Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

November 25, 2023 Saturday in Dingalan, Aurora Province, Philippines

DINGALAN, AURORA (HIKING + SWIMMING + FALLS)

₱1,500 only all-in per/pax with free boodle fight & no hidden charges 

Just 3-4 hours away from Manila. Masasarap ang Seafoods. Unexplored Beauty, kaya dinarayo ng nakararami.

INCLUSIONS: Roundtrip van transfer,  Driver's Gas, Park, Toll fee,  Boat Transfer,  Ecological / Entrance fee. All permits, Cottage, Dingalan Local Guide fee, Insurance Fee. Food (BODDLE FIGHT)

NATURE SITES TO VISIT: Dingalan Feeder port, White Beach, Mountain view deck (Batanes of the East), Dingalan Lighthouse, Tanawan Falls, Cliff Diving Spot, I Love Dingalan Marker. Lamao/Rock formation (wave dependent)

Things to bring: Extra Clothes, Extra Money, Toiletries, Cap, Shades/Sunglasses, Sunblock or any sunscreen protection, Camera or any device to take photos or vids, Powerbank, Water, Gears for water activities

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East) Itinerary

11:00pm Centris McDonald's ₱213

1:00am Meet-up, ETD Centris 

6:00am ETA Dingalan

6:30am Dingalan (Breakfast) own account ₱100

7:00am Feeder Port Registration

7:15am Event Briefing/ Boat ride to white beach

7:30am White Beach

7:40am Start trek to Viewdeck

8:00am Viewdeck (Picture taking)

8:10am Start Trek to Lighthouse

9:00am Start to Descend

9:30am Boat Ride to Lamao Cave 

10:00am Lamao Cave Picture Taking/ Swimming/ Cliff Diving

11:00am Suah Rock Formations/ Snorkeling/ Swimming

12:00nn Feeder Port/ Lunch (boodle fight) 

12:40pm Go to Tanawan Falls

1:00pm Trek to Tanawan Falls

1:20pm Tanawan Falls/ Cliff Diving/ Swimming

4:00pm Descend/ Cleanup

4:30pm I Love Dingalan Marker; (souvenirs, tip, transportation going home) ₱500

5:00pm ETD Dingalan

10:00pm ETA Mnl

Total Expenses: ₱1,500 + ₱813 = ₱2,313

Dingalan, Aurora View Deck Day Trip (Batanes of the East)

Outside Taipei; DIY Day Trip to Heping Island and Yehliu Geopark

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Spring Season Taiwan... April 10 to 18, 2023

Kaohsiung Tourist Spots DIY Day Trip

Heping Island is perfect for diving. With years of erosion by the wind and sea, the eroded rocks and coasts have formed special shapes. A big highlight of Heping Island Park is its sea-corrosion landscape. The park is full of sandstones. The strange rocks along its coastlines make a unique landscape after they are eroded by sea water and sea winds for a long time. Sea-erosion cliffs, sea-erosion platforms, sea-erosion ditches, and fatonis are all impressive, although the most outstanding might be the “mushroom rocks.” Other than the island’s geology, the body and trace fossils revealed by risen earth layers are Heping Island’s gems. 

Yehliu is well-know for its unique rock formations and stunning scenery make it a place well worth visiting in Taiwan. As “the Crown coast” of the northern Taiwan and stretching about 2 kilometers into the sea, Yehliu Geopark possesses many micro-landscapes. Honeycombed rocks, mushroom rocks, Ginger rocks, chessboard rocks, sea arches/ notches and candlestick-shaped stone are just some examples of weathered grotesque rocks under spotlight. Fossils and trace fossils are commonly found in the park as well. 

Northern Taiwan's Geoparks; Heping Island and Yehliu. These are layered sedimentary rocks. The marine cliffs are affected by crashing waves and tidal waves, like a cake that has been taken a bite, forming a sea erosion concave terrain (reminds me of Northern Samar's Biri Island rock formation). #taipei #taiwan #china #spring #pinoytraveller #solobackpacker #filipino #pilipinas #citytrip 

Day 6: April 15, 2023 Saturday

0630H wake-up; breakfast 120

0730H Train #1128 to Keelung 37

0830H Keelung; bus #101 to Heping Island; Bus #101/102 to Heping Island Stop 15; Heping Island Park 120

1030H Bus #101/102 to Keelung 15; Bus #790 to Yehliu stop 15; Yehliu Geopark 120; souvenir magnets 80

1400H Bus #1815 to Taipei 113

1530H Taipei; Yoshinoya 339; night trip 400

Outside Taipei; DIY Day Trip to Yehliu Geopark

​Halong Bay Cruise Day Trip; In Hang Sung Sot and Ti Top Island

Transit day tour side trip for my new journey August 17, 2022 Wednesday

Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnel (2011)

My 105th solo backpacking trip and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself (DIY) itinerary from arrival to departure. Also, this trip served as side trip on my quest to new beginning / reborn of my professional worth.

Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site twice due to its aesthetic values, geology and caves. 

Vietnam 2022 revisited: in the northern part. ​Bucket list checked; cruising in the Halong Bay.

Larger version of Coron (Palawan) and Hundred Islands (Pangasinan).

HALONG BAY DAY TRIP ITINERARY (Solo DIY Walk-in Tourist)

​Things (print-out and soft copy) I brought to counter frightening Airport Immigration Officers of  the Philippines; Return Ticket print-out, Hotel Booking, BI Travel Declaration Form, Vaxcertph, credit card and insurance, Itinerary, Bank Statement of Account

Day 1: August 17, 2022 Wednesday

0045H ETA Hanoi UTC +0700H; baggage claim; 20 USD = 470,000 VND (23,500); Luggage storage 90k (1 piece) 

0645H ETD Hanoi Airport; Express Bus 86 45k 

0745H ETA Long Bien Station; walk to Old Quarter; Central Backpacker Hostel; breakfast 25k

50 USD = 1,160,000 VND (23,225); Halong Bay Day trip 1,100k 0900H to 2030H 

0900H ETD Old Quarter; aircon van; Buffet lunch on boat; refreshments 45k

Halong Bay Harbour, Hàng Sung Sot,  TiTop Island

2100H ETA Hanoi; Grab motorbike 150k

2200H ETA Hanoi Airport Terminal 2; snacks 176k

TOTAL: 1,631,000 VND (70 USD) 

​Halong Bay Cruise Day Trip; In Hang Sung Sot and Ti Top Island

Mt. Balagbag Day-Hike and Resort Visit with my Nephews

March 13, 2022 Sunday in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal Province, Philippines

Mt. Balagbag (754masl) Traverse to Maranat Self-Guided (DIY) Solo Day-Hike (2016)

BUDGET WARNING: Mt. Balagbag is one of the easiest and shortest hike near Metro Manila. Guide is now mandatory, even checking in to bare minimum resorts along the way is required. 

My 29th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

MT. BALAGBAG DAY-HIKE AND RESORT VISIT DIY ITINERARY (1 adult, 1 teenager, 1 child):

0600H ETD Home; jeep to Tungko 54

0645H ETD Tungko; jeep to Licao-licao 87

0730H ETA Licao-licao; walk to Registration; Environmental Fee 20; Guide fee to Resort 250

0830H ETA Carillo Tolits Resort; Entrance fee 180; Ice cream 72

1330H ETD Resort; walk down the trail

1430H ETD Licao-licao; jeep to Tungko 87

1530H ETA Tungko; jeep to Home 63

TOTAL: PHP 813

MT. BALAGBAG HIKING FEES UPDATED AS OF MARCH 2022:

* Environmental Fee: PHP 20 (free for age 12 and below)

* Guide (up to 5 tourists): PHP 250 up to resort, PHP 350 up to Mt. Balagbag summit

* Resort Entrance: PHP 80 (adult), PHP 50 (children)

* Mt. Balagbag summit entrance: PHP 50 per tourist

I already hiked Mt. Balagbag traverse to Mt. Maranat on self-guided solo trip with total expenses of only PhP190 only last 2016. Mt. Balagbag is one of the easiest and shortest hike near Metro Manila (2 hours for a minor trek with very wide and obvious trail). In my honest opinion, requiring a guide for more than an hour hike is a form of cheating to think that the mountain is a nature no one owns. I lost my work too because of pandemic. But that doesn't give me the authority to scam people. I've been to a lot of major and minor hikes in 5 continents around the world, I think Mt. Balagbag trek is one of the expensive and scam I did for a dayhike. 

