The Worst Travel Buddy

Mark Twain once said that, “There ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” From the time we have ventured to uncertainty, I had my answer…But no, readers. This is not your typical sappy blog entry. I do not intend to make you “kilig”.

Our first trip was filled with hopes: I am a self-confessed wanderlust. I veer away from plans and conformity. You, on the other hand, needed a solid ground to start from. The budget should be precise…and no to hoping that there will be a place to crash. According to you, a warm bed is a necessity. So, without any choices left and after a few heated arguments, I compromised and bid farewell to times when I slept on airport floors.

• 

• 

• 

That trip was seasoned with mishaps…as all our future trips came to be. It ranged from times when we couldn’t locate the booking office, moments when we could not find a place to stay (my carpe diem does not work when I am with you); losing the last money we have (biggest at stake is 2,500 Php and this is overseas); to extreme moments of sheer terror when our bus was almost subjected to a heist (and funny we were both ready to fight); missing our flight, and losing direction in the middle of a foreign country’s freeway.  Did I mention the supernatural? Yep. Ghosts too.

It was always a concoction of some kind of misfortune that I have not encountered in my years of living–consistently–unless I was indulging myself on a series of sarcastic literature. Travel can really teach you a thing or two about life. The lessons it taught me were intensely broadening and having you as its co-facilitator was not a big help. Honestly.

I was annoyed with the idea that you have to always have a plan. I called you out plenty of times until you switched to being as carefree as me…and that was a further disaster. Remember when, from a 30-liter-backpack, you suddenly shifted to a stroller-type bag? You hurled it across the beach. On the sand. While people looked.

And with reference to bags, how we threw out our stuff at the airport since my bag was overloaded because I packed it in my most “liable” state of mind?! I cannot be the responsible one…yet, I had to.

From that time on, when you shifted, I had to assume another role. The lesson life taught me this time is not to change people you are travelling with. Travel creates a better version of themselves…and I have no right to interfere.

Travelling with you also made me realize that if I needed to take better photos, it will not come from you. The delusion of Instagram boyfriends should clearly go in flames. Not that you are not a good photographer. Your degree in Multimedia Arts served you well but, hey, you suck sometimes. Besides, photos are meant to have the two of us or else I could have just traveled with a tripod or selfie stick, conversing with it intermittently about life over coffee. No. It doesn’t work that way.

Hence, I do not have the mandatory blogger shots.

In the course of travelling, we also learn a skill. Mine was swimming. You almost killed me. But I learned how to swim. Consequentialism-wise, I got what I wanted. This is disregarding the premise that I could have sunk into the depths of Anilao and went home in a body bag. Bottomline, though, I know now how to swim and I can cliff-dive because of this.

Arguments are also our own special way of releasing stress from the toil of the trip. We squabble about the pettiest things: food, baggage, sleep, walking, sleep-walking, cigarettes, or even how you are in a good mood and I am not because I am tired! It’s also not a good compatibility with the ability we have of coining out the most creative forms of verbal aggression. It can be a trying lot most of the time.

So what am I trying to say? Mark Twain was a genius. He clearly defined what we have as travel companions. Through these trips I have learned that I loath you, whichever version or form you are in. I detest the catastrophe our partnership can conjure. But I like it when you encourage me to try new things. I appreciate it that we can be gluttons without being judged. I abhor that this partnership can bring so much calamity in our well-beings but I am grateful that it is you that I share it with. I cannot find anyone to travel with who is as reliable and as compatible as you are to me.

I’ll end this by quoting you: “Just be prepared. We are bound to be unlucky.“

Tanjung Aru: Filipino Hospitality Abroad

“I quit my job to enjoy better sunsets.”

This is what our Uber driver, Baloo, said as we were heading to Tanjung Aru. It was just sad, though, because we were too late to experience the Kota Kinabalu sunset. My partner and I were too lazy.

This is what you get when you’re lazy!

Tanjung Aru Beach got its name from the Aru trees that adorns its shoreline. The 2-km-long beach is celebrated by the locals as one of the treasures of Kota Kinabalu because of the charm it has that brings families and loved ones together. The place is a little bit similar to our very own Manila Bay, only cleaner. The shore is wider too, giving people a place to fly their and kites or for children to roll and play with the sand.

