Ride the Waves - Surfing at San Juan, La Union

It'd been a long while since my daughter Ikee wanted to surf.  I guess since she was in the 6th grade or so.  Anyway, it became a reality for her last December when we decided we'd just go on a short trip up north to San Juan, La Union.

The trip took about 9 hours or so including stopovers for coffee and wee breaks.  It was around 2 pm when we got there having left at around 6 am.  We were not in a hurry to get to San Juan as my cousin-in-law, Mike, and Ikee's cousin, Carlo, knew that the waves weren't due till late afternoon.  So, we ate a rather late breakfast along the way and had lunch at Sebay Resort where we were billeted.  Sebay is a cheap alternative for surfers who are only there to surf but do not mind how the accommodation looks like.  We had paid about 2000 pesos for the 4 of us.  It was basic but clean nonetheless.  There were other resorts but they were either full or too expensive.  Besides, both Mike and Carlo recommended the place so we tried it.  It was ok. I'd give it a 7/10.

At about 4 pm, Ikee, Carlo and Mike trotted to the beach and got a surf instructor to teach them.  My husband and I just watched them as the 3 surfers-wannabes listened intently. It turned out that as Ikee was a beginner and the guys weren't pros themselves, they needed an instructor not just to teach them but to also guide them.  The whole package of the 1 hour board rental with instruction cost 400 per person.  Not a bad deal.  After 10 to 15 minutes of combined lecture, demo and return demo, they were off with their boards to ride the waves.  Here are some pics:

I guess the 3 enjoyed the waves as they returned the next day for another hour of stoke.  And guess what?  They wanted to drop by for yet another hour after our 3-day trip to Ilocos.

Sumaguing Cave Adventure - Sagada Day 1

Bet you're really eager to hear about my Sagada adventure. Well, I'm equally eager to tell you about it. Here it is.

We left Manila at 10:30 pm. Boyet drove to Baguio because he came home from the office at 8:30 pm. We wouldn't have been able to make it to the bus station before 10 pm if he didn't decide to bring our old, trusty Blackie. Our target was to catch the first Baguio-Sagada bus (GL or Lizardo) which was scheduled to leave at 5:30 am the following day. However, according to my research, the buses that ply that route do not actually leave according to schedule. When the bus is full, it leaves no matter whether it be early or late. The trip from Manila by public transpo is anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

By 4:30 am we were at the Microtel hotel in session road. We had arranged with my husband's friend Robbie to park the car there because we had a booking for the weekend anyway. We got to the Dangwa bus station in Baguio by 5 am but the bus was no where in the vicinity yet. In fact, noone was there even at the sales booth that we boarded the bus to find a place to sit even without the ticket. I chose to stay at the driver's side of the bus because we were going north and that side would be facing the west most of the time.

The trip took roughly 6 hours through mostly rough and bumpy road. While the part near Baguio was cemented, it had only lasted for about 1/3 of the whole route. But the trip was rather nice - the weather was cool and the view was scenic. There were about 3 stops to take some snack and do some personal stuff. While at the bus, we had met 4 persons from Pampanga (Tita Glo, Tito Bon, Luchie and Maris) who we found out were also booked at Tita Mary's Residential Lodge - a new but highly recommended inn where we would be spending the first 2 nights of our stay in Sagada. I found out that they didn't have a guide yet and asked them to join my party instead.

It was 11:45 am, when we got to the Residential Lodge. After having checked in, and placed our baggage inside our rooms, we went out to have lunch at the Yoghurt House. I can't say I really liked their food but the yoghurt is the best in all of Sagada. By 3 pm we were met by our guide, Andrew, at the Lodge and we were off to our first stop - the Lumiang Burial Cave.



The cave was a few meters down but the steps were small and steep which made it hard to descend and ascend. I admit I was not particularly impressed at this spot at first. I mean we had gone all the way down and all we could see were some dirt, a dark pit and some wooden things that looked as if they had been covered but dug up after quite a while. The wooden boxes turned out to be coffins. They were smaller than a mature adult's coffin because the dead were made to fit inside it while in a fetal position. And yes, they were ancient - some hundreds of years old. Of course, the Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider that I dreamed I was got the better of me and soon I was looking at what seemed to be archaeologic finds. We didn't stay for a long time there though because we needed to go to the Sumaguing Cave. After all, that cave is the highlight of any Sagada trip and since our new-found friends would only have 1.5 days to stay there, we deemed it would be best to see Sumaguing the soonest we could.


