I'll finally be taking the greatest trip of my life - the trip to wedded bliss. After exactly a year of dating my girl (now my fiancee), I finally popped the question. I was planning to hold on to the proposal until our trip to Australia this March. I was thinking of a more dramatic proposal onboard a cruise ship sailing by Sydney Harbour with the Opera House at the background. But since she was recently informed that she'l be taking a work-related month-long trip to the USA a week from now, I decided to ask her this soon after just planning it for 3 days. I hope the real proposal wasn't that bad. We went back to the resort hotel where we had our first date to "celebrate" our first year together. After taking dinner, we took a stroll along the beach and sat down and talked on the boardwalk where I asked and gave her the ring.
Aside from the reason that she'll be leaving, I made the decision because I know that she's the one - the person I want to grow old with and spend the rest of my life with. Making the proposal wasn't as easy as what you see in the movies. Setting the perfect atmosphere for the proposal was easy but asking the question itself was not. I had previously prepared a proposal speech in my mind but it all got mixed up when I was about to tell her. I had to pull out the ring from my pocket first so she would know where I was leading to. And yes, it became easier after that.
Our travel plans have a huge effect in planning for the wedding. We had already booked flights to 11 cities in 6 countries for the next 12 months to come. We plan to schedule our wedding before our trip to India in July and have the pre-nuptial pictorial in Australia by March. And we have to make sure she'll still be fit to travel (in case she gets pregnant that soon) to Korea for our trip on November. But I'm not complaining. Traveling brought us closer to each other. And I'm sure we'll have more trips to come which we're gonna blog about soon.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
His Thoughts - Piso Fare (Airline Promo Fare)
It was really a surprise for me to find out that my girl had booked two flights (Korea and Laoag) for us while I was asleep. We usually decide together if there are airline promos on when and where to go. Could you imagine my reaction when I opened my email and found all the electronic tickets she forwarded to me? Airlines usually start their airfare promos during midnight and she's always the first to know, thanks to twitter. But we sometimes end up fighting since I don't want to wait up late at night for the promos. I'd rather wake up early the next day, while she insists on booking immediately fearing that we might run out of tickets. So I guess it's good that she booked it herself since we didn't have to go through an argument this time.
These airline fare promotions is the best opportunity for you to get the cheapest fares for those places you want to visit. It would give you another reason to finally take the vacation that you've kept on planning and postponing because the low fares are irresistible. Fares could go as low as just 5% of the regular price. But the problem with it is that these promos usually have travel dates 6 to 12 months away. You'll never know if you'll have an important event or meeting that would come up that time. I had some hesitations booking more flights in this promo since I have further plans for our relationship. Plans which may affect our future flights/trips. I'll blog about them as soon as they come.
We've long been planning to go to Korea since it's the only major Asian city that we both haven't been to. And the timing is just perfect since the promotion's travel period is winter time in Korea. I think the best time to go there is during winter especially for us who come from a tropical country. The Laoag trip was supposedly for last month's Manila trip (please check previous blog). But the plan didn't push through since we weren't able to avail of any promo fares then. So I was kinda expecting that we'll be going there the next time a promo offer comes.. and here it is.
These airline fare promotions is the best opportunity for you to get the cheapest fares for those places you want to visit. It would give you another reason to finally take the vacation that you've kept on planning and postponing because the low fares are irresistible. Fares could go as low as just 5% of the regular price. But the problem with it is that these promos usually have travel dates 6 to 12 months away. You'll never know if you'll have an important event or meeting that would come up that time. I had some hesitations booking more flights in this promo since I have further plans for our relationship. Plans which may affect our future flights/trips. I'll blog about them as soon as they come.
We've long been planning to go to Korea since it's the only major Asian city that we both haven't been to. And the timing is just perfect since the promotion's travel period is winter time in Korea. I think the best time to go there is during winter especially for us who come from a tropical country. The Laoag trip was supposedly for last month's Manila trip (please check previous blog). But the plan didn't push through since we weren't able to avail of any promo fares then. So I was kinda expecting that we'll be going there the next time a promo offer comes.. and here it is.
Piso Fare!
I came upon the tweet below while surfing:
Finally!
Just what we've been waiting for. Though the travel period covered is still so far and is too short, no one's complaining. What's puzzling is that even if the ad says ALL domestic and international trips, I can't seem find promo fares for 90% of the destinations I had in mind - Bangkok, Taipei, Incheon, Osaka, Beijing, or Hong Kong. I'm not quite sure if this is a system glitch given that I started checking just 40 minutes after the sale started, or if only very few seats were really put up on sale.
