Monthly Archives: May 2017

 

Hi Budgetarians!

It’s been awhile that I have posted a blog so I’m sharing this unexpected trip I had to Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel and Adventure Park in Ozamiz City where you can experience the longest and highest sky-line zip in Asia. Sounds amazing, right? 🙂

Located in the highlands of Brgy. Hoyohoy in Tangub, Misamis Occidental, Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel and Adventure Park is considered as the Baguio City or the Tagaytay of the south. This is mainly because of the pine trees and cold sunny weather like that of Baguio or Tagaytay in the northern Philippines. The breathtaking view of Ozamiz City and nearby provinces can be gazed 850 masl. People come here to relax and enjoy the panoramic view as well as to experience the sky-line zip adventure, perfect for a quick and get away from the city.

 

What to See?

The scenic view above

 

The view of Ozamiz City from Hoyohoy Highland & Stone Chapel Adventure Park

Stone Chapel

 

 

Flowers in bloom

I’m so into flower photography, not to say. lol

 

What to To Do?

Zip-lining!

 

The zip-line experience was totally amazing. The 2 operational lines: Line 1 has whooping 1.5 kms deep and Line 2 have 1.2 kms. So far, this is the most thrilling and intense ride I had in my whole life. I shouted at the top of my lungs and even prayed to God to reach the end of the lines. Not to mention that when I was at the middle of the first line, I twirled because of the strong winds. Whoa! That was beyond intense. That was a great experience and for me the best zip-line to ride, yet. Though, I am still waiting for my photo to be uploaded in their Facebook Page. lol

 

Ride a Buggy Jeep

 

How To Go There?

Ride a van from Ozamiz central market to Tangub City for 20-30 minutes and take Habal-Habal (motorcycle ride) up to Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel & Adventure Park for 15-20 minutes.

 

Expenses:

Php 40 – two-way Van from Ozamiz to Tangub

Php250 – two-way Habal-Habal to Adventure Park

Php 50 – Entrance Fee

Php 500 – Skyline Zip Package

Php 150 – Food

Total: Php 990 (about USD20)

 

Contact:

Facebook www.facebook.com/HSCH.Hoyohoy

Cellphone# 0917 326 7878

 

 

 

Suman is a rice cake originated from the Philippines which is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves or palm leaves for steaming. Suman is usually eaten with sprinkled sugar or laiden with latik or “scum” of coconut milk.

Suman has been part of the Philippine history that could be traced back before the arrival of colonizers. It is believed that Suman originated from harvest feasting of early Filipinos. Though uncertain with the invention of this favorite Filipino delicacy,  it is unsurprising since rice is the main and most important crop in the Philippines. Traditionally, Suman is one of the food offering presented to the spirits and gods as well as deceased loved ones.

Nowadays, many restaurants in the country are serving Suman Latik and one of those is Senyor Juan. With over 20 branches in the Philippines, Senyor Juan have captured every Filipino hearts by turning a Pinoy loved traditional dish into something more special and ingenious.

 

 

Senyor Juan’s best sellers are Espesyal Leche Flan Suman Latik, Espesyal Mangga Suman Latik, and Ube Macapuno Suman Latik. My favorite is Ube Macapuno. The sweet taste of ube “taro” and macapuno strings or coconut “sport” are just right to compliment the rice cake. They are perfect to partner with either hot or iced coffee.

 

 

 

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Who’s for budget luxury?

I had been dreaming of traveling Thailand for some time so I made a trip to Bangkok last February 2017. Bangkok was fascinating and amazing to me but city life is too much since I already live in a busy and congested Metro Manila. I want to escape the city and so I visited Ayutthaya, just 1-2 hours away from Bangkok. I also wanted to visit Pattaya that time but time did not permit. I fell in love with Thailand’s culture, food, and people during my travel.

 

Another Thailand’s province on my bucket list is Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is sometimes written as “Chiengmai” or “Chiangmai“, is the largest city in Northern Thailand. I have read a lot of e-books about Chiang Mai, one is Luxurious Chiang Mai: The 5-star guide to hotels, dining, spa, and sightseeing in Chiang Mai by Laura Gibbs and it never failed to amaze me in so many ways. This splendid place, little did I know has a lot to offer. With nature and culture combined, no doubt, Chiang Mai is the next top destination in Southeast Asia.

