Search this site:

Links

Translate This Page
About This Blog
Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!
CATEGORIES
Highly Urbanized Cities

  • Angeles City
  • Bacolod City
  • Baguio City
  • Butuan City
  • Caloocan City
  • Cebu City
  • Cagayan de Oro City
  • Davao City
  • Dagupan City
  • Gen. Santos City
  • Iligan City
  • Iloilo City
  • Lapu-lapu City
  • Las Pinas City
  • Lucena City
  • Makati City
  • Malabon City
  • Mandaluyong City
  • Mandaue City
  • Manila City
  • Marikina City
  • Muntinlupa City
  • Olongapo City
  • Paranaque City
  • Pasay City
  • Pasig City
  • Puerto Princesa City
  • Quezon City
  • San Juan City
  • Tagaytay City
  • Taguig City
  • Tacloban City
  • Valenzuela City
  • Zamboanga City

  • Philippine Provinces
  • Abra
  • Agusan Del Norte
  • Agusan Del Sur
  • Aklan
  • Albay
  • Antique
  • Apayao
  • Basilan
  • Bataan
  • Batanes
  • Batangas
  • Benguet
  • Bohol
  • Bukidnon
  • Bulacan
  • Cagayan
  • Camarines Norte
  • Camarines Sur
  • Camiguin
  • Catanduanes
  • Cavite
  • Cebu
  • Compostela Valley
  • Davao Del Norte
  • Davao Del Sur
  • Dinagat Island
  • Eastern Samar
  • Guimaras
  • Ifugao
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • Kalinga
  • Isabela
  • La Union
  • Laguna
  • Lanao del Norte
  • Lanao del Sur
  • Leyte
  • Maguindanao
  • Marinduque
  • Masbate
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Mountain Province
  • Negros Occidental
  • Negros Oriental
  • Northern Samar
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Occidental Mindoro
  • Oriental Mindoro
  • Palawan
  • Pampanga
  • Pangasinan
  • Quezon
  • Rizal
  • Romblon
  • Samar
  • Saranggani
  • Siquijor
  • Sorsogon
  • South Cotabato
  • Southern Leyte
  • Sulu
  • Surigao Del Norte
  • Surigao Del Sur
  • Tarlac
  • Tawi-tawi
  • Zambales
  • Zamboanga Del Norte
  • Zamboanga Del Sur
  • Zamboanga Sibugay


  • Airlines
  • Airports
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Beaches
  • Bridges
  • Casinos
  • Caves
  • Churches
  • Delicacies
  • Ferries
  • Festivals
  • Flora and Fauna
  • Golf Courses
  • History
  • Hotels and Resorts
  • Jose Rizal
  • Lighthouses
  • Mosques
  • Museums
  • National Artists
  • National Heroes
  • National Cultural Treasures
  • Parks
  • Public Transportation
  • Restaurants
  • Rivers
  • Seaports
  • Spanish Forts
  • Volcanoes
  • Watchtowers
  • Waterfalls
  • World War II

  • Philippine Tourist Spots
  • Boracay
  • Clark
  • Corregidor
  • Subic
  • Follow/Affiliations

    Holy Child Pensionne: Accommodations in Bato, Leyte

    Bato is a small town in Leyte, on the western side of Leyte island facing Bohol and Cebu. There are no big hotels
    there but there several lodges and pension houses.

    Here's Tutubi's simple accommodation in Bato, Leyte at Holy Child Pensionne where he spent a night and served as his base for exploring in Canigao Island Matalom and the so called Cuatro Islas of Hindang

    Review: Holy Child Pensionne

    Holy Child Pensionne has three types of rooms, all with private bath, hot and cold shower, cable TV (though the
    TV are small 14 inch CRT, not the modern LCD but what do you expect at that price point. The rooms are spartan, clean; meals not included in the bill. You can just walk to the nearby market and eat at small restaurants and eateries.

