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Village Walks in Paju City

September 4, 2016, 7:00 pm
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I decided to ditch hopping on a bus for a 3-hour ride to a town southwest of Seoul and go somewhere closer instead: Paju City in the province of Gyeonggi. Paju City, less than 40 km northwest of Seoul and sits just south of the 38th parallel, is a city where I could village hop and be in two different countries (three if you count South Korea) all in one day.

경기영어마을

I transported myself from Seoul to England in three quarters of an hour. The English Village is actually an educational facility where Koreans can learn English. I arrived at the English Village at 10 in the morning and the introvert in me rejoiced at finding the place devoid of people save for four, all of whom worked at the village. I languidly strolled around the village, enjoying the low temperatures of the morning, and admiring the brick buildings around. It wasn't until an hour later when I've had my fill of England and was getting ready to leave, when English Village became alive with a group of kindergartners on a field trip.



헤이리 예술마을

From the English Village, I navigated my way around the deserted streets to find Heyri Art Village. Heyri Art Village is just what it is: an art village. It is a sprawling area of art galleries, museums, restaurants, cafes, art shops, theaters. I did not enter any museum or art gallery but contented myself with just walking around and looking at the unique architecture, out of this world displays, and numerous sculptures. Heyri Art Village is quite a large area, I don't think I got to see all of it.




Provence Village
프로방스 마을

From Heyri Art Village I walked over a kilometer to find Provence Village, a piece of France in South Korea. Provence Village is a small but charming cluster of little pastel colored buildings housing shops, restaurants, and cafes.


Directions to these Paju City villages: Take subway line 2 or line 6 to Hapjeong Station, exit 2. Take bus number 2200.
  • English Village – English Village bus stop.
  • Heyri Art Village – Heyri bus stop.
  • Provence Village – Seongdong Intersection bus stop.
Tip: If you want to visit all three, get off at English Village and make your way to the other two villages (Heyri Art Village then Provence Village) on foot.


Other places to visit in Paju City (also on the route of bus 2200):
Paju Book City– bookstores and cafes
Paju Premium Outlets– shopping


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Day Trip to Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province

September 8, 2016, 10:40 pm
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I took a an hour-long subway ride to Suwon City (in the province of Gyeonggi), about 50 km south of Seoul, to cross off another UNESCO World Heritage Site on my list: Hwaseong Fortress.

Hwaseong Fortress
수원 화성
9AM to 5PM
KRW 1000
I took a bus from Suwon Station to Hwaseong Fortress. The bus driver dropped me off at the fortress' imposing south gate called Paldalmun.

Paldalmun

From there I searched for the street to the west of Paldalmun where I would find the ticket booth marking the start of the long and seemingly neverending incline of the fortress. I stared at it and asked myself what was I doing here.

Tell me again why I'm here

Since I had traveled so far to be here and had already paid the admission fee, I made my reluctant legs move. I slowly put one foot in front of the other, while many oldies in complete hiking attire overtook my fat ass.


Suwon City from Hwaseong Jangdae Command Post


The view from Changnyongmun (East Gate)

The fortress was 5.7 km long and without knowing it, I had already walked three quarters of it! Along the way, I found turrets, pavilions, sentry posts, command posts, bastions, observation towers, platforms, the imposing west, north, and east gates, and great views of the city within and beyond the fortress walls.

Something old surrounded by something new

What amazed me the most was that Suwon City has grown and transformed with the times while Hwaseong Fortress remains a beautiful reminder of the past (the fortress was built from 1794 to 1796, undergone destruction during the Korean War, and restoration in 1975).

Tip: If walking 5.7 kilometers is torture for you, you can ride the Hwaseong Train (KRW 1500, one way). There are only two stops between the start and end points, and once you get off, you cannot ride it again unless you buy a  new ticket.

Tip: You can try Gukgung (Korean traditional archery) at the fortress' Dongjangdae Command Post from 930AM to 430PM for KRW 2000 (10 arrows).


Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
화성행궁
9AM to 5PM
KRW 1500

There are several points along the fortress where one can exit. From somewhere near Seojangdae Command Post, I found a path leading to Hwaseong Haenggung Palace. A haenggung is a temporary palace and there are several haenggungs in South Korea. The Hwaseong Haenggung is the largest of all the haenggungs. It was built as a temporary palace for King Jeongjo when he visited his father's tomb nearby.




EcoMobility Village
I was walking along backstreets trying to find my way from the palace to another portion of the fortress, when I stumbled upon bicycle-themed sculptures, benches, and bike racks.



Haenggung-gil Craft Street
Another street that caught my eye and wasn't part of my itinerary was the street near the Hwaseong Fortress ticket booth. It's a short street of craft shops, but it wasn't the merchandise that I was drawn to (you know I am not into shopping), but the random art on the walls.



Walking the streets of Suwon City made me realize that I should have stayed a night here. There was more to this city than just the fortress:
  • Suwon Hwaseong Museum – a museum about Hwaseong Fortress
  • Suwon Museum – a museum about Suwon City and about Korean calligraphy
  • Haewoojae Museum / Mr. Toilet House – a museum shaped like a toilet and all about toilets
  • Noeulbit Observatory – located at the bell tower of Suwon Jeil Presbyterian Church
  • Haenggung-dong Mural Village
  • Suwon Chicken Street – chicken for lunch, for dinner, for snack
  • Ji-dong Market Sundae Town – sundae...not the ice cream but the blood sausage
  • Nammun Rodeo Street – shopping
Directions to Suwon City: Take Subway Line 1 or Bundang Line to Suwon Station, exit 4.
Directions to Hwaseong Fortress: From Suwon Station Exit 4, take bus 11 / 13 / 36 / 39 / 2-2 to Paldalmun.




South Korea on Three
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Gyeongsangnam: Haeinsa Temple

September 10, 2016, 7:00 pm
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You would think by now I'd be choking to death in history, but no, I still had a dose or two as self prescription left. After five days on the northern part of South Korea, I packed by bags and hurried to Seoul Station to catch the KTX, Korea's high speed train. No, not KTX 101, the 515AM Train to Busan, but the KTX 111 which was scheduled to leave at 7AM. I had intentionally booked the 7AM so I won't have to wake up too early. And wake up late I did because, although I had set my alarm to 545AM, I had forgotten to revert it from silent mode.

Like the zombie in Train to Busan, I stumbled onto Car #8 of the KTX at the last minute, but Busan wasn't my final destination, it was Daegu (Dongdaegu/East Daegu Station), where I would transfer to the Daegu Metro/Subway to go to Seongdangmot Station and at exit 3 of Seongdangmot Station, find Daegu Seobu Bus Terminal where I would find the bus headed for Haeinsa Temple, home to another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Haeinsa Temple is located in Hapcheon County, in South Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangnam-do). Throughout the hour and a half bus ride (KRW 7100 per way; bus leaves every 40 minutes), a few people got on and got off and most of them senior citizens. A nice elderly lady on the opposite aisle talked to me in Korean and though I did not speak her language and she did not speak mine, we understood each other (because I was the only foreigner on the bus, it was clear to her that I was headed to Haeinsa Temple and that I was traveling alone, and I guessed her questions were along those lines).

