It's More Fun in the Philippines: Boracay! Day 1

     We went to Boracay almost a year ago, i.e., December 2011.  It was my first time going there and most of my companions were first-timers, too.  Well, I wanted to touch the famed fine, white sand and to see what the fuss is about Boracay.

     So, from Manila, we all boarded a Cebu Pacific plane.  However, since we were a big group (around 15), we were in 2 different flights: the super early one and the afternoon one.

     It was also my first time to board a plane smaller than the regular airbus, so I was kinda scared.  I asked if I could be seated in front and my request was granted.  I got seat 1, on the first row, but it was a seat facing all the other passengers!  So, I felt like a flight attendant.  It was an odd experience but a memorable one.  

     Anyway, when we got to Caticlan, our van service, courtesy of The Sands Hotel, was already at the airport to transfer us to the jetty port.  From the port, The Sands' own boat picked us up to take us to Boracay island.

 Jetty Port

Transfer Service

     What can I say?  We arrived in style.  Teehee.

    After another short ride from the Boracay jetty port, we finally reached the hotel, and I was so relieved.  I know that Boracay is supposed to be fun and full of people. However, since I'm one of those weirdos who seek tranquility while on the beach, I was hoping to that our hotel would be somewhere more secluded.  And I was not disappointed.  The Sands is located in Station 3, some 15  minutes away from the unbearably crowded Station 2.

The sand in Boracay are powdery white, but not in this photo!

The setting sun made the sand look beige. 

    Boracay's sand proved to be as soft as talc and as white as snow (almost).  And I don't know if I just have thick soles but the sand does not get unbearably hot.  I could walk around the beach barefoot even under the midday sun.  One thing I noticed though is that not all Stations have the same texture of sand.  Station 3 has the coarsest powder-sand and it gets finer going towards Station 1.

    Hmm...I was expecting Boracay to be crowded when we arrived mid-afternoon.  But apparently, most people were out riding the paraw, taking refuge from the midday sun or sleeping in.  Surprisingly, Boracay was relatively serene when we arrived.

     Starting 5pm, the crowd got thicker, and by sunset, Station 2 became the ultimate party destination.  Then again, partying has never been my cup of tea, so I just walked along the beach to watch the setting sun.

   

     

   

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 2 at the Dambana ng Kagitingan

Dambana ng Kagitingan

   

     For our second day in Bataan, my family and I went to see the 00KM marker of the Bataan Death March, which is located nearby the NPC Village, before heading to the Dambana ng Kagitingan.  I wanted my little nephews and nieces to see the marker for their Philippine history studies. 

   

     Then we're off  to Mt. Samat!  Remember, it was a stormy day but there were a lot of local tourists going up to the mountain, like us. We saw a lot of teens and some mid-20s peeps hiking to the Dambana ng Kagitingan but every now and then, heavy rains would disrupt their journey.  Well, there are no public transportation to the Dambana ng Kagitingan so you either hike or drive.  But man, Mt. Samat is little eerie since the mountain is pretty dense. Nonetheless, the roads are in good condition, except for some fallen leaves and branches here and there.

The weather was really wonky.  

See the thick clouds obscuring the top of the cross.

 And this is a colossal marble edifice.  

The stained glass is just divine.

     To get into the cross itself, you may use the stone-paved, ascending zig-zag walkway, or better yet, drive a little further up.  I am semi-afraid of heights and the only way to go down from the cross back to the entrance, if you didn't drive going there, is through the stone-paved, zigzag walkway.  It's slippery when wet, and if you're a klutz like me, you'll probably have a hard time descending.

     Now, to get inside the cross, you have to ride a very small and narrow elevator.  Since it was a holiday, there were a lot of tourists and the storm didn't deter any of us to visit the Dambana ng Kagitingan.  Lots of tourists mean you have to wait for your turn to use the elevator and go up to the viewing area which is the horizontal part of the cross.  It couldn't accommodate much, the elevator and the viewing area both.  In our case, we didn't wait that long.  And we learned the reason why once we got to the viewing area.  The winds were freaking scary!  They were whistling!  And you'll feel the cross swaying!  It was pretty fun, though, to have the winds and drizzle slap on your face.  And the view is amazing, and so is the viewing deck itself!  You're literally in the clouds, too!  Anyway, there's nothing to worry about since there are guides and some will go up and down with the tourists in the elevator in case it halts for whatever reason.

