Day 3: BasDako, Moalboal – Bantayan Island

Going to Bantayan from BasDako Moalboal

1. From Bas Dako, Ride a tricycle going to National Road or to the Moalboal Market, fare is only P25 but the driver charged us P30/head.

2. Take Ceres Bus to Cebu City (South Cebu Bus Terminal). Allot 3-4hrs travel time including estimated traffic. P160+/head

3. From South Terminal, take a taxi going to North Bus Terminal. P100+

4. From North Bus Terminal, take Ceres Bus to Hagnaya Port/Sta Fe Port. (Pwede kasi drtso na ung bus to Sta. Fe Port. Ride a ferry / RORO)
P170 – From cebu city to hagnaya port
P200 – Ferry Ride to Sta. Fe Port (Bantayan Island)
P10 – terminal fee

Ferry Ride will take 1.5 hr. Note: The seas are calm.

5. From Sta. Fe Port, take a tricycle going to Sugar Beach Resort. Recommended eto para sa mga nagtitipid.

Bantayan Island


Contact: Sugar Beach Resort
09217755058

If you had a prior reservation with Sugar Beach, there is someone who will wait for you at the Port.


Accomodation:
We rented their Almanac Room for P1000 only. This includes 2 big beds, 1 Fan and 1 CR with good water supply.

You can ask the care taker to cook for you, you just have to buy the ingredients from the Sta. Fe Market by yourself.

For our dinner we had grilled Fish and Sinigang na salmon and for Sawsawan. They cook well by the way. Thumbs up!

Drinking water is for sale.
P35/1liter
P75/1 gallon

Bantayan Island have bars and good restaurants too.

Things to do in Bantayan:
● Rent Bicycle/ Motorcycle and roam around the island;  P200/day, tinawaran naming P75/head for half day
● Island Hopping / Go Caving
● Simply Beach bum
● Danggit Shopping (Home of Danggit!)

Day 2: Canyoneering + Kawasan Falls + BasDako, Moalboal

Canyoneering

This is the craziest thing i have ever done in my life!

Contact : Kuya Paul #macho!
09753900018

P1000/pax
Inclusive of:
- Guide(s), in our case we have 3
- habal-habal ride to jump off point (2 passenger per habal-habal)
- helmet and lifejacket
- snacks and water
- dry bag
- raft massage

Add-ons:
P50 Aquashoes/Running shoes (malinis, bagong laba!)

Note: Bring your own underwater camera

Kuya Paul and his crew are super nice, funny, and very alert. We highly recommend them not only if you're on a tight budget, but also because isa isa talaga kayong aalalayan.

Kuya Paul, BenBen, and Sir Roel (Brgy. Police)

We started an hour earlier than usual schedules para solo namin ung mga jump stations. Brace yourself to jump into countless fresh water pools up too 10 meter high, swim down rapids, and enjoy the incredible nature around.

I am always got caught in awe of God's creation. The place was like a Jurrasic-Themed Park ang ganda ganda! Ang sarap ng tubig at ang lamig, as in parang gusto ko maging diwata doon!

TIP: Jump all you can! Jump while you can!

After 2 hours we exited at the Level 2 of Kawasan Badian National Park and Falls.

Last Jump #Level2 #ibang-Level-na-i2 (Optional)

Nakakatakot na tumalon, extra challenge pa ung aapakan mo before you jump. Magpasikat ka din ng konti kasi may audience 'to. 😅

Note: Canyoneering is not for the half-hearted but for the brave or feeling brave. Not recommended for children and with knee problems.

Lunch

There are restaurants that serve food in Kawasan Falls.

Prices start at
P30 for Noodles
P100 Combo Meals with Drinks (like Porkchop or Chicken)
P300 and up for Paluto Meals (like Freshwater Seafoods)

Kawasan Falls Level 1 Raft Massage

This is the best part and a must do in Kawasan!
#TheBestMassageEver

Going to BasDako, Moalboal

We rented a multicab for P500 going to Moalboal. It is just a town away with about 20 minutes travel time.