As we neared the bus stop for Haeinsa Temple, the nice elderly lady turned to a lady two rows behind me (who I am sure was a stranger to her too) who was also headed to Haeinsa Temple and she asked her to accompany me. The lady kindly agreed and I am grateful she did for the way to Haeinsa Temple from the bus stop wasn't that straightforward. She was in full hiking attire and walked quite fast. I tried to not to let my heavy breathing be too loud and be obvious that I was out of shape as we were making small talk (she told me she was from Busan and was here to hike the mountain, Gaya, on which the temple sits). I was embarrassed for being such a slow poke, so once we reached the temple, I thanked her and told her I'd stay behind and look around.

Looking through the Phoenix Gate 

Built in the center of the Haeinsa Temple is this three-storied pagoda and stone lantern 

Bumjonggak or the Temple Bell Tower houses a large drum, temple bell,
carp-shaped wooden drum, and cloud-shaped metal plate.

Haeinsa Temple was founded in the year 802. It has several buildings but it is the Janggyeong Panjeon Hall and what's in the hall that has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Janggyeong Panjeon Hall is a wooden building in Haeinsa Temple that houses the 13th century Tripitaka Koreana consisting of more than 80,000 wooden blocks that have been carved with the Buddhist scriptures. What is amazing about this building is that it was designed (air circulation, moisture resistance, controlled temperature) in a way that it could protect the Tripitaka Koreana for thousands of years.

Janggyeong Panjeon Hall and a sample of a Tripitaka Koreana

The Janggyeong Panjeon Hall can only be viewed from outside and the Tripitaka Koreana can only be glimpsed through the wooden slats of the building. There is one displayed outside (encased in glass) along with a photo of what is inside Janggyeong Panjeon Hall.

Carvings on a wooden block

My stomach was rumbling after about two hours of exploring the temple: it was time to go back to Daegu and find a bus to Busan.


Haeinsa Temple
해인사 
830AM to 5PM
KRW 3,000

Tips:
* If you have your luggage with you, you may want to leave it in the lockers at Dongdaegu Station or Seongdangmot Station.
* Temple Stay is offered at Haeinsa Temple.

Getting to Haeinsa Temple from Daegu:
Take the Daegu Metro/Subway to Seongdangmot Station, exit 3. Once you are out of exit 3, turn around and you will find Daegu Seobu Bus Terminal. Buses going to Haeinsa Temple leave the terminal every 40 minutes. One way ticket costs KRW 7,100.

Getting to Busan from Daegu:
Train
* From the KTX Dongdaegu Station, you can take the KTX (50 mins, KRW 17,100) or ITX (1 hour 15 mins, KRW 11,100) or Mugunghwa (1 hour 40 mins, KRW 7,500) to Busan.
* Alternatively, you can also go to Daegu Station and take the ITX (1 hour 20 mins, KRW 11,400) or Mugunghwa (1 hour 40 mins, KRW 7,700) from there.
Bus
* From the Metro/Subway Dongdaegu Station, take exit 4 and cross the street to find DongYang Express Bus Terminal. One way ticket from Daegu to Busan costs KRW 9,700 (1 hour 20 mins).

Daegu has many bus terminals and it was thanks to this four-year-old blogpost that I found the right ones.



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Gyeongsangnam: Find My Name in Masan, Changwon City

September 12, 2016, 7:00 pm
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I made my mark in South Korea! A section of Dongseobuk 10-gil is tiled with 23,000 names of people all over the world, mine included! They have named this road as Sangsang-gil or Imaginary Road. And that is what I had set out to find in Masan in Changwon City in the province of Gyeongsangnam (South Gyeongsang). It would have remained as its name claims it is—imaginary—had I not seen it with my own near-sighted eyes.

The quest for this Imaginary Road was not included in my itinerary, but a small pocket of time had presented itself, so off I go some 45 kilometers west of Busan, in a city so unfamiliar to non-Koreans (well, at least according to my research which didn't yield many useful results) that it was a miracle I found my way to this little walk of...fame? Yes, just to see my name engraved on a 6" x 6" tile was the only reason why I went out of my way and out of my itinerary.

Directions to Masan in Changwon City from Busan:
Take Busan Subway Line 2 to Sasang Station, exit 3 or 5. From either exit, find Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal. Buses headed to Masan in Changwon City depart every 10 minutes. One way ticket costs KRW 3,500. The trip takes 30 minutes.

Directions to Sangsang-gil from Masan Bus Terminal:
From Masan Bus Terminal, cross the street and find the bus stop for Bus 800. Tell the driver you're going to Sangsang-gil—or if he doesn't understand, you might want to show him this: 상상길(불종거리로). He will drop you off at Samsung Saengmyeong Bus Stop. From the bus stop, walk along Buljonggeori-ro for about 200 meters, then on your right you will find Sangsang-gil (Dongseobuk 10-gil).

The first thing that greeted me, telling me I was in the right place, was the Buljong Arch with its bell. In the past, the bell was rung to alert people when there was a fire.

Buljong Arch (and Core Bakery on the right)

And then a few steps past the arch, I found my walk of fame: Sangsang-gil. I proceeded to walk along the center of it, feeling like a star. Not. I proceeded to walk along the center of the colorful road of 23,000 names with my head down. To find my name. On tile 135F.

Sangsang-gil

My name and my dirty shoes

I had found my name. I had taken a shoefie (not a selfie because I suck at selfies—I am sure it would be all mustache and no visible tile name). I can go home now. But I didn't. I walked the short Sangsang-gil and explored the alleys branching from it. Along Sangsang-gil, I found Koryodang and tried their honey bread. The Imagine Your Korea Tour Itinerary also recommends Koryodang's senbei (rice crackers), which I, sadly, did not get to try. It also recommends the corn bread, walnut bread, and milkshake from Core Bakery (right by Buljong Arch). I did not get to try those either. This visit would have transitioned into a food trip had I had some foodie friends with me: bakeries, snack bars, restaurants were calling.

Koryodang Bakery and their honey bread

Moving along and resisting the food temptations, I found art and lots of it. I found art on roads. Art on walls. Art on shop signs. Art on shop displays. I had found myself in Changdong Art Village.

Art on the road 

Shop signs are a work of art too! 

 Tree art

 Art on walls

And lots of it 

Even the plant boxes and post boxes are not spared from art 

I found my name. I found food. I found art. I found that this place deserves more than the few hours I had spent in it. 

