Indonesia in a Day

Batam Island - view from the ferry

I was with two of my girlfriends on a trip to Singapore. It was a only four-day trip but we want to do a side trip visit. We were choosing between a town in Malaysia or a town in Indonesia. Eventually, we chose Batam, Indonesia. We also thought of Bintan but we can still have a spa and wellness trip there next time. We opted for Batam since we want a more culture-type of trip. We consider this as an adventure trip since none of us have gone to Indonesia and Batam is less popular than Bali and its capital Jakarta. So we just relied on brochures and the internet to plan a spontaneous day trip. We arrived at Harborfront Singapore at around 7:30am (yep. that early!) to catch the earliest Penguin ferry to Batam. Armed with our instincts and courage, off we go. Penguin ferry cabins are clean and decent. We traveled for a about an hour to the Island of Batam. We are a bit of worried with the hassle of passing through immigration (just like any port to port transit)  but process was quick. Upon arrival at the Batam port, we decided to rent a cab for the rest of the day. Luckily, the cab driver was nice and suggested places for us to visit. First stop is at Maha Vihara Duta Maitraya, a buddhist temple. A place where you can learn more of the Buddhist culture. It was also a Sunday so we were hoping that we could also visit a Catholic church. To our pleasant surprise, the cab driver is a Roman Catholic. We were amazed at how diversed the people in the small island of Batam is. From a Buddhist temple to a Catholic church. After visiting Santo Damian Church, we decided to visit another Buddhist temple with the Golden Buddha - the Thao Puak Temple.

Santo Damian Church

 To cap off our Batam tour, we visited the Mini-Indonesian Village which reminded us of our own Nayong Pilipino. The village fetaured the different types of villages and houses of Indonesia, based on the different cultures and in its history.  Our culture road trip and stopovers even reminded us of the Indonesian character in "Eat, Pray, Love" - Ketut. :D  We finished the tour in around 3pm. We just waited for the schedule of our ferry ride back to Singapore, in a mall near the port. We also went pasalubong shopping and ate our ate lunch while killing time. And yes, we survived our Batam adventure.

Maha Vihara Duta Maitraya

Travel Thoughts:

Penguin Ferry

- Penguin Ferry Round Trip Ride costs around 2,000 in PHP or 60 SGD (exchange rate 1 PHP is to 33 SGD)
- Earliest trip to Batam is around 8am. Take this schedule if you want to maximize a day tour to the island. Be at the Harborfront 30 mins before, if the tour is taken from Singapore.

Thao Puak

- Batam is a place to learn other cultures. Keep an open mind and always Respect the various cultures you will discover

Mini Indonesian Village

- If one prefers to rent a cab, we paid about 3000 php for the entire day which is about 91 SGD.

Calaguas Islands: Bicol’s Hidden Paradise

One of the Best Beaches (for me) in the Philippines

After a 6 hour drive from Manila and a 2 1/2 hour boat ride from Daet, we finally reached the Mahabang Buhangin Island of what I consider as one of the best beached in our Lovely Philippines.. Calaguas Islands. The white powdery sand that sparkles when touched by the rays of the sun and the azure beach make the island of a kind. Reaching the place in backpacking style through www.thetravelfactor.multiply.com, we were welcomed by the island caretakers who served a sumptuous meal. After munching and enjoying the bicol delicacies  laing and gatang isda, it felt that it was not packpacking at all. The meal included in the package could compete to some of the meals at hotel buffet tables The gang was just reminded of the backpaking style when it was time for us to set up our tents.

The members of the group decided to do several activities either individually or as a whole. Some opted to play frisbee while waiting for the sunset. One european who joined the trip chose to sit on a log by the beach accompanied by a novel she brought. At night, the gang jammed with one guy who brought his guitar as the group surrounded the bonfire.

Frisbee and Calaguas Sunset

Travel Thoughts:

- Since it will be long drive if taken by bus, a night trip (atarting from around 7pm) would be a better bet so that beach bummers would arrive the island by morning (before noon) and just laze around or catch some sleepafter arrival or having lunch
- Be game! To enjoy nature and serene surroundings of the island forget your city life for a while and enjoy camping, beach bumming, and bicol food tripping (that is if the cooks-caretakers we had in our trip still continue to have this hospitality in the island) ;) Just do not forget to manage the trashes to maintain the cleanliness of  the place
- At night, enjoy stargazing.. and even catch some falling stars! With city lights far from the place, one could appreciate probably one of the loveliest nights one could see.
- Surf's up! Drop by the nearby Bagasbas before heading for Manila for skimboard and surfing lessons.

