Sagada

Sagada is a 5th class town in Mountain Province. It is located in the north of Manila. It is in the right part of Bontoc the capital of the province. It has a cold climate for its high location. It is a good place to relax, trek, water rappel and climb.

How to get there?
It is a 13-14 hours from Manila. There are many ways in getting to Sagada from Manila but the most route that most of the tourists use are via Baguio and via Banaue.

Via Baguio:
Manila to Baguio - 6-7 hours (P450.00)
Baguio to Sagada - 6-7 hours (P350.00)

*Terminals of bus going to Baguio are in Cubao, Sta. Cruz and Sampaloc)

Via Banaue:
Manila to Banaue - 9-10 hours (P600.00)
Banaue to Sagada - 4-5 hours   (P300.00)

*Terminals of bus going to Banaue is in Sampaloc, Manila)

The travel time either via Baguio or Banaue is the same its just the fare that matters, via Baguio is P100.00 cheaper than via Banaue. If you want to see the majestic beauty of Banaue Rice Terraces just go there via Banaue.

Where to Stay?
I actually don't know if there are hotels in Sagada but I am sure that there are many hostels, motels, luggage inn where you can stay. It is also okay if you will find a place to stay when you arrive in the town so you can negotiate for the price of the room you wanted.  Usually every person must allocate a P500.00 each night for his bed to sleep on. Don't worry for the aircon because you won't need it for the cold climate in the place.

Places to visit in Sagada?
Sagada has many tourist attractions, if you wanted to visit all these famous destinations a 3 days and 2 nights vacation would be enough.

Banaue Rice Terraces

Since we do the Manila-Banaue-Sagada route we went to Banaue to see its famous Rice Terraces.

With the Ifugaos

As you stop over to the view decks in Banaue you can have picture with the natives in Banaue, just give them any amount for it.

Sagada Post Office

Before you can go to diferent places in Sagada you need to pay for the environmental fee of P40.00 and outside the office are the different local tour guides to be with you in different tourist spots in the place, just bargain the price that will fit your budget.

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

It is an old stone church in Sagada.

Outside the Church

Church Bell Tower

Hanging Coffins

It is one of the famous tourist spot in Sagada, locals says that there are atleast 18 coffins hanging there. They said that it is their culture before to hang the coffins beside the mountains but as time goes by the local government is not allowing to practice that culture anymore.

Echo Valley

This place is famous because as you shout and say something your voice has echo for a reason it is called Echo Valley.

Mt. Kiltepan

It is the most visited place in Sagada. This place became famous after the movie of Angelica Panganiban entitled "That Thing Called Tadhana"

P30.00 is the tour guide fee for each person to reach Mt. Kiltepan.

Sea of Clouds

Mt. Kiltepan is also called the "Sea of Clouds." From time to time this view changes, in my case for 5 minutes the clouds will appear and after that the mountain will appear and the clouds go to side.

Sunrise in Mt. Kiltepan

Usually tourists go in here during midnight and wait for the beautiful view of the sunrise.

*In going to Mt. Kiltepan there is a public jeepney to ride on but if you are using a private car and ask someone to lead you there, you need to pay for the guide.

Sagada Town Hall

Sagada Public Market

Bokong Falls

There is a famous falls in Sagada the Bomod-ok Falls but unfortunately the rain falls when we are heading there so we decided not to push through for our safety purposes. There is no entrance fee here and it is not a big falls like others.

You can see this signage as you go to Bokong Falls. From the entrance you need to walk for atlest 20-30 minutes to reach the falls.

Entrance of Sumaguing Cave

If you want to experience a different kind of adventure you can try spelunking in Sumaguing Cave. You need to pay P35.00 for the environmental fee and P250.00 for the guide.

This signage will welcome you as you go down to the cave.

Rock Formation in the Cave

Lime Stones

There is a part in the cave that you need to remove your shoes or slippers because the next part is very much slippery that can cause an accident.

One of the best experience in this spelunking activity is you can't hold anything but a rope to go up and go down.

Don't worry if you are a solo traveler because there are many people inside who do the same activity.

Marlboro Hills

It is one of the tourist spot in Sagada, wonderful thing about this place is its the only area that has a blue-white sand. You need to climb for 1-2 hours to reach this area of mountain.

