Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

November 25, 2023 Saturday in Dingalan, Aurora Province, Philippines

DINGALAN, AURORA (HIKING + SWIMMING + FALLS)

₱1,500 only all-in per/pax with free boodle fight & no hidden charges 

Just 3-4 hours away from Manila. Masasarap ang Seafoods. Unexplored Beauty, kaya dinarayo ng nakararami.

INCLUSIONS: Roundtrip van transfer,  Driver's Gas, Park, Toll fee,  Boat Transfer,  Ecological / Entrance fee. All permits, Cottage, Dingalan Local Guide fee, Insurance Fee. Food (BODDLE FIGHT)

NATURE SITES TO VISIT: Dingalan Feeder port, White Beach, Mountain view deck (Batanes of the East), Dingalan Lighthouse, Tanawan Falls, Cliff Diving Spot, I Love Dingalan Marker. Lamao/Rock formation (wave dependent)

Things to bring: Extra Clothes, Extra Money, Toiletries, Cap, Shades/Sunglasses, Sunblock or any sunscreen protection, Camera or any device to take photos or vids, Powerbank, Water, Gears for water activities

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East) Itinerary

11:00pm Centris McDonald's ₱213

1:00am Meet-up, ETD Centris 

6:00am ETA Dingalan

6:30am Dingalan (Breakfast) own account ₱100

7:00am Feeder Port Registration

7:15am Event Briefing/ Boat ride to white beach

7:30am White Beach

7:40am Start trek to Viewdeck

8:00am Viewdeck (Picture taking)

8:10am Start Trek to Lighthouse

9:00am Start to Descend

9:30am Boat Ride to Lamao Cave 

10:00am Lamao Cave Picture Taking/ Swimming/ Cliff Diving

11:00am Suah Rock Formations/ Snorkeling/ Swimming

12:00nn Feeder Port/ Lunch (boodle fight) 

12:40pm Go to Tanawan Falls

1:00pm Trek to Tanawan Falls

1:20pm Tanawan Falls/ Cliff Diving/ Swimming

4:00pm Descend/ Cleanup

4:30pm I Love Dingalan Marker; (souvenirs, tip, transportation going home) ₱500

5:00pm ETD Dingalan

10:00pm ETA Mnl

Total Expenses: ₱1,500 + ₱813 = ₱2,313

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

Malagandis Falls and Magdaup Beaches in Zamboanga Sibugay

13 Days Mindanao Pandemic Adventure Solo Backpacking Nov. 09 to 21, 2021

Short Visit in Davao Occidental and Lanao del Sur

Mindanao Day 10: My 70th Province, Zamboanga Sibugay. Habal habal joyride to Malagandis Falls #philippines #pinasnaman #mindanao #pandemictravelling #pilipinas #lakbayPinas #waterfalls #daytrip 

How to Go: From Ipil (Zamboanga Sibugay) Rotunda gasoline station, ride jeep going to Titay, 15 minutes travel for PHP 40 fare. Then ride habal habal, PHP 200 for return going straight to Malagandis Falls. Habal habal travel time is around 30 minutes. Entrance fee to the Falls costs PHP 10.

Day 10: November 18, 2021 Thursday (Zamboanga Sibugay; my 70th province)

0700H Jollibee breakfast 125; jeep to Titay 40

0800H ETA Titay; habal2 to Malagandis Falls 200 / Malagandis Falls 20

0930H ETD Titay; jeep to Ipil 40; snacks 28 / Hotel rest; snacks 35

1430H tricycle to Magdaup 30 / Magdaup beaches (Anduhol, Katipunan)

1600H Tricycle to Ipil Market 30; dinner 60

Total: PHP 608

Malagandis Falls and Magdaup Beaches in Zamboanga Sibugay

Asik-asik Falls Day Trip in Cotabato (Northern)

