Batanes Batanes!!!

Below is a detailed account of our adventures in Batanes. My viewpoints are being shared for everyone interested to come and see the islands. 

I got my zest to blog again as soon as I set foot on Batanes' capital, Basco. I knew I had to share this experience the moment our plane landed in the airport and upon seeing the majestic dormant volcano, Mt. Iraya, at the end of the runway. Visiting this place this year wasn't really planned, though it's in my list of places that I'd want to see in the future. 

Passengers boarding Sky Jet's 90-seater plane at the Domestic Airport.

Water Rafting (Davao River) - Day 4 of Davao Adventure 2011

DAVAO WILD WATER RAFTING

I was feverish the night before the rafting day. So I took huge doses of vitamin C and biogesic every 4 hours – thank God I felt better in the morning.

I got the contact information of the rafting agency through their website. Arthur, was very accommodating as he answered my queries about rafting. Basically, they’ll require you to send in your head-count through email. Then they’ll require you to make a downpayment of P 500.00 per head through any of their bank accounts. You need to send the deposit slip to them through fax or email. Then they will confirm your reservation on your specified rafting day. Cost of rafting is P2,000.00 per head. This is inclusive of 2 water bottles, packed lunch, a t-shirt, a DVD compilation of pictures and videos of the rafting activity, and free passes to the Butterfly Garden, Kamindanawan Cultural Show and Zip City. They have rafting schedules everyday. It’s my second time to do rafting. My first rafting experience was in Cagayan De Oro with Myla. 

Contact Information of the Rafting Agency in Davao

Tagpopongan Beach Resort (Samal); Pinnacle Hotel and Suites; Crocodile Park (Davao City); Aldevinco (Davao City); People’s Park (Davao City) - Day 3 of Davao Adventure 2011

TAGPOPONGAN BEACH RESORT

We went to Tagpopongan Beach Resort in the morning of our third day in Samal Island – this is after we checked-out of Precious Garden at 7:30AM. We stayed at the private rest house of the owner of Precious Garden. Upon our arrival, the caretakers of the resort greeted and served us fresh buko juice. The resthouse has a bedroom, a dining area and a veranda fronting the beach. Use of snorkelling gears and vest was free of charge.

The Resthouse

Davao Maxima, Hagimit Falls, Blue Jazz Resort, Montfort Bat Cave - Day 2 of Davao Adventure 2011

We stayed at Precious Garden Resort on Samal Island. Actually, it was recommended by a business affiliate. I searched for it on the net, I’m lucky they have a website. The owner is German who was very friendly to the guests. Kristeen, the resort staff, was very accommodating and made sure that we enjoyed our stay there. The place is relatively new. If I’m not mistaken, it was constructed about a year ago. Renovations for improvement are still on-going.

There are several ways to get to Samal Island from Davao City. You may take a lantsa - a boat that carries passengers from the City to the Island. Just tell the taxi driver to take you to the lantsa terminal in Davao City, it’s in one of the alleys located within a wet market. Cost of lantsa is P 13.00 per head. From the lantsa port in Samal Island, you then take a tricycle going to the resort. It’s P 7.00 per person per trip. We hired the entire tricycle on a special trip for P 49.00. The resort is a good 10 to 15-minute travel from the terminal. Tell the tricycle driver the name of the resort and they’d know where to take you.

Another option is to take the Island City Express bus that brings passengers from Davao City to Samal Island. The bus takes the barge to get to the island. You only pay for the bus fare. The bus takes care of the barge fee. On Samal Island, you get off on a bus terminal. From there you take a tricycle. If you are on a taxi or have a private vehicle, you may get to the island through the barge. You need to find the barge terminal in the city and pay the corresponding fee. Most resorts normally offer transport services from the airport to the hotel – this is the most convenient option for travelers.