The viewing area has a goth-like, vampire's lair vibe.

The best way to scare yourself, err, I mean, to listen to the howling of the winds?

Open all the windows, of course, and sway with the force!

This is what the earth looks like from up above the clouds. 

I uttered a short thanks to the Lord for this magnificent view.

And I even said to myself that Bataan is so gorgeous that I wouldn't mind living there.

No, this isn't from a horror movie.

I'm just messing up your mind and made it look creepy.

If the elevator bogs down, which happens at times, this is your way up and down.

It'll be your escape route, too. 

Really, the cross is so imposing and amazing.

This is probably the best photo I took of anything, ever.

          If you want to know more about the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), you may visit the official website of the Province of Bataan, here:

  http://www.bataan.gov.ph/index.php/DAMBANA-NG-KAGITINGAN.html

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 1 at the Westnuk Beach Cove

Westnuk Beach Cove on a stormy afternoon.

     Our accommodations at the NPC Village includes a free day pass to the Westnuk Beach Cove.  It is located inside the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong.  Before, you cannot go to the Westnuk Beach unless you know someone from the National Power Corporation who could accommodate you as a guest.  But not anymore!  It is now open to the public, but for a minimal fee.  If I'm not mistaken, entrance for day-trippers is around Php 130.00 per person, more or less, with discount for government employees..

     Now that it is accessible to the general public, the secret of its beauty is now out!  And it says so in its website:

Hidden away in the heart of Morong, Bataan, Westnuk Beach Resort is the perfect getaway for weary travelers looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our resort is only a two and a half hour drive from Manila. Getting there is an experience in itself as the roads you travel are filled with scenic views of where the mountains and the sea meet.

Even in its simplicity, Westnuk Beach Resort features comfortable accommodations with scenic ocean views. We cater to friends, families, and even companies seeking to have fun under the sun. For larger groups and company outings we can accommodate over five hundred people at our hotel at NPC Resort Village, a twenty minute ride via our shuttle service. That’s two venues to experience in one convenient package.

Be surrounded by nature unspoiled by man. When you’re not swimming, facilities for basketball, beach volleyball and karaoke are available for you to enjoy. Come and enjoy one of the Philippines most beautiful and unspoiled beaches for a holiday you’ll never forget.

     You know what?  NPC got it right.  The roads of Bataan to Westnuk do offer scenic views and are well-maintained; no traffic, too.  And the one from NPC Village to Westnuk Beach showcases rows of fields and clean creeks or streams.  It's very calming.

     It is a treat to go inside the BNPP and to see the Plant itself.  And then, you'll see the cove and it looks amazing.  However, since there was a storm when we were there, we didn't thoroughly enjoy the beach.   At first, the weather seemed fine: the sky was overcast, but no rain.  Thus, we were able to wade in the water but not for long.  Well, the winds started to get crazy and it affected the waves.  Good thing it was a cove so the waves were not intimidating.  Then, the skies suddenly grew darker and darker.  And it started to rain hard.

No rain yet.

But the waves came in succession,turning sea water to foam/bubble.

Heavy rain started to pour, and the waves got a little bigger.

See the rocks in the background shrouded by the rain.

     The Westnuk Beach also offers overnight accommodations, but it is almost always full.  Their ocean-view two-storey guest pavillion has four air-conditioned rooms and three regular rooms able to accommodate a total of forty-two guests.   If you can't get a reservation at the beach, the NPC Village and the NPC Hotel, 15-20 minutes away by car, are the alternatives.

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 1 at the NPC Nuclear Power Village

     Since I am just a short post away from wrapping up my Macau travel adventures, I'm going to blog about my Bataan adventures since I've been itching to do it for a long time already.

     If you remember, last August 2011, the Philippines had a rather extra long weekend because of several holidays.  So, I was so flustered thinking about being stuck at home.  I wanted to go to Baguio but my reservation was put on-hold and when it was finally okay, it was already too late to go.  Anyway, my family and I ended up staying at the National Power Corporation's Nuclear Power Village in Bagac, Bataan.

     It was my third time to set foot in Bataan.  The first one was when I was in college; the second one was for a 2-day work-related matter. But the road we took going to Bagac was different from the one I used before, so it was like my first time going to Bataan.

