holiday get away

The Beauty of Batangas Road Trip

Posted on by shellan

Going on a Batangas road trip is quite exhausting even if you are from the nearby province like Cavite. It would take you more than three hours to reach a decent road trip with the nature and away from the city noise. But it would be worth it, especially if you’re looking for a long ride with shoreline as a background noise.

Batangas is also a good choice if you’re looking for tranquility, serenity, and peace, which can mostly happen during holy week. It’s like you’re traveling on nostalgic places that even if it’s your first time being there, it feels nostalgic. It’s like you’re back on good old days. Simple and it nourishes your soul.

Well, if my words don’t convince you, perhaps the video here (Batangas Road Trip) and the photos below can:

 

Have a safe trip and if you’d like to gain more insight regarding motorcycle ride you may visit alnbrtbriones.com while drinking your favorite coffee.

 

Buscalan Mountain Province

Mountain Province DIY Trip: Buscalan Village, Sea of Clouds at Sagada, and Side Trip Baguio City

Posted on by shellan

This tour probably was the most meaningful among all trips I have experienced. But I would like to emphasize that all trips and adventures we experienced are worth it and have brought so much joy in my heart. This Mountain Province trip is meaningful among all perhaps because it had teach me so many things that might contribute to how I see and understand life plus the fact that we really had our quality time given that this was a Mountain Province DIY Trip.

Truly, a visit to Buscalan Village, where Mambabatok Tribe resides, is a must in your lifetime. Mambabatok is centuries old tribe and was only made famous at the latter part of 1900s. And spending overnight at the village is a privilege one can be proud of all through his/her life. Not only that, being up close and personal to the oldest Mambabatok in the village, Apo Whang Od, who is 108 YO as of writing is truly overwhelming. What an honor to be standing next to a living legend who has so much history sorrounding her wellbeing, that one might not fathom.

Going to the village can be likened to a short trek. Their village is located on an elevated area and you will go through crossing a narrow bridge and perhaps more than 500 steps on a cemented stairs before .

 

If you are planning to visit the village, please bear in mind that you are entering centuries old sanctuary that seeks for your respect not only to the area but most especially, to the locals. If you cannot do that, don’t dare go there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to get the signature tattoo of Apo Whang Od, be at the registration area during afternoon, so you can line up and get the tattoo by tomorrow. And if unfortunately you failed to have the signature tattoo of Apo herself, her grandchildren will be pretty much available to put that signature tattoo on you. Also, you can still have amazing photos with Apo Whang Od. So yeah, it’s still so much worth it.

Aside from Apo Whang Od, you can also explore the place and have a swim at the falls:

I can recommend you the homestay and tour guide we booked so you can advance your booking to lessen the hassle on the day itself. At the homestay, you can cook you own meal. There is available mini palengke along the registration area. They have fish there too. Rice and coffee are unlimited at the homestay. Also, our homestay and tour guide is highly recommended. Message me, so I can refer them to you.

 

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After spending an overnight, we left around 3AM to experience sunrise at Sagada. We have experienced road blockages of huge rolls of stone as we ride away from the village, this is because it had rain for the night. Good thing, we have boys with us who moved the blockages inch by inch. So you might, take note of that if you plan to visit Buscalan.

We have arrived past 6AM at Pogo Hills, and not only we have experienced the sunrise but the amazing sea of clouds as well. The very first beautiful sea of clouds I have witnessed.

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We had breakfast along the way and then headed on to Baguio City.

It took us almost 6 hours to reach Baguio City where we enjoyed some activities like boat kayaking. There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities at Burnham Park. We had our lunch there and bought our pasalubong from the public market. At this time, I am very much exhausted, but I am also very much enjoying the company

 

Here’s the trip motion documentation of our trip so you can visualize it more: A Trip to Mountain Province

Anyway, to help you plan your trip, here’s our itinerary:

Day 0

6:30 PM – leave Cavite

10:30 PM – dinner

Day 1

6:30 AM – Buscalan Registration

700 AM – start of trek to Buscalan Village

7:30 AM – Arrived at Homestay

7:30 AM – 2:00 PM – Chillax / Lunch / Nap Time

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – done with their tattoo

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM – going to and back from Buscalan Falls

5:30 PM – done with picture taking with Apo Whang Od

6:00 PM – dinner / coffee

7:00 PM – sleep time

Day 2

3:30 AM – going to Sagada

6:30 AM – Pogo Hills Sagada

7:30 AM – Breakfast at Sagada

8:00 AM – Going to Baguio

12:00 NN – arrived at Baguio

1:00 PM – lunch

2:00 – 5:30 PM – going back to Cavite

12:MN – home

 

Budget breakdown:

Registration Buscalan: 100/pax

Transpo: 3085/pax (cavite-buscalan-sagada-baguio-cavite)

Guide Buscalan with tip: 300/pax (1 tour guide for 5 is 1500 overnight)

Meal: 70/pax (we divided our pinamalengke)

Homestay: 400/pax

Sagada Pogo Hill entrance: 50/pax

Driver’s meal and Parking Fee: 150/pax

 

Our rented vehicle is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

May you find your trip here as meaningful as how we have experienced and perceived it. God bless.

Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities

Posted on by shellan

Mt. Pinatubo is one of the destinations that climbers and non climbers would agree to put on their travel bucket list. It is coined as “A Beautiful Disaster” of the Philippines, and it seems that everybody wants to know why or perhaps to just simply witness its beauty first hand. And since we are at the age of social media, where we can easily view and be influenced by the hype and be enchanted by the beautiful sceneries world wide, Mt. Pinatubo has become more popular, especially to the youth.

But what should we really expect to experience by trekking Mt. Pinatubo? If you’re in a rush and preferred a motion documentation, here’s the link for it (⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities Video Documentation you can view our adventure there.

Anyway, since here you are continuing to read my written blah blah blah, allow me to start lay down our adventure at Mt. Pinatubo with the instagrammable photos below:

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Now that you know that Mt. Pinatubo is really worth that booking/trip, you should also know that trekking it comes with not so-okay experience — perhaps, a beautiful disaster. Here, I’ve already made a list of the things you should know and consider before booking a trip:

1. If you live far from Tarlac, this will not be an easy trip. We were from NCR and Cavite and we left around 12MN to be able to arrive at the drop off / registration point in time. So if you’re not used to getting sleep on a moving vehicle, this will be a challenge. So might as well bring something that could help you sleep comfortable, like pillow neck.

We arrived at Capas, Tarlac around 4:30AM and start the registration process where we signed waivers. Also, 40 and above YO climbers are required to undergo blood pressure check-up before setting off.

By the way, there are several registration places.

2. Do not book your trip on weekends if you are not a fan of crowded area. And when I say crowded, I mean CROOOWWDEED. If you haven’t checked the link above, where you can watch our video documentation, here’s a short clip to help you visualize what I meant:

According to our source, we were more than 1,000 tourists that Saturday, where around 300 units of 4×4 vehicle were dispatched by the tourism office.

3. 4×4 vehicle is a required ride to get to the starting point of trekking. It comes on different models and can accommodate 4 pax at most. Many preferred a jeepney type where tourists can stand and feel the adrenaline rush of being tossed around since the ride is an off-road.

Please spare being brats and be picky with the 4×4 vehicle. Accept what is assigned to your group. Most jeepney owners are Katutubo (Indigenous people). Aside from that, being assigned with a closed 4×4 vehicle is a heaven on the way back. Because who wants to be tossed around when you are already exhausted. We learned that as we ride back at the jump off / registration point, sleeping like a baby.

Yes, you can bring your own 4×4 off road vehicle but you need to process its registration at the tourism office.

4. Most part of the off road areas are used for military trainings so there’s a chance to get stranded while you wait for the training to get done.

5. Katutubo. They are seen all over the municipality. They are the original locals of Capas, Tarlac. The local government has given them job opportunities by enlisting them as tour guides. Although, they are going to be paid by the LGU, be generous to your tour guide and tip them big time. And most especially, be respectful of them.

Also, I advice you to bring spare money or food so you can buy and give it away (though they don’t ask for it, they wait for tourists to initiate) to the katutubo who sells stuff along the trail.

I have learned, upon interviewing our guide, that their lands were taken away from them by the national government since former Pres. Ramos has declared their area non-inhabitant. They didn’t push for an uprise, though. Instead, they find other ways how to sustain their lives in their hometown.

6. You can bring your own food / packed lunch if you are on a budget. But if you prefer to travel with less bagage, food and drinks are very much available along the trail. They even have inasal there.

7. The trail is somehow can be described as a walkathon rather than hiking. It is easy and very much beginner friendly but the walkathon is also tiring and exhausting. But worth it.

8. Remember your tour guide’s face and name, just in case you still picked weekend for your trip and got mixed with thousand of people at the crater. You will spot them after several minutes because he/she will also look for you.

Also, don’t fall in line at the crater unless you want a drone shot and pay.

9. The trail is a mix of rocky and shallow river trek. So, yeah, it’s better to wear sandals.

And, here’s our day hike itinerary to help you plan out your trip:

1:00 AM – leave Manila

4:30 AM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Prep Up / Waiting in line

6:30 AM – Board 4×4

7:30 AM – start of trek

10:30 AM – Mt. Pinatubo Crater / Lunch / Rest / Savor the beauty of Pinatubo

11:20 AM – Descent

1:00 PM – Board 4×4

2:30 PM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Clean Up / Waiting for the other group (since we booked a travel agency)

5:00PM – back to Manila

 

Budget breakdown:

Php 2,875.00 all in for:

Van RT

Parking fee

Guide fee

Environmental fee

Bagtag

Climb permit

4×4 Vehicle

 

Requirements:

Valid ID

Backlava Mask

Spare Coins (for the usage of CRs, which is also available along the trail)

 

If you are less than 8 pax, I suggest that you opt booking a travel agency instead DIY. It will be more budget friendly. Our tour is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

To sum it up, indeed Mt. Pinatubo is a beauty. No doubt about it. But you have to go through a lot before you witness her beauty. And at the end of your trip, you will have no choice but to agree that it is indeed “a beautiful disaster” not only because of what you went through just to see her but mostly because of the devastation she has done to its surrounding places which perhaps has changed geography but has add to its beauty and providing tourism income opportunities to its locals.

