Experience the Best of Boracay Island - The Best Island in the World

If you want a very relaxing, relatively empty, much quieter and is very different from those beaches in Boracay then do not vacillate to explore Puka Beach. This is a good spot for a picnic. If you are planning to visit Puka Beach, it is advisable to bring your own foods and drinks for you to save some expenses... Hehehe.

To get there: You can hire a tricycle in less than 15-20 minutes from central white Beach. Puka Beach is considered as the second longest beach with deeper and rougher water than other beaches in Boracay. Puka Beach is famous for having plenty of puka shells.

Experience the best of Boracay! Boracay is a beautiful island located in Panay Island in the central area of the Philippines ( Western Visayas) it is about 200 miles or approximately 315 km. from Manila or from nearby places such as Cebu and Davao. Tricycles are the primary mode of transportation on the island. Boracay has been named the Best Island in the World by an International Travel Magazine. You can reach Boracay by air or sea. So come and join with me in Boracay, let's explore the fantastic beauty of Boracay Island.

Find great hotels in Boracay that will surely fit your budget. Boracay offers you beachfront convenience at affordable rates or you can choose hotels that are conveniently located just footsteps away from white beach.

Pasalubong Corner - Here, you can buy or bring a pasalubong with your friends and with your family.

Souvenir items are everywhere in Boracay. If you want to have some you can buy one of them. Lols... Sorry, I forgot to ask the price, maybe is quite expensive and can't afford to have it because on a shoestring budget. Hahaha.

My best shot in Boracay... Hehehe. More photos in Bora? add me on Facebook.  Thanks!

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Island Hopping in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Pangasinan Resort

Due to hectic schedule, rush hour, meeting dead lines that results to dying, stressful  and tiring days  on our daily lives. We need to refresh our mind, rejuvenate our mind and soul and commune on the natural wonder of the Philippines. So, what are you waiting for get inside now and join me in my adventure  .

Margarett Island Peak Resort

This is it ! are the words I uttered As I can see the coconut tree standing proudly, luscious green plants and small boats waiting for us to hop in and explore the nearby places and discover its hidden beauty.

Tinago River

This is one of a kind scenic spots in Surigao del Sur the Tinagong River that you need to visit. I assure you my friends, that you will be amazed on its blue lagoon and mesmerized by its natural beauty.

Sibadan Fish Cage

Sibadan means “eating place” and “fish”. It is just a few minutes from Tinagong/Enchanted River,  yet Sibadan Fish Cage is very popular stopover for visitors in the area. It is a large aquarium in the midst of the sea where you can find different aquatic species. You can reach here by renting a pump boats thus, you can select a lot of sea foods also for your gourmet lunch (Shell foods and other variety of fishes).

Sarzosa Ponta Cave

Another attractions you need to drop by is the  Ponta Cave which is a small seaside cave with an image of Virgin Mary it is managed by the Sarsoza Family.

And the rest was a History ......

My Expenses

Taxi Fare from Home to Port - Php 120.00
Terminal Fee - 10.00
Cebu - Surigao del Sur (Cokaliong Shipping Lines) - 825.00
Surigao del Sur - San Francisco - 250.00
San Francisco - Hinatuan - 60.00
Pedicab - 5.00
Boating Rental - 160.00/hr (4 hours) - 640.00
Pangasinan Resort Entrance Fee - 5.00
Margarett Island Peak Resort Entrance Fee - 20.00
Sarzosa Ponta Cave Entrance Fee- 10.00
Fish Cage Sibadan Entrance Fee - 5.00
Tinago River No Entrance Fee
Food and Drinks - 606.00
Souvenir Items - 150.00
Marky's Hostel - 700.00 ( two days)

Total Expenses - Php 3,406.00 (Including Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls Expenses)

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Majestic Tinuy-an Falls - The Niagara Falls of the Philippines

Among the falls I visited (Tumalog Water Falls in Oslob Cebu, Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin Island, Bugtong Bato Falls in Tibiao Antique, Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor, Kawasan Falls in Badian Cebu, Samboan Hidden Falls in  Cebu and Gunhuban Falls at Buli, Bato, Leyte). I considered Tinuy-an Falls is one of the most majestic or amazing waterfalls in the Philippines. The scenic view of the falls can relieve all of your stress and problems for a while. Hehehe. Tinuy-an Falls is also considered as the top wonders in Surigao del Sur. One of the widest in the country and they called it as "The Niagara Falls of the Philippines"

Tinuy-an Falls is located in Barangay Borboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur in the Southern Philippines Island of Mindanao. Standing at 55 meters (180 feet) tall and 95 meters wide, a white water curtain that flows in three levels. The trip going to Tinuy-an Falls was quite long enough,  tortuous and rugged but when I arrived I got speechless. So much fun and earth shaking happiness.  A great experience indeed, so don't miss the chance to drop by and explore the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls.

