Going from Manaoag to Baguio City

December is the best month to visit Baguio City. However, wouldn’t it be nice to pay respect first to Our Lady of Manaoag  before heading towards the summer capital of the Philippines? 

By the time we visited the Church, its front entrance was being renovated. So we were directed to its side entrance which is just along the main road. 

A year ago , I have written a blog on how to go to Manaoag by bus (http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-go-to-manaoag-by-bus.html).  Well, we still traveled by bus, though this time, we headed to Baguio City afterwards.

Now going to Baguio City is very easy. There are vans across the side entrance of the church that could take you there for 90 pesos. Travel time is  approximately 2  to 2 1/2 hours.

Once you reach the terminal, there are taxi cabs everywhere that could take you to your desired place of stay. In our case, we stayed at HOTEL 45 (extension) which is conveniently located at Leonard Wood Road. It has easy access to Baguio Cathedral, SM Baguio and etc. At a rate of 1100pesos/ night ( with breakfast), what more could you ask for? 

Strawberry Farm ( Baguio)

Strawberries,anyone?

It took me 34years before I finally made it to Baguio’s much-visited Strawberry Farm. I have been to Baguio City for countless times- -visiting its tourist attractions-- but no one in my group ever suggested that we go to the farm… Although I am not a big fan of strawberries, I just want to experience how it’s like picking these fruits.

The farm is located at La Trinidad, Benguet—just in the outskirt of Baguio City. It is best to go there early in the morning, maybe around 7 am or earlier. From your hotel (ours is located in Leonard Wood Road), hire a taxi cab that will take you there for about 20 to 30 minutes. We paid 100php (more or less) for the ride.

Per kilo of strawberries cost 350 pesos. But we were able to bargain for Php 300/kilo. Although it’s still expensive as compared to the strawberries being sold, remember that we are paying for the ‘experience’ and the fruits.

Besides the fresh fruits, also try their strawberry flavored taho ( 30 pesos)  and ice cream (20 pesos). I highly recommend it since it tastes so good!

Better yet, why not take these ‘ pasalubongs’ with you. J

3DAYS/2NIGHTS ITINERARY (CEBU-KAWASAN FALLS-OSLOB,CEBU-SUMILON)

Making an itinerary for a certain trip  is not an easy task . Lots of research ( care of Mr. Google) and connections need to be accomplished especially if handling a big group.  Below is our 3Days/2Nights  Itinerary during our journey from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Kawasan Falls and Oslob, Cebu:

DAY 1 : November 5, 2013

TIME	ACTIVITIES	Estimated PRICE
615 am	Estimated time of Arrival @ Mactan-Cebu International Airport
630 am	Journey to Kawasan Falls       by rented van, stopover at CARCAR PUBLIC MARKET to buy famous chicharon  (php 600/kg) and lechon (php 280/kg)	Php 6000.00 (airport-kawasan-oslob van rental)
1030am	-          Drop off point @ MATUTINAO CHURCH ( Sto. Tomas De Villanueva Parish)…. Start of trek at  the right side of  the church with big “kawasan Falls” sign. No need for a tourist guide since there is a trail that you could follow. -           travel light . Leave things inside the van. Just bring extra clothes, food and camera…. -          Trek the 3 falls, swim, take pictures, have fun! Amenities:           -  tables and chairs (free use of cr) - php 300.00           -  wooden raft - php300.00          -  life jacket- php 50.00 .        - Bring own food (costly if bought inside)	Php 10.00 (entrance fee)
330 pm	Depart Kawasan Falls
530 pm	Arrival @ OSLOB CEBU Check in at MALONSO PENSION HOUSE contact person: EVA MALONZO/RENE MALONZO (09156569437)	PHP 10,700.00 3D2N 1 family room 2 triple sharing room With 1 extra bed

DAY 2 : NOVember 6, 2013

TIME	ACTIVITIES	ESTIMATED RATE
515 am	Wake up call  light breakfast in pension house -          Ms. Eva was nice enough to arrange for our transport for the whole day ( a small multi cab)	-Php 200.00/pax
600 am	Whale shark watching -          Briefing (15 minutes) -          Whale watching with snorkeling	Php 500.00
730 am	Go to Tumalog FALLS -          A 10-minute nature walk (there are motorcycles that could take you to the falls.  But I suggest you go for a hike instead).	Php 20.00 entrance fee
900 am	Leave TUMALOG FALLS and Proceed to Bangcogon Port
930 am	Bangcogon Port: Bound for SUMILON BLUWATER RESORT	Php 1500.00/pax
950 am	RESORT (bring necessary stuff) day tour Lunch!!! Activities!!!!
500 pm	Leave Sumilon Bluewater Resort
700 pm	Dinner at nearby restaurant

