A lake within an island within a lake within an island that is Taal

If you’re tired of ‘just looking’ at Taal Volcano, you can experience a totally up-close experience of Taal by climbing up to the rim of its actual crater.

From Manila, take the Batangas-bound bus and alight at Talisay (a fishing village in Batangas where the boats take off).  Take a jeepney to get to the Talisay port, where you can hire a banca to go to the “volcano island.”

 

 

After the 20-minute boat ride, you can chose between a horse ride (30 minutes) and a walking trek (about 45 minutes).  Taking the horse ride will take you to the rim much faster and a lot less tiring. You can choose to take a horse without a guide but for some reason, the horses are eager to run and gallop away.  So, it is best to take the guide as well. 

 

 

At the end of the trail is a small sari-sari store.  Bring your own bottled water, since everything in the island is overpriced.

What you’ll see is simply a lake inside the crater, a tiny island in the lake, and interestingly, several gas vents further inside the crater blowing out steam.

 

 

The whole trek will last for just about 2 and a half hours depending on how long you stay at the look-out point.  It is best to go in the morning to avoid the crowd and the heat of the sun.

Going up Taal Volcano is an incredible experience, if not for the adventure, then for the breathtaking beauty of the view from up there. This coming summer, if you and your family is planning to go somewhere near Manila, go to Taal.

 

 

 

Photo Wednesday: Secrets

 

 

To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
- Samuel Johnson 

 

Boracay, an island  in the province of Aklan in the Philippines, was once a well-guarded secret. Not anymore. People now flock to this island to step on its powdery white sand, swim in its clear blue water, feel its heavenly breeze, and taste its fresh seafood.

Commercialism may have replaced the grandeur of Boracays past, but still, it remains a place of surpassing beauty. It still has "the world's most beautiful stretch of sand" for me.

Encounter with a squall

 

Squall. Defined as sudden, sharp increase in wind speed which is usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow by wikipedia.

According to the same online encyclopedia, in most parts of the Philippines, squalls are called subasko characterized by heavy rains driven by blustery winds. Local fishermen at sea are often on the lookout for signs of impending squalls on the open water and rush to shore at its early hints.

It was only recently that I was able to put a name to the weather phenomenon that I experienced in Palawan, specifically in Snake Island in Honda Bay, last 2008.

It was misty during the boat ride, but the sun eventually showed up when we arrived in the island. Then the strong wind came out of nowhere. It was so strong that it created a momentary sand storm. The particles of sand hit our bare skin like small prickly needles. The wave hitting the shore became rough. The boatmen ran to stop their boats from drifting to the sea. It lasted for about 5 minutes and suddenly stopped. And the sea was perfectly calm again. We were stunned, while the rest went about their business as if nothing happened.

I wasn't able to take a picture nor record it in video as I was busy getting worried if we would ever go home safely or escape it at all.

A Taste of Palawan

This trip was truly unforgettable. Contrary to popular belief, to reach Palawan is not that expensive. With the advent of budget airlines and promo fares, everyone can now travel to such beautiful places as Palawan.    

Arrive Puerto Princesa at 9am, 10am at the latest.  After checking in at your hotel, go around town and try local restaurants.  After early lunch, head to Honda Bay. It makes a good day trip, being just 10km north of Puerto Princesa. You can reach the port for Honda Bay by hiring a tricycle. It is much cheaper.    

 There are seven islands in the bay, and you can visit them all by hiring a boat from Santa Lourdes Wharf. A boat will cost about PhP1000. Do not hesitate to explore beyond the perimeter of your boat. Our boatman was kind enough to guide us. That gave us the courage to snorkel further away from the boat. If you have an underwater camera, bring it!    

    

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Snake Island"][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Mangroves in Snake Island"][/caption]

 

On your second day, head to the Underground River, or to give it its proper name, St. Paul Subterranean River. It is a little way out of Puerto Princesa - more than two hours north by road and another twenty minutes by boat - but it's well worth the trip. Contact a local travel agency to arrange this for you. There is not much difference in terms of cost, compared to commuting.    

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="beach outside the Underground River park"][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="the beach"][/caption]

 

Besides, the road is a little bit (wink) rough on the body even with a brand new vehicle. After a rough massage (due to the rough road), you will also experience a bit of a shower (thanks to the rough seas during the boat ride). To preserve the park, only a controlled number is allowed in the area for a certain period of time.  So, depending on who registers first, there’s a bit of waiting involved.       