Other places to see in Masan (see pink pins on map) : 
Moonshin Art Museum - a museum of Moon Shin's art pieces
Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village
Burim Market - a traditional market
Masan Fish Market - if you like to eat raw fish, check out the raw fish restaurants in this market




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Busan Accommodation: Sum Guesthouse Garosugil

September 14, 2016, 7:00 pm
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I spent my last two nights in South Korea in Busan. I was going to book a bed at Mr Egg Hostel (Nampo), the same place I stayed in in 2014, but El Cheapo here could not resist a KRW 12,250 (about Php 525) bed. I found Sum Guesthouse Garosugil in Booking.com and could not believe such a cheap rate (cheap for South Korea, because from the hours...days...I spent scouring the internet for accommodations, I found that a dorm bed would cost an equivalent of Php 700 and up). I checked the photos—good enough for me; location—Nampo; and reviews—none. There were no reviews because it was new, opening just a month before my trip. Reviews are important, but it's new, and I'm giving it a chance.

And I am glad I did. Why?
  • Location. Sum Guesthouse Garosugil is just a minute walk from Exit 1 of Jungang Station. From the guesthouse, my feet could take me to Nampo-dong, BIFF Square, Yongdusan Park, Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, 40gyedan-gil, Lotte Mart, and Bosu-dong Book Street in just a few minutes.
  • Cleanliness. The rooms, shower rooms, and toilets are cleaned every day.
  • Value for Money. For just KRW 12,250 I got me a clean bed. Plus a towel (to be returned, of course), shampoo, soap, bath foam, and ear plugs. Plus breakfast.
  • Privacy. Although they only have dorm beds, the beds are capsule-type, not the usual bunk beds. And each capsule had a roller shade for privacy. There are 4-bed dorms and 8-bed dorms.
4-bed dorm (Photo from Sum Guesthouse Garosugil's Booking.com page)
  • Breakfast. Not your usual breakfast of cereal, bread, jam, butter, coffee, juice. But a nice plate of potatoes, pasta, toasted bread, and juice. I know it's all carbs but I was pleasantly surprised by their breakfast.
Carbo loading in the morning
  • WiFi. Everyone needs it, right?
  • Keyless Entry. You don't have to worry about losing keys. Just don't forget the PIN.
  • Friendly Staff. Plus they can speak English well.
  • Luggage Storage. If you have to check out but your flight isn't 'til later, you can leave your luggage at Sum Cafe on the ground floor.
Sum Cafe

Warning though for the:
  • Claustrophobic. Remember, these are capsules.
  • Xenophobic. Afraid of strangers? These are dorms. You will be in a room full of strangers.
  • Acrophobic. If you get assigned the upper bunk, don't worry, it's not high. But getting up and down the narrow and absolutely vertical ladder can be a pain.
  • Early risers. Breakfast is served from 9AM to 12NN.
  • Hi-tech travelers. Can't live without your smartphone, laptop, camera, tablet, and other gadgets? Bring an extension cord. There is only one outlet per capsule.
  • Over packers. Well, not necessarily, but this warning is for those who have big bags or have many bags. There are lockers in the room (with keys), but the locker can only fit a small backpack. There is a bit of space though, between the door/wall and the capsules, where you can leave your bags. But if all four people have big bags, it will be a bit of a squeeze.

Sum Guesthouse Garosugil
36 Haegwan-ro, Jung-gu, 48957 Busan
Directions: Take Busan Subway Line to Jungang Station, Exit 1. From Exit 1, turn around and go the other way. Turn left at the corner. The guesthouse will be above Sum Cafe.

Book Sum Guesthouse Garosugil thru Booking.com
Dorm Beds from KRW 13,000 to 20,000 depending on the season
Note regarding check-in: Be sure to indicate the time you will arrive. Check in will be at Sum Cafe, which is not open 24 hours. Sum Cafe is on the ground floor; a different door from the guesthouse.


Map shows the two guesthouses I have stayed in:
Mr Egg Hostel (Nampo) in 2014 and Sum Guesthouse Garosugil in 2016


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Busan: Beomeosa Temple

September 16, 2016, 7:00 pm
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While researching for sites to see in Busan, two temples would often come up: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Beomeosa Temple. I had visited Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in 2014, so this time it was Beomeosa Temple that I paid a visit to.

Beomeosa Temple is located at Geumjeong mountain in the northern part of Busan, quite a long way from where I was staying—a 40–minute subway ride then a bus ride and an uphill hike to the temple. But it was worth it. You might think if you've seen one temple, you've seen it all. Maybe so. But there was something about Beomeosa that made me think otherwise.

Maybe it's the fact that Beomeosa Temple was built in 678 (and destroyed in 1592 then renovated in 1713). Maybe it's the colorful lanterns they have hung in preparation for Buddha's birthday. Maybe it's the one–pillared gate called Jogyemun (Treasure No 1416) that greeted me at the temple entrance. Maybe it's all the other Treasures around the temple: the three–story stone pagoda, the Daeungjeon Hall, and the three slightly smiling Buddhas. Maybe it's the detailed paintings on the temple buildings. Maybe it's the peace and quiet. Maybe it's the backdrop of beautiful clear blue sky and green mountains. Maybe it's all these. Yes, it's all these that made me glad I came to visit Beomeosa Temple.

Four Guardians Gate

One of the four guardians



Lecture Hall

Daeungjeon Hall (center)

The sky and mountain make a beautiful backdrop

Beomeosa Temple
범어사

Directions to Beomeosa Temple:
Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Beomeosa Station, Exit 5 or 7. Walk along Cheongnyongyejeon-ro for about 5 minutes until you reach the bus terminal. Take Bus 90 to Beomeosa Temple. Going back to the station, you don't have to cross the street to ride the bus again; the road around Beomeosa is one way.




South Korea on Three
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An Abundance in Busan

September 18, 2016, 7:00 pm
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Busan not only has an abundance of buildings, bridges, and beaches, but also...

Books

Not in the library, but at Bosu-dong Book Street (보수동 책방골목). The Book Street came about when, after Korea gained independence, the locals started selling the books the Japanese left behind. Over the years, secondhand book shops sprouted along the street.

I know most of the books at Bosu-dong Book Street would be in Korean. But books, in whatever language, are my weakness. I strolled along the book street (which was more of an alley) and marveled at the tall piles of books, scanning spines to see if there were any English books (there were a few). If I only knew how to read Korean, I would have gladly let the walls of books that have overflowed beyond each store's perimeter swallow me alive.

Directions to Bosu-dong Book Street:
  • Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Jagalchi Station, Exit 7. Take a left immediately at Junggu-ro. Follow Junggu-ro for about 600m until you reach Daechong-ro. Cross Daechong-ro and you will find Bosu-dong Book Street (or more appropriately, alley) to your left. On Google Maps, the street/alley is labeled as Chaekbanggolmok-gil.
  • Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Jungang Station, Exit 7. Walk straight for about 800m until you see Bosu-dong Book Street right in front of you. On Google Maps, the street/alley is labeled as Chaekbanggolmok-gil.