Mt. Balagbag Day-Hike and Resort Visit with my Nephews

2021 San Fernando, Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival

December 21, 2021 Tuesday in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines

2011 San Fernando, Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival

Filipinos place much significance on the symbolism of Parol (derives from the Spanish farol, meaning lantern or light), the star regarded as a fount of light and a sign of hope in the predominantly Christian country in Asia. Such a creation however, did not come without the untiring efforts, ingenuity and innovation of the Fernandinos. The Giant Lantern Festival (Kapampangan: Ligligan Parul) is an annual festival held in mid-December in the City of San Fernando in the Philippines. The festival features a competition of giant lanterns. Because of the popularity of the festival, the city has been nicknamed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”.

How and When to Go to Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival;

The event is always held yearly every around December 16 up to Christmas Day and sometimes Exhibition extended until after New Year. From Cubao, just take any North Luzon-bound bus (NLEX) and ask the conductor to drop-off in Robinsons Starmills (San Fernando, Pampanga). Fare is PHP150 for around 2 hours travel. ENTRANCE IS FREE but booked ticket is required via this link. 

2021 Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival

One Night In Bangkok; Wat Arun and Together Festival 2018

04 May 2018 Friday in Bangkok, Thailand

​2010: 1st visit for 1st solo trip abroad
2014: 2nd visit for transit to Myanmar
2018: 3rd visit for thanksgiving party

8 years ago I started my first solo backpacking adventure right on this country. Presently I have 66 countries across 3 continents on my list. Who would know I've reached this far in unexpected ways. Visiting Bangkok after 8 years and attending Bangkok's famous EDM, Together Festival (headed by Hardwell, Alan Walker, etc) is my way on paying tribute where I officially started being a Wandering Andoy abroad. Thank you very much Thailand!

Wat Arun Rajwararam (Temple of the Dawn) is the most elegant pagoda, landmark of Thailand, located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River. It has been the Royal Temple dedicated to the 2nd reign of Chakkri Dynasty.

1130H BTS Silom line Saphan Taksin Stn 59
speed boat to Wat Arun 100 (one-way)
1200H Wat Po Pier; Padthai lunch 80; boat to Wat Arun 4; Wat Arun entrance fee 50
1245H Wat Arun; public boat to BTC 15
Total: 308 THB

One Night In Bangkok; Wat Arun and Together Festival 2018

Mt. Balagbag (754masl) Traverse to Maranat Self-Guided (DIY) Solo Day-Hike

07-May-2016 Saturday in Rodriguez, Rizal Philippines

MT. BALAGBAG BASIC INFO:
Jump-off: Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal
Elevation: 754masl
Days / Hours required: 5 hours (local guide is NOT required)
Classification: minor trek with difficulty level of  3/9

My 48th solo backpacking trip, 9th local minor hike (4th for 2016) so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. My plan is supposedly a twin-hike traverse from Mt. Balagbag to Mt. Maranat. Since DENR Checkpoint in Maranat area is strict on "No permit No Entry" policy, I just did a traverse going back to Licao-Licao. There is a split trail from DENR Checkpoint; left side going to Mt. Maranat and Maranat Falls while the right side is going to Licao-Licao. Permit is issued in DENR Cenro-Tabang (Malolos, Bulacan) Phone # 044-7947090. In regards to hiking experience, almost 70% of the trail is not shaded so be prepared to challenge the scorching heat of the sun (arm sleeve, umbrella, ball cap and enough refreshments).

MT. BALAGBAG TRAVERSE TO MARANAT DIY SOLO DAY-HIKE ITINERARY:

​0600H ETD SM Fairview; jeep to Jollibee Tungko 18
0630H ETA Jollibee Tungko; walk to Licao-licao Jeep Terminal
0645H ETD Tungko; jeep to Licao-licao 27
0730H ETA Licao-Licao; trek to Sitio Balagbag (very smooth ascent)
0800H ETA Balagbag Registration 10; smooth ascent (easy)
0840H Refreshment stop-over 30; Registration again 20
0900H ETA Mt. Balagbag summit; photo-ops and rest
0930H ETD Mt. Balagbag summit; steep and slippery descent (difficult)
1000H ETA Maranat DENR Checkpoint (no permit no entry to falls & mountain). Rest.
1030H ETD Maranat; series of rocky ascent/descent (average)
1215H ETA Licao-Licao; Refreshments 40
1245H ETD Licao-licao; jeep to Tungko 27
1345H ETD Tungko; jeep to SM Fairview 18