Island City Express Bus On the Barge 

Davao Adventure: October 26-30, 2011

DESTINATION: DAVAO (PEARL FARM – SAMAL ISLAND – DAVAO CITY)

Duration : October 26-30, 2011, 5 Days
Budget : P 17,000/ pax (estimate)
Travel Companion : Marcial
Accommodation : Precious Garden Resort, Pinnacle Hotel and Suites
Itinerary :
      Oct 26, 2011 : Davao Pearl Farm (Samal)
      Oct 27, 2011 : Samal Tour – Maxima, Hagimit Falls, Blue Jazz Resort, Montfort Bat Cave
      Oct 28, 2011 : Tagpopongan Beach Resort (Samal); Crocodile Park (Davao City); Aldevinco (Davao City); 

                           People’s Park (Davao City)

      Oct 29, 2011 : Water Rafting (Davao River); SM City (Davao City)
      Oct 30, 2011 : Zip City, Bangkerohan, Gaisano Mall (Davao City)
Future Itinerary : Philippine Eagle and Eden Park
Contacts :
      Davao Pearl Farm Reservation
             Website : http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/
             Contact Person : Mylene Davales – Reservations Officer
             Email : m.davales@fuegohotels.com
             Contact Number : +632553-8888; +632553-6806 to 09
      Precious Garden Resort
             Website : http://www.precious-garden-samal.com/
             Contact Person : Kristeen Bala
             Email : kristeen_bala@yahoo.com
             Contact Number : +63910-8143779
       Pinnacle Hotel and Suites
             Website : http://www.thepinnacledavao.com/
       Davao Outland Adventure
             Website : http://waterrafting.psdgroupph.com
             Contact Person : Arthur
             Email : davaowildwater@yahoo.com
             Contact Number : +63939-9371728

Davao Pearl Farm (Samal) - Day 1 of Davao Adventure 2011

We went to the Pearl Farm for a day-tour on the first day of our Davao trip. Day tour costs P 1,850 on weekdays and P 2,500 on weekends. Meet-up point for Davao Pearl Farm is at the Marina Wharf. From the airport, we took the taxi going to the Wharf. From the Wharf, you’ll be taken by a ferry to the Pearl Farm. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes.  Before leaving the Wharf, you’ll be oriented by the Front Desk Staff for about 10 minutes before you board the ferry. Davao Pearl Farm is on Samal Island.

Upon arrival on Samal Island, you’ll be offered with complimentary drinks, normally pineapple juice. Pearl farm is quite huge - there are mini-shuttles that can bring you from one spot to another. If you’re the adventurous type, you may want to explore the Farm on foot.

Davao Pearl Farm Suites

Thoughts

I work for a manufacturing company in Quezon City. My job is cerebral – it requires me to think from 8 AM to 6 PM, that’s why I grab every opportunity there is to rest and relax.

I love color and I embrace life.

Travelling has become my passion. But I’m also into music, fashion and shopping.

It was Marcial, my better half, who introduced me to travelling. We met in 2008 – and from then on, my journeys have never been so sweet and meaningful. Luckily, people in the office where I'm working also have a fondness for touring. Thanks, Debbie, Myla, Rashy, Ofie, Nympha and Misty for the unforgettable moments with you! I’m looking forward to conquering new territories with you... and your better halves.

Marcial pushed me into blogging about my travel experiences to document the beautiful places I’ve been to. But, this blog is also intended for fellow travelers - to offer them ideas on where to go to, eat, sleep and have fun. I will share information on my actual itineraries and expenses to help travel addicts create a plausible travel plan. I will rate dining establishments I’ve been to. I will post contact details of travel agencies, tour guides and hotels. I will publish pictures – I won’t edit them to give readers real images of the landmarks I’ve conquered. It will be very fulfilling on my part if the bits and pieces of information posted here actually make readers’ travels worthwhile.

I love to plan my travels – creating the itinerary and estimating (and actually sticking to) the budget. If you need help creating yours, I am very much willing to help.

Every travel requires budget and time. So, save a portion from your payroll and plan your work leaves.

I dream of travelling with my niece, Lycka. This will happen soon.

I love the beach – the sun and the sand. Recently, I’ve become a fan of water rafting. 

I’m also a fan of Sex and the City and Gossip Girl… that’s why New York is a travel target.

For each of my travels, I bring my SLR with me to capture the beautiful scenery. As I've decided to go serious with blogging, taking pictures is now a responsibility.

Some people feel upset when a tour is about to end… because it means separating from travel companions and going back to daily home and office routines. I don’t share that view. Ending the journey is just as exciting as planning it – because it means that you get to move on to planning and conquering the next destination in your life’s itinerary.

I always believe that it’s not the destination that makes travelling unforgettable. It’s the journey - the process of actually getting there (despite unforeseen, unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances) - that gives me fulfillment.

The world is so huge to be conquered in a lifetime. Create your lifetime itinerary (I’ve done mine). Stick to it. Plan. And if you fail to complete your planned destinations by the time your life on earth is about to be over, don’t fret. We have the next lifetime to continue the journey.