Doraemons

I don't read Doraemon comics nor watch the cartoon series. I just think the round-headed cartoon robot cat is adorable. When I found out through Dynamic Busan's facebook page that there was an exhibit of a hundred Doraemons at Sajik Baseball Stadium, I went to say a hundred hellos to them. 

The exhibit might have ended but if you're a fan of baseball and are visiting during baseball season, you might want to go see a game. Sajik Baseball Stadium is the home of the Lotte Giants, Busan's baseball team. The baseball stadium is part of Busan Sports Complex, which includes a main stadium (a multi-purpose venue which holds various local and international events), an indoor gymnasium, and an indoor swimming pool.

Directions to Sajik Baseball Stadium: Take Busan Subway Line 3 to Sajik Station, Exit 1. Walk straight along Asiad-daero, then turn right at Sajik-ro. Walk about 400m; Sajik Baseball Stadium will be on your left.

Main Stadium (left) and Sajik Baseball Stadium (right)




Canola Flowers

A huge field of canola flowers was the reason for my going to Daejeo Ecological Park (대저생태공윈). The canola flowers at Daejeo Ecological Park were in full bloom mid April. In September, the cosmos flowers take over.

Daejeo Ecological Park also has a bamboo grove off to the side. There are walking paths around the park, around the field, and through the bamboo grove. The park is huge that there are bikes for rent.

Directions to Daejeo Ecological Park: Take Busan Subway Line 3 to Gangseo-gu Office Station, exit 1. Walk about 200m to the park.

Fields of gold...not so golden because I had visited a week too late

Picnicking by a bamboo grove


Escalators

Yongdusan Park (용두산 공원) is on Yongdu Mountain ("san" means mountain) in the bustling downtown (Jung-gu or Jung district) of Busan. Being on top of a mountain, I had to climb four flights of stairs. Just kidding, I would have fainted after just one flight. I took the easy way up via four flights of escalators.

In the park, there is a 5-meter wide flower clock, a pavilion, a huge bell, monuments depicting important events in the country, a few shops, an abundance of love locks, and Busan Tower (where for KRW 4,000 one can go up the observation deck for a 360-degree view of Busan).

Directions to Yongdusan Park: Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Nampo Station, Exit 1. Walk about 10 minutes to Gwangbok-ro 77beon-gil to find the escalators to the park.



Ahhh promises of love


Shops

On my last day in Busan, I killed time by wandering around Nampo-dong (남포동), the central commercial and shopping area of Busan. Shopaholics and foodies would love this area! I stumbled upon fashion streets, food streets, Gukje Market, Jagalchi Seafood Market, and Lotte Department Store. Movie buffs would also be delighted to find BIFF (Busan International Film Festival) Square here. (Yongdusan Park is also nearby.)

Directions to Nampo-dong: Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Nampo Station.

Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street



Here's a map to help you find such abundance:



South Korea on Three
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Bocas Modern Patisserie

September 20, 2016, 7:00 pm
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I advise you NOT to follow Bocas Modern Patisserie's facebook page because you will be tempted to run to Bocas every time you check your facebook feed. That's what happened to me. I visited twice in one week!

Every Bocas pastry I put in my bucca (the latin word for mouth, which is the inspiration for the patisserie's name) has been très délicieux! Every pasty so lovingly made and decorated that I would stare at it for a couple minutes getting second thoughts about destroying this work of art with my fork. Of course, in the end, hunger won over art admiration, and piece by piece the work of art went into my big mouth creating a big smile and a big bulging tummy. I ate them all! Even the santan flowers were not exempted! (When I was little I used to pick santan flowers from the school garden and suck its nectar but I never knew it could be eaten...til the chef of Bocas, Chef Jean Louis Leon, caught me pushing aside the red flower and told me I should eat everything on my plate. And so I did.)

But now that my blood sugar level is above normal, I have decided to cut down my visits...to just once a week! Now I am content with admiring (and restraining myself from licking) these drool worthy pastry photos while counting down to my next Bocas visit.

Clockwise from top: Calamansi Tart, Strawberry Eclair, Passion Coco

French Opera Cake

Baton Glace in Nougat, Strawberry, Guyabano (Soursop)

Bocas Modern Patisserie
Banilad Town Center (BTC),
Ground Floor of the Main Mall,
Banilad, Cebu City
Monday to Thursday 10AM to 8PM
Friday to Sunday 10AM to 9PM
(032) 232 2050

Bocas Lab - baking classes available
North Atrium
corner AS Fortuna and Highway Mandaue,
Mandaue City
Monday to Saturday 10AM to 6PM
Sunday 10AM to 4PM
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GPSmyCity: Free Article Upgrade

September 25, 2016, 7:00 pm
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Ever heard of GPSmyCity app? If you haven't, I am sad you missed my post about it last July. But no hard feelings. I'll gladly give you a little overview:

GPSmyCity is a free travel app for iOS (Android users, please be patient, it is currently under development), containing thousands of articles (and growing!) about hundreds of cities all over the world. You could call it a one-stop-app for your travel research needs. Stumped on where to go? Wondering what (and where) to eat? GPSmyCity will have suggestions right at your fingertips.


Download the app, search for the city of interest, click on an article that strikes your fancy. If you want to review these articles later on, these articles can be downloaded for free for offline viewing. And for an upgrade fee of US$1.99, you can access the GPS-aided maps, which for any traveler would be a godsend. The places mentioned in the article would be pinned on the detailed map, tour routes would be displayed, and turn-by-turn directions between places would be provided. With this app and the map upgrade, you can do away with paper maps and not worry about finding yourself in the middle of nowhere.

So why am I writing about GPSmyCity again? Because a bunch of my blogposts have been chosen by the GPSmyCity Team to be published on the app. And to celebrate, upgrades for the following articles will be given away for FREE from September 26 to October 2!
Click on any (or all!) of the above links and try it out! (If you haven't already downloaded and installed the GPSmyCity app, it will prompt you to do so.)
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Art Aplenty in Angono, Rizal

September 27, 2016, 7:00 pm
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Angono, a municipality in the province of Rizal, is home to a bevy of artists...from the millennia-ago-then to the here-and-now.


Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs
Daily 9AM to 4PM

The artists from millennia ago drew, or rather, engraved on rock and their artworks can be found at Binangonan (it is officially part of the municipality of Binangonan but access roads are through Angono). The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs is said to be the Philippines' oldest artworks, dating to 3000 BC. These 127 figures carved on a rock shelter were discovered in 1965 by Carlos "Botong" Francisco. After the discovery, a research team also discovered tools and earthenware. The tools and earthenware are now housed at the National Museum in Manila.