13 Days Mindanao Pandemic Adventure Solo Backpacking Nov. 09 to 21, 2021

Great Mosques Afternoon Trip in Maguindanao

Mindanao Day 07: My 68th Province, Cotabato (Northern). Habal habal joyride to Asik Asik Falls #philippines #pinasnaman #mindanao #pandemictravelling #pilipinas #lakbayPinas #waterfalls #daytrip 

How to Go: From Cotabato City Bus Terminal (earliest bus is 0630), ride Cagayan de Oro bound bus then drop off to Alamada (2 hours travel on PHP 140 fare). Then ride habal habal, PHP 500 for return going straight to Asik Asik Falls. Habal habal travel time is around 1 hour. Entrance fee to the Falls costs PHP 100.

Day 07: November 15, 2021 Monday (Cotabato; my 68th province)

0700H Jollibee breakfast 121

0830H ETD Cotabato; bus to Alamada 140

1030H ETA Alamada; habal habal to Asik Falls 500 / Asik Asik Falls 100; refreshments 75

1300H ETA Alamada; lunch 45

1345H ETD Alamada; bus to Cotabato city 140

1545H ETA Cotabato city; dinner 157 / Hotel Filipino

Total: PHP 1,278

Asik-asik Falls Day Trip in Cotabato (Northern)

Awao Falls Day Trip in Davao de Oro

13 Days Mindanao Pandemic Adventure Solo Backpacking Nov. 09 to 21, 2021

Mt. Apo (2,954masl) Day-Hike (Sibulan Trail)

Mindanao Day 04: My 64th Province, Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley). Skylab joyride to Awao Falls #philippines #pinasnaman #mindanao #pandemictravelling #pilipinas #lakbayPinas #waterfalls #daytrip 

How to Go: From Davao City Ecoland Terminal, ride any Butuan bound bus then drop off to Monkayo (4 hours travel on PHP 250 fare). Then go to Skylab Terminal (walking distance from the bus terminal) and look for Awao sign board. Negotiate the roundtrip ride as it's very hard to share with another local passenger, PHP 500 going straight to Awao Falls and return (will take much time to full). Skylab travel time is around 1 hour. Entrance fee in Awao Falls costs PHP 30.

Day 04: November 12, 2021 Friday (Davao De Oro; my 64th province)

0530H ETD Hostel; jeep to Ecoland 10

0620H ETD Ecoland; bus to Monkayo 280

0830H Tagum stop-over; breakfast 90

1040H ETA Monkayo; skylab to Awao 400; balsa 100

1200H Awao Falls 30; snacks 35

1330H ETA Monkayo; bus to Davao 225

1800H ETA Ecoland; jeep to hostel 10; dinner 170

Total: PHP 1,350

Awao Falls Day Trip in Davao de Oro

Baños (Cascada, Puno Selva, La Casa del Arbol, Las Manos de Dios)

41 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Ecuador March 24 to May 04, 2021

Tungurahua Refuge (3,830masl) Self-guided Solo Budget Day Hike

Day 52: Mar. 28, 2021 Sun / Baños 1

0900H ETD Riobamba; bus 2.5

1045H ETA Baños; walk to hostel 

1100H Ruta dela Cascada tour 3; snacks 2; Cascada de Agoyan, Pailon del Diablo 2

1400H ETA Baños; walk to hostel; lunch 3; Transilvania Hostel 3 nights 16.5; Body Massage 25; pack snacks 9

TOTAL: $63

Day 53: Mar. 29, 2021 Mon / Baños 2

1200H Tungurahua Volcano Refuge (3,830masl)

Day 54: Mar. 30, 2021 Tue / Baños 3

0900H ETD Baños; van; Puno Selva Amazon jungle trip 25

Miramera, Cascada Hola Vida, Wayuri Tribe 2, Canoe ride, Indi Churis 2, El Paraiso Cacao Farm 2)

2000H ETA Baños; Transilvania Hostel

TOTAL: $31

Day 55: Mar. 31, 2021 Wed / Baños 4

1030H ETD Baños (1,820masl); trek start; Trail 1st part; steep forest (3km); lunch 3.5