    Tutubi's standard room where you can see his laptop on one of the two single beds


    Room Rates:
    Standard PhP700.00/day, good for two persons, 2 single beds (already cheap at PhP350.00/head)
    Deluxe PhP800.00/day, 2 persons, 1 queen size bed
    Family Room PhP1,000.00/day, good for 4 persons

    additional bed: PhP200.00/day
    Internet access at the lobby (sort of Internet Cafe):PhP20.00/hour

    Check In time: 2pm
    Check Out Time: 12nn

    Address:
    620 Tomas Claudio St., Kalanggaman, Bato, Leyte
    Remarks: walking distance from Port of Bato where you can take ferries Bato to Cebu/Bohol

    Contact numbers:
    Telephone Number: +63.53.568.0034; +63.53.568.0042 (Globe); +63.53.336.2273 (bayantel)
    Mobile Number: +63.999.162.8893

    Please call Holy Child Pensionne contact numbers for inquiries, reservations, meetings, conferences, parties (birthdays, weddings, debut et al)

    There's an ATM beside the pension house as it's owned by a cooperative. Service charge applies though


    Labels: ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:54 PM, , links to this post

    How to Get to SM Aura: Map, Commute, Directions, Parking Fee, Mall Hours

    On the rush to SM Aura Premier opening on May 17 and catch Carrie Bradshaw i.e. Sarah Jessica Parker gracing the event? Here are the various routes to take to SM Aura Premier at the Fort for you information

    How to get How to Get to SM Aura Premier at the Fort:


    For starters, here's an online street map of SM Aura Premier at the Fort, click here

    For driving directions, just follow the route indicate on the map of SM Aura showing C5, 26th Street and McKinley Parkway and just beside Market! Market! mall, Serendra and other Bonifacio Global City landmarks. No information yet on parking fee and rates.

    Road map to SM Aura Premier in Taguig with directions


    How to commute to SM Aura Premier at the Fort:

    Expanding this post How to Get to Bonifacio Global City, you have

    From Pasay or Quezon City via MRT, get off at MRT Ayala then choose between taking the Market! Market! jeepney (fare: minimum) or the airconditioned BGC Bus.

    From Eastwood City via C5 or Resorts World Manila and Airport (NAIA Terminal 3), you can take Citylink bus to get you there directly. Fare is around PhP20.00 from each end

    There are also transport terminals with shuttle service/Fx/vans to SM Aura at these locations: Pateros Ayala, Taguig Tipas, Taguig Bicutan, Rosario, Pasig, Crossing, SM Marikina, SM Masinag, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia (MOA), SM Bicutan, Antipolo, FTI and Guadalupe.

    SM Aura Mall Hours: open from 10am to 10pm daily

    Labels:

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:10 PM, , links to this post

    Ternate - Nasugbu Tunnel: Map and Opening Date (Kaybiang Tunnel)

    The 300 meter long tunnel along Ternate-Nasugbu Road, bored through Mt. Pico de Loro at the boundary of Nasugbu, Batangas and Ternate, Cavite will soon be open to motorists. Besides connecting the two neighboring provinces plus the resort towns of Nasugbu and Ternate, it will also lessen travel time to Nasugbu and Western batangas by about an hour and decongest Tagaytay City and spur tourism growth in the area.

    The Cavite side of Kaybiang Tunnel almost ready for the grand opening


    For an online map of Ternate-Nasugbu Tunnel, click here. Herewith is the map of Kaybiang Tunnel as mapped by the cool guys of OpenStreetMap


    Kaybiang Tunnel Map (shown along the green road map) Ternate - Nasugbu Tunnel


    How to get there:

    Just follow these directions to Ternate-Nasugbu by taking Roxas Boulevard, Coastal Road, CavitEx, exit at Kawit, take Centennial Road, Antero Soriano Highway, Governor's Drive, Caylabne road and Ternate-Nasugbu Road. You will pass by the Cavite tows of Kawit, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate while after the tunnel you will reach the southwestern towns of Batangas: Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Balayan, Calaca and onwards.