Nevertheless, I was able to book 2 trips. One, for Incheon (Korea) in November, yay! And two, for Laoag (Luzon in the Philippines) in December. Double yay! But since this was a surprise from Cebu Pacific, meaning the public wasn't informed beforehand, we haven't planned for it. I booked the trips all by myself, with my better half in deep slumber. Someone's in for a surprise when he checks his mails come morning!
Cebu Pacific Air, one of the budget airlines of the country, is having another one of it's Piso Fares. That's P1.00/flight when you travel without checked in bags, or P101.00 with checked in, plus fees. Promo runs from now until December 25, 2010 or until seats last. Travel period is from November 11 - December 11, 2011.
CebuPacificAir 1 for all this Holiday Season! Our long-awaited PISO FARE SEAT SALE is finally back NOW! All Domestic and (cont) http://tl.gd/7lo7h2
Finally!
Just what we've been waiting for. Though the travel period covered is still so far and is too short, no one's complaining. What's puzzling is that even if the ad says ALL domestic and international trips, I can't seem find promo fares for 90% of the destinations I had in mind - Bangkok, Taipei, Incheon, Osaka, Beijing, or Hong Kong. I'm not quite sure if this is a system glitch given that I started checking just 40 minutes after the sale started, or if only very few seats were really put up on sale.
Nevertheless, I was able to book 2 trips. One, for Incheon (Korea) in November, yay! And two, for Laoag (Luzon in the Philippines) in December. Double yay! But since this was a surprise from Cebu Pacific, meaning the public wasn't informed beforehand, we haven't planned for it. I booked the trips all by myself, with my better half in deep slumber. Someone's in for a surprise when he checks his mails come morning!
Cebu Pacific Air, one of the budget airlines of the country, is having another one of it's Piso Fares. That's P1.00/flight when you travel without checked in bags, or P101.00 with checked in, plus fees. Promo runs from now until December 25, 2010 or until seats last. Travel period is from November 11 - December 11, 2011.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Her Trip - Subic, Zambales, Manila (Part 3)
Me and my ambitious self drove the 100-kilometer stretch back to civilization. The drive was a boring one. Highway after highway of empty roads, anyone could've easily fallen asleep on the wheel. But lucky me, I had someone keeping me company. Until finally, we reached the final leg of the trip. The busy district of Manila.
Driving on the expressway was a bore. Driving in Manila however, suicide. We come from not-so-busy cities. Cities where driving is almost equivalent to unwinding. I sometimes drive around town alone to de-stress, or run errands to relax. In Manila however, driving in itself is a chore. Vehicles go by so fast, changing lanes is a nightmare. And then there's this thing with him reading the expressway signs. He reads them out loud. Upon hearing them, I switch lanes. But, no, that wasn't a cue to shift. I had to get off. A few more kilometers, and I was sure we would've ended up yelling at each other.
I've been to Manila countless times (for work mostly), yet I still don't know my way around. My better half, though, knows the place by heart. "This was where ..", "Here is .." and on he goes. And I, coyly smile in adoration.
We (I'm assuming him too) don't enjoy wandering aimlessly, so we made plans.
First up, was Carlos Celdran's If These Wall Could Talk! It is a 3-hour tour around Intramuros, the walled city of Manila. Around 40 people joined the tour that afternoon. The audience was a mix of Canadians, Chinese, Europeans, Americans and Filipinos. I won't go too much into the details lest I spoil the experience. All I can say is that for me, the tour stayed true to Celdran's tag line, "A man who is trying to change the way you look at Manila - one step at a time". I had a much different insight on Philippine History after that. The tour for me wasn't comical nor funny, it was just interesting to say the least. Made me want to dig up my old history books after.
Next, was Chinatown in Binondo. Having returned our rented vehicle, we had to face the cruel Manila traffic and commute. That meant 2 MRT rides, plus the jeepney. It all seemed daunting until it's over. And I can say that it wasn't at all so bad. The company must've made it easier to bear.
Upon reaching Binondo, we scouted the streets of Ongpin looking for the famous Chinese doctor. Apparently, he detects diseases just by feeling people's pulses. And medicines are herbal tablets or tea concoctions. We found him and true enough, he diagnosed a variety of disorders. We had our share of medicines, and we have yet to return to him.
Shocked and at the same time relieved, that what we had wasn't so bad, we headed off to lunch, bought some Chinese treats, and hurriedly headed back.
There were some change of plans as we decided to fly back a day earlier. But it was all good. We had done all that we had planned to do.
Winter in Hong Kong in 2 months! That I am excited about.