Since we arrived too late, we just contained ourselves to a hearty dinner. We were taken aback by how the locals would invite us to eat using Tagalog. One man caught our attention when he said, “Kuya, kain kayo dito.” I couldn’t hide my smile in appreciation. He sounded a legit Pinoy! When we talked to him though, he didn’t know any Tagalog words which confirmed that he isn’t Filipino. I find the gesture nice. For me, that’s good customer service–knowing your market.

We decided to dine at the stall that which served the most colorful shake I’ve seen in my life. They call it 3-Layer-Juice and it’s made of mango, avocado, and dragon fruit. It was as delicious as it looks! The woman who served us was a real kababayan and she gave us an epic discount. She disclosed that here in Kota Kinabalu, locals try and learn Tagalog because a Filipino’s brand loyalty is unparalleled. Filipinos tend to patronize a fellow Filipino’s business. This was nice to hear! Finally, no shade against Filipino tourists!

My partner and I ordered rice toppings with egg and we were given soup because Ate knows how Pinoys adore sabaw. The rice they served was generous too!

Before we left Tanjung Aru, I stumbled upon a stall selling corn kernels sprinkled with cheese powder–just like what we have in the Philippines. This one’s with a twist, though. They put mayo on it!!! Curious, I bought a glass and it tasted glorious! You can never go wrong with mayo, cheese, and butter! LOL!

As we were leaving Tanjung Aru,  realized Baloo wasn’t exaggerating. Places like these are precious and best visited with your family. Work is essential but there are finer things in life like moments spent with your loved ones. Baloo found better sunsets in Tanjung Aru while I found good food and Filipino hospitality in a foreign country.

Here’s how to go to Tanjung Aru Beach in Kota Kinabalu:

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan: An Adventurous Dining Experience

Dining out proves to be a pretty monotonous celebration: we gather our loved ones, decide what to eat, get to a traditional restaurant, eat, and pay the bill. When was the last time a restaurant excited you? Me? I was ecstatic discovering Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, Quezon.

From the outside, the place seems like one of those grills showcasing the provincial fee but when you tread further down the stairwell, pass their bucolic pavilions, you’re in for a treat! There were nipa and bamboo cottages ready to receive you for your meal. Get this: they’re not just ordinary cottages…they’re floating on water! It all made sense! The place is called “Kamayan sa Palaisdaan” because you get to experience grilled delights in the middle of a makeshift fishing lagoon!

When the waiter came to take our orders, he mentioned about the possibly long wait time. He explained to us that they only cook and prepare dishes as orders come to maintain freshness and quality. For some, this can be a deal-breaker but we were totally fine with it. We perfectly understood.

While waiting for our food, we explored the restaurant and was even more impressed. We found out that there were actually 3 Kamayan sa Palaisdaan built almost next to each other, each having a slightly different theme and function. The one where we were in is where families usually dine and enjoy the essence of the fishing village theme. Parties can be held here since they have a spacey function area that is picturesque and can entertain a large number of guests.

We were not able to go in the second Kamayan sa Palaisdaan branch that time because of an exclusive event being held in the premise. From what I can see from the outside though is a giant clay pot and a very native-themed site.

Of all the branches, the third branch thrilled me the most. From the roads of Tayabas, you can see the nosecone of an airplane peeking from the inside of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan’s lot. You might be thinking, “Nah…it can’t be a real plane”…but it is! It’s an actual Boeing 737! According to the staff, the Air Summit Gourmet is where Kamayan sa Palaisdaan serve their fine dining course. Sadly, though, it was too late for us to transfer here because we were already waiting for our order. Also, reservation is highly appreciated.

After roaming from one branch of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan to another,  we went back to enjoy our lunch. We ordered Camaron Rebusado, Inihaw na Tilapia, and Sinigang na Spare Ribs. They were all nicely cooked and well-prepared. We just noticed crickets on our fish so we called the waiter who humbly apologized and provided us a new serving of Inihaw na Tilapia. Hey, I’m Ilokano and I know crickets are clean so I wasn’t bothered by it. We eat bugs occasionally. LOL!

The overall experience in Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is a pleasing one. If you are heading to Quezon, it is a must to make this your stopover. Oh, by the way, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is also a resort and they have rooms and pools, not to mention outdoor activities such as zipline! Bring your family and friends along!!!

Here is how you get to Kamayan sa Palaisdaan! You can also like their FACEBOOK PAGE by clicking the link!