1330H La Casa del Arbol; entrance fee 1; Swing at the Edge of the World

1500H ETD La Casa del Arbol; trek back 

1700H ETA Baños; dinner 6; Transilvania Hostel extension 

TOTAL: $10.5

Day 56: Apr. 01, 2021 Thu / Baños 5

1100H ETD Transilvania Hostel 5.5

1245H ETD Baños; bus 0.5; lunch 5; Rio Verde / Pailon del Diablo 2; snacks 4; Cascada del Rocio Machay 1

1745H ETD Rio Verde; bus 0.5; Hostal Princesa Maria 3 nights 26; snacks 10

TOTAL: $54.5

Day 57: Apr. 02, 2021 Fri / Baños 6

0830H ETD Baños (1,820masl); trek start; snacks 1

1100H Las Manos de Dios (Hands of God) 2

1230H ETD Las Manos de Dios

1430H ETA Baños; lunch 4; Hostal Princesa Maria; dinner 3

TOTAL: $10

Day 58: Apr. 03, 2021 Sat / Baños 7

Termal del La Virgen 3.5; lunch 4.5; Hostal Princesa Maria 

TOTAL: $8

Baños (Cascada, Puno Selva, La Casa del Arbol, Las Manos de Dios)

Bogota (Zipaquira, La Chorrera, Cerro Monserrate, Laguna Guatavita)

13 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Colombia February 04, 2021 to February 17, 2021

Medellin (Sta. Fe de Antioquia, La Piedra del Peñol, Communa 13)

Day 06: Feb. 10, 2021 Wed / Bogota 

0530H ETA Bogota Salitre; bus to hostel 2,000

Hostal Chorro De Quevedo 113,000; TransMilenio Card + charge 20,000; breakfast 9,000; Money Exchange 100 USD = $333,000 (3,330)

0930H ETD Universidad Stn; bus #B74 to Virrey; ECUADOR VISA APPLICATION 1st; PARAGUAY VISA APPLICATION 2nd

1300H ETD Virrey; bus #B25 to Portal Norte

1330H ETD Portal Norte; bus 6,000; lunch 9,000; Zipaquira Salt Mine 60,000; Zipaquira centro short tour; snacks 4,000

1745H ETD Zipaquira; bus 6,000

1845H ETA Portal Norte; bus #J74 to Unibersidades

1930H ETA Bogota Centro; Hostal Chorro De Quevedo

TOTAL: $229,000

Day 07: Feb. 11, 2021 Thu / Bogota

0630H ETD Hostel; walk to TRASORIENTE terminal

0710H ETD Bogota; van 9,000; breakfast 10,000

0845H ETA La Chorrera junction

1100H La Chorrera Waterfall (2,540masl) 

1130H ETD La Chorrera Waterfall; lunch 11,000

1400H ETA Main Road; van 8,000

1530H ETA Bogota; early dinner 20,000; Hostal Chorro De Quevedo

TOTAL: $58,000

Day 08: Feb. 12, 2021 Fri / Bogota

0630H ETD Hostel; Bogota Centro walk trip

0700H Cerro Monserrate trailhead (2,650masl)

0815H Cerro Monserrate 3,152masl; Summit sightseeing (450m gain, 1,605 steps); Breakfast 11,000; souvenir 6,000

0930H ETA Cerro Monserrate trailhead; National Museum of Colombia 3,000; lunch 10,000; Iglesia de San Francisco / Museo del Oro

Money Exchange 100 USD = $328,000 (3,280); Museo de Botero (free entrance)

Santuario del El Carmen / Barrio Egipto Alto; Hostal Chorro De Quevedo; dinner ramen 22,000

TOTAL: $52,000

Day 09: Feb. 13, 2021 Sat / Bogota

0700H ETD Hostel; breakfast 5,000

0730H ETD Universidades; bus D24 at Av39 & B13; Transmilenio to Portal Norte Station; Walk to Terminal Satellite del Norte