    You will also pass by beach resorts in Ternate (Caylabne, Puerto Azul, Tali Beach) and faster travel to famous resorts in Nasugbu, Batangas (Pico de Loro, Club Punta Fuego, Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Munting Buhangin, Canyon Cove Beach Resort)

    Ternate - natugbu Tunnel will open on July 1, 2013 (unless further delays in construction occurs. This tunnel was conceptualized during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos)


    Labels:

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:39 PM, , links to this post

    Camp and Day Tour at Canigao Island Resort, Matalom, Leyte (Rates, Entrance Fee, How to Get There)

    Canigao Island is a small island with fish sanctuary, surrounded by white sand beach and beach resort run by the local government of Matalom, Leyte. The island was visited by Tutubi as a sidetrip, where his friends from nearby town of Bato took him just to have lunch.

    The island can be reached from the town of Bato by short southbound jeepney ride from Bato transport terminal then a short boat ride to the island.

    The "welcome arch" and lifeguard station on Canigao Island where you can also see the resort telephone numbers

    the main beach with Matalom locals, facing the seashore of Matalom Town of Leyte Island

    The small island, surrounded by white sand beach (with a small segment rocky coral stones), can be circled on foot for about fifteen minutes. there's also a nearby fish sanctuary where you can snorkel, freedive, if not SCUBA dive at the site

    Canigao Island Review:

    The island is worth the visit by backpackers for a cheap place to stay, meet locals and eat seafood at low prices. The beach has fine white sand (though not as fine as you other famous beaches) it's actually good enough to stay a day or camp out overnight. There is barangay tanod (security) at the place, the beachfront is clean, even crystal clear water without any sign of pollution.

    From Canigao Island, you can also do some sort of Leyte Island-Hopping by visiting Calanggaman Island in Palompon or the Quatro Islas (four islands) of Inopacan town: Digyo Island, Apid Island, Mahaba Island, and Himokilan Island


    Canigao Island Resort:
    Contact Number: +63.949.913.7893; +63.908.682.5781
    Telephone Number: +63.53.569.9077
    For reservation: +63.919.495.8961

    The are no private rooms on Canigao Island, you can only find a camp site and a tent rental facility if you want an overnight camping stay. There's a small canteen serving snacks and softdrinks, water, juices but most of your food like fresh seafood, fishes can be ordered at the nearby pier (like the fish locally called mulmul and balyong sea shell, and bolinao fish)

    Canigao Island Rates:


    Canigao Island Resort rates/entrance fee/price for cottage/overnight, chair/table rental, camping tent posted This is also where you pay your entrance fee

    How to get to Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte:

    For a map of Canigao Island via OpenStreetMap, please click here (map was updated by Tutubi when he visited the place, do help out in updating the best online map of the Philippines)

    1. Book a flight to Tacloban (either ZestAir, Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines/PAL Express) or a ferry (2Go Travel) or an overnight ferry to Bato, Leyte (from Cebu or Ubay Bohol)
    2. At Tacbloban Airport, ride the San Jose jeepney to Tacloban Transport terminal
    3. At the terminal, take the shuttle/van/fx to Bato
    4. at Bato terminal, ride the jeepney that goes to Matalom town and request the driver to drop you off to the road of Canigao Island (fare: minimum), travel time is about fifteen minutes
    5. Walk to the pier or take a tricycle (minimum fare)
    6. Take the short banca ride to Can Island

    Labels: , , , ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 11:08 PM, , links to this post

    Bato, Leyte to Cebu/Ubay, Bohol Ferry: Schedule and Fare

    for those looking for the latest information on sea travel by boat to/from Bato Leyte to Cebu City or Ubay, Bohol, herewith are the latest shipping/ferry companies serving the route to Bato, Leyte from the nearby islands of Cebu and Bohol for you backpacking itinerary.

