POTIPOT ISLAND

Potipot is an island off the shore of candelaria in Zambales which is one the west coast of the main island of Luzon facing the South China Sea. It is roughly 235KM way from Metro Manila.(source:howomgwiki) 

The island is a very small patch of land with white sand and surrounded by gentle waters. It is easily reached by a 5 hour drive from Manila and a 5 minute boat from mainland Zambales.

How to get there:

Take a Victory Liner Bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Zambales at the Pasay, España or Caloocan terminal. Fares Php Php 400.00 plus for one way. Ask the conductor to drop you at Dawal in Uacon in Candelaria.

Driving a Private vehicle.

From Balintawak, Quezon City take the North Luzon Expressway, exit at San Fernando and drive towards Olongapo City. Enter SBMA and exit at the Kalaklan gate. Go straight to the town of Castillejos until the San Narciso junction. Turn right at the San Narciso junction to enter the town proper and then pass by the towns San Felipe, Cabangan, Iba and Masinloc. After Masinloc head to Candelaria but use the national road instead of heading to the town proper. Along the national road you’ll see the signs of Dawal, Sunbloom and other resorts of Uacon.

At 5am, we stopped by at San Marcelino to buy some foods and other kitchen stuff before heading to the Island.

(From L-R Me, Froi, Ate Des, Kuya Joel, Dahl, Ruby, Jake & Wilma & Rio(who took the Photo)

If you're coming in group, I suggest avail the travel getaway promos of Metrodeal, Ensogo or CashCashPinoy websites. They mostly offers lowest rate for as low as Php388.00/pax. 

Inclusions:

Boat transfers

Entrance Fee

Tent

Kitchen Utensils(but your may bring your own things)

Not included:

Food

Island Overnight Fee Php300.00/person

Overnight Car Park Fee 150.00

What to bring:

DSLR/Camera's

Monopod

Extra batteries

Load up your Powerbanks

The island is just a 5 min away from the mainland so nothing to worry for mobile or internet connections.

Since bus ride getting to zambales is not also included in the promo.We rented a van worth Php7,000.00 good for 2 days and a night. An additional of Php2,000.00 for gasoline & toll fees. Drivers meal is not included, but you can ask him to join in the group or just give any amount for his meals. We opted him to come with us.

Contact Person:

Kuya Joel CP # 0943 591 8393

(preppin' for our brunch)

 (baywatch..lol)

(kulitan time) 

(selfie) 

 (Potipot sunset)

bring guitar or music player to spice up your night

day 2 swimming before heading back to Manila

Thanks for reading!

BORAWAN | DAMPALITAN | PUTING BUHANGIN ISLANDS, QUEZON PROVINCE

Quezon (Tagalog pronunciation: [keˈzon]) is a province of the Philippines in the CALABARZON regionof Luzon island. The province was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second President of the Philippines, and its capital is Lucena City.

Quezon is southeast of Metro Manila and is bordered by the provinces of Aurora to the north,Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas to the west and the provinces of Camarines Norte andCamarines Sur to the east. Part of Quezon lies on an isthmus connecting the Bicol Peninsula to the main part of Luzon.(source Wikipedia)

It was my second time to travel with strangers, with different group of people, with different ethnicity and with different frame of mind. At first it was a bit unwieldy to approach especially alone, on how to spice up the conversation. I was referred by a friend if I am interested to join the event called Vulan, a full moon party organized by a couch surfer guru Mr. Nuki Buenaflor last May 31-June 1, 2014 which was held at Dampalitan Island in Quezon Province. He used to create other events in some places like Zambales, Batangas and Penthouse and Pool Party in Metro Manila.

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/vulan.festivalle?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/vulanfest

DAMPALITAN | BORAWAN | ILA PUTING BUHANGIN 2D & 1N =Php2,500.00

Inclusions: 

Transportation:
• Party Bus (Manila to Quezon | Quezon to Manila)
• Party boat transfers
• Island hopping.
Food and Drinks:
• Meals ( Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch)
• Free alcohol| Soda| Juice 
Miscellaneous:
• Guide Fees
• Entrance and Camping Fees.

Not Included: Tent

Planning to go solo?

How to Get there;

Take a Lucena-bound bus from Alabang, Buendia-Taft, or Edsa, to Lucena Grand Terminal (Fare is P180+ up).Then take a mini bus to Padre Burgos for P35 and ask to be dropped off at Basiao junction (or at the public market, if you still need to buy food).

The port is already walking distance from the junction and the market, but you can also take a short tricycle ride. You can meet your boatman at the port to take you to the islands.

Total travel time: about 5 or more hours.

There is no electricity in these islands so best to fully charge your gadgets beforehand.

(Damplitan Island)

 (my team, the Pinoy Fitness Team.Haha From L-R, Jayme Benj, Makoy, Emily, Sandi, Adrian(Indian) & Mako,the Japanese)

(started the game after brunch)

Original plan was to go for a Island Hopping  after the first game but since we ended it at 3pm,we decided to stay at dampalitan coz' travel time going to Isla Puting Buhangin takes an hour or two.

