Category Archives: Lodging

Soccoro: The gateway to Sohoton National Park

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The beautiful morning that greeted us in Soccoro

It was nearly evening when we arrived at the Soccoro Port from Dapa Port in Siargao. The moody weather delayed our scheduled boat ride. It was almost an hour and a half of being swayed in the sea. After all, we’ve passed by the Pacific Ocean as Siargao and Soccoro are geographically facing the Pacific.

I heaved a sigh of relief as soon as my feet felt the solid ground of the port. It’s time to find the lodge where we will stay for the night. The directional signage of Island Vacations Country Inn was helpful. Country Inn was just a few steps away from the port. It took us less than 5 minutes and saw the inn.

Fellow Pinoy Travel Blogger member, Sir Edelito Sangco, who’s also behind the blog, IslandVacations.me, owns the place. Though he was not around during the time that we were there, he endorsed us to his sister and brother in-law.

The rooms are located on top of a bakery store. Hence, we always smell the freshly baked bread. I got the fan dorm room. The fan room rate is Php 200 per head per night. We stayed for 2 nights. But the gracious Sir Ed Sangco let us stay for free. (Thank you sir Ed!)

It was around 7:30 PM when we decided to have dinner. During this time, only one cafeteria was opened. Candles and flashlight illuminated the area due to electricity loss during that night.

The townfolks of Soccoro slept early as the roads were almost deserted. And so we dozed off to sleep as well for an early island hopping the following day.

The smell of freshly baked pandesal awakened my senses. It really smelled so good. But the downside, the heat emitted by the bakery evaporated through the room. If you’re going to stay at Islands Country Inn, get the A/C room for Php 250 per head per night. :) Read more about Island Vacations Country Inn here.

The morning breeze in the quiet town of Soccoro was refreshing. The port was not yet busy at 6:00 AM. But as I walked further, I found two kids playing by the port.

While others were still yawning, fishermen were already casting their nets into the sea. I knew it was just the beginning of an exciting day.

Up Next: The Adventures in Sohoton National Park.

Travel Notes:

  • Travel time from Dapa Port to Soccoro Port- 1.5 hours
  • Ferry fare from Dapa Port to Soccoro- Php 100.00

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Sleeping at NAIA Terminal 3

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An early morning flight means an early trip to the airport especially for people who come from the south of Manila. That includes me.

Rather than traveling in the wee hours of the morning, I rode the bus to Manila and decided to spend the night at NAIA Terminal 3. As soon as I arrived, I noticed other passengers had already picked their own place at the Departure area while waiting for their respective flights.

While I got suggestions to stay at the ground floor (ARRIVAL AREA) where less people were sleeping, I scouted first for the massage area at the 4th floor of NAIA Terminal 3.

After passing by Mini-stop and the pastry shop, I came across the SM Kenko Spa. The receptionist immediately asked me: “Massage or Lounge, Ma’am?” I smiled and looked at the pricelist. I originally want a massage but the massage was pricier than the lounge.

Hesitation made my feet walked again to look for a place to stay. I did find an empty bench but I guessed my body needed more comfort as I just came from a 10-hour ride from Sagada. Talk about going home to just pack clothes anew for another trip.

A comfortable sleep won over the price of the lounge of Php 450.00 ($11.00) for a 5-hour stay  at the Kenko lounge at NAIA Terminal 3. After all, it’s just Php 90.00 per hour, not bad.

I tried to bargain for just a three-hour stay but the receptionist told me that it’s the same rate. She asked me about my flight sched and my desired wake-up time. She wrote it in a piece of paper and led me to the lounge area where reclining seats were lined up in front of a flat screen TV. One weary passenger was already snoring when I arrived.

The receptionist also gave me a blanket to keep me warm. My body was happy resting on the comfy reclining seat. I closed my eyes but my thoughts were still wandering. I tried to count sheep until my mind drifted into the unknown. I can’t remember what followed after until I heard the alarm clock at 3:00 AM.

Time to check-in and get my boarding pass. It was only now that I discovered this pay-lounge at the NAIA Terminal 3. I was surprised to know that it has been operating for three years now.

I got the brochure and learned that the minimum stay for the lounge is 2 hours at Php 250.00. Hence, the 5-hour stay gives more value than a 2-hour stay. Whole body massage for one-hour was more expensive at Php 675.00. It also offers shower for Php 250.00.

If you’re weary and wanted more comfort, security of belongings and privacy when sleeping at the airport, then try out this lounge at the NAIA Terminal 3.

 

Where to stay in Panglao: Bolod Beach Resort

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Backstory: It was past 6 in the evening when we arrived at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran from our adventure in Danao. We went to the public market to buy food for our island hopping. When I asked the vendor about the jeepneys going to Panglao, she said, “Naku wala na ‘yung mga jeepney dyan.”

Oh no! Now, how do we get to Panglao? It’s either we hire a multicab or a trike but that would cost much out of our budget.

Then I saw a message from my cellphone. It was Sir Dave Dumaluan, owner of Bolod Beach Resort, where we will be checking in. He asked where we were. And I told him about our predicament. God’s so good.

He offered to fetch us from the Islands City Mall. Wow! What a kind-hearted owner. We can’t thank him enough.

ROOM

It was past 7:00 pm when we arrived at his resort, Panglao Bolod Beach Resort. We chose a Family Room, which can fit four. It has a double bed and a single bed with a pull-out bed.

The room is not that spacious but it’s fine for Asians like us. The interiors are similar to a condo unit in the metro.

It’s also equipped with a flat screen TV and an ensuite toilet. At first, the toilet was having problems. The staff of Bolod Beach Resort immediately responded to the problem.