    Overnight ferry trips saves on accommodations cost as you spend the night at sea while only paying the ferry fare.

    ticket reservations the seaport/pier of Bato, Leyte


    Bato Leyte to Ubay, Bohol Ferry:

    Shipping Company: Medallion Transport
    Trip Schedule: daily trip at 9pm
    Travel Time to Ubay Bohol: 6 hours
    Terminal: Pier 3 in Ubay, Bohol
    Ferry Fare: PhP270.00 (economy), PhP290.00 (tourist)

    Our lady of Angels and Oour Lady of Guadalupe
    Fare: PhP245.00, PhP265.00; PhP280.00, PhP350.00, PhP500.00
    (sitting, economy a, economy b, tourist, cabin)


    Bato, Leyte to Cebu Ferry:

    Ship: Fiji2
    Trip Schedule: daily at 9pm
    Fare: PhP265.00 (2nd Class), PhP220.00 (3rd Class)

    Super Shuttle Ferry also serves the following ferry routes:
    Ubay, Bohol to Maasin Leyte;
    Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte;
    Bogo, Cebu to Palompon, Leyte (Office contact number: +63.916.905.2348)
    Lipata, Surigao to Liloan, Leyte



    Labels: ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:55 PM, , links to this post

    Election Day SM Mall Hours on May 13, 2013: Mall of Asia, Megamall, Trinoma, Robinsons, Walter Mart

    Going to the mall on Election day after voting? Herewith is the SM Mall schedule on May 13 (Monday)

    Please make your vote count where it matters most for the benefit of our country and all, not your own pocket for just a day yet suffer for three years or longer. You probably know what I mean

    If you didn't vote, you have no right to complain about elected officials, except if you were in extraordinary circumstances

    From the official SM Supermalls Facebook Page:
    "Please be guided that on Election Day, May 13, our malls will open at 12NN except for SM Mall of Asia Official / Podium (12NN-10PM), SM Center Pasig (12NN-11PM), SM by the Bay (4PM-12MN) and SM Marketmall Dasmariñas (12NN-9PM, Wet & Dry Market – Normal Operating Hours / Bagsakan – Normal Operating Hours)"


    Ayala Malls Schedule on May 13, 2013:
    Malls open at 10am to 9pm

    Trinoma Mall, Abreeza Mall (Davao), Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall (Angeles City Pampanga), Greenbelt Mall, Glorietta, Market! Market!

    No information yet on WalterMart and Robinsons Malls (Galleria, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Place), Eastwood Mall, The Podium, Sta Lucia, 168 Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, 999 Mall, Victory Mall, Gaisano Mall, Power Plant Mall,

    SM City Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Baguio, SM Calamba, SM Novaliches, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Bicutan, SM SouthMall, SM
    City North EDSA, SM Cebu, SM Davao, SM Bacolod, SM Iloilo, SM Batangas, SM Lipa

    related post:
    May 13, 2013 is a Special Non-working Holiday

    Labels:

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:53 PM, , links to this post

    Laguna: How to Get to Taytay Falls, Majayjay: Map, Entrance Fee, Camping

    Probably the second most famous waterfall in Laguna is Taytay Falls in Majayjay, next only to the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls. This falls was visited by Tutubi thrice in the past, when digital cameras were not yet the "in" thing, including a birthday treat to his now departed mother, giving it some sort of nostalgic value to the sentimental Tutubi.

    This travel guide to Taytay falls is for those souls looking at fresh information how to get there, what to expect and the usual entrance fee/environmental fee, overnight camping and parking rates.


    Travel Guide: Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna:


    Taytay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna with a person swimming on the pool to add scale and estimate the height of the waterfalls, popular for camping and day trip (picture courtesy of Tutubi's cousin who recently went there)

    Taytay falls entrance fee: PhP30.00 (some call this environmental fee)
    Car parking fee: PhP40.00
    Camping: you can pitch your own tent on the best place you can see near the falls

    Notes and reviews:
    1. The water here is too cold, too cold even for the cold-resistant Tutubi 10 years ago that he wasn't able to swim too long in the ice-cold water from Mt. Banahaw.
    2. There are too many people on weekends, much more during Holy Week. It's sad that people leave their garbage instead of bringing them back and personally throw at trash cans.
    3. There are toilets available but not for the squeamish, with running water of course.
    4. Information and picture of Taytay Falls provided by Tutubi's cousin who recently camped out overnight at the place.
    5. You may combine this place with Pagsanjan Falls, Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex and Panguil River Eco-park for your Laguna tour itinerary.