Better Option: Take the Bus

P20/head  Ride Ceres Bus to Moalboal Market
P25/head Tricycle going to BasDako Beach Resort

2 Entrances: #ulitulit #ulitulit
P5/head entrance to moalboal
P10/head entrance to beach resorts

The town of Moalboal is famed for some of the best diving in the Philippines. The two main tourist beaches are White Beach (BasDako) and Panagsama (BasDiot).

We stayed at BasDako which is known for its starry sky line. If you're lucky enough, you'll get to see the Milky Way.

It was Cloudy that night but the moon was so bright.

Note:
1. Water supply is limited especially if you rent your accomodation at the beach front. #yeahHassle

Accomodation: Bas Dako Beach, Moalboal
P1200
● 1 bed only can fit 2-3 persons pero with table in the terrace and griller.
● Fan room with CR but water supply is limited. isang malaking timba lang ung tubig.

Note: We didn't fit in the bed so we decided to sleep at the shore in the sand. Actually it is recommended to bring your tent if you have one. There are allot of tourists there who wait for the stars so almost everyone is awake until dawn which is a good thing. I felt safe that way.

Making bonfires is not allowed.

Day 1: Whaleshark Watching + Tumalog Falls / Sumilon Island + Osmeña Peak

Whaleshark Watching

We woke up at 4 AM to catch the earliest batch to watch the whalesharks, to get the best shots with less photobombers and to avoid too much init sa araw. We arrived at the Orientation Area at 5 AM (a 5-minute-walk from where we stayed) not knowing it opens at 5:30 AM. Tulog pa daw kasi ung mga sharks, char! So, we had our early photoshoot instead. 

WHALE-come to Oslob! ♡

Orientation is 15 minutes. Whaleshark Watching encounter lasts for about 30 minutes.

Important: WEARING SUNBLOCK IS PROHIBITED. It can harm our lovely gentle giants.

Costs:
P500– snorkeling and whaleshark encounter
Optional:
P100- rental of underwater camera

Notes:
1. The earlier, the better.
2. The whalesharks are friendly. They only eat krills (small shrimps)
3. Avoid being too scared when the whalesharks get near you, 'cause you might unintentionally kick them.
4. Swimming down is a challenge but the guides will push you in the water to stay longer in the deep.
5. Trust the guides when they position you, they know the best spots and will surely help you get your photo op.
6. Bring your own underwater camera for your convenience.
Your guides are gopro savvy, so nothing to worry just set your cam then give it to them. Recommendation: GoPro: Video + Camera; 5 sec-interval. Magscreenshot ka na lang kesa magpicpic ka)
7. Bring drinking water incase you're the kind of person who get thirsty easily. The ocean is really salty.


Tumalog Falls Sumilon Island

We originally planned to go to Tumalog Falls right after the whaleshark watching but unfortunately, the road going there is under construction. So we had a detour to Sumilon Island. I can't get enough of this island! ❤ This place is such a beauty!

Costs:
P250/head - Island Transfer (malaking speed boat)
P50/head – Island's Entrance Fee

We had our packed breakfast in the island before soaking in the sun then headed back to our lodge.

Breakfast: Canned Tuna + Rice #tipidmoves

Lunch at Big J's Restaurant








Osmena Peak




Our next agenda was to go to Osmeña Peak. It is the highest point of Cebu and also being called the Little Baguio of the South. It is famous because of its rugged peaks similar to the chocolate hills of Bohol.

We rode a Ceres Bus going to Cebu and ask the driver to drop us off at Dalaguete (pronounced as DALAGET), just 3 towns away. From there we meet our Multicab driver, Kuya Rolman, who will take us to O'Peak to Kawasan Falls, Badian (pronounced as BADJAN).