BUDGET COST: PhP 190

Mt. Balagbag (777masl) traverse to Maranat Self-Guided Solo Day-Hike (view at the summit)

Mt. Maynoba & Mt. Cayabu (720masl) Twin Hike with Waterfalls Sidetrip

23-April-2016 Sunday in Tanay, Rizal Philippines

MT. MAYNOBA / MT. CAYABU BASIC INFO:
Jump-off: Brgy. Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal
Elevation: 720masl
Days / Hours required: 3 hours (local guide is required)
Classification: minor trek with difficulty level of  3/9

Mt. Maynoba + Mt. Cayabu + 8 Wonderfalls (cascaded only)...

Budget 700 Inclusion (Van service Cubao - Tanay - Cubao, waterfalls entrance fee, registration fee, local guide fee). This trip was an organized event posted in https://web.facebook.com/groups/CLIMBER.Philippines/.

MT. MAYNOBA / MT. CAYABU TWIN HIKE DAY TOUR ITINERARY:

0000H - Assembly – Jollibee Farmers EDSA, Cubao 
0100H - ETD Cubao to Brgy. San Andres, Tanay, Rizal
0245H - Arrival at Batangasan Junction; take left turn to Brgy. San Andres
0315H - Arrival at Brgy. Hall, Brgy Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal registration
0400H commence hike
0600H summit twin hike
0800H Descent & waterfalls exploration for 3hrs 
1400H ETD Brgy. Cayabu
1700H ETA Cubao farmers 

BUDGET COST: PhP700 (fixed rate) + PhP150 (snacks/miscellaneous) = PhP850

Mt. Maynoba & Mt. Cayabu (720masl) Twin Hike with Cascaded Waterfalls Sidetrip

2016 Lubao Hot-Air Balloon Festival with La Salle (Look) Beach Sidetrip

16-April-2016 Saturday in Lubao, Pampanga and Morong, Bataan, Philippines
biggest Hot-air Balloon Festival in Philippines and Southeast Asia

This was the 3rd Lubao International Hot-Air Balloon Festival held in Pradera Verde, Lubao, Pampanga. An almost the same showcase with Clark Balloon Festival also in Pampanga and my 3rd Hot-air Balloon event following the Cappadocia's Morning glow in Turkey. The festival is the biggest annual hot air balloon festival in Southeast Asia Aside from balloon flights, the festival will provide entertainment, fun activities, and amusement all in one venue. After witnessing the over 41 colorful designed balloons in the morning, we decided to visit and chill to a not famous yet beach side trip on nearby province.

La Salle Beach (named after the school nearby this beach), also called as Look Beach, is a public beach located in Morong, Bataan and a 10-min drive from Vista Venice Resort. Since we don't know exactly where is the location of the La Salle Beach, we took the service of Vista Venice Resort.

LUBAO BALLOON FESTIVAL WITH LA SALLE BEACH DAY TOUR ITINERARY:

April 16, 2016 Saturday 
0200H ETD Victory Liner Cubao 150 (Olangapo-bound bus dropped to Pradera Verde, Lubao)
0430H ETA Pradera Verde, Lubao, Pampanga. Entrance fee day pass 280. Breakfast 100
0600H Morning Balloon Flight (good weather condition)
0730H ETD Lubao. bus bound to Balanga, Bataan 50
0800H ETA Balanga bus terminal. bus bound to Vista Venice Resort, Morong 75
1000H ETA Vista Venice Resort (with free pick-up and drop-off to La Salle Beach)
Entrance 100 / head. Cottage 700 / 5 = 140. Tapsilog paluto with drinks 180
1430H ETD La Salle Beach. drop-off to Bagac jeep terminal
1445H ETD Bagac jeep terminal bound to Balanga bus terminal 35
1530H ETA Balanga bus terminal. bound to Pradera Verde, Lubao 40
1700H ETA Pradera Verde, Lubao
Afternoon Balloon Flight and Hot-air Balloon Night Glow (on weather condition)
drizzle occurred and windy area, no balloon show at night :(
Concert (Bamboo, Mitoy of The Voice). Dinner 100
2000H ETD Lubao, Pampanga 150

TOTAL BUDGET COST: PhP1,400

2016 Lubao Balloon Festival with La Salle (Look) Beach Sidetrip

Minalungao National Park Solo Day Trip

Nueva Ecija's emerging finest tourist attraction

March 11, 2015

My 42nd solo backpacking trip and 1st time to visit in Nueva Ecija which makes it my 61st out of 80 province of the Philippines. This trip also serves a flashpacking due to unexpected planning day before just to compensate my remaining open time on my 2015 vacation in my homeland.