The trek to the Sumaguing Cave took us about 30 minutes from Lumiang. But we had enjoyed the walk because it was leisurely and we took pictures along the way. There were rice paddies that looked more like miniature rice terraces that were bright green as the grains had just been planted. The road was well paved and cemented and it didn't hurt my feet to walk. For a moment I thought that it would be easy to trek Sagada if it followed that pattern. But, I was proven wrong a few hours after.

Finally, we reached the entrance of Sumaguing. Mariz decided not to join us because she was already too exhausted. I, of course, adviced her against going too. It was the kind of risk that I wouldn't be willing to take either. It was good that there was a store just across the entrance. They sold practically everything a cave explorer would need. Yes, even a toilet and shower room to rid oneself of the dirt and odor that would be all over us. But we didn't know that yet. Ikee and I dressed down. I wore an old nylon shorts with the black shirt I had worn on our way from Manila. I knew I would be dirty and with a limited supply of clothes, I didn't want to get a new shirt soiled.

We had two guides - Andrew and Rod. Andrew, being the more senior guide (sorry Andrew, had to say it) gave us instructions about how to do the spelunking. Soon, we started our adventure. The first part of the cave, just as we were warned, was slippery and treacherous. We were all scared but excited. The thrill for the neophytes slowly creeped. I, for one, wanted to go ahead and follow my instinct. There were 7 of us and I was ahead of everyone for because I felt that Ikee needed the boost of confidence and I also wanted to ensure that she was alright all the time, not that I knew what to do. But I had to follow what my guide said lest I put myself or my "pack" in danger. Peril is almost always seductive you know.

At one point, we were told to hold on to rocks. At another, we were instructed not to touch the ground because it was covered by bat poop - slimy and stinky. But then again, you'd think twice about not holding on if you were in my place because doing so would actually save your life. There was no way you'd slip without dragging someone with you either. Thus, you save your life not only because of yourself but because of those you are with too. The cave was dark and everything was wet and slippery. Some rocks you hold on to. Others, you hug and kiss. Not kiss really but we had to keep so close to some rocks that it felt like we were kissing them. Some rocks would let you climb up them with nothing but your bare hands but would not let you slip nor fall. Those white rocks are called flowstones. Amazing.

But, as always, a treacherous journey ends with a beautiful reward. The rock formations were so beautiful. Andrew and Rod have this communicable sense of humor that we didn't feel scared so much. We needed a guide to keep us safe and to boost our confidence too. At that point, both our entertainment and safety depended so much on these guys who knew the cave so well they practically grew in it. I remember Andrew saying as a child he had gone to the cave so often to play hide and seek with his friends. Sheesh, some hiding place I tell you. We had given a nickname for Rod, the younger of the two. At a certain point, he rolled up his shirt up to the level of his diaphragm. He moved quite quickly and had the energy and the moves of a superhero - Spiderman. Thus, we called him midribbed spiderman.

Later on, I found out that rolling up his shirt had a purpose. It was to protect it from getting wet. Ikee got her shirt all wet such that midway through she shivered that I had to exchange shirts with her. But, my shirt was just a little less wet than hers so that she still shivered. We had asked her to stay close to the lamps that Andrew and Rod carried but to no avail. She trembled her way through the basement level of the cave. It was a good thing Rod had lent her his extra shirt he kept in his bag.

The cave had challenged us beyond what we ourselves expected we could do. None of us ever tried to rapell nor spelunk. But we did. None of us expected to smell of bat dung ever. But we did. Not one of us, mostly in our mid 40's, ever tried to get intimate with any rock. But we all did. All in all, the Sumaguing cave aka the King's palace, is a test of endurance and determination towards reaching our ultimate goal - that is to splendor in the beauty that lied within it and get out of there alive.

Related stories:

Sumaguing Cave Adventure - Sagada Day 1
Bomod-ok Falls Adventure - Sagada Day 2
A view at Kiltepan – Sagada Day 3 & 4
Surviving Sagada

Bring Some Games During The Trip

When we travel, I always make it a point to bring some game with us, whether board game or console. That's to be sure that the kid has something to do in case she's not interested in whatever she finds during the trip. The worst part of travelling is having to get into a fight with a child because he is bored.

But the downside of bringing a board game is its size and weight. We normally have to bring our laptop with us so any additional luggage is adding weight to the already heavy load. It's a good thing there is a blog called Free games and Softwares on the internet. That way, we don't have to worry about not being able to bring any game with us.

At Free Games and Softwares, you get to play all of the games for free by downloading it first. And, as the title suggests, Free Games and Softwares shows you what softwares are freeware or sharewares too. That way, if you need to do something and you have no software to use, you can just go pay the site a visit. You'll most likely find something to use there.