How to get there

Is quite difficult to get there. There is no regular public transportation going to the place. You should hire a habal-habal (motorbike) to reach the place. 

Bislig City can be reached by taking any of the daily scheduled airlines (Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express and other airlines) from Manila or Cebu via Davao City, Butuan City or Surigao City. You can take regular trips of aircon and non-aircon buses (Bislig route). Upon reaching the Mangagoy Integrated Terminal in Bislig, there are numerous habal-habals or motorbikes that go to Barangay Borboanan where the waterfall is located.

 Enjoy your trip and be safe!

My Expenses

Habal-habal (motorbike) pakyaw - Php  1000.00 

Entrance Fee - 5.00

Continuation of expenses here. (Two days trip, including Enchanted River and Island Hopping in Hinatuan)

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Enchanted River - The Hidden Paradise in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Do you believe that there are things our naked eyes supposed to see but realized that we cannot? Well, that’s amazing and I’d say enchanting. Honestly, I can’t find the right term for what I felt when I got fascinated with one of the tourist destinations in Philippines located in Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.  This place is called “Enchanted River” and the name seems to tell us that magic surrounds the place.

As far as I can remember, you only need to travel a minimum of 8.5 hours from Davao City to reach the enchanted river.  It is actually situated in the center of Barangay Cambatong, It’s my first time to see such beautiful body of water and I think nothing will beat it. If only it’s right to believe that there are really creatures like “engkantado” and “engkantada” or shall we say fairies, I would believe it’s their kingdom.

Since I really like water, I keep diving to its mirrored like blue water. At first look, the enchanted river looks like a shallow river but when I tried to dive to see its bottom I failed. So, I guess our naked eyes don’t seem to see what it supposed to see in enchanted river. Finding it out there scared me a bit.   However, it doesn’t stop me and my friends to enjoy the place and be captivated by its beauty.

I think that’s how it should be when you are traveling and be given the chance to see the unique beautiful place like the enchanted river. So, until next trip!

Enchanted River is open from Monday - Sunday (6am-5pm)

Entrance Fee - Php 30.00

Cottages:

MPB - 500.00

Booth Type - 150.00

Nipa Hut Type - 150.00

Green Roof - 100.00

Rubber Table - 100

For more info you can text or call at 09202595554.

Where to Stay

Marky's Hostel

Maharlika, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Room Rates

Double Deck - Two (2) persons with electric fan - Php 300.00

Single Bed - Two (2) pesons with electric fan -   Php 350.00

Air Conditioned - Family Room -                   Php 850.00

Air Conditioned Double Deck - Seven (7) persons - Php 1,225.00

Air Conditioned Double Deck - Six (6) persons -   Php 900.00

You can refer my expenses here.

For reservations, you can call or text Marky's Hostel at 09284397785.  You may also visit their Facebook fan page and hit like, Marky's Hostel.

Where to Eat and Dine In... (Doday's Nook)

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Obong Spring in Dalaguete

Love is the reason why I’ve visited one of the most preferred summer destinations here in Cebu. Let us just say that my interest and love for this beautiful lady makes me act like a bee following where the beautiful flower goes. So, to my beautiful girlfriend this post is for you (as if I’m in a karaoke dedicating a song, lol.). I hope you still remember our memories in Obong Spring of Dalaguete Municipality.

Now, if you are interested to go there; you only need to travel the maximum distance of 88.49 km from the heart of Cebu City. Once you get there, you have to pay the affordable entrance fee. I believe it’s forthe maintenance of the place. I just hope they can keep it safe, clean and beautiful. In that way, a lot of people will have the chance to enjoy the Obong Spring.

Honestly, this travel wasn’t planned but it turned out to be enjoyable and memorable. Of course, it is because I was with my girlfriend plus the unique ambiance of the place. The place is also beautiful since it is really different from what I used to be in. Only, I wasn’t able to jump off to the water since the water level is not really that deep. I would like to do that since I really love water which gives me thrill. Lol!

Since you are reading this you must be a traveler too or just want to know where to go in the south for summer outing, right? Well, visit immediately the Obong spring today with your girlfriend, friends and family.

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Cantabon Cave - Siquijor

One of the thrilling adventures for tourist that you would also love to try in Siquijor is caving. Let us have a crash course for caving first. They say that caving is a science of exploring the cave for fun. Caving sometimes called spelunking in USA and Canada. Yes, this may sounds fun and beautiful, right? However, a first timer like me felt excitement and fear in one when I had my chance to explore Cantabon Cave in Siquijor.

