Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bato Spring San Pablo, Laguna

October 11, 2016 Tuesday

My 20th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip also served as my family's 3rd tour-visit in Laguna, the first one was in Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa (Mar. 2010) and the second was in Splash Island, Binan (Jul. 2011). Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak (weekday and rainy season). Upon reaching San Pablo on a 3hr bus travel from Kamias, Quezon City via JAC Bus Terminal, there was a direct tricycle one-way trip to Bato Spring for PhP150.

FAMILY BUDGET DIY DAY-TRIP IN BATO SPRING ITINERARY
(composed of 1 adult, 1 senior citizen and 2 children (10-yr old and 4yr old)

0600H ETA JAC Kamias Terminal
0630H ETD Kamias, Quezon City; 112*2 + 140 = 364 (discount for senior citizen/student)
0930H ETA Bato Spring Junction (San Pablo); tricycle to Bato Spring (5km) 150
1000H ETA Bato Spring; Entrance Fee 70*3 = 210 (free for 6-yrs old and below)
1130H lunch (paluto of liempo grill, hotdog, rice and water) 490
fun swimming to Cold spring and swimming pool
1500H ETD Bato Spring; tricycle to Junction 150
1530H ETA Junction; Tindahan ng Itlog ni Kuya food trip 405
1630H ETD San Pablo 112*2 + 140 = 364 (discount for senior citizen/student)
2030H ETA Kamias bus terminal, Quezon City

TOTAL BUDGET: PhP 2,133

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bato Spring San Pablo, Laguna

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan

May 25, 2016 Thursday

My 19th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip also served as my 2nd tour-visit in Pangasinan, the first one was also a budget day-trip but with new-found friends in Hundred Islands, Alaminos (Jun. 2010). Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak (weekday and start of rainy season). Upon reaching Bolinao on a 5hr bus travel from Cubao via Solid North Bus Terminal, we randomly selected a tricycle for a day-tour agreed for PhP1,000 until 5pm.

FAMILY BUDGET DIY DAY-TRIP IN BOLINAO, PANGASINAN ITINERARY
(composed of 1 adult, 1 senior citizen and 2 children (10-yr old and 3yr old)

May24 Tue Day0

2300H ETD House 98
2345H ETA Solid North Cubao Terminal; snacks 136
Subtotal: 234

May25 Wed Day1
0100H ETD Cubao; 367*2 + 459 = 1,193 (discount for senior citizen and student)
0600H ETA Bolinao Central town; bakery breakfast 79
0700H Bolinao Central town; hired tricycle for day-tour (randomly chosen driver)
Bolinao Falls 1 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
Bolinao Falls 2 Entrance fee 50*2 + 25 (10yr old discount / free for 3yr old) = 125
1130H lunch 195
Wonderful Cave Entrance fee 100*2 + 50 + 20 (parking fee) = 270
Cape Bolinao lighthouse and Patar White Beach (free entrance); shower 30
1445H ETD Patar (rain fell hard)
1530H ETA Bolinao Central town; tricycle day tour 1,000; snacks 310
1630H ETD Bolinao 459*2 + 367 = 1,285 (student no discount in Victory Liner Bus)
2330H ETA Cubao bus to home 112
Subtotal: 4,724

TOTAL BUDGET: 234 + 4,724 = 4,958

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bolinao, Pangasinan (Patar Cape Bolinao Lighthouse)

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

boat hopping to Calayan, Babuyan and Camiguin-Norte Island

May 11 to 19, 2016

I feel we are all in islands, in a common sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Babuyan Group of Islands is consists of four major islands Dalupiri, Calayan, Babuyan and Camiguin-Norte. The Babuyan Islands are separated from Luzon by the Babuyan Channel, and from the province of Batanes by the Balintang Channel. The whole archipelago is administered under the province of Cagayan of Calayan Municipality (Fuga Island is under the municipality of Aparri). Humpback Whales have re-colonized into the Babuyan area. Since Dalupiri Island is a privately-owned and can only be accessed by special boat trip, our group focused only to the other 3 major islands which is more than enough to satisfy us that Philippines has the most spectacular coastlines, pristine beaches and other amazing island features.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The best month to visit Babuyan Group of Islands is on April to May (summer season). Always consider / check weather condition before travelling. Depend on weather forecast around 3 days before your intended travel date. Verify and compare via weather.com, PAGASA and Taiwan Central Weather Bureau (Banshi Channel).

