We took PAL flight going to Dumaguete for this trip to Siquijor. We had to be at the airport at around 5am for our 7am flight. And so 3 nights in a row didn’t get enough sleep because i finished all my work before leaving for a vacation. And besides, don’t want to be thinking of pending work whilst im on vacation.

Aboard the flight , something strange happened to me. Twenty minutes on air and i started feeling nauseaus, tense, tired, palms and feet cold, heart beating so fast (almost as if it was about to explode), dizzy. I called the attention of the PAL stewards and they gave me bonamine. But still my palpitaions didn’t stop. A medical practitioner onboard took my blood pressure and announced that once we land in Dumaguete airport i should go straight to the nearest hospital and have an ECG. Thinking that must be bad. Never felt this tired before. Maybe it was the lack of sleep (for 3 straight days) that’s making my body weak.

Alas, we arrive at Dumaguete Airport but as what the PAL people promised i would get an ambulance to transport me immediately to the hospital, it was a broken promise. I could’ve died there and then. Poor service . Although they’ve provided a wheelchair for me ; no ambulance came. We had to get our own taxi. Imagine that!

Anyway, upon arrival at the hospital , nurses said my blood pressure returned to normal. What a relief. Maybe the witches of Siquijor are awaitiing my arrival and cast a spell on my tired body to heal immediately so i can visit them.

We rode a 1 hour ferry going to Siquijor from Dumaguete. It was uneventful and spent mostly sleeping on board.

Upon arrival at Larena Port in Siquijor we were met by our long time friend Rose and her husband ready to show us the beauty of the island. I was stunned by the  beauty of Siquijor with its quiet town, friendly townsfolk, lush greenery, clean beaches. How can the mangkukulams live in this peaceful place. The serenity of it would drive any evil minded supernatural being out of its wits.

I instantly fell in love with Rose’s house overlooking the beach. All day you here the waves crashing near their front steps. It is way too relaxing.

We didn’t waste time and started our trip to the island. Went to the old Churches/Convent, Cambugahay Falls, 1oo yr old Balete tree, Capilay Spring park, salagdoong beach resort, Cantabon Caves. We missed Bandilaan National Park because of time constraint.

Then we visited Coco Grove Beach Resort where Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt stayed. Very nice resort.

Coco Grove

For group bookings/reservations call 632-7747876 or 0917-9955487 or 0908-8641572.

Go to website www.viajeroyale.com for further inquiries.

12th of Nov 09 i found myself boarding a bus at exactly 11 pm bound to Vigan Ilocos Sur alone. I’ve decided to do this alone because no one wanted to join me in this trip. This would be my second time to Vigan and all my friends wouldn’t want to go back because of the long trip they have to endure.

Anyway, paid Php 585 for a one way ticket. Bus conductor did not return the change of Php 15. What the heck, it’s the first tip he got for the day. I was wishing i could ride the Partas 28 seater bus for a more comfortable ride but then wasn’t able to reserve a seat.

It was an uneventful ride with short stop at the dau pampanga terminal, one i think in Tarlac, another loo stop somewhere in Pampanga and when we passed by Candon city i knew we were nearing Vigan.

Then it happened. When we were about to leave from a loo stop in a town before Vigan, Bus engine stopped working. Just like that. Driver doesn’t seem to make it start and so we are stuck at 800am in a town very near Vigan on a Friday the 13th. I think the ghosts of Vigan gave us a welcome scare.

Eventually we were able to move on. And at last at exactly 945am Friday the 13th my bus dropped me at the Partas bus station in Vigan City.

My friend who is working there took the time off to meet me at the bus stop and show me around. Vigan is not that big and 2 days would be enough to explore the city. First, need to try their famous Sininglaw. It’s a soup with ox tongue, innards, meat. You choose which part you want . Condiments for  this famous soup is the papaitan green thingy. it’s goat bile which can make any dish bitter in taste. It’s very famous in Ilocos and you can find it in a turo-turo anywhere. But for hygiene purposes we choose to eat at La Mirada.

Eat the famous Sininglaw here at La Mirada

I needed a room for the next 3 days. Although i called ahead of time at Casa Teofila (address: Pantay Daya), someone told me it’s kinda far from the center. So we decided to check out Grandpa’s Inn and Restaurant (add: #1 Bonifacio st.). Much after haggling with the rates , poor receptionist gave in . Got the room for Php 1,200 ($ 25) per night with breakfast for two.

Nice hotel, small but cozy, great food, rates good for the budget

Cafe Uno

Vigan is a  UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site. It is a well preserved Hispanic town in the Phils. Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian Building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. As you can see in my pics. . .