It's a great site. There's normally something for anybody.

Latest Travel Deals Asia (In the Philippines in Particular)

I've been really, really busy these days. My hands have been full (literally) with things to do for my daughter's first week of school and my attendance to the Red Cross Standard First Aid Training this week. Anyway, here are the newest travel deals I've found:

In Asia:

Free Fares
1. from Siem Reap to Pnom Penh via Jetstar Asia.
$20 on - Oneway Special Promotion to Phnom Penh.

2. To Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur from Manila
To Kotakinabalu from Cebu
both are from Malaysia Airlines. booking period is from June to 22, 2008 and travel period is from July 15 to December 14, 2008.

3. To Kota Kinabalu from Manila for 280 Php via AirAsia
to Singapore from KL for 1 RM via Air Asia.com
purchase period is from June 10 - 22 2008 and the Travel Period is from 1 Jul 2008 - 25 Sep 2008.


Within the Philippines
Affordable airfares for Naga and Tuguegarao via Airphilippines.

Manila to Naga for as low as Php88++

Manila to Tuguegarao for only Php288++ per way.

MANILA-NAGA
Departure 0645H Arrival 0730H DAILY

NAGA-MANILA
Departure 0800H Arrival 0845H DAILY

MANILA-TUGUEGARAO
Departure 1350H Arrival 1440H MON-WED-FRI

TUGUEGARAO-MANILA
Departure 1510H Arrival 1600H MON-WED-FRI

Tickets for this sale can be purchased from 16 June 2008 onwards. As always, fare is exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

You may reach the Airphilippines Reservations at (02) 855 9000 or check out their website:www.airphils.com for more details. I think you can also book with travel agents.


Also from Airphilippines, fare from Manila to Boracay is being offered for as low as P88/oneway on specific flights:


MANILA-CATICLAN (BORACAY)


Flight number Departure Arrival Frequency
2P 071 1510H 1620H Daily

2P 077 1545H 1655H Daily


CATICLAN (BORACAY) -MANILA

Flight number Departure Arrival Frequency

2P 036 0725H 0835H Daily

2P 038 0805H 0915H Daily


As always, taxes and surcharges are excluded.

There are others but I've got to go elsewhere. I'll write about the other flights later. Ciao!

Cebu Pacific's Zero fare

Yup! Now Cebu Pacific has a zero fare for both their domestic and international routes. Booking period is from May 15 to 18 and availment is from June 9 to Dec. 31, 2008.

So, unlike Air Asia where you only go to KL or Kota Kinabalu from Clark Airport, Cebu Pac has the advantage of getting you to HK, Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi (vietnam), Kaoshiung (Taiwan), Macau, Jakarta, Shanghai, Taipei, and Xiamen. It also flies from the NAIA 1 (unfortunately) so you don't have to travel all the way to Clark.

Let's go!

Off To The Island! - Hilton Head SC

I and my family love to travel. Why? Because it makes spending time together more special. What are some ways to having a great family vacation? Here are some tips:

1. Consider what each one wants. Some of the worst vacations we've ever had in the past happened when not everyone's interest was catered to. Like, someone in our family likes going to the beach but hates the sun. Gee! That's tough isn't it? Oh, don't laugh now because that person would be me. Yup, I hate the sunlight because it makes my head ache unbearably. My mother-in-law doesn't like to swim but loves to bask, my daughter is a fish - she swims like one at least. My husband likes to play badminton and basketball. When you have a family like mine, it would be best to consider Hilton Head in South Carolina. Their activities are so varied that everyone will have something to do there.

2. Cost. Unless you are one of those people whose money is more than there is in a bank's vault at any given day, chances are that you're like me. I love going to places but don't like spending too much. You'd have to scout around for promotional sales in the airline companies (here the budget airline is Cebu Pacific and others), hotel, or seek destinations that don't cost too much. For instance, when we were in Hong Kong, we opted to go to museums which, aside from the fact that my daughter and I love those, they cost so cheap. If you're in the US, consider the Hilton Head S.C. and check their website. Hilton Head is a property managment service. They have promotional sales every now and then. What's more, even without the sale, their properties for rent can go as low 1,000 USD for a whole month not to mention that because you're renting a home, that would mean you can cook and be able to save more.

The first time we rented a home in Baguio was in 2003. I didn't quite like the idea at first but it turned out very well and very cheap that I had suggested to rent one every year. I believe it's the cheaper alternative to a hotel. On top of that, a rented property would be cozy unlike a hotel room that so impersonal.