You need to pay P150.00 each for the tour guide to reach this place.

Huge Trees as you go to Marlboro Hills.

You need to climb 3 mountains to reach the Marlboro Hills.

Rock Formations in the Mountains

Noah's Ark

This place is called Noah's Ark because of its unique design that looks like a big ark.

Welcome to Sagada!

Sagada is indeed a very wonderful place. A perfect destination to feel relaxed in your life and one of the best location if you are looking for adventure.

My Perfect Smile in Sagada :)

Summary of Expenses:

Manila to Banaue -                                 600.00

Banaue to Sagada -                                300.00

Tour Guide Fee in Mt. Kiltepan -           30.00

Tour Guide Fee in Marlboro Hills -        150.00

Tour Guide Fee in Sumaguing Cave -    250.00

Sumaguing Cave Environmental Fee -   35.00

Accomodation (2days) -                         500.00

Food -                                                     1,000.00

Tips 

1. Money

Bring as many money as you can because for sure you will spend a lot in this tour. 

2. Food

Have you rice cookers, can goods, cup noodles, 3-1 coffee for you to eat and drink. There is no fast foods in Sagada and the foods in carenderia are very expensive. The complete meal is P150.00 and take note you can't buy rice only in case that you have canned goods with you.

3. Tour Guide

The rate for 12 persons  and 13 persons up are different so better tell to the tour guide that you are less than 12 in case that you are more than the minimum number of tourists.

I will not forget my Sumaguing Cave experience because you are required to pay P250.00 for the guide but what I did is to pretend that I am one of the group who pay the tour guide and use my own cellphone to light my way. 

4. Route

What we did when we went to Sagada is Manila-Banaue-Sagada route but when we go back to Manila we do the Sagada-Bagui-Manila route to have a side trip in Baguio City.

Have a safe trip Wanderers!

Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is located in Oriental Mindoro, it is one the favorite and popular tourist destination in the Philippines specially during summer time. It has very clean and clear beaches, white but not so fine sand there are also a lot of activities you can do while you are staying here.

How to get there?

It is 3-4 hour ride from manila. There are many terminals of bus in manila going to batangas port located in Cubao, Pasay and Gil Puyat. The fare is 150.00 for one way ride. Then from batangas port you need to ride a boat to Puerto Galera for 530.00 round trip. There are 3 station where you want to go in Puerto Galera, the Mulle Pier, Sabang Beach and White Beach Puerto Galera, but the tourists usually go in famous White Beach because many of the activities are located there. You are also required to pay for the environmental fee of 50.00.

Boats going to Puerto Galera 

None of the passenger is wearing life vests because you are not required to wear it but is available inside the boat.

Where to stay?

There are many hotels near the beach where you can stay but quite expensive specially if it is located in beach front. Since I am a cheap traveler I find any local houses near the place where can I stay then I found the house of Ate Neth (0917-253-2756) which I negotiate in the cost of 600.00 only for a night that includes 1 room with 2 electric fan and 3 bedrooms. The bathroom that they use in their house is what I use. Her house is only a 3-5 minute walk from the beach.

Things to do

There are a lot of activities you can do in Puerto Galera like banana boat, snorkeling, jet ski, fish feeding and beach hopping.

What I did here is only Beach Hopping, we negotiate to the owner of the boat to bring us in 3 beaches (Sabang Beach, Long Beach and Nagura Beach) for only 1,200.00 for 4 persons.

Beach Hopping

Sabang Beach

Sabang beach one of the famous beach in Puerto Galera for it's night life activities, It has white sand with some rocks at the side of it.

Long Beach

Long Beach also has a clear water and white sand.

Nagura Beach

Nagura Beach has many rock formation that is a good background for picture taking.

White Beach

White Beach has a very clear water and white sand but because it is the most famous beach it is kinda crowded when you swim.

Puerto Galera must be one of your bucket list where to go specially during summer, first reason is it's near in metro manila, second you don't need much amount of money to have a wonderful and enjoyable vacation.