7-DAYS BUDGET DIY BABUYAN GROUP OF ISLANDS ISLAND GENERAL ITINERARY (group composed of 3 pax only) 

Day0 May. 11, 2016 Wed: Sampaloc, Manila afternoon departure (via Florida Bus)

Day1 May. 12, 2016 Thu: Claveria Arrival; boat trip to Calayan Island (Sibang Cove)

Day2 May. 13, 2016 Fri: Calayan Island whole day-tour (Nagudungan Hill sunrise and waterfalls hopping)
Day3 May. 14, 2016 Sat: Babuyan Island day-trip (Smith Volcano)
Day4 May. 15, 2016 Sun: Calayan Island 3rd day (back to Sibang Cove)
Day5 May. 16, 2016 Mon: Calayan Island departure; Aparri stay at night
Day6 May. 17, 2016 Tue: Camiguin-Norte Island day-trip (Camiguin Falls and Naguillan Beach)
Day7 May. 18, 2016 Wed: back to Aparri; afternoon bus trip to Manila (via Florida Bus)
Day0 May. 19, 2016 Thu: Manila afternoon arrival
TOTAL BUDGET: PHP 9,602

​7 Days Budget DIY Trip to Babuyan Group of Islands

Family Day Swimming in Bulacan's Big Rock Resort

July 12, 2015 Sunday

Having somewhere to go is home, Having someone to love is family, Having both is blessing. - unknown

My 17th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak season (rainy).

Important Tip: It is recommended to take a private vehicle as the resort is roughly around 3km off road and far to main road. In addition, arrive as early as 0800H if no advance booking made especially in peak season (summer).

How to go to Big Rock Resort;
Traveling by private van from NLEX, go straight to NLEX-Sta. Rita Exit. Then towards Dona Remedios Trinidad Highway towards Pan-Philippine Highway in San Rafael. When you reach Cruz na Daan Crossing, turn Right and head towards Coral na Bato. Turn Right towards Big Rock Farm Resort.
http://www.bigrockfarmresort.com.ph/gettinghere.html

Entrance fee costs PhP100 for adults and PhP80 for children/seniors. Cottage rental is as low as PhP500 good for 8 persons. Food and beverage is allowed to bring inside.

Family Day Swimming in Bulacan's Big Rock Resort

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 1st part; from Sleeper Bus to Accommodation

another Philippines' best beach for my family adventure

March 06 to 08, 2015

"A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss... That's the trade-off. But I'll take it all." - Brad Pitt

My 16th family outing initiated, their 2nd visit in Bicol Region (following the Naga-Legazpi trip last November 2011), and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Please take note I did not perform any advance booking; I just texted the boatman for island trips and the resort owner for 2 nights accommodation while walk-in payment for the sleeper night bus.

Important Tip: Depart any bus from Cubao/Pasay not more than 2000H  to arrive Naga bus terminal at 0500H; leave Naga van terminal by around 0600H so that you reach the 0800H Sabang Port, San Jose boat departure and arrive at Guijalo Port, Caramoan by 1000H. This is the ideal itinerary to maximize the Island Trip (short).

IDEAL (14hrs)		TRANSPO	FROM	TO	FARE/PAX
2000H-0500H	9hrs	bus	Cubao/Pasay Terminal	Naga Bus Terminal	₱750
0500H-0545H	45mins	tricycle/walk	Naga Bus Terminal	Naga Van Terminal	₱8
0545H-0715H	1.5hrs	van	Naga Van Terminal	Sabang Port, San Jose	₱100
0800H-1000H	2hrs	boat	Sabang Port, San Jose	Guijalo Port, Caramoan	₱120

FROM SLEEPER NIGHT BUS TO CARAMOAN ACCOMMODATION ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

March 05, 2015 Thursday
1900H ETD Home; taxi bound to Isarog Bus Terminal (Edsa Cubao) 300php
1945H ETA Isaraog Cubao Terminal; 4-adults 1-child 4,825php (1,000/adult, 825/senior&child)
2100H ETD Cubao (family composed of 3 adults, 1 senior & 2 child)
Subtotal: 5,125php

March 06, 2015 Friday
0600H ETA Naga City bus terminal (9hrs travel); tricycle to van terminal 500m away, back of SM mall 36php
0645H ETD Naga City van terminal 500php (100/pax) full pax requirement for van departure
0815H ETA Sabang Port (1.5hrs travel); 0800H boat departed already, late due to delayed Naga bus arrival
breakfast 315php; bridging fee 50php (10/pax)
1100H ETD Sabang Port 540php (120/pax, 60/children 8 yrs below)
land travel (Raymund bus) will take around 5hrs from Naga to Caramoan with php250-300 per pax
1300H ETA Guijalo Port (2hrs travel); bridging fee 50php; free van pick-up West Peninsula Villa
1330H ETA West Peninsula Villa (free transfer from/to Guijalo Port, free breakfast, free wifi, swimming pool, gym, walking distance to central town... only 2,500php for standard room 4pax, a/c room with toilet)
Subtotal: 1,491php

BUDGET TOTAL: 5,125 + 1,491 = PHP6,616
Based on the above, we made 16hrs of travel with 6 modes of transportation types from our home to our accommodation in Caramoan (taxi, sleeper bus, tricycle, aircon van, boat, aircon van).