You can ask your habal-habal/multicab driver to be your guide or you can ask the kids there, P50/guide. Hiring a guide is optional, you can still reach the peak even wihout one. The difficulty level of this trek is Easy since they have a good trail.

Sunrise is the best time to see the 360 view of Cebu from the peak. My friends and I arrived at the peak in the afternoon, because we planned to catch the sunset. Unfortunately, it was too foggy at that time.

You can also build your tents and spend a night at Osmeña Peak.

Note: The toilet is located at the foot of Osmeña Peak. P5

Going to Kawasan Falls, Badian via Alegria

We bought food from Mantongan Market for our dinner before we head to Kawasan Falls.

Pwede ka mamalengke, doon ang bagsakan ng gulay.
There are also food vendors of ihaw-ihaw.

The travel to Badian was a looong breezy ride. (More than 1hr, tatawid ka ng bundok literal) Note: Bring Jacket.

Other option: You can rent a habal-habal going to Kawasan Falls, P300/head. Same fare lang sa multicab basta makipagtawaran ka na lang.

Costs:
P60 - Ceres Bus going to Cebu (From Tan-awan, Oslob to Dalaguete)
P100 - Habal-habal from Dalaguete to the foot of Osmena Peak (Mantalongon Market)
*20 minute-trek ascending to Osmena Peak
*20 minute-trek descendingto the foot

Contact: Kuya Rolman - 0922 423 1523

Kawasan Falls

Kawasan Falls Level 1

We arrived at Kawasan Falls at 7:30 PM. The entrance to the Falls is a 30-minute-walk or you can rent a habal-habal to get inside for P50.

We stayed at the 2nd level of Kawasan Falls.
● P1500/room with 2 big beds and 1 Fan.
● It can fit 4-6 persons.
● FREE 2 Towels.

Kahit hindi aircon ang lamig and the sound of the flowing water is really very relaxing.

There are restaurants in the area that sells affordable and tasty meals.

Cebu Itinerary 6N/5D from South to North

*Disclaimer: Every DIY itinerary is always a challenge especially if you can't find an exact plan from other DIY itineraries available online. You have to research every detail from transporation schedules to your target destination that will fit your time and budget. Ung iba dyan, nagpareserve nako 2days before ung trip, ung iba naman dun na mismo kami nakipagtawaran. Backpacker style to so time is always gold. Research ahead of time, then adjust nln sa mismong situation. Since maraming pupuntahan at activities, mas makakamura ka tlga kung with group ka at hindi package ung kukunin mo. Baka 15k or more magastos mo kung package to. Nasa 7-8k lang ung nagastos namin kasama pasalubong. 

Day 0: Arrival at Mactan Cebu International Airport

We arrived at 5:30 PM at Mactan Cebu International Airport and head straight to South Cebu Bus Terminal to catch the 7:30 bus ride to Oslob via Bato.

We rode a taxi going to South Cebu Bus Terminal which costs us P181 and an additional P10 Terminal Fee if you'd like the taxi to drop you inside the Bus Terminal (this is optional, it is only about 20 steps away to get inside the terminal. So, I suggest lakadin mo na lang. ). My friends and I rented out 2 taxis and were so amazed on how the taxi meters were calibrated fairly. (Unlike in Manila!)

South Cebu Bus Terminal is located beside Elizabeth Mall aka E.Mall. Ceres Bus Liner, aircon with free wifi. Their buses leave every 30 minutes whether with full load of passengers or not. The last trip going to Oslob is at 11PM.

You can either buy food inside the Bus Terminal or at E.Mall. But if you are in a hurry and can't decide quickly just like us.. you can buy at a nearby 7/11 in the gasoline station across the street (There's no stoplight there, so be careful).

Estimated Travel Time from SCBT to Oslob is 4 hours but our driver was insanely fast, so we got to hit our destination in only 3 hours. We are the last pack to get off the bus.

