The Backpack Traveller (Part 3)

it was November 1, right after we took a half day tour of the lovely VIGAN, we decided to push our travel in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and would probably spend the night there. What is something interesting there? The WINDMILLS!

We took Partas Bus bound to Laoag, since there was no direct bus going to Pagudpud. We paid Php 200 and is already airconditioned. We left around 12 noon. We did the siesta while travelling to refresh our strength for our next stop. The travel is about 2-3 hours and was enough to get enough strength. ^_^

We arrived in Laoag Partas Bus Terminal around 2 in the afternoon. We asked a tricycle to send us on a bus terminal bound to Pagudpud. As far as i can remember, there is no airconditioned bus going there. And that you have to prepare your scarf to cover up your hair to avoid lots of tangles. We pai
d Php 60 and the travel is about an another 2 hours.

it was a good trip and that we are glad to have known another Bisaya among the passengers. We asked about how to get there, exactly on the Bangui Windmills. He said, the government had opened 2 Windmills spot for the public to visit. But it is Bangui who is a lot popular and safer. As soon as you arrive Pagudpud, you will now see gigantic windmills over the place. and that we cannot stop ourselves taking pictures of it and that we have forgotten that there must be a better view of it. You will never stop your heart for beating fast because of the exciting views who greeted you along the way. We were stopped by the bus driver exactly on the tricycle terminal that will send us to Bangui Windmills. After a few negotiation, we agreed to pay him Php300 for his service.

It was quite far from the national highway and it was indeed a very good decision to have rented a tricycle. And finally, we arrive on the most fascinating view among the places we have visited: The BANGUI WINDMILLS.

We never regret that we took this spot as the last stop to make. This made the statement, THE LAST BUT NOT DEFINITELY THE LEAST BUT THE BEST. Amazing experience indeed to have touched an enormous thing called the windmill in your entire life. What makes you more adore the place is its virginity to urbanization. Definitely the best place to unwind. The strong winds and waves are just the sounds you will hear buzzing in your ear. so refreshing!

This indeed made our trip so amazing. Since we don't want to spend the night in Pagudpud, we decided to go back to Manila and spend the rest of our 10 hours travelling.

To view the part 1 and 2 of this Backpack Traveller of us, here are the links:

http://yessathetraveller.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-backpack-traveller-part-1-i-used-to.html
http://yessathetraveller.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-backpack-traveller-part-2-2nd-stop.html

This will be a big help who are planning to do the same like us. The benefit of being a backpack traveller is that:
1. You take control of your time; when to stay and when to go.
2. You got a chance to explore.
3.  probably the best way to mingle with people.
4. You have the choice on what place to go.

So if you are a kind of adventurous person, then i would advice you to do the same as us. You probably enjoy it!

The BackPack Traveller Part 2

2nd Stop: Vigan

From Baguio, we woke up 12midnight to catch up an early trip going to Vigan to catch up the sun rise in Calle Crisologo. Arrived at 1 am in Partas Bus terminal but sad to know that the first trip is 4 in the morning. A good guy suggested that we rather took a van, stop in La Union then take another van going to Vigan. We took the van bound to La union and paid Php 100. The travel is just an hour.

stop over San Fernando City

We stopped in San Fernando, La Union around 2 am and took a bus named Fariñas with a wifi service. It's actually bound to Laoag but it will pass by Vigan. We paid Php 200 for Vigan. We know that it will be an another 3 hours of travel that's why we took a nap. (Thanks to my phone's GPS who was at that time, alive and kicking).

We arrived at almost 6 in the morning, and was sad to have not witnessed the sun rise in Calle Crisologo, we are so overwhelmed still for we arrived safe and sound by our second destination: VIGAN!

We were dropped and was immediately fetched by a motorcycle. We went straight to their famous vintage street called Calle Crisologo. And of course, you will never miss take selfie photos with this calle. The street marks a great history; from its road and the infrastructure. Amazingly Beautiful.

it so happened that a calesa passed by to us and offered us a great deal in touring us around the city. It is a Php 150 per hour used of the calesa around the city. Manong brought is in Bantay Belfry that is not by far, a vintage too. Next is the House of Padre Burgos who was one of the the GOMBURZA which flared up our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Vigan Empanada

and for a good place to dine in, which happened to be our breakfast, Manong Kutchero suggested the Hidden Garden. it was indeed hidden for it is quite far from the center of the city. We took our breakfast and we never missed their notable Vigan Empanada. While waiting for our order, i took the chance to tour the place, and found out that it is indeed a garden. i even bought a plant (for a pasalubong) called Air Purifier that costs Php 50 only.

after having a good experience in hidden garden, we decided to go to Baluarte. We paid for Php 175 so we can have a chance to take pictures with their animals. The place is free but we have to pay so we can have a chance to take pictures with them and to even ride with the small breed of ponies.

we took the vigan tour for only a half day and decided to pursue our next stop: the BANGUI WINDMILLS.