P.S. Do not plunge at the beach anywhere you want. There are lots of huge jelly fish , there's a specific area where you can swam which is covered by a fish net(trust me I was stung and I still have the scar in my forearms, and if in case you were stung pour it with vodka or your own pee).

 (the gang)

(selfie)

(dampalitan Island sunset)

(stolen bonfire from other campers..haha We thought that it was ours, so placed all the woods at the center of the fire, and we found out that it wasn't really ours. Nakakahiya! lol)

DAY 2: ISLA PUTING BATO & BORAWAN ISLAND

For solo travelers: If you opt to go to Puting Buhangin and Borawan Island, though, the boat trip costs P1800 (good for 8 people). Puting Buhangin’s entrance is also P80,  tent rental is only P300-P400(to lessen expense your expenses bring your tent). Dampalitan, meanwhile, has a P20 entrance fee and a P100 charge for tent pitching. This payment is optional, though, so you can just donate the amount you can give.

(isla Puting Buhangin) 

Exploring Borawan before heading back to the Mainland

Thanks for reading!

4D & 3N HONGKONG-MACAU TRIP

Hong Kong is the first Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China (the other being Macau). Before the transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997, Hong Kong had been a British Colony for nearly 150 years. As a result, most infrastructure inherits the design and standards in Britain. During the 1950s to 1990s, the city-state developed rapidly, becoming the first of the "Four Asian Tigers" through the development of a strong manufacturing base and later a financial sector. Hong Kong is now famous for being a leading financial centre in East Asia, with the presence of local and some of the most recognized banks from around the world. Hong Kong is also famous for its transition port, transporting a significant volume of exports from China to the rest of the world. With its political and legal independence, Hong Kong is known as the Oriental Pearl with a twist of British influence in the culture. (source: wikitravel)

It was my first time to travel abroad and my first time to travel alone. I was supposed to be with a friend but she didn't make it due to some personal reasons. We planned this trip for months but as time flies I really had this feeling that I will be travelling by myself which also excites me the most.

Day 1

My first stop was in Macau since I booked my plane ticket from Manila-Macau-Manila.

(outside Macau Airport, t'was raining when I arrived)

I met this couple at the Manila Airport, it's they're first time also to travel HK though they've been traveling in some of Asian countries already.

HONGKONG

How to Get there:

 If you're planning of heading to Hongkong directly (which actually the best thing that you should do). There are two Ferry Terminals in Macau, Taipa & in Macau Proper. Taipa is just a 5-10 minutes walk from the Airport since t'was raining and I don't have an umbrella I decided to take Wynn Bus to Wynn Hotel then another Wynn Bus going to Macau Ferry and it's for FREE.

Ferry Fare: Macau-HK =$161.00 (conversion HK$1.00=Php5.60 as of Sep 2014 or you may check www.bsp.gov.ph) Travel Time is 1.45-2 hours 

If you are travelling alone/backpacker and no one's gonna pick you up at the Ferry Terminal. Make sure that you have your map or better make some research online like blogs or ask from a friend, it  really helps a lot.

If you booked a hotel/pension house in Tsim Sha Tsui. (the cheapest hotel I saw online www.booking.com or www. hostelbooking.com) Take MTR from Sheung Wan Station, dropped at Admiralty Station then take another line going to Tsuen  Wan line. Single Journey Fare is $4.10 (I suggest,purchase an octopus card for $150.00 and it is re loadable at any 7-11 stores). Hotel Room rate starts at $250.00 per night. Just don't mind if it's cheap, the important thing is, there's a place where you can leave your belongings while you're roaming around the city and you'll not going to stay at the hotel for long anyway.

Piece of Advice: When you arrived at the hotel, just don't stay or lay down or watch your favorite tv channels. Explore the place and Never waste time.

This is ate Lynn, She left her work as early as she possibly could just to show me around the city.

Taking the tram on our way back to the downtown. ($36.00-$40.00)

(visited St. John Parish, near Victoria Tram Station)

AT NIGHT

Having an american glass of San Miguel Beer(Filipino Beer), it's like I'm chillin' at Makati Avenue Bars(Manila, Philippines). Per glass costs $45.00 and I had 2!

DAY 2

BUDDHA TEMPLE

How to Get there: Tsim Sha Tsui-Tung Chung (MTR) =$32.00

Take Tsuen Wan MTR Line drop at Lai King and change another MTR to Tung Chung. There are two ways of getting to Big Buddha, you may take a Bus sign No. 23  or Cable Car for $160.00 round trip. Better try both! Bus fare is $27.00

at the Main entrance of Big Buddha

Entrance Fee is $33.00 with free bottled water & Ice Cream .

