Apayao - Cagayan 1st Part; Morning at the Lussok Caves

Holy Week 2016 Road Trip to Northernmost Mainland of the Philippines

March 23 to 27, 2016

Note: This get-away was supposedly a Babuyan Islands triangle tour from Calayan Island, Babuyan Island to Camiguin Norte. Due to strong wind and continuous rains, it was not advisable to pursue the original route. The group organizer decided to take the Apayao and Palaui Island as alternative plan for this road trip. The fixed amount of PhP8,000 (Mar23-28) from the original trip became PhP4,800 (Mar23-27) excluding food trips.

Luna's most popular attraction is the Lussok Crystal Cave and Underground River, a picture of natural wonder that is fast becoming a hotspot! Perched in the rocky slope of Brgy. Dagupan is this seven-chamber cave adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, navigable through an underground river that flows freely from end to end.
http://lunaapayao.gov.ph/index.php/45-about-luna/publications/97-lussok

APAYAO - CAGAYAN HOLY WEEK ROAD TRIP 2016 ITINERARY

March 23, 2016 Wednesday
2000H ETD EDSA (picked-up in Centris Walk)
March 24, 2016 Thursday
0900H ETA Lunch in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
1100H ETA Claveria
Claveria Afternoon Tour (Portabage Falls, Blue Lagoon)
March 25, 2016 Friday
Breakfast and morning road trip to Apayao
Lussok Caves, Luna, Apayao
Road trip to Sta. Ana
Sta. Ana Afternoon Tour (Poso Robo Beach, Nangaramoan Beach)
March 26, 2016 Saturday
Morning Boat Tour to Palaui Islands
Palaui Island Day Tour (Punta Verde, Baratubot Falls, Mabolbol Shore, Cape Engano Lighthouse)
2000H ETD Sta. Ana
March 27, 2016 Sunday
1200H ETA Quezon Avenue, EDSA

Apayao - Cagayan 1st Part; Morning at the Lussok Caves

Slovenia Day Tour 2nd part; Train and Walk Trip inside Postojna Cave

Day tour to quickly sight-see the best marvels of Slovenia

June 12, 2015

Slovenia Day Tour 1st part; Overnight Train from Sargans to Ljubljana

Experience the world you cannot see anywhere else. Postojna Cave is one of the most famous show caves in the world as well as one of the most impressive and easily reachable ones. Just a few kilometers away from the highway lays a web of fantastic underground passages, surrounded by an immense nature park, which offers a full day of family fun. There is nothing more impressive than experiencing the majestic halls while travelling on a unique underground train. Tiny droplets have created an endless parade of crystal fancies in the underground halls of Postojna Cave. Truly a heaven underground. 

Its 21km of galleries, tunnels and magnificent halls make the Postojna Cave one of the world's best known tourist caves. Its many unique, picturesque features have been enchanting visitors from all over the world for almost 200 years. The Postojna Cave is the only cave where you can experience train ride through a breathtaking underground landscape. Riding under magnificent arches is an experience you will never forget.

A tour in the cave takes around 90 minutes and is available in 15 languages. No special equipment is required but a warm sweater and comfortable shoes are recommended, as the temperature in the cave is 10'C.

How to go to Postojna Cave;

From Ljubljana Bus Station, take bus going to Postojna. Departure is every hour, travel time is around 1hr15mins and fare cost 6 Euro. Entrance fee is 22.9 Euro that includes guided tour and train ride. Photography and video taking is allowed but using tripod and flash is prohibited.

Slovenia Day Tour; Train and Walk Trip inside Postojna Cave

The Viewing Deck Collections; Cave Spelunking

Caving — also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild (generally non-commercial) cave systems. In contrast, speleology is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment. Climbing or crawling is often necessary, and ropes are used extensively for safe negotiation of particularly steep or slippery passages.