Singapore: Soaring Lion City

The Famous Merlion at Night

If there is one city aside from Manila that I really love.. it would be Singapore. Just realized that I schedule at least one trip per year to this progressive city. Aside from visiting relatives and friends, the city just gives me a good vibe. Instead of giving my usual travel thoughts, here is a list of reasons why I just keep coming back for more and some collected pics from my SG trips..

Travel Thoughts - My 'loves' in SG:

*Bonding with Family & Friends -

w/ cousin and friends at Joojoo

*Sentosa - loving Sentosa because it is a theme-park, beach place, and now home of Resorts World and Universal Studios <3  was able to experience overnight camping here.. and that is unforgettable! There are a lot if kababayans here who helped us in directions & gave us tips on discounts ;)

Singapore'08 at Siloso Beach

Universal Studios '10

*Awfully Chocolate - where chocolates are gorgeous! Thanks to my cousin Em and her boyfriend Jeremy for bringing us here.. I just fell in love after tasting their truffles. :D

Awfully Chocolate = Yum! 

*Shopping - especially at Charles and Keith and IKEA where there are great finds at affordable prices!

IKEA

*Easy Commute - This city is where commuting is made easy. Some say the geographical size of the country is a major factor but obviously the transportation strategies for the people contributes a lot.

Limo Cab

Train Ride

                                         

*From Hawkers to Posh Food Trip - Variety of Asian Cuisine

Food Trippin at Paragon

at a Hawker

*Fun & Safe Night Life - having fun without worrying during night-outs for me+, my cousins  & the ladies

Marina Bay Sands backdrop - SG'11

Fairways and Bluewater: Hideaway in Boracay

Whenever I go to the paradise island of Boracay, it is a luxurious experience to have an atmosepherethat is still laid back, in contrast with the party vibe of the island. One that would best fit this experience is at Fairways and Bluewater.

Reasons why I love the place? Welcome Drinks + Welcome Center  + Private Villas +Private Beach + Spa + Affordable and uber relaxing massage service + spaceous rooms + shuttle service + butterfly garden + golf + caves + hospitable staff.. and more!  ) 

PM me to know more of the lovely place and can give you feedback on rates and amenities! :) Gladly posted the lovely pictures of boracay and the resort <3

photos by Mel Elgincolin, Lana Balite, Jake Garcia 

Viva Ilocos!

photo: Sunset at Bangui Windmills by Mina Solas

IT IS MY 5TH TIME IN ILOCOS AND THE PLACE NEVER FAILS TO MAINTAIN ITS MYSTIQUE AND SCENIC BEAUTY. WE VISITED VIGAN FIRST. IT IS MY FIRST TIME TO EXPERIENCE AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN A HOTEL WITHIN THE VICINITY OF THE QUAINT CALLE CRISOLOGO AND NEARBY STREETS. GORDION HOTEL WAS OUR TEMPORARY CRIB FOR OUR STAY.SINCE I AM WITH SOME FIRST-TIMERS, I WAS EXCITED TO MAKE THEM TASTE THE VIGAN EMPANADA. UNIQUE INGREDIENTS IS USED IN MAKING IT,  BUT THE LOCAL DELICACY WAS YUMMY! ON THE SECOND DAY OF OUR STAY, WE WENT UP TO NORTE AND PASSED BY THE DIFFERENT TOURIST SPOTS:CAPE BOJEADOR

UNESCO recognized Paoay Church

MALACANANG OF THE NORTH
PAOAY LAKE
PAOAY CHURCH
BATAC MARCOS MUSEUM
BATAC EMPANADAAN - YES,  IT IS NOT EMPHASIZED USUALLY BUT BATAC EMPANADA IS DIFFERENT FROM THE VIGAN EMPANADA! 
BANGUI WINDMILLS - SUNSET HERE IS JUST BEAUUTIFULL!  )

ILOCOS, AS A REGION IS HUGE. THERE ARE LOTS OF PLACES TO STAY AND LOTS OF CUISINE TO TRY. BUT WITH THE THREE DAY STAY WE HAD, BRINGING BACK THE HISTORICAL TIMES AND ENJOYING THE NORTHERN SIDE OF OUR COUNTRY IS JUST AMAZING!

Travel Thoughts:

CHECKED AND REPAIRED BY THE UTILITY CREW.CAFE LEONA – WE HAD OUR FIRST MEAL HERE. GOOD REVIEWS WERE GIVEN FOR THE RESTAURANT. BUT PERSONALLY, WE RATED IT AS 3 OUT OF 5 BECAUSE THE FOOD IS NOT THAT FRESH. PROBABLY, BECAUSE WE OPTED TO TAKE THE BUFFET. WE STILL HAVE TO TRY THE PIZZA AND PASTA THOUGH, SINCE MOST REVIEWS FOCUSED ON THAT PART OF THE MENU. WE TRIED THE “PAKBET NA BAGNET” AND A SEAFOOD DISH INSTEAD.