Minalungao National Park is a protected area located in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon, Philippines. The park covers an area of 2,018 hectares centered along the scenic Peñaranda River bordered on both sides by up to 16-meter high limestone walls in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is promoted by the local government as an ecotourism destination offering breath-taking scenery of green pristine river and unique rock formations. Facilities for picnics, swimming, fishing, raft riding and cliff diving.

​http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minalungao_National_Park

MINALUNGAO NATIONAL PARK SOLO DAY-TRIP ITINERARY 

March 11, 2015 Tuesday
0800H ETA 5-Star Bus Edsa-Cubao Terminal 37php
0830H ETD Cubao Terminal 150php (aircon)
1145H ETA Bucana, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; tricycle to the park
1250H ETA Minalungao National Park (short visit to cave and strolling)
entrance 30php; parking fee 30php; guide fee (Felix & Pasig) 150php
1410H ETD Minalungao park 460php (negotiated tricycle roundtrip fare)
1515H ETD Bucana, Gapan City 150php
1815H ETA Cubao Terminal
Total: PHP1,007

Minalungao National Park Solo Day Trip

Quirino - Isabela Morning Tour 1st part; Aglipay Caves

another flashpack trip for my province visited collection

december 19, 2011 monday

this trip was supposedly a 4 province tour; from quirino, to isabela, to nueva vizcaya and end up to nueva ecija. due to continuous rains occurred as early as 0300H and up to the lunch time, i have to postponed the other 2 remaining provinces.

I just researched the province's main tourist spot, itinery will just based on asking the locals. the knowledge i only have is the bus terminal heading to maddela, town in quirino province, is found in sampaloc, manila.

approx. 150m walking from highway to aglipay caves guide station

guide station before the cave

Mt. Pico de Loro (664masl) DIY Day Hike

I thought the trail was the same with Mt. Pulag's Ambangeg trail
November 26, 2011 Saturday

Main Concerns:
* be warned that somehow trail is not easy to follow especially for fun-hikers
* no guides are required and packed foods and drinks is a must
* part of the mountain range of Mt. palay-palay protected by DENR

PICO DE LORO DAY-HIKE ITINERARY:
0300H assembly cityland ministop buendia
           bought 1liter water (30) and pack foods
0400H aircon bus bound to baclaran (12)
0430H minibus bound to ternate, cavite drop-off to ternate (50)
          jeep bound to naic (15)
          hired public jeepney bound to DENR station (magnetic hill) (50/head)
0800H start trekking
          stop-over to camp site #1 (20/head registration)
1100H camp site #2;
          snacks/lunch
          photo-ops
          contemplate
          conquering summit
1330H trekked down
1500H stop-over to camp site #1
          revisited DENR station (20/head)
1700H hired public jeepney going to bus terminal (75/head)
          early dinner (52)
1800H aircon bus bound to lawton drop-off to baclaran (75)
TOTAL EXPENSE: PhP 399

mt. pico de loro starting point from the highway

mt. pico de loro trail going to camp #1

Legazpi - Naga Rainy Family Day-Tour without Me

2011’s 3rd family outing
November 05, 2011 Saturday

due to an expected changes, i still pursue this event though i was not there. i made a very detailed itinerary so that confusion will be least anticipated during their travel. also, this is their first time to have a family outing without me in-charge and their first time to go on this places. my itineraries from my camnorte-legazpi last may 2011 and camsur pnr bicol express day-tour september 2011 helped a lot and give me more confidence that they can nail this.

mayon volcano

Hidden Valley of Riyadh Province

1st road trip get-away along the stoney dessert
november 04, 2011 friday

i don't know why this is called hidden valley, maybe this is a usual filipino expat's place to have a picnic get-away hidden to the city's strict compliance of having a picnic in non-muslim way. every visitors of this place will see the obivous and typical pinoy's activity when living a tourist spot. this is the way they want to be remembered, a painful fact.