I think, if you are brave enough and with high stamina prepared then you will surely survive walking through inside the 1 kilometer Cantabon Cave. In my experience, I decided not to reach the endpoint of the cave. Why? Like I mentioned, I had mix emotions at that time. As far as I can remember, it was raining and my imagination of bad events was activated though we had 2 tour guides.  Imagine yourself getting inside a small hole which asks you to walk shrinking yourself then an earthquake hits that cave, what do you think will happen? It’s like burying you alive, right? Well, that was one of the weird imaginations I had. Good thing, it didn’t happen.

Inside, you can touch the rough and edgy stones and probably some of them are stalagmites I just didn’t notice it very well because I don’t have head lamp or flashlight on that adventure. This probably adds the fear I felt in going through to what they call tunnel before the exit point. Well, my stay inside the Cantabon Cave was memorable though. So, if you ask me I’d still recommend that you try caving in the future. In fact, I’d love to be with you when you do for I promised to myself that I won’t be afraid anymore as long as we got complete gears in hand.

Therefore, safety first is the key to feel real thrill and happiness in every travel and adventure that we will get involve with.

Sorry Folks, poor picture here. I am just only using my 2.0 MP phone camera.

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Igutan Cave - Talisay City Cebu

One of the progressive cities in Cebu is Talisay City. It is no wonder that a lot of beautiful places hidden inside the city’s bosom. One of those is Igutan Cave. Now, if you’re like me who never thought that there is a hidden beauty of Igutan Cave in Talisay then you’d love to visit it as soon as possible. Well, if you’re from Mactan you need to travel at least 30 to 40 minutes via Cebu South Coastal Road. At least, you can avoid the heavy traffic but if you like you can still take the regular route by riding public utility vehicles or jeepneys.

You just need to bring some common safety tools like headlamp or flashlight so you’ll haveclearer vision as you get through those cranny pathways inside the cave. Yes, you need toget through of those to reach the falls inside. I even had bad feelings during our walk insidebecause I remembered the recent earthquake hit in Cebu City at that time. However, I can’t deny that when we reached the falls I enjoyed the water falling just like a shower in our bathroom. In fact, I even act like swimming in a pool without water. Lol! Well, if we can fly like superman without even bothering going up in the sky then I think it is cool having that swimming act too. Ehehehehe.

This adventure doesn’t really need much money so everyone can go there and enjoy too. If you need more information regarding the expenses just hit me a message below in my comment box. I would be glad to answer those inquiries.

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Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor

They say, all “first time” is memorable like first kiss, first bf/gf and many other first encounter of anything in life. Hmmmp. That’s probably true because I can’t forget my first travel as spectator of other province in Philippines and first time to see real waterfalls. Ah! Yes, It was the Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor. I can still remember that it was holy week when I visited Siquijor. We tour around the province’s tourist spots by renting a multicab.

One of the reasons that I visited Siquijor is because I got curious of Siquijor’s mystery. We know that it is much known about witchcraft or mystery things that ordinary people can’t comprehend. Well, when I got there it looks like it was just rumors which are spread to many that leave negative impact to outsiders. Why? It is because the people in Siquijor are nice and kind. So, we really need to examine carefully of the things we believe before we judge.

The weather during my visit was not really good so I just took some beautiful pictures of the nature and pose a little with beautiful backgrounds behind me. I’d say it was not really long and adventurous trip but I felt satisfaction of that trip. That’s probably the time when my heart opened and passion of traveling started. Right after that, I already took several travel schedules. In fact, my friends in the office already tease me that I am “Doro” the male version of “Dora the explorer”.Lol! It makes me smile because I have the opportunity to see the real beauty of God’s creation in my country Philippines and share it with them and to everybody.

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Guimaras Island and The Natural Wonders

The government officials of Guimaras invited tourists to discover Guimaras Island and the natural wonders that surround the province. So,United Backpackers did not miss the chance.  We went there and docked to Guimaras land at 8 oclock in the morning. Our visit in Guimaras was limited but we still manage to see the beauty of Guimarasnon nest. Well, the place didn’t meet the standard beauty that I was expecting instead it exceeded to my expectation. 

At the pier, you will automatically ushered by many dispatchers. Of course, we always want safety first so we decided to get information from their official tourist assistance center. Once we had the information, we then hired a tricycle to bring us to their beautiful places that every Filipino should see when they are in Guimaras Island. We got a tour and along the way, I enjoyed and amazed by the extraordinary number of mangoes I saw. They look so delicious to me. They also have an amazing fish cage where helps anyone to have a peaceful mind just by seeing those healthy fishes.  Actually, this is one of their local government programs that help protects marine species and educate people about their importance including visitors.

