Category Archives: Commuting

Southeast Asia: The 57-hour Challenge

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57 hours around Southeast Asia? Are you kidding me? Impossible? Crazy?

This may raise your eyebrow but yes, it was possible. It was one of my craziest trips to date. But why 57 hours? Here’s the story.

My trips always begin with seat sales because I want to maximize my budget and make travel affordable.

Around October 2011, I saw the teaser of AirAsia’s zero fare seat sale. I was firm to explore other countries that don’t require visas. Fortunately, being a Filipino has its perks. Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos) don’t require visas for Filipinos. I did not let the chance passed and booked flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It cost me Php 4,000 for the four segment flights.

Originally, my route was Clark to KL then from KL to Yogyakarta and back to KL. Then from KL, I planned to take a bus to Singapore. The trip was scheduled on March 27 until April 1, 2012.

2012 came in. As February approaches, I realized that my youngest brother would be graduating from college in March. I was torn between pursuing the trip or canceling it. Mama won’t allow me to be absent on his graduation. And yes, family’s important.

Thank God for another round of seat sales. I was able to fix my route–Clark>KL>Yogyakarta>SG>Manila. Whew! I believe that it’s better to grab opportunities than regret them later.

So what’s the challenge? To have an enriching experience in 57 hours around Southeast Asia with a Php 15,000 budget.

Let me share what I read recently from my favorite novelist Paulo Coelho in his novel, Aleph: “I started traveling like a mad thing. The great lessons I learned had been precisely those that my journeys had taught me.”

“Travel is never a matter of money but of courage. I spent a large part of my youth traveling the world as a hippie and what money did I have then? None. I barely had enough to pay for my fare but I still consider those to have been the best years of my youth…”

Here’s the map of my Southeast Asian Challenge:

How did I deal with the immigration officers of all countries? This was one of the questions posted by one of my readers. I would share these stories in my succeeding posts. :)

Trip@dora Published: Visita Iglesia on a budget

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photo by izah morales

Palm Sunday marks the start of the Holy Week. It’s a time to reflect and repent for Roman Catholics. For those who want to go on a pilgrimage without hurting the pocket, you don’t need to fly out of the country.

In Iloilo, you can marvel at the architecture wonders and at the same time take a spiritual journey. Starweek features my story today, April 1, 2012:  Visita Iglesia on a budget. Click the photo or the link to read more.

Cover Photo by Izah Morales

You might also want to read: 

Ferry from Coron to El Nido cuts travel time

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While browsing on Facebook last week, I saw a photo of Montenegro Lines saying that they’ll be starting their maiden voyage from Coron to El Nido and vice-versa this week.

This ferry trip from Coron to El Nido cuts the travel time to 4 hours. The Montenegro Lines trip would be daily according to their staff whom I spoke to.

Land trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido as experienced by other travelers take 6-8 hours. I’ve yet to experience that come June this year. So if you want to experience the best of both worlds, you can opt to fly to Coron then take a ferry to El Nido.

However, do take note that waves may be rough according to past research that I’ve made. It’s really a matter of priorities. If your time’s short, then this option may be a good alternative for you. But if you have ample time to go to El Nido, then take the roadtrip from Puerto Princesa.

FARE: Php 1,760.00 one-way (Verified. Called up their sun number)\

HOW TO PAY the fare:

As of writing time (March 24, 2012), if you’re coming from Coron, you have to go to the Port and pay the fare there. But according to Montenegro staff MacMac whom I spoke to, they will set up an office in Coron Town.

Contact MacMac (Montenegro Staff in Coron)- 0915 307 7200 

Schedule:

Ferry leaves Coron at 12NN. / Expected time of Arrival in El Nido: 4:00 PM

Ferry leaves El Nido at 6:00 AM / Expected time of Arrival in Coron: 10:00 AM

Website: www.montenegrolines.com.ph

Contact numbers: 0915 307 7133 / 0908 920 2568 / 0922 889 7013 (this number is working)

Commuting101:How to go to Carabao Island

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Hambil (Carabao Island) by Izah Morales

I was almost there. I saw the shore from where I stood. It seemed so near yet it was far. I almost made it but I didn’t. There were things worth waiting for. The time has not yet come. 

Gloomy skies welcomed the plane as it landed at the Godofredo Ramos Caticlan Airport. I was surprised with the renovated airport. It was modern and featured touch screen guides for tourists. There’s even free wifi.

I checked on Twitter for PAGASA’s updates and learned that the Low Pressure Area has not left Philippine territory. Aklan’s affected. Nonetheless, I left the airport and walked to the gate. From there, I hailed a tricycle to Tabon Baybay Port. Some tricycles quoted me Php 50.00 but I insisted to pay for the regular fare which is Php 20.00. One of those passing by agreed to take me to the Tabon Baybay Port for Php 20.00.