The Backpack Traveller (Part 1)

I used to travel with a purpose and the story i will share to you this time is one of my travel with a purpose.

We are so privileged to have booked a piso fare ticket with Cebu Pacific dated October 29-November 4 to join the G12 National Conference. As you can see, it is a long vacation indeed hitting the To Dos Los Santos(November 1-2) season of the Philippines. The conference lasts for 2 days leaving the next 4 days as a bonus God gave us.

We planned a side trip after the conference. Read a lot of traveller's blogs who have gone before me in my target places to have an idea. We planned to travel with an agency which we really thought would happen. But as soon as we arrived in the place, we changed our mind and decided to travel with our backpacks.

First stop: BAGUIO

Right immediately after the conference, we rushed to Victory Liner's terminal in Pasay to get our ticket knowing that during this season, we will encounter people who also have an idea going to baguio like us. We dropped by MOA to buy some stuff(water and food like good for dinner and snacks). As soon as we arrived, we went straight to the ticket booth and was so happy to know that we just arrived in time. We arrived 8:20 in the evening and the next bus travelling to baguio is 8:30pm with no hassle, like we immediately got the trip. We really praise God for the favor He gave us for that travel. We took our dinner while we travel and made some sleep knowing that the travel will take 6 hours. The fare is Php455.

We arrived in Baguio around 4am in the morning and experienced 12°C temperature which is a lot freezing than the aircondition we experience inside the bus. With jackets and shawl on, still we feel the chill on our bones. As soon as you arrive, you need not to worry for you will be entertained by honest cab driver (salute to the man who brought us who happened to be a bisaya like us). Like the one we encountered, he suggested an inn with the lowest price with no hidden charges. He brought us to an inn (can no longer remember the name but it is the nearest lowest priced inn in victory liner bus terminal). We are expecting a Php350 per night but sadly, they were fully booked that time and took the Php1,200 room good for 3 instead( divided by 3, so we paid php400 each). We slept to prepare our body for this day's adventure.

Woke up at around 7 in the morning and still the weather is a lot freezing. we searched nearest tourist spot from where we are staying. and after the long search, we decided to go to Mines View Park as our first destination.

We rode a taxi from our place and was so amazed by their plug-down rate: Php35... since they do not need any aircondition due to freezing weather. And finally, we arrived. There's no entrance fee, like you are going to enjoy the unlimited wonderful sight seeing over Baguio!


Had an experience to ride and took photos with their cute pink horse and wore their traditional tribal outfit.

we will never go home without the taste of the strawberry taho.



 we also enjoyed the buying of the pasalubong in their stalls in Mines View Park.



after we got overwhelmed with the pasalubong, we rode a jeep going down to The Mansion and fronting The Mansion is Wright Park. We got a chance to have photos with the pine trees in Wright Park. One of the features in Wright Park is the Horse Back riding at Php200 for 30 minutes but you can share the ride with your friends. We met the horse named "Black Mamba", the tallest horse among the others.





we took our lunch in Volante's Pizza fronting Wright Park knowing that they are known for their pizza. We enjoyed their people's choice or saleable pizza (can no longer remember the flavor) and their chicken fillet for lunch.



we met with some friends who happened to got to Baguio just like us and joined us in our venture to Burnham Park. We rode with a cab in going there for it is quite far from Wright Park. When we arrived, we went straight to experience boating as they are known for that. the boat costs Php150 good for 5 persons (can no longer remember if you can use it with an unlimited time). After the boating, we experienced being like a kid once again when we went biking for Php50 good to use along the vicinity of the park.

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After we enjoyed the Burnham Park, We took a walk going to SM Baguio along with the Session Road. And finally went Back to our Inn to rest for the tomorrow's another travel: VIGAN!