It's so nice to see or meet new people especially co-Filipinos. I met them while I was waiting for a bus going to Big Buddha. Ate Sharon, Ate Teresita and the Indonesian girl Ms. Ary. Ate Sharon was my seatmate, seemed like we knew each other for a long time. Haha She even shared about her past experiences, from her family, to her love life, her struggles and so on.(It'll be a long story if i'd write it down her story here..lol)

at the ngong ping 360 station(cable car)

I took the cable car back to Tung Chung for $105.00 since I've tried taking a bus already.

Hongkong International Airport, view from the Cable Car

Then had a quick shop at Tung Chung Mall since they're on sale.

DISNEYLAND

Take MTR from Tung Chung to Sunny bay Station then another Train to Disneyland: Single Journey $4.10

 inside the disney theme train

at the main entrance of disneyland 

Since I am alone and this theme park are for kids I decided not get inside. So I just took pictures!
Entrance Fee $450.00


HONGKONG OCEAN PARK

Admiralty Station

Sunny Bay-Admiralty=$27.00

Take the Disney theme Train back to Sunny Bay then Take MTR Hongkong Line to Lai King then Take another Train to Central then drop at Admiralty Station.  When you get to the station take a Bus going to Ocean Park. Bus Fare is $20.00 round trip ticket.

at the Ocean Park Entrance Fee=$320.00

It was a tiring day but I didn't mind it. I woke up at 7AM then had my quick breakfast at Macau Restaurant then I started my City Tour at 7:30AM and ends at 3PM. I went back to the Hotel at 3PM, 

HARBOUR POINT

H&M store was on sale when I was here (september) like 50-70% discount on all items. Make sure if you're not going to use your cash, have your credit card open when leaving your country.

AT NIGHT

A visit to 1881 Heritage will transport you to Victorian-era Hong Kong. From the 1880s to 1996, this was the headquarters of the Hong Kong Marine Police. Several buildings and artefacts of historical interest have been preserved and restored, and the site now features a shopping mall, a heritage hotel, and an exhibition hall.At the north end of 1881 Heritage stands the main building of the Former Marine Police Headquarters. It was built in the early 1880s in a combination of Victorian colonial and neo-classical architectural designs. Inside are the cells where pirates and smugglers were held. An elevated ground floor kept the building tolerably cool in the pre-air-conditioning era. The coops on the walls of the building’s courtyard were for keeping pigeons, which were used to carry messages to ships in the harbour before radio became the main form of ship-to-shore communication.

(Source: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/historical-sites/colonial/1881-heritage.jsp#ixzz3GGrZOe95)

It's my last night here in HK so I decided to grab some drink. I went to Aqua Bar at the 30th Floor of One Peaking Building(located at One Peking, Kowloon Road in Tsim Sha Tsui). That glass of so called death is worth $148.00, hilariously expensive! Isn't it? But you'd probably love the view while at the Top of Building.

DAY 3

A quick shop of chocolates for Pasalubong at Prize Mart.

How to Get there: There are 3 options on getting to Jordan. You may take MTR, a double decker Bus or a 10-15 minutes walk.

Store: GF Nanking Street, Jordon. Store opens at 9;30AM to 9:30PM

Others Store locations: http://www.prizemart.com/#kowloon

MACAU 

1:00PM

I took the Hongkong Macau Ferry located at Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Ferry Fare $158.00

It was nearly 3:00PM when I arrived in Macau and someone is waiting for me. It was Mario, typhoon Mario! Isn't he Sweet?! Haha

Getting here:

Take 10A Bus outside the Ferry Terminal going to Ponte Horta=Fare: $3.20

(I booked this Hotel online for $690.00 for a night. I never had a chance to stay here for long hour. Since I was trapped at Taipa because of the Typhoon.)

TOURING MACAU 

(St. Paul Ruins, located in Malo, Macau) 

(Santa Casa, Entrance going to St. Paul) 

(St. Paul ruins is a 5 minute walk from my Hotel)

CASINO's

(Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino)

(Dragon Show at Wynn Hotel & Casino)

TAIPA

Getting here:

Take 5/5a bus to Portas do Cerco Terminus: Fare $3.20 then take another Bus going to Taipa. Fare $4.20 or you may take a Free shuttle bus.

(at the Venetian Hotel & Casino)

We're stuck at Taipa for 2-3 hours due to declared signal no. 8 typhoon. No buses & shuttles Luckily, We met a casino supervisor,and he is a Filipino. He has his own car and he drove us safely down to Macau Proper.I forgot to get his name and his fellas.So I took a photo of his car. Thanks lot sir. Filipinos are truly kind, nice and helpful.

(flood fronting the hotel)

DAY 4

HEADING BACK TO MANILA

I took a cab for $300.00 since no public buses & free shuttles driving because of the typhoon.

(Typhoon no. 8 on my way to the airport) I've waited 2 hours for public bus but nothing passes over the terminal) Glad my flight was cancelled when I get to the airport coz if not I had no choice but to purchase a new plane ticket to Manila.

Thanks for reading!