The Charming and Beautiful Alicante

Why would you go to the crowded streets of Barcelona and Granada if you can have the same shopping experience in a place that has more interesting places with lesser crowd? Come to Alicante, where you will find that there are thousands of things to buy and money will not always be enough here. Known for its fine grained sandy beaches and the stable weather, you can happily shop away without concern for a drastic change in the weather conditions. Alicante is located at the east coast of Spain and has about 400,000 residents that are known for their hospitality and kindness.

The main choice of transportation to get into this warm city is by flight, where you will touch down at the Alicante International Airport. This airport is a really busy airport with a lot of passengers going through the boarding each day. Travelling time is important for those who only have a couple of days for their vacation, so hire a car to cut the time taken on the roads. Alicante Car Hire always offers cheap and reasonable prices and you can always rent the car that will match your needs.

Alicante has always been known for its golden sand beaches and its clean waters, so you will be able to spend a lot of time under the sun in Alicante. The pleasant weather of Alicante will enable you to have the best beach experience in this city. Even though the place can be a little crowded during the holiday season, it will not bother you as Alicante has a total of eight beaches for their visitors. Just choose the beach that you want to spend time at and you can see what the reason is that makes Alicante a surfers paradise. Some of the other activities that you can do here are sun bathing, banana boat riding, and also building sand castles here.

So if you are really interested to come to this place, do make sure that you know these simple tips that can make a huge difference for your ideal vacation. The most basic one will be getting there early, especially if you have children coming along. The beaches here usually welcomes its visitors from as early as ten in the morning so why not come here an hour earlier as you have nothing to lose. The weather here, even though pleasant, can also be too hot and sunny for your body and eyes. Therefore, make sure that you bring a big umbrella and shades while you are here.

Lala-La Union

I easily get addicted with things. Shopping, Traveling and now Surfing. We have been back and forth to San Juan, La Union one of the closest surfing spot in Luzon.

my surfer boys

It is actually a long drive, 6-7hrs from Manila and fortunately I don’t know how to drive. Hahaha! Good thing “Tamamot” – our car, is automatic. We usually leave at around 3-4am and arrive at San Juan before lunch time.

bonding with my pamangkins and the hot chick on the view :)

We have tried staying at Lola Nanny's and Hacienda Peter, and I recommend the latter because of the place and the price. Ate Pacita is very accommodating and she gives big discount. I would also like to stay at Sebay Surf and San Juan Surf Resort.

good job nephew! :)

There are lots of food joints in the area, we have tried Lola Nannys, Sea Nymph Cafe and Sebay Resort. One of the most recommended is the Midway Grill, however, you have to drive going there.

meet Kuya Nano, thanks for extending our time! :)

The lessons in San Juan is Php400 - board and instructor included making it Php50 more costly than that of Balers.  They also have a whole day rate Php800, but board only. I recommend Kuya Nano's Team for surfing lessons. I think they have the same rate with Luke Landrigan's Team but you know, I'd go for some low profile and Luke's already rich! :)

to strengthen their knees? :)

The waves here are more subtle compare to Baler, but it is less salty. Baler have spectacular sunrise but La Union offers to die for sunset. 

as raw as you can get :)

I really can't wait to be back!

Babbbba- BALER

Needless to say, I love traveling, I also see it as a way to become closer to friends and loved ones. I have traveled with my newly found friends and even joined tour groups. But I have never traveled with my high school best friends. They are the people who knew me through my bone marrow (hahaha... sagad sa buto). But honestly, they are my "go to" people, when nobody will ever understand me.

For the past decade we have been contented by hanging out in the mall, coffee, and sleepovers. We always plan to go out but it never push through because of their busy schedules. We are only 5 in the group but we really struggle syncing our schedule. And now we are down to 4 because Iel is working oversees. Lala works for a bank, Tin is studying and working at a hospital and Kt is a full-time med student.

One weekend while having siomai and cheapo coffee at some convenient store, Kt, Lala and I, decided to just go out of town. Choices are Baler or Cagbalete - but Lala already went to Cagbalete, so finally we are down to Baler. It was a long weekend of the Aloha Surf & Music Festival.