    How to get to Majayjay, Laguna:

    The street map of Taytay Falls in barangay Gagalot, please click here. You can trace back to Majayjay town proper or from Lucban. If you have a GPS navigator (or even an iPhone/iPad/Ipod or Android device with GPS app), you can point it to these coordinates: 14° 6.618N 121° 30.45E and get there without asking questions.

    On Commuting to Majayjay, Laguna, please click this link on How to Get to Laguna to reach Majayjay town.

    In Majayjay town proper, you need to take another jeep with signboard Gagalot to take you to Barangay Gagalot where the jump-off point to Taytay falls can be found.

    On reaching Gagalot, you need to pay the entrance fee then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.

    Driving Directions to Majayjay, Laguna:

    from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Pagsanjan then you turn left on reaching Pagsanjan Public Market (landmark: Jollibee), pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.

    From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, then turn left when you see GSIS Pagsanjan and Jollibee, pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.

    In Majayjay town proper, follow this map to get there.

    On reaching Gagalot, park your vehicle and pay the entrance fee (PhP30.00) and parking fee (PhP40.00) then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.

    If you noticed, Tutubi is trying to finish all travel guides to interesting places in Laguna :P

    Labels: , , ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:30 PM, , links to this post

    Cebu Pacific Piso Fare Promo/Seat Sale Alert

    Just a seat sale alert from Cebu Pacific on May 1, 2013


    Add caption
    Cebu Pacific Piso Fare/Seat Sale Fares



    Dubbed May Juan is Labor Day!

    Seat Sale Fares:

    P1 on all Philippine Destinations

    P100 on all international destinations

    Sale period: May 1 - May 3, 2013


    No Information on travel period

    Book your flights early to get the Cebu Pacific Piso fare promo and fly almost for free to your destination.

    Tutubi is not joining though, he can fly but his schedule won't always permit him to :(



    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 1:00 AM, , links to this post

    Laguna: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex: Entrance Fee/Permit, Map, How to Get There

    Tutubi first read about this new cave when he read a news article about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which classified a certain Kwebang Puti in Cavinti, Laguna as Cave Class 1 but no information can be found online about it until news spread from Tutubi's friends in Paete, Laguna who were able to visit it a three weeks ago.

    The information and picture posted herewith are provided by Tutubi's friends in Laguna who were able to get there since it opened to the public on April 1, 2013 (of all dates).

    Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

    Tutubi knows how to get to Cavinti, either via public transportation or by private car, finding the site is not hard for him come his turn to actually visit the site. Other information will be posted once available and reviewed by his sources of information.

    The poster of Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex, good there are people on the image to add scale

    Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex Tour in a nutshell:

    1. Make a reservation for an entrance pass to the Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by contacting Cavinti Tourism office. Email advance booking/reservations to this email address: lgucavinti@gmail.com
    Reservations are limited to 10 persons per group. Contact number and official website will be posted once available.

    2. Confirm your permit to tour Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by getting your permit personally, though your authorized representative or package tour operator. You need to pay the entrance fee of PhP10.00/person (called environmental fee) Walk-in visitors are NOT guaranteed visitors entry permit. The visitors permit confirmation and payment can be paid at Cavinti Municipal Hall in weekdays and at Bumbungan Ecopark on weekends.