     Anyway, I liked Bataan.  In fairness, the roads are wide and paved; there are a lot of trees and really, nature still abounds.  However, there are not too many vehicles on the road and Bagac is like 2 to 2 1/2 hours away from Manila.

     To reach the NPC Village, which is now open to the public for rentals of the villas, is really easy.  It's after the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower, turn right from the gas station and you're there.

The Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower

    The Village is past its glory days.  Really.  The houses are sad looking and old, but for its price, its okay.    I think I paid around Php 3,000  with discount, for 2 days and 1 night.  However, if you need to use a ref, the tv or a gas burner, you'd have to rent it for a fee.  I forgot how much, though. Anyway, they have a maximum number of guests allowed per house but don't worry, they won't make a head count.  We were almost 20 in our group although the allowable people per house is just 10-12.  We didn't pay extra.  If you prefer, they also have a small hotel.

It's easy to know that this place has once been grand.  See the helipad in front of the hotel.

     Most of the amenities are non-operational.  But at least, the pool remains.

But there's a fire station inside!  How cool is that?

     There are 4 huge rooms (or 5?).  We all fit in. I requested for extra sheets and pillows and they didn't charge me for those.

 These are the bungalows.  So huge.  Ours is across this one, but smaller.

These are the abandoned bungalows.

      And bring your own food.  It's difficult to find a place to eat, even at the "bayan."

     There's a good thing about the NPC Village.  It comes with free entrance to the West Nuk Beach at the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.  They also have lodgings at the Beach but it was fully booked so we had to settle with the village.  The catch: it's about 15-25 minutes by car from the Village.  But the trip is all worth it, I promise.

     The NPC Village also has a swimming pool; old but clean and decent, and the compound is huge and good for a stroll or for jogging.  And, there are a lot of guava trees.  We just picked from the trees, with blessings from the guard (he says it'll just get rotten anyway), and the guavas we got were so delicious! Juicy and ripe!  Yum.  We even got to take home some.

The guavas either just fall on the ground or get eaten by birds, like this one.

     And, if you don't know it, you can view from the Village, the famous Las Casas Pilipinas, a resort nearby which painstakingly restored, piece by piece, some of the historic houses, mansions and even school buildings, from around Luzon.  

 Las Casas Filipinas as seen from the NPC Village.

     Finally, I must say that the views here are gorgeous.  See the photo below where the road seems to meet the sea and the skies.

     

Palawan Travel Adventures: Day 3 - El Nido Mangrove Eco-Park

On our third day in Palawan, we went to a mangrove eco-park in Marimegmeg, El Nido. The owners of the resort where we stayed, the Orange Pearl at the Marimegmeg Beach, owns another resort about a 3 to 5-minute drive from the Marimegmeg Beach.  It is located in a mangrove area.  The resort will open sometime this month, June 2014. According to the owners, and if I am not mistaken, the rates for their guesthouses would be around Php 5,000.00 per family room, good for 3 pax.  The owners also told us that they are planning a package that would include stays in both their beach and eco-park resorts.

Eco-Park Guesthouses

The owners constructed a narrow bamboo bridge amidst the mangrove trees that ends up at the water area leading to the open sea.  A small, motorized boat could ferry visitors around.

Walking along the bamboo bridge surrounded by mangrove trees is a first-time experience for me, as well as touring a mangrove area via boat.  The air is definitely cleaner, as the mangroves provide 10x more oxygen. I was glad we went there.  My spirit was refreshed, my mind got clearer, my heart was energized.  It was a leisurely, calming walk.  On the other hand, the boat tour was exciting, at least for me, since I was so looking forward to seeing the water widen into the open sea.

View from the boat ride

The open sea!

Since the Eco-Park is yet to open, I am not sure if tourists can go there on a whim.  Or if there is a fee to gain entry at the Park.  We were able to go to the Eco-Park because we were guests of the owners.  For inquiries, you may contact the Orange Pearl Resort.  They are listed at Agoda.com.

Palawan Travel Adventures: Day 2 - El Nido Island Hopping (Tour A)

Entrance to the Big Lagoon

The highlight of our Palawan trip: island-hopping in El Nido!

I was most excited to engage in this activity. After all, the limestone islands of El Nido are world-famous. And we get to snorkel, too. So, what more can I ask?  Well, another day of island-hopping, probably. 