It was really hard to find an accommodation at the time, all recommended home stays and resorts are fully booked. I have texted a lot of people, good thing, SMART Beach was kind enough to give me feed backs about reservations. And voila, there was a cancellation! Yahoo! Php700 good for 3-4pax! What a steal! I immediately confirmed our reservation without the replies of my friends - almost a mistake!

A day before our trip, Kt canceled on us, and I have to think Plan B, because I confirmed our accommodation, or else I'll have to pay that Php700. Good thing, Carlo and Gab is free for the weekend and also Wrigley - Lala's bf. And yEy! We are off to Baler!

tamamot and our kubo

We are also bringing Tamamot -our car, based on my research the road to Baler is already passable by a car. I am so positive on this till we reached the Canili Road, where there are patches of rough roads. Tamamot was really tested, and I feel so sorry for all the bruised and scratches she received during our journey.

Passing by Sierra Madre was just awesome, I remembered my Civics and Culture Class and memorizing it as the longest mountain range in the Philippines. And seeing it upfront is priceless. We also passed by Canili and Pantabangan Dam. 

We arrived at Sabang Beach, Baler, around 2pm - it was almost a 8hr trip. I was not that awe by the beach, but the place is really refreshing. The sand is black and the waves are beginning to get big, perfect for surfing. It was also drizzling and surfers are swarming the beach.

Our accommodation at Smart Beach, exceeded my expectations. It was a kubo-type room with own CR, with dining area. The sheets looks and smells clean. Very much worth the price.

We had lunch at Bay's Inn, the food is ok - taste and price. It was the famous place to eat in Sabang Beach.

Gab was just contented in playing the sand, he's kinda afraid of the waves. While I was just also enjoying the view and watching the people.

At night, we enjoyed ourselves with booze and lot of stories - making it one helluva night bonding. :)

Next day, we tried surfing! And all I can say is that I fell in love with it! Being stoked (or mostly being wiped out) gave me a different feeling. And while writing this, I was remembering my trip to La Union - echoing the voice of my instructor saying - Paddle, Paddle, Paddle, Ready, Stand! Hahaha! :)

For transportation tips:
http://www.indieescape.com/2011/05/baler-city-tour-itinerary-2-days.html
http://asiantraveller.com/en/how-to-get-to-baler-aurora-province/

For accommodation tips:
http://www.lakas.com.ph/2011/08/baler-accommodation-list/
http://www.thekillerfillers.com/2011/05/thrills-spills-and-one-stoked-weekend.html

Hehe, I was to lazy to enumerate it myself :D

The Best of 2011

I am too lazy to make a blog post but I am just envious of my blogger friends who have made a round of their wonderful year. I can definitely say that 2011 is my travel year. I have been to many places that I never thought I would reach this year. Special thanks to Dominic of Escapeislands.com for inviting us to his memorable trips. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my on-line friends the Pinoy Travel Bloggers and of course the Bagets, you guys fuel the traveler in me. 

Batangas, Amansinaya and Ambon-ambon Falls: 

It was nice to start year 2011 with a new company and new found friends. 

Batangas, Church Hopping:

Part of our yearly Lenten Season Ritual is the Visita Iglesia, in just less than 24hrs we have toured around Batangas to visit it's historical and heritage churches.

Zambales, Subic Tree Top Adventure:

Nothing beats an all girls road trip and the adrenaline rush from jumping in heights! :)

Cavite, Tagaytay:

A quick getaway from Manila, R and R with the fambam!

Laguna, Montenevoso Resort:

Family Bonding = treasures moments! :)

Albay, Legazpi & Sorsogon, Donsol, Juban:

I have good and not-so good trips, but all of them was fun! And my adventure to Albay and Sorsogon was so-so, even though I didn't get to see the Mt.Mayon and the whale sharks, I still enjoyed barrio life and the company of my friends.

Cebu, Plantation Bay:

My 2nd trip to Cebu for the year was just a quickie, so we decided to just tour around Mactan and we visited Plantation Bay.

 

Bohol:

Yearly trip with my college buddies was worth the truancy I committed :)

Camarines Norte, Calaguas Island:

I have been raving about this place for so long, so when Dominic sent an invitation, I immediately say yes! It was extra special because Gab is tagging along and Carlo will be celebrating his birthday :)

Zambales, Mt. Pinatubo:

My birthday trip for the year and my first trekking adventure. It was also an outreach event which was also organized by Dominic. This trip made me realized that I have a lot to be thankful for.