0900H ETD Bogota; bus 10,000

1020H ETA Laguna Guatavita junction; van 4,000 

1040H ETA Laguna Guatavita 19,000; snacks 8,000

1300H ETD Laguna Guatavita; van 4,000

1330H ETD Laguna Guatavita junction; bus 10,000

1500H ETA Bogota; bus to hostel; Hostal Chorro De Quevedo; dinner 17,000

TOTAL: $77,000

Day 10: Feb. 14, 2021 Sun / Bogota

0600H ETD Hostel; Buscard recharge 6,000

0620H ETD Universidades; bus 1 at Eldordo & 16-14

0700H 16TH PCR TEST; Laboratorio SYNLAB 280,000

0730H Bus 16-14 to El Dorado; bus 1 to Salitre

0900H ETD Bogota; bus 30,000; breakfast 9,000

1230H ETA Guaduas; short town visit

1430H ETD Guaduas; van 30,000

1900H ETA Bogota; bus #305B to Centro; Hostal Chorro De Quevedo 23,000 130 USD

TOTAL: $378,000 + 130 USD CASH

Day 11: Feb. 15, 2021 Mon / Bogota 

0600H REMIND STATUS ECUADOR EMBASSY

0700H Breakfast 7,000; lunch 15,000

1300H ETD Hostel; TransMilenio to Airport 1, 16-14; Ticket bought 2 hours before flight via BDO MC

Failed to check-in, received email not charged

1600H back to hostel; Unibersidades Stn 10,000; Money Exchange 50 USD = $163,000 (3,270)

Hostal Chorro De Quevedo 45,000; snacks 10,000

TOTAL: $87,000

Day 12: Feb. 16, 2021 Tue / Bogota

0615H ETD Universidades; bus D24 at Av39 & B13; Transmilenio to Portal Norte Station; Walk to Terminal Satellite del Norte; breakfast 8,000

0800H ETD Bogota; bus 30,000

1000H ETA Tunja; van to Villa de Leyva 10,000

1130H ETA Villa de Leyva; lunch 13,000; Villa de Leyva walk tour

1500H ETD Villa de Leyva; bus 35,000

1830H ETA Bogota; Unibersidades Stn; snacks 4,000; REACTIVATE ECUADOR VISA IN LA PAZ

Hostal Chorro De Quevedo

TOTAL: $100,000

Day 13: Feb. 17, 2021 Wed / Bogota

1230H ETD Hostel; TransMilenio to Airport 1, 16-14; Breakfast 8,000; lunch 23,000

1600H ETD Bogota UTC -0500H; flight AV8382

2110H ETA Sta. Cruz UTC -0400H

TOTAL: $31,000

Bogota (Zipaquira, La Chorrera, Cerro Monserrate, Laguna Guatavita)

Palenque (Pyramid Ruins, Wejlib-Ha, Roberto Barrios, Agua Azul)

30 Days Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Mexico November 27, 2020 to December 27, 2020

Oaxaca (Centro, Monte Alban Archaeological Zone, El Tule, Mitla)

Day 16: Dec. 12, 2020 Sat / Villahermosa

1100H ETA Villahermosa; 4 hours short visit; Histórico Centro; KFC meal 127

1500H ETD Villahermosa; afternoon bus

1730H ETA Palenque; Campeche ticket 532; Casa Janaab hostel ($410) walk;

Palenque Centro Histórico; dinner 140

TOTAL:  $799 + $410 (cc)

Day 17: Dec. 13, 2020 Sun / Palenque

0800H ETD Hostel; Collectivo 50; Wejlib-Ha Waterfalls; Mango 20

1145H Collectivo to Junction 20; snacks 13; Collectivo to Roberto Barrios 100

Roberto Barrios Waterfalls; lunch 90

1500H ETD Roberto Barrios; Collectivo Palenque 100

1600H ETA Palenque; dinner/beers 172; laundry 72

TOTAL: $637

Day 18: Dec. 14, 2020 Mon / Palenque

0900H ETD Hostel; walk to ADO bus terminal; Collectivo to Ruinas $20; refreshments 40