Kawayan Farm Pililia, Rizal: Dine With Mother Nature

Do you ever miss the simple life? Having to eat a gracious, fulfilling meal with nature buzzing around you; strolling after dining, having talks in between about life and whatnot? How about a literal breath of fresh air that we find so rare nowadays?  When was the last time you’ve given your respiratories a treat? This is the reason why we searched far and wide to have a meal at Kawayan Farm, Pililia, Rizal.

 

Hidden in the picturesque roads of Pililia, Rizal is a restaurant  that promises to remind you the simple joys of life. From the outside, you will be greeted by an array of bamboo and native installments that looks as though it’s stretching its arms in a frenzy of warm welcome. Once you enter Kawayan Farm, you will also be greeted by their resident Philippine Macaque, Muymuy. It was love at first sight for me. The staff allowed us to give him ripe mangoes. According to them, he loves fruits a lot! As a sign of his gratitude, and perhaps excitement, Muynuy bounced in elation and have us an amazed look. This was a heart-warming moment for me.

Muymuy: “Master has given me mango!”

We were given a choice to eat inside the restaurant or in one of their kubos (native hut) outdoors. Definitely, we chose the kubo for a full experience. The hut where we dined in can fit 4 people having a meal comfortably. It has an electric fan and a complete dining set. There was also a lingering tegu inside the net that contained the dried cogon roof. While this can be something that can put customers off, I was honestly glad to see one. Goes to show how healthy the environment still is in this side of Rizal. The air was fresh and had a hint of the faint aroma of burning leaves or “siga” which is a treat to my senses because it takes me back to the good old days in the province.

While waiting for our food to be served, my partner and I wandered around the premise. We found a small bamboo chapel complete with an altar, pews, and stations of the cross along the pathway. It looked serene, solemn, and in touch with nature despite its simplicity. The church is still open and is still holding mass as displayed by the entrance.

Kawayan Farm also has a Bamboo forest which we gladly hiked. Just be careful, though, as the trail tends to be slippery when wet. It will also help to apply a mosquito repellent if you are not used to the great outdoors (just for safety measures). While on the trail, please do not bring food and avoid littering at all cost!

Opposite of the trail is the Viewpoint here you can marvel at the mountain-side view of Pililia. We were taken by the site of Laguna de Bay peeking from behind the ridges of Rizal. Although there was an electricity line running across the scenery, it was just too darn beautiful to be spoiled by that.

Along the path, you can find signs introducing you to the “Kawayan” (Bamboo tree) and how we can benefit from it. According to one of their signage, the Kawayan plays a big role against soil erosion, a major effect of deforestation. This is timely since there are some parts of Rizal where logging is prevalent. The signs also mention the many uses of this sturdy tree. You can create furniture from Bamboo, rafts, and even the house itself.

There were also different kinds of Bamboo which surprised me. All the while I thought there was only one class of Bamboo! Among those I saw at Kawayan Farm are the Australian White, the Thailand Bamboo, and the Pole Vault Bamboo, each slightly different from the other.

Chickens were also free roaming. We saw a huge rooster and even joked about him being the inspiration for Foghorn J. Leghorn of Looney Tunes. Yeah, we’re old.

Our food was served as we were returning from our hike. We ordered Kawayan Farm’s specialty, Bulalo (beef shank stew). The serving was generous just as the staff honestly described. It can feed 3 to 5 people and had we ordered more, we would not have been able to finish it. Such a tragic waste!

I can also tell why Bulalo is their specialty. How do I say this without overly patronizing Kawayan Farm Restaurant? Their Bulalo is the tastiest I had in a long time! The soup reminds me so much of a well seasoned corned beef that was manufactured and sealed to goodness! The beef tasted so fresh and succulent and there was no sign of artificial flavoring!

The staff were nice and caring. Their hospitality is gold. They even instructed for us to clap to get their attention if we need anything to which we did not do. We find it degrading on their end.

The meal at Kawayan Farm was hearty, palatable, and abundant. It was well-worth the drive! It wasn’t just a restaurant but an overall experience going back to basics. It serves as a reminder that it is still satisfying to share a meal with Mother Nature once in a while.