The museum guide is very enthusiastic in sharing information about the site and is very open to questions. He laments though that the tools and earthenware should be housed at the museum at the site, or at least a replica of it. (Sadly, he himself hasn't seen those.)

I am glad the government has taken steps to help protect these petroglyphs. A view deck has been constructed so visitors can view the ancient artworks from afar (thus protect the site from vandals; a security guard is also stationed at the site).




11 Doña Justo St, Doña Justa Village, Brgy San Roque, Angono, Rizal
Daily 10AM to 10PM
Menu Price Range: Php190 to Php370
Serving Size: 2-3 persons

Balaw Balaw Restaurant offers exotic dishes such as beetle larvae, frog, crickets, ants, flowers, cow balls, deer, wild boar, and duck eggs. I was willing to try the ants, but none of the group was up for chewing ants, so we just went for good old pork and chicken adobo, puso sa saging (banana blossoms), and fried itik (duck). All of which were pretty good (I especially liked the puso sa saging, and fried itik), but a bit pricey.

Wooden carvings, papier-mâché figures, and paintings are found around the restaurant. And more of these are found at the second floor of Balaw Balaw which serves solely as an art gallery. There are about a hundred paintings by the late Perdigon Vocalan, the owner of Balaw Balaw Restaurant and Art Gallery.

Clockwise from top left: The restaurant, adobong baboy at manok (Php270),
kinilaw na puso sa saging (Php240), crispy fried itik (Php250)




Nemiranda Art House
6 Doña Elena St, Doña Justa Village, Brgy San Roque, Angono, Rizal
Tuesday to Thursday 10AM to 10PM
Friday to Sunday 10AM to 12MN
Art House Admission Fee: Php 20

Nemiranda Art House is another art space just a few paces from Balaw Balaw Restaurant. Like Balaw Balaw, Nemiranda is also a restaurant and gallery. The front area is the restaurant and the back area is the art space for Nemesio R. Miranda Jr.'s sculptures and paintings. Restaurant patrons can check out the art house for free; non-patrons need to pay the admission fee of Php20. Look around and try to spot the bird in each of Mr. Miranda's artworks!




Carlos "Botong" Francisco Street Murals
Doña Aurora St, Pob. Itaas, Angono, Rizal

In honor of the National Artist, Carlos "Botong" Francisco, the walls along the street of Doña Aurora are adorned with reliefs of Carlos "Botong" Francisco's paintings. These reliefs were created by local sculptors. The narrow one-way street is best admired on foot.


312 Ibañez St., Brgy. San Vicente, Angono, Rizal
Tuesday to Sunday 8AM to 5PM
Admission Fee: Php 100 adult / Php 70 child

The Blanco Family Museum is an amazing gallery of paintings from every member of the Blanco family. Yes, every family member! Jose "Pitok" Blanco, the head of the family; Loreto, his wife; and his seven children (from oldest to youngest): Glenn, Noel, Michael, Joy, Jan, Gay, and Peter Paul...all artists!

Within the walls of the museum is an astounding collection of art done by the Blanco family over the years. One can clearly see the impressive development of their talent, especially of the Blanco children: From kiddie oil pastel drawings done at the age of 3 to beautiful, minute-detailed oil paintings as they grew older. And it's also a wonder that Mrs Loreto Blanco started painting at the age of 48!

Jose "Pitok" Blanco died in 2008, at the age of 76. The children, all now grown (the youngest now 36), are all still practicing their art.

Paintings by Jose V. Blanco. Bottom left is his 8' x 15' masterpiece "Angono Town Fiesta"

Paintings by (clockwise from top left): Loreto (wife of Jose), Glenn, Noel, Michael

Artworks by (clockwise from top left): Joy, Jan, Gay, and Peter Paul


Other Art Galleries you might want to check out:
Carlos "Botong" Francisco Gallery - Carlos "Botong" Francisco is a Philippine National Artist
Orville Tiamson Gallery
Yab Design – creates small to larger than life resin and fiberglass figures

 
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What's in a (Business) Name? Cincuenta y seis

September 29, 2016, 7:00 pm
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When it comes to fashion, don't be closed-minded, be...
Spotted in J Centre Mall in Mandaue City, Cebu

For more amusing business names, please visit Go Random.
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Wisdom from the Road #44

September 30, 2016, 7:00 pm
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On numbers
There is strength in numbers.
But one is also a good number.

They say two is company, three is a crowd. Four, five, six, seven, eight...traveling in big groups could be fun. (But might be an awful headache for the one in charge of the itinerary, accommodation, and transportation arrangements.) And there is strength in numbers budget wise: 
  • Four – the maximum number of passengers allowed in a taxi. Sometimes four people in a taxi will spend less compared to four people taking the bus.
  • Five or Ten or Whatever – some guided tours require a minimum number of people.
  • Six or Eight – some accommodations have big rooms for an even number of people, maximize this and it comes out cheaper than getting a single or double room.
  • Seven or More or Less – eating at family-style restaurants in big groups is an advantageous setup for foodies: you can order a variety of dishes for the group.
  • Ten, Fifteen, Twenty – pumpboats for island hopping come in different sizes; most don't want to ride a small boat, so the bigger the better. Maximize it to minimize the cost per person.
  • Twelve – it is faster to rent a van then to ride the bus (i.e. Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa). Most vans can accommodate 12 persons comfortably.

One. Traveling alone might be costlier than traveling with a friend of two. On the monetary side of travel, you learn to budget when going solo. On the non-monetary side of travel, you have these to look forward to:
  • You can make your own itinerary or none at all.
  • You go at your own pace. You can stick to your schedule or throw away your watch.
  • If you are running late, you only have yourself to blame. But if you have thrown your watch away then this shouldn't be an issue.
  • Did your mother tell you not to talk to strangers? Well, you become brave in approaching strangers when you need to ask for directions.
  • You develop your communication skills. Even if you don't speak or understand the language, you will somehow learn to understand each other through context clues and actions.
  • You become an expert at getting lost and finding your way back. If you get lost, you drum up the courage to ask for directions, you get creative in communicating with non-English speakers, you exercise your memory by trying to remember signs and landmarks, you become more observant (aware and alert of your surroundings), your analysis skills improve (you try to understand the complicated subway system in just a few hours or at least try to).


For more lessons from the road, please visit Go Learn.
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Sandbar Compass

October 4, 2016, 7:00 pm
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There are four points of the compass. In Bohol's compass of sandbars there are two: North Sandbar and South Sandbar. Although officially part of Bohol, these sandbars are also accessible from Mactan Island.

North Sandbar or Bongan Sandbar is part of the municipality of Talibon. It is 2.5 hours by boat from Punta Engaño in Mactan or 3 hours from Cordova in Mactan. When the tide is high and the long stretch of white sand is submerged, you know you've come to the right place when you see the lonely concrete watchtower sprouting from the sea.