Vigan's proud achievement.

Here are some of Vigan’s hotels/tourist inns:

Cordillera Inn

La Feliza - currently under renovation as of writing (Nov 09)

El Juliana Hotel - newly renovated

Rooms here are newer than Grandpa's Inn

Villa Angela - truly a beauty

Tom Cruise occupied one room in Villa Angela

100 yr old beds in Villa Angela

Aniceto Mansion

Vigan Plaza Hotel - owned by the Singson Family

Mode of Transportation in Vigan – Horse drawn carriages or tricycle if you wanna go to one place to the other.

Kalesa as it is fondly called ; is the best way to tour Vigan City . P 150 is what you should pay per ride.

Calesa

When everybody's asleep, sneaked into Calle Crisologo to take this pic - creepy

Hotel Salcedo - newest hotel in Vigan

Must DO list in Vigan:

1. Visit Calle Crisologo.

2. Buy Vigan Longganisa.

3. Go to Empanadaan in Plaza Burgos and buy Vigan Empanada. Eat it there too like the locals (Php 35 each -special)

4. Buy Bibingka at Tiongson’s or Amianance. Very delicious!!!

5. Visit Baluarte and all other museums in Vigan. You’ll learn a little bit of Phil history.

Eat at:

1. Cafe Uno/Uno Grille/Kusina Felicitas – all located inside Grandpa’s Inn. Food reasonably priced.

2. Gaizel’s Carinderia – they have the best dinakdakan i’ve ever eaten . Cheap food.

3. Cafe Leona – Buffet.

4. La Mirada – for their sininglaw

I’d like to thank the hotel owners, managers, receptionists, caretakers who allowed me to take pictures of their rooms and facilities. They’ve been very kind and gracious to tour me around their property.

Should you want to know more about Vigan or inquire on tours to Laoag, Pagudpud contact 774-78-76 or email viajeroyale@gmail.com / viaje_royale@yahoo.com.ph. Check out my website at www.viajeroyale.com

Hi,

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Hi,

I want you to take a look at : Caramoan Adventure, Caramoan camarines sur, Island Hopping, Beach Vacatiions, Package tour, Philippine Beach – Hospitality / Recreation / Travel and Tourism Business Products and Services Philippines

Camarines Sur the premier province of Bicol. The Bicolandia is known for its Famous Mt. Mayon (active volcano) in Albay and delicious pinangat and pili tarts. Little did we know that there are hidden treasures awaiting to be discovered.

Lately , Cam Sur is becoming very famous for its wakeboarding facilities . In fact,

The 2008 WWA Wakepark World Championships at CWC (Camsur Watersports Complex) is ON

Many wakeboarding enthusiats has been travelling to the Philippines because of this exciting new watersports complex.

How to get there:

The Province of Camarines Sur is located in the central part of the Bicol Region, south of Metro Manila. Air Philippines flies daily to Naga Airport in Pili and to Legaspi City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air also have daily flights via Legaspi City. All flights to CWC must first stop in Manila.

CAMAROAN is also in Camarines Sur.

There are many points of interest such as:

B each / Island-Hopping
Gota Beach - Take a 7km motorcycle ride from Centro and celebrate the beauty of life in the these fine white sand beaches beside the majestic limestone rock formations and take an exciting boat trip to exotic island coves nearby.

Lantangan Beach (Pitogo Bay) – Here is something to change your idea of the usual beach. Instead of powdery white sand, piles of smooth-edged stones line the shore, as if purposely laid there by an unseen hand.

Matukad Beach - Postcard perfect scenery, right in front of Gota Beach and can be reached by a motorboat in just 15 minutes. Be delighted with the white puka shells and corals with the unique powdery pink-sand abundant all over the island.

Bichara Island - To the natives of Caramoan, this privately owned beach of the Bichara’s of Naga City is better known as Paradise Island. Indeed, it is a paradise of powder-like sand amidst a crystal clear body of water ideal for beach hopping and scuba diving.

Lahuy Island - A thirty minute drive from Caramoan Centro to Bikal wharf then 15 minutes boat ride from Bikal wharf to the island. The island in an immerse pulchritude of almost endless stretch of white beach. A weeklong exploration of the place, also known as “Treasure Island” would not suffice for someone who really loves nature.

