that time, I told my husband. We continued around 4AM, took our breakfast and coffee break along the way and arrived at Cagsawa around 9AM.

Jeez, the ride was so exhausting but it was all worth it as I witness the beauty of Mayon.

Here are the photos we took as we get closer to Mayon ’til we arrived:

And here’s the photos our tour guide captured:

I know you are looking for the budget we spent, so here it is:
P1000 – Fuel (papunta’t pabalik)
P1000 – Food and Coffee expenses for 2 (papunta’t pabalik)
P400 – 5-hour stay in an inn
P40 – Entrance fee at Mayon for 2
P700 – ATV tour for 2
P100 – Tip for the tour guide
P700 – 12-hour lodging

TOTAL – P3,940

That’s super sulit for a 2-person travel get-away, but yeah, it is exhausting, but yeah, fun and memorable experience. Here’s our travel vlog to help you visualize our ride ☺ : https://youtu.be/jm9J8mAX0UY

Btw, you can take a plane, bus, or van, if you want a less exhausting travel.

Ride safe! God bless!

Mt. Kulis Overnight Escapade With Sea Of Clouds

Posted on by shellan

After not being able to climb a mountain for more than a year already due to the pandemic, finally I and my fiance got the chance to climb a mountain that is just perfect for those who are just regaining stamina for climbing again. Not being active in hiking for more than a year can weaken our stamina for climbing, thus, doing a minor climb just like our Mt. Kulis overnight escapade slowly helps us awaken our active outdoor lifestyle.

If you are following our website, you already know that we haven’t got the chance to see Pililla Windmill due to the restrictions implemented as part of the new normal. And because of that we decided to spend an overnight escapade at Mt. Kulis instead.

We arrived at the registration area of Mt. Kulis, specifically located at Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal (Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite) around 5PM. We had a minor difficulty in locating the area because the locals are still not familiar with the name of the mountain but will definitely know once you mention “bahay ni Cardo” since the location was used as that in ABS-CBN’s teleserye “Ang Probinsyano”. Having said that, yes, the trail to Mt. Kulis is accessible by any vehicle. Here’s the link to see how our motorcycle climbed uphill and down hill: Witness Sea of Clouds at Mt. Kulis But if you’d like to hike it the traditional way (by feet) you may do so.

As of now, they are accepting both pre-scheduled and walk-ins. Overnight camping is now allowed too.

At the registration area, you will be given the choices where to trek. Camp A or B or both. Each Camp is amounting 300 per head and a tour guide (1 is to 5) is a must at certain location that if you want to trek to, you are obliged to have amounting P500. And since Noah’s Arc requires to have a tour guide, we got one. We didn’t include Camp B on our list. So what you’re going to see here are those included in Camp A. All in all we spent 1520 for two, including a P400 rent for a tent (you can bring your own). The expenses is listed below this blog if you’re looking for a break down.

This is the view that awaits you in the morning, yes, finally, a sea of clouds:

Here are the beautiful spots at the top of Mt. Kulis (btw, rice meal and refreshments are available at the top):

A little trek again for less than 20 mins. to reach Nipa Campsite (you can choose to stay for only 1,500 good for 2 pax or a family size for 3,000):

And then the famous heart peak at Sambong Peak:

Another trek for around 30mins. and then the famous Noah’s Arc:

And our last attraction, the spider web:

Again, to fully visualize our adventure here, visit this link: Witness Sea Of Clouds at Mt. Kulis | Travel Philippines

BUDGET BREAKDOWN:
Camp A Fee – 300/pax
Tent Rent (good for 2) – 400
Tour guide (1 is to 5) – 500
(Since we are on a motorbike ride, I cannot give you a transpo budget but you can visit our other trip in Tanay which has a budget info: New Things You Need to Know Before Hiking Tungtong Falls and Nagpatong Rock Formation, Treasure Mountain, Calinawan Cave (Tanay Tour Highlights), 3 in 1 Adventure at Mt. Daraitan)

Meanwhile, here are additional photos along thw trail that we found perfectly awesome:

We left the place around 10AM with a fulfilled spirit and a merry heart.

By the way, if you are planning to book a tour, you may contact Ate Leni at 09070646745. She will gladly assist you, also, she took most of our photos posted here.

God bless on your trip.

First Travel For 2021

Posted on by shellan

The title might sound extravagant, but honestly we didn’t even take a tour outside my province, still every moment in this travel with my fiance is incomparable.

I have mentioned many time here in my blogsite that our province is a coastal area, therefore where else could be my first travel is? Well, the photos below say it all:

I had very few photos to share with you on this trip because I was actually using a roll film camera that needs to be developed yet. I will later on share it with another blog post once they’re available.

And we went again to one of the motorists’ most favorite ride destinations — Kaybiang Tunnel.

Only this time, we encounter a minor problem (to know more about it, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/9vQdMXp555U ). Good thing this child, saved the rest of the trip: (we fail to take a photo with him but here’s a photo of him doing a great job and yes he fixed our flat tire mano-mano, without using electricity.)

That’s all for now. God bless, everyone!