Kawayan Restaurant is located here:

 

Lubang Island: A Story Told By Many

Lubang Island for me is a trove of beautiful memories. I could clearly recall those summer afternoons I spent biking around town, trying to imprint every landmark in my young mind: the church, my great grandfather’s house in the corner of E. Quirino and L. Abeleda, the backyard with a pugon stove, and the school where my mother used to go to.

I would always associate the island with April showers which would seem to rain on me at times my cousin and I hung out at the Plaza. Its yellow petals that have fallen from the trees were like sand burying my toes. Lubang Island was part of my childhood. It was part of my mother’s childhood. Lubang Island was a part of my late grandmother’s childhood.

behind my mom is the house of my great grandparents 🙂

Mommy at Our Lady of Assumption Church

Stella Maris School

It’s a wonder to me, though, why the world has not raved about the island yet. At this day and age of aggressive local tourism, why hasn’t Lubang Island been found? Should I blame the island’s mysticism?

Enter a caption

Mama (my grandmother) would fondly tell me stories about Lubang while the 90’s prevalent blackout plagued us in Kamuning. She once talked about how a number of Japanese fleets during World War II tried docking on its pristine shores. Since their intentions were vile, the shore seemed to turn to soap, giving them a laborious time disembarking until they were spooked to their wits and called it a day.

The beaches of Lubang Island, were anything but soap but everything that is clear and uncorrupted. It serves as a testimony that you need not spend more to witness the beauty of Bali or the Bahamas. I only spent 1,500 Php to get to and from the island comfortably. My heart raced upon the sight of the vast oceans that had taken the extreme end of Teal in the color wheel. I am not even exaggerating! My mother recounted stories of how she collected shells in Tumibo when she was young and I have validated those stories myself when I caught a glimpse of that beach for the first time. Imagine a shore covered with seashells, ruined by the waves but still elegantly alluring…and the mangroves! It was so new to me at that time that I am conflicted between swimming or just looking at the beautiful scenery!

Photo Credit: Delahyde Blog

My grandfather (Papa, as we fondly called him), narrated to us once about a story of a giant who set foot on one of the beaches in Lubang. In the process, he left his footprint and this has then made one beach famous. Binacas was the name given by the townsfolk to this place and up until today, you can see the footprint in the ocean, I kid you not!

However, Binacas is more than just a tall tale (excuse my pun). The local government developed it to a park/public resort, providing chairs and tables among the beautiful trees so that visitors can dine and lounge about. Binacas beach is entrancing because of its headlands trapping the ocean. It is as if you have been transported to Hawaii, only better.

The residents of Cabra Island, Lubang has stories to tell too. As Filipinos, religion plays an integral part among the people that is why when Mary, the mother of Jesus, chose to manifest herself to the people of Cabra, a whiff of devout service was instilled among the people. According to local accounts, our Lady of Cabra wanted them to build a church, 30 meters wide to aid people away from sin. My mother was present during one of the apparitions but she was too young to understand then. My great grandmother, Lola Bertha Sanchez-Valbuena saw how the cross danced wildly as prayers of the people swelled.

From the supernatural and divine, miracles through will also happened in the island. Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda will never be forgotten by history and will be remembered by the people of Lubang as the Japanese soldier who went in hiding in the mountain forest and caves of Mount Puting Bato. He was so resourceful that he utilized nature during those toilsome decades to survive while entertaining himself (he has a music room) and even preserve his food using the river. He refused to lose himself to the long years and has emerged a hero by his country for surviving the war. He was reunited with the island in his later years and put up a school and means of livelihood for the locals. What’s left of  his tale are the caves you can visit along the trail.

There are countless other chronicles that I, and the people who lives (and have lived) in Lubang Island, can tell. Lubang has a rich history and a vivid culture. Had you witnessed how they celebrate Holy Week and Flores de Mayo, I will bet that you’ll return annually and be part of it until it grows as your personal tradition.

Photo Credit: Lubang Island Tourism FB Page

Having written all these, I am again at a loss as to why Lubang, Island isn’t as famous as it deserves…but after hearing all these stories, I am comforted with a resolution: the island will bloom at its own time. Like a flower, it is reserving and nurturing itself until such moment that it is ready to bloom. It will astound tourists soon and I trust that the time is at hand. After all, Lubang Island isn’t just a sight for the eyes but a whole legend that will enchant the other senses.

 

For more information about the island, you can visit their FACEBOOK PAGE.