3. Family Activities. While it is a must to have individual preferences served, it is equally important to have activities where everyone can enjoy in. For us, when we were in Batangas, we rented a boat and went to a place where there were lots of fish. We went for a snorkel, while my mother in law threw pieces of bread to attract the creatures to go near us. It was really great. At Hilton Head, people can go dolphin watching or play a round of golf. It doesn't really matter what you do just as long as you're together.

4. Take plenty of candid pictures. It's all about memories. But that would be in the future. However, when you take pictures and view them on tv or on a laptop the same day, you can't really avoid having fun. Great views would make for a perfect background. Hilton Head S.C. has beautiful, beautiful spots that should make your pictures more interesting. One thing about pictures is that it should tell a story to the viewer so take it to make your viewers feel they are there.

5. Consider the weather. Whether going to the beach or to the mountainside, the weather forecasts have to be checked. Too cold or too hot weather can ruin your trip. The advantage of Hilton Head is that the weather is neither too hot nor too cold to have a vacation.

Really, considering all these tips, Hilton Head would be a perfect place to go. Their website has these information and more. You can reach them through their email, fax or phone which are found in the site. It is easy to check whether a property is available for you on your desired dates and if not, it will show which dates are free. They even have a map for you to use to go there and when you get there.

When we go to the US in December, I'll probably want to spend a few days there.

Ocean Park - Still the Best in Hong Kong

Even with the presence of the Disneyland in Hongkong, still noone can say that Ocean Park's has lost its charm. In fact, it has surfaced all the more. When we were there, several areas of the park were undergoing improvement. I didn't think it was huge, that all the while I thought it was just as big as our own Enchanted Kingdom here in the Philippines. But no, the park has two big areas which are connected by cable car. Also, unlike Disneyland, this park has rides too which reminds me of the Sea World in San Diego.

One place that caught my attention is the frog museum inside the park. and yes, its really all about frogs which came in different shapes and sizes. Another creature that caught my fancy was the, of course, panda. Two were unmindfully sleeping on their cots while one was feeding on some bamboo.

If you plan to go there, I suggest you check out their website ahead of time so you know the schedule of the shows they have. The only one we watched was the dolphin show and it was even almost the end of the show. Well, it will be worth another visit.

If You Love Science - Kids at Singapore Science Center

Ikee had wanted to visit Singapore again this year. If not because I told her that we should be able to go to a new place every year or at least when we travel abroad, she would have opted to be in Singapore for only one reason - to visit the Singapore Science Center again.

Yes, you read it right. Again. We went there in October of 2006. I, being the family's tour director, had prepared our itinerary before getting there. Little did I know that she already contemplated on going to the SSC because she had surfed the web and found it. Hah, that's what the internet does to kids these days. They know a lot!

The moment we got to the hotel and unpacked, I told them where we should be going the following day. But she suggested going to the SSC because she had also seen a brochure at the hotel. We didn't really have much of a choice did we? After all, the real reason we travel is so that Ikee would get her exposure.

Off we went the following day. Ikee had the time of her life! The museum had lots of exhibits that showed the science in almost everything you could imagine. There was a show that day and it looked more like a magical show featuring electricity. There was a physics garden that had illusions and other things showing off the wonders of physics. There were funny things too. Like there was one where Ikee went looking for her dad's body because we only saw his head on top of a table. We got to watch an omnimax show just like the one we watched at the Universal Studios. Now for a kid who's into science, it was heaven. Not that I am one but I did enjoy it there too. For science teachers, the SSC would be like a treasure trove.

I believe all kids visiting Singapore should see the Singapore Science Center. They'd love it. They'd learn from it. While parents would love to bring them there because well, it's cheap. They spend hours and hours there and while they see their kids have the time of their lives without even wanting to eat without prodding or blackmailing. Actually, if there's just one adult left with the kids, the others can already go on with the shopping or go to another place they'd be more interested in. But you know what, even the adults will like seeing the place too. I'm pretty sure the whole family will want to return after a trip.

Getting there is relatively easy. take the MRT and alight at Jurong East Station on the East West Line. Then walk - Singapore Science Centre is just an 8-minute walk from the Jurong East Bus Interchange/MRT Station. You can take a cab but why not enjoy the sights? Anyway, the SSC opens at 10 am.

Oakwood Bangkok - A Premier Residence

When my husband got an assignment in Bangkok, he stayed at the Oakwood the whole time. So did a majority of the members of his team. During the semestral break, we were fortunate enough to able to visit him there.