 

What I like about this guide Luxurious Chiang Mai: The 5-star guide to hotels, dining, spa and sightseeing in Chiang Mai is that the author,  Laura Gibbs covers all best hotels, sightseeing, activities, fine dining, cafes and high tea, bars/nightlife, shopping, pampering and spa time, trips outside Chiang Mai, events, and practical issues in Chiang Mai. This is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to plan a luxury honeymoon or a once in a lifetime holiday in style. According to her, while Chiang Mai is so often talked about as being cheap and a great spot for budget travelers, it is rarely mentioned as being one of the best places in the world for affordable 5-star luxury. Needless to say, Chiang Mai is the next destination for budget luxury.

This book makes me want to be there at this very moment as I’m writing this. I’m totally into Chiang Mai now.

Let’s go visit Chiang Mai! 🙂

 

For more details of the book visit www.LuxuryChiangMai.com

Want to know more about Thailand? Read 6  Top Reasons Why I love Traveling to Bangkok, Thailand

My friends and I have this yearly holy week escapade and this year was totally amazing. This is not the perfect trip but this is the most awesome outdoor experience that we all did together. We did trekking, caving and spelunking in Sagada and lived like natives while savoring the awe-spiring, breathtaking stairway to the skies in Batad, Ifugao.

This is a 3-day budget travel itinerary to Sagada and Batad which all of you can follow step by step. I want to share with you all you need to know before you visit these two beautiful places in the northern part of the Philippines. All about tourism, tour and guide fees are detailed in the itinerary at the last portion of this blog.

Shall we begin? ?

 

What to Do in Sagada?

•Adventure Trail

The Adventure Trail consists of a 3 hours trek to the Echo Valley Hanging Coffins passing by the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, entering the Sagada Underground River. This includes forest trails and river crossing. (The trail can be finished in 1.5 hrs).

Forest trail.

 

This the Echo Valley viewing station. It is called Echo Valley basically because you can hear your voice echoing loud and clear when you make a sound or shout atop. lol

 

Sagada Hanging Coffins

Sagada is very rich in history and has a unique funerary customs. The people of Sagada claims that this is a 2000 years old burial custom. According to the locals, when a person died, they let the dead body sit on the chair in order to achieve a fetal position, cover it with blanket, put in the coffin and hang by the cliff. This is the belief that a person must exit the world as he entered it like a fetus. And that should be hanged up the cliff so that the dead person will be closer to heaven and their ancestral spirits.

According to also to our tour guide, the main reason why coffins of the Igorot tribe are hanged is in order not to be eaten by dogs or other wild animals if buried in the ground. This is a fascinating burial custom but some historians do not account the claim of said practice as they lacked written evidence.

 

The trail to the underground river.

 

 

Sagada Underground River

 

We passed through these beautiful wild flowers on the trail…

 

And red cabbage farm.

 

End of Adventure Trail.

 

•Cave Connection

A 40 minutes walk to Lumiang Burial Cave entrance passing by Dokiw Hanging Coffins, emerging at Sumaguing Cave. A 3-4 hours exploration inside the cave. This is a physically demanding activity so be ready before doing this. (This can also be finished in 2.5 hours depending on your pace).

Entrance to Lumiang Burial Cave

 

Lumiang Cave

 

 

Sumaguing Cave

 

Some weird stone formations inside the cave.

 

•Kiltepan Sunrise Viewing

 

Enjoy the morning breeze and mesmerizing sea of clouds at Kiltepan.

 

Where to Stay in Sagada?

•Panyero’s Homestay

Do you want other hotels? Book here TravelBookPh

 

Where to Eat in Sagada?

•Bana’s Cafe

They said Bana’s Cafe have the best breakfast in Sagada. And they are right.

When you visit the cafe, you got to try their civet coffee espresso and experience a Pinoy style breakfast at Bana’s Cafe.

 

 

 

Celebrate morning at Bana’s cafe with a great view of these flowers.

•Marfere Country Inn & Restaurant

Located at the heart of Sagada, Masferre offers good food choices. We ordered Pinikpikan and some pork barbecue when we had our dinner.

 

•Yoghurt House

They have one of the best desserts in Sagada. Yoghurt House also serves western cuisines, mostly pasta, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and hams.

And of course, your visit to Yoghurt house will not be complete without trying their famous yogurt bowls.

 

•Sagada Lemon Pie House

 

 

They have a nice interior too and you got to experience a japanesese seating style.

Where to Eat in Banaue?

•7th Heaven’s Cafe

What to Do in Batad?

•Sight-Seeing at Banaue Rice Terraces

Batad Rice Terraces – A UNESCO Heritage site.

 

 

 

 

The Tappiya falls was closed for trail construction when we visited. Don’t miss it when you come by Batad.

Where to Stay in Batad?