    3. Go to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex on your reserved date. Bring proper identification cards (school ID accepted)

    4. Enjoy the tour but do observe the rules posted at the site particularly do not touch stalactites, stalagmites and columns inside the Cavinti caves

    a giant stalactite of Kwebang Puti (stalactites hang from the ceiling, stalagmites are on the ground, and a column occurs when the cave roof and floor are joined together
    The Laguna underground river has mini-waterfalls inside gushing with cold natural mineral water


    How to Get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

    (Tutubi will create the map via OpenStreetMap once he gets to the place and will post waypoint/GPS coordinates later). An interactive map of Cavinti (helped updated by Tutubi with the cool guys of OpenStreetMap Philippines) can be found here where you can trace back to your origin and jump-off point.

    How to Get to Cavinti, Laguna from Manila:

    1.0 How to Commute by bus and jeepney

    1.1 Commute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna by Bus
    From Cubao Quezon City, take HM Transport or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Bus Fare via HM Transport is PhP148.50)

    1.2 From Pasay, near LRT Gil Puyat station, take Green Star Express or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna
    Bus fare:, travel time is around 3 hours. Bus fare via DLTB is PhP132.00 while via Green Star express is PhP140.50 (yes, DLTB is cheaper plus free Wi-fi Internet)

    1.3 In Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney to Cavinti and request the driver to drop you off at Bumbungan Eco-Park (fare is about PhP20.00, travel time about 40 minutes) which is near a bridge over Bumbungan River (the river that feeds Pagsanjan Falls)

    2.0 Driving Directions to Cavinti, Laguna

    from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan.

    After passing by the elevated portion of Manila East Road in Kalayaan town, you will need to turn left and pass by Caliraya-Cavinti Road until you reach Bumbungan Eco-park. This route, from Trinoma, takes about 3 hours travel time.

    From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan and Lumban. After passing Lumban Public Market (and a police checkpoint barrier), choose the right fork of the road going to Lake Caliraya. Continue until you reach Bumbungan EcoPark which is the jump-off point to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex

    as of posting time, Pagsanjan Bridge near Pagsanjan Municipal Hall is under construction, you need to take the alternate route to Cavinti via Lumban and Caliraya Lake thus the direction provided above.

    3.0 To get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex from Cavinti, you still need to ride a jeepney (rent one (rental rates vary but about PhP200.00/person) or drive to the caves if you're adventurous and have a 4x4 vehicle) for 14 kilometers on bumpy, dirt road then trek for 2 kilometers (about 30 minutes walk over a dirt road) to get to the actual newly-discovered cave. (this is already easy compared to the previous 4-5 hour trek when the dirt road was not there)

    4.0 The final travel part of Cavinti spelunking adventure is a short bamboo raft ride (balsa) to cross the Lalangawan River to reach the cave entrance which is near the boundary of Cavinti, Laguna and Mauban, Quezon

    Notes:

    1. The road from Cavinti town proper going to the site is not paved, only 4x4 vehicles (for off-road) or jeepneys can traverse it.
    2. Bring your own high powered flashlight or gas lamp as it's dark inside the caves
    3. At present, this is still undeveloped, tourism facilities are inadequate, guides are ill-equipped, area is restricted to 50 tourists (non-Cavinti residents) but cave entrance fee is still cheap at PhP10.00/person
    4. There's an underground river and waterfalls inside but most parts of the cave complex and chambers remain unexplored, wildlife (if there are animals, lizards, snakes, pythons, spiders) taking refuge inside not yet documented
    4. There are hotels and resorts near Cavinti particularly Pagsanfalls resorts or resorts in Lake Caliraya for you to spend the night, wash yourself or overnight accommodations.
    5. You can take a swim in the Lalangawan River with cold mountain water and huge rocks and boulders

    This will be updated from time to time to remain fresh and current. Tutubi's planned tour of this new "place to see in Laguna" last April 20 didn't push through due to the new rule on reservation and with fully-booked place for tour bookings.


    Labels: , , , , ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:00 PM, , links to this post

    How to Get to NAIA Terminal 1 and 2: Map Bus Commute Route, Directions, Parking

    A never-ending question how to get to NAIA Terminal 1 and NAIA Terminal 2 by public transportation, particularly commuting from EDSA by bus (yes, some people still prefer to take the slow bus) or the alternative way out of NAIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 if there are no airport taxi in sight.