1000H Zona Arqueológica Palenque 80

1145H ETD Zona Arqueológica; Collectivo 20

1230H Hostel Check out; lunch 71

1315H ETD Palenque; Collectivo to Agua Azul 50

1430H ETA Agua Azul Junction; taxi to entrance 50; Agua Azul Waterfalls Entrance 65; snacks 75

1630H ETD Agua Azul Waterfalls; taxi 25

1715H ETD Agua Azul Junction; Collectivo 50

1900H ETA Palenque; stay in Hostel; beer 35

2330H ETD Palenque; night bus to Campeche

TOTAL: $581

Palenque (Pyramid Ruins, Wejlib-Ha, Roberto Barrios, Agua Azul)

Argentina Iguazu Day Tour (The Falls and the Bordermark)

11 Days Solo Backpacking in Summer Argentina

November 15 to 22 and November 30 to December 02, 2019

Buenos Aires City Self-Guided Walk Tour

Day 03: November 17, 2019 Sunday / Iguazu Falls

0600H ETD Hostel; taxi to airport 1,025; breakfast 180

0800H ETD Buenos Aires; flight AR 2724

0955H ETA Iguazu; Van to Downtown 250

1100H ETA Iguazu Downtown; bus to Iguazu Park 360 return

1120H ETD Iguazu Downtown

1150H ETA Iguazu Falls National Park; Entrance fee 800; Buffet Restaurant 830

1300H ETD Central Station (get departure stub, every 30min interval)

1500H ETD Devil's Throat Station; refreshments 140

1610H ETD Iguazu Falls National Park

1645H ETA Hito Tres Fronteras (Three Borders Landmark)

1715H ETD Hito Tres Fronteras; bus to Terminal 35; Photo-ops; refreshments 60

1745H ETD Iguazu Downtown; shared taxi to Airport 350

1815H ETA Iguazu Airport

2005H ETD Iguazu; flight AR 2727

2200H ETA Buenos Aires; Uber to Hostel 200; Kentucky pizza meal 215

Buenos Aires City Last Night (3rd)

Subtotal: 4,425 ARS

Argentina Iguazu Day Tour (The Falls and the Bordermark)

Victoria Falls in Zambia Morning Tour

3 Days Solo Trip in Summer Zimbabwe - Zambia for Victoria Falls

December 26 to 28, 2018

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe Afternoon Tour

IMPORTANT !! Filipino citizens are not eligible for day-tripper (24-hr) visa at the Zimbabwe-Zambia border in Victoria Falls bridge.

Spanning almost 1.7 kilometres, and split between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the mighty Victoria Falls can be seen from both sides of the Zambezi River and has two entrance gates. The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries.

Day 3: December 28, 2018 Friday
0530H ETD Hostel; walk to Border
0600H Zimbabwe border; Victoria Bridge
0645H Zambia border; gate pass $20 
Victoria falls 20 (Boiling pot trail, Photography trail, Knife edge trail)
0845H ETD Victoria Falls Livingstone
0930H Zimbabwe - Zambia border
1000H back to hotel; refreshments 8
1045H ETD Hostel; shuttle to Airport (Shearwater booking 14)
Total: 48 USD

Victoria Falls in Zambia Morning Tour

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe Afternoon Tour

3 Days Solo Trip in Summer Zimbabwe - Zambia for Victoria Falls

December 26 to 28, 2018

Zimbabwe - Zambia Victoria Falls Preparation and Itinerary

Victoria Falls also known as "Mosi oa-Tunya" ("the smoke that thunders") is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River's 2700 km journey from it's source to the sea. Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometre width of the river. Creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Words cannot describe the awesome beauty and power of the Victoria Falls. David Livingstone in 1855 probably came the closest with “Scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight”.
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/facts-on-victoria-falls.html

