Siargao's famous boardwalk at Cloud 9
Siargao is world-famous for surfing due to its waves that barrel up to nine feet high, making it known as the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines".
Siargao is world-famous for surfing due to its waves that barrel up to nine feet high, making it known as the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines".
The third stop in my Guimaras island hopping tour was the popular Turtle Island which is known to be the sanctuary of sea turtles or pawikan. The island is located just across Ave Maria Islet but unlike it, Turtle Island is inhabited.
Beach in Turtle Island, Guimaras
Ave Maria Islet was the second stop in my island hopping tour in Guimaras and my most favorite. It is one of the smaller islands that features some rock formations and a white-sand beach located in Lawi, Jordan. As compared to SEAFDEC, Ave Maria Islet is near from the jump-off point of island hopping which is the Alubihod Beach.
A beautiful patch of beach at Ave Maria Islet
SEAFDEC or the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center was my first destination during my Guimaras island hopping tour. Since this was my first island hopping experience in Guimaras Island, this was also my first time to visit the SEAFDEC facility. The research center is where they breed and study different species of fishes and other marine life--including the biggest Grouper or Lapu-lapu I have ever seen!
One of the cottages at SEAFDEC in Guimaras
Island hopping was the highlight of my solo trip in Guimaras Island. Aside from being known as the home of the sweetest mangoes in the world, Guimaras has a handful of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Some of the best-kept secrets Guimaras Island has to offer include white-sand beaches, waterfalls, springs and off-shore islets. Eager to explore these natural wonders, I grabbed the opportunity to do island hopping in Guimaras when I had the chance to visit the island from Iloilo City.
Island hopping starts from Alubihod Beach, Guimaras
The trip to Camiguin was one of the highlights of our Northern Mindanao adventure. Camiguin is also called as the “Island Born of Fire” as it is believed to have been created from volcanic eruptions. It is the second smallest province in the country yet it boasts plenty of natural attractions and historical sights.
Pulo Islet found in front of Balingoan wharf. There is a big white cross on top of it.
Part of our Northern Mindanao trip was to experience the Divisoria Night Market in Cagayan de Oro City. On our second night, right after our ziplining experience in Bukidnon, we walked down to Plaza Divisoria, a mere 15-minute walk from Budgetel Inn. CDO City downtown looks similar to my home city in Iloilo, where it's fairly easy to walk around. The Plaza Divisoria located in the downtown area is just a typical city park but it transforms into a night market every Friday and Saturday night.
We passed by this monument of "Tribute To The Slain Members of the Press" on our way to the night market
Camsur Watersports Complex or CWC was just an additional trip to our Caramoan escapade. It's located in Pili, the capital of Camarines Sur, which is next to Naga City so those who visit Caramoan usually include CWC as a side trip. CWC has increasingly become a popular cable park not only to local, but foreign tourists as well, because of wakeboarding and other unique watersports. Being the first world-class watersports complex in the country, CWC has tremendously contributed in boosting the tourism industry of Camarines Sur, making the province the "Wakeboard Capital of the Philippines."
Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur
The year 2013 looks very promising for the Philippines in terms of tourism. Why not? DOT did an amazing job in launching and promoting the "It's More Fun in the Philippines" tourism campaign in 2012. It's no wonder that the country is recently getting the limelight it deserves as major international publications agree that Philippines is one of the top destinations in the world for 2013.
If you've been checking out my Travel Photo Friday series, you'd know I love to capture sunrise and sunset photos. But this, I think, is one of the most awesome sunset moments I've seen.
The Coffee Shop Restaurant in Olongapo City, Zambales is famous not for its coffee but jumbo tacos. This is probably the biggest taco I've ever seen and tasted, hence, their tagline "Home of the Jumbo Tacos".
Jumbo Taco Salad with Sour Cream
While researching for a budget-friendly accommodation in Coron, Palawan, I stumbled upon the name of Patrik & Tezz Guesthouse from Pinoy Exchange forum. By budget-friendly, I mean cheap hotel that costs only about P600 and less per night. I didn't hesitate to book with them after learning that their cheapest room only costs P450 a night for two persons.
Lovely view from the window of Patrik & Tezz Guesthouse
Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon is famous for its dual zipline which is said to be the longest in Asia at 840 meters long. So when we decided to take a trip down in Northern Mindanao, we made sure to include it in our list of must-do activities. I'm actually not a fan of ziplines simply because I have a fear of heights but the little daredevil in me said that I should do it. Besides, I didn't want to go home as a loser without trying the Asia's longest!
I survived Asia's longest dual zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park!
Finally, I get to share one of my unforgettable and exciting trips last year which was visiting Mindanao for the first time. We experienced a series of misadventures but Northern Mindanao gave us loads of fun, surprises and adventures that we don't mind coming back again.
Exploring Northern Mindanao
From our accommodation at Jaydees in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, we walked down to Lucap Wharf hoping to see some beautiful scenery to photograph at dawn. We woke up very early but did not really expect the sun rises in this part of Pangasinan.
Unknown to many tourists, found in the northern part of El Nido in Palawan is one of the best beaches in the country I've seen, the Nacpan and Calitang twin beach in Barangay Bucana. It's one of the many off-the-beaten-path destinations you will find in El Nido that's worth a visit. It's isolated, scenic and breathtaking that it truly defines paradise.
Scenic view from the top of a grassy hill in Calitang, El Nido, Palawan
If you're looking for accommodation in Cagbalete, there are only three resorts found in the island namely, Pansacola Beach Resort, Villa Cleofas and MVT Sto. Niño Resort, so there's not much of an option basically. I've first heard about Pansacola and wanted to stay there but their accommodation is quite expensive for solo travelers. Between the remaining two, Villa Cleofas got more good feedback although I was pretty much interested to check MVT when I get there as well.
Dining hall cottage of Villa Cleofas
One of my solo trips this year was going to Cagbalete, a remote tropical island in Mauban, Quezon Province. I've been reading a lot about this place from various blogs for quite some time and after being convinced that it can be done solo, I finally decided to visit the island in March. Cagbalete Island is famous for the occurrence of low tide where water can recede up to one kilometer from the shore, exposing its compact white sand, corals and rocks.
Amazing sand ripples during low tide in Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon
You've seen them in Filipino horror movies. Balete trees, also known as balite or baliti in some provinces, are popular in the Philippines and have been associated with the supernatural. Due to its gargantuan size and entirely bizarre looks, folks believe that it is home to mythical and scary creatures like kapre and engkanto.
Two oldest and largest balete trees in the Philippines
Despite the gloomy skies and morning drizzle, we made a quick visit to St. Michael The Archangel Church before leaving Caramoan island on our last day. The historical church, which is one of the century old churches in Camarines Sur, is located just a short walking distance from Rex Tourist Inn where we're staying.
St. Michael Archangel Church in Caramoan, Camarines Sur
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