At first, he was curious why on Earth am I going to Tabon Baybay while others are going to the Jetty Port for Boracay? I told Manong that I’m going to Carabao Island. The tricycle entered a muddy road surrounded with trees and mangroves on the side.

I went out of the tricycle and paid the regular fare. Most of the passengers there were locals who live in Hambil (the local name for Carabao Island). The Municipal tourism of San Jose recommended that I take either the Mbca Ma. Celestial boat or the Mbca Jose.

There were only two passengers who were seated at the Celestial boat. I asked the boatman the time of departure. He said 8:30 am. I checked the time. It was only 7:45 am. Knowing that there’s an LPA, the fear has not gotten away. The thought of a cancelled boat trip the next day scared me. I called up the coastguard and asked for the situation of the sea.

The coastguard said that waves would be rough. He’s also unsure whether the LPA would leave Philippine territory the next day.

Yes, fear of missing my return flight or being stranded in Carabao Island the next day caught me. I decided not to push through. If I only had two more days, then I would have taken the risk. But I only have a day and a night to spend in Carabao Island.

Ma. Celestial Boat

Yes I was almost there. Carabao Island, next time, promise, I’ll allot more days not just a day and a night. So I bade the boatmen and the locals farewell with the hope to return and finally see the island.

That's Carabao Island behind me. Photo taken at Puka Beach, Boracay

TRAVEL NOTES: 

*Hail a tricycle as you exit Caticlan Airport. Fare should only be Php 20.00

*The Tabon Baybay Port is just 10 minutes away.

*From Tabon Baybay Port, take Mbca Celestial or Mbca Jose. Fare is Php 80.00

*The Mbca Celestial or Mbca Jose has a capacity of 20-30 passengers. It’s a local boat. I didn’t notice whether there were lifevests but the boats were recommended by the tourism office. So I guess, these boats follow standards.

*Regular Passenger Boat Schedule: Tabon Baybay-Hambil- 8:30 am (once a day only) / Hambil-Tabon Baybay Caticlan- 6:00 am

*Boatman contact (as recommended by Senyor Lakwatsero): Sherwin- +63 912 904 4342- the boat leaves at 10 am. Fare is Php 100.00

*Motorbike Fares to Inobahan from port: Php 10.00

*Where to stay:

  • Nipa Hauz (Lanas Beach) – Look for Merilyn Gonzaga (+63 920 364 3852/ +63 906 355 6566)- Room Rate (Php 500)
  • Republic of Inobahan Resort (Inobahan side- eastern side)- Fan room (good for 2 pax) rate: Php 500 /night

*Municipal Tourism of San Jose- Mr. Rvyl Federico  (+63 927 701 4050/ +63 917 722 2350 / +63 927 925 9333)

*Philippine Coast Guard in Caticlan- +63 929 686 4150

*** Special thanks to these blogs which I read for the supposed trip:

Trip@dora Review: Lodging in Paracale

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Sleep has been my answer to avoid nausea in a long and winding road trip to Camarines Norte. It was around midnight when the driver, Kuya Rico, stopped the engine of the vehicle. Thank God! I together with fellow travel writers arrived safely at Paliza del Rio, Sta. Rosa Street, Paracale, Camarines Norte.

Paliza del Rio is a new tourist inn in the mining town of Paracale, which is also the nearest jump-off point to Calaguas Islands. After registration, we were given our keys to the room. This was our airconditioned room, which is good for three pax.

It has an LCD TV and an ensuite toilet inside (towel and soap are provided too).  It was simple yet clean. I didn’t have time to take pictures of the toilet. I just got one picture of the room. Yes, I was dead tired from the trip. After fixing stuff, I grabbed the blanket and went to dreamland.

The day after, I learned that the wifi was only available at the lobby. WIFI’s FREE in case you want to check email updates. But why would you check your email if you’re on a vacation? Nonetheless, it’s good for important matters. The guest connection can easily be inaccessible especially when your companions decided to be online too. If you insist to be online, ask the the staff for the password of the other connections and she would readily give them.

From Paliza del Rio, the fishing port of Paracale was just a stone’s throw away. It’s a good five-minute walk.

From the fishing port, you can talk to the boatmen when going to Calaguas Islands. Use your haggling skills. The boat rates can be very expensive (Php 10,000 roundtrip for 30 pax). Or if you’re really on a budget, you can take the passenger boat at 2pm. Non-locals are charged Php 100 per way.

TRAVEL NOTES:

RATES for PALIZA del RIO:

  • Standard Fan Room for 2 pax- Php 550
  • De Luxe Room  (double bed for 2)- Php 995
  • Triple deluxe room (for 3 pax)- Php 1,495.00

Check out time: 12NN.

Contact Details: paliza_delrio@yahoo.com

Tel no: 02-5423888 Cel no: 0912-7409266

 ***Special Thanks to the Provincial Tourism Office of Camarines Norte for the assistance extended for this trip.