Day 1: December 26, 2018 Wednesday
0530H ETA Johannesburg Airport UTC +0200H; transit 4.5 hours
1100H ETD Johannesburg Airport; flight SA40
1240H ETA Victoria Falls Airport UTC +0200H
1310H ETD Victoria Airport; Shuttle bus to Hostel 15
1345H ETA Victoria Falls Rest Camp; KFC lunch 11
1430H Victoria Falls 30 (Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls); refreshments 8
1730H ETD Victoria Falls; KFC dinner 10
1830H back to hostel; fridge magnet 2; Shearwater white water rafting booking 118; beers 6
Total: 200 USD

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe Afternoon Tour

3 Days Solo Trip in Summer Zimbabwe - Zambia for Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls summer adventure in the Zimbabwe - Zambia border
December 26 to 28, 2018

My 70th solo backpacking trip, 11th and 12th country to visit in African continent, 89th and 90th country visited on my journey #lakbay100, 5th continent on my list and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

Victoria Falls, named after Queen of Great Britain, presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. Victoria Falls is the only waterfall in the world with a length of more than a kilometer and a height of more than hundred meters. It is also considered to be the largest fall in the world. The noise of Victoria Falls can be heard from a distance of 40 kms, while the spray and mist from the falling water is rising to a height of over 400 meters. No wonder that the local tribes used to call the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya “The smoke that thunders”.
https://victoriafallstourism.org/
  

3 Days Solo Trip in Summer Zimbabwe - Zambia for Victoria Falls

Mauritius last day; Charmamel, Flip en Flap Beach & Port Louis

Mauritius Island (Le Mourne, Charmamel, Port Louis) week-end adventure
November 09 to 10, 2018

Mauritius 1st day; Self-guided Solo Hike to Le Mourne

Day 2: November 10, 2018 Saturday
0630H ETD Hotel
Bus to Charmamel Junction 34; Bus to Charmamel 24
0720H ETA Seven Color Park; Charmamel Waterfalls; snacks 60
0930H bus to Case Noyale 24
0945H bus to Flip en Flap Junction 34
1030H bus to Flip en Flap 24; Flip en Flap beach stroll; mango 35
1130H bus to Port Louis 34; Waterfront stroll​​; mcdo lunch 194
1345H ETD Port Louis; bus to airport 34
1520H ETA Mauritius Airport
1655H ETD Mauritius; Flight EK702
2355H ETA Dubai
Total: 497 MUR

Mauritius last day; Charmamel, Flip en Flap Beach & Port Louis

Iguazu Falls Self-guided Rainy Tour (Brazil side)

5 Days Solo Trip in Rainy Brazil (1st time in South America)

October 08 to 13, 2018

Sao Paolo Short sightseeing City Tour

Iguazu National Park is the first conservation area in Brazil to be nominated as a World Natural Heritage Site of UNESCO in 1986. It shares the park with Argentina, with over 600,000 hectares protected area and still 400,000 of still primary forest. Both Brazilians and Argentinians are jointly responsible for the preservation of this important heritage. From the park entrance, drop-off to Path of the Falls where you will start to descent and sightsee the beauty of the Falls until the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo).

Day 02: October 09, 2018 Tuesday

1030H ETD Sao Paolo
1215H ETA IGU Iguazu; $50 = 150 BRL; Bus PQ120 National Park 3.55
Iguazu Falls 63; Poncho 15; Footbridge to the "Devil's Throat"; Fridge Magnet 24
1700H ETD Iguazu Falls; bus PQ120 3.55
1710H ETA IGU Iguazu Airport
1900H ETD Iguazu
2100H ETA Rio de Janeiro; shared taxi 20
2200H ETA Hostel; dinner 30
Total: 175.25 BRL

Iguazu Falls Self-guided Rainy Tour (Brazil side)