Driving on the expressway was a bore. Driving in Manila however, suicide. We come from not-so-busy cities. Cities where driving is almost equivalent to unwinding. I sometimes drive around town alone to de-stress, or run errands to relax. In Manila however, driving in itself is a chore. Vehicles go by so fast, changing lanes is a nightmare. And then there's this thing with him reading the expressway signs. He reads them out loud. Upon hearing them, I switch lanes. But, no, that wasn't a cue to shift. I had to get off. A few more kilometers, and I was sure we would've ended up yelling at each other.
I've been to Manila countless times (for work mostly), yet I still don't know my way around. My better half, though, knows the place by heart. "This was where ..", "Here is .." and on he goes. And I, coyly smile in adoration.
We (I'm assuming him too) don't enjoy wandering aimlessly, so we made plans.
First up, was Carlos Celdran's If These Wall Could Talk! It is a 3-hour tour around Intramuros, the walled city of Manila. Around 40 people joined the tour that afternoon. The audience was a mix of Canadians, Chinese, Europeans, Americans and Filipinos. I won't go too much into the details lest I spoil the experience. All I can say is that for me, the tour stayed true to Celdran's tag line, "A man who is trying to change the way you look at Manila - one step at a time". I had a much different insight on Philippine History after that. The tour for me wasn't comical nor funny, it was just interesting to say the least. Made me want to dig up my old history books after.
Next, was Chinatown in Binondo. Having returned our rented vehicle, we had to face the cruel Manila traffic and commute. That meant 2 MRT rides, plus the jeepney. It all seemed daunting until it's over. And I can say that it wasn't at all so bad. The company must've made it easier to bear.
Upon reaching Binondo, we scouted the streets of Ongpin looking for the famous Chinese doctor. Apparently, he detects diseases just by feeling people's pulses. And medicines are herbal tablets or tea concoctions. We found him and true enough, he diagnosed a variety of disorders. We had our share of medicines, and we have yet to return to him.
Shocked and at the same time relieved, that what we had wasn't so bad, we headed off to lunch, bought some Chinese treats, and hurriedly headed back.
There were some change of plans as we decided to fly back a day earlier. But it was all good. We had done all that we had planned to do.
Winter in Hong Kong in 2 months! That I am excited about.
Her Trip - Subic, Pundaquit, Manila (Part 2)
Despite not having high expectations for the Pundaquit leg of the trip, I was very much disappointed when we got to Anawangin Cove. I've been to far better beaches. Beaches not needing 40 kilometers of travel. White sandy beaches, not gray-sanded stony ones. Exploring Bataan, just near Subic which used to be part of WW2 history, I felt would've been a better option.
Pundaquit is 40 kilometers away from the Subic. We passed by the "ulo ng apo" monument on the rotunda in Olongapo City*. Olongapo City, despite being right outside the Subic Free Port Zone, has a totally different atmosphere. Crowded downtowns and narrow roads, it is totally opposite to that of Subic's sprawling environment. Being close to an area populated by sailors and marines, it used to have a long stretch of clubs and bars, which some until now still exists.
A few hours before noon, we finally arrived at the shores of Pundaquit. We were surprised to find the bancas** lined up all having no roofs. With the sun high up in the sky, it would've been tortuous to us. Gladly, the banca ride was a short one. And we had towels to shield us on that short ride.
Anawangin Cove is known for it's camping grounds. It is one of the closest beaches from Manila. And totally away from civilization. Water you had to pump from the well, basic tileless, roofless bathrooms, making your own fire.. Pine trees were scattered all over the shores, providing good shade. That, and all the tents scattered all over the place, it was actually pretty charming.
On a different note, it's not a safe haven. The bancas leave the island before sundown as the strong tides are dangerous. Campers are all that's left on the island. Cellular phones are useless. In the event of an emergency, there's nothing and no one to assist you except other fellow campers. It is not advisable to go there during rainy season, as the usually-dry little stream at the back overflows with rainwater and floods the entire place. Pretty exciting, huh?
Here's more. It is also not advisable to go swimming. Aside from the multitude of dead corals which have turned to sharp stones, many have drowned to their deaths. The sea bed seems to be all flat until it takes an unexpected dip. A lot have been victims of this. Aside from the dangerous beach, a lot have gone lost trekking at night. A site has even been created to remember the lost souls. I learned of all that after the trip.
The next island, Capones, was no better. It had shores full of shells which were painful even when donning slippers. The highlight of the island was supposedly the lighthouse, which was in no way visible from the shore. Apparently, it needed an hour of uphill trekking, which we were in no mood to do. The only shady area was under one of the gigantic rock formations. It was unclean, littered with cigarette butts, water bottles, and things better not mentioned. But we had no other choice as we waited for the others to finish. We sat under the huge rock. I, on my boyfriend's slippers.
There were 2 more islands nearby, Camara and Cameru. But everyone wanted to head back already. So once again, holding our towels over our heads, we slowly headed to shore and took the long ride back to Subic.