DAY 3 : NOVember 7, 2013

TIME	ACTIVITIES	RATE
500am	Wake up call /  light breakfast
600AM	Check out The group bought ‘pasalubong’ at CARCAR PUBLIC MARKET since  their lechon is so tasty and delicious and not too costly. … J
1100 1m	Lunch at A&A BBQ ( Near the airport)
1200noon	Proceed to Mactan-Cebu international Airport
150pm	ETD via Cebu Pacific
300pm	ETA @ NAIA 3

*** Estimated budget/pax : Php 5000.00

You can still maximize your stay in Cebu depending on your departure time…. J

See related posts:

http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/our-whale-shark-experience-in-oslob-cebu.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-enchanting-tumalog-falls-of-oslob.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/day-tour-in-sumilon-island.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/going-to-kawasan-falls-via-hired-van.html

Day Tour in Sumilon Island

Sumilon Bluewater Resort is a private- owned resort  at Sumilon Island.  To go there, meet with their facilitator at Bancongon Port, Oslob Cebu. Boat ride from the port to the island is approximately 15 minutes.

          During our visit last November 6, 2013, Ms. ROSE briefed us on what the resort offers to guests. 

Below are the lists of boat schedules and day tour inclusions:

Here are some of the things you can do when you get there!

lighthouse!

See related posts:

http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/3days2nights-itinerary-cebu-kawasan.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-enchanting-tumalog-falls-of-oslob.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/our-whale-shark-experience-in-oslob-cebu.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/going-to-kawasan-falls-via-hired-van.html

Our Whale shark Experience in OSLOB, CEBU

November 6, 2013. As early as 6 a.m., our group headed towards the briefing center for our much awaited whale shark experience. Upon reaching the briefing center, each person was asked to enlist his name. After which, the short session began. The following are things to remember during whale shark watching:

• No touching of the whale sharks or tuki
• No camera flash allowed

There are security personnel in the area so anyone caught violating the rules will be fined  2500 pesos or will be imprisoned.

        Whale shark watching fee is 500 pesos per person. This includes the use of life vest and snorkeling gears and a boat ride to the site. Tuki watching is only good for 30 minutes. Once whale sharks are spotted in the area then the timer starts. So be sure to bring your own underwater camera to make the most out of your whale shark experience. The boatmen themselves will help you and assist you in picture taking.  :)

a couple, wow!

See related posts:

http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/3days2nights-itinerary-cebu-kawasan.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-enchanting-tumalog-falls-of-oslob.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/day-tour-in-sumilon-island.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/going-to-kawasan-falls-via-hired-van.html

Going to Kawasan Falls via Hired Van

      Two years ago, a friend of mine celebrated his birthday at the famous KAWASAN FALLS of Badian, Cebu.. I was not able to go there personally due to a hectic schedule. So I told myself that soon I will visit with a group of friends and maybe, just maybe, have my own birthday celebrated there. 

November 5, 2013. Two days before my birthday, our group arrived at MacTaN-Cebu International Airport and headed to KAWASAN FALLS. Estimated travel time is 3 to 4 hours. We rented a van for 6000 pesos to take us from the airport to Kawasan Falls then to OSLOB ( I will be posting an article about Oslob later). A v-hire is much cheaper and comfortable when traveling in groups. And since we have our own means of transportation, we decided to stop by at CARCAR PUBLIC MARKET to buy our lunch food to be taken to Kawasan Falls.

CARCAR PUBLIC MARKET is famous for its tasty lechon and chicharon. We bought 2 kilos of their famous lechon (280 pesos/kg) and chicharon (600 pesos/kg) and ‘puso’ rice (100 pesos/25pcs). 

Drop off point to Kawasan Falls is at Matutinao, Badian Cebu. Once you see the church below, then it means you are on the right track.

    Here are some pictures taken during our 20 to 30-minute trek to the KAWASAN FALLS. You will notice that the water is not too clear because according to the locals, it rained so hard the night before we arrived. I guess, we were still lucky that the sun smiled when we got there. Entrance fee is 10 pesos.

 Kawasan Falls comprised of 3 falls. We reached the first falls an hour before 12 noon. In this area, there are available rooms for rent ( minimum is 1000 pesos) as well as cottages and tables (300 pesos) and free toilets. Since we brought our own lunch, we just purchased some drinks and rented a table. 

First Falls

'puso' rice (it's not a kakanin, don't be deceived)

crispy lechon!

After a satisfying lunch, we trekked towards the Second Falls. It was just about a 10 to 15-minute hike from the First Fall.

Second Falls

The group was not able to advance to the Third Falls because according to one of the locals, a bridge was damaged during the recent earthquake. And so, we went back to the First Falls to have our swim.

Life vests can be rented at 50 pesos per person.  You also have an option if your group will rent a raft ( 300 pesos) that could take you directly to the falls for an hour. We paid an additional 500 pesos for 4' pull men' who guided us towards the falls via the rented raft.

KAWASAN FALLS... :)


See related posts:

http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/3days2nights-itinerary-cebu-kawasan.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-enchanting-tumalog-falls-of-oslob.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/day-tour-in-sumilon-island.html
http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/our-whale-shark-experience-in-oslob-cebu.html