 

Tiang Yun Dian: The Chinese Temple in Bandar Seri Begawan

Religion is subjective and proposes a very sensitive subject during discussions. I, honestly, veer away from those topics on my blog. However, seeing Bandar Seri Begawan and discovering a new-found diversity in a, rather, conservative Muslim country, gave me hope for humankind. Seeing the Tiang Yun Dian Chinese temple, sitting in all its intricate beauty, in the heart of Brunei’s solemn Ramadan, brought about so much emotions that I thought was courtesy of PMS (LOL).

I couldn’t help but fall dead silent on its foot. I was staring at its crimson walls and golden ornaments in reverence. When we arrived, we of course asked for permission from the temple custodians if we can take photos. We didn’t want to break the place’s solemnity with our touristy cheer. We proceeded with the photos when they gave the go signal.

Every corner of the place is beautiful. It was almost hard to believe that it barely survived history. The original Tiang Yun Dian temple was built by the wharf in front of  Kampong Ayer. The Chinese community contributed funds for the building of their place of worship until such time that it was fully established. Sadly, World War II happened and threatened the aesthetics of the temple. The Temple of the Flying Clouds, as it is more commonly known, is as steadfast as the faith of the people worshiping here. They slowly restored the temple’s splendor.  The time came though when the land where it was situated was acquired by the government and they had to transfer to where it is located now — at the corner of Jalan Elizabeth Dua and Jalan Kianggeh.

How I marveled at every corner of the temple. Even the tiled walls tell so much of the religion’s story! With the Four Heavenly Kings nestled securely at the north, and the sky wells that welcome the sunlight, taking a photo is the best way to preserve the memory of the place.

The smoke from the incense takes you to their tradition as the prayers made through it ascended to heaven. A woman was making her supplications while we were there and in her silent reverie, even the trees seemed to surrender. We knew that we had to go to avoid being a nuisance. We thanked the man in charge and made our way out.

A lot of great legends surround Tiang Yun Dian and the faith of its worshipers, including the bomb which did not detonate during the war. I am proud to have experienced its history, solemnity, and beauty. I am honored to see Brunei’s consideration to all sects. I hope to have honored the place with my blog entry, as this is the least that I can do to return the pleasure it gave to my senses.

**To read more about our trip in how we enjoyed Brunei with just Php 3,000 and how we earned 8 Passport Stamps with just 2 countries, please click the respective links 🙂

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

AirBnb – M3: Our Brunei Home(stay)

Nomads do not have homes, they say. I beg to disagree. Wanderlusts, travelers, backpackers, find homes in unexpected places. It may not be where they permanently stay, but it is where their memories will forever wander back.

I love this art!

This is M3 for me. When we decided to go to Brunei, we really did not have any idea what was in store for us. We even didn’t think they would have homestay available there considering the conservative culture.

When we checked AirBnb, we were proven wrong. There were several homestays available with a wide range of variation depending on price and location. We opted to get the cheapest (yet most appealing at first glance) since we were just going to spend the night sleeping and waking to another hectic day.

❤ ❤ ❤ I added M3 to my favorites! 

We were lucky to have found M3. The first thing that caught my attention was the price. It was below Php 1,000 and it has air conditioning and very good feedback. They also offer tours around Brunei, Miri, and Kota Kinabalu. They can also take you on a wildlife trip where you can feed crocodiles!

I immediately booked this through AirBnb. Our room was listed under “Nice and Cozy Room – Shared toilet” under M3. This homestay will appear if you search Bandar Seri Begawan. Just to clarify, the place is not in Bandar Seri Begawan exactly. It is located in Gadong which is a good 10 minute-bus ride with no heavy traffic.

no heavy traffic!

Before we leave for Brunei, I communicated with the owner, Brandon. He gave me exact details on how to locate the place: all we would have to do is go to the central station and ride bus 55. We should alight at Supasave Beribi and cross the pedestrian bridge to Mamih Cafe. On the same area there is a hardware store named Goldmyne Hardware and there is a small slope next to it. We would have to climb the slope and that is M3! Does it sound complicated? Not really! That is the exact thing we did and we found where the place is!!! Awesome and clear directions!

When we arrived, we were greeted by Mizzy, one of the hosts. She showed us our room. To our surprise, we were given a free upgrade! We upgraded to a big room with our very own toilet. We have a television, DVDs to watch, and a couch! The bed was large and cozy! The air conditioning was perfect too. They have centralized air conditioning and our very own AC inside the room.