Caramoan Budget Family Tour 1st part; from Night Bus to Accommodation (Sabang Port, San Jose)

Family DIY Trip from Roxas to Boracay 1st part: the Adventure 2013

another white fine sands for a simple family like us
June 05-07, 2013

Boracay island; my 1st on solo visit (Dec. 2011) 

My 12th family outing initiated, their 4th beachineering trip (following La Union (2011), Samal Island (2012) and El Nido(2012)), and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

After having a proud accomplishment of fun-hike self-organize solo climb 4,095m elevation of Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia then moving afterwards as my 24th solo backpacking trip to another one of the best country in the world, the Land of the Rising sun, Japan. Time to have a boundless relaxation with family in the most prestigious/renowned white beach in the Philippines and in the World, Boracay Island.
 

Boracay Island (2013) the family budget adventure; parachute sailing with my 7-yr old nephew

4 Days Family Get-away for El Nido Island Hopping

2nd round of budget DIY family tour on my vacation

sunday to wednesday august 12-15, 2012

"There is an interconnectedness among members that bonds the family, much like mountain climbers who rope themselves together when climbing a mountain, so that if someone should slip or need support, he's held up by the others until he regains his footing." - Phil McGraw

My 10th family outing initiated, their 2nd domestic trip, their 1st islands hopping, 1st Palawan experience and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

The last part of my family get-away availed during cheaper sale of cebu pacific fares. I decided to choose el nido for the following reasons;
1. el nido is better than boracay
2. feel the most peaceful and beautiful nature spot of the Philippines with my family
3. I did not yet visited this place
4. el nido is not that expensive for a family trip
5. the best island tour I anticipated

Boracay island has been hailed several times as the country’s best beach destination, but according to a website, it only comes second to El Nido in Palawan. CNNGo, the travel news website of the Cable News Network, made a list of the “Philippines’ best beaches and islands” which was published in time for CNN's week-long "Eye on the Philippines" specials. El Nido ranked first in the list for its “majestic karst limestone formations, empty lagoons, marble cliffs, prehistoric caves and waterfalls.” 
source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/04/30/12/el-nido-named-best-philippine-beach

el nido islands view from hadefe lodging

2 Days Budget Family Tour in Davao City

blending my family on my backpacking style

thursday to saturday august 02-04, 2012

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof."

- Richard Bach

Some of davao tourist spots (2010)

My 9th family outing initiated, their 1st domestic trip, their 1st waterfalls tripping, their 1st habal-habal and ferry ride, their 1st minor trekking and zipline adventure, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. 

I decided to choose Davao city as my family's first domestic trip due to the following:

- I was amazed by the sands and the clear sewater when I visited Samal island last 2010

- my elder sister visited already Cebu

- for them to experience that traveling in Mindanao is very very safe

Having been hailed as the Fruit Basket of the Philippines, the city is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of mangoes, pomeloes, banana, coconut products, papaya, mangosteen, and flowers ever since it became an international net exporter in 1987. Davao City is typhoon-free.

NAIA T3 boarding gate



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

Christmas Family Treat 2011 1st part (Rizal Park)

2011 year-ender family get-away

december 28, 2011 wednesday

nilo pillow goes to luneta and manila ocean park

i set once again another simple family treat as expressing my gratitude to 2011's remarkable travel blessing.

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located in the heart of the city of Manila, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila. The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The park was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park

inside rizal park (formerly luneta park)

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

Family Splash-out in Splash Island, Laguna (lakbay rizal 2nd leg)

another 2011's family outing
july 23, 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 with family and to continue the quest for lakbay rizal spots

important note (laguna):
Laguna is a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzon. Its capital is Santa Cruz and almost completely surrounds Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. The province acquired its name from the Spanish word lago, which means lake or lagoon. This place is notable for being the birthplace of Jose Rizal, the country's national hero.