We stayed at Chateau de Tan-Awan (Previously known as Veny's Homestay) which we highly recommend. It is located across Tan-awan Elementary School just a walking distance to Whaleshark Watching Area. They are very accomodating to the point that someone waited for us outside until we arrived. Other option: You can ask the driver to drop you in front of Oslob Municipal Hall if your accommodation is in Oslob Town Proper. Just a 5 minute-walk, then nakahilera na ung mga resorts dyan.

Contact:
Chateau de Tan-Awan
Ate Veny's Mobile number: 09179127783
very accommodating :)

Dorm Type-Fan Room with 4 double decks - P300/head ;
Big Room - Fan Only P350/head; Aircon P450/head)

Accomodation comes along with FREE soap & shampoo, towel, tissue and Coffee or Milo.

TIP: They sell their famous Banana Cake for onlyP105/loaf
(As in SUPER SARAP, I must say)

Day 1: Whaleshark Watching + Sumilon Island + Osmeña Peak

Day 2: Canyoneerin + Kawasan Falls + Basdako, Moalboal

Day 3: Going to Bantayan Island from Bas Dako, Moalboal

Under construction...

LA PAZ SAND DUNES

Ilocos Norte is known for La Paz Sand Dunes so I am desperate to visit and experience the pride of Laoag : Bumpy 4x4 Ride and Sand Dune Surfing!

So when I had the chance to arrange the itineraries for our trip last March 2013, I make sure that we have enough time for it.

ARE YOU READY?!

RIDING LIFE IN A 4X4 RIDE

We were picked up by our guide Kuya Glenn at McDonald's Laoag in this blue open air vehicle. And after a 15 minute-drive, we arrived at the La Paz Sand Dunes.

Behind us is a fleet of 4x4 rides

As a first timer, my enthusiasm was overflowing yet part of me was half sure if I am really prepared for this one helluva ride. But hell ye,

LET'S GET IT ON! WOOH!

 Team A

                                        Cy, Camsi, Janine, Katrina

 Team B

                                       Gatchi, Irish, Janine, Marianne, Efi

No seatbelts! No helmets!

 

Expect that you'll get bruised in this heart pounding ride. It is OUTRAGEOUS!

I am not exaggerating when I say you'd leap through the air if you're grip wasn't tight. We had to hold on to the steel bars and to our dear lives as this monstrous vehicle climbs up and down to the steep of the hills.

It was scary but it felt damn good to be scared like that. We screamed to top of our lungs kita tonsils LOL!  as if we were bunch of crazy kids on a rollercoaster ride.

                                       Efi

Fail Jumpshot. ^^,

PERFECT!

SOUL SURFING ON THE SAND

Sandboarding is same with snowboarding. Basically to ride the board you just strapped your feet on the wooden sand board.

The sitting position is the easiest and safest way to surf through the sands.

Single Sitting Position

Doubles Sitting Position

     Marianne and Irish

And if you're afraid of heights, you can try the crazy upside down position just what my friend Gayle did. 

Crazy Upside Down

      Gayle

oh oh! It's MY TURN! O.O

I first tried the easiest and I think the most comfy way to brave the intimidating view from above. 

There were two boys hiding behind me as if they weren't to be seen in the picture. Nice try, huh!

I was delighted when I realized it wasn't scary as it looked! In fact, it's pretty like a huge slide in children's playgrounds.. it's just that you're drifting on to the sands instead.

Certified Sand Surfer
Yun oh!

standing position with both feet strapped to a board

Hurrah!

As I enjoy sliding down the slope of the hills, climbing up was the real challenge! whew! kahit ang sexy ko, ang hirap talaga.. promise! haha

BUT HEY?! WE SURVIVED!

The experience at La Paz Sand Dunes turned out to be one of my favorite memories of the trip and everyone who visits Ilocos should not miss out.

ANG SARAP, AS IN! TRY MO!

La Paz Sand Dunes

Courtesy of : Glenn Guererro 

Rate :2,500 Php for a group of 4

+639088853669 / +639109474129