To get to the underground river, you have to pass by this beautiful forest. Watch out for the naughty monkeys.. they tend to catch you off guard with your plastic bags. In fact, your travel agent will warn you against bringing one inside the park. Also look out in the area for its famous resident, large monitor lizards (bayawak). If you go with a group tour, lunch will be served in the park grounds.    

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="551" caption="Underground River"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_699" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="underground (Photo Credit: Christy)"][/caption]

 

On your third day, take the bus to go to El Nido. This is limestone island country, with spectacular formations rising from the sea everywhere you look. The bus (Eulyn Joy Liner) usually leaves Puerto Princesa at 4am. Get the number of the owner from your hotel or resort.  Call or text for reservation.    

The bus ride takes for about 10hours. 12 hours when mechanical problems occur (which is most likely to happen).  Be prepared to take it rough.     

 

[caption id="attachment_700" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Small Lagoon"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_701" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Big Lagoon"][/caption]

 

To make the most of your island hopping adventure in El Nido, it is adviseable to start it the day after your arrival.  Take package C. It cost about PhP2500 per person. Rest early.  All the lights are turned off at 12mn.  The town electricity is courtesy of a generator.  In this area, almost all houses (whether native or fully cemented) utilize solar energy.               

For your trip back to Puerto Princesa, the bus leaves El Nido at 9am. You will reach Puerto Princesa at around 11pm. Do not forget to inform your hotel of your plans before leaving for El Nido.  Otherwise, they might not let you in when you arrive at an ungodly hour or give your room away to other guests. Transportation from the terminal to your hotel will not be a problem.  Just be prepared to pay the price.  What will normally cost you at PhP7 per person, will cost around PhP50-70.       

 On your last day, go shopping for pasalubongs at the local marketplace.  Recommended: pearls.  Ask around for a legitimate shop.  (Apparently, pearls are much cheaper in Puerto Princesa City than in Coron)     

Palawan is truly unforgettable...    

     

for more photos, click here.    

     

Expenses (2008):    

Cebupacific roundtrip to Puerto Princesa (P1 promo): PhP1650
Bus to El Nido: PhP250/one way
Puerto Accomodation: PhP630/night
El Nido Accomodation: PhP300/night
Honda Bay Boat Rental: PhP1000
Honda Bay Mask rental: PhP100/each
Underground River Tour: PhP1300/pax
     

Contacts:    

Rengel Hotel (Puerto Princesa City): 09273141288
Marina Garden resort (El Nido): 0917 624 7722; marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com;   http://marinagardenelnido.multiply.com
Eulyn Bus Liner: 09214982299
Underground River Tour: 09285030395  
 

     

 

Suggested Itinerary for Puerto Princesa – El Nido

Palawan is paradise. The Philippines has 7,107 islands. 1,768 of those can be found in Palawan. That being said, it does not come as a surprise why it is a sanctuary to a diverse variety of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Not only that. It is blessed with a majestic landscape that never ceases to astound its visitors. Find out how, here.

 

Day 1

9am – ETD Manila for Puerto Princesa

10am – ETA Puerto Princesa

1030am – settle down at hotel

11am – lunch

1130am – ETD Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

1155am - ETA wharf

5pm – ETD Honda Bay for Puerto Princesa

7pm – dinner

 

Day 2

7am – ETD Puerto Princesa for Underground River

9am - ETA Underground River jump off point

12nn – lunch at the picnic ground

3pm – ETD Underground River for Puerto Princesa

6pm – dinner

 

Day 3                                                                         

4am – ETD Puerto Princesa for El Nido                              

3pm – ETA El Nido

330pm – settle down at resort                                               

4pm – walking tour of town, falls, caves                            

6pm – dinner                                                              

12mn – lights out

 

Day 4                                                                         

6am – ETD for island hopping tour (package C)           

5pm – ETD for El Nido town

6pm – dinner                                                              

12mn – lights out       

 

Day 5                                                                         

9am – ETD El Nido for Puerto Princesa

9pm – ETA Puerto Princesa

 

Day 6

10am – ETD Puerto Princesa for Manila 

11am - ETA Manila

Pasig River Cruise: A Cheap Day Tour

Brief Historical Facts    

• The river is 24 kilometers long from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay.


• It has been used for trading by pre-Hispanic traders (one reason why Binondo flourished in the past as well as in the present).


• Its riverbanks was the inspiration of several masterpieces both by foreign artists as well as talented Filipinos (an example is the song “Mutya ng Pasig” composed by Nicanor Abelardo).


• The Malacanang Palace (the official residence of the President of the Philippines) is situated along its bank.


• There are a total of 13 bridges that cross the river.