Iskanderkul Hike to Waterfalls

5 Days Solo Trip in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

April 20 to 25, 2018

Hissar Fortress Morning Tour

I just decided the night after my 1st day tour to again avail a private tour, now going to the most beautiful mountain lake in Fan Mountain. I contracted the contacted driver by the hostel (who can speak a little english only but very nice) for a day tour negotiated down to $100. We left the Hostel around 0900H arrived in Iskanderskul at 1200H. We trekked 3km trail to falls then had a lunch beside the lake. We left Iskanderkul at 1400H and arrived back to Hostel at 1700H.  Iskanderkul is a Tajikistan mountain lake named after Alexander the Great who passed by here en route to India from Turkey.

Iskanderkul Hike to Waterfalls

Solo Trekking and Hitch-hike to Ala Archa Waterfalls (Ak Sai)

5 Days Solo Trip in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

April 20 to 25, 2018

Bishkek City Walk Tour

The real deal of experiencing Central Asia adventure is to sight-see and feel the glaciers of mountain ranges. For now, day-hike only to have that experience and by the way, I'm above the chased waterfall at 2,665masl covered by very thick ice in spring season. Self-guided solo budget day hike to Ala Archa Waterfalls (2,665masl). 5 hours steep, slippery, muddy and icy trekking with more than 500m elevation gain on an 8km trail. Countless slippage throughout the trail using this light-trekking type shoes with soaked socks penetrated by mud and ice. I underestimated the Kyrgyzs mountain in spring season (aside from wearing light sweater, long sleeve dry fit shirt and ordinary pants).

ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK DAY-HIKE TO AK SAI WATERFALLS ITINERARY

April 21, 2018 Saturday
0815H ETD Osh Bazaar; Marshrutka #265 40KGS
0930H ETA Ala Archa National Park; Hitch-hike to Main Gate
1000H Start Trekking
1100H Broken Heart marker trail (2,377masl)
1130H Tepshi Plato marker trail (2,458masl)
1230H Ak Sai Waterfalls 2,665masl; rest and photo-ops
1300H ETD Waterfalls
1500H ETD Ala Archa National Park; Hitch-hike to Bishkek (luckily)

Solo Trekking and Hitch-hike to Ala Archa Waterfalls

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan

May 25, 2016 Thursday

My 19th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip also served as my 2nd tour-visit in Pangasinan, the first one was also a budget day-trip but with new-found friends in Hundred Islands, Alaminos (Jun. 2010). Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak (weekday and start of rainy season). Upon reaching Bolinao on a 5hr bus travel from Cubao via Solid North Bus Terminal, we randomly selected a tricycle for a day-tour agreed for PhP1,000 until 5pm.

FAMILY BUDGET DIY DAY-TRIP IN BOLINAO, PANGASINAN ITINERARY
(composed of 1 adult, 1 senior citizen and 2 children (10-yr old and 3yr old)

May24 Tue Day0

2300H ETD House 98
2345H ETA Solid North Cubao Terminal; snacks 136
Subtotal: 234

May25 Wed Day1
0100H ETD Cubao; 367*2 + 459 = 1,193 (discount for senior citizen and student)
0600H ETA Bolinao Central town; bakery breakfast 79
0700H Bolinao Central town; hired tricycle for day-tour (randomly chosen driver)
Bolinao Falls 1 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
Bolinao Falls 2 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
1130H lunch 195
Wonderful Cave Entrance fee 100*2 + 50 + 20 (parking fee) = 270
Cape Bolinao lighthouse and Patar White Beach (free entrance); shower 30
1445H ETD Patar (rain fell hard)
1530H ETA Bolinao Central town; tricycle day tour 1,000; snacks 310
1630H ETD Bolinao 459*2 + 367 = 1,285 (student no discount in Victory Liner Bus)
2330H ETA Cubao bus to home 112
Subtotal: 4,724

TOTAL BUDGET: 234 + 4,724 = 4,958

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan (Patar Cape Bolinao Lighthouse)