The bathroom is spacey too. They have hot and cold water which is perfect. It has a sink and a place where we can put our stuff when we are taking a bath.

To top it all off, M3 has a wide front yard. This is perfect if you would just like to hangout outside and take a breath of fresh air. The place has a lot of greens around and they have the kindest neighbors with adorable dogs. Ate, as Mizzy endearingly calls the household helper next door, is a Filipina! She greeted us warmly when we arrived too!

Mizzy, me, and my partner chatted the late afternoon away over coffee. We talked about the beautiful places in Brunei, the locals, things that we should and should not do…everything we needed to know. We were so grateful to have an accommodating host who would tell us the real deal about the country. She also gave us tips like how much the water taxi is. Also, when we visited, it was Ramadan. Mizzy messaged people to know if it was already Raya. If not, we will be able to see the mosques and other places since it will be open to the public.

Hi Mizzy!

The 3 of us had dinner in Mamih Cafe after sunset. We were surprised at how good Mizzy is in speaking tagalog. She asked the waitress if she’s Filipina to which the waitress said yes!

Mizzy walked us through the menu and I ended up ordering Bah Kuh Teh and Kopy C, while my partner ordered Kopy O. I blogged about our Mamih Cafe experience HERE!!

Before our host went home, she gave us the wifi password. The connection was good and we were able to surf with no problems. We slept peacefully that night and got up the next day to see Bandar Seri Begawan. We met Tze Yi, the other host, and she was warm and friendly! She even offered to drop us off to where we were going but we just woke up and were sort of embarrassed at how slow our pace is. LOL.

She advised us where to eat since it was still Ramadan and restaurants were closed. She said that the restaurant on the Warisan Mata Mata Complex (the commercial area next to us, where Mamih Cafe is) houses a Chinese-fusion restaurant named Sing-U.Me Restaurant which is open. According to her, there are restaurants that are still open to accommodate non-Islams. All windows are covered with paper and there is a sign on the door that would say non-Islams can dine inside. This was a very helpful tip and we were so lucky to have known this!

We dined like royalty that day because of Tze Yi! All thanks to her, we were able to discover good food in Gadong!

To read all about our adventures that day in Brunei, click HERE!

We got home late that night and had our own Raya dinner. The dining area of the place is neat and the kitchen was spacious. We were able to use the microwave with such ease and water to clean up was not an issue.

We woke up the next day ready to leave Brunei. We cleaned up our mess and messaged Mizzy that we were checking out. We left the keys and headed to our next destination.

Honestly, our stay in M3 was unexpectedly pleasant. It was one of the reasons why I fell in love with Brunei. The hospitality of the people of Brunei was reflected at how good Mizzy, Tze Yi, and Brandon treated us. Everything we needed to know that actually helped us get by that day when we roamed around the streets of Bandar Seri Begawan, came from them.

That’s Brandon over there! Famous!

I highly suggest that you stay here in M3! It will be worth your effort and the money you pay! Affordable, clean, spacious, and a very friendly place that is right next to a commercial area!

**To search for homestays and save money on your next trip, THIS IS THE LINK!!! You can also be an affiliate by signing up and sharing links to your friends. You get to earn while travelling! How awesome is that?!

**If you’re curious how we traveled from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei and earned 8 passport stamps, check my BLOG!

6 Fun Places to Go When Raining

Here we go again, Philippines! Let not the rain stop your wanderlust! No budget? Fret not! Everything is at 550 Php and below!

Travel Promo Alert: 50% Rebate with TravelBook.ph

For a limited time, get back as much as half of what you paid for.

Typical reward programs would give you at least one to five percent rebate only, but with TravelBook.ph’s special promo for the holiday season, we will be offering an astounding 50% rebate!

Yes, that means you get back half of what you spend! This is TravelBook.ph’s biggest and most ambitious giveaway to date, and you only have from November 21 to 27, 2016 to avail of it.  

Just imagine how much you’re getting with this promo: If you book a hotel worth PHP 2,000.00 you automatically get PHP 1,000.00 back in reward points. With this, you can already book a room worth PHP 1,000.00 for free or use it to further lower the prices of your future bookings. Take advantage of this weeklong promo, especially for the holiday season when staycations and out of town trips are trendy!