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

sightseeing the stalagmites and stalactites

black island cave, palawan

Jeita Upper and Lower Grotto

3 days solo travel in lebanon

may 18-19, 2012 friday to sunday

baalbek temple of jupiter ruins

how to go here:

from beirut city preferably in daora, ride any van or a bus and ask driver to drop-off to hesua almanak. Travel time is around 30 minutes, with stop-overs and fare costs 1,500 lbp(bus) / 2,000 lbp (van). Drop-off area is fly-over bridge from left going to the right. Walk upwards and wait for a taxi (no public vehicle available). Negotiate taxi fare going to jeita grotto at maximum of 10,000 lbp ($6.67), travel time of around 20 minutes.

train-concept shuttle going to lower grotto, entrance fee included

cable car going to upper grotto, entrance fee included

Strolling Alone the Boracay Island 2011

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Solo land and sea trip to Boracay Island
Bus and Ferry trip from Cubao to Caticlan 

Started the round of photo-ops of course in boat stations 1, 2 and 3 in White Beach. immediately compared to all the underrated beaches in our country... found out that white beach sand is as fine as what publicity exactly describe. 

white beach of boracay island

white beach of boracay island

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

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

Calamian Islands Hopping

stunning waterscapes of northern palawan
july 15-18, 2011 friday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional task: to find-out why most of the filipino speaks about coron's lagoons, lakes and beaches

calamian group of islands
day 1: solo on coron town tour
day 2: coron island solo trip

continued...

woke up as early as 0500H to acknowledge sunrise above the islands. then, packed-up and left north cay island for exciting island tripping in calamian islands. from north cay, we have to have a 1.5 hours travel time to get-in the calauit island. we planned the island tour as per the following;

north cay island resort

Coming Back to Sagada Town of Mountain Province

my 7th consecutive get-away

june 17-20, 2011 friday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to be stunned by our rice terraces and bring back the memories in sagada

batad-sagada week-end trekkings
day 1: journeying batad village

continue...

important note (sagada):
Sagada is a 5th class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. Sagada is famous for its "hanging coffins". This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. Not anyone is qualified to be buried this way; one had to, among other things, be married and have grandchildren.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagada,_Mountain_Province

yoghurt house special dessert

Windy Province of Catanduanes last part

my birthday beachbumming trip
january 28-30, 2011 friday-sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience wind-based hobbies on beach

windy province of catanduanes 1st part

continue...

DAY TWO:
Saturday

luyang cave

luyang cave

Malaysia Day Tour last part (KL Tower and Batu Cave)

quick journey of a budget DIY 1st-timer / solo backpacker
january 19-22, 2011 thursday to saturday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.

additional tasks: to conquer the G-MAX reverse bungee jump and witness thaipusam festival

what a 2-days trip in singapore-malaysia!

singapore morning rush 1st part (merlion & the flyer)

singapore morning rush last part (mbs skypark)

singapore afternoon adventure 1st part (uss)

singapore afternoon adventure last part (g-max)

malaysia day tour 1st part (petronas twin towers)

(2) kuala lumpur tower

The Kuala Lumpur Tower is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its construction was finished in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft), which currently makes it the second tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 m (1,099 ft). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners a panoramic view of the city. Races (vertical marathon) are organized yearly where participants race up the stairs to the top. The tower also acts as the Islamic falak observatory to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of Muslim month of Ramadhan, Syawal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The tower is the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Petronas Towers.

entering the kuala lumpur tower viewing deck

Eastern Visayas Transprovincial Saga (Samar)

sogod-calbiga-tacloban-ormoc
5th solo-backpacking journey
november 11-14, 2010

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to experience bungee jumping at the philippines'highest bridge and spelunk the philippines' biggest karst formation

eastern visayas transprovincial saga (southern leyte)

continued...

important note (samar):
Western Samar, formerly Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar island as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland. Samar is connected to Leyte via the San Juanico Bridge, which spans the San Juanico Strait, the narrowest strait in the country.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samar

trail to calbiga cave

Danao Eco-Adventure Experience

my most expensive domestic tourism
september 10-13, 2011 friday – monday

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

welcome to bohol island
bohol countryside tour of interest

continued...