* legend here
** banca means boat in the Philippine language Tagalog
Pundaquit is 40 kilometers away from the Subic. We passed by the "ulo ng apo" monument on the rotunda in Olongapo City*. Olongapo City, despite being right outside the Subic Free Port Zone, has a totally different atmosphere. Crowded downtowns and narrow roads, it is totally opposite to that of Subic's sprawling environment. Being close to an area populated by sailors and marines, it used to have a long stretch of clubs and bars, which some until now still exists.
A few hours before noon, we finally arrived at the shores of Pundaquit. We were surprised to find the bancas** lined up all having no roofs. With the sun high up in the sky, it would've been tortuous to us. Gladly, the banca ride was a short one. And we had towels to shield us on that short ride.
Anawangin Cove is known for it's camping grounds. It is one of the closest beaches from Manila. And totally away from civilization. Water you had to pump from the well, basic tileless, roofless bathrooms, making your own fire.. Pine trees were scattered all over the shores, providing good shade. That, and all the tents scattered all over the place, it was actually pretty charming.
On a different note, it's not a safe haven. The bancas leave the island before sundown as the strong tides are dangerous. Campers are all that's left on the island. Cellular phones are useless. In the event of an emergency, there's nothing and no one to assist you except other fellow campers. It is not advisable to go there during rainy season, as the usually-dry little stream at the back overflows with rainwater and floods the entire place. Pretty exciting, huh?
Here's more. It is also not advisable to go swimming. Aside from the multitude of dead corals which have turned to sharp stones, many have drowned to their deaths. The sea bed seems to be all flat until it takes an unexpected dip. A lot have been victims of this. Aside from the dangerous beach, a lot have gone lost trekking at night. A site has even been created to remember the lost souls. I learned of all that after the trip.
The next island, Capones, was no better. It had shores full of shells which were painful even when donning slippers. The highlight of the island was supposedly the lighthouse, which was in no way visible from the shore. Apparently, it needed an hour of uphill trekking, which we were in no mood to do. The only shady area was under one of the gigantic rock formations. It was unclean, littered with cigarette butts, water bottles, and things better not mentioned. But we had no other choice as we waited for the others to finish. We sat under the huge rock. I, on my boyfriend's slippers.
There were 2 more islands nearby, Camara and Cameru. But everyone wanted to head back already. So once again, holding our towels over our heads, we slowly headed to shore and took the long ride back to Subic.
* legend here
** banca means boat in the Philippine language Tagalog
Monday, December 6, 2010
Her Trip - Subic, Zambales, Manila (Part 1)
The plan was to stay an entire day in Subic, go to Pundaquit the day after, go back to Subic for the night, then spend the remaining days in Manila.
Armed with a map and a GPS receiver, we got a car from the rental and drove all the way to Subic. Allan was the designated driver. Aside from being an excellent driver, he's more or less familiar with the different places in Luzon. And he always has lots of stories to tell. That's the most fun part for me. Apparently, he learned them years ago in school and the rest from the news. And I, listen in awe, and wonder how I even made it through grade school.
Subic, a municipality in the province of Zambales, is approximately 160 kilometers Northwest of Manila. We took the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which gladly was a nicely paved one. The ride took 2.5 hours. Total toll cost =~ P300.
Subic almost always means the former US base. Established in Subic Bay since after the 2nd war, it was one of the largest overseas US Navy installation. They were shooed away in 1991 for a variety of reasons. One, for fear of the Philippines being attacked, being one of US bases. There was a big debate over it and in the end they were asked to leave. The last US sailors and marines left Subic Bay at the end of 1992.
The former US Naval Base is now primarily an industrial and commercial area. It is now the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It is now a quiet town, where residents from Manila go to during weekends to escape the stressful city life. Some of the attractions are Ocean Adventure (dolphin, whale and sealion show), Zoobic (zoo) and JEST Camp (survival training camp). Shopping at duty free and outlet stores is also common, being a free port zone. Water sports, like scuba diving, skim boarding, para sailing and jet skiing, are also popular attractions. The numerous WW2 ship wrecks in the area, makes for good for treasure hunting.
Trip Highlights:
Armed with a map and a GPS receiver, we got a car from the rental and drove all the way to Subic. Allan was the designated driver. Aside from being an excellent driver, he's more or less familiar with the different places in Luzon. And he always has lots of stories to tell. That's the most fun part for me. Apparently, he learned them years ago in school and the rest from the news. And I, listen in awe, and wonder how I even made it through grade school.
Subic, a municipality in the province of Zambales, is approximately 160 kilometers Northwest of Manila. We took the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which gladly was a nicely paved one. The ride took 2.5 hours. Total toll cost =~ P300.