Calle Crisologo

GORDION HOTEL - 4 OUT OF. SATISFIED FOR THE SERVICE, THE PARKING AREA (WHICH IS NOT PRESENT IN MOST OF THE VIGAN HOTELS), AND THE QUAINT INTERIORS. HOWEVER, SOME FIXTURES IN THE ROOM HAD TO BE CHECKED AND REPAIRED BY THE UTILITY TEAM 

CAFE LEONA – WE HAD OUR FIRST MEAL HERE. GOOD REVIEWS WERE GIVEN FOR THE RESTUARANT. BUT PERSONALLY, WE RATED IT AS 3 OUT OF 5 BECAUSE THE FOOD IS NOT THAT FRESH. PROBABLY, BECAUSE WE OPTED TO TAKE THE BUFFET. WE STILL HAVE TO TRY THE PIZZA AND PASTA THOUGH, SINCE MOST REVIEWS FOCUSED ON THAT PART OF THE MENU. WE TRIED THE “PAKBET NA BAGNET” AND A SEAFOOD DISH INSTEAD.

Vigan Empanada

Laiya Life In Style

infinity pool with the floating restaurant at the center

rooms at the villa

It was a planned overnight getaway with the ladies. Sure of who will come, sure that it will be somewhere near Manila like Batangas, Sure that it has to be a beach getaway. A good friend made some research just like the three of us going with her..until she found the perfect place! Where? Acuatico Resort in Batangas. The place was just new then – about a month since it was established in May 2008.

She messaged us the website: www.acuaticoresort.com.ph. We were so excited seeing the fabulous pictures in the site. When we finally reached the place, it did not disappoint us. We loved it instantly – the infinity pool with a pathway that serves as instant venue for a jump shot photo, the loungers where the guests would love to sunbathe or chitchat, the cozy interiors of the room, and the fine sand of the beach.

The female owner welcomed us and had a small chitchat during one of the buffet meals included in the package. She told us of the plans for the resort. As of this writing, the resort already improved by adding a basket ball court and spa and probably already became the venue for several wedding occassions.

Travel Thoughts:

4.9 out of 5. Wejust love the place! Service was great, given that the town was struck by a typhoon during our stay. The owner herself  showed genuine concern to her guests. Also, the nice interiors of the rooms were enough for us to enjoy our stay even if we were not able to go to the night swimming.

Given the positive feedback about the place, one room for improvement that can be given though is it would be better if the space of the rooms  and villas would be just a bit larger to accommodate more guests.

Cove Camping at Anawagin

Route Taken: Manila to Olongapo; Olongapo to Pundaquit; 30 minute boat ride to the cove.

The group I am with opted to take the shorter route to the campers’ haven – Anawangin. The other route is by trekking to the cove.It will take approximately 4 hours if this option is chosen.

After a bumpy boat ride, we reached the cove. The boys were ready to set up our tents and camping cooking paraphernalia. There were group of campers who were already settled with their tents when we arrived.  Some of them were part of a Japanese camping group.

After we took some rest, it was already mid-afternoon so we decided to roam around the place to check the castaway-type of facilities that surround us    Then, we waited for the sun to set and tried to walk along the shore. We decided not to swim because even the water along the shore line seems to be unsafe. We just marveled into the beauty of the sunset that changed the colors of the mountains bordering the cove.

After the sun has already set, the preparation for our dinner started. A couple of hours later, we continued with our story sharing outside of our tents. The group decided to have some drinks that seemed to be a castaway nightlife then 

The next morning the exploration of the cove continued as we walk through the pine trees while in awe of the silvery white sand. Passing through some swamps and forest-like paths we discovered the hidden beauty of the place more and more.

From Anawangin, the gang also decided to have a short tour to nearby Capones Island and out the Capones Lighthouse

Trivia/Tips:

-Usually, ordinary buses take tourists to Pundaquit from Olongapo City if trippers prefer not to bring their cars.

- There are resorts in Pundaquit, if one would prefer not to camp in the nearby cove.

- For groups who prefer to reach the place via Trekking, official guides are required to accompany the group.

- For groups who prefer to reach the place via boat ride, it is better to be in Pundaquit before noon so the ride would not be that bumpy. The cove faces the South China Sea, so expect the waters to make the ride an adventure in itself if the trip would be in the afternoon.

Photos by: Mel Elgincolin