Pal Express and Sky Jet are the only two airlines that flies from Manila to Basco in Batanes which we all know doesn't come cheap. And one way of cutting your expenses is to find cheap accommodation. Fundacion Pacita is the only hotel in Batanes and costs around PHP8,000.00++ per night. I did a mock booking and found out they require a minimum of two nights stay. I cannot afford a night in that hotel, neither the minimum two nights, good thing that cheap accommodations/ home stays aren't hard to find in Batanes.

From recommendations by friends who've been to Batanes, I finally decided to book two nights in Marfel's Lodge located just near the airport. They offer free transfer to and from the airport, but you can walk because its just too near.

We stayed at the main house which has two floors. The first floor is where the living room with television, kitchen, dining area, a mini honesty store and restrooms are located. The house has two restrooms for each of the two bed rooms. You can also cook your own food in the kitchen and you can use the utensils for free. Just wash it properly after use.

First Floor:

At the second floor is where the two rooms are, there is also a balcony where you can just sit, share stories with your house mate, or take a coffee or have your breakfast.

Second Floor:

Our room has two beds, good for 4 pax. Has air conditioning and electric fan so you can choose, but with a different rate. 

On our second day, our house mate already left for their flight back to Manila, so, we had the whole house to ourselves. At night we watched television while enjoying our snack, we shared stories on how our tour went.  We really felt like we have a vacation house in Batanes. We really felt at home. The house is so clean and the people are so nice. They made sure that we are okay during our stay. Especially during those times that there's no electricity, the generator is not yet fixed on the main house so they put an extension cord from the other house to ours so we could use the electric fan and charge our phones. Simple things which we really appreciate.

Dios Mamajes, Marfel's Lodge

We enjoyed all these amenities, an air-conditioned room for ONLY PHP1,800.00 per night for the three of us.  So, if you're looking for a place to stay in Batanes, I highly recommend Marfel's Lodge. You won't regret it for sure.

xx, Joyce

Enchanted River is located in the town of Hinatuan in Suriago Del Sur. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Surigao Del Sur, aside from Tinuy-an Falls located in Bislig.

We flew to Surigao Del Sur via Davao since flight to Butuan is fully booked. (Hashtag NonRevenueProblems) At Davao Airport, taxis and vans are readily available outside to take you to your destination. From the airport we went to the bus terminal going to San Francisco in Surigao Del Sur. From Davao to Surigao Del Sur, we traveled for almost 7 hours. Other airports accessible is the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan De Oro and Surigao Airport in Surigao Del Norte but it will also eat a lot of your time. The nearest airport is the Bancasi Airport in Butuan, travel time is around 1-2 hours only.

Half-way the ride from Davao to Surigao Del Sur, the heavens was never in our favor, the bus had problem so we had to transfer to another bus because it will take toooo looong before they can fix it. So, we waited on the terminal for the first available bus to San Francsico, and lucky us it came just after minutes of waiting. We were too tired but not complaining, and, I always tell myself, "Enchanted River, you should be worth it!" I know you are that's why I'm too excited to see you!

Legends and myths exist that there are fairies that adds the color of sapphire and jade to the river to make its unique shade. One story also tells that there are various fish in the river that can't be caught by any means. According to the locals, the river is called Enchanted River because of the engkantos/ supernatural well beings that dwell there. 

Whatever story the river has, it just makes us wanna see it all the more.

Aaaaand, the time has come for me to finally see you!! But first, we have to pay an entrance fee of PHP30.00 each.

Looook at thaaaaat!!! 50 shades of blue!! I never thought it really looks just like that in person. All the pictures on the internet, it's all real. I never have to use any camera filter to make it look just like that. But since its summer when we went, there were too many locals and tourists in the area so I can't have a decent picture of the river. But nevertheless, it is still enchanting even with a lot of people. All I can say is, "sobrang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!" Naks!

So, finally, here's a long overdue post about my experience last February 2015 in Dahilayan Adventure Park nestled at the foor of Mt. Kitanglad in the town of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. From Cagayan De Oro, we rode the Magnum Express Shuttle going directly to Dahilayan Adventure Park for PHP500.00 each, round trip. As far as I remember, they only have one trip going to and from Dahilayan and it departs in Limketkai Mall where Magnum Shuttle Terminal is located at 9:00 AM and leaves Dahilayan at 4:30 PM. So, if you missed it, you have to commute or take a cab. Travel time  is I think more than an hour.