We sailed on a motorized banca around 9am last Wednesday.  According to our guide, our first stop would either be the small or the big lagoon, depending on the tide.  And from our resort, it would be a 40 minute or so ride.

I guess, we were blessed that day.  The sea was as calm as it could be.  We were literally cutting through crystal-clear, glass-like sea.  There was not even a small wave or a ripple in sight.  The sea was so still that it perfectly mirrored the skies and the islands.  It was so serene and beautiful that I had to utter a prayer of thanks to the Lord for letting me witness the marvel of his creation.  I was glad to be alive.

The islands of El Nido are scattered quite a distance from one another unlike in Caramoan.  No wonder there are 4 types of island-hopping tours, tours a, b, c and d.  And each tour takes up a whole day which I think is perfectly fine.  It is better to enjoy and savor what the islands have to offer than rush from one point to another.

For Tour A, we went to the Big Lagoon, the Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, the Seven Commandos Beach and the Secret Lagoon.

The Big Lagoon is located somewhere in Miniloc Island, the famed Ayala resort.  The Small Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon are located somewhere there, too. We were quite lucky since there were few tourists.  It was a Wednesday, after all, and the peak season for El Nido had ended in March.  

Limestone formation, Miniloc

Miniloc Resort

As with all the islands we visited, the Big Lagoon is breathtaking.  Achingly beautiful.  The waters in and surrounding the island were a myriad of colors: emerald green, turquoise, aquamarine, deep blue and the prettiest and stunningly vivid azure I have ever seen in my life.  

Anyway, we had a photo ops at the entrance of the lagoon, between two limestone cliffs, or island or whatever it may have been.  We just happily traversed the water on the safety of our boat.

View from inside the Big Lagoon

From the Big Lagoon, we went to the Secret Lagoon, a short distance away.  One by one, we entered a small, sort of triangular crevice.  To safely reach the Secret Lagoon, one must sit on top of the rock-opening, then slide the lower body towards the other side slowly, making sure that your head does not hit the edge of the opening. 

The docking site for the Secret Lagoon.
There is a small beach as shown in the photo.
And yes, the water is crazy clear.

View from inside the Secret Lagoon
Can you see the small triangular crevice?  That is the entrance.

Afterwards, we headed to Shimizu Island for a swim while we wait for our lunch to be cooked.  The boatmen and our tour guide took care of the cooking.

Shimizu Island
The beach is small but perfect for a swim.

The view  from Shimizu Island

Bring your goggles or snorkeling gear.  There are many fishes of various sort even in shallow waters at the Shimizu Island.  Apparently, the island was named after a Japanese scuba diver who died while diving in an underwater tunnel off some sorts per the request of the diver's mother.  If I have to die before an island is named after me, I'd gladly pass.

Fishes abound at the Shimizu Island.
The same is true in every island we visited.

To reach the Small Lagoon, on the other hand, we had to pass through another small rock opening.  For added fun, the tour guides would assist the tour groups in making a sea train.  The first person would be hanging onto a life buoy, with the next person holding onto the feet of the first person and so on and so forth.  The tour guide would then pull the life buoy and the train into the narrow passageway which is just enough for a one or two persons to fit in at a time.  Corny, but it was fun nonetheless.

Inside the Small Lagoon

Our final stop was the Seven Commandos Beach.  A resort is currently being constructed but the bar is open and fully operational.  They sell drinks at tourist prices.  The beach, though, is beautiful, the shoreline is wide, and the water, shallow.  Plus, the view is just so picturesque.

Seven Commandos

Still at the Seven Commandos

The skies turned slightly gray and the waves became bigger.  The fair weather was turning into a cloudy one.  Hence, the dark horizon as pictured above.  But the view remained beautiful.

I told you...the water on this beach is  shallow.
Crystal-clear.  The sandy shoreline, wide.

My office mates, who grew tired from island-hopping, wanted to return to the resort even though it was only past 2pm.  Oh well.  I just vowed to myself that I shall return to El Nido.

Post script:  Going to the Seven Commandos beach, I saw a pawikan swimming in the sea.  I thought it was a huge piece of plastic bag, colored green.  But when we got closer, it was a sea turtle.  Like a child, I squealed in delight.  To see one means you're lucky.  And I was the only  one who saw it in our group.  Yay!