DAY 2 SUNDAY:
DANAO ECO-ADVENTURE TOURISM PARK

we check-out in alona beach around 0600H to be able to catch up the earliest bus trip in dau terminal to danao at 45 minutes tricycle ride. but we failed to do that as the bus was not on the a regular trip during sundays. so i ask locals for a plan B as I have to go there as early as possible. so i did what they recommended, please see downloadable itinerary how did we went there on diy basis.

spelunking kamira cave

spelunking kamira cave

Bohol Province; Countryside Tour of Interest

my most expensive domestic tourism
september 10-13, 2011 friday – monday

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

welcome to bohol island

DAY 1 SATURDAY:
COUNTRYSIDE TOUR

as agreed with the driver/guide of the car we rented, we awoke 0700H to compressed the 10 spots featured in countryside tour. these spots were in particular order starting from alona beach, panglao island. you can kindly ask your tour guide to exactly follow this sequence PROVIDED that the pick-up time from alona beach would be 0700H sharp. we finished this tour around 5pm.

(1) Hinagdanan cave – located in panglao island, with entrance fee of php15. this cave is underneath the ground floor and you can spent sight-seeing around 20 minutes completely, no guides needed but locals will assist you there for some pictorials. Also, souvenir shirts are sold here at a very cheaper price.

biggest python

Kanchanaburi Rail Solo Trip

my 1st solo international backpacking (bangkok-kanchanaburi-ayutthaya)
June 4-8, 2010 friday to tuesday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to witness the wonders of there architectural ruins and experience the thrill of 1st lone traveling abroad

thailand, beginning of my travel addictiveness
day 1: bangkok temple trip

continued...

DAY TWO:
KANCHANABURI RAIL TRIP

Woke-up 530am, check-out on my guest house then went to hua lampong train station by foot for 10 mins. Around 0640H, the train moves, start of excursion trip, goodbye bangkok for a moment.

hua lampong station

hua lampong station trains bound to kanchanaburi

inside the hua lampong station checking the train departure times

Sagada of Mountain Province; what makes this town fascinating

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.

additional tasks: to experience the best spelunking adventure in the northern part.

my first time to visit this promising town upnorth and i don't even know what awaits me there. i just know its a place where there is this famous cave my friends here in my work most talk about because of the extreme adventure. of course, at first i was scared, i'm not yet that adventurous that time. i'm just a simple sight-seer who just appreciates architecture wonders through my low-tech point and shoot.

during my stay, we used a downloaded map from the web as support to the one stranger who invited us. we went there as a group, 3 ladies and 2 gents with an itinerary starting from banaue for a sight-seeing side trip along the road for the famous rice terraces. now, after that event, my intincts told me i'm unconsiously attached to this place because most of the questions in a travel forum i replied directly using only the experience i gathered. i wonder why, or maybe because of the following reasons;

01. this is my 1st get-away experience with a group i just firstly know during the event

02. the place has very chilling ambiance

03. food trips are unique and deliciously good

04. landscapes are amazing

05. people are all nice

06. there are more tourists than locals due to peace and order

07. applicable for solo backpacking though expensive

08. one of my most recommended place to unwind

09. nature adventures are just walking distance

10. adventure activity are packed in one place

11. though 12 hours of drive, roads to sagada are +1 to must see

12. very cheap but very good accommodations

Sagada of Mountain Province; what makes this town fascinating

Solo Journey to the Cagayan Province

my 2nd solo backpacking
february 18-19, 2010 thursday - friday

important note (cagayan):
Cagayan, the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. Present day chroniclers say that the name was derived from the word “tagay,” a kind of plant that grows abundantly in the northern part of the province. Thus, “Catagayan” which means a place where the tagay grows abundantly was shortened to “Cagayan,” the present name of the province.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan

callao cave

A visit to Puerto Princesa Underground River

my 1st self-organized domestic trip
july 09-12, 2009 thursday to sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional tasks: to witness why the puerto princesa undeground river become nominee of 7 new wonders of the world.

I have been to palawan
puerto princesa city tour

continue...

DAY 2 SATURDAY:
PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the 28 finalists for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Princesa_Subterranean_River_National_Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park