Subic almost always means the former US base. Established in Subic Bay since after the 2nd war, it was one of the largest overseas US Navy installation. They were shooed away in 1991 for a variety of reasons. One, for fear of the Philippines being attacked, being one of US bases. There was a big debate over it and in the end they were asked to leave. The last US sailors and marines left Subic Bay at the end of 1992.
The former US Naval Base is now primarily an industrial and commercial area. It is now the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It is now a quiet town, where residents from Manila go to during weekends to escape the stressful city life. Some of the attractions are Ocean Adventure (dolphin, whale and sealion show), Zoobic (zoo) and JEST Camp (survival training camp). Shopping at duty free and outlet stores is also common, being a free port zone. Water sports, like scuba diving, skim boarding, para sailing and jet skiing, are also popular attractions. The numerous WW2 ship wrecks in the area, makes for good for treasure hunting.
Trip Highlights:
- Buena Casa Hotel
At a little over P1,400/night, it was the cheapest we could find nearest the waterfront. But it was more than just a decent hotel. It had enough parking space, it's own cafe, free wifi, LCD tv, a large bed with clean sheets, clean towels and toiletries. It was actually pretty good for the price. - Meat Plus
The long drive left us haggard and hungry. First stop was lunch at Meat Plus. It's a steakhouse, known for it's imported meat, which can't be found anywhere in Manila. Food wasn't bad. I'm not too much fond of steaks, thus the so-so comment. Though some travel all the way just to satisfy their gastronomic Meat Plus cravings. - Networx
It's the water-sports center in Subic. Located just along the waterfront, they're the go-to place for water-sports. They rent out jet skis by the hour. We were fortunate enough to have someone lend us theirs for free. It was similar to riding a motorcycle, without the brakes. Yes, jet skis have no brakes. There's a special key needed to start the engine. Remove the key if you want to stop (the engine). Riding in the direction of the waves, a breeze. Riding against it, not easy. You end up with almost zero visibility, thanks to the sea water getting in your eyes.
- Baywalk at Sunrise
Hellships Memorial
12 Hands that 'freed the nation'
The Lighthouse
One major difference between us is our sleeping time. He sleeps early and wakes up early. I love sleeping late and sleeping in. Guess who wins on trips? He does. Mostly. He still goes to bed early, while I toss and turn the whole night. I literally still end up sleeping late. But when the crack of dawn comes, just when I've just fallen asleep, he's up! And he wakes me up! And guess who has to shower first? Yours truly.
But it's really not so bad. It's nice waking up in the arms of that special someone. On that beautiful Sunday morning, with camera in hand, we decided to take a stroll along the bay, take a few shots of the quiet town and catch the sunrise. With the chilly morning air, the moon still visible, the sun still below the horizon and barely anyone yet on the streets, it was quite romantic. One of best parts of the trip for me.
His Trip - Subic, Zambales, Manila
We just got back from our 5-day trip and I still haven't decided on what to write on this blog. As I've said, I always travel but I'm not used to writing about it. It's a different experience when you travel with the thought of writing a blog about it, since you'll be more focus with the details of the trip (e.g. name of places, distance and time to get there, etc.). It was technically a long trip since we got to explore the nice beaches, islands and coves of Zambales, enjoy the water sports activites in Subic and explore the free port, and wander about the historical sites of Manila all in 5 days.
Since my girl had already described and explained the sites to see in the places we've been to, I'll just write about the important highlights of the trip.. according to my point of view.
1. Riding the Waves - I've never ridden a jetski until this trip. Thanks to a friend who drove all the way to Subic to let us borrow his unit. Subic is known for its water sports activities, having a nice bay area being a former naval base. It was a wonderful experience since I got to do it with my girl riding and alternately driving with me. But it got a little scary though when she took over the handle bars. There are also jet skis available for rent for less than 2,000 PHP/hour (40 USD). There are also para sails, banana boats and small yachts for rent. Check out Networx at Subic.
2. Living the American Life - Since Subic is a former US base, the place was made and patterned after most US communities with wide roads and sprawling areas. And ever since they left, it was turned into a free port zone where you could purchase imported goods at duty free prices. Strict traffic rules were also implemented so you can't drive the way you do anywhere else in the Philippines. To complete the experience, we dined at the Meat Plus Cafe (for the imported steaks) and Hotshots Diner (for the diner meal experience). Since i just got back from my US trip early this year, it was a welcome respite to experience places like these again.
3. Morning Walks - Just like anywhere else, the best time to explore Subic is during early morning. The time when the temperature is still cold, when there are still few cars and fewer people on the street, when the sun has just risen and it makes a good picture backdrop.. What makes it even more special is walking with that special someone in your life, exploring and experiencing the place.