Cebu, Moalboal:

I was sent to Cebu for work and it was great to have a day-off for a quick side trip. It was also my first time to have a meet up with other bloggers. Special thanks to Doi, Edcel and Edwin!

Aurora, Baler:

Lala and I, have been best friends for more than a decade, but we never have a trip together! A road trip to Baler was extra fun because we get to try surfing.

Mountain Province, Banaue and Batad:

I survived BATAD. :)

with my travel buddy Majane and our good friend Divine :)

Palawan, Puerto Princesa:

A decade with your love one and a stunning view of Puerto Princesa - leaves me singing "I couldn't ask for more.." -yuck... cheesy! :)

La Union, San Juan:

I have been bitten by the travel bug, but the worst is, I got addicted to surfing! Hahaha! Been back and forth to La Union to get wiped out and be elated every time I had a good ride. San Juan is like my SM, it got everything I need. The beach, the waves, the company and the view. I am s*cker for sunset and every time I witness it I feel so blessed and thankful to the Lord almighty.

To my readers, thanks a lot for visiting and paying attention to my non-sense. I really appreciate all your comments, as in! :)

To my PTB friends, you guys are my inspiration and mentors! Just keep on traveling and having fun!

To my friends and family, I love you guys! Hahaha!

To Carlo and Gab, both of you inspire me to do great in life and it feels good to know you are always around.

Cheers to more travel! :)

I'm going to change my name....

into The Frustrated Blogger! Hahaha!

I miss blogging!

I will write soon... I promise errr I'll try :)

photo from: http://www.pasyalera.com/aurora/surfing-in-baler-aurora/

Note to self:
- must finished post about Puerto Princesa
- Try to post Gab's first fieldtrip
- Baler, Aurora

Puerto Princesa: Iwahig Firefly tour

When I went to a vacation or a place, as much as possible I want to try and experience everything the destination have to offer. That is why we almost missed our flight back home, but if you think about the plane fare, accommodation and other expenses, you yourself would want to maximize your limited time.

I once read that effective blogging is writing your experience while it is fresh and having a journal to write down the details is helpful. So did I follow it? Let's just say I just read it recently. :)

Dock area - I am real bad at low light

Last August when we visit Puerto Princesa, I did not missed the chance to experience the now famous Iwahig Firefly Tour. The experience was just amazing that I couldn't just remember the details now. So I just did a bullet points of what I can remember :)

• The tour cost us Php800 per pax - Transpo, boat and entrance fee
• It was 45min drive from the city but our driver was just crazy did it with 20mins
• The docking station is a century old Balete tree
• The boat can only hold a max of 3 persons + 1 guide, it is mandatory to wear your life vest
• The ride is more than 3km (back and forth)
• River is made up of brackish water - my favorite learning - a mixture of fresh and salt water
• Be prepared for total darkness while cruising the boat. Imagine Lake Placid? And I also asked if there are crocodiles, tour guide says he wouldn't be there if one has ever been seen.
• It is best to go on a not full moon, because the moonlit interferes with the light of the fireflies
• Fireflies are bioluminescence - their abdomen light when they breath and it is their way to attract a mate. 
• Why do they light? Because of the chemical reaction in their bodies, our tour guide gave me the combination of formula but I couldn't remember a thing he said.
• Fireflies are natural indicators of a healthy environment
• They are sensitive with red light
• Fireflies are choosy when it comes to mangroves, they only like a particular specie of mangroves called Nilad. Tour guide says Manila was once full of Nilad mangroves, that is why it was named Maynilad. - Imagine that?
• Our tour guide, which I also forgot the name, is a volunteer residence from Iwahig. He was really good at giving information and explaining things. His parents are employees in the Iwahig Penal Colony
• Iwahig Penal Colony is the Alcatraz of the Philippines, but the prisoners are free to roam around.
• Planktons can also be seen in the river and they lit too, but we were not able to see it because of the rainy weather.

 Yey! I still remember things but next time I want to practice having a travel journal to be more accurate and specific. You see, traveling is one of the best way to learn!

Definitely not a firefly, saw this injured Dragonfly at the inn