Category: Philippines

travel posts from the Philippines

Guimaras Island Detour

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Guimaras Island is a fourth class province located just across Iloilo. It was once considered a sub- province of Iloilo until 1992.

GETTING THERE.

After our lunch at Green Mango, we thought it could save us time if we take a taxi en route to the Jordan motor banca port. It was relatively near since we just paid 52 php. One can also ride a jeepney going to CPU and disembark at the Biscocho Haus then walk a little towards the port. Fare for the motor banca is 14 php. I’m not sure if the motor boats are available 24/7.

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Friendly Iloilo

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I’ve had doubts in pushing through with this trip. But since I am writing about it now, I’ve decided to take a go. This was supposed to be our pre anniversary vacation, we booked it November of last year with Cebu Pacific’s piso fare but since my ex and I broke up before the trip, the possibility of this trip pushing through was quite a haze. Yet, we managed.  We were civil enough to be friends the entire trip.

Day 1.

We took the Cebu Pacific flight from Cebu at 11:40 am and reached Iloilo International Airport by 12:20 pm. Their airport is a bit far from downtown Iloilo. For commuters like us, we rode a van for hire located at the front of the airport. This van would take us to SM City Iloilo. Fare is 50php and travel time is 30 minutes. From there, one could ride a jeepney to reach downtown Iloilo. We passed by Jaro Cathedral en route to Sm City Iloilo. Old churches and buildings are a common attraction in Iloilo.

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Samal Island Sidetrip

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The Island Garden City of Samal is just a 10 minute ferry ride from Davao City. That is why despite our tight schedule, we managed to squeeze in visiting the famed island.

GETTING THERE.

One can ride a jeepney to the Samal Island Wharf in Sasa. Fare is 13 php if you’re from the downtown part of Davao City. The ferry costs 10 php and the rides are available 24/7.
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Vast DAVAO

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As a jump start to the year 2013, my mom and I decided to visit the vast city of Davao. The initial plan was to book a ticket for Davao, avail one of those city tours and sleep at Pearl Farm- a beach resort in Samal Island widely publicized as a tourist hot spot. Yet, as I began researching and reading blog posts from DIY (do it yourself) travelers, I realize that it would be a hell of an adventure if I plan our trip just like these backpackers did. We rarely rode their taxis and opted for commuting and walking. We didn’t hire a tour guide, instead we bought a map, did vast research and asked the locals for directions. And we never checked- in at Pearl Farm, we were at the Royal House, which on our second day gave us 50% discount on room accommodation. Kudos to my nanay, who was all out with this adventure!

Day 1

GETTING THERE:

We booked the ticket from Cebu Pacific’s piso fare last November 2012. Travel time from Cebu City to Davao is approximately an hour.

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Laid- Back Dumaguete

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Food. This is what I always think everytime someone mentions the place Dumaguete. The Sans Rival Bistro was simply the most delicious resto of all! I had the chance to visit the place August of last year together with my HR Director. It was business mixed with pleasure.lol

From Cebu, we rode a Cebu Pacific plane to Dumaguete. The flight was so short we didn’t realize it was touchdown already, 20- minute flight as I recall! Cebu Pacific flies everyday to Dumaguete, they only have 1 flight to Duma early in the morning and back to Cebu late in the afternoon. Rates differ from the length of time you purchased the ticket. For us, it was 899 per person exclusive of tax. For those on a budget, you can have a land trip from Cebu to Liloan (south part of Cebu) then ride a ferry from Liloan to Duma. Another alternative route would be through slow boat or a fast ferry (Oceanjet) which would take 5 hrs or more to reach Dumaguete.

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