travels, travails, journeys...road trips...fun! fun! fun!

Often times, whenever we travel together, it's because we're off to a national competition or we're off to one of 'em road trips a.k.a. team buildings. We enjoy traveling a lot so we've set up our own page about it, to help others who will travel to the same destinations we've been in. All we can tell you about each place is that it's well worth it, and we've had a whole lot of fun!

Boracay

Pristine waters, fine white sand, colorful sunsets, and loads of activities to do, plus parties galore, and who can forget...the climbing is great too!

Activities:

Getting a massage using coconut oil (yum!), kayaking, banana boating, dragon boating, paraw sailing, round trip tour of the island w/ snorkelling, scuba diving, mountain biking, caving, skim boarding, partying, bar hopping, sun bathing (get that golden Boracay glow), jamming with locals, getting corn rows for your hair, and what else... meeting new people.

You MUST do the following before you leave:

1. Eat at the best Mexican Restaurant in the Philippines - Mañana

2. Drink more than 5 flavors (about 2 per day) of fruit shakes at Jonas' (try avocado & mango)

3. Get a massage with coconut oil

4. Go shopping for swimsuits, sarongs, and other souvenirs

5. Meet a babe or a hunk (if you're single) or take your girlfriend/boyfriend paraw sailing

6. Stay on the shore at night and gaze at the stars...wait for shooting stars

7. Walk along the shore at night for the lit sand castles

8. 15 shots at Cocomanga's (drink about 1/4 cup of olive oil before taking the shots--their pizza helps)

9. Get that sunburned golden glow

10. Make your own Boracay adventure

Where to stay:

Pink Patio is a good choice. But if you're planning to stay long, we recommend that you go for a hut to feel the whole island experience. They're even cheaper than the hotels with airconditioning, pools, and cable TV. Besides, why go to Boracay to stay in the hotel? Experience the place, go out and explore.

If you're planning to stay really long, we suggest you rent an apartment (it's way inside Boracay). I think the apartment is called Alice Apartments (or something)... we didn't rent it, but friends of the team did, and they were paying Php 6,000 per month.

Another good way to spend cheaper for lodging is to make friends with the locals when you go there. Establish good relations, keep in touch, and then when you plan to go back to Boracay, just contact them... Voila! You have a place to stay, and for free!!!

So how do you go there?

There are many ways, be it on land, sea, or air.

Land - RORO (Roll-on-roll-off)

The cost: Ranges from Php 750 to 1,300

Duration of the trip: 15 hours

Comment: Tiring, but you get to see a lot of other parts of the Philippines

Sea - MBRS Virgin Mary goes directly to Caticlan

The cost: Cabins are for four at around Php 1,100 to 1,500 each person

Duration: 10 hours

Comment: Clean and comfortable, once you go out to deck it's like you've never seen so much water.

The food isn't that great either.

Negros Navigation and Superferry goes to Iloilo/Kalibo/Roxas

The cost: Cabins range from 4 to 6 bunks at around Php 1,700 to Php 2,000 each

Duration: 15 to 16 hours

Comment: There's a lot to do on the ship - karaoke, bar, playing on the deck, catching a breeze, roaming

the ship.

Air - SEAIR / ASIAN SPIRIT / PACIFIC AIR goes directly to Caticlan

Air Philippines / Cebu Pacific / Philippine Airlines goes to Kalibo

The cost: Php 2,200 and up (one way)

Duration: 1.5 hours

Comment: Take the bigger planes to go there, that means go to Kalibo... if the weather is bad, there's a

lot of turbulence when it comes to the smaller planes (SEAIR, ASIAN SPIRIT, & CORPORATE AIR).

It's fast...you save a lot f time.

Dumaguete

Miel stayed there briefly for a national leg, but what we can tell you about Dumaguete is this: the people are friendly, the food is great, the air is clean, and the city is clean. If ever you do go there, try going to Apo Island - a snorkeling haven. Or even go to Bais and watch out for whales and dolphins. It's also very near Bacolod (about a 3 to 5 hour bus ride), you may also want to go to Cebu... just take the supercat!

San Juan, La Union

We went to La Union to learn how to surf. The swell's great, the wipeout's great too, and what else... the weather's great! Watch out for Luke Landrigan (he's a surfing god). There's nothing much to do in La Union. It's more convenient if you have your own vehicle (that way it would be easy to get into town and travel to every site there is). Well anyway, we stayed at San Juan Surf Resort, really cool cottages at really cool prices. Some cottages have kitchens and they have pots to go along with it... so if you're on a budget, you might wanna get that cottage and cook your own meals. They also rent boards and stuff, they sell them too if you're planning to buy.

We ate at this restaurant across the street from the resort. It doesn't look inviting, but the food is great! A bit expensive, but great! Try their pinakbet...wonderful!

It's best to go there from September to March... Summer time, the waves aren't as high.

How to get there:

There are a few buses that go to North Luzon... we took Fariñas Transit. Smooth ride. If you're planning to save time, take the bus ride that departs at around 11pm... it arrives early morning... it's like you didn't even travel... and when you wake up, lodge and then surf!

Our tip:

If you're planning to go to San Juan, Baguio is just about 2 to 3 hours away. You might wanna drop by. How to get to Baguio? There are a lot of buses that pass by the national road that go to Baguio via Naguilian. Take the ordinary fare, that way as you go higher to Baguio you feel the cool breeze. Make sure you've got your windbreaker ready.