I Love Puerto Galera

Summary of Expenses:

Manila to Batangas                                                -150.00

Round Trip Boat Ride                                            -530.00

(Batangas Port - Puerto Galera - Batangas Port)

Environmental Fee (Round Trip)                           -100.00

Accomodation(4pax)                                              -600.00

Beach Hopping(4pax)                                             -1,200.00

Food(2days and 1night)                                          -300.00

Anilao Beach

If you are looking for a beautiful beach but you don't have enough budget I can suggest the beach in Anilao, Batangas. Anilao is one of the barangay in Mabini, a town in Batangas. 

 (Anilao Beach)

The beach is definitely clear that speaks for its cleanliness. It may not have a white sand but the small pebbles in the shore makes you feel relaxed while you are walking here.

(Some beaches has a sand bars but Anilao Beach has a rock bars) 

How to go to Anilao

There are buses in Buendia or Cubao that are bound to Batangas City just get off to Batangas City Bus Terminal for a travel time of 3-4 hours. From the terminal, ride a jeepney to Mabini and tell to the driver that bring you to Anilao port, it is a 30 minutes to 1 hour ride.

(View from Anilao Port)

Tipid Travel Tips

Don't go to resorts

Some blogs are saying that from Anilao Port ride a tricycle to go to any near resorts but why do you need to pay for the entrance fee and cottages if you can have it for free. The beach is only walking distance from the port and it is for public use, meaning to say you can enjoy view of the beautiful sea and swim as long as you want for free.

Bring Tents
If you are worried about where you can stay or where can you put your things, a tent would be enough to make you feel comfortable and safe while you are in the beach. There is no fee if you will bring your tent and set it up in the shore.

Use a Public Comfort Room
Since you are not checked in to any resorts you don't have any privileged to use a comfort room but there are comfort rooms near the port where you can take a shower for only 20.00 and many locals are offering their bathroom for the same price.

Expenses
Manila to Batangas City Bus Terminal         - 160.00
Batangas City Bus Terminal - Anilao Port    - 40.00
Anilao Port to Batangas City Bus Terminal  - 40.00
Batangas City Bus Terminal - Manila           - 160.00
Use of Comfort Room                                   - 20.00
                                                         TOTAL: 420.00

My picture that summarizes the beautiful view and the clear water of the beach.

Ilo-Ilo and Guimaras

I've been to Ilo-Ilo and Guimaras for only 3K including my Airfare, Accomodation, Terminal Fee, my DIY (do it yourself) tour and food. Take note, it is my first time to travel alone all by myself and it turned out to be one of the best experience happened in my life.

Sa totoo lang last year pa tong gala ko, it was on last December 4-6, 2015. So the question is paano ko nagawa yung 3K lahat-lahat na? 

1. Plane Ticket (Cebu Pacific)

Bilang kuripot akong traveler at wala naman talaga akong madaming pera masipag akong tumingin at maghanap ng mga promo sa website ng Cebu Pacific or Air Asia honestly di ako masyadong natingin sa PAL kasi bihira naman talaga silang magkaroon ng promo. Mid September I saw the promo from the website of Cebu Pac that you can travel to any Philippine Destinations for only 499.00 sa totoo lang wag kayong maniniwala kapag nakalagay sya sa website kasi madami pang other fees na kasama yun but stil I can say na mura pa rin yung nakuha kong ticket going to Ilo-Ilo.

(In the picture is my plane ticket and you can see there that my booking was confirmed on September 19, 2015 given the fact na December 4, 2015 pa yung lakad ko it's because the promo is given to customers on a cheaper price pero medyo matagal pa yung alis.)

(My receipt as a proof na 1,185.00 llang ang binayaran ko for my Airfare)

2. My Accomodation (Ong Bun Pension House)

I'm not after sa magandang klaseng hotel para matulog since I only have a limited budget for my trip, lalo na matutulog lang naman ako at hindi ako para mag stay doon ng matagal. Hindi siya pangit pero hindi din siya sobrang ganda. My belief as a traveler is im in one place for the tourist spots and not for a very comfortable place para tulugan. My room costs for only 330.00 for one night, since I spend 2 nights in Ilo-Ilo the total price of my room is 660.00 and it is walking distance from Robinsons Ilo-Ilo. To be honest is mainit sa kwarto kasi electric fan lang pwede ko naman kunin yung kwartong may aircon for only 385.00 konti lang talaga yung difference kaso nung nagpa-book ako ay yan na lang daw yung available room. Good thing in this pension house is pwedeng pagdating mo na lang magbayad hindi katulad ng iba na kailangan ng downpayment for confirmation.