This is just the start of our six-week long holiday promo to say thank you to our loyal customers. Check back on www.travelbook.ph and www.facebook.com/TravelBook.ph every week to learn about the latest special deal that we will be giving away!

Book your hotels now at www.travelbook.ph and earn big reward points!

 

Puerto Galera: Discovering Inland Galera Part 1

The majority sees Puerto Galera as an island of booze, party, and finding destiny. This was the reason why we challenged ourselves to look at it at a different light. Last Summer, we tried staying at  Galera, but this time away from the renowned White Beach.

Finding a place was difficult at first since the World Wide Web would dictate about 340,000 results in 0.51 seconds rooms located in White Beach and at Sabang Village. We wanted something serene and far from the merriment. It was difficult at first until we chanced upon Bamboo Beach Resort.

Located at Dalaruan, Puerto Galera, the vacation spot was made for those who value tranquility and seek peace in the waters of the island. The place was strategically built far from the hustle and bustle of the city so you get to appreciate the rawness of the island and the real beauty it can offer.

When we arrived at Muelle Port, we were delighted that the owners were waiting for us with the whole family. Turns out, we would have to ride another boat to the resort. It was such a thrill! Everyone said their hellos and we didn’t feel like we were mere guests. The initial experience made us feel like we’re home.

Once we arrived, they served us coffee and juice to our hearts’ content. The owner, Ms. Cherrie, sat with us and shared with us how they were able to establish the resort. She was very warm and accommodating and she made sure that whenever we would need something, all we had to do was ask.

The room was very cozy. If you are looking for air-conditioned, top of the line rooms, this is not for you. Bamboo Beach Resort was made as a getaway from the overly urbanized city. Part of the package is for you to breathe fresh air. However, if you fear mosquito bites, they have that taken care of with the mosquito nets and electric fans in every room.  This does not compromise the comfort, nor the beauty of the place, though.

Come morning we had our quick breakfast and headed out the road to see the rest of Puerto Galera. We went to Tamaraw Falls but were deeply disappointed as it has been swarmed by tourists. The falls was already blocked from public access but you can still bathe in the river on the other end.

We decided to just go to AJ Lomi House which is a ride from the location. I must say that the view there is breathtaking! We sat on the bar facing the beach and the height provided such wonder. It was heavenly! For 50.00 Php, their Lomi is worth every munch. We also tried their Chicken Finger with Mozzarella and were pleased as well.

You can really tell how the place had become a tourist attraction! People from different races and walks of life would come and enjoy what the shack had to offer.

A few bottles of Coca Colas and jump shots at their viewing deck after, we decided to just discover what this side of Puerto Galera had to offer. We rode another jeepney until we saw a group of people heading towards another beach. The beach had rock formations on it so we decided it must be worth the visit.

The name of the place is Aplayang Munti. We payed around 10.00 Php entrance fee to get to roam the area. It was filled with beach goers to the point that it was chaotic so we decided to climb the grotto and go to the other side of the rock instead.

It was a different story altogether. The surrounding was again serene and as we walked farther, the fewer people were hanging about. Here, we met 3 quirky kids (Heart, Julia, and Billy) playing with their Labrador Retriever best friend, Shamcey. We were astonished how well the dog took care of these young kids that we stayed and played with them longer. The kids’ mother were also very nice to us and introduced us to more furkids, Balbon and Shiny. It was a very good and fulfilling encounter.

Just before sunset we bid our farewells to our new found friends. We thanked them graciously for being nice to us. My partner and I soon hailed a jeepney on the main road and headed to the city.

We talked about how people fail to see the simplicity and beauty of the real Puerto Galera. We realized that there is more to the place than a big rave fever. The locals were not greedy as some people find them, taking advantage of tourists. A lot of them are hospitable and trustworthy!

While it is true that Puerto Galera had become a major tourist destination, the responsibility and love of most of the people residing in the island is evident. I would like to take this chance to express how happy I am to have met the Ghosn family of Bamboo Beach Resort, the kids of Aplayang Munti, and few other locals we met.

Our inland adventure did not end here, though. Please read the next part by clicking this LINK. ♪（*●´▽）ノ

**For more information about Bamboo Beach Resort, you can visit their WEBSITE or like their FACEBOOK PAGE.