4. Island Hopping - The main itinerary for this trip was the visit the island cove in San Antonio, Zambales. Anawangin Cove is known for its unspoiled beach and camping grounds. The only way to get there is to take a half day mountain hike or a 30-minute boat trip. We, of course, chose the latter. It was good that I didn't set my expectations too high before the trip. I had been to far better beaches compared to Anawangin. But what's unique about the place is the pine tree-covered shore area where you could set up tent for a back-to-nature experience. You can't see any resort nor restaurant there, and there's not even any mobile phone reception. It's ideal for a weekend break to get away from the bustles of the city. We didn't get to stay the night though but we visited the other islands nearby like Capones.
4. Historical Tour - I would highly recommend everyone joining Carlos Celdran's Intramuros (the old walled city of Manila) tour when in Manila. I've already been to Intramuros before but you get a different perspective of this historical place with his tour. Intramuros is top on the things-to-do list of virtualtourist.com and it is a must-visit for people who visit Manila.
5. Christmas in CBD - One good thing about traveling this time of year is the Christmas attractions you see all around. I've read about the Christmas Lights & Sound Show in the Central Business District of Makati before the trip. And I made sure we were there to watch it. Even though the show just took 7 minutes, it was well worth going to and watching. It ignites the Christmas feeling in this early Yuletide season. And it was made more special since I was there to cherish it with my girl.
6. China Walk - Since we were already in Manila, I decided to bring my girl to the Chinatown of Manila. Since the place is always very crowded, the best thing to do is commute going there then walk. It's also a better way to take in the sight, sound and smell of the place as well. Once you're there, it's good to try visit the Chinese doctor who checks your health by just feeling your pulse. And yes, he found out what was wrong with me even if I didn't admit to having any symptoms. It's also good to try the different dimsum and tea houses that serve Chinese food while there. And before heading home, make sure to shop for Chinese delicacies like hopia, ba-chang, etc.
I can no longer keep track of the number of times I've saved and edited this entry before publishing it. Finishing it has been a big task for me. I hope blogging more in the succeeding trips would make it easier.
Up next, Hong Kong and Macau this coming February.
Getting there:
Subic Freeport Zone - With a GPS navigation guide and a rented car (2000 php or 40 usd/day), we took the fastest way to go to Subic by taking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) then the Subic-Clark-Tarlax Expressway (SCTEX). The whole trip would just take you less than 3 hours and would cost you around 300 Php (6 usd) in toll fees. Another option is to take a bus for Olongapo and take the public transport to Subic when you get there.
Zambales - the GPS come in so handy on our trip to this beachside town for the jump-off point to Anawangin Cove. From Subic, it's just a 40 km. trip passing by the other towns of Zambales. From there, you could just arrange for an outrigger boat (for 1200 php/25 usd) to take you to the cove and the other islands.
Manila - From our hometown in the central Philippine region, Manila is just an hour long plane ride away. It also has direct international flights from most major cities in Asia and the US. when you get there, you could take the taxi (but it take so hard to get one during rush hours) or the MRT to take you around the city.
Since my girl had already described and explained the sites to see in the places we've been to, I'll just write about the important highlights of the trip.. according to my point of view.
1. Riding the Waves - I've never ridden a jetski until this trip. Thanks to a friend who drove all the way to Subic to let us borrow his unit. Subic is known for its water sports activities, having a nice bay area being a former naval base. It was a wonderful experience since I got to do it with my girl riding and alternately driving with me. But it got a little scary though when she took over the handle bars. There are also jet skis available for rent for less than 2,000 PHP/hour (40 USD). There are also para sails, banana boats and small yachts for rent. Check out Networx at Subic.
2. Living the American Life - Since Subic is a former US base, the place was made and patterned after most US communities with wide roads and sprawling areas. And ever since they left, it was turned into a free port zone where you could purchase imported goods at duty free prices. Strict traffic rules were also implemented so you can't drive the way you do anywhere else in the Philippines. To complete the experience, we dined at the Meat Plus Cafe (for the imported steaks) and Hotshots Diner (for the diner meal experience). Since i just got back from my US trip early this year, it was a welcome respite to experience places like these again.
3. Morning Walks - Just like anywhere else, the best time to explore Subic is during early morning. The time when the temperature is still cold, when there are still few cars and fewer people on the street, when the sun has just risen and it makes a good picture backdrop.. What makes it even more special is walking with that special someone in your life, exploring and experiencing the place.