Camiguin-Norte Island's Solo Trek to Falls and Naguillan Beach

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

May 11 to 19, 2016

Babuyan Island's Boat Ride View and Smith Volcano Hiking

Camiguin-Norte Island is the 2nd largest of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan, Camiguin, Dalupiri and Babuyan Island) of Calayan Municipality. On this island, there is no ATM (bring cash), no GLOBE signal (use only SMART and SUN sim card but hard to find) and no Wifi. Electricity is active only from 3pm to 11pm daily. Convenience stores usually closed 7pm to 8pm. Sunset takes place in Naguillan Beach.

How to Go to Camiguin-Norte Island;
There are daily departures at 0700H-0800H only from Aparri and irregular schedule from Sta. Ana. One-way fare costs PhP250 for a 5hr boat ride. 

1-DAY TRIP ITINERARY IN CAMIGUIN-NORTE ISLAND;
​May17 Tue Day6
0730H ETD Aparri (30mins earlier)
1200H ETA Camiguin Norte Island 250; Ate Awit Llopiz's Homestay
1245H self-guided trek to Camiguin Falls; savage, easy but challenging trail 
1615H ETA Homestay
self-guided walk to Naguillan Beach; gray to white fine sand, sunset photo-ops; snacks 63
1900H ETA Homestay; dinner and rest

Camiguin-Norte Island's Solo Trek to Falls and Naguillan Beach

Calayan Island's Pristine Cove, Hill and Waterfalls

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

May 11 to 19, 2016

Babuyan Group of Islands Introduction and Itinerary

Calayan Island is the largest of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan, Camiguin, Dalupiri and Babuyan Island) of Calayan Municipality where the municipal hall is located. On this island, there is no ATM (bring cash), no GLOBE signal (use only SMART and SUN sim card) and no Wifi (only in Municipal Mayor's office). No electricity from 12am to 12pm daily. Convenience stores usually closed 7pm to 8pm. Sunrise occurs in Nagudungan Hills.

How to Go to Calayan Island;
There are daily departures at 0600H only from Aparri and irregular schedule from Claveria. One-way fare costs PhP500 for a 5hr boat ride. 

The highlight or best scenic spot of unspoiled Calayan Island is the Sibang Cove and Nagudungan Hill. This cove and hill is located next to each other at around 5km east of the centertown. Sibang Cove is a pristine fine white sand beach just like the Mahabang Buhangin Beach of Calaguas Island. Nagudungan Hill has a lighthouse near to cliffs with lots of awesome rock formation due to strong winds and ocean waves faced regularly. What we did on our first day was we walked our way to this places routing the main road and guided by asking the locals.

Calayan Island's Pristine Cove, Hill and Waterfalls (overlooking Sibang Cove from Nagudungan Hill)

The Viewing Deck Collections; Majestic Waterfalls

A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff. Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens slowly, while downstream the erosion occurs more rapidly. As the watercourse increases its velocity at the edge of the waterfall, it plucks material from the riverbed.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall

sightseeing the majestic waterfalls

ditumabo falls, aurora

Surigao del Norte's Some Nature Landmarks

solo exploring of eastern mindanao in 4-days

saturday to thursday august 04-09, 2012

soul-searching in siargao island

The last day of my 4-day provincial trailing in this part of the Philippines. I took the 1000H schedule of ferry bound to surigao city, around 1300H was my ETA. Afterwards I rode a multicab bound to downtown, asked the locals then proceed to the game plan for the day

Lumondo Waterfalls and eco-park

an almost forgotten nature wonder. It because when I arrived there, the trail going down is very savage. It has been neglected due to the roads en route is very very rocky. How did I go? from surigao downtown, I rode a multicab bound to alegria then asked the driver to drop-off to alegria bus stop. Good thing there is a signboard that tells where this waterfalls goes when I arrived in alegria. Then I rented a habal-habal for only 60 pesos roundtrip.

ferry boat going to surigao city