( My room for 2 nights in Ilo-Ilo, there is a television with cable, electric fan, towel but the comfort room is outside the room and can be use by anybody who also stays in the pension house)

3. Transportation

My flight going to Ilo-Ilo is 10:20 pm and I am expecting that by 11:30 pm nasa airport na ko but as usual may mga pagkakataong made-delay yung flight mo so halos 12:00 am na ko dumating sa airport. Always expect na paglabas mo ng airport ay madaming nag-aabang na taxi para ihatid ka sa tutuluyan mo, like in my case may mga offer yung taxi driver na ihahatid ako ng deretso sa Ong Bun kung san ako mag stay for 600.00 so dahil wala akong pera naghanap ako ng ibang means of transpo kaya naglakad-lakad ako at nakita ko yung van na papuntang SM City Ilo-Ilo na 50.00 lang ang pamasahe pero punuan kaya doon na ko sumakay. Pagbaba ko ng SM ay saka ako nag taxi kasi madaling araw na nun at wala ng byahe ng jeep 70.00 yung siningil sakin ng taxi driver, pumayag na ko kasi pagod na din ako sa byahe. 

Nung time na nagpunta ako sa Ilo-Ilo ay 8.00 ang pamasahe sa mga jeep pero dito ay 7.00 lang kaya tuwang tuwa ako at napapamura ang mga gastos ko.

4. Where to go in Ilo-Ilo City

If you will research about Ilo-Ilo, it is famous for different churches that was made over a hundred of years ago. Going to one church to another will only costs 7.00.

(Jaro, Cathedral)

(St. Anne's Molo Church)

Miag-ao Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Simula sa isang lugar papunta sa isa pang tourist attraction ay 7.00 lang except from the Miag-ao Church kasi malayo talaga sya and it will take almost 1 hour going to that place and it costs 45.00 for the jeepney fare, but I can say that it's all worth it.

(Ilo-Ilo Mansion

(Esplanade)

(You can walk through a very relaxing view in Esplanade)

5. Where to eat in Ilo-Ilo

I'm not much into food, but I tried 2 of the best eating stations in the city. Roberto's can be found in almost every streets in the city while Ted's can be found around the mall.

(Roberto's is famous for their siopao)

(Ted's is famous for their Lapaz Batchoy)

(Biscocho Haus where you can buy pasalubong)

6. How to get to Guimaras

There are 2 ports in Ilo-Ilo going to Guimaras. I don't have any idea where to go in Guimaras, I just took a risk to go there. I actually don't have any idea that there are 2 ports going to Guimaras sinabi ko na lang sa driver ng jeep san yung pinakamalapit na port ay doon ako dalhin so the driver decided to bring me to the Jordan Wharf port. In the port you need to ride a pump boat to go to Guimaras for only 14.00 for a 45 minutes boat ride.

(Pump Boat going to the Island of Guimaras)

7. Where to go in Guimaras Island

Pagbaba mo ng port ng Guimaras madaming tricycle ang mago-offer sayo na i-tour ka nila pero syempre mahal ang pamasahe then may tourism office sila malapit sa port para malaman yung mga pwede mong puntahan along the island tapos may mga partner silang tricycle drivers kaso mahal pa din so I will suggest to ride a jeep going to different tourist spots.

(Welcome to Jordan, Guimaras)

(Guisi Lighthouse)

My First stop in Guimaras is this lighthouse since eto yung pinakamalayo, walang deretsong byahe papunta sa lighthouse sasakay ka pa ng habal-habal for 100.00 roundtrip.

(Guisi White Beach)

Walking distance lang from the lighthouse yung beach kaya di na kailangang gumastos ng mahal.

(Trappist Monastery)

Here you can buy many pasalubongs such as mango jam, guava jam, ref magnets, key chains and many souvenirs. 

(Mango Farm)

(Guimaras Provincial Capitol)

(Smallest Plaza)

8. Going back to Manila

There is a Van terminal in SM City Ilo-Ilo going to the Airport and the fare is only 50.00 then the terminal fee is 150.00

Expenses

Plane Ticket     - 1,185.00

Accomodation  - 660.00

Transportation  - 600.00

Terminal Fee    - 150.00

Food                 - 400.00