Those trips were quite good in making our stomach empty so I had 3 Cups of rice at their clean and affordable restaurant. It is definitely one of the memorable things in my Guimaras Island expedition.  We didn’t stay longer for we need to go back to Bacolod for a new destination of our series of trips in Visayas region.

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The Ruins – Talisay City Negros Occidental

Bacolod is being known as the city of smile. This label makes me think that it's probably the reason why tourists keep coming back and gets pleasure even to those called "The Ruins" in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Yes, it's called ruins but it's not totally ruined for there are still remnants after it was burnt. The mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson stands still after the fire consumed the structure. In fact, if you don't know about “The ruins” and seen it only in pictures; you might think they just started building it. 

Well, when I visited there, I’ve witnessed how the present generation of Lacson maintains the old structure to make it stay beautiful. We visited the place at night after a long trip from other neighboring provinces. In fact, it’s little scary to be there at night. Well, I just got so imaginative mind at that time. This is the result of keep thinking about spirits. I didn’t mean to but it’s our normal speculation to places like that. Let me remind you guys, this is not a horror story. Lol! In fact, we can consider this a love story if you hear the tourist guide telling their visitors that it was built for the first wife of Don Mariano. It is probably his way of showing his great love for Maria Braga –his first wife. 

Now, how to get there? Well, there are at least 3 options to reach “The Ruins”. The United Backpackers chose to hire a tricycle to reach the place as soon as possible for it was too late when we reached Talisay City. Also, it’s a way too cool to pay for cheaper fare, right? 

Drop me a message below to get details on visiting comfortably the Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

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Bugtong Bato Falls – Tibiao Antique

“Let it falls!” Lol! I’m just kidding. Today, we’ll bring you to the top and fall in love to the Bugtong Bato Falls in Tibiao Antique. No panting as you read through. Ehehehe. You will probably love this side trip at Bugtong Bato Falls. Take note, that if there is Seven Wonders of the World, Bugtong Bato Falls has seven falls (7 levels) also. We can be proud of this too for it can be only in the Philippines. Lol! The water from this falls is actually going to Tibiao River, if you remember it’s the river where I had my first encounter of white water kayaking. 

So, if you like to witness and experience the thrill, you can just tell the drivers in Tibiao Antique that you want to go to Bugtong Bato Falls which kalye Importante is definitely your stop over. The drivers are familiar to this place so there is no reason to worry of getting lost. If you’re able to reach the seventh level of the falls, you are definitely one of the strongest visitors of the place. Unlike our group which only survived till 3^rd level of the falls. Yes, we weren’t maybe wearing our “fighting spirit” at that time to go till 7^th level but we believe it was the best decision for our travel objective is to enjoy and never compromise safety during our adventure ;). 

Along the way, you will pass through the “all bamboo bridge”, rice terraces and those huge live rocks. Of course, we enjoyed also taking bath with the soothing water falling from above, hehehe. To be in that place is like I traveled to my childhood days and enjoyed climbing while having fun with the waters like a kid. However, the tiredness going up reminds me of the reality that I am no longer young and no longer own those strong bones. Lol! 

So guys, enjoy Bugtong Bato Falls and be safe. Also, I’m available for inquiries. 

jalda nyeoo sip sio! (Korean’s Bon Voyage )

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Puka Beach - Boracay Island

I know for sure a lot of people like to visit Boracay Island of the Philippines - the island which sometimes labeled as paradise. Probably, the main reasons are their white sand and the beautiful faces they see roaming around the Island. Yes, of course those sexy celebrities. Lol! Well, I was one of them who dream to visit Boracay because of those reasons. I’m just being real, here. Lol!

As part of United Backpackers series of trips, I got the chance to visit and experience the white sand beaches of Boracay. Right straight from Antique, we were brought by the plane to Caticlan Airport. From the airport, we traveled by boat to Boracay Island. We roam around the vicinity of Boracay’s 3 stations. However, we chose to stop by for relaxation at Puka beach. This is because we’ve heard that only few know the place. So, we reached it by tricycle and stayed at Puka beach like we own the place. Hehehe. Puka beach is in the northern part of Boracay Island of Aklan province. I am not sure why they call it Puka beach but I think it’s probably because of the Puka shells you can find in the place –just being logical.

The United Backpackers really had fun at that time. Our short stay on that place was like a day or 2 worth of memories. As a proof, try to see the pictures below of how we enjoy our stay in the beautiful and peaceful Puka beach in Bora. 

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