•Ramon’s Homestay

Mang Ramon and his family is well-known in Batad, Ifugao. His homestay is always chosen by the travelers around the world because of the Nipa Hut experience and his knowledge in history. He has been featured several times in television and prints.

Do you want other hotels? Book here  TravelBookPh

 

This is an almost 100 years old Nipa Hut or “no nail” house. Hut 2 is a special hut because Mang Ramon, the owner, was born there. We were honored to have slept in that hut and we have enjoyed the experience. Sleeping in a nipa hut means no comfort room and no light. We just had our sleeping mats with mattress. And if you got to pee in the middle of the night, you need to go down to the common comfort rooms.

 

It was a fun experience to wear the native Ifugao attire.

 

We had a souvenir photo with the famous Mang Ramon and his cousin. We were lucky because not everybody got a chance to see him in person. Mang Ramon really speaks the English language so well.? I heard him being interviewed by an American traveler. I was amazed.?

 

Here is our detailed itinerary. We are a group of 4 friends. It is recommended to travel in a group in order to save from tour and transportation rates.

 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 0
9 pm – Cubao-Sagada via Coda Lines (P720 Regular AC, P1050 Super Deluxe)

Day 1
8:00 am – Arrival in Sagada
8:20 am – Register in Tourism Office (P35 Environmental Fee). Check guided tours.
8:30 am – Check-in Panyero’s Homestay (P300/night)
10-11:00 am – Brunch at Bana’s Cafe (P180)
11:30 am – Start Adventure Trail (P800/person adventure trail+cave connection, 3 hours trek to Echo Valley Hanging Coffins, passing by the Church of St. Mary’s the Virgin, enter Sagada Underground River). Includes forest trails and river crossing. P10 environmental fee per peson.
2:00 pm – Cave Connection (Lumiang Burial Cave entrance, passing by Dokiw Hanging Coffins, connecting to Sumaguing Cave). 3-4 hrs cave exploration which we have finished in 2hrs.
4:30 pm – Back to hotel
7:00 pm – Dinner at Masferre (P92)
8:00 pm – Visit souvenir shops (P450) optional
8:30 pm – Snacks at Yoghurt House (P120)
9:30 pm – Back to hotel

Day 2
4:30 am – Kiltepan Sunrise viewing (P85/person or 6/500 per van or jeepney rental – minimum of 11)
7:00 am – Breakfast at Sagada Lemon Pie House (P160)
8:00 am – Back to hotel
9:30 am – Travel to Bontoc (P50)
10:30 am – Arrival in Bontoc
11:00 am – Depart Bontoc to Banaue with stop-over at Mt. Polis (P150)
1:00 pm – Arrival in Banaue and Registration at Municipal Tourism Center (P30)
1:20 pm – Late lunch at 7th Heaven’s Cafe (P162)
2:00 pm – Viewpoint Sightseeing at Hiwang Village (P30 entrance, P100 transpo/person)
3:00 pm – Travel to Batad (P250 trike/person or P150 jeep until 3 pm only)
3:50 pm – Arrival at Saddle point
4:20 pm – Trek down at Ramon’s Homestay (P250/night). We stayed at Nipa Hut #2 which regular rate is P300/person because there’s no more available regular rooms.?
4:30 pm – Start Sightseeing (P100/person)
6:30 pm – Back to Ramon’s Homestay
7:00pm – Dinner (P140)
9:00pm – Lights out

Day 3
6:00 am Wake-up call
7:00 am Breakfast (Cup noodles)
7:30 am Photo ops with Mang Ramon with Ifugao native costume (leave token)
8:10 am Trek up to catch the 9 am public jeepney to Banaue
9:00 am Left for Banaue
9:10 am Arrival in Banaue (P150)
9:20 am Banaue to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (P105)
12:30 pm – Lunch at Kaboodle Grill (P200)
1:30 pm – Solano to Cubao/Manila via Tuguegarao buses (P350)
10:30pm – Arrival in Manila.

 

EXPENSES

Total – P4,889 (almost US$100) each

 

HOW TO GO THERE

• Coda Lines – bus direct to Sagada. Book here http://www.phbus.com/coda-bus-lines/
• Ohayami Trans – bus from Manila to Banaue only. Book here http://ohayamitrans.com/book-now.html
• Dangwa Tranco Inc. – Manila to Banaue only via Solano. For more inquiries: (02)781-5849 / (02)743-3809

CONTACT

Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center located at Poblacion, Sagada, Mountain Province, Phils.

Email Add: sagada.mayor@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/sagadatourism

 

Tour Guide in Batad – Jonathan

Cellphone #0928-3328592

 

Have a fun visit to Sagada & Batad! ?