    The recommended option to get to Manila Airport Terminal 1 and 2, for those with very limited budget and the cheapest way to get there, is via the bus on EDSA with signboard MIA 611 Tambo which can be found even from Monumento end of EDSA in Caloocan City.

    For reference, please click this map centered on EDSA Ayala Avenue and Magallanes. The map shown below, taken from OpenStreetMap, shows NAIA Terminal 1 (left) and NAIA Terminal 2 (right corner) and roads linking them to Roxas Blvd and EDSA. This same map can be browsed interactively here

    Map of Manila Airport's NAIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 showing the main roads going there. Note that there's no MMDA number coding on these major roads too.

    MIA 611 Tambo Bus route from EDSA Ayala Avenue:

    These buses cross Pasay Road
    Cross Magallanes (Pasong Tamo extension)
    Cross Taft Avenue (Pasay Rotonda)
    Cross Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (Macapagal Avenue)
    Go around SM Mall of Asia Globe (Rotonda)
    Right Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (Macapagal Avenue)
    Right Seaside Drive
    Cross Roxas Boulevard to NAIA Road (formerly MIA Road)
    Cross Quirino Avenue
    Cross Domestic Road [Old Nayong Pilipino]
    Detour NAIA Terminal 1
    Return to NAIA Road (MIA Road)
    Left to Ninoy Aquino Avenue
    Detour NAIA Terminal 2
    Return to to Ninoy Aquino Avenue
    Left NAIA Road (formerly MIA Road)
    Cross Domestic road, Tambo Bridge and Quirino Avenue
    Right Roxas Boulevard
    Pass Redemptorist Road and Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
    Right to EDSA towards return destination

    From Quezon City, it's best to just take the LRT (via LRT EDSA Station) or the MRT (via MRT Taft Avenue Station) then ride a bus
    with signboard MIA 611 Tambo

    Getting Out of NAIA Terminal 1 and NAIA Terminal 2:

    From the arrival gates, you need to walk to the road where the buses are waiting for passengers. There are direction signs posted at the gates and you can always ask the security guards or information counters at Manila Airport lounges.

    These buses will take you to several bus stations on EDSA, Taft, Rotonda including Victory Liner (on other side of EDSA, you need to cross a pedestrian bridge near EDSA Tramo (Aurora Boulevard), these buses go to Olongapo City, Zambales, Baguio City), best to take a taxi going there from Manila Airport terminal), DLTB (Batangas City), Five Star, Philtranco (Bicol routes), Dimple Star, Alfonso Liner, Gold Line Transit, Genesis Transport, Celyrosa, Ceres Transport,

    If you're going to to get to Manila South Harbor (South Pier 15, SuperFerrry or 2Go ferry) or Manila North Harbor (North Pier 2, 4, 6, 8, etc, Romblon Shipping Lines, Negros Navigation etc) , you can ride the bus back to EDSA and alight at LRT Taft Avenue. Ride the LRT up to Carried Station then transfer to a jeep with signboard Pier. It will drop you near the gate of Manila South Harbor.

    Note:

    for those with private cars looking for driving directions, there's no MMDA number coding on the roads around the NAIA terminals including: NAIA Road, Domestic road, Andrews Avenue, Sales Street, Coastal Road.

    Overnight Parking rates at NAIA Terminal 1 and NAIA Terminal 2 is still PhP50.00. Day parking rates cost PhP35.00

    Related Posts on Manila Airport:
    How to Get to Manila Airport
    How to Get to NAIA Terminal 3
    Hotels Near Manila Airport
    Manila Airport Transfer

    Labels: , , ,

    Read more after the jump!

    posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:30 PM, , links to this post






    DISCLOSURE POLICY:
    This blog does not have paid reviews nor accept freebies from hotels, resorts, restaurants and other similar establishments. Advertorials may be posted but full disclosure shall be observed.