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| Subic Lighthouse |
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| Subic Bay Yatch Club |
4. Island Hopping - The main itinerary for this trip was the visit the island cove in San Antonio, Zambales. Anawangin Cove is known for its unspoiled beach and camping grounds. The only way to get there is to take a half day mountain hike or a 30-minute boat trip. We, of course, chose the latter. It was good that I didn't set my expectations too high before the trip. I had been to far better beaches compared to Anawangin. But what's unique about the place is the pine tree-covered shore area where you could set up tent for a back-to-nature experience. You can't see any resort nor restaurant there, and there's not even any mobile phone reception. It's ideal for a weekend break to get away from the bustles of the city. We didn't get to stay the night though but we visited the other islands nearby like Capones.
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| Anawangin Cove campsite area |
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| Anawanging Cove Beach |
4. Historical Tour - I would highly recommend everyone joining Carlos Celdran's Intramuros (the old walled city of Manila) tour when in Manila. I've already been to Intramuros before but you get a different perspective of this historical place with his tour. Intramuros is top on the things-to-do list of virtualtourist.com and it is a must-visit for people who visit Manila.
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| Carlos Celdran at his Intramuros tour |
5. Christmas in CBD - One good thing about traveling this time of year is the Christmas attractions you see all around. I've read about the Christmas Lights & Sound Show in the Central Business District of Makati before the trip. And I made sure we were there to watch it. Even though the show just took 7 minutes, it was well worth going to and watching. It ignites the Christmas feeling in this early Yuletide season. And it was made more special since I was there to cherish it with my girl.
6. China Walk - Since we were already in Manila, I decided to bring my girl to the Chinatown of Manila. Since the place is always very crowded, the best thing to do is commute going there then walk. It's also a better way to take in the sight, sound and smell of the place as well. Once you're there, it's good to try visit the Chinese doctor who checks your health by just feeling your pulse. And yes, he found out what was wrong with me even if I didn't admit to having any symptoms. It's also good to try the different dimsum and tea houses that serve Chinese food while there. And before heading home, make sure to shop for Chinese delicacies like hopia, ba-chang, etc.
I can no longer keep track of the number of times I've saved and edited this entry before publishing it. Finishing it has been a big task for me. I hope blogging more in the succeeding trips would make it easier.
Up next, Hong Kong and Macau this coming February.
Getting there:
Subic Freeport Zone - With a GPS navigation guide and a rented car (2000 php or 40 usd/day), we took the fastest way to go to Subic by taking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) then the Subic-Clark-Tarlax Expressway (SCTEX). The whole trip would just take you less than 3 hours and would cost you around 300 Php (6 usd) in toll fees. Another option is to take a bus for Olongapo and take the public transport to Subic when you get there.
Zambales - the GPS come in so handy on our trip to this beachside town for the jump-off point to Anawangin Cove. From Subic, it's just a 40 km. trip passing by the other towns of Zambales. From there, you could just arrange for an outrigger boat (for 1200 php/25 usd) to take you to the cove and the other islands.
Manila - From our hometown in the central Philippine region, Manila is just an hour long plane ride away. It also has direct international flights from most major cities in Asia and the US. when you get there, you could take the taxi (but it take so hard to get one during rush hours) or the MRT to take you around the city.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Her Thoughts - Subic, Zambales, Manila
So our much-awaited trip will be in 2 days. Subic - Zambales - Manila specifically. This trip can be blamed on me and my workmates' impulse-booking on one of those super-low airfare promos. And this marks the start of the continuous array of trips lined up for the upcoming months. We've already booked next year shut.
Zambales, a province in Luzon and our main stop, is apparently rising in ranks as one of the top tourist destinations due to their nice beaches. Local celebrities have had their pre-nup pictorials taken in some of the islands.
Luzon, being a large peninsula, has most of it's cities hours away from the sea. People would have to travel long hours for a weekend beach getaway. However, for us living in one of the many small islands in the Visayas, things are different. Beaches are a common sight. We can go out, have dinner and take a romantic stroll in one of the top resorts in the city, and still be able to go home and sleep comfortably in our beds.
For this trip, we'd have to drive 3 long hours to and from Manila! I'm not a beach bum. And I'm pretty much sure our beaches here would still come out winners. My enthusiasm levels at this point are not too high.
On the other hand, we'll also be spending time in Subic and Manila. Zambales, being a province, would mean peaceful, quiet evenings. Though I know we can always find something to do and explore, we decided on spending our nights in Subic. It's the nearest civilization that we know of. Subic would be fun, and so would Manila. There's a whole lot more we can do in these places. We've drafted plans, scheduled activities and made bookings. Everything's been set.
Now counting down the hours til Saturday.
P. S. Will post pictures when we get back.
The Philippines is an archipelago. It has 3 main groups of islands - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon and Mindanao each has a big chunk of land. Visayas however, have several small ones. Thus the beaches all over.