I just hope that those thousands of people who went there not only came for awra photos showcasing their beauty and outfit but have also been overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of Mt. Pinatubo and the disaster that has shaped the lives of the locals and the municipality as well. And that she’s a beauty, but she can be danger as well.

Ilocos Tour 2024

Posted on by shellan

It’s been almost a decade since the first time I booked a tour in Ilocos. You can read our previous adventure here: Ilocos Tour

This year’s ilocos tour is quite exhausting than my last visit but ironic as it may seem, I found it quite enjoyable, perhaps because I have experienced nerve wrecking activities like the 4×4 sand dunes ride and sand boarding. Plus, I have enjoyed and savor my moment at a nice beach in Pagudpud. And to top it all, I am with my very patient husband.

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If you’re looking for a budget breakdown, I cannot lay itdown here. Message me and I’ll refer you the budgetarian tour we have booked or you can click on our last tour at Ilocos because it’s the same tour agent.

Ilocos is a very nice place, actually one of the best places in the Philippines. They know how to maintain their place and by maintain it does not only mean culture and heritage preservation but also the cleanliness of their surroundings. It is evident with the photos below, from shoreline to the most urban place, decipline with cleanliness is always present. So please tourists, do not litter. The locals are also respectful with their tourists so please reciprocate.

Here’s the video documentation of our tour: Ilocos Tour 2024 side trip Apari

Meanwhile, here are the instagrammable photos we took at each stop:

 

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Have a safe trip, enjoy and God bless us all!

Around the World in 2 Hours via Motorcycle Ride

Posted on by shellan

What would be the best way to kick start off this new year than by spending it on nice a road trip with the love of your life not to mention that you’d be able see the most iconic places around the world.

You read it right. We have traveled around the world within 2 hours via motorcycle ride. But before you labeled us ‘click-bait’ here’s the narrative on how that activity became possible.

First, let me drop the photos to give you ideas of what I’m about to share with you:


Yes, dear readers, these photos were taken in a single place that offered around the world travel experience in the mini world they created where some iconic places were imitated. Welcome to TORRES FARM.

Torres Farm, or also known as Torres Farm Hotel and Resort, is located in Naic, Cavite. Around 3 hours away from Manila. Primarily, this is a resort, where you can enjoy swimming activity, but due to the increasing popularity of the instagrammable imitation of iconic places around the world, people started going there just for photo ops.

There are other activities you can enjoy, like picnic and many more, watch this link: Torres Farm, to know other activities you can enjoy at the so called happiest place in Cavite.

Here are additional instagrammable spots we found:

Meanwhile, here’s the budget breakdown in case you are planning to spend a day tour there:

230 – Entrance Fee for adult

160 – Entrance Fee for kids

20 – Motorcycle Parking fee

30 – Additional for swimming and you wish to have someone to take photos of you

Another cool thing about the place is that it really tried hard to simulate a travel get-away by having its own airport and immigration building. These can be seen on the link I provided above but here are some photos of the airport:

Do not go there on a weekend or holiday if you hate crowded place. We were actually surprised by the multitude of people but what do you expect when it’s January first, ayt? Perhaps the very reason why we only stayed for 2 hours after completing photo ops in each iconic place.

Have a safe travel. Follow this site for future travel tips and updates. I believe my I and my husband will spend more time travelling because we started the year by doing so. Hope you are too. See you around.

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:

Venice Grand Canal in Taguig

Posted on by shellan

If you are looking for a shopping mall that offers an out of the country experience, such as Venice (obviously), then this Venice Grand Canal in Taguig is the mall for you. Located at Taguig, it will only take you an hour or so to get here if you are coming from Manila or Cavite.

This is actually our firs time here, so I do not know if the volume of people were the same on other seasons. I was hoping to get a quality photoshoot here, given the fact that the place is instagrammable, but due to the volume of people, that you can see here on the link: https://youtu.be/KyvQfxYPs2w , we (me and my husband) failed to get one. But here are some photos we took that somehow capture the beauty of the place:

Thanks to my husband who captures these photos and is so patient with me because really I’m having a mood swing during this time. Perhaps because of the crowd or hunger.

Meanwhile, here is my favorIte photo among all:

Anyway, if you don’t like crowded places, don’t go here during holidays. You will also have to wait on a long line to experience Gandola ride worth P400 each, and that my friend I think is not worth your time and energy. Because the ride will only take you around 15mins. Anyway, the choice is still yours, as long as you enjoy the moment, it’s worth it. Have a safe and wonderful Christmas, Shalom!