Hidden valley/ Wadi Nissah is located 80km west side of Riyadh city center, traveling time is about an hour. It is composed of magnificent huge rock formation above the dry mountains and the amazing sand dunes view around. It is place where most of the expats who lived in Riyadh have visited this place especially during the winter months ( November- March ) they spent their time with their family and friends by having a picnic and climbing up at the rocky mountains, ladies are free to take off their abaya while they are around.
source: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Saudi_Arabia

hidden valley of riyadh province

Riyadh to Dammam Solo Train Trip in the Morning

solo flashpack sightseeing the sands
october 25, 2011 tuesday

The idea of constructing a railway line in Saudi Arabia was first introduced in the mid 1940s, when a need became apparent for a port on the Gulf coast to handle materials dispatched to The Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco). In the beginning, the railway line was run by Aramco, but it was subsequently entrusted to the Ministry of Finance, at which time it was known as the Railway Department. On the 13th of May, 1966, a Royal Decree was issued establishing the Saudi Railways Organization as a public corporation having full legal status.
source: http://www.saudirailways.org

saudi railway e-ticket

saudi railway Al Qafilah section

2011 Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival (1st part)

feel the tradition despite the drizzle

december 17, 2011 saturday

The Giant Lantern Festival is an annual festival held in December in the San Fernando city. Because of the popularity of the festival, the city has been nicknamed the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines". The competition will showcase revised rules such as the size of giant lanterns was increased from 18 feet to 20 feet in diameter and new materials like fiberglass and handmade paper are also used. Large steel barrels called rotors also substituted the hand-controlled switches to manipulate and  illuminate about 3,500 to 5,000 light bulbs.

brgy telaspatagan, 1st participant 2011 san fernando lantern festival

A Visit to Sitio Wawa with Teban 1; Pamitinan Cave

1st flashpacking and day-tour escapade with my 5-year old nephew

september 17, 2011 saturday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly
additional task: to train my nephew in the aspect of new adventure in his life

important note (rodriguez, rizal);
Rodriguez, Rizal is a first-class, urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. The town's old name, Montalban, refers to its mountainous topography. It was also the town's official name from 1909. The town's official name is taken from the family name of Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr., one of the most prominent Montalbeños. The legend of Bernardo Carpio is said to have happened in the mountains of the town.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal

along batasan hills overpass

Camarines Sur Day Tour 1st part; Kulapnitan Caves

feeling the new transpo trip for the 1st time
september 09-11, 2011 friday to sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly
additional task: to continue the lakbay rizal quest and explore what this province can offer at limited time

the new pnr bicol express train escapade
side trip to daet (lakbay rizal 5th part)

continued...

important note (camarines sur);
Camarines Sur is a province located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region both in terms of population and land area. Its territory encompasses two cities: Naga City, the lone chartered city, is the province's and the region's most progressive city, also commercial, educational, financial, and cultural center, while Iriga City, a component city, is the center of the Rinconada area.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camarines_Sur

kulapnitan caves

New PNR Bicol Express Train Escapade

feeling the new transpo trip for the 1st time
September 09-11, 2011

The Philippine National Railways (Pambansang Daangbakal ng Pilipinas), commonly abbreviated as PNR, is a state-owned railway operating an extensive railway line on the island of Luzon. As of 2010, it operates two commuter rail services in Metro Manila and the Bicol Region. The commuter line in Metro Manila is part of the Strong Republic Transit System and is referred to as the Orange Line.

After resuming its operation last june 09, 2011 and suspended last july due to continuous heavy rains, finally it was officially announced last september 05, 2011 that the PNR bicol express trip (from tutuban station to naga station) will  start its operation again. in fact, it will be better than ever, differences tallied as follows;

PNR tutuban station

Rizaliana Site Touring Continues (lakbay rizal 3rd leg)

pampanga-bulacan-rizal solo trip
july 30, 2011 saturday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional task: to acknowledge another day-trip only adventure and to continue the quest for lakbay rizal spots

an adventure from the start since its hard for me to locate even the transpo to get in this places. morning of saturday, i just walked-in northbound terminals and asked bus conductors where will I head to. finally, i've come up to victory liner in pasay for an aircon bus bound to olongapo where i want to made my 1st quest to the province of pampanga.

pampanga provincial capitol