splash island of laguna

splash island of laguna

Keep Coming Back in Manila's Best (lakbay rizal 1st leg)

binondo - intramuros budget diy day trip

july 09, 2011 saturday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional task: to acknowledge change of new adventure, somewhere nearby for day-trip only

important note (manila):
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities comprising Metro Manila. The city is divided into six legislative districts and consists of sixteen geographical districts. Within their precincts can be found areas of bustling commerce and some of the most historically and culturally significant iconic landmarks in the country as well as the seat of the executive and judicial branches of the government.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila

the planning;

july 05, tuesday, while I was in the middle of my routine work burn-out of the deadlines to finish within that week, I posted some quiries and thoughts in an online travel forum for another but not new travel adventure. asking about all possible landmarks around metro manila and metro provinces that can be roam for 1-day only. since there were lots of travelers got interested, joiners have formed and a date has set.

sta. cruz church

Nature Waving Aurora Province 1st Part

a 2011 4th summer get-away specials
may 7-8, 2011 saturday to sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my budget at limited amount of time.
additional tasks: to experience my 1st ocean sports activity, surfing.

after beginning the 2011 summer blast to saranggani-lake sebu in mindanao, followed by the family get-away in la union, and then the most awesome northernmost province of batanes, another luzon escapade has planned. this time, its between my coworkers with their outside friends.

actually i was not part of original plan. its just so happen when one of my officemate mentioned that he was planning a get-away and thought out of nothing for this place. since in my mind i am planning also to go to baler but no definite sked, i grab the opportunity to ask if i could join them. and there it goes, i am now the head of the organizing committee next to him.

unique one-way road to aurora province (only 10-tons max allowed to pas)

Sands of La Union

A clan self-guided summer get-away
April 2, 2011

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my budget at limited amount of time.

additional tasks: to experience and enjoy the sands of la union with family and relatives.

the preparation;

since i am an avid fan of budget travel, i have thought that why don't i let this awesome nature experience be shared to my family and my mother's relative. admittedly, our clan belongs to class C/D of the society. so i decided to shoulder all the expenses outside excluding the picnic foods. also, my younger sister, who is working as a fast food cashier abroad, assisted us in financial support. so there we goes, we rented a hi-ace van enough for 12 pax with half of us were children.

seapark resort, brgy. san francisco, san fernando city

Welcome to Bohol Island

my 3rd most expensive domestic tourism
september 10-13, 2011 friday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience bohol tourism at its best

important note (bohol):
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao. Bohol's climate is generally dry, with maximum rainfall between the months of June and October. The interior is cooler than the coast.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol

chocolate hills in carmen town (not in tagbilaran city)

chocolate hills in carmen town (not in tagbilaran city)

Mt. Pulag Funhike, a Determined Planner's Pursuit (2010) 1st part

PEx Fun Climbers Club (PFCC)
another rainy trekking adventure
august 27-29, 2010 friday-sunday

click here where it was started

Mt. Pulag National Park

after 42 days of planning... 28 joiners confirmed... only 17 stand-out...
here it was .......

it begun after we trekked and achieved the success of mt. pinatubo fun-climbing, which incidentally i was a co-planner too. i saw my travel comrades how they conquer the trail on a happy-go-lucky basis, means we went there despite of the bad weather, no pre-climb orientation and push-the-limit spirit. i asked them if they wanna advance for the next level, they said undoubtedly 'yes', and so the drive has started.

our joyride to mt. pulag

Ilocos Norte Expedition (Pagudpud and Nearby Towns)

self-organized budget diy backpacking dedicated for my office friends
august 20-23, 2010 friday-monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience all kinds of road trip across ilocandia region.

important note (ilocos norte):
Ilocos Norte is noted for being the birthplace of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who led an authoritarian rule over the country during the latter half of his incumbency. The Marcoses enjoy a modicum of popularity in the province. Ilocos Norte is also known as a northern tourist destination, being the location of Fort Ilocandia, an upper class hotel and beach resort famous among expatriates, and Pagudpud.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilocos_Norte

kapurpurawan white rock

cape bojeador

Mt. Pinatubo Crater, a Hidden Paradise

rainy season trekking

june 26, 2010 saturday

important note (mt. pinatubo);
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is 42 km (26 mi) west of the dormant and solitary Mount Arayat. Before 1991, the mountain has no recorded historical eruptions. It was heavily eroded, inconspicuous and obscured from view. It was covered with dense forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous people, the Aeta, who had fled to the mountains from the lowlands during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pinatubo

we organized this trip together with a fellow travelmate for our newly organized group. we know its rainy season and storms were getting bad as the planned trip becomes nearer, come what may, rain or shine.

mt. pinatubo 4x4 jump-off ride

Family Visit in the Enchanted Kingdom

spontaneous get-away with family

march 06, 2010 saturday

with family at baguio city
inside the la mesa ecopark

Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, about 29 kilometers (18 mi) from Manila. It has a land area of 17 hectares (41 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc., formerly named Amtrust Leisure Corporation and a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Kingdom

enchanted kingdom