Where is the best place to start the cruise  

• Plaza Mexico Station, Intramuros, Manila


• A 5-minute walk from Manila Cathedral.


• From Manila Cathedral, walk to the right until you see Jollibee, and then turn left towards the Pasig River.  Follow the riverbank, you will never miss the Plaza Mexico Station.

  

What is the schedule of trips 

• for the latest trip schedule, contact prrc@prrc.com.ph or pasiglahin@yahoo.com.ph, and 926-5232 or 882-5734.

                                    Schedule at the Plaza Mexico Station

How much    

• Php 60.00 from Plaza Mexico Station to Pinagbuhatan Station.
• Php 20.00 flatrate for students.
• Php 45.00 from Plaza Mexico Station to Guadalupe Station.

                                  "Photo Credit: Ironwulf"

How long    

• Two hours from Plaza Mexico Station to Pinagbuhatan Station.
• One hour from Plaza Mexico Station to Guadalupe Station.

What to bring    

• There are no food or drinks for sale on board the ferry, so bring your own or eat something before the trip.
• Eating is allowed aboard the ferry.

What is the ferry like  

What can I see    

• Malacañang Palace (if you are coming from Plaza Mexico Station, sit at the left side) (taking photos is prohibited at this point)
• National Post Office
• Factories
• Harsh reality called 'Poverty'
• Bridges
• Makati City Hall
• Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure

    

      

     

If I want to experience all stations, how do I return to civilization    

• Do not get off at the last station, which is Pinagbuhatan Station.


• Ask the ferry staff if you can get off at Kalawaan Station (the second to the last station, and the station where the ferries park).


• From the Kalawaan Station, go to the highway and take the tricycle to go to the 'Pasig Market.'  The tricycle ride costs only Php10.00.


• At the Pasig Market, take the jeepney with the signboard "Crossing Ibabaw" or "Quiapo."  If you choose to get off at Crossings in Boni, it will cost you Php10.00, and Php23.00 if you choose to get off at Quiapo.

Efforts to Rehabilitate    

• The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission was established in 1999 to revive the river.


• Mission: “To restore the Pasig River to its Class-C condition by applying bio-eco engineering and attain a sustainable socio-economic development.”


• Vission: “A Pasig River, Clean and Alive, reflecting the country’s noble history and socio-economic progress.”

How can I help 

• Donate. Piso para sa Pasig: Help clean up the Pasig River just by texting! Type GIVE ILOG and send to 231 for Smart or Talk ‘N’ Text subscribers and to 2366 for Globe, Touch Mobile, and Sun Cellular subscribers. Every time you text, you are giving life to the Pasig River.


• Volunteer. Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig: Call them at (02) 416-1911 or (02) 4152272 local 3797 or check their website, here.

Photo Wednesday: Lesson of Worship

                                                                                                                                                                                            

The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Started as a pagan practice in the province of Aklan in the Philippines, Ati-atihan is now celebrated as a religious festival  held every third Sunday of January in honor of Santo Niño (Infant Jesus).

 

Get to know an Ilonggo

If you are traveling to the islands of Iloilo or Negros in the Visayas, or you would just like to get to know an "Ilonggo," read on.

Their one peso is pisos
Their bathroom has at least one lugod (a rock with rough surface used the same way as a luffa) (or one for every family member).
Their mother makes them drink Mirinda or Royal Tru Orange when they have a fever, which is supposed to make them feel better.
Sinamak (a local condiment made of vinegar and lots of chili) is a staple on their dining table (the best Ilonggo invention if you ask me... it was even banned on airplanes long before 911)
Their toyo (fish sauce)  is patis and their patis (soy sauce) is toyo.
Their hipon (prawn) is "lokon."
Their alamang (shrimp) is "hipon."
Their kanto (street corner) is "bangga."
They use atsuete (achuete) for their adobo and refer to pinaksiw (fish in vinegar sauce) as pinamalhan
Their daily meal will likely include laswa (soup made with green leafy vegetables) , kbl (kadyos, baboy, langka), ginat-an nga tambo with tugabang and okra, ginat-an nga munggo (monggo beans with coconut milk), linutik, apan-apan (a relish or appetizer made from kangkong stems), etc.
November 1 means eating ibus, suman, suman latik, kalamay-hati, bayi-bayi, valenciana or other native delicacies with glutinous rice and coconut milk.
They call those they love palangga, pangga, langga or Ga.
They call their siblings or cousins inday, nonoy or toto... the househelp may call them the same.
They call those who are older than they are manang or manong.
They catch the attention of sales attendants by calling them "day" or "to."
Their childhood games include tumba patis, taksi', panagu-ay, balay-balay, ins, tin-tin baka, holanes, etc.
They used to be (or still are) scared to go out at night lest they meet the aswang (vampire-like creature), tik-tik (a type of aswang), tayhu, kapre (evil-giant that lives on trees), kama-kama, morto (ghosts), etc.
Their grandparents read Yuhum magazine.
They call a person, thing, place, and event "kwan" when they forget it (si kwan, ang kwan, sakwan).
They understand that "Particulars Keep Out" sign means outsiders keep out.
They use words such as "ahay" (expression of pity, grief, empathy), "yuga" (expression of disbelief, surprise), "ambot ah" (to say they don't know, expression of impatience).
They often start their sentence with "ti."
They say goodbye by saying "halong."
Their favorite cusswords are "linte" (if they are slightly pissed off), "lilinti-an" (if they are now really pissed off) and finally "yodip*ta" (if they are pissed off big time).