Zambales, a province in Luzon and our main stop, is apparently rising in ranks as one of the top tourist destinations due to their nice beaches. Local celebrities have had their pre-nup pictorials taken in some of the islands.
Luzon, being a large peninsula, has most of it's cities hours away from the sea. People would have to travel long hours for a weekend beach getaway. However, for us living in one of the many small islands in the Visayas, things are different. Beaches are a common sight. We can go out, have dinner and take a romantic stroll in one of the top resorts in the city, and still be able to go home and sleep comfortably in our beds.
For this trip, we'd have to drive 3 long hours to and from Manila! I'm not a beach bum. And I'm pretty much sure our beaches here would still come out winners. My enthusiasm levels at this point are not too high.
On the other hand, we'll also be spending time in Subic and Manila. Zambales, being a province, would mean peaceful, quiet evenings. Though I know we can always find something to do and explore, we decided on spending our nights in Subic. It's the nearest civilization that we know of. Subic would be fun, and so would Manila. There's a whole lot more we can do in these places. We've drafted plans, scheduled activities and made bookings. Everything's been set.
Now counting down the hours til Saturday.
P. S. Will post pictures when we get back.
The Philippines is an archipelago. It has 3 main groups of islands - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon and Mindanao each has a big chunk of land. Visayas however, have several small ones. Thus the beaches all over.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
His Thoughts - Subic, Zambales, Manila trip
First on the list is our trip to Subic, Zambales and Manila this weekend, November 27 to December 1. I had been to all of these places before, except Zambales. This trip was planned by her officemates five months ago.
I learned that we'll be going to Zambales for the nice beaches and for island hopping. My first thought was why travel that far when we have a lot of nice beaches just nearby in Cebu and Negros Island. And I'm not that much of a beach person as well. We have to go with the group's plan, but recommended to include Subic and Manila as well on the itinerary.
While preparing for the trip, my girl casually mentioned that she haven't decided whether to bring a trolley or duffel bag. But i knew what she meant by that! She was in a way asking what bag I'd be more comfortable bringing, especially since I'd still be the one to bring them anyway. And when she travels, she's always the one who has the largest luggage among her travel companions.
Watch out for our blog entries after we get back from this trip!
I learned that we'll be going to Zambales for the nice beaches and for island hopping. My first thought was why travel that far when we have a lot of nice beaches just nearby in Cebu and Negros Island. And I'm not that much of a beach person as well. We have to go with the group's plan, but recommended to include Subic and Manila as well on the itinerary.
While preparing for the trip, my girl casually mentioned that she haven't decided whether to bring a trolley or duffel bag. But i knew what she meant by that! She was in a way asking what bag I'd be more comfortable bringing, especially since I'd still be the one to bring them anyway. And when she travels, she's always the one who has the largest luggage among her travel companions.
Watch out for our blog entries after we get back from this trip!
Her Trip - From This Point On..
I love to travel. So does he. I believe it was what brought us together. It was the initial common denominator. We used to lose track of time talking about trips we dream of taking and places we've both been to. He has gone to more places than me. But I'll soon be catching up!
The hours we spent discussing future trips led to the creation of this blog. We'll be writing about our expectations, the preparations leading up to each trip, and the actual experiences after.
Some trips we go with a group, some as a couple. But from this point on here, "we", "us", would always refer to just me and my better half.
The hours we spent discussing future trips led to the creation of this blog. We'll be writing about our expectations, the preparations leading up to each trip, and the actual experiences after.
Some trips we go with a group, some as a couple. But from this point on here, "we", "us", would always refer to just me and my better half.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
His Trip - Points of View
Me and my girl wanted to start our own travel blog when we came upon an article of the top travel blogs on the internet. I traveled a lot even before I met her but I don't get to blog nor write anything about my trips. I was glad when I met and knew her, and found out that she also loved to travel and had been to most of the countries I had been to as well. This blog would be for the trips we're planning on taking together soon.
We decided to name this blog as it is since we plan to write both our points of views of the trip we'll be taking. Yes, we'll be traveling together but we might have different opinions and observations on the people, foods and the experiences in these places.
We consider ourselves budget travelers. We wait for airline promos and book flights a year before the actual flights. We painstakingly scan the internet and book hotels online for the cheapest rates for a decent hotel. And we plan to share these promos and cheap rates here in this blog as well.
We decided to name this blog as it is since we plan to write both our points of views of the trip we'll be taking. Yes, we'll be traveling together but we might have different opinions and observations on the people, foods and the experiences in these places.
We consider ourselves budget travelers. We wait for airline promos and book flights a year before the actual flights. We painstakingly scan the internet and book hotels online for the cheapest rates for a decent hotel. And we plan to share these promos and cheap rates here in this blog as well.
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