North Sandbar or Bongan Sandbar

The other end of North/Bongan Sandbar. The watchtower is off to the side (not in photo).

South Sandbar or Bagonbanwa Sandbar is part of the municipality of Tubigon. It is 1.5 hours by boat from Punta Engaño in Mactan, or an hour from Cordova in Mactan. When the tide is high, the only clue to this little patch of sandy paradise is when you see a strip of turquoise in the vast deep dark blue canvas of the sea.

During high tide, South/Bagonbanwa Sandbar becomes a shallow pool (chest height water), but those who don't know how to swim must be careful to not go over the edges as it plunges into the deep quick. The current could also be strong as the tide comes in.


South Sandbar or Bagonbanwa Sandbar at high tide

It is best to start off the journey toward these sandbars early in the morning when the sea is calm, and head back to the mainland early in the afternoon. The sea could get restless late in the afternoon.


How to transport yourself from Mactan Isalnd to either of the sandbars:
Rent a pumpboat at any of the ports in Mactan: Cordova Wharf, Maribago Wharf, or Punta Engaño Port (beside Mövenpick Hotel). These sandbars are not included in the usual island hopping destinations offered in Mactan, so prices may vary between boat operators. Unleash your haggling powers!


I surmise the name North and South may have originated from boat operators in Mactan
because it looks like the basis for its direction is Mactan, not Bohol.
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Salinas: Not Your Usual Filipino Restaurant

October 8, 2016, 7:00 pm
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What used to be Golden Cowrie's Salinas branch's al fresco area is now another restaurant called Salinas. Owned by the people behind the popular Filipino restaurant, Golden Cowrie/Hukad sa Golden Cowrie, this is another restaurant worth a visit (or repeat visits!) for the following reasons:

Boldly Reinvented Filipino Fare
Salinas bravely put a twist on Filipino food! Their kwek kwek is coated in beer batter. They have Miki Negra, which is miki noodles in squid ink. They have kanding (goat) tapa instead of the usual beef tapa. Their breaded fish (barracuda) is coated in chicharon. Their Pocherong Katag is indeed katag or spread out on a plate: a bowl of pochero soup with beef sliced off the bone, and the baked marrow proudly exposed on the bone that's chopped along its length.

Pocherong Katag (Php 495)

Vegetarian Specials
Although only six dishes, this is a welcome and much needed addition to local restaurants (many vegetarians find it hard to eat out in Cebu). Salinas collaborated with The Lazy Chef for their vegetarian menu. As I was reading the short list, these caught my attention: Bloodless Dinuguan (and how? I have no idea), and vegetarian sisig (because I love sisig) made of mushrooms, garbanzo beans, and other veg.

Vegetarian Sisig (Php 185)

Wallet Friendly
Servings are good for three persons and most dishes cost between Php 85 to Php 215. There are six dishes that go beyond this price range, and these are in the meat (goat, beef, lamb) and seafood mains section (from Php 295 to Php 495).

Clockwise from top left: Pomelo Salad (Php 145), Crispig's Ears (Php 105),
Smoked Bangus Croquettes (Php 165), Chilled Taho (Php 75)



Menu (click to enlarge)

Classic Craving
If you are craving for classics that are not on Salinas' menu, such as monggos, sinigang, crispy pata, etc. you can order from Golden Cowrie on the other side of the wall and have Golden Cowrie dishes on your Salinas table.


Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City
(032) 233 4243
Lunch 10AM to 2PM
Dinner 5PM to 10PM
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Two Days in Camiguin

October 26, 2016, 7:00 pm
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Camiguin. The Island of Fire Water. In the two days we were on the island, we were never not soaked.

Day 1

Tangatoc Cove
On our first stop we immediately got soaked in the beautiful panorama of brilliant green mountain and sparkling blue sea and sky at Tangatoc Cove.


Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross
Entrance Fee: Php 5
It wasn't Holy Week, but our next stop involved the Stations of the Cross. We followed the walkway, gradually gained elevation, found the next Station of the Cross (and tree cover) farther and farther, felt the sun climb higher in the sky, and felt our shirts getting soaked in sweat. But the heat and the sweat did not bother us, and we actually enjoyed the walk, more so when we reached the last station (which is not at the peak, but less than halfway to the peak of the Old Volcano or Mt Vulcan) where we were rewarded with a slight breeze and a view of our next stop: the Sunken Cemetery. (From the last Station of the Cross I didn't see a pathway to the peak of Mt Vulcan. If there really was one, would I have continued on?)


Sunken Cemetery
Paddle Boat and Guide: Php 100
Snorkeling Fee: Php 50
Snorkel Rental: Php 50
Lifevest Rental: Php 50
Where is the cemetery? Twenty feet under the sea. The cemetery sank during the 1871 eruption of Mt Vulcan. The iconic large white cross marking its location was built in 1982.

We hired a paddle boat to get us to the large cross. There was a door on the base of the cross, and looking in, I saw rusty rebar rungs leading to the top, but it was for the eyes only: climbing it was prohibited. With nothing else to do, we then became the boatman–slash–guide–slash–director–slash–photographer's subject of silliness: he made us look like witches and giants in the amusing photos he took.

Because he made us jump around and do silly things, we took our revenge: we all jumped in the water and made him tow us, against the current, beyond the large white cross and around the sunken cemetery. I saw a cluster of giant clams, many little fish, and corals, but I couldn't make out the tombstones; it must have been crusted over by corals. The only distinct thing I saw that hinted that it was a submerged cemetery was the huge cross lying on the seabed.



Gui-ob Church Ruins
Still dripping wet from our swim at the Sunken Cemetery, we jumped in the multicab and headed a short way south and made a quick stop at Gui-ob Church Ruins. Gui-ob Church too was destroyed during the 1871 eruption of Mt Vulcan. All that remains are the walls and columns of the church and its convent, and the base of the belltower.


Sto Niño Cold Spring
Entrance Fee: Php 30
Picnic Shed Rental: Php 75 (3 hours)
Table with four chairs: Php 50 (3 hours)
We arrived at Sto Niño Cold Spring around lunch time and the sun was directly overhead. It was too hot, and visitors were taking refuge under trees or under picnic huts. Too hot indeed—a perfect time for a dip in the cold spring. (For lunch, we ordered food from the ladies who had shoved menus in our faces even before we had entered Sto Niño Cold Spring.)


Tuasan Falls
From Sto Niño Cold Spring, it was another short drive to our next stop: Tuasan Falls. The way to the waterfall was incredible. Incredibly concrete, incredibly easy, incredibly short. Tuasan Falls isn't too high but the water quite strong; the basin small and the water quite cold. It was also incredibly quiet (save for the sound of rushing water) when we visited. Not that I'm complaining.