Lamtang, Benguet and Baguio

Lamtang has an extensive length of unrated boulders. The Baguio climbers have been exploring the area and it was only recently that it's been opened to other climbers other than those of Baguio. The rocks have amazing formations. Some have insane crimpers and slopers. To think that the Lamtang boulders stretch all the way to La Union! It's really cool! If your a dang hardcore climber, you might stay at Lamtang for quite a while. At around 1:00pm the fog comes in because Lamtang is a valley. Sometimes, a little drizzle keeps the area moist and alive. Very cool for naturalists...

Go to Northwall, #2 Ferguson Road, for some indoor climbing. The rates are fairly cheap. What's cool about it? You'll see steam rising from your body as finish your climb! The instructors are also nice and hospitable... Look for Boybi, Nuy, Rey, Lito, or Henry.

You might wanna try the following restaurants: Cafe by the Ruins, Don Henricos (the one in Manila just doesn't compare to this branch), 4-5-6, and so many more. You'll definitely see more restaurants along Session Road that will definitely suit your fancy.

How to get there:

There's Victory Liner (the most trusted transit that goes from Cubao/Pasay to Baguio area) if you're coming from Manila, but then say you're coming from La Union or Ilocos, better take any bus (ordinary preferably) that pass by Naguilian Road. It's about a 6 to 7 hour ride. But if you leave on dead hours again, the ride just might take 4 to 5 hours.

Our tip:

Don't leave Baguio without shopping at the Ukay-Ukay. With a fair amount of money, you might be able to buy a whole wardrobe that will last you for a year. If you're looking for rubber shoes, sneakers, leather bags, jackets, etc. That's the place to go!

Bacolod

Crissie and Miel went to Bacolod for the Nationals in May 2004. All they can tell you about Bacolod is this - the people are very hospitable and thee food will satisfy you to death. There are 2 gyms: ROC and South Wall (check out the LINKS for the address and how to contact them).

If you're on a food trip, Bacolod is the place to go. We recommend: Roli's Napoleones (try looking for it yourself for some adventure), Calea's desserts (try the chocolate mousse and chocolate chip cookie sundae), Manokan Country's Chicken Inasal, Palapala Tulahan for some serious seafoods, and lastly Cafe Bob's (it's better than Starbucks and cheaper too).

What to do in Bacolod: Visit the sites, climbing in the gyms, skim boarding by the beach, food trips, oh! The night life is great too!

Where to stay:

The hostels are cheap and clean. We stayed at Pension Bacolod, No.27 11th Street, Tel. No. 433-3377 / 434-7065. They serve breakfast also.

How to get around:

The way Bacolod was designed is similar to how Intramuros was designed - the roads are basically parallel and perpendicular. The main street to remember is Lacson Street. The jeepneys are easy to remember and the taxis are always there. They even have tricycles and pedicabs.

How to get there:

Many ways... land, sea, and air. Our tip? enjoy traveling by sea unless you're in a a hurry.

Los Baños

The team went here for a team building. What we can tell you about Los Baños is this... it's more convenient for you if you have a vehicle to go around... no cabs in the area.

There are way too many hotels, hot springs, resorts, and private pools in Los Baños so it's not so much a difficulty to find a place for yourself or for your family or friends.

We stayed at Blue Palm Resort. It's this huge resort with a huge pool...really huge! We tried racing in "salbabida" back and forth...tiring! The cottages are big and they provide private jacuzzis with hot springs. All in all the place is pretty and relaxing.

Where to go:

UP Los Baños...there are many urban legends to hear and many sites to see. The High School for the arts is also a nice place to visit, the chapel also, and the fertility tree...

If you're looking for food, there are many fast foods, but then, why go all the way to Los Baños to buy fast foods. Go to Aviles/Abiles for bulalo, Dalampasigan for the grilled dishes and seafoods, and Kamayan sa Palaisdaan for Sinugno na Tilapia and other really yummy dishes. We still have food hangovers from the latter 2 restaurants. It's really good! Take our word for it.

Manalmon, Bulacan

Aside from the Lamtang, Boulders, Manalmon is the ultimate bouldering haven in the country. There are many areas to boulder on and many different ratings too. There's even a little river deep enough and clean enough to swim in. It's just wonderful. It's even great to camp in. So don't forget to bring your tents, ground sheets, etc.

How to get there:

We recommend you bring a vehicle. It's very difficult to commute. But if you're in for some cross country biking, there are many trails in the area.

Montalban

Montalban is the rock climbing haven of the country (with Dingle, Iloilo coming to a close second). There are many areas that may suit every climber - beginner, intermediate, advanced, and highly technical. There are multi-pitch routes, boulders, and sport routes. Fantastic limestone faces that are accessible, challenging, and just admirable. Every time you go there, don't forget to log in at Aling Norm's, her spaghetti and fried chicken taste wonderful by the way.

It's better to go there with an experienced climber who can tell you the routes and the grades of each bolted route.

How to get there:

If you're a commuter, go to Cubao and take any jeepney that says Wawa, Montalban. Afterwards, get off at Total and take another jeepney that goes to the climb's jump off point (basically at Aling Norm's). It's even better if you have your own vehicle.

What to bring:

Climbing gear, clothes, toiletries, water, and trail food. It's refreshing to eat and take a bath at Aling Norm's place...just ask for permission and pay her fairly for the bathroom use.

TRAVELING VIA LAND, SEA OR WATER:

We've collected these sites for your convenience...

now all you have to do is add this site to your favorites... hehe :o)

SEA

WG&A Superferry - Ship

Negros Navigation - Ship

Supercat - Ferry that travels in the Central Visayas area for about an hour each trip.

MBRS Lines (Virging Mary or Mary the Queen)

MBRS Office, Pier 8, North Port, Manila

Tel. No. 245-8888

MBRS Office in Cubao, Quezon City

Tel No. 921-6716