The Sagada Saga

Sagada is not just a place where broken hearts go. It is also for those who want to be one with nature and experience a different kind of thrill. I have to admit that Sagada was not really in my travel bucket list. Just thinking of the long travel hours and physical strain we have to go through frazzles me already. It was Cancio who convinced me and boy was I thankful.

Our squad visited the so-called "Shangri-la of the North" last November 20-22, 2015. We availed a 3D2N tour package from Sagada Tours Philippines for Php 3, 199.00 each. It already included our accommodation and round trip van transfer. 

Sagada is really a traveler's delight. I'll let the pictures do the talking. ;)

Day 1

Not even the sun can stop the squad from posing at the Banaue Arc.

First  stop: Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint.

The Banaue Rice Terraces, dubbed as the "Eight Wonder of the World," are over 2,000 years old and are built by the Ifugaos using their bare hands.

Still alive and kicking after 13 hours of travel time.

There was a setback on our room accommodations, though. We reserved 2 standard rooms in Sagada Bilza Lodge and 1 hut in Heritage Village; but on the day of the trip, we found out the hut is no longer available because some seniors extended their stay. They just upgraded us to 2 family rooms. Sigh. 

View from the balcony of our room.

Art Appreciation Day at PINTO ART MUSEUM

I have a confession to make: museums are not my cup of tea. While others can construe an artwork as if it's their brainchild, I, on the other hand, would just see it as it is. Then I started seeing rave reviews about this museum in Antipolo which houses various contemporary art pieces, sculptures, and art installations from our local artists, the Pinto Art Museum.

Curious on what the hype is all about, I asked my boyfriend on an art appreciation date. Sleek, eh? Hehe. After a couple of cancelled trips due to bad weather, we finally got the chance to visit the much-hyped art space.

Book Haul from the 36th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)

It's that time of the year again when Filipino bibliophiles from all walks of life gather to celebrate the joys of reading. :) The 36th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is the biggest and longest running book expo in the country. It was held from September 16-20, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Though I'm a certified bookworm, this is actually my first time to join a book fair. Thanks to my office mate who gave me a free admission pass. 

The admission pass costs Php 20.00. 

For students, teachers, and senior citizens, ticket is Php 15.00.

If I had the luxury of time, I would have gone on the 1st day of the book fair 'cos I know the crowd's pretty wild on weekends. I ended up going on a Saturday, though, so all the books I was looking for were sold out already. *Sigh

Headed straight to Starbucks to check out my haul :) 

A quick getaway at Puerto Galera

For this year’s team outing, we had a consensus to visit Puerto Galera. We wanted a place which is affordable & accessible since it would just be an overnight jaunt. We’re fed up with Batangas and Laguna, too. ;)

Jam, Danie, and I were in charge of the logistics. I booked us an overnight stay at The Manor which proved to be a great choice. If you’re a big group and you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of White Beach, this is the place to be. :)

We traveled to Batangas port and rode a ferry to reach Muelle port. Two-way ferry fare  and terminal fee costs approx. Php 500.00 each. 

Ready for Galera :)

PALAWAN-OF-A-KIND: 3D-2N Vacation at The City of the Living God

One item on my bucketlist is to see the Underground River which is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Since boyfie's sister, Michelle, graduated and I passed the Real Estate Broker Exam last May, we decided to go to Puerto Princesa to unwind and celebrate. :)

We availed of the 3D-2N tour package of Shadow Travels and Tours which is inclusive of roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, and accommodation for Php 8, 614.00 each. This is our first shot at a travel agency. I was so engrossed in studying for the exams that I couldn't find time to plan our budget and itinerary as I always do for our trips. I also wanted to spare myself the hassle. Hihi.

DAY 1 (CITY TOUR)

We were scheduled to arrive at Puerto Princesa International Airport at 11:10 AM but we're an hour early. This is a first! :) Kudos to Air Asia. It could be the other way around if it's Cebu Pac. Hehe.

Excited peeps

Hongkong Tour (Day 2)

Our second day was jam-packed so we got up in the wee hours of the morning to make the best out of our last day in Hongkong. 

Avenue of the Stars at Victoria Harbour

From TST station, the Avenue of the Stars can be reached via passenger subway. Just follow those arrows. A lot of HK denizens don’t understand English so it’s best to print maps before you explore on your own.

Hongkong Tour (Day 1)

Hongkong has always been in my travel bucket list since I was a kid. I mean, who doesn't know Disneyland? Finally, I was able to tick this off my list October last year with my boyfriend and his friends (Yes, my blog post is 4 months late. :p ). This isn't my first out-of-the-country jaunt but it’s my first time to plan a trip outside PH. All it took was my computer and some advice from friends to pull off a 2D-2N trip to Hongkong which I am sharing in this blog post. :)

AIRFARE TICKETS

We scored piso fare tickets from Cebu Pacific. Airfare per person is Php 3, 753.85, inclusive of 15 kg baggage already. Thing is, our departure point is at Clark International Airport so we had to wake up really early to catch the bus from Trinoma to the airport.

ACCOMMODATION

A month before our trip, I booked us 2 budget double rooms at Apple Hostel in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) via HostelBookers.com. Apple Hostel is inside Chungking Mansions which is popular for bargain hunters. A lot of cheap accommodations can be found here. The location is good since the subway (MTR) station is only a couple of walks from the hostel.  

1 room costs 77.40 USD (Php 3,412.95). For each room, I paid a reservation fee of 9.29 USD (Php 409.64) which is deductible in the total bill.  The balance was paid on the day of check-in. This is pretty rad since in other accommodations you have to pay the total bill in full just to reserve.