Soda Swimming Pool
Entrance Fee: Php 30
Picnic Shed Rental: Php 75
The water at Soda Swimming Pool tastes like soda water, which tastes really weird. We tasted the water and decided it was better for swimming than drinking. How did I know? I drank the water in the pool. Just kidding. There are taps available for those who want to drink soda water.


Ardent Hot Spring
Entrance Fee: Php 30
The first day's tour ended with a dip at Ardent Hot Spring. The hottest pool was too crowded and we found space in the pool farthest from it, its water too lukewarm to feel like you're in a hot spring.




Day 2

White Island
Boat to White Island: Php 450 (for up to 6 pax)
Entrance Fee: Php 20
Once I stepped foot on White Island, I immediately asked myself what took me so long to visit Camiguin. White Island's clear waters, white sand, and the view of Camiguin Island took my breath away.

Note: If you easily get hungry, bring money, there are enterprising individuals who sell meals and snacks on White Island.



Katibawasan Falls
Entrance Fee: Php 30
Picnic Shed Rental: Php 75
Table with four chairs: Php 50
Toilets and Changing Rooms: Available
The thin 250-feet drop of Katibawasan Falls forms a wide shallow pool of ice cold water...colder than the waters of Sto Niño Cold Spring. It felt like being in a pool full of ice.


Mantigue Island
Boat to Mantigue Island: Php 550 (for up to 6 pax; 4 hours)
Entrance Fee: Php 20
Snorkeling Fee: Php 50
Snorkel Rental: Php 150
Add-on for boat to take you to the Marine Sanctuary: Php 200
Here I had to ask myself again why after all these years had I not visited Camiguin. Like White Island, the clear waters and the view was just amazing. On top of that, we also loved snorkeling at Mantigue Island's sanctuary.



Divers at Mantigue's sanctuary

Kibila Giant Clams Sanctuary
Entrance Fee: Php 25
Snorkeling Fee: Php 150
Lifevest and Snorkel Rental: Php 100
Our last stop was the Kibila Giant Clams Sanctuary, where young students gave us a little tour of the area and educated us about giant clams. The students help maintain the sanctuary, the younger ones act as tour guides of the facility, and some of the older students as snorkeling guides to the sanctuary. I was quite impressed by it all (the students and the sanctuary).

Note: If you bring your own snorkeling gear, you will be charged 50% of the total charges of your group. Part of the fees paid by visitors are given to the students as their allowance.



The itinerary for the second day also includes visits to the Ostrich Farm and J&A Fishpen at Tanguines Lagoon, but we decided to skip those.


Accommodation and Tour Package

We stayed at Pabualan Cottages [0917 521 9391 / 0939 244 0521 / teddypabualan@gmail.com] which is located near the jump off point for White Island, and availed of their 3D/2N package which includes airport/port transfers, A/C room accommodation, two-day tour including entrance fees and boat transfers to the islands. The only fees not included are the snorkeling fees, snorkel/lifevest rentals, and the add-on for the boat to go to Mantigue's marine sanctuary. For a group of three, we paid Php 2150 each for the package. For bigger groups, the rate per person would be less.

Our room at Pabualan Cottages

Overall the package was worth its price. The only negative experience we had with Pabualan Cottages was that on the second day, before starting the tour,  thinking we'd be going straight from one destination to the next, we borrowed snorkel sets from them because we wanted to use it at Mantigue Island; we were not informed that the rental charge is per destination, not per day. Since we brought it to White Island, though did not use it there, they wanted to charge us for "using" it at White Island. After the trip, I emailed Pabualan Cottages for clarification, but did not hear back from them.
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What's in a (Business) Name? Cincuenta y siete

October 29, 2016, 7:00 pm
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Wisdom from the Road #45

October 31, 2016, 7:00 pm
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On laundry
Ahh what a fun day at the beach! And I still have a day or two of lazy beach days to go before I go home. But two more days to let my saltwater–drenched swimming clothes ferment into a stink bomb? No way do I want to lug a bagful of clothes that smell like dead sea creatures. But I am too lazy to do laundry right now. What to do? Wash 'em in fresh water and hang under the sun to dry. (The stinkiness will be less potent.) Proper washing (with laundry soap!) will have to wait til I get back home.

(In short, after swimming in the sea, wash your swimming outfit in fresh water then hang to dry. Just so it wouldn't stink so much as you procrastinate with doing laundry.)

For more lessons from the road, please visit Go Learn.
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Puerto Princesa Because

November 6, 2016, 6:00 pm
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Because my vacation was too short, I had very limited time to spend in Puerto Princesa City. Very little time that it only served as my transit point to San Vicente.

Sleep
Because my flight arrived at 3PM, too late for the last trip (at 2PM) to Brgy Port Barton in San Vicente, I had to stay the night in Puerto Princesa City.

Airport Park, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
0949 762 8998

Right beside the airport's exit gate was where I stayed. Not on the street, but at Natua's Cabin. I had made a reservation for a single fan room (Php 450) through text message a week before (with confirmation), but for some reason, when I arrived, the reservation wasn't on their book. Fortunately, a single fan room was still available. (Nearly had to stay on the street!) 

Natua's Cabins (left) and their restaurant (right)
(Photos above are from Natua's Cabin's facebook page)

Single Fan Room (Room 13)

They put me up in Room 13; the room and its en suite toilet and shower were clean. It had a wall fan, table, stool, a shelf (in lieu of a cabinet), and four outlets. It had a sliding window with a screen (for when you want to let some air in, but not the mosquitoes) and with too short a curtain (for when you want some privacy, but not really...since this cabin is a bit elevated, the bottom part of the window, where the curtain fails to cover, is eye level to people passing by). Towel (for a deposit of Php 100), soap, shampoo, and toilet paper were provided.

The only downside to that room was the threadbare bed sheet and the window screen which did not have a lock so I had to close the glass windows (which had a lock) at night. Luckily it was raining, and the room, with the fan on steady, was comfortably cool.

I stayed at Natua's Cabin a second time, a few days later, and was put up at Room 25. This was a corner room and had windows on two sides. It, too, was clean. The bed sheet this time was better and the curtains longer. But it still had a downside: the door knob was broken and I had to check it a couple times to be sure it locked properly.

So...Pros:
  • Natua's Cabin is right beside the airport (very convenient if you have an early morning flight the next day!) but I hardly heard airplanes. 
  • Rooms are clean, comfortable, and affordable. The single fan room costs Php 450 a night; single AC room at Php 800.
  • They have a restaurant.
  • WiFi is available at the restaurant.
  • After check out, you may leave your bags at the reception.

And Cons:
  • Not all rooms are perfect: bed sheet may be threadbare, doorknob might be broken, curtain may be too short.
  • Inconsistent: It is stated in the website that breakfast is included, but when I got there they said breakfast isn't included for the room I booked.
  • WiFi signal at the cabins is either weak or nonexistent.
  • When it rains, you will need an umbrella to stay dry when going from the reception/restaurant to the cabins and vice versa.