The adventure park offers a lot of activities:

ZipAll Package - PHP 600.00

Zipline 840 meters - PHP 500.00

Zipline 320 meters & 150 meters - PHP 250.00

Dropzone Single - PHP 500.00

Dropzone Tandem - PHP 750.00

Python Roller Zipride - PHP 300.00

Flying Lizard - PHP 250.00

Ropes Course - PHP 200.00

We chose what Dahilayan Adventure Park could offer best that no other adventure park has, the ZipAll Package which already include all 3 ziplines, the 840 meters, 320 meters & 150 meters and Dropzone Tandem for PHP750.00 for you and your partner because no one wants to try the 120 ft free fall alone. We are all excited and nervous since we're all first timers.

We first tried the shortest zipline, the 150-meter ride that is connected to the 250-meter zipline going back. A no sweat ride since I've tried zipline before and its not that long, but the view is really great though. 

Then, we geared-up for the 840-meter ride, the Asia's Longest Zipline. 

We then rode a multi-cab/ 4WD Safari Cruiser that took us to the launch point that's 4,700 feet above sea level. Mixed emotions while going up but all excited to get launched and experience asia's longest zipline.

THE EXPERIENCE:

You will be flying like superman through a rainforest canopy at 60-80KPH but still depends on your size/ weight. I reached the other end faster than my friend because she was so skinny and I'm.... ya know! But the experience was superb, the best and so unforgettable. It was so windy, the view is so great. I screamed my heart out. My words couldn't explain really that experience. Yes maybe we all have experienced riding a zipline but this one's a one of a kind adventure that should be included in your travel bucket list. Two thumbs up because I conquered Asia's Longest Zipline!!

DROPZONE

Dropzone at Dahilayan features a 120 ft free fall into a man made lake and the Philippine's first extreme pendulum swing of its kind.

You will be pulled up slowly and upon reaching the top, you or your partner will be the one responsible for your death. Kidding! Its either you or your partner will be the one to release you off the chain launching you into the man made lake. Then this happens. ;)

I almost lost my voice screaming and screaming my heart out, I could have had a heart attack but I survived. I survived dropzone and I'm still alive!! This is the extremest adventure I won't ever ever forget in my life. Fear is there but its always worth trying! Worth it!!

And yeah, we all love Dropzone!!

The Philippines is really blessed with a lot of tourist destinations that caters to different types of tourist and travelers and Bukidnon is one of it.

xx, Joyce

Camiguin Island, The Island Born of fire, the land of the sweetest lansones and yummy pastel, is located in the Northern Mindanao Region and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental. Camiguin is the second smallest province in the Philippines both in population and land area after Batanes and Mambajao is its capital and its largest municipality in both area and population.

The island is called the "Island Born of Fire" because it is said that it was created by volcanic eruptions and land movements.

How to get here:

We went to Agora Bus Terminal in Cagayan De Oro, from there, we rode a van that will take us to Balingoan Pier. Travel time from Agora Bus Terminal to Balingoan Pier is around 1.5 to 2 hours. Since we traveled very early, it only took us exactly 1.5 hours. From Balingoan Pier its a 1-hour RoRo ride to Port of  Benoni in Camiguin. First trip is at 0500H and costs PHP170.00 each. From there, we met our driver/ tour guide for our day trip in Camiguin Island.


Places to visit:

• Katibawasan Falls

• Ardent Hibok Hibok Hotspring Resort

• Bohol Sea and Mt. Vulcan

• Old Catarman (Gui-ob) Church Ruins

• Sunken Cemetery

Yes, you can do Camiguin tour for a day, but I must say that its not enough. In our case, I felt like we're contestants in The Amazing Race. We arrived in Camiguin Island and started the tour a little before 0700H. We only stayed in each destination for a few minutes, the longest maybe is an hour in White Island and Sto.Nino Cold Spring Resort. We wanted to stay long but we cannot since the distance from one destination to another is really far and we have to catch the last trip of the barge/ RoRo back to Cagayan De Oro at 1615H, and we almost miss it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the tour. Knowing someone from Camiguin made the place into my travel bucket list, but, being located in Mindanao area, I never thought that I could set foot in this Island this soon.


xx, Joyce