BEACH FRONT

For a rate of around Php 3K per night (if you divide it by 4, it’s Php 750 per person), it was a steal to be billeted in a beachfront accommodation in Panglao Island. The Bolod Beach Resort is situated along side with popular high-end resort in Panglao such as the Bohol Beach Club.

The rate comes with breakfast. But the breakfast was not grand. For us, it was just okay to fill our stomachs before our Panglao island hopping.

Will Trip@dora recommend Bolod Beach Resort? Definitely. We had a comfortable stay that was just right on the budget. The kind owner was a plus point.

***

Should you want to stay at Bolod Beach Resort, Explore8 Travel can help you arrange your trip. 

 

 

Sunz En Coron Resort Review: Family lodging in Coron

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In Coron Town, mostly you’ll find lodgings and pension houses. But if you’re looking for a resort-type of accommodation in Coron, then check out Sunz En Coron Resort, a newly built resort 10 minutes out of Coron Town.

This was where we stayed when we returned to Coron this January 2013. Sunz En Coron Resort is a Korean-owned resort and managed by Ms. Angela Kim.

We availed of the resort’s airport services which is Php 150 per way per person. Sunz En Coron Resort is nestled at the hillside of Mt. Tapyas. As soon as we entered the resort, we were enticed to stay at the cabanas while waiting for our room keys.

It took us 10 minutes before we got to our room. Nonetheless, the room was spotlessly clean and has a Zen interiors. We got a Super Family Room, which normally fits four people. But since we were 6, we got two extra beds. The two extra beds were placed near the window. The room was still spacious even with the two extra beds.

Also, you don’t have to worry with your luggage. They don’t have a cabinet yet there’s a bamboo wooden table where you can put your luggage.

On the day of our arrival, the power in Coron went out. Good thing, the resort has a generator set. Though the room has an airconditioning unit, only the ceiling fan worked.

We were too tired to go out to town. Hence, we ordered our lunch at the resort’s restaurant. We tried their bulgogi! It’s a winner! Food was great but of course, it’s a bit pricey.

Even if it was far from town, we didn’t have a hard time going to the wharf for our island hopping because the resort has a free tricycle service. However, on another day, we had to queue because other guests also availed of the free service. On the way back to the resort, we rode the public trike and paid Php 10.00.

At night, the resort turns magical with the changing colors of the pool from purple to red to green.

photo courtesy of sunz en coron official website

 Good points:

  • FREE WIFI- strongest signal at the 2nd cabana
  • FREE Swimming Pool
  • FREE Tricycle service- this makes up for its distance from the town
  • Generator Set

Bad points:

  • Weak Globe Signal / No signal in rooms- If you want to receive messages, stay at the cabanas near the resto.
  • SUN Cellular- no signal at all
  • SMART- this has the only stable signal in the resort

Disclaimer: Nope, this is NOT a paid post :)

Where to stay in Danao: Jose Gonzaga Farmers’ Foundation Inn

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I looked out of the window. Everything’s pitch-black. Only the headlights of the bus illuminated the road. It was almost 7:00 PM when we arrived at Danao Poblacion.

Thank goodness, habal (motorbike) drivers Kuya Tamay and his father were waiting for us at the intersection. Kuya Tamay said that Ate Dahlia, the staff of Jose Gonzaga Farmers’ Foundation Inc (JGFFI), informed them that we’re arriving. Ang babait ng mga Boholanos! Daghang Salamat!

In the darkness of the night, we rode the motorbike to the Foundation Inn, where we’re staying. It was about 15-20 minutes away from the Poblacion.

Ate Dahlia welcomed us at the cozy JGFFI Inn that looks like a large bahay-kubo (native nipa hut). It has three rooms that can occupy three persons each.

Each room has a comfort room. However, the comfort room was only for toilet use. The shower room was located at the back.

The room was basic but clean.  An electric fan ventilated the room. Thanks to Ivan Henares’ entry. I found the Jose Gonzaga Farmers’ Foundation Inn. I thought they would be serving organic food as what Henares and company experienced. However, during that time, there was no cook.

Hence, we ate dinner at the EAT Danao Adventure Park. Special thanks to Kuya Tamay and his father who took us to the park after we left our things at our rooms.

The ride from Poblacion to the JGFFI should be just Php 40.00 each but since they were so kind to assist us even to our dinner area and back to the inn, we paid them Php 300.00.

The DINNER at the EAT Danao Adventure Park was a bit pricey but it served its purpose—to fill our hungry stomachs.

Our dinner comprised of breaded porkchop, sinigang na hipon, lechong kawali, fried chicken, rice, and drinks for Php 1,175.00 for 4 pax or Php 293.75 each. Kaon ta!

Even though there’s a lodging inside the park, we preferred to stay at the JGFFI inn. By doing so, we had also helped the farmers. According to Ate Dahlia, part of the Php 300.00 per person that we paid for our room goes to the projects of the JGFFI for the farmers of Danao.

If you’re looking for convenience, then it’s better to stay at the park’s lodging. But if you want to help locals at the same time, enjoy their place, then stay at a place like JGFFI.

TRAVEL NOTES:

  • Jose Gonzaga Farmers’ Foundation Inc. Contact Ian Gonzaga- 09173252426 /Dahlia -09204009588
  • JGFFI Lodging Rate- Php 300.00/pax
  • Lodging inside EAT Danao Adventure Park– Php 1,300 for 2 pax.
  • EAT Danao Contact: Ms. Wiena- 0917 302 1700
  • Habal-Habal Driver: Tamay – 0946 906 9205