I loved his room. It was a 1 bedroom suite with a kitchen. It had a bathroom of about 15 square meters big, a bath tub, and was provided with the usual toiletries. It even had a hair dryer which I really liked. The room opened up to the living room. That's because the sala was positioned so that it had a view of the street and the raffles hotel. He was provided with a large tv, a dvd player, phone, kitchen utensils including dinnerware, silver and cookware. There was a ref of about 12 cubic feet, a microwave, toaster, oven range with rangehood, a dining table for 4. It had a centralized aircon each with its own switch and control. The bed is a queen size and he had a tv and a large closet. It even had a view too. There was a vacant lot where we found some elephants basking under the sun while giving themselves a soil bath. Nice. Being from the Phlippines, elephants are not a usual sight unless you're at the Manila zoo every single day. hehehe

Oakwood is a serviced apartment so a maid regularly came to clean his unit. The laundry was done there too except for those that needed to be dry cleaned. There's really nothing to worry about when staying there.

What I liked most is the short distance to the malls. It's close but not too close so it's not crowded in the area. It has its own shuttle service which is free for its customers to use. The Thais are hospitable people and Oakwood shows it in its service. Not to mention the fact that Bangkok is known for its splendid cuisine. The buffet at Oakwood has a good selection. I just love Bangkok... and Oakwood which is just a little less than home.

Best Places to Visit in the Philippines According to Moi: Luzon

I have always loved to go places. During my younger years my mom used to bring us everywhere possible. We went to the beach, the mountains, to some hotel, to the provinces, - everywhere! Now, I'm fortunate to be able to go to different places both in the country and internationally with my own family. As I have visited them, here are the places in Luzon I highly recommend that a foreigner or a local tourist should see:


1. Palawan - is a separated, elongated island which partly faces the South China Sea. It is famous for its underground River and Tubataha Reef which are both declared as World Heritage Sites. If you want to see tortoises in the wild greeting you and the manta rays "fly in", you must go there.

2. Baguio, Province of Benguet - may be reached via Victory Bus Liner, or by plane (Asian Spirit). The city is set in the mountains and has a very cool weather because of this. Particularly recommended are Tam-awan Village and Camp John Hay. Fancy a home with a fireplace? They're available here.

3. Subic - a former american base but converted into a complex that has a host of activities to choose from. An interesting place to see here is the Ocean Adventure. There are forested areas here and expect some animals especially macaques to be around when you are. There's also a jungle survival course available but I can't tell you about it because I've not done that yet. Oh, and they do have bungee jumping if you are interested in extreme sports. Try the Ocean Adventure which is a mini "Sea World".

4. Clark - also a former American base. This place has several villas one of which is the holiday inn villa which happens to be our favorite because it is spacious and homely. Clark has a beautiful golf course, go kart track, casinos, etc. You can stay at the Holiday Inn and work your way around.

5. Tagaytay - Only about an hour away from Pasig, this place has a cool climate but not as cold as Baguio. There are several roadside huts for rent to eat or have a picnic with a view of the famous Taal Lake for a backdrop. Vegetable, fruit and flower Farms abound in this city. There are several delicacies that can be bought from the Colettes Pasalubong Store (don't worry, there are about 13 stores all over tagaytay alone). Sonya's Garden is a favorite place to go for organic food. It's set in a huge garden.

6. Cavite - This is a historical place. One site to see is the Aguinaldo shrine which is the former home of the late president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, turned into a museum. Also of note is the Caylabne Bay Resort in Ternate, Cavite. A little expensive but all worth each cent. The cheaper resort I would recommend is the Island Cove. Aside from the pools, this place has a zoo, a butterfly farm and some other amenities. There's also Puerto Azul.

7. Batangas - known for its beaches. A new favorite which we have recently discovered is the Laiya Coco Grove where one can camp, cook food, go fishing, boating, etc. Another commendable resort is that of the Punta Baluarte. I love their salt water pool which they keep warm for their guests so it is comfortable to swim in even during the rainy season when the water becomes terrifyingly cold.

8. Davao - This is a garden city. The flowers and plants abound in every turn you make. It is also famous for its beaches most notably the Pearl Farm Resort which hs been award a AAA rating. The Eden Nature Park and the Mt. Apo where Pag-asa, the philippine eagle, are remarkable too.

9. Bohol - The chocolate hills, the Tarsier, Bohol beach club, the caves... these make Bohol truly special.

10. Sagada - A community in the mountains. It has numerous caves, some falls, a variety of activites to choose from, great food and a very cool climate.

I would recommend Batanes, Donsol and Caramoan too but I have not been there so let's wait until I've visited the places and I'll tell you about them.

For further information, please check out my travel pages at http://members.virtualtourist.com/JaneCajuguiran or search this site. Just don't forget to rate my VT tips please.

Watch out for my Places to visit in the Visayas