Familiar? Now you know them better.

DISCLAIMER:
a friend forwarded to me an email similar to the one above and I found it amusing, so I decided to post it here (with a few tweaks).

A tip from one traveler to another

My photographs are precious to me.  They are my sole souvenirs to the places that I have visited.  They are the tangible manifestations of my emotions. Once lost, they can never be replaced.  I can go back and take the same shot, but it will never be the same. The mood, the lighting, the weather can never be replicated.

I read an article about this blog where people who lost and have found lost cameras go to report or find them. Although based in the US, who knows. Check the blog, here.  It also contains a useful suggestion, which I implement with my own memory cards.  I believe that every responsible camera owner should do the same with their own cameras and memory cards.

These memory cards, other than storage for our photos, are also a data storage.  So, put a short text document in the memory card containing your relevant contact information (e.g. name, phone numbers, etc.).  I place this information under a separate folder under the title, “open me if found.”

I hope this has been and will be useful to you. Hopefully, when you do find a lost camera or memory card, take time to find its owner and return it.

According to the blog, “The good will return the camera. The average will keep the camera and return the memory card. The evil will keep the camera and the pictures for themselves.”

Who will you be?

19 hours in Kansas City, MO

I woke up at 4am.  Showered and headed to the airport at 430am.

5am. Arrived at the Charlottesville Airport.

Checked in without any problem.

6am. I was supposed to be up in the air already.

Everyone was agitated. My companions were worried. They needed to leave right away, or else they would miss their connecting flight to Japan, and hence, Manila.

7am. Still no word from the ground crew of NWA.

There was a line forming. People were on the phone. I got out hoping to get answers from the check-in people. The line was long there too. I got back inside. Went back to our line. I asked the lady in front of us for the number of NWA.

8am. Still on the phone. Still no feedback from NWA ground crew.

The reservation agent on the phone could not get me an earlier flight. I asked if I could have it cancelled instead. She said I would have to ask my travel agent about that. I borrowed my companions laptop to get the number of CheapTickets. Good thing there was free wifi in the airport.  CheapTickets said that a cancellation was not possible, because there were 2 different segments in my flight. I asked if a rebooking was possible. They said it was for NWA to decide. My turn with the NWA ground crew finally came. I was talking on the phone and talking to the crew at the same time.

I let them talk it through. They said: I can have my flight rebooked, but since the flight was not officially cancelled, I will need to pay a rebooking fee. No way! I decided to go ahead with the travel.

I was rerouted to Washington D.C. and put on a 1pm flight.

9am. I waited in line for the taxi to take us to Washington D.C. The taxi finally arrived. But it could not accomodate me anymore. I waited.

930am. I was headed to Reagan International Airport in Washington D.C. I had the taxi all to myself.

Two hours later, I arrived at Reagan International Airport.

1pm. I boarded the plane. It was delayed. Naturally, I arrived late in Minneapolis-St. Paul and missed my connecting flight to Kansas City.

I was put on the next flight, which does not leave till after 2 hours.

730pm. I finally arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. Whew!

1pm the next day. I was headed to the airport to catch my 2pm flight back to Charlottesville, VA. I stayed in the city, for barely 19 hours. Played a little bit in the casino. Ate at a buffet. Slept. Had brunch. Did a little shopping. Shops do not open till 12noon during sundays. What bad luck.

It was my worst travel experience yet. Once is enough. I hope it does not make a repeat ever.

Photo Wednesday: Dark Light

 

In life, we are given choices. To go left or right, to go up or down, to do right or wrong, or to go with the light or remain in the dark. It is up to us.. How about you? Where do you go?

 

 

(Photo: New York, 2005)