Budget Breakdown:
Php 455 Bus Fare from Pasay Terminal of Victory Liner
Php 1,200/night (good for 3-4pax) in an Inn
Php 1000 for pasalubong (Strawberry Jam and everything at a very low prizes)
Php 150 Boating in Burnham Park
Php 50 Bike for rent in Burnham Park
Php 200 for Horse Back Riding for 30 minutes
Php 500 for the fare to tour around the city
Php 500 for food in a day

One day in Hijo Banana Beach

One day in Hijo Banana Beach

It was February 14, 2014 when our school's administration decided to have a faculty valentine's celebration and that will be in Hijo Banana Beach, Madaum, Tagum. Some of my colleagues have been there and that they were telling us stories of all that was there that stirred our excitement more. It was indeed a big YES! to join this exciting trip with the gang.

We left Davao City around 5am in the morning and from Davao City, we traveled for less than 2 hours (we rented a vehicle in going there) which is normally a 2-hour trip. From the national highway, where there was a big sign-age of Hijo Banana Beach, it's like 1 km. in going to the exact location.

sorry at natakpan ata ang statue

Upon arriving, you really can feel na malayo ka na talaga sa city, with a fresh air of an untouched nature that you breathe in was indeed soooo relaxing. You will be welcomed with statues you would think na made of banig but actually, cement with a banig-looking texture. Pagdating na pagdating pa lang, aba picture na kaagad.

that was the bar... nasa center ng pool mismo

konting lakad pa, you'll arive on their playground as well as parking lot and next to it is their infinity pool with a bar in the center most of the pool (amazing right?) fronting the sea that's soooo breathtaking! we toured the place and found more amazing scenic place. Their relaxing cottages that is free of use, their pond where you can catch fish  of which we haven't tried...

 just beside the pool, we were served with their sumptuous lunch (i would generally say, masarap food nila!). we enjoyed it, sobra. After we ate, we rested muna then changed clothes for swimming! The comfort room's distance is not a punishment naman. it's right next to the pool. Then we enjoyed the unlimited use of their infinity pool na.

the infinity pool

the cottage

We also had a 30-minute free use of their bicycle with a gear so we can tour pa the whole place. it's soooo amazing that the place where we land on is a 9-hectare coconut farm, forest and seashore. But only 2-hectares lang po ang accessible ng mga visitors like us. We discovered a resto fronting a pond (don't know if it is man-made) where you can catch fish at pwede mong ipaluto on that resto.

the pond and the resto

The adventure didn't stop there. We were fetch by a cab which we will ride on for our forest tour.We were with the tour guide who explained to us everything about the Banana Beach Resort. As far as i can remember, it is divided into 3 parts (sa sobrang laki ba naman nito) the villa (the ancestral house of the owner where you can actually rent), the resort (where we are) and the plantation.  we got into the forest and we were welcome with the monkeys and wild boar. the guide also told us that there were three groups of monkeys. and it is sooo amazing that they have leaders. it's like they were like human tribes too.

this is the leader of the first group of monkeys we encountered upon our entrance in the forest.

the crossing. and this is the guy who keeps on shaking the bridge!

and the most amazing part of the forest tour is Hanging bridge crossing. Not  just one bridge, 9! yeah, you see it right! yes, we have to cross the 9 hanging bridges. Di kailangang matakot cause you'll see it's matibay naman. it's just that kung may kasama kang bully, na tatakutin ka by shaking the bridge, you'll surely freak out! (just as what I've experienced!). While crossing, on your mind you'll say, kailan pa matatapos 'to? kasi sa sobra ba namang dami ng bridges. after the hanging bridge, we had a 2 km. walk in the forest and the guide is still with us to explain that they, too, was affetcted by the bagyong Pablo. Many trees fell down which they remained untouched upon our visit.

Right after the 2 km. walk, we ride back in our cab to go back to the resort when we decided to drop by along the coconut harvesters to catch up newly harvested tuba. When we hear the word tuba, we assume that's it is sour but the newly harvested tuba is sweet naman pala. Thanks for their generosity kasi pinatikim nila tayo ng sweetened tuba.

After the forest tour, we immediately jump in again on their infinity pool before we dressed up for going home. Other experiences you can try on in Banana Beach is the river cruise, ATV ride, Kayaking and Plantation Tour as long as pasok sa budget mo.

Php 750 is sulit. With the wonderful place, with the unlimited use of infinity pool, with 30-min free ride of the bike and the forest tour was indeed a bunch of memories worth to keep. (actually it's for you how to consume it)

we left the place with a pack of joy and overwhelming experiences around 4pm and arrived in Davao City in 6pm.

And for more details visit their website: http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/#river
and like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bananabeachdavao

you'll surely have a great time.