Eat
Because my time in Puerto Princesa was too short to go on a Honda Bay Tour (and I had already done the City Tour years ago), I killed time in Puerto Princesa by eating.

KaLui Restaurant
369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(048) 433 2580 / 0928 753 9621
Monday to Saturday
Lunch 11AM to 2PM
Dinner 6PM to 1030PM
online@kaluirestaurant.com 

Whenever I am in Puerto Princesa, a meal at KaLui is a must on my to-do list. Since KaLui Restaurant is always fully booked, I remembered to make a reservation through email to secure my seat at this popular restaurant. I won't be writing about this visit's meal, but if you want to know more about the restaurant, please go ahead and read about my 2014 visit. (Nothing much has changed since then except for the price—everything on the menu has gone up by about Php 30.)


Imas Vegetarian Restaurant
46 Fernandez St., Puerto Princesa City
0939 916 1524 
Saturday to Thursday 11AM to 9PM
Friday 11AM to 3PM

So as not to feel guilty for doing nothing but eat, I went for healthy food at Imas Vegetarian Restaurant. I ordered tempeh (Php 100), grilled mushroom and eggplant sandwich (Php 120), and calamansi juice (Php 70). When I asked the server what tempeh was she only said fermented soy beans. It didn't sound appealing, but I ordered it anyway. And I am glad I did. It turned out to be soy fries (or something like that) and tasted interesting...in fact, I loved it, and I kept popping it into my mouth 'til my plate was clean. As for the sandwich, I loved the smokiness of the grilled mushroom and eggplant. Plus they weren't stingy with the sandwich filling.



Rizal Avenue Extension, Puerto Princesa City
(048) 433 5255
Tuesday to Sunday 9AM to 830PM

I visited Rene's Saigon on a rainy morning with my stomach rumbling for bahn mi (french bread sandwich) and a hot noodle soup. Unfortunately, the former was unavailable as they still had to bake their bread (I guess it is best to visit them after 3PM for bahn mi cravings). For only Php 80, the hot beef stew noodle soup, though the noodles were too sticky and clumpy, sure hit the spot that rainy morning.



Go
Because I had to go to Port Barton the next day, I had to catch a van ride at San Jose Terminal. The terminal, some seven kilometers from the airport, is where vans and buses to different parts of Palawan, such as Taytay, Roxas, Port Barton, San Vicente Poblacion, El Nido, Rio Tuba, etc begin their journey.

The cheapest way to get to San Jose Terminal from the airport is to take a tricycle to Junction 1 (Php 8), then a jeepney (or "multicab" as the locals call it) to San Jose Terminal (the sign on the side of the jeepney/multicab would be San Jose/New Market/Terminal; the last stop is the San Jose Terminal; fare from Junction 1 to the terminal is Php 13). This tricycle and jeepney/multicab combo would only cost you Php 21. A more expensive option (if you're going solo) but without the hassle of transfers is to hire a tricycle (Php 70).





San Vicente Short:
In Transit: Puerto Princesa Because (you're here!)
Port Barton (soon)
Long Beach in San Vicente (soon)
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What's in a (Business) Name? Malaysia

November 29, 2016, 6:00 pm
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Best Places in the United States to Travel with Your Family

December 13, 2016, 12:56 am
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This is a guest post by Danny, a young dad and a blogger who loves writing about parenting topics over at his blog MyParentingJournal.com.


 
Every family looks forward to enjoying a relaxing vacation in a lively destination surrounded by a cool breeze and a beautiful environment. When looking for a family vacation destination, there are several factors you should consider. These include an amusement park, zoo, beaches, museums and water parks among other factors. These are some of the best places to visit in the US with your family.

Kauai, Hawaii
Hawaii is generally a great place for vacationing and there are lots of cities, beaches, and towns to visit. However, Kauai is one of the top places to visit in Hawaii for its beautiful weather, fewer crowds, and affordability. The city has magical blue waters and clear skies cast in the horizon that provide an amazing sight to see especially when sailing out in the sea. There is an abundant number of condo rentals that are family friendly and affordable too. There are lifeguarded beaches, family oriented activities, and short driving distances to and from destinations. While in Kauai with your family, go for zip-lining activities in the jungle or enjoy a relaxing bike ride along coastal paths all over the city.

Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon is an incredibly inspiring site to visit with your family. While in this destination, there are lots of activities you can engage in. The Rim Trail in the Canyon is one of the best and most lively sights to visit and see while in the Grand Canyon. The only thing to note about visiting the Grand Canyon during summer and spring is that you need to book your accommodation in advance. This is because there are lots of people who visit this place around these months, thereby making last minute accommodation booking quite hard.

Myrtle Beach, Carolina
Myrtle Beach is an impressive 60-mile beach stretch characterized by family-friendly vacation spots, and budget-friendly rentals. The beach prides itself in having amazing bodysurfing waters, a carnival-like atmosphere, and a mile-long promenade that you can walk your kids or pets along. There are amazing waterslides, water parks, and amusement parks. Just like the Grand Canyon, it is good to plan ahead for your visit as during summer, there are thousands of people who visit the beach around this time.

Washington D.C.
If you have ever wished to take your family to the power seat of the U.S, then Washington D.C. is the best place to visit for a family vacation. The best thing about Washington is that most museums and top attraction sites like the White House are free to visit. Some of the popular monuments that you can visit while in D.C. for a family vacation include the Lincoln Memorial, the National (World War II) Memorial, and other monuments. If you want to save on your accommodation costs while in the D.C, you can book early or opt for alternative accommodation in Arlington, Virginia.

Outer Banks
Outer Banks in North Carolina are yet other beautiful destinations to visit as a family. Found along the state’s shores, these banks draw a lot of families from all over the country as well as across the globe. While in North Carolina, make sure you visit other attraction sites like Wright Brothers (National) Memorial. You can bring your pets along too and book a pet-friendly accommodation facility to stay in during your vacation.

Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu is famed for its beautiful and child-friendly beaches that are not only attractive to children but adults as well. There are lots of activities that children can engage in in Honolulu including swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and visiting the Hawaiian Adventure Park. The best thing about Honolulu is that there are very many hotels set along the shores and in close proximity to key attraction sites. This negates the need for seeking transport means while in Honolulu for a family vacation. Most of the attraction sites and amazing sights in this destination are known for their timeless appeal. There is a slew of theme parks, adventure parks, and other children-friendly sites spread all over the island.

Wrapping up
Generally, when looking for the best place to visit with your family, you need to look at more than what the kids will enjoy. You should also consider your interests as well as those of your spouse too. In addition to this, you should also consider the amount of money you are willing to spend on the vacation. This will make it possible for you to cut cost where necessary and focus on having an enjoyable vacation.
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