Some of the island destinations waiting to be explored are the long beach in Sohoton, Putting Baybay in Ilawod, Puerto Mina in Cagnipa, Tayac Lagoon in Pandanan, Bulang-bugang Underground Stream in Taisan, Sabitan Laya in Balibagan, Cutivas Island in Gogon, Bag-Ing Island in Haponan, Patag-Belen Waterfalls, Grotto in Mt. Caglao, Ocata Island Lighthouse in Gogon, Borocan Stream in Tawog and Hugsan Waterfalls in Hanopol. Truly, Caramoan is a perfect getaway to spend your most awaited vacation.

Spelunking
Manipis Cave - Located in Brgy Pandanan – alleged to have the hidden treasure of Gen. Yamashita and has rich guano reserve.

Omang Cave – Located in Brgy Ilawod – part of the 347 hectare National Park declared by the late President Quirino trough Proclamation no.20. Explore the grandeur of time-carved natural formation in the profusion of caves.

Tabgon (Culapnitan Cave) – Located in Brgy Libmanan – Experience the thrill of discovering an ancient natural edifice. Find small passageways, get the thrill of climbing rocks and take delight in the majestic stone formations inside.

How to get there:

GETTING THERE (via Naga)
By air: 30 minutes
•Air Philippines (www.airphils.com) from Manila to Naga.

•Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com), and

•Philippines Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com) either to Naga or Legaspi. contact: 774-78-76 for bookings

By land: 8-9 hours
•Isarog Line: departs daily 8:30pm
Manila (Cubao): 913-3551, 438-3916 look for Lino/Bobby
Naga: (054) 473-8804, (054) 473-0428, (054) 811-7764 – Roma/Injean/Edwin
•Penafrancia Tours & Travel Transport, Inc: departs daily 8:30pm-9:00pm
Manila: 913-1528, 736-4101
>>Alabang stop-over: 850-6779
Naga: (054) 473-9063, (054) 811-1197 look for Eden
•Philtranco
Manila: 853-5220, 851-8077-79
- Regular fare ranges from Php 500-650
- Comfort deluxe (reclining seat) ranges from Php 700-750
- Extreme Lazy Boy (a 20-seater bus – the first class of bus lines offered by Isarog Liner) is priced at Php 950

From Naga (airport or bus station): Land transfer to the Port of Sabang in San Jose for 1 hour and 30 minutes. And public boat transfer from Port of Sabang to Port of Guijalo in Caramoan mainland for 2-3 hours (depending on how friendly the waves are), so travel before 12nn to also avoid the torching sun!

There are Resorts that are offering accomodation at Caramoan.

1. La Casa Roa

2. Rex Tourist Inn

3. Villa Juliana

4. Legacy Inn

5. Vista Del Mar

For adventure tours at Caramoan  contact 774-7876

ADVENTURE TOUR OF CARAMOAN
Camarines Sur, Philippines

Inclusions:

• Round trip land transfer – Point of origin is Naga City aboard airconditioned mini-vans(s) to Port of Sabang in San Jose, and back. Ideal departure time from origin is very early morning. From bus station, 1 hour and 30 minutes to port area (will pass by Pili where the CamSur Watersports Complex is located, old houses and establishments, very scenic views of green farmlands, river flows and the majestic Mt. Isarog).

• Round trip boat transfer – Travel on coastal motorized outrigger at Port of Sabang to Port of Guijalo in Caramoan, and vice versa. This motorized boat which caries more than a dozen passengers, is not your typical comfy boat ride (they have yet to develop their port and make more boats that travel to and from) Travel time to mainland of Caramoan island is 2-3 hours (just to show how tight your schedule is, public boat transfers are until 11 am only because afterwards, waves can be a bit temperamental).

• Island Hopping Boat

• Meals – Full Board Meals Buffet Style . Even when you go island hopping , a picnic basket will be prepared to bring along for the trip.

• Tour Guide – Trained, friendly and reliable.

• Accomodation – Airconditioned rooms

Prices starts at 6,500  ($150) – 3d/2n stay , full board meals, boating, tour guide, transfers

*prices subject to change without prior notice.

*accomodations subject to availability

DID YOU KNOW ? CARAMOAN WAS THE PLACE USED BY SURVIVOR (FRANCE) FOR SHOOTING

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google69adb4e3c78e67b3.html

Volunteer Registry – Rekindling the Bayanihan Passion.

In its effort to mobilize volunteers for disaster risk management and response, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the Online Registry of Volunteers last January 23,2007 with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral in simple ceremonies with heads of various non-government organizations, members of the League of Corporate Foundations, civic groups, other organizations and individuals who are or who wish to volunteer their time, talent, and services for disaster operations. Click to read more. . .

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!